Serena's slender figure glided through the grand halls of Prince Manor, her curiosity as insatiable as her predecessor's obsession with potion-making. The manor, with its towering ceilings and ancient artifacts, echoed the grandeur of a bygone era. She trailed her fingers across the spines of books in the grand library, the scent of parchment and leather mingling with the faint sweet smell of daffodils that seemed to follow her.
She'd spent the morning acquainting herself with the manor's many secrets, from the whispering armory that held enchanted weapons of old to the kitchens where Nitty, the house elf in charge, had offered her a dizzying array of treats. Her exploration was not just a journey through space but through time, as the manor held remnants of her family's past, and through it, perhaps clues to her own future.
The gardens had been her first venture, where the air was crisp and the scent of rain-soaked earth was strong. Yuru, the main house elf servant, had been meticulous in his introduction of every rosebush and fountain, his pride in the Prince's estate evident. Yet, Serena felt an inexplicable pull towards the stables, an area of the manor she had yet to explore.
As she approached the library windows, her gaze fell upon the dark shapes of the thestrals in the distance. She paused, her breath catching. She hadn't seen death in this life, yet there they were, visible to her, a stark reminder of her past life's burdens. With a mix of trepidation and awe, she made her way toward the stables, her heart thrumming in her chest.
As she stood in silence, observing the thestrals, a soft voice broke her reverie. "Miss Serena?" The voice was timid, yet carried the warmth of the summer sun.
Serena turned to find Enni, the house elf in charge of the gardens and thestrals, looking up at her with large, curious eyes. Enni's surprise was evident; not many could see the creatures she cared for so deeply.
"I can see them," Serena admitted, her voice a mere whisper. Though she didn't explain how that came to be, Enni didn't press.
The house elf nodded, her expression softening. "You have a kind soul, Miss Serena. It's rare to meet someone who understands the thestrals. They tend to avoid them."
Together, they talked, and Serena learned of Enni's duties and the care she provided to the magical creatures. As the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the grounds, Bowe, Serena's ever-present bowtruckle companion, emerged from her pocket, his curiosity piqued by the gentle thestrals.
The creatures, sensing the innocence and playfulness of the tiny being, lowered their heads, allowing Bowe to clamber onto their skeletal frames. Serena watched, a rare smile gracing her lips, as Bowe interacted with the thestrals, a bridge between worlds, just as she was.
In this moment, amidst the ancient magic of her family's estate, Serena felt a connection to her past and her present. It was a poignant reminder that life, in all its forms, was a tapestry of experiences, woven together across time and space, and she was a thread in the intricate design of her own fate.
~~~
The fading daylight cast elongated shadows along the stables of Prince Manor as Serena bid farewell to Enni, her heart a little lighter from the interaction with the gentle thestrals and the playful antics of Bowe. She turned her attention to the task at hand: visiting her grandmother, Gwendoline Prince.
Each day since her arrival at the manor, Serena had carved out a portion of time to spend at the bedside of her ailing grandmother. It was a solemn commitment, a silent promise to utilize her unique Omegan magic — the Healing Touch — in hopes of easing her grandmother's suffering.
With a deep breath, Serena strode down the corridors, her footsteps echoing off the high walls adorned with ancestral portraits. The faces of generations of Princes stared back at her, their expressions ranging from haughty to contemplative, each canvas a silent testament to the legacy she had inherited. She often wondered if the eyes of her forebears followed her, weighing her worthiness as the heir to such a storied bloodline. Most likely.
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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)
