Serenity and Draco were going house to house getting hopped up on sugar and kept accidentally setting their candy flying. While funny at first it had grown to be particularly annoying.
"I think you've had enough," Narcissa said to them as they headed back to the manor. They'd only gone to a handful of other Witch and Wizard's house but they gave the children much more than they needed. Draco was just walking and Serenity had 'accidentally' knocked him over multiple times. So Narcissa just decided to carry him. She was out for Serenity since Draco was still a little young to understand what was going on.
"Mwore candy!" Serenity squealed and Draco nodded eagerly in agreement.
"We're going home," Narcissa said and as they passed a few witches who stared at them with dirty looks. Narcissa anxiously held Draco clutching him tightly in her arms. Serenity seemed rather content skipping alongside her. "Serenity, Dear take my hand." Narcissa got home to find Lucius pacing around the house.
"When is Severus coming to get her?" He asked almost immediately.
"She's staying until Wednesday, I promised Severus, He's felt rather stressed and I didn't see the harm in her staying another couple of nights. Why is something wrong." She replied setting Draco down on the floor watching him fondly as he and Serenity ran towards the toys.
"Dobby! Send them to bed." He snapped and then shouted for him to bring him a drink afterward. "Bellatrix stopped by, with news, the Dark Lord, he has fallen." He said in a hushed whisper as Dobby escorted the children upstairs.
Narcissus felt her stomach drop and she clutched on the nearest chair to support herself. "What, but how?" She gasped her mind running through a million possibilities.
"He was defeated at the Potter's after he killed James and Lily."
Narcissa had to sit down, putting her head in her hands. "By whom?"
"Harry Potter, their son."
"Their son! He's younger than Draco!"
Lucius nodded grimly, "I daresay that boy will be the next Dark Lord."
Draco and Serenity woke up to shouting. They looked at each other rather confused as they climbed off the bed. Draco grabbed Serenity's hand as they made their way to climb downstairs. "Master! You want breakfast?" Dobby, the house elf squeaked running up to them. "
"Blooburries!" Serenity shouted excitedly. Draco asked for pancakes and Dobby popped out to the kitchen.
Draco and Serenity finally made their way to the sitting room where Draco's parents and Severus were shouting at each other. "The ministry will be here any moment to question you both. You must be careful!" Serenity released Draco's hand as she ran to Severus to hug him. His face relaxed at the sight of her and he picked her up safely in his arms.
"Who was it that led him to the Potter's though?" Narcissa asked as she beckoned Draco to her side. "Sirius Black, I wasn't even aware he had joined the Dark Lord." Lucius shook his head as cast a glance at Narcissa who looked rather shocked. "Who
"Sirius Black, I wasn't even aware he had joined the Dark Lord." Lucius shook his head as cast a glance at Narcissa who looked rather surprised.
"Who Serus?" Serenity asked curiously. Severus tensed up slightly which Narcissa noticed but Lucius seemed unaware of it as he grabbed a briefcase off the table
"He's nobody, don't worry honey, go eat breakfast with Draco." Severus sighed as he put her down, watching as she and Draco scrambled off to the kitchen.
"I have to get to work, the best thing we can do is remain neutral," Lucius said and Narcissa and Severus agreed. He left looking rather shaken up but relieved at the same time. As soon as he walked out the front door Narcissa turned to stare at Severus.
"If you did know who Serenity's father was, I'd advise you told nobody, especially now, considering he's slaughtered 12 muggles and is on his way to Azkaban," Narcissa whispered quietly and the color drained from Severus' already pale face. "Because I love her very much, no matter who she is born from, even if it was from my traitor family members. But I don't think many others would see it the same." She continued as she walked away to the kitchen.
"How long have you known?" Severus asked in a hushed whisper as he followed her.
"I could tell for about a year now, she's his as clear as Draco is Lucius's." She replied sitting down at the table next to Draco smoothing down his hair.
"Have you said anything, to anyone?" Severus asked anxiously and she shook her head.
