Chapter 10: Chapter 10 - Busy Days and Second Year
Amidst the overgrown and unattended garden of the Snape family home, a figure cloaked in concentration and the fading golden light of summer practiced in solitude. Serena Snape had returned from her first year at Hogwarts with more questions than answers, her mind a whirlwind of theories and possibilities.
Her parents believed their daughter to be sequestered in her room, diligently preparing for her second year. Little did they know, Serena spent her days away from prying eyes, deep in the wild corners of the park, exploring the depths of her magical core.
Her fingers glided over the bark of an Old tree, closing her eyes as she focused her emotions towards the tree, her innate healing magic. The roughened scars on the bark seemed to soften, knitting together as if time itself was being reversed. The Healing Touch was not just a gift; it was an art form, and Serena was its devoted student.
During the quiet nights, she pondered her existence, the strange and inexplicable fusion of Severus Snape's dying soul with that of a first-year Omega girl named Serena. She questioned if her omegan magic, 'Early Manifestation', had reached across the boundaries of life and death, universes and destinies, to intertwine their souls? The theory seemed the most plausible, given one of the early manifestations of Omegan magic was 'empathic connections', but it left her restless for concrete answers. She didn't like being in the dark of things.
She had no mentor in this world to guide her—no Dumbledore, no experienced Omega (one who transmigrated and regressed like her) to consult. Serena was charting her own course, using the vast expanse of knowledge from her past life to hone her abilities, to become both shield and sword should the need arise.
As the days slipped by, Serena's thoughts often wandered to the changes she had enacted, the ripples she had caused in the fabric of this world. Every kindness shown, every friendship forged, every spell cast in this parallel existence could alter the future in ways she couldn't predict.
And that was what fueled her quiet determination under the canopy of stars, what drove her to master her Omegan magic, to become stronger, wiser, more prepared. She couldn't afford the luxury of ignorance, not when the stakes could be so high.
Serena knew she had to be ready for anything, for every possibility that lay ahead. So, in the secret hours of her first summer back from Hogwarts, she trained and she studied. With each day that passed, she became more than just a survivor of her past; she became a shape of her future, a guardian of her new life as Serena.
~~~
The Great Hall was filled with the usual excitement and chatter as the Hogwarts students waited for the Sorting Ceremony to begin. Serena Snape sat with her friends, including Lucius Malfoy and Evelyn Sallow, in the Slytherin section. Her mind drifted back to the scene that had happened on the Hogwarts Express earlier that day.
Sirius Black had been visibly surprised upon seeing Lucius sharing a compartment with her, Lily, and Evelyn. The shock on his face had been almost comical, and Serena found herself suppressing a smirk. She knew the Marauders were aware of her closeness with Lucius, but she also knew they never understood it. They always assumed Lucius was the same as other Slytherins—haughty and obsessed with blood purity. But they were wrong. Not this Lucius.
A memory flashed through Serena's mind, a memory from her first year. She had been in a Potions class with the Marauders, brewing a Pepperup potion when James and Sirius had approached her. They had warned her about Lucius, with Sirius being the most vocal about his concerns. He told her that he had asked Lucius about his beliefs when they were younger, asserting with certainty that Lucius was a pure-blood supremacist.
Serena's heart had pounded in her chest by their audacity, but she remembered standing her ground. She had cut Sirius off mid-sentence, her voice cold and her eyes burning. She had defended Lucius vehemently, telling Sirius that Lucius was different. He wasn't the same Lucius she had known in her past life, this Lucius was kinder, more open-minded. Different.
"If you stopped assuming things about people and actually took the time to know them, Black, you would understand," she had snapped and hissed at him before storming away, leaving James and Sirius in stunned silence.
As the sorting ceremony continued, Serena's mind was plagued once again, with a peculiar piece of information she had discovered last year. The anticipated engagement between Lucius Malfoy and Sirius Black was a revelation that had left her flabbergasted. The thought of those two together was a concept so far-fetched in her previous life, it would've been taken as a poor joke. But here, in this life, things were different.
She had heard the news from Lucius himself, who seemed not only accepting of the idea but genuinely pleased. Serena had been distracted by the news at the time, and even now, she found herself lost in thought, trying to decipher the unlikely pair. Lucius was a reserved, elegant Omega, while Sirius was an openly rebellious, charismatic Alpha. What had brought them together? Serena wondered. Could it be the unlikely attraction of opposites, pfft no, or was there a deeper understanding between them that she hadn't noticed?
