Chapter 10

The Christmas holidays soon drew to a close, and the students prepared to get back to lessons. Harry, Hermione and Ron decided not to let Cecile get to them, Dumbledore was aware of everything, so surely it would all be okay.

After a week of lessons Cecile didn't seem to be following Harry at all. The three friends hadn't noticed her hanging around as much as before Christmas. Maybe she was starting to be more normal?

The days went on and Cecile started to seem just like any other student again. The trio agreed to talk to her, check if she was okay, and see if she still seemed intent on checking up on Harry. One morning they sat next to Cecile at the breakfast table.

"Hi Cecile" Ron spoke first.

Harry and Hermione looked surprised, but smiled and carried on the conversation.

Cecile spoke casually, seeming more and more normal as the chat went on. When the friends left for their first lessons they all agreed that maybe, just maybe, Cecile wasn't so crazy. Maybe she was just playing a trick before? They didn't know, all they knew was she was okay now.

The four started to talk together more and more, and started to join each other for breakfast every morning to catch up on events and homework help. A couple of weeks past, and things started to get very close again.

Cecile started trying to talk to Harry more and more on his own, and take him away from the other two. She ran after them when they left classes together, she turned up at Hagrid's Hut when she wasn't even told they were going.

One evening in the common room, while Cecile was finishing her homework in the girls' dormitory, Harry, Ron and Hermione started talking, again.

"This is starting to get too much again" Harry said first.

"I thought the same things! She seemed normal for a change, should have known it was too good to be true! Freak from the start, freak till the end." Ron started to sound annoyed.

"Oh Ron, I wish I could disagree, but, you're right. Why has she been so, normal, for so long and now starts following us too much again. It was all some kind of game for her; I really can't cope with this anymore!" Hermione began to cry.

Harry and Ron looked uncomfortably at each other, and both put their arms around Hermione. They needed to sort this out once and for all.

The next moment Cecile walked into the common room.

"Oi. We need to talk." Ron shouted at Cecile. She looked bemused, and walked towards the trio.

"What's the matter?" She said sweetly.

"What's the matter? WHAT'S THE MATTER? You need to ask? You're a freak, that's what the matter is. Bloody hell Cecile you need to back off. You're too close AGAIN! Following us everywhere. You need to get the message, we don't want to be your friend, leave us alone. Especially Harry! You follow him everywhere, like a little lap dog!" Ron bellowed at her.

Cecile looked as though she was going to cry, then, through her cloudy eyes, a smile started to form.

"Oh, Ronald. I am sorry you feel this way." Her accent so thick Ron had to listen carefully. "I should explain myself, I have to follow you all, you see. My master has instructed me to watch you all. Especially Harry. I can't disobey, you see. I hope you understand." Suddenly, the smile faded, and Cecile again looked tearful. She carried on.

"Oh. I have said too much." Cecile looked down at her feet, and started muttering. "He won't be happy I've told you. Oh he really won't, don't tell anyone please. Please. Please."

Cecile ran out of the common room through the portrait hole.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in shock.

"Well, I see she still has her master." Ron snarled.

"Oh no. This isn't good, is it! She seemed too angry at herself for telling us, whoever it is, who tells her to watch us, must be scary. They must have threatened her." Hermione looked concerned. "I'm actually quite worried, I'm sure she doesn't want to be in this situation. No one would! Unless is under a spell. We need to talk to Hagrid, Dumbledore won't help us, maybe he will?"