Disclaimer: I own nothing, just borrowing the world and characters thought up by J.K. Rowling and using some creative license to make some adjustments. Lorelei and Seraphina are mine.
Warnings: Language and **TRIGGER WARNING** This chapter contains references to the murder/suicide of Seraphina and Lorelei.
Italics are character's internal thoughts and/or flashbacks.
Anything written "In bold quotes" is the character speaking in Bulgarian. I'm not about to insult those who speak the language by using Google translator.
Anything written "{Inside braced quotes}" is the character speaking in Parseltongue.
A/N: Now that we're starting to get into the meat of things the chapters will become longer in length. Many thanks for reading, following and of course to the reviews. :-)
8 days after the cryptic parchment from Viktor Krum, famous Bulgarian Seeker and former student of Durmstrang, Severus found himself pacing a private room inside the Leaky Cauldron in London. It was a Saturday night and thankfully he was not on rotation for Head of House duties. Thank Merlin, Minerva had changed that as soon as she became Headmistress. Instead of forcing all the Heads of House to remain at Hogwarts for the weekend they worked on rotation. Of course Severus stayed every weekend regardless. It wasn't like he had much to return home to. Just the dilapidated structure that at one point could have been called a "home." Not anymore. Spinner's End hadn't been a "home" for a very long time.
Severus glanced at the clock hanging on the wall again, 10 minutes to 6, their agreed upon meeting time. Most might have considered the invitation to meet in private to be dangerous. Severus wasn't most people. Despite having trained at the school notorious for teaching Dark Magic, Viktor Krum was hardly a dark wizard. Severus had seen firsthand that Viktor's bark was worse than his bite during his year at Hogwarts.
The surly man resumed his pacing, thoughts racing about what Viktor could want to speak about. He hadn't really expected any of the other magical schools around the world to have Lorelei Serpens on file, so he never expected to hear back. Let alone from a former student who had obviously been informed by the current Headmaster of Severus' inquiry.
Heavy steps down the hallway lured Severus from his thoughts. 8 minutes to 6 the door opened and a stoic Viktor Krum walked in.
Clad in heavy attire due to the frigid temperatures in his native Bulgaria in November, Viktor looked every bit the same young man who had attended Hogwarts 2 years prior. Even down to the clothing that looked near identical in both design and color.
"Professor." Viktor cordially nodded, offering his large hand to shake in a friendly gesture. Severus accepted it with a firm grip of his own.
"Mr. Krum."
"Sit." Viktor half-ordered, pointing at the two chairs sitting beside a small table off in the far corner of the room. Unlike many who would have found his harsh demeanor rather offensive, Severus found it comfortable. At least time would not be wasted on false pleasantries.
Severus situated himself in the simple wooden chair nearest to the door, his hands folded on the table top. Viktor shrugged out of his heavy coat, placing it on the back of the chair and sitting down gracefully despite his heavy build. Reaching into his pocket, Viktor removed a familiar parchment and tossed it onto the table.
"Vhat is that?" The young man's accent was as heavy as Severus remembered.
"It is a letter I sent to Headmaster Vankov, might I enquire as to how it ended up in your hands?" Severus smoothly asked.
"Headmaster Vankov vas not at Durmstrang until after the Tournament." Viktor leaned forward on the table resting his elbows on the edge and folding his hands just under his chin. "He did not know any students that attended during the years before his arrival."
"Surely he had access to records."
"He did, but there vas no Lorelei Serpens at Durmstrang." Viktor looked at Severus, his dark eyes pinning the older wizard in his place. Severus narrowed his eyes, Viktor was hiding something. He had a fleeting thought to probe he younger wizard's mind for any information, but it occurred to him that studying Occlumency was heavily encouraged at Drumstrang. He would no doubt feel any attempt and most likely respond with justifiable anger.
"Answer my question, Mr. Krum. How did my parchment end up in your hands?" Severus crossed his arms across his chest, leaning back in his chair.
"I vould have been the same year as her, no?"
