A/N: Oh boy, I might have given you filler. I'm sorry? But even so, everything I say has a meaning. I don't believe in filler, only "character building." You'll get just as attatched to Selena as I am. (Well, maybe not.)
This chapter is abnormally short. It's because I don't want to have their sixth year only take up one chapter. It'll be one and a half. Yay.
If you want a hint as to how the story will end, research Selena's Patronus. But, haha, I'm not going to tell you the keywords for Googling it.
The Scribe's Resurrection
Part Two: Chapter Eleven
Sunday, July 4, 1976
Selena had taken the Knight Bus home and slept. She'd been asleep for days, trying to pass the time. The girl had actually closed her eyes upon opening the French front doors, feeling her way around. So, to sum it all up, Selena had only seen the inside of her room and bathroom.
But this Sunday, Selena felt brave and adventurous and, most of all, hungry. She took a shower and trudged downstairs to the kitchen.
"Now, this isn't so bad," she mumbled to herself. "I think I'll make pancakes." Selena wondered if doing underage magic in an Unplottable zone resulted in getting a letter from the Ministry. Selena thought not, since the owl wouldn't be able to get to the house to deliver the letter. So, Selena sat at the kitchen table and waved her wand.
After a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and fruit, Selena went back upstairs. She looked to her left, towards her bedroom, and then hesitantly turned right. She pushed open the double doors of her parents' bedroom and breathed in. Papaya and strawberry- one of her favorite smells ever.
Her parents' room, like the rest of the house, resembled a curio shop. Komali Riviera had exquisite taste and a eye for new conversation pieces to add to her home. The room was, in one word, earthy. The walls were beige and the floor was a deep cherry wood. The bed, however, screamed for her attention as the centerpiece of the room. It, like every other piece of furniture, was fashioned from a wood deeper than the floors, and was bathed in Egyptian linens of bronzy hue. The canopy fluttered, for the pressure in the room changed when Selena opened the door.
In her mind's eye, Selena could envision her mother fluffing up the pillows while her father lit the fireplace. When she was little, Selena would run through the double doors and plow into the bed, much to her mother's dissatisfaction. Her father would jump on the bed with her. Selena smiled, not feeling very sad.
She moved through the next archway and into the boudoir. This had been Selena's nursery. Now, it had a comfortable loveseat, a thirsty potted palm, and a very intricate lamp.
"Aguamenti," Selena murmured, watering the plant. She moved on.
The bathroom looked the same. She cut on the first faucet- the water took a few seconds to rush out- then she promptly cut it off. She did the same to the other sink, shower, and tub. She took another look around the bathroom, then went into the closet.
Something very peculiar happened: clothes began to present themselves to her.
"Hello, Miss Riviera."
"Hello, Cupboard." This closet was something the former mistress of the house relished- it talked and found materials for the person inside. It did all the things a tailor, a fashion consultant, and a normal closet would do.
"Well, I've got clothes that will fit you. You've grown some." An enchanted tape measure came over to her, acquiring her measurements. "Ah, five foot five now, eh? Just like your mum!"
"Yes, Cupboard."
"Your mum left me some jewelry for you." Boxes hovered over to her- Selena tentatively unfastened the locks on them.
"See, now these would look just wonderful on you!" The closet put the silver hoops in her ears. "And your mum told me to give you several rings. Well, actually, they were intended for your seventeenth birthday, but I guess everything's yours now." Selena held out her hand reluctantly.
"I don't like taking Mum's stuff."
"It's yours!" Cupboard had a voice- not quite but- similar to Selena's transfiguration professor's tone. A ring slipped onto her finger. "Silver and moonstone. Goes quite well with that crescent moon necklace you always wear. Where'd you find it again?"
"In the backyard. It was buried next to the shed."
"D'you ever take it off?"
"No."
"Oh. I don't suppose you ever take off that whistle either?"
"No."
"Or the bracelet."
"No."
"Well, this one is silver plated with purple rhinestones."
"It's pretty."
"Which one?"
"Both."
"Mrs. Riviera told me to give you her wedding ring."
"I don't-"
"She said you'd say that. I'm sorry, love. It's for you." The closet put it on her finger. "Now, then. That's all your mother told me to give to you. The hoops, that box, and the three rings."
"Thank you, Cupboard."
"You're welcome. See you soon."
"Buh-bye."
Selena left the closet out of the second door, and found herself back in the boudoir.
