Sophie was finally released from the hospital wing that night, right before dinner. Dobby offered to get her robes from her room so that she would not have to walk around in her bloody ones or the hospital gown. She was excited to escape the dreadfully boring wing she'd stayed in all day.
"Don't stress yourself out, dear," Madam Pomfrey was saying.
Sophie smiled brightly at her newfound friend, "What can possibly stress me out? I'm going to dinner and then bed."
The mediwitch raised her eyebrows, but didn't say a word.
Sophie smiled wider, "Alright, I won't stress myself out."
With those last words, the happy professor headed down the stairs and into the crowded school. She hadn't traveled these halls in a few days and now she found that eyes were drawn to her as she made her way to the Great Hall. Sophie smiled at all of the curious faces, but didn't stop walking.
"Hello Professor Roe," an airy voice called.
Luna Lovegood was waving from the edge of the hallway, near the wall. Sophie started her way over toward the imaginative young Ravenclaw.
"Hi Luna," Sophie replied.
"I haven't seen you in class lately," Luna stated. "Did nargles have anything to do with it? They are getting very bad right now."
Sophie shook her head, "Oh no, I haven't seen any nargles in lately, Luna. I was in the Forbidden Forest and had an accident. Guess that's what I get for going somewhere that's forbidden, right?"
Luna's wide eyes stared up at her, "But you had a good reason, didn't you?"
"Yes," Sophie replied.
"Then why should you be in trouble for it?" the girl asked.
Sophie shrugged her shoulders, "There's a reason people aren't supposed to go in there, Luna."
The fourth year nodded, "I suppose. Well, I must be going. I seem to have misplaced my shoes again."
Sophie was surprised to look down and find that the young girl was bare foot as she walked through the castle.
"All of your shoes are gone, Luna?" she questioned.
The Ravenclaw answered, "Yes. I can't ever find them anymore. Some of the people in my house think it's funny to hide them on me."
A frown tugged at the corners of Sophia Roe's mouth, "They steal your shoes?"
"It's all fun and games," Luna replied. "I really must be going."
Sophie nodded, "Alright then, good luck. If I see your shoes I'll let you know."
Luna smiled, "Thanks, Professor."
Kids passed by on all sides, though classes were over. The halls were filled because dinner was about to start and Sophie joined them to take her place among the staff. She wondered who had been teaching her class while she was out.
Finally, she broke through into a deserted hallway and Sophie gathered herself before she stepped out to the Head Table. When she arrived, it was to find that things had not changed at all, not that she'd expected them to. The hall was buzzing with all of the voices that filled it to capacity. Sophie walked brightly over to her spot beside Snape.
Professor Severus Snape was seated in his usual chair, dark and hostile as ever. He did not look up as she took her spot, but Sophie didn't care. She was happy enough just to see him again and she felt immense relief at realizing that her fears were for nothing. He was fine. He just hadn't wanted to come and check on her again.
Professor Flitwick was not at the table yet and so the seat next to her was empty. Sophie decided to strike up a conversation with the only person around to do so. Snape would just have to endure.
"Thank you," she said brightly, without warning.
Sophie stared up at Snape expectantly, but he did not turn to her. He continued to chew his food meticulously, not even casting a glance in her direction.
Sophie cleared her throat, "Excuse me, Professor Snape."
At this, he acknowledged her, turning his dark eyes on her bright ones.
"Yes, Ms. Roe?" Snape replied.
His harsh tone did not discourage Sophie in the slightest as she repeated, "I just wanted to thank you. For saving my life."
The Potion's Master raised his eyebrows at her, "I didn't save your life, Ms. Roe."
"Madam Pomfrey said it was very close. She said the bleeding was too extensive for what she had available. It was implied that I wouldn't be alive if you hadn't been where you were when Professor Sprout came back up to the castle," Sophie pressed.
Snape did not know what to say. It was true, she didn't seem as if she would make it and Madam Pomfrey did not have the necessary means to treat such injuries, but he did not think the label of 'saving her life' should be placed on him. He wasn't nearly that heroic.
"You don't have to say anything," Sophie said, echoing Snape's thoughts. "I just wanted you to know how grateful I am that you were there. And I wanted to say thank you."
Snape was staring down into her eyes and he felt something in his chest throb. She was genuinely thanking him and was glad that he was around. No one had ever been happy for him to be somewhere. Usually they just wanted him gone.
"You're welcome," Snape said softly.
He watched as the breath caught in her throat before she beamed up at him. He was glad that he could make her smile like that and he was happy that it was aimed at him. Sophia Roe was definitely unlike any other person he'd ever met.
It was then that Professor Flitwick sat down and he immediately called Sophie's attention to him. Snape did not mind too much, though. He didn't need any more conflicting thoughts about this girl.
"You were attacked by an Acromantula?" Flitwick was asking. "Dumbledore had said you were, but I could hardly believe it!"
Snape could see Sophia nodding out of the corner of his eye.
He heard her reply, "I couldn't believe it either. It was so lucky that Professor Snape was around the corner when we got back to the castle. I wouldn't be sitting with you today!"
Severus Snape was unsure how he liked being talked about with that praising voice. He found from her, he could accept it.