Severus nodded curtly, conceding the Bulgarian's point. He knew that Viktor was actually a year older than the other students in their 7th year. No one ever knew why Viktor hadn't started Durmstrang until 12 years old and he wasn't about to question it now.
"Why not just send me a simple response? That there was no Lorelei Serpens at Durmstrang?"
Something flashed briefly in Viktor's eyes before his eyes assumed their normal impassive stare. Was it anger? No, something else. Fear. Yes! Viktor was afraid Severus would find something out.
"Vhy search for her now?" Viktor's voice was low and deep, warning Severus to tread lightly. "Seraphina Serpens died in 1981. Vhy search for her daughter now?"
"How did you know that?" Severus leaned forward in his chair, sneering at Viktor.
"No. You answer my question first, Professor."
Severus and Viktor sat silently staring at one another intently. It was obvious that each man had their own agenda at the meeting. Finally after several harsh minutes, Severus relented with a deep sigh. Leaning back in his chair, he allowed his hands to run through his lanky hair that was, despite popular rumors, not greasy in the least.
"I was friends with Sera during my years at Hogwarts." Severus admitted flatly. "She was the first friend I made in Slytherin and someone I considered my best friend. I just wanted to make sure her daughter was safe."
"If you vere her best friend, vhy did you not return to help her?" Viktor bit back, barely concealing his anger.
"A memory charm was placed upon myself, Minerva McGonagall and Poppy Pomfrey. We had no memory of Sera or her daughter until Albus Dumbledore died. When he died, the charm lifted."
"Vhat is the point in finding her daughter?" Viktor persisted again, slamming a fist on the table. "Do you plan to bring her before your Dark Master."
Severus reared back as if Viktor had slapped him across the face.
"Oh yes, Professor, ve all know of your allegiances." Viktor smirked while his eyes shifted to Severus' left arm.
"No. I answered your question, now you answer mine! How did you know Seraphina Serpens died in 1981?"Severus nearly shouted while anger coursed through his veins. How dare anyone judge him or the decisions he had made. Sure, choosing to ally, willingly, to the Dark Lord had probably not been one of his better ideas, but he had more than atoned for that and he owed no one an explanation for his actions.
"The Serpens family is longtime friends vith the Krum family." Viktor shrugged casually, but Severus could see the same emotion flash before the man's eyes. What the hell was he so worried about Severus discovering? Severus decided it was time to try a new tactic.
"Look, Mr. Krum, I'm not going to waste anymore of my time running in circles with you. I already know that Lorelei Serpens is dead, having died the same day as her mother. I wanted to meet with you merely to deduce why you ended up with my parchment. You've answered that question for me, so I bid you farewell."
With a final nod, Severus rose from his seat effortlessly and took slow calculated steps towards the door. It was a risk bluffing, he knew that, but one he would have to take. He only hoped that Viktor was naïve enough to fall for it.
"You do not believe Albus Dumbledore's memory of the event do you?"
Viktor's smug words were like a bucket of cold water dumped on Severus' head. The surly man stopped, his eyes focused on the door before him and hands clenched at his side.
"I do not know what you are referring to." Severus spat through clenched teeth.
"No? Then vhy did my vords cause you to tense?" Severus did not have to turn around to know Viktor was smirking and most likely leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed looking thoroughly amused. "It must be hard, Professor, to put so much faith in a man you thought to be so light only to discover that everyone has a dark side."
Severus slowly pivoted around to face the younger man. Sure enough Viktor was sitting with a smug smirk and arms crossed. How in the bloody hell did things get turned around so fast?
"How do you know about his memory? Or that I've seen it?" Severus shot back, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Viktor shook his head slowly with a soft chuckle. "Only three people vere present that day, Professor. You had to find out from one of them and Sera and Lorelei vere not the persons you spoke to."
"Is Sera alive?" Severus' voice was a choked whisper. Could he be so lucky? Did his childhood friend somehow manage to survive her jump? Was the grave in the Muggle cemetery empty? His hopes quickly faded with the flash of sadness that crossed Viktor's young face.
