Severus Snape has never been too keen to spend time home and that won’t change anytime soon. His parents have always either neglected him or applied what they thought was a good lesson; he’d flinch only at the memory. Hogwarts was the best change in his life, the opportunity for a better future where no one would ever dare to sneer in front of him.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LmS9MteoL
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dZaEOLA0n
“Aren’t you going back home, Sev?” A young Slytherin asked his roommate.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7faTxQT8v
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2RbgLtZxM
Aiden Mulciber was far nicer to his fellow Slytherins yet that could be debatable as his personality was very dark altogether. His sense of humor was different from others, special as he would call it.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2OhhLCDqT
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyyumVnQWK
“No.”1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpeiOk7W4d
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fZilm4HvE
Severus’ short answers were not unusual thus it wasn’t strange to hear him give no other details about his life. Mulciber rolled his eyes and closed his trunk before a boyish grin appeared on his face as he remembered something.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkgRtCIboK
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIaO2iDY4x
“Careful with your mud-blood ginger, Sev.” He obviously threatened before leaving while chuckling under his nose.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrp1ABHoXC
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8iS1P9osN
With the dormitory left empty, Severus couldn't help but crack a content smile. Having strange roommates like Mulciber, Nott and Avery was not what he had in mind when he entered the Slytherin common room and they seemed to have a particular dislike for mud bloods. He knew he had to be careful with Lily but Ophelia has already triggered Mulciber's attention.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt8AE3rV67
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpBjbcqOzM
It wasn't just a farce when he threw the joke-balls at her feet; he knew exactly that she will step over them and wake them to life; he did the curse after all. It just so happened that it escalated into something more during Transfiguration. Severus heard the rumors and he couldn't help but feel amused.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkIV93b1AS
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENd4bZbUJp
On another side, thinking about Ophelia he automatically remembered that incident in the Entrance Hall with Dumbledore and Professor Spinnard. It wasn't really what he would have wanted to witness that night but it happened and Dumbledore noticed him.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXODkdKzM3
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5bJMhuZy9
Actually, now that he started to think about it more, he could somehow use that information in his favor if he could actually understand. Severus only knew it had something to do with Ophelia's father but which one? Wasn't she adopted?
"So, I guess we'll see each other after Christmas." Cissney mumbled, hiding her face behind her hair.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MSpq0XfcM
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORzWln33Tv
"Are you crying, Littlewood?" Sirius asked bemusedly.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC4vKbyvlg
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGluhrb1Ooe
"Shut up, Black. I'm going to miss having so many girls around. I have 2 older brothers at home." She snapped, showing that indeed she was weeping.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VDMiox88r
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOWIgFBiGt
Ophelia chuckled and surprisingly, being in a good mood and everything, turned to Sirius.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpsFPLVrfC
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0pDwwghdd
"Aren't you happy to go home for a while too?" She asked.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMFheZx7WK
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOtooCb0ed
Black's smile faltered in a blink and his eyes seemed to have emptied of any joy.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzwP8rSUEF
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoI7zraW3k
"No."1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uVuvRgqAo
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNSGQvfkK5
That answer was so cold and serious that it sent a chill down her spine. Seeing how she had no idea how to continue the conversation, she turned to Cissney.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgQmF5KBRX
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb6WgKrFhM
"It's only a few weeks." She mumbled. "It should be nothing if we keep in touch."1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9nVbx9X1b
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vLPRximcj
Ophelia said that but it was obvious even for Black that she was not the type to send letters and presents. Well, he was right and she only said it to be polite but that didn't mean Cissney had to know that.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTzGDARgn0
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ0x4zQ8uw
Once the time came to go to the train, Ophelia realized there was a very small detail that wouldn't complete her luggage: her owl. Willy has been gone from the first night she arrived in Hogwarts and even though he probably just got lost, she couldn't help but feel paranoid.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZjUy6phuK
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnYqBtdDbb
"Hey! Hey!" 1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxv5TjfiLK
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIenrBBYnJL
