A Star For You

Five

A few weeks passed, not much really happening other than that Estelle had found herself spending more time with the Severus Snape and having tea with him in his office. They weren't quite friends per say, more like a stable and comforting presence. Though Estelle found herself wondering if Snape liked her company or not, since he usually remained quiet not really saying anything or having a hard expression whenever she showed up. He didn't stop her from coming though so that was reassuring. Also Elio hadn't asked to come again since the first time and usually avoided looking or mentioning Snape's name. Estelle was a little bothered about this but didn't ask her brother any questions in fear he would say something she really didn't like.

The holidays were approaching quickly, it being near the end of November already. It was strange, it felt like she had been at Hogwarts for years rather than only two and a half months. The weather outside was getting colder and leaves had already begun to fall, signalling winter was coming. Estelle was excited, Christmas being her favourite holiday and all. Also the fact that the ball was happening was extremely exciting as she never attended such an event before.

At the moment, Estelle was on her way out of the Great Hall currently finished eating breakfast and where she had just finished talking to Minerva about her lessons so far and how things were going. She thought they were going rather well and so did Minerva, who smiled at her proudly and thought she was doing well as a new professor. Though she glanced at her outfit after with a slight disapproving eye but said nothing. While she was walking and smiling triumphally out of the Great Hall she ran into Neville Longbottom.

He paused after saying hello, eyeing her outfit immediately, but said nothing out loud anyways. He had grown used to hers and Elio's odd but fascinating choice of clothes over the last couple of months. Today she was wearing a long sleeve fitted shirt which was dark blue but had white little sparkles on them that looked like stars. She was also wearing a knee length puffy skirt that was faded grey at top that went down to black which looked like clouds. Her outfit looked like the night sky it was beautiful but very out there and only a few could pull off. She wasn't wearing tights this time but she was wearing her favourite pair of flats. Her hair was as usual up in a ponytail and both that and her bangs were of course not one strand out of place.

"How are you, Estelle?" He finally asked as they both turned and began to walk without a clear destination in sight. He had time before his first lesson of the day and she didn't have anything scheduled for today so she was free, as it was Elio's turn to teach their class tonight.

She smiled, "Great! Had a lovely chat with Minerva just now." She told him, still feeling proud and excited. It was her first compliment at how good of a professor she was and it was only slightly getting to her head. What? She never knew she would be able to teach others and actually be good at it so it was nice to be recognized for it and reassured, especially by the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall.

"Excited for the holidays?" Neville asked while they were heading for the direction of the greenhouses. She could already feel the cold air and shivered slightly, regretting not grabbing her cloak right now. She instead casted a small Warming charm and relaxed in the warmth.

"Absolutely. I love Christmas, it's one of my favourite holidays." She exclaimed with a big smile on her face. Christmas was wonderful especially the food and presents. It was the happiest time of the year in her opinion.

He smiled at her obvious happiness and excitement. His smile disappeared quickly as if it was slapped off of his face and it was taken over by anger and cautiousness almost immediately.

In front of them was Severus Snape. He was quickly walking towards them, most likely headed for the dungeons which were in the direction behind them. He was off to his first lesson of the day, his black robes were billowing as he walked swiftly and stiffly. She noticed he looked even more tired than the previous day when they had tea and it made his face even more darker and angry looking. Estelle watched the surroundings around them quickly, noticing the few students in the halls panic and get out of their professors way with scared and cautious expressions. Snape ignored the two, probably not noticing them in his haste to get to the dungeons, and breezed past them.