I've been living with Andy (as I liked to call Andromeda) and Ted for eight years. And still, it seems only as though I had arrived on their doorstep yesterday. I was ten at that time, and now I'm eighteen and about to enter my seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
Tonks had already graduated from Hogwarts three years ago, and's currently an Auror for the Ministry of Magic under the watchful eye of Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. I was really proud of her, she's like a sister to me.
Growing up in their home, I was a bit of a troublemaker and irresponsible. Well, Andy always remarked that I'm now following my brother's footsteps. I remember, Tonks was the one who taught me how to make fireworks set off in people's beds. One time, Tonks and I had
a massive prank war at home, when Andy and Ted got home, we were severely grounded.
But during my sixth year, I matured a bit, although sometimes I pulled pranks in secret. Now, I'm really serious about two things: first of all, getting enough N. E. W. T. S to become an Auror for the Ministry just like Tonks.
And second, of course, Quidditch.
Quidditch has always been a passion of mine, and when I was a little girl, I've always dreamed about being a successful Quidditch player. When I was in my second year at Hogwarts, I tried out for Quidditch for the position of Chaser.
And thank Merlin's beard, I became one for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Oliver Wood, the captain of the team and a close friend of mine had been on the team with me since the very beginning. Now that I'm in seventh year, my mind's now currently focused on N.E.W.T.S and Quidditch.
This year. This year was my last chance to win the Quidditch Cup, Gryffindor hasn't won in years. Oliver and I have been writing to each other this summer about his plans for tryouts and practice and his goal to win the Cup.
To be honest, it was a teensy bit annoying but all in all, I listened to him whole heartedly. This year, I am determined that Gryffindor will win.
Andy and Ted remarked that my excellent skills as Chaser was inherited by none other than my older brother, Sirius.
Sirius.
We just heard a few weeks ago that Sirius had broken out of Azkaban. We and the whole Wizarding World knew that he was a criminal and a traitor. I couldn't believe that I was related to a mass murderer.
And I'll probably be bullied when I come back to Hogwarts, not just bullied though, but judged. Since, a student at Hogwarts, one of its most talented and brightest students was the sister of an infamous murderer.
They might view me as an ally to Sirius, and that I will let him enter the castle and kill people.
But I constantly reminded myself that I have to push all those negative thoughts to the back ofy head. For now, N.E.W.T.S and Quidditch were my top priority.
~oOo~
"Got my new robes, Andy," I said, carrying packages of new robes from Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occassions for this school year since my old robes were too tight now. "Not as expensive as last year, though."
"You sure you don't want us to come with you?" Tonks asked eagerly.
"No, no I'm fine really. I just turned seventeen last year, Tonks. Besides, I'll be meeting up with the Weasleys later."
"Alright, we'll see you later. Come back home early!" said Andy, before she, Ted and Tonks left for home.
I soon met up with the Weasleys, who were at Ollivanders, since Ron was purchasing his new wand, which broke last year after the Flying Ford Anglia (which served as his and Harry's transportation since the barrier was closed) crashed into the Whomping Willow.
"Let me help there, Mrs. Weasley." I said, helping her carry Ginny's supplies. Fred and George usually greeted me with a jumpscare at my back, but this time, I didn't fall for it.
"Thank you dearie," said Mrs. Weasley with a gleeful smile. "How about you and Percy over here get a few books and other things you need for this year. Fred and George will get their robes fixed." She fidgeted with her purse and handed the twins some money, warning them to not waste it for any of their silly prank supplies.
Percy was standing beside Mrs. Weasley, his face etched with his usual pompous and arrogant look. I nearly cursed under my breath, Percy was my classmate and a fellow Gryffindor. But honestly, we didn't get along much; the two of us were quite the opposite. But I couldn't make Mrs. Weasley disappointed.
"Sure." I said awkwardly. I turned to walk away from Percy, but he grabbed my hand tightly.
"You're staying with me, Selene." he said stiffly, puffing his chest out to let me see his Head Boy badge.
"Look, Percy," I told him. "How 'bout I'll get my stuff first , and you'll get other things you need?"
Percy hesitated, cleaning his glasses but finally gave in.
"Fine. But I don't want you to get into trouble, Selene." he said pompously, before heading to get his quills.
"I don't want you to get into trouble, Selene." I mimicked what he had said to me, doing my best impression of him and rolling my eyes as I voyaged off on my own to get my books in Flourish and Botts, my list in my hand.
I stepped into the shop, it was crowded, books stacked into mountains of shelves as the shop was filled with chatters, laughs and whispers.
"Two of everything, sir." I said, handing my list to an employee who strutting off to get my needed school books. I took it upon myself to roam around, looking at the books as other customers bustled around me.
"Miss! Here you go!" the employee hollered, giving me a huge stack of books. I fiddled my pocket, and slid the right amount of money to his hands. He briefly said 'thank you' to me and sped off. Leaving me to carry the heavy books by myself.
I felt my hands trembling due to the heavy weight of my school books. I slowly walked, trying to escape the mass sea of customers that flooded the shop. Once I took another step, I crashed into someone, the books that were once in my hands flew out and crashed on the floor as well.
I placed a strand of my dark brown hair into the back of my ear, hurrying to pick my books on the floor and I felt a hand touch mine.
"Are you alright, miss?" someone asked.
I looked up, a man who was about in his thirties, or maybe late twenties, with green eyes and sandy brown hair, with strands of grey flecked upon it. He was wearing tattered and shabby robes, and scars ran across his face. He looked ill, but somehow my eyes managed to find the young man he was.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said shyly, arranging the books in my arms as he held the last one. "Sir, I'm really sorry. I'm a bit clumsy."
He chuckled. "It's alright. Ancient Runes?" he asked, glancing at the book he held in his scarred hands, before handing it back to me.
"Yes, but I prefer Defence Against the Dark Arts a lot. It's my favorite subject." I said, a smile on my face. The man looked amused at this.
"Mine too." he said, as I took the book gently off his hands. His fingers grazing mine.
"Er, Mr. Lupin... I'm sorry but here's what you were looking for." said another employee awkwardly, interrupting our conversation, as he held a rather large brown book in his trembling hands.
"Ah yes, yes. Thank you." said the man, er, Mr. Lupin taking the book from the man with a grateful expression etched upon his face.
"Potions, I see." I noted, to which Lupin nodded his head at.
"Well, there's this potion I've been intrigued with lately. Just want to er — figure out jow to brew it." said Lupin, scanning the pages of the book.
"Good luck with your potion then, Mr. Lupin." I said with a gleeful smile, shaking his hand.
"And good luck with your Ancient Runes, and call me Remus, er —" he said, but paused at the end.
"Selene." I finished.
"Selene, what a beautiful name." Remus remarked, which caused me to blush. "It was nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too, Remus." I said, shaking his hand again, before he left the shop. Soon, I also went out, with Percy waiting at the doorstep demanding what took me so long, but I just shrugged.
I also met up with Ron, and his two best friends Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. The three of them were like siblings to me.
At around noon, I bid goodbye to the Weasleys and departed for Andy and Ted's home, my mind still thinking about Remus.
What a charming man he was.
A/N: hi guys! Finally the first chapter has been published and hope you enjoyed. If there are any recommendations or suggestions just comment below!
Love,
Jazl