A/N: Please review!
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Cliodhna had never been happier or more relieved to see her parents then when she stepped off the train. She had said goodbye to her yearmates, promising a few days at the beach on the train so that when they all de-boarded she could immediately find her parents. She was surprised to see both of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, but she shouldn't have been. She squeezed her parents tightly, smiling at their tight embrace and watched as Mrs. Weasley pulled Cedric and Harry for very long, very tight hugs.
"We'll see you this summer, Harry m'boy, don't worry," Mr. Weasley smiled.
"Maybe your Aunt and Uncle will let you stay with us longer this year," Cedric offered but Cliodhna saw the look that passed among the adults. She wondered, briefly, if it was actually Dumbledore and not his Aunt or Uncle who decided when and for how long he could stay at Ottery St. Catchpole.
"Yea, that'd be brills," Fred agreed and Cliodhna's attention was drawn to the twins. Why did they look so pleased?
"Thanks," Harry smiled genuinely, "that'd be great." He hugged Hermione and with a quick adjustment of his glasses said, "Well, I should go through to meet them."
Cliodhna pulled him in for a quick, firm hug. "Don't forget to write, Potter."
"Come on," George clapped his back, "let's walk you through. I'd like to catch a glimpse of that cousin of yours."
"Yea, I want to watch him tremble at the very sight of Klee," Ginny grinned.
Harry led them through the brick wall, the adults all behind them, and Cliodhna smiled wickedly when Harry's aunt, uncle, and cousin all watched this large group of mainly redheads walks towards them, Harry in front. The Dursleys' mouths were open in shock (and awe, Cliodhna thought) until Cliodhna locked eyes with Dudley and raised an eyebrow. He very quickly jumped and hid behind his father, causing everyone but Cliodhna and Harry to snicker.
Harry stopped and turned to them all, "Thanks." He smiled, "See you soon."
Cliodhna took his hand and squeezed it and when he turned to walk away she smiled and waved at his aunt. "Hullo, Mrs. Dursley, hullo, Dudley."
They all ignored her. Cedric took her hand and George laughed, "That will keep Harry entertained all summer."
"Just threaten that grant with you," Fred agreed.
"You know, I could invite Klee over," Ben teased, "if you don't leave me alone."
Cliodhna rolled her eyes and laughed when Cedric pulled her close to him and kissed the top of her head. They all said goodbye to Hermione and hugged her, promising to see her son before the adults led them to the Muggle car. There was a Portkey for the Weasleys who were going to visit Aunt Muriel. Cliodhna squeezed Cedric's hand tightly when Mr. Weasley said 'Portkey', his face paling.
"What about the rest of us?" Cliodhna cut in, "We can't all fit –"
Arthur, Amos, and Angus all grinned, "Well that's where you're wrong," her father clapped is hands.
"Oh goody," Ron muttered, "a long explanation."
"We worked very hard to elongate the inside –"
"With our help," Catherine cut in.
"A lot of our help, I may add," Mrs. Weasley agreed.
"Yes, of course –"
"We couldn't have done it without you," Amos finished and the kids all tried to hide their laughs.
"But now, we can all fit in the car, or just some of us, without anyone knowing," Angus grinned.
"Brilliant," Ben clapped his hand on Angus' back.
"Good work," Jack winked at his mum.
"All right," Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands, "we'll see you tomorrow," she waved at her family to move. "Come on, come on, you'll see them tomorrow."
They waved at the Weasleys and then piled into the car, Cliodhna very relieved to see her mother was driving. No one really spoke as they drove, the Muggle radio playing a familiar rock songs that Catherine would occasionally hum or sing along too. No one was sure what to say or talk about. Cliodhna watched the cars and landscapes go by, trying to quiet her mind.
Cedric finally spoke up, "I got half of the winnings for the Tournament."
"Oh, that's wonderful," Angus said from the front.
"Do you want us to put it in an account for you?" Mrs. Diggory offered. "Or, rather, we could take you to Gringotts?"
"Yea," Cedric nodded, "that'd be good. Maybe sooner rather than later."
"Why?" Jack asked.
"Ah," Cedric frowned, "well Dumbledore mentioned that Fudge may use the papers to discredit Harry and I."
"That's absurd," Mr. Diggory cried out. "The papers wouldn't –"
"They've lied and exaggerated about Harry before. And Fudge really doesn't want anyone to believe that You-Know-Who is back."
Everyone was silent for a moment before Catherine said firmly, "We believe you and Harry, Cedric."
"Thanks," he grimaced. "I don't expect many others to."
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Cliodhna lay in bed that night worried about Cedric. It would be his first night sleeping alone since the graveyard and she knew that he'd have nightmares, as he had been. She wanted to be there for him but she also knew that was impossible now that they were back at home. And a part of her missed having him next to her as she slept. It had been cramped on his four-poster bed and no doubt it would be an even tighter fit on her bed, but she missed his warmth, his heartbeat, his arm around her, and his chest under her arm.
She grimaced up at the twinkling, floating stars hovering near her ceiling her mother had made for her several years ago. Merlin, she was getting sappy.
Her door opened slightly and instead of pretending to be asleep, as she sat up and pointed her wand directly at the door until she realized it was Ben and Jack and she let out a breath. "Don't bloody do that!"
"Who else would be coming into your room from the bloody bathroom that we share," Jack hissed.
"What are you doing?" She made room for them on her bed.
"Checking on you," Ben said. "Figured you'd be worried about Cedric."
"We can ask him to sleep over, if you want so he won't be alone?" Jack offered.
"Nightmares," she frowned, "it helped, I think, that I was there when he woke up." Before either could ask, she shook her head, "They weren't getting any better. Each night was different."
"Well maybe a sleepover would help," Ben offered.
"Yea," she smiled at them, "it might."
"Are you," Jack and Ben exchanged a look, "are you going to tell mum and dad everything?"
"I expect Mr. and Mrs. Diggory already have, but yea, maybe."
"What about what Snape said?"
"About," she frowned, "that's his secret –"
"No, I mean, that he can't rad our minds," Ben shook his head.
She shrugged, "What do you two reckon?"
"I reckon it doesn't hurt they know," Jack yawned and stretched his arms. "You want us to leave the door open?"
She smiled, "I wouldn't mind."
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Cedric and Mrs. Diggory came around while Catherine and the triplets were eating breakfast. Angus and Mr. Diggory had both already left for work at the Ministry. Cliodhna tried not to seem overly concerned or obvious when Cedric sat next to her with a smile. He didn't look any more tried than he had the day before maybe he slept better than she had feared. She put the Prophet down and returned the smile, "Tea?"
"Please," he took the paper and flipped through it as Cliodhna asked Mrs. Diggory if she wanted any tea.
"Ced," Ben asked nonchalantly, "after the big dinner tonight, do you want to stay over?"
Jack looked at Mrs. Diggory and Catherine, "If that's all right, of course."
Mrs. Diggory smiled and Cliodhna could tell she looked a little relieved. So maybe Cedric had woken up in a panic. Catherine nodded, "That's perfectly fine with me."
"Brills," Cedric grinned, "thanks, lads." He continued to flip through the Prophet. "Nothing," he sighed, "at least not yet." He got to the last page and grimaced, "Well, I take that back."
"What?" Cliodhna frowned and looked over his shoulder.
"At least it's on the back page," Mrs. Diggory offered.
Cedric sighed, "Just mentions that Harry and I split the prize money as co-winners."
"That's not bad," Ben shrugged, "at least no mention of you hating Potter or anything."
"Or of –"
"Nope," Cedric groaned, "says there seemed to be some controversy but the Prophet hasn't been able to get a hold of anyone."
"Maybe that's all they'll say?" Catherine offered.
"They won't try to come 'round and interview me, will they?" Cedric looked at his mum, "They wouldn't, right?"
