Into the Abyss
Chapter Forty-Seven
Dancing the Waltz
Celeste smiled, her fingers gently brushing through the Pegasus's silky mane. She and Luna had volunteered to feed the herd of thestrals on the grounds along with the Beauxbatons pegasi. The beast tossed back its huge head as it flapped its large wings. A gust of wind blew through the forest and Celeste smiled as her hair was blown about.
"Did they have any creatures like this where you're from?" Luna asked. Her voice was soft, melodic and as her question carried through the wind. Celeste paused, she turned to the younger girl.
"We didn't even have a lot of horses on Earthland. My father owned a few when I was growing up though" Celeste responded with a pout. "What about you?"
Luna hummed in thought, she reached down to pick up a slab of meat and offered it to the young thestral calf. It whined in excitement before greedily chomping on the food.
"Well the army used legions...you might have seen one" Luna beamed. Her cornflower blue eyes drifted off as if recalling a tale Celeste could not see.
Celeste frowned in thought. She had of a legion before, seen one in fact. This had been a lifetime ago back when she was Lucy. The huge, winged beasts were local to Edolas and she remembered the royal army using them. Prince Mystogan even had his own legion.
"You were from Edolas, weren't you?" Celeste stated. The younger blonde nodded, a smile on her lips as she released a dreary sigh. As if sensing her distress, the thestral calf butted its head against her leg and rubbed its maw against the witch's hand.
"If I had met you then, we probably would have been friends," Luna told her with a sincere smile, "But I'm sure that the other me liked you well enough."
"Now I'm curious," Celeste said with an eager smile. Luna giggled; her cornflower blue eyes alight with mischief as she bounced on her toes "Just who were you in Edolas?"
"Hmm...you've met my other self before," Luna said, index finger tapping lightly against her chin as she took delight in the way Celeste's brows pinched as she tried to finger out the clues.
"That hardly narrows it down," Celeste huffed after a few moments. Luna giggled from beside her.
"We had the same friends," Luna said in a sing-song voice.
"Luna…" Celeste said in warning. Luna only giggled more; cornflower blue eyes alight with amusement as she bounced back on fourth as if unable to contain her own excitement.
"Alright, alright, I was-"
"Hello Celeste, Hermione said you were out here!" Harry appeared at the edge of the forest, he glanced from Celeste to Luna. He had seen her with Ginny but did not know her name. "Is this a bad time?"
Celeste shook her head "No, now is fine...Harry this is Luna Lovegood she's a third year and Luna this is Harry Potter."
Harry waved in greeting to the younger blonde and she beamed back.
"Everyone talks about you, " Luna said "Did you know that?"
"I try to ignore them," Harry commented. Luna smiled.
"Have you solved your egg clue, Harry?" Celeste asked. Harry shook his head.
"I know I have to get something from merpeople, but that's about it" Harry admitted "I don't suppose, Cedric has solved his clue yet?"
"Well, he knows he has to retrieve something important to him. He thinks it might be something belonging to his father" Celeste said
"I never thought of that" Harry murmured. He hoped that the merpeople were not going to take his firebolt, or worse- his invisibility cloak. For if he was not able to retrieve them from the bottom of the lake, then they would be lost forever.
"Did you want some advice on underwater charms?" Celeste asked.
Harry nodded "That would be great. I'm not sure where to start and I'm not that good of a swimmer"
"I'm sure with the right spell you wont have any trouble" Celeste said, "What spells have you tried so far?"
"I've been looking for spells in library that would help but I couldn't find any." Harry admitted.
"That's because you were looking in the wrong section," Celeste pointed out. "scuba spells are NEWT level charms and are only in the restrictive section. I'm surprised that you didn't know about it"
"I guess it slipped my mind" Harry said.
"How about we practice a Bubble Head charm? It's pretty standard and would be remarkably effective for breathing underwater for an hour" Celeste suggested.
"Oh, can I watch?" Luna asked eagerly, "Daddy wants to go hunting for fresh water plum fish in December and it would be nice to how the charm works."
