𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 15 - the Troubling Feelings

The sound of running water filled the room.

Adeline stared at herself in the mirror—something she'd begun to do more often. She didn't want to admit it, but she had forgotten her old face. Each time she looked into the glass, it wasn't as though she were gazing at someone else; it felt as if she were confronting herself, yet not quite knowing who that self was.

Slender build. Pale skin. A small, delicate nose. Plush pink lips. Sharp, yet unkind eyes that were the colour of fresh moss. Long, dark lashes, and hair even longer and darker still.

Was it Adeline? Was it Malia? Was Adeline Malia?

The thought lingered like mist in her chest. She turned off the tap and let out a quiet breath.

................

The next two weeks were intense.

Draco Malfoy seemed to disappear more often, Adeline knew he was busy trying to fix a cabinet that would let Voldemort's Death Eaters inside of Hogwarts.

At the same time, she avoided Severus Snape like the plague, even skipping Potion's classes. She always found an excuse, stating that she felt unwell or had not finished her homework.

Once Adeline skipped his special lesson, he came looking for her.

Adeline was in the Great Hall, sat at the Slytherin table, absently pushing her food around her plate. The chatter of students filled the air, the clinking of cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter echoing off the stone walls. Her gaze drifted toward the professors' table, where she caught Severus Snape staring at her. His dark eyes were sharp, the intensity of his gaze made her stomach flip. Quickly, she averted her eyes, focusing instead on the conversation between Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. They were discussing Quidditch.

"I'm telling you, Ravenclaw's got no chance against Hufflepuff this time," Theo said, leaning forward. "Their new Seeker is unstoppable."

Blaise smirked. "I don't know, Hufflepuff's defence is strong, but their Chasers are weak. If Ravenclaw can keep the Quaffle in their possession, they might just pull it off." Adeline tried to immerse herself in the conversation, nodding along as she listened. She found comfort in the familiar banter, the way the boys spoke so passionately about the sport.

'I never cared much for Quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter books, but listening to them speak so passionately is kind of fun,' she thought.

Blaise turned to the girl, his expression softening. "How's your arm, Malia? I heard about what happened in Potions."

"It's fine now, all healed."

"Sue Li's facing detention for what she did. She's also been removed from all her special extra classes—Potions, Charms, even Transfiguration. Snape made sure of that."

Adeline sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of her goblet. "I don't care as long as she doesn't try to approach me again."

The conversation drifted to other topics, but Adeline found herself disengaged. She finished her meal quickly, eager to escape the overwhelming presence of the professor's gaze. Standing up, she excused herself and made her way out of the Great Hall.

As she opened the door, she glanced back and saw the man she was avoiding rising from his seat, dark robes billowing as he made his way toward her.

Her heart leaped into her throat—he was coming after her.

Without thinking, Adeline left the hall and broke into a run, her footsteps echoing through the empty corridors as she raced up the grand staircase, taking the steps two at a time. She didn't stop even when she reached the seventh floor.