Mrs. Diggory frowned, "I'm not sure, dear. Not until they speak to Dumbledore or the Minister at least."
Cedric picked up his tea, "Maybe we should head to Gringotts today before we get bombarded."
Cliodhna patted his back and met her brothers' concerned looks with a frown.
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The triplets joined Mrs. Diggory and Cedric to Diagon Alley to visit Gringotts that afternoon, Catherine opting to stay behind to get some book editing done from home.
Cliodhna was pleased to see that Diagon Alley was not overly crowded and no one paid them any extra attention. It was rather refreshing to not be stared at for once, unlike the past few months at school. She wished sunglasses would work at Hogwarts…
The triplets weren't allowed to go to Cedric's new vault with him to leave his money, so they waited in the lobby to admire the architecture. "They really don't like us being here," Ben muttered and Cliodhna's gaze went to one of the goblins that were blatantly glaring at them.
"Because we're triplets because or because we're loitering?" She murmured.
"No way they know we're triplets," Jack shook his head, "it's not like we have a sign that we wear."
"You're way shorter, for one," Ben pointed out to Cliodhna, "you could be our younger sister."
"I could be a cousin or something," Jack shrugged.
"So, loitering then?" Cliodhna rolled her eyes.
"Did Cedric tell you how much he won?" Ben asked.
"No," she shrugged and put her hands in the back pockets of her jean shorts, "and I didn't think to ask, to be honest."
Ben frowned, "He could be bloody loaded and you're not going to take advantage of that?"
Cliodhna laughed and Jack asked, "And Potter wasn't going to keep his share?"
"No, he tried to give it to Cedric, said he had enough money."
"Must be nice," Jack sighed and Cliodhna shook her head at him. "Do you know what he ended up doing with it?"
"He gave it to the twins for the shop," Ben answered and they stared at him.
"What?"
"On the platform," Ben continued, "said we're going to need more laughs."
Cliodhna said, "Bloody right."
"Maybe they'll be able to start sooner rather than later," Jack thought, "they were already drumming up interest in their House."
"Good," Cliodhna nodded. "That was nice of Harry."
Ben agreed, "I hope they'll finally let me help now."
They continued to chat about the twins and the shop and ignored the duty looks of the goblins when an elderly wizard and his wife walked in and stared at the Quicks. "I hope it's bloody because of our Muggle clothes," Ben murmured.
"They're the ones who look bloody ridiculous," Cliodhna raised a defiant eyebrow at the pair who huffed and turned to speak to a goblin.
Cedric and Mrs. Diggory finally turned a few moments later and Cliodhna watched as the elderly woman's gaze followed Cedric as he approached. She nudged the elderly man and Cliodhna met the woman's gaze. She openly glared at the woman before narrowing her eyes. Did they recognize Cedric from earlier editions of the Prophet did they –
"Come on, Klee," Cedric took her hand with a smile. The woman quickly turned her attention back to her husband. "We can't scare everyone who may look at me strangely," he whispered to her quietly.
Cliodhna frowned but nodded and followed him back outside. Now there seemed to be more people about and Cliodhna felt like they were being watched. "Why do I get the feeling people are looking at us not because we're extremely attractive?"
Ben bent down to pick up a "special afternoon edition" of the Daily Prophet and handed it to Cedric. "Well, this explains it."
There was a picture of Cedric and Harry from the start of the Tournament, Dumbledore behind them with the headline, "Lying for the Attention".
"Oh," Cedric's face was neutral, "yes, that makes sense." He looked to his mum, "Maybe it's best we head home?" He squeezed Cliodhna's hand to preemptively stifle an angry outburst at the several wizards and witches who were now openly staring at him. She opened her mouth to say something but he shook his head and walked towards The Leaky Cauldron, his mother, Ben, and Jack right behind them.
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Catherine and the Weasleys were outside the Quicks house when they returned. Catherine frowned at Cedric, "You've seen it too."
"We didn't read it," Cedric said, "just saw it when we left Gringtoss and noticed some people watching us."
"Well, it's nothing to worry about now," Mrs. Weasley waved a hand. "Why don't you all play some Quidditch before we have our dinner."
Cliodhna wanted desperately to read the article but followed Cedric to collect his broom, knowing Ben or Jack would grab hers for her. They walked slowly to his house, holding hands, "Should we read it?"
Cedric looked at her seriously, "Do you promise not to get mad?"
"I," she frowned, "I can try to not be outwardly angry."
He smiled, "Good enough." He handed it to her, "I don't particularly want to read the whole thing. Just tell me a summary, if you will."
She read it through quickly and bit her lip, taking a deep breath before saying evenly, "Dumbledore went to the Ministry today to tell the Minister and others that Voldemort was back and would be reaching out to his followers, but the Minister accused him of wanting attention –"
"And Harry and I," Cedric cut in, "we're all attention-seeking liars."
She met his eyes, "Yes. An anonymous source said that you, Harry, and Dumbledore concocted this story to maintain your face after the Tournament."
"At least Dumbledore tried to get the Minister and others to listen again," he turned his gaze forwards again. "I think that's good enough for now."
Cliodhna wanted to comfort him and tell him that maybe there'd be no other mention of him in the paper, but she had a terrible feeling it wouldn't be.
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The twins, Ben, Jack, and Ginny did their best to make Quidditch fun and distract Cliodhna, Cedric, and Ron from the article in The Daily Prophet, but no one was playing their best.
It felt like several hours before they were called to dinner, but it had only been one. Mr. Diggory and Mr. Quick let work a little earlier than usual for their large outdoor dinner to welcome the kids home and to make sure everyone was okay from the events of the day.
They had barely sat down to eat when Dumbledore and a large black dog walked towards them from the direction of the Diggory's house. "Hope I'm not interrupting," he smiled at them all and nodded for Ron to sit back down (he had stood, his eyes wide when he saw the dog). "We Apparated in near the village and walked over, thank you, Catherine, for allowing me through your wards."
Catherine cleared her throat, "Ah yes, I put up some wards around all of us after the article," she addressed everyone, "and Molly and Sara helped me bolster them."
"Please, Albus, won't you join us?" Molly waved her wand and a chair appeared at the head of the table.
"Ah," he smiled, "before we eat, there's someone I'd like to introduce you to. Please though, do not be alarmed, I trust this man, who has been wrongly accused for too many years. And some of you here will be able to vouch for his innocence as well." He paused and looked out at everyone, "The man who framed him those many years ago, was Peter Pettigrew, who we know to be alive."
Ron swallowed and cleared his throat, "Um, mum, dad, you know Scabbers?"
"Yes, dear, we were sorry to see he died last year –"
"No, mum, Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew," Ron frowned.
"Sorry," Arthur shook his head, "come again?"
"Pettigrew was an Animangus," Ron said, "and his form was a rat."
Another man approached the table with a wave and all of the kids stood up, "Professor Lupin!" George yelled.
"Professor," Cliodhna grinned, "we're so pleased to see you!"
Albus raised his hand to quiet everyone, "We were talking about Peter and his Animangus."
"Oh," Lupin nodded and looked briefly at the large black dog. "Yes, of course. Peter, James, and Sirius all became licensed Animangus so they could accompany me each month when I became a werewolf." Everyone but Ron, Cliodhna, and Cedric looked surprised. "Peter was the one who betrayed James and Lily," he cleared his throat. "Peter was the one who killed all those Muggles and framed Sirius."
"So Sirius was innocent," Catherine's voice was firm. "He was in Azkaban all those years," her voice trailed off and her eyes landed on the dog.
No one moved for a moment, confused until the large black dog transformed slowly into Sirius Black. No one moved or even breathed. Sirius' dark, hollow eyes looked out at everyone, obviously nervous that someone might hex him until Remus stepped towards him and hugged him firmly. The two men bit back tears, obviously emotional to see each other.
