Disclaimer: See chapters 1 and 2 for full disclaimers

Many thanks to…

Evenstar Elanor… I don't doubt you'll be there to comfort Oliver. With any luck he might show up again. (wink)

Wyall Jared… I do hope you'll like the wedding once we get there.

Mercury Gray… I'll see what I can do for Oliver (if Evenstar Elanor can control herself…!)

Chapter 6: Castlebann Resurrected

Severus knew October was going to be a difficult month. Between the wedding, teaching her classes, and stepping into her new role as assistant coach for the Quidditch teams, Serena was driving herself relentlessly. Severus kept a careful eye on her, knowing that the anniversary of Castlebann was imminent. He'd woken up a few times this week to her tossing and turning and murmuring in her sleep, but so far, she hadn't had any full-blown nightmares. He hoped the trend continued.

His own classes were keeping him occupied as well, and over the past few days his students had been quite fractious. Today, he had handed out several detentions and was in a foul mood. He'd planned to have a quiet dinner with Serena. They hadn't really seen each other for several days because of conflicting schedules, and she had offered to cook him dinner. Now he had to baby-sit those little wretches.

Serena knew something was wrong as soon as she saw Severus. There was a crease in his forehead that he always got when he was irritated. She glanced around, and seeing no students, she gently reached up and ran her fingertips across his forehead. He blinked in surprise.

"What has you vexed?" she asked. "I know that expression."

"I have multiple detentions to attend to tonight," he growled.

"Oh… so we won't be able to have dinner?" Serena tried not to sound disappointed.

"Not unless you mind eating late."

"Doesn't bother me," she smiled. "More time to cook."

He let a small smile curl the corner of his mouth. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Ah, you can make it up to me another day," she said. "Besides, you need to keep those unruly students in line."

A few hours later, dinner was cut, diced, spiced and simmering on the stove. Serena checked the Irish stew once more before she curled up in her favorite chair with a book. She had two hours for it to cook before Serverus would be finished with detention and she lost herself in the pages of her novel for nearly the full time. It was a wonderful indulgence that she hadn't allowed herself recently.

A sudden, violent banging on her door tore her away from the crisp pages. Silence followed for a moment and then the banging thundered again.

"Enough! What's the bloody alarm about?" she asked as she threw the front door open. She couldn't believe her eyes. Outside was a face she knew, but hadn't seen in many, many years. Dumbstruck, Serena simply stood there as her grandfather, Bernard Abercrombie Castleton-Black, stormed into the room.

He was tall and broad shouldered. His white hair was combed back and Serena had no trouble picturing it as the raven black it had been when he was a young man. He wore his moustache and beard neat and closely trimmed.

"What are you doing here?" she finally blurted out.

Bernard turned slowly after looking at Serena's cottage with some disdain, as if he were in the servants' quarters. "You should be answering the questions. Just what do you think you're doing?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Running off and just getting married to some inconsequential oaf? What are you trying to do to the family?"

"What did you just say?" Her grandfather's appearance and vehement attack caught Serena off guard. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You heard exactly what I said. Now explain yourself."

"Explain myself? Explain myself! I'll do nothing of the sort. Who do you think you are barging in here and demanding anything from me?" Her temper finally overcame her astonishment.

"I am the patriarch of the Castleton-Black family. We are one of the most admired wizarding families in all of Ireland, and it is very important who we choose to align ourselves with."

"And since when have my choices ever had a bearing on the family reputation?" She didn't hide the angry sarcasm in her voice.

"Since you've chosen to align yourself with this obscure potions teacher. Snip… Snope… whatever his name is. He is not worthy of being part of the Castleton-Black family."

"You don't even know Severus," she barked back. "He isn't a perfect man, I'll grant you that much, but he loves me and that is what really matters."

"Oh, yes, love conquers all." Bernard's snide voice slid through her like ice. "I tried to help your mother understand the importance of family and reputation, but she was a rebellious tart. It broke my heart when she walked out on the family. Denied me the chance to get to know you, my lovely granddaughter…"

"Bollocks!" shouted Serena. If you hadn't thrown her out, my mother would have never been at Castlebann! Malificus Malfoy wouldn't have murdered here!

"Your mother was very important to me…"

"You selfish bastard! How dare you claim to be a caring father? You didn't speak to my mother after she got pregnant with me unless it was to tell her how she'd ruined her life and your precious bloody reputation. You threw her out of your manor and out of your life. You cut her off without a cent, hoping she'd crawl back, begging for your forgiveness. Bloody hell, you didn't even come to her funeral!"

Severus arrived at the doorstep just in time to hear the final exchange. He stormed through the doorway and seemed to grow very large like some hooded cobra raised up to strike.

"I think it's time for you to leave!" he snarled. He stalked into the room and put himself between Serena and Bernard. For his part, Bernard looked Severus up and down slowly, evaluating him.

"Leave," repeated Severus. He pulled his wand out and pointed it at Bernard.

The older man scowled angrily. "You're not good enough for my granddaughter," he snarled.

"She seems to disagree." Severus took a step forward, still keeping his wand pointed directly at Bernard's chest.

"My granddaughter will see the error of her ways."

"She's not YOUR anything," snarled Severus.

"Oh, but she is yours then isn't she?" Bernard's eyes darted to Serena to see what she'd think of his comment.

"No," said Severus, "she belongs to herself. Now get out of this house before I throw you out."

"You wouldn't dare."

Severus took a menacing step forward, his wand still held out in front of him. His hand never once trembled and Bernard realized that Severus would, indeed, dare. He might have considered taking on Severus, or Serena, for Bernard was not an incompetent wizard, but with both of ready to duel with him this was surely a fight he couldn't win.

"Very well." Bernard turned and looked coldly at Serena. "Your mother was a slattern at best, and you're no better. If you want to make your life with a mongrel like him, that's your choice."

The words slid past Severus' regular defenses, cutting him where he was most vulnerable. "GET OUT!" he thundered. "You're not welcome in our home. Don't come back."

Bernard glared at them both and disappeared out of the cottage. Severus immediately turned to Serena; her face was a mixture of sadness and anger as she looked at the open door. He didn't say a thing; he just pulled Serena close to him. Folding her in his arms, he rested his chin on the top of her head as her shoulders began to shake.

Well, that's it for now. What did you think? Please read/review!