Disclaimer: This story is INSPIRED by Rowling's "Harry Potter" books. For a full disclaimer on what I've created (a few characters) and what Rowlings has created (everything else!), please see Chapter 1.

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:

Lady of the Dog Star… Rowlings in disguise? I'm flattered beyond measure!

Evenstar Elanor… As always, you completely rock. All of the feedback (and the honesty) is much appreciated! (For those of you who have not read her work, I highly recommend it!)

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Chapter 6: An unexpected name

The weeks that passed between Serena's donning of the Slytherin colors during dinner and the arrival of the long anticipated alumni week at Hogwart's passed in a blur. Professor McGonagall was flooded with notes, votes, and opinions on who should be on the Quidditch team. The other professors all worked doubly hard to conduct their classes but also to prepare for the possibility of – for better or worse – meeting parents.

The students worked hard as well, knowing they'd only have a short reprieve before preparations for their dreaded final exams began. For his part, Oliver Wood devoted his free time to drumming up student support to vote Serena onto the alumni Quidditch team. He campaigned to such an extent that many students likened it to Hermione's single-minded devotion to liberating the House Elves. Finally, the week before festivities were scheduled to commence, the official teams were announced at dinner.

"Students," said the Headmaster, standing up from his seat. "If I could have your attention." The room grew silent and all eyes turned to Dumbledore. "As you know, next week starts our alumni week. There will be no classes during the week, but you are all still responsible for completing the assignments you've been given. Once classes resume, you'll only have about four weeks until final exams."

A small groan rippled through the room.

"But let us not dwell on that. As we speak, owls are winging their way across the length and breadth of the land, delivering official invitations to the people who will make up the teams for our all-star Quidditch teams."

He applauded lightly as the students cheered. From her spot at the table Serena smiled and took a sip of wine from her glass. The enthusiasm of the students had been infectious as the days had drawn closer and she found herself truly looking forward to upcoming events.

Next to her, Snape leaned slightly to the side. "Care to place a wager on the outcome of the alumni game?"

She shook her head and laughed, "No, I learned my lesson last time, Professor."

"Suit yourself."

Dumbledore raised his hand for quiet. "I thought you all might like to see the teams as they stand now. Would I be correct?"

"Yes!" The answer was thunderous and unanimous.

"Very well…" Suddenly, an enormous parchment appeared in mid-air and unrolled with a flourish. It was blank to start, but suddenly the border of the paper turned into the Ravenclaw house colors.

"For Ravenclaw," said Dumbledore, "the team is: Gervais LeClaire and Donna DiAdagio, Beaters; Devon Li, Keeper; Roddy Thatcher, John Tilson, and Jack Allen, Chasers, and Ivy Ryan as Seeker." As he named names, they appeared in curving script on the parchment. The whole room cheered and clapped, and the Ravenclaw tables all waved their scarves above their heads.

The parchment went blank and then the Hufflepuff colors appeared. The Headmaster paused and then said, "For Hufflepuff, the team is: Kevin Millerson and Geordi Sumner, Beaters; Penelope Van Rini, Keeper; Ferdinand Fox, Cynthia Simmons, and Olive White, Chasers, and Wesley Warren as Seeker." A rousing cheer went up from the Hufflepuff table. Their excellent team this year had turned the whole house into enormous Quidditch fans.

"Come on," groaned Wood from his seat at the Gryffindor table. "Get to the Gryffindor team!"

"Settle down, Wood," said George. "You're out of control!"

"That's an understatement," snorted Hermione.

"And you were so restrained when Viktor Krum was here," grumbled Ron.

"What did you just say?" Her voice went up an octave.

"Nothing. Nothing!" Ron stared straight ahead, refusing to look at the thoroughly miffed Hermione Granger.

"Don't go and get yourself killed, Ron," said Oliver. "You need to be in shape for extra practices."

"What'd you do wrong this time?" snorted George.

"Nothing!" Ron nearly yelled.

"For your information," said Wood, "I saw Harry practicing and Ron was playing Keeper for him, and he was damn excellent at it. I want to train him up to take my place as Keeper after I graduate."

That shut George up, but then Fred chimed in.

"Harry's the Seeker. Why did he need a Keeper?"

