Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Serena POV – January 10, 1977.
I hated school. It hadn't taken me more than two days to remember that, and I hadn't even had classes because it was the weekend. I could be doing dozens of more interesting things than sitting in class listening to lessons I already knew.
Although that wasn't the worst part; the worst part was still the students themselves. Honestly, the amount of whispers I'd heard about Bella and me was staggering.
Almost everything always revolved around the Union rite and my marriage; the date had already been published once again in the newspaper by Lord Black, so it only fueled the gossip that others were talking about even more. And the other half was about Bella and Lucius, as they had both decided not to return to Hogwarts after the holidays.
The only good thing was that I'd been able to go back to the Hogwarts library. I mean, I'd already copied all the books before we left for the DxD world a couple of weeks ago, and I'd read most of them, but there were still a few I hadn't touched.
And that's what I had now, a book of runes between my fingers as I turned the pages. It wasn't something I delved into too deeply since the runes didn't really do anything, but I had been comparing the Handfasting binding rituals I had available, and all of them included writing runes on the bodies of both participants and on the binding ribbons.
Which made no sense to me, because runes were a complete fraud, at least in this world. To put it simply, runes were just a kind of dead language, the history of magical linguistics, and they were useless unless you were a curse-breaker or a historian, even if only to read the horrifying warnings of the hieroglyphs or runes in certain shrines or cursed tombs.
But beyond that… there was really nothing. When one thought of runes, one thought of something similar to 'written magic,' and in part, they were right; there were worlds and magical systems in which runes worked that way, but that wasn't the case here.
They were simply languages that were mostly used by magical communities a long time ago, and that's it; they had no more power than what was given to them. After all, there were no curses in Latin in ancient Egypt, so their spells, curses, and enchantments were in ancient Egyptian and transcribed in hieroglyphs.
And the same was true of runes; despite being more 'recent' than Latin, there was really no unified magical system at that time, and not all magical communities used Latin as the basis of their magic; many used their own magical languages, that is, runes.
A good understanding of ancient runes was needed if you decided to try to translate spells or curses used long ago, but most of the things that could be done in that era could be replicated exactly with the current language; in fact, I could translate all the spells and incantations into English with ease, and they would still work with the same strength. Magic didn't care about language or writing; only intention mattered.
So no, there was no such thing as written magic in this world; runes were not the language of magic or anything like that, so writing runes on the ground won't make magic appear out of thin air.
Even so, despite being symbolic… the runes described were pleasant. Those used in the ritual symbolized union and unity, love and fidelity, and pleasure and generosity. I also saw several elemental runes, each representing different things to bless the marriage, like a kind of written vows. They were good, and I'm open to using them.
I hummed softly as I thought about runes. Although in this world, runes weren't really what one would expect, in other worlds, they were. The first one I thought of was Fate. Runes existed in that world, in a much more extensive way.
There, runes are symbols that, once inscribed, automatically perform the Mystery according to their meaning. They could even be combined to alter their effects and perform much broader, and more diverse functions within Mystery. In fact, virtually any magic could be recreated with runes.
But it's not really like... it had any advantage, nor does it even serve as a way to increase permanence. Magic, if done properly, could last for millennia or even longer. For example, the original Hogwarts enchantments are still in effect after hundreds of years, and the curses on tombs have been active for millennia.
The only use I could see for it would be for automation, efficiency, stability, and the preparation of certain magic spells, but especially if other people had to use them.
If… I wouldn't see anything interesting in using runes, maybe some other kind of literary magic? That would be more interesting.
"Miss Snape!" I jumped slightly as I came out of my reverie. I looked to my side and saw Professor Flitwick beside me, smiling slightly with a knowing grin. I just cleared my throat.
"Yes, professor?" I asked politely. Flitwick smiled at me, amused.
"As it's obvious you haven't been paying attention," Flitwick said amusedly, and I grimaced. "I'll repeat the question. Some of your classmates have expressed curiosity about the Rite of Union. Normally, it's not something I teach, especially since it would fall under the purview of another teacher."
"Even so, I have no problem explaining the subject if you're so curious, if you don't mind me telling others, but... I don't think there's any problem with bringing it up." Flitwick said, looking at my book with a knowing smile. I clicked my tongue as I slammed the book shut.
"I have no problem with that," I said immediately. Flitwick smiled.
"Very well, class! Now that we have Miss Snape's approval, we can go into detail, and if she's so inclined, she'll explain the ritual herself." Flitwick said cheerfully as he bounced back to his seat.
To my surprise, Flitwick was very knowledgeable about the rite of union, going into details that only someone who has read several books would know, and books on Handfasting and the rite of union were not really common.
