I've been bitten by the Potter bug! Although I've been a Snape fan for some time. After watching all the films I've been inspired to write my own fanfic with my own OC.
NOTE: This is a Snape!mentor/fatherly fic. More will be revealed as it goes.
DISCLAIMER: i DO NOT own anything Harry Potter! J.K. Rowling does!(such an imaginative woman!)
The day was sunny with a cool breeze.
Serus Acklamage sat in the garden of her families' mansion. Her dark brown eyes zeroed in on a ladybug as it crawled all around a dandelion leaf. She reached out a finger and deftly touched its spotted shell. The ladybug then crawled onto her small finger giving her a tingly sensation that ran from her finger, up her arm, and through her chest. After closely observing the tiny insect, Serus gently set it back down onto the leaf where it crawled down the leaf and began to snack on it. To the muggle eye, she appears to be a seven year-old girl with raven black hair done in loose pig-tails wearing a light green dress with a dark green jumper and black buckled shoes. But Serus was actually ten years-old. Her birthday was tomorrow. But Serus showed no excitement for her eleventh birthday. In fact, she almost showed no emotion at all.
Her mother worked for the Ministry of Magic as a record keeper while her father worked as an Auror to track down rogue wizards and witches. Serus had been in the care of several nannies since infancy; hence she never felt any real connection towards her "parents." But when forced to go out with her parents, she hides behind her mother and buries her face in her skirts. She sees her mother as the more comforting figure in her life. When she would get timid and hide herself, her mother would coo at her and pat her head. Her father only acknowledged her. Allaric Acklamage always stared at her with a judgmental look in his eye, as if he was waiting for her to step out of bounds. He felt more like a stranger than the loving father-type that she would see in the men that hug their children with love in their eyes.
Serus kept her eye on the ladybug as it ate the dandelion leaf to nothing. She slowly reached her finger to touch it again-"Ms. Acklamage!" The ladybug spread its wings and flew off before Serus could reach it. Serus turned herself to the flustered nanny Marjorie and gave her a disappointed face. Marjorie picked her up by her arms receiving a very annoyed yowl from the child.
"Ms. Acklamage! Your parents need you in the sitting room. Oh no! You've soiled your dress!" exclaimed Marjorie as she tried in vain to brush the dirt of the seat off her dress. Giving up, she rushed Serus inside the doors only to run into Mr. Acklamage who looked at Marjorie then turned angrily towards the dirty child.
"What is the meaning of this? She's filthy!"
The terrified nanny hurriedly gathered herself. "Forgive me Master Allaric! She was sitting in garden again. I'll wash her up right away."
"Then don't just stand there! Get her clean! And for Merlin's sake, dress her appropriately!" Allaric replied in frustration.
"Yes Mr. Acklamage!"
Allaric Acklamage was a very intimidating man. That fact was true. That fact kept Marjorie and the mansion staff on their toes. She led a reluctant Serus inside the lavatory and then proceeded to take off her dirty dress. Serus struggled defiantly when the nanny tried to place her in the tub.
"Stop that this instant Ms. Serus!" Serus sneered at her as best she could. "Don't you give me that look young lady! You're getting a bath whether you like it or not!" Serus groaned in frustration as she was placed in the tub. The nanny pulled out her wand and pointed it to the tub. "Aguamenti." The tub magically filled with warm water. Serus sat in the water with angry look on her face as she was washed and scrubbed clean. Afterwards she was taken out, wrapped in a towel, and taken to her room. She dreaded being dressed up, so she dodged and ducked the nanny as she tried to dress her in a green plaid dress.
"Hold still you!"
"NO!" shouted Serus.
Mrs. Millicent Acklamage suddenly entered the door. "What is going on here? Why isn't she dressed?"
"Oh Mrs. Acklamage! She won't listen to a word I say." responds the frustrated nanny as she holds Serus by her arms. Serus struggled to free herself and succeeded. She ran across the room throwing away her towel.
