Serena,

Will you consent to spending next weekend with me, in London?

I have a surprise for you,

K

Do you even need to ask?

See you Friday night,

S

As the sun was setting that late winter evening, Serena stood hand in hand with her lover on the edge of the grounds, and apparated into the darkness.

When they arrived at his apartment, she felt her entire body relax again. She loved this space that smelt of him, with its wide windows and expensive taste. The pots and pans were busy cooking and cleaning when they arrived, and Kingsley set the dining table whilst she unpacked her things and freshened up from the apparition.

When she emerged, the living room was lit with candles and two glasses of wine sat on the table. She smiled and leaned in for a deep kiss. "This is a treat," she murmured.

"I'm not the best cook, so I've been practising some spells," he admitted.

She laughed, "It smells delicious."

She sat at the table whilst he continued in the kitchen, setting knifes to chop and pans to heat. Serena sipped her wine and watched him lovingly as they talked about their respective days.

Half an hour later, he came to join her with a dish of chicken and rice cooked in African spices.

"Mmm I have missed food like this," she sighed, tucking in eagerly.

He smiled and raised his wine glass. "To us," he said deeply.

She smiled a radiating smile back, "To us," she echoed, clinking her glass with his.

"You know," he said, after they had finished eating and he had sent the plates over to the sink and poured them another glass of wine, "I think we've fit back together in a perfect way… We're not trying to reproduce what we had… We've both changed so much..."

She smiled, "You're right… we've kept what was good and healthy and got rid of the rest…"

"The only thing that hasn't changed in all these years is how much I love you. You know that, don't you? That I have never stopped loving you, and I never will."

She blushed, "what-"

Kingsley stood up suddenly, and then knelt down at the side of her. Serena could only stare wordlessly as he produced a beautiful silver ring from his robes and looked at her with shining eyes.

"Serena Venus Lake, will you marry me?"

Serena's mouth dropped open and then she squealed with happiness, tears bursting from her eyes as she tried to sob "yes" at him.

She saw his grin through her tears and he delicately slipped the beautiful ring onto her finger, before scooping her into his arms and clutching her tightly. They kissed deeply, love pounding through their hearts and tears running down their cheeks, smiling against each other.

"I love you," he said, his deep voice vibrating against her lips.

"I love you too," she said passionately, pulling him in for another kiss, whilst all the while trying to convince herself that this was really happening. She was finally going to marry Kingsley!

"Kings… this ring is beautiful," she whispered, gazing in awe at the diamond that now sat upon her finger.

"Not quite as beautiful as you," he murmured.

"It must have been so expensive-"

"You are worthy every sickle. Serena, I know that nothing has been conventional with us, not then and not now, but I know this is right. And, if you agree, I want you to come and live with me this summer, after Hogwarts."

She hugged him tightly again, "that sounds like the most perfect thing in the world," she said softly.

They spent the evening talking on the sofa, before Kingsley took her to bed and made love to his future wife like never before.

…

Serena couldn't wait until Monday to tell everyone and scribbled hasty notes in her euphoria to Remus and Albus to announce the news. Kingsley chuckled next to her as she wrote of how he had asked her and how lovely her ring was.

She sent the two messages off with Kingsley's owl and then got changed, Kingsley was taking her to the country for a long walk. She felt as though she was in a dream. She had fallen in love with Kingsley when she had been fifteen, and now she was finally marrying him. He was such a caring man, always looking after her and kissing her, but he was also intelligent and interesting, and she loved how he had strong morals and opinions.

The rest of the weekend went by in a whir. They enjoyed a three-hour hike in the cold hills outside of London and then finished at a muggle pub, drinking beer and eating chips. Her favourite time, though, was back in Kingsley's apartment under the covers of his bed. They had certainly both matured in that department too. She was glad she had experience now, that she could really give back to him in bed and could even surprise him. And she couldn't ignore the transformation in his body too, she had never slept with anyone with such a sculpted frame.

"What are you thinking about?" Kingsley snapped her out of her thoughts.

She blushed. "Just thanking Merlin that you're now an auror."

He chuckled and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Kings… we don't have time…" she murmured, pushing him gently. They were both dressed and ready to apparate back to Hogwarts. She was impatient to see Remus and she had her lesson with Severus that evening. Kingsley, too, had reports to write and wanted to see Albus about Death Eater activity.