"I'll keep the secret safe, I'll protect her always." She replied smiling at Serenity who was munching on berries.
"I have to be somewhere, will you watch her the rest of the day?" Severus asked and Narcissa nodded as she watched the two children eat their breakfast and talk about dragons.
Severus walked into the Headmaster's office, his heart racing and anger coursing through him. "You were supposed to protect them." He said the moment he walked in, slamming the door behind him.
"They put their faith in the wrong person Severus, just like you, I do believe you asked the Dark Lord to spare her." Severus's body shook with tears as the image of Harry screaming and Lily's body on the floor ran through his mind. Severus and Albus went back and forth before Severus was finally somewhat relaxed. "I have an offer for you, Severus," Albus said as he sat down at his desk. "How would you like to take over the job of Potions Teacher?"
Severus shook his head. "I can't, Serenity-"
"Could stay here at Hogwarts as well, We have ample house elves who could look after her." Severus continued shaking his head.
"That would be going against a dozen rules."
"I do believe it is I who is in charge of the school, You'll start in September." He said not giving Severus a chance to respond.
A week later Severus found himself once again at Malfoy Manor, where Narcissa and he were trying to soothe a crying Draco and Serenity. "Why Bella go away!" Serenity cried stomping her foot her curls falling in her face.
"Bellatrix was gonna teach me how to fly a broom." Draco wailed. Severus and Narcissa felt dumbfounded on what to say to them.
"Bellatrix had to go away, she may come back," Narcissa said soothingly which did very little to relax them.
"Why she go. Does she hate me?" Serenity sniffled and Severus sighed patting down her hair.
"No, she loves you both okay. I promise you'll see her again." Narcissa lied but Draco and Serenity seemed to relax at this.
"Dobby made some brownies, why don't you have one?" Severus suggested and they both light up at this as they ran off shouting for Dobby.
Next August came around and in typical fashion, Severus was at the Malfoy's trying to break up Draco and Serenity who were clinging to each other as if their lives depended on it. "I no leave Draco!" The stubborn three-year-old shouted.
"It's just til Christmas, and then you'll have all summer after that." Severus sighed pulling Serenity away from Draco who was sobbing.
"Pwomise." Draco whimpered wiping tears from his eyes.
Lucius nodded at his crying son. "Although I can't believe you're gonna be working for Dumbledore, Severus seems a bit odd." He said thoughtfully and Severus shrugged.
"Well Draco, give Serenity her present and then you gotta let them go," Narcissa said ruffling Draco's hair.
Draco ran off towards the corner and grabbed a purple bag and then hurried to give it to Serenity. She squealed as she pulled a stuffed Mooncalf. "Thanks, Draco!" Serenity pecked him on the cheek hugging him tightly. Draco's ears turned scarlet but he hugged her back.
"Bye, Renny." He sniffed letting her go. Serenity sobbed a reply before Severus finally lifted her and carried her out the door. Feeling his heart break as she cried for Draco, clutching to her Mooncub.
Severus felt a certain nostalgic feeling as he walked into the familiar castle with Serenity trailing behind him. It had held the worst and best years of his life. Serenity screamed as Peeves dove down in front of her in an attempt to scare her.
"It's not nice to scare people." She said sternly and Peeves grinned before speeding off. Severus spotted the familiar face of Professor McGonagall, she smiled at him and Serenity.
"It's nice to see you Severus, and this must be Serenity." Serenity gave her a toothy grin.
McGonagall gave them directions to Severus' classroom and office/bedroom.
"Do I go to school here daddy?" Serenity asked as they walked through towards the dungeon. She was in awe of the ghosts and paintings.
"You will, but not for a long time." He said and she pouted.
"Why not now?"
"You have to be 11." He said and she scowled at him causing him to chuckle.
"Severus! Good to see yer, lad!" Shouted Hagrid from down the floor and Severus sighed to turn around and greet him.
"You as well Hagrid, I don't believe you've met Serenity, have you?"