INTO THE ABYSS
Harry felt his face heat up as Celeste stood waist deep in the black lake, the blonde had transfigured her sweater and skirt into a white one-piece swimsuit. Despite Celeste's insistence that there was nothing for either of them to be ashamed of, Harry kept his vest on and stood only in his boxer shorts. It certainly did not help that Luna sat staring at the both of with eager eyes. The water was freezing and Harry worried at just how cold it was going to be when the Second Task would take place in February.
"The bubble head charm is a powerful charm." Celeste said, she took a step back further in water so that it came just below her chest "It's high level so don't be disheartened if you can't cast it" Celeste said. She flicked her wand in the shape of a horseshoe and called out "Bulla Capitis."
It was a strange sight, large bubbles formed around Celeste's nose and mouth making her features appear distorted. Then Celeste cast the charm on Harry. Instantly his vision distorted, it was like looking through a distorted window at a fair ground. Harry was surprised that the inside of the charm was completely dry. Celeste the ducked beneath the water's surface and Harry took a deep breath and followed. They were still at the surface of the lake but Harry could see just how deep and murky it was, small fish swam past them.
After a few moments, the bubbles disappeared as Celeste dispelled the charm and the two teenager's swam back up the lake's surface. Harry thought that the charm looked straight forward enough and maybe he just might have some hope for the second task afterall.
"Now using too much power for the charm results in bubbles too large, this can lead to oxygen poisoning- and some cases death" Celeste said grimly.
Harry grimaced as he wiped the droplets of water from his glasses. That certainly did not sound straightforward at all.
"What about too little power?"
Celeste hummed in thought "That would most likely lead to suffocation which in turn would also lead to death,"
"So, too much power I could die and too little I could also die?" Harry repeated.
Celeste nodded "Pretty much...but don't worry I'll stop the charm if it looks like you're in any danger."
Harry nodded, he pointed his wand just how Celeste had done moments earlier and flicked his wrist in the shape of a horseshoe.
"Bulla capitis!" He cried. At first there was nothing and then suddenly large bubbles formed around his face. Through the bubbles he could see Celeste and Luna staring at him in awe. Celeste copied him and cast the charm upon herself and both teenagers ducked beneath the waters surface once more. At that moment, the bubbles began to grow larger, and Harry started to feel lightheaded. He could not see in front of him as his vision began to blur and he had the niggling feeling that something had gone very wrong. Black spots started to form, and Harry's body felt light. He wanted to shout for help however no sound came out. He could vaguely see, Celeste swimming towards him with her her wand raised.
"Finite incantatem!" Celeste shouted.
The bubbles popped simultaneously, and Harry felt a sharp tug to his arm and aware that Celeste started to pull him upwards. He took in greedy gulps of air once they reached the surface and he weakly swam to the bank. The Gryffindor collapsed to the ground as he continued to greedily take in gulps of air. He felt a hand on his shoulder blades and turned to find Celeste next to him, brows pinched.
"That was a good first try, Harry. Too much power...but a good try nevertheless" Celeste told him
"Could...could we try...again?" Harry asked between gasps of breath. Celeste hummed in thought as worry clouded her features, then eventually the older teenager nodded.
"Alright," She said reluctantly "But we won't go under the water this time"
They tried the spell again, the next time Harry put too little power into the Bubble Head charm - the result was that he passed out from lack of air. The third time was no better, the bubbles exploded after a minute...and the fourth time, the bubbles filled with water almost drowning Harry.
After the seventh try, it was already dark and Luna had dozed off on the bankside. Harry felt his frustrations build at not being able to cast the charm, he had no trouble creating a fully corporal Patronus, but a bubble head charm was giving him trouble. Celeste had told him that charms were much trickier than offensive spells and needed a different skillset.
"Your magical core hasn't fully developed yet," Celeste said softly. She apologetically smiled as Harry sighed in frustration "Most NEWT level spells require high levels of control which young wizards don't yet have, so don't be too hard on yourself."
"Maybe there's other spells we could try" Harry suggested.
Celeste hummed in thought "Transfiguration might be able to work however, it's going to take a lot of work due to your magical core being undeveloped."
