A/N: The next few chapters are intense, and in the next few chapters, we shall venture into the cloudy, unknown gap between the time when Peter turned to the dark side to the time of Potters' murders. And then we shall go from Sirius' incarceration to when Selena's child goes to Hogwarts.

Oh, it's not what you think, and I'd really like feedback in this. I try oh so very hard to make this canon in every respect, with exception to Selena and her child, of course. But, you'll see how that's canon too, I suppose.

Time gets very important right about now. I can't stress to you how important time is in this story.

Happiness has dissolved. No more happy for the sad. No more rest for the weary.

On a different note, is anyone else psyched for 'Speed Racer'?

Also, in the wonderful world of Marvel Comics, there's a person named 'Selene Gallio.' She's rather interesting in her bondage suit. And no, there's no parallel to her and Selena.

The Scribe's Resurrection
Part Two: Chapter Eighteen

Wednesday, November 7, 1979

Selena was absolutely not supposed to leave the house. Nine months pregnant was a very precarious thing, as she could have the baby at any moment. She sat on the front porch, watching the soft autumn day as she mused upon her pregnancy.

It had been smooth, and that's all she could say. All the horrors of pregnancy, she did not experience, and Baby Raphael had been such a sweet tempered thing in her tummy. But lately, Selena had noticed, he'd stopped moving quite so much. The Healers attributed this to the fact that he was about ready to come out.

And Sirius had been such a help. He had bought lots and lots of things for the new child, talked indefinitely to him, and had been extremely sensitive to Selena's constantly changing needs.

Selena rubbed her stomach, thinking of Darcy and if her baby was doing well. Darcy had written that the baby was three months along, and that Regulus was ecstatic. Furthermore, Regulus wanted them to get married that coming January, and Darcy planned diligently for that occasion. Walburga Black refused to put Darcy on the family tree until the couple was wed. That was the way it worked, she said.

A crack from the driveway startled Selena.

"HEY, HEY!" Lily ran up the walk. Selena raised an eyebrow, fingering her moonstone crescent necklace. James appeared next, running with joy like his wife.

"Hi," Selena said slowly, watching the pair. She raised her hand in a limp wave, wondering why they looked so silly.

"Um?" Sirius, upon hearing the commotion, had come outside.

"Guess what," Lily said, taking deep breaths. She took Selena's hand.

"Hmm?"

"We're having a baby!" She squealed.

"Oh! OH OH!" Selena reached up, hugging her best friend. "That makes another baby!"

"Another?" James asked, pulling away from Sirius' embrace.

"Yeah," Sirius explained. "The Longbottoms informed us of a baby in an owl this morning."

"Ah! Three babies!" Lily gave another little cry of joy. "And they'll all probably be in the same year at Hogwarts! They'll play together, of course." She clapped her hands together.

"Mmhmm. Well, congratulations! I've got firewhisky for us and soda for the expectant mothers," Sirius said.

---

Curled up on the couch, Selena yawned widely. It wasn't late, just past two, and she and her friends were listening to the Wizard Wireless Network. Remus would be over soon, just after he finished his meeting with Dumbledore, and Peter had just arrived, mooching food off them as usual.

"D'you have any marshmallows? I was thinking I could make s'mores..." Peter stuck his head in the living room.

"S'mwhats?"

"S'mores," Selena answered for Peter. "A Muggle treat with chocolate and graham crackers and marshmallows. Yeah, Peter, they're supposed to be in the cupboard on the left of the sink." Peter went back in the kitchen.

"Oh, I see! Thanks, Quicksilver."

"You're welcome." Selena suddenly sat up. "Get the Healer. Now."

"What?" James was puzzled. Sirius and Lily's eyes widened.

"Yes, okay, I'll get her," Lily said, going into the fireplace. "I'll be back straightaway."

"OH!" James gasped. He got to his feet hand helped Sirius with Selena. Carefully, Sirius carried his wife up the stairs, not talking.

---

Lily, James, Peter, and Remus sat in the family room, sipping cups of James' specialty holly-infused lemon tea. They needed to stay awake. It was already dark out, and Selena had been in labor for nine hours.

Upstairs, Sirius was trying so very hard to assist his wife in anyway she could. He did everything the Midwife Healer instructed, and was even sitting behind Selena, supporting her physically. He wiped the sweat from her brow, and did not flinch when his hand turned blue from the force of Selena's arm.

Selena was having a time of it. She felt she just had to push when she couldn't, and the baby wasn't doing as well as the Healer had hoped. But she was very, very happy that the person holding her hand loved her.