"Oh please!" Millicent reveals her wands. "Accio dress!" The dress magically covered Serus, stopping her in her tracks. Serus looked at herself and screeched while stomping her feet. "Stop behaving like a toddler! You must look your best for your father's colleagues." She then took Serus by the hand and led her downstairs.
Serus hated when her father invited over his so-called "friends." The looks they gave her made her feel more tiny and vulnerable than she already is. Being especially small for her age really didn't help her self-esteem. She especially despised the tall blond man named Lucius Malfoy. The air about him was stagnant and suffocating, as if it was trying to drain the life out her. Serus liked his wife Narcissa though. She would greet her sweetly in a calm and affectionate way, always praise how much she's grown (despite that she's barely grown an inch since her eighth birthday), and sometimes had sweets to give. Candy was practically banned in her home, so it was something to look forward too. She's heard about them having a son her age, but had yet to meet him. Being an only child was no fun when there's nobody to play with but stressed out nannies.
When Serus and her mother reached the sitting room, Serus immediately saw Mr. Malfoy standing near the fireplace with that usual soul-sucking air about him. She looked around the room and was severely disappointed to find no Narcissa. Her day just went from boring to awful. Then her father stood up and looked at her up and down to make sure she was decent enough to be in his presence. He then turned to Lucius.
"Lucius. I believe you know my daughter, Serus?"
Lucius looked to her and gave her a smile. It made her shiver. "Hello Serus. I hear your birthday celebration is tomorrow. My wife and son will also be in attendance. You haven't met my son Draco, have you?" Serus shook her head. "He's around your age. I'm sure the two of you will get along just fine."
Her mother patted her shoulders. "She looks forward to it. It isn't often she has other children to pay with. Isn't that right Serus?"
Serus said nothing. Lucius eyed her at her lack of response. Serus backed into her mother at his scrutiny of her.
"Timid little thing, isn't she?" Lucius says to her father. Allaric bit his lip to keep from spouting an insult at her.
"Yes. One of her few...drawbacks. But she loves reading. She's just about read all my family tomes. Right Serus?" He stared at her intensely, which meant he demanded a verbal response.
"...Yes." she squeaked. Serus felt as if she was standing naked in front of a crowd. Lucius gave her that creepy smile again and sat himself down.
Her mother Millicent left her side and went to sit next to her father. Serus quickly shuffled over to the comfy rocker, sat down, and began to rock herself. She then grabbed to nearest piece of script she could find and opened it. It turned out to be one of her mother's muggle books from her days out to muggle London. It was titled To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The author sounded American. Regardless, she made herself comfy and began to read. Her parents had begun a conversation with Mr. Malfoy, but Serus tuned them out.
(Three hours later)
Just as Serus was in middle of Jim's conflict with Mrs. Dubois, Lucius Malfoy showed himself out. Serus sighed in relief when he walked out the door. She put down the book and made her way to the doors that led to the gardens. But Marjorie caught her before she could reach the handle.
"Now Serus, its starting to get dark outside. Which means it's almost bedtime. Now run up to your room and get in your jammies." Serus looked at her with disappointment and anger. "Now Serus. Don't look at me like that. You have to save your energy for tomorrow. Eleven years old! I can't believe your going to be old enough to go school soon." At this, Serus sulked. Her mother was so excited for her to go school and make something of herself. But Serus didn't share her excitement. "Come on love. If you want, I'll read you the book you were reading before." Serus cracked a small smile and nodded. She took Marjorie's hand and walked with her to her bedroom.
Serus was actually terrified of going to school. She had never been too far from home for so long, and she was scared of the idea of being around so many strangers. Her mother's choice of school was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since it was close to home and where she and her father went to school. But her father had brought up the idea of shipping her off to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic located in France. Serus's mother was strongly against the idea. Serus didn't like it either.
