Selene woke around 11 o-clock the next morning. Even when she had gone to bed, she was up late reading. She always felt more awake at night. Harry, she knew, had his trial this morning. There was no case against him, really. But the Ministry is anything but fair.
She stood and stretched. She went to her trunk and pulled out a pair of tight jeans and a low cut, long sleeve blue shirt. After slipping those on, she ran a brush through her hair. She decided on leaving it down today, and when she walked out of her room, it was swaying around her waist.
She went down to the kitchen and Molly offered her toast and eggs.
"No thank you, Molly. Breakfast usually doesnt settle well for me this early." Giving her a smile, Selene sat at the table. She was perched on the edge of her chair, back pin straight even though she wasn't leaning on the back of the chair.
"Well, would you like tea?" Molly asked.
"That sounds quite nice, thank you." She said. Molly thought that it was odd that her lips were so bright while her skin so pallid. Must be lipstick, she thought. She also found it odd that this seemingly straight laced woman was friends with Sirius Black. Sirius Black of all people!
Molly placed a cup of tea in front of Selene, who muttered a polite "Thank you." She watched as Selene placed her lips to the cup, and noticed that no red lipstick was left behind. Her mouth was naturally that color!
"Good morning!" Sirius called, entering the room. He looked extremely well rested, and Selene wished that she could say the same; although she never felt well in the mornings, but the evenings were a much different story.
"Morning, Sirius. You look quite chipper this morning." Selene says.
"And you look rather gloomy this morning." Sirius replied, plopping down next to her. Molly set a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of him and he smiled at her before digging in.
"Did ou areay et?" He asked through a mouthful.
Selene sneered at him. "No, and when I do eat I shall show more manners than you!" Table manners were important. He was being completely disgusting at the moment.
Sirius swallowed. "What?"
"That was disgusting. You spit your food on my face! Swallow before you speak. No one else wants the food that has been in your mouth." Selene says, revolted by his lack of manners.
"Sorry." He says, shrugging, then stuffs his mouth full again.
"Hello!" Someone says from the door. Selene looks up to see Remus walking toward her. He is carrying a small bag. He slides into the chair on the other side of her from Sirius.
"Remus! Your cuts are looking much better already." She smiles.
"I stopped in Diagon Alley on my way here this morning. Bought you this." He smirks, handing her the bag in his hands. He drops it on the table.
"You bought her something? What about me?" Sirius asks around his food, making Selene stand and sit on the other side of Remus.
"Stop being disgusting!" She hisses at him, green eyes flashing.
"Here." Remus says, pushing the bag in front of her. She reaches in and pulls out a red lollypop. Molly watches with interest as Selene's eyes widen slightly. She unwraps the sucker and sticks it into her mouth.
She closes her eyes and hums in pleasure. "Just what I've been wanting!" She smiles at Remus. "Thank you. How many are there?" She asks, peeking into the bag.
"I got a dozen. Hopefully they last a little while." He smirks. "You said you wanted some blood flavored lollypops last night." Remus had always done things like this. Where he would share his chocolate with James, Sirius and Peter, it hurt her stomach, so he would occasionally get her one of these.
"You really shouldn't have. Now I'll have to go to Knockturn Alley. I have a friend there. We can sit for 'tea.'" She giggles at this. "I am tempted to go today."
"Nice Remus. Tempting the Temptress." Sirius says, taking his now empty plate to the sink. Selene huffed.
"Temptress? I don't think that I've done anything to achieve that title." She says. True, she used to flirt their way past the Head Boy and Girl and prefects when they were going to get into trouble, but did that really make her a temptress?
"I do remember a lot of detentions we didn't get because of you." Sirius replied.
Selene stuck the lollypop back into her mouth, closing her eyes and sighing. She slumped slightly, just enjoying the candy.
An hour later, Harry was back. He sat at the table across from Selene, who's lips were even redder thanks to the red lollypop.