Ophelia raised an eyebrow at the whispering, not understanding where it was coming from. One pale cold hand wrapped around her and a familiar voice whispered Petrificus Totalus. In that moment, her eyes widened as she froze, unable to move an inch.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy3s7JH4gp
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnEvxTOJ44
Being dragged back into the castle was weird enough yet having no one notice it was even weirder. How could no one notice a small eleven years old drag another eleven years?1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AukVEuwog
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO4hu2fz0c
Once inside, he pulled her into the corridor towards the dungeons. She felt a tinge before she realized that he lifted the curse and she could move again.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sl9gHbs1Y
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgilI4xFAe
"Are you out of your mind?!" She hissed.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRA0vaQeYX
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wpLjHRmxP
"It's too late to go back now. You lost the train." Severus stated, a wide smile spreading on his face. He would have looked innocent if it wasn't for the glint in his eyes.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpqjQVTKXk
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgZGDWpox1
"Are you so desperate to retrieve that stone? What did Malfoy threaten you with?"1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwA9diEMih
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFnUusGEXS
Severus answered without a flinch, "He is the prefect. I am a half blood. You make the connection."1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgz4Ky28IS
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMNTrdxdM5
Ophelia threw him a look of utter disbelief before she sighed and leaned against the wall.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObVmmUOtze
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSTwrNtHIp
"We only need a Patronus right?" She asked, Severus nodding eagerly. "Fine. But you'll have to make it up to me. I should write to my parents and-" She stopped when she remembered that her owl was missing. Another heavy sigh escaped her, this time for her own actions.
"Try again."1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg4AlovSRL
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCnFRWtYEu
Severus was nicer now than he has been for the whole few months they have spent together and it was suspicious.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmceVvqrfu
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP01bB11Gz
Ophelia sighed and did it again and again until a small fox was running around her feet for approximately...1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwfkjQn8nD
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqIaGl1x0S
"10 minutes. That's good for a beginner." Severus mumbled, sitting next to her during dinner.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiDufug6nC
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyNVGZrr4V
"Dumbledore will get suspicious if we stay together." She mumbled, still angry that her owl was missing and she lost the train home.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTX5nxF3Q5
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajVAP7HDuW
"Do you want me to leave?" He asked, getting up.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSqJGW03sZ
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkmiJhK1zE
"No." She answered right away, holding his hand.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6OMxAUO7p
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW79qicl54v
Severus chuckled and sat back down, a sudden wave of achievement engulfing his body. It was nice to have someone get so attached to him.
On the night before Christmas, alone and shuddering from every corner of their bodies were a Slytherin and a Gryffindor, sneaking out a few minutes after midnight.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33XIjyB5rK
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Egk71R8ru
"Come on!" Severus whispered, reaching out for her to grab his arm.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2txNQjYwBw
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe77SvP0JU
"I can't see anything." She whispered back.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWOPVg0vNw
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaq0dPpY0n
They were a few feet from Hagrid's Hut, a place Ophelia has only caught glimpses of because she had literally no time for anything.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1UjGEjZSz
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYvq88uorx
Being there, in the dark during winter was not particularly nice but it felt calming. She looked up at the sky and smiled, seeing so many stars even if it was December.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRAjbn61yS
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnQr7mWkU6
"Come on."1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem3vCfLmYX
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWfk39c8xu
Severus' hand was cold on hers and rough once he pulled her after him. Two children were about to enter the Forbidden Forest on their own and for some reason, they were both eager not scared.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCCwnN1eeP
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR4qnNR9uw
Once they passed Hagrid's Hut and entered the forest, Severus let go of her hand and drew his wand. It was enlightening only a bit so they could watch where they were going but it was also affecting their minds. Shadows could turn into monsters in a blink.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTBghD00fB
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3up5qtLf0p
Sensing that something was stranger than before Ophelia kept close to Severus. It wasn't safe for him either since he was just a kid but he seemed to be more confident than she was.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLAg9VygUX
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1WaSQCReD
