Picking up the Pieces

[stefdarlin]

A/N: Okay...This is my first fanfic ever. If you review, please be gentle. Just to let you all know...this is a Snape/OC fic with a bit of AD/MM throughout. It is also probably going to go AU but is canon at the moment. Or at least I think it is. It starts right at the end of OotP. Hope you like.

Title: Picking up the Pieces


Summary: One fateful night an associate of the Order learns a young woman is still alive when all had believed her dead. Albus and Minerva learn their beloved grandniece wasn’t killed by Death Eaters 15 years ago and send Severus to retrieve her. When sparks fly between them Severus discovers that although Serena isn’t dead she has been subjected to a curse. Can Albus, Minerva and Severus remove it and help Serena put all the pieces of her life back together? Or will the torment of that night 15 years ago lead to madness?


Disclaimer: You know the drill…I don’t own any of the Harry Potter characters…I am just using JKR’s world to play in. Also, all songs contained herein or referenced belong to the artists who created them. Please don't sue me....I have no $, besides, you'd have better luck getting blood from a tree.

Rating: 17+ (For later chapters which contain violence, graphic descriptions and lemony sections.)

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Chapter 1: The Sign

It was getting dark. Mundungus Fletcher, a squat, straggly man was dressed as a witch with a black veil over his face. He was hunched and limping toward the Leaky Cauldron. Therefore, trying to look more the part of the hag he was portraying so no one would recognize him.

He needed to sell some of his wares to enable him enough money for his new business venture. Things had been slightly hard since Sirius had died. He had made his last trip to 12 Grimmald Place a treasure hunt to earn an extra galleon or two. Sirius was no longer there to stop him, not that Sirius held anything in his hated house dear anyway. But Dung worried about the others in the Order of the Phoenix, the secret society headed by Albus Dumbledore, all on orders to guard Harry Potter.

Harry Potter, god son to Sirius and particular target of the now at large dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. Dung shuttered just thinking the name. No, he didn’t think Dumbledore or Potter would be none too happy with him for taking Black family heirlooms, no matter how little they had meant to Sirius. Therefore, here he was, about to enter Diagon Alley and get rid of the evidence.

Suddenly, to his left, a large sign rolled down the side of a small grey building. It looked like a small night club. He searched the sign for a name. ‘Ahh, Achelous. Strange name for a club,’ he thought to himself. But it was in a particularly good spot. Right across from the Leaky Cauldron but still where the muggles could see it. He supposed it may be owned by muggles. However, this close to Diagon Alley it could be owned by magic folk. Dung shrugged and lumbered on. Yet, the name on the rolled sign caught his eye. ‘Serena Celestia,’ his brow furrowed in thought. Now why did that name sound so familiar?

In the far reaches of his mind Dung repeated the name. Serena Celestia. No…could it be? He recalled a name. Samuel. Samuel Celestia. But Sam had left England long ago and died in the last dark days of Voldemort. Again he shuttered, he really needed to stop saying the name in his head.

Still, now that he thought about it he seemed to remember Sam having a daughter. In spite of this Dung had thought she was also killed. Slowly the image of a woman with dark hair and green eyes played before his eyes. Serephenia Celestia, Sam’s wife. The name brought a tinkling sound of laughter to his head. An image of a beautiful woman danced along with the sound. She had a mysterious power and an ancient power. Oh yes, the dark lord would have wanted her. Perhaps that was why they had died in the end.

Mundungus needed to know. Maybe, if this was who he thought it was, the information would be worth a little gold in his pocket. But he had to be sure. Names weren’t always reliable. With this last thought he crossed the street and approached the double doors. Reaching a hand out he tried the door. Drat! Locked. Quickly he looked left and right then slipped in an alley off to the side.

‘Time to see if there’s a back entrance,’ he told himself.

Rats scurried away squeaking as he moved quickly and quietly in the falling twilight. Crates were scattered along the alley though he saw no people thankfully. Then he was near the back of the building and he heard movement. There was a loud slide followed by a CRACK, around to his right.

“John, please be careful with that. If you need help just ask,” said a breathy female voice.

“Yeah, well since Charles isn’t here and you’re a woman I don’t have a choice do I,” questioned a male voice disdainfully.

“Sure you do. We always have choices John. Honestly,” the woman began exasperated. “I can help you or you can wait until Charles comes back,” she finished indignantly and sighed.

“But it’s too heavy…” he started

Suddenly the woman tut tutted and grabbed one end of a large amplifier and started to lift. The man named John just caught the other side before the large item toppled onto the smaller female.

Sluggishly they made their way into the building. Mundungus shifted his position to get a better look. There were some crates stacked high to the left of the door, from here Dung could see inside. The man and woman were unloading what looked like quite a few musical instruments and some heavy sound equipment. Dung looked into the door and saw the couple set down the large amplifier. The man looked red in the face from the exertion but the woman seemed nonplussed. She smiled at the gentleman who rolled his eyes.

“You know, if I didn’t think you’d draw a crowd, I would have never agreed to this,” John told the woman. Dung heard a tinkling laugh in response.

“Yes, well, I’m only doing this as a favor and I owed one to Charles. Just to get you both started. After tomorrow there will be no relying on me. It’ll all be you two…Want-Tobee Enterprises. Owners of Achelous,” said the woman and she laughed again at what seemed a private joke.

The man named John smiled at her. “You know, Serena, I really wish you would stay. You are marvelous you realize.” The smile started to turn wistful.

“Oh! You do like to tease. But you know I mustn’t do this much. Besides, only because I owe Charles, otherwise I would move on.”

“You do realize what the Daily Prophet said the other day don’t you,” she questioned seriously.

John frowned. ‘No,” he began.

Serena simply laughed. “Oh yes, I forgot you don’t take it. But Charles does,” she stated sobering again.

“Yes, well I am still not used to it after all these years. He being a squib and me a muggle. But we do try to get on with both worlds. At times it’s a bit trying really.” John frowned again.

“Well, with the placement of Achelous you are going to have to get used to it fast. Although I think this is a wonderful spot. Best of both worlds actually. That way you can do which ever entertainment you want. I’ve always thought more muggles should be aware of us. But then not all muggles think a like do they?” She asked this last question sadly.

John saw it coming. The sadness again. So he did his best to cheer her up.

“There, there deary. No long faces!” He wiggled his eyebrows and she giggled. “Ahh, that’s better.”

“Yes, well the Prophet announced that “he” was back.” Serena stated emphasizing the he.

“Really!? Mary mother of….all that’s holy,” John sputtered. “So they really have been deluding themselves haven’t they,” he asked incredulously.

Serena nodded. “Yes, it would seem Dumbledore and Harry Potter have been telling the truth all along. Of course I have believed it for a long time. There is a feeling in the air. Darkness is coming, I can feel it.” Serena said this last with a far away look.

John looked at Serena knowing what she meant. “Yes, you did try to tell Charles did you not? And I dare say he was still skeptical…,” he broke off as another man approached where they stood.

“Now what are we talking of so seriously,” he asked.

This man was short and stocky with a thick mane of blonde hair. John, on the other hand, was tall, lanky and had a reddish tint to his hair. The two men couldn’t be more opposite in stature or manner. Dung noticed Serena smiled as she surveyed them both.

“Oh, Serena had just told me the Prophet announced “he” was back.” John looked at his friend suspiciously. He still wondered if his friend didn’t believe it, even though Serena had been insisting for weeks now and had been trying to keep a low profile. He was surprised she had agreed to sing in their club as their first opening act. Yet Serena had her own way and, truth be told, she was a bit stubborn about some things. When it came to helping a friend, even fairly new ones, she was determined.

John didn’t think risking her exposure was worth their new club. He would be hard pressed for Charles to hold her to this so called favor she owed him. However, Charles didn’t think like John and he was dying to get their new business started. When Charles had found out whom Serena was he had not hesitated to ask her to help them.

Serena had accepted his request with one of her own. No signs, no flyers. Word of mouth only. If Charles wanted to advertise, he could, but only the club or the other acts. Not her name. Surprisingly Charles had agreed. He told John he had heard Serena sing in the States, in a club similar to theirs. He had heard about it from a friend of a friend. And when he had gone the place had been full to bursting. Charles had said it had been worth it.

“Yes, well they may have mentioned it...,” Charles started nonchalantly. “Anyway, the sign’s up,” he exclaimed.

Serena looked at him in delight. “It is? Oh let’s pop out and take a look.” She exclaimed with glee and turned to go out the back door but Charles stalled.

“For Pete’s sake, it’s just a sign,” he began. Yet somehow his tone didn’t match his eyes.

Serena narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously noting the slight fear in his eyes. Quickly she turned to go out again and hurried around the corner. Mundungus backed up just in time as the group went past with Charles stuttering at the end.

“Now listen. I know what you’re going to say,” He began, “But it’ll only be up for one day.”

“It was my only stipulation Charles,” Serena began and Dung heard cold fury coming from the breathy voice. “You do realize I’ll have to change it.”

“Only one day deary…,” but she cut him off.

“NO! If you want me to help you then it’s got to come off!” Serena seethed. “I don’t think you realize the reason I asked you this one thing and I refuse to go into it. Just know I have my reasons.” With this last statement Serena took out her wand and aimed at the sign.

A jet of blue light flashed and suddenly the sign had changed. It simply said, ‘Welcome to Achelous, Jonathan Want and Charles Tobee, Proprietors.’ For a moment Charles looked angry but then Dung saw him work to change this.

“Very well, I just hope...”

“Yes, well I can see we all are hoping for different things,” Serena cut him off with anger in her voice. But then she seemed to get her emotions under control. “Charles, I know it’s hard but you have just got to trust me on this. If you want I’ll change the sign to the act after mine but my name cannot be there,” she pointed to the sign. “Besides, I have no doubt you will have a full house regardless. Even if it starts out quite empty. I thought you remembered what it was like in the states,” she stated.

Charles bowed his head. He knew she was right. “I’m sorry Serena. Perhaps I just got carried away. Excitement and all,” he smiled sheepishly.

Serena managed a small smile. “Sorry I let my anger run away with me. But I have my reasons and I’m sorry I have to leave it at that. But the less you know the better off you are.” With this last proclamation she looked to John and, although she smiled, he thought she still looked sad.

Mundungus moved back behind the pile of crates when they turned to start back towards the pile of instruments. As Serena walked past she slowed and glanced at the pile of crates. Dung drew in his breath though he knew she couldn’t possibly see him. Then she shook her head a little and went inside. Dung released his breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

Dung reviewed the facts to himself. Serena Celestia had to be Sam Celestia’s daughter. She was almost the image of her mother. If she had power like her mother Dumbledore would definitely want to know. Dung smiled, he wondered how much gold he could get from this information. It was going to be a very profitable night indeed. With that thought Dung made his way to the Leaky Cauldron so he could apparate to Hogwarts.

TBC

[stefdarlin]

Chapter 2: Relation

Mundungus disapparated to the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a crack. He knew the gates would be locked. Therefore, he sent his patronus to the Headmaster. “Expecto Patronum,” he called and a silver goose erupted from the tip of his wand.

Patiently he waited for the Headmaster to come. The ringing of his hands was the only nervousness he showed. Then he heard a muffled sound beyond the gates and squinted to make out who it was. Finally he saw the form, clothed in black with a billowing cape that made him look like a bat. Severus Snape approached the gate and stood there looking down his hooked nose at Mundungus.

“And to what do we owe this incommodious pleasure, Mr. Fletcher?” Snape sneered at him.

“Please, Severus I have some information for Professor Dumbledore. I think he would really want to know this,” Mundungus stated.

“Well, you can tell me and I can relay the information on to the Headmaster. I believe it is very late and the Professor needs his rest,” Snape said coolly.

“Now, now Severus, my boy…please let our associate in. Perhaps he would like a spot of tea,” began Dumbledore as he came up to the gate behind Severus.

Severus gasped and turned slightly. “Headmaster…” he began but Dumbledore waved him away and opened the gate for Dung to enter. There was a twinkle in Dumbledore’s blue eyes as they met Severus’ black ones. Snape tightened his hands but said nothing.

“Please, please…let’s go to my office shall we?” Dumbledore asked as he led the way. Dung followed and Snape, seething, brought up the rear.

On the way to his office they ran into Professor Minerva McGonagall. Her hair was in a loose braid down her back and she was wearing a tartan dressing gown. Her square spectacles were perched primly on her nose. She tilted her head up and looked to the Headmaster apprehensively.

“What’s going on? Is everything alright?” Minerva launched quickly, her thoughts going immediately to a black haired, tousle headed smiling boy with green eyes.

“Shush, shush Minerva. Everything is fine. Harry is fine. Mr. Fletcher, here, simply has some information he thinks we may desire,” Albus told her. Then, Professor McGonagall also joined the parade to Dumbledore’s office.

Suddenly, Mundungus hoped he was right about this. Dumbledore was one thing but Snape and McGonagall were another. They had not always trusted him and honestly he couldn’t blame them. The last time he was supposed to guard Harry Potter the poor boy had been attacked by dementors. Then Potter’d had to go to trial because he had used magic and, well…Dung didn’t want to continue down that road. He shuddered a bit at the thought.

When they reached the Headmaster’s office Albus gave the password, “Licorice Snap.” Swiftly, the gargoyle guarding the entrance jumped aside to reveal a spiral staircase. Once at the top they all entered the heavy oak double doors.

“Please have a seat,” Dumbledore told them as he flicked his wand and three cushioned chairs appeared.

Minerva settled in one, as did Mundungus. However, Severus remained standing with his arms crossed over his chest, as if in defense against the world. Albus sighed. “Severus really, please sit down…unless you have somewhere else you need to be right this moment,” Dumbledore finished tiredly.

Severus continued standing a moment, looked to the side as if thinking, ‘oh all right!’ and sat down with a swish and flurry of black robes. “Thank you,” Albus smiled and took a seat behind his large desk.

Behind him, Mundungus heard gentle, what was that? Snoring? As he turned to look he noticed the portraits of previous Headmasters lining the walls. They all seemed to be asleep. Well, it was rather late.

Dumbledore flicked his wand again and a teapot on a trolley immediately began to pour steaming tea in four cups. Each cup floated to a recipient. As they sipped Mundungus started to fidget. Finally, Dumbledore put down his cup and stared at Dung with a small smile. “Well Mr. Fletcher, to what do we owe this midnight rendezvous?” He asked interestedly.

“Yes…oh that….um,” Dung stuttered. “I was on my way to Diagon Alley to…,” what? He thought frantically, “meet a friend and I noticed someone putting up a sign on a new night club across from the Leaky Cauldron,” he finished.

“I see. And you thought the Headmaster could do with a bit of dancing so you ambled right over,” Severus mocked.

“Severus...,” said Dumbledore stoically eyeing the younger man and Snape settled again.

“Umm…I thought the name on the sign of the singer sounded familiar. So I slipped around back to see if it was who I thought it might be,” he began and told them what he had over heard.

“Magic!? In front of a muggle,” Snape questioned offensively at the part about the sign.

“Yes, but the other one was a Squib and I think this John fellow is aware of magic folk.” Dung repeated.

“Well, was the singer who you thought it was,” asked Albus.

“Yes! Oh, yes. It has to be. She’s practically the spittin’ image of her mother,” Dung told him excitedly.

“Then what is her name,” asked Minerva who, until now, had been silent.

“You realize I had to be sure. I thought I heard she died. Only remembered the father’s name,” he continued.

“What is her name?” They all asked the question simultaneously, stopping Dung from going off in a rant again.

“Oh yes, that! Serena Celestia,” he finished and there was a sudden sharp intake of breath to his right.

They all looked at Minerva and noticed she had turned dreadfully pale. Her hands started shaking and Albus rose swiftly to take the cup and saucer from her. He set it on the tea trolley and quickly turned taking her hands in his.

“Minerva, dear,” Dumbledore searched her face earnestly. She looked so pale and she shook almost violently, bordering on shock. Soon she seemed to draw strength from his hands and her breathing, which had been somewhat shallow, began to steady.

“Albus? The name…it can’t be. But how…and he said her mother, she looks like her mother,” Minerva pointed at Mundungus and searched Albus’ eyes frantically. “How could she!? How could she do this to me?” She kept ranting, her voice climbing higher and higher with anger. Her shock turning to rage and her body trembled with the force of it. Abruptly she wrenched her hands from Dumbledore and stood up. Frenetically looking at Dung she asked angrily, “Where is she?”

“I just said…,” he began, cowering at the woman’s fury and jabbing a thumb over his shoulder.

“No, no…I meant, oh never mind!” Minerva moved toward the door.

“Albus reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. “Minerva, sweet, I know you are angry. But flying off like this will not help your grand niece,” he reminded and Minerva gasped again.

She whirled around, eyes full of ferocity and snapped, “Well someone had better go get her! And that no good sister of Sam’s! I’ll, I’ll…,” she sputtered as Albus took her hands and led her back to her chair.

Reluctantly she sank into the pillow softness staring blindly ahead but remaining ramrod straight. After a moment her green eyes raised to meet Albus’ blue ones. He noticed the tears beginning to glisten there and he sat on his desk facing her, squeezing her hands.

“I thought she was dead, Albus.” Her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

“As did we all, my dear Minerva,” he spoke softly and sadly gazed in her eyes squeezing her hands again.

“Adelaide,” she began and a grimace crossed her face. “She told me Serena was dead…she showed me the pictures. Why, Albus?” Minerva pleaded, her heart aching. “Of course, she always did dislike me. I guess I just never knew how much,” she stated ironically.

“Shhh, there, there my dear,” Albus placed a hand on her shoulder as Minerva halfheartedly pulled her hands from his and covered her face. Albus then moved back behind his desk.

“Was there anything else Mr. Fletcher?” Dumbledore asked of Mundungus who simply stared open mouthed at the shivering form of Minerva McGonagall.

Shaken from his dumbfounded state, Dung looked at the Headmaster. “No, well I simply figured you’d really want to know since I seemed to recall her mother had some ancient power…,” he began and Minerva’s head snapped up.

She looked at Mundungus then quickly turned to Albus. “Albus? You don’t think…she, Serena could have…,” she let the words stop falling from her mouth. “I mean…when she was here there was no…,” she started.

“Indications? Yes, yes, I know. But you know as well as I do that a power like that takes time to show and even then, it they aren’t aware,” he told her and she nodded gravely.

“Excuse me? But what…,” Dung began to ask. However, Albus cut him off by turning to a cabinet behind him.

Dumbledore retrieved something from a box and held out his hand to the other man. Dung held out his hand and Albus put a purple bag containing galleons in it. Dung’s eyes seemed to glitter. He no longer thought of his question and looked up at the Headmaster. “Thank you, sir!” Mundungus could hardly believe his luck. ‘There must be sixty galleons here,’ he thought.

Professor Snape, who had watched all of this with growing concern, rose and walked to the door at a look from Albus. “Thank you for the story Mr. Fletcher. And now it would seem the rest of us would like to retire.” As Snape opened the door to usher Mundungus out Hagrid was standing there poised to knock. Snape rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“Ahh, Hagrid, my boy! Would you be so kind as to show our associate out?” Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled. “You got the slug root I asked for I see,” Albus’ eyes rested on some slimy tendrils hanging from a bucket being carried by the giant.

“Yes sir. Professor Dumbledore, sir. And I would be deligh’ed to show Mister Fletch’r out. Righ’ this way!” Hagrid placed the bucket on the floor by the door and waved for Mundungus to follow him.

“Oh, yes right!” Dung rose quickly and strode to the door. “Pleasure…um, thanks for the tea Albus,” he said as the Headmaster gave a simple nod.

“Good night Mundungus, until we meet again,” called Albus and Dung was gone as Severus closed the door.

As they listened to Mundungus and Hagrid descend the stairs Severus cast a silencing charm on the door and turned back to the others. He turned and looked at the other two, “As you were saying?”

Albus looked at him with the ever familiar twinkle. However, there was also intensity in the older wizard’s gaze for Minerva who had started wringing her hands. “I think we should explain, Minerva,” Albus looked at her steadily.

She closed her eyes and nodded gravely. “Seraphenia, who is Serena’s mother, was my niece. She worked for the Department of Mysteries and met Sam Celestia, who worked for the Ministry of Magic counterpart in America, when he was stationed here as an Ambassador for Magical Cooperation.”

“In my family a certain power is passed from mother to eldest daughter. Occasionally, it skips a generation. In my generation my sister, Melissa, had the power and she passed in on to her daughter Seraphenia. Who it seems has passed it on to Serena,” she told them.

“What power? How can you be sure the girl has it,” Severus asked, intrigued.

“By what Mr. Fletcher said, Serena is being very cautious. If she had the power she would guard it and, therefore, would not take to singing too often in public. The man, Charles, mentioned seeing her sing before. That the night club had been filled to bursting, when Mr. Fletcher mentioned this, I had no doubt. Her mother was always very careful not to mention it or draw attention if she could help it,” Minerva continued.

“But…” Severus began.

“Yes, yes…you see,” Minerva went on exasperated, “my ancestor was a Siren. You are well read, I believe, you know what a Siren is and the power they possess.” Minerva looked at him a little incensed.

Severus took in this last bit of information with a thread of shock. Yes, he did know what a Siren was but he had no idea they still existed. “But, how is she not corrupted? All the stories I’ve ever read or heard indicate Sirens bring peril to those who answer their song. Yet, Charles is still alive and he didn’t mention anyone else…,” Snape contemplated as Minerva cut him off.

“Yes, well the folklore in my clan states the Siren Thestia fell in love with Thaddeus McGonagall who was deaf. Her song could never lure him to peril. With each generation thereafter the power was passed and further dispersed. Each female in which the power is centered differs from the next. It can be very strong or very weak. The magnitude depends greatly on the powers of the witch in question.”

“With Seraphenia, she knew she had the power at a very young age and she loved to sing. This seemed to cause a few problems when she was a teenager until she learned control. I believe her study of this control led her to the Department of Mysteries and then eventually to Sam.”

“When they had Serena I did wonder but, while she did have vast magical abilities, she didn’t show any indications of having the power of Siren song, even when she began here at Hogwarts.” At this point Minerva’s green eyes grew darker, the iris’ dilated. “Then Sam got called back to America and took them with him. Then…everything seemed …to come apart.” Her voice broke a little and Minerva looked down at her hands.

Without looking up she continued, “Not even a month after Sam and the girls left I received an owl from his sister, Adelaide. Informing me they had been attacked. I got there as quickly as I could but…,” she shuddered at the memory and tried to swallow the lump forming in her throat. “They weren’t there, only Adelaide was at the estate and she seemed very upset to see me. Of course, I remembered her from Sam and Seraphenia’s wedding and I gathered she disliked me, but I never knew why.” Minerva shook her head, looked back up at Albus and Severus and noted the tears hovering on Albus’ eyelashes.

Letting out a deep breath she went on, “Anyway, she huffed and told me they were dead, that it was too late to do anything and threw pictures of all three at me as proof.” A dry sob burst from Minerva and Albus took her hand again. “Oh gods, they were so awful…who could have done that to a child!?...Adelaide said they were Death Eaters…,” Minerva looked up, her eyes resting on Severus this time. Severus’ eyes reflected pain for the anguish emanating from her every gesture. “That they cast the Dark Mark. She said the American Ministry arrived in time to engage the Death Eaters but killed all in the struggle that followed.”

“Adelaide told me…,” she broke off momentarily struggling to regain some of her usual level-headedness but went on defeated, “where the children were buried…and…and I went to the graveyard. I laid my flowers and tokens on their plots. I…she…they were all so young…and why?” Minerva looked into Albus’ moist blue eyes and her tears began. Huge drops gathered at the corners of her eyes and spilled down her face.

As she wept, her mind raced frantically over the facts. Something had happened which she didn’t understand. She had seen the pictures, she had been to the graves yet she had just heard, somewhat, verification that Serena was still alive. ‘But…how and why,’ she thought anxiously.

Albus watched Minerva’s eyes dart back and forth. Her trembling increased. Panic was rising within her as a realization struck her. A realization she was having a hard time comprehending. Accepting Serena’s death had been heart breaking for her, he knew. But, how would she deal with it if that death had been a lie. And a lie to what gain, he wondered.

“Minerva, sweet…,” he started.

“No, Albus…don’t,” she cut him off. “I need answers…I need, oh gods, can it be true? After all these years, she was my heart Albus! It feels like its being torn open again. You know…you remember,” she tried to continue as her voice rasped, the words torn from her throat, “what it was like…we were like.” Minerva covered her face with her hands as her shoulders shook.