An hour later, the Midwife Healer's assistant walked down the stairs to the waiting friends.

"How are they?" Lily asked. The assistant shook her head sadly.

"Selena didn't- she didn't... die, did she?" Remus asked fearfully.

"I don't think I could take that," James whispered softly, thinking about how his own parents had died a month ago within a week of each other.

"No, Mrs. Black is fine. It's-" Great, thundering footsteps ran down the stairs, and they saw Sirius run outside in a fit of rage.

"She lost it, didn't she?" Remus asked.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Ohh," Peter moaned. Tears fell from Lily's eyes as she stood up, rushing to Selena upstairs. Remus followed Lily with Peter behind him. James swore loudly, stomping out the room.

"SIRIUS BLACK!" He yelled, following his best friend. He pushed open the front door, seeing Sirius in his dragon hide jacket, walking to his motorbike.

"WHERE THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?" James yelled, coming up behind him.

"Anywhere but here," Sirius replied brusquely. James stalled for a moment, for this was not the Sirius he knew. His eyes did not twinkle brightly- the grey was cold, malignant.

"She's your wife, you git!" Enraged, James planted his fist on Sirius' cheek, knocking him off his feet. Sirius fell on the pavement, knocking his head on the concrete. Blood seeped out of his head.

"WHAT THE HELL, JAMES!"

"I'll tell you! She's your wife! She carried that baby for nine months! Not because she wanted a baby, Sirius, but because she loves you! And you're going to leave her because she can't give you a child? You're pathetic! You're a coward, you spoiled bitch!" Thunderstruck, Sirius stared at him, blood flowing from his nose. "Tell me, why are Remus and Lily and Peter up there consoling her instead of you? You promised for better or worse when you married that woman up there. Well, Sirius, it's worse. Don't you love her? If you're not going to stand by her, then you shouldn't've married Selena! Now, get up."

Sirius had broken down crying while staring at James. James had never, ever yelled at him, and Sirius didn't know how to take it. He was right.

"Oh, c'mon Padfoot, my friend." James outstretched his hand, and Sirius took it. "Sorry 'bout that mate, but you needed it."

"Don't be sorry. I just... I planned so much. I wanted Baby Raphael more than anything in the world."

"I know, I know." James sighed. "C'mere. Lemme fix your head."

The two friends made their way back inside the house. The Midwife Healer and her assistant had left, and Lily had bathed Selena. On the dining room table, the deceased infant lay quietly in a wooden box serving as a casket, and Twinkles and her family mournfully flew around it, sending off the dead, never-got-a-chance-to-live spirit.

"She's in bed," Lily said, coming out of the bedroom and closing the door; she sniffled. "She hasn't said anything since we came up."

"Poor soul," Remus sighed. "What happened? Why didn't the baby live? Was it a complication with the birth, or-"

"No," Sirius said. "There was a knot in the umbilical cord. We didn't know, since Selena didn't go out very much, not after she got to the eighth month. As the baby moved to labor position, it made the knot tighter. That's why the baby was born a few days early- the body wanted to expel it. Because... he was already gone." Sirius cleared his throat. Silence prevailed for several minutes.

"I've got to get going," Peter said solemnly. "I'll be by tomorrow."

"Me too." Remus sighed heavily, his body scratched and worn out from the full moon a few nights before.

"If you need us, just send a Patronus," Lily declared. "We'll come running."

"See you, mate." James clapped Sirius' shoulder, pulling him into an embrace. "It'll be alright."

"Mm."

Sirius waited until the four friends left the house, and then he opened the door to his bedroom.

Selena lay on her side, face towards the window. Sirius went through his motions of prepping himself for bed, and then he sat on his side. Selena promptly turned over.

"You hate me, don't you?" She asked quietly.

"No, no, no." Sirius bent down and wrapped his arms around her. "I was just angry, that's all."

"At me?"

"No. I love you."

"It's my fault this happened..."

"It's not anyone's fault, my love."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." They had both begun to cry.

"You wanted him so bad, Sirius. I'm sorry I couldn't give him to you."

"Wasn't your fault, how many times can I say that?"

"Not enough." Selena burrowed herself in his arms, crying harder. She hadn't been his unhappy since Dumbledore informed her of her parents' deaths. Sirius set his head on top of hers, he too sobbing for the lost child.

Tuesday, Christmas Day, 1979

Selena decided that she hated condolence cards. She was already depressed, and seeing Artemis come through with yet another letter sent her into fits of tears. Darcy's note had an even greater effect than others did.

