The Hogwarts Express
When the day came to leave London, Selena's excitement seemed to be at its peak. She was delighted to be leaving the gloom of their home at 81 Onslow Square in the heart of South Kensington. The young girl's childhood Georgian home was an elegant three-storey building. And the month of August she had spent cooped up within these walls had not made it any more welcoming. Her mother, although sympathetic towards her, now adopted a cold distance.
Not only had she only been allowed out once to go to Flourish and Blotts, but her dance studio had been padlocked with various magical barriers that were impenetrable to the young girl.
On the other hand, she could see the disapproval in her mother's eyes. She looked more and more like her Aunt Berenice. The prospect of Selena following in that eccentric old maid's footsteps seemed to haunt her.
In addition, her father, Aloysius Lestrange, was a gruff, proud man with little patience. Those who did not abide by the rules laid down by him suffered heavy consequences. And if the offenders weren't present, his anger was directed at the family members who were. Usually, her mother or Rabbastan.
The young witch knew that her departure for Paris had been her mother's attempt to protect her from her father's violent outbursts. Especially as the dark magic he now frequently practised seemed to be clouding his judgement more and more.
Only her mother would be accompanying them that morning. And even if a part of Selena felt guilty about abandoning her mother to this daily violence, the prospect of being able to remove the mask of a disciplined and cold young girl that she wore in the presence of her parents was irresistible.
Perhaps she would meet a dark, sensitive young man with an attractive figure? She recently started reading a terribly well-written Muggle novel: Interview with a Vampire. And although author Ann Rice had absolutely no idea what a vampire really was, her pen had filled the young girl's head with fantasies about a certain type of boy.
When the Lestrange family finally arrived on the station platform, she was overwhelmed for a moment by the number of families and students there. The place was teeming with children of all ages, parents and grandparents emotional at the sight of their offspring leaving, and friends hugging each other after a long absence. A small wave of nostalgia swept through the young girl as she thought of the life she had left behind, at Beauxbâtons and in Paris with her ballerina friends and her Aunt Berenice.
She did not have the opportunity to let her emotions boil over as her brother's friends approached them. She recognised some of the faces she had met at Rodolphus and Bella's wedding, but as she had not spoken to any of them, it was difficult to remember their names.
“On se rencontre enfin,” said a nonchalant-looking, ash-blond young man in perfect French.
Selena smiled at the young man but quickly looked away to welcome the embrace of a younger blond boy. "Bastien, you're here too! I'm glad I'm starting Hogwarts at the same time as you," she said.
“I suppose you're Evan, the eldest of the Rosiers,” she continued, refocusing her eyes on the first wizard who had spoken to her.
“Pleased to meet you,” he said, giving her a knowing glance.
Then she met a second young man, with a broad, angular face, who grabbed her hand and kissed it. His name was Demeter Mulciber and Selena was puzzled by the superior attitude he seemed to adopt.
Isabelle Lestrange quickly left the platform after a brief goodbye and reminding Selena of the rules. Public displays of affection were by no means their habit and the young girl was not at all surprised.
As they boarded the train, Regulus hurriedly slipped between Selena and Mulciber, who was following her. He had arrived just on time when the conductor blew his whistle.
The train started up so suddenly that Selena bumped into Regulus, and he had to catch her to stop her falling. As she tried to get up, Regulus found himself with Selena's hair in his face. He realised that the smell of her hair was a delicious, fresh and slightly sweet scent.
As she turned to apologise to him, the young man's vision was caught by her sun-warmed gaze. He then noticed that the young witch's nose and the top of her cheekbones were dotted with adorable freckles.
He quickly came to his senses when her amber eyes turned to the seat on which they had decided to sit.
Selena was seated between Rabastan and Evan, who was facing Mulciber. Regulus finally sat down, facing her. He soon regretted this decision as he had to avoid eye contact with the pretty witch in front of him. Rabastan glanced suspiciously at the other three boys.
The two Slytherin carriages were open spaces at the front of the train. One of them was reserved unofficially for students from the most illustrious families and the oldest students. The second carriage was for younger Slytherins with mixed bloods.
The advantage or disadvantage of these completely open carriages was that they allowed everyone to observe each other.