"I want to try it," Harry said with determination.
INTO THE ABYSS
The following morning, Harry woke up exhausted from his spell casting session with Celeste. The Gryffindor collapsed into the Gryffindor table with a tired yawn causing his friends to exchange worried glances.
"Don't take this the wrong way, mate, but you look terrible," Said Ron.
"I was up all-night learning about scuba spells. I think my heads about to explode," Harry sighed.
"I've been reading up on the merpeople in the lake, Harry and from what I've learned, they're very territorial and brutish" Said Hermione "In case some are hositle, it would be good to learn a few spells. I think a stunning spell could do you good and I'm happy to help you learn that us"
"Thanks Hermione, that would be great". Harry said. He tried to look happy about Hermione's offer however the thought of not only having to breathe underwater for an hour, but to fight of hostile merpeople was overwhelming. Harry was now considering if he even wanted to do the Second Task at all.
At that moment, the morning mail arrived. Harry spotted Sirius's owl swoop towards him, with Pigwidgeon behind. The owl squawked loudly and Harry not wanting a repeated injury hastily withdrew his fingers before the bird could bite him. Opening the package, Harry was surprised when he pulled out a tailored black suit. Why would Sirius send this? Was there some sort of event?
"I think these might be yours Ginny," Ron grumbled. Harry turned up to see Ron holding a pair of outrageously pink dress robes and across the table, Ginny was trying to stifle her giggles and her face was now a bright red.
"Mums already sent mine. Those are yours" Ginny replied with a snigger of laughter. The robes were certainly hideous and in her opinion, she was glad that third years were not required to attend the Yule Ball.
"What the bloody hell are these for?!" Ron cried out.
"Don't you read the school supplies list Ronald? They're for the Yule Ball!" Hermione explained with unhidden exasperation. Beside her, Ginny chuckled, taking delight her brothers confused face.
"There's going to be a ball?" Harry asked.
"Of course, silly" Lavender brown said with a dreamy expression "The yule ball hasn't happened in over a century and finally we get to go!"
"I've already got my dress robes. I hope they match my dates" Parvati Patil added. She glanced over at Harry before she smiled.
Dates? Harry thought. He glanced over to the Ravenclaw table and spotted Cho Chang sitting next to Celeste. She was the only person that Harry wanted to go with, but how was he supposed to ask her?
"Blimey, I never thought about dates," Ron grumbled "who you think you'd ask?"
"I don't know," Harry muttered. His mind filled with images of the pretty, dark-haired Ravenclaw witch.
"Me... I'm thinking Fleur Delacour," Ron stated. He had a smirk on his face as if imagining the French witch was sitting right in front of him. Harry found himself admiring Ron's courage.
"You can't be serious," Said Lavender Brown with a scoff. Beside her Parvati Patil nodded in agreement "She's a seventh year, a Triwizard Champion and the most beautiful girl here."
"Face it, Weasley, she wouldn't give you the time of day!" Said Parvati Patil.
"It could work" Ron argued, the girls did not look convinced and giggled more. He then turned to Hermione; the brunette witch had her head stuck in a book. "Right, Mione?"
"Hmm. Sure" Hermione said quickly, never leaving her book.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence" Ron grumbled.
INTO THE ABYSS
Across the hall at the Ravenclaw table, many students chattered away about their upcoming classes, read letters from home, and finished their homework. Celeste was dragged from her book as Draco's owl, Apollo swooped over with a small package and a waxed sealed letter. Mother tended to send both herself and Draco's sweets and cake however Celeste was less concerned about that as she opened the letter.
Inside was not a neatly folded piece of parchment but a single, rectangle shaped card. Embossed on the front in a gold script were words that caused her blood to chill.
You are cordially invited to the engagement dinner of Celeste Narcissa Malfoy and Marcus Octavius Flint on December 24th at Malfoy Manor.
RSVP
Her hands were shaky as she placed the card back into the envelope, she could make out Cho asking her if she was alright. Wanting to save face, Celeste nodded but the sinking feeling remained. She needed to get out of this marriage, but she worried that she was running out of time.