As Minerva sat there in her grief she felt her hands being pried from her eyes. But it wasn’t Albus this time. She looked up into the soulful black eyes of Severus. He had come down on one knee and kneeled there searching her face. “Minerva…let me,” he said simply. “I will not fail you. I can get the answers you seek. I will help you uncover the truth. Please…I have never seen you so distraught. I know I can find the answers.”

Severus held both of her hands in his as he finished his appeal. Minerva was touched. Albus always told her Severus had his full confidence but she had never known he could have such compassion. It was true they had rarely seen eye to eye, but apparently they were of one accord when it came to family.

Severus’ hand in hers steadied her and her trembling decreased. “Severus, how…,” she asked as her eyes searched his.

“Well, we will be in need of a plan,” he intoned as a small smile played about his lips for just an instant.

Minerva thought she must have lost her mind. She could have sworn she saw Severus smile but when she rubbed her tearful eyes and looked again it was gone. She shook her head to clear her thoughts as Albus watched the two people he cared for most in the world finally come to an understanding.


A/N: If you are reading this story, fear not...I will post the next chapter soon. However, I am waiting on some feedback from my "proofreaders." =o) I got attacked by a plot bunny involving a future chapter and it changed a few things I had already written. I do have seven more chapters already written so the posts shouldn't be too far apart. Reviews are welcome...if you like. Thanks~~Stef

[stefdarlin]

Chapter 3: Aloha

Minerva rested on a crimson velvet sofa staring into the fire. Severus was gone. While finishing up their plans he had been summoned. Albus would be up soon, he had gone to properly store the slug roots Hagrid had gathered, so she was alone with her thoughts.

It was her thoughts that bothered her. They chased round and round in her head and soon changed to memories. Minerva drew a shaky breath as her eyes filled once more. She really needed to get a hold of herself. She hadn’t cried this much in years.

Gently, she brought up her knees beneath her nightgown and hugged them to her chest~ curling into herself as she still gazed unseeing into the fire. In her mind she traveled back to the last time she had seen Serena. She could remember it like it was yesterday, even without a pensieve.

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Their chamber looked the same. The early morning sunlight filtered in through the crimson and gold draped high windows. The scent of fall was in the air: autumn leaves and apples. The red sofa sat facing a warm fire happily burning in the grate. Minerva had cleared off the dark wood coffee table in front of the sofa to make room for the tea they would have soon.

An eleven year old Serena, wearing green robes much like Minerva’s and a tartan scarf, her burnished, deep mahogany curls tumbling down her back, stood with her arms folded over her chest. Her deep green eyes narrowed in a bit of a frown and her mouth was in a little pout. Tears balanced precariously on her lashes.

“But I don’t want to go Auntie Minerva! I want to stay here with you and Uncle Albus. It’s not fair!” Serena angrily swiped at the tears that threatened to spill and her emerald eyes flashed fury. She was a McGonagall all right. She had the temper to prove it.

“Love, I promise, Albus and I will come visit you in a month’s time. It won’t be so long. In the mean time you’ll be meeting new friends and learning about a different country. But think of your mother and father. They love you very much and it would break their hearts if they knew you didn’t want to go with them.” Minerva thought of her own heart but pushed it aside.

Seraphenia had been very adamant for Serena to move with them instead of remaining at Hogwarts. But then Serena was her child after all. Also, Sam had talked of his school in the States and she knew he very much wanted Serena to attend and meet his sister. Minerva’s eyes darkened at that thought.

Serena looked taken aback at Minerva’s words. She looked down with guilt at her hands as they flipped over each other. Minerva saw worry in the younger girl’s face when she looked up again. “Please don’t tell them what I said. I don’t want to hurt their feelings, it’s just…” she whispered.

Minerva smiled gently, “shhh, shhh, I know lass. It’ll be our secret.” With this she made to turn a key over her lips and toss it away. A small smile curved Serena’s lips and she ran to embrace her Aunt in a fierce hug when Minerva held her arms out. As their hug ended Minerva settled Serena on the sofa beside her.

“Now, I believe you are here for us to have tea. Are you not?” Minerva smiled at the little girl and Serena looked up with excitement.

“Can I call for it Auntie Minerva? Puulllllleeeeaaaassssse?” Serena clasped her hands in front of her chest and cocked her head to the side attempting her most angelic look.

Minerva laughed. “My love, you know how that look gets you most anything with me, you great manipulator you.” She smiled and nodded.

Serena hopped off the sofa and went to the desk to retrieve a small, silver bell from its resting place. She rang it once and it made a musical tinkling sound. “When a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. We can always use another angel in the world.” She beamed and put down the bell delicately. She then called in a singsong voice, “Blossie, oh Blossie?”

With a ‘pop’ a little house elf appeared wearing a tartan plaid tablecloth. It was fitted almost like a toga and held in place by a red brooch at her shoulder. “Little miss calls for tea. Yes, yes, very wonderful tea!” The elf was followed by a tray of tea things which she hovered to the coffee table.

Serena clapped with delight and told her happily, “Oh, thank you Blossie….ever so much.”

Minerva smiled at the child as she made happy exchanges with Blossie. Her heart lurched a little. She was going to miss her so much. As Blossie popped away Serena’s wistful eyes met Minerva’s and concern rested there. Minerva watched as Serena moved toward her with determination and took her hands. Their hands felt warm and Minerva felt the ache in her heart ease.

“Serena...,” Minerva began starting to frown at the younger girl but stopped at the look Serena gave her. Serena wanted to do this for her, she knew. Minerva was constantly astounded by the unconditional love she saw in this child. She loved her more than she could express. Also, she was touched that Serena knew her pain, even for one so young, and would still take some of that pain from her to help Minerva while the lass was aching herself.

Serena leaned forward and they embraced each other in a heartwarming hug. As they leaned away from each other once more, Serena observed the tray of delicious items to eat. She sniffed the air and her lips turned up at the familiar scent of jasmine tea, her favorite. There were also ginger newts, apple tarts, pumpkin bread pudding and cinnamon chocolate bread. Her nose wrinkled a bit at the pungent aroma of spice in the air. Her Aunt had definitely out done herself with the selection.

Serena sighed and said “I so love the fall.”

Minerva smiled at the elation on her grandniece’s face and was glad she had arranged this tea time for her and Serena. Albus, Sam and Seraphenia would be up soon. Then they would leave and she would feel the void Serena kept filled again. However, she was determined to make this tea between them very happy, not sad.

“You know, Auntie Minerva, I was reading about one of the states the other day. Hawaii, I think it is called. It is a group of islands out in the Pacific Ocean and the weather there is very warm and stays that way all the year long. I think some day I would like to visit there because it is warm. But I don’t think I would like Christmas with out any snow.” Serena looked at her Aunt who, in turn, looked back at her thoughtfully.

Minerva simply replied with, “I see.” She then put an apple tart and ginger newt on her plate.

“They also speak another language there,” Serena continued. “So when people go there to visit they use the Hawaiian greeting of ‘aloha’ which means “hello” and “goodbye”. It also means love and affection, as well as, “breath or essence of life” among other things. So I thought if we said ‘aloha’ instead of goodbye it wouldn’t really be like we were saying goodbye, right?” Serena looked questioningly at Minerva but then her look turned serious. “I mean…because…well, we will see each other very soon so we aren’t really saying goodbye,” she finished apprehensively and took a sip of her tea.

Once more Minerva pushed aside the tug of her heartstrings. “I think that is a wonderful idea,” she smiled affectionately at her.

Over the course of an hour they chatted about a variety of subjects. From how large the United States was, to Animagi, where Minerva changed into her tabby form and sat purring while Serena stroked her back, to Quiditch and how Serena hoped to see the cup in Minerva’s office at the end of the season.

Blossie had just vanished their tea tray when Albus, Sam and Seraphenia came in chuckling over a joke Sam had heard at the Ministry. Sam, a tall wizard with an athletic build, black hair and bright blue eyes, smiled down at his daughter. “Okay sunshine, are you ready to go?”

Serena’s face fell a little but brightened again quickly. She looked to Minerva who nodded slightly and they both moved to close the distance between them. As they embraced, Serena’s words were muffled in Minerva’s robes, “mmuulooha.”

“And aloha to you, my little lass,” Minerva rubbed her back, squeezed and pulled away. Her heart was aching, but not as bad as it had been before Serena had taken her hands. As she watched the little girl Minerva saw Serena put on a brave face and nod solemnly at her parents.

Seraphenia, tall and willowy, who had deep burnished curls and deep green eyes like her daughter, turned to Minerva and smiled playfully. “I see she has told you about Hawaii.”

“Yes, I thought it was a splendid suggestion. We will be seeing you all very soon,” Minerva found her hand in Albus’ and looked at him. His eyes sparkled.

“Ah, the tradition of ‘aloha’,” Albus said wistfully. “A very good tradition it is!”

Minerva thought she caught him wink at Serena, who covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a giggle then, worked to replace it with a smile that wasn’t too bright to hide their conspiracy. Then Serena winked back at him when she thought Minerva wasn’t looking.

“Aunt Minerva, we’ll miss you. And you too, Uncle Albus,” Seraphenia gripped them both in successive warm, willowy hugs. This was followed by Sam’s warm embrace of Minerva and a hand shake and clap on the back to Albus.

Slowly the group made their way to the gates of the castle. Serena gave Albus and Minerva another brief hug and murmured ‘aloha’ once more. She then placed her arms around her mother’s neck and looked longingly at her great aunt and uncle. Finally, with a double crack, the three apparated away.

Minerva’s shoulders drooped a little and her lips formed a thin line. Albus slid his arm around her and pulled her close. “It will be less than a month, my darling.”

“I know, my love, but, oh…how I’m going to miss them,” Minerva said sadly as she looked, unseeing, down the road to Hogsmeade.

---

A single tear rolled down Minerva’s cheek. Still she stared at the fire. Sleep wasn’t coming anytime soon. She hugged her legs again.

Albus entered their suite quietly. He noticed Minerva on the sofa. Saw the single tear on her cheek…the far away look on her face and his shoulders came down in defeat and guilt. Hadn’t he been the one to tell her it would be less than a month until they would see the children? His mind floated back to a moment in time fifteen years ago.

---

He had paced and paced…and paced some more. He was in anguish waiting for news, any news. His wife had been gone a little more than a week and still he had no word from her.

He regretted not having been able to go with her and he worried for her safety. Death Eater attacks had escalated over the last few weeks. Even in America. He shuddered, ‘the children,’ he thought. All he could do was hope they were alright. When Minerva had received the letter from Sam’s sister it had not been very informative. It only said they’d been attacked by Death Eaters, nothing more.

The number of attacks and the running of the school did not allow them both to answer Adelaide’s letter. So, reluctantly, he had sent Minerva to check on the children. Pensively he sat behind his desk, tired of pacing. He stared at the large stack of Ministry correspondence he needed to answer and sighed. Perhaps it would take his mind off his worries. However, he had a knotted feeling in his stomach that simply wouldn’t go away. No communication was not like Minerva. Although it took a long time to get here from across the sea and owls were impossible. ‘Maybe I should send Fawkes,’ he thought. Alas, the distance was great, even for him. Albus sighed again and attempted to settle into his task.

Suddenly his office door swung open and cracked loudly against the wall. His head snapped up with a start and he took in Minerva’s disheveled appearance. He felt his heart drop to his stomach and was instantly by her side.

Minerva’s deeply green eyes sought him out and watched him with red-rimmed intensity. When he was next to her he put his arms around her waist and she sank to the floor pulling him with her.

“Albus…,” was all she managed to croak. The only word torn from her lips as they sank and he knew. Her anguished cry conveyed to him all the dark realities he had been trying to deny for the last week.

He held her to him tightly, his heart tearing in two as the sound of his wife’s tortured sobs finally broke the surface. She clung to him, buried her face in his chest and let the storm erupt, finally, from within her. A harsh groan emerged from his throbbing chest and his choked sobs joined Minerva’s as he let go of the pain that harbored in his chest. They clung to each other in a heap on the floor grieving for the death of the happiness they had known in their little family. For the dimming of the bright light Serena had brought to their lives.

---

A pop from the fire chased him from his thoughts and again his eyes rested tenderly on his wife. Her hair had come loose and cascaded around her like a black velvet curtain. She was so beautiful. His heart swelled with love and he marveled at the fact that after so many years he loved her more now than he had even yesterday.

His face was wet from his memory so he pulled a handkerchief from his robe pocket and quickly wiped his eyes. Quietly he made his way to her, making a little noise along the way, hopefully, to alert her to his presence. He didn’t want to startle her.

“Minerva,” he called speculatively. She shifted and stretched her legs back out looking at him. Her mouth curved slightly in a small smile that was there then gone quickly.

Albus made his way to the sofa and stood behind her. Gently he leaned down, slid his arms around her and brushed her neck tenderly with his lips. “Knut for your thoughts,” he murmured.

Her eyes looked a little sad but still held hope. For once, after fifteen years, as he looked at her he was glad to see hope when he knew she thought of Serena. She sighed, “I was remembering the last time I saw Serena. Aloha,” she said and smiled up at him.

He smiled back with a bit of twinkle in his eyes. “I suppose you know how Serena came up with that bit of information.”

“Yes, I saw you wink at each other.” She playfully slapped his arms and he tightened them around her. Minerva tilted her face up and their lips touched. Both of them gloried in the comfort offered by the other.

The kiss began to deepen. Their passion for each other had never waned. It was always there, subtlety, beneath the surface. Just waiting for the spark; heated words…a look…a touch…a kiss.

Albus nibbled her bottom lip and Minerva’s lips opened to his probing tongue. His scent drifted over her, his taste touched her tongue. He tasted and smelled of lemons and chocolate. Their tongues circled each other playfully. Her hands reached up of their own accord and tangled in his hair. His head shifted sideways and deepened the kiss, sweet passion beginning to flair between them.

Soon the contact of their lips broke and they gasped for air, their chests rising and falling as if they had been running. “Mmmm…have I told you how delicious you are lately?” Albus looked intently at her.

“No,” she shook her head and that helped her thoughts clear a little. “Albus,” she questioned.

“Hmmm?”

“I just remembered something.”

“And what was that?”

“Should we have told Severus that Serena is an empath?”

“Perhaps, but it’s too late now. Although I’m sure he’ll find out soon enough,” he said thoughtfully.

Again he leaned forward and kissed her upturned face with ardor. He moved his hands to cup her face, his lips following a heated trail to the bit of neck below her ear. A gasp escaped her lips, “But, but Al…,” she began frowning, trying to concentrate.

“Mmmm, hush my love and come to bed.” With which statement he scooped her up in his arms.

Minerva turned and put her arms around his neck. Her lips found his once more and she forgot her protests as he carried her to their bedroom, the fire still burning brightly behind them.

---

---

A/N: Well...there it is. I'm off to polish Chapter 4. I'm hoping to get it up by the weekend but that all depends on what my friends think and RL. =o) Stef

[stefdarlin]

A/N: Unfortunately, I did not receive any feedback from my friends yet, but I am posting this chapter now anyway. Therefore, if they find anything I will fix it later. I didn't want to hold up anyone who may be reading this fic and the next chapter probably won't be up until the weekend. I read a challenge and a bunny bit me so I started working on that and time is limited. I did fix a few things I found on my own. Here it is, hope you like.

Reviews are appreciated, but not required. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

Stef =o)

Chapter 4: Opening Act

Serena sat in her dressing room. Sadly she stared in the mirror. Wistful green eyes gazed back at her and she sighed. For a change she wanted to stay but a nagging insisted she go. She ignored it for the time being and looked in the mirror to the person behind her.
Charles was there and she sniggered.

“Right! Oi! You think it’s hysterical. Bloody funny! What if it isn’t enough,” he rioted pacing back and forth.

“Well, one, you are pacing which simply isn’t you, Charles, and two, it will be enough…trust me.” She smiled to waylay his worry. Serena sensed his franticness and turned to face him. She got up and went to Charles. She placed her hands on his and he immediately felt warmth spread through his body, calming him. He stood there and breathed a sigh of contentment.

“There, that’s better, isn’t it?”

“How do you bloody do that?” Charles stared at her, shaking his head to clear his muzzy thoughts.

“Well now that I know you’ll listen…It will be enough,” she said sternly placing her hands on his shoulders and looking into his eyes.

“Yes mother,” he saluted.

Rolling her eyes at him and letting go of his shoulders, Serena added, “Now, where is John~ you two are so opposite, everything will work. You both make up for the other’s weaknesses.”

There was a knock at her door and Serena moved to open it. John was there looking, if anything, calm. Serena looked at him and smiled knowingly. “Just a few jitters, huh,” she asked and he nodded.

“How does she bloody do that?” Charles rolled his eyes and asked in an exasperated plea.

“It’s magic.” Serena smiled mischievously for this wasn’t a lie but the boys didn’t know that. “You’ve done all the research. You have your acts together. The club looks fantastic. You have bouncers, both magic and muggle. You’ve crossed every t and dotted every i for the Ministry of Magic and the muggle governments. Now it’s time to reap your rewards,” Serena voiced enthusiastically, breathless, as her eyes danced back and forth between her two friends.

“Now go out there, show off your new club and get ready to start the show.” She smiled and they both shot beaming smiles back at her. “You know I’ll miss you both,” she began on a more serious note. “Please don’t think I’m rude if I don’t hover after my performance. I’ll send for my things as soon as I get where I’m going,” she told them.

The smiles left their faces briefly but returned at her scowl. Serena beamed at them again and announced, “Hugs!” They all gathered in a warm group hug.

“We’ll miss you deary. You know you are always welcome if you are ever in the neighborhood,” John told her; his warm hazel eyes met hers intently.

“Be safe, and remember, we are here if you ever need us,” Charles conveyed.

Serena smiled warmly. She was definitely going to miss the boys. They had been inseparable for several weeks now. Sort of like an old soul finding a home, but her soul couldn’t rest yet. It still hadn’t found its home, its roots. There was a nagging deep within her she had been ignoring for days. Yes, it was time to move on yet again. She knew, she had been doing this for long enough, but tonight, somehow, felt different.

As the boys left to do as she said she was alone in her dressing room. She did the usual things to prepare for her leave. She never knew where she was going or where she would end up. But it was always the same, and while it was hard to explain, she would know where she was going when she got there.

Serena checked her robes for everything. A majority of her instruments and equipment would remain for the time being. She was only taking the essentials and she would wait to don her robes because, even though everything was shrunken, she felt weighted down at times. She really despised that feeling.

For her performance she had green dress robes that shimmered. They were transparent at the sleeves with a flare at the wrist and showed just a bit of leg to the knee with a generous slit up the side from the floor. The green was a perfect shade of emerald that complimented her eyes. There was even a hidden pocket for her wand.

Yes, she would definitely have to remember Madame Malkin. The woman knew what she wanted before even Serena knew it herself and that was saying something. Madame had shown her a white chemise which was heaven against her skin and then the dress robes, which were made of several layers of modal and silk. She was wearing it all. With so many layers she thought it would feel bulky or heavy, yet it was all light. The robes and chemise had been rather expensive but John and Charles had insisted on purchasing them for her. She had let them indulge…she did feel guilty but pushed it aside for once. For some reason she felt she needed these clothes. Serena had never owned anything so comfortable yet which looked so…provocative.

Serena stood at the full length mirror and smiled at her reflection fervently. ‘Mmmm…yes,’ she thought, perhaps she looked quite good. The dress robes flowed as she turned, hugging and revealing, but letting the imagination do the work. It almost looked like she was floating. ‘Perfect,’ she thought with a smirk.

“Five minutes to curtain call…,” John yelled from beyond her door. There they were, right on cue, the butterflies in her stomach. Like always, Serena took a deep breath to settle them. Silently, she slipped her wand into its secret pocket and left the room to make sure the band and everything else was set up right.

Backstage was a mass of action. The girls from the act following hers were running back and forth putting on makeup. Serena scrunched up her face as she looked at what they were wearing. Bare colored leotards covered in sequins and some type of white plumage stuck to their bottoms like tail feathers. Hideous! But they had sounded good in their rehearsal. ‘Might want to change their image soon,’ she thought.

As Serena arrived at the back of the stage the band was already seated and arranged. They all had their music and her stool was set at the front with a microphone. Her piano was to her left and her guitar was in its stand to her right. Perfect. She carefully stepped over all the wires running to the amps and sound booth then made her way to the front of the stage. Had she come from the side she would not have had to watch her step but this way let her come through the band, let them know she was one of them, not above them. She simply also sang.

Serena grinned and waved at each member as she went past. They all smiled back. John had done a great job, well, they had, together, selecting each person of the band in turn and acquiring some of the best in their field in the area. She was very pleased with this because she felt it would ensure not only, the popularity of Achelous but its future success as well. She really was going to miss them all. She made it to her seat finally but remained standing. She raised the mike intending to stand for the first song. Beyond the curtains she heard murmuring and laughing toward the back. Serena took a deep breath and waited the last few minutes quietly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Severus Snape made his way into the night club with a nod to the man at the door. He looked left and right taking in the people and atmosphere ensuring no one here would recognize him. He also looked for Mundungus in his hideous witch/hag gear but didn’t see him either. ‘Well that’s one bright note to the evening,’ he thought.

Scanning the club around him he noted the blue neon glowing bar off to the right. The walls had a shimmer to them as if they were filled with water so the club would seem to be under water. They also glowed with aqua blue color. Ahead from where he had come in was a closed shimmering, iridescent green curtain, again playing on the aquatic theme. This, presumably, hiding the stage for musical acts, in front of which was a dance floor.

Surrounding the dance floor were tables with large pieces of coral for bases and clear glass tops. Each table was flanked by two chairs which looked like an open shell and the tops were adorned with a small, deep blue lit candle. ‘Hmm…very clever,’ he thought and searched to find an empty table toward the back. He spotted a table in a small niche around to the right of the bar. There weren’t too many people here yet, even though the show was about to start. However, he felt if it did get crowded he could see good from here and even manage to slip out if needed.

Staring ahead he went over the plan they had come up with silently. While Minerva had not agreed at first, he closed his eyes at that thought; she had finally agreed that he and Albus were only looking out for her best interests and the schools. She’d had to admit they couldn’t all come to the show or it would draw attention. So here he was, about to abduct a woman on the pretense that she was someone who should have been dead, was someone who had an ancient power the Dark Lord might want and was the grandniece of the Deputy Headmistress. Odds were none of this was true, but these days they couldn’t take chances.

Severus looked up to the stage when the curtain rose, ‘and she is the most beautiful woman to have ever walked this Earth,’ his mind yelled. He closed his mouth as it had dropped open in astonishment. Here, before his eyes on the stage was a vision. This woman seemed to hover in the center of the stage with her green robes floating about her. Her deep, rich mahogany hair was half piled on top of her head and the rest flowed down her back in a cascade of waves and curls. Her skin looked creamy at her chest where the neckline of her robes dipped between her breasts. The robes clung to her, accentuating the curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts. One could only imagine what she looked like beneath them. Last, her face was like a pixie with full lips in a shimmering lip gloss, high cheek bones and bright green eyes. ‘Yes,’ thought Severus, ‘Serena fits the bill for a Siren alright.’

Severus shook his head and recalled what Minerva had told him. Yet she could never have prepared him for this. Quickly he slipped the sound mufflers into his ears. He would be able to hear, but any ethereal sounds of a Siren would be filtered. The plan was to wait until the show was over to make his move. So, as a waitress walked up to him, he ordered a butterbeer and leaned back to listen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena held her breath as the curtain rose. Quickly she scanned the small crowd seated at all the low tables. As she scanned her eyes seemed drawn to the small table in the alcove to her left. When she noticed the man seated there she took a sharp intake of breath and her mouth almost fell open. The man at the table was simply delicious. His black hair fell in a curtain about his shoulders and his hooked nose gave him a look of nobility.

He was wearing what looked like muggle attire which was all black; black trousers and shoes with a black long sleeve shirt with a high collar and black, enameled button at his throat. His black eyes seemed to rove over her body as the atmosphere sizzled. Serena felt her skin begin to heat as the first strains of her song filled the air and she began to sing.

“The rockin’ horse came, from an old oak tree
Just missed the house, when it was hit by lightning’”

Quickly she grabbed the mike and swung her long tresses.

