𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐱 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈

Chapter 20 - Malia Beaumont

Adeline stood over the simmering cauldron, carefully measuring and mixing the ingredients for Baruffio's Brain Elixir. The potion required precision, and she was determined not to let anything go wrong, especially after her previous mishap with Veritaserum. Her memory of that failure still stung, especially since Snape never let her forget it.

The string of potions the professor had her brewing all began with the letter "B," from Babbling Beverage to Burning Bitterroot Balm. It seemed like a punishment, but Adeline was secretly thrilled to work with new ingredients and learn more about lesser-known concoctions.

As the girl stirred the cauldron, a light aroma of herbs and something vaguely metallic filled the room. She was so focused on her task that she barely noticed Severus Snape entering the room. He walked past, his sharp eyes assessing her work with the same critical gaze.

"You're doing this because of your last failure with Veritaserum," he reminded, tone stern. "You can stop once I feel you've compensated for that blunder." She didn't reply, instead letting the rhythmic motion of stirring calm her.

Adeline did find the man's comments often frustrating, but he kept her sharp. She had come to expect these remarks from Severus Snape, though they never failed to irritate her. She knew he was a demanding man, and that just because they were now closer than a regular professor and student should be—did not mean that he took potions or brewing lightly. On the contrary, he seemed to become even more demanding when the topic concerned her studies.

For some reason, she liked it.

Snape moved towards the door, pulling on his black coat, preparing to leave. "I'll be back later," he stated flatly.

Without looking up from her work, Adeline said, "Tell the Malfoys I said hello."

Her words made Snape stop in his tracks.

A pause.

Adeline tried her best to hide a smile.

Severus slowly turned to look at her, scrutiny flickering across his usually unreadable features. "Was that written in the book?" he asked.

"Yes," Adeline nodded, still focused on the cauldron. "This is the summer of many Death Eater meetings," she replied, her tone matter-of-fact.

Snape sighed, walking over to the girl, his expression softening as he wrapped his arms around her. Adeline froze. This was a very rare display of affection.

"I apologize," he murmured into her hair.

Adeline chuckled softly, turning her head slightly to glance at the man. "You have nothing to apologize for. I know where your loyalties truly lie," she said. Snape allowed a small smile to cross his lips before he leaned in. Their lips met, like they did more often nowadays, as he gave her a soft, lingering kiss. It was a tender moment, a quiet promise of his return.

With a final glance, Severus turned and left the house, his black coat billowing behind him.

Left alone in the quiet of his home, Adeline returned to her brewing. The Baruffio's Brain Elixir was nearly complete, its surface bubbling gently. She watched as the potion changed colour, signalling its readiness. The elixir was known to increase the taker's brain power, and she couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement at the thought of testing it out.

As the room settled back into silence, the reality of her situation pressed down on her. Whenever Snape left, Adeline always had this sinking feeling of fear like there was a chance he'd never return.

The night came, sky as black as the darkest cattleya orchid.

Snape returned to his home in the dead of night, his mind haunted by the horrors he had just witnessed at Malfoy Manor. His eyes were cold, his gaze filled with a vile darkness that reflected the death he had witnessed.