April 4th, 1995. Sunday.

Selena slowly woke up, her head aching. She tried to raise her arm to rub her eyes, but she couldn't. Opening her eyes groggily, she looked down to find a rope tying her to a chair. Her wrists and ankles were bound to the arms and legs of a wooden chair.

Her skull throbbed again, making her grimace. Was she still asleep?

"So," drawled a voice that sickened Selena's stomach. Looking up, she saw Professor Moody staring at her. The teacher was looming over her, looking positively terrifying. Selena realized she was in a supply cupboard in the back of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Textbooks, jars, and boxes were stacked on the dusty shelves. A wooden door was open behind Professor Moody, letting in sunlight.

The shadows made the scars on his face stand out more, the piece of his nose that was missing seeming almost skeletal.

Selena's stomach twisted, her blood going cold as if she'd drunken ice water.

Her mind managed to conjure up memories from the days before, even through the headache. She forced herself to stare into Professor Moody's eyes - though the fake blue one was looking at the ceiling and wall - even as her memory whirred. Eating the Fever Flavor sweets, staying in the Hospital Wing, Moody threatening her and Renee. Deciding to snoop around Moody's office to get more proof of his theft. The shattering glass. Hitting her head on the ground.

Professor's Moody's words: The Dark Lord will be so pleased with me when Potter is dead.

"You little pest..." he said now, voice gravelly. "Sneaking into the office of a teacher. I know it was you and your little friend. I still have the snake bite."

"You're mad," Selena said simply, turning her head away. Nevertheless, her heart hammered in her chest. What else had Moody been saying before he caught her spying? Something about Harry Potter getting through the task, bewitching Viktor Krum, the Triwizard Cup.

Professor Moody frowned. "I am. Very mad that a stupid little girl snuck into my classroom at night. Of course, I could report you to Dumbledore, but he would question me and you..."

Selena could hear the unsaid statement. That Moody knew that she'd heard everything. When Potter is dead...

How did any of it make sense? Selena couldn't wrap her mind around it. Why would a former Auror, working as a teacher at Hogwarts, be making a polyjuice potion? Why was he threatening Harry Potter's life? What did this have to do with the Triwizard Cup? And why were Erebus and Iceyeyes involved in it?

"No matter... I know just the solution." Professor Moody reached into his coat pocket, the wizard drawing out his wand.

Selena's heart jolted as the worst scenarios played out in her mind. Moody was going to kill her. He would kill her and then throw her body at the bottom of some stairs, making it look as if she'd fallen and broken her neck. Or he would turn her into a spider and step on her, just like that.

"This won't hurt a bit," Professor Moody said. He pointed the wand directly at the center of Selena's forehead.

She held her breath, wanting to struggle against the ropes, but too paralyzed with fear to move.

Professor Moody's fake eye focused on Selena, the vivid blue color nearly burning. He spoke in his rough voice.

"Obliviate."

Some Time Later...

"Miss Malast," said a gentle voice.

With a gasp, Selena whirled around. She breathed out in relief when she saw the headmaster of Hogwarts. "Professor Dumbledore. You frightened me..."

Dumbledore smiled, blue eyes twinkling merrily behind his half-moon spectacles. The elderly man was dressed in bright scarlet robes today, his long white beard tucked into the belt. In his aged hands, he was holding a bowl full of lemon drops. "What are you doing wandering the corridors? Not skipping class are you?"

Selena laughed nervously, unable to stop the burble. "No, of course not. I wasn't feeling well this morning. A headache." That morning, she'd woken up before it was even light out, her skull pounding. She'd put her school robe on over her pajamas and left, wandering around to get some fresh air. Selena ended up going to the Library. She'd read some book she already couldn't remember before falling asleep at the table.

She'd awoken when the bell had rung, announcing a new day at the school. So she'd been walking back to Gryffindor Tower. Her head was still faintly hurting. Beneath it was a fuzzy feeling, a slightly curious sensation, as if she'd forgotten a dream.

Rubbing the side of her head, Selena sat down on a bench in the sun-filled corridor. Dumbledore offered her a lemon drop and waited in silence until Selena stood up again.

"You should still have some time for breakfast," he said happily, eating a lemon drop himself.

Selena nodded. "Thank you," she said, smiling. "Have a good day, Professor."

"You as well," he replied. Just as she turned and started to walk, the elderly teacher's voice echoed softly in the corridor. "Miss Malast."

Selena turned around.

Professor Dumbledore tapped one of his heeled boots on the stone floor, the bowl of sweets glistening a sunny yellow. "Do take care of yourself."

He didn't say anything after that, looking away and humming a tune she didn't recognize.

Selena hesitated for a moment, wondering what prompted the Headmaster to say that. But then again, he said a lot that the students didn't understand. Breathing out, the Second Year looked away and headed towards the Great Hall.

Two Minutes Later

Selena plopped down beside Renee and Sasha.

The Great Hall was filled with morning light streaming through the grand windows, the delicious scent of breakfast enticing - bacon, eggs, kippers, toast and jam, and more. Selena's stomach growled, the dark-haired witch realizing just how hungry she was. Going to the Library earlier had worked up an appetite, she guessed. Selena reached for the glass jug of orange juice.

