Chapter 10: The Mead and the Elixir

Celine felt like her head was going to explode.
The last couple of days a whirlwind of black and white.
Black satin trimmed suit.
Black lace dress.
Black patent leather and crocodile print stiletto.

White calla lilies.
White satin linings in the coffin.
White runners going through the funeral home.

It all felt like a dream.
Each night curled in her blankets, she'd have the sudden urge to write to him. To ask him about his day. And he just wasn't there.
Just like Fred.
Now the shadows that followed her weren't just of Fred.
She'd see him too. Just like Fred. Not a ghost. Just something that occasionally appeared just out of the corner of her vision.

Then there were the people. Why didn't they understand she wanted to be left alone?
Someone constantly watching her, making sure she was okay just added to the burden she felt. The gnawing loneliness that came with having to come to terms of becoming an orphan.

"The important bit is that you have memories of him with you." Harry pointed out. They were sitting in the Burrow's kitchen, their trunks packed and ready to leave when they receive the signal from Professor McGonagall.

Celine was barely aware of Hermione shooting a look at Harry. Instead she said, "He's right 'Mione. I had more time with Papa than I did Fred."
A wave of self-pity washed over her making her mouth grimace with self-disgust. Spying the bottle of mead she'd receive over Christmas she grabbed it from where it peeked out of her leather messenger bag.

"I'm opening this." Celine announced.
"Oh, I don't think we should. Professor McGonagall should be sending the signal any time now-…" Hermione began. Celine was already pouring the drink into a glass.

"Anyone want some? No? Cheers." She took a swig from the glass, making a face. Her tongue was overwhelmed with the bitter fluid and it reared up, hitting the roof of her mouth. It burned going down her throat.
It was a different kind of burning though. One that suddenly made her fingers clench or spasm violently. Her throat was tightening.

"Guys…" She gasped, clawing at her throat. It felt like her skin was too tight for her body. Her throat screamed for any sort of moisture, each swallow of saliva meant pain. Celine could faintly here someone screaming in the background.

She slowly blinked her eyes, heavy and sticky with sleep. There was a soft blue light illuminating from the opposite wall. The disinfectant scent of clean woolen blankets surrounded her.

"Celine…oh thank Merlin, Celine." Mrs. Weasley's voice said from somewhere on her right. "Thank goodness you're alright."

Her throat hurt. Struggling to sit up against her pillows she tried to reach for the jug of water on her bedside table.
"Stop, lay back down, I'll get that for you. Just rest dear."Mrs. Weasley bustled to the nightstand.
"Where am I?" Her vision slowly came into focus.
"St. Mungo's." Mrs. Weasley handed her the tall glass filled with warm barley water. It felt like silk going down her throat, warming up her body. Her toes felt warm and she could feel the tip of her fingers again.

"What happened?"
"Celine...I don't know how to tell you…you were poisoned. That mead you drank...if the boys didn't get you to St Mungo's immediately…" Mrs. Weasley's face was overwrought with emotion. "So soon. We could have lost you."
"Where is everyone?"
"They had to go back to school. Professor McGonagall told them they'd be able to drop in after lessons tomorrow." Mrs. Weasley said. "I'm just so glad you're safe. Arthur, George and Percy should be down here as soon as they get off work. Fleur even dropped some homemade chicken soup."
"Oh please Mrs. Weasley, I don't want to hassle anyone-…"
"You aren't a hassle dear. Why would you think that? We care about you. I think some people are going to want to ask some questions about the mead though. Do you remember who it was from? Ron said it had been a gift?"

"I don't…I don't know. Draco said it was left in front of Thunder's portrait…back at school. If it was from him… why wouldn't he just bring it in?"
"Draco? You mean Narcissa's son? Why would he want to kill you? Her life and his are much better off without Lucius!" said.
"That's the thing Mrs. Weasley, I don't know." Her eyes fell on the bracelet with the single emerald. She hadn't even noticed she was still wearing it. "It did came in the same wrapping paper though…"
"Wrapping paper can be bought anywhere. Murder is a very serious accusation, best be careful with how you connect the dots dear."