"I knew you were going to be fine. They really had no case against you." Hermione says, smiling radiantly.
"Yes, but when has the Ministry ever cared about fairness. You got lucky." Sirius says.
"Don't be a downer, Sirius." Selene says, smacking his arm lightly, making him smirk at her.
Later that day, the children's Hogwarts letters came. Hermione and Ron each got prefects. Molly was so proud while Fred and George laughed at their 'goody goody' brother. They held a party that evening.
Selene noticed that Harry watched Ron and Hermione, not really smiling. Sure, a smile was almost always on his face, but never a genuine smile. He wasn't really happy that they got it, she could see.
She went over and sat next to Harry on the couch. "What's wrong, Harry?" She asked.
For a moment he just looked at her. She knew that it took awhile to get used to her being around. He just sighed. "Honestly, I feel left out. Both of my best friends got prefect and I was left out of it. I know I should be happy for them, and I am. But over it all is a feeling that I should have gotten it." He looks at his lap.
"Well, I am sure that you would have made just as good of a prefect as Ron or Hermione, but think for a moment. Who are you? You are Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. You already have enough to concentrate on before adding school to the mix, so why would Dumbledore add prefect duties to it? I remember when Remus got prefect. A lot of responsibility goes into it. Be happy that you don't have those responsibilities on top of the ones you already have. Your father didn't get prefect either. Neither did Lily." Selene says.
"That is true." Harry visibly brightened.
"Just be happy for your friends and grateful that you aren't in their shoes." She said, smirking. "I am sure that everyone is grateful not to be in yours."
Harry laughed. "Okay."
Since Harry was now cheered up, Selene took her leave, grabbing a glass of water. Remus walked up to her. "How was your talk with Harry? Seemed pretty serious."
"All well. You know what I want? It has been years since I've danced. Ive always loved to waltz." She sighed. Remus quickly grabbed her hand and spun her around then pulled her back to him, her hands now resting on his arms. Remus smirked down at her while she threw her head back and laughed.
"How was that for a dance?" He chuckled.
"Fine, fine." She answered, still laughing. She had missed this. Just letting go. Remus was often the only person who could bring her out of a bad mood, or bring her from a good mood to an even better mood. His teasing being much more sophisticated than Sirius's or even James's had always made her laugh.
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. "It has been too long, Moony." She said.
"That it has." He replied. He had come to realize yesterday that her touch was the same as anyone else's, even if it was a slight colder. No one had made him feel loved in years, and this was the same feeling she always gave him, even during their first year at Hogwarts. He just felt cared for. He had no idea that she felt the same.
"So, how long till they are together?" Fred said to his brother, watching Remus spin Selene around.
"Well, I think it all depends on that one." George replied, pointing to Sirius. "He is always watching her."
"Who will she chose? I say Lupin." Fred responds.
"I say Black." George says.
"A Galleon?" Fred asks.
"Its a deal." George replies, shaking his brother's hand.
The next few days passed quickly with all the commotion of getting ready for school. Last night, Ginny and Hermione had asked how many fancy dresses she had, and Molly was intrigued as well, so Selene had taken them all up to her room for a little bit of dress up.
"This one requires a corset. Want to try it?" Selene had said, gesturing to the dress in Hermione's hand. Hermione had meekly nodded her head with a big smile, so Selene had helped her into the corset and dress. She was always careful not to touch her, so she didn't frighten her away.
Molly was just having a blast touching all of the expensive materials. "Merlin, they're so rich and luxurious." She said, rubbing a dress in between her fingers.
Ginny went straight to the jewelry box, looking at all of the beautiful gems that it held. She held a string of pearls to her throat, then an emerald pendant. She then took out a pair of ruby tear-shaped ear rings. Selene had then told her how she gave the matching necklace to Remus years ago. Hermione had said that it was sweet, making Selene smile to herself.
