Into the Abyss

Chapter Fifty-One

The Second Task

The Christmas holidays ended and New Year's soon after. Lessons started back quickly and not even Moody's exciting lectures were enough to distract Fred. Celeste had refused to talk to him and at first, he was adamant to not talk to her either. However, after weeks of silence Fred missed her. Fred missed her laugh, her kind eyes and most of all, he missed her smile.

Fred wondered how long this would be kept up for, but no matter how many times he tried to apologise, Celeste refused to acknowledge him, and it hurt. He watched numbly as Celeste brushed past him, she did not even give him a second glance as she continued off down the hallway as if he did not exist.

"She'll have to talk to you sooner or later," Lee told him. They had just had transfiguration and were turning their needles into elephants. Fred had accidentally poured too much magic into his spell - the result was a very confused elephant with a 3 ft long needle in the place its trunk should have been. Kenneth Towler had passed out at the sight.

"Not sure about that, she can be a little stubborn," George said. He gave the password to the Fat Lady and the buxom woman let them in through the portrait hole.

"What did you do to get her so pissed off?" Loke demanded.

"Please don't talk about my master like that," Loke interjected. Lee shot him an apologetic smile.

"At her parents' house, I kissed her and then at the ball I kissed her again and she got angry and said she was stupid to like me."

"You two kissed at her parents' house...and I'm just hearing about this now?!" George interjected in shock, Fred felt bad at keeping something like this from his twin, they told each other everything and never kept secrets.

"Well, uh...I wasn't sure how to process things between us and now I suppose there isn't even an 'us'" Fred responded glumly. George shot him a pitying look as the boys came into the common room.

"It's alright, mate, I get it...I'm here if you need to talk, or vent...or anything" George told him earnestly. Fred clapped him on the shoulder with a grateful smile.

"Thanks, mate,"

It was rather quiet save for a few younger students sitting round the fireplace and Fred spotted his younger brother Ron along with Hermione and Harry talking in hushed tones.

"You two need to stop dancing around each other and sort yourselves out," said Lee. He sat himself down on the window ledge whilst the twins sat on the adjacent couches and Loke lay himself down on the couch facing the common room door.

"She won't talk to me!" Fred cried out with frustration.

"then give her space," Loke urged gently "Pushing her before she's ready is what got you into this mess"

"From the sound of it she needs to work on her communication," Ron offered with a frown. Hermione scowled at him before placing her book down. Fred wondered just how long they had been listening.

"They both do, Ronald," Hermione said shortly. She turned to Fred with a thoughtful expression "Think of it this way, Celeste comes from a family where everything was decided for her. She never got an option to voice her own opinions and what she wanted was never considered - she probably thought that she found that with you and trusted you. She was probably terrified when you kissed her and rather than face her own feelings, just shut herself off"

"So, she's not angry because Fred kissed her? She's scared that she likes him?" Ron asked.

"Simply speaking, yes," Hermione answered.

"Then why didn't she say so?" Rom asked.

"Who knows, girls are weird," Harry offered. Hermione made a sound of annoyance as she rolled her eyes.

"Well, maybe if you boys stopped being so pig-headed and thought for a moment you'd figure it out" Hermione said "Just like Mr. Crouch and poor Winky...to think he treated her so poorly"

"There she goes again with that house-elf" Ron grumbled with an eye roll. Loke smiled as he stretched out on the couch looking much like a content house-cat.

"When you're older, you'll appreciate the complicated mind of a woman," Said Loke wistfully. Hermione grimaced.

"Well then, how do I make it right?" Fred asked.

"Right now, she probably is not going to trust anything you say" George said. Hermione nodded sadly.

"And knowing Celeste, she will prefer sincere actions over words." Hermione added.

"So, I need to give her space and show her that I still care about her?" Fred offered.

Hermione nodded "That's it. She has a lot to think about too so give her some space, shell come around."

"What if she doesn't?" Ron asked.