Sasha looked at her incredulously, blinking green eyes. "Selena, did you just crawl from bed?"

Selena rubbed her temple, sipping juice, and glanced back at Sasha. "I'm sorry?"

"You're still wearing your pajamas!" Sasha whispered. She peered at the floor, gaze flicking back to Selena. "And you're not wearing shoes!"

Selena looked down as Renee giggled, and realized Sasha was right. She hadn't gone back to the dorm to change. She curled her bare toes on the cool stone. A couple of seats down, some First Years pointed and giggled.

Blushing, Selena turned back to face her friends. "Oh, um... Yeah, I'll change after breakfast."

"Were you sick?" Renee asked suddenly. She folded her arms over her black T-shirt before setting her elbows on the table, looking slightly frantic. "I woke up and you weren't there."

"I-" Selena paused as Sasha gave her a pointed look. No doubt she was wondering if Selena's had gone to Professor Moody's office to spy, like she'd said yesterday evening. But Selena had changed her mind. Going to the office could've been irresponsible. She cleared her throat, reaching for some porridge. "I had a headache, so I got up and went to the Library. Sorry I scared you, Ree."

"Well, I wasn't scared," Renee started uneasily, her words unconvincing. "Just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Selena nodded, smiling at her friend. "Thanks. And I am, just a little bit of a headache left."

"I'll tell you what's a headache..." Sasha muttered, nodding slightly down the table. Selena looked past her.

At another piece of the Gryffindor Table, Danny and Avery laughed and joked together, beaming at one another. Close to them, Wendy sat, stabbing a bowl of cornflakes with her spoon. She would look over at the couple every now-and-then before she finally huffed, turning to talk to Parvati Patil.

"Why is she still acting like this?" Renee sighed sadly.

Sasha shrugged. "I think she feels like she's losing Danny, and he doesn't seem to mind... They've been best friends as long as I've known them..."

"And she feels replaced," Renee finished.

"Like that," Sasha answered, snapping her tan fingers. "Odd that so much of a relationship could change that quickly."

Selena frowned, not quite sure how to answer. But she glanced at Wendy, who was deep in conversation with Parvati now, feeling more sympathy for her friend.

"I almost wish I wasn't going to be here next year to see what else becomes of this in person," Sasha continued, eating a piece of fluffy egg. "Graduation is coming so soon for the Seventh Years. Pretty odd last year for them, I'd wager. But what better way to end their time at Hogwarts than with a bang? The Last Task is going to be amazing."

Selena faltered as she sipped orange juice, a fuzzy feeling returning to her brain. Something... something about the Last Task? She shook the feeling away, ignoring it.

Thirty Minutes Later

Walking past some chattering students, Selena started to make her way up the stairs. The din of the Great Hall was steadily replaced by the conversation of the paintings lining the Grand Staircase. But something made her stop three chilled-stone steps up. She looked to her right and her eyes grew wide.

The blond hair was immediately in her line of vision. Near a corner leading to a corridor, Damon and Jojo were embracing, kissing.

Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't know why. After the long morning, her head still faintly hurting, it seemed like everything was piling up at once for no good reason. Selena wasn't sure whether she felt more confused or - oddly - betrayed. What was so bothersome about Damon and Jojo kissing? They were a couple. Selena sniffled, shaking her head.

Maybe she just needed to rest - in her dorm this time. She couldn't think straight.

"What's wrong, dolly?" a portrait asked.

Selena glanced at the enchanted portrait of a red-headed witch in blue robes. The lady blinked innocently.

"Sorry, I have to go," Selena blurted, turning before she ran up the staircase. She felt like she was running from something. As if she could run from a problem she had no idea existed. Like running from a frightening noise, one that seems directionless as if it could be anywhere. She found herself wishing she'd never turned around.

Shaking her head, Selena turned onto the seventh floor and approached the portrait of the Fat Lady. The woman was sipping from a jeweled goblet, the pink silk of her luxurious gown shining.

"Password?" she asked.

"Fairy Lights," Selena choked out.

The Fat Lady paused, glancing down at Selena. "Is everything well?"

Selena bobbed her head. She honestly couldn't point out anything particular that was wrong. Her exhaustion must have just caught up with her.

The Fat Lady scanned her with concern and suspicion for a moment, just long enough for Selena to stare at the ground and try to collect herself. Then the portrait swung open, and Selena gratefully climbed into the Gryffindor Common Room.

Loved it, hated it, TELL ME WHY!

I AM NOT DEAD! I know it may seem that way, considering it's been F-O-R EVER since I updated, but school is HECTIC!

Anyway, I tossed this around and thought it about so many ways... My mind just went this way.

But, how do feel? Would YOU have reacted the same? TELLLLLL MMEEEEEEEEE!

Please, I want to know you all haven't abandoned this story!

Well, thanks!

~Meghan

9/2/17: I changed this chapter, and the last, quite a bit. Oh, also, in the book's, Moody had a wooden leg. I just ended up going with the metal leg from the movies, and am too lazy to change it lol, sorry.