"No." Viktor shook his head. "Sera did not survive."
Severus quickly looked away, blinking rapidly. Dammit, it was too painful. The pain was as intense as the moment he discovered her grave marker inside the Muggle cemetery.
"Vhy are you suddenly now looking for Lorelei, Professor? Vhy now?" Viktor pulled Severus from his internal emotional battle. Severus took a deep breath, exhaling shakily as he tried to reign in his feelings. He absentmindedly recalled the pain he felt when Lily Evans was killed. This was worse.
"When the memory charm was lifted, I immediately sought out Sera and her child. I was the one who helped her escape Hogwarts before she was forced to terminate her pregnancy." Severus admitted softly.
"Vhy did you help her? You hated James Potter, no?" Viktor's head tilted sideways. A gesture that made him look as young as one of Severus' own students. Severus bristled at the mention of his bully.
"Yes and I still loathe James Potter with every ounce of my being. Regardless of how I felt about him, it was Sera's choice to make. She wanted her child and I was going to help her in any way I could." Severus spat, glowering at the Bulgarian.
Viktor narrowed his eyes on Severus, chewing the inside of his cheeks thoughtfully. Despite the deliberately harsh stare, Severus remained steady with his eyes focused on the man in return. He would not let this…boy…intimidate him. He, a Death Eater and bastard extraordinaire.
"And the fact that Lorelei is the savior's brother –"
"Means nothing! This has nothing to do with Mr. Potter!" Severus interrupted harshly. He had just about had it with people automatically assuming that Severus' intentions were that noble. No, he could care less if Harry bloody Potter ever met his half-sister. This wasn't about him. It was about Seraphina and the gross injustice of it all.
"And if Lorelei survived? Vhat then?"
"I would offer to assist her in any way I could. Even if it was just offering her memories of her mother. It doesn't matter though, I saw the memory with my own eyes. Sera threw Lorelei from the cliff…" He trailed off in a harsh whisper, voice unable to go on. Even now, two weeks later, it still hurt to recall how Lorelei had screamed and cried before Seraphina let her go.
"Vhat did Sera say vhen she let Lorelei go?"
Severus' eyes snapped up from the ground they had focused on in pain back to Viktor, brows furrowing in thought. What had she said? He couldn't hear the soft words the mother had whispered to her child, the very child she fought so hard to protect and keep, before that awful moment.
Viktor watched Severus closely as the surly man processed his thoughts. He knew it was risky doing this, but Viktor was no idiot. He knew of the history between Seraphina and Severus before the man stopped speaking to her. What the Krum family had not known was why. Seraphina swore to all who would listen that her best friend "Sev" would not abandon her, no, there had to be a reason why he did not return. She had assumed Dumbledore had played a role in that so it was no surprise to Viktor that he had. Despite being considered the lightest of all light wizards, Dumbledore was quite a manipulator. Especially when he considered it to be for the "good of all."
Suddenly the tense silence was broke with a sharp intake of air. Severus' eyes widened as he recalled a word Seraphina had yelled as she let go of Lorelei.
"She yelled 'Titan' when she threw Lorelei. Titan was her familiar. He was a magical snake, though I never was able to determine the species. He was a remarkable creature and fiercely loyal and protective of Sera." Severus mused, almost to himself with a small half-smile. "They would have hours long conversations in Parseltongue. She was the first person I knew that could speak it. It's how I discovered the Serpens family were descendents to Salazar Slytherin."
"Titan, short for Titanoboa." Viktor stood suddenly, grabbing his heavy coat and putting it on while Severus' eyes widened almost comically.
"Titanoboa. He was a Titanoboa, but that means –"
Viktor stopped before Severus with a curt nod. "That he could disapparate with anyone who was touching him."
"She wasn't whispering to Lorelei. She was speaking in Parseltongue to Titan." Severus gripped Viktor's arms firmly, his eyes searching for answers. Viktor nodded with a soft sigh.