"That'll never happen, Ronniekins" George said, he leaned in close to the younger Gryffindor's who waited with anticipation "You see, Fred and Celeste, they're what we call endgame- they're in the long haul"

"Doesn't seem like it" Ron said with a frown.

"You'll understand when you're older," Lee chuckled.

Fred ran a hand through his hair, he had a lot to think about.

INTO THE ABYSS

The library was one place where Celeste could find clarity. Being here reminded her of the quiet days in Fairy Tail where she and Levy would spend hours searching through books. Levy, to find new inspiration for her spells and Lucy, inspiration for her book.

She had gotten back into writing recently, nothing too serious, just little tidbits here and there. Each new page was inspired by her wandering heart which had a large piece missing.

At first, she had thought that the missing piece of her friends in Fairy Tail but Celeste had long since accepted that she would not be seeing them again for a long time. She had found a new family now with the twins and Fred had been a big part of that.

Her vision began to blur with unshed tears as his smiling face filled her mind.

I have really messed things up. Celeste thought bitterly.

She pushed her pitiful thoughts aside in favour of focusing on her studies. Teaching up to grasp a book on the top shelf she came to the realisation that even with her summer growth spurt she still needed the aid of summoning spells for small tasks such as these.

"Here," Fred said softly. Celeste stiffened; gaze wary as Fred reached above her to pluck the book she was wanting from the shelf. She was hesitant even as he offered it to her, but eventually she took it from his hands.

"Thank you," Celeste responded. She motioned to walk past him willing herself not to look into Fred's eyes, but the temptation was too strong, and the blonde paused in her steps and turned to face him.

"I could've gotten it myself," Celeste said. Fred looked surprised but it quickly disappeared as he smiled.

"I know," he said as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "See you around, Cell,"

"You shouldn't be so hard on him," Mavis said as she appeared. Her heart shape phased through the bookcase as the ghost drifted through.

Celeste sighed, "I know...I just- I've ruined everything haven't I?"

Mavis smiled sadly, though her eyes looked hopeful "You still have a chance to fix things. Talk to him" The ghost gently urged.

"What would you do I'd you were in my place?" Celeste asked.

"I would tell him how I feel." Said mavis. A smile formed upon her lips as he eyes turned misty. For a moment Celeste thought that the First looked mournful as mourning the death of a loved one.

"That boy, he really cares for you, you know," Mavis told her. With that, the First disappeared leaving Celeste alone.

Celeste half expected Fred to keep badgering her to forgive him but then he just stopped. During class he paid attention, only talking to her when needed and never once did he press her for more.

A part of her was happy that he was giving her space, but then she still found herself missing him. Sure, he was with her - they shared many classes together. But the closeness they had once shared before this entire mess had vanished. Even Marietta had asked her about it and Celeste found herself blushing as she recounted the details of the ball. Her friend had squealed with glee before promptly turning red at realising how distraught Celeste was feeling. Cho, surprisingly, had said nothing. She was still acting rather withdrawn towards Celeste and she did not know why.

She had wanted to ask her best friend about it but between her own disaster of a love-life, training with her spirits, studying and then helping Fleur prepare for the second task; she was swamped.

Celeste had stayed up well past midnight to help Fleur crack the riddle. The French witch had been beside herself with worry at wondering just what she had to receive from the lake. In the end they were no closer to completing the riddle than they were two months ago, and time was running out. There was only a couple of hours until the second task began.

"But oo will I mees most, Cherie?" Fleur asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "I 'ave nothing zat cannot be replaced."

"Well maybe it isn't something that can be replaced" A new voice suggested. Celeste turned to see Luna step through the doorway which led to the girl's dormitory. She was dressed in a bright purple sweater dress and had pig slippers on her feet rather than regular shoes. She smiled serenely at the older girls before gliding over towards them.

"I often find that family are most treasured" She continued.

"What eez…eereeplacable?" Fleur repeated with wrinkle of her brows. "Like my mozer, -" She extended one perfectly manicured fingure "my fazer" A second "or- Gabrielle!"

