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𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐌  ── ◦'𖥸'◦ ──  𝒜𝒞𝒯 𝒪𝒩𝐸
↳ ❛ he's broken into the castle ❜︎
𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟯 ╱ ╱  🏛🧺 ˚◞𑁍ﾟ𝙿𝙻𝚄𝚃𝙾𝚂𝚆𝙸𝙵𝚃

In no time Defense Against the Dark Arts became everyone's favorite class. Celeste sometimes noticed how Remus would send sorrowful looks towards her and Harry's way.

Only Draco seemed to have a problem with it which made Celeste find it hard to believe. He would make fun of his patched robes.

However, Draco shut his mouth after her comment one day in Professor Lupin's class. "Shut up, in case you have forgotten but not anyone wants to spend money on expensive robes." she snapped. "What matters is the person and not judging people by what they wear."

She shot Remus a sweet smile which the man returned. Celeste could've sworn Ron wanted to leap over his seat and squeeze the life out of the brunette.

Nobody seemed to care that his robes were patched and frayed.

His next few lessons were interesting at first. After the Boggarts, they studied the Red Caps, nasty little goblin-like creatures that lurked wherever there had been bloodshed: in the dungeons of the castles and the potholes of the deserted battlefields, waiting to bludgeon those who had gotten lost. From Red Caps they moved onto Kappas, creepy little water dwellers.

Overall, Celeste has been so invested in this class.

Celeste had grown to dislike Professor Trelawney's class ever since she found out her little fate from a couple of tea leaves.

Not to mention Parvarti and Lavender have been getting on her nerves.

"Hey!" Celeste snapped at them one time when she was working in class. "I'm right here so quit talking like I'm about to be on my deathbed soon."

Lavender's cheeks flushed at the many eyeballs staring at them and sent the girl a frightened look.

Nobody really liked Care of Magical Creatures except Celeste.

( Which everyone found her crazy )

"Why would anyone bother watching after them?" Ron commented after poking lettuce down a flobberworm's throat.

"Relax Ronald, it's all about nature ─"

"If you say nature one more time, I will punch your face." Ron deadpanned, earning a glare from Harry as if he was trying to say, 'go ahead and try'.

Quidditch season was on and Celeste was so excited now that she got her original position back from Draco.

Lucius Malfoy must've heard about his niece was a marvelous Seeker and decided after watching his son play, that maybe his son was only cut out to be a Chaser instead.

"This is my last chance to win the Quidditch Cup." Marcus speeches. "We had the worst luck last year ─"

The Chamber of Secrets.

"Then the year before when those snobby Gryffindor's ruined the House Cup for us."

There were many murmurs of agreement from everyone on the team. Celeste also found it biased how Dumbledore gave her fewer points despite everything she went through.

Marcus clapped Celeste on the back, "We have our fantastic Seeker back, aka our secret Ace."

Thomas Montague smirked, "About time, no offense Malfoy."

"None was taken," Draco responded dully but he felt awfully offended by the grimace on his face.

Celeste bit her lip to refrain from laughing at this sour expression.

"Ouch," muttered Adrian Pucey who snickered against his palm.

"Was I really that bad?" Draco was quite sullen by their reactions and words.

"The snitch was above your head mate, but your ego was so far up Potter's arse─" Thomas Montague began earning a roar of laughter. Miles Bletchley was leaning on his broom to keep himself from falling.

Celeste wasn't any better either, in fact, she remembered Marcus scolding him which didn't help her case.

"What I am trying to say is that we need to win this year. This is my last year and I'm not about to let Oliver Wood win." Marcus' eyes darkened at the mere thought of the Gryffindor Keeper.

Marcus and Oliver had a rivalry going on since they joined the Quidditch team in their second year. Both of them were Keepers which sparked competitiveness between the Slytherin and Gryffindor.

"Which means every Thursday we need to train hard, got it?"

"Yes, Captain!"

Celeste entered the Fat Lady portrait that evening to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Great you guys are all here!"

The whole Gryffindor common room was in a buzz. Parvati sent Celeste a glare, "What's she doing here?"

"Shove it, Patil," Hermione scowled, "Percy gave her the password. Besides, everyone likes Cece so it doesn't matter what you think."

Parvati scoffed and hmphed at the bushy-haired girl's comment and turned back to Lavender.