The baby had been buried the day after the labor, behind Raphael and Komali Riviera. James, Remus, Peter, and most of all Sirius had dug the grave without using magic, and the funeral had been short and sad. Unlike most funerals, there was no 'celebration of life'; only thoughts of death prevailed. After that day, it became taboo to speak of Raphael Sirius Black.

At work, the other Unspeakables did not mention Selena's stillborn child, only kept her busy in the time room so that she could take her mind off the death. For this, she was appreciative. At home, Dumbledore had given Sirius and Selena more things to do, and Lily and James had pulled back some. Voldemort was still smarting from James and Lily's second time getting away from him; he'd also asked them to join him, and the Dark Lord did not like to be turned down. So, Selena and Sirius picked up the slack, and both were grateful for something to do.

But now it was Christmas day, and there was nothing to do. Sirius had decided to busy himself with trying to make Spanish hot chocolate. He poured the thick, creamy mixture into two mugs.

"I feel weird," Selena said, watching Sirius stick his chocolate covered spoon into his mouth.

"What d'you mean?" Selena cupped her head in her hand.

"I dunno. I feel strange. Like, something's going to-"

Someone Apparated directly into the house.

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" A screech was heard. Selena's eyes widened, looking at the thing that stood in the middle of her kitchen. She wanted to scream at it to get out, but then Selena realized that the it was a she.

"Walburga," Sirius said coldly. He, just as surprised as Selena, distanced himself from her on instinct. Selena suddenly realized that this was Sirius' mother.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO REGULUS!? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" She pounced on him.

"THE HELL?" Sirius hit her away. "I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING."

"How the hell did you Apparate into my house?" Selena asked. She figured she must have not renewed the magic on the home, for only select few people could Apparate into the home.

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!"

"GET YOUR GRIMY HANDS OFFA ME!" In the fray, the mother and son apparently forgot about their wands and grabbed each other's throats. Selena, sensing that she had to do something or else murder would be committed, pointed her wand to herself.

"PART NOW!" Her voice thundered. Afraid, the elder Mrs. Black let go of her estranged son. Sirius backed away and sat down. Selena stopped the spell and looked at Walburga. "Now, what's wrong?"

"The Dark Lord came to our house and KILLED YOUR FATHER! He said that's what the family gets for Regulus deserting him!"

"Always knew Regulus was a pansy," Sirius muttered, showing no remorse for his dead father. He put his feet up on the kitchen table.

"He is twice the man YOU'LL EVER BE!" His mother yelled. "YOUR FATHER AND YOUR BROTHER! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY SON!?!"

"I DID NOTHING, YOU RUDDY WOMAN!" Sirius barked. He looked positively evil.

"SHUT UP!" Selena yelled over them both. "Just, shut up." She looked over at her mother-in-law. "Sirius did nothing to your son."

"Regulus would never desert the Dark Lord!" Walburga broke down crying. "He must've... died! And if he hasn't died, they'll find him and kill him! And he was going to be married!" Selena went over to her, tentatively touching her shoulder.

"Mrs. Black," she began, racking her brain to find some words to say.

"Don't touch me, Mudblood!" She snapped. Sirius sprang up, overturning the table.

"DON'T YOU CALL MY WIFE THAT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!" And with a sharp crack, she Disapparated.

"MERLIN!" Sirius fumed. "SHE JUST CAN'T LEAVE ME ALONE." Selena waved her wand over the shattered mug on the floor, fixing it. Sirius just sat in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. Selena had never seen him do this peculiar movement, so she watched him, her own emotions rising.

"Can't believe Regulus ran away," Sirius mumbled. "Why the bloody hell would she come to me?"

"Maybe because you're her son and she still loves you."

"Bitch doesn't love me."

"She's your mum, Sirius. She wanted comfort, you know. She doesn't know where Regulus is, her husband's dead..." Selena looked out the window.

"Yeah, right. She wanted me to hug her and act like everything's alright? She can run through a dragon's nest if she thinks I'm gonna do that."

"Oh, Sirius," Selena sighed. "Sometimes you've got to forget what people have done to you, you know."

Sirius wanted to retort back, but he did not. Doing so would earn him a right smack in the face from her, and he already knew his wife was right.

"Artemis," announced Selena. She opened the window for the owl, and he came in with a letter. "Thank you." He hooted and left, probably to go settle under the spire of the house.

Selena read the note.

