Into the Abyss

Chapter Forty-Four

The Flouncing Ferret

The news of the foreign schools arriving was the hot topic of many conversations. With the professors under pressure to ensure that their own brood of students were performing in height of the new arrivals, many took this as an opportunity for preparations of their own. Fred gazed proudly at his and George's inventory, already the first week back and news of their test products had spread like wildfire. Many first year's keen to get out of difficult classes had eagerly signed up to trial the 'skiving snack boxes' and even a few of the fifth years had volunteered for testing of their vomit drops. George, who had been keeping tabs of the money they had made had already managed to wrangle a few more volunteers - girls this time - who wanted to test their love potions.

"You two certainly have been busy," Lee commented as he shrugged on his crimson tie.

"Of course, we've made quite a few sales already" Fred gushed.

"Once we get our money from Bagman, we'll finally make a dent in our shop savings" George added.

"Never speak of that smarmy git's name again" Fred said darkly. Ludo Bagman owed the boys a rather handsome sum of money and after losing the bet, the man just disappeared. Fred could not believe that they had been duped by someone who worked for the Ministry, but he had promised George that they would get what they were owed somehow.

"I'm sure you two can think of something" Lee said "C'mon, we've got Moody next and I'm kind of looking forward to being taught by him".

"Who turned you into such a goody-goody?" Fred teased. Lee was his and George's best friend, he had gotten into as much trouble as they did. The boy was usually jovial, carefree, and seeing him so sombre worried Fred.

Lee shrugged as they walked out of the room "It's sixth year now and I kind of want to get my head down, make a name for myself you know. You two have your shop and well, I'm still not sure on what I want to do when I leave Hogwarts...plus Dad's on my case now he knows Alicia and I getting more serious".

Fred nodded in understanding. "You've got a lot of time to figure things out".

"Yeah, and who says you have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life right now? You're only sixteen for Godric's sake!" George added.

Lee smiled "Thanks guys, that makes me feel a lot better" Lee admitted.

"We know how that is" Fred told him "Mum's always been keen on us following in Bill, Charlie and Percy's shoes".

"Not that we'll ever fit anyway" George said "Besides, I don't see what all this pressure is for anyway, we should just enjoy life".

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Georgie" Fred grinned.

"Why thank you, Freddie," George said. The boys headed to the DADA classroom, they had the new professor Moody first thing, and they were all eager to see what he was like.

"He actually was there you know," Fred said, his voice was tinged with awe.

"Knows what it's like to really fight them," George added.

Once they arrived at the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Fred was surprised to see the crop of students who had continued to take the subject into their NEWT year. The class was mostly filled with Gryffindor's and Slytherins but there were a few Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's milling about.

"Oh, look it's Celeste," Lee said, gesturing to where the blonde was sitting at one of the benches, sitting next to her was Pretty-boy Diggory. The two were having a conversation in hushed tones and Fred watched...feeling something strange in the pit of his stomach when Diggory whispered something to Celeste causing her to turn a bright shade of pink.

"You lot are early," Angelina commented as she appeared behind them. Alicia was beside her and she guided Lee to a bench in the far corner of the classroom - those two were rather smitten with each other.

"Of course, turned over a new leaf haven't we Georgie?" Fred grinned. George nodded and Angelina shook her head in disbelief.

"Try not to cause too much trouble, will you?" Angelina said with a smile.

"Yes mum" Fred chuckled. Angelina rolled her eyes before she gave his hand a light squeeze, then, she took her own seat next to Penny Haywood, a blonde Hufflepuff girl.

Fred sighed; he was a little unsure as to what this thing with Angelina was. Sure, he fancied her, who would not? The two of them were close, written letters over summer but nothing was official.

At least not yet.

"She's just trying to look out for you, you know," George said as they sat down at their usual bench. It was right at the back at the classroom and from here, Fred had a perfect view of Celeste and Pretty Boy.

He was not sure why, but it irked him to see the way Pretty-Boy leaned in just a tad closer to peer at the textbook situated between the two of them-

At that moment, the door to the classroom swung open as Moody limped in. The full clunk of his wooden leg caused everyone's chatter to silence at once and all eyes swivel towards him.

