Into the Abyss
Chapter Forty-Eight
Find a Date
The forbidden forest of Hogwarts was quiet, peaceful, and tranquil early on the second Monday of December. A herd of centaurs who had been gathering herbs for and spices paused as they sensed a strange disturbance of magic in the air. Their leader, a burly centaur with olive skin and dark curly hair frowned. Firenze was his name. His brows pinched, head inclined as his enhanced senses felt the wash of powerful old and archaic magic.
"Hmm" He said. Beside him, a beautiful female centaur with tanned skin and strawberry blonde hair frowned in worry.
"What do you think it is, Firenze?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
Firenze did not answer her at first, he wanted to be sure...then he felt it. Magic as old as the stars themselves. A magic he had thought had been lost to this world. The stars were warning of something more sinister to come now was the best time for powerful magic to return.
"It's Celestial magic, Pier. I never thought I would live to feel it" Firenze spoke, his deep baritone having an almost giddy lilt to it. Then, a sudden dark thought came across the centaur, and the ghost of the smile disappeared from his face as he spoke with severity.
"Let us hope that it does not fall into the wrong hands.
Deep into the forest, six figures faced off against each other in a spar. Three of them were Hogwarts students and the others celestial spirits - a young man dressed in a tailored suit, a humongous, humanoid bull and finally, a young woman with ram horns wearing a wool dress.
"Go left!" Fred cried out. He narrowly dodged a beam of Lokes lions brilliance spell by crouching low to the ground. The lion spirit darted forward; he raised his right knee straight into Fred's chest.
"Bloody hell, talk about fighting dirty!" Fred cried out as he staggered upright. Loke grinned before darting forward again. Beside him Aries squeaked as she attempted to entangle George in a thin rope made of wool. The redhead spun to the right, evading her attack and then aimed his wand at the arm spirit.
"Stupefy!" He cried. Aries gasped in surprise as she felt her entire body seize up, she could not move her limbs and simply stared in shock as her body crumpled to the ground against her own will.
Celeste yelped as Taurus swung his axe down and narrowly missed her. Beside her George whooped in excitement before firing a locomotor-mortis curse at the bull spirit.
Taurus swung his axe up to block the spell and Fred took the opportunity to fire the leg locking curse at his feet. The giant bull attempted to step forward but with a loud cry of alarm fell forward and onto his face. Now down, Celeste cast a binding charm locking him in place.
Loke, who had been fighting alongside Taurus, raised his hands in defeat as the twins pointed their wands at his neck in warning.
"I think that was our win," George said with a smirk. Taurus, unable to do much on his space on the floor, said nothing.
Celeste promptly cast the counter charm to free Taurus, the spirit immediately jumped to his feet with a triumphant grin despite his defeat.
"Mooo! It was so thrilling to lose to you and your udders!" Taurus bellowed. Loke smirked beside Taurus, glad that his sunglasses hid the amusement in his eyes.
Fred could not help it, in his confusion he turned towards Celeste to see just what udders Taurus had been referring to. His face quickly turned a bright red once he realised that he was staring right at her chest.
"Taurus!" Celeste hissed; her face was a bright red as she hastily wrapped her arms around her body. The spirit backed away slowly from the glaring blonde - she certainly did not want to get on his master's bad side.
"I'm sorry, Miss Celeste. I just can't control myself around you" with that, Celeste and the twins bid goodbye to Taurus before she closed his gate.
"Looks like we're getting stronger!" George said with a grin. Celeste nodded as she shrugged her sweater back on over her head.
"We make a good team," Celeste said with a chuckle.
"Probably because we can actually stand each other," Fred answered.
"I mean George I can handle...I'm not too sure about you!" Celeste continued. Fred gasped in mock hurt, his palm) against his chest.
"Come on, we have defence class in ten minutes," George said.
"Don't you have class, Loke?" Celeste asked.