Her thoughts then shifted to Narcissa Black. In her past life, Narcissa had been Lucius's wife. But in this life, with Lucius taken by her own cousin, Serena was curious about the young Black mistress' fate. To her surprise, she found out that Narcissa was also embarking on a different path, one that involved a fourth-year Ravenclaw, Kingsley Shacklebolt. Serena couldn't help but find that pairing interesting too. It was as if the universe was reshuffling everyone's destinies.
A tiny smile played on Serena's lips as she observed the hall around her. It was like watching a complex piece of drama unfold, with characters finding their places in the most unexpected ways. But if there was one thing she had learned from her past life, it was to expect the unexpected, and she was eager to see how these new turns would play out.
~~~
The clatter of utensils and chatter of students gradually died down as the imposing figure of Albus Dumbledore rose from his seat at the high table. His half-moon spectacles glinted in the dim light of the Great Hall, and his long, silver beard shimmered as it caught the flicker of countless floating candles. He cleared his throat, his voice carrying the charm of wisdom and an ageless sense of authority that commanded the attention of every person in the room.
"Attention, students," Dumbledore began, his voice echoing throughout the hall, silencing the remaining whispers. The twinkle in his blue eyes was clear even from the back of the hall, captivating the students. "I have an exciting announcement to make."
Serena watched from her place among the Slytherins as the headmaster paused for dramatic effect. She had seen this many times before. Dumbledore was a master at capturing his audience's attention and holding it.
"Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Arnold Dickens," Dumbledore continued, his hand gesturing towards a middle-aged man with a stern face and a stern gaze. The man nodded, acknowledging the headmaster's introduction. "Has proposed the re-establishment of the Duelling Club."
The Great Hall erupted in a cacophony of cheers and excited chatter. Dumbledore raised his hand, and the noise died down almost instantly.
"Professor Dickens will be in charge of the Duelling Club," Dumbledore went on, his voice carrying clearly over the renewed silence. "Recruitment for the club will begin in October. I encourage everyone interested in honing their defensive and offensive magical skills to consider joining."
The hall erupted in loud cheers and chatter as Dumbledore announced the re-establishment of the Duelling Club under the guidance of their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Arnold Dickens. Excitement was clearly evident in the students' reactions. Some were undoubtedly eager for the chance to flaunt their skills, while others saw it as an opportunity to practice and improve their magical abilities, particularly among the Gryffindors.
Serena, however, simply sat back and observed, an amused smirk playing on her lips. The Duelling Club brought back memories of Gilderoy Lockhart's disastrous attempt at running it, back in her previous life as Severus Snape. Lockhart had been a total sham, a fool, and the club under his supervision had been nothing short of catastrophic.
She cast a glance at their new DADA professor. Could he do any better than Lockhart? Serena was skeptical. He wasn't the DADA professor Severus had in his second year. Another change, her mind warned.
She knew she could probably teach the club better than either of them. Still, she had no interest in joining. She had more pressing matters to attend to.
In her mind, she had already begun planning her quest to find the Chamber of Secrets. Her previous life experiences had provided her with enough knowledge about the chamber's location and the beast that resided within it. The Basilisk was a real threat, and Serena was determined to eliminate it.
She decided that the Christmas break would be the ideal time to embark on this quest. The castle would be mostly empty, with most students heading home for the holidays, minimizing the risk to others.
As the cheering continued around her, Serena's determination solidified. She had a mission, and she would accomplish it, Duelling Club or not.
~~~
Serena Snape sat on her bed in the Slytherin dormitory, her unpacking done. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar green and silver decor that she had once known so well. She was back at Hogwarts, but this time as a second-year student and a female omega at that. Her fingers brushed against the silky black strands of her hair, a stark contrast to the rough, greasy locks she had once possessed as Severus Snape.
Currently, she was beginning her second year and during this time, The Marauders will discover Lupin's secret. Her mind wandered back to the past, to the incident that had almost cost her life. She had been the unfortunate victim of their recklessness. She didn't want history to repeat itself. She needed to do something about it.
She knew the Wolfsbane potion didn't exist until 1978. It was too late for her liking. She needed to know that she'd be safe even when there's a werewolf on the loose in these grounds. She had an idea. As Severus, she had been the one to brew the potion for Lupin. She had spent countless hours perfecting it, improving it. She could do it again, but this time, she would do it earlier.
Serena reached for a piece of parchment and a quill. She began to write, her handwriting neat and precise. She would reach out to Belby, offer her help. She would mask herself as a prodigy in potions, which wasn't far from the truth. She had been the youngest potion master as Severus, and even in this life, Slughorn was convinced of her talent. He was praising her anytime he was able and invited her to his Slug Party. If she actually accepted, she would be the youngest in attendance.