"Right- sixth year - NEWTS!" Professor Moody barked, his electric blue eye swirling round each student "The lot of you will be learning how to wield your wand, to combat the evils which lurk within the wonders…"

"You think I could get an eye like that?" Fred whispered.

"Wouldn't suit you," George whispered back.

"You're just jealous that I'm the handsome one-"

"You there, Weasley!" Moody barked; his brows pinched as he glared at the twins.

"Yes, Professor," Fred and George answered in unison. Moody did not look impressed, his eye swirled the both, as if trying to engrain their appearance into his memory. The Professor was silent, one eye focused on the twins and the other staring just past them and Fred wondered if perhaps the eye could help him see all around the room at once.

"Malfoy, switch places with Weasley!"

Celeste perked up at being mentioned whilst the twins exchanged a perplexed glance.

"Which one?" They asked.

"You," Moody said his electric eye centred on George. George sighed as he stood, whilst Celeste silently gathered her things in her arms. She smiled gently as she placed her books down next to him.

"Long time no see," Celeste said softly.

Fred smiled, feeling his insides warm. This was going to be an interesting year.

INTO THE ABYSS

"So how are things with your girlfriend?" Celeste whispered. Her voice was low as Moody went into a long lecture about the proper way to cast a shield charm to both attack and defend. He was very intense when he spoke, and the entire class were fascinated with him.

"She's not my girlfriend," Fred said gruffly. Celeste quirked a brow, this was not the reaction she was expecting.

"Did something happen?" Celeste asked tentatively. Fred was silent as he shook his head.

"Things are...things are good. I'm just figuring some stuff out, that's all" He responded. Celeste watched Fred carefully, but his expressions betrayed no emotions.

"Well, you better keep a move on, there's only so long a girl will wait" Celeste told him with a smirk.

Fred smiled "What, like you and Diggory?"

Celeste blinked however she felt her cheeks heat up. The thought of Cedric and her was silly...at least to her. They were friends and nothing more.

"There's nothing going on between Cedric and me. We're friends"

Fred nodded.

"Malfoy!" Moody shouted, his mechanical eye centred right on her as his scarred features formed to a scowl "What are the three unforgivable curses?"

Celeste swallowed "They are the imperious, cruciatus and the killing curse, sir" Celeste answered.

Moody satisfied with the answer nodded.

"Your Father would know all about them...imperious especially."

Celeste frowned, what was that supposed to mean?

"Who can tell me why they are unforgivable?"

This time it was Cedric who raised his hand. Moody pointed his old, weathered cane towards him, indicating for him to speak.

"They are unforgivable for they leave long lasting and, in some cases, irreversible effects."

"Diggory, yes?" Moody queried. Cedric nodded "Your Father would know a lot about the aftereffects...one of best healers I know" Moody grumbled "Ten points to your house, boy," Moody turned, and fished a strange looking flask shaped like a clawed foot from his desk and took a large swig.

Celeste wondered what could be inside- was Professor Moody intoxicated on the job? That would certainly explain his eccentricities.

"The imperious can leave long lasting memory loss, the cruciatus, damage to brain functions and the killing curse - well obvious instant death" Moody said.

"During times of war it was not uncommon for wizards - light and dark - to utilise all three"

"But if they're unforgivable, why would a light wizard cast them?" Asked Angelina.

Moody's electric blue eye snapped round to face her and Angelina stiffened.

"Well, Miss Johnson, in times of war, the silly little wand waving used to enchant pineapples to dance is no use to a dark wizard, who's only goal is to eliminate those who opposed the Dark Lord."

His voice was dark, eerie, and Celeste suddenly felt a cold chill run down her spine.

INTO THE ABYSS

The rest of the day allowed Celeste's mood to lighten, Astronomy had the class going into depth on the theory of the magic behind astrological signs. Such a subject came of ease to Celeste thanks to her celestial magic. Potions with Snape was also enjoyable and since the potions master seldom allowed many Gryffindor's to take the subject into NEWT level, the class was filled with mostly Ravenclaw and Slytherin students. After that, came Charms and Arithmancy. Professor Flitwick had been very eager to welcome the NEWT students back and proceeded to quiz them on the previous years' work. Celeste had been extremely excited to show what she had learned though she was rather sullen of not having the twins with her as much this year.