The spirit shook his head "Free period, I promised Aries that I would take her shopping later" The ram spirit blushed at being mentioned, Loke smiled endearingly before gently taking her hand in his own. Then both spirits disappeared in a flash of gold light, signifying that they had closed their own gate.
The teenagers arrived at the classroom with only two minutes to spare. Moody glared at the three of them as he willed the blinds to shut and plunged the classroom into darkness.
Celeste was surprised to see that Cho had taken a seat next to Cedric this lesson, usually she sat with her. Not dwelling on it further, she followed Fred to their usual table.
George took a seat next to Angelina whilst Fred sat next to Celeste. The blonde started setting up the station for their practical lesson whilst Fred pulled his own supplies out of his bag.
"I don't want to see any foolishness in this lesson you hear!" Moody ordered in his usual drawl.
"You haven't even given us a chance to start, Professor," Fred answered cheekily. Moody made a noise of displeasure.
"I'll keep an eye on him," Celeste said softly. She fought the urge to giggle at the unintentional pun.
Moody turned away, his robes billowing behind him as he stalked to the front of the classroom. His wooden leg making a dull clunk with each step.
"Did you see his face?" Fred whispered. From where they sat, the teenagers could see Moody's jaw tighten. Celeste giggled before poking Fred in his arm.
"Don't antagonize him, some of us want to get a decent grade this year"!
"Pretty sure that you're the teacher's pet" Fred countered.
"Shush you and pass me shrunken tongues- the ones that look like your head" Celeste ordered. Fred chuckled, his retort died on his lips as he watched as Celeste reached behind her, slender fingers threading through her hair as she hastily tied it up with her usual blue ribbon. Slithers of light filtered through the darkened classroom, they illuminated her pale skin, bounced off her silvery hair and gave it an ethereal glow. Fred wondered if her hair was as soft as it looked, he had the sudden urge to run his fingers through it but he quickly dismissed it. Then Celeste turned back to him, mercury eyes shining with that same light.
Wow, she looks-
"Tongues, Fred!" Celeste continued, staring pointedly at him.
Fred shook his head out of his stupor and loudly cleared his throat. He hoped that Celeste had not seen him staring at her like a pervert. As he turned to grab the tongues, he missed the light dusting of pink colouring Celeste's cheeks as she bashfully turned away from him.
Fred watched as she carefully propped them in their cauldron, her brows pinched as she examined each of them in turn. He forgot what their assignment was, but Moody wanted them to examine dark magic artifacts and their usefulness.
"We don't have any shrunken heads," Celeste murmured.
"I can get them," Fred quickly offered. He needed to get his mind off Celeste, it made no sense that he was thinking about her this way when he was sort of seeing Angelina. Glancing across the room he could see her with George. The two of them looked rather close as Angelina pointed at George's textbook - most likely giving him orders.
I wonder if Ange and George...no Fred dismissed that thought as he joined the back of the queue.
Elsewhere, Celeste sighed as she placed the tongues down. Her hands felt clammy, and she felt nervous. Never had she had these feelings around Fred, and it was confusing. As far as she was concerned, he was one of her best friends.
But the way he was staring at you was far from 'friendly". A voice in her head piped up.
Celeste's mind went back to Fleur's earlier words and how she herself had the passing thought that Fred was attractive and had a lovely smile.
Glancing over towards him, Celeste allowed herself to drink in the sight of him. His shaggy hair lay just above his shoulders and with his arms crossed, Celeste could see just how broad he was.
She had the passing thought of how good it would feel to have his arms wrapped around her, and suddenly she turned bright red.
He has a girlfriend! A girlfriend! Celeste quickly repeated to herself.
Technically, they aren't together...they're just seeing each other, and they aren't official or anything - Another voice unhelpfully added.
Celeste groaned as she ran a hand through her hair there was no way that she fancied Fred, he was her friend, and he was already interested in someone else. Someone who was not her.
Stupid teenage life!
INTO THE ABYSS
"I thought you already had your date to the ball sorted!" Cho cried out.