The Malfoy Library had some, the Blacks had more, even Hogwarts had a few, but they were buried deep in the restricted section. It was truly impressive, especially when he stopped to ask me a few questions.
I answered honestly; I really had nothing to hide, especially since half of my classmates would be attending my wedding.
"And by the way!" Flitwick said cheerfully. "Due to the large number of requests to the Headmaster to leave Hogwarts on February 4th, classes that day will be canceled so you can attend Miss Snape's wedding!" Flitwick announced gleefully. My eyes widened.
Bellatrix had already begun sending invitations to the various families. Lord Black had decided most of the list, and practically all the pure-bloods were included. That included all the Slytherins, and half of the other houses, both parents and children, as well as most of the Hogwarts professors.
February 4th fell on a Friday, so it didn't really break up the week, but knowing that my wedding had become some kind of spectacle was annoying. I sighed wearily.
"Professor, isn't the rite of union... something very intimate? Very invasive?" I glanced sideways at Lily, who had asked the question; I could see her looking at me out of the corner of her eye before I looked away.
"Oh, it is," Flitwick said without hesitation. "It's something intimate and private, so the effects of such a union aren't well documented, but the few accounts at Hogwarts mention that it's truly intimate. Some say they could feel their counterpart, or hear their thoughts, or see their memories through dreams, or even speak to each other over long distances." Flitwick said enthusiastically.
"It sounds so romantic." Sighed a Gryffindor girl, nearly fainting.
"Like soulmates!" Murmured her partner as they began to laugh.
"Yeah, right, as if Snape had something like a soulmate." Sirius Black sneered under his breath. I rolled my eyes. "Although, knowing my dear cousin, I suppose you deserve each other." He spat venomously.
" You look jealous, Black." Slurring the words, Black turned his head in disbelief.
"Me, jealous?! Did the fumes from your potions finally ruin your brain? " Black mocked. I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, jealous. I still remember you trying to flirt with me." I teased Black, who blushed and gritted his teeth.
"That's not-"
"And I must say, your flirting was so bad it made me swear off men and throw myself into your cousin's arms. Wow, now that's talent." I sneered slowly.
"Yes, what a love you have for Bellatrix, cheating on her with other women, you're truly impressive." Sirius spat. I looked at Lily and raised an eyebrow. She paled slightly. I just smiled sarcastically and with a lustful grin.
"Wow, you sound even more jealous, Black, and I'm glad you care so much about Bella, but it's unnecessary. Who said she's not involved in it?" I said with a wide smile. Black looked momentarily confused before going through a myriad of emotions and expressions in quick succession: first blushing and then turning pale, then green.
"Oh yeah?! And that's surely why she's not here, isn't it?! What? Weren't you enough? Or is she out killing Muggles with-"
"Enough!" exclaimed Flitwick as he looked at the two of us.
"Sorry, Professor," I said easily before returning to my book and ignoring the class once more. Even so, my eyes discreetly drifted to the Marauders. Black was glaring at me with that ever-present hatred in his eyes, Potter was just frowning as he looked at me, and Pettigrew was squirming in his place.
My gaze finally fell on Lupin, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment. My eyes absorbed everything about Lupin as a werewolf. I could see his magic flowing through his body, but I could also see the werewolf curse lurking within him, completely ingrained in his being, like a parasitic infection.
But most importantly, my Reality Marble had been able to replicate his biology; the curse had changed him enough to count as a distinct race, so that I could see it: how the curse had changed the werewolf body, how the curse itself acted and clung on.
Most importantly, I was able to dissect it completely. Slowly, I began to extrapolate and separate the vile curse of a werewolf like a parasite, and while I did so, I couldn't stop my mind from falling into the Wolfbane.
The full moon had already passed a couple of days ago, so it would be a long time before the next one, but curiosity really got the better of me. I cast a strong illusion around me, placed the werewolf template, took out a bottle of Wolfbane, and drank it without hesitation.
I focused completely on my inner self. I saw how the potion attacked the curse, how it weakened it, but only a part of it; most of it remained intact. I immediately discarded the template.
I quickly began reviewing Wolfbane's ingredient list, making substitutions and adjustments. If I did it correctly, I could make Wolfbane itself hit the transformation mechanism, preventing them from transforming. From what I could see, creating a definitive cure was nearly impossible without removing—
Yes… There was no need to keep thinking about something I wouldn't create.
"Do it!" Enid yelled in my mind. I grimaced.
"Were you watching?" I asked curiously, Enid just pouted in my mind.
