Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(41) Returning to Hogwarts

Severus couldn't help but smile, pulling her closer and enveloping her in his arms. "I can certainly fulfill that role," he replied, a playful smirk playing on his lips.

As the night gracefully melted into dawn, the room was cloaked in a gentle half-light, and Sophie and Severus remained ensconced in their dreams, their bodies immersed in the rejuvenating embrace of slumber. Soon, they would embark on an exciting escapade to Hogsmeade, their clandestine return to Hogwarts after their secretive "vacation."

As the first soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, Sophie slowly stirred awake, her heart aflutter with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The memory of her last apparition with Tom still lingered, leaving a faint twinge of unease in her stomach. However, she firmly pushed those thoughts aside, determined to face the day with courage and resolve.

Not long after, Severus roused from his rest, his searching hand finding hers as he gently rubbed the grogginess from his eyes. His voice, akin to deep, velvety tones, resonated through the room as he called for her, "Where did my Sophie go?"

With just those words, a delightful shiver coursed down her spine, and she couldn't help but marvel at how his voice had evolved over time, maturing like the finest of dark chocolates or the complexity of aged wine, growing more alluring with each passing year.

Sophie, eager to start the day on the right note, used her wand with finesse to gather her hair to one side, creating an effortlessly elegant look. As she slipped into her cherished Slytherin sweater, she thoughtfully laid out Severus' emerald garment on the bed, prepared for his dressing.

"It's too early for these shenanigans," Severus groaned, coming face to face with the reality of waking up twenty minutes before his usual schedule.

Sophie couldn't resist teasing him playfully, giving her hair a final twirl, "Oh yes, I know, it's just so hard, Sevy. I'll help you get dressed if you get up now."

To her pleasant surprise, Severus readily complied, sitting up and stretching, the satisfying pop in his back bringing a sense of relief to him. "I'm listening," he said, his enigmatic aura undiminished even without a shirt on, as he adjusted his eyes to the gentle glow of the morning light.

Sophie couldn't help but find amusement in his brooding appearance, thinking, 'It's no wonder they call you a dungeon bat in the future. It's just even more ironic that it's now your Patronus.' She handed him the green sweater, eager for him to put it on.

"You said you'd help me," Severus pouted, scrunching his eyebrows in that iconic 'Snape Look' of disapproval.

Refusing to be deterred by his disapproval, Sophie walked up to him, unable to resist the desire to touch his smooth skin. She playfully grabbed his face, moving it around as he smiled at her touch.

"End this behavior at once," Severus managed to say, though his resolve wavered as he pulled her closer, holding her arms at bay.

But Sophie's playful and persistent nature knew no bounds as she leaned down to capture Severus' lips in a sweet and puckered kiss. "I love it when you talk like that," she confessed, her words whispered against his mouth, a playful glimmer in her eyes. As they shared the tender moment, her heart fluttered with affection for him. "And I did help you, I gave you your shirt," she teased, her laughter like a melodious tune that added to the magic of the morning.

Sophie's eyes twinkled with playful mischief as she cradled her arms around Severus, not wanting to lose her balance on his lap. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear, and a secretive smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "There's one thing I forgot to tell you," she teased, "something that few others know about you."