Catherine stood and Cliodhna watched her slowly approach them as they let each other go and with a smile and gruff voice, Sirius said, "Cat Randolph, you haven't aged a bloody day."
Catherine smiled and pulled Sirius in for a long, tight hug. "Bloody 'ell, Sirius Black," her voice was tight and she let out a watery laugh. She let Sirius go and turned to Remus who started to say, "You may not remember me," and hugged him as well. "It's good to see you too, Remus."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Molly, could we trouble you to stay for dinner? I'm afraid we had much to discuss."
Cliodhna watched Sirius, Remus, and her mother as Dumbledore apologized to Cedric about that day's paper. Sirius nodded at Cedric, "Good of you to help Harry get through the tournament," his gratitude was obvious before his dark eyes turned to Cliodhna. "And you must be Cliodhna."
"Yes," she nodded.
"Harry mentioned you helped him a lot too," Sirius' eyes darted to Catherine. "I can see the resemblance," he winked before addressing Cliodhna and Cedric again. "And thanks for not telling anyone about me –"
"Bloody hell," Jack groaned.
"Of course you know," Ben rolled his eyes and looked at his sister. "Are there any secrets you don't bloody know?"
Cliodhna narrowed her eyes but didn't move to say anything. "You must be the triplets," Sirius grinned mischievously and pointed at the three blonde Quicks. "Very exciting."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Now that we're all relatively acquainted and," he waved his wand and a white bubble flashed over them before disappearing. "Now that we won't be overheard, there are a few things we should discuss."
"The children as well?" Molly asked.
"For now, yes," Dumbledore nodded and began to tell them that Sirius had very generously offered his family home to be the headquarters for the new Order, which would be getting started in earnest.
"Sirius will be staying there as he can't easily walk around in public," Dumbledore continued, "but it will need to be cleaned and fixed up so that it's suitable for meeting and people to live." He paused, "Some of you were in the Order before, some of you helped the cause in other ways. I will understand if you don't want to be involved now –"
Catherine spoke first, "We're in," she put her hand on top of Angus' on the table. "We'll help in anyway we can," she turned to Cedric. "We believe you dear and we will do all we can."
"We're in too," Molly said firmly, "I'm happy to get this lot," she waved at all of the kids, "to help clean this summer."
"We as well," Mr. Diggory nodded, "whatever we can."
"Can I," Cedric addressed Dumbledore, "can I be a part of the Order as well?"
"Cedric," Mrs. Diggory started.
"I'm of age, mum," Cedric stopped her, "and I was there."
"If you wish to be," Dumbledore started and put up his hand before Cliodhna had barely opened her mouth. "Only those of age, and you won't be attending meetings while your at school. Some meetings will be off-limits, even if you're of age."
Cliodhna tried not to pout as she leaned back in her chair.
"Great –"
"We're of age –"
"We're in," Fred and George said.
"Sorry, mum –"
"Nothing you can do –"
"That's what you think," she muttered.
"Wonderful," Dumbledore nodded. "We'll meet on Monday. Molly and who ever else wants, you can head there tomorrow to start cleaning. We'll have to limit your comings and goings," his eyes traveled to Cedric.
"You mean because I may be followed?"
Dumbledore frowned, "We all may be followed now, Mr. Diggory."
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"Won't you stay for a bit longer?" Cliodhna asked Professor Lupin when he, Sirius, and Professor Dumbledore started to say goodbye to everyone. "I have things I'd like to ask you."
Remus smiled, "We'll have plenty of time this summer to talk, Ms. Quick." He saw her face fall slightly and he wished he could stay to talk to her now. "I know it was a tough year for everyone," he started but Cliodhna shook her head. He nodded, understanding.
"Sir," Cedric asked Dumbledore loudly enough for her to hear, "when will we tell Harry and Hermione?"
Dumbledore's face remained neutral. "We won't tell Ms. Granger quite yet, until she's ready to leave her parents' home for the summer. Maybe in a few weeks' time."
"And Harry?" Cedric pressed.
"Ah," Dumbledore attempted not to frown, but Cliodhna could see it took a lot of effort. "We won't tell Mr. Potter until it's absolutely necessary."
"And when is that, exactly?" Ron did little to hide his annoyance.
"Time will tell, Mr. Weasley, but not for some time. I suggest we don't tell him about what the Prophet is saying either," he looked out at everyone. "It won't do him any good to know while he's staying with his aunt and uncle." He turned back to Cedric, "I am sorry, Mr. Diggory, but I worry that won't be the last they write about you, Harry, or I."
Cedric shrugged, but Cliodhna could see he was hurt. "Not much we can do but tell the truth, Professor."
Amos put his arm around Cedric's shoulders as Sirius approached him and stuck out his hand, "Thank you, again, for helping Harry, Cedric." Sirius smiled, "Was good of you to, even though he was your competitor. He spoke very highly of you."
Cedric smiled genuinely, the thought of the Prophet gone from his mind. "We weren't competitors, Mr. Black. We were a team."
Sirius smiled wolfishly, "Good man." He laughed, "And please, bloody 'ell, call me Sirius." He turned to Cliodhna with that same smile, but a kindness in his dark grey eyes, "And Harry spoke very highly of you too." He winked at her, "I think he was a wee bit scared of you."
"I rather hope he was in awe and not frightened," she muttered quickly before she could really think about what she said. Her cheeks flushed in slight embarrassment, "Oh I didn't mean that really," she mumbled embarrassed.
Sirius' grey eyes widened and he let out a barking laugh, "Oh, yes, we're going to get along well, Cliodhna." He laughed again and shook his head, "Like your mum, you are." He clapped her on the shoulder and followed Remus and Dumbledore away from the table to head back to Grimmauld Place.
"See you on Monday," Molly called out to them before turning around and clapping her hands. "All right, who's helping me to clean up? Boys?" Ron groaned as he watched the twins wave their wands to help, annoyed he wasn't of age yet.
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Cliodhna left her door open that night to hear of Cedric woke up yelling or screaming. She hoped he wouldn't, she hoped his nightmares had stopped, but she was glad Ben and Jack would be there if he woke up in a silent panic. She looked up at the stars on her ceiling and then at the old-fashioned Muggle alarm clock her grandfather had given her when she was younger. It was bloody 1am. Had she slept at all? She didn't feel like she had; she felt like she had just waited for hours to see if Cedric woke up yelling or gasping for air.
She clutched her wand from under her pillow when she heard a floorboard creak, and very slowly moved her eyes towards the bathroom door before letting out a breath. "Cedric," she whispered, "you startled me."
"I'm sorry," he knelt next to her bed, "I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't," she frowned and moved over in her bed. It was too dark to see his eyes. "Are you," she sighed, "sorry, promised not to ask."
"I didn't have any nightmares. I don't remember what I dreamt about," he laid his head next to hers on the pillow. "I couldn't sleep very well, regardless." He touched her arm and smiled slightly when she shivered, "I slept better with you at school."
"Me too," she admitted. She wanted to admit that she wished he could stay over every night, but didn't: she knew he couldn't.
He moved his head slowly closer to hers to kiss her softly before searching for her hand with his. "Can I stay here for a while?" She nodded and moved closer to him, her head under his, an arm around his middle, and his around hers. She closed her eyes and kissed his neck and whispered, "I love you, Cedric."
He kissed the top of her head and pulled her even closer, "I love you, Klee."
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She opened one eye and frowned. When had Cedric left? She sat up slowly and opened her curtains with a yawn.
"Good morning, sunshine," Ben grinned at her from the table. "Sleepy, were we?"
She grumbled and sat down next to Cedric, stealing a sip of his tea. "Why is he so bloody chipper?"
"Because he's excited to go swimming," Jack rolled his eyes.
"Please be careful," Catherine came down the stairs. "I have to go to the office for a bit," she frowned and eyed them all seriously, "bring your wands, all of you. In case."
