Chapitre 14: Chapter 14 - Heat
The Black Lake was eerily calm in the evening light, a mirror reflecting the fading hues of the setting sun. The Marauders, a close-knit group of four, emerged from the forest's edge, their eyes scanning the vast expanse for their missing friend.
"Over there," Remus Lupin whispered, his keen gaze falling on a lone figure by the lakeside. Sirius Black leaned against a tall tree, his hands covering his face. His usual vibrant demeanor replaced by an unnerving silence.
As they approached cautiously, James Potter broke the silence. "What's wrong, mate?"
Sirius remained silent, his hands tightly clenching and unclenching.
James reached out, placing a comforting hand on Sirius' shoulder, but was met with a harsh slap, sending his hand flying back.
"Don't touch me!" Sirius snapped, his voice hoarse.
The intensity of Sirius's reaction left the boys taken aback. Peter, in particular, looked utterly confused.
"Sirius? what's going on?" Remus asked, concern etched in his features. He reached out to Sirius, but recoiled when Sirius yelled, "I said don't touch me!"
"Siri, you're scaring us mate," James said, his voice filled with worry. "What's wrong?"
Sirius's voice was a mere whisper when he finally spoke, "I–I can still smell him..."
"Smell who?" James asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Lucius," Sirius growled, his eyes wide and wild. "His scent...it's driving me mad."
James exchanged a look with Remus, both of them equally bewildered. Peter was silent, his eyes wide with anxiety.
"Lucius smells like..," Sirius continued, dazed, his voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the lake's waves. "Like...like those flowers I saw at the Malfoy Manor... I can't get it out of my head."
The Marauders stood in silence, the revelation hanging in the air. The setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, the cool evening breeze rustling the leaves.
As the scent of the lake filled the air, the boys found themselves grappling with the reality of Sirius's words and the implications it held for their friend. For the first time, they saw a side of Sirius they had never seen before - vulnerable, confused, and shaken to his core.
~~~
Serena sighed, leaning against the cold stonewall of the hospital wing, her mind replaying the whirlwind of events from the past few hours. It had started with laughter and light-hearted banter with Lucius, Regulus, and Evelyn at the Slytherin table.
The four of them, sharing jokes, discussing their subjects, and simply enjoying their time together. But then the Marauders had arrived. And trouble came right behind them.
Sirius, with his unusual determination, had taken Regulus aside, and Lucius had followed them. She remembered Regulus returning alone, looking upset yet trying to mask it with a smile. He brushed it off, saying it was just Sirius being his usual self. Yet, Lucius and Sirius never returned.
The Marauders, noticing their friend's absence, had left to find him, leaving the Great Hall filled with an unsettling silence.
Serena's mind was filled with worry and confusion. Did something happen between Sirius and Lucius?
A tap on her shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts. It was a first-year Hufflepuff, looking nervous and saying that Madam Pomfrey was asking for her. Serena's heart pounded with a sudden dread. She had just had her monthly check-up a week ago, why would she need to see the nurse again?
She had left Evelyn and Regulus at the table, promising them she'd be back soon.
However, when she arrived at the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey led her to a private room she had never seen before. Before she could question it, Serena was bombarded with a heavy smell of snowdrop flowers, and met with an unexpected sight of Lucius looking absolutely debauched, his face red and his breathing heavy.
Lucius was in heat. Her mind went blank for a second. She felt her cheeks heat up at the sight of her friend in such a state.
Madam Pomfrey swiftly confirmed that Lucius was starting his first heat cycle, and he had asked for Serena to bring his belongings. A part of her felt flustered, another part felt concern for her friend. His nesting items, she realized. He must be needing them now.
She nodded at Madam Pomfrey, promising to fetch his things as quickly as possible. As she left the room, she took one last look at the Omega, promising silently that she'd be back soon.
~~~
Serena entered the private room, her footsteps echoing softly against the walls.
Lucius, still flushed and breathing heavily, looked up as she approached, a mix of gratitude and desperation in his eyes. She placed the bag of his belongings on the nearby table, taking a moment to assess his condition.
"I brought your things, Lucius," Serena said, her voice gentle yet tinged with concern. "Are you feeling… alright?"
Lucius nodded weakly, his voice strained. "Thank you, Serena. I... I appreciate it."
She could see that his heat was taking a toll on him, his control slipping as waves of sexual desire washed over him.
Madam Pomfrey's words echoed in her mind. A week. Lucius would have to endure this for a whole week. She couldn't imagine the agony he would face, trapped in this room, his body burning with carnal need.
"Madam Pomfrey mentioned calming potions," Serena said, her voice steady.
"She'll make sure to administer them to you after every wave. It should help ease the intensity, even if just a little."
Lucius managed a weak smile.
Serena stood by Lucius's bedside, her gaze shifting between her friend and Madam Pomfrey, who had returned to the room after checking on another patient. The nurse wore a mix of surprise and concern on her face as she looked at Lucius.
"I must admit, I'm surprised, Mister Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey said, her voice laced with curiosity. "According to your recent check-up, you weren't due to go into heat this early."
Lucius winced, the strain of his heat evident in his tense expression. "I know, Madam Pomfrey. It... it was triggered by Sirius Black."
