Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter characters ( I WISH!)Serenity is my character though! REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! You guys don't know how much it means to me when you guys review or leave comments. It just makes me smile every time! Also make any suggestions on what you might wanna see later in the story and I might add it in ;D Anyway, please enjoy you guys~
At Severussnape1984: I know you want Snape to be nicer and yes, Serenity does know that he is being mean to her, but that's all part of the story so don't worry ;). She needs to break done his stone cold walls to bring out the inner softy in him~ So in time. You won't believe what I have in store for Serenity and Severus during her fourth year~ BUT! You need to keep reading to find out~
P.S.: OMG! 3,000 views now~! ^_^ I AM LIKE FREAKING OUT NOW IN HAPPINESS! I've been kind of been in a writers block but when I saw that number I literally stared at it thinking it was a dream...well until my dog jumped on my table and spilled my tea . But yeah, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! BLAHGAHAHAH This is amazing! I just want to say I love all the people who have been reading my story and continue to support me~ Especially my two best reviewers: Severussnape1984 & Mendax! YOU GUYS ROCK! Now enjoy the story~
(*Updated)
"I need to return..."
Serenity turned to Sirius with a solemn tone in her voice. She needed to go back to school, her friends were probably worried sick about her.
"Of course...But we're quite a bit away from the school. We're right now by Hogsmeade." He said as he came over to sit next to her, after gathering some firewood for later.
"It's alright...As long as I have Valiant with me I'll be fine." She got up, feeling a bit sad. Sirius stood up as well as he looked at the girl and gave a charming smile.
"I guess this is goodbye for now... We'll see each other again when the day comes." He gave her a small hug as she gave him one back in return. Valiant came over to nudge his head against Sirius. Sirius gave a chuckle as he gave the beast a nice pat on the head as he looked at Serenity one last time.
"Be careful, my dear."
"I will...please be safe as well." She gave him one last hug, with his arms wrapped around her to a warm embrace like one a father would give to a daughter. They slowly moved their arms back as Serenity walked to the entrance of the cave with Valiant and turned her head to give him one last smile, before hopping onto Valiant's back, trotting into the dark forest to return back to Hogwarts.
After a good hour or so, they've reached Hogwarts. Serenity quietly slipped off of Valiant's back, gently petting his head and giving him a little kiss on his head.
"Thank you my friend. I can make it back on my own, just be careful returning back to Hagrid's alright?" The wolf bowed his head at her as it trotted to go to Hagrid's hut. Serenity quietly walked back to the castle to the entrance. Her body felt heavy as it was getting harder for her to breath. Her body ached for a warm bed and her stomach rumbled for some proper food. The wind was so cold as it felt like it just blew right through her body. She was hesitant as she walked through the grass to see the gentle glow of lights.
Everyone must be asleep now...
As she approached the castle she quietly made her way to the bridge as she noticed a figure ahead of her. She quietly took out her wand and pointed it at the person until she heard a familiar voice.
"Luminos!"
She looked at the man who was a few feet away from her, Professor Lupin. He looked like he was a mess, seeing his clothes all in disarray while he looked sickly like the beginning of the year. She couldn't really comment, because she didn't look any better. Her hair was messy with dirt all over her cloak and a bit on her face, especially with a few scrapes here and there.
"Serenity?!"
He rushed over to her, having his hands on her shoulders. He looked at her worried as he placed one hand on her cheek, wiping away some dirt on her skin.
"Where have you been? You've been missing for almost three days! What happened to you?"
"Look I'm fine Uncle Lupin...Really. I was chasing out Sirius black but..I-I" She felt her mind getting confused and her body getting heavier. Her eyes dimmed as she tried to stop Professor Lupin from talking so she could go inside, where it was a little warmer than where they stood.
"But still-"
"Remus...Strange for you to be out right now."
They both turned to see Professor Snape approach them as he flicked his wand to make all the torches on the bridge light up, making it easier for everyone to see.
The Professor's eyes were looking at Remus until he noticed a petite body behind him. He stalked over to them to slowly see the body walk from behind Professor Lupin. Serenity weakly looked up to see Professor Snape's eyes on her.
"Miss Aragon!"
He hissed as he saw her battered up form as if she's been out in the woods by herself. His black eyes stared into her green ones, noticing something was missing in them. His long strides allowed him to reach to them quickly. Perfect timing as Serenity's body finally gave out as she fell forward, falling to Professor Snape. Severus gently caught the girl with his strong arms as she struggled to keep her balance but lost consciousness.
