Why would Annabeth be so fascinated with a Wanted poster? Selena thought to herself, the redheaded girl seeming entranced. Curiosity winning out, Selena took a few steps closer, and then some more, and then some more. She kept moving closer across the street, ducking behind a candle-decorated tree until she could she could hear Annabeth whispering something.

"I'm sorry that I haven't told Harry about you, Papa... but, I'll find you soon..." Selena heard.

Annabeth stepped away, walking in the opposite direction.

Once the coast was clear, Selena skirted the tree and edged closer to the poster. Snow fell in front of her, sticking to her lashes, threading into her hair. The cold air nipped at her fingertips and nose, turning them red. Her friends were probably wondering she'd gone off to. All that slipped away when she saw the face on the sheet of parchment, the page fluttering as if it wanted to escape and fly away on the freezing winter wind.

Printed on the poster was the a picture of someone Damon had told her about on her first day on the Hogwarts Express. Someone that had come to Hogwarts.

The man held up a sign from Azkaban, symbols printed on it that Selena didn't understand. The man's hair was grimy, dripping in front of his face, a dark expression smeared across his features, eyes menacing.

Sirius Black.

4 Hours Later

Selena continued to pace in front of the roaring fire in the Gryffindor Common Room. Thoughts raced through her mind quicker than a Peruvian Vipertooth dragon. Annabeth is Sirius Black's daughter? Is this possible? It can't be! He's a criminal, he's a killer, he was in Azkaban... No, they cannot be related. Besides, they don't even look alike! He has black hair and... Unless, the mother had red hair... Who's the mother? Sirius Black was married? No, I don't think he was... Unless it was secret... Is this even real? They have the same last name, but Black is a fairly common surname. I mean, maybe Annabeth is just mad! Even Alisson said she looked mental. Yeah, she's just mental. That's it! Annabeth is just confused, and thinks that she's Sirius' daughter because of the last name and... and I shouldn't believe this... I probably heard her wrong anyways. I mean, there was a lot of noise in Hogsmeade and... er... Selena sighed. I'm going mad myself now, aren't I?

She had decided to skip going with her friends to dinner. By now, it was over. People would be returning to their Common Rooms sooner or later.

As if on cue, the portrait swung open and laughter sounded. Students began to pour in, talking with smiles plastered on their faces. But then again, how could everyone not be excited? Winter holiday was just hours away now.

Selena sighed. By now, the Great Hall would have less people in it than the Common Room. This meant a lesser chance of running into someone she didn't want to see. She left Gryffindor Tower silently, the Fat Lady asking her no questions as she moved against the flow of students. Skipping down the moving stone staircases - and blocking out the talk of the paintings lining the walls - she headed down to the Great Hall. Standing in the tall entrance, peeking around the gilded doors, Selena scanned the meal hall. It was all decorated for Christmas, twelve trees with sparkling ornaments and garlands around the room. As she'd suspected, only a few kids dotted the tables now, most of the dishes already cleared away, none of the delicious smells from dinner lingering. About five Huffelpuffs were eating in a cluster, chuckling occasionally. Two Ravenclaws were sitting at opposite ends of their table, both of them studying for who knew what. Selena frowned when she spotted a Gryffindor asleep on top of a table, lying with their chin in a bowl of oatmeal. Turning to the last table, she spotted some Slytherins all huddled together conspiratorially.

Selena could hear comments floating over from the group.

"Whoa!"

"A real Time-Turner!"

"How'd you get it? Doesn't the Ministry own them?"

These words interested the First Year so she walked over - feeling a bit naive - to see what was going on. Something about a Time-Turner? No one else in the Great Hall paid attention to the young Gryffindor as she stood on a bench to see.

An older blond Slytherin boy stood with a bright smirk on his face, showing off a silver pocket watch to several younger students. With one foot on a table bench and the other on the floor, he waved to the shining silver of the pocket watch as if it were the Philosopher's Stone. Selena faintly remembered someone calling him Neil once. The others she didn't recognize, one seemingly from her own year. The others were probably Second Years.

"Neil? What is that?" Selena piped up, pointing to the pocket watch. Hadn't they said something about a Time-Turner? Or had she heard that wrong, too?

Neil glanced over at her, blinking innocently. "It's a Time-Turner," he answered matter-of-factly.

"No it's not. Wen- I mean, I happen to know what a Time-Turner looks like, and that's not it," Selena retorted, folding her arms.

Neil gave her a strained expression. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" he asked, glancing back at the younger students who peered curiously between the two. "Gryffindors," he said, grinning. "Am I right?"

Selena jumped down from the wooden bench before Neil pulled her to the front of the Slytherin table, leaving the other kids to mumble amongst themselves. "I know that it's not a Time-Turner," he whispered.

"Then why are you saying that it is?" Selena asked, looking at the pocket watch. Not only was it completely non-magical, it was broken as well.

