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𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐌  ── ◦'𖥸'◦ ──  𝒜𝒞𝒯 𝒪𝒩𝐸
↳ ❛ sweetheart i am sorry to tell you that
your uncle sirius has escaped azkaban ❜︎
𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟰 ╱ ╱  🏛🧺 ˚◞𑁍ﾟ𝙿𝙻𝚄𝚃𝙾𝚂𝚆𝙸𝙵𝚃

Celeste Black sat at the roof of her house watching the stars in wonder. Eyes glowing in innocence and awe. She was a strange child in so many ways.

For one thing, she didn't mind the summer holidays. The Black enjoyed doing homework but as soon as she finished, Celeste played the piano until Arabella Figgs, her guardian told her to stop because the cats were sleeping.

In two weeks she'll be going to the place she called home. Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry for her third year of education.

"Tomorrow you'll head to Leaky Cauldron and stay there for a few days...an old friend of mine needs my help." Arabella Figgs announced.

Arabella Figgs was a squib who had four cats. The woman-owned a pet store downtown Little Whinging. She raised Celeste Black her whole life ever since she was dropped off at her doorstep.

The Black turned her head to see Arabella Figgs sitting beside the brunette. "Before I go...there's something I need to tell you. About your father's side of the family."

Although the Black didn't know anything about her parents ( ━━ mostly stories about mother and not about her father ) she was surprised that Arabella would bring up Regulus.

Celeste's ears perked up at that and snapped her head at Ms. Figgs sharp features.

"Your Uncle...Sirius Black is on the loose. Minister Fudge believes he will be targeting Harry but especially you." Arabella continued, eyes swarming in guilt.

Celeste sighed tiredly, "Which is why you want me to go to Leaky Cauldron. I'll be safe there...but I don't want to leave you so soon."

Arabella's face decorate a look of melancholy, "I'm so sorry that I can't protect you, I am a squib Cece━━"

"You are so much more than that!" Celeste interrupted. She despised how little Arabella thought of herself.

The Figgs woman wiped her tears with the pads of her hand and sniffled, "The Knight Bus will be here any moment. Your bags are already packed. I figured you'd argue with me on this but realize I'm doing this for your protection and own good."

That's how Celeste Black found herself sitting alone at the front of the bus wearing a terrified expression at the driver. Suddenly the doors abruptly open to reveal Harry Potter dizzily stepping on board.

"Harry?" Celeste asked unsurely. Maybe she was imagining things, After all, Celeste lacked hours of sleep because her guardian basically used her out of the house.

"Cecily?" Harry questioned, blinking owlishly. His round glasses smudged and his eyes red and puffy. Celeste becomes worried for the Potter boy and scoots over for him to sit.

Harry placed his head against her shoulder and Celeste hugged his side. He was shaking.

"What happened?" Celeste asked after a few moments the bus moved once more.

"Dursleys." Harry sniffed, he didn't feel like he had been able to sleep at all since traveling on the bus.

The driver and Stan kept yapping the whole time until Celeste's eyes went to the newspaper Ernie had in his hold.

Harry recognized him from the muggle news. Stanley turned to the front page and chuckled, "Sirius Black."

"Course 'e was on the Muggle news, Neville, Hermione. Where have you been?" Before Celeste got onto the bus, Figgs recommended her using a fake name to get on the bus. So she went with Hermione.

"You oughta read the news more both of you!"

The big letters written in bold letters made Celeste shiver. BLACK STILL AT LARGE.

Celeste didn't put that much into it but all she remembered was Arabella Figgs telling her that her uncle had a part in her mother's death.

Harry seemed to connect the dots of the surnames and squeezed her hand, "I'm sorry."

"It's alright...now we both know why Aunt Figgs locked me in the house all summer. She's been worried nonstop." Celeste sighed softly, she tried to act okay, but deep down

Celeste grabbed a spare newspaper and finally took a good look at her uncle. Shadowed eyes and a sunken face that seemed to make him alive. He had white waxy skin and was malnourished.

"Scary eh?" Stan watched the two read.

"He murdered thirteen people?" said Celeste, handing the page back. "With one curse?"