“So, Selena, I hear you've already charmed a few young wizards even before you started,” began Evan flatteringly. The girl's surprised look prompted him to continue: “Bastien hasn't stopped talking about you since your brother married Bella. He must have already asked your father for your hand in marriage,” he said mockingly.
“He's quite a good dancer and a lot of fun. And knowing that he's starting school this year, that leaves me with what?” she said thoughtfully, “seven years of freedom. Hmmm, I could envisage that,” she concludes smirking.
Regulus and Mulciber's eyes widened at the young girl's reflection. But Evan burst out laughing, which immediately lightened the mood and he continued. “So, you danced with my little brother? And we didn't have the honour?” Pretending not to have surprised her.
Unaware that two of the young men surrounding her had witnessed a demonstration of her talent, “yes, I danced a little with your brother,” she minimised, looking at her brother, “but shhh! not a word to my father, eh!” Turning to Regulus, she finished in an exaggeratedly pedantic tone: “Thank you for your help, dear.”
“It was the least I could do, my lady,” he replied.
“She's not your lady yet,” intervened a wizard who had just joined them in the carriage, which seemed to be occupied exclusively by Slytherins. His dark brown hair framed his dry face, and his slightly protruding forehead gave him the appearance of a predator. The disturbing boy's name was Avery. He and his classmate were entering their sixth year at Hogwarts, as was Mulciber. The second boy had a very long, slightly hooked nose and raven-black hair. He hardly looked at Selena to introduce himself; his name was Severus Snape. They walked away quickly after greeting each other.
The discussion soon revolved around the various events that would punctuate their year: starting with the quidditch matches. Also, the boys described how they had experienced their sorting ceremony and how difficult it had been for them to find their way around the maze of different wings in the castle during their first few weeks. They soon offered to escort the young girl between the different classes, confident that she would be admitted to the Slytherins.
She also met Barty Crouch, who seemed to be one of Regulus' best friends. He seemed uncomfortable around Selena and soon joined Snape and Avery at the back of the carriage.
Phylis Selwyn was probably the most admired girl at Hogwarts. Her beauty seemed to fascinate the whole coach. Her wheat-coloured hair cascaded down her back and delicately framed the fine features of her face. As three girls slowly made their way to the opposite bench where Selena, her brother and his friends were sitting, they stopped and stared at the newcomer in silence. An icy smile spread across the blonde girl's face before she addressed Selena;
“I'm glad I finally get to meet you. Isabelle and my mother have asked me to look after you, and I'm sure we'll soon become very close.” Although her smile seemed friendly at first glance, her eyes seemed to shine with a malevolent glint.
The second girl then added excitedly, “You must tell us all about your life as a dancer in Paris!” Compared to the beautiful blonde's almost threatening greeting, Ambrosia Bullstrode seemed sincere and then continued. “Did you really dance in your underwear in front of people?”
All the boys surrounding the girl interrupted their discussion to pay attention to the girl's reaction.
Pre-empting Rabbastan, Selena giggled in surprise, then in an intriguing voice, she said. “Wouldn't you like to know?”
As she stood up, pretending she had to go to the bathroom, she greeted the last 5th year student. She looked princely, her skin velvety and ebony. Vera Rowle's almond-shaped eyes emphasised her unique beauty. Unlike the shocked reaction of her two Slytherin classmates, she seemed amused by Selena's enigmatic reply.
When she closed the door of the snakes’ coach, she noticed that Regulus was still watching her, but also that her brother had not taken his eyes off Vera. A sigh escaped her lips. It was going to be an interesting year.
Sirius had had an excellent end to the summer. Leaving Grimmauld Place had been the best decision of his life—probably the only good decision, if you asked his mother. Fleamont and Euphemia Potter had welcomed him with open arms, and he was determined to return the favor someday.
As he boarded the Hogwarts Express, he immediately spotted a small commotion in the corridor. A cluster of students had gathered around someone new, all whispering in hushed but excited voices. Sirius had a sixth sense for chaos, and this had chaos written all over it.
Then he caught sight of her.
Selena Lestrange.
Merlin’s bloody beard, it had been years. The last time he’d seen her, she was a feisty little thing with scraped knees and an impressive ability to mimic their parents’ snobbish drawl. She had been another enfant terrible of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, one of the few who understood what it meant to be born into that world but want out.
And now?
Now she was grown up, and Sirius’s first thought—after what the hell is she doing here—was this is going to be a nightmare.