"Because there's so much entertainment in pranks. No offense, but you lower years are too easy to trick," he said, gave a Cheshire smile, and floated back to the trio of students.

Selena smiled slightly, not sure if she should be irritated or impressed. It was such a stereotypical Slytherin thing to do. Despite the prank, she couldn't help but find Neil rather nice.

"You'll have to excuse him," a soft voice said.

Startled, Selena spun around around to find a Ravenclaw girl that looked a year ahead standing close by. The pale blonde had her wand behind her left ear, a necklace of butter-beer caps, turnip earrings, and her black-and-blue robe inside out. A magazine labeled Quibbler was upside down in her hands. Nevertheless, her smile was beautiful.

"Yes. I didn't know that he had a pocket watch. I don't even know if Muggles use them too much anymore," Selena commented to the strange girl.

"Pocket watch? So that's what they're called," she said in a whimsical voice, her silvery eyes taking on a dreamy look. "Well, any-who, he's very kind. Though, I don't think the Sorting Hat made any mistake putting him in Slytherin. I'm Luna Lovegood, by the way. Well, good-after-dinner Selena." With that, the girl skipped off, straggly hair flowing around her shoulders.

Not knowing how the girl had known her name, and a little startled from the bizarre, short conversation, Selena walked down to the Gryffindor table. As she sat down, she noticed Alexanda and one of the Weasley Twins walk in - Selena had no idea whether it was Fred or George - and watched them sit down as well. They pulled out sweets, presumably from Honeydukes, and started to discuss the Quidditch season.

Selena then saw another familiar face appear. Ray walked in the Great Hall, glancing from the Slytherin table across the room until he looked directly at Selena. Recognition sparked in his eyes, and he began walking towards her.

Selena looked away too late, getting up in a hurry. Without even thinking of why, she felt the immediate need to leave. She wanted to avoid confrontation, not walk right over to Ray, not today. However, going to the doors of the Great Hall would be to walk right by him, so that was out of the question. Selena speed-walked across the stone floor, moving towards the empty Head Table. The only thing to be seen was a ghost lazing around a Christmas tree.

"Selena! Wait!" Ray called and continued walking, his footsteps sounding behind her. By now, some people were looking at the two. Selena kept her gaze on the floor as she went around the table, past the other side, and broke into a sprint out of the Great Hall. She ran out through the Entrance Hall and faltered for a moment, still thinking that going to the Gryffindor Common Room could result in running into Annabeth.

Her feet moved without her really thinking before she moved out of the castle and into a courtyard. The night was frigid, and she pulled her jumper sleeves over her hands. Heading out across the courtyard, moonlight streaking through the stone arbors, she didn't stop running until she found herself climbing the last few steps up to the Owlery. Panting, Selena decided to stop there for a while and catch her breath, which was billowing out in a fog. Stepping inside, the icy tower was warmer than she expected. She walked over to a window, leaning against the sill. Hogwarts stared back, firelight flickering along some of the walls. Windows glowed like embers from afar, Gryffindor Tower piercing a wispy gray cloud in the navy sky.

Owls hooted and screeched, causing Selena to turn around, her eyes already adjusted to the dark. She looked around and saw no one. Stepping away from the owls and birds, she moved to the stone staircase spiraling up the tower, feeling along the rocky walls to keep her balance.

Once she reached the top, she stopped dead in her tracks.

No. No way... This isn't possible, Selena thought, her mind churning like a sudden storm.

Annabeth.

The red head sent her owl out of the window and turned around, nearly jumping when she spotted Selena rooted to the spot. The older girl narrowed her bright blue eyes.

"How long have you been there?" she growled. Moonlight spilled through the window as a cloud moved, slanting across Annabeth's face.

"Who? M-me? Uh... I haven't been here long. Only for, like, a second," Selena spoke nervously, watching her breath in front of her dissipate into the air. She scanned Annabeth's features, looking for a trace of the raging man in the HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WIZARD? poster from earlier that day, back in Hogsmeade. The murderer who had escaped from Azkaban and had come to Hogwarts.

"Well, I'm leaving, so move," Annabeth spat.

It was now or never. "N-no," Selena managed.

"What?" Annabeth demanded, her eyes narrowing to slits.

"I said no," Selena said, feeling braver. She stood up straighter, looking Annabeth in the eye. "I want to ask you something."

"What is it?" Annabeth asked, her hand drifting to her pocket, most likely where her wand was.

"I, uh, saw you at Hogsmeade today... Near the poster of... near the poster of Sirius Black," Selena said. Annabeth made no move to run - she didn't do anything but stare as if she wanted to light the younger girl on fire. Selena continued. "I heard you say... I want to ask you... do you think that you're Sirius Black's daughter?" she asked, her heart beating loudly in her ears. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and she was nearly certain that Annabeth would hex her within the next few seconds.

