Severus Snape x student LOVE STORY

Chapter 8 - the Many Enemies

Year 5, the second semester was here. Everyone was happy to return, eager to get back to their friends and studies. The chatter of students filled the halls once more, but without Dumbledore, who was still in hiding, the school felt slightly bleak. Most people were eagerly waiting for his return. At the same time, Adeline did not have to serve any more detention with Snape, for now she was happy to get some space between her and the inquisitive man. And even though a new semester was upon her, she had another goal in mind. Adeline was dead set on figuring out what happened to her and Malia. It was coming to a point where she knew she had to tell someone the truth, the whole truth. The truth of who she was. 

Another day came, and the Slytherins were all sitting around, the table in the Great Hall, enjoying their meal. Pansy was complaining of having to attend detention with Snape, but Adeline kept quiet, unwilling to discuss the Potion's professor at all. The table was bustling with conversation, and the clatter of cutlery mixed with the chatter of students filled the air. Pansy, Daphne, Blaise, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle surrounded her, each engrossed in their own morning rituals. Draco was laughing with Crabbe and Goyle, his voice cutting through the noise as he boasted about how he had snitched to Umbridge about a Gryffindor sneaking around the halls the night before. The two goons listened eagerly, their expressions full of admiration.

Adeline tuned out Draco's voice, focusing on her meal instead. As she took a sip of pumpkin juice, her gaze lifted, and her eyes met Harry Potter's across the room. She didn't look away, holding the stare for a moment longer than necessary. She watched as Harry leaned over to whisper something to Ron and Hermione, who both turned to look in her direction. The intensity of their gaze made her heart skip a beat, and she quickly averted her eyes, pretending to focus on her food.

"Malia." Daphne's voice broke the silence that had settled over her. "How are you? How was your winter break?"

Adeline shrugged, keeping her tone casual. "Uneventful, mostly. I spent most of it serving detention with Snape." She deliberately left out any details, not wanting to reveal too much about the unsettling experience in the Forbidden Forest.

"Oh, you know what I'm asking!" Daphne tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "What did your parents send you for Christmas? You always get the best, most expensive things." Adeline raised an eyebrow, trying to mask her unease.

"What kind of things did I—Malia—usually get?" she asked, feigning nonchalance. "I seem to have misplaced some of my belongings, including a necklace."

Daphne giggled, waving her off. "Oh, girl, you used to get the finest jewellery, the kind that makes everyone jealous. You'd always say that Beaumonts only wear the best. And your parents sent you all the latest fashion and wizard gadgets, even things that weren't available for purchase yet. They always found a way to spoil you."

Adeline nodded, piecing together the fragments of the life she was supposed to be living. She realized that this Christmas, Malia's parents hadn't sent anything. Forcing a smile, she lied smoothly, "This year, they sent a lot of money and told me to spend it as I please."

"THEY DID?" Daphne's eyes lit up. "Well, we should definitely go shopping then!"

Before Adeline could respond, Pansy interjected, her tone probing. "What about that necklace, Malia? The one you always used to wear."

"Oh, that old thing?" Adeline touched her neck, feeling the absence of any jewellery. She sighed, improvising quickly. "I lost it in the forest and couldn't find it. It's a shame, really. It meant a lot."

'Truth be told, I have no idea what it meant,' she thought. She didn't know what the necklace even looked like, but the lie seemed to satisfy Pansy, who simply nodded and returned to her meal.