"Are we close?" She asked, feeling the need to glance over her shoulder more often than before.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8WiqiCvmC
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1F78d0qxX
Severus had no idea how to respond until he looked at the snow and saw it was starting to melt yet it was getting colder.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM7n24K01L
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZVbMBwYA9
"We're here." He said as he stopped. "Draw your wand out and look for the tree. It should be thick and look a bit different." He said before he went to check the trees on the left.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH6dADPHDW
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0spew91L16
That left her alone in the dark. Ophelia sighed and whispered Lumos, enlightening more than Severus. With slow and steady steps, she turned towards the first tree and stared at it hard. It looked normal and so did the rest.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6IqNQWL4v
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCBkZUV13v
"I can't find it. Damn tree." She mumbled, kicking the trunk of a random tree. Surprisingly, it shifted and made what sounded like a groan. "Damn luck." She mumbled groggily, hitting the trunk again.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquyUuu6OUe
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ru79xsJGg
The second time, she kicked it higher and felt it echo which was strange indeed. Since she wasn't sure exactly where the stone was, Ophelia started to touch the trunk for anything that would open it yet there was nothing. Then, she remembered that maybe Malfoy knew that and especially told Severus about it because he was good in potions.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbnet5CaKi
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVfPe4PO0C
"Which means we came here for nothing." She whispered, glaring at the trunk. "Useless." She added, kicking it for the third time.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgFiIY2TcA
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbUw7nRfKW
As she was standing there, focusing on the task at hand, with how cold was outside she didn't feel the sudden change. Something was lurking in the shadows and it was coming closer. She sighed and turned around, taking one step before she looked up.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRhx32kkbL
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0zRoHvHcf
Swallowing nervously, her eyes widened as she remembered where she had met what was flying in front of her. It was back in Aviemore and that monstrous thing approached her without a sound.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpk0z0euKi
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V5avwBZ9j
Grasping her wand, she took a step back and pointed it at the creature. She could barely remember the spell before she found herself feeling the same dizziness come over her.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVPMTQCHuF
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WcrHG4qwh
"Expecto-" She couldn't say it all because she suddenly remained without air in her lungs.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLl0rA1IVx
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKCPs4BUgA
"Ophelia, did you find it?" She heard Severus ask and her eyes widened even more.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzIXXIXiWt
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc5vgE2mqS
The Dementor looked towards the direction the voice came from before turning to Ophelia. Having regained some of her breath, she screamed.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyNw68Hl0E
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvfBTaouky
"Expecto Patronum!"1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOhjYY5BM4
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL89RPEknuy
She could only think about Severus and their lessons for the past year. It wasn't anything amazing but it made her happy. The fox squirmed out of her wand before it landed in front of her. The Dementor didn't seem affected by the Patronus and only swayed from side to side. The fox looked scared and ran past the Dementor, into the dark.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5AJntiqRo
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OOcXcsM7k
Remaining all alone in front of the Dementor, she had no idea what to do. She watched him crawl closer; showing her what was hidden behind the cloak. A hole enlarged as it flied closer and leaned in, forcing every dark corner of her mind to open up.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnysP98ZXpF
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49IuQLxjoA
Memories of her childhood surfaced, memories of her mother and the way she would let Ophelia do anything she wanted, especially magic. Lillian was a wise woman and very pretty too, also very tall. She had a friend that stayed with her when she needed, a ginger with a Scottish accent but Ophelia couldn't see his face. And then, there was him. He came suddenly and killed Lillian without a second blink. She was very young back then and could hardly register what happened to her mother but she never forgot those words.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreDEllqUTt
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrNxYEcqp3
"Rest assured, Ophelia. Your place by my side is irreplaceable." 1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcsJEjP5p1
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaP4YjndNz
That cold voice was so familiar. She felt a chill crawl up her skin before she heard a faint Ophelia! and everything went dark.1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV4mJTJxXd
1197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOCcRA3Brp
However, before she fainted, she felt someone tug on her arm, placing something in her hand. She wasn't sure if it was Severus or someone else but she knew they have underappreciated Malfoy and his schemes.