Hagrid shook his enormous head and smiled down at Serenity who stared at him in wonder, "I was just on my way to go tend to the owls, but I thought I'd say hello." He said in a friendly voice.
Serenity's eyes widened, "I love owls!" She shouted excitedly.
"Wanna help me feed 'em" He grunted and Severus gave him an apprehensive glance. "I can 'andle a Hippogriff I can take care of her," Hagrid said defensively.
"You will keep her away from the Hippogriffs," Severus said as Serenity ran towards Hagrid. Hagrid gave a less than assuring nod before leading her away towards the Owlery. Severus sighed praying all her limbs would be intact by the end of the day.
Serenity had taken to Hagrid even more so than Bellatrix, and Hagrid just thought she was the cutest thing he had even seen. Dumbledore had informed all the staff of who Serenity's father was, simply because they kept asking and Dumbledore knew they all wouldn't say anything. Everyone was extremely shocked, Hagrid cried wondering how a traitorous murder could produce such a perfect little girl. McGonagall had taught Serenity to read and she would bring her books to read while she spent most of her days hidden away from students in Severus' office or Hagrid's hut.
By the time she turned six she was learning very basic potions, some that even first years struggled with. Albus wasn't a fan of Serenity learning magic so young at first but then decided that they were already breaking rules by keeping her a secret from the ministry and allowing her to live at Hogwarts, how bad could making a forgetfulness potion be, he had wanted to say something against it at first but he ended up forgetting what that was so he went with it.
Serenity spent a lot of time with Professor Sprout as well, she loved helping her tend to some of the less dangerous plants, Hagrid let her take care of some of the gentle creatures and Snape taught her math and reading after he finished teaching Potions for the day. Serenity took very little interest in Transfiguration and Charms, but perhaps that was a good thing, as brilliant as she was, there was something unsettling about a six-year-old girl turning mice into mugs, and Serenity was far too young for a wand, she seemed to love her life at Hogwarts and always managed to cheer up all the teachers after a particularly stressful day with her charming personality and somewhat borderline inappropriate humor. Severus could only assume she got it from her time with Hagrid.
But as much as Serenity loved life at Hogwarts, her favorite time of the year was the two weeks at the end of every summer she would spend at Malfoy Manor along with visiting nearly every day prior to that, She wrote Draco nearly every day, but he couldn't write as well as her and she would much rather be at the mansion with him playing with toy wands and broomsticks. So when the school year came to a close Serenity couldn't stop talking about the broomsticks Mr. Malfoy had gotten Draco and how they were gonna fly, and learn to play Quidditch.
August came around and Mrs. Malfoy had taken Serenity and Draco to Diagon Alley, she had some errands to run and they loved the sweets. "Now Serenity, you're in charge, you're to stay here and not leave okay," Narcissa explained as she led them towards Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"Mrs. Malfoy, I'm seven years old, I assure you I'm more than capable." Serenity replied in an overly sassy voice, earning a giggle from Draco.
"Don't leave Miss Sassy," Narcissa said laughing lightly at the two children. Draco and Serenity ran up to order their treats, Serenity got an Ice Pop and Draco had taken to a particularly nasty looking sundae.
Serenity and Draco took their seats by the window watching people walk by as they ate. " My daddy told me that there are books that talk to you," Draco said as he stuffed ice cream into his mouth, getting most of it on his face.
Serenity's eyes widened in awe. "Where?" She gasped before licking her pop.
"The bookstore. DUH." Draco replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Serenity perked up looking towards the bookstore, in awe of an exceptionally large family of redheads made their way into a store. "Daddy says that they're bad,"
One of them seemed to notice Serenity staring and stuck his tongue out at her. He had lots of freckles and couldn't have been much older then Serenity.
"They seem it." Serenity said offendedly, turning away from the window. But her mind went back to the book that spoke.
"I wanna go see the book." Serenity announced climbing out of her seat.
"Momma said that we're to stay here," Draco said horrified at the idea of Serenity leaving.
"I'm just gonna have a peek, besides where is 'here' really," Serenity said coolly, making air quotes around the word 'here'. Draco scrunched up his nose shaking his head.
