After the refreshing shower, Serena stepped out, her feet sinking into the plush bath mat. She marveled at the expansive bathroom, the luxurious marble countertops, and the gleaming gold fixtures. Money was everywhere.
She found a beige silk dress laid out on the bed, its puffy skirt and delicate lace details exuding an elegance she wasn't used to. At least it isn't pink. As she changed into the dress, her mind wandered back to the bowtruckle. The little creature had amusingly hopped off her shoulder when she entered the shower, its twig-like fingers covering its eyes as if respecting her privacy.
Once she was dressed, Serena used a spell to dry her hair, the warm magic leaving her locks silky and shiny. As she combed through, the bowtruckle eagerly jumped back onto her shoulder, nestling contentedly in her hair. She couldn't help but giggle at its antics.
Gently, Serena coaxed the bowtruckle out of her hair, holding it in her hand. "Where is your home?" she asked, though she knew it couldn't answer. The bowtruckle looked up at her, its tiny eyes filled with a sadness that tugged at her heart.
"Do you...do you not have a home?" Serena ventured cautiously. The bowtruckle gave a small nod, confirming her guess. A pang of sympathy coursed through her. "Well, you can stay with me until you find a new home," she told it, her voice soft and comforting.
At her words, the bowtruckle perked up, its tiny body vibrating with what Serena interpreted as joy. She couldn't help but smile at its reaction. "We should give you a name," she decided. After a moment of thought, she said, "How about Bowe?" The bowtruckle seemed to approve, its twig-like limbs bouncing excitedly.
At a sudden knock, Bowe quickly scampered back into Serena's hair, blending seamlessly with her dark locks. Serena crossed the room and gently opened the door. A small house elf, dressed in a neat little uniform, stood before her.
"Miss Serena," he said, bowing low. "I am Yuru. Master Wilfred has requested your presence at dinner. I am here to escort you to the dining area."
"Thank you, Yuru," Serena said, offering the elf a slight smile. As they traversed the grand corridors, Yuru filled her in on the workings of the household. There were only three house elves in the Prince family manor - Nitty, Yuru, and another named Enni. Serena made a mental note to meet Enni later.
The dining area was as opulent as the rest of the house, a long table set with crystal glassware and silver cutlery. At the head of the table, Wilfred Prince sat, his blue eyes sharp and attentive. Serena's gaze swept the room, taking in the grandeur. Her grandmother was absent, likely due to her frail health. But there was no sign of her mother, Eileen.
"....Grandfather," Serena greeted a bit awkwardly. Tasting the word on her lips. She wasn't sure if it was alright to call him 'grandfather' but it would be much better than calling him 'Lord or Sir'.
Taking a seat across from him, she asked, "Where's Mother?"
Wilfred's gaze softened slightly as he looked at Serena, but he didn't immediately answer her question. The absence of her mother was palpable in the grand dining area, and Serena couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Nevertheless, she resolved to make the best of her first dinner in the Prince family manor, with or without her mother's presence.
"Your mother left," Wilfred said, his voice devoid of emotion. The words hung in the air, heavy and shocking. Serena blinked, her heart pounding in her chest.
"She...what?" Serena breathed out, standing up in bewilderment. Her mother had left her here?
"She did not plan on staying," Wilfred continued, his gaze steady. "She only came to bring you to us."
YOU ARE READING
IN ANOTHER LIFE (James Potter x Severus Snape)
Fanfiction(OMEGAVERSE) Severus finds himself rising from his near deathbed into the past, as a female 10 year old version of himself in another parallel world, where secondary genders exist. (Also uploaded in Fanfiction & Ao3)
