In the weeks that followed obtaining these two crucial bits of the puzzle that has been unraveling before her since the school year began, Celena led an almost normal life. The days were getting warmer, the nights shorter, and Dennis Creevey more desperate. Despite his many protests, Celena pointed out that he's becoming too good to really need extra tutoring, and decided to cut off the private lessons, gently explaining she has too much work at the moment, preparing her O.W.L and N.E.W.T classes to spare any more time that term.
Not that it was a lie, of course; there was more than enough work to be getting on with – on top of routine homework and lesson-planning, practice papers needed to be checked and handed back in with corrections, and there were nights when she fell asleep over a tottering pile of essays, blotching them with red ink. Even for those students who weren't doing their O. or N.E. that year, exams needed to be composed, checked, double-checked and approved by Professor McGonagall. The Potions inventory needed to be tracked and recorded, orders made for the exams and personal student files needed to be updated and when needed, passed on to their Heads of House.
As spring wore on into summer, some of her students gave in more and more to excitement, adventure, mischief and, in some cases, slacking, sensing the upcoming end of term. She, too, was looking forward to the vacation ahead, to an opportunity to clear her head, but she already knew it wouldn't be possible to lay her heart aside for several long months.
Her parents came to see her one weekend, and enjoyed many fond memories while walking through the school grounds. Another weekend, she managed to carve out a few hours to go to the Shell Cottage again and visit Fleur. Mostly, however, she was busy with her work, apart from an occasional fleeting visit to Hagrid's cabin.
Timothy tried to write to her once, but she chucked his letter into the fire without even opening it.
One lonely evening, as she was returning to the castle from a short walk, saw Goliath and Demona bathing in the lake. The water was still cold, but gargoyle skin is less sensitive to cold, and Celena could only assume they didn't mind the giant squid. Demona was leaning against his massive chest, resting her head on his mighty shoulder.
"I'm glad you are more reasonable now, my love," Celena heard him murmur. "Let us not fight anymore. You know I love nothing better than to be in peace with you."
"If you were sensible, you would let me do the only thing that could avert the danger from the rest of the clan," started Demona, but her husband hushed her:
"Don't, my beauty. Don't even mention it anymore."
"I cannot do it anyway. I cannot bear to part from you again, you and Angela…"
"It won't happen. That time is long past. You will not pay with another exile – don't worry, better kiss me, love."
Celena hastened her footsteps away from the lake, trying to walk as quietly as possible, feeling oddly lonely.
She didn't find out any more news about either the missing wand or Merlin's secret writings. In fact, she hadn't been able to get any bit of new knowledge since the conversations she and Korian overheard (she still couldn't help but feel a twinge of remorse for eavesdropping). She didn't, however, lose hope that she might yet be allowed to join the Order. And one night, quite late, when she was already thinking of undressing and going to sleep, she was summoned by Professor McGonagall – but not to her office; she was called to an empty room on the ground floor, and she understood why when after hurrying down many flights of stairs, she opened the door and saw Firenze.
It was the most peculiar sight. In that wide, large room on the ground floor, Firenze was surrounded by people Celena knew to be members of the Order of the Phoenix: McGonagall was there, and Snape, who looked very ferocious as she watched him out of the corner of her eye, her uncle Remus, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Bill and Charlie Weasley and several other people who were strangers to her. Some of the gargoyles were there too. Demona was leaning against Goliath, and Angela was hurriedly whispering into Korian's ear. Korian gave Celena a small wink when she entered.
Firenze, even though not very solemn – not for a centaur, at least – had never looked particularly gay, but now there was something in his face, something exceedingly vibrant, as he welcomed Celena. He stretched out his hand and Celena took it, seeking his brilliant blue eyes.
"Celena Costello," he said, "kin of the forest folk. I honor you. Your efforts have worked out magnificently."
"Efforts?" Celena repeated blankly, "But I – I didn't really –"
"Communication," said Firenze, "is often the missing link between humans and other intelligent creatures. You provided that link."
"The local dryads are on our side now, Celena," Lupin said, beaming, "and spreading the message of their allegiance throughout the country. Soon, no forest in Britain will be safe for the Death Eaters and their allies –vampires, gremlins…"
"Werewolves," Snape interjected sardonically.
"… and werewolves," Lupin nodded, unabashed. "That's a powerful alliance you helped form, Celena. I doubt it could have been done without you."
"This will help with minor distractions," said Firenze. "So we can focus on the main mission."
"Which is what?" asked Celena.
"I have gazed at the stars," replied Firenze, "and was warned of the danger looming ahead…"
Out of the corner of her eye, Celena noticed Hagrid suppressing a yawn, and Charlie Weasley nudging him slightly in the ribs – a gesture that was almost unnoticed by Hagrid. Celena had to fight back a grin.
"The danger is grave," continued Firenze, "but not imminent. It can be prevented. And to do that, we must…"
"Find the wand and the books?" asked Celena.
"No," Firenze shook his gorgeous head, "not the wand, not the books, not other material objects, for these are merely vessels of magic, not its source. No, you must focus on finding the boy. I cannot know his whereabouts right now, but every plan you make, every scheme you draw, must be centered on finding him. It is crucial. Without it, the wizarding world will slide into times even darker and more dangerous than before. But you are experienced now. You humans must have realized, and if not, you must realize it soon, that you cannot do it alone."
"My clan is at the service of those who fight Dark magic," said Goliath in his low, rumbling voice, "I lend you our wings, and our eyes, ears and teeth and claws."
Hagrid clapped Goliath on the shoulder, and Professor McGonagall gingerly shook the big taloned hand. Demona scowled, but said nothing.
"From giants to house-elves," continued Firenze, "from centaurs to bowtruckles, no ally you can make to fight evil magic should be disregarded and underestimated. And now, if you men – and gargoyles – come up one of the castle towers, I think you can all see something rather impressive."
And without saying another word, he abruptly turned around and left, his hooves clunking upon the floor.
Going upstairs between Bill and Kingsley, Celena felt puzzled; when they reached the terrace of the Astronomy Tower, she was already tired and out of breath and envious of the gargoyles who easily flew up. But when she looked beyond the balustrade, she forgot about the discomfort in her aching and legs.
It seemed as though the Forbidden Forest turned into a gushing and splashing sea; even at this distance, it was evident that the trees were rustling, moving, whispering, leaning towards one another. The Forest had never seemed so much like one living, breathing being. Whatever their state of affairs in finding the boy might be, Celena thought, in the dryads they have a valuable alliance. And it was she, Celena, who played an indispensable part in forming it, she thought with exhilaration.