𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 3 - the Parts we Play

Adeline walked into the Transfiguration classroom, her heart still heavy from the tense encounter with Snape. The room was bathed in soft light, its high stone walls lined with shelves filled with books and various magical objects. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and old wood, a comforting aroma that made the place feel oddly familiar, despite the strange circumstances she found herself in.

'It took me so long to find this place, I thought I'd be late...' she thought. 'Pansy said that we had Herbology. Did she lie? Hm, maybe she just mixed up the lessons.'

At the front of the room stood Professor McGonagall, her sharp features and stern expression instantly recognizable. Adeline had read so much about her, the formidable yet fair Head of Gryffindor House, and now here she was, standing just a few feet away.

Adeline gulped, her anxiety rising as she searched for an empty seat. There was only one available, next to Daphne Greengrass. Taking a deep breath, she made her way over, trying to keep her composure.

As she sat down, placing her bag on the floor beside her, Daphne leaned closer, her long brown hair brushing against Adeline's shoulder. "Malia, how did it go with Snape?"

Adeline forced a weak smile, still rattled by the encounter. "He emphasized that I still have to go to detention every week."

Daphne giggled softly. "You'll get through it, I'm sure."

Before Adeline could respond, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Blaise, his dark eyes watching her with a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite place. Next to him sat another boy, handsome with sharp features and tan skin, who was staring at her intensely, almost as if he could see right through her.

'Just who is he again? I have no clue.'

Ignoring the stranger, Adeline focused on Blaise, trying to hide her growing discomfort. "Blaise," she attempted to sound casual, "what is it? The lesson is about to start."

"I need to speak with you." Blaise leaned in closer, lowering his voice so that only she could hear. "Meet me in the usual spot after class."

Adeline blinked, her mind empty. The usual spot? She had no idea where that was.

Trying to think quickly, she asked, "Where's that again?"

Blaise's expression shifted to one of confusion, his brow furrowing slightly. There was a brief, tense pause before he spoke again, his tone uncertain.

"Are you serious, Malia?"

Adeline forced a laugh, trying to play it off as a joke. "Oh, right! I just have a lot on my mind today," she lied smoothly. "Let's go together after class. I don't have much time, though."

Blaise's confusion lingered for a moment longer before he nodded, seemingly accepting her excuse. "Alright, we'll go to the Undercroft together then."

Undercroft?

Adeline nodded, pretending to understand. As she turned back to face the front of the class, her mind whirled with questions, but she pushed all thoughts aside as Professor McGonagall began the lesson.

"Good morning, class," McGonagall said, voice crisp and commanding. "Today, we will be starting on Vanishing Spells. These are easier than Conjuring Spells, which you would not usually attempt until N.E.W.T. level, but they are still among the most difficult magic you will be tested on in your O.W.L.s."

The students listened intently as McGonagall continued her explanation, but Adeline found her mind wandering.

The events of the past few hours—the encounter with Snape, the strange conversation with Blaise, and the overwhelming reality that she was actually here in this world—made it hard to focus. The room felt both familiar and alien, and she struggled to keep up with the flow of the lesson. It wasn't until she felt a presence beside her that she snapped back to attention. McGonagall was standing in front of her desk, her eyes narrowed as she looked down at Adeline. The entire class had gone silent, all eyes now on her.