Professor Flitwick paused in his marking to glare at the girls. Celeste profusely apologised before turning back to Cho. Her friend had a worried expression on her face as if the sheer thought of going to the Yule Ball alone was terrifying.
Celeste supposed that in some ways it was - The Yule Ball was the event of the year and everyone was determined to make it the best night of their life. Celeste had never been to a real ball before, they were something out of fairy tales. Although she was excited, she was rather saddened that no one had yet asked her to be her date.
Or more so a certain someone had not asked her.
It did not bother her. The blonde knew that she was considerably older in spirit than her year mates and as a result was happy to allow herself to remain alone. Besides she would have been kidding herself if she thought she would ever be lucky enough to find love.
"I know. I just got a little sidetracked with helping out Harry, Fleur and Cedric" Celeste said.
Cho sighed with a shake of her head. She flicked her wand at the desk causing it to rattle but it was nowhere near the intricate dance that Flitwick wanted them to perform.
"Maybe we can have Marietta set you up with someone," Cho suggested. Celeste inwardly grimaced at this.
"I didn't know that I was that desperate," Celeste deadpanned. Cho, immune to Celeste's antics, poked her in the side.
"You are," Cho snorted with an incredulous look "Look, Cee I'm not having my best friend go to the first Yule Ball in a century alone."
"Well, who are you going with?" Celeste challenged.
"Isiah James," Cho answered with a smirk.
"The seventh year?" Celeste asked. Cho nodded. Isaiah James was a year ahead of them and also one of the beaters for their Quidditch team. He was rather handsome; tall, stocky with dark skin and deep brown eyes.
"He asked me last night and between you and me, he's not bad looking either...there was someone else I wanted to go with. But it doesn't matter" Cho muttered.
"You and me both" Celeste murmured. Cho squealed; her fingers grasped a hold of Celeste's arm.
"Miss Chang" Professor Flitwick said in warning "do I have to take points from my own house?"
"No professor!" Cho responded before turning back to Celeste and whispering, "Well who is he?"
"It doesn't matter" Celeste murmured.
"It does" Cho stressed "This is the first person you've liked since you and Roger dated...I was starting to think you were going celibate on me."
"As if" Celeste countered "But can we keep it between us...I like him, but I have no idea if he likes me."
"I hear you" Cho said with a long-suffering sigh "How about we make a pledge."
"I'm listening"
"Well, if the boys we like don't notice us by Christmas, then we have to confess to them" Cho stated.
"And what if they turn us down?" Celeste asked.
"Then we date each other?" Cho suggested with a chuckle.
"But enough about boys...Marietta told me about your engagement with that troll...I even heard Patricia Simpson talking about it too with Pucey."
"I'm trying to get out of it" Celeste told her "Being married to Marcus is something that I do not want."
"I hope you do. Imagine having to wake up to a face like his every day" Cho whispered with a chuckle.
"I think I might lose my breakfast" Celeste giggled.
"Have we managed to finish the assignment, Miss Malfoy and Miss Chang?" Flitwick asked. He folded his arms over his chest, and he stood atop his stool glaring at the girls.
"Um almost Professor" Celeste answered, she flicked her wand in a circular motion and shouted out the spell. For a few moments nothing happened before the desk suddenly rattled and shook. The legs jotted outwards much like the thin legs of a spider and the desk began to prance around in its place.
"Excellent work!" Flitwick praised.
Not that much later the bell rang signaling the end of class. The students eagerly left the drafty classroom and Celeste slung her heavy bag over her shoulder as she fell into step beside Cho.
"You could always come and live with me, Cee," Cho suggested. She hooked her arm round Celeste's own.
"You'd get sick of me," Celeste responded with a smile.
"As if. You're my best friend." Cho pointed out. The girls giggled as they passed by the suits of armour, the castle being so old allowed the cold air to enter. Celeste pressed herself closer to Cho, she was practically a walking heater and Celeste was glad that she had Cho's warmth. Cho teased that she was like a salamander, needing something warm beneath her to survive.
