Disclaimer: This work of fiction is INSPIRED by J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. I created Serena and Malificus, but the rest is Rowling's and Rowling's alone.
Author Note: Please be aware: this work is A/U, so I've taken some creative liberties. So those of you who are not keen on writing that deviates from canon, you are forewarned. I hope you'll still read and enjoy the story. Constructive feedback is always welcome!
Rating: R (for some sexual content and violence in later chapters)
Go raibh maith agaibh (that's "thank you" in modern Irish Gaelic):
Evenstar Elanor… For the fast first review on the new story, many thanks. I promise Serena has flaws.
Mercury Gray… Never fear, all the boys will not swoon over Serena. Wood's got a bit of a schoolboy crush, so he's a little over the top, but believe me. Not everyone reacts to her like that.
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Chapter 2: Shadows of Castlebann
Two days later, Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into their first Defense Against Dark Arts class with their newest Professor. The students fidgeted at their desks and whispered amongst themselves. A few looked expectantly up at the small balcony that was outside the classroom office.
"Do you remember how dramatic Professor Lockhart when he was here?" asked Ron. He rolled his eyes, remembering the flourished cape and the posturing self-confidence that turned out to be no more than a charade.
Harry groaned, recalling the same thing.
"Well," said Hermione with a small shrug. "He was handsome." Both of the boys gave her a sour look.
"Mock me if you will," she said turning her nose slightly up.
"Hey," said Harry. "Why were you in the library for so long yesterday? We've hardly had any classes. Don't tell me you've done all of your reading for the next month already!"
Hermione made a face. "No. I wasn't reading ahead. At least not much…" She dropped her voice to a whisper. "I was looking for information on Castlebann."
Ron and Harry leaned in. "What did you find out?" Ron whispered eagerly.
"Well, I might have found more if you two had actually remembered to help."
"Whatever…," sighed Ron.
"The only thing I found out is that it is a small town in Ireland. But it is a special town. The only people who live there are wizards and witches. It is masked from the Muggle population, so they don't even know its there."
"And?" said Harry.
"That's all I've found."
"There must be more," groused Ron.
"Of course there's more, I just haven't found it yet." Hermione flared.
Just then the door from the hall opened and Serena came in, her professor robes swirling around her. She walked to the front of the class and turned around.
"Good morning, class," she said.
"Good morning, Professor," they answered.
"Welcome to your fifth year of Defense Against Dark Arts. My job is to teach you exactly that: defense. There are foul creatures and people with even fouler intent who prowl the world. When we are done, I would have you know what you need in order to move safely in this world. We will study magical defenses, magical creatures, and also some more unusual things."
She looked around and her eyes settled on a set of chairs a few behind Harry, on Lavender Brown. "Miss Brown," she said. "Recap for me, what you learned last semester…"
Several hours later, close to the end of the day, Serena made her way down a hall. Ahead of her, she could see Professor Snape and hurried to catch up with him.
"Hello, Professor. I was wondering if I could trouble you for a few moments."
Briefly, Snape's face hardened with suspicion. "I am on my way to a Potions class."
"Ah, perhaps another time…" She masked her annoyance at the rebuff.
"However, you could walk to the class with me if that will be adequate."
"That would be fine."
As they started walking, Serena asked Snape a few questions about potions. He didn't say anything aside from directly answering her questions, but he was fairly impressed. She was articulate and well versed, seeming to understand the nuances of potion-making that escaped so many. As they reached his class, she told him a little about how she planned to approach teaching Defense Against Dark Arts, as well as something she was planning on doing quite differently.
"I believe," Serena was saying, "that to a certain extent, that by overlooking how to do things ourselves, without the benefit of magic, we actually weaken ourselves. There are a number of circumstances where learning how to fight through more – conventional – means is essential."
"You mean learning to fight like a Muggle."
"To a certain extent, yes. Think about it." She stepped in front of Snape, forcing him to stop. "Many of us need to operate in the Muggle world and there are numbers of dangers there. Dangers that our students may never have anticipated."