Instead, she saw Annabeth swallow and begin to shake a bit.

"Annabeth? I won't hurt you... You must be feeling nervous because everyone... but... I wouldn't say anything... And don't try to do a charm on me or anything to make me forget this... please. I want to help," Selena said quietly, a cold wind nearly taking her words away.

"You can't help," Annabeth choked, pulling out her wand and facing Selena. Tears dripped from her eyes, streaking down her flushed cheeks. She pointed her wand directly at Selena, hand shaking the slightest bit.

Selena slowly lifted her own hands up in a placating gesture, her heartbeat gaining speed. "Annabeth, don't. I wouldn't say anything... And I can help. They say that Sirius Black is in the castle..." Her fingers twitched against her will as she tried to fight off the idea of taking out her wand just in case. It would probably do nothing to help Annabeth trust her. "So, we could find him-"

"No," Annabeth said hoarsely. "You're just like the others! You'll take him away from me again... I've already lost my mother, he's the only one I have! Leave me alone! I will curse you! Even Harry thinks that he's evil... and you're no different! He's probably forgotten me anyway!"

Selena looked at Annabeth intently. "I am different. I wouldn't hurt him or you..." she trailed off, not sure what to say. Sirius Black was a criminal, he... he was a killer. And Annabeth's mother? She felt dizzy with too much and not enough information, theories clashing in her brain.

The mooonlight shifted, highlighting Annabeth's eyes. In the light, the sapphire color melted to a gray not unlike the clouds. The same ones that appeared on Sirius Black's Wanted poster. As Annabeth's features contorted with fury and desperation, the resemblance became uncanny.

Selena's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't even stop the words: "you look so much like him."

Without a word, Annabeth dropped her wand, letting it clatter on the uneven stone. She sunk to her knees, hugging herself as she cried. "Please... Just leave..." Annabeth whispered.

Selena stepped forward, not wanting to leave Annabeth on the cold floor sobbing, no matter how many horrible things she'd said.

"LEAVE!" Annabeth screamed, grabbing a rock from nearby. She threw it, Selena just managing to dodge it before it tumbled down the stairs noisily.

Selena lifted her hands in front of her again, finally listening. She took a step, then another, and then walked back down the steps.

All the way, she could the Gryffindor crying above her.

20 Minutes Later

Selena returned to the Common Room, shuffling wearily. She could barely think, she was so worn. There was no time to think, not with curfew so close and holiday beginning the next morning.

She saw Wendy, Tess, and Alisson whispering on the couch in front of the now dying fire.

"Hey, guys," Selena said to them. She kept walking, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep and pretend like everything that had just happened was only a bad dream.

Wendy looked up, shifting her eyes away before back to Selena. Her brows were pinched beneath her fringe. She stood up, Alisson and Tess following suit. "Selena, we need to talk..."

We do. I have something to tell you about Annabeth, Selena wanted to say. But, she knew she couldn't. Besides, she was so tired, conversation seemed like the equivalent of a marathon. "I'm really exhausted, maybe tomorrow we can talk?"

"It's important," Wendy said softly. "Right, well, we need talk to you about Griffin."

Selena frowned, confused. "You mean Damon?" she asked. What did he have to do with anything?

"Yes. I- we-" Wendy said, motioning to the other two girls, who nodded, indicating that it was something they all wanted to discuss. "We want to tell you... Well, I'm not going to beat around the bush... Listen. We think that he's a bit dangerous. After that fight he was in, and he's three years older than you... We think that you should stay away from him," Wendy said softly and clasped her hands, like she'd just informed Selena of the weather.

Selena stared at her before she glanced at Alisson and Tess. "You two agree, also?" Her friends nodded again. Selena pursed her lips. She could barely stand she was so drained, and now they wanted to talk about a friend they claimed was dangerous? It sounded so outrageous, she might have thought it was a joke if her day hadn't already proven that outrageous can sometimes be true. She'd just seen Sirius Black's daughter fall to the ground weeping, and now this? Maybe it was the exhaustion, the disbelief, the long day, the worry, maybe it was everything - but something within her snapped. "Well, never mind then. Goodbye. I don't have to listen to you lot." With that, Selena walked away towards her Dorm.

Wendy swept her fringe out of her eyes, calling after her.

But Selena ignored it. She walked up the steps, refusing to listen.

Some friends... she thought.

Yay! Done! This chapter is done! How was it? It definitely had the most drama so far! And, I may post another chapter tonight since I'm in a good mood!

Alright, REVIEW! Do my poll, and thanks for reading!

Bye!

~Meghan

P.S. Was this chapter too short? I KNOW that this A/N was, though... Bye! ^_^

4/10/17: I edited this chapter so much, it's nearly 3,000 words now. You might be happy about that, Past Me.