"Mum, what's going to happen in the wood?" Ben watched her closely, "We'll be all right."
"Cedric and the twins are of age, mum," Jack reminded her.
"I know," she nodded, grabbing her Muggle briefcase, "and nothing is likely to happen, but just in case."
Cliodhna watched her mother, knowing she wasn't telling them something, but she didn't press. She'd tell them when she was ready. "We'll be careful, mum. Promise."
She nodded and patted Cliodhna's head. "See you later. Go into town for ice cream or something if you want. Maybe the library?"
"Yes mum," Ben nodded.
When Catherine left, Cliodhna looked at Cedric, "Is your mum at work today too?"
He nodded, "Go with me to get my swim trunks?"
Ben pretended to throw up, "Just go snog at Cedric's and meet us at the Weasleys, bloody hell."
"Gross," Jack agreed and winked at Cliodhna as she rolled her eyes and stole a waffle from Ben's plate before going back up stairs to change.
"Why don't we snog here too, Ceddie?"
Cedric shrugged at Ben and Jack who rolled their eyes or pretended to gag again, and left the kitchen with a laugh.
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Cedric and Cliodhna held hands as they followed everyone else to the pond. Cliodhna was slightly on edge (even after a quick snog) from how her mother had acted and the short article in the Daily Prophet that morning about Cedric and Harry ("Where are they? Are the Hogwarts Champion Liars Hiding?") that no one had addressed out loud. Her wand was in tucked into the waistband of her jean shorts and its presence comforted her; she hoped there would be no cause to use it. She smiled when Cedric pointed out a bird and spoke with him briefly about it, but he could tell she was distracted. He didn't have to ask her what about.
He had seen and read the article before she woke up. He tried not to feel defeated: there was nothing he could do now about what they were saying and writing about. One day they'd believe him, or he hoped, but until then he just hoped his mates believed him. He had been angry at first, of course. He had wanted to Apparate to the Daily Prophet offices and yell at every person there that he was telling the truth. But he knew he couldn't do that. The Minister of Magic didn't believe he or Harry, so why would the Daily Prophet go against the Minister? He had been a little angry that morning when he saw the latest article (as he had been yesterday at the longer article), but he had let his anger subside. What good would be angry do?
Besides. He knew Cliodhna would be angry enough for the both of them.
He squeezed her hand and smiled when she looked up at him guiltily. "I'm excited to get to know Sirius," he tried to take her mind off things.
"I'll be glad to speak with Professor Lupin," she admitted. "About this year and the imposter and everything."
Cedric worried she meant the Department of Mysteries, but he kept quiet, "What do you think Grimmauld Place will be like?"
She scrunched up her nose slightly, "Harry mentioned the Blacks are an ancient family of," she caught his eye, "purebloods," she finished. "I suspect it won't be very homey."
He laughed and they continued quietly to the pond.
Cliodhna's worry abated when they reached the pond and Ben pushed her and Ginny in. She laughed and pulled at Ben's ankle, surprising him as he fell in clumsily. Cedric laughed and smiled. She just needed something to take her mind off worrying about him and Harry (and whatever else seemed to be worrying her). He was at least glad she had slept soundly last night, not even waking when he had left early that morning.
With a bow, he jumped in before George or Fred could push him, and swam to the far end to lean against the muddy bank, his face raised to the sky, his eyes closed, as he thought back to snogging Cliodhna just minutes ago in his bedroom…
"Comfortable?" Ginny was next to him. "You look right pleased."
"I am," he opened one eye to look at her, "how are you, Gin?"
She eyed him closely, "You're not, but it's all right."
"I am. Currently, right now, at this moment," he said truthfully. "Away from it all, with you lot."
She nodded, "Klee's worried enough for the both of you." It wasn't a question.
"She's worried about Harry too," he turned his head to look out at Cliodhna. "We all are."
"She's not telling us all of it, is she?"
Cedric frowned and glanced at Ginny quickly, "I don't think so, no."
Ginny frowned and sighed. "Game of chicken?"
"Yea, all right." Cedric grinned and called out to the others, "Teams for chicken?"
Ben jumped up and waved at Ginny, "Gin, you're on my team!"
"I'm with Diggory!" Cliodhna laughed and pushed Ben slightly, "We're going to crush you."
"Fred, hop on up," George called, "let's show them who's best."
Ron and Jack got out to sit on the lawn, "No thanks."
"We'll sit this one out," Ron offered and lay back with a yawn.
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They raced to the ice cream shop once they made it into the very small Muggle town, Ben and Ginny leading the way. By the time the others made it inside the cramped shop, Ginny and Ben were both chatting with the sole lad working there. "Oh," Cliodhna nudged Jack, "this is fun."
Ginny twirled a bit of her long, shiny red ponytail and thanked the boy for her mint chocolate chip cone, winking quickly at him. The boy's cheeks pinked. Not to be out done, Ben made sure to graze the boy's fingers when he reached for his chocolate cone, and winked as well. The boy's cheeks pinked even more.
Ron, his face red, ordered angrily, his eyes flickering from the boy to his sister frequently. George, sensing a possible outburst, rested his hand on his brother's shoulder. Cliodhna couldn't stop smiling as she ordered her ice cream, still watching the boy, Ben, Ginny, and Ron. Yes, Ron was going to be a nightmare for Ginny next year at school. Cliodhna knew Ginny could handle herself, and her brother, but she did not envy Hermione or the twins who would likely have to deal with Ron's sudden bursts of anger.
"Thanks, Stephen," she said to the boy as Ben paid him after everyone ordered.
"We'll be back,"" Ginny said.
"Soon," Ben promised and winked again as they all left.
"Bloody hell, he was cute," Ginny turned to Ben.
"Ice cream again tomorrow?"
"You'll both gain a stone by the end of summer if you keep coming back," Fred rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure there's plenty of other cute boys in town," Jack said to them as they began to walk down the street back towards their houses.
"Oi," Ron started but Cliodhna put her arm around his shoulder and he stopped.
"No use, Ronnie," she sighed. "They'll just keep doing it if they know it bugs you."
"But she's my baby sister," he hissed.
Cliodhna grinned and patted his cheek, "And she can bloody well take care of herself."
"I know, but –"
"No buts!" Fred yelled, "Not worth it, Ronald."
"Really not worth it," George agreed.
Ginny and Ben snickered and were going to talk about how cute the boy was some more, but Cedric shook his head at them and they settled down. Cedric was right.
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"Is that someone at your house, Diggory?" Ron stopped at the edge of the tree line to look out at their houses. "Doesn't look like any of our dads."
"No one we know," Ben frowned, "that's really strange."
Cliodhna didn't like the idea of a stranger outside Cedric's house when no one was alone. "Let's just go to ours then, mum should be back."
"Quidditch?" Fred asked hopefully.
They all agreed and walked as a group to the Quick house, avoiding the Diggorys. Cliodhna thought they would avoid the stranger, they were so close to her house, when someone yelled at them, "Oi! Cedric Diggory, can I get a quote?"
"Bloody hell," Jack said, "a reporter."
"Ignore him," Ginny said loudly to them all, "we're almost there."
"Oi, Cedric, did Harry make you say He-Who-Won't-Be-Named had returned?" He yelled after them. "Weren't you two just trying to be in the papers? Talk to me and you will be!"
"Oi," Cliodhna frowned and wheeled around, "how bloody dare you –"
"Oh, you're Cliodhna Quick, ain't you?" The reporter looked gleeful even as Cliodhna stepped towards him, her fists clenched. Cedric leaped and caught her hand, tugging her back to the group, and talking her place to speak to the reporter himself!"
"I don't appreciate you staking out my home for a quite," his voice was calm but there was an edge to it to the reporter did not miss. "There is nothing I wish to say to the paper that I haven't already said to the Minister of Magic himself."