When Serus and Marjorie reached her room, Marjorie left to retrieve the book in the sitting room while Serus dressed into her nightwear. After Serus dressed herself in her nightgown, Marjorie walked in and gestured her to get in bed. Serus crawled on her bed and wrapped herself in her blankets. Marjorie reached to where Serus left off and read to her until she had closed her eyes. Thinking she's asleep, Marjorie closed the book, waved her hand to douse the candles, and closed her bedroom door behind her.
Once the door was closed, Serus opened her eyes. Marjorie's voice was soothing, but not enough to lull her to sleep. Sleep was an elusive thing to her, even when she was a baby. Serus enjoyed when Marjorie would be affectionate towards her, but she wished it was her mother giving her affection. All Serus really wanted was for her parents to show they truly loved her. Serus rolled on her side and lie awake until her eyes finally closed on their own accord.
"Ms. Acklamage! Time to wake up now!" crowed Marjorie. Serus's eyes snapped opened and was bombarded by sunlight when Marjorie opened the curtains. Serus yowled and cocooned herself in her blankets. "I'll have none of that young lady! Get up and get dressed RIGHT NOW!" ordered the nanny. But Serus ignored her. Suddenly her blankets were ripped away, causing her to scream. "Stop your shouting and get up this instant!" Serus huffed and got up and walked to her closet. "Your mother wants you to be dressed in your best dress. NO squirming!" ordered the nanny as she pulled out a green dress with silver lining. Serus's face soured but she didn't fidget when Marjorie dressed her in the party dress. After she was dressed, and her done in loose pigtails again, Serus was led to the sitting room passing the mansion staff that was decorating the halls with green and silver streamers. It wasn't because they were her favorite colors. It was mostly her father's idea. He was a true Slytherin all the way. He wanted to influence Serus in anyway that would make her attain Slytherin traits. He thinks surrounding her in Slytherin colors will make her get a feel for such things. Serus only grew to detest the color green.
When she reached the sitting room, her mother instantly gushed at the sight of her. "Oh Serus! You look wonderful! Doesn't she look gorgeous Allaric?" Millicent looked to her husband for a response. Allaric only gave a slight nod. Serus made her way to her favorite rocker and sat until guests began to stream in.
When the sitting room became crowded, the guests were moved to party site. The gardens. Serus hated that there was so many people in her quiet area. She had half a mind to walk away from her party to the lake down the hill. In fact she decided just that. But before she could reach the gate, she was stopped by a silver snake head to the shoulder.
"Ahhhh!" screamed Serus. She HATES snakes! When she turned around, she saw it wasn't real. Only the top of a cane, wielded by none other than Lucius Malfoy.
"My apologies Miss Serus. I didn't mean to frighten you." Lucius gave a small bow in apology. Serus only nodded in response. "I thought I would introduce you to my son Draco. Come with me." Serus reluctantly agreed and followed. She soon spotted Narcissa with a silver blond boy who looked almost exactly like Lucius. She approached apprehensively.
When Narcissa spotted her, she summoned her over with a wave of her hand. "Happy Birthday Serus! Come over here sweetie." Serus walked over and silently hoped that Narcissa had sweets in those pockets of her pretty black dress. When she reached them, Narcissa gave her a pat on the head and turned her by her shoulders to look straight at the young boy beside her. "This is my son that I told you about. Draco, this is Serus." Draco gave his mother an exasperated look that said 'I don't want to be here!' Serus felt his pain. "Draco. Say hello!" Narcissa persisted.
Draco apprehensively reached out his hand. "Hello Serus. I'm Draco." he says in a polite tone. She was weary at first, but she slowly reached her hand out the grasp his in a firm handshake. Draco took this opportunity to study her hand and he suddenly blurts, "Whoa! Your hand is tiny!"
"Draco! Where are your manners?" scolded his mother.
"What? What did I say?"
"Apologize to little Serus immediately!"
Draco huffed at his mother and turned to Serus. "Sorry." Serus only nodded. Draco seemed okay. He didn't have that eerie feel about him like his father, and he seemed like a confident person. Something she was most definitely not.