"The first Hogsmeade trip. You guys are going, right? End of October, Halloween." Celeste said the last part with a bit of sadness.

Halloween was the Anniversary of Celeste's mum and Harry's parents passing. "I'm not sure I want to go...." Celeste sighed.

"And why not little Fox?" said Fred who had followed Celeste through the portrait hole. He handed her a chocolate bar. "I need to visit Zonkos. I'm nearly out of Stink Pellets. Since you do like to prank sometimes, I thought Georgie and I could show you around." he winked.

Harry threw himself into a chair beside Ron, his high spirits crushed since he realized that everyone was going except him. His plans to spend time with his friends ─ specifically Celeste had been tossed into the trash can.

"I'm sure you can go next time!" Celeste said. "When they catch my uncle, who I never met, we can go wherever at Hogsmeade. And I think I might stay this time because Fred and George snuck me out ─"

"They did what?!" Harry's voice raised slightly. Celeste rolled her eyes and sat on the armrest of his chair.

"I─I can't ask you to do that," said Harry.

Celeste shrugged and gave him the look, the one he can't possibly resist. The puppy eyes. "I'm staying, and Arabella's probably worried enough."

( A trait obviously passed by Regulus Black who also got his way of things )

"Black's not a fool enough to try anything in Hogsmeade," said Ron. "Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry. The next one might not be for ages ─"

"Ron!" said Hermione. "Harry and Celeste are supposed to stay in school ─ I know Ms. Figg's signed your permission slip, but as your best friend, I am worried about your safety─"

"He can't be the only third-year left behind," said Ron. "Ask McGonagall, go on, Harry ─"

"Yeah, I think I will," said Harry making up his mind. Hermione opened her mouth to argue but Crookshanks leaped onto Celeste's lap. A large dead spider dangling from his mouth.

"Oh, Crookshanks! And just when I realized I forgot to bring Leo." Celeste scolded herself.

"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?" cooed Hermione.

Seamus Finnigan popped up out of nowhere, "Malfoy's looking for you. Has his guard dogs in front of the portrait." he looked awfully pissed.

"And that's my cue to leave." Celeste sighed in annoyance. "I'll see you guys later, bye Harry."

"Bye Cecily." Harry smiled slightly, quite disappointed she was leaving.

Once she left his friends smirked at his dreamy face.

"But it's Hogsmeade! Why would you want to miss any of that?" Blaise complained.

Theo was wrestling a plant that just bloomed while Celeste tried to help him. "Yeah! We're supposed to get butter beers together." he pouted.

"I'm sorry but Harry's going to be all alone and ─"

"Oolala of course the Potter boy you love to talk about so much!" Blaise smirked.

Theo finally pushed the plant away and glanced over at them, "I think staying at Hogwarts is a good idea for Celeste. Your crazy uncle is out there looking for you."

"See Theo agrees," said Celeste.

Once Herbology was over they had Transfiguration next. She saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione talking to a sobbing Lavender with Parvat, Seamus, and Dean at her sides with serious expressions.

"Do they honestly believe in that stuff?" Daphne Greengrass, a girl that's taken quite a liking towards Celeste came over. "Her bunny is sick and thinks it as something to do with what Trelawney said."

"Honestly, I don't know at this point. I'm trying very hard not to think about it myself." Celeste answered to the dark mousy haired girl.

Celeste ventured through the corridors searching for where Harry could possibly be. She wished Blaise, Daphne, and Theo a wonderful time at Hogsmeade.

She was thinking of going to the Owlery when a voice made her stop in her tracks.

"Celeste?"

"Professor Lupin, Harry!" Celeste stated in surprise and was taken aback.

"I see that you stayed as well. Did your guardian not sign your permission slip?" Remus questioned with an unknown tone that Celeste couldn't decipher.

"I didn't want to leave Harry alone...and with the whole grim stuff and my Sirius Black on the loose," Celeste mumbled.

"You should've gone." Harry scolded.

"Like you can convince me to go." Celeste retorted.

Sympathy washed the Lupin and he gestured them to follow into his classroom. "Why don't you both come in? I've just taken delivery of a Grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" said Harry.

Celeste and Harry walked into his class. The corner had a large tank of water. A sickly green creature with sharp little horns had its face pressed against the glass.

The Black grimace at the sight. "That's a water demon isn't it?"

"Correct," Remus beamed.

