In the privacy of her room, Serena sat on the plush carpeted floor, her back against the foot of her grand four-poster bed. Bowe, her petite Bowtruckle companion, was attempting to mimic her cross-legged position, though its twiggy limbs made the task somewhat comical. A small smile lifted the corners of Serena's lips as she watched the creature struggle, a momentary distraction from the task at hand.
Closing her eyes, she focused on the task of rebuilding her Occlumency wards. It was a mental exercise she'd done countless times, a routine from her past life as Severus Snape. Yet, this time, the task seemed more challenging. The recent emotional breakdown she'd experienced in front of her grandfather was still fresh in her mind. It was embarrassing to have exposed herself in such a vulnerable state, and she was determined to prevent the recurrence of such an event.
As an Omega, she knew her emotions ran deeper than most, and merging with Serena's personality had only amplified her emotional sensitivity. But she was not going to let that be an excuse. She needed control, and Occlumency was her tool to achieve it.
A soft laughter echoed in her memory. It was her grandmother, Gwendoline. Serena remembered how she had laughed when she heard about her breakdown, not in a mean way, but with an understanding that was comforting. Gwendoline had told her that it was only human to breakdown once in a while, an assurance that had eased Serena's embarrassment a little.
Then, there was the memory of her grandmother talking about her grandfather, Wilfred. Gwendoline had mused how it was good for the stoic man to have someone new to comfort. She confessed that she would have loved to see her husband awkwardly trying to comfort Serena, a sight that would have surely brought her great amusement.
Serena continued to focus, her mind fully immersed in the creation of her Occlumency wards. As she visualized the walls of her mental fortress, they took the form of a magnificent golden willow tree. The image was vivid and majestic, radiating a magical glow that seemed to permeate the room.
The golden willow tree held a special significance for Serena. It was based on an actual willow tree that stood in a small forest park near an open lake in Cokesworth, a place where she and Lily had spent countless hours practicing their magic in secret before their Hogwarts years. As Severus, this very image had served as his Occlumency wards, his memories and knowledge hidden within the leaves and branches of the tree.
The secret of the golden willow tree lay in its transformation. If an intruder attempted to breach Serena's mind, the tree would shift its appearance, turning into an old, greenish, plain-looking willow tree. This clever ruse would deceive anyone searching her mind, as they would only see the fabricated memories she had created to protect herself. It was a defense mechanism she had learned from Severus, a way to safeguard her secrets and maintain her privacy.
As Serena delved deeper into her visualization, she could almost feel the energy of the golden willow tree enveloping her. It was whispering ancient knowledge and guarding her secrets. The golden glow intensified, casting a warm, comforting light throughout the room.
In her mind's eye, Serena gently touched the tree's bark, feeling a surge of familiarity and strength. She knew that within the branches and leaves of the golden willow tree, her memories were stored, etched into the very essence of the tree itself. It was a powerful connection, a bond between her past life as Severus Snape and her present existence as Serena Snape.
As she completed the formation of her Occlumency wards, Serena marveled at the image before her. The golden willow tree stood tall and resolute, a symbol of protection and resilience. It was a reminder of her strength, her ability to adapt and survive in the face of adversity.
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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)