Selena, it began. Regulus is dead. The Dark Lord did not do it. I don't know how, but he is. I woke up this morning and he wasn't there. He left me a note saying that there was something he just had to do and that I shouldn't expect him back. I don't know where he is! Selena saw tears on this section of the parchment. Selena, he told me to go into hiding. I'm taking Muffy along. Grimmauld Place is not safe; I already heard that Orion Black has died this morning. Please stay healthy and keep on your guard. The Dark Lord might come for you, as your husband was my love's brother. Oh, please. I love you. Yours always, Darcy.

"Your brother's dead."

"Good riddance."

"You're cruel." Selena hiccupped; Darcy's pain had rushed into her. Sirius looked over at her, and seeing tears on her face, picked up the letter she dropped. He exhaled heavily and took her into his arms.

"I didn't know you still talked to her."

"She's my best friend- how could I not?"

March 17, 1980

Selena sat near her parents' graves, writing in her journal. It had been four years since they died, and she felt that she was healed from that, but the scar was still there.

Darcy is eight months pregnant, Selena wrote. I pray she's doing well. Sincerely-

Her signature appeared on the page, and she closed the diary. She sighed, eyes wandering to the smaller grave behind those of her parents'. It was fortunate that the graves were located at The Belladonna Estate instead of Selena and Sirius' house. She did not think she could bear it if her unborn baby's grave sat near her daily domicile.

"Selena?" Sirius called, walking up to his wife.

"Mm?"

"You still haven't told me." Selena had said she wanted only one present for her twentieth birthday from Sirius, but she had not stated what the gift was. She lifted up her hand, indicating to Sirius to help her up; he did.

"I want," Selena began. She stared her husband in his grey eyes. "I want you to teach me to be an Animagus."

"Oh." He was obviously taken aback. "Okay."

"I'll do anything to learn."

"It's quite easy... Um, it'll probably be easier for you than Peter." Sirius paused. "Speaking of him, have you heard of his whereabouts?"

"No," Selena replied. This subject had worried her. "I haven't."

"Oh, Merlin."

"He's alright," she said slowly.

"You don't know that."

"I have faith."

"You had faith that we'd find Caradoc, and we still can't find him."

"Oh, Sirius, the last time we saw him was at that party-"

"You had faith that we'd bring Fenwick's body back to his mum. We only found his ear just last week. At least, Dumbledore's quite sure that's his ear."

"We found some teeth, too-"

"You had faith that Voldemort would not go after Miss Meadows, but he killed her in person, Selena. Last month."

"Your point?"

"Why do you have faith when obviously something bad has happened?"

"Because someone has to be optimistic, or else Voldemort would've already won."

"I don't follow."

"If you stay positive, then you'll be able to find your light when you're on the darkest of paths."

"And who told you this?"

"No one. I found out for myself." Selena glanced up at him. "Promise you'll always have your light, or at least know where it is?"

"Sure."

"Good." Selena patted his arm. "We've got to go visit the Weasley's new baby. Ronald Bilius, I believe."

"Ah. Redheaded?"

"Of course."

"I'm rather taken to their twins. Fred and George? Born on one of my favorite days."

"Yes, I know. April Fool's Day."

"Wonderful day to be born on. Wonderful." Sirius walked at his wife's pace; they walked inside the house.

"Sirius, how tall are you, and why do I feel short?"

"I'm six feet and five inches, Selena. I'm a foot taller than you, that's why you feel short."

"Oh. I just never noticed until now."

"Don't worry; I think I had a growth spurt. Funny how we're still kids, in a way. But you're as tall as Peter." Sirius sighed. "I wonder where Wormtail is..."

Ending Author's Note:

I got the "You're a coward, you spoiled bitch" thing from the movie Closer starring Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen, and Julia Roberts. Funny. Jude Law was in a movie with Norah Jones, and Norah Jones is exactly what Selena looks like. And Darcy looks similar to Scarlett Johansson. If I ever finish my movie version of this story, I'll use some stuff from My Blueberry Nights with Norah and Jude (Though the Sirius in my head doesn't look quite like Jude Law... Remus does, though. That is not a hint as to how the story will end.)

But here is a hint as to how the story ends: Dumbledore acts very aloof around Selena doesn't he? He always has, even when he broke the news of her parents. Maybe there's a reason why he trusts her to be so mature and responsible.

Another hint: Selena is very optimistic. Why?

Remember that Sirius likes the Weasley twins. Remember that Muffy is Darcy's house elf. Remember that Selena wants to be an Animagus. All of these things are useful.

The next chapter is very important, and the next chapter sets up the mood for the rest of the story.