"So, what is your plan for getting out of this engagement then?" Cho asked.
"I've been talking with the twins and George has agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend for the night."
"The one that sits with you in defence?" Cho inquired.
"No, that's Fred," Celeste replied.
"The one with the girlfriend? Chaser Johnson, right?" Cho inquired. Celeste nodded "And then what? Your parents will just call the whole thing off? What if they disown you?"
"Well, that's the plan" Celeste said.
"Crickey, Cee!" Cho cried out in shock, "You sure you want to do this?"
"What choice do I have?" Celeste asked sadly "It's either this or live the rest of my life in a loveless marriage and popping out little Flint troll-babies. I'd be trapped."
"I know...it's just...without your family won't you be lonely?" Cho asked tentatively.
"I've been lonely with my family, Cho" said Celeste dejectedly.
INTO THE ABYSS
The Gryffindor common room was quiet later that night. Most students opted to prepare for the Yule Ball which was steadily creeping closer. Fred had already asked Angelina to be his date, she had agreed of course and whereas Fred was just looking to have a good time, however, he worried that Angelina wanted to make their relationship official. He was not sure that he was ready for that.
Or maybe you don't want a relationship with Angie...
Fred's thoughts lingered in Celeste; they had been the entire day. He just could not shake the image of her - her laugh, her smile. Everything out of his head and it was getting worrisome.
Just forget about her and focus on Angie! A voice in his head shouted. Fred inwardly sighed, he did not want to forget about Celeste.
But she isn't your girlfriend! The voice shouted again. But neither is Angie- a second voice added in a smug tone.
"Did you even hear what I said?" Angelina asked with irritation.
"Huh?" Fred asked numbly. Angelina sighed as she snapped her magazine shut.
"Forget it," she motioned to stand however Fred took a gentle hold of her hand.
"Stay. Please?"
Angelina sighed as she sat back down. The common room was quiet at this time of night save for a few seventh years studying for their mock NEWTS.
"Why did you ask me to ball?"
Fred frowned. This was a sudden question and one he did not expect from her. A part of him wondered if there even was a right answer to Angelina's question.
"Because I like you"
"Like me or like me?"
"I... I'm not sure."
Angelina sighed softly "I see" she said "Where do you see us going?"
"What's brought this on, Angie?"
"I need to know where I stand, Fred. We've been dating and it's been nice, but I want to know what you want from this- I need to know what your endgame is, Fred."
"Angie-"
"Just think about what you want, Fred, I'll give you until Christmas".
INTO THE ABYSS
Despite Cho's insistence that she focus her spare time on finding a date to the Ball, Celeste found herself in the twins' dormitory later that week. She was sitting on George's bed, legs dangling in the air whilst George sat crossed legged on the ground.
"I heard you've got a date to the ball" Celeste said with a smirk. George nodded.
"It's not that kind of date. Katie and I... we're just going as friends," George explained.
"Well, I'm happy for you." Celeste said.
"Thanks, Cell...what about you?" George asked.
Celeste raised a hand dismissively before collapsing onto the bed with her arms spread wide.
"Nothing" She groaned "Pretty sure that at this rate I'm going alone."
"I wish I'd have known, then I would've asked you-"
"No, don't worry about me" Celeste said, "Have fun with Katie."
"Alright, enough about the ball, we need to talk about the plan to get you out of this engagement" George stated. Celeste sat up.
"I was thinking to have you pose as the doting boyfriend, ruffle my parents' feathers and then hopefully they'll be dying to get rid of me."
George nodded "But how far are we taking this?"
"Why does the thought of being my boyfriend repulse you?" Celeste teased.
George chuckled "well yes it does of you as more of a sister than anything."
Celeste smiled at this "Don't worry, George. We won't take things further than any hand holding if that's what you mean."
At that moment the door to the dormitory opened and Fred walked in. He grinned at them before sauntering in.
