A/N: --UPDATED-- A Cellie/Sirius chapter. No, NOT a pairing. A chapter involving both of them. Sickos. -_-;

- Cellie

Note: It is advised that you read I Never Knew before trying to tackle this piece.

Disclaimer: Cellie Rivera, James Metz, and Cassie Woods (No relation to Mother's Curse) are all mine. The plot, however odd, is mine. The Potters, and anyone else I may mention are property to J.K Rowling, and her alone—Why are you always telling me to—Shut up, Cassie.


Chapter Seven
My Fault


The Present: August 2nd, 1995

Cellie Rivera sat in one of Metz's big armchairs, surveying the scene around her. On the couch, an escaped convict lay asleep. Across from her, her Physics professor was also asleep in an armchair, a book on the small table standing beside the chair. Cellie squinted and read the title.

Quidditch Through the Ages... now why upon earth would Metz have that book, she whispered to herself, a devilish smile on her face. She knew that while Metz didn't have much interest in general for magic—he preferred messing around with circuit boards—Quidditch was something her friend would give his left eye for.

Cellie chuckled. Come to think of it, she'd do the same, only her father absolutely despised magic. She wasn't sure why, but when she had gotten her letter inviting her to attend school, he flat out refused. He had just let her finish reading it, tempting her with the possibility that she, Celestia Rivera, might actually be good at something—and then threw it in the fire.

There were more letters that graced the Rivera household, and Cellie thought she might even get ahold of one so she could write to the school—but her father squashed those hopes, for he took out a pen, scribbled something on the back of one of the letters, and sent the owl away. He shredded all the other letters.

To Cellie's dismay, no more came, and as she had written George, This bloody well sucks. To think I was actually offered a chance to go to a magical school, and my father wrote something to them to scare the letters away!

George's letters were another thing. He originally was a penpal of Metz's, from when he went to the UK for vacation, since both were avid pranksters, but she had also started communicating with him not much longer after she had discovered that her childhood friend had magical parents. However, when her father had almost caught Errol once, when she was twelve, Cellie couldn't write back for several months for fear of her father discovering that she indeed was keeping up with the magical world he had tried so hard to keep her out of.

She sighed, and saw the polished wand slipped into James's front pocket. How she wished that just for one day, that wand could be hers. Living in the magical world would probably make her year—so, of course, it was never going to happen.

Suddenly, two hands appeared over her head and covered her eyes.

Guess who? Cellie pried the hands from her eyes with her own

Shove off, Metz. The sandy haired boy appeared on her right side, a wry grin lighting up his face.

How'd you know it was me? He said, an innocent lilt to his voice. It was the same voice he used to cover up his pranks, like the time had come on during a performance instead of the preselected music. Celestia rolled her eyes good naturedly.

Well, let's see, smart one. George went back to the Burrow, Professor Evans isn't crazy, and Sirius Black's asleep. And of course, there's the fact that your boots, however soft they are, make a helluva lot of noise. And— Metz silenced her with a single rugged finger against her lips.

I think, he whispered softly, that's enough evidence against me for the moment. Cellie smiled slightly.

James, you're unnerving. She said simply, using his forbidden' first name. Metz playfully punched her right arm.

Miss Rivera, how many times have I told you not to call me that? He asked deviously.

Now, Jamesey, don't tell me you're hiding some sort of wizard explosive device behind your back to respond. After all, your parents may be out of town, but I know for a fact that they do notice their atmosphere—and they won't be happy to see half of your mum's angora carpeting in cinders.

Cells, you know me too well. Metz pulled a dungbomb from behind his back and accidentally' threw it into the ice bucket.

He said with a smile, That might take Jessie awhile to clean up. Cellie rolled her eyes.

James Metz, you are not making your sister do the housework.

Cellie, I'm me. I can make my sister bloody well do what I want. Metz jested. Cellie got up and walked over to James Potter, who was casually sleeping, and pulled his wand seamlessly from his pocket.

You make your three year old sister do anything, Metz, and I'll.. I'll hex you. Metz burst out into laughter, falling sideways into the chair Cellie was occupying.

She demanded. What is it, you scoundre— But Cellie didn't get a chance to finish, for a giant tub of pink paint decided to dump itself over her right then and there. Cellie's eyes narrowed to slits, and she flipped around, observing her teacher sitting there with a perfectly innocent expression.

If you might return my wand, Celestia.. He said in a melodious monotone. That was the straw for Metz. He just sank into the armchair, laughing like a buffoon. Cellie smiled, and held the wand up, twirling it in her fingers. Oddly enough, the wand hadn't been touched by the paint, nor had the carpet. She stared into her teacher's blue eyes, and a fiery glaze went into hers.

All right, fine. She said. Cellie started to hand the wand over, and as she was, she asked a peculiar question.

Say, James, I keep on forgetting, what's latin for repel again? She said sweetly.

James, as if repeating it from memory, said Well, it's Flipendo— Cellie grinned, and yanked the wand back, turning upon Metz. James, realizing what he had said, tried to make a grab for the wand, but it was too late. She had already yelled the phrase at Metz, who shot backwards across the room with his chair before it tumbled back to the ground. Metz let out a yelp as he tumbled backwards, and Cellie turned back to her teacher.

Bit of fun, magic. With that, she tossed him the wand and went to go help her friend up. James stared at her, and then his wand, dumbstruck.

About then, Sirius let out a bloodcurdling scream.



Inside Sirius's mind a terrible storm wore on. He was on a small raft, he had escaped Azkaban, but it was terribly stormy. Lightning flashed, and the whole sky seemed to let out turrents of water to try and drown him.

Suddenly, the clouds twisted around to form the barely notable faces of Lily, James, and—Harry? James boomed at him.

You bastard, you killed us. Killed us all. We died because of you. Never should have named you godfather of Harry. You'll get him killed too. Sirius's face contorted into a mix of fury and horror.

Lily responded with something similar. Look at me, Sirius! I thought you loved us all, and this is how you repay us? I wanted to use YOU as the secret keeper, Sirius, but you insisted on Peter. And LOOK AT US NOW! Sirius shut his eyes, the pain was ripping at his heart.

However, the worst was yet to come. Harry came forward, and suddenly he wasn't Harry the cloud, and Sirius wasn't on a raft. They were at the front of Azkaban, and Harry's face was one of pure hatred.

Lock him away. Give him the Kiss. He's a murderer. He killed my parents! Harry turned to Sirius, who was suddenly back in his Azkaban robes with shackles on his wrists.

You killed my parents. Goodbye. And Harry left.

Now that he was gone, Sirius could feel the dementors coming. They stopped and made a circle around him. One of them breathed upon Sirius, the stenchy breath making his insides twist. And then he was hit with a memory.



You are just the cutest baby I've ever seen, Pronglet. Sirius said, a look of pure kindness on the man as he picked up baby Harry and zoomed him around in the air, making the tousled hair baby laugh in surprise. Lily came in from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel. She set it down on the table and laughed, a pure melodic sound.

He's the only baby you've ever seen, Sirius. She said, with a small smile on her face. Sirius turned around guiltily to face Lily.

He's still cute. Yes, little Pronglet, you are cute. And you're going to be a big bad Seeker when you're older, just like your godfather. James snuck in from the living room and swatted Sirius upside the head.

Don't be giving him ideas, Sirius. He's going to be a Chaser, like his dad.





Lily boomed, a facadish look of madness on her face. You will not be teaching Harry either dangerous position. Personally, I'd rather he play... well, football before he get himself on a broomstick. Both men looked at her cluelessly, and Harry giggled.

Football? Oh, for the love of Godric Gryffindor, you two are so ignorant about muggle sports.. Sirius interjected.

Well, to tell you the honest truth, I don't see how anything triangular shaped can be fun—and from what I've seen, it's MORE dangerous than a little game of Quidditch. Lily shook her head in defeat.

That's American football, Sirius. Sirius scratched his head in befuddlement.

