Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(48) Seventh Years' Spinning Pirouette (Part 4)

Her eyes teared up slightly at his heartfelt words, feeling overwhelmed by the depth of his feelings for her. She couldn't help but smile even wider, feeling a rush of happiness as they made their way back to the castle, cherishing each moment together.

They continued on their path with haste as more snow began to fall from the greyed skies, adding to the white blanket that covered Hogwarts. The flakes gently settled on the brims of their clothing, turning them into a living canvas of winter wonder. As they approached the end of the entryway, they noticed a figure standing there, obscured by what appeared to be countless coats, jumpers, vests, jackets, hats, earmuffs, and gloves. It was Professor Slughorn, and Sophie could immediately recognize him by the distinctive way he walked, almost as if each step carried the weight of his many layers.

"Morning, Professor," Sophie greeted with warmth, her eyes darting over his bundled form, inwardly musing that he must be heading to the Three Broomsticks for a bit of cheer, perhaps seeking solace from the pressures of his thoughts regarding Tom Riddle. "It's splendid to see you out and about."

"Ah, if it isn't my brightest students," Slughorn beamed, trying his best to convey enthusiasm despite the cumbersome attire. "It's heartening to know that both of you have been excelling in your NEWT exams so far."

"It's all thanks to you, sir," Sophie replied, feeling a mix of gratitude and modesty as they exchanged pleasantries. Watching the professor slowly make his way towards the pub, she couldn't help but sense the weight of regret and self-blame he carried within himself, given the circumstances surrounding Tom Riddle's dark path. Her heart went out to him, recognizing that his mind must be a whirlwind of emotions.

Severus nodded in agreement, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes. "Untimely way to be told I received perfect scores thus far," he mused as he held open the entrance door for Sophie.

"You still have another week for even more perfect scoring," Sophie laughed, teasing him playfully as she stepped inside, feeling the comforting warmth of the Great Hall enveloping them. The tantalizing aroma of a warm Christmas platter wafted through the air, a delicious invitation to indulge in the delights of the holiday season.

This would be the perfect opportunity for Sophie to grab a small snack and head to the library for some studying in subjects she already excelled in. Having already received her NEWT scores, she knew she could focus on more challenging areas and explore higher-level subjects at her own pace. She had a keen mind for finding loopholes and making the most of every situation, and her time at Hogwarts was no exception.

"You have a meeting this morning for the head boys and girls, right? Then you said you'd be studying for your exams in our room?" Sophie asked as she organized her belongings and stowed them away in her pouch, leaving Severus to take the mask back to their room.

"Yes, it should commence soon if I remember correctly. I guess I should go change out of these snow-stained clothes into something more suitable for a perfect," Severus replied, looking down at his slightly damp attire.

"Alright, I'm going to go study in the library, so I'll rendezvous with you in the room in a little bit," Sophie said, blowing him a kiss goodbye before making her way toward the vast room of books and bookshelves.

As she entered the library, she noticed that half of the books were already taken by students preparing for the second round of exams, a more intense and focused session of studying. The library was filled with students from different houses and years, each seeking guidance from a tutor or studying with peers. Her eyes fell on a lonely Gryffindor boy sitting alone in the corner, illuminated by the gentle glow of a lamp fashioned from previous wizards' wands.