"Serenity?!" Remus looked at her in concern as he tried to take her into his arms, but Severus held her and jerked back from him.
"I'll take her to the hospital wing while you go get Albus and Minerva." He said with a sneer. Remus stared at him hard but looked at Serenity.
"NOW!"
Remus quickly hurried off back into the castle to go get the two professors as Severus scooped the girl into his arms, cradling her against his body.
Her body was curled against his chest as her head rested right on his shoulder, with small shallow breathes he heard from her getting worse. He looked down at her to see her covered in dirt and exhaustion in her face. His heart started to beat a little bit faster as he felt her breath against his neck again as he turned to enter the hospital wing. He looked around to find Madam Pomfrey not in. He cursed to himself as he went to an empty bed and gently placed the girl on it. He saw her cheeks had a flushed crimson color as he placed his hand on her forehead to feel her running a fever.
Damn it!
He cursed again in his head again as he quickly turned to go to the medicine cabinet to rummage through to find a small vial used for fevers. He quickly came back and slowly sat on the edge of the bed. He gently raised her up to let her sit up slightly, just enough to pour the contents of the vial into her mouth. She gave a little cough as Severus placed her back onto the bed. He placed the empty vial on the bed stand as he sat there on the edge of the bed staring at her.
...Where have you been...
Her fair skin didn't have it's usual natural glow, instead it looked very pale except her cheeks that were bright red from the fever. Her brown hair was a mess, with a few strands on her delicate face. He moved his hand to move away the strand as he noticed a small cut on her cheek. He glanced at her clothes to find her clothes were actually quite a mess as well. His black orbs just trailed back to her face as he didn't move his hand away. Instead he cupped her cheek as he stared at her. He used his thumb to caress her cheek.
...Why...
"Bang!"
Severus quickly stood up from the bed as he saw Albus and Minerva rush in, with Pomfrey right behind them. Remus came in last as he quickly closed the door behind him. They all saw Severus and rushed to the bed to find the girl asleep.
"What happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she noticed the vial next to the bed.
"She was running a fever so I gave her a small dosage. She seems to be reacting to the potion fine."
Pomfrey did a quick diagnosis spell on the girl as Albus sat on a chair next to the bed with Minerva. Remus stood at the root of the bed as Severus stood quietly watching.
"What happened to her?" Minerva cried as she looked at the girl with sympathy, seeing the little cuts and bruises on her body.
"I don't know. I was walking around the grounds when I saw Miss Aragon at the entrance of the school." Remus replied as he looked at the girl with great concern, remembering getting a heart attack when he saw her faint.
"Well, all we can do is wait until she walks up. Anything we should know Madam Pomfrey?" Dumbledore asked.
"She hasn't eaten that much in the past few days, and it seems that she hasn't slept on a proper bed in a while. Some rest and food will fix her up and I can take care of the cuts when she wakes up." Pomfrey said as she finishes her diagnosis spell.
"Albus, what on earth could have happened to her?"
"I don't know Minerva, but we must let her be for now. When she wakes she'll talk."
"If you don't mind sir..."
Everyone turned to look at Severus.
"I am willing to stay until the girl awakens, since I only have two classes tomorrow. I could stay by her side until she wakes."
"No! I'm sure Pomfrey is perfectly capable to wa-" Remus tried to protest.
"Actually that would be quite helpful to me...I must meet with a few nurses in St. Mungo's to get a new batch of new potions that help ease the process of skele-gro." Madam Pomfrey said with her brow furrowed.
"I see... Since you insist them please stay with her." Dumbledore said as Minerva just quietly looked at the girl.
"...Such a bright girl she is but this was completely reckless." She said as Albus gently took her hand and said in reply,
"Then she must have a good reason I'm sure...Now let us all leave, to let her rest. I would, however, like to speak to you Severus for a few moments."
Minerva and Lupin left the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey went to her office. Dumbledore moved the curtains around the bed to talk to Severus in private as he looked at the girl.
"How very kind of you to watch after the girl, Severus."
"...What is the real point Albus?" He knew Dumbledore had more to say than that. Dumbledore chuckled as his eyes had a small twinkle in them.
"Nothing ever gets past you my boy... I must ask you something... I know that she has double potions with you but you've refused to give her the advance classes she needs."
