I decided to do a bit of a cross over with Sandman this chapter, bear with me. I may go bakc and write the sandman cross over out.
February 16th , 1994
The grass was a lush shade of emerald as Seren surveyed her surroundings, she'd never seen this place before and that was made abundantly clear by the ornate architecture and vast knoll Infront of her.
"It is unusual that one such as yourself would find their way here." She turned, looking at the tall, dark figure, briefly admiring his aesthetic "Where is here?" she felt like Alice after she'd fallen down the rabbit hole.
"Here is the place of dreams, my domain."
"Why is it unusual that I would be here?" the mans face remained stoic as stone, "Creatures such as yourself typically are not lucid dreamers." A curious response, but he seemed a curious sort, "I am still a human, despite what modern lore may tell you, and I am very capable of dreams."
"If it is as you say then perhaps that is why you are here, in the dreaming."
"What a peculiar name for a kingdom ruled by an even more peculiar man." The dark figure's lips twitched into the hint of a smile, "I would know your name."
"I would know yours first." Her response was quick, "I have many names; Dream, Oneiros, the sandman, you may call me Morpheus."
"Morpheus…like the god?" he gave a sullen nod, "Your name?" Seren's lips pulled into a soft smile,
"Seren Morrigan Price." There was a flicker of something in the dream kings eyes, "Morrigan, a peculiar choice for a mortals name…"
"My mum was a witch so…not entirely out of the ordinary." This information seemed to pique his interest, "A witch and a werewolf, an unusual combination." He motioned to the path before them.
"So, you control dreams then?"
"No, I create dreams, Seren Price, I do not control them."
"Then what's the point?" her eyes were drawn to the large white palace that sat across the expanse of crystal blue water. A pristine, what she only guessed was quartz, bridge stretched across the surface connecting the land masses.
"I create dreams, Seren Price, but I also control nightmares and you have had a great deal."
"Welcome home, Lord Morpheus." Seren's eyes landed on the dark skinned woman, "We have a guest?" the woman regarded her with interest, "I wish you'd have sent word ahead."
"We have a very unique guest, Lucienne."
"Another vortex?" Seren mulled over the word, they had studied vortexes in school…but that was in relation to time, she was certain these two concepts were not the same, "No, Lucienne, but almost as rare. Morpheus turned to regard her again, his eyes seemed to sparkle but with what she was uncertain, "It's not every day we have a successful cross-breed in our midst." Lucienne's eyes quickly flit back to the dark haired woman in front of her. As the librarian to the kingdom of dreams she made it her duty to know everyone who came to visit, but she had difficulty placing this one.
"Morrigan? I do remember you now." Seren caught the fond smile on the woman's face, "Quite the active imagination as a little girl and a wonderful penchant for creation magic. How you've grown."
Lucienne lead them into the palace, and through the many corridors, reminding Seren of Hogwarts, and into an extensive library,
"You keep a record of everyone's dreams?" her eyes roamed the many shelves as they walked along, "Your story is here as well, though it is far from finished." Lucienne pulled a large blue tome from the shelf. On the cover, embossed in elegant golden calligraphy was her name with a photo of something she couldn't quite make heads or tales of other than that it was a woman's visage.
Morpheus looked at the book cover as Lucienne flipped it open. Seren watched in astonishment as words took form on the pages.
"I remember some of these…but if they're in your archives then…" Lucienne's head tilted into a single nod, "We keep a close eye on those with particular magical inclinations."
"Then…what happened to me?"
"Was meant to happen, we could not intervene."
"So, if you couldn't stop it…what was the purpose." A grave expression settled on Lucienne's face, "There are those who pose a great threat to your world, Morrigan, and while I know it won't make much sense to you now, you'll understand when the time is right."
"The sun is rising in your world, Seren Price, you must wake up now."
"What do you mean, I'll understand?" the magnificent world around her began to vanish, she was waking up.
"We'll meet again, Little Morrigan."
February 17th, 1994
The world came flooding back to her in a mess of bleary colors as she rubbed the remainders of sleep from her eyes. Sitting up to take in the concrete walls of her room. The strange dream was still clear in her mind as she got up and wandered into the bathroom to shower before classes.
As she wandered into the great hall for breakfast a tense atmosphere had settled itself over the students, a relieved set of blue eyes met hers form the front of the room as Tarryn quickly pulled her down to the table.
"Black got into the castle again."
"What?" she had been so exhausted after training yesterday that she had arrived back to the school without giving anything outside of sleep more than a second thought. "He got ahold of the passwords to Gryffindor tower thanks to some third year leaving them about. How clueless can you get?" Tarryn scowled, "That Weasley kid said Black was standing over him, brandishing a knife."
"Ron?"
"Yeah, him." There was a flicker of worry on Seren's face now as she looked over at the boy, "Black's an absolute nutter, attacking children!"