"I think she meant here, here."
Serenity ignored him jumping out of her seat. "I'll be back before your mom, it'll be totally fine. Just stay in your seat." Serenity said in a bossy tone before running out to the bookstore.
Serenity entered the bookstore, taking notice of the boy who had stuck his tongue out at her, then she realized there were two of them and she stared in wonder. They noticed her staring and smirked running over to her. Serenity's heart sped up and she ran to the back of the store dodging bookshelves to avoid them.
"Oi! What were you staring at." Said one of the boys as the cornered her.
"Nothing much." Serenity said, a rather stern look on her face.
"Fred! George where are you! Did you take Ginny's doll!" A voice shouted across the shop. They boys both looked rather startled and looked around frantically for a place to hide. They ducked behind a bookshelf as a plump looking woman, with flaming red hair ran towards Serenity.
"Where are your parents." She said taking note of Serenity.
"Outside." Serenity lied crossing her arms, the women eyed her skeptically for a moment.
"Have you seen two, twin boys?" She asked politely.
"Well, I don't know what a twin is, so I wouldn't know now would I?" The women opened her mouth to respond but a loud crash of a bookshelf falling across the shop grabbed her attention and she sped off in the direction.
"You don't know what a twin is?" One of the boys asked peeking out from behind a shelf staring at Serenity looking baffled.
"Of course I do." Serenity responded staring the boy down.
"Oh, well thanks for not ratting us out." He smiled holding out his hand, Serenity shook it timidly.
"I'm Serenity, Who are you?" She asked in a polite town that she had learned from McGonagall.
"I'm Fred, Fred Weasley," His cheeks had tinted pink. "What are you doing here?" He asked conversationally.
"I'm looking for a talking book." Serenity replied and Fred's eyes widened.
"My dad told me to stay away from those, says that they're dangerous."
Serenity pouted at this as she glanced around the shop, hoping to see a sign that said 'Talking Books'. "Oh, why-" Serenity began but was cut off when an older boy with flaming red hair appeared behind Fred grabbing his hair and pulling him away.
"Charlie! Ow! Stop." Fred shouted loudly but Serenity just rolled her eyes at the silly boy and went back to search for the book. But that Charlie boy was rather cute... for a boy.
A short while later Serenity realized there were no talking books and decided to make her way back to Draco. She ran to the Ice Cream Parlour and found Draco's seat was empty. Her heart skipped a beat and she whipped her head around wildly, looking for Mrs. Malfoy. Serenity decided that she must've gone to Knockturn Alley, perhaps Draco had gone to find her.
Serenity ran towards the dark alley but due to her lack of paying attention, she ended up tripping over her own two feet and falling on the ground in front of a very tall man who was staring down at her quizzically.
"Are you alright dear?" He asked helping up Serenity. The man's face was covered in scars and his robes looked rather shabby. Serenity's knees were scraped and tears were forming in her eyes. "Are your parents here?" The man asked kindly crouching down to meet Serenity's gaze.
"I- I don't have parents, I'm here with Mrs. Malfoy." Serenity whimpered looking around hoping to spot Draco. The man nodded and pulled his wand out.
"Mind if I heal you up and then we'll go find her?" He asked and Serenity nodded apprehensively. He muttered something and Serenity felt a cooling feeling on her knees and looked down to see that they had stopped bleeding.
"Thank you, mister." Serenity smiled at him.
He smiled back and stood up to glance over the crowd. "I think I spotted her." He said and then gestured Serenity back in the direction of the bookstore where she saw Draco and Mrs. Malfoy standing talking to an older wizard looking rather worried.
Serenity ran over to them and the kind man followed, making sure she was safe before he left. "Serenity Snape!" Mrs. Malfoy shouted crouching down and pulling Serenity into her arms. "Thank you for finding her." She said kindly to the man but he had already disappeared into the crowd. Remus looked back at the girl wondering who was so unfortunate to procreate with Severus.