Friday, July 16, 1976
The house was well acquainted with Selena's habits. Wake up at ten, shower, eat a large breakfast, then go exploring. Selena never got bored on The Belladonna Estate, trekking across the grounds or investigating the various niches in the house. But everyday before dinner, Selena visited her parents' graves and laid freshly cut flowers on them.
One morning, Selena was sitting on an old wooden swing set when she realized that Darcy's house was no longer at the end of the path in the woods. She mentally slapped herself for not noticing. Of course, there was no reason for the house to be there, but, then again, there was no reason for it not to be. The path leading to the absent Knox home was still there. Selena got up and hobbled over to it. After going halfway, Selena saw a Muggle house. She turned and went back to her house.
Selena looked up at the sky and found two owls flying towards her. This was strange. No one ever bothered her, although she received countless, florid letters from Sirius and the occasional note from Remus. But this was not Remus' owl, nor Sirius'. And it definitely was not her Artemis. The Eagle Owl reached her first, and Selena recognized it as James' owl. She ripped open the letter.
Get the bloody hell over here already. Sirius is driving us mad. That was all- no signature. Selena rolled her eyes as the second owl left her a letter with a seal.
"Oh. OH." Her O.W.L.s had arrived. Her fingers felt tingly. She thanked the owls, and they left.
Selena did not open her results, only went upstairs and began packing a duffel bag.
"Artemis?" Selena put her whistle to her lips; an owl hoot called Artemis. He came through the window and settled on the backboard of her bed while he watched his owner scribble a letter.
"Give this to James, please? I'll follow you in about an hour, so stay at his house." Artemis hooted pleasantly and took off. Selena resumed packing.
"Shweeeee." Twinkles rounded the corner.
"Where have you been?! I haven't seen you in ages! I thought you'd died," Selena exclaimed, grasping the shiny being. "Twink!"
"Shwee, shwoo." Several other glittery animals appeared.
"You had babies?!" Selena asked. Twinkles seemed to blush. "And you didn't even tell me? You were here since the funeral, weren't you?" Selena counted four of them. She sighed.
"Well, into the basket, then, all of you." The Garland Fuzzie family settled in a wicker basket, which was next to Selena's duffel bag. Shaking her head, Selena checked her reflection and frowned.
After spending a good twenty minutes in the mirror, she left the room looking the same as when she'd walked in. Her bags followed her out of the house and eventually found themselves inside the boot of the car.
Selena revved up the engine and drove off into the sky.
-
"Hi, Mrs. Potter," Selena said happily.
"Oh, yes, we got your letter. Come in, come in. BOYS, SHE'S HERE!" A loud shuffle of footsteps came from the second floor, and Sirius slid down the staircase before James.
"'Ello," Sirius said sweetly, pulling Selena into an embrace.
"Where's your stuff?" James seemed eager to move Selena in the house; his rationale was that maybe Sirius would stop talking about her.
"In the boot-"
"OI, REMUS!" James yelled.
"I'm right behind you," Remus muttered hotly, rubbing his ears.
"Oh. Come help me with her stuff." Remus smiled at Selena before going out the door with James.
"Do you want some cookies? I just made some. Lemonade, too," Mrs. Potter offered.
"Sure," Selena said. "Where's Peter?"
"In Italy," Sirius replied, leading her to the kitchen. "His mum's got family there."
"Oh."
"It's just been the three of us. Now it's four."
"Yep. Now you and James can help me with Quidditch."
"Opened your O.W.L.s. yet, dear?" Mrs. Potter placed a plate of sugar cookies in front of her.
"No, I haven't."
"Open 'em," Sirius said, gesturing towards the letter in her hand. "I got mine. All nine O.W.L.s."
"James and Remus got all nine too." Mrs. Potter poured a glass of lemonade.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'll just be in the living room with my knitting." James' mother left, and Selena turned to Sirius.
"How have you been?"
"Fine. Mrs. Potter's super nice."
"And your mum?"
"I don't give a damn about her- how should I know?" Selena's nose twitched. James and Remus came into the kitchen.
"How'd you do on your O.W.L.s?" Remus asked.
"I dunno- haven't seen them yet." Selena held up the envelope.
"Ooh." James picked a chocolate chip cookie off the plate and Remus sat next to Selena. Selena exhaled.
"Here it goes." She plucked up the seal and pulled out her paper. At the last moment, she threw it down and exclaimed, "I can't look!"
"I'll do it," Remus said, picking up the discarded parchment. Selena didn't see him wink at Sirius and James.
"No 'Trolls.' Or 'Dreadfuls.' But you did get a 'Poor.'"
"ON WHAT?" Selena snatched the paper and scanned it. She looked up with an evil eye and said, "There's no 'Poor' on here! You're yanking my chain!"