Both Serena and the nurse exchanged glances, taken aback by the revelation.
Serena felt her inner Omega gave a surge of protectiveness for Lucius. She couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise at the mention of Sirius Black triggering Lucius' heat.
Something must have transpired between them, something that had stirred the omega within Lucius to respond so strongly. She made a mental note to talk to Lucius about it when he was feeling better.
Madam Pomfrey took a moment to compose herself, her eyes softening with empathy. "I see. Well, it's essential that we manage your heat cycle carefully, deary. It seems you have quite a reaction to Sirius' presence."
Serena interjected, her voice firm but gentle. "We'll make sure to take all the necessary precautions, Madam Pomfrey. Lucius won't be alone during this time. I'll stay with him and provide support."
The nurse nodded, appreciating Serena's commitment. "That will help, Miss Snape. As an omega yourself, you'll need to understand the needs and challenges Mister Malfoy will face."
"Of course, Madam Pomfrey."
Lucius offered a weak smile, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, both of you. I didn't expect this, but I'm grateful."
As Serena settled back into her seat, her focus remained on Lucius. Her inner Omega was telling her to stand by him, to help him find comfort and solace in his heat.
Lucius' scent was growing stronger by the minute and her brows furrowed with confusion, turned to Madam Pomfrey, her voice tinged with concern. "Madam Pomfrey, I don't understand. Why isn't the Scentbane Elixir working? I can smell Lucius' pheromones so strongly, even though he's using the potion."
The nurse sighed, her expression sympathetic yet resigned. "Miss Snape, the Scentbane Elixir doesn't work on an omega in heat. When an omega enters their heat cycle, especially their first heat, their scent glands are triggered to overcome any kind of scent blockers. It's a natural response, allowing their pheromones to call forth and attract their Alphas."
Serena's eyes widened in realization, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. It explained why Lucius' scent was so potent, why it was permeating the room despite the wards working normally to suppress it. Her heart ached for her friend, knowing the vulnerability he must be feeling.
"So, no matter what we do, his scent will still be noticeable," Serena said, her voice a mixture of understanding and concern.
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Exactly. During an omega's heat, their pheromones become more intense and irresistible to Alphas. It's a way nature ensures that omegas can find their compatible partners when they need them the most."
A mixture of frustration and compassion welled up within Serena. Her inner Omega wished she could shield Lucius from the prying eyes and potential unwanted attention that his pheromones might attract. But she also learned and understood the importance of the natural bond between omegas and Alphas during the heat cycle.
Taking a deep breath, Serena looked at Lucius, determination shining in her eyes.
"We'll do our best to create a safe and supportive environment for him during this time, Madam Pomfrey. I'll make sure he feels protected and cared for."
The nurse nodded appreciatively, her gaze resting on Serena with admiration. "I have no doubt that you will, Miss Snape."
The trio remained in the private room, their voices hushed as they discussed the plans for managing Lucius's heat cycle. Serena listened attentively, absorbing every piece of information from Madam Pomfrey, while Lucius started working on his nest.
~~~
Serena watched with growing concern as Lucius worked frantically on his nest, moaning in distress. She approached him, her voice gentle yet concerned. "Lucius, is everything alright?"
Lucius let out a sob, his face contorted with frustration. "It's all wrong, Serena. It doesn't feel right. No matter what I do, it's not what I want it to be!"
Serena was taken aback by Lucius' desperate state.
She had never seen him like this before, and she didn't know how to help.
"Mister Malfoy, it's alright my dear, what do you need?" Madam Pomfrey asked, her voice calm and reassuring.
Lucius' sobs intensified, his breathing erratic.
"….I- I don't have anything that smells like my Alpha."
Lucius was gradually losing all self control over his inner Omega.
"Nothing smells like Sirius! He- He doesn't want me!"
"… hicup… He didn't give me anything! He hates me!" Lucius continued to sob his heart out.
Serena's Omega ached for Lucius. Serena has yet to understand the importance of scent in an omega's heat cycle but she quickly made a decision, her voice firm yet compassionate. "Don't say that. I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding. He doesn't know you're an Omega yet. I'll bring something from Sirius. I promise."
Lucius looked up at Serena, his eyes filled with tears. "Really? …You will?"
Serena nodded, her voice steady. "Mhmm. Just focus on calming down and taking care of yourself."
Madam Pomfrey made her way to the door, "Dear, I need to let your parents know about your situation. Settle as much as you can, we'll leave for your privacy now."
After they both left the room, Madam Pomfrey turned to Serena and asked, "Did Sirius Black imprint on Mister Malfoy?"
Serena blinked then replied, "No Ma'am, I don't think he did."
The head healer frowned, "Then why was Mister Malfoy so distressed about Mister Black?"
Serena hesitated for a moment, "I think both Lucius, and his inner Omega already accepted Sirius as their Alpha a long time ago."
Madam Pomfrey sighed as she nodded in understanding. Are they soulmates?
As the healer left, Serena's mind raced with thoughts of how to approach Sirius. She was already having a headache just thinking about it. She knew just how difficult Sirius can be. If he didn't comply while she's asking nicely….Well. He better expect a hex and a stolen clothing because she wasn't about to break her promise with Lucius.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone