Revelations

A/N: Many thanks go to the lovely ladyinthecloak for betaing this for me. =o)

Revelations

Looking at Severus, Serena saw emotion fill his hooded eyes. She felt him stiffen and seem to withdraw, so she clung to him more tightly. She felt he needed her to hold him. Leaning forward, she did what Severus had never allowed, what no other had done for him in a very long time: she hugged him.

Winding her arms around him, she held him close to her, held him inside her. She loved the feel of his body next to hers, touching her inner most spot. Yet as her mind cleared, she wanted to be even nearer, skin to skin. And as they stayed locked together, she felt him begin to relax, whereas before he had been stiff.

"Miss Celestia," he began, and it was her turn to stiffen.

"Serena," she murmured from where her head rested, buried in his neck.

"Serena," he purred in her ear because it was so close to his mouth. "My apologies..." he trailed off when she stiffened once more.

She thought about what they had done – something she had never done. She never lost her head, but she had with him. Searching her feelings, she knew it would always be this way with him, as though their souls owned each other. Well, I'm not going to be sorry, she thought.

"I'm not," she told him quietly, pulling back to look fiercely into his eyes. She gasped when she felt his aura change, reflecting guilt and remorse. "Please, Severus, don't."

Looking into her eyes, he saw tenderness and trust, and it shocked him. How could she feel anything like this for him? They'd only just met. "Perhaps we should... get dressed and talk," he told her, beginning to shift.

Holding him to her a moment longer, she nodded resignedly and released him. Carefully, they disentangled themselves, Serena wincing as she felt a sharp, jagged rock in her back, raising her hand to massage it.

Severus adjusted his clothes, waving his wand to cast a refreshing spell. From the corner of his eye, he watched her. She was not remorseful of what they had done. Does she do this often, he wondered.

Crossing the floor to her cloak, Serena searched the many pockets. "Ahhh," she breathed, pulling a tiny trunk from a pocket. The room of the cave was quite spacious. Moving to an alcove, she set down the trunk, waving her wand above it. A bright yellow light emerged from the tip, enlarging the trunk to its original size. Opening it, she began rummaging through it.

Serena laid out fresh robes, then returned to her cloak. Standing back, she pulled out a coat rack, enlarged it and placed it next to the trunk along with her cloak. Turning slightly, she took Severus' coat from the floor, placing it on the rack as well.

Watching her, Severus raised one brow when she pulled out an old fashioned stand with a mirror. The stand held a large bowl and cloth. Placing her wand in the bowl, water rushed into it, and after another wave, steam rose from the surface of the water. Returning to her robe, she brought out a tiny wooden and cloth covered square. With a flick, the square grew into a partition.

Turning to him, she said, "Please excuse me for a few moments."

Severus opened and closed his mouth several times. "Of course," he said after a moment.

Once Serena was concealed behind the screen, she breathed a sigh and looked in the mirror on the stand. Her reflection glowed at her. She smiled a little as her heart flipped over in her chest. She felt almost giddy. Suddenly she scowled, remembering she was supposedly angry with him. A slight grimace crossed her face. At the moment she didn't feel angry. She rarely stayed mad for long...it was her nature...and she wanted to know more about him.

Searching her cloak pockets, she found a vial of bathing potion. Pouring it into the basin, the water swirled, wafting the fragrance up to her nose. Closing her eyes, she sighed indulgently as the scent of raspberries surrounded her. Quickly, she removed her clothes and washed her body with the cloth. Then she flicked her wand to dry herself with a stream of warm air and donned the robes she had laid out.

Stepping from behind the divider warily, Serena seemed to float in robes made of white cotton flowing around her like gossamer. Leaning against the wall again, Severus' eyes traveled to her when she emerged. His breath caught in his throat. She was exquisite; if he didn't know better, he would swear she was an angel. Blinking his eyes and shaking his head, he tried to gather his thoughts. He could be of no use to her if he couldn't keep his head straight. Thankfully, his mind cleared as he concentrated.

"Miss Celestia, there are a few things..." he began.

"Serena," she insisted.

"Very well, Serena, we need to discuss a few," he went on.

What is that in the air around him, a sense of duty? Hmm... interesting, Serena thought.

"Things. But first I must ask, are you always so trusting?" He looked at her and saw anger start to rise again, her face flushing. He held up a hand, saying quickly, "Do not grow angry. I am simply asking questions I must know the answers to. It would seem you possess a temper similar to my own, and if we do not set our differences aside, I'm afraid we are going to get nowhere."

Serena thought about earlier and sighed, deciding he was right. Setting her anger aside for the time being, she cleared her throat and answered, "No, I am not as trusting as I have been with you." Looking at him intensely, a smile started at her mouth, slowly reaching her eyes, and she looked away.

"And why, may I ask, have you trusted that I will not harm you when you hardly know me?" Severus looked down his nose at her. It was almost a sneer, but not quite.

She blushed, looking down. She wondered how much she should tell him. She hated when people did not believe her. But she wanted to see what his reaction would be because she liked him very much, though she was hard put as to why. Yet, if he had a sense of duty, perhaps he was working for the same side. The side she wanted to join. She knew the only way a powerful dark wizard like Voldemort would be conquered would be with unity in the wizarding world, not widespread panic.

"For several reasons. First, you did not seem to be in cohorts with the pathetic ambush that was attempted upon me earlier. In fact, you did neutralize one of my would-be captors who was female. And second, your aura did not project any negativity toward my person as the others did."

Serena watched as he digested this information. It was there – the disbelief – just below the surface. However she saw him; instead of voicing it, he became curious again. She sighed; so far so good.

"You saw me in the alleyway before I neutralized a Death Eater?" he asked.

"No, I felt your presence behind me."

"And how do you know the Death Eater I struck down was a woman?"

"My vocal powers do not have as strong of an effect on women as men. They do slow them down, but they do not completely immobilize them." She had thrown caution to the wind, but he had been at her performance. He had heard her enchantment to immobilize the other Death Eaters, so he already knew about that. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and a puzzled look came to her face.

"Hang on... how did you – how were you not affected?" she questioned, looking at him hard. "Are you...?"

"Deaf? No." He smirked knowingly at her.

"Then how...?"

"Let's just say I came prepared," he informed her shrewdly.

"You aren't going to tell me, are you?" It wasn't a question. "At least... not yet." She smiled at him mischievously.

Maybe not ever, Severus thought. He found himself warming to this woman, and of course, the attraction was there. He was going to need to keep his wits about him, but that was going to be hard when she kept looking at him with those liquid green eyes.

"Now, you say you felt my presence behind you. You're certain you did not, perhaps, see me?" he queried, his face twisted in thought.

What did I read? He replayed the attack over in his mind. Serena had been quick – as though she had known the others were there before she saw them, as well as himself. Replaying and examining the memory, he also noticed she didn't say a word except when she sang her enchantment. What was she? Twenty-five? Twenty-six? Some wizards went their entire lives and never mastered all spells wordlessly. Yet she had never uttered a word while being attacked earlier or while she had taken things from her cloak and refreshed herself.

Hm, yes, I remember now! But she can't be. Severus frowned. They were so rare, and Albus and Minerva had never mentioned this. But the Headmaster did not always inform him of everything. Having been so long ago and Minerva so distraught, perhaps they had forgotten, but this was important. He had to ask, he had to know. And if it was true? Severus shuddered. The Dark Lord could never know. Her Siren song alone would make her desirable to the Dark Lord. However, if this was true, she would become a more pertinent target were he to ever find out.

"Are you..." he began, hesitating as she looked directly in his eyes.

Serena wondered where this line of questioning was going. He looked so serious. The crease in his brow told her he was deep in thought. He seemed to have come to a conclusion; however, he was not emanating anything except thought in the air around him. Wait... what was that? She felt a flicker of fear that worried her a little. She couldn't see his fears, she could only feel them.

"Are you an empath?" he asked slowly, looking at her intensely.

He seemed to be resigned; he seemed to believe her. Her heart gave a lift. He had guessed, so she decided to accommodate him.

"Yes, I am," she told him boldly, watching disbelief flit across his face. It was swiftly replaced with concern and then followed by acceptance. She felt him accept it as fact. "Ok, it's my turn," she told him assertively.

"Miss..."

"Serena!" She glared.

"Serena, there is more we need to discuss. I..."

"You? You? Well, I answered your questions so far, but as you so efficiently pointed out, I hardly know you. I think it's only fitting that I get to ask a few questions of my own. Because, Mr. Snape, I would indeed like to get to know you," she informed him, hands on her hips.

Me? he thought. Those were not words he normally heard from a woman. However, none had ever given themselves to him willingly without being paid or wanting something from him. And none with the passion she had shown him. He shuddered. He found he wanted to know more about this woman on a basic level. His eyes shifted to her form, and he saw her shiver, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Severus, please call me Severus."

"Severus," she murmured, smiling up at him gratefully.

He found himself genuinely smiling back, moving to her side swiftly.

"Are you cold?"

"A little," she replied. He put his arms around her, guiding her to sit by the fire.

He looked around. "You know, if we had anything, I would make you some tea, but I didn't think we would be here long."

"Oh," she sighed in delight.

"Let me guess," he began. "You have some in your cloak."

Beaming at him, she rose, strode to her robes and commenced digging. She took out a miniature tea pot, tray and set up, a tiny can, and something else he couldn't see. Skillfully, she balanced all the items, setting them down in front of them and slipped her wand out of her sleeve. With a flick, she enlarged all the tea items to their normal size with a flash of yellow light.

Smirking at her, Severus shook his head. "Here, I'll do this." He moved to set up the teapot over the fire. Taking out his own wand, he pointed it at the teapot and water erupted from the tip into the pot. Replacing the lid, he set the teapot apparatus over the fire, hanging the teapot to heat.

Smiling at him, Serena moved to the far side of the room. She set down the other item she had pulled from her robe, and Severus saw a yellow light from the corner of his eye. Turning his head, he couldn't believe his eyes. There in the large cave was a mahogany, four poster bed draped in white, gold and red hangings. He looked at Serena, who blushed furiously, looking down.

"I just thought – I mean, not to do what we – before, just," she stuttered, then rushed on, "If – I mean, when we get tired – oh, God." She put a hand up to her face.

"I understand, Serena, we can never..." he started sadly, but she cut him off.

"No," she beseeched him. "I didn't mean ever, I just want to get to know you a little better," she finished. "Please."

"Oh, very well. Come over here by the fire. You can ask your questions, and we'll warm you up." He smiled tentatively at her again.

Serena moved to the fire and sat down cross-legged. Severus poured tea in the cups and handed her one. Letting out a breath, Serena took a sip of tea. Closing her eyes in bliss, she sighed.

Severus caught a light whiff of jasmine and took a sip. "Mmm... thank you for the tea, Serena."

"Oh, no problem; do you like it?" She looked at him with large hopeful eyes.

Severus shook his head slightly. He had almost lost it again. "Yes, though I can't quite place it." He raised his eyebrow inquisitively.

"Oh, it's one of my favorites. It's a bit hard to find over here. I came across it in a little tea shop in the States. It's called Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls," she told him. "Okay, your turn. Could you tell me about yourself, please?" She looked longingly into his eyes.

How could he resist such a simple request when she looked back at him like that?

"Very well," he resigned. "You know my name. I am the Potions master for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Really?" she asked excitedly. "I went there when I was eleven, I think. I don't remember much, but I do remember a man with a really long white beard and purple robes."

Severus smirked a bit. "That would be Professor Dumbledore."

"Really?" she squeaked again. "Oh my goodness, all this time and I knew him, er, or had met him," she went on exuberantly. "And you know him personally?"

"Yes, well..."

"Do you think you could introduce us? I have so many questions..." she rattled on.

Severus began to grow angry. His eyes hooded, and immediately, Serena stopped talking.

"Oh, oh... I'm so sorry, Severus, how rude of me! Please don't be angry. Never mind, I don't need to meet Professor Dumbledore. I just thought..." She sighed heavily, looking down. "Never mind," she finished quietly.

They continued to drink their tea in silence for a few moments, Severus brooding darkly. Suddenly, a thought struck him. Of course she was going to meet Albus, but he had her to himself... for now. Severus shook his head; she evoked emotions and reactions which were foreign to him.

"Serena, it's alright. You will eventually meet the headmaster, but for now you wanted to know about me," he went on, trying to lighten the mood.

