Annabelle Selwyn

“That’s what I keep saying! They are using the animals to make money. They shouldn’t even be doing that in the first place. But they won’t even keep the animals in a decent housing? It’s not much to ask!” Hugo rarely got angry but this was not something he could easily let go. “Oh no, I work at an animal shelter, my boss has offered to help with this. Get lawyers and all that when I need.” he smiled. “You are not Gaby?” he said blankly at the other’s words. “Then who are you? Sister? What? She doesn’t have a sister.”

“They don’t even run their business in a logical way, if that’s the case. They should be investing profits back into the business to encourage growth. Things like updating the housing for animals should be done to show professionalism.” The girl reached out to squeeze his shoulder in encouragement. “No, it isn’t too much to ask at all. It should be a basic requirement to having animals in your care.” It was clear that the boy was passionate about animals, something that was endearing to her. Watching out for those that couldn’t protect themselves. Especially in a world her father had described as being very dangerous and cruel. “Oh, that’s quite interesting. What kinds of animals do you have there? It might be nice to have a furry companion to come home to.” The boy seemed to struggle with the realization that she was not Gabrielle. “She does, but apparently was told that I died when we were born. I’m actually older than her by a few minutes. That’s kind of why I’m in London, to meet her.” And find her father and learn what happened to him. “I’m Annabelle,” She held her hand out to him. “Annabelle Selwyn, Gabrielle was given her step-father’s name. Or, our step father’s name, I guess. And you are?”

Hugo almost jumped on seeing Gabrielle. he looked around nervously, to see if her brother or cousin was around, a little bit relieved to find they weren’t but he wasn’t entirely sure how to get away from her without seeming utterly rude. Perhaps it wouldn’t kill him, quite literally, to wait a few seconds for her to sign and move on. “Um – I did give them a few cost effective ideas, drew up a whole new plan for their shop with the help of an Extension charm – they just don’t seem to want to do the work. My boss is going to help me make a case against them if things don’t change soon, but I just want to change things without creating trouble, you know? I’ll try researching more, I did look at some studies, but those were all muggle participants, I didn’t know if that’ll be of any value.” He smiled and and handed her his clipboard. “Thanks, Gaby.”

Annabelle nodded sympathetically, “It’s a shame that they don’t care for their creatures enough to care properly for them without being convinced. That should be a clear sign that they shouldn’t be housing them.” Poor creatures. It was sweet that the boy was trying to help them. “Your boss? Are they in law, or the ministry? Maybe take a survey yourself, out here. It’d draw attention to the matter and put pressure on the business to change.” She’d seen something similar done with a business down the street from her father’s bookstore when she was home for the summer. Taking the clipboard, the brunette was about say something when he said her sister’s name. “You know Gabrielle?” She piqued at the knowledge. “I’m her sister, Annabelle.” It was still such a foreign thing to say. And from what she could gather, no one knew about her anyway. “Are you a friend of hers? I’m actually looking for her. Do you know where she frequents?”

He hadn’t expected Gabrielle to come visit him at work that day but then it was not uncommon for his sister to visit whenever she felt like it. And as much as he allowed it without a complaint, it was sometimes rather hard to alter his schedule to suit her sudden visits. It did not take long to ask another healer to cover for him with one of his patients however, before he made his way downstairs to see her. Something didn’t add up when his eyes fell on Gabrielle. He didn’t know what it was – he couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Was it her attire? It seemed different. Her body certainly wasn’t as thin as usual either. Had she used a spell to gain some weight? Because he had seen his sister only a couple of days ago and there was little chance for her body to change this much without magic. Brows furrowed as he walked towards the other, worry evident on his features. “Brie, what’s wrong?” he asked the other without dragging it out, because if he was sure about one thing, it was that something just didn’t seem right.

Annabelle looked around her as the man addressed someone named Brie. She expected a patient to be hiding beside her. But there was no one there. Brie. Anna had had a classmate in school that was named Gabriella, but her parents had called her Briella. Could her sister’s familiars call her Brie? Would he have her confused with her sister? Did they look alike? “Are you Stefan?” She asked cautiously. “I’m Annabelle, I’m a new trainee here.” The brunette was confused and unsure about what to ask. “I think you might have me confused with my sister, Gabrielle Selwyn? Is-is she a patient here? Did something happen to her?” There was genuine fear in her voice as her stomach sank uncomfortably, twisting and knotting. Had their uncle gone after her? From what Annabelle had been told, her uncle had been happy that their mother had Gabby. That she was being raised in ‘proper’ society. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Gabrielle when she’d been so close to meeting her. Anna had spent her whole life wondering about her twin. Wondering if she’d tried to write Annabelle. Her father had forbid her to write, lest she want to put Gabrielle’s life in danger. Gabrielle had almost been like an imaginary friend, always a part of her, but never really there. “Is she alright?” Did he hurt her too?

That wasn’t why she had sought him out before even going to look for her sister. It was her father. He’d been missing a while now and the authorities in Luxembourg had given up after they’d detained her for suspicion of murdering him. They couldn’t prove anything, however, as his body was not found and she had been the one to report him missing. There was no evidence that she’d taken him, only circumstantial things, like the fact that she had access to their apartment and that they’d had a spat. Thankfully, after nearly two weeks, the owner of the place she’d stayed had come back from her business trip and verified that Annabelle had been there. It seemed like her life had been on hold since his disappearance.

Delicate knuckles knocked on the door frame, it’s mate sporting a plaque that read the Alastor’s name. He was her only real hope now. She hoped he wouldn’t think she was lying like the last set of aurors had. Not bothering to wait for an invitation, she peaked inside. “Alastor Moody?” She called out softly. “I apologize for dropping in unannounced, I just wasn’t sure who else to go to.” Her voice was quiet and she waiting for a response, her heart pounding in her chest. “It’s Annabelle. Annabelle Selwyn. From Beauxbatons?” There was a nagging doubt that he wouldn’t remember her. However, when she went to step back from the door frame, the green eyed girl collided with something solid behind her. Someone solid. She turned around quickly, hand reaching instinctively for her wand, but when she saw the familiar face she dropped it, giving the man an amused look. “You nearly gave me a fright, Alastor.”

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