#velene

[cheonchi]

2026.

Since I realize I hadn't drawn these two yet :3c Selene belongs to @elkingwriter

[elkingwriter]

Long Distance

Rating: Teen and Up

Characters: Selene Harrington / Vega Shen (hinted), Lyra Shen, Kneazle Aesop. Selene belongs to me, Shen siblings are @cheonchi's.

Word Count: 2,959

Summary: Selene makes a wish in the Room of Requerement and discovers more than she expected.

Author's Note: I used the "Long Distance" prompt from Spread The Love Event.

Now

“Jiejie!“ Lyra’s voice rang out and Selene couldn’t contain her smile. She had missed this little ball of sunshine.

“Hi there, Lyra,” she said, pulling the girl into a hug. “Ready to see the Kneazles?”

Lyra nodded enthusiastically, and Selene led her toward the Vivarium. It was neither the first nor even the tenth time Lyra had visited her (and the Kneazles), but her enthusiasm and joy never dimmed.

“Aesop is cranky today,” Selene warned. “Maybe he needs a good brush.”

“Got it,” Lyra said seriously, getting the brush ready and spotting Aesop among the other Kneazles. “Miao miao miao, Aesop!”

Selene chuckled at the memory of Lyra’s face when she’d first learned the biggest and grumpiest Kneazle was named after the gruff Potions Master.

Despite Lyra’s laughter, she was skilled with the Kneazles, and even Aesop let her brush his magnificent fur without complaint. Selene watched Lyra for a while, then sat on the grass and pulled out her translations. They were finished, but she wanted them perfect, so she started reading through them again.

„Die wichtigsten Vorkommnisse des Jahres 1889 auf dem Gebiete der Bacteriologie“ was a fascinating read, and she could see why Vega had chosen it. Selene flipped through the pages in her careful handwriting, nodding to herself. Yes, Vega would love this one. Smiling, she reached for the second paper – “Die Bedeutung der Anaërobiose für die Wundheilung und für die allgemeine Pathologie”.

It had not always been easy, and Selene had to consult the dictionary and medical books often enough. It turned out, being fluent in German didn’t mean being automatically able to translate Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift, especially since many words were new to her even in English. But she was nothing but a Ravenclaw, and each new translated paper came easier than the last.

She could recognise a kindred spirit in Vega, a fellow curious mind – and a Legilimens (to his credit, Vega had only attempted Legilimency once). She was also not blind and could see how bloody handsome he was, even when he seemed oblivious to his attractiveness, too concentrated on his studies (successfully) and keeping Nova out of trouble (with varying success).

Selene liked Nova, and not just because Nova was literally the reason she had met all the Shen siblings. If they, both Ancient Magic wielders, had not entered their respective Rooms of Requirement and not wished for the exact same thing – for someone to truly understand them – then this portal between their universes might never have opened.

At first, Selene and Nova had only stared at each other. Selene hadn’t even registered Nova’s exceptional beauty (the girl was an absolute eye candy, and her only successful scam on Selene happened because of that damn red dress). She could only think of what in Merlin’s name was happening.

“Nova,” she introduced herself first.

“Selene.”

They continued staring at each other until Selene gestured vaguely toward her Room of Requirement and Nova stepped through the portal.

They had talked for hours that day, about their similarities and differences. Nova had two siblings and both parents – Selene only had her father, who had been absent for most of her life. Nova was shorter and curvier, preferring long skirts and covering her skin. Selene was slightly taller, slimmer, and wore only trousers and suits.

Both had been thought to be Squibs. Both had been prepared to take the most radical measures to avoid marrying a Muggle man and leading a Muggle life. Both were ready to do what it took in a fight. And both were absolutely, completely, utterly annoyed with Sebastian.

The Room of Requirement had outdone itself. Selene and Nova found what they had wished for – someone to truly understand them.

They kept it secret for days, but eventually Nova brought her little sister along – and Lyra had been far more interested in the Kneazle Vivarium than in the existence of parallel universes. Selene didn’t mind – if anything, she was glad for the little sister she had always wanted. But eventually, they had to come clean.