"Oh dear! I almost forgot!" Narcissa's hands went for her pockets. Her left pulled out not a sweet, but a tiny silver wrapped box. While her right pulled out her wand. She then waved her wand over the small box. "Engorgio." The box suddenly tripled in size! Then it hit Serus, it was a present! "Happy Birthday sweetling!" Narcissa then handed the box to her. It was big enough for Serus to hold with both hands. "Well go on. Open it." she urged.
Serus looked at it and began to rip at the silvery paper to reveal a white box. She threw the paper out of her way(which promptly poofed away) and lifted the lid from the box. What Serus saw filled her with disappointment.
It was another green dress. With silver lace and a big ribbon. Green and silver. Just like all her other dresses.
Narcissa became concerned of her despondence. "What's the matter sweetie? Don't you like it?" Serus quickly looked up at her and responded.
"Yes Mrs. Malfoy. I like it very much." She then forced a smile.
Narcissa gushed and patted her sweetly. She then took the dress to be laid out on the gift table where plenty more presents await. Not that Serus cared very much. Material gifts can't spur happiness. Unlike other privileged children, Serus never wanted for nothing. She was given everything that she needed, but never what she truly wanted. One time, she asked her parents for a normal pair of trousers instead of a dress. Her mother screamed and shouted that she was raising a young lady, not a tomboy. Those questions were immediately thrown out of her thoughts.
"Hey! Something wrong?" Serus jumped! She had completely forgotten about Draco. Serus shook her head. Draco held out a hand and she slowly took it. "Let's go open the rest the gifts. One of them has got to be better than a stupid ol' dress. Don't you think?" Serus nodded and walked with Draco to the gift table. When they got there, Serus just stood there. Draco looked at her and said, "What are you waiting for? Choose one and tear it open!" His bold attitude surprised Serus. She would receive a chewing out if she ever spoke out of turn like that. She deftly reached for the small green package.
"SERUS ACKLAMAGE!"
Serus jumped so high she slipped and fell straight onto her rump. Her mother stared at her with disappointment and anger.
"You know better to wait for me to tell you when you can open gifts! You just might not get to open them today if you act up one more time! Understand?"
Serus looked at her from her position on the ground and nodded like mad.
"Speak up young lady!"
"Yes Mother." Serus solemnly replied.
"Good." Millicent then turned her attention to Draco. "Draco darling! You've grown so much. The last time I saw you, you were just a lil tot! You're growing into a handsome young man."
Draco stared at her for a few moments, then quietly replied, "Um...Thank you ma'am." Millicent squealed then kissed his cheek, and walked away leaving Serus sitting in the grass. Once she was far enough, Draco hastily rubbed his cheek clean of any trace of that disgusting kiss.
"And I thought my Mum was annoying. Your's seems insufferable." Draco looked at Serus for a response only to receive silence. Serus still sat on the ground with that solemn look on her face. Draco nudged her shoulder and she finally looked at him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told to you open one in the first place had I known your mum would flip out the way she did. Is there anywhere we can get away from these boring adults?"
Serus perked up a bit at his question. The thought of fleeing momentarily from this suffocating crowd appealed to her immensely. Serus thought for moment and found a solution. She helped herself up and held her hand out for Draco. Draco took it and she led him out of the garden gates and to the east side hill. Once over the hill, she pointed to where they could sit. Draco was amazed at what he saw.
A massive lake with white sands. Serus walked over to an over-turned boulder and sat them down. They sat in silence for while just staring at the water, away from the mindless chatter of the snobbish adults.
Draco finally broke the silence. "So... What do you like to do?"
Serus looked to him and softly replied. "Read."
"What's so fun about reading? Its boring if you ask me."
"The story." Serus responds.
Serus and Draco had a light conversation. He asked her questions and she would answer in a soft voice. They stayed like that for next hour.
Meanwhile at the gardens, the house elves were readying the cake for cutting and Millicent scanned the gardens for her daughter. Finding no sight of her, she walked over to Narcissa.