Cedric turned to leave but the reporter approached again with a shouted, "Oi, what about –"
"Was there something you didn't understand?" Cliodhna fumed ignoring Ben as he tried to pull her back.
"Is there a problem?" Mrs. Weasley was there, her hands on her hips. The reporter shrank back like a child being scolded.
"I –"
"I think you were told that no one is going to give you a quote," her voice was firm. "It's very rude to bombard someone at their home." She hesitated before adding, "You should be ashamed –"
"I –"
"You are not welcome here and neither are your colleagues," she shook her head. "Now I suggest you leave."
The reporter walked away backwards, as though he was afraid to turn his back on them. When he had left the perimeter of the houses he Apparated away and Mrs. Weasley huffed, "All right, come inside for a cuppa and some snacks." She patted Cedric's arm, "Are you all right, dear?"
"Yes," Cedric nodded, "but I reckon that will happen again."
"That's bloody –" Cliodhna started but the look she got from Cedric silenced her immediately.
Ben was shocked, again, that Cedric could calm or quiet her so quickly. Mrs. Weasley to was surprised but didn't say anything.
Cliodhna ate her biscuits and drank her tea quietly, stewing in her anger. Cedric nodded when they were done and went outside before the others joined them. "Klee," he started, his voice soft but hard, and Cliodhna watched him, startled. He was irritated, that much was obvious, but was he irritated with her? "You can't just yell at or threaten anyone you want –"
"He was accusing you –"
He closed his eyes in frustration, "Klee." She closed her mouth. "He was accusing me, not you." Her eyes widened in slight shock as he continued, "Getting mad and yelling at him will be it's own story. If I'm patient and calm, they'll eventually leave me alone."
"But," her voice was small, "they think you're lying."
"And they'll still think I'm lying even if I try to defend myself, Klee. They won't stop," he was nearly pleading with her.
She understood what he was saying, but she couldn't understand how he was so accepting of people calling him a liar. Why didn't he want to fight them? The injustice of it was absolutely infuriating. "I won't lash out at a reporter again."
He sighed; she hadn't said if she understood or not. "I love you and I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but I can't have you lashing out at anyone who disagrees with me."
"It's just so," she looked up at him and Cedric's heart tightened.
He pulled her in for a hug and kissed the top of her head. "I know, love, I know."
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The next day they were flying around the field, playing a laid back game of Quidditch when Ben pointed to the Diggory's house where Mrs. Diggory was shooing away another reporter. No one said anything as they watched the reporter leave. Without a word, Cedric flew to his house alone. Cliodhna landed on the ground below everyone and walked slowly away from everyone and the houses, her fists clenched.
Cedric flew back a few minutes later and without a word to anyone, ran after Cliodhna. "He left without a problem," he called out. "A different one this time."
"It's going to keep happening, isn't it?" She frowned. "Maybe you should go on vacation or stay with Uncle Fitz or –"
"Run away you mean?" He shook his head, "No."
She wanted to scream but swallowed her anger, "So now what?"
"We see what our parents say and we see what Grimmauld Place is like."
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Cliodhna still hadn't told her parents the entire store of the Moody imposter, how he dueled her, and how he told her Voldemort would try to recruit her. She didn't want to worry them. She wasn't sure if her Uncle Sean had told them about the Department of Mysteries, but if he had they had yet to ask.
Sunday night, Uncle Sean came over for dinner and to bring them to Grimmauld Place. "The others are going at different times so we don't draw attention," Sean kissed Catherine's cheek. He hugged Cliodhna tightly, "How are you, Klee? I saw you mentioned in the paper."
Cliodhna grimaced and Angus gave her an eye, "Maybe it'll finally teach her to keep her anger in check?"
"I've never seen so many different ways to say, 'fly off the handle'," Sean winked at her. "That anger is good, but not directed at reporters who can write about you."
"I noticed," she muttered.
They ate, Sean telling them about the Auror department and their current lack of investigation into anything Death Eater related and Cliodhna wondered if she should tell Sean about Crouch and what he had said to her. "Moody's trying to do some things under the radar," he continued. "I reckon there will be talk of some things tonight."
"How many people are, you know," Catherine asked.
"Not many," Sean admitted, "but it's early days. And recruiting right now is rather difficult because of the papers and the coward Minister."
They cleaned up quickly and Cliodhna held her father's hand tightly as they Apparated to a dark, Muggle street. Sean passed around a piece of parchment and after they all read it, they watched as suddenly 12 Grimmauld Place appeared and hurried quickly (and very quietly) inside. Cliodhna's eyes were wide as she tried to both adjust to the very dark hallway and take in the terrifying décor. "Where –"
"Shhh," Sean hushed and stopped walking before sighing and leading them into the dining room where Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore, and the Diggorys were already waiting. "Welcome to my ancestral home," Sirius bowed dramatically, "a real house of horrors. We need to be quiet in the front hall because of the portrait of my dear mother who will yell obscenities at anyone she finds to be unworthy."
"Sounds like a delight," Catherine rose an eyebrow.
"It's," Angus attempted to compliment the place as he looked around, "quite big?"
"We'll have our work cut out for us, that's for certain," Sirius sighed.
"The front door opened behind them and they heard Fred and George speak before anyone could stop them. "BLOOD TRAITORS, half-breeds, filth!" A woman's screech echoed off the walls and Sirius ran to the front of the house with a grimace.
When the screeching finally stopped the Weasleys walked into the dining room rather sheepishly followed by a pink-haired woman and Sirius. "Sorry about that, Sirius," the woman said, "should have mentioned your crazy mum and her tendency to lash out ahead of time."
Sirius clapped her on the shoulder, "Bound to happen again, Dora, she's not one to keep quiet."
Cliodhna watched the woman, Dora, grimace before meeting Cliodhna's eyes, "Oh, you must be the Quicks! Remus and Sirius told me so much about you all –"
Catherine stuck out her hand, "I'm Catherine –"
"I'm Nymphadora Tonks, but please, I beg you, call me Tonks," she grinned. "Cousin Sirius likes to torture me."
"Tonks was never even allowed on the family tree," Sirius said with fake seriousness.
"Mum married a Muggle," she followed suit in Sirius' tone of voice, "but still followed familial tradition with my name."
"Tonks is an Auror," Sean explained, "and a bloody good one at that. Tonks, this is Cliodhna, Ben, Jack, and their father, Angus."
"Hiya," she shook all their hands with a large grin. "I have so many questions," she said rapidly, "but we've got all summer, haven't we?"
"Dora, these are the Diggorys," Sirius introduced them quickly before the front door opened again. This time the portrait didn't screech but the hairs on Cliodhna's arms rose as she heard a very distinct and familiar limp on the hardwood floors. She grabbed her wand tightly and raised it as Professor Moody appeared into the dining room doorway. "Ah," the familiar gruff voice said, "you must be Cliodhna Quick."
"Cliodhna, it's all right," her mother put her hand on her arm to lower it, "this is the real Auror Moody."
"I –"
"She's right," Moody nodded, his magical eye rolling around, "you don't know it's really me –"
"Alastor," Dumbledore interrupted, "you know that not just anyone can come in to this house."
"Aye," his voice was gruff as his eye landed back on Cliodhna, "but she doesn't."
"I," Cliodhna swallowed and shook her head, "I did know that, actually. It was just that I was caught off-guard, because of well –"
"You figured out Crouch was an imposter," he finished for her and stuck out his hand. "Thank you for that," he hesitated. "I promise I'm the real Moody."
"The very real Mad-Eye Moody," Sean smiled as Moody's eye swiveled over to him.
"Kingsley said to start without him," Moody said to Dumbledore.
"Right," Dumbledore nodded, "well let's go downstairs –"
"Of age only," Angus put his hand on Jack's shoulder.
"You can explore if you like," Sirius offered, "just don't touch anything quite yet."