There was no way she wouldn’t draw attention. She was too striking, too alive to blend in among the usual stone-faced pureblood crowd. And worst of all, some greasy little snake was bound to take an interest in her, and then Sirius would have to commit a murder.
He needed to talk to her now.
Making an excuse about needing the loo, he abandoned his friends mid-discussion about their next grand prank and strode down the corridor.
When he finally caught up to her, she was walking alone, her head held high like she was strolling through a Parisian boulevard rather than the cramped train corridor of the Hogwarts Express.
“So,” he drawled, just loud enough for her to hear. “I’ve been forgotten, then?”
Selena turned on her heel, eyes wide in surprise before her face broke into a radiant grin.
“Sirius!” she exclaimed, delighted. “I thought I smelled trouble!”
“The usual cologne,” he replied smoothly, smirking. “So, are you ready to live among cobras and vipers?”
“Oh, don’t joke,” she giggled, rolling her eyes. “I’ve already had a taste of what’s to come. But don’t worry, I was trained from birth to survive in hostile conditions.”
“Aloysius and Isabelle haven’t sold you off yet, then?”
“Not yet,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “My debut is announced for this summer, so I have a brief window of freedom. And I fully intend to enjoy it. Perhaps with slightly more discretion than you, mon cher troublemaker.”
Sirius gasped in mock offense. “Discretion? In my presence? What has Paris done to you?”
“Made me sophisticated, cultured, and slightly more inclined to avoid detention.” She paused, casting a wary glance over her shoulder. “Which, by the way, is why I should leave before I’m spotted. Rabastan and Cissa are practically on my tail.”
Sirius groaned. “Ugh, Rabastan. He still has that awful slicked-back hair, doesn’t he? Looks like a vampire’s accountant.”
Selena snorted. “You know he does.”
“Well, in that case, I suppose I’ll allow your strategic retreat,” Sirius said, stepping back grandly. “But don’t think you’re getting rid of me so easily. I know every hideout in that castle. We will have time to catch up, ma chère petite sœur.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Ugh, don’t call me that. It makes me sound like your sidekick.”
“You are my sidekick.”
“I am my own protagonist, thank you very much.” She gave him a wink before slipping away, her movements quick but graceful.
Sirius watched her go, shaking his head with an amused smile.
Hogwarts was about to get a whole lot more interesting.
As she left Sirius, Selena's thoughts wandered. She wondered if he was really happy now. At least, he seemed to be. Leaving his family and renouncing all the values of those closest to him to live as he pleased. The thought seemed daunting. No. She wasn't reckless or selfish enough to make such an extreme choice. It must have been the first time in her life that Sirius hadn't put Regulus before himself, she thought. Sirius who had always taken everything on, put up with everything. What could have been the catalyst for such a decision?
Lost in her observations, she did not immediately identify the hand that drew her towards an empty compartment.
Narcissa Black was standing in front of her with a knowing look on her face.
“Do you want a fag?” Offered the icy-blond girl.
“Salazar, yes please!” she agreed. “But isn't smoking a bit too Muggle-like?”
“Purebloods are full of paradoxes, as you well know.” Narcissa replied flatly, lighting the cigarettes with the tip of her wand.
The two girls looked at each other in silence as they both enjoyed this little gesture.
“So, what do you think of your future Slytherin friends?” asked Narcissa
“Hmmm, too early to tell.." sighed Selena, raising her eyebrows.
“I know they're no angels, she affirmed.
“We'll see,” Selena declared sceptically, “but I'm getting some serious naughty girl vibes from Phylis.”
Narcissa chuckled approvingly, "She doesn't like competition. Ambrosia, on the other hand, is harmless.”
The youngest of the Black sisters brought back her backpack, and they changed into their uniforms while chatting about various subjects. Time flew by as they feasted on the macaroons the former Beauxbatons student had brought back.
Selena gradually let her guard down. She realised that it would be nice to have some familiar faces around her this year. Cissa could be an ally. She too probably needed to have some fun before being locked into the responsibilities of matrimonial life.
Time was passing and the two girls noticed that they shared many of the same opinions. Narcissa was in a hurry to leave the family home. She confided that she had been relieved when her sister left. Although she had once been a protective big sister, Bellatrix's presence had now imposed a heavy atmosphere. Her attitude was increasingly tyrannical.