"You read them, didn't you?" Remus said, laughing. Selena's face remained turned in a scowl, but she did look back down at her results. 'Outstanding' in everything except for Herbology and History of Magic, in which she got 'Exceeds,' and Divination, in which she earned an 'Acceptable.' She was surprised about the Divination mark.
"See? That wasn't so bad."
"Yeah, well, wait until we take our N.E.W.T.s."
"True."
An hour went by, and after James had shown his new guest her room, Selena was outside straddling a bench while holding a bat.
"Tell me again what I'm doing," Selena demanded. James sighed.
"The bench equals the broom. We're going to throw these balls at you, and we want you to hit them. And Remus is going to make the bench you're sitting on hover a little."
"If I fall, Remus, I blame you."
"You won't fall."
"Ready for a test one?"
"Sure." Sirius chucked a ball no larger than a tennis ball at her; she whacked it.
"NICE!" Sirius exclaimed, running to catch it. Seconds later, he came back, saying, "Your arm's still good."
"Of course it is. It's not my arm that's the problem."
"You should still practice so you won't lose it." A few hours later, Selena graduated from bench to broomstick.
"I don't like this."
"It's a baby broomstick. It only goes up ten feet, I swear. I learned how to play Quidditch on this," James said.
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you," Sirius prodded her to get on the broom.
"Think about it: you'll be able to play Quidditch at school again." Remus provided this bit of information, and Selena allowed herself to get on the broom.
"This isn't so bad, is it?" Sirius asked. She hovered next to his shoulder.
"No," she confessed.
"Think you could knock a few Bludgers?" James asked. Sirius threw him a 'don't push her' look, but Selena nodded.
"Yeah, I think I could." With one hand firmly on the broom, Selena wielded the bat, hitting all of the pseudo-Bludgers. But then, in one particularly strange hit, she fell off.
"OW!" She screeched. The boys rushed over to her.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Maybe we should take a break?"
"No. My problem is not hitting a Bludger. How'm I supposed to keep my balance on the broom when I can't even put weight on my feet when they're on the feet rest?"
"Use the shoes Sirius gave you?"
"No. Those are special."
"I see why the Muggles wanted to give you a brace," Remus mused. "You can't lean on your left leg at all, can you?"
"No." Selena sighed. "I wouldn't even win at Shuntbumps."
"Psh, 'course you could. I mean, the only problem I can see is that you need to find a way to ride comfortably, that's all. It's got nothing to do with Bludgers," Remus said.
"He's right. You're not afraid to ride anymore." Selena pursed her lips. She'd forgotten that she had been afraid.
"Let's go eat dinner." James yawned. "Continue tomorrow."
"Okay."
Monday, September 6, 1976
In the common room, James tacked up an announcement, displaying the date of the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts and available spots.
"As your friend and Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor, I expect to see you there," James said to Selena, sitting down next to her on the couch.
"Oh, she's going," Sirius said as-a-matter-of-factly. He leaned his head back on Selena's knee. "I'm going to drag her there if she protests." Selena flicked him on the skull, and Sirius went back to his Wizard chess match with Allan.
"I'm trying out, don't worry."
"Good. You were really something," Allan said. He was the keeper, and had been for six years.
"People keep saying that."
"And you'd be my mirror image." Sirius looked up at Selena happily. "We'd be like the first Beater couple."
"Right, right." Selena flipped the page in her book Anatomy of Spells. "I love Spell Making already."
"Because you're insanely good at it," Sirius said. "You could do it ever since our fourth year."
"When she dueled Snape," Peter sniggered.
"Yeah."
"Checkmate," Allan declared.
"What?!" Sirius leaned forward, looking at the board with suspicious eyes.
"I won, mate."
"Alright." Sirius grudgingly packed the game back in its box and pulled himself up to the couch next to Selena.
Allan yawned, "Gotta get up to bed. G'night."
"G'night."
"Later."
"I need some holly leaves," James muttered. "Peter, c'mon."
"Okay."
"What d'you need those for?" Selena asked.
"I'm trying to make a potion that allows the drinker to not have to sleep. You know, opposite of the Sleeping Draught."
"I think they have that, James. It's called coffee."
"No, no, not that Muggle rubbish. Holly leaves are the key. See here in this book." James shoved a restricted-section book under her nose. This holly plant's leaves are known to hold the highest amount of caffeine content in any magical or non-magical plant.
"Oh."
"Okay then." James closed the book. James and Peter left the vicinity.
"He's insane," Selena murmured. Sirius began to pet her hair.