“My daddy painted that horse, a midnight blue
Shooting stars and silver horse shoes
And it was something magic out of something frightening’”

She closed her eyes and let out just a little bit.

“That’s how I live my life
I take it as it comes
And I find the hidden love
When it’s pouring down on me
In my mind I see
The rockin’ horse inside the tree”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Severus listened to the words. This song was definitely American. As he looked around again, feeling the need to stop staring at the woman on the stage so much, he noticed more people filing in. Many of the people already seated were watching Serena avidly and many of the men had a dreamy look about them. He sneered at them as a feeling washed over him like icy fingers in his gut. ‘What is that,’ he wondered. Severus swung his head back around to look at Serena again. He needed to do a test so he took one sound muffler out of his ear and listened.

“A broken heart means deeper feelings
A thorn in the flesh, means room for healing
Oh, salt in your tears, can open your eyes
Wounded years make you realize
It’s just something magic out of something frightening”

As Serena went to the chorus again Severus had to shake his head to clear his thoughts. He had been almost in a trance. However, it wasn’t so bad he couldn’t think. Severus found himself pondering several things. Serena was either controlling the power well or this was all the power she possessed. Yet he put the sound muffler back in his ear. He didn’t want to take any chances as a few men around him were drooling. “Dunderheads,” he said under his breath and gave a sniff.

“Ohhhh…things aren’t always as they seem
Ohhhh…take the nightmare from my dreams”

Well, he could certainly identify with this song. He watched Serena once more as she opened her eyes, scanned the room as she had when the curtain went up, and her eyes rested on him. They simply seemed to linger on him and, for a moment, it felt like only the two of them existed. Her singing and him watching her.

Serena’s gaze drifted from him to rove yet again and for a moment he felt lost. But he shook his head and it cleared. There was something else to try. Breathing deeply Severus cleared his thoughts with the practice of Occulmency and looked up with his mind clear. When Serena looked at him again his mind filled with her against his attempt to shield himself. Since Severus prided himself in his talent for Occulmency it came as a shock to him when Serena could tear down his defenses without even trying. He realized being close to her was going to be very dangerous for him, especially if she ever fell into the hands of the Dark Lord. ‘What will Albus think,’ he pondered. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t think there would be a twinkle in the old man’s eyes with this revelation, or would there be?

Severus sneered at the thought as the song ended and applause began. Just then a short, stocky man with thick blonde hair and blue eyes mounted the stairs to the stage clapping. “Ah, very wonderful Serena, my dear. Thank you. Hello all! And welcome to Achelous. We hope you are enjoying yourselves. I’ll only bother you for a few moments and then we’ll get back to the entertainment.” Charles beamed at the crowd.

“First, I would like to thank Serena for all her hard work in helping Jonathan and myself get started.” He paused at the applause and Serena started to scowl at him then looked away shrugging. Resigned she smiled timidly and nodded at the crowd.

Severus wondered at this reaction but Charles spoke again. “We have a wonderful line up tonight, after Serena we have The Harmonious Harpies and then, to wrap up we have The Pixies. Also, in addition to the first drink free we have 2 for 1 until midnight.” There was loud applause at this. “So, please…remember Achelous. The place to celebrate and wash away your cares,” Charles finished with a flourish and made a movement for Serena to take it away again.

Serena nodded at the band, sat down and reached for her guitar. The drummer tapped off the beat and the song began. Serena closed her eyes and strummed. The words softly floated out of her mouth.

“I’m a leaf on a river, falling from the tall oak tree
Drifting down this moving stream, where ever this life carries me
I’m a tumble weed, in the desert wind
Just tumblin’, while the sun’s shinin’
I have no boundaries…call me a gypsy

I’m restless
Just ramblin’
What do you do, where do you go…when no where feels like home
I’m restless”

‘Another American number,’ Severus thought. Yet the words spoke volumes. Could this be how she felt, he wondered. More people had wandered in attracted by the music no doubt and he noticed they had the door propped open.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several couples circled the dance floor but soon there would be standing room only. Serena opened her eyes and searched again for the man in black. Why she continued to seek him out, she didn’t know. This was so unlike her, especially when she couldn’t get a vibe in the crowd. Several people stood in front of his table now. Yet she could still feel his eyes on her as she continued.

“Am I an angel, fallen from heaven’s grace
Oh, it feels like that some days and I can’t find my place.
I guess God just makes some of us, to live and die by highway dust
Guess I just have to trust, on those days I’m crawlin’
This is my callin’”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The crowd was really thick now and Severus was going to have to stand to see. However, he hesitated. He doubted anything would happen to the main act with this large of a crowd around but he moved anyway and remained in the shadows so as not to draw attention to him. As he moved to enable him to see Serena once more her song continued.

“Oh, to hold somebody close that cares
Oh, to finally find some roots somewhere
I know someday I’ll find that it’s out there
But until then, I’ll just keep movin’”

Severus stared at Serena who gazed back at him. The fact he had moved made no difference. Her eyes had found him again and he couldn’t help but stare back. As the song finished the next one began.

This song had a Gaelic feel. ‘Well that is some change up,’ he decided. He had to admit this song had a more ethereal feel to it. As he looked at all the faces in the crowd, many looked in a trance or in and out of one at least. The dance floor was full and now there was standing room only as Serena continued.

“When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair”

Serena gazed at Severus and their eyes played this sort of dance. Severus broke the stare this time to search those close to him, most looked like muggles and none looked familiar. For this he was glad

“A garland gay we bring you here and at your door we stand…
It is a sprout well budded out
The work of Our Lord’s hand”

As Serena sang the chorus again Severus popped out a sound muffler yet again to test. This song was definitely stronger because of the music type but he still could clear his head with a gentle shake. Swiftly, he popped the device back in his ear.

Severus watched the couples on the dance floor dance with abandon. Some looked in a trancelike state and, to him, the music seemed seductive. As the song ended applause erupted from the crowd and he clapped as well. He heard a few whoops and whistles from the back and saw Serena try to cover a blush.

“Thank you,” she said soberly and smiled. Severus’ breath caught. She was simply stunning when she smiled. Severus frowned he did not understand his behavior at all.

The band behind Serena had begun a murmuring tune like those of a sanctuary. A picture of a tall monastery popped in his head. “And for our last piece, Dante’s Prayer,” Serena told them as she moved to her piano.

As her fingers caressed the keys and played, she conveyed a little sorrow Severus thought. Someone pressed against him and he looked up into the back of a head. Someone had simply backed into him. He scowled and moved back further.

“When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone”

Severus started to make his way to the exit. Serena had said this was the last song. There was no way she could leave from the front. She would probably slip out the back where Fletcher had overheard the conversations. Severus smirked sinisterly. He would be waiting for her.

“Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me…”

Her words rang in his head as he moved stealthy toward the door. Silently, he slipped through the crowd with ease.

“Please remember me…
Please remember me…
Please remember me…”

As Severus approached the door he wondered, ‘How could I not?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Songs referenced in this chapter include:
Rockin’ Horse and Restless by Sara Evans
Mummers Dance and Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt.

[stilldirrty]

Oh, wow! I never post here but this story is great! I'm lovin' it! The Aloha chapter was HEART BREAKING

I hope Minerva gets to see Serena soon! Don't keep us waiting too long for an update!

~ Erica

[stefdarlin]

Dear Erica,

*Hugs to you, you are my first reviewer!!* ;D Thank you for your review! Your feedback is very important to me and I am very glad you like the story.

The Aloha chapter was added after I had already written 10 chapters previously and I felt I wanted to explore Minerva's relationship with Serena more. I admit it was a little hard to write. The whole time I had this funny feeling in my stomach but I wanted to convey the deep love Albus and Minerva have for both each other and her.

There will be more reflections of their relationship in later chapters. The next few deal with her and Severus, but fear not, Minerva, and Albus, are always near to my heart.

Next up will be: Come with me

Thanks again,

Stef =o)

[stefdarlin]

A/N: Okay. Here is the next installment. Bonus points to anyone who knows what movie Serena's Siren song is from. It is not a direct quote, per se, but it is a variation. =o)

Chapter 5: Come with me

“Please remember me…
Please remember me…”

When the song ended Serena closed her eyes and expelled a breath as applause erupted around her. She heard whistles and whoops. She smiled as she opened her eyes and gestured for the band to stand. They all bowed to the generous clapping.

“Thank you. Thanks so much. Y’all have a great night,” she offered. “The band is gonna take a twenty minute break and then you will be treated to the melodic sounds of the Harmonious Harpies. Good night everyone,” Serena announced and waved. The applause continued as the curtain came down and she sighed.

Suddenly, Serena was grabbed from behind and turned around into a warm hug. John beamed at her. She had gasped but now smiled back at him. Charles was right behind him, beaming as well. Serena smiled at him and gave him a knowing look

“Yes, yes, I know, I know! You told me so.” Charles grabbed her in a fierce hug as she was about to give him a piece of her mind.

As they parted she wagged a finger at him then stated, “Yes, well I think things are off to a very good start.” She giggled at his red face and listened to the murmur of the large crowd beyond the curtain. How she loved this.

Just then, one of the Harpies came up and asked John where her guitar was, while another approached Charles and asked him to adjust her tail feathers. Serena grinned, shook her head and turned to make her way to her dressing room. The boys were going to do well.

Once in her dressing room Serena pulled on her outer robes. Sadly she looked around and sighed. How she was going to miss them and this. But, it probably wouldn’t be long before she would get to sing like this again. She clung to that hope, cast a final look around the room and slid out the back door.

She shivered slightly as the cool night air hit her then waited a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Once in the alley a peculiar feeling hit her. Quickly, she slipped her wand into her hand with no time to spare. Suddenly, to her left a rat grew into a man wearing a black cloak and mask. He aimed his wand at her while her peripheral vision registered two more cloaked figures advancing quickly up the alley on her right.

With swift grace, Serena cast a silent protego to protect her as the rat like man’s wand shot a red flash at her. At the same moment the two figures to her right sent red and blue streams of light simultaneously. Rapidly she ducked behind a pile of crates which took the force of the blasts and splintered.

Crouching, she slipped behind another stack to the right, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She hoped all her assailants were male. Strong and lilting her ethereal voice penetrated the night.

“Come with me, come and I’ll take you away…
Away to my land of enchantment,
Gentlemen, come let me take you away,
Away to my land of enchantment…”

Serena had let go with her power fully and as she sung the three figures stood transposed, practically frozen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus had made his way to the back of the club and occupied a place well hidden from view. He heard the back door open and saw a hooded, cloaked figure slip out the door. The fluid movements told him it was Serena. He was about to reveal himself when a movement on the ground up ahead caught his eye and he sank back into his previous position.

‘Wormtail! Great, this was just great,’ he thought furiously. He could not be seen by the pompous man, his position with the Dark Lord would be compromised. Frantically, his eyes darted back and forth as he evaluated the situation. Suddenly, magical bursts sounded behind him and he swiveled in time to see Serena block Wormtail’s spell and duck to deflect two others. He then heard her start to sing and felt an odd feeling come over him.

Struggling, he kept his wits about him but it was very difficult, even with the sound mufflers. ‘Well that answers our question about her Siren powers,’ he thought. He leaned forward and peered around the crates to gauge the situation and watched as Wormtail and one of the other two figures stopped in their tracks. The other figure, however, still moved even though it was much slower than before.

Serena cast a wordless stupefy on Wormtail and the figure which had stopped. Severus saw the other Death Eater was facing away from him and after quickly scanning to make sure there were no others he cast stupefy on the last figure in the alleyway.

Swiftly he came from his hiding place and Serena flew up in front of him, her wand pointed at his chest. He held up his hands quickly and she lowered her wand. She sensed he was here to help her and meant her no injury. With her remission, he grabbed her hand. They ran two alleys over and out of sight. Here he held out an object to her ~ a toothbrush. Serena cocked her head to the side and looked at it inquisitively. With a look of mischief in her eyes she shrugged and touched the item. Immediately she felt her navel pulled and she was winded as she landed on a hard, cold floor.

It was so dark Serena couldn’t see a thing. ‘Lumos,’ she thought and the dark man’s face was illuminated next to her by her wand. He sat up quickly and she smiled at him. “So now what,” she inquired with an impish grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Severus sat with his back against the wall and his legs stretched out in front of him. Thoughts chased each other in his head. Across from him sat Serena cross-legged and close to the fire between them. Honestly, he had thought he was going to have to kidnap the woman, not have her full cooperation. To top that off, she kept smiling at him. It was maddening. Frustrated, he raised a hand and pinched the top of his nose to stem the headache he felt approaching.

Serena watched the dark man. He kept staring at her, frowning then looking away. After they had landed from the portkey he had cast incendio and lit a fire in the middle of what could only be a cave. She searched her feelings. She definitely felt he meant her no harm but he was certainly, what was that, annoyed at her? For what she had no clue. But it seemed to simply be because she existed. Perhaps it was her disposition. ‘Hmphf..,’ she thought and crossed her arms. Two could play this game.

“So, I gather you know my name but I’m afraid I don’t know yours. It is,” she began in a snarky tone breaking the tensed silence.

Severus looked at her, his arms also crossed and sniffed. “Snape, Severus Snape. And you are Serena Celestia I gather, correct?” He eyed her keenly, was greeted with a sharp intake of breath and a fierce green-eyed look.

“They never said my last name. How did you…,” Serena began in an exasperated tone and broke off suddenly as realization struck her. The goons tonight and his knowledge were all a by product of ..., “the sign!” The words came out in a rasp and she rose hastily. Serena began to pace furiously in a swirl of heavy robes, “Of all the stupid, low down…I told him, I asked him, it was my only stipulation…what an idiotic thing …,” she broke off and took several calming breaths.

Through all of this Snape had simply watched her with a raised eyebrow. He watched as she struggled to compose herself and was astounded when she plastered a smile on her face and turned to him.

“Why yes, that’s correct and to what do I owe your rescue of me?” ‘Well that was blunt,’ he thought sedately. He hadn’t really wanted to get into this right away so he side stepped a little.

“Why did you come with me?” He questioned her easy cooperation. Her face flickered briefly with annoyance but it was gone almost before he could register it.

“Because I know you are no threat to me,” she told him truthfully.

“And how could you know that when you were being attacked? Perhaps I am one of your attackers,” he countered infuriated with her quick submission. He worried how easily she might fall into the Dark Lord’s hands before they could see how powerful she was and he had no doubt of that power. The performance with Wormtail had proved it.

“Yes, well it would seem that while I don’t know you there is quite a lot you don’t know about me,” she informed him with sarcasm.

Snape sneered at her, “Really, Ms. Celestia, this banter is going to get us no where.”

He really was beginning to irritate her. Yes, he may look divine but his attitude was simply dreadful and, of course, hers was nothing to contend with at times either, because when faced with adversity she always rose to the occasion. “Then perhaps we should part ways. I appreciate your help Mr. Snape but I can quite take care of myself, thank you.”

As Serena made to find the exit Severus replied dryly, “I believe it is in your best interest to stay, I did save your life.”

Serena snorted, “Saved? My life,” she asked incredulously. “What rubbish! I was perfectly fine. I am sure I could have handled the other Death Eater without your help and as for me being here, I was simply curious…,” she trailed off at the anger emanating from him.

“I should not like to know you follow people simply because you are curious, Ms. Celestia,” he was on his feet now. “These are dangerous times, as I hope you know,” he seethed.

“How dare you lecture me? Just who the hell do you think you are!?” she seethed back while reaching out with her hand and poking him in the chest. Her eyes spit green fire at him in her anger. They stared at each other, their chests rising and falling as if they had run a marathon.

Abruptly the atmosphere sizzled and Serena felt the hair raise on her neck as electricity filled the air between them. He grabbed her hand in a viselike grip and pulled her against him roughly. Their mouths met and crushed each other. His mouth plundering hers, she opened her lips and his tongue dove in. Her tongue swirled around his in a mad pirouette. Their arms came around each other and they crushed each other in their anger which soon turned to raging lust.

Serena tangled a hand in his hair and felt a growl in his throat. A scent of something warm and masculine filled her senses as her mouth left his to travel to his neck and he did the same to her. His hands pushed her cloak off and it fell to the floor.

She was still wearing the dress robes from the show and she heard his sharp intake of breath. His eyes roved her chest as it swelled against the soft fabric. His hands shifted in her hair and brought her face forcefully to him so he could taste her lips.

Her hands found his coat button; nimbly she slid it through the hole and slid his coat past his shoulders to remove it. She leaned into his touch and a moan rose in her throat. Serena’s hands worked deftly at his belt and pants. She heard his breath catch and he seemed to almost lose control.

As their bodies crushed against each other the heat rose and Serena felt his desire for her. She gasped as her head fell back. She felt him retreat a little and whimpered.

“Severus please…”

“Are you sure,” he questioned, conscious thought attempting to make an appearance.

“Yes, yes, please…,” she looked into his eyes. Green orbs searching black, pleading.

He saw the need there as she pushed at his pants. They traveled backwards and she shivered as she felt her body meet the cave wall. His lips met hers in a heated kiss and his bosy leaned into hers. His hands moved over her and her back arched toward him to be closer. She closed her eyes and her breath hitched. “Mmmm, so warm,” he murmured seductively in her ear.

Brusquely they made love with mad passion Serena never knew could exist. He aroused her in a way that had her wanting more. Though vaguely she thought this might be wrong. But why did it feel so right to her?

His kissed her again and Serena felt as if she were climbing, climbing toward a pinnacle of light. Severus left her lips and lavished attention in other sensitive areas. At her neck, sucking her earlobe, licking her neck while she was kissing the parts of him she could reach and running her hands through his hair.

Then, their bodies shook and it was over. Serena wrapped her arms around him and she kissed him recklessly, their tongues twining as their bodies trembled. Severus raised his eyes to hers and shuddered, ‘Oh gods, what have I done.’

This chapter is posted in the lemon section. Please click the link to travel there by portkey for the full version.

Come With Me

[stefdarlin]

Chapter 6: Revelations

Serena looked at Severus and saw emotion in those hooded eyes, she felt him stiffen and seem to withdraw so she clung to him more tightly. She felt he needed her to hold him. So she leaned forward and did what Severus never allowed; what no other had done for him in a very long time, she hugged him.

Her arms wound around him and held him to her body, held him inside her still. She loved the feel of his body next to hers, touching her inner most spot. Yet, as her mind cleared she wanted to be closer, skin to skin. As they stayed like that she felt him begin to relax whereas he had been stiff at first.

“Miss Celestia,” he began and it was her turn to stiffen.

“Serena…,”she murmured to him from where her head rested buried in his neck.

“Serena,” he purred in her ear because it was so close to his mouth. “I am sorry,” he finished.

She stiffened again and thought about what they had done. Something she had never done. She never lost her head, but she had with him. As she searched her feelings she knew it would always be this way with him, as though their souls owned each other. ‘Well, I’m not going to be sorry,’ she thought.

“I’m not,” she replied and pulled back to look fiercely in his eyes. She gasped as she felt his aura change and reflect guilt and remorse. “Please Severus, don’t.”

His eyes looked into her deep pools of green. What he saw there shocked him, tenderness and deep emotion. How could she feel anything like this for him when they’d only just met? “Perhaps we should…get dressed and talk,” he told her and began to shift.

Serena held him to her a moment longer and released him nodding her head resignedly. Carefully they disentangled themselves and Serena winced as she felt a sharp, jagged rock in her back she hadn’t noticed before and raised her hand to massage it. As Severus adjusted his clothes and waved his wand to cast a refreshing spell he watched her from the corner of his eye. She was not sorry for what they had done. ‘Does she do this often,’ he wondered.

Serena crossed the floor to her cloak and searched the many pockets. “Ahhh,” she breathed when she found what she sought. From the pocket she withdrew a tiny trunk. The room of the cave was quite spacious and she moved to an alcove to put down the trunk. Next, she wove her wand above it and a bright yellow light emerged from the tip enlarging the trunk to its original size. She opened it and began to rummage through it.

Serena laid out a few comfortable clothes and returned to her cloak. She pulled out a coat rack and enlarged it as well, placed it next to the trunk then retrieved her cloak to place it on a hook. She then turned and took Severus’ coat from the floor and placed it on the rack as well.

As Severus watched, she then pulled out an old fashioned stand with a mirror. The stand held a large bowl and cloth; she then placed her wand in the bowl and water rushed into it. Another wave and steam rose from the surface of the water in the bowl. Last, she brought out a tiny wooden and cloth covered square. With a flick the square grew into a partition.

She turned to him and said, “Please excuse me for a few moments.”

Severus opened and closed his mouth several times, “Of course,” was all he could manage and the word amazing seemed to pop in his head.

Once Serena was concealed behind the screen she breathed a sigh and looked in the mirror on the stand. Her reflection glowed at her. She smiled a little as her heart flipped over in her chest. She felt almost giddy. Then she remembered she was angry at him and a slight grimace crossed her face. But at the moment she didn’t feel angry. Of course she rarely stayed mad for long, it was in her nature. Besides, she wanted to know more about him.

Serena went to her cloak again and found a vial of bathing potion. As she poured it into the basin the water swirled and the fragrance wafted up to her nose. She closed her eyes and sighed indulgently as the scent of raspberries surrounded her. Quickly she removed her clothes and washed her body with the cloth. Then flicked her wand to dry herself with the stream of warm air which erupted from it and donned the robes she had laid out.

Serena stepped from behind the divider warily in robes made of white cotton which flowed about her like gossamer. Severus leaned against the wall again and his eyes traveled to her when she emerged. His breath caught in his throat. She was exquisite; if he didn’t know better he would swear she was an angel. Blinking his eyes and shaking his head he tried to gather his thoughts. He could be of no use to her if he couldn’t keep his head straight. Thankfully his mind cleared as he concentrated.

“Miss Celestia, there are a few things…,” he began.

“Serena,” she insisted.

“Very well, Serena, we need to discuss a few,” he went on.

‘What was that in the air around him, a sense of duty? Hmm…interesting,’ Serena thought.

“..things. But first, I must ask, are you always so trusting,” he looked to her and saw anger start to rise again as a glare came to her face. He held up a hand and said quickly, “Do not grow angry. I am simply asking questions I must know the answers to. It would seem you possess a temper similar to my own and if we do not set our differences aside I’m afraid we are going to get no where.”

Serena thought about earlier and resolved. Yes, he was right, so she set her anger aside for the time being. She cleared her throat and answered, “No. I am not as trusting as I have been with you.” She looked at him intensely but a smile started at her mouth, slowly reached her eyes and she looked away.

“And why, may I ask, have you trusted that I will not harm you when you hardly know me?” Severus looked down his nose at her. It was almost a sneer, but not quite.

She blushed and looked down. She wondered how much she should tell him. She hated when people did not believe her. But she wanted to see what his reaction would be because she liked him very much, though she was hard put as to why. Yet, if he had a sense of duty, perhaps he was working for the right side. The side she wanted to join. She knew the only way a powerful dark wizard like Voldemort would be conquered would be with unity in the wizard world, not widespread panic.

She forged ahead, “For several reasons. First, you did not seem to be in cohorts with the pathetic ambush that was attempted on me earlier. In fact, you did neutralize one of my would-be captors who was a female. And second, your aura did not project any negativity toward my person as the others did.”

Serena watched as he digested this information. It was there, the disbelief, just below the surface. However, she saw him, instead of voicing it, become curious again. She sighed, so far so good.

“You saw me, in the alleyway, before I neutralized a Death Eater,” he asked.

“No, I felt your presence behind me.”

“And how do you know the Death Eater I struck down was a woman?”

“My vocal powers do not have such a strong affect on women as men. They do slow them down but they do not completely immobilize them.” She had thrown caution to the wind but he had been at her performance, he had heard her enchantment to immobilize the other Death Eaters, so he already knew about that. Then a puzzled look came to her face.

“Hang on…how did you, how were you not affected,” she began, looking at him hard. “Are you…”

“Deaf? No,” he smirked knowingly at her.

“Then how…,” he cut her off.

“Let’s just say I came prepared,” he informed her shrewdly.

“You aren’t going to tell me are you.” It wasn’t a question. “At least, not yet,” she smiled at him mischievously.

‘Maybe not ever,’ Severus thought. He found himself warming to this woman and, of course, the attraction was there. He was going to need to keep his wits about him but that was going to be hard when she kept looking at him with those liquid green eyes.

