"They must have seen you," Remus chuckled at lunch in the staff room on Monday.
"You certainly are the talk of the school," Minerva added.
Serena groaned and buried her face in her hands as the others laughed.
"It could definitely be worse," Remus laughed, patting her on the back. "They could have matched you with Hagrid, or Snape or someone."
Serena sighed, "I guess there are no secrets here, are there?"
Minerva shook her head knowingly.
"So what did they say exactly?" she asked Remus who was grinning wolfishly at her.
"They wanted to know if you were married to the handsome auror."
Minerva chuckled, "Well I heard Angelina Johnson complaining because she wanted to marry Kingsley!"
"I'm afraid that's not quite the worst," butted in Professor Sprout. "The third year Gryffindors now thoroughly dislike you because they thought you and Remus were seeing each other, and now they're disappointed you're not."
Remus laughed and Serena couldn't help but laugh too. "Sorry Remus."
"My reputation is ruined," he chuckled.
The staff room door was pushed open and the room fell to a sudden hush as Severus strolled in. Everyone looked between Severus and Remus worriedly, but Severus made no indication that he had seen Remus or noticed their silence, which was growing awkwardly long, and he took up his usual chair and opened his newspaper without a glance at any of them.
"See, there could have been worse rumours," Minerva said quietly, and everyone burst into raucous laughter. Serena gave a small laugh and shook her head, and the usual babble of conversation resumed. She stood up and went over to the corner where Severus was pretending to read his paper. She perched lightly on the edge of an armchair next to him.
"Good morning, professor Snape."
He folded his newspaper and looked up at her expectantly.
"I thought that you should know that my feelings are back to normal. It lasted a couple of hours and then everything was fine. The headache even wore off in the middle of the night."
He nodded and glanced quickly around the room before speaking to her in a voice so low she had to strain her ears to hear his words.
"Very well. Don't hesitate to notify me if you have any problems, it would not be uncommon at this stage."
"Did you get much sleep?" she asked, "You were exhausted too, when I left."
"I did," he said shortly, clearly uncomfortable with such a public conversation.
She gave him a small smile and stood up, "Well, I'm glad to see you back in the staff room anyway." With that, she took up her place back at the main table again and resumed her conversation with Remus and Minerva.
…
The next day she went down to the Great Hall for breakfast with Kingsley.
"Well we might as well feed the rumours," he had murmured in her ear as they had woken up together that morning. Since Severus' experiment on Sunday they had agreed to share a bed, just to ensure there were no strange side-effects. Serena insisted she felt fine, but Kingsley wouldn't have any of it, and, really, she wasn't going to complain too much about sleeping wrapped in his warm, strong arms. The only difficult part was not being able to do anything else. She had fallen asleep with his erection pressing into her bottom, and she was feeling more and more sexually frustrated herself.
The students whispered in hushed tones as they walked in together, although it wasn't the first time they had eaten breakfast together at all.
"I feel like a celebrity," she murmured as they sat down together. Kingsley chuckled and winked at her.
"Kingsley!" she cried in a hushed voice, "stop encouraging them!"
He only laughed even more and she blushed, god she loved that laugh. They had a nice breakfast together, talking about Severus' plan and her lessons, and half an hour later she was sad to say goodbye to him.
"See you tonight?" she asked quietly as he stood up, ready to begin his patrols of the castle boundaries.
"Of course," he said in a low, rumbling voice. "I can't wait." As he said goodbye he brushed her hand with his fingertips and she felt the powerful wave of his love wash over her.
She blushed again and looked around fervently to make sure no one was watching too closely.
"Love you too."
…
The rest of the week flew by. Serena went to Severus' classroom that Wednesday and Friday, but his tests were brief and he did not want her to stay for longer. He looked tired, and she hoped he wasn't spending too much time on her potion. She couldn't help but be hopeful, but she didn't dare ask him if he was making progress, she couldn't bare the thought of putting pressure on him.
Two weeks went by with barely any news, and she had started to convince herself that he wouldn't find a solution. At least that way, when he broke the news to her, she wouldn't show her disappointment. She had spoken with Albus over tea about their experiment, but Albus seemed very confident that Severus would find a solution.
Kingsley too was optimistic, as he always was, and he told her to stop worrying and to be patient.
Christmas was almost upon them, and Serena found herself in the headmaster's office, spilling her feelings as she so often did to him.
"I don't want to put any pressure on him," she explained, nursing a cup of tea, "and I'm scared he's already putting enough pressure on himself, he looks exhausted all the time."
"Don't worry, dear child, Severus has other reasons to be tired, he has been out of the castle several evenings this last fortnight, keeping contact with… old acquaintances."
Serena knew better than to pry, but she found that information interesting. Did Albus mean old Death Eaters? And why did he feel it necessary to keep in contact with them?