The door swung open revealing a wizened beaked-nose wizard wearing a Healer's uniform.
"Miss…" He peered at the chart in his hands. "-Van Allen? Yes, you are one lucky duck. Lucky your friends were quick on their feet. Another five minutes and the poison would have been fully absorbed by your circulatory system, coagulating your blood-…oh err…yes…quite unnecessary for you to know the details." The Healer coughed catching the menacing look from Mrs. Weasley. He redirected his gaze towards Celine. "You should be able to return to school in a day or so. I'll have to drop in tomorrow but if you continue making progress the way you are now, I don't see why not. Wouldn't want you to miss too much of school. Is this your final year?"
"Yes."
"Well good luck on your exams then." The Healer smiled exiting the room. "Oh and before I forget, Healer Leonard wanted me to ask you to stop by his office before you leave."

Celine held onto the Forget-Me-Not elixir bottles tightly. She had taken double the dosage – with expressed permission from Healer Leonard – after learning what he had to say.

"It appears that someone has switched out the elixir you've been drinking. It isn't Forget-Me-Not but it's something quite similar with the small exception that it enhances your anxiety rather than combat it." Healer Leonard explained.
"I don't understand how someone could switch it out. I always carry the vials with me." Celine said.
"Did you ever ask someone to hold your things while at a party? A stranger perhaps?" Healer Leonard asked. Celine's eyebrows wrinkled. "I don't know where you get your impression of Hogwarts, Healer Leonard but there hasn't been any parties that would jeopardize the safety of a student."
"No, just Christmas presents."

The smile slipped off of Celine's face. "What am I supposed to do now? I can't leave these in my room, what if something happens and I need to take them?"
"That's another thing I've been meaning to have a talk with you about. I think it's time we wean you off the elixirs."
"What?! But…I need them…"
"That's true. But we're past the adjustment period Miss Van Allen and really, it's not healthy to be using the elixir as a crutch-…"
"I'm not using it as a crutch."
"The very fear you have about leaving the vials in your room says differently."
"Look, okay. I'll leave it in my room. But please Healer Leonard, I need to stop seeing these…things. I'm not getting enough sleep. My dreams are so vivid that it's affecting my sleep quality. I can't…function like this."
"There, there Miss Van Allen. Remember what we talked about. It's all just a manifestation of your guilt. A guilt that you have no reason for bearing in the first place."
"If I had been there-…"
"Either you would have been seriously injured or would have died along with him. You know this. Everyone has their destiny on Earth. Yours hasn't been fulfilled yet."
"And Fred's was?" Celine asked darkly.
"Point is Miss Van Allen, we've all got to move on. It's like holding a piece of coal in your hand. That coal is your sadness and anger and though it's simmering the way embers do, you're holding it tightly in your hand. Eventually you're going to burn yourself. That pain will burn you more than it will hurt others. Stop before it's too late."
Celine grabbed the vials from his desk, making sure they were securely in her bookbag before shaking his hand to leave.

"Remember what I said Celine, don't continue to dwell in the past and forget to live."

So here she was sitting in her room in Hogwarts, clutching the vials tightly to her chest. Professor McGonagall had questioned her before she could get back to her room.

"I realize this is a difficult time for you Miss Van Allen if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I know the Aurors are looking into the investigation of your father's death-…"

"And?"

"I'm afraid there's nothing new that I can add other than what the Ministry have already told you."

"-there's no leads then." Celine tried to mask the disappointment in her voice but it came out thick and husky anyway.