Nova was more than unhappy when Selene “snitched” to Dinah, but she had no choice. It was too dangerous to proceed without consulting both former Unspeakables. The meeting with the Dinahs had been unsettling, but even Nova had begrudgingly admitted it was necessary. Dinahs had talked and come to a conclusion: it was safe for Selene and the Shen sisters to meet, since their universes lacked the each other’s. It was, however, not safe for anyone else (Nova had declared everyone else an NPC, or “Not Pretty Cool”) to meet their counterparts. Both Dinahs made Selene, Nova and Lyra promise not to tell anyone else of the existence of the parallel universe, and, reluctantly, everyone had agreed.

Selene kept her promise – she didn’t say a word to anyone. She simply let Ominis see it for himself using Legilimency on her. The following lecture and scolding had been worth it – Ominis was fascinated and even helped with German translations for Vega.

“Look at this, Selene!” Lyra’s voice cut through Selene’s reminiscence. “I think Sebastian likes the ribbons!”

“He certainly looks pleased,” Selene commented, looking at the brown Kneazle she had named after one certain Slytherin for his cocky attitude. “You have a talent with Beasts, Lyra. They behave much better when you are around.”

Lyra beamed, and Selene felt the usual warmth in her chest. Whether it was Lyra’s Hufflepuff nature, or some other magic – but Lyra had this influence on everyone. It was impossible to stay sad or angry in her presence, and even Nova’s and Vega’s bickering faded away around her. Or maybe both oldest Shen siblings agreed on at least one thing – Lyra and her happiness must be protected at all costs.

“I have something for you,” Lyra said, sitting next to Selene. Sebastian followed, wearing at least four ribbons in his fur and looking entirely pleased with himself.

She reached into her bag and pulled out something distinctly blue.

“It’s a muskrill!” Lyra announced proudly. “I made one for Nova and me too. Yours is blue, of course, because you’re a Ravenclaw and you like blue. Mine is yellow, and Nova’s is green. We can hang them on our bags to match!”

The muskrill was a hand-sewn creature that looked like a very weird mouse. It was ugly, but obviously made with love.

“Nova loved hers!” Lyra said proudly.

Selene nodded, stopping a sceptical raise of her eyebrow. Nova was a good sister, at least to Lyra. Apparently, white lies were the necessity in sibling relationships.

“I love mine too, Lyra. Thank you. I will always wear it on my bag,” Selene said sincerely and pulled Lyra into a hug. After a very generous second look, the muskrill looked almost cute in its ugliness.

Then

Lyra was the real reason Selene had even met Vega. She was not trying to be subtle in the slightest when, upon learning that Selene’s favourite colour was blue and that she was currently single, Lyra immediately began her sneaky Hufflepuff plans.

“You have to get to know gege, Selene,” Lyra declared with the full authority. “He is blue, he is a gentleman, and he is single too.”

Selene arched a brow. According to Nova, Vega was “allergic to fun and has a stick up his loser arse.” And when she finally met him, she found both sisters’ descriptions surprisingly accurate.

“Who are you?” he asked, his voice cautious and his stance tense and alert.

“Selene Harrington. A Ravenclaw,” she replied nonchalantly. She had no idea how much Lyra had already told him – probably not much, given his wariness.

“I told you, gege, it’s Selene, she is very nice and you have to get to know each other!” Lyra chirped, but Vega ignored her, his gaze fixed at Selene.

“I’ve never seen you in Ravenclaw,” he said, stepping in front of Lyra. She didn’t seem to mind, likely taking it as a sign of his interest in Selene.

“I haven’t seen you in Ravenclaw either,” Selene shrugged, resisting the urge to joke about him needing to check his glasses. That would be low – though Nova would have done it without a second thought.

His grip on his wand tightened. Selene almost snorted – she knew from Nova that Vega was reasonably strong, but no match for a skilled duellist, let alone for an Ancient Magic wielder. She considered letting him strike first, taking him down with wandless magic. It could be good practice.

But Vega didn’t attack her – not with a wand, at least. Their eyes locked, and Selene idly noted the striking amber-gold shade of his, so different from his sisters’ silver. She felt a faint brush at the edges of her mind. He was attempting Legilimency, trying to be subtle, but she sensed it nonetheless.

Well, if he wanted to play, she could play too. Selene let him breach her Occlumency, showing him her previous evening: walking to the Ravenclaw tower, entering her dorm. Vega tried to shift the scene, but she held him there. Smirking, she let him see her getting ready for bed – shrugging off her robes, then her jacket, unbuttoning her blouse. At this moment, Vega’s breath hitched, and he abruptly retreated from her mind, his ears turning pink.

“I think you really hit it off,” Lyra declared, beaming.