"Anyway, I see you and Mr. Shacklebolt have settled into a rhythm of sorts," he smiled, his eyes twinkling.
She smiled back. "Yes, we have, it's lovely, it's so lovely having him back… It's not perfect at the moment, it's tough being around each other but not properly together… And I think that as time goes on, we're both extremely conscious of the time limit we have set ourselves… If I can't control my emotions within a year then… we really are over for good this time… And I don't think either of us can imagine that at the moment."
"Ah, but you mustn't count your dragons before they've hatched. Life is full of surprises."
She nodded and sipped her tea.
"And what are your plans for the Christmas holidays? I believe you have Hogwarts duties the second week of the holidays, so where are you staying for the first?"
"I'm not sure," she said lightly. "I haven't really thought about it."
"And Severus?" he asked, looking at her with a smile.
"That man is a Saint," she sighed.
Albus chuckled, "I've heard him be called many things, but never a Saint."
"A rude, arrogant, socially inadequate Saint, then," she allowed.
"You have grown close," he observed sagely. "I myself have seen a change in Severus."
She shrugged. "He's become a good friend."
"You haven't known him a year yet."
"I know," she said quietly, looking down into her tea, "but I feel like he's known me for years, even if I still have so much to discover about him."
When Serena had retired to bed later that night, Albus sat up in the darkness of his office, staring at Serena's empty teacup. He had noticed the strong bond forming between his Potions Master and his Charms Mistress, and especially the feelings Severus seemed to be holding for the young girl.
In Albus' mind, they were perfect for each other, and yet her heart lay with another…
He sighed, "Life isn't fair," he reminded himself quietly.
…
It was on the final Friday before the holidays that Severus invited Serena to his quarters. She took the note from the leg of the small brown owl. Severus used a different owl every time.
My office, Friday at Seven. I will give you a diary to keep over the holidays. S.
Seven o' clock found Severus stirring a dark purple potion in a small cauldron in his classroom. He was sweating, and he'd had to cast two cleansing charms already to ensure no beads of perspiration contaminated the concoction.
He had to focus and he couldn't allow himself to think about the inner battle that was brewing in his mind.
"Come in," he said quietly as she knocked on the door. He gave his potion a final three-quarter turn and extinguished the fire with his wand. He siphoned a part into a glass vial and placed it in his pocket.
"Coffee? Tea?"
"Oh, I'd kill for a tea actually," she said, slipping off her cloak. "Quite milky please."
Severus walked into the kitchen with Serena at his heels.
"Something very strange happened this week," she said, and he could feel her watching him closely. "Suddenly, eight Slytherins have joined my sex ed classes… I didn't have any before."
Severus had his back to her. "How strange."
"It wouldn't have anything to do with you, would it?"
That Saturday in the Slytherin common room, Severus had mentioned that they could trust Professor Lake as they trusted him. They had been surprised, and had questioned him thoroughly, but the fact that she had no house, and also that she was pureblood, had seemed to calm them.
"Of course not," he said calmly, tipping the vial of purple liquid into the tea secretly and stirring it until it had completely mixed in. "Here. I don't often make tea."
Serena looked at the dark muggy colour of her tea and the corners of her mouth crept into a smile. "Thanks."
"Come."
They walked back into his classroom and he handed her a few sheets of paper he had prepared. He explained to her the notes she would have to take during the holidays as she drank her tea.
"And what about you?" she asked, watching him closely. "Where do you go during the holidays?"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Elsewhere."
She sipped her vile tea and looked at him closely. "Albus said you've been out the castle a lot recently… Why do you still keep contact with those people?"
Severus scoffed and turned to her. "Haven't you had enough of nosing around other people's private lives?" he sneered nastily.
She took half a step back from him, suddenly taken aback by his cold voice and violent reaction.
"What?" she stuttered, bewildered. "You know everything about my life, you can't get mad just because-"
"And do you think I enjoy knowing every detail about your sad little life?" he snapped, advancing a step closer to her and sneering down at her shocked expression. "Do you think I have a choice?"
"Well, yes, of course you have a choice, what the hell Severus! What are you on about? What's-"
"Even if I find a solution, you and that auror, do you really think you'll be happy? You're kidding yourself thinking that it's your magic that's the problem." Severus spat his words at her in a low snarl and his eyes flashed with anger.
Serena saw red and she shoved him hard in the chest. "You take that back you miserable fuck!"
"How many, by the way? How many people did you fuck to try and get over him?"
"How fucking dare you!" she shoved him again hard, the anger rising up inside her. "I won't take this shit from you-"
"You'll take it from everyone else won't you?" he jeered, "I've heard the rumours this week, you'll open your legs for anyone, won't you-"
"Don't you-"
"How many then?" he shouted now, "how many people have fucked the dear Professor Lake? And how many more did Kingsley have to fuck to get the filthy taste of you out of his mouth!"