“Now, you say you felt my presence behind you. You’re certain you did not, perhaps, see me,” he began, his face twisted in thought. What had he read? He replayed the attack over in his mind. Serena had been quick, as though she had known the others were there before she saw them, as well as himself. And as he replayed and examined the memory he also noticed she didn’t say a word except when she sang her enchantment. What was she? Twenty-five? Twenty-six? Some wizards went their entire lives and never mastered all spells wordlessly. But she had never uttered a word while being attacked earlier or while she had taken things from her cloak and refreshed herself.

Hmmm, yes, he remembered now what he read, but she couldn’t be. They were so rare and Albus and Minerva had never mentioned this, but then the Headmaster did not always inform him of everything. Having been so long ago and Minerva so distraught, perhaps they had forgotten, but this was important. He had to ask, he had to know. And if it was true, the Dark Lord could never know. Her Siren song alone would make her desirable to the Dark Lord but, if this was true, she would become a target were he to ever find out.

“Are you…,” he started and hesitated as she looked directly in his eyes.

Serena wondered where this line of questioning was going. He looked so serious and the crease in his brow had told her he was deep in thought. He seemed to have come to a conclusion; however, he was not emanating anything but thought in the air around him. Wait…what was that? She felt a flicker of fear. Well that worried her a little because she couldn’t see his fears.

“Are you an Empath,” he asked looking into her eyes. He seemed to be resigned, he seemed to believe her. Her heart gave a lift. He had guessed so she decided to accommodate him.

“Yes, I am.” She told him boldly and watched as first disbelief, and then concern followed by acceptance crossed his face. She felt him accept this fact. “Ok, it’s my turn,” she told him assertively.

“Miss…”

“Serena,” she glared.

“Serena, there is more we need to discuss. I…,” she cut him off.

“You, you…well I answered your questions so far, but as you so efficiently pointed out, I hardly know you. I think it’s only fitting that I get to ask a few questions of my own. Because, Mr. Snape, I would indeed like to get to know you,” she informed him and smiled wistfully.

Me? He thought. Those were not words her normally heard from a woman. But then none had given themselves willingly without being paid or wanting something from him. And none with the passion she had shown him. He shuddered. He found he wanted to know more about her on a basic level. His eyes shifted to her form and he saw her shiver. She raised her arms to cross them over her chest which seemed a defensive move but he wondered if she was cold.

“Severus, please call me Severus.”

“Severus,” she said and smiled at him gratefully. He found himself genuinely smiling back and swiftly he moved to her side.

“Are you cold?”

“A little,” she replied. He put his arms around her and guided her to sit by the fire.

He looked around. “You know, if we had anything, I would make you some tea but I didn’t think we would be here long.”

“Oh,” she sighed in delight.

“Let me guess,” he began. “You have some in your cloak.”

She beamed at him and rose to go to her robes and commenced digging. Quickly she took out a miniature tea pot, tray and set up. Then she took out a tiny can as well as something else he couldn’t see. Skillfully she balanced all the items and set them down in front of them, slipped her wand out of her sleeve and, with a flick, enlarged all the tea items to their normal size in the flash of yellow light.

Severus smirked at her and shook his head. “Here, I’ll do this,” he moved to set up the teapot over the fire. Quickly he took out his own wand and pointed at the teapot and water erupted from the tip into the pot. He then set the teapot apparatus over the fire and hung the teapot to heat.

Serena smiled at him and moved to the far side of the room. She set down the other item she had pulled from her robe and Severus saw a yellow light from the corner of his eye. As he turned his head to look he couldn’t believe his eyes. There in the large cave was a four poster bed draped in white, gold and red hangings. He looked at Serena who blushed furiously and looked down.

“I just thought, I mean, not to do what we…before, just,” she stuttered then rushed on, “If, I mean, when we get tired, oh god.” She put a hand up to her face.

“I understand Serena, we can never…,” he started sadly but she cut him off.

“No,” she beseeched him. “I didn’t mean ever, I just want to get to know you a little better,” she finished. “Please.”

“Oh, very well. Come over here by the fire, you can ask your questions and we’ll warm you up.” He smiled tentatively at her again.

Serena moved to the fire and sat down cross legged. Severus poured tea in the cups and handed her one. Serena took a breath then took a sip of tea. She closed her eyes in bliss and sighed.

Severus caught a light whiff of jasmine and took a sip. “Mmm…Thank you for the tea Serena.”

“Oh, no problem, do you like it?” She looked at him with large wistful eyes.

Severus shook his head again. He had almost lost it again. “Yes, though I can’t quite place it,” he raised his eyebrow inquisitively.

“Oh, it’s one of my favorites. It’s a bit hard to find over here. I came across it in a little tea shop in the states. It’s called Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls,” she told him. “Ok, your turn. Could you tell me about yourself, please?” She looked longingly into his eyes.

How could he resist such a simple request when those eyes looked back at him like that?

“Very well,” he resigned. “You know my name. I am the Potions Master for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.”

“Really,” she asked excitedly. “I went there when I was eleven, I think. I don’t remember much but I do remember a man with a really long white beard and purple robes.”

Severus smirked a bit. “That would be Professor Dumbledore.”

“Really,” she squeaked again. “Oh my goodness, all this time and I knew him, er, or had met him,” she went on exuberantly. “And you know him personally?”

“Yes, well,” he began but she cut him off.

“Do you think you could introduce us? I have so many questions…,” she rattled on. Severus began to grow angry. His eyes hooded and immediately Serena stopped talking. “Oh, oh…I’m so sorry Severus, how rude of me? Please don’t be angry? Never mind, I don’t need to meet Professor Dumbledore. I just thought,” she sighed heavily and looked down. “Never mind.”

They continued to drink their tea in silence. Severus brooded for a moment but then a thought struck him. Of course she was going to meet Albus. But he had her to himself, for now. Severus shook his head; she evoked emotions and reactions which were foreign to him. “Serena, it’s alright. You will eventually meet the Headmaster, but for now you wanted to know about me,” he went on trying to lighten the mood.

Serena looked up shyly, “Yes please?”

“Well there isn’t much to tell. I do enjoy books immensely though and I do have a bad temper as we have discussed.”

“Yes, I can understand a temper; however mine doesn’t usually stay for long. And I am only a fair hand at potions. I can have my moments with the odd ingredient but it was well enough in school to aid several others. Since I never seem to stay in one place for long enough to set up storage and there is only so much room in my robes I only keep essentials with me. Then I brew what I can with what I find where ever I end up.” She shrugged.

“So tell me more about you then,” he inquired wanting to know more before he pressed on.

“Well, I grew up in the States and attended the Good-Osborne School for Witchcraft. I lost my parents when I was eleven and my Aunt Adelaide raised me. She passed away about eight years ago, since then I’ve been traveling. I think I have some sort of wanderlust. I never stay anywhere long before a nagging starts in my bones and I’m up and on the go again.”

“That explains the robes. So you have been moving around for all this time since your aunt died,” he questioned.

“Yes, I had always wanted to see the world, but I’ve been to so many places, sometimes they start to blur. My bones keep nagging so I keep going,” she informed him as she looked off in thought and shrugged.

“Why didn’t you stay in your Aunt’s house after she passed? Have you been back there,” he asked curiously and saw sadness flicker into her eyes and hover. He gasped. The pain he saw was soul searching.

“My Aunt was not a loving woman but she was rather possessive. Many of the summers I spent with her I felt she looked at me more as a magical possession than a person. Adelaide was practically a Squib; she had very little magical abilities. She hated the fact that she couldn’t do magic and the rest of the family could. She spent countless hours trying to do magic and getting me to help her. When she died I had planned to stay in the old house even though it held no happiness for me. However, after she passed the authorities came and presented me with all her bills. It seems she squandered the family’s money, even the money my parents had left me, which she had access to since she was my guardian, in her pursuit of magic.”

“Well, I couldn’t pay the bill being fresh out of school so I had to sign the house and most everything in it over to the bank. I did manage to keep some of my more sentimental items but I found myself turned out on the street with just my robes and a few trinkets. Then the nagging began, so I moved on,” she let out a sigh.

She looked to him and went on, “My mother had started teaching me to control my vocal ability shortly before she died. The only thing that made me happy at the time was singing and now I had to use my ability to earn money to survive. However, I couldn’t sing all the time. Mother had warned me that people do not always understand and I could put people in jeopardy if I did not control my gift. She had also explained that I could come to harm if the power got out of control or I pursued recognition with my talent,” she finished coming out of her reverie. “You know, you are very easy to talk to,” she told him.

Severus smiled gently thinking she was wrong but maybe it was the attraction between them which made it easy for her to confide in him.

“So how is it you know my name and why were you there tonight?” Serena had come to the question finally on her own which he wanted to discuss. She frowned as she noticed his aura emanating a sense of duty again.

“A friend,” he cringed at the word, “was near Diagon Alley yesterday and saw your name on a sign on the side of a building,” he stopped at her gasp. Then saw the anger start to return and held up his hand to her. “Serena! What’s done is done, you are safe,” he watched her and saw her anger recede, her body relaxing once again.

“Now, he seemed to remember your parents and he thought you had died with them, though he was not the only one apparently,” he watched to see how she took this information. Fleetingly he saw pain in her face and disbelief but that was all.

“So…so you mean, people have believed I was dead?” She replied incredulously.

“It would seem so. Anyhow he told myself, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall about the sign,” he watched her as he provided this information. If she had been as close to Minerva as Minerva suggested, surely Serena would have sought her out before now. But like Minerva, Severus felt something was amiss. It had been all he and Albus could do to convince Minerva to stay away from Diagon Alley.

As he observed Serena her eyes seemed to go blank and lose focus. “Does that name mean anything to you,” he asked gently but Serena gave no answer, she simply stared with a vacant expression on her face.

Severus frowned, “Serena?” Still no reply; he moved to her and waved a hand in front of her face and still she made no movement or response. “Serena!” He took her by the arms and shook her, worry edging his voice.

“Wha, whoa…oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, my mind must have wandered. Would you like some tea?” She moved to pick up the teapot and smiled impishly at him.


TBC

[stefdarlin]

I just wanted to post a quick note to stilldirrty and anyone else who may be reading this fic. I apologise for the delay, but I have had a very long week. I will update Picking up the Pieces on Thursday, most likely before noon.

For anyone interested, I did post a couple of short stories in Challenge Tag. Thanks for the reviews. ;D Everyone has been great and they are greatly appreciated. Now, time for bed.

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[stilldirrty]

Looking forward to it! ;D

[stefdarlin]

A/N: Okay, I got it done a bit early so I am going to go ahead and post so I can get working on the next one. ;D It's a bit short but the next one is quite a bit longer. Let me know if you like it or if you notice anything wrong. Thanks.

Stef =o)


Chapter 7: Circular Conversations

Severus looked at her inquisitively and raised an eyebrow in her direction. “No, I have some. I was asking if the name meant anything to you,” he pressed again.

A thoughtful frown came over her face and she said, “But we already discussed Professor Dumbledore.”

He let out a breath of tensed patience. “No, I meant Professor McGonagall,” he tried again and again, as he looked at her, her face went blank suddenly. His brow furrowed. ‘Well, this could be a problem,’ he thought. If the girl couldn’t hear Minerva’s last name without losing her senses, what would she do if Minerva presented herself to her? This was a big problem.

Fleetingly he was glad she was prepared and smirked as he looked around and shook his head. The cave looked as though she lived there already and until they knew how she would react to Minerva he planned to keep her here once Minerva returned. At the moment it seemed the only solution. At present there was no one at the castle. Their plan had been for him to abduct her and bring her here to ensure she wasn’t an imposter, then bring her to Hogwarts to wait for Albus and Minerva to return.

Minerva had gone to the United States to look up Adelaide and ask a few questions while Albus was taking care of other business at the moment. Severus scowled, business the Headmaster wouldn’t share with anyone, it was maddening. Since he now knew Adelaide was dead, Minerva should be back sooner than the two weeks they had perceived. And although Albus was due back in just a few days, with Serena’s current reaction to Minerva’s name, that short time span loomed impossibly before him. What was he going to do with her for three days?

Well, that did give them more time to get to know one another without prying eyes and him more time to study this strange thing that happened to her when he mentioned Minerva’s last name. He came out of his thoughts and looked at her. She sat there with her blank look. He raised his brows in surprise; he hadn’t meant to leave her there for so long.

“Serena,” Severus whispered and took her hand in his. Rapidly her eyes cleared and she looked at him and smiled. But then a look of worry came over her face.

“Severus? What’s wrong,” she felt his worry, saw it on his face. As she watched, he looked down and seemed reluctant to tell her. “Please,” she pleaded wanting to ease his unrest.

‘How would he tell her,’ he wondered. There was more, he felt it. “I was trying to tell you about your great-aunt,” he began.

She snorted at this. “Adelaide was many things but I don’t think great would be a word I would use,” she chuckled.

“No, I meant your great-aunt who works at Hogwarts,” he informed and watched her. He saw her eyes widen and her mouth opened to form an O.

“I…I have an aunt, a great-aunt, who’s still alive,” she squeaked with awe in her voice.

‘So far, so good,’ he thought, so he pressed on. “Yes, her name is Minerva,” he told her and observed. Again…the blank stare. This was troublesome. ‘She must be under some kind of spell,’ he thought. How he wished Albus was here for some insight. “Serena,” he shook her slightly.

“Yes? Oh, would you like some tea,” she questioned with an exuberant smile and reached for the teapot.

Severus ground his teeth and put out his hand to stop her from reaching the teapot. This was getting on his nerves. “No, I have some already. We were discussing your great-aunt,” he told her yet again just barely keeping the annoyance from his voice.

“Well I wouldn’t call Adelaide great by any means,” she snorted again slightly.

“No, no…your great-aunt who works at Hogwarts,” he explained once more exasperated.

“I…I have an aunt, a great-aunt who’s still alive,” she asked with awe in her voice all over again. “What’s her name,” she inquired looking hopeful at him and he felt a pain rising in his chest.

“I can’t tell you that,” he told her, not wanting to have to repeat himself yet again. Their conversation seemed to be going in circles. It was enough to make one dizzy.

“And why not,” her anger was rising again and he took it back. Perhaps she possessed a temper worse than his. He frowned at that.

“Because every time I say it you get a blank expression and forget what was being said,” he told her bluntly.

Shock mounted on her face and then something seemed to dawn on her. “A curse…,” she rasped painfully and despair crossed her face. Such despair and pain, he could hardly bear it. He looked away then back at her when she spoke once more.

“That is it…I have been cursed. But who would do,” she started but he cut her off.

“How do you come to the conclusion you are under a curse,” he asked looking down his nose at her, having thought it was a simple spell to be broken. That perhaps after a little research they could solve the problem.

“The nagging in my bones, never staying in one place for more than a few weeks at a time,” she explained looking hard at him. “Now, you say I forget everything when you mention my great-aunt’s name? It can be none other than a curse, at least it seems so to me,” she gazed at him sadly. She looked like her world was falling around her and he couldn’t stand it.

There was an ache in his chest for her. She was so young and she had her whole life ahead of her. But, maybe it was a curse as she said. Would her whole life be spent never stopping, always going, and never having a constancy that was a normal human want? Always searching for something, having it so close and never being able to cling to it? Never having companionship for more than mere weeks at a time? Some of these wants were ones he understood all too well. And what of love? He gasped at that word and pushed it away. But he felt her need and realized if it were him he would perchance go mad.

He frowned, “How long was it you say you have been traveling,” he asked to stop his rampant thoughts from swirling out of control.

“Eight years,” she stated dejectedly. “It feels as if I am searching for something but have no idea what it is. However, I am ecstatic about my great-aunt. I thought I was the only one of my family left,” she added a little more brightly.

“Well, your great-aunt is from your mother’s side and they all thought you were dead. It would seem you have a few relatives left,” he smiled, trying to turn her spirits around. “What was your mother’s name,” he inquired lifting a brow.

A smile came across her face as she thought of her mother. “Sss…,” a hiss came out of her mouth and then her features turned poignant and she raised hysterical eyes to him. “Oh my God, I don’t know! How can I not know my mother’s name,” she entreated agonizingly, her eyes darting back and forth as she searched frantically in her head for the name. She raised her bright green eyes to him, the pain in their depths renewed. Tears glistened on her thick lashes threatening to spill.

He felt it again, that tug in his chest. “Shhh, hush now Serena, it’s alright. I can tell you her name but I’m afraid if I say it you may forget again what we have discussed. So let’s leave it for now,” he told her softly with compassion rising in his chest.

She nodded at him, her lips quivering and he opened his arms to her and she fell in them. She clung to him and abruptly he felt her body shudder as great, deep sobs were torn from her chest. He tightened his hold on her and began to rock her gently as if she were a child. The movements should have bothered him because it wasn’t something he would normally do but it felt right.

His shirt was wet with her tears and he felt her hands clutching at him as despair rose in her sobs. She had been dealt a heavy blow. He wondered who would want to curse her. As he pondered, stroking her back and rocking her gently, he remembered what she and Minerva had said of Adelaide. The woman had very limited magical ability, she had been practically a Squib, but people could be hired. Or worse, sometimes Squibs could perform a curse but it was rare, however, if Adelaide had some magical ability she could have done this to Serena. That was something he would have to look into.

His thoughts returned to Serena. Her sobs were starting to subside. He stroked her back with his long-fingered hands, felt the wetness of his shirt where her eyes had been, rested his chin on top of her head and spoke softly to her. “Serena, please stop. I will help you. We all will help you.” He took her by the arms and gently raised her away from him.

She looked down and a single silent tear rolled down her nose which she hastily wiped away with her sleeve and sniffled. Tenderly he placed a finger below her chin and tugged it up so her eyes met his. “Okay,” she croaked and looked into his deep black eyes with her red-rimmed green ones. She hiccupped. “Thank you.”

“Now, dry those eyes. I know this has been a difficult piece of information, but knowing your great-aunt, I have no doubt of your backbone.” Serena found a timid smile at that statement. He had no idea.

He stood and offered his hand to help her up. She smiled, took his warm palm, let him lift her to her feet and lead her to the bed. There he bid her to lie down and the bed dipped as she sat down on it looking up at him. Briefly his hand caressed her cheek and his dark eyes met hers. “Sleep will help,” he murmured in his rich voice. “We will talk more in the morning, please rest.” With that said he moved to settle on the floor leaning up against the cave wall and closed his eyes.

Serena looked at him. She couldn’t very well let him sleep on the hard, cold floor when the bed was so large. Besides, she needed him. “Severus,” she called to him.

He opened his eyes and stared at her intensely. It had been a desperate bid. A denial of what he felt for her. He needed to give her time. Them time. But they had already jumped the gun and this seemed pointless. He was trying to be noble, but he was no Gryffindor.

“Please stay with me,” she pleaded. “I can’t see you sleeping on the floor when there’s plenty of room here,” she patted the vacant bed beside her. “I just need you near me. Nothing else,” she held up her hand to make a sign. “Girl Scouts Honor,” she smiled at him, a little teasingly.

Severus frowned questioningly at her, “What’s…,” he began.

“A Girl Scout?” She smiled a little brighter. “It’s an organization in America that provides upstanding morals and encourages teamwork for young girls. I seem to remember them encouraging this through camping trips and other activities…and no, I never was one.” He smirked at that.

Slowly, Severus rose and crossed to the bed where he laid down next to her. “Thank you,” she told him simply as she snuggled against him.

“Here,” he moved his arm to hold her close and she laid her head on his chest as he held her in his arms.

“Mmmm, very nice,” she sighed contently.

“Yes, well go to sleep. It will do you good,” he instructed.

“Yes Professor,” she sighed and smiled gently as she closed her eyes.

Severus looked down at her, rested his chin on top of her head then hugged her tighter to him. He was worried about what had been done to her, how it would affect her and how it would affect Minerva. He almost felt powerless and that was a feeling he abhorred, especially since this woman seemed to be burrowing her way into his thoughts constantly. Pushing his worry aside he reminded himself that tomorrow they would begin the search for answers. With this final thought he slowly closed his eyes and before long he drifted off to sleep wrapped in the warmth that was Serena.

[stilldirrty]

Hmmm...poor Serena. Seems she's cursed to remember any love she had in her life?

I have a feeling Aunt Adelaide had something to do with it!

Looking forward to more!

Smiles
Erica

[stefdarlin]

stilldirrty said:

Hmmm...poor Serena. Seems she's cursed to remember any love she had in her life?

I have a feeling Aunt Adelaide had something to do with it!

Looking forward to more!

Smiles
Erica

Thanks for the review... ;D

On your statement about Serena, not any love in her life...just specific aspects, I would elaborate but I don't want to give too much away. You will learn more about that in a little bit, as well as more about Adelaide. Once she makes an appearance(in a memory) I am interested in what you might think of her.

I am reworking a little on the next chapter but it will be up soon. Have a great night.

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[stefdarlin]

Chapter 8: The Butterfly Affect

Severus came to wakefulness slowly. He felt rested and relaxed. The scent of raspberries floated to his nose and he breathed deeply, inhaling their scent. His arms and chest were warm and brushing against softness. He tightened his arms, felt suppleness and heard a soft moan. His eyes snapped open and he looked down at the sleeping form of Serena. His body stiffened and Serena moaned softly again, a brief scowl crossing her face then relenting to peacefulness once more.

‘Minerva is going to kill me,’ he thought. But he would worry about that later, maybe it wouldn’t come up. His body relaxed again and he stared at Serena who looked so serene while she slept. It looked as though they hadn’t moved all night. They had held each other and he had slept. That was a feat in itself. All too often he hardly slept at all.

Before he thought Severus leaned forward and kissed Serena’s forehead. This caused her to smile in her sleep. Again he felt a tug in his chest. He then realized his heart was pounding and it skipped a beat as he felt her cling to him more tightly in her sleep and sigh.

He was watching her avidly, studying the fine features of her face. The smooth porcelain skin, her scent filling his nose, her sensuous lips, full and luscious, parted slightly. This is what she saw when she woke, Severus watching her sleep. It brought a smile to her lips which caused his eyes to flick to hers, which were now open. The green orbs hooded in wakefulness and crinkling at the edges as they smiled into his. He drew in his breath as those eyes took his breath away.

“Good morning,” she rasped, a curve coming to her mouth while she brought up her arms and stretched in a long languid way.

He was surprised to find himself smiling slightly back, “Good morning.”

“So, what’s the agenda for today,” she asked brightly. “Although I must say first things first, two things are high on my list. Nature and food,” she announced.

Severus agreed. They rose from the bed and he moved to lower the wards and open the cave so he could go out while Serena searched her robes for her chamber pot. Sometimes you had no choice, like now. Serena couldn’t help feeling just a little jealous of Severus not having to sit to do his business.

When she was done she cleaned the pot with a wave of her wand and wandered out of the cave to see what it looked like outside their secluded space. As she emerged she saw they were surrounded by forest. The cave was in the side of a mountain. Off to the left the mountain sloped steeply up to the sky and down to the base. To the right it tilted less drastically and looked more like a large hill.

Serena loved wilderness, she took a deep breath of mountain air. She listened to the birds singing all around her and looked up at the green canopy created by trees that looked as old as the mountain. On the ground the underbrush was thick but not too tall. It seemed untouched by humanity. She smiled at this. Maybe she could find some wild berry bushes or herbs growing nearby. She did need to restock her supply of thyme and rosemary.

Giddy, feeling like she always did in nature, like it was the first time, she searched out plants she knew with a silly smile plastered on her face. This was how Severus found her. Kneeling and studying the bushes surrounding the cave.

“Miss Celestia, I don’t think it’s a good idea…,”he began in a scathing tone.

“S..e..r..e..n..a,” she drew out her name and looked up at him. “You do realize, Severus, that you use my surname when you are quite irritated with me,” she stated plainly. “And while I can understand that irritation, given the events of last night, it does not change the fact that I am hungry, my stores of fresh herbs are low and I would quite enjoy a bit of fresh air for at least part of the day if you don’t mind.” Serena informed him studying a plant a little too carefully.

Severus cleared his throat. Apparently she thought to put him in his place, but she didn’t know Severus Snape. He opened his mouth to put her in hers with a mordant remark but she looked at him with those eyes and spoke first.

“Severus, please, I wasn’t trying to belittle you, I just wanted to let you know how I feel. I don’t want to fight. I know the cave is enchanted and has wards to keep us safe but we will be alright for a little while…trust me.”

Severus relaxed a little, pushing aside his tirade. What she said was true and he would like to stretch his legs a bit. “Very well,” he resigned. His face scrunched in a frown as he watched her. She was looking at a plant, holding a leaf in her hand and turning it this way and that. “What are you doing?”

