The Other Marauder

Chapter Four

It was Christmas morning. Selene was still at Number 12 Grimmauld Place and quite enjoying her time. She had bought everyone gifts. They were all wrapped and waiting in the corner. Remus told her and Sirius that he would stop by today, muttering under his breath that he didn't have anywhere else to be, so she could give him his present too.

Nothing more had happened between them since that night. She told him what the letter that her father had said and they were still waiting. Anytime Selene went anywhere, she knew that Gilbert was watching her, she could sense him. But he never approached her, and for that she was glad.

Selene walked down the stairs in a pair of tight jeans and a blue, long sleeved shirt with matching pumps with a pile of presents floating along behind her. Arthur was home from the hospital, and when she entered the kitchen to see all of the Weasleys and Harry and Sirius seated around the table, Molly was thanking Harry again.

"Morning, Selene. Merry Christmas!" Molly called, making Harry notice her. Harry smiled and waved as she went to sit by Sirius. She flicked her wand to send the pile of presents soaring through the air to land in front of their respective recipients.

"Merry Christmas, Everyone." Selene called. She watched as everyone dug into their presents. Fred and George each thanked her for a dragon skin coat. They were a deep green. Molly opened a small box to find a necklace and earring set with an intricate design of emeralds. She rubbed them slightly and smiled her thanks to Selene. Ginny's gift was by far the biggest. She pulled out a beautiful teal gown with rhinestones shimmering in the light. Selene had supplied all of the undergarments so she could wear it as soon as she wanted. She bought Ron a very expensive broom care kit. He smiled at her; he was hard to buy for. Harry she bought a special practice snitch. It wouldn't fly super far away from him, but still fast and far enough away that it would be hard to see. He could practice while sitting in the common room or while flying. Arthur opened a box and pulled out a muggle radio with step by step instructions, written by Selene, on how it works. Sirius was given an assortment of his favorite candies and snacks. His eyes were wide as he scanned over them all.

She had Remus's present waiting in front of her as she watched everyone open all of their gifts from each other. They all slowly began to leave, going to mess with their new gifts. They left Sirius and Selene sitting at the kitchen table.

"Seeing as I cant leave I couldnt get you anything." Sirius told her with his mouth full of choccolate.

Selene sneered slightly. "Your present to me could be you not talking with your mouth full."

"Sorry." He says through his food again, causing Selene to groan.

"What are you doing to the poor girl?" Sirius and Selene both turn to look at the new voice, finding Remus walking in, carrying two parcels. He places one in front of Sirius, who tears in eagerly. He pulls a black dog brush and dog shampoo out of the box and glares at Remus. "I thought that the last time Padfoot was around, he stunk." He says with a shrug.

"That would be because he did." Selene says, smirking at Sirius. "Here Remus." She handed him his present. She had gotten him the whole collection of Anne of Green Gables. They had read it a long time ago, and he said that Anne made him think of her when she was young.

She watched as he ripped the paper and looked at all five books. He smiled at her. "Very thoughtful." He tells her. "Here." He hands her a book with a bow slapped on the cover. She pulled off the bow and found an old copy of Gone With the Wind.

"I love this book." She says, smiling. She opens to the copyright notes to see when it was printed. "Remus! This is an original!" She exclaimed.

"I know." He grinned. "Open to the cover page."

She did and found that it was autographed. "How did you get this? This is fantastic!" She ran her fingers over Margaret Mitchell's name scrawled across the page.

"An old witch had it and didn't realize the fortune she had in the guise of a book. She gave it to me claiming that she was going to toss it anyway." He says, smirking. "I saw it and thought of you."

"This is wonderful. Thank you!" She stood and hugged him, then gave him a kiss on the cheek and went from the room. She went up to her bed room and placed the new book on the dresser. Just as she placed her hand on the doorknob to leave there was a scratching at the window. She opened the window and let her father's owl in. He was a beautiful rare black owl. He looked at her with beady eyes until she took the letter attached to its extended leg. Once she had, it flew off out the window.

Her name was scrawled across the envelope in beautiful curling letters. She knew immediately who had sent this.

She opened the letter and read.

Dearest Girl,

Merry Christmas!

Your father asked me to write to you. It has been too long! I remember you running around as a little girl and now you're calling for a small army! Well, you have one. There are twenty of us plus you. Your brother doesn't stand a chance!

As for us, we are residing in your father's townhouse in London. All twenty of us. It is a very full house. Charlotte and Cressida are already arguing and Cressida refuses to be in the same room as Charlotte as of the moment. But they both want to help you so very much; we all do.

We would like for you to visit as soon as possible. Your father insists on today, but I told him that we cannot tear her away from her Christmas plans. Come as soon as you can, everyone misses you. Especially your father and I. Oh, your father's sister, Anastaise is here as well. She hasn't seen you since you were nine.

We hope to see you soon.

With love,
Vivienne Avery

Selene smiled at the letter. Vivienne is her father's nearest friend, and mistress. She had been around as long as Selene could remember. She was more like her mother than her actual mother was.

There was another note in the envelope. She looked at it, thankful for its presence.

I thought you might like to know who will be here, just to be prepared for dealing with the masses.

Arnaud Saint Clair
Maurice Tussaud (father)
Victor Le Boursier
Georges Beau Pre
Ben Burns
Rob Burns
Orlando Laureate
Ahab Griffin
Solomon Mare
Pauline Deshoulieres
Emilie Choiseul
Claire Bourignon
Anastaise  Tussaud
Charlotte O'Hara
Cressida Papillon
Bess Sheridan
Ethel Pope
Gertrude Fey
Ella Moore
Vivienne Avery

Selene studied the list for a few moments. She was glad she had this, because now she would know who would be of real help. Bess didn't really like any confrontation, so she would be of less help than the Burns brothers who get quite worked up, and love a good fight. She also knew who got along and who didn't. She had to prepare for that little headache.

She went downstairs to the kitchen and handed Remus the letter from Vivienne. He read it and looked up at her. "I'm coming with you." He says.

"Do you remember how awkward it was for you when we visited Arnaud? Well, this will be twenty times as bad. They will even have brought some donors. They may think you are mine." She says.

"I feel like you shouldn't go alone." He says. He didn't know these people and he just wanted Selene to be safe.

"They are my family. I will be fine. I can handle myself." She smiles. " I need to get dressed. I have somewhere to be. I'll be back later." She then went back to her room and donned her blue skirt and white blouse with a tan coat that fell to the ground and all of the lace. She then walked out into the winter sun and toward her father.