-------Chapter Two-------
Giovanni looked at Sela. Sela stared back at him. Not insolently, just, stared. Wrapped in a large towel as she was the only bits to be seen were her head and her feet. Her eyes were a smoke gray color, almost as though someone had diluted her father's obsidian ones. She had inherited the long black hair as well.
'Dress her up in black and she could scare any Hogwarts student.' Giovanni thought to himself. He knew that he'd have to force Severus to take the child with him. He had thought on it after sending the letter, but it was better for her to get away. The scenery change would do something to alleviate the shock. Amalia was checking to find her some temporary clothing, as everything she had was destroyed. She had absolutely refused to relinquish her toy however and in the end Firra had suggested that perhaps the kitty might like a nice bath the same as Sela did. That had done the trick. The cat was now sitting wrapped in another towel next to Sela, a little singed in the whiskers, but none the worse for it. Sela had insisted that it might get cold.
Amalia came back from her search. "I found this...it's actually one of Edith's shirts, but I think it will work until we can get her something else. She held up a light blue t-shirt with the words "Veni Vidi Velcro" emblazoned on it.
"I came, I saw, I got stuck?" Giovanni asked looking at it.
"Hey, I just deliver the shirts...I don't explain them." Amalia said as she tugged the shirt over Sela's head. "Better?"
Sela nodded.
"So? Any word from Hogwarts?" Amalia asked as she sat on the couch next to the toy cat.
"Albus sent word that Severus will be coming in the morning. Even if he has to drag him down here himself."
"Heh, that's old Professor Dumbledore for you. Always getting what he wants whether people realize it or not."
Sela listened as they discussed plans for getting her somewhere to get proper clothing and dozed off as they were discussing what Severus would try in order to get out of returning with Sela to Hogwarts. Amalia glanced over at her.
"I knew some proper care would send her off. You'd think she'd been starving the way she ate."
"Living in a colony of vampires will do that to you. I suppose it's a good sign that she's gone to sleep so easily. I expected to be sitting up with her half the night." Giovanni said.
"Vampires huh? Didn't think of that. Should I try to move her?"
Giovanni contemplated a moment then shook his head. "No. She'll be fine there. I'll let Firra know to keep an ear open to any trouble." with that he got slowly to his feet and stumped away, leaning on a cane with a silver gryphon on the handle. Amalia watched him go. No one was really certain how old Giovanni really was, but she guessed he was around Professor Dumbledore's age. The only concession he'd made to his age was the lines around his eyes and the streak of gray on either temple. Either way, he was a force to be reckoned with, inside or outside the family.
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The next morning found Sela sitting with Edith, a witch with blonde hair, and two other children. Sela watched expectantly while Edith picked up the dice. The other children leaned over and whispered to each other. They were twins, a girl and a boy and looked different as day and night. Personality wise, they were a perfect match.
"Oh, I see you decided to come down from your perch, Edith." Amalia said as she walked in.
"Shh! I'm trying to concentrate...you're little ragamuffins insisted I play this with them." Edith said waving her hand at the twins. She studied the game board a moment then rolled the dice. "Twelve. Hm..." Edith counted out twelve places and groaned.
"Dammit! Boardwalk! With how many hotels? Two...yeah." Edith handed over a pile of paper money.
"Nice doing business with you. Enjoy your stay." Sela said.
Edith glared at her. While Amalia laughed.
"Too much like her father for you?"
"You forget, I had to put up with him growing up. He was possibly the biggest pain in my arse...you remember when he used me as a test subject for one of his concoctions?! I had green and orange striped hair for a week!"
"Oh, I'd say it was more like three days." a voice said behind them.
Edith jumped and Amalia laughed.
"Quit sneaking around like that, Giovanni! Nearly wet myself..."
"I'm not gonna clean that up." Sela muttered. Edith glared at her.
"So did Albus chase Sevvie down here? Or did he come all on his own?" Edith asked, feigning sweetness.
"I think it was more of a 'If you don't go down there, I will make you go and you won't be happy either way." But yes, they've arrived. Which is why I was here. I'd like you to bring Seladine up to the observatory. Got it?"
Edith watched as the twins rolled the dice and landed on Park Place. "Hah! Now you two are in for it." The twins handed their money to Sela, and Sela handed back change.
"Heeeeeee-eeey! Why do they get money back?!"
"It's a two for one special at the Plaza. And kids are cheaper than adults." Sela said, looking at Edith as if she should know better. Giovanni snorted.
"You see what I mean? Just like Severus." Edith muttered mutinously. "Not only am I stuck being the shoe, she's giving out group discounts!"
Giovanni cleared his throat. "Did you hear me?"
"Uh-huh, Seladine, Observatory, Sev here. But first I've got to shove this board game up the muggle inventors butt."