She looked up and smiled at him. “Come and look, I think I have found a plant you should find rather interesting being a Potions Master.” Her face was showing amazement and he stepped closer to get a better look.

“Is that,” he began and she finished his sentence.

“Indonesian pipe vine? Yes, and I am very surprised to see it here. Normally you only see it…,” she started and he cut her off.

“In Indonesia. Yes, very peculiar. I wonder how it came to be here,” he looked at the vine inquisitively.

“And look,” she added, turning over a leaf. “There are Tiger-eye Butterfly eggs on the leaves. These are very rare and hard to come by.” She beamed at him, proud of her discovery.

“Yes, you’re right, they are. Now I truly regret not having my robes. I always keep extra empty vials in case I come across ingredients,” he informed her.

Her mouth formed an O. “Wait, I have a few…I’ll be right back,” and with that Serena hopped up and ran into the cave to retrieve a vial. She also searched her robes for a basket so she could find some berries or other items for breakfast. Enlarging these items, she turned to go back to him.

Serena found Severus examining the leaves as she had, turning them this way and that. When it was tiger-eye butterfly eggs, they made a blinking tiger eye when you moved the leaf. She smiled and looked down at him, “Here you are.” With a steady hand she held out a vial to him.

“Thank you,” he took the vial from her still distracted by the fine specimen before him and bent to collect the eggs. She smiled at him and shook her head slightly.

Serena moved off to the right to study the bushes there. Sure enough she found berries. Blueberries, strawberries and blackberries, quickly she picked them and placed them in the basket. As she turned to examine the other bushes near her she saw a rosemary bush. When she reached it she leaned forward and took a deep breath of the fragrant herb and closed her eyes in joy then took out her wand and cut a few stocks. Rising from her task, Serena took another deep breath, smiled sappily and noticed a yellow butterfly fluttering on a flower nearby. She then noticed another and another. She giggled. She loved this.

“Hello little friends,” she told them and suddenly there were a hundred light yellow butterflies swirling around her. She raised her hands to the sun and swirled around herself. It had been so very long since she had communed with nature and for an empath this was very important. But it was one of the ways she kept her power at bay. Too much nature made her powers overflow. She would have to find those ground spikes Rashid had given her so long ago. But in the mean time the golden sunlight shined down on her through an opening in the trees above and the butterflies flew around her. Her body turned round and round as her head fell back and she absorbed the magic of the nature surrounding her. The moment making her feel ecstatically happy and recharged.

Severus finished collecting the eggs and looked up only to have his mouth drop open. There was Serena, twirling in a beam of sunlight, surrounded by hundreds of yellow butterflies. Her body seemed to be glowing and her white cotton robes floated around her. The basket in her hand swung in a large arc around her but never lost a single item from its contents. To say he was astounded was an understatement. He suddenly wondered about their choices and the danger they would be in if the Dark Lord found she had both empathic and siren abilities. Empaths themselves were powerful, but to have both together, he wondered why she didn’t radiate more.

His brow furrowed again and he moved closer to her. He shuddered when his thoughts turned to the possibility of what would happen if Serena, captured by the Dark Lord, under the imperius, was forced to tell him what all his servants were feeling. What their aura contained. Severus’ aura would no doubt emanate betrayal and that would be his end.

“Severus?” He looked up into worried green eyes. She had stopped her pirouettes and the butterflies had dissipated. “What’s wrong,” she inquired.

“Hmmm, nothing. Just admiring your powers. When was the last time you communed with nature,” he side stepped her question with one of his own.

“I admit it has been too long, but I often avoid it to keep my powers from overflowing. Draining them makes me weak for a while but it is necessary and I am not lost on my question. Please tell me your worry. You cannot say you were not,” her eyes roved his face knowingly and she crossed her arms over her chest.

‘Damn that ability of hers,’ he thought but quickly shoved it aside. “I was just wondering about breakfast,” he lied.

“Oh, okay.” She watched him skeptically but let the subject go for now. “Well, I found some berries,” she indicated her basket, “and I have some instant oatmeal in my robes. I’m afraid it’s not the best but it’s warm…and it’ll be filling for now. I think I have some coffee too,” she supplied beaming at him. “Come, let’s go see,” she said as she reached out a hand to grab his and hesitantly, he allowed the contact.

Serena smiled a knowing smile and they made their way into the cave. Severus once again raised the wards and a large rock rolled to cover the entrance so they were enclosed inside. Serena set down the basket and searched her robes for a pot and the oatmeal while Severus put the vial of butterfly eggs in his coat pocket.

Serena, having found what she sought, moved to place the pot over the fire and added water with her wand. She then went back to her robe and brought out two plates and some silverware. Severus stood leaning against the wall speculating, ‘Was there nothing the woman’s robes didn’t have?’ Once more he shook his head and smirked to himself. She really was a wonder; he now understood why Minerva had been so distraught. He found himself contemplating what she may have been like as a child.

Serena looked up and caught the thoughtful look in his eye. She felt he was thinking of her and when the smile came to his face she felt her heart skip and there were butterflies in her stomach. “You know, you could make a girl go weak in the knees with that look,” she told him as their eyes met and locked. She sucked in her breath at his fervent stare.

“Really…I’ll have to remember that the next time I’m looking at another girl,” he teased her slightly.

“Oh you!” She laughed and hit him on the arm lightly.

“So, are we eating our oatmeal on plates,” he said dryly as he observed the plates she had set out.

“Of course not,” she rolled her eyes at him and with a tap of her wand she transfigured the plates into bowls, turned to eye him cheekily and then handed him a bowl. The next instant she had turned and was adding the oatmeal to the steaming pot of water. A few swirls with her wand and it was done.

“Oh,” she exclaimed and went to her robe and drew out a ladle, “I forgot.” She smiled holding it up like a sword. Serena then ladled oatmeal into their bowls and turned to the fruit. She placed a few blueberries and blackberries in her oatmeal, motioned to him, and then did the same for him at his nod.

She closed her eyes and let out a sigh as the berries swirled in her mouth. They tasted like sweet heaven. “Mmmm…how I have missed nature,” she opened her eyes and looked at him.

Severus cleared his throat. Her reaction to the food made him feel heat rise. When she reacted with such passion he found himself having a hard time focusing on his own food. He raised a spoonful to his mouth and took a bite. He had to agree, considering the oatmeal was instant, the berries made it taste sweet. He had to admit it was quite good. Severus looked at Serena again and watched as she ate a strawberry she had plucked from the basket.

He almost dropped his spoon as he watched her sink her teeth into the strawberry and lick her now red lips, capturing the juice. A moan came from her throat and he knew he was going to have to get out of here or they would end up on each other again. His dark eyes watched her intensely as he felt a pull in his groin and he sucked in his breath. Serena had run her tongue up the strawberry to capture a dribble of juice before it got to her hand.

Encouraged by her enjoyment of the red fruit, he also chose a strawberry from the basket to distract himself from her mouth. Serena watched as Severus bit into his strawberry and closed his eyes. She heard as he sucked on it and ran his tongue along it to savor the juice. Her pupils dilated at this in marked desire. She squirmed and crossed her legs tightly. Distracted, she almost shuddered with the comprehension that she wanted him. Looking around she stared at the fire and ate the rest of her oatmeal and berries in silence, trying to distract herself from his mouth.

“After I finish I need to go to the school. I can pick up a few stores to tide us for the day. At first, I didn’t want to take you to the Castle because I wasn’t sure how you would react to Min...your great-aunt. But you haven’t forgotten your senses by hearing the name of the school,” he told her.

“Is she there? My great-aunt,” she asked excitedly.

“I’m afraid not. This is why we will go there, but not right away. It is important for you to commune with nature. Is there anything you require before I return,” he asked her.

“No…well, perhaps a book or two. I always enjoy reading but at the moment I can’t get to a store,” she smiled at him shyly. “Oh, and could you bring a few food items if I give you a list,” she requested hopefully.

“Of course. How can I refuse when you have been ever the gracious hostess,” he bowed slightly as he rose from the floor, having finished his breakfast.

“Do you think I could take a short walk to explore, just a little, while you are gone?” Serena hated being cooped up, but if he didn’t think it was a good idea…

He interrupted her thoughts, “How about this? When I return we will both go. I mean, if you would allow me to escort you it would be my pleasure,” he studied her eloquently.

She felt that sense of duty again but she also felt wanting. Could it be he wanted to be with her? “Of course, I would love for you to escort me. In the mean time I will make myself at home and tidy up,” she smiled at him and his mouth twitched at the corners in return.

“Very well, I shall return soon. Do not lower the wards if anyone approaches, I will do that when I return.”

“Okay. Be careful,” she told him breathlessly.

She watched as he lowered the wards and then raised them again once he exited the cave. Now she felt alone. For the first time since she could remember she felt utterly alone. It was funny how she had grown so accustomed to his presence in such a short time. When Severus was in the cave it seemed filled with him, with them. Her body tingled as she thought of him. She knew what she was feeling but pushed it away for now and got up.

Serena waved her wand and cleaned their dishes. She then put the basket of berries on her bed while she tided up. She used her wand to cast a blowing spell to clean the floor. She thought a moment but then shrugged; she was going to have to lower the wards a moment to get rid of all this dirt.

As the rock rolled away she used her wand to blow the dirt out of the cave, as she moved closer to the opening she moved her wand back and forth in a sweeping motion to clear all the dirt from the stone floor. With a final strong blast from her wand the debris flew out of the opening and Serena suddenly felt a presence emblazoned with anger. As she looked up she sucked in her breath in alarm. Standing a few feet from the entrance was Severus. His hair was disheveled and he was covered in dust. He raised his hands to his eyes to wipe away the dirt and when he blew out a breath a cloud of dust erupted from his mouth.

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh…I am so sorry, I didn’t know you were still here,” Serena went on in a rush and moved forward quickly to brush dirt and dust from him.

She felt a tickle in her diaphragm. A giggle escaped and she covered her mouth to stifle it as she used her other hand to brush the earth from him. As their hands hit his clothes clouds of dust come away. Serena snorted and put both hands to her mouth and Severus turned to glare at her, his eyes narrowing sinisterly. At that look Serena could no longer contain herself. She felt his anger, dark and ebbing, but she couldn’t help herself. She held her side and let go of a light hearted giggle which turned into a belly laugh.

“And what do you find so amusing Miss Celestia? I find no humor in a woman dousing a man with a mountain of dust and earth,” he growled and moved toward her.

Serena’s eyes grew wide. He was moving stealthily, she saw it. She felt danger with a hint of, what was that, mischievousness? She moved back a little away from him. “Now Severus, I did say I was sorry. Why on earth were you still standing outside the entrance like that,” she queried as she raised her hand in a defensive move and moved a little further out as he shifted closer to her. “How was I supposed to know you hover in door ways?” She laughed at her joke and the sound came out as a melodious tinkle.

A growl erupted from his throat. “You were supposed to leave the wards intact. What if it had not been I standing there but the Dark Lord,” he asked her finding no humor in the situation and his words reaching her in a scathing tone. His hands clenched at his sides.

“But it wasn’t, it was you. No one knows we’re here except Dumbledore and my great-aunt am I right? You are to protect me, are you not?” She was losing her mirth quickly at his refusal to see any humor in the situation.

“I find it hard to protect those who do not follow directions. If you get yourself captured or killed by not following directions it will be no fault of mine,” he threw at her crossing his arms to look down his nose at her.

She sucked in her breath sharply. Well that hurt. Suddenly she felt that he wasn’t simply mad any longer but hurt. Why? Because she had laughed, presumably at him? “One day soon you will have to tell me who has hurt you so, that you find no humor in the obscure. Now, why are you still here?” She asked her question soberly and crossed her arms over her chest as well.

“I forgot my coat and your list,” he looked down refusing to meet her eyes. Now he felt miserable, he had done what he had planned and wiped the smile from her face. But now that it was gone he wanted it back. He liked when she smiled and she was right, her laughter had made him think of a memory which gave him pain and he had let the pain take over.

Serena sighed wearily, “I’ll get them, just a moment.” She turned and went into the cave to retrieve the items feeling a bit defeated.

As he stood there, Severus thought about how he would have looked to her as she came out of the cave. He smirked. He admitted to himself it would have been funny. Silently he pondered how he would repay her for her waywardness. It would have to look like an accident. He would have to think on this a while.

Suddenly Serena reemerged with his jacket and the list. “Here you go,” she handed them to him stiffly. She felt his anger was gone and so was his pain. She wondered how long he had been harboring this pain of his. She understood some wounds ran deep. She just hoped she could help him heal them.

“Thank you, and Serena,” he looked into her eyes, pleading forgiveness but not wanting to voice it. She looked back and he saw tenderness there. “One day soon…,” he let the words die on his lips and was shocked when she came forward, kissed his cheek and hugged him tight. When she came away he observed her robes which were now dirty as well. A smirk played about his lips as Serena looked down and grumbled.

“Oh well,” she exclaimed and shrugged, a small smile finding its way to her lips as she looked up at him. “Hurry back, I’ll be waiting.”

“I am going to raise the wards,” he informed her looking down his nose again.

“Yes, Professor,” Serena saluted and stepped inside. Once the enchantments were raised she sighed. What was she going to do with that man? Well, she knew what she wanted to do with him, but they were trying to be good for the time being.

She moved to the mirror and looked at her reflection. She noticed a blush in her cheeks and she felt a tug at her heart. “Oh God,” she exclaimed aloud to the secluded space and lowered her head to her hand, covering her eyes. ‘I love him,’ she thought frantically. ‘Already I love him and I don’t even know him.’ But deep in her heart she knew, no matter his past or his future, she loved him. Soberly she looked down at her robes in disgust and began to set up to wash once again.

Well, when he returned she hoped he’d be ready for their walk because she would be. Quickly Serena stripped off her clothes and dug in her trunk for fresh ones. She found some more cotton in a deep shade of green and went about washing and dressing. Once she was finished she brushed her long tresses and tied her hair up haphazardly on her head to get down to work and moved to her robes to finish “unpacking” them.
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A/N: Okay, hope you liked it. I look forward to input. Since the next chapter deals with the same day I hope to have it up by Monday or Tuesday. It would be sooner, but because of Thanksgiving I am a bit distracted. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Cheers! Stef =o)

[Isabelle]

I just found this (I don't get on too much) and I have fallen in love with it. You have a very refreshing style of writing as well as a unique plot line. I am very interested in seeing how Adelaide is connected with Serena losing her memories.

I must confess, that as much as I dislike Snape, I do so love him in fanfiction. Can't put a finger as to why though....

Love the ADMM moments as well, of course!

I am sincerely looking forward to your next update!

Liz

P.S. The song from "Come With Me" is from Hocus Pocus, one of my favorites!!

[stefdarlin]

isabelle said:

I just found this (I don't get on too much) and I have fallen in love with it. You have a very refreshing style of writing as well as a unique plot line. I am very interested in seeing how Adelaide is connected with Serena losing her memories.

I must confess, that as much as I dislike Snape, I do so love him in fanfiction. Can't put a finger as to why though....

Love the ADMM moments as well, of course!

I am sincerely looking forward to your next update!

Liz

P.S. The song from "Come With Me" is from Hocus Pocus, one of my favorites!!

Thanks so much for your review! I am glad you are enjoying my story. ;D

It will be a bit before we learn how Adelaide is connected with Serena's memories, but I hope you continue to enjoy the story while we get there.

You are right! The song Serena uses is from "Hocus Pocus." That movie is one of my all time favorites too. I am surprised I didn't use it for Challenge tag too. Oh well *shrugs*lol, maybe next time. [glow=red,2,300] YAY! ISABELLE!![/glow]

Hope you are having a great day.

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[stefdarlin]

Just a quick note to everyone reading my fic, again thank you and I love the reviews. I said in my last post for the story I would update again Monday or Tuesday. Unfortunately it may be more like Thursday. I am typing the next chapter but a few RL things came up.

My little one is ill so I am taking care of her. If I get done sooner I will post.

I hope everyone in the States had a Great Holiday, didn't get into a turkey stupor and didn't get over run on Black Friday. Have a great day!

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[stefdarlin]

A/N: Well, here it is. This chapter was very long. A lot longer than I anticipated and it has given me a few hang ups. I do hope you like it though.

Posted in two parts because of length.

Chapter 9: Give and Take

Severus had apparated to outside the castle gate and was now making his way to the dungeons and his quarters. He wanted to send a message to Minerva but not only was it too risky; odds were she would be back long before it could reach her.

Until then he could pull what he could from the library and they could see what they could find on forgetfulness curses or the like. Right now he needed a shower. He fingered his muggle clothing with distaste and again a puff of dust rose off him, he chuckled. He could imagine the look on his face Serena had seen when she looked up. He shook his head again to clear his thoughts of her.

It was strange but he missed her. He frowned. How could he miss her, he barely knew her. He sneered, but it was only half-hearted. He lowered the wards to his chambers as he arrived. Inside he looked around. The fireplace was bare, his rooms were standard. Just the bare necessities were all he found he needed. Well, except for his books. His walls were lined with them.

There was a simple chair with a heavy oak side table next to it and a silver buffet lamp. These were next to the fireplace where he found himself many evenings. Off to the left against the wall was a sofa. Unused, of course, in the sixteen years he had been with the school, he had found no need of it. The house elves kept it dusted but he had never really spared it a thought.

As he looked at it he thought it looked like a sofa he would own if he ever bought one. It was large with deep brown leather its large arms had silver knobs along them to the floor. Now that he looked at it, it looked inviting and comfortable. Suddenly, his thoughts turned to Serena again. Damn it that was it, the sofa made him think of her. “Bah!” He sneered and paced a moment.

He then headed into the bedroom and looked at his bed hangings of silver and green. For a moment he longed for them to be white, gold and red. Then he stopped and hung his head, he knew what he felt. Although it was foreign, he had felt it before. He wondered, bitterly, if it would be returned.

Pushing the thoughts from his head he made his way to his dresser and removed his cufflinks and ear mufflers. Next he made his way to the bathroom shirking his clothes as he went. Quickly he ran the hot water and washed his hair and body. His eyes traveled to the dark mark starkly prominent against his sallow skin. How would he tell her? There was no doubt in his mind that at some point he must. He just hoped he could before he got called again and he hoped she wouldn’t hate him. He couldn’t bare that. He closed his eyes and let the hot water run over him trying to ease the worry and ache in his heart.

Severus emerged from his shower feeling better and refreshed. He crossed to his wardrobe and pulled out his normal attire, dressing quickly and placing the ear mufflers back in his ears. He then watched his reflection in the mirror as he tossed on his robes and went in search of the kitchens. The school was starkly quiet. No students roamed the halls or could get into mischief. He breathed a sigh of relief. It would be over too soon and the dunderheads would be back. Then he would be forced to sneer and threaten them within an inch of their lives to keep them safe.

He pulled out the list Serena had given him and looked at it. All pantry items; seemed easy enough for the house elves to fill. He would ask them to pack a basket of sandwiches and various items to hold them over until tomorrow. Then he would return for a refill and to peruse the library again.

Having reached the kitchens he tickled the pear on the picture of fruit to gain entrance. Dobby approached him. “Professor Snape! What can Dobby do to please Professor Snape?”

“Dobby, could you pack me some sandwiches ~enough for two people and a few other items to last through lunch, until tomorrow,” Severus asked the elf graciously.

“Oh, yes sir, yes sir. It pleases Dobby to serve sir.”

Severus looked down at the list in his hand, “Can you also include the items on this list?” He handed the list to Dobby who studied it hard and looked up at him questioningly.

“If sir needs to cook he can come to the kitchens…,” Dobby began.

“It’s not for me, it’s for a friend and she can’t come to the kitchen just yet,” Severus gazed down his nose at the little elf.

“Oh, pardon Dobby sir, he didn’t know sir. Dobby will be getting this together right away Professor Snape sir,” Dobby finished cowering a little.

“Yes, thank you…I shall return in a little while to retrieve the items. If you need me I’ll be in the library,” Severus informed him, turned on his heal and left.

His thoughts chased round and round in his head as he made his way to the library. He would need to pull a few books on forgetfulness spells to be sure it wasn’t just a spell. He also decided to pull some books on forgetfulness potions in case it could have been a potion. He then would pull anything he could find on curses in this category as well.

Severus seemed to remember he had a book of his own on potions. Once he had researched a while and pulled all he could find on the three categories he surveyed his work. The stacks were quite large. He shrugged and pulled two books from each stack that looked promising then made his way back to his chambers.

Once there he selected a few books he thought Serena would like and the one he had remembered about potions. Then, on a whim he grabbed a book that caught his eye about empaths. He remembered, vaguely, reading it long ago. Well, it was definitely time for a refresher. Besides, maybe her reaction came from a side affect of being an empath and it altered the true properties of the spell, potion or curse she was under? That was a thought.

After he raised the wards on his chambers he made his way back to the kitchen and thanked Dobby and the other elves for the basket and items. He then shrunk everything to fit in his robes. Once he finished he made his way to the hospital wing to stock up on calming draught, pepper up and pain killing potion. One never knew when a headache might come on and if they had to have another circular conversation like last night to do their research he may need it.

Having found what he needed Severus slipped them into his robes and made his way outside the castle to apparate back to the cave. The summer sun hung high in the sky. Off to the left he spotted Hagrid’s cabin, short and squat in the distance. He was glad no one was around to hamper him but he sort of missed the warm feeling he got when passing the old cabin, seeing smoke rising from the chimney and hearing a flute playing from inside as the giant games-keeper moved about. He shook his head, had he really thought that? Perhaps Serena was getting to him.

He smiled slightly though as her face came abruptly into his mind when he thought of her. Those liquid green eyes hooded with longing. That supple mouth, lips parted and inviting, he shook his head and grimaced. He really should run the other way. But at the moment, she needed him and he had made a promise to Minerva.

As he left the gates and raised the protections back in place he turned and apparated back to the cave. When he arrived the canopy of trees shadowed the sun and he heard the songs of birds in the distance. As he approached the cave he lowered the wards and the rock rolled away.

As Severus moved into the cave he felt magic wash over him and sound erupted in his sound muffled ears. He looked around the cave and saw it had been transformed. Serena was singing again but he realized she must have put a silencing charm around the cave. Quickly he turned to raise the wards again.

When he turned back he looked around. The cave was a mass of activity. It was a wonder so much could go on at once. Against the far wall was a long table with a cutting board. Quickly a large knife was chopping what looked like rosemary. Next to that was another cutting board on the same table with another knife chopping what looked like thyme.

Above the long table was a long shelf that was stuck to the wall. On it were dozens of jars of potions and herbs and at the end of the long table was a stand with a large bowl, presumably to wash up.

The other things she had set up before he left were still in their places but now there was a high-backed rocking chair near the fire with an ivory fringed throw thrown over it. Next to the rocking chair was a low stool with a tartan plaid pad on top. In the chair a pair of knitting needles knitted what looked like a green scarf.

Over near the long table against the wall was another small round table with two chairs. In the middle of it sat the basket of berries from earlier. Over in the alcove the bed was making itself and behind the screen he saw movement. He knew Serena was there and moved around it to see what she was doing.

Serena was rearranging the clothing in her trunk while her other clothes washed themselves in the stand with the mirror and hung themselves to dry over her screen. While she worked music emanated from her body and she sang. Her hips swung to the timeless beat and to his right he saw a guitar playing itself.

‘When I sing for you, would it be the sweetest sound you’ve ever heard.
If I pray for you, would you know that I believe in every word.
Then I say alright, I give in, I will dance with you just this one time.
And all night we will turn and spin’

Severus was getting distracted by her movements. His mouth dropped open as he stared at her with lust and the music filled his head and senses. He shook his head again to clear his thoughts. Suddenly he smirked sinisterly. She hadn’t noticed he was there.

But before he could walk up and tap her shoulder the music had stopped and again her wand was at his chest. She looked at him with one eyebrow raised and lowered her wand while he released the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Damn that power of hers. At least he could rest assured it was near impossible to sneak up on her even when she was distracted.

“You really shouldn’t sneak up on me like that. I would feel horrible if I did anything to you,” she looked at him sadly. Then her eyes narrowed and a lopsided smile started on one side of her mouth. “You were trying to repay me for earlier, weren’t you?”