Cliodhna frowned, but knew Cedric and the twins would tell them everything late. She, Ben, Jack, Ron, and Ginny all quietly walked up the stairs, past the portrait of Sirius' mum that was hidden behind a thick, drab, holey curtain. Cliodhna frowned at the heads of House Elves on plaques on the wall of the stairs, "Bloody hell."
Ginny bit back a yelp and Ben frowned, "Are you lot the only normal pure-blood family? I reckon all the Slytherin pure-bloods are like this."
"Neville's normal maybe," Ron thought, "although he seems pretty frightened of his nan so who knows."
"Weird seeing Moody and realizing he doesn't know any of us," Jack said.
Cliodhna answered his unasked question, "I'm fine, it was just really strange seeing him after, you know."
"Oh," Ron stuck his head into a very dimly lit room, "this is bloody spooky."
They entered the drawing room, their wands all lit and were immediately fascinated by the tapestry of the Black family tree. "Merlin, some of these names are bloody awful –"
"Walburga is the cheery old broad we met," Ginny pointed.
"Looks like Sirius and Tonks have been blasted off," Cliodhna touched the scorched tapestry gently.
"Tough family," Ron said.
Ginny shivered slightly, "How much time are we going to be spending here this summer?"
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Cliodhna didn't have a chance to say goodbye to Sirius or Remus, as her parents ushered them away as soon as they came back to the dining room. "We'll be back tomorrow," Catherine said to them, "and you'll be staying through the week."
"What?" Ben's eyebrows rose, "We're staying here?"
Cliodhna met Dumbledore's eyes for a brief moment and she had a feeling she wouldn't be seeing him for some time.
When they returned home, Catherine explained that they would be staying at Grimmauld Place with Mrs. Weasley for two weeks before they would come home for the weekend. They'd be clearing and it would be too obvious if they came and went daily. "And this way no reporters can stake out Cedric," she reminded them.
"Your father and I will be by once a week for meetings and we'll collect you on the weekend."
"Will you tell us what happened?" Jack asked.
"No," Argus was firm. "Not yet. Now go pack up, you're leaving at 7."
"Merlin, 7?" Ben groaned.
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Sirius greeted them at the front door with a huge grin and ushered them into the dining room. "Before we settle into sleeping arrangements," Mrs. Weasley started. "We'll need to clean them."
"Without magic?" Ron whined.
"Actually," Sirius' eyes twinkled, "because this house is unknown and unplottable, you can use magic –"
"But only domestic spells," Mrs. Weasley said firmly, a withering gaze at the twins.
"Why are you looking at us, mum? Ginny's the one with a bizarre love of the Bat-Bogey hex."
Ginny opened her mouth to protest but Cliodhna jumped in, "Let's get started, shall we?"
"Yes," Sirius clapped his hands, "very good, very good. Follow me!"
Ginny and Cliodhna attacked the room that would be theirs (and Hermione when she arrived), trying not to inhale the insane amounts of dust that seemed to be everywhere. "It's not as spooky as the drawing room at least," Ginny shrugged as she cleared away what looked like skeletons of some small rodents from underneath one of the beds.
"Blood traitors and mutants in my mistress' house," Cliodhna and Ginny exchanged a look when they heard someone muttering from the hallway. They stuck their heads out the doorway and saw a very wizened House Elf walked slowly away.
"Oh, hullo," Cliodhna tried, "what's your name?"
The House Elf stopped and stiffened before muttering, "The mutant –"
"Mutant?" Cliodhna was indignant, "That's bloody rude!"
"Kreacher!" Sirius yelled from the stairs. "What did I say about being nice to our guests?"
"Yes, Master Sirius," he muttered and walked off again but Cliodhna could hear, "blood traitor" under his breath.
"Kreacher has been living here alone with only dear mother's portrait," he said to the two girls, "but he was always like that. He's as pleased as I am that I'm back here."
Cliodhna felt bad, but didn't press Sirius on his past, knowing he'd share in his own time. "A mutant, though? Because I'm a triplet?"
Sirius shrugged, "Probably not sure what to make of you and ran out of words." He popped his head into their room, "Coming along?"
"I guess," Ginny shrugged.
"You should take a break and see if the boys will tell you about the meeting," Sirius winked and left to go back downstairs to bother Molly.
"He's got a point," Ginny shrugged and followed Cliodhna to the room down the hall where the twins and Ron were attempting to clean. "I'll get the others," she offered and went upstairs to another bedroom.
"Meet Kreacher?" Cliodhna asked them.
"A real charmer," Fred rolled his eyes.
"He's the House Elf," George said to Ron. "Snuck into the meeting until Sirius kicked him out. Really didn't like Remus –"
"Or us," Fred reminded him, "blood traitors may be the greatest affront to his sensibilities."
"Not sure," Cliodhna sighed, "he called me a mutant."
"What?" Ron was shocked, "A mutant? Has he never seen a girl before?"
"I think because I'm a triplet," Cliodhna tried to keep from smiling too widely as Fred smacked Ron upside the head.
He rubbed his head, "Yea, I guess that makes more sense."
The others arrived and Cliodhna watched as Cedric and the twins took a deep breath, "You have to pretend as if you don't know anything."
"Course," Ben agreed.
"I think Sirius would tell us," Ginny shrugged.
"Regardless," Cedric was firm," keep quiet or they may not let us back to discuss serious things."
"Yessir," Jack saluted and the twins rolled their eyes.
"All of the adults are doing some recruiting, keeping an eye out at the Ministry," Fred started.
"Especially the Aurors," George added.
"They're to watch the Department of Mysteries especially," Cedric watched Cliodhna as they all turned to look at her.
"That can't be a coincidence –"
"Did they say why?"
"Dumbledore said he had reason to believe He-Who-"
"Bloody Voldemort," she said through her teeth, "use his stupid name."
Cedric ignored her outburst, "There's maybe a prophecy he wants."
"He wouldn't expand," Fred said. "They're going to take turns watching it at night."
"And Dumbledore didn't mention that Crouch suggest I work there?"
They all shook their heads and Cliodhna was about to ask another question when Molly called them all down for lunch.
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They sat in the dining room that evening for dinner and Molly asked for updates on their bedrooms.
"Livable," Ron shrugged and bit into his food.
"Could probably a lot more time on it, truth be told, mum," Ginny frowned. "But I reckon the other rooms need to be done too?"
"Yes," she nodded, "Sirius, do you think we should start on the drawing room tomorrow?"
He nodded, "I should know which items are dangerous to touch." He frowned and said sheepishly, "Well, most of them."
Molly was about to speak when the front door opened and Remus popped his head in, "Got room for one more?"
Cliodhna offered to help Remus clear up and wash dishes after everyone finished eating and hoped no one else would offer to help. She wanted to speak to Remus about the Moody Imposter and Snape and –
"Professor," she started but Remus met her eyes with a smile. "I'll call you Klee if you call me Remus."
She returned the smile, "Remus, I was hoping to speak with you privately about some things from this past year."
His brows furrowed slightly but nodded, "Certainly, Klee."
She started to tell him about Crouch, the Department of Mysteries, his fascination with her and dueling her when Sirius came in and she shut her mouth, meeting Remus' eyes.
"Crouch dueled you?" Sirius' grey eyes were wide, "Bloody hell."
"I haven't told my –"
"Your secret is safe with me, Cliodhna," Sirius said firmly.
"You can trust Sirius," Remus reassured her. "I do."
She nodded and swallowed, "I didn't want to worry my parents," she frowned. "But I beat him –"
"Well done," Sirius laughed, his grin infections.
"Thanks," she smiled, her cheeks warm before continuing, "and when I found him with Harry –"
"And saved Harry," Sirius added before seeing Remus' look. "Sorry, I'm done interrupting."