It was always good to be back, the castle was miles more welcoming than the manor had ever been and Celeste was happy to be away from the watchful eye of Mother and Father. She had yet to receive a letter from either of them, so she surmised that Father was once again using his influence to keep tabs on her.

Celeste pushed thoughts about Father aside, she did not want to ruin her mood now that she was back, and she was rather happy to have the opportunity to study more about Astronomy. Learning about the ruling planets of each Zodiac sign was helping her to understand her spirits better. The prospect of being able to utilise their magic as her own excited her but Celeste did not want to fly blind, the magic of the stars was an old and powerful magic, one that should be respected.

"Those born under the zodiac sign Leo, the leader of the zodiac is blessed with the attributes from its ruling planet - which is not a planet at all - the sun. Those rules by the sun are the centre of all things righteous-"

"I suppose that explains why Harry is always at the centre of things " Celeste mumbled to herself. She wondered if Harry's fate had been resigned from his birth, and the blonde found it quite saddening how Harry was always a central point of magic both light and dark.

"Celeste!"

The blonde turned; finger placed delicately on her page to avoid losing it. She smiled up at Daphne Greengrass, the younger girl was in the same house and year as her own brother, Draco. Daphne was more of a quiet girl and kept her social circle small unlike Draco who had his own posse of friends who loyally followed him.

"Hello, Daphne, how are you?"

"Fine." Daphne said quickly, she swallowed a greedy gulp of hair before brushing errant strands of auburn hair from her face "You have to come- it's Draco - you need to come now!"

Celeste promptly snapped her textbooks shut and folded her parchment into her school bag.

"What has he done?" Celeste asked quickly.

"In a fight with Potter, again" Daphne replied, "I have a feeling that this one's going to get ugly".

Celeste followed Daphne as the younger girl led her towards the Great Hall. There stood in the middle, were Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Whilst Hermione was holding Ron back from causing any damage, Harry and Draco were trading insults.

"...You know your Mother? That expression she's got like she's got dung up her nose. Does she always look like that or was that because you were with her?" Harry shouted.

Draco's face suddenly went pink, and Celeste cracked a smile. Her Mother did have that awful expression on her face whenever they were out as a family.

"Don't you talk about my Mother like that!"

"Keep your fat mouth shut then!" Harry shouted, turning away. Celeste walked over towards the boys however at that moment Draco fished out his wand and jets of red light shot out. The spell managed to miss Harry, however at that moment there was a deafening BANG.

Several people screamed and Celeste found herself gasping in shock, in the space where Draco stood was now a pure white ferret shivering on the floor. It darted around in anxiety, and Celeste knew instantly from the stellar grey eyes what had happened.

Wasting no time, Celeste pushed her way through the students who now crowded Draco, who was now a ferret on the floor. There was a loud, dull clunk as Moody stormed down the staircase and pushed his way towards Harry. Vincent Crabbe joined Celeste who was now crouched on the floor, the large boy reached his meaty hands down ready to pick up Draco, but Celeste slapped his hands away. The ferret squeaked out and Celeste felt her heart tug at how helpless he sounded. Who could do such a thing? she certainly would never trans figure a human being into something so small, the process would have been excruciating.

"Did he get you, laddie?" Moody asked Harry. The Gryffindor shook his head, watching closely as Moody's eye swivelled to the back of his head.

"Leave him!" Moody yelled. Vincent Crabbe stiffened whilst Gregory Goyle squeaked as he jumped up - the ferret released a terrified squeak as it took off heading towards the dungeons. Celeste reached out for her wand; she felt her skin prickle as all her senses just screamed out that something was wrong.

"I don't think so!" Moody shouted as he pointed his wand straight towards the ferret, Celeste, who was on the alert, pointed her own wand straight at her brother, a thin stream of blue light shot out and created an iridescent blue shield. Moody's spell bounded straight off Celeste's shield charm and the ferret shivered as it stared back at her.

