Disclaimer I still own nothing. These characters are the product of JK Rowlings imagination, not mine.
The raven soared high into the clouds, normally when she was in this form Sera felt free and happy, but she couldn't feel that way now. 'How dare he? How dare Lupin even think of putting his hands on me!' She felt like she was on fire, her heart was pounding in her chest and her mind was racing. 'Where is he?'
She flew into an open window of the house on Spinner's End and transfigured back into her human form. Sera knew she should be more cautious, but she didn't care. "Severus! Where are you?"
"Who's there?" called a voice from downstairs.
Sera ran down the steps and into the small living room. "Where is he?"
"How did you get upstairs?"
"Where is he?" she asked again, grabbing the man's shirt collar.
The man swallowed hard, "Mr. Snape? He said he had to leave on urgent business, and that he didn't know when he'd be back. He asked me to come around and check that the place was locked up."
"Who are you?" she asked, still holding onto him.
"The name's Stevens, ma'am, I'm the landlord. Would you mind letting go of me now?"
She stared at him for a few seconds longer, the rage subsiding slightly. "I'm sorry." She said, letting go of the man. "It's been a very trying morning." She looked around the room, on a side table was a half-drunk glass of wine and a small, leather bound book. "Did he say where he was going?"
"No ma'am." He paused, "What did you say your name was again?"
Sera eyed him suspiciously, "I didn't. It's Seraphina."
"Ah, he said you might come 'round looking for him." He reached into his pocket, "He asked me to give this to you, if I should see you."
"Thank you, Mr. Stevens." She replied, the anger gone from her voice, as she took the letter from the man. "I'm sorry about all that."
"No apologies necessary," he laughed, "you remind me of my sister when her husband stays out too late. Just worried, I expect."
"Extremely." she said as she sat down to open the letter.
"Look, I have to get going, would you mind locking up when you leave?"
Sera looked up at the man and smiled, "Of course. Thank you again." Stevens nodded and walked out of the house. When he had gone, Sera turned the envelope over in her hands. On the front was her name, written in Severus' distinct script. She opened it slowly, afraid of what might be written inside. When she finally got up the nerve to remove the letter itself, she saw that it was a small piece of parchment. She drew in a deep breath and read: 'Sera, there are times when all one can do is trust. This is one of those times. I cannot discuss what I have done, for it would put you in a very dangerous position, and that is the last thing I wish to do. I have been forced to do many difficult things in my life, but leaving you is by far the hardest. I don't know if you will come looking for me, but if by some chance you do, then I pray this finds you. Please, stay safe. For your own good, let these be our final words. I fear I will never see you again, but I have made my bed and now I must lie in it. Do not mourn for me, do not hate me, all I ask is that you love me as I love you. Good-bye my love, Severus.'
The tears ran down her cheeks as Sera folded the note and tucked it into her pocket. Wiping the tears away, she looked down at the book on the table, it was a book of poems by Edgar Allan Poe. She opened it to where the ribbon marker lay, The Raven. She smiled.
"I do love you Severus, and that's why these can't be our final words. I'll find you, no matter what it takes, I'll find you."