"Well he told me Voldemort would want to meet me," her voice was soft and low. "He'd try to recruit me as a Death Eater." She hesitated, "At the World Cup Luscious Malfoy also seemed fascinated by me –"
"Because you defended yourself as a Second Year to the much older Flint –"
"Who was a twat and would have lost to a mirror," she retorted before she could stop herself. "Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't mean –"
Remus' face broke into a wide grin as Sirius nearly barked with laughter. "Quite right," Remus finally managed. "But you also stopped him at the World Cup before he could even try –"
"How did you know that?" She interrupted him.
"Your Uncle Sean told us," Sirius laughed. "He's desperate for you to be an Auror."
"Oh," she blushed, "well, my question is, I guess my concern is, why are they – the Death Eaters – so fascinated with me?"
"And will they try to recruit you?"
"Yes."
Remus frowned and shook his head, "Because you're a very powerful witch for someone so young is really the only thing I can think."
"And a triplet," Sirius offered, "it's a novelty."
She opened her mouth to say how she hated the triplet excuse when Ron entered and asked for cookies.
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Cedric was waiting outside the bathroom when Cliodhna left to head to bed. She smiled tiredly at him and without a word leaned against him for a long hug. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Hopefully neither of us are eaten by something in the middle of the night."
"Chances are high," she murmured. "I'll be glad when we can go home this weekend and be outside."
He hummed in agreement and let her go, "Goodnight, Klee," he whispered.
She put a hand on his shoulder and stood on her toes to give him a long kiss. He smiled widely when she pulled away, "Goodnight."
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The next three days were more or less or the same for those at Grimmauld Place: cleaning and hearing bits of news from anyone who may stop by. Remus left Thursday morning much to the dismay of everyone. Tonks came by that night for dinner and entertained them all with her metamorphmagus and gave them that day's Daily Prophet. "It's the first time you or Harry have been mentioned in a few days," she tried to sound cheerful.
Cedric shrugged as he skimmed the front page article, "Not as bad as it could have been." Cliodhna laid her hand on top of his to offer him some comfort.
"I hate the Prophet," Sirius mumbled. "I'm not sure they've written anything of substance in –"
"Now, Sirius," Molly admonished, "some of the pieces aren't all lies –"
Tonks nodded, "And if Catherine gets that job," her face fell and her eyes widened, "I mean."
Molly put a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes but didn't say anything. "Mum's trying to get a job at the Prophet?" Jack asked.
"As a writer?"
"As an editor?"
Sirius raised a hand to quiet them, "If she can –"
"She uses her maiden name," Cliodhna interrupted him excitedly. "That would be absolutely brilliant."
"Spying from within!" Ben continued cheerfully.
Sirius tried to admonish them but their excitement was contagious, "If all goes well, yes, maybe. But we'll have to wait and see, won't we?"
Tonks was frowning, "I wasn't supposed to say anything, I am so sorry, Molly."
Mrs. Weasley shrugged, "No harm," she nodded at Ron and Ginny. "Your turn to do the dishes."
"That would be a great way to see and know what they're writing about," Jack continued. "And maybe she can write things."
"I wish we could bloody help," Ben huffed slightly. "We could recruit too –"
"No," Mrs. Weasley was firm, "we have enough to do here –"
"But we have mates that are of age and they have mates," Jack started.
Cliodhna was silent as she watched Sirius' face darken in frustration. He couldn't help the Order either. He was stuck –
Sirius got abruptly from the table without a word and took the stairs two at a time. Cliodhna flashed her brothers a dirty look and followed him with a quick squeeze to Cedric's shoulder. Mrs. Weasley and Tonks exchanged a look but didn't say anything.
He wasn't in any of the rooms they were staying in and Cliodhna wondered, again, if he was sleeping in the room where Buckbeak was (which no one besides Sirius was allowed in). She went up the stairs again and saw the door of one of the rooms she'd never been in slightly ajar. "Sirius," she said softly and pushed open the door only to be bombarded by Gryffindor colors. "Oh," she said surprised as her eyes flitted across the bedroom. "This is your childhood room."
"I never thought I'd be back," he said sullenly. "Left at 16 and yet here I am."
"Sirius, I'm sorry –"
He met her eyes, "You have nothing to be sorry for."
She sat next to him on the bed, ignoring the Muggle photos and magazine pages of motorcycles and girls in bikins. "I'm sorry you have to be back here when all you wanted to get away," she met his eyes. "I can't imagine what you must be feeling."
He looked at the door, "It hasn't been ideal but you lot make it slightly more tolerable."
"And I'm sorry Ben and Jack said they felt useless –"
"They didn't realize –"
"They should have," she snapped and then looked horrified, "I'm –"
"No," he smiled genuinely, "don't apologize."
"They were being thick," she frowned, "not just about you."
She was staring at her feet, unaware of Sirius' dark grey eyes watching her. "Dumbledore won't tell me anything either."
She met his eyes, "I think he knows why Crouch was so –"
"Obsessed?"
She let out a light laugh, "Yes. But he won't tell me."
They were silent for a moment when Cliodhna said, "I wish Harry was here."
"Me too."
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"Has anyone written to Potter?" Ben asked them as they walked into the dining area for their last meal before (thankfully) heading back to Ottery St. Catchpole for the weekend.
"No," Ron frowned, "mum told me next to –"
"Not from here at least," Molly said as she put a dish on the table and swatted Fred's hand away. "Dumbledore said he mustn't know about the Order yet, and owls can't find us here anyway."
"How will we find out about our OWL scores?" Jack's voice was high.
"How will you write to your girlfriend?" Ginny rolled her eyes. "That should be the more important –" She closed her mouth when both Cliodhna and Jack stared at her in horror.
"Well now I know where I bloody stand," Cedric muttered under his breath to George as Sirius walked in.
"Are you talking about OWLs and letters? Don't worry," he smiled widely. "Your parents can collect and send out owls very easily from elsewhere."
"Just not from here," Ron huffed, "so everything will be rather late."
"Can we write to Harry though?" Cliodhna asked Molly and Sirius, "He hasn't heard from any of us in a while –"
"Stuck at his aunt and uncle –"
"With his awful cousin –"
"Black, have we told you about the lovely Dudders?" Fred asked before he and George painted Sirius a picture.
"He's absolutely petrified of Klee," Ginny smirked.
"As he should be," Sirius winked at Cliodhna.
"Absolutely terrified him –"
"Potter couldn't stop laughing for hours," Cedric ruffled Cliodhna's hair as she let her head drop to her hands in slight embarrassment.
Ben and Jack told the story to Sirius and Remus walked in through the front door just as Sirius threw back his head to laugh uproariously. Remus looked around and raised a questioning eyebrow. Sirius barely managed to get out, "Tell Lupin," before laughing again. Cliodhna groaned as Ben and Jack gleefully relayed the story to Remus.
Molly tried not to roll her eyes at Sirius as he let out another barking laugh when Ben and Jack finished. She opened her mouth to ask Remus if he knew if anyone else was joining them for dinner when the door opened and Dumbledore, Tonks, and Catherine came through the front door.
"Smells delicious – ow –" Tonks called out as Mrs. Black's portrait immediately began yelling out expletives. "Sorry!" Tonks tried to call out over the roars about blood traitors.
When they finally managed to close her curtains and sit down to eat. Dumbledore looked at Catherine, "Maybe you could think of a way to keep those curtains closed?"
Catherine frowned but nodded, "Sirius, maybe you could help me tomorrow? You were good at Charms and you'll know better what spells your mum was likely to use."
"But we're going home tomorrow," Jack said.
"Ah," Catherine started as everyone around her groaned and whined.
"There's going to be a very big story on Harry, Cedric, and I that runs tomorrow," Dumbledore cut in.
"So they'd come round to bother us," Cedric frowned and looked out at everyone guiltily.
"Your parents will say you went with the triplets to visit some relatives," Dumbledore said.