"What's your favorite color?" He inquired.
"Raspberry wine."
"That's a color?" Still reading her book, Selena waved her wand, making dark, grayish-pink sparks fly out.
"That color."
"Oh. Why?"
"I don't know, Sirius. What's your favorite color?"
"Dark red. What's your favorite animal?"
"The peacock. It's my Patronus, oddly enough." Twinkles and her children hovered over like a mother duck with her ducklings.
"What'd you name them?"
"Um, the one with the yellow ribbon is Panache. He shows off a lot- kinda like James around Lily."
"Yeah, he's doing cartwheels."
"And then the one with the blue ribbon is Flash. He's quiet, but he's smart. Remus, I guess. Green ribbon is Dash. Dash is weird, actually. He loves Panache to death, but he's so excitable. See, he's copycatting Panache- just like Peter. And then the last one with the red ribbon, the girl, is Effervescence. Er, Effie. She's the little, affectionate one."
"Which one is me? I can't be a girl."
"Hahaha, I don't know. You can be all three combined if you want."
Sirius played with the Garland Fuzzies, conjuring a miniature ball for them to bounce off their heads. From Selena's shoulder, Twinkles watched with a wary eye. Soon after, the glittering mother bade her children to go to bed.
"You're a grandmother," Sirius said as they left. "Who's the father?"
"Who knows. I didn't even know Twinkles was a girl. I'm convinced either she asexually reproduced or had a one-night stand." The grey-eyed boy guffawed at this statement and resumed watching Selena study.
Suddenly, Sirius spoke.
"You know how Snape said that we would be stupid to go out with you, and you said that was true?"
"Yes."
"Am I stupid for dating you?" Sirius asked this casually, but Selena knew that he sincerely wanted to know.
"Yes."
"Honestly?"
"Yes."
"Why's that?"
Selena hesitated before saying, "Sirius, any one who gets involved with me is a fool."
"Are you a gold-digger?" Selena laughed aloud.
"No, I'm not."
"Then why?" She fidgeted and closed her book. Selena glanced around the common room and found they two were the only ones in it.
"I am a cautious, secretive person who does not like getting close to people," she said slowly. And, more forcefully she asserted, "I also have a very keen sense of self-preservation, and I am detached."
"I don't believe that."
"Alright. But I'll forever make you unhappy." Selena stood up to go, but Sirius pulled her back.
"I know you like people in general, and I know you're capable of being selfless- you do it all the time."
"I genuinely like being sweet to people." Sirius stared intensely into Selena's eyes; she could see the fire in him behind the grey.
"Would you break up with me- if you don't like getting close to people?"
"No."
"Would it get in the way of me and you?"
"It hasn't so far." Selena paused. "I said I didn't like intimacy, but that doesn't mean I won't do it. Like you said, I genuinely like people. That is my fallacy. I don't like getting close, but I do anyway. Like Darcy: she was my best, most cherished friend, and I told her a lot of things. We were intimate." Sirius tilted his head at this information.
"You crave human contact."
"I guess-"
"Then quit pushing me away. I sent you all those letters, and you didn't reply. Not even once. You're so different with me than you were with that Ravenclaw Aubrey. He really wasn't even fond of you, and I really, really fancy you, Selena. I mean really." Sirius' nose was now two inches from Selena's own.
"Are you serious?"
"That's my name, duh." Sirius' grave expression turned into a smile, causing Selena to laugh. "See? Like that. I love it when you laugh. Please don't be detached with me."
Selena nodded an okay, and Sirius backed off.
"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo."
"What of?" Selena asked.
"Rune of some sort. Just dunno which."
"Oh."
Sunday, November 7, 1976
"You lot've got to be more careful," Selena chided. "Remus could've died."
"We all could've died," Peter said. "Giant spiders..."
"You're supposed to stay in the Shrieking Shack, for crying out loud." The Marauders and Selena were in the hospital wing. Bedridden Remus reached out for his pumpkin juice, and the raven-haired girl put the straw in his mouth. His face looked positively grotesque this day, which was saying something: two full moons ago, Remus had broken his nose, sliced his lip open, and put four deep gashes in his face. This day was worse.
"Well, how were we supposed to know there were Acromantulas in the Forest? I mean, really. I was just plotting it."
"Plotting it?" Selena looked at the four boys suspiciously.
"Yeah. We're making a map. The Marauder's Map."
"Marauder?" The young woman raised her eyebrows. "Nice name."
"Thanks."
"Poor Remus," Selena sighed, fluffing up the boy's pillows. "You're a mess."