Seren scooped a healthy spoonful of mixed fruit onto her plate as Tarryn carried on with her tirade, reaching for some sausage, pausing to look up at Sybill Trelawney, the school's divinations professor. On first impression, Trelawney wasn't much to brag about in the ways of success in her class, often ranting and raving about her students wandering too far into the beyond, but her grandmother, Cassandra, was a renowned seer. Perhaps she could get some form of answer out of the woman about her dream and why the woman, Lucienne, had called her Morrigan, rather than Seren, as Morpheus had.
The woman's eyes landed on her, as if she knew she was being watched, eyes wide and magnified by her absurdly large coke bottle glasses. A knowing expression on her face before she quickly reverted back to her meager position and continued to eat her breakfast.
Potions was dismally boring today, a review on the draught of living death which they would be brewing in class for next Monday's lecture and Transfigurations was a series of tasks pertaining to their N.E.W.T's exams.
"Something your mind, dear?" the whimsical voice of Sybill Trelawney caught her off guard as she wound her way through the corridors. It was rare to see the woman out of her tower for anything other than meals. The whole school as convinced she lived in her classroom.
"Yes, actually. I was wondering what you know about deciphering dreams."
"Dreams are tricky things dear, wonderful things if you catch the right ones but dreadful if you happen into a nightmare." Trelawney circled the girl, giving her a once over glance, "I see you've visited the lord of dreams, he's a very handsome man, isn't he?" Seren's head tilted curiously.
"I did…and I suppose he could be considered handsome."
"The Morrigan?" Seren's confusion only grew, "In the world of the Gods and Fae names hold power, my dear girl, and yours is quite a special name indeed, it is no wonder they sought you out."
"They?" Professor Trelawney inched closer to her, snatching her hand up, "The forces of darkness hoped to shift the tides of victory in their favor. War is inevitable, little Morrigan."
War…
Seren watched Trelawney's demeanor shift again, "That's all I can tell you right now, dear. Terribly sorry." She gave Seren's hand a soft pat, turned and walked away leaving the young witch with more questions than answers.
By the time Defense against the Dark Arts class arrived Seren found that she was incredibly frustrated and it showed in her distraction in lessons.
"Mi..Ric…" the sound of someone knocking on wood stirred her back to reality as she looked guiltily into the eyes of Remus Lupin, "Sorry Professor…my head's kind of foggy today."
"Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" there was concern glittering in his eyes, "No…but if you have a moment after class?" there was a resounding 'ooh' sound from her classmates, as if someone had gotten into trouble.
Remus gave her a look of understanding before resuming his position at the front of the room to finish the lecture, reclining against his desk as he dismissed the class with an essay on inferi.
"What's got you so distracted?"
"A dream I had last night…or…a sort of dream? I don't know."
"A dream?"
"It's was quite strange, this woman kept referring to me as 'Little Morrigan' despite the man using my name."
"The man?" Seren wrung her hands in her lap as she tried to explain things, "He said his name was Morpheus. Point is, he knew about crossbreeds and this woman, Lucienne, showed me this book with all my dreams in it…"
"Slow down, Morpheus, as in the god of sleep?" There was a slight nod, "God of dreams…and Nightmares." She corrected him as he pushed off from the desk, coming to a stop Infront of her.
"So, you're seeing gods and deities in dreams? No, not only seeing them, but conversing with them. That is…" he trailed off, running a hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up at odd angles, "That is…?"
"Only something that can happen at Hogwarts it would seem." He chuckled, but Seren noticed he looked stressed, "You should relax…it was only a dream, after all."
"These things are never just dreams, not for us." He quipped, a lilt of anger in his voice, "As if you haven't been through enough already and yet you're always the last to get angry."
"There's no point in being angry."
"THERE IS EVERY REASON TO BE ANGRY!" Remus shouted, his hands slamming down on the desk causing Seren to recoil. "Promise me you won't go chasing after whatever this is, there is enough going on in the school right now with Black's break in last night." He seemed to relax as she set a soft hand atop his own.
"I won't go seeking him out…" she promised solemnly, "But I get the feeling you're not upset about the dream…what's bothering you?"
"He got into Gryffindor tower, Seren, he could have killed Harry!" it was difficult to reason with Remus when he got upset, "He could have killed him…he could have…he's already taken enough from me." she watched him as he broke down into tears, trying her best to keep a serene expression, trying to stay calm for him, "Something tells me it's more than that…will you tell me?" she watched his body shake with sobs.
"In time. You should go down to dinner." His eyes flicked to the clock
"Will you come with me? I don't like the idea of you sending me off to eat when I know you won't take care of yourself." Remus watched her as she stood from the chair, "If I say yes, will it put your mind at ease?"
"Perhaps." She gave him a playful grin, trying to pry a smile from him.
