Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(11) Wolfsbane Potion

Little did they know, she was ready for whatever pranks or mischief they had planned, determined to stay one step ahead and ensure the safety and well-being of Severus.

The feast had come to an end, leaving behind a room filled with satisfied and contented students. Among them were Sophie and Severus, who skillfully navigated through the bustling crowd of older students, eager to be among the first to depart. As they made their way through, Sophie accidentally bumped into Lucius Malfoy, but she paid him no mind. He sneered at her, aware that it was unwise to cross paths with a fellow Slytherin. He would not have been so civil if she belonged to any other house.

Severus expertly weaved through the sea of people, his movements as graceful as a slithering snake. It was no wonder James and Sirius had given him the nickname "Snivellus." The name had stuck and become an integral part of his identity.

Once they emerged from the crowd, Sophie bid farewell to Severus. "See you tomorrow, Sev," she called out.

Severus mumbled the last part of her name, and Sophie couldn't quite believe what she heard. She called him Sev because "Severus" sounded too formal, and using "Snape" felt... strange. Especially when she knew how he would look and act in the future. But she was determined to change that. It was her duty, alongside managing the mischievous Marauders.

That night, Sophie meticulously planned out her schedule for the next day, organizing her tasks with precision. Thankfully, she had two consecutive free periods since she no longer needed flying lessons, having mastered them on her first attempt, much like Harry in his first year. It wasn't to show off; she did it to protect Severus and keep the troublemakers in check. It was like a two-for-one deal, she mused.

"Tomorrow, the potion should be ready... that is if Tom properly watched over it," she thought to herself, gazing up at the stone ceiling above her. "It's such a shame that a handsome boy like Tom ended up yearning for immortality... obsessed with power."

Shifting in her bed, she closed her eyes, hoping to dream of happier things, like Severus smiling or impressing the entire school. However, her thoughts were consumed by images of Tom Riddle and the ominous air surrounding him.

A faint whisper sounded near her right ear, rousing her from her thoughts. "Pssst..." the voice called, barely audible amidst the soft murmurs of the dorm mates. Sophie pulled her blanket up to her chin, assuming it was simply the other girls chatting amongst themselves.

"Psst, hey," the voice persisted. Curiosity piqued, Sophie's eyes fluttered open to reveal a hooded figure standing by her bedside. The figure removed its hood, unveiling none other than Tom Riddle's "ghost." Sophie sat up straight in bed, almost letting out a yelp, but Tom quickly covered her mouth with his hand, gently urging her to stay quiet. Shaking her head, she threw off the blanket, realizing that it wasn't her dorm mates after all. Her choice of sleepwear—shorts and a non-descript T-shirt, ending just above her mid-thigh—seemed peculiar for this era.

Standing up, Sophie whispered, "What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't leave the Chamber."

"I didn't think I could either... no one here can see or hear me... except you," his voice was strangely soothing, almost deceivingly so.

Raising an eyebrow, she questioned, "You still haven't answered my other question. What are you doing here?"

"It's about the potion. It'll be ready in about an hour or so. It told me," Tom explained, removing his hood.

"It... told you? Um... okay..." She regarded him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity, realizing that he was a spectral figure, so perhaps such communication wasn't entirely impossible.