Chapter Text
It was on the Hogwarts Express, heading back to London that Harry approached her, knocking on the door of her compartment. Hermione and Ronald stood behind him. “Can we talk, Serena?”
“Is this about what I think it is?” He nodded. She sighed. “These two already know, and I think it's time we all came clean. Come on.” She moved to sit between Blaise and Draco, giving the Gryffindor's their own bench. She faced Harry with a grim look, setting up privacy charms over their compartment. When she was done, she nodded.
“What did Tom tell you while I was fighting the basilisk?”
She took a deep breath, staring at her feet. Blaise put an arm around her and Draco laid a hand on her knee. “That night, in Godric's Hollow, two things happened. When he attacked you, some of his magic branched off, rebounding, and sticking with you.” She didn't want to tell him her true suspicions, that part of Voldemort's soul stuck with him. That he was a Horcrux, just like the diary.
He nodded. “That's what Dumbledore said. What else?”
She didn't look up. She just continued in a dead, detached voice. “Tom said that on that night, he must have had a feeling that something would go wrong. I don't know why, but he did. And... He used a spell on me, a spell he read about in fourth year called the Enlightenment charm.” Hermione gasped, her hand slapping over her own mouth as she gaped at Serena, who continued. “It is dangerous to use on adults, but no one had ever tried it on a child, a baby... that is... until he cast it on me.”
“Not only did he heighten my perception, he changed it. I can perceive magic in a way that most can't. I can sense it, manipulate it. That's how I controlled the basilisk. I literally put enough magic behind the word to freeze it. That's how I drew the venom out of your arm, and moved the rocks from the cave in.”
“So.... you can do things others can't...” Hermione started.
“Because I perceive it to be possible. I see the connections that others don't, the magic that binds it all together. I can manipulate the magic in and around me to do exactly what I want with ease. It's like second nature, and instinct now that I've found out it's possible. Because I can perceive it, and literally sense it, I can use it. He cast the spell with the intention of creating a child counterpoint to Harry. If Harry survived, he would become his greatest enemy. With me, he intended to create an ally.”
“But... he didn't, right?” Harry asked.
She glared at him. “Did you hear what I said to him, or were you too out of it with the venom? I will never, ever, willingly serve our parents murderer.”
He nodded. It was Ronald that spoke next. “I get why you're still friends with Blaise. He isn't all that bad. But why Draco?”
Draco sneered, and Serena nudged him. “Draco has appearances to keep up, or he will be disowned by his father. That does not mean that he truly believes the things he says. You know now that the diary came from Lucius. Dobby visited me and told me how you freed him. Draco knew about the diary before school, but didn't think there would actually be a monster, as that was what Lucius had convinced him of. None of us trust Lucius anymore, not even Draco. In fact, we are fetching Narcissa from Malfoy Manor, and retreating to one of the Potter properties to avoid Lucius.”
Harry's eyes brightened. “Can I come with you?”
“Dumbles sending you back to the muggles?”
“He keeps telling me it's necessary, but not why.”
“Remember what he said about Lily? You're under the protection of blood wards there because of her sacrifice. They are stronger than any other ward he can give you. If you don't return, the wards will die, leaving you vulnerable to him again.”
Harry's face fell. Then it grew confused. “Then.... how were you able to burn Quirrell if you weren't under the wards?”
She considered it. “Actually... I'm not sure. I'll do some research this summer. But listen, if something happens and you have to leave, here is the address. You're welcome to come.” She handed him a slip of paper. “Stay there for as long as you can, for the sake of the possible wards. But if it becomes too much...”
“Don't worry. I understand.” She smiled at her brother. Silence fell over them all, and she nudged Draco, who sighed heavily.
“Listen, Granger, I'm sorry, for what I said. And you too, Weasley. I have nothing against either of you, but if my father knows I don't support him, I'll be disinherited before I can blink.”
“Wouldn't that be preferable to hiding what you believe?” Hermione asked.
“No,” the three Slytherins said. “Serena is the only, and I quite literally mean the only, Slytherin to openly oppose Pure-blood ideology. And I promise you, it hasn't made her many friends. Her being my friend is enough to piss off Father, but if I openly adopt her views, while it would change the face of Slytherin house, it would be the end of both the Malfoy name and any chance I had of redeeming it.” Draco explained.
“So... where does that leave us?”
“With you two still openly hating me for my views, and vice versa, with Blaise, Serena and Harry neutral, though Harry being a Gryffindor will stand up for his friends.”
Harry raised a brow. “So, you are sorry for your treatment of them, but not me?”
Draco glared at him. “I don't like you, Potter. Haven't since that first train ride. You didn't want to consider being my friend then, and I doubt you will reconsider now. We have no reason, aside from Serena, to get along.”
Harry just sighed. Serena shook her head. “Look, not to be mean, but I don't want to be seen getting too chummy with Gryffindor's. The Slytherin's are only just beginning to accept me again, and while I really don't care what they think, the next five years will be much easier if I at least get along with them. See you all next term?”
Mimi smiled. “Be sure to write!”
“I'll do my best.” She waved as the Gryffindor's headed back to their own compartment.
Serena sighed, laying her head on Blaise's shoulder. He looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. “You alright?”
“Yeah, I'm alright. And I'm finally going home.”