IN ANOTHER LIFE (James Potter x Severus Snape)

Chapter 13 - Confrontations

The chill of winter had settled over Hogwarts, leaving the castle blanketed in a thick layer of snow. The Yule holidays were coming to an end, but the festive cheer still hung in the air.

Serena stood in front of her mirror, inspecting her reflection. She was small and dainty with long, silky black hair that glimmered under the soft light of her dormitory. Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, contrasting starkly with her vibrant red lips. She was beautiful, and she knew it. Out of habit, she kept up with the beautification magic her mother had taught her.

With a sigh of frustration, she reached for the hair clip that Potter had gifted her. It was a simple, elegant thing, but it was from Potter, and that complicated matters. It was red too. But since it was a present and there's barely anyone in the castle these days to see it, she decided to wear it.

"Just this once," she told her reflection, fastening the hair clip in her black tresses. "Never again." She didn't get why her inner Omega was so insistent about wearing it and why it was preening. It was only just a ribbon.

Pulling on her winter coat and wrapping her scarf snugly around her neck, Serena headed out into the snowy landscape. She carried with her an exhausted rooster she had borrowed from Hagrid, the school's groundskeeper, a few days ago. She had needed it for the Basilisk, but now it was time to return it.

As she approached Hagrid's hut, nestled at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, she noticed the half-giant sitting by the entrance, looking rather gloomy. Hagrid had a soft spot for all creatures, great and small, and the absence of his rooster had clearly taken a toll on him.

"G'morning, Hagrid," Serena greeted, pulling the rooster from her bag. It squawked loudly, causing Hagrid to look up so fast she thought he might have whiplash. "Found this little fellow strutting about near the Black Lake," she lied smoothly, handing over the rooster. "Thought you might know what to do with him."

Hagrid's face lit up at the sight of his lost pet and he accepted the rooster gratefully. "Oh, I've been lookin' all over for him! Thank ye so much!" Hagrid exclaimed, pulling her into a bear hug that nearly crushed her.

After extracting herself from Hagrid's enthusiastic embrace, Serena was invited inside the hut for tea. Normally, she would decline - Hagrid's tea was notoriously strong - but today she felt a strange sense of accomplishment. So, she accepted, stepping into the warm hut and leaving her footprints in the snow behind her.

Maybe wearing the red ribbon hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

~~~

Mid-February arrived, casting a quiet atmosphere over the Great Hall. Most of the students had gone to Hogsmeade for a day of fun and exploration, leaving the castle less crowded, with only the first and second-year students and a few upper-year students who had chosen to stay behind. Serena, Lucius, Evelyn, and Regulus found themselves gathered together, conversing amidst the peaceful ambiance.

Lucius had decided to forgo the trip to Hogsmeade, claiming that his friend Barty was on a date with a Ravenclaw and he didn't want to intrude. Serena knew that Lucius and Barty Crouch Jr. were close friends, which still surprised her given their differing personalities. Barty seemed more balanced and level-headed in this world, perhaps influenced by Lucius' influence. Lucius scoffed at the idea of watching them snog and preferred the relative solitude of the castle instead.

In the midst of their conversation, Regulus innocently asked if any of them had a partner, causing a sudden halt in the conversation. The silence hung in the air for a moment as they exchanged startled glances. Evelyn spoke up, admitting that she was interested in someone, but the house rivalry and the boy's guarded nature presented a challenge. Regulus couldn't help but be incredulous at the idea that she had a crush on a Gryffindor.