autumn | severus snape

thirty eight

The first snowfall of the year had always been something special to Teddy. He loved the way it blanketed the grounds of Hogwarts, softening the sharp edges of the castle and turning the Forbidden Forest into a distant, mysterious silhouette.

He stood just outside the castle, his breath clouding in the chilly air as he watched the snowflakes dance in the morning light. Most of the other students were inside, gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Teddy!" Ophelia's voice called from behind him, and he turned to see her jogging down the steps, her cloak pulled tightly around her. "What are you doing out here?" She asked, coming to stand beside him.

Teddy gestured toward the falling snow, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Ophelia followed his gaze, her expression softening as she took in the quiet scene before them. The grounds seemed untouched, the stillness of the snow giving the castle an almost ethereal quality.

"Yeah, it is," she said after a moment, her tone quiet. "Though, it's got nothing on the way the air smells when the first leaves are just about to fall."

Teddy chuckled, his breath fogging in the cold. "You and autumn," he teased. "Snow's underrated, though," he said with a grin, gesturing toward the landscape. "It makes everything quieter. Cleaner. Like the world's starting over."

Ophelia glanced at him, her teasing expression softening. "You're such a sap sometimes," she said, though there was no malice in her voice.

"And yet, you keep me around," Teddy quipped, nudging her lightly with his elbow.

Ophelia laughed, her breath clouding in the air. "Maybe I'm the sap," she admitted, crossing her arms as she leaned against the railing.

The two of them stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the snow continuing to fall around them. Ophelia shivered and Teddy straightened, brushing his hands against his cloak.

"Come on," he said. "If we don't get moving, we're going to miss breakfast. And I know how grumpy you get without your tea."

Ophelia laughed, falling into step beside him as they headed back toward the warmth of the castle.

The hum of conversation filled the Great Hall as students crowded around their house tables, plates piled high with breakfast. Ophelia and Teddy approached the Hufflepuff table, sliding onto the bench opposite Andrew and Alya.

"Nice to see you at the Hufflepuff table for a change," Alya teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Ophelia smirked, reaching for a piece of toast. "Don't get used to it. Slytherin's eggs are better."

Teddy chuckled, leaning back casually. "We have better tea, too."

"Tea?" Andrew raised an eyebrow. "What's so special about your tea?"

"It's brewed with ambition," Teddy quipped, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Alya groaned, rolling her eyes. "Merlin, help me. I forgot how smug you are."

"Only when I'm right," Teddy said smoothly, earning a laugh from Ophelia.

"So," Ophelia interjected, turning to Andrew and Alya, "what are you doing today? Besides making googly eyes at each other."

Andrew blushed faintly, but Alya was unfazed. "We're heading to the greenhouses after breakfast," she said. "Professor Sprout needs help with the Sopophorous Vines. Apparently, they've still not recovered."

"Typical Hufflepuff behavior," Teddy teased, stealing a piece of bacon from Ophelia's plate.

"Hey!" Ophelia frowned, swatting his hand away. "There's plenty more, you don't have to take mine."