IN ANOTHER LIFE (James Potter x Severus Snape)

Chapter 17 - Secrets Known

The hospital wing of Hogwarts was quiet, save for the soft whispers of Serena Snape and Lily Evans. They were standing near a closed curtain bed, waiting for Lucius Malfoy to emerge from his private room. Half way through the week, Lily insisted on visiting Lucius with Serena as she wanted to help and learn how to take care of an omega in heat. She declared that she didn't want Serena to suffer alone when her own heat period arrived in the future. Lily was determined and Serena couldn't stop her, letting the Gryffindor tag along.

Serena was exhausted, having spent the past week visiting Lucius during his heat period. She was also becoming increasingly agitated with Sirius Black's constant attempts to find out about Lucius' whereabouts. It was especially irritating because James Potter, who was often accompanying Sirius, did nothing to stop him. Instead, he simply stood there, grinning at Serena like an idiot. It tempted her to use the bat bogey hex on him. The whole thing was becoming quite ridiculous.

Suddenly, the door to Lucius' private room opened, and the blonde boy stepped out. He looked a bit paler than usual, but his icy blue eyes were clear, and he managed a weak smile at the two girls waiting for him.

"Serena, Lily," he greeted, his voice soft. "Thank you for waiting."

Serena gave him a small smile in return, her irritation momentarily forgotten. "Of course, Lucius. How are you feeling?"

"Better," Lucius replied, though he still looked a bit weary. "I appreciate you being there for me this past week, Serena, and you too Lily."

"You're welcome, Lucius," she responded, her eyes warm. "That's what friends do."

Meanwhile, Lily, ever the cheerful and inquisitive one, piped up. "It was my pleasure! I wanted to help! And Lucius, I wanted to ask you something. I know Serena is also an Omega, and I was hoping that maybe you could tell me more about what you need during your heat period. I want to be prepared to help both of you when the time comes."

Lucius looked surprised at Lily's request, but he quickly composed himself. "I... I think that's very kind of you, Lily," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I'd be happy to help in any way I can."

As the three students were engaged in their conversation, the curtains of one of the beds beside them rustled and opened, revealing a shocked Remus Lupin who was laying down. For a moment, Lucius, Serena, and Lily froze in their spots, their eyes wide as they stared at Remus.

Remus looked at them, his eyes wide and full of shock. His gaze landed on Serena, and he muttered, "You're an Omega..?" He had clearly overheard everything.

"Oh no," Lily exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand. Lucius looked at Serena, his eyes filled with worry and a hint of apology.

Serena, on the other hand, pursed her lips, her mind racing. How could she have been so careless? She had been so preoccupied this past week that she forgot it was the full moon last night and that Remus always spent his mornings in the hospital wing to recover. Now he knew her secret. She could already hear Mad-eye Moody's voice and his 'Constant Vigilance' phrase shouting at the back of her head.

Sighing in defeat, she turned to Lily and Lucius. "Wait for me outside the hospital wing," she requested. They hesitated for a moment, but after a beat, they nodded and left the room, leaving Serena alone with Remus.

Remus was still staring at her, his face pale. Serena straightened her shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. "If you keep my secret, I'll keep yours," she said.

Remus blinked, clearly shocked and confused. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Serena didn't beat around the bush. "I know you're a werewolf, Remus."