He kissed her a final time and sighed, "I feel like we've been in another world this weekend."

"Me too," she said softly. "But I can't wait for the summer when we can live together forever."

With that, they apparated away back to the castle.

…

"I can't believe it!" exclaimed Remus, looking at her ring for the fifteenth time. "It really is so exquisite."

She grinned again. "I can't quite believe it either," she smiled.

"So, have you talked about dates or anything yet?"

"We've mentioned next year, maybe wintertime or early spring, I'm not sure yet. I think it'd be good for us to live together this summer and then start planning."

Remus nodded, "perfect. I really am so happy for you, you deserve it."

She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. "Thanks Remus."

"Are you sure you can't stay for a glass of wine?"

"No, I really have to go, I can't be late for Severus, we didn't get to have a proper lesson last week."

"Okay, but we'll get together one night this week with Kingsley to celebrate."

She nodded in agreement, kissed him on the cheek and headed down to the dungeons, unable to stop herself from smiling widely. She felt wonderful.

"Hello," she said, shutting the door behind her. Severus was sitting at his desk writing something, he stood up when she arrived and surveyed her with a slightly scornful expression.

"I suppose I should congratulate you."

She raised an eyebrow and leaned on his desk.

"News travels fast, doesn't sound like you want to though."

"How very observant you are," he drawled sarcastically.

"Well this isn't a social gathering, so shall we get on with our lesson?" she said indifferently, refusing to show her hurt. She knew Severus didn't particularly like Kingsley, but he could still be happy for her, couldn't he?

Severus smirked at her Slytherin-like reply.

"Very well. I would first like to show you some findings written by a wizard in the Netherlands who researched the creation of mind palaces." They sat down together at his kitchen table and Severus summoned two journal papers that he had written on, tiny comments down the margins in black, spiky handwriting. "As you know, there are very few wizards in the world who reach this level of mastery in the arts of Occlumency, and even if they have, Occlumencers tend to be very secret people."

"I suppose the only reason you would build one would be if you have something to hide," she said, leaning closer to Severus to read some of his comments.

"Yes. The idea first appeared in 1312, you can see here Daithvagenhaus writes about a wizard who talks about categorising his thoughts and memories."

They discussed the historical findings for over half an hour, and Severus added several comments to the pages based on remarks Serena made.

"So what you're saying is that the word 'palace' is completely misused, your mind can sort your memories in the form of whatever you wish."

"Not exactly," Severus replied, summoning another well-thumbed book. "If you look here, Harrison states that it's not necessarily a choice, because the concept will not work unless the idea is bound with your mind, your soul, your very being."

"Much like ones patronus, then?"

"Yes."

Serena sighed heavily and sat back in her chair, processing all this new information.

"Before even considering building such a space, you must reflect for a long time upon the form it must take," Severus said, sitting back in his chair too.

"Hmm. So what form does your take?" she asked.

Severus hesitated and then shook his head slightly; he couldn't well teach the girl without showing her what she was trying to create. "Take out your wand."

Serena complied.

"You are familiar with the legilimency spell?"

She nodded.

"I shall allow you to cast it upon me. I would ask you, for your own safety, to not try to proceed further into my mind, but to wait for me to guide you."

She felt a slight thrill rise up inside her. For months Severus had been inside her head, and now, finally it was her turn. She gripped her wand tightly and looked him straight in the eyes, willing him to trust her. "Are you ready?" she asked softly.

He gave a curt nod, although he looked far from serene, and she said the words: "legilimens."

She felt dizzy and confused for a moment. She didn't know where she was. Everything was white. She couldn't differentiate what was up or down or forwards or backwards, she didn't even know what she was standing on. She started to feel sick. Then, Severus appeared beside her.

"This is the first layer of my mind. When I spoke to you about the first defence mechanism, this is it. Thinking of nothing."

Serena gazed around in wonder, squinting her eyes at the brightness. "I suppose if you can't even tell which way is up then you're going to find it difficult to penetrate someone's mind."

Severus nodded grimly.

"I shall take you to the next level."

He held out his hand and she took it. He felt different in his mind, she realised, and although she didn't feel his emotions, she felt a sort of calmness upon them.

With a flash they were standing on a solid floor, and around them blurry figures dashed about and colours span in the air. She realised, when she concentrated on one particular area, that she was looking at his memories. She could see him teaching, brewing, correcting essays, reading books and drinking coffee in the Great Hall.

"This is the second defence mechanism. This area consists of a space where I can project a certain persona. These memories are chosen carefully to project a potions master, for example. Most legilimens would see this and be satisfied."

Serena finally understood the two defence mechanisms he had been teaching her for months. "It's genius."

Severus smirked.

"Come. I shall take you straight through, there are several further defence mechanisms, but I don't think you want to see them." From his tone, Serena gathered that he didn't want to share them either. She shuddered, she could imagine the sort of dangerous traps a master occlumens and an ex-Death Eater could hide in his mind.

She nodded and he pulled her gently forward by the hand. She had a small sensation like apparition and then she blinked in the bright light, her eyes focussing and her brow frowning as she found herself… on the grounds of Hogwarts.

"Hogwarts," she whispered. "Your mind palace is Hogwarts."

"In sorts, it is, yes."

And she understood what he meant. It was Hogwarts, but it wasn't. For one, the grass was a dark green, almost emerald, and the lake looked dangerous, waves crashed against the banks and the water was almost black. The castle, however looked inviting, although it seemed different. There were only two towers, she realised. The astronomy tower, and the smaller tower that contained Dumbledore's office. She blinked and they were standing on the stone steps.

"My mind is organised in the layout of the castle. There are parts of my knowledge and abilities that must be easily accessible. For example," he moved his hand and they were standing outside the charms classroom. "My charms abilities are held here."

"General memories from my life and memories of people are held in the Great Hall or in other communal areas." Again, the scene shifted and they were suddenly in the Great Hall. It was smaller than in real life, she realised, and there were many round tables, as opposed to the long house tables she was used to. The room was dark, and the sky above them threatened rain.

They found themselves suddenly in the Entrance Hall again.

"Anything more… sensitive… is kept apart," Severus said, his eyes sliding towards the staircase that led down to the dungeons.

"And the towers?"

A muscle in Severus' face twitched but he replied in a steady voice. "Memories from a different time."

She nodded.

"And out there?" she let go of his hand and walked steadily down the steps to the grounds and pointed out towards the lake.

"Other personas," he said neutrally, standing next to her.

She looked up at the sky. Over the dark lake large clouds were forming, storm clouds, and there was a warm breeze in the air.

She turned to look at him and smiled. "Thank you, for trusting me."

He didn't say anything, he just continued staring out at the lake, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Come," he said eventually, and she found herself being pushed out of his mind.

She lowered her wand and smiled at Severus who was sitting stiff and straight on the chair opposite her. "That was… fascinating."

He raised one eyebrow.

"I mean, I finally understand the two defence mechanisms better, and to be able to see the configuration of an actual mind palace…" she trailed off, her mind racing with everything she had seen. "My first thought though, was that my first defence mechanism is my mind island. Isn't that too easy? In your mind I couldn't even tell what direction was where or what I was standing on, there was literally nothing."

"Each mind is different. Yes, in your mind you have matter and form, but you also create the sensation of confusion, which is your goal."

"How long did it take you to organise your mind like this?" she asked, wondering who had taught Severus.

"Two years," Severus said grimly, "it was unpleasant. You should envisage four. But occlumency is as much about skill as it is about practise, patience and discipline. You must start slowly and build up. Here." He summoned a stack of books that had been sitting on his armchair. "This is your reading list for the next two weeks. You don't need to come next Sunday."

She flicked through some of the books carefully, noticing that many margins were covered in more notes in his handwriting. "And can I borrow the journals we read tonight? I'd like to go over them again."

"Certainly."

Serena made a neat pile of the material on the table and sighed. She didn't want to go back to her empty rooms, and she knew that Kingsley would be with Albus until much later on.

"Do you fancy a drink?"

He crooked an eyebrow. "A drink?"

"Come on, I know for certain you've got several very nice bottles of whiskey hidden away in that kitchen cupboard over there, you could be polite and offer me a glass or two."