Severus looked away not wanting to admit the truth. “How about some lunch,” he asked and completely left her question unanswered. Swiftly he moved to the small table noting the way Serena’s green cotton robes floated around her body and although her singing and the music had stopped, everything else continued to do its chore.

Serena moved the basket of berries to the long table and came to sit in the chair opposite him. Severus took the basket and other items from his robes and cast infinite cantatem to return them to their original state.

“Oh wonderful, everything I asked for! Thank you so much Severus.” Serena beamed happily at him and moved the simple pantry items to the shelf above the table.

“You can thank the house elves when we go to the castle,” Severus replied dryly.

“Rubbish…you asked them, just take a compliment…sheesh,” she scowled at him.

“Very well, I hope you like tuna,” he withdrew a sandwich from the basket.

“Oh, very much, thank you,” she took the sandwich from him, wove her wand and two plates flew to the table from the shelf above.

Severus fiddled in the basket some more and withdrew a carafe of pumpkin juice, and again Serena wove her wand to make the two tea cups sail to the table. Severus filled them with the cool beverage then moved the basket to the long table.

“It would seem you’ve been busy while I was gone,” he surveyed as he took his seat opposite her at the little bistro table. His eyes rested on a line of pots and baskets beneath the table along the wall as well. He also saw she had added torches to the walls to add light. They ate in silence for a few moments.

“Yes, I hate to wear my outer robe when everything is in it, so whenever I get where I’m going for the time being I “unpack.” Sometimes it’s for a few days, sometimes a few weeks. Depends on what’s going on,” she told him.

“How long were you in London,” he asked curiously.

“Oh, um…about four weeks,” she thought out loud.

“That seems a bit long given what you have told me,” he managed between bits of his sandwich.

“Yes, well the nagging began about two weeks ago, but I’ve been ignoring it. It wasn’t painful yet, just annoying,” she told him offhanded.

“Painful!?”

“Perhaps I should rephrase that. It makes me sad. An ache in my heart, like I’m alone and there is no one else. You know, searching for that someone I haven’t found,” she shrugged.

There it was again, that tug in his heart. “But surely you have met many people in your travels,” he inquired.

“Oh yes, many, many people and many cultures. Some I remember and some I don’t. I try to keep the important ones in touch but, over the years, I have lost contact with most.”

“In the eight years I have traveled, I don’t think I’ve been in the same place twice,” she thought about it and seemed surprised at this information.

“When you lost your aunt and you had no money, how did you manage to start traveling?”

“Well, like I said, I did have to use my singing ability, but I had to be discreet. I traveled south in the States and sang in honkytonks and seedy bars for a while, using only what I needed to get by, until I could scrape up enough money to travel to Greece. That took over a year. I would never sing more than twice a week, unless I was practicing, and I moved on about every two weeks or so. If I came across a bar where I liked who ran it or they had a good aura, I would stay a little longer because they usually paid a little better.” She smiled sadly and put down her sandwich finding she had lost her appetite.

Severus had finished his sandwich and reached across the table to take one of her hands in his. Serena closed her eyes and seemed comforted by the contact and continued. “Anyway, when I did sing, the establishments would fill up. It didn’t matter that no one knew who I was, they were simply drawn. More than a few times I ended up on the run if an owner was shady or greedy. When you have a power like this it can feel like a curse sometimes,” she sighed at this last statement.

His fingers tightened on her hand, “Why Greece then,” he questioned trying to bring her from that part of her life. He knew about past regrets and doing things you needed to do to get by and he knew how it felt to be used like a pawn for greed and power.

She smiled at that, “Well, Greece because I wanted to do some research on siren song and how it affected people. I think I finally scraped enough money together for a plane ticket about a year and a half after Adelaide died. By then I was used to living out of my robes and when I got there, Greece was beautiful.” She released a sigh of contentment and closed her eyes in a gesture that could only be described as ecstasy and Severus wondered if it were prudent to be jealous of a country.

“Now areas of the States are beautiful, Niagara Falls is beautiful, but I had never, never seen water as blue as they have in Greece. I could see how sirens could lure their victims; the blue water, the warm nights, the purple hued lights on the sea. The seductive music of the Mediterranean and the mountains over the water,” she closed her eyes as she remembered her first trip across the ocean to a foreign land on her own.

“Have you ever been to Greece,” she asked him pointedly, their hands still clasped on the table. His eyes met hers. They held so much passion as she talked he felt he would drown in them.

“I have been many places, but I’m afraid my trips were not for leisure, therefore I cannot elaborate on them.” Severus told her this flatly but the sneer had almost surfaced. True, her life had had no direction because of the spell or curse, but it seemed she had at least found some enjoyment in the situation.

“That’s a shame,” she prodded him. She felt his emotions warring in him. Was that jealousy?

“Indeed, although,” his brow furrowed in thought and Serena twitched her head curiously to the side and bit her lip in thought as she gazed at him while he dug in his robes and drew out a tiny block of something.

Serena squinted at the tiny item as Severus wove his wand and it grew into a stack of books. She gave a wry smile, “Studying time already? I thought we were going to take a walk,” she added dejectedly.

“And so we are, but I grabbed a book about empaths before I left. I have read it before but it is always good to refresh one’s memory.” Quickly he scanned the book as Serena thumbed through some of the others.

Don’t make them pay, make them forget: How to hex the bothersome Witch or Wizard
The Illuminating Properties of Nepenthes in Potions

“Nepenthes?” Serena picked up this book and started reading.

“Ahh, here…empaths love nature. They also heartily embrace many cultures,” he looked at her, his obsidian eyes dancing. This was why she dealt well with the nagging; she could readily embrace any location or culture. He looked back down, “and though people are drawn to them like light, they are happiest surrounded by those they…love.” He hesitated and the last word died on his lips and he glanced at Serena. There was another tug at his heart and then his mind traveled. She had found joy yes, but how often could one feel joy at surroundings when surrounded by strangers; no one a friend, at least not one known for many years? Their lives were too similar in too many ways. He was revolted and drawn at the same time.

Serena watched as pain crossed his face, pain for her? She reached out and touched his hand tentatively. “This is true, I have embraced at least a dozen other cultures. While they were all different and unique in their own way and I feel I am better to have embraced them, I have not found my own culture yet. But I will, as will you Severus,” she tried to comfort him. She felt the pull and did not understand his emotions. But nonetheless she tried to help. She took his other hand and a warmth and glow spread over their linked hands instantly.

Severus jerked his hands away, “What do you think you are doing, Miss Celestia?” He looked down his nose at her, his barriers erecting themselves defensively and instinctively.

“I…I was simply trying to ease your pain,” she choked, near tears. “I’m sorry.”

‘Well this is awkward,’ he thought, and said nothing. The woman was…what was she? He pushed the thought away. Occulmency was easier. He was glad she was not the Dark Lord. He sneered at this, he needed out of here.

“Let’s go for that walk,” he forced a tentative smile and quickly rose from the table.

Serena’s sorrow was replaced by anger. “Fine!” She stood and drew her wand. Thinking evanesco, the rest of her sandwich disappeared. She had completely lost her appetite. She then cast a cleaning spell and the dishes cleaned themselves and returned to their place on the shelf.

Severus watched as her hurt turned to anger but remained silent. He wasn’t ready for the emotions she stirred in him and he didn’t want to confide in her yet either. Though he knew he would. A frown crossed his face. He could see how people were drawn to her and it seemed he was not immune to it either, though he wished he was.

They moved together to the rock and Severus lowered the wards and the rock rolled away. After they had exited he raised them again. When he turned to find Serena she was already a bit ahead of him continuing to the left and heading up the steep slope of the mountain.

Severus glared at her back. If she thought he was going to yell for her to wait, she was mistaken, but she wouldn’t leave his sight either. He followed her pointedly planning to tell her how idiotic she was being at his first opportunity.

Serena climbed the steep slope with speed. In her travels she had climbed a mountain or two and it was the view from the top she was looking for. She knew it would probably be breathtaking. After about twenty minutes of climbing she reached the top and sucked in her breath. It was better.

Off in the distance she could see a castle and a lake just beyond that. The tops of the trees spread out down the mountain, green and full of life. The sky above was light blue from the mixture of white fluffy clouds that floated by. Just ahead of her the mountain dropped away sharply so she kept her distance, but tentatively glanced over the edge.

Serena gasped at the beauty before her. Below her was a large pool of water and across it she could see a waterfall that came from a stream leading off the larger lake in the distance. She loved it here. Butterflies flew in her stomach as she looked back at the castle. It seemed vaguely familiar.

“Miss Celestia, I would advise you to stay near me at all times,” Severus sneered, finally catching up to her. He was panting only slightly and brushed his hands together to get rid of the dirt.

His voice made her stiffen and she whirled around to face him. Her anger resurging. “And why would I want to do that when it is clear you don’t want me to touch you? Afraid I am trying to suck you dry? Drain your powers,” her hands clenched and unclenched and her face drained of color as she seethed her insinuating questions at him through her teeth.

Her words didn’t make sense. She was reacting as if he believed the worst of her but it wasn’t true. How could he convey why he had pulled away? He decided to work around it. He frowned, “Now why would I think that?”

She looked at him aghast. So many had thought it before; that was why she liked squibs and muggles. They had no powers to be afraid of losing. Because, even though no book ever said anything about empaths being able to drain or take powers, some in the wizarding world believed it. When she ran into such people it really offended her. She had too much pride perhaps. Otherwise, she would shove such trivialities aside and she had thought he was above that. Maybe she wasn’t thinking right. She frowned.

“Well, before…when I tried to…to…,”she looked away confused and floundering. Now she was ringing her hands. What was wrong with her? Why had it bothered her?

“You said you were trying to ease my pain. Perhaps I was trying to ease yours,” he told her.

She looked up at him and her mouth dropped open. “I don’t see…but your aura…I thought…,” she stuttered.

He resigned, no longer sneering. He wanted to ease her confusion. He simply couldn’t be angry with her right now. “From what you have told me your life has not been easy and I know that empaths often take on the burdens of those around them to their own detriment, I might add. But, though I may not have made it clear, I simply wished not to add to your burdens.” He stood fixed in his spot and watched as she digested this information.

Suddenly her shoulders drooped and a blush came to her cheeks as she looked away from him. How could she be so stupid? If he was as well read as he seemed he would never think what she had implied. Not knowing what else to say she simply said, “Thank you.”

Her resignation was hard on him. His heart ached for her. He stepped forward, reached out and tugged her head up with a finger under her chin. “Serena…”

She gasped at the look on his face. No sneer, no anger, just longing. “Yes Severus?”

“Just let me take care of you for now. Do not worry about me.” He stared in her eyes fiercely, willing her to do what he asked.

“Yes Severus,” she smiled shyly up at him and turned in his arms. “What is that over there,” she pointed at the castle. “Could it be Hogwarts?”

“You are correct, it is,” he turned to look taking in the view and stopped himself from sucking in his breath. It was a wondrous sight from up here. He was glad to share it with her.
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Continued in next post.

[stefdarlin]

Continued from previous post.

They stood together like that for a while. His arms came around her of their own volition and when she leaned back against him he was possessed with wanting to lower his lips to her neck. His arms tightened around her and the scent of raspberries lilted to his nose again. Severus closed his eyes and reveled in the sensations Serena evoked when he only held her in his arms. He found himself enjoying it more than he could have ever imagined. When he wanted to stiffen at these thoughts he forced himself to relax. That would only make her defensive again. He was finding he wanted her to leave her guard down.

Serena sighed in his arms, content that he wasn’t putting up his defenses so readily and he was allowing her to stand close to him. She closed her eyes and breathed in his warm, masculine scent. “Mmmm,” she murmured and smiled.

“When you went to Hogwarts, what house were you in,” he asked to reign in his thoughts from where they were straying. Although he thought he knew the answer, many times whole families were placed in the same house for centuries, but occasionally some were put in a different house.

Serena thought back in time. Many of her memories of her childhood were very fuzzy, she wondered why. A frown came over her face but smoothed as she recalled an awkward looking hat perched on her head. “Gryffindor,” she stated and returned her gaze to the scenery before her. Gently she placed her arms over his which were around her. He almost stiffened again but he wasn’t sure if it was from her revelation or her arms on his. Their nearness was actually beginning to feel comforting to him. It was something he never allowed himself.

“And you were,” she asked to make conversation.

“Slytherin,” he replied and felt her become rigid just a bit, almost as an after thought it was gone.

“That explains a lot,” she smiled and he felt her giggle. Then she pulled his arms from around her and turned to look up at him, beaming. Before he had any warning she had come against him and hugged him in her happiness, then pulled away quickly, not wanting him to get defensive again.

“Come on, let’s go down to the pool under the fall,” she urged him.

“Pool,” he inquired raising an eyebrow and looking down his nose at her.

“Yes, down there,” she pointed to the edge of the cliff while she looked at him. Tentatively he leaned over and looked. He did suck in his breath this time at the scene before him of a lush pool and waterfall at the bottom of the mountain.

“Come on, I’ll race you,” she eyed him mischievously.

He frowned at her, “Miss Celestia, we are adults. I hardly think it appropriate to engage in such frivolities as racing,” he began and moved away from her. Her face had fallen a bit and she didn’t catch his wicked look as he brushed past her and began to quickly make his way down the mountain. He heard her surprised cry as she realized what he was doing. He also heard her tinkling laugh as she took up after him.

Serena was taken by surprise as Severus quickened his pace once he passed her but she was determined to catch him. Her knowledge of mountains maybe greater but he had a hefty head start. She tore after him almost slipping in the grass as she went. Up ahead she thought she heard his laughter. It was a wondrous sound. She slowed to enjoy the sound then realized what she was doing, frowned and sped up.

She had almost caught up with him when he took on a burst of speed and veered abruptly off to the left. She looked after him and noticed an old path going down to the left. It was overgrown in places but you could see there had once been a path. Serena turned to follow and again was on his heals. She felt his aura and finally felt happiness there. It was about time she felt that in him, she was afraid he had too little of it.

Her life was no cake walk but she still managed to find happiness, even if she always had to leave it behind. For some reason she always hoped it would change, otherwise she’d have been lost by now. Distracted by her thoughts she gasped as she burst out of the underbrush and almost ran head long into him. He had stopped at the edge of the pool.

Serena stopped abruptly and leaned over gasping for air from her run. “You cheater,” she teasingly exclaimed and smacked his arm.

Severus smiled down at her. His defenses were completely gone. Suddenly he leaned back his head and laughed and her heart seemed to stop in her chest. Abruptly he sobered and looked at her and said, “I do not cheat. But knowing what I am, surely that doesn’t surprise you.”

She sighed, “No, it doesn’t. Who’d ever think I’d be attracted to a Slytherin?”

“Well, they do say the line between us is very thin.” He gazed in her eyes and found it hard to keep fighting these feelings she was stirring within him. He also found himself wanting to take what he could, as quickly as he could. However, he was beginning to see there would be no way to come out of this unscathed.

If they found an answer for the forgetfulness and it didn’t solve the nagging, would she so easily leave him behind as she had been doing much of her life? He suddenly didn’t think he could bare it and, as much as he knew he would want it, he could not follow her. Too much was at stake in this war which was going on. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, she had asked him a question and he missed it.

“Yes?”

She smiled at him. She felt worry again but didn’t dare touch his hands for fear he would push her away. “I said, how about going for a swim? The water looks wonderful.” Her gaze traveled to the fall and the scent of honeysuckle permeated the air.

She laughed when he gave her a quelling look. “Oh come on Severus, live a little,” she exclaimed.

Not waiting for him she whipped out her wand and waved it over her head. A purple mist swirled around her and her green robes became an emerald swimsuit with matching green and purple sarong. Severus’ breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She was making this very difficult for him. If she kept this up he was going to throw caution to the wind. To Merlin with Minerva, he wanted her niece.

A low growl erupted from his throat, “Miss Celestia, what do you think you are doing?”

She looked at him innocently and batted her eyes, “Why, going for a swim, of course.” She cast the statement over her shoulder and dove into the pool. The water was so cold it took her breath away but she didn’t care. Teasing him was too much fun and if she didn’t put some distance between them she would give into the attraction between them again. As she thought about this she felt reckless and wanton. She wanted to throw caution to the wind. No other man had ever affected her like he did.

She found herself dreading that time when she knew she would have to leave. But what if they found a cure and she could stay? Would he still want her? She pushed her thoughts away because she was afraid of the answer. Gasping, she came up for air. She swam briskly around the pool and felt energized as the water flowed beneath her. She then swam under the waterfall and felt the water pounding down above her. When she came up on the other side she noticed an opening behind the waterfall. Her brow furrowed, she wanted to inspect but figured she better put in an appearance for Severus so he wouldn’t worry. Quickly she swam back to see what he was doing.

The water was so clear you could see the bottom and the few fish in the pool swam around her, curiously investigating their guest. Serena moved closer to Severus’ position at the edge and smiled up at him. He stood at the water’s edge glaring down at her. She ignored his look and continued to smile up at him, “Oh, come now Severus, it’s summer and just look at all the clothes you’ve put on.”

Severus looked down at his attire. “I see nothing wrong with it. It is what I always wear,” he scoffed.

Her laughter tinkled in his ears. “Really, if you don’t relax, I may find myself wanting to remove those buttons. Please? For me, if you will not swim, at least remove your shoes and frock coat just for a little while. I am going to swim on the other side of the fall and when I get back you had better be more comfortable or I may just have to help you,” she teased him playfully.

Serena turned and swam back toward the fall before Severus had a chance to protest. He thought about what she said and decided dangling his feet in the water didn’t sound like a bad idea. It was a bit hot out here. With practiced ease he removed his coat and shoes, rolled up his pants legs and sat down next to the pool to dip his feet in the water. He watched Serena as she made her way to the fall and swam under it.

Serena reached the other side of the cascading water and swam up to the opening. She climbed up the bank and moved cautiously inside raising her wand to light her way. She followed the twists and turns of a tunnel deeper into the mountain which narrowed then gave way to a large cavern. Serena looked around in delight. There was a hole in the top of the cavern and filtered sunlight spilled through. As the light hit the edge it scattered over the walls causing them to glitter.

Serena’s chest started to hurt and she took in a deep breath not realizing she had been holding it. She moved to the middle of the cavern and found a smaller pool that was clear and shallow. A small waterfall cascaded out of the wall into it. The water trickled over the sides and followed a stream which left the cave off to the right. Here there was a hole, probably worn through years ago by the water.

Suddenly the cavern filled with light from the hole above. The sun was directly above it and as the sun’s light beamed down, the light hit a large stone on the floor. Light, breathtaking and blinding, was shattered into a thousand beams which hit the walls. Serena gasped in pleasure and looked around as her eyes adjusted to the blinding light. The walls and floor were covered with what looked like crystals. Green also glowed brightly among the walls. Serena moved to inspect closer and pressed a finger to one of the stones to feel it. It felt warm and her finger tingled a little as she touched the glittering facet. The clear stones weren’t diamonds but the green ones were definitely emeralds.

Serena was glad she had investigated. She breathed. She had almost forgotten to again at the beauty hidden here. She moved to the small pool and stepped into it. It wasn’t very deep. She sat down and remained there for a little while enjoying the radiance all around her. Then a thought struck her. This was something to share. However, the hardest thing may be to persuade Severus to follow her. Maybe not today, but soon; they would have to come back at the same time. A sappy smile lit her face and she got up to return to him.

Severus frowned at the water under the fall. He was getting worried. Serena had been gone a little too long for his comfort. He was about to get up and go after her when she reappeared, gasping for breath as her body broke the surface of the water. She smiled up at him while she treaded water.

“I’m glad to see you relaxed a little.”

“Indeed, well how could I resist when asked so sweetly,” he remarked cynically. She laughed and he found himself enjoying the sound.

He cleared his throat and looked down at her seriously, “I believe it’s time to make our way back. I brought some books from the library for us to go through.”

Serena groaned, “Always the Professor I see.”

“Someone has to be.”

“Hmph…alright I will abide since you did relax like I asked. I must say, you look simply divine in that white shirt. Mmmm…more buttons,” Serena exclaimed before she could stop herself and raised her arms to lift up out of the water to hide her blush.

Severus noticed her blush and decided not to comment though he felt desire fill his chest at her words. He waited for her to get out of the pool and watched as she raised her wand releasing the purple mist which changed her suit back to the emerald cotton robes again. Her hair was still wet so she shook it back preparing to dry it a little. Drops of water landed on his arm.

“Oops, sorry Professor,” she told him breathlessly.

“Of course.” Severus had put his shoes back on but he swung his coat over his shoulder and stepped up to her. “Shall we?” He motioned and they walked back to the cave together.

What followed were several hours of intense reading. However, nothing they found included symptoms she was showing. But they both agreed the book on Nepenthes was very interesting and felt he needed to pull more information on this. They made quick work of the few books he had grabbed and were faced with more time together. Serena thanked Severus for the books he had brought her to read at her leisure and she moved them to a table by the bed.

Serena then moved to her long table and started to take down some of the pantry ingredients she had asked for. She had bottled the thyme and rosemary she had chopped earlier and it was the rosemary she reached for now.

Severus watched with interest as she meticulously measured dry ingredients into a bowl and whisked them a lengthy amount of time. She then did the same with some liquid ingredients. When she was done she put the lump of dough she had created in a cast iron skillet and hung it over the fire with a cover.

“Severus? Could you see what else we have to eat,” she asked him after she had finished.

“Of course,” he moved to the basket from earlier and pulled out a casserole container that held shepherd’s pie. It was still hot thanks to an enchantment placed by the house elves. He also pulled out some red wine.

Serena eyed the items he placed on the bistro table and her stomach growled. “Well that looks delicious.”

Severus nodded and Serena moved the china to the table and transfigured the teacups into wine glasses. While he poured the wine she placed a pot of tea on the apparatus to warm. She then removed the skillet from the fire with a stick and placed it on a cutting board. Carefully she levitated off the lid, took a spatula to remove the bread to a plate and cut it into squares.

Severus eyed it questioningly when she placed it between them. She smiled indulgently. “Rosemary biscuits, many southern Americans love biscuits and this is one recipe I have always been fond of.”

They sat and enjoyed the meal in silence. She watched him as he tried a biscuit and smiled when he closed his eyes in satisfaction. When he opened his eyes he found her gaze fixed on him. He cleared his throat, “These are delicious.”

“Thank you…Severus?”

He looked intently at her, “Yes?”

“I…I…,” she was floundering again. She laid her hand on his left arm and felt as if someone had stabbed her hand. She gasped and snatched her hand away quickly.

“What the…,” her worried eyes searched his. His eyes hooded and he looked away.

“Severus, let me see your arm,” she demanded as she felt panic start to rise.

He turned angry eyes to her and sneered, “Miss Celestia, I hardly think…,” he began but she cut him off.

“Severus,” she eyed him fiercely. “Let me see your arm,” and with no fore thought she grabbed his arm, ignoring the pain, and popped the buttons as she forcefully shoved his sleeve up before he could stop her.

What she saw there made her blood run cold. “No,” the word was dragged raggedly from her lips and she rose from the table, her chair turning over as she stood to back away.

Fury raged in Severus’ eyes as he also rose from the table and moved menacingly toward her. Serena held up her hand, “Stay right there,” but she didn’t draw her wand. She felt his aura burn red in anger but not hostility so she did not defend herself. Surely he would explain.

He approached her threateningly but did not reach for his wand either, she noticed. Roughly, he grabbed her hands. She retreated as he advanced and pushed her hard against the cave wall. Her hands met the wall with some force and pain shot down her arms. “Why can’t you leave well enough alone? You meddlesome female,” he growled at her.

“Severus,” she whispered. “You could have stopped me. Please tell me,” her eyes searched his and his shoulders sagged. His grip on her wrists lessened.

Abruptly he released her and turned away. “Are…are you a …,” she didn’t finish but the unsaid word hung in the air heavily as if it had been spoken.

He lowered his head and nodded, “Yes, but it was a choice I made when I was nothing more than a child. A choice I grew to regret,” he began. He found himself telling her everything. Laying his secret out to her and wondering if she would still allow him to stay.

“So, you are a spy for Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix?” He nodded. “But Voldemort thinks you are a spy for him?” He tensed at the use of the Dark Lord’s chosen name and nodded again. She weighed his words, felt his aura and knew he spoke the truth. Suddenly she was tired. Between the swim, the research and his revelation it had been quite some time. She watched him. Studied him as he hovered and felt his unease; he thought she would cast him off!