"So?"
"So, I believe you should. I don't understand why you dislike her so, almost as much as you hating Harry. They're both children."
"You know my reasons for Potter, Albus. I may have made my promise to protect him for Lily, but he's just like his father. An arrogant, lazy fool."
"Then for Serenity? What has this girl done to you Severus?"
"..." He couldn't say anything because it was true. She didn't do anything to him except plague his thoughts of only her. Albus looked at Severus with a grim face but his eyes still had that hint of joy.
"Give her a chance...I'm sure she will be a good student and you never know...You may grow fond of her." Dumbledore gave a little chuckle as she turned around to walk out of the hospital wing. Severus sat on the chair next to the bed as he sneered at the thought.
...What on earth is that old man up to this time...
He replayed what Dumbledore said in his head as he stared at the bed, looking at Serenity's serene face. Her fever went down quite a bit as her breathing was even. Quietly he got up as Madam Pomfrey came to the bed with a water basin and a wet rag.
"Please wait out for a moment." She shooed him out of the curtains as he walked to one of the stands by an empty bed. He glanced to see a couple of potions and charm magazines. He quietly took the potions ones as he heard Pomfrey zip out from the curtains to head back to her office, giving him a curt nod as she passed by.
He came back to see Serenity's face clean from all the dirt and it seemed the Madam Pomfrey changed her into new clothes, probably by some spell. He heard the office door close as he sat down on the chair. He leaned back on the chair and crossed his leg to read close against the lamp. He couldn't read a complete sentence, because he kept glancing at the girl.
"...safe..."
He put his magazine down as he looked at the girl stir in her sleep. She turned onto her side, facing him. He moved his chair a little closer as he stared at the young girl. Her hand moved to the edge of the bed as Severus quietly took her hand to gently tick it back in, but instead Serenity didn't let get. She held onto his hand as a small smile appeared on her face.
His eyes softened as he relaxed his hand, letting his finger caress her cheek as she slept peacefully.
This is wrong...
No it isn't!
Yes it is! She's just a little girl!
Yes...But in a few years she'll become a woman.
No! She's my student as well!
For only a few more years...
I'm much too old for her!
But if she liked you it wouldn't matter right?
…But...I don't like her…I love Lily…Always.
Severus had an inner war within himself as he talked to himself in his head. From the very first time he saw her, she had plagued his mind. When she mysteriously left for her transfer, it was as if his classroom became dimmer as students silenced with more explosions from students like Longbottom. Her laughter didn't echo in the hallways. But she returned as a matured girl. Her beauty blossomed as he stared at her delicate face. His face stayed the same stone cold mask, but inside his mind and soul was confused and in complete chaos. He didn't know what to make of this girl as he just sat quietly next to her, to wait for her to wake up from her deep slumber.
Severus stirred a bit as he slowly blinked a few times to adjust his eyes. It was morning and he must have fallen asleep on the chair. He was about to stretch his arms until he noticed one was occupied. He looked to see Serenity still holding it, but she was spread across the bed. Her hands her out on the sides of her face, one that still grasped his hand. Her hair fanned out on the bed in gentle waves, like smooth cracks on the white cover. The white hospital blanket nicely covered her body as she gave a small sigh.
Severus looked at the time and noticed he had an hour before his first class started. He looked back at the girl as he slowly slipped his hand away from hers. It felt strange, as he stared at her. A stand of hair laid across her face as his hand came over to move the strange away, tucking it behind her ear.
"mmm..."
She gave out a soft sigh as she turned her head slightly, feeling his hand cup her cheek. The sunlight from the windows reflected against the curtains around the bed to give a soft glow. She looked healthier than last night but knew she would need a bit more rest and some food later on. He slowly moved his hand away as he opened up the curtains. Madam Pomfrey was still in her office bustling about something as he quietly left the hospital wing to go to the great hall to eat a bit then go to his class.
His mind, however, continued to trail back to Serenity. Like an angel sleeping on the bed, with her golden brown hair and her beautiful porcelain fair skin. His thoughts dissipated for a moment as he saw Potter eating with his friends as he gave a scowl. He wanted to quickly finish his classes so he could return to watch over the girl...He stared at his goblet full of water as he realized, why on earth was he so eager to return...He slowly just placed his goblet down as he looked down at his hand remembering the warmth she gave...From just a single touch...