"How's the scheming going?" Fred asked. He took a seat next to Celeste on the bed and propped his legs up onto her lap. The blonde glared at him before shoving his legs away. Then a mischievous thought popped into her mind.
"George and I are planning to snog each other senseless in front of my parents to sell our loving relationship," Celeste said with a shrug.
Fred blinked, taken aback by the declaration as he stared between his twin and Celeste.
"You what!" Fred shouted. George smirked at this, ignoring the look of betrayal Fred shot at him and Celeste tried her best to keep a straight face. After a few moments of Fred sputtering out in shock, she couldn't help it, she burst out into a fit of giggles.
"You should see your face!" Celeste gasped out. She fell backwards in her laughter, arms wrapped around her middle as her legs flailed wildly in the air. George cracked a smile however it disappeared upon seeing the distressed look on Fred's face.
Fred's sported a light dusting of pink as he awkwardly ran a hand through his hair. He should have known that Celeste was just messing with him however a small part of him was confused. Why did he react that way?
"Alright. You guys got me," Fred chuckled. Celeste watched him carefully, he was not smiling like he usually did, and she had a niggling feeling that something was wrong. Maybe Fred did not like her using George as a way to tease him? He was very protective of his family after all.
"I'm sorry for teasing you." Celeste said apologetically. "We were just messing around."
"I know" Fred answered tersely. In truth, he was not annoyed that George and Celeste decided to trick him, he was annoyed at his reaction. Celeste was his best friend, and George was his twin - if the two of them even did start really dating he would be happy for them, wouldn't he?
"I should get going" Celeste murmured "I promised Hermione that I would study with her before dinner:
"Is that all you two thinks about?" George asked with a teasing lilt. Celeste stuck out her tongue at him.
"Studying is fundamental, and fundamentals are the building blocks of fun" Celeste stated.
"Merlin, you really are a nerd," Fred countered. Celeste giggled as she lightly punched his arm.
"Quiet, or I won't help you with your homework."
Fred gasped in mock shock and Celeste giggled once more. He caught her hand before she could punch him again and was surprised by just how well their fingers easily fit together. They had held hands many times before, but this time just felt different. There was a simple silence that befell upon them before Celeste reddened and cleared her throat. She withdrew her fingers from Fred's own as if his touch burnt.
"I'll see you at dinner," Celeste said quietly. With that she stood and left their room. Now with Celeste gone the atmosphere was quiet once more.
Just what was that? Fred thought in confusion. He felt so strange and wondered what he would have done if he and Celeste were alone. If he wasn't with Angelina.
"You need to choose Fred," George said softly.
"I've chosen already. I'm with Angie," Fred answered, though his voice faltered.
"But are you with her?" George pressed.
"You may have chosen with your head, but have you chosen with your heart?"
"You sound like a waxing poet. Been reading Mum's romance books again?" Fred teased.
George did not smile "I mean it, Fred. You can't keep messing Angie around. If you want to be with her, then that's fine but you can't keep stringing her and Celeste along."
"Why do you care?" Fred spat. He did not need George here making things more complicated. "It doesn't have anything to do with you."
A brief look of hurt flashed across George's face and Fred instantly regretted his words.
"Because I care about both of you, you idiot!" George cried "You're my best friend, Celeste is my best friend and Angelina is...she's my friend too and I don't want any of you to getting hurt!"
Fred sighed. He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. What was he to do?
"Alright. Fine. I'll think about it...after the ball."
"You better." George said, "I've seen the way Diggory looks at Celeste and it's only a matter of time before he reveals his feelings."
INTO THE ABYSS
A couple of days later found Celeste leisurely strolling the school grounds with Fleur and Cho. Marietta had disappeared to spend time with her boyfriend, Edward, so the three girls opted to spend time together and plan their outfits for the Ball. Yuletide was one of the biggest holidays in the wizarding world and combined with the first Yule Ball for over a century, all the students were extremely excited. Whereas both Cho and Fleur already had their dates sorted - Fleur having asked Roger Davis to be her date - Celeste was still dateless.
