Author's notes: Hmm, it's defiantly been a while since I updated this one. Sorry, it's just that this one's not flowing as easily as it used to, where as my other ones are (or, a few of them are anyway).
Anyway, to warn you in advance, there may be quite the delay between this chapter and the next again. I really have no idea where I'm going with this, so it's just going to have to wait till I get another brainwave, lol (if you have any ideas, leave them in your review).
Don't forget to review after reading!
Erin Baker: Thanks for the review, and I know Snape is nice, that that may change (it's one of my options for the future). I seem to always make the normally evil characters nice (lol, you should see some of my other fics, they're just as bad, if not worse for niceness).
Susanbones23: Thanks for the review!
Chapter 8: Running Away
The next morning soon came, and Selina got up, got dressed, and headed off to breakfast.
On the way, she ran into Mildred in the hall.
"Oh hello." Selina said.
"Would you and your friends care to sit with me for breakfast?"
Mildred looked confused.
"Won't your mother get angry?" She asked.
Selina smiled.
"She might, but that's fine with me, I'm not going to let her limit my friends like that." She replied.
"Alright then." Mildred said.
And with that, Mildred and her friends walked with Selina to breakfast.
Breakfast soon finished, and Selina quite enjoyed herself.
Just as she was leaving to get her things for class, Miss Hardbroom pulled her aside.
"Selina, may I have a word?" She asked, leading Selina to her nearby office and stepping inside.
"Of course." Selina replied as she followed.
Once they were both inside the office, Miss Hardbroom was the first to speak.
"I thought I made it quite clear that I didn't want you around Mildred Hubble outside of class." She said.
"And I thought you agreed to be more lenient on your rules." Selina replied.
"Don't be smart with me, Selina. I said I'd try, but when it comes to that girl I refuse to change my mind!" Miss Hardbroom said sternly.
"But that's unfair! Everyone deserves a chance." Selina replied.
"She doesn't, and that's all I'm going to say about it! You may leave now." Miss Hardbroom said.
"But." Selina started.
"No, this subject is finished. Go to class now, or you'll be late!" Miss Hardbroom ordered.
Selina let out an angry yet defeated sigh and left the room.
The rest of the day passed in the same manor as the previous one had.
It was now Selina's spare block, and, seeing as she was still angry with her mother, she was up in her room, writing a quick note to her father.
"Father,"
The note read.
"By the time you receive this, I will be on my way to Hogwarts.
"Mother has gone too far this time, and I cannot stand it any longer.
"I will explain everything when I arrive.
"Love, Selina."
She re read the note once, then sent it off with her owl.
Selina had decided to run away from her mother just after leaving her mother's office that morning.
She told none, not wanting to be persuaded to stop.
She did not plan to return, no matter what her father said or did, but she hoped that he would understand and not try to persuade her to do so.
After sending her owl off, Selina changed into the clothes that she had arrived in, and left Cackle's for, what she hoped would be, forever.
She chose to walk, knowing that Hogwarts was only a short distance from Cackle's, and that it would only take her about two days to get there.
Miss Hardbroom was on her way to Selina's room once more to find out why she had not been at dinner.
She entered the room and found it empty to her disappointment.
This also alarmed her, because there was nowhere for Selina to hide, and this was a sure sign that she had left.
She immediately grabbed her broom and flew to Hogwarts, searching the ground for Selina at the same time.
Meanwhile, Selina had found a nice tree to rest under for the night, and was lying back and staring up at the stars.
She realised now that she had forgotten to bring food with her, but figured that there was no point in going back for it, because she'd surely be caught. She could eat when she arrived back at Hogwarts.
A cool fall breeze was blowing and she shivered a bit, wishing that she had brought a warmer cloak.
Eventually she was able to put all these hardships behind her and fall into a deep sleep.
Miss Hardbroom landed on the Hogwarts grounds within an hour and went directly to Severus' office, thinking back to her days as his wife to remember the way.
She entered quietly and found Severus sitting at his desk marking the summer homework.
Severus had not heard her enter and was quite surprised and rather startled when he looked up and saw her standing there.
"Constance?" He asked in surprise.
"Is she here?" Constance asked.
"Who?" Severus asked, confused.
"Selina." Constance replied, sounding rather desperate.
"No, she was with you at Cackle's last I checked. Is something wrong?" Severus asked, growing slightly worried.
"She's gone. I can't find her anywhere. I thought she might have come back here." Constance replied.
"You mean she's missing?" Severus asked, growing more worried by the minute, but not showing it.
"Yes, I'm sorry. It's most likely my fault, we haven't entirely gotten along since she arrived, and we had an argument this morning." Constance replied, tears falling from her eyes.
Severus went over to her and gently wrapped his arms around her in a hug, hoping not to make her too uncomfortable.
"Shh, it's all right, I'm sure she's safe. She'll turn up in a few days, I'm sure." He said, trying to remain calm.
Constance remained silent.
"You're welcome to stay here until she turns up if you'd like." Severus offered.
"But what if she doesn't turn up?" Constance asked, her voice shaky and filled with worry.
"If there's no word or sign from her in a few days, we'll go look for her." Severus replied, leading her to a nearby room that she could use.
"Alright, and thank you." Constance said as she entered the room.
"Well, I'm just as worried as you are, we may as well worry together." Severus said as he left the room, closing the door behind him.