Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(74) Professor?

As the school year progressed, the wizarding world would face unprecedented challenges, the dark magic looming like a dark cloud on the horizon. Sophie knew she would need all her wits and courage to navigate the tumultuous times ahead.

The rest of the month, until June 30th on a Monday, Sophie spent her free time meticulously planning her next and final year at Hogwarts as she aspired to become an Auror with a specialized focus on dark locations rather than objects.

As the days passed, her memories began to meld together, and she had to consciously delve deep into her mind to retrieve specific information from the past. Late into the nights, while the rest of the castle slept, she found herself lost in contemplation, grappling with questions that gnawed at her soul, pondering the significance of the choices she had made and those she was yet to make.

The weight of these questions felt burdensome, tugging at the seams of her being, pulling her towards different paths with diverging destinies. But she had always been one to confront challenges head-on, and she wouldn't shy away from the trials that lay ahead.

On the last day at Hogwarts during breakfast, Sophie noticed the absence of Dumbledore, the wise headmaster who had been a guiding presence throughout her time at the school. Realizing that she was saying goodbye to Hogwarts in a few short hours weighed heavily on her heart. The thought of parting with a place that had become her home filled her with a mix of sadness and nostalgia. Yet, she decided to leave a day later than the graduates, choosing to face the farewell gradually, easing the ache in her heart.

Sophie had become an integral part of Hogwarts, an enigma among students and staff alike. The portraits acknowledged her presence with warm smiles and kind words, while teachers spoke highly of her talents and potential. The library imprinted her name in its volumes, a testament to her insatiable thirst for knowledge and dedication to her studies.

Her story was unusual, a mysterious tale of disappearance and return that had intrigued her fellow students. There was an air of fascination around her, a desire to uncover the secrets behind her vanishing act and subsequent return. The enigma surrounding her deepened her connection to the school and its inhabitants.

After hurriedly finishing her breakfast, Sophie rose from her seat and swiftly departed the Great Hall, setting out to leave Hogwarts and return to Spinner's End. She knew Severus would be waiting for her, and the anticipation of their reunion spurred her haste.

With her bags in tow, she made her way through the dim dungeons of Hogwarts before stepping out into the cool morning air of the courtyard. Once at a safe distance, she focused her mind and apparated to her shared residence in Spinner's End, eager to be reunited with Severus.

Sophie entered the house in a hurry, her senses immediately picking up on the signs of guests. Neatly arranged shoes by the inner back door indicated someone else was present. With a sense of urgency, she set her trunk down on the cool, tiled floor and carefully organized her belongings in their designated places before venturing further into the room where multiple individuals awaited.

As her hand grasped the doorknob, she sensed a sudden shift in the atmosphere, as if someone had swiftly departed. Undeterred, she opened the door to be greeted by a wavering distortion that quickly settled into the form of Severus, standing there with his dark hair cascading over his shoulders and a solemn expression.

Her gaze bore into his with a mix of emotions, a complex blend of frustration, the harsh reality of their circumstances, and the undeniable relief of being reunited with someone she held dear.

Unable to contain herself any longer, she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around Severus, embracing him tightly as if trying to bridge the gap of the time they had spent apart.