February 22nd, 1994.
The full moon was 3 days away and things with classes were beginning to become unbearable, "Is everything all right, Ms. Price?" McGonagall's voice cut through her thoughts like a knife.
Snapping her eyes to the elder witch in front of her she did her best to bite back her growing irritation, "Not really." McGonagall gave her a knowing look, "Ms. Price, I urge you to head to the hospital wing if you are unable to focus, perhaps Madame Pomfrey can help ease things for you."
Seren took this as her being excused, grabbed her bag and exited the classroom.
'Morrigan, a peculiar choice for a mortals name…' she shook the thought from her mind, it had been a week since her visit to Morpheus' strange dream kingdom and as the full moon got closer the more his statements made her bristle.
'War is inevitable, little Morrigan.' She stopped dead in the corridor, letting out a frustrated growl.
"Seren?" her eyes quickly flickered gold as she turned towards the source of the voice, seeing Hermione who looked alarmed at the bright gold eyes staring back at her, "Your eyes…" Seren's scowl deepened, "Why aren't you in class?"
"Heading to the hospital wing…" she replied shortly, "Now's not a great time…." Hermione nodded wearily, "Right! the full moon, I completely forgot." Seren flinched, reaching up to press her fingers to the pressure points in her head, trying to will the throbbing headache away.
"Sorry." Hermione apologized quickly, lowering her tone, "I'll let you get to the hospital wing, I hope you feel better." She watched Hermione hurry off down the moving stairs as Seren carried on to the hospital wing where Madame Pomfrey gave her a calming draught and had her lie down for a while.
"It seems like your lycanthropy is getting more and more out of control." Madame Pomfrey murmured from across the large room, "I've called Remus down, maybe he'll know what's wrong with you."
Seren rolled over on her cot, "I know what's wrong…and it's nothing that can be helped, not while I'm a student here."
Poppy Pomfrey looked bewildered at the statement, "You know what's wrong?"
"Werewolves are predators…you'd think as a healer you'd know that. it's not usually this bad though."
"Have you been getting enough meat in your diet?"
"Not as much as I should." The door opened and Lupin looked frantic, "Is everything alright?"
"Everything's fine, it seems. She's just not feeling well, poor dear." Lupin looked from Poppy to Seren, "The way it came across it was urgent."
"Just usual full moon stuff…need to get more red meat in my diet. Haven't been taking the greatest care of myself because homework, and apparition lessons…my internship training every other day then studying for N.E.W.T.'s…"
Lupin sank down into a chair beside her bed.
"After your whole spiel last week about me taking care of myself, you haven't been doing the same." He scolded, a mocking tone to his voice as he watched her eyes flash gold again, "Don't tease me, Remus Lupin."
'whatever you say, love.' He stared at her firmly, encouraging her to back down from challenging him, especially where they currently were.
"That's Professor Lupin." Madame Pomfrey corrected, earning a look from both of them before she made herself scarce.
"You know I'm right." Seren rolled her eyes at him, "teenagers." She scoffed indignantly, "Don't 'teenagers' me! if you want to use that on someone, Maybe use it on Harry."
"Oh…I do…in private." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "His lessons are going well, do you think you'll be able to make the next one? I think he's really taken a liking to you."
"Only because he has a crush on me…not that I advise such things…plus I'm 5 years older than him."
"I'm 15 year older than you…" Seren paused, he had a point. "He's literally a child…I don't fancy being tossed in Azkaban." Remus only shook his head, "They'd hardly throw you in Azkaban for such a thing…I mean, it still wouldn't be good, but not Azkaban Worthy."
"I think I can manage to attend the next Patronus lesson, Thursdays, right?"
"The next one is Tuesday evening around 7:30. We'll be in the History of Magic classroom again."
"Tuesday? I should be able to then if I can get my essay for your class out of the way." She managed a cocky smile,
"I'm holding you to a higher standard, my dear." She rolled her eyes, "I'd expect nothing less, Professor Lupin." Remus growled at the use of his title. Now that Poppy wasn't in the vicinity there was no real need for formalities.
"Remember what happened the last time." He warned, gravel slipping back into his voice,
"I'm safe in here though." She replied innocently, giving him a wide-eyed puppy dog look.
"For now."
"You know…dominant Remus Lupin is like that book character…" she seemed deep in thought for a moment as she tried to think of the character's names, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, you're like two different people."
He looked at her with mild intrigue, "I suppose you could make that comparison given mine and your dispositions."
"yes, but you and I both know there's not a single dominant bone in my body…"
"I don't think this is an appropriate conversation to have in the hospital wing of all places." Seren only shrugged, "You were the one who said we could "Play that game" remember?" he could feel his nerves spark as she teased him.
"You never did tell me what game."
"You're just begging for it now, aren't you?" she shrugged again, "Hard to say when I don't know what "It" is."