At this point, the blonde was convinced that she was going to go alone. Of course, it would have been sad seeing all the other students coupled up, but she hoped that she could still have a good time going single.
"Oo need to fin' a date, Cherie" Fleur said brightly.
"It hasn't been my highest priority yet," Celeste commented. On her other side, Cho sighed dramatically.
"It's exactly what I've been telling her," Cho said.
"Oo need to 'ave fun, Cherie!" Fleur stressed.
"I will have fun. I don't need a date to do that" Celeste told them.
"Oo could ask zat Weezley...Zheorge I sink?" Fleur suggested.
"Oh merlin no. He's like a brother to me" said Celeste with a chuckle.
"Hey, Celeste!"
The girls paused as they spotted Cedric weaving his way through the students.
"Hi Cedric," Cho said with a smile. Cedric smiled at her in greeting.
"Have you managed to work out the homework Moody set?" Cedric asked. Cho shook her head.
"If you want to, can over it tomorrow night?" Cho suggested. Cedric nodded.
"Sounds great, Celeste, do you want to join?" Cedric asked.
"Can't. I'm helping a few fourth years with their Astronomy homework, but if I have time, I'll swing by"
"Oo a study date," Fleur cooed with a smirk. Cho reddened.
"Hey Cedric. Do we have patrols today?" Celeste asked.
"Yes. About ten minutes ago" Cedric admitted sheepishly.
Celeste gasped "Sweet Circe," she hissed.
"Go on, you nerd. I'll see you at dinner- I'll save you a spot" Cho cried out.
"Thanks Cho" Celeste called back. She turned to Cedric and the two fell into step beside one another. A few students stopped to congratulate Cedric on the First Task, whilst others openly stared at the Triwizard Champion.
"You two make a really cute couple" Said a fifth-year girl. Celeste felt her face heat up but before she could correct the girl she had scurried away.
"This is going to be a regular occurrence, isn't it?" Celeste asked.
Cedric chuckled "Ever since that article came out Dads been on my case."
"Oh, how are your parents?" Celeste asked.
"They're good. Dads got time off work so he's coming to the ball."
"That's good" Celeste told him "I'm not sure if my parents are coming,"
"I heard about your engagement, congratulations are not in order?" Cedric asked.
Celeste released a wry chuckle as she shook her head.
"If you do that u might just throttle you"
"If was Flint I would be terrified" Cedric said.
"Why"? Celeste inquired.
"Well if you kicked my teeth in, I wouldn't want to be spend the rest of my life to you!" Cedric started with a grin.
Celeste giggled at this.
"Did that cheer you up? Cedric asked after her laughter had subsided. Celeste smiled.
"Yes, it did actually"
They fell into a comfortable silence not long after, the pair coming across a couple of first years throwing about a fanged frisbee - one of the many items Filch had banned this year.
"I'll just take that" Celeste told the younger student as Cedric cast an arresto momentum charm on the frisbee to get it to stop snapping. It quickly quietened it down and Celeste passed it to Cedric who tucked it under his arm.
"Listen, Celeste, I want to ask, do you have a date to the ball yet?"
Celeste shook her head "I haven't." She admitted. "No one asked me and well...I was not sure who to ask myself"
Cedric looked happy at this, he turned to face her and Celeste stared up at him in confusion. "Well would you like to go with me?"
"What-?" Celeste asked in shock. Cedric nodded, he took her hands in his own and Celeste was shocked by the warm look in his eyes as he stared at her.
"Yes. if you'd let me take you, I'd make sure that you would forget everything that's happening with your family. You can have fun and be yourself with someone who cares about you."
Her heart was beating so fast, she was so happy that someone whom she cared deeply for cared for her too. but a small part of her screamed that this was wrong. She loved Cedric, he was one of her dearest friends, but it was by no means a romantic love.