Moments later Celeste was sipping on some tea and sat beside Harry who seemed nervous at the thought of drinking any more tea.

"McGonagall told me about what happened at Trelawney's class. You're not worried are you?"

"No," responded Harry.

Celeste chuckled a bit at Harry's expression.

Harry seemed to be into his thoughts so Celeste decided to do the talking. "Professor? When we were fighting that Boggart, why were you trying to avoid Harry and I? I got up but Harry didn't have a chance to do this."

"I would have thought that was obvious to you both." he sounded surprised. Harry, who had expected Lupin to deny it was taken aback.

"Why?" Harry asked this time."

"Well," said Lupin, growing a small frown on his lips. "I assured you that if Boggart faces you, it would assume the shape of Lord Voldemort." Harry stared. Not only was this the last answer he'd expected.

Celeste could see what he meant.

"Obviously I was wrong." Remus sighed, remembering Celeste's boggart. "I thought Lord Voldemort would pop up. But your fear is fear itself ─ very wise. As for you, Celeste yours reminds me of someone I once knew."

Harry remembered Boggart all too well. "I don't think you're a disappointment."

"Aw, thanks, Harry." Celeste cracked a big grin. It made her feel better to know that she had friends to support her.

Remus couldn't help but think that her boggart was similar to Sirius Black's, he also feared being a failure. Something he learned to overcome when he ran away from home.

"You know when I first saw you both, I recognized you two immediately. Not by your scar, it was the color of your eyes. They were your mother Lily's and your father Regulus." Remus smiled wryly.

Celeste blinked in shock, "I never knew your father, Regulus that well, but your mothers were there for me for a time where nobody else was. Not only were they gifted witches, but Lily and Reyna were also uncommonly kind."

"Lily had a way of seeing the beauty in others, especially one who couldn't see it in themselves, and Reyna was the most selfless woman I have ever known. Always sacrificing herself for others."

The Black blinked back her tears and squeezed Harry's hand. He didn't know how to feel either. It was nice to learn more about their parents when they couldn't remember themselves.

"James on the other hand... let's just say he has a talent for trouble. Regulus and I never knew each other. James and I never knew what she saw in him. But what mattered the most is that our best friend was happy. He certainly lived up to his House name. He'd cause mischief with his friends as well, but didn't get caught either unlike James." Remus snorted. "Regulus was very misunderstood. I wish I'd known him better. James and Regulus seemed to have passed those traits onto you two."

Remus' gaze softened on the two kids in front of him. "You're more like them than you know."

"I─Is he alive?" Celeste asked curiously. He was acquainted with her father.

"His disappearance remains a mystery to me as well. Nobody knows if he's dead or alive." Remus remarked. "All I know is that when Reyna walked up to the Potter home, he left behind a letter explaining that he's leaving her," Remus explained in hints and anguish. "She was heartbroken...but then you came into her life and gave her purpose."

There was a knock on the door and Professor Lupin straightened his posture, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Snape carrying a goblet, which was smoking faintly. "Ah Severus," said Lupin, smiling. "Thanks very much, Could you leave it here on the desk for me?"

The Potion master sets it on the desk, his eyes on the Potter and Black.

"I was just showing Harry and Celeste my Grindylows," said Lupin pleasantly. He gestured over to Celeste and Harry, not once removing his eyes from Snape.

"Fascinating," said Snape without looking at the tank. "You should drink that directly, Lupin."

"Yes, Yes, I will," said Remus.

"I made an entire cauldron if you need more." Professor Snape glanced over at Celeste, eyes flickering with a bit of worry. He knew that the Black was quite intelligent for her age, reminding him of his first love.

"I should probably have some again tomorrow. Thank you very much, Severus."

"Not at all."

With that, Celeste was left in wonder why Professor Lupin would trust something made by the Potion master. The brunette noticed there was a rivalry going on the moment Dumbledore announced that Lupin was the new DADA teacher.

Celeste and Harry walked together to the Great hall. "Why would Professor Lupin trust anything Snape makes. I get that he's my Head of House but he's very...."

"He's a git, that's what," Harry stated, earning a laugh from Celeste. The Potter smiled, glad that her mood brightened ever since the past events this past month.

"Soon we'll be able to go together," Harry promised. "We can get all the chocolate strawberries you want."

When they entered the Great Hall they saw their friends waving at them.

