Disclaimers: See Chapters 1 and 2 for who owns what.

Thank you for the reviews…

You three seem to be my only reviewers for this story, and I do thank you for your constant feedback. I love hearing from you!

Evenstar Elanor… Good. Bernard was supposed to be disturbing. He didn't go to Hogwart's… He went to the equivalent school in Ireland – McCumhail Manor. I mention it briefly in "Thunderstruck." Bernard a self-important, domineering, and slightly misogynistic man, but I will tell you he's not in league with the Malfoys. As for Severus' self-doubt? Read on, my friend!

Mercury Gray… A "pissed off Potions Master" – yes, indeed, that would be Severus right now.

Wyall Jared… LOL. You don't mess with Severus Snape's honey!

Chapter 7: Dark Shadows

It took Severus two hours to get Serena settled down after Bernard left. She had alternated between thundering rages and copious tears. She'd hardly touched her stew. After supper, Serena insisted quite curtly that she was just fine to do the dishes and while she did, Severus set the kettle on the stove and started brewing tea. As it started to steep, the smell of lemon drifted through the room. He strained the tea and added a small dollop of honey before handing the concoction to Serena.

"And what would this be?" she asked.

"Fresh lemon balm," he answered. "With chamomile flowers and spearmint leaves."

"All designed to calm the mind and sooth anxiety," she answered. She took a sip and rolled the tea across her tongue. The spearmint cooled the tartness of the lemon. "And it is quite lovely. Thank you."

She finished the one cup and Severus managed to ply her with a second one before Serena yawned. He smiled. "Off to bed with you," he said.

"Will you be staying?" she asked.

"If you'd like."

Serena nodded. "I would."

A short time later they were safely ensconced in Serena's bed. Serena's back was pushed up against Severus and the Potions Master had her wrapped in his arms. It was dreadfully hard to have let Serena go to sleep, and she had quite blatantly hinted that she was willing to put sleep off for a time, but Severus had reminded her that a bet was a bet.

After that, she'd said goodnight with a resigned sigh and finally drifted off. Severus had stayed awake until he heard her breathing deepen and slow, and only then did he let himself start to fall asleep. Then he woke with a start as Serena started to thrash in his arms.

"Too dark," she said softly, still wrapped in her nightmare. "Where is everyone? Mum? Mum?" She shouted as the thunder rolled through her dreams. "Don't you dare call him that…"

"Shhh," whispered Severus. "Shh. You're dreaming, luv. You're safe." He tightened his arms around her, knowing better than to wake her abruptly. He'd done that once and for a short time Serena didn't realize that she was awake. It was much better to allow her to come out of the nightmare herself, no matter how much the anguish in her voice troubled him.

Serena called out a few more times and then seemed to relax again. Severus slid his arm out from under her head and quietly got out of the bed. He could have just summoned a glass of water, but instead he walked silently into the kitchen. He wore only a pair of sleeping trousers and the feel of the cool tiles on his bare feet helped focus his thoughts.

After his drink he sat down on one of the kitchen stools and looked out at the moon through the kitchen window. It was merely a sickle tonight, a silvery grin in the night sky. Serena had always said the moon looked like a seductive smile when it was like this. Tonight, Severus thought it looked more like a mocking grin.

It was almost Samhain and he and Serena would be getting married in two weeks. Unwanted and unwelcome, Bernard's voice melted out of the dark shadows of the room. Not good enough for my granddaughter… Mongrel… Then Severus' own self-doubt began to add more. Inadequate… Worthless… Liar… Betrayer… Death Eater…

Severus ground his teeth together. He'd vowed to himself that he would ignore the biting comments from Bernard, that he would not torment himself with self-doubt and loathing, but alone in the dark confines of the night, the words and the doubts surrounded him, making his skin cold where they touched.

"What if he's right?" whispered Severus, unable to keep from being drawn down into the abyss. "What if I'm not good enough for her? I love her so much… I didn't think I could love anyone like this. When will she discover I'm not the man she thinks? She'll learn to hate me and then she'll leave me…"

Stop! another voice called in his head. She heard the truth about you being a Death Eater and she came back to you. She loves you for who you are. Don't destroy this!

"Severus?" Serena called out from the bedroom. "Severus?"

He turned his back on the shadows and went back to the bedroom. "I was just getting a drink of water," he said quietly. Serena curled up with him as he slid under the covers, pressing her cheek against his bare chest. He could feel her eyelashes tickle as her eyes fluttered closed.

"I like it when you're here…" she murmured, falling back asleep almost immediately.

Severus felt the sting of bitter tears in his eyes but he rapidly blinked them away.

Well, do tell! What do you think?