Serena looked up shyly. "Yes, please."

"Well, there isn't much to tell. I do enjoy books immensely, and I do have a bad temper as we have discussed."

"Yes, I can understand a temper; mine doesn't usually stay for long though. And I am only a fair hand at potions. I have my moments with the odd ingredient, but I was good enough in school to aid several others.

"Since I never seem to stay in one place for long enough to set up storage, and there is only so much room in my robes, I only keep essentials with me. I brew what I can with what I find wherever I end up." She shrugged.

"So tell me more about you?" he inquired, wanting to know more before he pressed on.

"Well, I grew up in the States and attended the Good-Osborne School for Witchcraft. I lost my parents when I was eleven, and my aunt Adelaide raised me. She passed away about eight years ago. Since then I've been traveling. I think I have some sort of wanderlust. I never stay in one place long before a nagging starts in my bones, and I'm up and on the go again."

"That explains the robes. So, you have been moving around all this time since your aunt died?" he questioned.

"Yes, I had always wanted to see the world. I've been to so many places. Sometimes they all start to blur. But my bones keep nagging, so I keep going," she informed him, looking off in thought and shrugging.

"Why didn't you stay in your aunt's house after she passed? Have you been back there?" he asked curiously. Seeing sadness flicker into her eyes and hover, he gasped. The pain he saw was soul searching.

"My aunt was not a loving woman; in fact she was rather possessive. Many of the summers I spent with her, I felt she looked at me more as a magical possession than a person. Adelaide was practically a Squib; she had very little magical ability. She hated the fact that she couldn't do magic while the rest of the family could. She spent countless hours trying to do magic, getting me to help her. When she died, I had planned to stay in the old house even though it held no happiness for me. However, after she passed, the authorities came and presented me with all her bills. It seems she had squandered the family's fortune – even the money my parents had left me, which she had access to since she was my guardian – in her pursuit of magic.

"Well, I couldn't pay those bills, being fresh out of school, so I had to sign the house, and most everything in it, over to the bank. I did manage to keep some of my more sentimental items, but I found myself turned out on the street with just my robes and a few trinkets. Then the nagging began, so I moved on." She let out a sigh.

Looking at him, she went on, "My mother had started teaching me to control my vocal ability shortly before she died. The only thing that made me happy during that time was singing. I soon found I had to use my ability to earn money to survive. But I couldn't sing all the time. Mother had warned me that people do not always understand, and I could put people in jeopardy if I did not control my gift. She had also explained that I could come to harm if the power got out of control or I pursued recognition with my talent," she finished, coming out of her reverie. "You know, you are very easy to talk to," she told him.

Severus smiled gently, thinking she was wrong. Maybe it was the attraction between them which made it easy for her to confide in him.

"So how is it you know my name, and why were you there tonight?" Serena had come to the question he wanted to discuss on her own. She frowned when she noticed his aura was emanating a sense of duty again.

"A friend," he cringed at the word, "was near Diagon Alley yesterday and saw your name on a sign on the side of a building." He stopped at her gasp. Looking at her, he saw the anger start to return and held up his hand. "Serena! What's done is done; you are safe." He watched her and saw her anger recede, her body relaxing once more.

"Now, he seemed to remember your parents, and he thought you had died with them – though he was not the only one – apparently." He paused, gauging her reaction to this information. Fleetingly he saw pain and disbelief, but that was all.

"So... so you mean, people have believed I was dead?" she replied incredulously.

"It would seem so. Anyhow, he told myself, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall about the sign." He scrutinized her closely while providing this information. If she had been as close to Minerva as Minerva suggested, surely Serena would have sought her out before now. But like Minerva, Severus felt something was amiss. It had been all he and Albus could do to convince Minerva to stay away from Diagon Alley.

As he observed Serena, her eyes seemed to go blank and lose focus.

"Does that name mean anything to you?" he asked gently, but Serena gave no answer. She simply stared with a vacant expression on her face.

Severus frowned. "Serena?" Still no reply. Moving to her, he waved a hand in front of her face. She made no movement or response. "Serena!" He took her by the arms and shook her, worry edging his voice.

"Wha...whoa... oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry, my mind must have wandered. Would you like some tea?" Picking up the teapot, she smiled impishly at him.