"Why is this so important to you? It seems like a trivial focus for a Defense Against Dark Arts class."
"It is important." Her voice was hard.
For his part, Severus didn't say anything for a minute, but his furrowed brow and slight frown told Serena that he didn't think much of her idea.
"You're the professor," he said with a dismissive sigh.
She said one more thing as he started to walk away: "Severus, when we were attacked in Castlebann, that was how it started. Muggings. Beatings. Fear. Then the magical attack came. That's why I think it's so bloody important!"
He froze for a moment and then spun, but she was already walking away.
Severus was somewhat surprised to cross paths with Serena again the next day, and the day after that. Each time seemed to be at a different time, in a different spot, and they would walk together to one class or another, deep in conversation or even debate. Even more unexpectedly, he found himself beginning to enjoy her company.
Two weeks after the start of classes, the Quidditch season began. The inaugural game was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It had been an exciting game, with an unusually close score. The Hufflepuff team astounded everyone by nearly winning. As the stands cleared, Serena cut through the crowds to fall into step next to Severus. He looked over at her with his usual cool demeanor, but she noticed the slightest hint of a smile curve the corner of his mouth for a moment.
"A good game," she said.
"Indeed. However, I'm not sure if it means the Hufflepuff team is particularly good this year, or if the Ravenclaw team is simply terrible."
"I think the former is more accurate."
"We'll see how they do against Slytherin," he said aloofly. "That will show how good their team is."
"I can see how much we'll have to debate once Slytherin and Gryffindor play their match," answered Serena.
"Debate? The answer there is clear as well."
"We'll see about that. Aye," she chuckled, knowing he was confident in Slytherin's superiority, "we will see about that."
Walking in the other direction, on their way to see Hagrid, Harry, Ron and Hermione saw the two professors walking together.
"Is it me, or have Professor Snape and Professor Castleton-Black been spending a lot of time together?" asked Hermione.
"They talk between classes sometimes. So what?" said Ron with a shrug.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Men are so oblivious," she snorted.
"What?" said Ron. "What?!"
Harry just laughed at him. About ten minutes later, they arrived at Hagrid's cottage.
"'Ello, 'Arry," smiled Hagrid. He put down an armful of wood. "Ron. 'Ermione. What brings you out here today?"
"Just wanted to visit," said Harry with a shrug. "What did you think of the game?"
"Hufflepuff's got a great team this year. I'm a little surprised." He tugged at his beard as he spoke.
"Hagrid," said Hermione slowly, "may I ask you a question?"
"Of course, 'Ermione. What's on your mind?"
"What's Castlebann?"
Hagrid looked down sharply. "Who told you about that?"
"We overheard Professor Castleton-Black talking and she mentioned it."
"We'll," said Hagrid with a frown, "why don't you ask her about it?"
"I wouldn't do that," said Ron. "She looked pretty upset."
"And whatever it is," added Harry, "seemed to mean something to Professor Snape. He seemed to… respect her more after she said it. She said she was the only one to walk away from Castlebann."
Hagrid sat down on the steps to his cottage and sighed. He was quiet for a long time. Finally, he said, "Well, I suppose there ain't no 'arm in telling you. It isn't a secret…"
The three all took seats and looked at the large man expectantly.
"Castlebann is a town in Ireland," Hagrid began. "A fairly large group of wizards and witches made their homes there. And it was where Professor Castleton-Black grew up."
"Isn't there a school like Hogwart's in Ireland? Why didn't she go to school there?" asked Hermione.
"There is. Place called McCumhail Manor. As for why she didn't go there? Well, part 'o that's because she's really quite talented, an' Hogwart's does have the reputation for being the top school for young wizards and witches. Plus, 'er Mother wasn't on terribly good speaking terms with 'er family. Ye see, she had Serena when she was very, very young and her family threw her out. Later they missed her, but her Mother wouldn't forgive them. So she petitioned Hogwart's to allow Serena to attend school here."
"What about her father?" asked Harry.
"Er, um, well," blustered Hagrid, turning a little red as the three students stared at each other with wide eyes. "As far as I know, her mother never told anyone – not even Serena – who her father was. But that's not important to answerin' your question." Then Hagrid stopped and his expression grew serious.
"So what happened?" asked Hermione.
Hagrid took a deep breath before continuing his story, "About fifteen years ago something happened. It was right at the height of You Know Who's power…"
"Just before I was born," Harry said softly.
Hagrid nodded. "That's right, 'Arry. Fifteen years ago, some strange things started happening at Castlebann. People getting in accidents. Unexplained things. Then there was an attack. A group of Death Eaters attacked the town." Hagrid's face had turned dark. "Some wizards were just killed in their sleep. Some of them they tortured."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked horrified.
"That's right," said Hagrid. "Of course, the wizards and witches in the town fought back. From what I know it was an 'orrible fight. Lots of terrible spells being flung everywhere. Serena was only 19 years old; she'd just graduated from Hogwart's. She saw them kill her friends… her mother."
Listening, Harry could relate to Serena suddenly. Voldemort's minions had taken her mother the same way he had killed Harry's mother.
"Well, Serena fought like a demon. She cut down six Death Eaters with her spells. All in all 40 people died, including those six Death Eaters. Except for two Death Eaters who ran away, Serena was the only witch to walk away from Castlebann. The entire town was butchered by the Death Eaters."
"Bloody hell," whispered Ron as Hagrid stood up.
"Well then, you know about Castlebann. Are ye happy you asked?"
Hermione didn't answer. She'd wanted to know, but now that she'd heard the story, she wasn't entirely sure it was something she should have asked about.
"I am," said Harry. "I know how she feels. I was just a baby when Voldemort killed my parents. I can't imagine it happening when I was grown up, and not being able to stop it…"
-- -- --- --- --
That's it for Chapter Two. Hope you've enjoyed. As always, I welcome feedback but please, be balanced. Tell me what I could improve for the future, but please tell me what you like as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my work… Ciao!
Author Note: Please be aware: this work is A/U, so I've taken some creative liberties. So those of you who are not keen on writing that deviates from canon, you are forewarned. I hope you'll still read and enjoy the story. Constructive feedback is always welcome!
Rating: R (for some sexual content and violence in later chapters)
Go raibh maith agaibh (that's "thank you" in modern Irish Gaelic):
Evenstar Elanor… For the fast first review on the new story, many thanks. I promise Serena has flaws.
Mercury Gray… Never fear, all the boys will not swoon over Serena. Wood's got a bit of a schoolboy crush, so he's a little over the top, but believe me. Not everyone reacts to her like that.
------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2: Shadows of Castlebann
Two days later, Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked into their first Defense Against Dark Arts class with their newest Professor. The students fidgeted at their desks and whispered amongst themselves. A few looked expectantly up at the small balcony that was outside the classroom office.
"Do you remember how dramatic Professor Lockhart when he was here?" asked Ron. He rolled his eyes, remembering the flourished cape and the posturing self-confidence that turned out to be no more than a charade.
Harry groaned, recalling the same thing.
"Well," said Hermione with a small shrug. "He was handsome." Both of the boys gave her a sour look.
"Mock me if you will," she said turning her nose slightly up.
"Hey," said Harry. "Why were you in the library for so long yesterday? We've hardly had any classes. Don't tell me you've done all of your reading for the next month already!"
Hermione made a face. "No. I wasn't reading ahead. At least not much…" She dropped her voice to a whisper. "I was looking for information on Castlebann."
Ron and Harry leaned in. "What did you find out?" Ron whispered eagerly.
"Well, I might have found more if you two had actually remembered to help."
"Whatever…," sighed Ron.
"The only thing I found out is that it is a small town in Ireland. But it is a special town. The only people who live there are wizards and witches. It is masked from the Muggle population, so they don't even know its there."
"And?" said Harry.
"That's all I've found."