She didn't want to take credit for the creation of the potion. She didn't want to rob the inventor of his glory. But she could help him, assist him, and in doing so, she could ensure the potion was completed earlier. It would be a boon to all wizards and witches suffering from the werewolf curse.
~~~
Dear Mr. Damocles Belby,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. My name is Serena Snape, a second-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am writing to you today as an avid student of Potions, a subject that I hold in the highest regard.
I have been following your pioneering work on the Wolfsbane Potion with great interest. Your efforts to create a potion that can help those suffering from Lycanthropy are truly commendable and inspiring. As someone who is passionate about the potential of Potions to bring about change in our society, your work has been a beacon of hope for me.
Recently, as part of my independent research, I have been investigating the properties of unicorn tail. I believe that it carries potent healing properties that can help alleviate the pain endured by werewolves during transformation. I've found that when a unicorn tail is combined with Aconite, the main ingredient in your Wolfsbane Potion, it can significantly reduce the discomfort experienced during the transformation process.
Furthermore, my studies suggest that the incorporation of a few other ingredients, which I am sure you're well aware of, such as the infusion of wormwood and a drop of honey, might provide the balance needed for the potion to be effective. Professor Slughorn can vouch for my skills. You have nothing to worry about.
It is my hope that this information may be of some use to you in your ongoing research. The completion of the Wolfsbane Potion would be a significant breakthrough that could change countless lives.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance or details about my research. I am more than willing to lend a helping hand in this endeavor.
I look forward to hearing about your progress soon. Until then, I wish you all the best in your research and commend you once again for your noble efforts.
Yours sincerely,
Serena Snape
~~~
As she finished the letter, she folded it neatly and sealed it with a dab of wax. She would send it off with her owl in the morning. For now, she could only hope that Belby would accept her help. She didn't want to relive the past, and she would do everything in her power to ensure a better future.
~~~
Serena was on a mission today. Like every other day, she thought, amusing herself. Her silken black hair danced behind her and her robes billowed as she walked briskly through the castle's empty hallways, heading towards the grand staircase. She was small in stature but had a big presence, her determination radiating from her in waves. Her goal: the Room of Requirement. She'd heard it was located on the seventh-floor corridor, and she was intent on finding it. It was where the students were hiding when he was Headmaster but he didn't know the exact location. She needed the ROR to start her potion making and find the Diadem.
Outside, the air was filled with the sound of cheers and the whistle of Quidditch tryouts. The Quidditch pitch was a hub of activity, students showcasing their talents in an attempt to secure a coveted place on their house teams. Among them were James Potter and Sirius Black, the former showing off his natural skills as a flier and the latter giving his all to prove his worth.
James, an Alpha, with his trademark messy brown hair, had asked Serena to attend the trials and cheer for him. She'd declined, brushing him off with a claim of being busy. It was a half-truth. She already knew James was destined to become the Quidditch captain. Yet her refusal had left a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
Sirius, another Alpha, was also on the pitch. He was known for his charisma and bravery, but today he was not his usual self. His gaze was fixed on a certain pair - Regulus, his brother, and Lucius Malfoy. Lucius and Serena had been helping Regulus find his footing in the Slytherin house, and Sirius seemed to be observing their interaction with a mix of bewilderment and suspicion.
Serena, however, was not there to witness this. The grand staircase loomed in front of her, and she climbed it with a sense of purpose. Her thoughts were not on the Quidditch trials or the Marauders. They were on Regulus. She had to get closer to him, to prevent his tragic end, and retrieve the locket that played a pivotal part in her past life.
~~~
Serena arrived on the seventh corridor, her heart pounding with anticipation and frustration. She had spent an hour searching for the elusive Room of Requirement.
Finally, she stood before a ridiculous painting of trolls wearing pink tutus, her brows furrowed as she paced back and forth.
"Why can't I find it?" she muttered to herself, her frustration evident in her voice. "It's supposed to be here."
Just as her frustration threatened to consume her, her eyes caught sight of movement beside her. She turned her head, and her breath caught in her throat.
A door had materialized right beside her, as if in response to her wishes. The Room of Requirement had revealed itself to her.
With amazement, she cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sight that greeted her was one of chaos and disorder. The room seemed to be a haphazard compilation of various items, piled upon each other in a disorganized mess. Books, cauldrons, potion ingredients, and other unidentified objects were scattered throughout the space.
Serena couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and frustration. The Room of Requirement had presented itself to her, but it seemed to be mocking her with its disorder. She took a deep breath, pushing aside her regret for not finding this place in her previous life. Now was not the time for dwelling on the past.
Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Serena stepped forward slowly, her eyes scanning the chaotic room. She had a suspicion that the room would respond to her desires, and she decided to test her theory. Closing her eyes, she imagined a room ideal for potion making, a space where she could experiment and perfect her skills.
When she opened her eyes, the room had transformed. The chaos had dissipated, replaced by neat shelves lined with potion ingredients, worktables equipped with cauldrons, and a vast collection of books on potion-making. The room was a haven for any aspiring potioneer, and Serena couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and gratitude.
She walked further into the room, her hands trailing along the smooth surface of the worktable. It was a dream come true, a place where she could hone her skills without any distractions. She vowed to make the most of this hidden sanctuary, to utilize every moment of solitude and opportunity to further her knowledge and expertise in potion-making.
~~~
After settling into the room and familiarizing herself with the supplies, Serena's thoughts turned to her ultimate goal—the retrieval of Ravenclaw's lost diadem, one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. With a flicker of determination in her eyes, she closed her eyes and envisioned the diadem.
Moments passed, and when Serena opened her eyes, an old jewelry box had materialized before her. Its ornate design hinted at its significance, but she could also sense the dark magic emanating from within. The diadem had answered her call, and now, it lay before her, both ominously beautiful and treacherous.
Serena hesitated, her hand hovering over the box. She knew the dangers associated with handling such powerful dark artifacts. The diadem had the potential to corrupt even the most virtuous of souls. She had seen firsthand the destruction it caused in her past life as Severus Snape.
Instead of touching the diadem, Serena closed the box, containing the malevolence within, and reduced its size. Placing the small jewelry box carefully in her robes pocket, she ensured it was secure. But she knew that keeping such a dangerous object on her person was not ideal.
With a plan forming in her mind, Serena made her way back to her extendable trunk. She had already taken precautions to ward it, making it the safest place she could think of to store the diadem. Opening the trunk, she carefully placed the reduced jewelry box inside, ensuring it was hidden amongst her belongings.
As she closed the trunk, Serena couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The diadem was now confined within the secure confines of her trunk, shielded by the wards she had placed. It was not a permanent solution, but for the time being, it would suffice.
Knowing the importance of secrecy and the grave responsibility she carried, Serena made a mental note to revisit the diadem later. She would need to research and devise a plan to destroy it, severing the connection it held to Voldemort and safeguarding the wizarding world.
With the diadem safely stowed away, Serena turned her attention back to the room. She knew she had limited time before her absence would be noticed, and she intended to make the most of her sanctuary.
~~~
As Serena focused on her task of perfecting the Wolfsbane potion, her thoughts drifted back to the correspondence she had received from Mr. Belby, the renowned expert on magical plants and potions. It had been weeks since she had sent him a detailed suggestion for improving the Wolfsbane potion, and his response had filled her with both excitement and uncertainty.
In his letter, Mr. Belby expressed his initial skepticism about her skills but also conveyed his desperate need to find a solution. Intrigued by her proposal, he had decided to give it a try. To Serena's surprise and delight, her suggestion had worked perfectly, exceeding his expectations. Mr. Belby's gratitude had been evident as he had penned a heartfelt letter, expressing his thanks and admiration for her contribution.
Serena had responded to his letter, expressing her satisfaction that her suggestion had yielded positive results. However, she declined his invitation to meet during the Yule holiday, citing other plans she had made. She didn't elaborate on the nature of these plans, keeping her true intentions hidden. Serena knew that her involvement with the Horcruxes and her mission to change the course of history required her utmost focus and secrecy.
Nevertheless, Mr. Belby kept her informed of his progress through subsequent letters. He updated her on the refinements he was making to the improved Wolfsbane potion, conveying his excitement that it was nearing completion. He also shared his plans to announce the new potion during the upcoming summer and expressed his intention to credit Serena as one of the assistants who had helped him in his research.
Serena felt a surge of satisfaction at Mr. Belby's intentions. Having her name associated with the improved Wolfsbane potion would not only be a testament to her knowledge and expertise but would also serve as a stepping stone towards her ultimate goal of making a significant impact in the wizarding world.
With renewed determination, Serena continued her work in the Room of Requirement, fine-tuning the Wolfsbane potion and exploring new avenues for advancement. She knew that her contributions to the potion and her collaboration with Mr. Belby were just the beginning of her journey. There were still many challenges ahead, and she was prepared to face them head-on.
The wizarding world had yet to witness the full extent of her potential, and in due time, her name would be etched in history as a force to be reckoned with. Not as Severus Snape. But as Serena Snape, a female Omega.
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