 Selene smiled. “I am not so sure, Lyra. Vega looks a bit… uncomfortable. Is everything alright?” she asked with feigned concern.

He swallowed hard, eyeing her with a new kind of wariness.

Selene sighed, almost feeling sorry for him.

“Come on, I’ll show you the Kneazles,” she said, waving her hand. To her surprise, Vega followed, Lyra leading the way as she chattered excitedly about the Vivarium inhabitants.

Then

“So you claim this is a parallel universe?” Vega asked again, watching Lyra having a tea party with the Kneazles.

“Yes,” Selene shrugged. “Although, this is not my claim. It’s Dinah’s explanation.”

“Dinah?” His brows rose. “Are you calling a professor by their first name?”

Selene snorted.

“So what if I am? Besides, I only call my Dinah that. Your universe’s is still Professor Hecat to me.”

Vega shook his head, his tassel earrings trembling.

“What about my family? Do we exist in your universe? Because even if you exist in ours, I don’t know you in Hogwarts.”

Selene hesitated, wincing slightly. “I don’t exist in your world, no. My mother had never met my father.”

Vega didn’t press further, though he noticed her hesitation. Apparently, even his curiosity had limits.

“As for you – you and your siblings exist in this world, but you all live in China,” Selene continued. “Dinah found you. And your name is not even Vega. It’s Xingyu.”

“It’s pronounced Xingyu,” he corrected.

“That’s what I said.”

“No. You pronounced it wrong. It’s Xingyu, not ‘Xinguy’.”

Selene rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, Vega. I’m bad at languages. Took me ages to learn even French and German, you can’t expect me to master Chinese.”

Vega blinked. “You speak German?” he asked in mild disbelief.

“Yes. Learned at home. Why?”

“Nothing,” he replied too quickly.

“Don’t make me use Legilimency on you.”

Vega looked almost offended, but then sighed. “Fair enough. It’s nothing, truly. I just found an interesting medical journal. Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift.”

“It’s pronounced ‘Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift’, Vega,” Selene said with a smug grin, and he shot her a look. She just smiled innocently. “So, what about this journal?”

“I could find some articles translated into English or French, but not all,” he admitted. “But it’s not important. Not in the context of –”

He gestured vaguely. Lyra was braiding ribbons into Aesop’s mane.

“You’re right. The Kneazles are more important than any medical journals,” Selene said, then sighed. “Bring me your journal, Vega. I’ll see what I can do.”

He looked incredulous. “You don’t have to, Miss Harrington. I’m doing fine with a dictionary, and –”

“Do you want to risk misinterpreting something and harming a patient? Nova and Lyra told me about your Healer ambitions.”

“Still, you must have enough on your plate –”

“Nah,” Selene waved a hand. “Consider me interested. Besides, I suppose I owe you an apology for my little trick earlier. I didn’t know you would react like this upon seeing me –”

“I will get you the journal, Miss Harrington,” Vega interrupted quickly, blush creeping on his cheeks and ears. “Thank you.”

Selene noticed that Lyra wasn’t playing with Aesop anymore, but instead was watching them with a sly grin. Well, at least the youngest Shen sibling was utterly content today.

Now

Lyra was still playing with the Kneazles when Vega entered the Vivarium, hesitant as always. His keen eyes found Selene and his sister.

“Good evening, Miss Harrington,” he greeted her, endearingly formal as usual.

“Gege! You are wearing your muskrill!” Lyra rushed to him, pointing at his bag. Indeed, another blue and ugly handmade muskrill was hanging on it. Vega’s had tiny glasses on, and Selene chuckled.

“Now you and Selene have the matching ones!” Lyra continued, and Vega sighed.

“I translated another Cantong qi commentary by Liu Yiming from 1799. The language was rather modern, so it was quick work. As always, I have included my own notes.”

He gave her a sheaf of parchment, and Selene nodded. Vega was an invaluable source of translations in Chinese alchemy, which was hardly known in Europe – certainly not to the extent it deserved to be.

“Thank you, Vega,” she said sincerely, passing him another stack. “Your requested articles with my commentary.”

“Thank you, Miss Harrington. Your work is greatly appreciated.”

Lyra was beaming and practically jumping from excitement.

“Show her, gege!” she demanded.

Vega sighed, but complied, producing a beautifully wrapped blue box. It looked heavy despite its size.