"There must be more," groused Ron.
"Of course there's more, I just haven't found it yet." Hermione flared.
Just then the door from the hall opened and Serena came in, her professor robes swirling around her. She walked to the front of the class and turned around.
"Good morning, class," she said.
"Good morning, Professor," they answered.
"Welcome to your fifth year of Defense Against Dark Arts. My job is to teach you exactly that: defense. There are foul creatures and people with even fouler intent who prowl the world. When we are done, I would have you know what you need in order to move safely in this world. We will study magical defenses, magical creatures, and also some more unusual things."
She looked around and her eyes settled on a set of chairs a few behind Harry, on Lavender Brown. "Miss Brown," she said. "Recap for me, what you learned last semester…"
Several hours later, close to the end of the day, Serena made her way down a hall. Ahead of her, she could see Professor Snape and hurried to catch up with him.
"Hello, Professor. I was wondering if I could trouble you for a few moments."
Briefly, Snape's face hardened with suspicion. "I am on my way to a Potions class."
"Ah, perhaps another time…" She masked her annoyance at the rebuff.
"However, you could walk to the class with me if that will be adequate."
"That would be fine."
As they started walking, Serena asked Snape a few questions about potions. He didn't say anything aside from directly answering her questions, but he was fairly impressed. She was articulate and well versed, seeming to understand the nuances of potion-making that escaped so many. As they reached his class, she told him a little about how she planned to approach teaching Defense Against Dark Arts, as well as something she was planning on doing quite differently.
"I believe," Serena was saying, "that to a certain extent, that by overlooking how to do things ourselves, without the benefit of magic, we actually weaken ourselves. There are a number of circumstances where learning how to fight through more – conventional – means is essential."
"You mean learning to fight like a Muggle."
"To a certain extent, yes. Think about it." She stepped in front of Snape, forcing him to stop. "Many of us need to operate in the Muggle world and there are numbers of dangers there. Dangers that our students may never have anticipated."
"Why is this so important to you? It seems like a trivial focus for a Defense Against Dark Arts class."
"It is important." Her voice was hard.
For his part, Severus didn't say anything for a minute, but his furrowed brow and slight frown told Serena that he didn't think much of her idea.
"You're the professor," he said with a dismissive sigh.
She said one more thing as he started to walk away: "Severus, when we were attacked in Castlebann, that was how it started. Muggings. Beatings. Fear. Then the magical attack came. That's why I think it's so bloody important!"
He froze for a moment and then spun, but she was already walking away.
Severus was somewhat surprised to cross paths with Serena again the next day, and the day after that. Each time seemed to be at a different time, in a different spot, and they would walk together to one class or another, deep in conversation or even debate. Even more unexpectedly, he found himself beginning to enjoy her company.
Two weeks after the start of classes, the Quidditch season began. The inaugural game was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It had been an exciting game, with an unusually close score. The Hufflepuff team astounded everyone by nearly winning. As the stands cleared, Serena cut through the crowds to fall into step next to Severus. He looked over at her with his usual cool demeanor, but she noticed the slightest hint of a smile curve the corner of his mouth for a moment.
"A good game," she said.
"Indeed. However, I'm not sure if it means the Hufflepuff team is particularly good this year, or if the Ravenclaw team is simply terrible."
"I think the former is more accurate."
"We'll see how they do against Slytherin," he said aloofly. "That will show how good their team is."
"I can see how much we'll have to debate once Slytherin and Gryffindor play their match," answered Serena.
"Debate? The answer there is clear as well."
"We'll see about that. Aye," she chuckled, knowing he was confident in Slytherin's superiority, "we will see about that."
Walking in the other direction, on their way to see Hagrid, Harry, Ron and Hermione saw the two professors walking together.
"Is it me, or have Professor Snape and Professor Castleton-Black been spending a lot of time together?" asked Hermione.
"They talk between classes sometimes. So what?" said Ron with a shrug.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Men are so oblivious," she snorted.
"What?" said Ron. "What?!"
