The Serpent's Mask

I write Harry Potter fanfiction with a focus on character depth, slow-burn relationships, and morally complex Slytherin perspectives.

✨ Currently posting: The Serpent’s Mask 🐍 Slytherin OC • Angst • Softness • Politics • Slow Burn

After a year of building this story in my head, I finally started sharing it. If you like emotionally layered characters, dangerous loyalty, quiet vulnerability, and power dynamics — you may enjoy it here.

📖 Read on AO3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/79724171/chapters/209203431

💬 I love hearing thoughts, reactions, theories, screaming, keyboard smashing — all of it. Lurkers are welcome too.

🌑 About me: • Slow-burn enthusiast • Character-driven stories > plot-driven • Probably thinking about Scarlett at all times • Soft for complicated people

Draco lay in a spreading pool of red.

“I don’t want to die, Scar…”

Her hands shook as she pressed harder, panic clawing up her throat.

She knew the spells.

She knew the theories.

“Episkey,” she whispered—

And for the first time in her life—

He looked at her with eyes wide — terrified. Not proud Malfoy composure. Just a seventeen-year-old boy who thought he was dying.

“I don’t want to die, Scar…”

His eyes stayed on hers.

Then they arrived at the Death Eater headquarters.

Bellatrix was radiant with manic delight.

“Brilliantly done. That final curse — you killed Sirius Black. You killed your father for our Lord. You are a true Black. Magnificent, my darling girl.”

The words were clipped. Restrained. Obedience was not his instinct.

Emotional Self-Suppression- Scarlett is trained to perform composure, not feel freely * She equates control with safety * She hides distress even from allies * She internalizes instead of processing * The mask becomes reflexive.

Self-Sacrificial Instinct- She prioritizes duty over self-preservation. *Volunteers for dangerous tasks *Minimizes her own suffering *Measures her worth by usefulness* Sees endurance as proof of strength

Isolation by Design- Scarlett keeps emotional distance even from people she loves. *Protects others by withholding truth *Maintains secrets as a survival tactic * Rarely asks for help * Carries burdens alone

Over-Strategizing / Control Bias- She is always thinking 3 steps ahead. *She treats social interactions as tactical exchanges * Anticipates consequences before acting * Struggles to act spontaneously * Difficulty enjoying the present

Identity Pressure / Legacy Weight- She carries the expectations of multiple legacies at once. *Black Name *Carrow Legacy * Pure-Blood Scrutiny * Political Symbolism

Scarlett laughed despite herself. "Weasley—" 

"Tell me what it's going to take. One date." 

Scarlett looked him in the eyes. He looked right back, a genuine smile on his face. She smirked and cocked an eyebrow. "Swim the Black Lake." 

"Ok," he said, his smile growing into a grin as he got up and returned to his table.

Of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

Of the Elder and Unsullied Blood of Carrow

Some legacies are inherited.

Some are survived.