"I was just practicing with the Quaffle," said Harry with a shrug. "Needed a change of pace for a day before I went back to practicing with the Golden Snitch…"

"Shhh!" said Wood. "The parchment's changing again. Hush!" The table grew silent as the parchment washed out again and then the Gryffindor colors appeared around the edges.

"For Gryffindor, the team is: Dante Gianni and Rufus Woolsey, Beaters; Bill Weasley, Keeper; Artemis Delaney, Lolita LeBeau, and our very own Serena Castleton-Black, Chasers, and Alexander Simon as Seeker. And I must say," Dumbledore noted as he peered over his glasses, "that the outpouring of support for Professor Castleton-Black has been quite enthusiastic."

Now that was an understatement if Harry had ever heard one. He would have called if fanatical.

The Gryffindor table exploded. Wood, whooping at the top of his lungs, was waving both fists over his head. Next to him, the Weasleys were beside themselves. Ginny applauded wildly and the brothers were close to astonished.

"Bill made the cut? Bill made the cut!" Fred and George were slapping hands.

"Brilliant!" shouted Ron.

"Mrs. Weasley will be out of her mind with pride," said Hermione.

"Good," said Harry. "She's been so upset over Percy lately, she could use something fun to look forward to."

Up at the main table, McGonagall leaned forward and looked at Serena. "You appear to have a fan club, my dear," she said with a grin.

"Apparently."

"Settle down, students. Quiet please!" Dumbledore waved his hands. "We still have one more team to announce." The parchment changed one final time and the Slytherin colors slowly infused the edges of the paper.

"And last but not least, for Slytherin, the team is: Bruce Bullthroat and James Goyle, Beaters; Charles Exeter, Keeper; Hecate Underwood, Gerald Gordon, and Malificus Malfoy, Chasers, and Damien Parker as Seeker."

Draco leaped up. "My uncle made the team! Smashing!"

"Goyle, your Dad made the team!" Crabbe slapped Goyle on the back as the Slytherin table celebrated.

Severus slowly stopped applauding as he looked at the Dark Arts professor. Serena was pale, staring at the parchment, not hearing any of the commotion in the room, and the only thing she could see was one name: Malificus Malfoy.

Miles away, ensconced in a dapper flat hidden from the Muggle world, Malificus was reading his note.

"Well, Lucius, it appears I've been voted onto the alumni Quidditch team," he said in a silky voice.

"Indeed?" The older Malfoy brother finished pouring himself a glass of wine. He swirled it in the glass and looked at the dark maroon color with a critical eye. "They why don't you come up to the school when Narcissa and I go?"

"I shall… well, well," he said. The corner of Malificus' mouth curled up slightly. "Isn't that interesting."

Lucius kicked a House Elf out of his way and sat down in the overstuffed armchair across from his brother. Lucius and Malificus could almost pass for twins if they made the effort. Both had the long, pale blond hair that seemed to run in the Malfoy family. Malificus' nose was slightly narrower than his brother's, but they had the same steely blue eyes that held all the warmth of the waters in a Norwegian fjord.

"What's piqued your interest, Mal?"

"It seems my old friend Serena Castleton-Black is on the Gryffindor team."

"I'm not surprised. She's endeared herself to the students as their Dark Arts professor."

"Dark Arts? Well, well, well. I hadn't known that. Suddenly, this reunion seems like a smashing idea. A good chance to catch up with old… friends."

"Malificus. This is no time to be distracted. We have work to do for The Dark Lord that won't wait on your dalliances."

"I wouldn't call it a dalliance. Please, Lucius. It was more of a... game."

"Then what did I just hear in your voice?"

"Nothing!" But Malificus was lying. I wouldn't mind dallying with her. On my terms, he thought. Ah, but for the chance to teach her a little humility… what it is like to be obedient, submissive…

 Lucius narrowed his eyes at his brother, knowing the last response was a lie. "Malificus, don't ignore me. I was able to hide you after Castlebann, but I won't be able to do it again."

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Hope you like this chapter. Malificus will become much more important in later chapters, but for those of you who have been asking for more on the relationship between Serena and Severus, never fear! Trust me that more is coming. I promise! Your patience will be rewarded… And please, read & review!!!