"Cedric I'm sorry but…You're one of my closest friends...but I don't feel the same way you do" Celeste said apologetically.
"I understand if you don't feel the same. I just needed to tell you...I've been such a coward and never told you how I felt" Cedric admitted. He sighed and his eyes still shone with warmth for her despite being turned down this way. Celeste felt horrible for hurting him this way, but she thought that it was the right thing to do. She did not feel the same way and she wanted to let him down gently.
"You're not a coward, Cedric" Celeste told him "You're brave, smart and so kind...but I don't know how I feel about you" Celeste said "I do care for you...very much. but I'm not sure just what it is."
Cedric smiled. His eyes which were always filled with warmth looked sad. Celeste took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Celeste remembered she never could be her true self.
"I understand. ``Cedric said. He was quiet for a few moments before he spoke once more "Then come to the ball with me- just as friends and then I'll back off and leave you alone forever."
Celeste worried her lip. It was a pretty reasonable proposition, but she worried that if she said yes now, she would only be playing with Cedric's heart. His feelings could not just be switched off for one night - what if he tried something.
But this is Cedric, your friend- a voice whispered - he would never take advantage of you.
But am I taking advantage of him? Celeste thought sadly.
"But your feelings aren't something you can just forget about, Cedric," Celeste responded "You deserve to have a night with someone who genuinely cares about you-"
"And so do you," Cedric stressed "Celeste you are the one person who deserves to have a night of no worries, ever since I've known you you've been looking out for others...just have some fun. If not for you, then for me"
Celeste worried the hem of her sweater, her mind going through all the possibilities that could possibly happen at the ball. She inwardly sighed, praying to whatever deity that was watching over her that she was not making the wrong decision.
"Yes. I'll go with you."
A/N: Is that a romance in the air? Thank you to all who reviewed, I really appreciate your ideas and criticism.
To RevyGreenDragon: I don't know if that will happen, Celeste's going to the ball with Cedric and Fred's going with Angelina. Having them marry would be cute but it would have to be when both of them are in love. She very much does need to leave her family before Moldymort returns since, as you said, he is not going to put up with her rebellious nature.
Once HBP starts her relationship with Draco would have changed. He may not want to know her as she's disowned or he may want her to confide in- but I'm not telling yet :P
To AGreen2222: I'm glad you like it! I was going to make her Harry's date for the ball but changed it at last minute. Both twins? Hmm that would raise a lot of brows and I think George would be too grossed out by that as he sees Celeste as a sister. Luna will reveal who she was soon, I'll drop some more hints next chapter.
To oOAshookaOo: Getting pregnant would definetly get her disowned xD But you do make a good point, Lucius may want to 'punish' Celeste by not giving her what she wants and keeping her around. The Order would help if they could - but I imagine that the Malfoy's would put up a fight. Hmm Draco does not really like Flint much but we'll see what he thinks about the wedding soon.
To TheBlueNova: Maybe...
To jeremiahkelley93: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
To mckhjm25: I finally got Cedric to 'man up' and confess. Pity she did not feel the same since in the original version of this fic, the two did share their first kiss and I was going to have them date.
Speaking of date, I was so close to making Celeste go to the ball with Harry as a friend date rather than Cedric. I had a whole scene planned out and written where Harry and Ron asked Celeste to double date with one of her friends. It didn't get too far and I was in two minds with the friend being either Luna Lovegood or Daphne Greengrass. In the end, I thought that it wasn't right to have Celeste go with Harry as it did nothing for her or anyone's romance plot. I wanted Celeste and Fred to have more of reason to realize their feelings for each other, and that reason became them seeing that the people that they go the ball with just aren't right for them.
So, Harry and Ron's double date with Padma and Parvati is going to be the same as in canon. Though I wonder how Cho will react when she finds out who Cedric is going with?
Any who, stay tuned for the next chapter where Celeste and George go to dinner with the Malfoy's.
Until next time ^^