"Miss Van Allen if there's anything I can do-…"

"Professor…do you happen to know who invented the Time-Turner?" Celine asked. Professor McGonagall leant back against her leather chair with her lips pursed further defining the lines around them.
"Why do you ask?" Her eyes were narrowed behind her spectacles.
Celine shrugged. "I was just curious. We were talking about it in Charms once and how it's disastrous to you know…go back in time for more than a couple of hours."
"Yes…disastrous is quite simply an understatement Miss Van Allen, it can be quite the catastrophe. Days became longer…people disappeared…Miss Granger was asking something quite similar not long ago. I hope you two aren't thinking of anything you shouldn't be doing. Messing with time is dangerous business."
"It doesn't matter though does it, Professor? They've all been destroyed at the Ministry."

"Well, yes."

"Weren't they?"

"Of course, of course they were."

"Then I guess you can tell me who originally invented them. I mean, what harm can it do Professor?"

"Miss Van Allen…you must understand that there hasn't been any official conclusion as to who was the original creator of the Time-Turners, it is after all simply the matter of being able to contain Reversal Charms in a stable container. The problem is the container. There is some magical recipe that only the Department of Mysteries have managed to create."

"So there isn't an official inventor then?"

"Not one that has been recorded, no."

"Well thanks anyway Professor."

"Miss Van Allen…may I advise you please? I know that it isn't quite my place but…I feel that you need to look ahead and push forwards. I think Mr. Weasley would've liked that for you."

Celine felt her heart rate increasing. She couldn't understand it, an overwhelming urge to drink her Elixir swept through her. Clenching her fists she clutched at the straps of her messenger bag.

"Also, I need to talk to you about your recent homework grades in Transfiguration. Now I understand that Professor Slughorn has you tutoring Mr. Wolfe in Potions. I think it would be a splendid idea if you would allow him to help you with a thing or two in Transfiguration. Because frankly my dear if you intend to pass the subject in your NEWTs, you're going to need to put a bit more effort into it."

"I…uhh…sure. If you think it will help, Professor. I'm sorry if I…uh…let you down in some way."

The Professor's gaze softened. "There's nothing for you to apologize for. Just try to work a little harder in class. I know things have been rather difficult, but you have the rest of your life to look forward to Miss Van Allen, and I can't stand here and watch you throw it away."

Celine smiled and nodded. She picked up her luggage and exited the Headmistress's office. It was dinner time. The sounds of students eating and talking echoed up the moving staircases. Celine's eyes casually drifted across the colored stones, reading the names and picturing the faces that she once knew. She didn't know why she did it but she found herself walking down a familiar corridor.
Each step she took felt heavier than the last. Each step a cold stab to the heart. Her eyes knew what they were looking for, that sudden burst of citrus brightness amidst the grey castle stone walls. Her index finger traced his name.

From the corner of her eyes she thought she saw someone running towards her then was suddenly overwhelmed by the scent of coconut and mangoes.
"Oh my goodness Celine." Hermione breathed, hugging her friend tightly. "I'm so glad that you're okay. I was so scared. We were all so scared."

"Hermione," Celine hugged her back trying not to laugh. "-hey, I'm fine. I'm fine."

"No you don't understand…you didn't see…you grew so pale…" Hermione cringed. Celine could tell she was relieving the moment.

"Hey, hey…" Celine gripped Hermione's shoulders, digging her fingers into her muscles. "Come back here. This moment. It's okay. I'm okay."

Hermione sighed, hugging Celine again.

"You want to walk with me to the Tower? Where's Harry and Ron?" Celine asked picking up her luggage.
"They're having extra Quidditch practices tonight."
Celine's eyes widened. "What? I should go down there."
"No." Hermione caught her arm. "Ginny wanted me to say it's okay if you missed this practice. I was hoping to see you. Professor McGonagall said that you would be back after dinner."

"Well I'm here. Hermione…have you totally given up on the Time-Turner idea?"

Hermione glanced at her sharply. "Didn't we talk about this? It's too dangerous."

"Not if we can figure out the instructions to make a container to hold the Reversal Charm." Celine launched into an explanation of the things she had learnt while questioning Professor McGonagall earlier.