The prickly feeling did not leave, in fact it started to get worse as Moody's lips pressed into a thin line as he stared back at her. Was it because of him threatening her brother?

Or was there something else at play that her spirits were trying to warn her about?

"Professor Moody!" Cried out a shocked voice. The scarred professor turned with a frown as Professor McGonagall entered, her arms full of books.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," Moody said calmly, the ferret scurried away from him and behind Celeste's ankles. McGonagall took one look at the ferret before her head swivel back to Moody.

"What is going on here?"

"Teaching" Moody stated, gesturing to the shuddering ferret, who squeaked in what one could only assume was rage.

"Teach- is that a student?" McGonagall shrieked, books falling from her arms as she took out her wand, a moment later after a series of snapping noises, Draco sat on the floor, his hair a mess and cheeks pink. He staggered upright, wincing as he did. Celeste pushed her brother behind her as she glared at Moody.

"Moody, we never use transfiguration as punishment," McGonagall said weakly. "surely, Dumbledore told you that,"

"He may have mentioned it" Moody said as he scratched his chin "But I thought a sharp shock-"

"We give detentions, Moody!" McGonagall cut in sharply, "Or speak to the offender's head of house!"

"I'll do that then," Mood grumbled, as he stared at Draco with great dislike. Her brother, who was steel reeling from his humiliation, glared malevolent at the professor as he muttered something which sounded a lot like 'My father will hear about this'. Celeste resisted the urge to roll her eyes - the only thing Father would do would be to pressure the Minster to remove Moody from his post to save his own reputation.

"Oh yeah?" Moody said gruffly as he limped towards the siblings "Well I know your father old boy...and you tell 'im…. you tell 'im that Moody's keeping an eye on his son…. you tell 'im that from me...now who's your head of house, Snape is it?"

Draco nodded "Yes,"

"Another old friend" Moody grumbled. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape, come on you!" Moody made a move to seize Draco's upper arm however Celeste stepped in and swatted his hand away. There was a plethora of gasps as Moody stood frozen, his electric eye swivelled to Celeste and his scarred face morphed to a frown.

"And who might you be?"

"Malfoy. Celeste Malfoy" Celeste said with as much pleasantries as she could muster. She did not take kindly to those who harmed her precious people. She knew her brother was a part but what Professor Moody did was out of line.

Moody's scarred lips tugged to frown, he opened his mouth as if to speak, however McGonagall stepped in front of the younger witch, books now in her arms.

"Moody, perhaps it would be best if I escorted Mr. Malfoy to his head of house".

Moody's eye swivelled to the deputy headmistress before he stiffly nodded. Behind, Celeste Draco breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Hmm so be it" Moody growled "I'm keeping my eye on the both of you" He limped away.

"Come along," McGonagall said, she walked ahead, leaving the siblings with little choice but to follow. "I shall be writing home to your parents tonight, hopefully the experience will be enough for you to rethink instigating fights with your peers, Malfoy."

"Yes Professor" Draco grumbled. He looked rather sullen, mostly due to mention of having Mother and Father being informed about his actions. They walked the rest of the way in silence, Draco hands stuffed into his trouser pockets while Celeste kept a firm hold of her book bag as she kept a watchful eye on her brother.

"You didn't have to do that you know" Draco grumbled. Celeste smiled. She nudged his arm causing her brother to stumble as he temporarily lost his footing. He glared at her, annoyed that she was trying to lighten his dark mood, he was busy cursing that horrid Moody in his mind before his sister distracted him.

"I know," Celeste grinned.

INTO THE ABYSS

Back in the Hall, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had yet to move from the spot where the incident occurred. The other students had gone back to their usual chatter, Ron however, stood still as if in a trance.

"No one talk to me" Ron whispered. He stood frozen as if afraid to move and his eyes twinkled with amazement.

"Why?" Harry asked, his cheek still felt a little hot from where Draco had fired that spell at him.

"Because I want to keep this moment in my memory forever!" Ron gushed. Beside him, Hermione frowned in disapproval as she made a sound which indicated that she was the least bit impressed. Harry already knew what she was thinking - she was way too thoughtful for her own good sometimes.