You mean there's two versions? Muggles are too confusing, aren't they, Harry? James snickered, while Lily scowled rather deeply.

I assume, Sirius, that you came over here for another reason than insulting my heritage?

Sirius gulped overdramatically and whispered to James, Uh oh, the Lily wrath. All beings beware!

I have perfectly good hearing, Sirius. He wilted. Slightly.

All right, no more, I swear. At Lily's glare, he held up three fingers.

Wizards honour. Promise. Sirius said in a dignified way. Anyway.. Well, James, Lily.. Look, I can't do it. James's face lit up in alarm.

Do what? Sirius looked down.

It's just.. I can't. It's too easy.

Sirius, what? Lily asked, rather forcefully.

Have Peter be your Secret Keeper. Not me. James shook his head firmly.

No. You're our only choice. Sirius nodded.

Exactly, James! I'm the obvious choice, the one that everyone expects. The one that Voldemort expects. If you pick me you'll be dead in an hour. He said in total seriousness.

Sirius, come off it. He shook his head firmly.

James, I'm not kidding. I'd rather die than betray you, you know that, but I'm not immune to Imperio. He stated. Lily burst into tears.

You.. You can't, Sirius! You're the only choice! She said, in-between sobs. Sirius was about to explain again, when James nodded slowly.

He's right, Lily. Sirius is the obvious choice. We'll have to pick someone else— Sirius interrupted.

Secretly. That way if Voldemort does come after you, he'll have to go through me first. Give you time to prepare for escape. James nodded slowly.

I'll call Dumbledore and let him know— Sirius again, interrupted.

Not Dumbledore.

Why not? Sirius frowned.

A hunch. It's not wise, not now. Lily narrowed her eyes at him, wiping away her tears.

Are you saying that Dumbledore's the spy? Is that what you're saying? Sirius shook his head avidly.

No! No, that's not what I'm saying. I trust Dumbledore, it's just I don't think that it'd be wise to use him. Second most obvious. James's face twisted into a frown, but he finally nodded.

Fine. Remus then—

Sirius shouted. Baby Harry squeezed his eyes shut, frightened. Sirius bit his lip, and touched the child's cheek softly in apology. James flared up.

So now Remus is under suspicion, Sirius? Sirius shook his mane of hair.

James, that's not what I meant at all. It's just, well, Remus would refuse anyway. He'd be afraid that Voldemort'd.. you know.

Fine. But who else?

Peter. Peter's the perfect one. He's the one nobody'd ever suspect. James nodded, a smile suddenly upon his face.

It just might work. After all, not to insult Peter's intelligence, but he isn't exactly number one on the Death Eater hit list.

LISTEN TO YOU! Lily yelled, narrowing her green eyes at both of them.

You're talking about this as if it were a goddamn Quidditch lineup! Fine. Sirius, James, if you insist on doing this, let me have no part. Go to hell. Both of you. With that, she left. Sirius looked at James with a look of extreme sadness.

She'll get over it, Padfoot. Promise.

I'm not so sure. Just then, Harry bubbled and looked up into Sirius's eyes.

Sirius melted.

Yes, Pronglet, that's right. Padfoot. I love you, Harry. Sirius said, a grin upon his face.


Sirius felt tears staining his cheeks as he came out of the memory to find the dementors inches away from him. Lily never had forgiven him. It was all his fault.

All my fault, He groaned. Just then, the dementors swooped in for the Kiss. And Sirius screamed.


A/N: Next chapter will be a bit more exciting, I promise. Just need to build up a bit more Sirius emotions, seeing as how I've been shoving those aside. Also, no more Cassie and Remus for awhile, I have to get all the other plotlines straightened out first. :p

Tarawen: Relavations? Of what kind? *confused* O_o

ra-chan: Heh, as you'll find out in this chapter, there's a simple reason for Sirius's hydrophobia.. after all, living on an island for twelve years can unnerve you, no? Well, that and Padfoot has always had a little bit of inner cat in him.. XD

Jenny: Scotland Yard sounds right.. thanks!