Flitwick left only a few moments after he sat down and Sophia returned her attention to him once he'd gone. She spun around to face him, forgetting herself and knocking into a glass of pumpkin juice, spilling it across both of their plates and nearly into their laps.
"Oh!" she cried. "I'm so sorry!"
Sophie stood and looked down at the mess with wide eyes.
"Just magick it away, Ms. Roe," Snape said. "It will be fine."
He watched as Sophia nodded her head and patted her pockets slowly, then frantically in search of her wand.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed as her hands fell at her sides.
"Have you forgotten your wand, Ms. Roe?" Snape inquired.
Sophia was shaking her head sadly, "No."
"Then why have you not cleared this mess yet?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation.
The young professor sighed heavily. "It fell out of my hands when I was attacked," she answered. "I never got it back. I think it's still in the forest!"
Snape was surprised to learn this. No one remembered to grab it? What was a witch without her wand?
"Very well," he replied and took out his own wand.
He waved it before him and the mess disappeared, leaving them with a spotless table.
"Perhaps you can retrieve it after dinner," Severus suggested, gathering more food onto his plate.
Sophia was still very obviously distressed, "Would you go with me, Professor?"
Snape startled at the question. "And of what help would I be to you, Ms. Roe?"
"There could be more Acromantulas out there," she said. "And I don't have my wand so I can't protect myself. Besides, it's getting dark and I won't be able to see a thing on the ground."
The Potion's Master looked at Sophia with an incredulous expression, "And you think I would be the best to help you?"
Sophia nodded at him, "Of course! Who better than you?"
Snape didn't know if he should take this as a compliment.
In her head, Sophie was berating herself. Not only had she forgotten all about her wand, she was also practically begging Snape to help her find it in the middle of the night. He probably had more important business to attend to and she was just getting in the way. Why couldn't she just give it up and go ask someone who had the time and patience on their hands.
Just when Sophie was about to tell him she would find someone else. Snape spoke.
"Very well," Severus said. "After dinner."
He wondered why he was fighting with her in the first place. It wasn't like he didn't want to go with her.
When dinner was finished, both Professors stood from their seats and started out of the Great Hall, toward the front doors of the castle.
"We will need you to keep these doors unlocked for a few more hours, Argus," Snape said as he passed the caretaker.
"Of course, Professor Snape," Filch replied, practically bowing as he scurried out of the way.
Sophie had to walk quickly to keep up with Snape, sticking close to his side. She could feel her heart pounding away in her chest the closer they got to the forest.
"Where were you attacked, Ms. Roe?" Snape questioned.
Sophie jumped. She hadn't realized they'd been standing on the edge of the woods, waiting for her to take the first step and lead the way.
"Over here," she muttered.
She led them farther into the trees until she found the spot where the Acromantula had come out of nowhere. There was blood on the ground where it stabbed her and all around the area. The ground was tossed about; looking like a struggle had taken place there. It definitely had.
"Where did you lose your wand?" Snape questioned as he surveyed the area.
He didn't like what he saw. Signs of struggle were everywhere, her blood stained the dirt. He could feel the tension thick in the air, as if it had happened moments ago instead of days.
"Over here, I think," Sophia replied to him.
Snape followed her lead into the darkness behind a pile of trees.
The two professors searched the woods for a long while, sharing the light cast from Snape's own wand and the light of the moon and stars. Neither could find out where it had gone upon her lost grip. Snape was starting to worry that another magical being found it and carried it off with them. There was a reason that only wizards carried wands and it would be very dangerous if they had an angry centaur or other creature on the loose with a wand.
"Found it!" Sophie suddenly called, standing up in victory.
Snape's eyes landed on her face, finding her standing there in delighted triumph. She had lit the wand and it glowed softly, lighting up her entire face. Her light hair was messed up slightly and it was catching the light interestingly.
There was something about the way she looked, standing there in the dark, which intrigued Snape. She watched him silently, the smile just fading from her face, and Snape had the overwhelming urge to kiss her.
Sophie stared up at the Potion's Master. He was a dark as night, but somehow different. He seemed to be safe, like he could protect her from anything. She was not scared when he was there. Looking into his dark eyes, she found that she could not help but hope he would lean down just slightly.
"Shall we get back to the castle then?" Snape asked, spinning around.
Sophie sighed, "Of course."
Snape began stalking out of the forest and Sophie followed sullenly behind him. His stride was much too long for her, though, and soon she found herself falling back. With him so far out of reach, she was feeling less and less safe and more like anything bad could happen.
"Professor Snape!" Sophie called, running to catch up.
Severus stopped when she yelled his name. For a moment, his heart was in his throat, and he was afraid something had attacked her when he turned his back. Upon turning around, he was relieved to find that she was perfectly safe, but also surprised to learn how far behind him she actually was.
"Please slow down," Sophia requested. "I can't walk that fast."
Snape stared down at the girl for a long moment and then continued walking, this time at a slower pace.
"Thank you," she sighed softly.
At the castle, the two professors parted ways.
Sophie smiled at the Potion's Master.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Professor," she called.
Snape simply inclined his head and watched as she smiled, nearly skipping down the hall to her rooms. Knowing that she would be okay, he was able to spin on his heel and marched back to own bedroom for the night.
Lying in bed not too long after that, the two of them fell asleep, thinking of each other.