"You think that you can figure out the ingredients needed for the glass container?" Hermione asked.
Celine laughed. "I think plan A should be to trying to figure out this charm. It doesn't sound easy."
"I don't think it was ever meant to be easy." Hermione agreed. Celine paused in front of Thunder's portrait.

"We need to find this study. I need to talk to the Baron. I feel like there's more to this than…" Celine paused watching Thunder cock his head. Bold yellow eyes surveyed her regally. "-meets the eye. I can't believe we've never noticed this before."

"What?"

"Portraits. Hermione, we have portraits!" Celine said. "I'll see you later. I think there's a way that I can find out more about this mysterious study."

When she climbed through the portrait hole she was disappointed to find that no one was there.

Did you think Draco was going to wait for you like Hermione?

A glance at the portraits immediately told her that Godric and Salazar must be off to some other event at another more entertaining portrait. She was glad to find Rascal on the back of the sofa. Picking him up she cooed into his unusually large ears, "Hello baby. How are you? Have you been trying to sneak into the Owlery? Did the house-elves feed you?"

"Celine there you are. Where were you last night? You didn't show up at the Prefects' meeting."

Instinctively she held Rascal closer to her body. "Draco…I thought you would've been downstairs."

"I don't have any appetite right now."

Celine glanced at the portraits again and sighed. "There's something I need to ask you and you need to tell me the truth. I need to be able to trust you." She looked into his grey eyes.

Draco blinked slowly. She watched him cross the room from his staircase and sat down on the sofa. "I'll try to satisfy your curiosity."

Celine placed Rascal on the armchair and took the opposite end of the sofa. "Did you send me the mead?"

"No, I found in front of Thunder's portrait. What's going on? Where were you last night?"

"But the wrapping paper is the same as your gift." Celine murmured.

"And that makes you think I sent you the mead? Celine, what are you asking exactly?"

"The mead was poisoned."

All color seemed to drain from his face. He appeared older than he actually was.

"I can't believe it. You can't think…I wanted…to poison you? After everything I…"

"You have done it in the past, haven't you? Dumbledore?" Celine reminded him. Draco shot her a dark look. "That was a desperate situation. And you honestly think that I would jeopardize everything to… kill you? Why? I have absolutely no motif to."

Celine heaved out a sigh, rubbing her face with the tips of her fingers. "I know…I know it all sounds mad. I'm sorry. You have every right to be upset I just…I need to be sure because…I haven't…I haven't had a decent night's sleep and I'm not…trying…to lay awake at night wondering if the person I live with is going to murder me in my sleep."

"I think you had your answer before even talking to me."

Celine glanced at him in confusion.

"You're wearing my bracelet."

A small smile on her lips. "It's a pretty thing. I wouldn't…then how did the mead have the same wrapping paper?"

Draco sighed. "There's a shop in Hogsmeade. On Upper St. Clair street. It's called Hunter's. That's probably where the mead came from. I had the bracelet gift wrapped there. They probably use the same wrapping paper for every one of their customers. You don't happen to have the bottle it came in do you?"

Celine shook her head.

"Well I never took a good look at it, but perhaps we can drop by for a visit and ask some questions."

Rascal jumped in between them, shooting a haughty expression at Draco. Celine tried not to laugh and scratched the cat behind his ears. "Thank you…Draco. For helping. I mean…I know you don't need to. And this bracelet really is pretty."

Draco shrugged. He had the funniest expression on his face, sort of torn between being pleased and embarrassed at the same time. "You too…er…for the coffee. I…it was noted."

"I'm going upstairs. I need to lie down." Celine said picking up her luggage.

"Wait, you're only just now arriving?"

"The mead was poisoned, Draco."

"I didn't realize you drank it."

1 a.m.
Celine had finished her rounds. Bidding goodbye to Gloria Clearwater, a fifth year Ravenclaw prefect she made her way back to the Tower.

