Cielie

I didn't expect my 5th year to be like this. I didn't think that it would be full of grief and confusion. And I certainly didn't expect my brother to come out of the Triwizard Tournament dead. I even thought that he would have a fairly good chance of becoming the Champion. But that was my biggest mistake, I got my hopes up and was let down in the worst way. Cedric did always tell me I was a bight naïve. But he didn't think that he would die that night, the way I didn't think my father would go mad.

I should have known, it's what happened after my mother died, so why not after Cedric's death. Why not just leave his only other child to fend for herself? Lucky for me I could already fend for myself pretty well. But I still wasn't ready because seeing my brothers' body there unhinged and shattered me to. I am good at hiding things though so when they came for my father I could honestly tell them I would be fine on my own. And physically I am fine, mentally not so much. I wake up screaming all alone in the great, big house that was meant for four, not one. There was no one left for me, until I ran into Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood that is.

"Cielie, hey Cielie, you okay?" Ginny asks looking slightly concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I answer as I realize that there are two fat tears rolling like traitors down my cheek, "Just thinking about Cedric, and my dad."

"Oh, is he really in St. Mungo's?" asks Luna curiously, "I hear their developing a cure for Snarfungle bites."

"What's a Snarfungle?" Ginny whispers in my ear.

"No idea," I whisper back, "And yes, my dad's really in St. Mungo's, though how Malfoy found out I have no idea." We stop talking and walk up the steps to the castle, the smell of the Feast already wafting through the doors.

We walk to the Ravenclaw table and leave Luna there. Then Ginny and I head over to the Gryffindor table. I get a lot of looks, some are sympathetic, and some are sneering, but must are just curious. "It's rude to stare," Ginny comments as we sit down.

"I would probably stare too," I shrug.

"Yeah, but some of them are glaring as if you had killed Cedric yourself," Ginny says as she glares back at Pansy Parkinson.

"Hey, I don't see Malfoy at the Slytherin table, maybe he's in the hospital wing. That would be awesome," I say as I start to pile my plate with food.

Later, as we head up to the Common room, we discuss the newest teacher, Umbridge. "Stupid Ministry toad most likely," Ginny speculates.

"I wonder if I can get some of your brothers Skiving Snackboxes, this would be an excellent opportunity to use them," I say just as we pass Fred and George on the stairs.

"We'll give you a whole box for free, as long as you help advertise," Fred says in my ear.

George presses a box into my hand and I nod, "Sure I can help advertise."

The next morning, we get our schedules. Defense Against the Dark Arts first, then a double session of Potions, my schedule looks fun. "Who do you have first?" Ginny asks me.

"The Ministry toad, figures," I grumble as I pull out a Nosebleed Nougat, "Guess it's time to start advertising." Ginny laughs and walks off to Transfiguration. Almost instantly Fred and George appear on either side of me.

"So, your planning on missing your first lesson of the year," Fred says a twinkle in his eye.

"You haven't even met Umbridge yet and you've already written her off as a bad teacher? Tsk, tsk," George says half-laughing.

"I just have a bad feeling about her, that's all. And besides it doesn't hurt to be prepared," I answer turning around the corner.

As soon as I enter the Defense Against the Dark Arts room I know the Nosebleed Nougat will come in handy. There is a stack of musky old books on Professor Umbridges' desk, each with a smiling wizard and witch on the cover. The room is bare except for the desks and a chalk board. Then the woman herself walks into the room. Her outfit is absolutely hideous, a pink, fluffy cardigan and a wool skirt in the same color, and as an accessory a small pink bow to sit atop her horrendous curls.

"I am Professor Umbridge, and will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this year. Now you have had horrible teachers in the past, werewolves, Azkaban escapees, to name a few. I am here to correct their teachings and to make sure that each and every one of you will pass your exams. That brings me to another point. This year you will be undergoing your O. , one of the hardest exams you will have during your time here at Hogwarts. Any questions?" she says in a sickly sweet voice.

"Will we be doing any spells?" Hermione Granger asks.

"Why ever would you need to, as long as you know the theory you'll do fine in the exams. Ms.?"

"Granger."

"So we're not going to learn how to defend ourselves?" Harry practically shouts.

"In my class we raise our hands to speak, Mr. Potter," Umbridge says starting to sound a bit ticked off, "And who do you think would want to hurt children such as yourself?" I know what Harry's response will be the moment Umbridge says that.

"Uhh, I dunno, maybe Lord Voldemort?" Harry spits at Umbridge.

"Now let me be very clear. You have been told that a certain," but I don't let her get that far,

"Who killed Cedric then, who murdered my older brother?"

"And you are?" she says turning to face me.

I stand up, "Cecilia Diggory."

"Well, Ms. Diggory, Cedric Diggory's death was a rather tragic accident," she replies in that sick sweet voice. That's it, I am seething with rage at this woman, this creature, who wants to tell me my brother's death was a tragic accident. Clearly she needs to be taught a lesson.

"My brother didn't just drop dead. And the maze couldn't have killed him. He's one of the most brave and intelligent people that I have ever met. So don't try to tell me his death was an accident. It was murder!" I roar, my hand reaches for my wand.

Umbridge looks furious. Her own wand is gripped tightly in her hand. I'm not scared or nervous, I'm ready to teach this woman a lesson. To show her that I'm a force to be reckoned with. I remember Cedric teaching me various useful hexes and curses. He wanted me to be able to defend myself. And if he were here he would be standing right by my side. He would tell me to concentrate, to pour all my emotion into the spell, to make it strong.

I fire my curse catching Umbridge of guard. She stares at me in disbelief. Her nose begins to shrink, her eyes turn to slits and I watch as this beast takes on the form of Voldemort. The one who killed my brother, the one who haunts my dreams. There are screams and gasps. Then Umbridge runs from the room. I follow her out. She screams as she sees herself in a mirror and begins to run in earnest for the Headmasters office. I turn and walk down the stairs. The front door is open and I slip out into the rain.