He knows what he's talking about, Celena thought as she tossed desperately in her bed that night. She could have sworn she didn't see Snape in The Three Broomsticks, but it was so crowded… perhaps he was sitting in a small shadowy corner right behind her?

She wasn't worried only about being overheard by Snape. If there were still Voldemort's supporters on the loose – and it seemed there were – they wouldn't want anybody to know that the Dark Lord had a son; perhaps by warning her not to talk about it, Snape revealed his hidden side, much more threatening than his usual unpleasantness? She knew Snape had proved his loyalty, but still this seemed to be suspicious…

She could hardly sleep that night. She got up at dawn, and absent-mindedly started opening her presents. She got new boots from her parents, a bottle of exquisite perfume from Fleur, and some books from Uncle Remus.

Uncle Remus! It suddenly dawned on her. Someone from the Order must know about this. She was about to scoop up some Floor Powder and head to her fireplace, when she noticed another present, neatly wrapped in a small package. When she opened it, she saw a delicate golden chain with a carefully ornate medallion, a large "C" engraved in it and a topaz sparkling in its middle.

It was from Timothy, she knew. He wants to dump his boring Alexa and get back together – only this isn't going to happen, she thought stubbornly. But gold was gold. Celena slipped the chain around her neck. Timothy always had a good taste in jewelry, she thought with a sigh.

… "Remus isn't home," Dora told her through the fireplace, "can you imagine he headed off to the Headquarters right after Christmas dinner?"

"It isn't an easy time, Dora," Celena nodded, "perhaps I could tell you? You are in the Order too – "

"Better not," Dora shook her head, "not safe doing it through here, if it's something serious. You are in Hogwarts; the best thing you could do is talk to Minerva McGonagall."

Celena saw Professor McGonagall at breakfast, but she disappeared too quickly, right after consuming a bowl of porridge and a cup of coffee, and Celena didn't have a chance to talk to her.

She sighed, resigned to go to the Headmistress' office right after breakfast, and started spreading marmalade on her toast.

"She's wearing it," Dennis Creevey whispered excitedly, on the other end of the large table that was set to host all the students and teachers for the holidays.

"That's because she doesn't know it's from you," Martin said exasperatedly, "sending her gold, really! Have you spent your entire year's allowance on Professor Costello?"

After breakfast, Celena climbed up the winding staircase to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked on the heavy door.

"Come in!" She heard Professor McGonagall's voice.

Unfortunately, she didn't find Professor McGonagall alone. She was in the company of the very man Celena wanted to avoid – Snape, who glared openly at her.

"Ah," McGonagall frowned, "Celena. Just the person I needed to see. We need to talk."

"I meant to talk to you too, Professor McGonagall," Celena nodded. "Only… I wish we could do it in private," she suggested delicately.

"Severus will stay." McGonagall cut directly through her words. "Because of what he told me, I meant to summon you if you hadn't come here first. Severus informed me that your tongue is, shall we say, more loose than usual lately. Tell me, Celena, is it true?"

"I just… I wanted…" Celena blushed and stammered.

McGonagall rose from her chair and approached her.

"You are close to Remus and Hagrid," she said, "do you want to see them hurt because of your carelessness?"

"It appears," Snape stepped in, every word dripping with venom, "that Professor Costello feels there is nothing she isn't supposed to know… and nothing she isn't supposed to let out."

"It was a mistake, I agree," Celena bent her head, "but I can do much better than that! I can be helpful, I can…" and she choked, looking at Snape.

"Our young and charming Professor Costello thinks it would be exciting to join the Order." Snape raised an eyebrow.

"Doesn't it make perfect sense, Professor McGonagall?" Celena implored, trying not to look at Snape. "I'm loyal. I have useful abilities. I could do a lot for the Order. If we are facing dark times again, it is important to recruit the right people! I'm a qualified potion-maker, I'm great at Apparition, I can speak fluent French…" she trailed off.

"If you indeed join us one day," McGonagall gave her a piercing look, "it will be after you have learned how to be discreet; for that is the most important quality we are looking for, Celena. Ask any member of the Order. Ask your uncle or Hagrid. Ask Severus…"

It took a few seconds for this to sink in. Celena looked at Snape, who wore his usual black robes and an amused smirk.

"You…" she whispered. "You are in the Order?"