"I couldn't go to Hogwarts, so I'll experience it through you! You're lucky I could still hear Professor Flitwick's lecture even if you were reading your book," Enid said with a pout. I rolled my eyes.
"I'll find a way to sneak you in sometime," I said dryly. Enid just laughed slightly.
"Even so, do it. It's the cure for lycanthropy," Enid said gently. I grimaced. "I'm not saying you should do it for Lupin, but you could help many others," Enid hummed. I just didn't say anything until Enid sighed again. "Look at it this way, you'll have something to do while you're there, " Enid said dryly. I smiled slightly.
"You know, when you put it that way, it's as good an option as any other. " I said playfully. Enid just snorted before laughing.
Once the class ended, I ignored all the stares, especially those of certain Gryffindors, and walked with Narcissa towards the potions classroom, our next class. I didn't even hesitate to approach Slughorn.
"Serena! What a pleasure to see you again! How have you been?! How is Bellatrix?! I heard about your upcoming wedding! I must thank you for the invitation! I'll make sure to attend! It's always a pleasure to see two star students get married and start a family!" Slughorn said immediately. I blinked before nodding.
"It will be a pleasure to see you there, Professor." I said easily, and Slughorn laughed cheerfully.
"I'll be there! I wouldn't miss it for anything! Did you need something?" Slughorn asked almost meekly.
"Yes, I wanted to ask if I could use the ingredients. I have a... new potion I wanted to try. I'll make sure not to disrupt the lesson." I said honestly, and Slughorn's eyes widened.
"Of course, of course! You can use any ingredient you like!" Slughorn said almost immediately. I nodded and headed towards one of the cauldrons placed in the far corner.
I grimaced slightly as I looked at the potion-making equipment; I was really spoiled with my cauldrons and tools if I found this truly lacking. Even so, I couldn't help but grimace as I saw the faint remnants of previous potions inside the cauldron.
I use magic to cleanse it completely before I begin preparing the potion.
I mentally reviewed everything again and began preparing a prototype of the potion. I discreetly removed several ingredients that shouldn't be available in a Hogwarts classroom, then barely moved my hand as I lured the missing ingredients I needed from the shelves in the room.
I grabbed them and started preparing them while adding various liquids to the cauldron and heating the potion. I tapped Cia lightly on the forehead while preventing her from eating the ingredients halfway through.
I cut, crushed, and ground all the ingredients with practiced mastery and millimeter precision that only my Six Eyes granted me. My fingers moved around with abnormal precision; every movement was efficient and calculated. My body practically moved on its own at this point.
My eyes were practically glued to the potion to see any change within it, no matter how small. At the same time, I continued to mentally simulate different ingredients as I improvised the potion in front of me.
It must have taken me 20 minutes to let out a sigh as I let the potion rest for a few minutes before I could start on the next part.
Finally, I looked up and, to my surprise, saw the entire class staring at me, eyes wide. I blinked, completely confused.
"Um... did something happen?" I asked awkwardly, Slughorn just smiled broadly.
"It's alright! You've improved tremendously, Serena!" Slughorn praised immediately, clapping his hands. "Very good, everyone! As you can see, young Serena is more than deserving of being the youngest person ever to achieve her Potions Mastery! Watching her work was practically like watching an artist create art! Absolutely incredible! " Slughorn said excitedly. I grimaced.
Yes... I was now a potions master, and that had also been one of the topics of conversation around Hogwarts since it had been published in the Prophet. After all, it was normal for the ministry to boast about having the youngest person to achieve their potions mastery in front of the ICW.
But to be honest… I had forgotten about the test for my potions mastery.
In my defense, eight months had passed, and the title wasn't really important to me, so it just... never crossed my mind. Luckily, Lucius and his power had reminded him of it, and he'd told me.
I'd taken the long exam two days ago, and having said that, while I'd specifically forgotten about that exam, it's not like it was... difficult. It was almost disappointing how easy it had been.
Although I couldn't really say it that way, the adult Severus had already achieved his mastery at 20, and by 21, he was already teaching at Hogwarts. I had managed to break that record and achieved my mastery at 17.
For exactly one day. To the magical world, I was still 17 years old, even though I had actually turned 17 a long time ago. Between the eight months I spent in different worlds and the constant times I locked myself in time bubbles, it shouldn't be a surprise that I was already over 19.
But putting that aside, my exam was on January 8th, while my birthday fell the next day, January 9th. So, here I was now, one day after my birthday in this world, practically the youngest Potions Master in the wizarding world.
I ignored all the talking and Slughorn's lesson and concentrated on the potion; I really couldn't wait until next week to get out of Hogwarts.