INTO THE ABYSS
Hours later, the Gryffindor's in the Hall which had been cleared of tables and chairs. The students watched as McGonagall dragged a reluctant Ron to the middle of the hall. Many sniggered in amusement at Ron's plight and even Harry found the situation rather funny.
"Hand on my waist, Mr. Weasley," Said McGonagall. Ron's eyes widened, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.
"You what?" He asked.
"My waist," The deputy headmistress repeated. Not wanting to waste any more time, she took Ron's hand and placed it upon her waist herself. She then motioned to Filch who proceeded to switch on the old-fashioned record player. McGonagall began to step into the rhythm of the song, Ron bashfully following.
Among the students watching, the twins seemed most amused with the development.
"You're never going to let him forget this are you?" Harry asked with a chuckle.
"Never," the twins responded in unison.
Not too long after, McGonagall ordered the students to split into pairs to practice waltzing.
"Hey," Angelina tapped George on the shoulder, the redhead smiled in greeting. "Fancy being my partner, Fred?"
His smile instantly faltered "Err, it's George, Ange" He responded with an awkward chuckle. Angelina's eyes widened and she promptly took a step back.
"Shit- I'm so sorry. I thought…" she trailed off not wanting to dig herself further into a hole.
"I know," George said with a forced smile. At that moment, Fred appeared grinning despite the situation. Angelina smiled upon seeing him and George felt his heart sink. He tried to push down the feelings he felt as he watched Fred walk off with Angelina, he tried to ignore the way he felt his heart shatter as Angelina's eyes seemed to light up.
INTO THE ABYSS
Across the school in the charm's classroom, the Ravenclaws were doing something similar. Whereas Flitwick did not demonstrate a waltz with one of his students, he allowed them to pair up and practice. Glancing around, Celeste spotted Marietta sidelined up to a seventh-year boy and Cho was nowhere to be seen.
"How about we pair up, Malfoy, for old times' sake?" Roger suggested with a winning smile.
Celeste turned to face Roger Davis. The two had dated during their fifth year and though they had split up the two were still on good terms since they often had prefect patrols together. In fact, she was about to acquiesce to his request before she felt someone drape an arm around her shoulders.
"Come on, we both know that the boys here are absolute trash," Said Cho with a smirk. Roger looked as if he wanted to argue however, Cho had already started leading her off to a free area of the classroom.
"You want to lead? Or shall I?" Celeste asked with a giggle. The music was rather loud at this point and many students were already in the throes of their dancing.
"Me, duh!" Cho cried with a snort. She placed her hand on Celeste's waist while the blonde placed one hand on Cho's shoulder. Despite Celeste being a head taller than the dark-haired witch, Cho was a good leader to their dance.
The girls giggled as they forgot their steps and started twirling one another around. Celeste shrieked as Cho spun her a bit too vigorously and the result was that the blonde fell straight into Padma Patil and Terry Boot.
"Sorry!" Celeste apologised. Cho tried and failed to stifle her laughter. Not even Celeste's glare could stop her.
"Alright, alright!" Flitwick cried with a clap of his hands. He flicked his wand causing Celeste, Padma Patil and Terry Boot to briefly levitate above the ground before placing them back on their feet.
"Miss Chang, please refrain from swinging your partner around, she is not a quaffle"
Cho nodded; her laughter now fully subsided however she still had a smile on her lips. "Yes, professor"
A couple of days later, the snow had blanketed the school grounds and December was here. The castle decor had changed for the Yule festivities and all students and teachers alike were looking forward to the upcoming ball on Christmas day.
Celeste had already read through half of the Grimm's Fairy Tales book and had fallen in love. Who knew that muggle literature was so morbid? Alongside this, her spirits had been pestering her to allow them to attend the ball too. Loke of course was a given, as the leader of the zodiac he was the strongest and could keep his gate open for long periods of time, the others were a different story. Though all her spirits were strong, opening their own gate combined with staying in the human world for an evening would be incredibly taxing for them. Celeste did not want to risk the health of her friends and was reluctant to meet their requests.
