Serenity always looked like Sirius. Everyone knew that. But when she was younger and dressed in 'boy's clothes' you would've thought her a boy. This never really caused a problem. Everyone who knew Serenity knew who she was.

But one day Severus had to run an errand in Diagon Alley. He brought Serenity along.

Serenity skipped merrily along beside Severus feeling fashionable in her mint green suit and her hair tied up at the nape of her neck in a bun. After a formal dinner party where Draco had to wear a suit Serenity got rather upset she didn't have one. So Narcissa brought her five and she wore one every day of the week. Weekends were reserved for dressing as a princess. Obviously. She had a quidditch play action figure in her hand and was zooming it around pretending it could fly. Severus had to remove the charm that let it fly after Serenity had let it fly off one too many times.

"Daddy! Can we get 'ouse cream?"

"You have to get coconut ice cream," Severus warned. Serenity had often forgotten her dairy allergy and so did the house elves at Hogwarts. They had faced Severus' wrath more than once. Madam Pomfrey had saved Serenity's life about three times now.

"Yay!" Serenity squealed.

Severus smiled at his daughter as he led her into the apothecary. She went running to look at the pretty -and poisonous- flowers but Severus grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Stay here."

"Fine."

Serenity sat on the floor as she played with her action figure, Severus lost himself amongst the herbs.

"Weeee," Serenity squealed swinging around her action figure. She continued commentating an imaginary quidditch match and didn't notice the tall and intimidating woman the enter the shop.

Walburga walked into the shop purposefully. Her heels and cane clicking against the tile floor. She browsed the ingredients trying to find the essence of rose. She didn't notice the small child on the floor until she almost knocked into them with her cane. Serenity looked at the cane that had nearly struck her. It was blackthorn wood. The handle appeared to have been dipped in gold and embellished with gemstones. It was beautiful. Walburga pulled the cane away from the child as she reached forward to touch it.

Serenity squeaked sliding back. "Sorry Miss."

Walburga turned to face the child and stumbled back. Her breath caught as she stared down at Serenity. 'This is a hallucination' She thought, her heart pounding against her ribcage, 'This isn't Sirius'

"You should be sorry." Walburga spat. Serenity bit the insides of her cheeks nervously. The same way Sirius had. Blinking several times she willed this hallucination away.

"Are you okay miss?" Serenity climbed to her feet, brushing her trousers clean.

"Yes, boy."

"I'm a girl." Serenity crossed her arms stubbornly pouting out her lip. Walburga took a sharp intake of breath. 'This isn't Sirius.'

"Girls shouldn't wear suits. They're for boys." Walburga reprimanded. Serenity stuck her tongue out at Walburga in the same way Sirius used to as a boy. It was uncanny.

"I look better than dumb boys." Serenity said putting her hands on her hips.

Walburga closed her eyes as she steadied her breath.

"Y-you look...familiar. Where are your parents?"

"I don't have parents."

"Everyone had parents, child."

"My daddy was bad. My mommy died. I have Severus. He's my daddy."

Walburga stared at the child. She didn't know why she was still stood there and speaking to her. She turned on her heels to resume her shopping trip. Serenity stared at the woman for a moment before following her. Walburga scowled at the child.

"Run along."

"You look familiar. Like Bella. From my picture book." This caught Walburga's attention and she stared down at Serenity again.

"Bellatrix?"

Serenity nodded excitedly, her hair falling loose. Walburga wondered what kind of parent would allow a child to go out with their hair such a mess. "Yeah, Draco's auntie."

"Serenity what are you doing?" Severus asked irritably walking towards her and whatever woman she was talking to. He didn't notice it was Walburga Black until he went to grab Serenity's hand. He froze as he stared at her. He had met her on only a few occasions and she had always been less than pleasant to him on his blood status alone. Walburga sneered at him. "Is she bothering you, Mrs. Black?"

"I wasn't bothering anyone." Serenity protested and Severus shushed her.

"She's yours?" Walburga sneered again. Serenity wondered if this woman knew how to smile.

"Yes, I've adopted her," Severus said uncomfortably. Walburga stared down at Serenity. Her lips were a tad fuller than Sirius' were and her hair a bit deeper. She must have been imagining that she looked like her traitor of a son.

"Who were her real parents?"

Severus hesitated as he looked at Serenity and back to Walburga. "She was my sister's daughter. I'm unaware of who her father is or was." He lied easily.

Walburga looked at Serenity who was smiling at her nervously.

"A bastard. How lovely." Serenity didn't know what this word meant. But she didn't think it was a nice one.

Severus' hand twitched towards his wand and Walburga raised a brow at decided she didn't like this woman. She must not have of been shown kindness a day in her life.

"Si-Serenity, let's go."

"Okay, daddy." Serenity said turning away as Severus led her out of the shop.

Walburga watched the child walk away as she turned around to stick her tongue out at her. Walburga's lips pressed into a thin line. She untucked her locket that hung around her neck from her blouse and opened it. She stared at the photos of both Regulus and Sirius in their younger years. She glanced up again to look at Serenity but she had disappeared with Severus.

"It can't be," Walburga said to herself. She purchased her essence of rose and wiped away the image of the little girl from her mind. She apparated back to her home that felt emptier and colder than usual. In her mind, she could still hear the echoes of Sirius and Regulus laughing and her husbands shouting over them. But there was only the sound of Kreacher banging pots in the kitchens.

A mother always knows. 3

I've always loved Walburga as a character. She fascinates me.

I'm planning a Tobias Snape chapter as well. He will know the truth at least but that meeting... well it won't be the best. Tobias can burn in hell.

I have a Draco One-Shot planned that'll be super sad...

Which do you want first? Draco or Tobias?

I'm assuming Draco.

Reviews please 3