𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 13 - the Truth

Summer was slowly coming to an end... tension weaved itself around Adeline like a tight scarf. 

Late in the evening, Snape walked into the living room to see Adeline sitting comfortably in one of his arm chairs, the dusty candle chandelier that hung above the room casting dark orange shadows on the walls. He handed her a steaming cup of tea, his expression unreadable.

"I made too much," he spoke in a casual tone, "you should drink it before bed. It will help you relax."

Adeline smiled. "Thank you, Professor," she replied, taking the cup from the man's hands.

The warmth of the tea seeped through the porcelain, soothing her as she took a sip. The taste was slightly bitter, but she didn't mind.

A pang.

As she drank the hot beverage, a heavy drowsiness began to settle over the girl, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing second. Snape eyed her carefully, noting the way her movements slowed, how her grip on the cup loosened. Mere seconds later, Adeline struggled to stay awake.

"You're look tired," Snape remarked in a softer voice. "Let me help you to bed."

Adeline nodded, barely conscious, her head already starting to droop. Snape helped her up, guiding her to her feet, his hands gentle on her arm and back as he led her to her room. She was almost entirely out of it by the time they reached her bed.

She proceeded to collapse onto the mattress, her body sinking into the soft sheets.

"Mnn~ goodnight," Adeline mumbled, her voice slurred and distant. Her eyes fluttered closed as the effects of the sleeping potion took hold, pulling her swiftly into unconsciousness.

Snape waited, his breath held as he watched her succumb to the potion.

Once he was certain the girl was almost completely asleep, he allowed himself to move. He didn't have much time; he had to act quickly before her mind fell into slumber.

Stepping closer to the bed, Snape leaned over her body, placing his hand on the girl's forehead gently. What he did next was unforgivable, but he saw that he had no other choice. Snape performed Legilimency, his magic diving into her mind, delving into the depths of her memories.

At first, there was only darkness, the void of unconsciousness. After a few seconds, the memories began to surface, one after the other, like fragments of a shattered mirror slowly piecing themselves together.

The first memory was of a young girl, no older than thirteen, standing in an orphanage. Her green eyes were filled with a blend of sadness and determination. The unfamiliar girl's hair was brown, cascading down her back, and her features were soft yet striking. Snape recognized those eyes immediately—they were her eyes. He watched the memory of her standing alone as other children played, sound of laugher echoing through his ears. The scene looked like it had happened in an orphanage. This girl, this quiet and lone girl, one he assumed was the true Adeline, narrowed her eyes before she sprang into action. She ran to help a young boy who had fallen and got hurt, crying tears as he clutched his knee. Adeline was gentle as she carefully inspected the little boy's bruises, her smile warm despite the bleak surroundings.

The moment was shattered when a stern woman, presumably a worker at the orphanage, stormed over. She grabbed Adeline by the hair, yanking the young girl away from the boy with a vicious tug. Adeline cried out in pain, but the woman didn't loosen her grip, berating her for acting out of place.

"You're not his mother!" the woman shouted, her grip cruel as the girl struggled. "It's not your place to help him!"

The memory faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by another.