"Where is Serus?"
Narcissa looked around and couldn't find any sign of Serus or her son Draco. "I know Draco and her were at the gift table last I saw them. Maybe they wandered off somewhere."
Millicent exhaled in frustration. "There's only one place I can think of that Serus would slip away to." Millicent made her way over the hill to the lake with Narcissa. Just as she thought, there sat Serus and Draco on her usual boulder by the shore.
"Serus! It's time to cut your cake!" shouted Millicent.
Serus and Draco jumped at the sound of her voice. The two turned around to see their mothers waiting at the top of the hill. Draco stood up and held a hand out to Serus.
"Come on. After cake is presents you know!" Draco says to try to encourage Serus. Serus took his hand and stood up, brushed off her skirt and walked towards their mothers. They were then led to the dining table where their fathers awaited as well as a size-able chocolate cake with eleven candles flickering in the middle. Serus was led by her mother's hands on her shoulders to sit in the "guest of honor" chair right in front of the cake. Unlike muggle birthdays where friends and family would sing for the birthday child, her father only gave a speech.
Allaric Acklamage raised his glass of brandy in the air and said, "A toast to my daughter celebrating another year around the sun. To Serus!"
Everyone raised their glasses and said, "To Serus!"
After being given a gesture by her mother, Serus turned to the cake and with little to no effort, blew out the candles. The guests gave a light applause and then cake was served. Serus received the first piece and picked up her fork and dug into it. But once she popped the cake in her mouth, she immediately spat it out on the ground. It wasn't chocolate like she thought. It was bitter and unsweet. Not like a cake should be in her mind. When her mother turned and saw the spit-up cake, she looked to Serus who barely touched her cake.
"Serus! Don't be picky! It's cake and I know you like cake!" her mother scolded.
Serus made a face and softly complained, "It's bitter."
"Of course. Dark chocolate is suppose to be bitter. But its still chocolate. So eat it!" Millicent whispered harshly into her ear.
Unsweetened chocolate cake. The mere thought of it made her stomach lurch in disgust. Her mother stood behind her chair, eyeing her like a vulture as she unwillingly shoveled the sugarless cake into her mouth. It took all her strength not to vomit it back up. When her plate was empty, she shoved it away and put her hands in her lap.
Her mother saw her empty plate and says, "Finished already? I suppose we should move on to the gifts then." Serus's eyes lit up at that notion. She pushed herself out of her chair and walked over to the gift table. She didn't dare touch them without her mother's permission unless she wanted to endure another one of her hateful scoldings.
Her mother pointed her towards the chair at the end of the long table. Serus took her seat and was shown a pretty green box in gold ribbon.
"This is from Auntie Cora from Brussels. Open it." Serus ignored her description of the obscure relative and tore away when given word to. When she opened the box, inside was a pair of fancy dress slippers. Serus put it aside and went for the next one having to hear her mother's drawl of how it was from "Uncle That" and "Auntie This" before she could rip away at the gift wrapping. So far she had received two pairs of black buckle shoes, several school books, and more green clothes. When all the gifts had disappeared from the table, Serus began to stand with intent on going back to her spot by the lake, but her mother held her down by her shoulders.
"Not yet Serus. I think you have one more gift left." She looked to Narcissa and Draco. "Draco?"
With a tiny nudge from his mother, Draco made his way over to Serus with a small square package in his hands. When he got to her, he held it out and said, "Happy Birthday." Serus took it and peeled the wrapping off to reveal a book titled A Children's Anthology of Monsters. Something interesting for once. Serus gave Draco a small smile. "Thank you." Draco smiled back. The two mothers looked at each others eyes in pride. Serus went to take Draco's hand but once again she was stopped but not by her mother, instead it was her nanny Marjorie. She saw her running to the gift table and froze. In her hands, she held a huge red square box.
