Hello all! I'm so sorry that it's been so long! There is no excuse, none, and I apologize. I will try harder to update sooner. Someone mentioned that they were interested in getting to know Celeste, so I've added her to the list of people I write about. I hope you like her! ENJOY!
The end of the summer was fast approaching, and with it came the beginning of sixth year for Lindsay and her friends. It was a sunny Saturday morning when the owls arrived at the Potter's house. Charlus, James' father, looked up and smiled at his son when the owl landed in front of him. Sirius quickly wrestled James for his Hogwarts letter, having seen the seal on the front. Celeste was next, grabbing her envelope out of the boy's hands. Lindsay held out her hand, waiting for James to hand it over. He did this immediately, anxious to open the letter.
The four children sat there, reading their own lists. James', Sirius', and Lindsay's all informed them that they would need The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 6) by Miranda Goshawk, Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage, Confronting the Faceless, A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, and Advanced Rune Translation. Lindsay received another notice that she would be a prefect again. She looked up, smiling, to see James staring in shock at his letter. It dropped from his hand as he stood up. Everyone at the table stopped what they were doing and looked at James, concern on most of their faces.
"What is it James? What's happened?" Mrs. Potter stood up and took her son's arm. When no response came from his mouth, she grabbed the letter from the ground and quickly scanned it. Her posture noticeably relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face.
"Dorea, could you tell us what was in the letter?" Mr. Potter looked up at his wife, obviously trying to hid his curiosity.
"Our James has been given the spot of Quidditch Captain." Mrs. Potter looked around at all of us, the pride clear on her face.
"Prongs! This is great! No more insanely early practices anymore." Sirius looked even happier than James did at the news.
Lindsay smiled at her cousins and looked back down at her letter. Everyone sat in a comfortable silence as they continued eating breakfast. Until Celeste cleared her throat, politely at first and then more loudly until she had everyone's attention.
"What is it Celeste?" Lindsay looked at her little sister and saw a faint glint in her eye. This wasn't good.
"I also have an announcement. Like my darling sister here, who has neglected to say that she is yet again a prefect, I have been given a badge of prefect...ness." The smile on her face was as bright as it had been the day she received her Hogwarts letter.
The room exploded in congratulations, to both of the girls, but mostly for Celeste. Lindsay didn't mind, she had her moment last year. The only thing that worried her was Celeste. It was bound to dawn on her that neither of her parents were there to hear the news, and Lindsay mentally prepared herself to comfort her.
Lily sat in her dining room as Petunia circled her. Her older sister barely ever paid attention to her, and since her parents had died, Lily had appeared non-existent to 'Tuny'.
"So." Lily looked up, and her sister glared back. "What am I supposed to do with you?"
"What?"
"What. am. I. supposed. to. do. with. you? I can't have you running around here doing whatever you freaks do. Vernon will be spending a good amount of time here, you know, and I don't want you driving him off. Don't you have some freak friend you can stay with? Hm? Or maybe you don't. That wouldn't surprise me."
Petunia turned back toward the door, probably to make sure Vernon wasn't there, and Lily took that chance to wipe away the tear that had escaped. When her sister turned back toward her, satisfied that no one could overhear their conversation, Lily replied, "I do have a friend I can stay with. I just have to ask."
Celeste jumped onto her bed, tired from the day's events. What began as a wonderful day had quickly turned into an even better one. After breakfast, the boys had gone outside to play Quidditch. With James the captain, he had to be the best he had ever been, or so he said. The best part was, they invited her. Again. And James complimented her on her flying. It was the most fun she had had in ages, and she was positive she would make the House team this year.
As she pulled the covers over her, Celeste thought she heard an owl pecking at her window. Curious, she walked toward it and pulled it open. She looked out but didn't see a thing. During the day, the view from her room was the best. It looked out over a large field behind the mansion where the boys usually played.
Closing the window, she walked back toward her bed, but not before she heard a tap on her door. Rushing over, she pulled it open to see her sister standing in the hallway with a letter in her hands.
Dread filled her heart. The last two letters had been horrible and had changed her life forever. What would this one hold?
Remus sat outside his back door on the porch, reading Lindsay's latest letter. He had received his Hogwarts letter that very day, and wondered if the others had as well. Her letter gave no indication of whether they had or not, however.
He sat there, wondering how to answer. Instead of writing to Lindsay, he picked up a pen and paper, his preferred writing instrument during the summer, and began a letter to James, asking him if it would be alright for him to visit. He did so every year, but the fear that his friend would say no haunted him every time he asked.
Handing the letter to his owl, Remus watched as it flew off, into the night.