“In gratitude for your translations and in appreciation of your talent and hard work. You are a brilliant potioneer, Miss Harrington, and I hope this humble gift will assist your further pursuits.”

Selene accepted the box, surprised by its heaviness. Carefully, she unwrapped it. And inside she found –

“It’s real jade, jiejie!” Lyra exclaimed. “It is very good for potions!”

Selene nodded, taking the mortar and pestle in her hands. Pale green with a smooth surface, this was something exceptional, and she could appreciate a good instrument as any potioneer.

“Pure jade doesn’t tarnish or corrode. Our mother uses similar instruments in her apothecary,” Vega explained, and Selene suppressed a small smile at his blushing face. She wondered what Mrs Shen had thought of her son’s request.

“Thank you, Vega. It is a thoughtful and valuable gift. But don’t expect me not to retaliate,” she smirked. “You will get a gift in return.”

His eyes widened.

“Miss Harrington, the translations –”

“You have done translations for me too, so it’s only fair. I am not taking no for an answer, Vega,” she winked at Lyra.

“You have to accept, gege, whatever Selene wants to give you!” Selene’s Hufflepuff co-conspirator immediately started.

Vega let out another sigh, but didn’t argue.

“As you wish, Miss Harrington, but truly –”

“I think you should ask Selene out to Hogsmeade, gege!”

Selene let out a small laugh at Vega’s expression.

“Meimei!” Vega shooed at Lyra, who was unimpressed. Vega was the Ravenclaw in the family, and Nova was the Slytherin, but it was the youngest Hufflepuff who played her siblings like a puppeteer.

“I quite like Hogsmeade,” Selene said nonchalantly, enjoying Vega’s expression more with every second. He cleared his throat.

“Right, Miss Harrington. Ehm… We have to go now. Meimei, say your goodbyes.”

After Lyra had personally bid farewell to every Kneazle (and Selene), the siblings finally departed, Vega muttering in Chinese. Lyra turned and gave Selene a wink. Selene waved until they disappeared through the portal, a small smile lingering on her lips even after they had gone.

Selene had almost dozed off on the plush sofa when she heard hesitant steps. As usual, Ominis was hiding from the Hissing Archives – club of Parseltongue researchers (who might or might not have been plotting to dissect his brain).

“You woke me,” Selene complained as he sat beside her with a book.

“You shouldn’t sleep here when you have a dorm.”

She rolled her eyes.

“How was the meeting with the other side?” Ominis asked.

“Quite well. Lyra brushed Aesop, and he is less cranky now. Vega brought me a few more translations. Oh, and check this out.”

She held up the jade mortar and pestle, letting Ominis slip into her mind to see through her eyes.

“Impressive,” he said. “That’s a thoughtful gift.”

“That’s what I said. And I already know what to gift back.”

Ominis sighed heavily. “Selene, you go overboard with your gifts.”

“I do not!” she protested. “Well… most of the time. I just want to gift him a nice medical bag.”

“Suspiciously reasanobale.”

“Containing my notes on improved Felix Felicis…”

“Very generous, but still reasonable.”

“And decorated with Basilisk skin! Do you still have the remains for sale?”

Ominis pressed a hand to his forehead. “Yes. That’s the overboard part.”

Selene shrugged. Ominis knew her too well to be surprised.

“Just admit you have a crush on him,” he said.

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

There were many things Selene loved about Ominis. His annoying habit of being always right was not one of them.

“So what if I did,” she said slowly. “It doesn’t mean a thing. It’s just fun to tease him.”

“Just keep in mind that if your ‘teasing’ succeeds, it will be a long-distance relationship.”

Selene blinked. “Because of the whole ‘parallel universe’ thing?”

“No. Because he is rather tall.”

A squeak from Ominis told Selene that her pillow had founded its intended target.

Thank you for reading 💙

Now, it's time for the pretty art by @cheonchi!!! Thank you so much for letting me bully borrow Vega and another amazing Selene art you did, I am still very touched 🥹And of course Lyra and Aesop are my new favourite detective duo!!!

Selene and the muskrill (lyrabubu). More about lyrabubu here.

Lyra the matchmaker (and blushing Vega)

Lyra and Aesop spying on Vega and Selene (when they actually go on a date to Hogsmeade)

Aesop and Aesop (my screenshot).

Text dividers

[shadowsaregrey]

The world needs more lizards in STEM

[j5daigada]

commissioned by @crabemporium; a chibi of his OC Velene

thanks for commissioning!