"Come. There is someone you should meet."
Viktor waited for a brief second, only long enough for Severus to give him a curt nod before he activated the portkey hidden in his left hand with a whisper. The two men spun and their world turned upside down only briefly before they landed gently in the middle of a field.
Severus released Viktor immediately, dark eyes darting around assessing any potential threats, but he found none. Instead he found a large plot of land that had a fresh dusting of snow that shimmered in the setting sun and a large sized house just off in the short distance. The three-story dark stone house had two large chimneys on each end with white smoke rising from them. The oversized dark wood double doors sat center of the first floor and ornate rounded windows allowed the gentle glow of light shine out. The house appeared warm and inviting amidst harsh cold temperatures.
Viktor took off towards the house, his heavy boots crunching against the fresh snow. Severus cast a warming charm on himself and followed behind the younger man. He ignored the way his heart beat against his chest and the way his palms were sweating. He couldn't help but hope Seraphina's daughter was alive.
Arriving at the small simple brick front porch, Viktor smacked the sides of his boots against a wooden bench to remove excess snow. Severus stood beside him, clearing the snow off his own boots as well as dusting it off his shoulders and hair. Viktor placed his hand on the ornate iron doorknob, but instead of opening the door, turned back to Severus.
"I ask you to remember you are guest in my family home." Viktor raised his brows as if awaiting indication that Severus understood.
"Of course." Severus inclined his head respectfully.
Satisfied with Severus' response, Viktor nodded once and opened the door. Immediately Severus was blanketed in warm air and loud laughter and music. The two men stepped inside the warm house and immediately Severus looked around, observing for possible exits and threats. Sometimes his spy habits just seeped out. The house was what Severus had thought it would be. The floors were dark stone much like the exterior as were the walls, but somehow the lush tapestries and soft lighting made the impressive home feel warm and inviting. The foyer was simple and lead off in three directions. Directly before them was a large arch that lead into what appeared to be a sitting room, to the left was a hall and to the right was another hall. Lining the walls were tapestries and some magical photos.
While Severus appraised the foyer, Viktor removed his coat and hung it on a peg hanging on the wall. Severus noted next to his coat was a smaller woman's size coat, perhaps his mother? No, sister. He vaguely recalled Hogwarts resident know-it-all mentioning Viktor had a sister in one of the many pointless conversations he overheard in Order meetings.
"Mama, papa, we're here." Viktor yelled towards the arch. Almost immediately a large man appeared blocking most of the warm light that was filling the foyer. It didn't take a genius to know the man was obviously Viktor's father. They had the same features, except Ivan Krum was shockingly much larger than his son. The man stood tall, at least over 6'3" and had a large bulky build. His near shaven bald head showed dark hair and unlike Viktor, who had a small goatee, Ivan was clean shaven. The man was imposing in every way, even in fashion with his dark brown slacks and matching bulky jumper. His square, full face was made harsh with thin lips, a large curved nose and deep dark eyes.
"Is this the Professor?" Ivan crossed his arms, staring at Severus with a menacing glare. Severus schooled his features to not display his irritation towards the man's offensive stance.
"Yes, papa. He is trustworthy." Viktor stood next to Severus with his hands clasped before him.
"Says who?" The older man barked.
"Says me." A softer feminine voice called from behind Ivan. The man flinched slightly, turning with a sigh to see his wife standing there with a small smirk. The man shook his head and let out a soft chuckle. "Stop trying to intimidate our guest. Any friend of Sera's is a friend of ours."
Properly scolded, Ivan nodded and moved towards Severus and offered his hand. "Ivan Krum."
"Severus Snape." Severus replied tonelessly with a polite incline of his head as he shook the other man's hand. He made no outward reaction to the warning squeeze the brutish man had given his hand.