"He could have really hurt Malfoy, you know, it's good that Professor McGonagall stopped it. Did you see the look on Celeste's face-"?

"Hermione!" Ron whined "You're ruining my greatest memory".

"But what Professor Moody did was awfully cruel," Hermione said with a shake of her head. She was by no means Malfoy's greatest fan, but the look of pure humiliation on his face once he had been transfigured back to his normal self was saddening to see. Hermione was certain that the Slytherin looked like he was about to cry.

"You're not heading off to the library, are you?" Harry asked. Hermione nodded as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder and Harry surmised that it was full of books.

"But we don't even have any homework," Ron said in confusion.

"I'm not doing homework," Hermione said, "I'll see you both later".

INTO THE ABYSS

Hermione sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose with frustration, no matter what books she tried to use to research creature law they all stated the same thing. The creature law - more like propaganda - was strongly biased in favour of having house elves submit to their wizarding masters. Hermione thought it was sick. She had learned all about the transatlantic slave trade in her muggle primary school and this was no different, the house elves, nothing more than enslaved creatures were brainwashed into believing that there nothing more wonderful than to serve a wizard.

Many were so far gone that they refused to listen to her, which was why Hermione was going to try and combat the source. It was not the house elves who were at fault, it was the wizards and witches who believed that they were far more superior than the docile creatures and wanted to use their powerful magic for their own selfish reasons. To make them feel more powerful.

"What's that, homework?" Mavis asked as she dropped down from the bookshelf to sit next to Hermione. The brunette shook her head and Mavis frowned in confusion, lips forming into a pout.

"No... it's just a little project…" Hermione sighed, "I'm not getting anywhere!

"Creature law?" Mavis asked, gesturing to the stack of books next to the young brunette. Hermione nodded.

"Did you know that Hogwarts employs- no, enslaves house elves to do the schools chores?"

Mavis' eyes widened in surprise, she had no idea that the house elves in the kitchens were not paid for their services, she just assumed that it was their job.

"I knew they were here, but I just assumed that they, like the ghosts…. chose to be here" Mavis murmured sadly "I never knew that they were enslaved".

"It's awful isn't it?" Hermione said with frustration "I always thought that magical world was wonderful...a whole new place to explore...but this...it's just cruel".

"I agree," Mavis replied with determination "There just has to be a way to stop it. What if they were set free?"

"I have thought of that, but many house elves believe that being set free is just as bad as being fired from their position...they would have nowhere to go and would be shunned among their kind..." Hermione explained.

"I understand," Mavis said sadly "As a child, I had to pay back my parents' debt...I was forced to work for my guild...if I left, I would have been shunned".

"You were enslaved so young?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

Mavis nodded with a thin smile "Don't be upset, Hermione, if I never worked for the guild, I would have never learned magic, made friends or created a guild of my own".

"But it still isn't right" Hermione reminded her, "House elves deserve the same rights as wizards, they're beings too!"

"I know" Mavis said softly "Which is why I want to help you".

"You do? Mavis, this is fantastic!" Hermione beamed. She reached out hands ready to grasp Mavis's own - the result was Hermione's hands falling right through Mavis's and hitting the table. Mavis giggled softly at Hermione's befuddled expression, she surmised that due to her appearance being rather different to the ghosts of Hogwarts, it was easy to forget that she was no longer living.

"We should make an organisation, something that lets everyone know that we mean business and want to protect house elves everywhere."

Hermione nodded, she grabbed her quill and wrote something down on parchment, Mavis watching with curiosity.

"Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare," Hermione read out proudly. Mavis smiled beside her before a thought crossed her mind.

"Or SPEW," Mavis said, "It's less of a mouthful."

A/N:

I was excited to write about SPEW, I understand why it was taken out from the films, but its creation was detrimental to Hermione's character. Anyway, thank you everyone who has added this fic to their alerts, favourtied and reviewed so far! Stay tuned for the next chapter where the foreign schools arrive, the champions are chosen and another celestial spirit opens their gate.