Around 9 that evening, Ginny and Hermione were each dressed in large dresses. Ginny's had required a bustle skirt underneath while Hermione was still in the corset. They were each bejeweled extravagantly. Even Molly was wearing a few of Selene's pieces of Jewelry, seeing that the older woman couldn't fit the younger's dresses.
Everyone had laughed at their show and the girls paraded around, content at their sumptuosity. They had all had their hair done and were feeling quite pampered.
Later that evening, after everyone else had gone to bed, Selene and Molly were talking.
"It is always fun to play in fancy clothing." Selene smiled.
"Oh, yes it is!" Molly had said, enthusiastically.
Today, they were all getting ready to go to King's Cross to see the kids off. Selene came walking down the stairs at 9:30, wearing a blue Edwardian style skirt and white blouse, holding the white hat and lace that would cover her face in one hand and a white parasol in the other.
"You like to draw attention to yourself." Remus said, walking up behind her, making her jump.
"I don't need fancy clothes to do that. I am already odd looking enough, why not add to it?" She giggled. It was true. With her white skin and the way she held herself naturally, people tended to stare. Why not give them something to stare at?
"You mean that you are pretty enough that it draws attention?" Sirius said, walking up to them.
"Well, that too, but I'm not vain enough to say it!" She said, laughing.
"Oh, and by the way, I want to go." Sirius says.
"You cant." Selene says, raising an eyebrow.
"You're going to play that card with him?" Remus asks, making Sirius smile cockily.
"I have an idea." Sirius says, walking into the living room.
Molly came rushing by. She shouted "Hurry up, or you will miss the train!" up the stairs before stacking the luggage. "Moody will see to the luggage, so this stays here for the moment."
There was a bumping noise, and when Selene turned around to see what it was, she saw Ginny rolling down the stairs, with two trunks rocketing down behind her. As Selene bent to help Ginny stand, startling the girl slightly with icy fingers, Molly yelled at Fred and George "-YOU COULD HAVE DONE HER A SERIOUS INJURY, YOU IDIOTS-" while Sirius's lovely mother began screaming "-FILTHY HALF-BREEDS, BESMIRCHING THE HOUSE OF MY FATHERS-"
Just then, Padfood came bounding out of the living room.
"Sirius, Dumbledore said NO!" Molly shouted at him, causing him to look at her indignantly. "Fine, on your head, be it!"
Padfoot came trotting up to Selene and Remus, cocking his head to the side with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
"Ohh, Padfoot, you smell awful!" Selene says, bringing a white gloved hand to her nose, squinting slightly.
Ron, Harry and Hermione came running down the stairs, so Selene placed the hat on her head and stuck a pin through it, preparing to walk in the sun.
"Harry, you will come with Selene and I. Ginny, Ron and Hermione with Remus. Fred and George with Tonks." Molly said, and everyone broke off into groups. Tonks was a younger woman with bright pink hair. Selene thought she was interesting, to say the least.
"See ya there." Remus says, walking out with his charges. Soon after Tonks and Mad-Eye left and it was just them left.
When they departed, Selene walking with Padfoot behind Harry and Molly, Selene was happy to just watch Sirius. The big black dog gave a joyful bark and gamboled around them, snapping at pigeons and chasing his own tail. Selene smiled at him. He had been locked up in the house so long that he was happy just to be outside. He began chasing cats, much to the amusement of Harry, and the disgruntlement of Molly.
They were the first ones to the platform. They stood there waiting for the others to show up, Padfoot bumping into Selene's legs the entire time. She noticed Lucius Malfoy watching him with a sneer. Someone could recognize him.
"You know, I am not afraid to smack you with my parasol." She muttered to the dog, who responded by ramming himself harder into his legs. This, of course, earned him a good 'THWACK' on the back with the parasol.
"You know, it's not good to abuse your animals." Remus said, walking up next to her.
"But what if they abuse you first? I think it's valid then." She smirks.
"Harry, nice dog!" A boy says, coming up to Harry.
"Thanks." Harry responds, smiling.