That was it- those words pushed her over the edge and she snapped- punching him straight in the eye. Her fist connected with the hard bone of his face and he staggered back with a surprised cry, clutching his eye with one hand and holding the other hand up in defence.
"God dammit, I wasn't expecting it to get to that," he muttered under his breath and straightening up, one hand still in the air in case she punched him again. "Calm down," he said quietly, one hand still covering his eye. "Look around you."
Serena breathed heavily, her mind confused and looked around her in a daze.
Severus took a small step towards her. "There is nothing broken, nothing is on fire… you controlled your subconscious without even realising it… I put the potion in your tea."
Serena's mouth dropped open and she stared at him, frozen to the spot.
"The potion did it's job. It has subdued that branch of magic in moments of extreme emotion or duress."
"But…" Serena looked at Severus and her eyes welled with tears. "I was so angry…" she whispered.
"yes, I can feel that," he said dryly, pointing to his eye that was rapidly turning purple.
"But-" Serena blinked and tears spilled from her eyes and trickled down her cheeks, tracing white lines through her makeup. Her hands came up to her mouth and she gaped openly at him. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying… the potion succeeded. You are safe."
Serena let out a huge sob and ran towards him, flinging herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and hugging him with all her strength. Severus was frozen for what seemed like an age, until his arms slowly came up around her small body and he held her to him. He buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her lemony smell deeply. He was going to miss her.
When Serena pulled back she was grinning with happiness and her eyes were shining brightly through her tears. "You're a genius! You are the most wonderful, wonderful man!" she hugged him again with what can only be described as a giggle and then she stepped back again, taking in his face.
"Oh my, I punched you."
"You did," he said curtly, taking in her radiating happiness hungrily, and revelling in the fact that she was this happy because of him.
"I don't know if I can…" she trailed off and instead placed a hand on his cheek, closing her eyes in concentration. Severus unconsciously pressed his face further against her warm hand and almost closed his own eyes too.
"I can't," she said frustratingly.
"No to worry, I am sufficient in charms and I have bruise paste. Quite a punch."
"You were quite mean," she quipped, still smiling widely.
"You realise it was necessary?"
"Of course," she grinned. "I shall forever be in your debt."
"Not at all."
"Oh yes!" she laughed, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze, failing, in her excitement, to feel his sadness and anxiousness. "I am so lucky to have met you, Severus Snape!"
He raised one eyebrow. "You will need to take the potion every day at the same hour. I shall brew a new batch for you monthly. I shall take some time to explain the ingredients and composition to you after the holidays. I have prepared enough to last you two weeks, this time, however it really is extremely important that you keep a record of any side-effects, however slight. And that you send me a patronus, or an owl, if there are any unforeseen changes. Know, however, that I am extremely confident in the success of this experiment. You need no longer worry."
Serena's head was spinning as she tried to take in all the information he was giving her and she nodded her understanding.
"I can come back tomorrow morning if you wish? Before I leave?"
"Yes… I suppose you have pressing matters to attend to," he said, failing to keep the bitterness from his voice. Luckily Serena did not notice.
"Oh Severus… thank you so much, thank you from the bottom of my heart." She pulled him into another hug and kissed him on the cheek. Severus was overwhelmed, but it was sorrow that quickly flooded over him as he watched her leave, and in a heartbeat he had made his decision. He grabbed his cloak and cast the most powerful disillusionment charm on himself he could manage, before slipping out of the door after her.
Discretely he followed her quick footsteps as she half-ran through the castle, laughing to herself in joy. The students had already gone home and they met no one. He paused at the corner of the corridor, knowing where she was going, and watched her banging on the door, dread filling his body.
The door opened and Serena leapt into the auror's arms, just as she had done with Severus moments ago…
"I'm cured!" she gasped against his robes, "I'm cured! Severus found a cure!"
Kingsley pulled her back, looked sharply at her face as though to confirm the truth and gave a shout of triumph, kissing her hard on the lips and pulling her tightly against his body.
Severus pressed his head against the cold stone wall, not taking his eyes off the happy couple.
"I can't believe it," she whispered, her lips red and swollen. "I'm free! We can be together!"
"Babey, I love you," Kingsley murmured, holding her tight. "And I want you right now."
Serena let out a sound somewhere between a moan and a giggle and Severus felt something stir inside him.
"Right now?" she laughed, "I was thinking the exact same thing!"
With that, Kingsley scooped her into his arms and the door shut behind them. Severus was left alone in the cold, empty corridor, pressing his head hard against the stone until it hurt. Not that he noticed the pain, his heart was hurting too much already.