Never-Lasting •~H.Potter AU~• (ON HOLD)

8 |cover up|

AS OCTOBER ROLLED AROUND, HARRY POTTER'S CURIOSITY grew the less he saw Dumbledore around. He only saw him twice in the span of a week, seeing as he frequently missed breakfast and dinner. 

His curiosity was still there as the time came for the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. The weather was quite stormy that morning. 

Aliana woke up that morning as well, stretching as she got ready for the day. Hermione was already awake, brushing her teeth in the dormitory bathroom.

"Good morning Hermione."

Hermione nodded, as she was unable to respond back with the toothpaste in her mouth. Every since Slughorn's Dinner Party Hermione, Ginny, and Aliana have all been getting closer. To Hermione, it was nice to have another friend that wasn't Harry or Ron. 

After Aliana and Hermione were done getting ready, they made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione waved goodbye to Aliana as they went their separate ways, with Hermione going to Harry and Ron and Aliana going to her brother Severus.

"Good morning Aliana," Snape said, looking up at his sister.

"Not quite a good morning for me personally." Aliana sighed as she slumped in a nearby empty chair. Severus looked at her confused but didn't say a word, waiting for her reasoning.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts is simple, but you just give too much work. Had to stay up late to finish it." Severus couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, you can't expect me to be courteous on you just being we are related. You are my student as well." Aliana huffed in disapproval as we got up.

"You're no fun. I'll sit with Granger." As Aliana dramatically turned around, Snape smiled. Aliana definitely has changed since the first time they met. The reasons were unknown, but Snape suspected it had to be due to the fact that Aliana has found a friend in Hermione and Ginny.

It made Severus happy.

It took Harry and Ron by surprise when Aliana Snape sat next to Hermione.

"Oh. Aliana. I thought you were going to sit with Professor Snape." Hermione said.

"I was, but I decided otherwise." Aliana shrugged off as she picked up a piece of toast from Hermione's plate and plopped it in her mouth. Hermione laughed as she slapped Aliana on the shoulder.

"Get your own plate." Aliana laughed, giving a face of defeat as she started to fill her own plate with food. Ron and Harry were still confused as they looked at each other. 

"Since when did you two become so close?" Ron finally spoke up.

"Since Professor Slughorn's Dinner Party," Hermione said as if it was just a normal fact.

"Mhm." Aliana agreed. "Believe it or not Ms. Goody Two Shoes here lied her way out of the dinner." Hermione blushed as he turned to Aliana.

"Not true! You did all the lying." Aliana giggled.

It didn't take long for Harry and Ron to steer Hermione into a different conversation. They were talking in whispers, as it seemed like Aliana had not gained their trust yet. However, there was one word that stood out in its context.

Prince.

Aliana's ears perked up on that word, and she wanted to ask about it, but she decided not to, as it could make the trio distance themselves since their state of trust was nonexistent.

Finally, students began to leave the Great Hall to go to Hogsmeade. Aliana left with the trio, connecting her arm with Hermiones'. Ginny had appeared to give Harry a note, and Aliana couldn't help but notice how Harry began to glow when he talked to Ginny. Aliana kept looking until Harry turned to run, in which she quickly looked the other way.

After passing Filch, the four walked to Hogsmeade. The stormy proved annoyed to Harry, as the exposed part of his next grew cold in the wind. Even though everything else was covered, the cold on those areas made him shiver.

"Are you alright Potter?" Harry turned around to spot Aliana next to him, who had a concerned look on her face. Harry hesitated before finally answering.

"Uh...I'm alright. Just quite chilly." Aliana peered a bit sideways, noticing the exposed skin on Harry's neck. She dug into the pockets of her jacket, taking out a thin scarf.

"I always carry this around. I don't know why but I suppose there's a reason now." She handed the scarf to Harry, smiling. "Here. Use it to cover up." Harry slowly took the scarf in his hand. Its thin material explained why it was easily kept away in Aliana's jacket pocket, but it was at least something. Harry wrapped the scarf around the exposed part of his neck, feeling a little warmer.

"Thanks," Harry said. Aliana gave a warm smile that Harry had never seen before. 

It was quite mesmorizing.