It was a few days before Kelsey had to be at platform 9¾ for her first train ride to Hogwarts. It, however, was not her first time using the Floo Powder Network. She used it once a month to visit her Aunt Beth, who also decided she needed to tag along with Remus for Kelsey's first trip to Diagon Alley.
Kelsey's Aunt Beth was a very…well…unique person, as Kelsey would always say. She had blue eyes and golden curls for hair. Beth Ridoran was good friends with Abigail and kept close contact with her after their years spent as Hogwarts. It was only naturally that she was chosen to be Kelsey's godmother when she was born.
And, to Remus, Beth was just the person Kelsey needed while shopping in Diagon Alley. Girl bonding was something Kelsey has been lacking, he knew that very well. Even with the monthly visits, he knew it wasn't enough. The distant look in her eyes, although they were her father's, was the look Abigail would always get when she thought about her problems.
It was rare that Remus would have any one-on-one time with Beth. However, when Kelsey was in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions getting fitted for her robes, it couldn't be helped.
"They grow up so fast, don't they?" Beth decided to start the conversation.
"Well look at us, Beth."
She rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant."
He nodded. "Eleven years. A first year at our alma mater. Time, what a tricky thing it is."
She smiled, raising an eyebrow at the werewolf. "You've always had such a way with words, Remus."
He nodded again. The silence grew between them. Remus was keeping an eye on passing families with younger children, knowing those would soon become Kelsey's new classmates.
"Remus?"
"Yes?"
After Beth didn't answer, he looked over to see her stroking a piece of her hair. She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. She repeated this once more before finally spitting out what she had to say.
"I-I was wondering…"
"Go on." he urged.
"Well, I don't know how you'll take this question."
"We both won't know until you finally ask it, Beth."
She finally sighed before looking towards the entrance of Madam Malkin's to make sure Kelsey wouldn't overhear.
"I'm not trying to sound rude, but…knowing who her father is, I've always been curious about your and Kelsey's relationship."
Remus looked away from her for a moment and shut his eyes. He saw this coming. And, he knew from his experience with Beth that she was a good person. He could trust her.
"When I look at Kelsey…I do see him. But, I see him like he was when we were at Hogwarts. Him and James…they would always look out for me and…well," Remus finally opened his eyes, though they were focused on somewhere very far away.
"I see so much of Abby in her too, which helps. But, when it all comes down to it, Kelsey is neither Sirius nor Abigail. She's Kelsey. She shouldn't have to be put down for something she had no say in, something that wasn't her fault."
Beth was always so fascinated by the way Remus would look at things. But she decided she wasn't going to ask anything else about that subject, at least for now.
"Any news about her? Abby?" she asked, although she knew the answer.
"No, unfortunately. I swear I have the letter they send every few months memorized by now."
Beth raised her eyebrow at him.
"'Dear Mr. Lupin,
We are sorry to inform you that the whereabouts of Abigail Marie Scott are still unknown. We will owl you as soon as we hear otherwise.
Sincerely,
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement'."
Beth frowned. She had gone on searches for her missing friend herself, but, like Remus, she also had no idea where to start to look.
No later than that did Kelsey come out of the store with her robes. Remus and Beth quickly wiped the sad look off of their faced and continued shopping. They both needed to be strong for her.
Beth insisted that she would buy an owl for Kelsey so she would be able to send the letters to Remus and her if she wanted or needed to. It took Kelsey a little while to pick out the right bird. She walked down the aisles repetitively and no one bird popped out at her.
Then she saw her: it was a small, gray owl with bright yellow eyes. Except her feathers weren't grey, but a silver. And she seemed to notice Kelsey too.
Beth noticed this right away and went to the counter to pay for the owl, not accepting any sickles from Remus.
"She's a beauty. Have a name for her?" Beth asked Kelsey as they left the shop.
"Aquilla." she smiled down at her bird in her its cage. "It's a constellation, you know. And I think it suits her."
"Definitely." Beth agreed.
Kelsey spent the rest of her day with her godparents shopping in Diagon Alley. And, although she didn't realize it until much later that night, that day she had felt like a part of an actual family. She saw other children during the day walking with their parents, and she felt one-in-the-same with Uncle Moony and Aunt Beth.
Though it certainly didn't replace her father and mother, both of whom she loved and missed dearly. As her day was coming to an end, Kelsey closed her eyes and slept calmly through the night, feeling the warmth of her parent's love for the first time in a long time.
And there you have it! Two more chapters up!
It won't be long now until we meet the Weasley's :D
(to be exact it's probably going to be one more chapter, but they'll be here!)
Oh, I don't know which magical department deals with missing wizards/witches...so I'm sorry if I got that wrong.
Also, Kelsey's owl is an Elf Owl, in case you wanted to know.
Please Review! I'd love to hear what you guys think!
Until next time~