“I've sometimes felt like hexing myself with a memory charm. I know my mother does it regularly to be able to bear my father's presence.” Narcissa confided in her.
It seemed that abusive parents were a common sight in pureblood families.
“But I'm reassured. Next summer I'll be married. Maybe a bit freer.” blurted out the 16-year-old.
“Shit! Someone's coming, put out your cigarette...”
Remus Lupin had survived one year as a Gryffindor Prefect, and if he was honest, he wouldn’t mind if this one went by quietly.
Not that his friends would allow that. James and Sirius treated his Prefect status like a get-out-of-detention-free card, while Peter mostly used it to ask him absurdly specific questions about the rulebook.
And then there was patrolling.
Most of the time, it was fine. But patrolling the Hogwarts Express on September first? Utter madness. Everyone was too excited, too loud, and James had already been seen juggling Dungbombs near the snack trolley.
But as Remus made his way toward the back of the train, he picked up something unmistakable.
Smoke.
More specifically—cigarettes.
And if there was cigarette smoke, there was Sirius Black.
Remus sighed, already picturing his best friend sprawled across the seats, smirking like the king of bad decisions. He slid open the compartment door—
And immediately forgot what he was doing.
Because instead of Sirius’s smug face, he was met with hers.
The girl from the bookshop.
His brain stopped working.
“Oh, merde,” she giggled, waving her wand to disperse the smoke like a guilty child caught with a stolen biscuit.
Then her bright eyes landed on him, and she grinned.
“My mysterious savior from the bookshop!” she declared.
Remus’s stomach did something odd. Maybe he was coming down with something.
Meanwhile, Narcissa Black, who had been sitting beside Selena like a chaperone assigned by the Black family elders themselves, stared between them in absolute horror.
“Can you give us a moment?” Selena asked her smoothly.
The look Narcissa shot her was the same one someone might give a person who had just announced they were running away to become a Muggle dentist.
“You want to talk to him?” Narcissa’s tone dripped with disbelief.
“I won’t be long, Cissy,” Selena reassured her.
Still looking scandalized, Narcissa huffed and swept out, but not before throwing a suspicious glare in Remus’s direction—as if he were some filthy stray cat who had somehow charmed her friend.
Remus, meanwhile, was still processing.
First, she was talking to him.
Second, she had remembered him.
Third, Narcissa Black had actually listened to her.
“You know,” Selena began, her voice effortlessly smooth, “I never actually got to introduce myself the other day. I would have, but I was, uh… grounded. Not allowed to talk to anyone.”
Remus blinked, thrown off by both the confession and the way she said it so casually, like being banned from speaking was a minor inconvenience.
“And… you are?” he managed to say, immediately wincing at how stupidly formal he sounded.
She extended a delicate hand toward him. “Selena Lestrange. And you?”
He took her hand before he could think better of it—and immediately regretted it. Why was her hand so soft? Why was his face hot? Why was this happening?
“Remus Lupin,” he said stiffly. “Gryffindor Prefect.”
Gryffindor Prefect?Oh, brilliant, Lupin, very smooth. Really showing off that irresistible charm.
But Selena only smiled, tilting her head as if assessing him.
“Oh yes—the fags!” She clapped her hands together, as if just remembering why he was standing there. “Sorry about that. I was a little stressed about arriving and the sorting, and Cissy offered, so I assumed it was fine.”
“It isn’t,” Remus said automatically.
Oh, his brain groaned, stop talking like a bloody hall monitor.
Selena, unfazed, leaned in conspiratorially. “Is there any way to turn a blind eye? I’ll owe you. That’ll add up with the bookshop debt.”
Remus swallowed. Bookshop debt?Oh. Right. Because he had caught her when she fell trying to reach a book. His face burned hotter.
“It’s… fine,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not like my friend Sirius never smokes on the train.”
“A friend of Sirius?” Selena’s eyes lit up. “You mustn’t be that obedient if you’re friends with him.”
“Not always,” Remus admitted, his lips twitching.
Selena sighed in relief. “Phew. That reassures me.” Then, with a mischievous gleam in her eye, she added, “Well, I hope we have time to talk soon, Mr. Darcy.”
And just like that, she was gone, leaving Remus standing there like a complete idiot, his brain short-circuiting over—
Mr. Darcy?