"Yep," said Stan. "In front of witness an' all. Broad daylight. Big trouble it caused, dinnit, Ern? Ministry believes she'd be going after the Blacks!"

The whole time Celeste and Harry sat in silence. Only the sound of the bus shaking and Ernie's humming could be heard.

"Supporter of 'You Know Who'

"What Voldemort?" Harry asked without thinking and Celeste slapped his arm, "Harry!"

"Sorry I forgot!"

"What a lame excuse."

Stan and Ernie snickered at the pair. They acted like an old married couple.

The Knight Bus rolled through the darkness scattering bushes and bollards, telephone boxes, and streets. Harry and Celeste laid on the mattress absolutely miserable and exhausted.

Many would come and go on the Knight Bus. Lastly, it was just Celeste and Harry on the bus.

"Where to?"

Harry thought for a moment, "Diagon Alley."

"Hang tight,"

There was a loud bang and they were thundering along the Charing Crossroad.

Celeste sat up and watched the buildings go away as the seasons. Ern slammed his brakes and Celeste nearly flew forward if it wasn't for Harry who grabbed her arm to steady the poor girl.

Once they exited off the train with their stuff they gave a quick thanks for Ern.

"Bye then!"

Stan wasn't paying attention because he gawked at the presence at the doorway to the bus.

Cornelius Fudge stood there smiling at the pair. "Hello Harry, Celeste!"

Stan leaped onto the pavement beside them. "What didja' call Neville and Hermione Minister?"

Fudge a portly little man in a long, pinstriped cloak, looked cold and exhausted, "Neville? Hermione? No this is Harry Potter and Celeste Black!"

"I knew it!" Stan shouted gleefully, then his face saddens when he sees Celeste. Spitting images of her mother. Everyone in the Wizard World knew Celeste Black's mother.

Reyna De Martel, Heart of the Wizard World. A descendant of Merlin, but referred to as the Queen of Hearts for capturing many souls during the rough time of the First War.

No longer living, her legacy now lives through Celeste Black. A girl who barely knew anything about Reyna or Regulus Black. She has a burden on her shoulders forced to carry it everywhere.

Celeste, Harry, and Cornelius sat in a small parlor. "I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The Minister of Magic." Harry and Celeste already knew this of course. He had seen Fudge once before but only when they were using the invisibility cloak.

"You had us all in a right flap, I don't mind telling you. Running away from your aunt and uncle's house like that! I'd started to think...but you're safe, and that's what matters."

The Minister of Magic turned to Celeste next. He looked at her in sheer awe and in a bit of fright, "I didn't believe it at first until I saw the newspaper last year of you posing with Lockhart...poor fellow doesn't have his memories back yet, but you look just like your mother! Always had people at the edge of their toes, could be on the same level as Moody."

How is it everyone got to know her mother except Celeste? She, a baby whose mother died protecting her while Regulus, her father's death is unknown.

"She worked for the Ministry. Although for a short time, Reyna seemed to have the court on their feet...always outspoken and a very talented Witch." Fudge murmured.

"Oh," Celeste stated with no emotion.

Cornelius took notice of her baggy eyes and moved on. He stated that they reversed what Harry has done to his Aunt Marge and alternated the memories.

The Black pursed her lips to stop her and the laughter threatened to escape.

Harry then also asked Fudge about Sirius Black and if he could sign his permission slip.

Arabella already signed Celeste's permission slip to Hogsmeade. But at this point, she didn't know if she was allowed to go now because of Sirius Black.

In the end, Harry and Celeste went up to their designated rooms that were free and paid for by Fudge.

Before she entered room twelve, she glanced back at Harry, "Cecily?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you are here." Harry rushed out the words, a faint blush on his face.

Celeste's face softened at his words, though she was tired she shot him a weak smile, "Me too."

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╭                                                         ╮
✎↷... 𝒂 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒂 ✉️
➩ 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢!
╰                                                         ╯

Before y'all come at me. The reason why Celeste doesn't know much about Regulus is that the Marauders weren't particularly close with Regulus at all, nobody knew him personally except his brother.

However, everyone at Hogwarts and friends knew Reyna De Martel. She wasn't isolated from other houses. So they knew one or two things about Reyna.

Published: 02/06/2021