Disclaimer/Author Note/Rating: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers, legal info, etc.

Go raibh maith agaibh:

Mercury Gray… Snape will probably never verbally admit his shortcomings, except maybe to Serena or Dumbledore, but I thought he needed to somehow acknowledge what Longbottom did.

Lady of the Dog Star… A sequel? You bet! And yes, Malificus is vainer than Lucius, believe it or not. And thanks for the note on the 200 points – I'd forgotten that. Mea culpa and thanks for keeping me honest!

Evenstar Elanor… No, no. I won't kill Malificus. At least not yet. And, all stories must end at some point… but that is what sequels, and prequels, and all those good things are for!

Trina/Leonora… Yes, I promise. There will be a sequel to this story. Cross my heart!

TheSusanturpin… Welcome! The whole thing in one sitting? My admiration! I'm totally with you on the romantic Snape idea… There is so much more to him than Rowlings has let on. I find him simply fascinating.

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Chapter 36: Diamonds and Topaz

Two weeks after school dismissed for the summer, Serena and Severus went to Diagon Alley. As they were wrapping up their trip, Serena remembered something else she needed and hurried back down the street towards the Herb Shoppe, saying that she'd catch up to Severus before he reached the portkey gate.

Snape walked down Diagon Alley, forcing himself to stroll rather than to fall into the purposeful stride he usually adopted. He stopped outside Jade's and looked in the window at the gems and minerals. Half of the window was dedicated to jewelry – in fact, Jade's was the place where he'd purchased Serena's Yule gift – and a display caught his eye. It was a ring. The platinum band cradled a diamond that had to be at least a carat, if not a little more. On each side of the main stone were two other stones. To the left and right of the diamond were two blue topaz, each close to a half carat and outside each of those, a smaller gold topaz.

It's perfect, he thought as he turned away from the window. He looked from one end of the street to the other and quickly went inside.

"The diamond ring in the window with the blue and gold topaz accents. I'll take it."

Madame Jade bustled out from behind her counter. "Excellent, excellent," she said. "Lovely craftsmanship on that one. I just got it yesterday. Didn't think it would last long, but this certainly is a fast sale. The stone's been bathed in rosewater – under a full moon, of course…"

Severus ground his teeth listening to the prattle.

"Is this a gift for your pretty miss? Serena is such a dear, and a terribly good customer of mine. I'll wrap it up with a lovely bow and some paper…"

"No! No need for that…" He looked over his shoulder. "I'm in a bit of a rush…"

"Oh," said Madam Jade with a knowing wink. "Can't be caught or the cat's out of the bag, aye? Looking to surprise her, are we?"

"Something like that." He forced himself not to just take the ring out of her hand.

Madame Jade snapped the lid of the velvet box closed and handed it to Severus. He put the box in his pocket and then waved his wand over the slip of paper that Madame Jade had presented to him.

"There, you shouldn't have any difficulty withdrawing your payment from my account at Gringott's."

"Very good, Professor," she said with a smile. "Say hello to Serena for me."

Snape took two steps towards the door and spun back, making Madame Jade jump. "Not a word about this," he warned. "Not to anyone."

"They'll not hear it from my lips." She winked at him again as he rushed out of the store. He looked up and down the street again and breathed a sigh of relief. Serena was nowhere in sight. He started to walk back to where they'd parted ways and soon saw her hurrying down Diagon Alley. He thrust his hand into his pocket, clutching the velvet box and running his thumb along the edge of the box.

What am I thinking? We've barely been dating for six months…

Serena rushed up next to him. "I'm sorry! I ran into Tonks and we started chatting." Since their introduction at 12 Grimmauld Place, Serena and Tonks had become quite good friends. "I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"

"I managed to amuse myself," said Severus. "Are you ready to head back to the school?"

"If you are. I don't have any other errands to run." Serena slipped her arm through his and they walked away.

Watching from a discreet distance, Lucius Malfoy's grip tightened on his walking cane. Draco, who was standing next to him, clenched his fists and took a menacing step forward. With a swift and precise motion, Lucius thrust his walking stick in front of Draco, forcing the boy to stop. He looked up at his father with an angry glance.

"It is her fault," he growled. "Uncle Malificus may never be the same…"

"Patience, Draco, patience. Revenge is not a thing to be rushed. It should be nurtured until the proper time, the opportune time when it will have the most devastating effect."

For a moment he watched Severus and Serena with cold eyes as they walked down the street arm in arm.

Lucius smiled a knowing, feral smile. "That is when revenge is its most savory."

FINI

(or is it…?)

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That's it! Last chapter! Thank you so much to all of my reviewers for your excellent feedback (both positive and constructive). I'm delighted you all like the story so much! But please don't think this is the end… I have plans for a "Thunderstruck" sequel that will detail the next chapter in Serena and Severus' lives (with a healthy dose of Malfoy mischief, I promise.)

For those of you who enjoy my writing, I'd love to hear your feedback on my novel, "Darkstar Rising." It is available from Xlibris (at 888-795-4274 or www. ) or from If you do decide to read it, I'd welcome feedback! Email me

Thank you again for all of your great reviews! I hope you all stop back soon to read the next installment in Serena and Severus' adventures!