𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 12 - Snape's Summer Holiday

Adeline ran a hand through her hair, fingers smoothly gliding through the long, black locks Malia had bestowed upon her. For a moment, time stopped. She stood in front of the old home, eying her reflection in the glass of the front door. Malia's skin, the skin she now embodied, was just as fair and flawless as ever, her features sharp, her eyes piercing—distorted only by the fogged glass that was covered in specks and smudges.

 The door opened and Adeline stepped into Severus Snape's home, feeling an odd mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

The house at Spinner's End was just as she had imagined it—a quaint, unassuming structure nestled in a rather dreary part of Cokeworth. The house, though small, had a certain charm to it, an echo of the past that lingered in the shadows of the old furniture and the many books that lined the walls.

As she entered, the first thing that struck her was the darkness. The air was heavy with the scent of old wood and parchment, the curtains drawn just enough to let in slivers of fading daylight. Dust motes floated lazily in the beams of light, and she could see that while the place was well-lived in, it hadn't been fussed over in a long time. Still, there was something comforting about it, like stepping into a forgotten, well-worn book.

Adeline placed her suitcases, each bearing the Beaumont family crest, by the entrance and took a moment to absorb her surroundings. Her bright eyes scanned the dark wooden furniture, the overstuffed armchairs that had seen better days, and the antique knickknacks scattered around, each with its own story.

She smiled.

This was a place of solitude—a sanctuary for someone who preferred the company of books and quietude to that of people.

From the kitchen, she heard the sound of a kettle being put on, followed by the soft, measured footsteps of Severus Snape as he emerged into the entrance hall. He regarded her with a look that was both curious and guarded.

"Your room is upstairs, on the far right," he said in his usual low, even tone, "and there is a lavatory up there as well, which you are free to use."

Adeline nodded, her voice quiet as she said, "thank you, Professor."

She picked up her bags and ascended the creaky staircase.

The room Snape had assigned to her was modest yet welcoming. The green wallpaper gave it a slightly brighter appearance compared to the rest of the house, and a small fireplace added a touch of warmth. A wooden four-poster bed with white linen sheets and a knitted cover stood against one wall, and a large bookcase full of old volumes took up another. A comfortable chair was placed near the bookcase, beside a window that offered a view of the scenery outside.

Adeline put down her suitcases and wandered over to the desk. Running her fingers across the dusty surface, she found herself drawn to the carved initials in the wood: 'S.T.S.' A quiet chuckle escaped her lips as she whispered, "Severus Tobias Snape."

"Tea is ready," Snape's voice broke the silence, making the girl jump. He was stood in the doorway, watching her with narrow eyes.

Adeline turned to face the man, offering a small smile. "This is a lovely room."

"It was mine when I was a child," Snape replied, his tone neutral.

She glanced around the room again, then back at the man. "Did you sit on that windowsill and read when you were young?"

Snape hesitated for a moment, his gaze shifting to the windowsill before he answered with a simple, "Yes."

There was a brief silence between them before Snape cleared his throat, signalling the end of the conversation. "Come downstairs. We need to have a chat."