"Thanks for making me feel better." Celeste embraced Harry, realizing that their time was over.

"Don't you wanna say hi to the others?"

"I don't want to get yelled at by the dungeon bat. My guess is he didn't like a Slytherin associating with the new Defense Against the Arts teacher." she scoffed.

The Black was right, Professor Snape has been sending her daggers the moment she arrived.

"What an arse," Harry commented. He didn't understand why Snape had hatred against one of his own snakes.

"I'll talk to you guys later or the next morning, right now I'm going to sit with Theo and Blaise."

The Potter snorted making Celeste glare, "Oh stop it, Harold Potter!"

"My name isn't Harold!"

Celeste only spun on her heels and smirked, waving mockingly at her childhood friend, and left to go sit at the Slytherin table for evening dinner.

Theo dramatically got up from his spot, "Princess I missed you! Blaise was such a bore without you there."

"Shut up Nott and sit down," Blaise scolded, pulling him by the scruff of his collared shirt and setting him down.

"I missed you guys, did you guys have fun?"

"We did, but it wasn't the same without you," said Blaise.

Draco came over with a small bag of sweets and two other bags, "I bought you a couple of things."

"Whoa, Draco you didn't have to." Celeste marveled when she pulled out a perfume bottle. "How much was it?"

"Doesn't matter, it's nonrefundable," Draco smirked and gave his cousin a kiss on the forehead. "Enjoy them, little cousin. How was your stay here? Were you bored?"

"Not really, I spent some time with Harry and Professor Lupin."

On cue, the three boys made noises of disgust which made Celeste roll her eyes at their childishness.

"You three are so ridiculous." Celeste laughed and side embraced Draco. "Lets just eat already, I'm hungry. Thanks for the gifts Draco."

The Gryffindors discovered the fat lady missing due to the portrait of the Gryffindor common room slashed. When the Professor arrived they were also troubled by this as well.

Dumbledore was questioning Peeves; they failed to realize that the Slytherin princess of the school might've been in danger as well.

"Nasty temper he's got, Sirius Black."

"Where's Cecily?" Harry asked out loud earning looks of alarm from their Professors. The Potter noticed this and also became worried.

It was Severus Snape who snapped out of his daze and immediately became panicked, something that was very unlike the Potion master. "I saw her leave with Nott, Zabini, and Malfoy to the Slytherin common room. We need to make sure she's okay."
"I'm coming too!" shouted Harry.

"Yeah if she's in danger I want to see if she's okay!" protested Ron and Hermione.

"You stay right you are you three!" McGonagall pointed at the three.

Out of a sudden, Minerva McGonagall broke into a speed-run along with Severus tailing behind her. "THE SLYTHERIN COMMON ROOM IMMEDIATELY!"

On their way, they passed Remus who also seemed puzzled at the state they were in until Minerva told him. Immediately the Lupin also joined the fray of worried Professors to search for Celeste Black.

"Where is she?!" Remus growled, eyes glinting a hue of gold at the thought of his goddaughter being harmed.

"The common room obviously!" the greasy-haired man shouted at his childhood bully.

Celeste and the boys were playing chess after dinner and sharing sweets from Hogsmeade when the Slytherin wall opened to reveal Snape and McGonagall.

"MS. BLACK ─ MS ─ oh thank Godric you are alright?!" Minerva did something out of character and hugged the dazed and confused Black.

Behind her were Snape and Remus exhausted after the long run to the dungeon common room.

"Of course she's alright," said Theo furiously because the chessboard had been knocked out of the way.

"Sit down Nott." Snape snapped at his student making Theo do as told, gulping down his fear at the look the Slytherin Head gave him.

"What's going on?" asked Celeste in a small voice.

Remus sighed in frustration but gave a look of relief to see she was unscathed.

"Sirius Black broke into the castle Ms. Black," informed her Head of House, the man had a glint of ease to see Celeste in one piece. Though he feared the worst in his next words.

"What?"

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

Hi guys, welcome back to another chapter by mwah. I hope you enjoyed the thirteenth chapter. I'm a fast typer so sorry for my spelling errors. I made a gif set and I'm actually proud of it. So

DISCLAIMER: These gifs are made by me.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Remember to vote & comment because it makes my day to know what you think! Even if it's just a 'hello' I'm totally cool about it cause I love to hear from you guys.

Published on Feb 17, 2021