"Yuliya Krum." The tall woman with a bright smile moved forward, offering her smaller hand. She was a much needed softness to the harsh Bulgarian men with deep chocolate brown wavy hair that hung loose down to the middle of her back, light brown eyes with golden hues, a fuller pout and a curvaceous figure that bared proof she had born the Bulgarian brute his children though was hidden behind a dark red floor length dress with long sleeves and buttons up the front. She was by no means fat or overweight, just stocky and firm.
Severus accepted the woman's hand with a small smile, but as he opened his mouth to speak his eyes caught movement in the doorway. Words failed him when he saw for the first time in many years a very familiar serpent.
Curled threateningly inside the doorway was Titan. Though this was a much larger version of the snake he knew back in Hogwarts at what appeared to be around 13 feet in length. Not that it meant anything. One of the abilities of the magical creature is they could shrink their size. It dawned on Severus that he never actually knew how big Titan had been when he was a student. For all he knew the snake could have been full grown and merely sized down to the 26 inches he remembered.
Yuliya followed his line of sight and chuckled softly when she saw Titan. "Do not vorry, Professor. His hiss is vorse than his bite."
"Titan." Severus whispered, his eyes still focused on Titan. Yuliya and Ivan both looked at Severus in interest, Viktor instead stared at Titan who appeared to have heard Severus. Titan raised his head, forked tongue flicking out at Severus. "You were Sera's familiar."
Titan turned his head back towards the room he had come from, hissing to a person inside. Severus finally looked away from the beautiful dark green serpent when another form stepped into the doorway, a young woman who looked very much so like she was a female version of Viktor only with long hair and in form fitting black trousers and a v-neck cream jumper.
"Not what you were expecting, Professor?" The young woman asked with a raised brow. Despite her very Bulgarian appearance, her voice was soft and exceedingly British.
Severus stared intently at the young woman, eyes searching for any hint of Seraphina, or hell even James Potter, but there was none. She did not even have a trace of the young girl from Dumbledore's memory.
"Lala, remove the charms. He has come to see Lorelei Serpens, not Lala Krum." Yuliya softly scolded the young woman. Severus' eyes immediately snapped to the older woman at the mention of Seraphina's daughter.
The young woman looked to Ivan immediately as if seeking his approval. The man softened his stance and nodded his head. "Do as your mama says."
"{Do you remember him?}" The young woman hissed to Titan, who was now winding around her legs in a soothing gesture.
"{Yes, miss. He was a friend to your mom. He gave me rodents.}" Titan hissed back.
"{You think anyone who feeds you is a friend.}" She smiled and reached down to pet his scaled head affectionately.
"{No, miss. He was loyal to her. He can be trusted.}" Titan carefully squeezed the young woman's legs, urging her to show her true self.
"Lorelei, please." Severus calmly interrupted the Parseltongue conversation. "I was a close friend to your mother's when she attended Hogwarts. I am not here to cause you any harm."
"Very well." The young woman nodded and reached towards her left wrist, removing a small metal bracelet. Severus noticed immediately her appearance changed and in place of a firm stockier body was a slender, more feminine form. Her hair had changed from a dull brown to a black that closely resembled Harry's and her eyes shifted to hazel. The young woman looked back up to him and it took everything in Severus to not flinch. It pained Severus to see how much she looked like James Potter.
"{All of them.}" Titan hissed loudly with a firm squeeze to her legs. The young woman flinched at the force.
"{Fine, but no treats for you, traitor.}" She huffed before reaching for the small necklace that was tucked underneath her clothing. As soon as the necklace was removed all the remaining charms fell away and Severus was left standing with his jaw agape. The lanky blank hair changed to silky waves in a rich dark red, hazel eyes shifted to a breathtaking light gray that bordered on near white, thin lips morphed into a full pout, her frame became even more slender with a firm, full bust and softly rounded hips. She wasn't a female version of James Potter, she was a near mirror image of Seraphina Serpens.
"Hello, Professor, I'm Lorelei Seva Serpens. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
A/N: Up next, finding out what happened on that cliff and why Dumbledore was hell bent on seeing Sera and Lorelei 6 feet under.