Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I absolutely loveee John Cusack, so it's only natural that I fit him in somewhere. He's going to be Selena's adopted father, whereas Debra Messing is Selena's adopted mother. I think they work as a good match, and I quite enjoy the characters they tend to portray. :) 

Sorry it's been so long! School has had me swamped! But, within two weeks I'll be starting work term, so I should have more time in the evenings. :)

The train was screeching to a halt, and the three passengers of the fourth compartment on the Hogwarts Express were awakened with the jolting of the brakes. Selena wiped at her eyes blearily, a small smile curling at her lips when she witnessed Marcy pulling away from Matthew after having been leaning against him during the duration of her sleep. Both were faintly flushed, but all the same, it was a promising sight to behold.

“You’ll write to me?” Selena asked, busying herself as she pulled her luggage bag down from the top rack.

“Everyday!” Marcy promised. “And you, Matt?”

“I’ll write to both of you,” he answered. “But… er… once a week.”

Marcy laughed, earning a smile of approval from Matthew. The two brought their luggage bags down, and then the three left the train without speaking another word. Selena had to admit, she was a little saddened that she wouldn’t be able to see Severus over the break, but she was extremely pleased with the fact that she’d be able to see her parents.

After all, two weeks isn’t really that long.

Stepping off the train, the three were met with the steam of the Hogwarts Express, and the welcoming sight of dozens upon dozens of parents, all of which exchanging smiles and pleasantries as they greeted their children and other families.

“Mum!” Marcy declared, and rushed with her arms spread wide towards a woman with curling blonde hair, bags beneath blue eyes, and a pleasing though wrinkled smile. Her father wore a business suit, round glasses, and light brown hair.

It was when Selena recognized the older red headed woman, and kind-hearted dark-haired man, that she smiled and rushed towards him, engulfing them both in large hugs as well as a pleasant laugh.

“Jack,” she nodded towards her fatherly figure, “Diane,” she then nodded towards her motherly figure. “How have the two of you been during school?”

“Waiting for you to come home,” Diane confessed, smiling serenely. “But, I must admit, we haven’t gotten nearly as much mail as usual. Too much school work?”

“You could… say that…” Selena easily avoided the true reason, which she wasn’t sure whether to break to her adopted parents just yet. After all, they weren’t even necessarily a couple yet, so to bring such a topic into light so suddenly felt almost overwhelming.

Diane kissed her adopted daughter’s forehead, and smiled down at her, pulling her into another warm hug.

“We’ve missed you,” she whispered. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Why so sentimental?” Selena joked, just as Jack’s expression took on a more somber tone, and Diane’s smile dropped infinitesimally.

“Don’t worry about it,” Jack replied, placing a welcoming hand on her shoulder, as well as shooting her an encouraging smile. “We best get you home.”

“But, you still haven’t met –“

“Invite them over for dinner over Christmas break,” Diane continued. “We’re on a bit of a tight schedule.”

Selena nodded, a small frown working its way across her face as she gave her puzzled friends a wave of farewell, and walking quickly in step with her adopted parents. Something weird was definitely going on, with both her parents, and with a few of the people at school, but she had no idea that they were connected.