I Put a Spell on You || Selina & Marlene || August 4, 1978
( marleneamckinnon )
Selina spent more time than was strictly necessary at the Auror Office; she was consulting, it was true, for a case that involved a specific poison and various mutated strains, but she could have waited to be called on. Moody, she suspected, would have preferred it that way, and Kingsley likely would find it easier to avoid her if she was not around at all. It was impossible for them to deny knowing each other, but a professional acquaintance was all he seemed willing to maintain in public. Selina was used to that; she expected no more from him. The Knights of the Lotus were, after all, not a public organization and necessary to protect.
Lingering at the Auror Office whenever she felt she could be needed--making excuses about inspecting the poisons, bringing her own in for comparison (Moody was adamant about not letting her take his specimens out of his sight)--was a result of her desire to oversee a certain other person, a less burly and masculine one. The first pass of her eyes over the dark-haired stone-faced girl had pulled something in her, and an overheard conversation had solidified her interest. Alyssa's older sister, sturdy where Alyssa was waifish, looking for all the world like a firebrand with a spark hidden behind her eyes.
Seeing Marlene, Selina could understand more clearly why Septima was so drawn to Alyssa. Magic was a fickle force, and like minds attracted one another--Marlene was more Selina's style than the weak-willed sister. But Marlene, the older witch could tell instantly, was Kingsley's.
It was in the way the dark man watched his protĂŠgĂŠe like he was cataloguing her motions, filing things away to correct or berate. Head Auror Moody had a similar look about him when Marlene was around, but less focused; he avoided her, at times. Selina was not normally a woman who enjoyed silent observation, but finding the ties between Marlene and her two mentors was necessary before approaching the girl.
When she was certain that Marlene had noticed her presence actively--not as just another consultant passing through, but curious glances and analytical stares--Selina gave her an opportunity. There was an underground yard, an area bewitched to look as if it could be a park aboveground, designed for smoke breaks and sunlight escapes. It was a poor imitation of nature, she thought privately, but the Ministry had not hired her. The faux-park was easily accessed from the Auror Offices, large enough for the chimney-men of the department to huddle in corners and send up their smoke without bothering each other. Marlene had seen her leave, glass jar of noxious leaves in hand, and--judging by the determined expression on the girl's face--would follow shortly. Selina was counting on it.