How could he think that, but then he didn’t know how she felt. Gods, how she loved him, she admonished herself when she felt a burning ache in her chest. She longed to ease his unrest and did the only thing she knew to do. She crossed the room in an almost run and launched herself into his arms. He caught her and his arms held her tightly to him. His head nuzzled her neck.

“Oh gods Serena…I thought you…,” he rasped but couldn’t continue.

She pulled back and her eyes met his. “I wouldn’t turn you away Severus. Never. Please know this and don’t forget it. I trust you,” she told him fiercely.

He nodded solemnly and they embraced again. After a time, she disengaged herself from him and began to clean up their meal. He sat down by the fire and leaned against the wall.

She looked down at him when she had finished, “I know you don’t think you are sleeping there.”

He looked at her questioningly and watched with longing as she moved to the bed and got in. She motioned to the empty spot beside her. “Please, just hold me? Nothing more.” Severus moved to the bed and once again offered her solace in his arms. Serena hugged him, snuggled against his white shirt and fell asleep instantly.

Severus looked down at the sleeping woman in his arms and wondered what he had gotten himself into. As he leaned his head back on the pillows he became drowsy and his thoughts swirled about her. His last thought before sleep took him involved his heart and Serena’s surprising hold on it. When she nuzzled his chest, she nuzzled his heart. Hell, she held the thing in her hands. He seemed to have no control over what was happening to him. Only she did. He just hoped she knew what she was doing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: The song Serena sings in the cave is called "I Give In" by Sara Evans.

[osusprinks]

I love Sara Evans. Most of Serena's songs have been hers, haven't they?

Stef, this is awesome! I love how they are drawn to each other. I wonder what Albus and Minerva will think about it when they find out.

Serena is great. I love how feisty she is! That's the McGonagall spirit in my mind! lol I find the empath/siren thing very interesting and I can't wait to find out more about this spell.

Awesome job. I'm glad Snape is a good guy. I can't stand him in canon, but they never should have cast someone as delicious as Alan Rickman for the films if they didn't want us to love him! lol

I can't wait for more!

[stefdarlin]

osusprinks said:

I love Sara Evans. Most of Serena's songs have been hers, haven't they?

Stef, this is awesome! I love how they are drawn to each other. I wonder what Albus and Minerva will think about it when they find out.

Serena is great. I love how feisty she is! That's the McGonagall spirit in my mind! lol I find the empath/siren thing very interesting and I can't wait to find out more about this spell.

Awesome job. I'm glad Snape is a good guy. I can't stand him in canon, but they never should have cast someone as delicious as Alan Rickman for the films if they didn't want us to love him! lol

I can't wait for more!

Hey there Sprinks! Thank you so much for the review! ;D

On the music note...well I would like to think the songs are hers and technically they are in the story but I want to give credit where credit is due. Don't want to offend anyone or break any copyrights or so forth. I must confess that I am a music junky and I love all kinds, depends on my mood. Since Serena is a siren there will be a bit more.

Somehow I am more worried about Minerva's reaction to them than Albus'. I am glad you liked it....I always get nervous when I know someone is reading it. And yes, I was trying to capture that McGonagall spirit. Glad you think I did. There are quite a bit of twists and turns coming up.

Last, I could not agree with you more about them casting Alan Rickman. LOL! He is my favorite character in the movies. Lord, I could listen to him talk allll day. *swoon*

Okay...gotta go do the training thing. Have a great day!

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[bethj4013]

wow this is a great story I just found it I cant wait to read more

[stefdarlin]

Hey bethj4013! Thanks for you review. I will update soon. I am hoping for Friday, RL last week gave me no time to work on it. But I expect some time this week.

Happy Reading & As always, Cheers!

Stef =o)

[stefdarlin]

The full version of Chapter 10: The Cavern of Light is posted in the lemon section. You can find it by clicking this link:
The Cavern of Light

A/N: Posted in two parts for length.

Chapter 10: The Cavern of Light

Severus roused slowly. He heard quiet clanging and humming. The corners of his mouth twitched as he recognized the humming as Serena. There was a smell that entered his nostrils too. It was sweet and warm and, what else was that? He frowned as he tried to place it. Blueberries. “Mmmm,” he groaned and moved to reach for her but she wasn’t beside him.

Severus opened his eyes and searched for her. He found her in her make-shift kitchen and smirked. There was flour on her nose and she hadn’t noticed he was awake yet. As he thought this though she turned to smile beamingly at him, “Good morning,” she retorted brightly.

Severus sat up and saw she had set the little bistro table for breakfast. In the middle of it sat a large plate of blueberry muffins. Serena watched him take in the table and saw his eyes rest on the muffins. “I hope you like them. Another American tradition I’m afraid. But they are easier to make than scones,” she smiled tentatively.

Severus rubbed his eyes and made his way to the table while Serena poured him some coffee and set the sugar in front of him. She poured herself some also and sat down. She added cream to her coffee and offered it to him but he shook his head. “I found it among the things the House Elves packed. Still cold,” she revealed as she wrapped her hands around her mug and set it down on the table.

“I only take sugar, thank you,” he informed her adding only one spoonful.

“Light and sweet,” she said as she added sugar to her own coffee.

Severus helped himself to a muffin as did Serena and they ate in silence for a moment. “So, are we doing the same thing today,” she asked him breaking the silence and rolling her mug around in her hands. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

“If you mean, am I going to the castle? Yes. We’ll keep the book on nepenthes and I’ll return the others. I will bring back some more for us to peruse,” he told her and saw her nod at him. “I will also get some more food. Is there anything else you require,” he raised an eyebrow.

She shook her head, “Oh no…no. I’m good for now. You’ll be taking me to the castle tomorrow, right,” she queried.

“Yes, that was the plan.”

“Oh good, I didn’t really want to use the ground spikes so soon.”

“Ground spikes,” he frowned at the term she used and looked questioningly at her.

Serena laughed a nervous laugh. “Well, yes. Um…when my powers start to overflow they must be drained. When I visited Turkey I met a wizard named Rashid. I was astounded when he asked me right away if I was an empath. His aura was…so serene,” she began and her eyes seemed to lose focus in her thoughts. “He was part of the Hsiung-nu tribe… their tribal elder and teacher. Saracens run in his family but his grandmother was an empath.”

“Since they were part of a nomadic tribe and were constantly surrounded by nature and wildlife, she often had to use them. She acquired several sets and when she passed away she bestowed them to him knowing he would pass them to others who would need them.”

“He said she told him he would know who he needed to give them to when the time came. He told me he had been waiting for many years before I came to him. That others had claimed falsely to be something they were not to try to gain the spikes from him. But when he saw me…he sensed who I was immediately. He said his grandmother often gave him the same feeling and so he knew, as she said he would, to give them to me.” She almost looked in a daze as she told him this. Like she was searching through her memory and her lips curved in a slow smile as she reminisced. Slowly her eyes refocused and her green orbs floated to him.

“The spikes draw my powers back into the earth to maintain balance. They also cover the surge so it won’t be detected.”

“How often do you do this,” Severus asked worried. She had said she would be weak if she had to drain her power.

“Only every so often…sometimes I don’t have to if I sing enough. Somehow my siren abilities have a way of releasing pent up energies. But I have to release the full force in song or sing very often. I suppose that was why I didn’t have much trouble when I was traveling in the States trying to earn money. I sang often enough that the ebb and flow did not occur often. However, when I am in nature nothing really seems to abate it. It just builds progressively.”

“So, needless to say, I have been avoiding nature,” she informed then held up a hand as he seemed ready to tirade her. “I know empaths are supposed to seek out nature but I have known Voldemort was rising for some time. There have been dark ripples in the atmosphere. The more my energies fluctuate the easier I am to find. And no…I am not self destructive. I was just biding my time, waiting for you,” she looked at him.

Severus opened his mouth to sneer a retort then stopped and looked at her a little confused. “For me,” he asked incredulously and frowned. How could she know he was coming to get her? He thought to himself.

“Yes, for many reasons, but you nonetheless, and no, I am not a seer,” she told him with almost a disgusted look. She knew in her heart he was the one who could help her. Find her heritage, her heart, her great-aunt and finally, her home. It felt like she’d been looking for so long.

Severus stared at her while a faraway look crossed her face and wondered what it meant. He rose and put on his coat, “Thank you for breakfast Serena. The muffins were delicious,” the edges of his mouth quirked a bit.

Serena realized this was his compliment and blushed slightly with pleasure, “You are quite welcome Professor. Anything…for you,” her words hovered between them and he cleared his throat.

“I will return shortly,” he looked at her as if to say more but turned and made his way out, the rock rolling into place sealing her in.

Serena sighed and cast her spells to clean up and make the bed. She hated waiting but they seemed to have found a truce between them and she didn’t want anger between them again. She crossed to the bedside table and studied the books Severus had brought her. Potions and Africa looked interesting so she sat in her rocking chair to read and await his return.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Minerva sat appalled at the American Ministry of Magic. When she had arrived two days ago at Adelaide’s old home there was an atrocious family of muggles living there. So she had sought out the Ministry and ran into an old friend. Paul Sheffield had offered Minerva a place to stay and to do some inquiry into her grandniece and Adelaide.

So far she knew that Adelaide had died eight years ago and that Serena had definitely survived the attack on her family. But, somehow something had happened between then and when Adelaide had died for Serena not to seek her out. But then Adelaide had lied to her about Serena’s death. But why? Minerva frowned at that thought and remembered the first time she had met Adelaide.

It was Sam and Seraphenia’s wedding. Minerva was in a right state. She loved Sam. He and Sera couldn’t be better suited for one another. When Melissa passed away and asked Minerva to watch over her daughter she had done just that. Even though the girl was grown she did seem to attach herself a bit to Minerva and that pleased her. And seeing that she and Albus had never been able to have children of their own she took her new responsibility with pleasure even though she missed her sister terribly.

She and Albus watched as love blossomed for the young couple and though they had a little difficulty at first things smoothed over and Sam asked for Sera’s hand. They decided to have a small ceremony and invite just family and very close friends. Sam had only one relative left. His sister, Adelaide. When he talked of her Minerva could hear how much he cared for the woman so she was looking forward to meeting her. After all, Sam was a dear man.

Adelaide had not been able to get to England until the day of the wedding so Minerva and Albus had not been able to meet her before hand. Because of this Minerva had been a bit nervous. Albus had chuckled at her. “You act like it is you getting married,” he stood next to her and put his arm around her. He looked at her, the twinkle in his eyes present as ever.

“I just worry, Albus. She is the only relative he has left. It is very important we get along,” she frowned at him. She had been having a sense of dread she couldn’t place.

“My dear! She will love you. Who could not,” he asked and leaned forward to kiss her lips. He pulled back when she started to return his kiss with fervor. His eyes were dilated as he gazed down at her. “Later, my love,” and gave her a squeeze around the shoulders.

Minerva sniffed, “You do not count! You are biased,” she smiled at him becoming less nervous.

“Yes, but you wouldn’t have me any other way,” he added mischievously.

All through the ceremony there was a woman who kept eyeing Minerva and staring at her with a cold glare. Minerva knew most of the people there but a few she did not. This woman was petite and beautiful. She had thick waves of golden blonde hair and when she looked at Minerva she felt as if ice had covered her body. The woman’s eyes were ice blue, and like ice, they held no warmth. There were a few other women at the ceremony Minerva did not know but this woman seemed to single her out. Surely it wasn’t Adelaide. She didn’t look a thing like Sam. Where he was tall and dark, she was small and pale. Her dress robes were an ice blue, almost the color of her eyes and they looked very well made and expensive. Her fingers were long and elegant and adorned with a few well chosen rings. Her hair was half up and half down to emphasize how much of the golden tresses she had. Her facial features seemed somewhat delicate but when she glared at Minerva they seemed chiseled in a face of indifference.

At the reception Minerva found herself alone for a moment before they announced the bride and groom. Albus had been pulled into a ministry conversation while they waited. This was when the woman chose to move closer to her. As she approached Minerva felt a chill over her body and goose flesh rose on her arms. She rubbed her arms to alleviate the feeling then put them at her sides because she didn’t want anyone to think it was a defensive move on her part.

“Are you Seraphenia’s aunt,” the woman asked with what seemed a forced smile to Minerva.

“Why yes I am,” Minerva gave her best smile back. “And you are?”

“I am Adelaide, Samuel’s sister,” she seemed to eye Minerva up and down with distaste and did not move to shake her hand.

Instead, Minerva began the gesture. She was finding herself no longer nervous at meeting the woman. Although she felt if this was how she acted, it might be difficult for them to get along but Minerva would do her best. She didn’t want to cause the newlyweds any untoward distress.

“Charmed, I’m sure,” Adelaide said, laced with distaste and took Minerva’s hand limply, raised it once and let go. “It seems my brother is quite taken with your niece,” she began as she watched the couple, again with distaste, Minerva observed. At least it looked so to her.

In fact, it seemed Adelaide didn’t look at any witch or wizard in attendance with anything other than aversion until she was actually face to face with them. When one or two passed and greeted her, her face brightened and she became almost gracious. Minerva frowned. It seemed Adelaide put on a good façade with everyone, except her. As the other couple moved off, Adelaide turned back to Minerva and her face settled in a cold stare again.

“You are the Mistress of Transfiguration at Hogwarts, I understand.” Minerva nodded. “Following in the Great Albus Dumbledore’s footsteps I see,” she watched Albus with almost a hunger in her eyes. “My brother often talks of you both and how brilliant your magic is,” she told her almost dully.

“Really, I hadn’t realized,” Minerva told her trying not to sound annoyed. The way she looked at Albus bothered her. “Sam tells us you travel a bit.” Minerva tried to steer the conversation to a more pleasant footing.

Adelaide looked at her with those cold, piercing eyes again. “Did he now? Yes, I do. But then it is what I am good at. Unlike you. I have read some of your articles, you seem down to earth. But I would imagine with a talent like yours it is hard to not be full of yourself,” with this statement the sides of her mouth quirked up a little and she looked at Minerva as if she had said nothing out of the ordinary.

Minerva wasn’t sure she meant it the way it came out, it almost sounded like a twisted compliment. She decided to try again. “So why do you travel? Is it part of your work?”

“Oh, I suppose I have a fascination for it, among other things. But then mother always encouraged anything I took interest in. She spoiled me that way, but when you have money I suppose it is easy to encourage a child, unlike occupations that don’t pay well.” Again she eyed the people surrounding her and a grimace crossed her face briefly.

The happy couple had met up with Albus and they were all making their way to the two women. Minerva noticed Adelaide put an instant radiant smile on her face and frowned again. She did not care for her and it seemed the woman was making no attempt at covering her dislike of Minerva, for whatever reason it was.

“Samuel,” Adelaide started, pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, she brought it to her eyes and suddenly there were tears hovering there. “The ceremony was simply beautiful! I couldn’t be happier for you both.”

“Awww, there, there sis. You know I can’t stand it when you cry. You get away with everything when you do that.” Sam smiled brightly at her and put his arm around her and gave a gentle squeeze.

Minerva had seen Adelaide press her fingernail into her eye to produce tears. The gesture was well hidden in the handkerchief. She raised a brow at the other woman. She also noticed Seraphenia and Albus looked at her with speculation. Sam seemed too smitten with his sister to see what was beneath. But it was good that she may not be alone in her feelings that something wasn’t right with Adelaide.

After that the couple moved off with Adelaide and left her and Albus alone. “Albus?”

He looked down at her questioningly. “My dear, is everything alright?”

“I’m not sure. Somehow I get the feeling Adelaide does not like other witches and wizards though I am not sure why.”

“That does seem odd. Perhaps it’s just your nerves still. Besides, even if your personalities clash, it is only one day,” he reminded her.

She looked up at him, “I know.” With that she managed to keep encounters with the witch at a minimum and all seemed to go well.

Minerva was roused from her thoughts when Paul came into the room and she rose to greet him. “Minerva,” he crossed the room and took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. “I’m afraid what I have to tell you is not going to be easy. Let’s sit,” he gestured to a chair behind and she nodded. After she took her seat she braced herself because he looked grim indeed.

“After Serena and her family were attacked, Serena was placed in Victor’s Hospital. According to files from that time she was suffering from periods of near madness. Apparently this was caused by…,” he looked down and faltered.

“Please Paul, I need to know,” Minerva stated from where she sat across from him, resigned.

He looked up with deep sympathy in his eyes, it was clear he didn’t want to go on. But he cleared his throat and continued, “She was…violently assaulted Minerva, by the Death Eaters that attacked them. Apparently what they found was she was doled the cruciatus as well which was used as a means of torture towards her parents. When they managed to finally interfere they were killed,” he looked at her with sad eyes.

All the color had drained from her face and tears came to her eyes. “Oh my gods…,” she raised a shaking hand to her mouth and wavered, “I never knew.”

He continued. “It seems that Adelaide knew someone in the Ministry at that time and he helped her hide Serena from everyone. She was in the hospital for six months and while she was there they applied a mind block. It seems that was the only way to stop the girl’s suffering.” Minerva’s hands shook; she felt she had failed Serena in more ways than one.

“I know what you’re thinking Minerva, and you’re wrong. Someone should have informed you, but it looks like Adelaide had her own agenda. You couldn’t have known, no one did…and then the time without V…he-who-must-not-be-named was upon us and no one wanted to dwell on what happened before that,” he squeezed her hand again.

She looked up tentatively into his hazel eyes and squeezed his hand back. “Thank you so much Paul. Although once Adelaide died I don’t understand why Serena didn’t seek me out or stay where she was,” Minerva questioned.

“That gets a little cloudier. Adelaide squandered the family fortune, although I can’t find on what. So when she died, Serena found herself surrounded by creditors I’m sure,” he looked down at a file in his hand. “I see here where she signed the estate over to the bank,” when he looked up he found her ringing her hands.

“As for where she is or why she didn’t seek you out, that is a mystery. But Adelaide has been dead for eight years and you know Serena did survive. I’m afraid I’ve told you all I can.” He took her hands to stop the ringing and gave her another sad smile.

“Yes…yes I know Paul and I thank you for your discretion. Please keep our meeting to yourself.” She bade him farewell and left the Ministry with a promise to give Albus his good tidings.

As Minerva left her face settled into a deep frown. It was a shame Adelaide was dead because she really needed to give that woman a piece of her mind for what she had done. So many years had been wasted. She sighed. Well it was no use dwelling on it, though it bothered her. Serena was alive, she just knew it, and she had to find her. Hopefully Severus was keeping her safe. Minerva just hoped he didn’t scare the poor child with his sneering disposition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
continued in next post

[silverbauman]

I love this!

[stefdarlin]

continued from previous post

Serena sneered and put down the book she had been reading. Where the hell was he? What could possibly take so long? She prowled the cave like a jungle cat in a cage. She had changed into golden yellow robes and fluidly moved like a cougar. This was how Severus found her when he returned; in a very bad temper.

“What took you so long,” she jumped at him and his eyes flashed fury at her invitation.

“Miss Celestia, I have not been gone very long and I found quite a few more books on the subject we were searching for. Unless you want to move on now and forget about it,” his sarcasm wasn’t lost on her and she stopped pacing to look at him.

She resigned,” I’m sorry. I am just not used to being unable to move freely. I find being restricted, well, very confining! Can we please go out for a bit?”

“Indeed, just let me divest,” he discarded his cloak and coat down to his white shirt again and Serena sucked in her breath. He really was divine.

Serena wove her wand and her robes changed into a golden swimsuit and sarong. “Can we go up first and then to the pool,” she asked. He nodded.

As they left the cave she found herself wanting something else. When he turned he was glad she waited for him today. “Ummm…”

“Yes,” he raised an eyebrow.

“Can I hold your hand,” she asked almost shyly and was delighted when he held his hand out to her.

Clasping each others hand they made their way up the deep slope to the top. Once there they stood as they had the day before. “Serena…what happens when your time here is done,” he asked her quietly, steeling himself for her answer.

She turned in his arms and backed up a bit to study him. She felt his concern and couldn’t say it was unfounded. “Severus…I…I’m not sure. But rest assured I’m not sure I’m going to want it to be done,” she told him boldly. They were heading down that path recklessly; both knowing they may not come out completely happy but she wasn’t going to give up what time she could have with him, even if it was only a few weeks.

“I just hope we find an answer soon because I don’t want to leave this time,” she told him and moved back a bit further not realizing she was dangerously close to the edge.

Suddenly she heard a rumble and felt the earth move beneath her as part if the cliff came away and fell to the pool below. Severus surged forward and grabbed her hand as Serena’s scream wrenched the air. He was straining to hold onto her as she floundered, her body and feet dangling high above the pool.

She raised frightened eyes to him and fear stabbed at him. “Severus!” She gasped his name in fear.

“I’ve got you,” he said through clenched teeth. “Just hold on Serena, hold on! Give me your other hand.” As he reached out and grabbed her other hand his body slid forward and he dug in his boots to stop the movement.

“Oh gods Severus! No!” Alarm chased across her face when she felt him slide.

As Severus focused on her face and keeping her from falling a chill went through him as he saw she was no longer frightened but resigned and calm. This terrified him more. He felt his heart in his throat and then felt her hands start to relax. “No! Don’t you dare give up that easily,” he shouted at her angrily.

“But Severus, you are more important than I am. Please, I couldn’t bear it, even in death, if I caused yours. Just know that…I love you,” tears streamed down her face. Her hands began to slip from his.

“No! Find a foot hold Serena, you can do this. Or have you no backbone,” he raged at her, terror gripping him.

Serena’s anger kicked in at his statement and she found a place to push herself up but her foot slipped and she found herself held by his hands again. An idea occurred to her and their hands glowed as she drew on his strength and felt it lift her. She found the foot hold again and suddenly she was in his arms as they backed away from the edge.

Her body shook and she felt hands roaming her body as he reassured himself she was alright. Their lips found each other and his hands were on her face as he drank of her lips. Then he crushed her to him in a fierce hug.

Oh Merlin,” he breathed in her ear. “Don’t you ever do that to me again! How dare you think I would rather live without you?” He pulled back to look at her, anger dancing in his eyes.

She looked down and the tears began again. Her body shook violently this time, “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t…,” she whispered, “let you fall…I,” she trembled but the worst seemed over.

He crushed her to him again and this time she felt his heart thundering in his chest. She knew hers was doing the same. They gasped together trying to shake the adrenalin and return their breathing to normal.

Sometime later Serena looked up at him, “Severus,” she asked him in a small voice. “I still want to go to the pool.”

He sighed.

“There is something I want to show you,” she looked up at the sun. They had just enough time to get there.

Holding hands, still shaking slightly, they made their way down to the pool. Birds flew by overhead and sang. Butterflies swirled around their heads and the fish in the pool seemed to come and greet them.

The water had settled from being disturbed earlier. Serena looked over at him, “Can you swim?”

He raised an eyebrow at her, “Of course.”

“Oh…well what I want to show you is behind the fall,” she told him and saw him shudder. She knew he thought of the cliff above.

Slowly they made their way into the water gasping at the temperature as they went. Holding hands they went under the fall and came up on the other side. Severus’ brows went up when he saw the opening to the cavern. Serena got out of the water and waited for him.

Clasping hands she led him to the glittering cave. She had timed it just right because as they got there the sun shifted and the ray hit the rock below and shattered it into a thousand beams which spread across the walls. Severus gasped and turned, his eyes squinting at the bright light and glittering of the walls. Serena smiled up at him and felt the look on his face must be what was on hers yesterday; a look of disbelief and awe, approaching ecstasy.

“Serena, it’s…,” he began.

“Wondrous, is it not,” she breathed coming closer to him, desire in her eyes. She wanted him. Now!

Hearing her breathlessness he looked at her and stilled noting the hunger in her eyes. Her gaze burned as it took in his appearance. His white shirt, stuck to him, showed the outline of his body. His nipples, hard from the cold water, protruded and shown through the fabric and suddenly she was on him. In one swift movement she jerked the two sides apart and buttons flew everywhere.

Holding his shirt in her hands she tugged him nearer and fastened her mouth on one hard nipple. His breath caught in his throat and his hands came around and yanked at her swimsuit. Serena moved her mouth to suckle the other nipple and a groan escaped her, “Mmmm.”

The ministrations of her mouth on his nipples were making it very hard to think straight but he shook his head and his hands pushed down the top of her suit exposing her creamy skin to his gaze. Severus leaned down and kissed her ear as her head angled away from him. Meanwhile, Serena moved her hands to his waist and pulled him closer. Her head fell back as he licked and suckled the sensitive pleasure points of her body then his head came up and his eyes roamed over her.