Harry just laughed at him. About ten minutes later, they arrived at Hagrid's cottage.
"'Ello, 'Arry," smiled Hagrid. He put down an armful of wood. "Ron. 'Ermione. What brings you out here today?"
"Just wanted to visit," said Harry with a shrug. "What did you think of the game?"
"Hufflepuff's got a great team this year. I'm a little surprised." He tugged at his beard as he spoke.
"Hagrid," said Hermione slowly, "may I ask you a question?"
"Of course, 'Ermione. What's on your mind?"
"What's Castlebann?"
Hagrid looked down sharply. "Who told you about that?"
"We overheard Professor Castleton-Black talking and she mentioned it."
"We'll," said Hagrid with a frown, "why don't you ask her about it?"
"I wouldn't do that," said Ron. "She looked pretty upset."
"And whatever it is," added Harry, "seemed to mean something to Professor Snape. He seemed to… respect her more after she said it. She said she was the only one to walk away from Castlebann."
Hagrid sat down on the steps to his cottage and sighed. He was quiet for a long time. Finally, he said, "Well, I suppose there ain't no 'arm in telling you. It isn't a secret…"
The three all took seats and looked at the large man expectantly.
"Castlebann is a town in Ireland," Hagrid began. "A fairly large group of wizards and witches made their homes there. And it was where Professor Castleton-Black grew up."
"Isn't there a school like Hogwart's in Ireland? Why didn't she go to school there?" asked Hermione.
"There is. Place called McCumhail Manor. As for why she didn't go there? Well, part 'o that's because she's really quite talented, an' Hogwart's does have the reputation for being the top school for young wizards and witches. Plus, 'er Mother wasn't on terribly good speaking terms with 'er family. Ye see, she had Serena when she was very, very young and her family threw her out. Later they missed her, but her Mother wouldn't forgive them. So she petitioned Hogwart's to allow Serena to attend school here."
"What about her father?" asked Harry.
"Er, um, well," blustered Hagrid, turning a little red as the three students stared at each other with wide eyes. "As far as I know, her mother never told anyone – not even Serena – who her father was. But that's not important to answerin' your question." Then Hagrid stopped and his expression grew serious.
"So what happened?" asked Hermione.
Hagrid took a deep breath before continuing his story, "About fifteen years ago something happened. It was right at the height of You Know Who's power…"
"Just before I was born," Harry said softly.
Hagrid nodded. "That's right, 'Arry. Fifteen years ago, some strange things started happening at Castlebann. People getting in accidents. Unexplained things. Then there was an attack. A group of Death Eaters attacked the town." Hagrid's face had turned dark. "Some wizards were just killed in their sleep. Some of them they tortured."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked horrified.
"That's right," said Hagrid. "Of course, the wizards and witches in the town fought back. From what I know it was an 'orrible fight. Lots of terrible spells being flung everywhere. Serena was only 19 years old; she'd just graduated from Hogwart's. She saw them kill her friends… her mother."
Listening, Harry could relate to Serena suddenly. Voldemort's minions had taken her mother the same way he had killed Harry's mother.
"Well, Serena fought like a demon. She cut down six Death Eaters with her spells. All in all 40 people died, including those six Death Eaters. Except for two Death Eaters who ran away, Serena was the only witch to walk away from Castlebann. The entire town was butchered by the Death Eaters."
"Bloody hell," whispered Ron as Hagrid stood up.
"Well then, you know about Castlebann. Are ye happy you asked?"
Hermione didn't answer. She'd wanted to know, but now that she'd heard the story, she wasn't entirely sure it was something she should have asked about.
"I am," said Harry. "I know how she feels. I was just a baby when Voldemort killed my parents. I can't imagine it happening when I was grown up, and not being able to stop it…"
-- -- --- --- --
That's it for Chapter Two. Hope you've enjoyed. As always, I welcome feedback but please, be balanced. Tell me what I could improve for the future, but please tell me what you like as well. Thanks for taking the time to read my work… Ciao!