"I'll be fine. I heal quickly."
"If you say so."
"OUT, OUT! The boy's weak- needs his rest!" Madam Pomfrey startled the four visitors to the infirmary. Remus opened his mouth to protest, but the nurse took this opportunity to shove a sleeping draught in it. He coughed and sputtered.
"C'mon, Quicksliver. We've got Quidditch practice." Selena took Sirius' hand.
"Alright. Remus, get better." She patted the bed sheets of a very hazy Remus, and Selena followed her other friends out.
'Queen Quicksilver' was now Selena's nickname. Every metal thing Selena had seemed to be sterling silver or something of that shiny hue. The unworn shoes Sirius had given her some months back were also silver, and when Selena wore them, she could outrun Remus, who was unexpectedly the swiftest runner.
"Oh, look, it's Lily," James whispered. He ruffled his hair, but kept his distance from her.
"How's Remus?" Lily asked, stopping in front of Selena.
"Well. He's sleeping though. Madam Pomfrey just kicked us out."
"Oh. That silly rabbit he's got." Sirius' face held a vague smile, as did James and Peter's physiognomy.
"Yes, his furry little problem is rather sticky," James remarked in a slightly deeper, more masculine voice.
"Going to Quidditch practice?" Lily went on, ignoring James.
"The three of us are. I think Peter's got a detention?" Selena looked at Peter to confirm this appointment; Peter nodded.
"Well, good luck then." Lily waved and walked on.
"That was paramount," Selena said after Lily had stridden out of sight. "You didn't act stupid, James."
"Showing her I can behave myself." James shrugged. "I'm not a complete vain mess-up all the time."
"Very nice," Sirius complimented.
"Thanks, mate."
"See you later." Peter ducked into the library.
"You are a tad conceited, you know that, right?" Selena looked at James. James cut his eyes at her. Sirius cleared his throat.
"But you also know," Sirius interjected, "James, that 'conceited' used to mean 'creatively witty' a long time ago."
Saturday Morning, November 13, 1976
"Eat all of that apple, Selena. You've got to be full of energy. And eat your porridge, too."
"James. I've had two helpings of everything you've given me. I'll throw up!"
"Well, drink water then." Selena, shaking her head, sipped from her glass.
"Bring your friend back down to earth," Selena muttered to Sirius, "Or else I'll yank him to the ground." They all had shuffled their seats in the Great Hall this year, resulting in Sirius and Remus sitting on either sides of Selena, and James and Peter sat in front of Sirius and Selena respectively.
"He's bossing me too! Why do you think I went to bed at six?"
"Because he worked us like house-elves yesterday afternoon."
"True."
"STOP TALKING! SAVE YOUR ENERGY FOR THEM!" James growled, pointing at the Slytherins.
"I think you need a new captain, mate," Frank directed at Sirius when James was preoccupied with plays.
"No kidding."
"Hey, Selena," Allan talked over Remus' head. "Guess what."
"What?"
"Darcy Knox is on the Slytherin team. Got on just two weeks ago."
"You're joking."
"She's a Beater too." Allan shut up, seeing his captain glaring in his direction.
"You'll be great," Remus said. "Just be aware and do what you're supposed to."
"You don't understand, Remus," Selena moaned.
"Psh, their Beaters've got nothing on us." Sirius waved her concerns away.
"Whatever."
-
Near the Slytherin end, Selena looked up into the sky. Yes, she had felt that raindrop; it wasn't just imagined. In a few minutes, the entire pitch was drenched in water. Selena, cold and soggy, circled the chasers who were passing the Quaffle between them. Just then, a Bludger came into view.
Selena whacked it towards a Slytherin who was attempting to grab Morgan Felsted's broom tail.
"Argh!" Selena smirked, but then she saw the same Bludger go towards Darcy. Darcy promptly hit it, but aimed not for a player.
"THAT'S A FOUL!" Selena crossly yelled over the downpour, watching the Bludger head towards some first-years. She watched in horror before Sirius hit it back in play, away from the bleachers. He looked just as angry. Selena flew over to Darcy, the wind thrusting her into the blonde.
"That's a foul," she repeated. Selena heard the faint ding of Gryffindor's new ten points.
"That's a foul!" Darcy mocked. She smirked and shouted, "Heard you were shacking up with Sirius. Must've done the same to James if you're on the team."
"You're awful sometimes," Selena snarled.
"Ooh, you're fighting back. See ya, Mudblood. Got a job to do. Like your hair, by the way." Darcy flew into the rain. Selena shook her head and moved on.