“So beautiful,” he murmured as a breath caught in her throat and his mouth traveled to her neck while his hands caressed her. He licked her throat and nibbled a sensitive spot there. Meanwhile she found his earlobe, licked it, then lightly sucked on it and felt him shudder.

“Severus,” she gasped his name. It felt like a caress to her lips and she trembled.

He pushed her suit farther down and knelt beside her. Serena stepped out of her clothes altogether and he got his first look at her delicate body. “Beautiful,” he whispered raggedly and reached up cup her face and kiss her deeply while his hands caressed her sensuously, intimately.

"Severus..," she sighed and her body trembled at his touch. Need was growing within her and she knew he was the only one who could help her. Severus lifted her is his arms, his eyes locking with hers as he did so.

“Mmmm,” he growled, “so sweet.” Then, he lowered her to the pool away from the fall and Serena gasped at the frigid water lapping her skin. Gently, sweetly he pleasured her, holding her in place. Her hands reached out and threaded through his dark hair, her breath coming in pants, until she cried out.

Serena gasped and shuddered. His passionate mouth was her undoing. “Severus,” she rasped his name again unable to find the words to tell him how he made her feel, just feel.

Slowly he licked his way up to her mouth and kissed her. His tongue finding hers, circling, playing. He tugged on her lower lip and waited for her world to right itself. He moved from her for a brief moment and when he returned their bodies were skin to skin. She felt the evidence of his desire and his lips wandered over her again.

Her world was spinning almost out of control. She had never felt like this. She sighed in pleasure and he held her face in his hands and kissed her lips arduously; their tongues dancing and twining. Her hands traveled to him and boldly she caressed him.

His body quivered at her touch, “Serena,” he breathed in her ear and slowly she slid down his body. Her mouth burned a trail where ever it touched and occasionally she ran her teeth lightly over him. Her hands caressed and explored with delight at the gasps she caused to burst from his lips.

“Serena you are driving me mad,” he rasped and pulled her up to his mouth.

“Oh, but Severus, that was the idea. You have no idea how much your reactions turn me on,” she told him seductively.

Vaguely he wondered if the siren in her had taken over. As they gazed at each other his arms reached around and pulled her to him in their strong embrace. She wiggled seductively against him. “Ahhh,” he breathed, she was ready for him .

His resolve almost snapped, but he wanted her slow this time. He picked her up and laid her under the miniature cascading fall and, without further waiting, he took her and they both moaned. Her legs wound around him and each met the needs of the other.

Their movements became more frantic. He leaned down and captured her lips with his own. Their mouths meeting just as their bodies were. He thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, matching it with his movements.

Serena felt his aura around her. The feelings he emitted raising her up. A warm golden glow surrounded their bodies as her powers entwined with his. Her aura touched his; drawing and giving back.

Severus felt the glow, he felt her aura. He knew she was doing this for him as their bodies continued a timeless rhythm. It was erotic to feel another’s aura as they began to reach the height of their passion. The golden glow of their bodies sharing the scattered light of the cave, and then they were there; kissing, clamoring, each clinging to the other. Serena felt the heat and cried out, her body, shaking, answered at the same time as Severus. He breathed a guttural moan into her mouth as he kissed her. Then broke their kiss as they both leaned back at the final moment and gasped out loud; their cries echoing around the cavern.

The light was subsiding, their bodies were shaking from the exertion and he held her to him. Her legs were twined with his as the water cascaded over their bodies. He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her tenderly as she clung to him.

Later he moved them to the other side of the cave away from the fall and still she clung to him. Now that they were no longer under the water he could feel her tears. Hotly they coursed down her cheeks. With his finger he tugged up her chin and used his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Serena…,” he began.

“Please…I am sorry. That was just so beautiful. I have never experienced something like this, like that.” She looked at him longingly, “You should know there has been no other. Well, except for…,” she shuddered. She should have told him before now but it was too late.

He stiffened and braced himself for a blow he was unsure of. Not knowing what was coming. She looked away from him. She couldn’t look in his eyes. It was shameful and it was something she had never shared with anyone.

She sighed. “Adelaide told me that when…when the Death Eaters came…,” she swallowed, trying to pass the lump now lodged in her throat.

He braced.

“When they killed my parents…that…that they attacked me.” She closed her eyes tight and waited for him to abandon her. But when moments passed and he stayed, she raised her pain filled eyes to meet his and what she saw there frightened her.

She began to shake, the anger in his eyes was deep and pure hatred poured from him. “Severus,” she whispered, “I’m so sorry, I know I should have told you…but I was ashamed.” She closed her eyes and her tears seeped from her lids and trailed down her cheeks.

Nothing could have prepared him for her statement, absolutely nothing. He hated being a Death Eater, but at that moment he loathed it. His voice shook with his anger. But he needed to calm her. He wasn’t angry with her, sweet Merlin, how could she think that. But then how could she not? “Serena…please. Never have I felt worse about being a Death Eater than I do right now. Look at me…Look at me!” He pulled her face back around to him.

“Don’t be ashamed, it wasn’t your fault. You were just a child,” his voice shook again and he passed a hand over his eyes. “Angry? Yes, but don’t be ashamed, ever. I would never be angry with you for something that was way beyond your control.” He pulled her to him and showered her with kisses; her eyes, her nose, then her mouth where he lingered.

“If anything, I would have feared your adjustment to a relationship with any man after something like that,” he held her close and felt her stiffen and knew there was more.

“She also told me that they had to put a mind block on me to keep me from going mad. Adelaide said for months I only ever shrieked when a man came in the room with me.” She stared into the cave with no expression on her face. “She used to tell me that she would remove the block if I didn’t help her with her schemes,” she whispered then shuddered again.

His body shook as well. It was a good thing Adelaide was dead because at this moment he felt like killing her himself. He could only imagine what Minerva would think of this revelation.

Suddenly Serena’s eyes grew wide and she grabbed his arms. “Severus! Maybe that’s it! Could the mind block have made me forget my great-aunt and mother’s name?”

He looked at her excited face and shook his head. “It’s highly unlikely. A mind block is only used to block out one part of a person’s life. It’s a wonder they didn’t obliviate you were your symptoms so bad,” he told her pointedly and watched her face fall.

He caressed her face and she gazed at him. “Serena, sweet, we will find the answers, I promise you. Come; let’s get back to the cave. I don’t know about you, but I find I’ve worked up an appetite,” he leered at her and she giggled.

“That’s more like it. You have my word. We’ll find the answers together,” he pulled her close and felt his heart aching.

Slowly they got dressed, Serena repairing the buttons on his shirt after summoning them all. Holding hands, they made their way back to the cave leaving the cavern of light behind.

TBC

[stefdarlin]

Chapter 11: The Summoning

Once back at the cave Severus dug in his robes for the basket and books. Drawing them out he reanimated them and dug amorously in the basket first. Serena sat in the rocking chair and watched Severus as he dug. She smiled in a catlike way admiring the play of his muscles and watching the intent of his features as he concentrated on his task. Absently she leaned her chin in her hand contented with watching him for the time being.

Finally Severus brought two large wrapped packages from the basket. When he looked up he found Serena lounging in the rocking chair, her chin on her hand, just studying him. He felt something wrench his chest and he gave a small smile at that look. She really was beautiful. “Do you like smoked turkey,” he asked as he stepped toward her and handed her a sandwich.

“Oh yes, I adore it,” she replied smiling at him and taking his offering.

They ate in silence reflecting on their time in the cave of light, each in their own way. After a while, Serena eyed the books Severus had brought back. She finished her sandwich and rose to look at the stack. Grabbing Magical Mayhem she wandered over and flopped back in the rocking chair. Severus finished his meal, took the next tome in the pile and sank to the floor to lean against the wall again. They passed the afternoon in relative silence, each rising only to put a book back and retrieve a new one.

Occasionally, Serena would sneak a small look at Severus, his features intensely concentrated on his task. It seemed to her he was almost possessed, his aura still exuded a solemn sense of duty. Vaguely Serena wondered about her revelation on the cliff, when she told him of her love. He never mentioned it or addressed it. Perchance it was too soon for him. She constantly had to remind herself, Empaths were always in touch with their feelings and she never deluded herself. She knew what she felt. But perhaps he needed more time. His personality certainly emanated his constant reigning in of his emotions. If he was a spy this definitely would be paramount. She wouldn’t get discouraged just yet. No, he would have to turn her away if he did not want her affections, and even then she would still try. Because, even though he didn’t know it, no man had ever won her love before now and, she had to admit, that was an achievement. Serena drew her attention back to her current book. Silently she studied it more astutely. She had to concentrate.

Severus brought his hand to the bridge of his nose and pinched. He had been concentrating for hours with no inkling of anything remotely like the symptoms Serena had. He was beginning to wonder if there was a remedy for her situation. Cautiously he stole a look at her. Her features were drawn and concentrated on the volume in front of her.

He thought back to what she said when he had been holding her life in his hands, literally, and shuddered a bit at the memory. The thought of losing her had rocked him to the core. He knew what this was, he had felt it before. And then, she had told him she loved him. How could she be so sure in so short a time? Of course, he fervently guarded his heart. The last time he had given it, it had been wrenched from him and served with a side order of guilt; no, better to guard it. But, how he longed for love, if she wanted to give it, he would accept it and return what he could for now. However, he could offer no promises, his life was too complicated. Entanglements could elevate the danger he was in, as well as her. Yet, when she looked at him with desire, he found he simply couldn’t deny her. No matter how complicated, he would never deny her.

He watched her as a grimace crossed her face and she raised a hand to cover her eyes. “I do believe a break is in order,” he informed her.

She turned and gave him a small smile and he saw pain flicker in her eyes. She sighed and closed the book she had been reading. “Yes, well, Magical Maladies is a definite no,” Serena shuddered. “Nothing but rather disturbing dissections of the human brain,” she got up, stretching slightly and crossed the room to place it on the no pile.

“Would you like some tea,” she queried as she turned around.

“Indeed,” he rose to stretch his legs, leaning back with his hands at the small of his back to message the ache.

Serena noticed him pinch his nose again. “I think I have some ginseng here…and peppermint,” she told him sifting through the jars arranged on the shelf.

She had just pulled down the jar of thyme to reach for the ginseng when her body felt sharp pain come from his aura. She let out a small shriek and dropped the jar of thyme, shattering it, causing a spray of glass and thyme to cover the floor. She raised wide eyes to him and noticed him grab hold of his left arm but he looked at her with worry.

“You must go. He is calling, I’ll be fine,” she told him though she didn’t feel it. Nevertheless, she put on her bravest face; she was frightened of losing him. She wondered if this was how he felt up on the cliff when he had raged at her.

He said nothing but nodded. Quickly he made his way to the exit, grabbing his coat and cloak in the process. Once there he turned to her, “If I do not return, stay here. The Headmaster is sure to come looking for you if he doesn’t hear from me. I will return as soon as I can,” he told her solemnly.

There was that aura of responsibility again, the pain all but forgotten. Silently she nodded. She wanted to plead with him not to go, but she knew in her heart he must. He turned and lowered the wards and the rock rolled away. He lingered a moment.

“Severus,” she whispered raggedly and launched herself at him. He caught her and they embraced, Serena holding onto him fierily and her lips rising to meet his.

For a brief moment their tongues found each other and tangled; their arms squeezing fiercely. Just as quickly, they broke apart, neither saying a word. Severus looked at her and she saw the briefest glimpse of something in his eyes as he replaced the wards and disappeared from view.

As the rock rolled back, Serena swung back to the emptiness. A single tear escaped and slid silently down her cheek. Angrily she wiped it away and bent to collect the glass spread across the floor. Suddenly, she gasped in pain. She raised her hand to see blood dripping from her palm and a large jagged piece of glass wedged there. She winced as she removed it and then quickly tore off some of her robe to wrap her hand to staunch the flow.

Angry with herself, she reached for her wand and shouted, “Evanesco,” and all the glass and thyme disappeared. The tea forgotten, she went to curl up in the bed and lay there, staring at nothing; waiting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena was falling; falling into the depths of the pool. Her lungs burned as she struggled to reach the surface of the water. As she emerged her eyes fell on the shore and Severus. He was on his knees gazing up at the sun. Suddenly, his body shook violently and his head lolled back. His spine sprung up ramrod straight and a yell seemed wrenched from his throat.

“No!” Serena screamed and she heard a high pitched cackling laugh that seemed to come from the surrounding mountains with no point of origin. Serena’s skin prickled and the hair rose on her neck.

Frantically Serena swam toward Severus. She then heard the high voice shout, “Crucio,” and Severus’ body reacted the same way again. At the sight of his body seizing again Serena wailed and made a garbled sound. Her heart was hurting as it beat wildly in her chest. Suddenly something below wrapped around her ankle and she was being pulled under, away from her lover. She looked down to see enchanted gillyweed entwining green, slimy tendrils around her legs. She pulled at it but the plant banded tightly around her, binding her legs together, causing her to sink lower and lower. The surface no longer within reach, Severus no longer in sight as it pulled her deeper. Her lungs began to burn and her attempts to struggle just caused the entanglement to worsen. Then, unexpectedly, she was falling again, no longer in the water but still entangled and grappling with her bondage.

With a sickening thud, Serena abruptly woke up on the hard cave floor, completely snarled in the bedclothes. At first she struggled but then stopped. She knew this would only make her angry and it could take longer to disengage herself from the mass. Her head was pounding and she shook slightly. She sighed and raised her only free hand to run her palm along the bridge of her nose and up to her forehead in a gesture of exasperation. Perhaps she would make that tea now.

With deliberate concentration Serena raised her wand and removed the sheet from her encased body and flicked it to the bed. She winced as she sat up. Her hip would definitely have a bruise tomorrow. Rising she winced again as she used her sore hand to push herself up. Retrieving the ginseng and peppermint, she brewed tea on the apparatus. After procuring herself a cup she settled into the rocker and covered herself with the throw. As she sipped, the mint was helping soothe her emotions from the dream and her headache was retreating. The dream had disturbed her. Her face twisted into a frown, more like a nightmare, really, she thought. The last time she had had dreams of this nature, Adelaide was alive. She had learned long ago, it usually meant there were hard times ahead but it wasn’t always accurate. What concerned her most was the fact it had portrayed Severus being tortured. She shook her head, it was just a dream, she chided herself. He’s been doing this for ages she told herself and tried to shake her rampant thoughts. However, she couldn’t stop herself from worrying about him.

As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, she felt the wards being lowered and the rock rolled away. She rose from the chair quickly and put down her cup. Silently Severus stood at the entrance and moved slowly to come inside as Serena watched him in concern wringing her hands. Then, as her eyes met his a wave of pain hit her. His aura emanated with it.

“Severus,” she questioned in a ragged whisper.

He reached out a hand to her and she rushed to him. She put his arm around her shoulders and walked him into the cave. She then assisted him to the bed, lowered him to sit and went to lower the wards again. As she returned she heard him sigh. He raised a hand to pinch his nose as he had done earlier. She noticed it shook ever so slightly. He was putting up a good front but she knew he was in pain; quite a bit of it, judging from his aura.

Silently she took one foot and removed his boot, his eyes watching her intently. She then did the same with the other then rose to help him remove his outer robes and levitated them to the coat rack. Finally, she pushed his shoulders to lay him back and he sunk into a soft mound of pillows piled on the bed as another sigh escaped from his throat.

After caressing his face tenderly, Serena rose to retrieve a cup of tea for him. When she brought it to him she helped him take a sip, set it gently on the bedside table and went to his other side to lie next to him. Without a word she took his hands with hers and raised them to her lips. Then, laying her cheek on their clasped hands she sucked in a tentative breath to brace herself.

Their hands glowed golden in the shadows cast about the cave by the torchlight and she felt the pain ebb into her and away from him. Dark and forbidding, the pain descended upon her, clouding her thoughts, but she kept them straight. She needed to do this for him. She felt him try to pull his hands away, however, she held fast. He was in too weak a state to resist much anyway. But as she absorbed his pain, she felt him grow stronger.

When at last the glow was gone, he wrenched his hands from her. With clouded eyes she met his angry ones. “Serena,” he whispered hoarsely. “Why…why did you do this?” He pushed her back, his strength returning.

She looked at him with misted eyes, so deep he could drown in them, “Because I care for you. Because you need your strength and I can sense your pain,” she murmured. “Why should we both suffer?”

A frown crossed his features as he let out a slow breath. He was having a hard time finding an argument for that. He shook his head. He should be infuriated with her.

“Doesn’t last as long if absorbed, anyway,” she gave him a tentative smile but then grimaced.

He rose from the bed feeling stronger than he ever had so soon after being subjected to the Dark Lord’s wrath. He thought on this a bit and made his way to the shelf and picked up a vial. He brought it to her, “Here, drink this, it’s pain killing potion.”

As he tipped the vial to her lips, she drank the thick liquid. She felt the effect almost immediately. Even her hand wasn’t throbbing anymore. She glanced at it fleetingly but he was studying her so intently that he followed her gaze and sucked in his breath. “What happened,” he asked with apprehension and picked up her hand. The strip of cloth she had tied around it earlier was now completely red.

She sat up a bit feeling better now that the potion had acted. She tried to pull her hand from him but he closed his hand around her wrist preventing further movement. “Oh, when you left I decided to clean the mess I made. It is nothing. From a piece of glass. At times I can be a bit, well, clumsy,” she blushed and smiled sheepishly at him.

She heard him mutter something about never letting her meet someone named Tonks and drew his wand. “Evanesco,” he uttered and her bandages disappeared. With great care he held her hand and studied the jagged cut. Blood still oozed from it. He said an incantation and she felt the blood recede. As he murmured another incantation the wound began to knit itself together.

She watched in fascination. If she hadn’t taken the pain killing potion, she imagined this would probably be painful; instead it tickled a little. When the knitting stopped she could barely tell it had been there. “Thank you,” she said simply and lowered her gaze. She watched her uninjured hand play with the duvet.

“No need to mention it my sweet. You have done me a great service,” he used his finger to tug her chin up and their eyes met.

Tentatively, she closed her eyes as their mouths met in a sweet, lingering kiss. She felt his body shift and his arms slide around her. “And now, we sleep,” he told her as their kiss ended.

She welcomed his embrace, finally relieved to see he was safe and back in her arms. “Severus,” she inquired softly.

“Yes?”

“Why…,” she began.

“Hmmm?”

“Why did the Dark Lord do that to you,” she finally got out and felt him stiffen briefly.

“Do not fret my sweet. We will talk in the morning. For now, just sleep,” he murmured, his melodic voice warming her like smooth brandy.

“Yes Severus,” she sighed and drifted off into dreamlessly sweet oblivion.

Severus laid there listening to the rise and fall of her breath. The Dark Lord had been angry. He had no news of Dumbledore to give him. He could only provide some pitiful information about Emmeline Vance that he hoped would lead no where. However, he had faired much better than Wormtail and the Carrows. He had heard their botched assignment to abduct Serena had led to much torture from the Dark Lord. He smirked at this but then frowned again. And now Wormtail had to go to his dwelling because the Dark Lord couldn’t stand the sight of him. This was insufferable.

Without much choice in the matter, Severus had given Wormtail the password, key and told him where to go. However, he dared not leave him there too long on his own. Not that the rat would find anything, but Severus didn’t trust the man. No, the plan was to get Serena to the Castle tomorrow, give it a couple of days and then check on the rat. He sighed. To top it all off, he had grave news for the Headmaster.

Slowly he let out a breath; his life was going in too many circles right now. He felt an attachment to Serena, but it was one he didn’t need right now. Yet, as much as he wanted to deny her he found himself giving in time and again. He inhaled her scent and closed his eyes, thinking of the cavern of light. He tightened his arms around her and she sighed in her sleep. His curiosity was too peaked for now to determinedly push her away. He wanted to know more. With which thought, he drifted off too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena frowned a bit in her drowsy state. Languidly she stretched out an arm and reached for Severus. Her hand met empty space. Rolling her face to the pillow, she could still smell him on it and she smiled. Lazily she opened on eye. She found him sitting in the rocking chair reading. His brow was furrowed in concentration. As if he sensed her waking he glanced over at her and saw her smile sleepily at him.

“Good morning,” he told her and the edges of his mouth turned up a little. “I was beginning to think you were going to sleep all day.”

“Ahhh…what time is it,” Serena raised her arms, arched her back in a lengthy stretch and heard several joints in her spine crack.

He reached in his robes and pulled out a pocket watch. “Just after ten, I have some coffee if you would like some.”

Serena stretched again. Her head felt a bit cloudy and her hip hurt, but otherwise she was none the worse for wear. She quirked a sleepy smile, “That would be nice.” She moved to rise and he rose from his chair.

“No…no, don’t get up. I’ll get it,” his gaze met hers and seemed to pierce her with its intensity. “Light and sweet, correct,” he asked with a raised brow.

She nodded her assent, adjusted the pillows and leaned back. He brought her the coffee and sat facing her on the bed. She accepted the drink from him and smiled her gratitude. She was startled to see him smile back briefly. Cautiously she took a sip and found it perfect. She closed her eyes enjoying the flavor and sweetness, the smells surrounding her, the coffee and him. She shivered slightly.

“Are you cold,” he asked noticing her body tremble.

Slowly she opened her eyes, “No,” she stated flatly. “I’m just really enjoying this, especially the smell and taste surrounding me. Mmmm,” she closed her eyes again.

Suddenly, there it was again. Amazing, he thought. A simple cup of coffee and the woman drew so much more into it, making it an experience. The affect on him was bittersweet. He cleared his throat, “As soon as we can get ready we are going to the Castle today. Some developments last night are going to call me away in a few days and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” he told her quietly.

She opened her eyes quickly and looked at him with concern. “What happened?”

“Nothing to worry about, really. The Dark Lord was quite angry with one of my fellow Death Eaters for not abducting you. Pettigrew is the Dark Lord’s assistant and now he no longer wishes him in his sight. Therefore, he is staying at my residence for the time being,” he finished matter-of-fact.

“That was the man, the rat,” Serena inquired as a grimace crossed her face.

“Yes, one and the same, I’m afraid,” he told her and saw her shudder a bit.

Pettigrew’s aura had been awful. It radiated his lust and weakness; his anxiety. So this was why, Voldemort did not receive failure very warmly, she thought. Serena captured his obsidian eyes with her deep green ones. “His aura isn’t very appealing,” she told him intently. “Please be careful around him Severus,” she laid a hand on his and he turned his over.

Interlocking his warm fingers with hers he stared into her worried gaze, “I intend to, do not worry.” He leaned forward and gave into the pull between them and captured her lips with his in a delightful, lengthy kiss then pulled away. “Come, let’s get up and get ready. I would love to show you around the Castle before we get settled into the library to continue our search,” he said, somewhat brightly. She smiled and rose as he pulled her up by her hands from the bed then made her way to the partition to retrieve what she would need for just a few days.

TBC.

A/N: Okay, this one was a bit shorter but I needed a bridge. I hope you liked it. Chapter 12, granted it doesn't give me any hang-ups, I am hoping to put up by the weekend. Happy Reading! Stef =o)

[goddessmcg]

wee I have just discovered this story! It is fabulous!!!! I can't wait for your next update!!! I have been reading Resolving a Misunderstanding by MMADfan and this is right up there with it quality of writing wise!! And I can hardly wait to find out how she reacts when she meets Minerva....and if Snape manages to help her remember before that meeting...or perhaps she remembers because of the shock!!! Please please don't wait to long before you update

[stefdarlin]

goddessmcg said:

wee I have just discovered this story! It is fabulous!!!! I can't wait for your next update!!! I have been reading Resolving a Misunderstanding by MMADfan and this is right up there with it quality of writing wise!! And I can hardly wait to find out how she reacts when she meets Minerva....and if Snape manages to help her remember before that meeting...or perhaps she remembers because of the shock!!! Please please don't wait to long before you update

Thank you so much for the review. I am so glad you like my story. I am also reading Resolving a Misunderstanding. MMADfan is one of my favorite fanfic authors too so I am flattered by your comment. ;D

You do not have long to wait for an update. I am planning on posting Sunday afternoon, earlier if I can get everything I want done.

Cheers!

Stef =o)

[bethj4013]

Great story sorry I haven't posted in a while I was at my parents and all they have is dial up internet so nothing but quick e-mail checks for me I look forward to reading more