"Maybe you'll find out in three days…" he leaned closer to her on the small cot, "Or maybe..." He whispered near her ear, "I'll drag it out and leave you in suspense until the summer holidays. Who's to say, little one." Remus leaned back in his chair, enjoying watching her squirm.
"I do have a class to teach, I'll see you later."
February 25th, 1994 (Full moon)
Madame Pomfrey had given her a few doses of Calming draught to make it through classes but today…today nothing seemed to be working. She knew she wasn't in estrus, that had happened back in December when she'd mindlessly wandered out into the grounds and passed out in a large embankment of snow.
He'd been angry then…but not the way he was the other day. The point was that she never wanted to bother him despite him always insisting she wasn't a bother, and yet that seemed to be all she was doing and everyone seemed to call on him when something went wrong…who better to deal with werewolf problems than the other resident werewolf?
"Oi, watch where you're going." Seren's attention snapped to, seeing the Malfoy boy Seren's eyes flashed Gold in warning, "Maybe you should watch where you're going." she growled menacingly, Draco caught the quick flash of gold in her eyes and smirked, "Little mongrel having a bad day?" he pouted his lips in fake sadness and she bristled,
"I'd choose your next words very….very…carefully." all she wanted to do was go back to her room and sleep, not deal with some rapist dark wizard's child. Draco must have picked up on the venomous tone in her voice, "Today is NOT the day you simpering little snake." She took a step towards him and shoved him out of her way, "I may have to tolerate you, but days of the full moon are not days one should mess with a werewolf." She spat as she continued her walk to her room.
"Full moon? That explains it, little bitch must be in heat." A deep growl rolled from her throat, "You do not want to make me your enemy, Malfoy."
"Mr. Malfoy!" McGonagall had a knack for happening on Seren when she needed teachers the most, she wondered about the woman's seemingly uncanny ability.
"Seren, Dear, head back to your room. I shall deal with Mr. Malfoy, accordingly, starting with fifty points from Slytherin." Seren wasted no time extracting herself from the Slytherin boys presence.
Rounding the corner out of the west wing she opened the door to her room and closed it quickly behind her, setting her bag on the desk before flopping onto her bed, setting an alarm for 5 p.m. and closing her eyes for a small nap to try and easy her irritation.
When the alarm went off she sat up, groggy and a bit disoriented as per the usual, peeled off her uniform and dressed in the baggy clothes Remus had given her back in August, her favorite things to wear when she felt lonely simply because of his smell.
Leaving her room, she knew everyone would be in the great hall for dinner so she was free to roam the familiar winding hallways and corridors until she was once again outside Remus' office, raising her hand to knock when the door swung open and she was met with a very disheveled man.
Remus looked down at her with a tired intrigue, "Guess I was wrong…they're still quite big on you." he ushered her into the warm room and she relaxed at the scent of burnt firewood, "I've probably lost a bit of weight this term." She replied honestly, Remus only shook his head at her, catching her off guard as he scooped her up into his arms, moving towards the lit fireplace.
"I'm not owl post, you know!" she huffed indignantly, "You can't just—" he silenced her with a soft, simple kiss as he settled into one of the plush armchairs.
Her face flushed with a soft blush as he pulled back, paired with the light from the fireplace she looked stunningly ethereal. "What was that for?" she tipped her head to the side, looking at him curiously as he leaned forward to kiss her again, tugging her as close as he could.
"Remus, is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine, what about you?" he must have felt how aggravated she had been today, "I'm no worse than normal."
"Don't lie to me, love."
"I'm…irritated, but I have no idea why." Seren rested her head against his shoulder, fidgeting with the collar of his shirt, "if I had to guess, now that you're 18, your wolf is nearing maturity, albeit a bit later than most given the circumstances."
"Maybe…but I don't want to be angry and snapping at everyone whenever the full moon is near…" Remus reached up to brush a stray strand of dark brown hair from her face. "Well, consider it a stroke of luck then that you graduate in four months. Then the only one who has to deal with you is me." he flashed her a wolfish grin.
"Are you absolutely certain you want me to live with you?" Remus answered her question with another kiss, "Remus!" she laughed, "That's not an answer!"
"Of course I want you to live with me, why do you keep questioning it?" she caught the curious shine in his eyes
"Because it…it feels like a dream sometimes…Like I'm going to wake up someday and still be chained up in that room."
"Well, I can promise you it's very real. I'd feel better knowing you're somewhere safe…" he kissed her cheek, "And loved." Her other cheek, "And as an added bonus, I'd have you all to myself." And her lips as his hand moved from her hair to settle at her waist.
"Sounds like a nicer form of captivity." She responded playfully, "I love you." in a moment of boldness she reached up to lightly brush his messy hair from his face,
"Show me."