All the while her mind kept repeating the close call with the mead. A morbid connection began in her mind wondering if that it was a message for her to commit suicide.
Celine shook her head. These thoughts weren't positive. It was almost as if the elixir wasn't working anymore.
Yes it is, you're just not used to the lower dosages. You're being paranoid.

To prove a point to herself she thought of the last time those apparitions of Fred or Marc have come to her and most of them occurred after completing mountainous homework and replying endless sympathy and condolences letters. It brought back all manners of unpleasant memories from her mother's funeral.
All her energy was directed into not opening that door.

The proceedings had been a mess. Gathering her belongings from the simple bakery where Helena had created the most delightful pastry creations attracting both Muggles and wizards alike. Had it been her father who arranged the funeral? Or had it been his assistant?
Celine only remembered the cold train ride back from Beauxbaton. She remembered the empty carriages and the surreal quietness that enveloped her.

A relaxing bubble bath was what she needed. The personal en-suite in her bedroom has only a shower but Celine supposed the short distance between the Tower and the luxurious Prefects' bathroom is negligible.

When she entered the mermaid usually standing watch making sure that girls wouldn't walk in on guys or vice-versa was fast asleep. Thin blonde hair blew over her face as she snored lightly. The goblets were still burning brightly in their holders despite the late hour.
That was fine.
Celine carefully chose to open the taps that attracted her attention that night. From cool jades to peaceful teals the Olympic-sized bathtub was soon filled with bubbles all shades of blue and green while the air was fragranced with the sweet, refreshing scent of mint, tea tree and green apples.
She wondered briefly why there was even a need for such a large bathtub, Celine's mind imagining orgies back when Hogwarts wasn't Hogwarts. Had there even been a time?

The Roman daybed was comfortable beneath her and the cream coverings smelled fresh and clean. Her legs splayed on either side so that her skirt hiked further up.
It's been so long.
Her fingers fluttered to the ends of her pleated skirt, stroking her inner thigh. Celine kicked off her prim school-approved Mary Janes and settled back against the goose-feather pillow. Her left hand unbuttoned the white blouse and dove into her bra, pinching her nipples. Closing her eyes she felt her fingers brush the waistband of her dainty underwear.
The last time was perhaps when she accidentally walked in on Draco.

In an instant she was brought back to that moment.
Draco pumping his dick in what he thought was the confines of his room. She could remember the sweat on his chest and shoulders. An involuntary lick of her lips as she thought about his glistening tip.
What would it taste like?
What would it feel like to wrap her lips around that large dick?
There had been stark white scars around his stomach, crisscrossing down his hips. What she would give to kiss those scars, trace them with her tongue to wherever it ended. Her fingers pinched her left nipple so that it grew into a hard point that she could roll between her thumb and her index fingers. The other hand dipped into her underwear brushing the fine hair that had been trimmed a day or so ago. She could feel how wet she was getting.
Celine's toes curled as she imagined Draco's fingers touching her.
Maybe his tongue too.

"Mmmm…Draco…" She murmured in pleasure, a small purr at the back of her throat.
"Well this is an interesting twist." An all too familiar voice said causing her eyelids to fly upwards. Her hand pulled out of her underwear.
"No please, don't let me stop you. Do continue." Draco grinned.

Celine felt the heat on her cheeks and could only imagine how ridiculous they must look to him. "This is supposed to be a single gender bathroom, Draco." She said.
"It isn't when the guardian doesn't have any objection." He glanced towards the mermaid's portrait that was still asleep.
"I think we can finally call it even then." His eyes were intently on her body, taking every inch of her displayed legs and delicate underwear with the pastel stripes. She felt her nipples twitched and realized her shirt was still open.
Of course it would be on the day my underwear and bra don't match. Of course.
"Draco…if you could please…" Celine covered herself up.
"Your secret's safe with me. After all, who do I have to tell?"