"And the Weasleys will be visiting their own relatives somewhere too," Catherine said. "The article will die down by Tuesday, I bet. I told some of my new co-workers," she eyed Cliodhna who knew she could ask in a moment, "that you were all in American to get away from everyone. I have distant Muggle relatives there of course –"
"You do?" Ron asked and yelped when Ginny hit him upside the head.
"And I let slip to someone else that Mrs. Weasley and the kids were going to spend an extensive amount of time with Bill in Egypt –"
"Who has been made aware, Molly, in case on the off-chance that someone goes to Egypt."
"And Billy said he'd tell them you went to Romania to see Charlie," Catherine finished. "In the mean time there will be wards around the fields but not the houses nor the wood. The wood and pond will be off limits completely."
"At least we'll be able to go outside next week," Ben sighed.
"All right, everyone start," Molly clapped her hands.
"So you work at the Daily Prophet now, mum?"
Catherine's smirk was barely there, "As Catherine Randolph, the very successful book editor, not as the mother of the infamous Quick triplets."
"So no one knows?"
"No," Catherine's smile grew. "The amount of daily questions your father gets proves that no one knows."
"Then how did you tell everyone we were out of the country?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "Moody sent an Auror to your home, Cedric, as a precaution to protect you from reporters, which the Daily Prophet caught on to and asked Mr. Quick, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. and Mrs. Diggory about everyone's whereabouts –"
"And I casually mentioned to someone at the office that my best mate was the Auror who went to check –"
"Clever," Cliodhna nodded. "And there will be other anonymous tips soon?"
"Certainly," Catherine smiled.
"So what are you doing at the Daily Prophet, Ms. Quick?" Cedric asked.
"Editor for news and sports, mainly," she smiled. "Although they said I could write articles in a few months if I wanted to." She shrugged, "They were very exerting I finally came in for an interview, they'd been trying to hire me for years –"
"Really?"
"You never said –"
"Why now –"
Catherine merely looked at the triplets to get them to quiet down and Sirius his smile behind his hand.
"Because now the Order needs me there," she said slowly. "I never wanted to work there isn't much journalistic integrity –"
"And there wasn't any during the War," Remus finished for her. "It was very much on the wrong side, playing up on everyone's fear."
"But now, I can learn about stories before they run, try to quietly quash some, and heavily edit others." Her eyes were hard, "At first at least."
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "This is delicious, Molly."
Cliodhna watched her mother and Dumbledore, her eyes slowly moving to Sirius and Remus who had exchanged a look and wondered if they were all intimidated by her mother. And she wondered how long until her mother utterly destroyed the Daily Prophet.
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"Bullocks," Catherine muttered as she and Sirius pulled hard on the curtains to close them. "Did she use some bloody Dark Arts on this?" She took a deep breath when the portrait was finally quiet.
"Rather likely, I think," Sirius sat on a step. "Wouldn't surprise me."
"I don't know what else we could even try for a long-term fix," Catherine sat on a step below him to lean back. "She really didn't want to, I'm not sure, actually." She frowned up at him, "What were her intentions, exactly?"
"To scare children," he rubbed his face. "To not fall into oblivion and forgotten, maybe."
They both looked up when the stairs above them creaked. Cliodhna looked caught but said gently, "What if you stop thinking long-term and think shorter-term?"
"That just has to be re-done occasionally?" Catherine watched Cliodhna, "What do you have in mind?"
Cedric watched Cliodhna directing her mother and Sirius from the top of the stairs for a long moment with a smile and a shake of his head. Of course she was helping them to find the best way to keep Sirius' mum quiet. He caught sight of a very large book she was holding and glancing at and tried not to frown. Was that a book from the library that weren't yet allowed to touch?
"All right, let's give it a go," Sirius clapped his hands in front of the portrait as Cliodhna snapped her book shut loudly and Catherine stomped her feet on the stairs. When the curtains stayed drawn and no yelling escaped from the portrait, Sirius put an arm around both of their shoulders. "Well bloody done, Quicks!" He laughed and called out loudly to the entire House, "Come see! We got the ol' bat to keep ruddy quiet!"
Cedric took his time coming down the stairs and actively avoided watching Cliodhna hand the book to her mother who put it on a front hall table. He smiled at her, knowing it wasn't worth asking about the book, what business of it was his and why was he concerned with her reading a book full of, potentially, dark magic? "You help?"
She smiled up at him, "Very little."
Sirius put his arm around her shoulder and laughed again, "Nonsense! She told us to think smaller!"
"Not usually the best advice," Ben called down with a smirk.
"Oi," Sirius chided him. "I didn't see you helping, Benjy."
The twins pulled Cliodhna away and Cedric watched them whispering to her, likely about their newest invention and he tried to pay attention when Catherine explained to the adults who were there how to keep her curtains drawn when they inevitably were able to open again in a few days or weeks. Being kept indoors in this old, eerie house with dark magic, and having lie after lie written about him in the paper was starting to take its toll on Cedric. He needed fresh air and he needed contact with the outside world. Maybe he'd write to his mates for a trip to a Muggle location, maybe the beach.
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Cliodhna grabbed his hand and pulled him in to the empty library and kissed him quickly before he could even comprehend where they were. "Hiya," she pulled her head back and smiled up at him, shadows playing across her face from the one candle she had lit on the table behind her. "We haven't had much alone time –"
He kissed her again, ignoring their surroundings: he hated this room. He let out a surprise laugh when his back hit the door. "No, we haven't," he raised an eyebrow. "Rather hard when the house is full to the brim –"
She kissed him slowly, clearly not in the mood to talk and Cedric kissed her back, not in much of a talking mood either.
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Cliodhna stepped outside the Quick house with a large grin on her face, her eyes closed as she let the sun hit her face. They were all relieved to be home and out of doors, if only for a few days, but Cliodhna still felt guilty that they had to leave Sirius behind. He deserved time outside too, didn't he? Her face fell, her eyes opened and she heard Fred yelling to her from across the field, begging her to come play Quidditch. She remembered the several letters for her on the table that had been delivered in the past few days and she felt guilty, but Ben was right. She likely wouldn't respond to them until they were back at Grimmauld Place anyway –
"Coming!" She waved back.
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'He was dead.'
The words danced across the page, across the walls when she looked up from the letter, and on the ceiling when she lay back on her bed, her hand clutching the letter from Harry. She had to remember to breath.
Dead?
No. she shook her head and sat back up. Surely Harry was wrong.
'He was dead at the graveyard. He came out of Voldemort's wand with my parents. He wanted me to bring back his body. I don't know he knows anything that happened, his soul must have been there…
I don't know how he came back to us, but I watched him die, his soul talked to me with my parents.
I had to tell someone, Klee. Should I tell Cedric? Should I tell Dumbledore? No one has written to me and I can't get the Daily Prophet, so I don't know who to trust or tell.'
Cliodhna stared at the wall, unsure of what to do or what to think Cedric had died. Harry had watched. Somehow Cedric had come back to life. And now Harry was alone in the Muggle world, angry and confused. And how could she blame him? She was confused and angry and she knew about the Order.
She stood up to grab a notebook and pen and began to write to Harry:
'Harry –
I can't tell you much, we've been instructed not to, which Fluffy and I think is extremely unfair. You'll know soon enough, I think, but in the meantime…'
She wrote to Harry about the Daily Prophet, how angry she was, and that Fluffy was safe. She told him they weren't supposed to write him, but that they all believed him.
'Don't tell anyone what you told me until you can tell Fluffy or Moony in person. They'll know what to do."
She put the pages in an envelope, her uncle's address at Cambridge as the return and snuck downstairs for a Muggle stamp. Waving her wand the letter slipped under the door and floated and glided to the nearest Muggle postbox. No one would see a floating envelope in the middle of the night. With a sigh she went back upstairs knowing she wouldn't be sleeping that night.
Cedric had bloodied died.
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A/N: Please review!