Severus smirked and then sighed, standing up and grumbling what sounded like "infuriating" and "witch".

He pulled out two whiskey glasses and a very nice bottle of Scottish whiskey and poured them both a good measure each. He lingered for a second in against his worktops, watching her. It had felt so natural in his head to take her hand in his, and she hadn't even hesitated. Her hand felt smooth and small, and fit perfectly in his as though that was where it belonged. He sighed and shifted back to the table, handing her a glass. He left the bottle on the table between them.

"Why do you want to build a mind palace?" Severus asked, sipping the golden liquid.

Serena took a drink and thought carefully before answering. "I guess for several reasons. The first, is that I have this constant need to try and protect myself. Physically, I have learnt the best I could, in the few years before coming here…." Severus thought of the knife that she had pulled on him after the meeting in Albus' office. "But I have never learnt to protect myself mentally. I guess I also have quite a lot of shit running around in my head that I'd like to stash away somewhere a bit more permanent."

"You can't lock away parts of who you are," Severus said quietly.

"I know, I know."

"And the final reason?"

She looked at him, wondering how he knew that she had not finished.

"The final reason, is that… I spent years of my life being out of control. Having my life controlled, being humiliated and hurt, and not even being able to control my magic. And so… I try to do everything in my power to build myself back up again and regain it."

Severus didn't reply, he just sat thinking about what she had said, and realising how broken she really was. He wondered what form her mind palace would take.

"Do things in your castle change?" she asked. "I… I couldn't help but notice the sky, the clouds, the approaching storm…"

Severus took another sip and looked at the label of the bottle between them. "I…" he cleared his throat. "There is something approaching, I believe. I suppose my mind transcribed such a presentiment in that way…"

"It's about this Death Eater activity, isn't it?"

He nodded and sighed. "It could be nothing. For the past two years The Dark Lord has been close to returning, and this year the signs are less present, but the remaining Death Eaters are riled up, they want to act, they want to remind people they are here. It could be the beginning of something. It could be nothing."

"But you find yourself in the middle, no matter what it is."

"It's my job," he said curtly.

She gave a thoughtful nod as he poured them another drink silently. "Do you think I can do this?" she asked, watching his reaction carefully. "Do you think I can really succeed?"

"If anyone can, it's you."

She smiled at his compliment. "Thanks. I suppose I have a good teacher."

He gave a rare, low chuckle and she smiled even wider.

"Anyway," he said in a low voice, "shouldn't you be celebrating?"

She gave a suggestive smile, "we already have."

He tutted and rolled his eyes and she laughed, "well you did ask the question!"

"Seriously, what are you doing here? With me?"

"Kingsley is busy tonight. And believe it or not, I actually enjoy your company. Even if your enjoyment of mine might be disputable."

"I do," he said quickly, before internally kicking himself. "It passes the time, I suppose," he corrected himself in a sarcastic drawl that Serena saw straight through.

She repressed a smile, "I do, you know, like spending time with you. You seem to have a horrible image of yourself, but you're not that bad."

"Don't tell the students, they'll never believe you."

She laughed, "see!"

"Lucius Malfoy is expected in the school on Friday," he said suddenly changing the subject. "You would do well to avoid him."

She nodded, "thanks, I will."

"You said you are used to talking to pureblood wizards."

"Of course I am, it was the dream of my parents, they wanted to marry me off to any old, pureblood family. They'd be so proud knowing I was engaged to a pureblood! Why is he coming, anyway? Malfoy?"

"He is a governor of the school, there is a meeting to discuss finances, I believe."

Serena nodded and looked at her watch, it was almost ten o' clock. "Right, I'd best be going," she smiled, finishing her drink and shrinking the books into her cloak pocket. "Thanks for the books, so we'll wait two weeks for the next lesson?"

Severus nodded and stood up, "very good."

"Thanks for the whiskey, you've got good taste." She gave him a small wave goodbye and was almost at the door when he stopped her.

"Serena." His voice was so quiet that she almost didn't hear him.

She turned, surprised, and looked at him expectantly. "Yes?"

"Congratulations."

She smiled widely at him and her eyes sparkled, "Thanks."

Severus watched her leave, his body warm from whiskey and the memory of her hand clutched in his floating in his mind.