The boy leans down and starts petting Sirius's back. "Please don't pet my dog. He will get spoiled." Selene says, and when the boy looks at her, he pales slightly, nods and leaves.
"He looked like he saw a ghost." She says, causing Remus to laugh and Sirius to let out a very laugh-like bark.
The train let out a whistle and everyone began hurrying around. Sirius reared up on his back legs and placed his front paws on Harry's shoulders. Molly shoved Harry toward the train. "For heavens sake act more like a dog, Sirius."
Once the train had left, they all made their way back to Grimmauld Place. Sirius came walking over to Selene and Remus.
"You shouldn't have come. You could have been seen! I saw Malfoy staring at you." She said, frowning at Sirius.
"Well, I am back, safe and sound." Sirius replies, smirking.
Wanting to get away from the house, having been nowhere in the last week, she turned to Remus. "Would you like to go shopping with me?" She asks.
"Sure, why not." He smiles.
Selene had taken Remus to lots of different stores in Diagon Alley. None that he hadn't been to before, of course. They had gone to Flourish and Blotts, each getting a few books.
"I'd like to go to Knockturn Alley while we are out." Selene says to him.
"Should you? Its a pretty rough place." He says, not wanting any trouble.
"I have been there many times. I can handle myself. You don't have to go, but I would like to." She says, setting off toward her desired destination.
"Okay, I'll come." He says, following her.
They enter Knockturn Alley, and the shops all become a little dingier. People stare at them, and Selene, Remus notices, walks slightly taller, with dignity and confidence radiating off from her.
"Remus, they are staring at you. Look like you are confident. Stand tall. Look purposeful." She instructs. He tries to do his best, but knows he fails miserably.
She leads him to a store as dingy as all the rest. The sign says 'Potions Galore' and is swinging on rusted chains.
"My friend owns this. Be prepared." Selene says looking over her shoulder, her hand on the doorknob. Remus only nods. "Oh, don't be so timid! I would never bring you somewhere that you couldnt handle!" And with that she pushes the door open, and enters the shop.
There is dust all over the floor and covering the shelves and everything on them. There is dust sticking to the bottom of Selene's skirt, but she doesn't seem to notice. Selene doesnt stop to look at anything, only walks directly to the back of the store to the desk, her heels clicking loudly. She rings the bell on the countertop and waits, Remus, patient as possible, behind her.
A man, dressed in black pants and jacket walks out from the back. He is as pale as Selene. "What do you- Dear Lady, what can I assist you with?" He says. Selene chuckles.
"If you treat only your vampires with respect, Arnaud, you cant sell much." She says, her voice twinkling.
"Take off the veil, lady. No sun here! You brought a snack?" He asks, looking at Remus, making Remus blanch.
"If you touch him, I will not be responsible for my actions." Selene says in a deadly whisper.
"Ahh, a friend. I understand." He says, smiling. Selene reaches up and pills the pin from her hat and lifts the hat and lace from her head, revealing her face. "Selene! Selene Tussaud, is that you? It has been too long. I saw your father not that long ago. I think it was twenty years now!" Arnaud says, smiling. "Please, won't you and your friend come back and sit with me?"
Selene turned to look at Remus, who shrugged. This man frightened him, yes. But he was Gryffindor for a reason. "We would be most honored." She says.
"Wonderful! Come!" He says, leading them back through a door that opens into a small kitchen. There is a table with four chairs that he gestures to. "Please, sit!"
Selene goes to the most centered chair and perches on the edge. Remus sits beside her, and the vampire, Arnaud, across from him.
"Would you like a cup of tea, sir?" Arnaud asks Remus.
"Um, no thank you." Remus smiles politely.
"A snack, Selene? I have a great many picks." He offeres, gesturing to a door in the back. "All willing, of course." He adds, looking at Remus.
"I would, but I don't like to offend." She replies, her green eyes darting to Remus.
