This is going to be another story, pre-In Another Mess. So Scelena won't be in this. I suppose I should let y'all figure this out yourself eh?
"Daddy stop!" A little four year old girl squealed as she ran away from her father. The older man, only about twenty-three, wrapped his daughter in giant hug. Honey blonde curls haloed her face and emerald green eyes glinted at him in the wanning sunlight. She reminded him so much of her mother, who'd died giving birth to her, that it hurt his heart.
"What was mommy like Daddy?" The little girl asked, staring up with curiousity. "She was sweet and kind, wonderful. She loved you from the very moment she knew you were coming." He pressed his finger on her nose which responded a giggle out of the little girl. "Chase me Daddy!" She shrieked and took off again. Her father shook his head and raced after her.
Serena wiped a tear from her eye as she stared at a picture of her dad. She'd been forced to move in with the Potters', her aunt and uncle, this summer after a mysterious fire had killed her father. She was only fourteen, too young to have lost both parents. But here she was, living with her cousin. Often, his friends had come around, but they mostly left her alone.
She wallowed in her grief alone until Mrs. Potter forced her out of her room. She'd creep down, knowing that Sirius, Remus and Peter were all over and she'd been crying. She would sit in silence as the four boys exchanged jokes and her aunt and uncle tried to include her.
Her dad had been the world to her, and he'd been taken away by the cruel world. Sometimes, in the dead of night, she's wake up in cold sweats, reliving the night it'd happened. Then, she'd reach for the knife she kept hidden in her nightstand and draw the blade across her left shoulder, letting the pain remind her that she was human.
She shook herself now and gently placed the picture back on the nightstand. Her finger rubbed over the various scars on her shoulder. She forced herself to stop and glared at the angry, puckered red scars. Because of them, she was forced to wear a sleeved shirt, even if they weren't long. She silently cursed herself as she moved about the room, getting ready for the day.
The Potters' were taking her, Sirius, Remus and Peter to Diagon Alley to shop for supplies for their fifth year at Hogwarts. Ms. Potter also mentioned getting something special for Serena's birthday, coming up in a week. She was terrified of this, and wanted to just curl under her covers for the rest of the day, but she knew she would be dragged out eventually, if not by James, then by his buddies.
She hummed a popular American song, You Are More, by Tenth Avenue North as she moved periodically, pulling on a pair of jeans and T-shirt. She knew that electronics wouldn't work on Hogwarts grounds, which depressed her immensely. She depended on her music more than anything to help her through these rough times.
Thumping sounds on the stairs echoed up to her ears as she pulled on a sweatshirt. She turned around to face the door as Sirius Black swung it open. His brown hair curled around his face and his hazel-brown eyes stared directly at Serena. "Oh, you're up." He muttered. "Um, yea, I always get up pretty early." She told him, avoiding his stare. "Then why do we hardly see you?" His voice was soft, and curious. "I just have...problems." She muttered as she ducked under his arm and pounded down the stairs.
"Oi, there she is," James laughed when Serena appeared in the living room. "Huh?" She mumbled. "We were just wondering where you were," Remus replied in a dull voice. His blonde hair fell in his eyes. Serena refused to meet his eyes and instead looked to study her cousin. His black hair fell messy as always and his brown eyes studied her worriedly. "Oh, getting ready in my room," she shrugged and started for the door.
"Serena, we're taking the floo powder." Ms. Potter spoke up. Serena turned around on a dime and stared, wide-eyed, at her aunt. "NO!" She shrieked. Memories of that horrible night flooded her mind as she stumbled and fell. "Honey, maybe we should go by car or something." Mr. Potter muttered to his wife as Sirius and James swarmed around the fallen girl.
Serena stood up, leaning against James for support. Her face was chalky white, like she'd been spooked. "No, it's fine, just...I had a nightmare last night. Let's just go." She sighed, a little bit of color coming back into her. Sirius and James still looked concerned, while Peter glared at the floor. Remus wasn't paying any attention to the hurt and worn out girl. Mr. and Mrs. Potter exchanged weary looks before the five teens piled into the fireplace and reappeared in the Leaky Couldren.
Serena stumbled out, immediately heading for the door that lead to Diagon Alley. She could hear the boys, cursing and fumbling around behind her. She didn't give them time to catch up, instead disappearing the crowds and making her way towards Gringotts.
As far as she knew, all her dad's money was stored in a bank vault that she'd been given the key to. All Serena could really hope for was there to be enough money to last her this year and next, that way her aunt and uncle didn't have to pay. Speaking of aunt and uncle, she could hear them not too far behind, laughing.
She ducked into an alley way and rushed through Gringotts. She was out in just five minutes, having grabbed just enough money for what she needed. Turns out her dad had a lot more than she knew about though. She was tempted to grab some money for a new owl, since Snowy had died with her dad, but decided against it, as it might not be such a good idea.
Serena wandered around, popping in stores and gathering supplies. By the time she'd reached the end of her list, she was standing in front of Florish and Botts, staring in the window at her cousin and his friends. She had friends, not many, but she had some. The only problem was they didn't come over to hang out, because nobody wanted to be around James Potter, and Serena didn't much want to either.
She sighed and entered the store, knowing that this was probably the best place to meet up with them anyway. Only Remus and Sirius took note of her as she trudged wearily towards the books she needed. Neither one moved any closer to her though as she walked up to the register and spent the rest of her money. She joined her cousin after a while, waiting patiently as he picked out useless books that he didn't even need.
Pretty soon, Mr. and Mrs. Potter come into the shop, carring a large bundle with huge smiles on their faces. Serena studied the bundle carefully and heard a small hoot from beneath the cloth. "Happy Birthday Serena," Mr. Potter laughed as she stared. "Um...thanks," she mumbled as she took the cage away from Mrs. Potter. "His name is Umbra, and he's not an owl sweetheart." She commented.
Serena lifted the cloth and stared at the scarlet and gold bird underneath. "It's a phoenix." She commented, amazed. "Yes, the last one. Well, that stores will sell anyway." Mr. Potter chuckled. James, Sirius and Remus stared at Umbra, curious and wanting. Peter muttered in disgust and left the store.
"Thanks guys, this is the best present I've gotten in a long time." Serena hugged her aunt and uncle. "The best part is, he ages with you, so he will die the day you do." Mrs. Potter beamed. "Cool," Serena smiled at the bird. "Okay Umbra, I hope you're easy to take care of," she winked and they set off for home, and for once, Serena was comepletely happy.
So, here you go. I love the Marauders, they were an interesting group to learn about. Even if they were buttholes. Review please :)