"Sorry Ms. Serus. But I just had to wait to give you my gift last. I know you're going to love it!" Marjorie set it in front of her and Serus sat back down. "Go on. Look inside." Serus gave the box a once over. It was red, unlike all her green gifts, and it had holes on the top. She slowly removed the top and peered inside. She saw a black furry creature lying on its side. It suddenly looked up and made a mewling sound. Serus reached in and picked up the animal into the sunlight revealing it to be a small black kitten. Serus smiled when the kitten gave her nose a lick.
Allaric Acklamage and his wife did not look the least bit pleased. They leered at Marjorie, but she just smiled and gave Serus a hug and said, "At school, you're allowed to bring certain animals with you if you choose to. I thought you could use a friend. Isn't she precious?"
Serus smiled at Marjorie and brought her new kitten into her arms which made it purr. "Thank you Marjorie." she said out of genuine happiness. Serus loved her new pet. She had never even been allowed to have a puppy, so being given a pet was the greatest thing in the world to her at that moment.
Mr. and Mrs. Acklamage approached her with stern looks on their faces. Serus held her kitten closer. She didn't want them to take her away after she only just got her. Her father looked at the little creature and saw how Serus held it so close her as if it would disappear at any moment. He then looked to Serus who held a sad look in her eyes.
"Don't give me that look. You can keep the little rat. But its under your care! Don't expect any help from me or your mother!" Serus nodded and smiled. She gave her kitten a kiss and handed her to Marjorie to place her in Serus's room. Millicent then approached her and started to speak.
"Your party is almost reaching its end. But your birthday won't be over til midnight." She then reached into her pocket and pulled out three slips of paper. "I've got you a nice present. Three tickets to this very interesting looking play in London." She handed Serus her ticket and Serus looked at the show name.
It read Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The named sounded morbid, but Serus thought a play with such a grim title could be, as her mother put it, interesting.
"You better go inside when the guests leave and get dressed in one of your evening gowns. I also expect you to be on your best behavior. Understand?" Serus nodded. "Better see your guests off now. Say bye to Draco especially."
Serus and her parents said their farewells to their guests as the walked into the green flames of their floo port. The last to leave were the Malfoys. Serus and Draco hung back as their parents conversed and began to speak with each other.
"Fun party, huh?" Draco asked with a hint of sarcasm. Serus didn't seem offended though.
"Its okay. I thought it was awfully boring too." she replied. "It was nice to meet you." says Serus as she reached out her hand. Serus actually liked Draco. He was in no way like his intimidating father, and he was nice enough to hold a civil conversation with.
"Nice to meet you too." Draco responds and takes her hand in a firm handshake. "Will I be seeing you at Hogwarts this year?"
Serus didn't know what to say to this. But quickly responded the best she could. "I hope so. My parents are still debating on what school to send me too."
Draco only smiled and said, "If you end up in Slytherin house, you have a guaranteed place with my friends. Housemates look out for fellow housemates after all."
Serus could only force a smile at this. Ending up in Slytherin would please her father, but she feared she wouldn't belong with the more cunning folk of the house of snakes. She feared she didn't belong with anyone.
After they separated hands, Draco's mother called him over and the family flooed home. Once they were gone, Serus walked to her room to change. She entered her room to find her black kitten sleeping on her bed. She smiled and deftly stroked its sleepy head. She didn't know what to name her yet, but she decided to sleep on it and think about it tomorrow. Serus then walked to her closet and put on the least revolting green evening gown she had. After she was dressed, she walked back down to the sitting where her parents, dressed in their finest muggle clothing, waited.
Her mother saw her and beckoned her to her side. The family walked to the fireplace that worked as their floo port and each took a handful of floo powder. Her father went first and shouted "Old Bailey!" He threw the powder at his feet and disappeared in roaring green flames. Her mother and her went next and did the same.
Serus actually looked forward to this macabre looking play.
Whatcha think?
If you find any spelling or grammar mistakes, LET ME KNOW! I feel very embarrassed when I find errors in my stories, but I MUST KNOW so I can correct them immediately!
Next up: Serus takes in a killer show and gets ready for school!
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