Eventually Aquarius had yelled at her to stop being such a 'worry wort' and came up with a proposition. The spirits would only stay at the ball for an hour, enough time to enjoy themselves and still have some of the energy intact - with the condition that the less human looking spirits had a glamour charm cast upon them.
It was wonderful to see the looks on their faces. Taurus was ecstatic, Capricorn remained indifferent however the wise goat managed to crack a smile; Scorpio was rather excited to take Aquarius out, the water bearer berating her boyfriend for not formally asking her first. Virgo excitedly started practicing her dance moves whilst Aries shyly thanked Celeste for being allowed to attend. Lyra and Plue asked politely to be summoned for a short amount of time too, the silver keyed spirits were unfortunately not strong enough to open their own gate however, Celeste had agreed to summon them to have some fun too.
Celeste decided it would be best to summon her spirits to discuss with them the rules for the Yule Ball. Many ministry officials would attend, and she certainly did not want attention brought to the spirits and by extension herself. The spirits were all squeezed together in the Arithmancy, the cold air did not affect them much, the classroom was rather drafty at this time of year, but it served its purpose for this impromptu meeting.
"Now you all better behave," Celeste said.
"Or what? Are you trying to threaten us?" Aquarius challenged through clenched teeth. Celeste paled.
"Of course not! I just want to make sure we don't cause too much of a scene" Celeste explained.
"Perhaps you should focus less on us and more on getting a date. I'm led to believe that for anyone to attend such an event alone would be social suicide" Said Capricorn with a smirk.
"I don't mind going to the ball alone," Celeste murmured. Truly she had no idea who to go with.
"Find a date, Princess and punish him too!" Virgo exclaimed with a sadistic gleam in her eyes.
"Moo! I agree- without the punishment of course, every minute spent with you is pleasure!" Taurus bellowed loudly. Celeste groaned.
"You guys keep it down!" Celeste said fiercely. At that moment, the door to the classroom swung open, in panic, Celeste quickly forced all the spirits gates closed at once.
"Just us, Cell!" Fred called out as he and George stepped into the classroom. A second later Mavis flew right through the wall.
"Oh, hey guys" Celeste said in greeting.
"Have you heard anything from your parents yet?" George asked. Celeste nodded grimly as she pulled out the neatly folded piece of parchment from her Mother. George took it from her, and Fred peered over his shoulder to get a look.
"Talk about crappy Christmas presents," Fred said with a wry chuckle. Despite the situation, Celeste smiled.
"I think I need to leave sooner than planned," Celeste started with a sigh.
"There's more?" George inquired worriedly.
Celeste worried the hem of sleeved of her sweater, "I... I think they're planning on marrying me off over Easter Break." The twins had identical expressions of shock on their face whilst Mavis gasped.
"They can't possibly do that!" Mavis exclaimed in shock "You're only sixteen."
"That's exactly why they're doing it." Celeste stressed "Once I hit seventeen, I am of age and they will be unable to have any say in my life. Pureblood marriage contracts are awfully difficult to dissolve once both parties are married."
"We could always sneak you out like we did for Harry?" Fred proposed. Beside him, George nodded, as he was equally sold on the idea.
"I do appreciate it boys, but I can't leave…" Celeste sighed miserably. "they'll only find me and take me back and make things even more difficult. What I need is for them to get rid of me...I need them to disown me."
They were all silent for a few moments, George watching Celeste carefully as she paced back and forth, whilst Fred tried to quell his anger for the Malfoys – how could they do this to their own daughter? Force her into a life that clearly did not want.
"What we need is for you to do something undesirable" Mavis declared. Celeste paused as she turned towards the ghost.
"Right…so undesirable that your pompous parents will be begging you to leave" Fred surmised with a grin.
"Think about hitting them with what they hate most!" Mavis stressed; her eyes filled with purpose as she punched her right fist into her open left hand.
"Just about anything really…" Celeste mumbled "muggles, muggleborns and…" She trailed off as she turned towards the boys.
"Blood traitors" Fred finished. His smiled slowly and Celeste met his gaze.