"Of course! Just let me get you a cup." He launches from his chair and grabs a teacup from the cupboard, then heads through the door in the back.
"I am sorry for the awkwardness. I assumed that he wouldn't be quite so pushy about it with you here." Selene says, looking at Remus. "He doesn't understand. He has never tried to be friends with a human since he was turned."
"He seems like a lively character." Remus says, thinking of how he gets so excited.
"Lively!" Selene laughs, tossing her head back. "He is deader than a doornail!" This made Remus laugh slightly.
The back door opened, Arnaud walking through, closing it quickly behind him. He walked over and set the cup that he had taken back with him on the counter. He grabbed another, empty cup and filled it from the teapot on the stove. He walked over and set the first cup in front of Selene, and the other in front of Remus.
"It would have been rude of me to leave you out, Sir. I assure you, it is just tea." He smirks at Remus before sitting down. Remus looks into his cup. I doesn't look like there is anything added to it.
Remus watches Selene take a sip from her cup. She closes her eyes, and sets the cup down, tilting her head back. She sighs lightly.
"What is it, Dear Lady?" Arnaud asks Selene.
"It has been fourteen years." Is all she says.
"Such a long time! You must drink! Plenty more where that came from! I wondered why you looked so pale!" He responds.
Selene takes her gloves off and sets them on the table. Then grabs her cup and takes another sip. "So, have you heard from my father lately?"
"I had a letter last week. I believe he said he was in Dublin now. Says that there is too much sun. I wanted to know where there wasn't!" Arnaud chuckled.
"Oh! I completely forgot. Arnaud, this is my very good friend, Remus. Remus, this is my father's very good friend, Arnaud." Selene says, making introductions. "And, Arnaud, would you happen to have any Wolfsbane Potion in stock?"
"I might. Let me see." He left and quickly came back with three bottles filled with a purple liquid. "This is all."
"How much?" She asked.
"20 Galleons a peice." He replied. She reached into a purse that was strapped around her waist and paid him, slipping the bottles into the bag. "Thank you." She said.
They stayed only a little longer; long enough for Selene to have another cup of...well. Remus had accidentally looked down at her cup when Arnaud had set the second down. Remus couldn't finish his tea.
"I am very sorry, Remus. I hadnt realized how awkward that would be for you." Their stop had given her cheeks some color. She looked less deathly. "I usually would have stayed much longer."
"It's fine. A new experience." He replied. He wasn't going to hate her for what she happened to be, just like she had never hated him for what he just happened to be.
They were halfway to Diagon Alley when Selene stopped. Remus looked at her, confused. She had her face tipped up, and although Remus couldn't see the top half of her face, he know her eyes were glowing. There was no one around to witness her weird behavior.
She turned with inhuman speed to the doorway to a closed shop. Someone stood in the doorway, but Remus could not tell who. Selene gave a low growl and crouched slightly. Remus reached for his wand.
"Dear...It has been too long." The figure said in a low voice, obviously male. Remus didn't know what to do.
"It hasn't been long enough." Selene hissed, Remus had never heard her sound like this before.
"Oh, you brought lunch." He says.
"He. Is. MINE!" She snarls. Her pearly teeth clenched together, showing through her widely spread lips. She reaches back, grabs Remus's arm in a cold, vise-like hand, and suddenly, Remus is spinning.
She had Apparated them to the front of 12 Grimmauld Place. She didn't let go of Remus until they were safely in the house, the door locked behind her. She had lost her veil in the commotion and her eyes were bright with anger and fear, and something Remus couldn't distinguish.
She was still sneering when she spun away from Remus and darted away, up the stairs in a moment, and slamming the door to her room. Sirius appeared from his room and gave Remus a questioning look. He could only shrug. Sirius - stupidly- knocks on Selene's bedroom door. She answers with a snarl, causing Sirius to jump.
He comes down, and Remus explained quickly what happened, and showed him the hand shaped bruise that Selene had left.