Suddenly, Celeste remembered Gabrielle, Fleur's younger sister, a girl who the French witch was extremely protective of. Her face was pale, and the pretty witch looked as if she were about to be sick.

"It's quite alright, I'm sure that with you rescuing her, Gabrielle will be fine" Luna told Fleur. The older blonde, however, did not look convinced, her eyes suddenly grew wet and shiny as her lip began to wobble. Celeste quickly draped her arm around her friend in a hug, Fleur happily accepted the contact with a quiet whimper.

"If anything happens, I'm sure that the teachers will step in and help" Celeste told her earnestly.

Fleur sniffled. She wiped at her eyes as she took in a shaky breath, but her bright blue eyes were still shiny with unshed tears.

"She eez not a strong swimmer, Cherie" Fleur murmured sadly.

Celeste nodded, however at that moment, Professor Flitwick walked into the common room. The charms professor glanced around before his gaze landed on Celeste.

"Miss Malfoy, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you."

"Right now?" Celeste asked tentatively. She glanced towards Fleur who still looked rather tearful, hopefully whatever Dumbledore needed her for would not take too long.

"I'm afraid so, now if you would come with me" Flitwick said. He stepped to the side signalling for Celeste to follow. She stood with a sigh.

"I weel see you later cherie," Fleur said regretfully.

"I'll be right on the lakeside, cheering you on," Celeste told her earnestly. Fleur smiled at this.

She was surprised when instead of taking the route towards Flitwick's office, the charms professor led her to the secluded corridor leading towards the stone gargoyle that housed the entrance to the headmaster's office. Flitwick gave the password - butterscotch- and the gargoyle statue opened and revealed the spiral staircase. Celeste felt rather uneasy, her mind thinking of the many reasons as to why Dumbledore would call her to his office. Her first thought had been to request Aquarius' help for the second task, she was a water spirit after all - however she dismissed this.

Dumbledore would have told her if he wanted to induce her spirits.

"Ah, Miss Malfoy!" Dumbledore said brightly. "Come join us".

Celeste was surprised to see that Dumbledore was not alone. Madam Maxim and Professor Karkaroff were there too, but they were not whom Celeste was staring at. Standing just in front of Dumbledore's desk were Hermione, Ron and Fleur's younger sister, Gabrielle.

"Now that you are all present, I shall inform you why I have called upon the four of you today," said Dumbledore.

Madam Maxim promptly translated the sentence for Gabrielle, who nodded sagely.

"You are all to be present for the second task, not as spectators, but participants," Dumbledore continued "The four of you were chosen today for you all have a special connection to one of the champions. Now if you do not wish to partake, you can do so, and another shall be chosen to take your place."

Slowly Gabrielle Delacour raised her hand.

"Weel eet hurt?"

"Not at all," Dumbledore responded with a kind smile. "I will place an enchantment upon you which will put you into a slumber for just over an hour. The enchantment shall be broken once your champions retrieve you from the bottom of the lake and bring you up to surface. You will not feel a thing."

Satisfied with this answer, Gabrielle nodded.

"I weel do eet,"

"Me too," Ron said determinedly.

Hermione nodded "I will."

"I will too," Celeste said finally.

Dumbledore nodded with a kind smile. "Now brace yourselves," he said. Celeste took a shaky breath; she felt a light pressure on her fingers and turned to see Gabrielle had wrapped her fingers around her own. She smiled at the younger blonde before a light sensation fell over her.

Celeste felt her body go light, her eyelids felt heavy, and her vision faded to black.

INTO THE ABYSS

A/N:

Dammit Celeste, who told you to be so cold T-T hopefully those two can get their heads out of the sand and talk to each other.

ScarletMidnight19: Sorry to hit those feels! Natsu will make an appearance again, but it won't be for now.

TheBlueNova: Things would never be simple with those two, like Ron said – 'they need to work on their communication'. As for Draco, I don't really think he knows how to express himself to his Father, I mean he's seen the way his sister has been treated for expressing herself…and that wasn't really pretty…

Stay tuned for the next chapter, 'The Black Lake' where Harry gets help from a new friend.