Into the Abyss
Omake
The Lion and the Ram
The moment the celestial spirits arrived back in the celestial world, chaos ensued. The Yule Ball was only a matter of weeks away and the spirits hastily rushed around in their bid to prepare for the occasion. Virgo, being the avid dancer of the group, tasked Lyra with playing one of her favourite songs and the maid spirit begun prancing about. Somehow she got the usually stoic Capricorn to join her and the two proceeded to preform the steps to one of Virgo's intricate interpretive dance routines.
Aquarius proceeded to drag Scorpio to her own domain to plan their outfit - the two were going to attend together as a couple and the water bearer was determined for them to match. He was more inclined to red however, he was willing to wear blue for the sake of his girlfriend. Aquarius blushed as she held the royal blue dress close to her chest. Not many saw the bashful side of the usually rambunctious spirit - well except for her boyfriend.
Taurus proceeded to take transformation lessons from Mother and Son Pisces, the bull spirit desperately wanted to impress Celeste with a new ability and the thought of behind able to dance with his beloved master ignited a fire inside the bull.
Elsewhere, Aries sighed as she sorted through her own clothes. She had nothing suitable for a ball, most of her clothes were more designed to be comfortable and cute. A sigh fell past her lips as she thought about Capricorn's words- you were supposed to go to ball's with a date. But who would ask her? Aries knew who she wanted to go with, there was one person in the celestial world whom she loved dearly however, the timid ram worried that he only saw her as a friend or a little sister that he needed to protect. Aquarius was always telling her that she needed to be more assertive to get what she wanted, but Aries just did not know how.
A knock on her door pulled Aries from her thoughts, slowly and cautiously, she headed down and was pleasantly surprised to see Leo - or Loke as he prefered to be called - stood outside. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. The person who she loved most was here!
With shaky hands, Aries turned the doorknob, her heart almost jumped out of her chest as Loke smiled at her.
"Hey, Aries, can I come in?"
Aries, who had lost her voice hastily nodded. She stepped aside and Loke stepped into her house. The timid spirit shook herself out of her stupor before offering Loke a seat on the soft wool couch. She made it herself from her own magic and the moment Loke sat down, he was almost swallowed up in the pink wool.
"Have you thought much about the Yule Ball?" Loke asked. Aries shrugged as she sat down. She was careful to sit on the far end of the couch lest Loke would be able to hear her erratic heartbeats.
"Um, I-I'm really looking forward to it" Aries muttered. Loke smiled at her answer and Aries quickly apologised.
"No need for that, Aries" Said Loke, "Have you thought about going with anyone?"
Aries, felt her face heat up her legs crossed together as her hand bashfully rested on her cheek. She swallowed, for she was painfully aware of the way that Loke was watching her.
"J-just o-one person" Aries admitted sheepishly. Her eyes closed and she felt the dip on the sofa beside her. Aries, too afraid to open her eyes clenched them shut. Her hands covered her face lest Loke saw something - an inkling to her feelings - however the lion spirit took her hands in her own. She could feel his breath against her cheeks, smell the scent that was so undeniably him and Aries felt as if she was trapped.
"Would that person be me?" Loke purred. Aries opened her eyes, a gasp left her lips as she spotted the sincerity in Loke's entrancing green eyes.
"Yes," Aries whispered. Loke smiled, it was not the usually flirtatious s smirk, Aries had seen him use, this smile was filled with warmth, kindness and something Aries was too afraid to say.
Aries felt the soft pressure on her lips before she knew what was happening. Her eyes widened as Loke withdrew from her, a soft expression on his face. Somehow, Aries's hands hand wound around her neck as if wanting to draw him in closer. She desperately wanted his lips on hers again, se wanted to know that this was not just a dream.
"Be my date, Aries" Loke whispered. Aries's eyes widened, she felt as she could fly. Carefully she wrapped her fingers through Loke's hair, it was softer than it looked. The spirit smiled as he once again leaned in closer, their lips only a breath apart as Aries spoke once more with all the confidence she could muster.
"Yes," Aries murmured before pressing her lips to Loke's once more.
A/N: Stay tuned for next chapter where everyone tries to secure a date and Celeste plots with the twins