Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(45) Seventh Years' Spinning Pirouette (Part 1)

The evening unfolded in a symphony of pleasure and enchantment as the infamous professor indulged his insatiable student in the secrets of the "dark arts." 

The sun's rays intensified, casting a radiant glow that painted the Hogwarts spires with a mesmerizing golden hue. Within the castle's ancient walls, a palpable air of anticipation enveloped the students. For Severus, this day held monumental significance - the long-awaited NEWT exam in Transfiguration was on the cusp of reality.

An electric mix of excitement and nervous energy surged through his veins as he contemplated the challenges ahead. The morning session was reserved for the sharpest minds of Ravenclaw, their brilliance unleashed upon the intricate art of advanced magical studies. Meanwhile, the afternoon was set aside for the spirited Gryffindors and the mischievous Hufflepuffs, a strategic decision to eliminate any potential distractions.

Sophie bid her beloved Severus farewell, her heart dancing with a flurry of emotions akin to leaves caught in a magical gust. As he ventured forth to face the exam, she couldn't help but radiate with pride for him. In the wake of his departure, she embraced the comforting embrace of her cozy Slytherin sweater, a familiar source of warmth and comfort. She reached for her charm-expanded bag, astonished by the sight that met her eyes. What was once a chaotic jumble had been artfully organized, each item carefully arranged, a testament to Severus's extraordinary attention to detail. She couldn't suppress a gentle chuckle at the striking contrast between his meticulousness and her own laid-back demeanor.

Beyond the significance of exams, the day held more in store for Sophie. Hogsmeade beckoned, a magical village teeming with wonders and treasures waiting to be discovered. Here, she hoped to procure materials for the dress robes she planned to craft for both herself and Severus. The mere thought of their robes being anything other than raggedy brought a smile to her face. With a glimmer of hope, she dreamed of finding a dress in Hogsmeade that would match the vision she held in her mind.

Unfazed by the blazing sun, Sophie embarked on her journey to the one-eyed witch passageway, shrouded in an air of secrecy. She uttered the incantations with precision, and the passageway granted her entry. However, before she could step through the magical threshold, an unexpected arm snatched her shoulder, thrusting her into the dimly lit passage.

A pulse of fear gripped Sophie's heart, 'Oh, Merlin! I'm caught,' she thought in alarm. Swiftly, she composed herself and banished the darkness with a graceful "Lumos," revealing none other than Lily's face before her.

A mischievous smile adorned Sophie's lips as she playfully chided, "You gave me a right good scare, Evans," conjuring a lantern to illuminate their path.

"I didn't intend to, but I assumed you were heading to Hogsmeade. I needed a butterbeer to calm my nerves before my NEWT exam, and perhaps to find the perfect dress for the masquerade," Lily explained, her wand also alight with the charm.

The warmth of Lily's presence enveloped Sophie, and she cheerfully replied, "You're free to join me, as long as we steer clear of James, Sirius, or Peter."

Lily giggled, envisioning James struggling to focus on anything other than mischief for more than three minutes. "No problem there, they are all still sleeping in. Their lack of studying is legendary," she shared with a playful grin.

"Charming as always," Sophie said with a slight snicker and a somewhat sideways mouth raise.

They made a lasting conversation between the entrance and exit of the secret passageway into the cellar of Honeydukes, which provided a perfect backdrop for their lasting conversation where the end, Lily learned what happened to Sophie just days after she came back thanks to her soon-to-be fiancé and his collage of broken misfits.