A/N: --UPDATED-- A chapter in which Cellie discovers a little tidbit of information. And Harry finally meets James.

- 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—Annie and Remus just don't work, okay?—Shut up, Cassie. Annie is based on a character created by the great and mighty fanfiction writer Kaydi.

Chapter Nine
Privet Drive Goes To The Dogs


The Present: August 2nd, 1995

Cellie stared at the woman in her thirties, astonished.

Aunt Arabella, since when are you a witch? She asked. Arabella bit her lip, and pulled out her wand.

Look, Cellie, I'm sorry, but you can't know—HEY! As soon as her wand had graced the light of day, Cellie snatched it from her hand.

I refuse for you to put a memory charm on me, Aunt Arabella. I know everything about the wizarding world, and some stupid charm won't make me forget. I don't care what my father said, I'm still a wit— Arabella clamped her hand over Cellie's mouth.

Celestia Rivera, She whispered furiously, Albus Dumbledore is in the next room, and as far as he knows, you're a squib. Cellie opened her mouth to protest, but Arabella shook her head.

Cellie, go up to the attic until I'm finished. Understand? Cellie shook her head.

Aunt Arabella, no! You can't— Arabella gave her a Look, and grabbed her wand back. Suddenly, an old but oddly wise voice came from the kitchen.

Arabella, what's going on? I thought I heard voices.. Arabella shoved Cellie into a walk-in closet abruptly, and rushed into the kitchen.

Ah, well, it was one of those annoying muggle salesmen, Albus.. Cellie tried to peek out of the closet, her fear mounting. If Sirius and James decided to drop in, they'd all be done for!

She reached for the light chain to light the closet, and pulled. Instantly, the closet flooded itself with light. Cellie's eyes widened in surprise as she surveyed the walk-in. There was a Nimbus 1000 series broom that lay discarded in the corner, and the whole lot of boxes were labeled Photos' and Prank Logs'. Cellie grabbed a box and carefully opened it. Inside was a red leather photo album with—the Hogwarts symbol? Cellie was very confused. Arabella Figg was her mother's sister—yet her mother was a simple muggle. She frowned, but opened the album out of curiosity.

Inside was a simple inscription, seeming to be made in gold ink.

To Arabella, so that you will always remember us all. Besides, I did need to get you a graduation present.

PF

At the top of the next page, Congratulations Class of 1976!' was written, and below it Cellie saw an arrangement of smiling faces—faces that moved. Cellie grinned. This was a wizard photo. She quickly examined the picture.

There was a lake and a forest behind them, with a castle off to the right. A large willow had rooted itself in front of the lake, and a man with sandy brown hair was sitting under it in the grass, his black graduation robes turning green—though Cellie doubted it was from the plants. He looked down at his robes, astonished, and turned to yell at the couple next to him.

A man with unbearably messy black hair gave a great grin to the man with the green robes, mouthing something that made them both laugh. He was waving wildly while his other arm was slung around the woman who was next to him. She had long red hair that was coiled up into a bun with a few strands falling into her face. She turned to the man next to her, and scolded him good naturedly, her emerald green eyes sparkling.

A man with much longer black hair peeked out behind the messy haired one and gave him bunny ears'—that soon were made real. Next to him, a smug smile on her face, was most undoubtedly her aunt—much younger, of course, but still her. She fwacked the long-haired man good naturedly, and took off the bunny ears.

And then, next to Arabella—Cellie blinked, rubbed her eyes, and blinked again—It was her father. And he was smiling.





So, how's Arabella, anyway? James asked his friend. Sirius froze.

I.. I wouldn't know. I haven't talked to her since I was convicted. James narrowed his eyes.

She didn't visit? Sirius looked up at his friend from his position on the couch.

James, I don't think visiting her murderous boyfriend was on the top of her to-do list.

But you didn't KILL anyone! Sirius frowned.

That's not what she thought. James blew out a large puff of frustrated air.

Doesn't ANYONE believe you?

You do. Sirius pointed out with an emotionless face.

Besides me. James said, growing impatient.

Harry does. Remus does. I think Dumbledore does. Sirius said, shrugging.

But not Arabella? James asked.

I couldn't tell her, Prongs. That would've meant that I'dve lied to her. I told her I was the Secret Keeper, after I had promised never to keep her out of things. Sirius said, his eyes wandering to the patterned floor rug.

So, better for her to believe that you murdered your best friends than know that you told her a slight lie? said James, his voice rising.

Does it really sound that ridiculous? Sirius asked, not really moving his eyes up.

Yes, Sirius, it does.



You're going to have to tell her sometime.

Sure, I will.



Sometime next millennium.

That's only five years, Padfoot.

... Damn.




Cellie fingered the picture, almost in disbelief. This couldn't have been her father. True, it was surprising enough to see her aunt in robes and a moving picture, but that was at least believable. Her father didn't smile. It just wasn't him. It never had been in his temperament to smile. Never.

Cellie suddenly noticed his fingers entwining with a young woman with flowing auburn hair, the only one of the group that was dressed in muggle clothing. Her grin was very similar to the shaggy long haired man, and she leaned her head against Cellie's father slightly. She must have whispered something important to him, because he suddenly lit up with a grin and kissed the top of her head.

Who is she? Cellie whispered, as if expecting the page to give her an answer.

Suddenly, it did. Small scripted words written in several shades of ink read,

The reckless Marauders—well, most of them.

They're all here, Arabella.

Where's Peter?

Look to the left.

Oh, Sirius, you didn't transfigure Peter into a tree, did you?

I solemnly swear never to tell.

You're impossible.

I know.

Fine. Well, this represents all the happy graduates right after that incredibly long ceremony that Sirius snuck food through,

I did not! I am surely ashamed that you'd think such a thing!

 Sirius, I promise, the Headmaster already knows and he can't give you detention now.

Oh, yeah, forgot. Yes, all right, I snuck food through—but I was hungry, so there!

Anyway, so first up we have Remus, everyone's favorite bookworm,

Well, that's an understatement. I'm hardly everyone's favorite. Snape would blow a gasket if he heard that.

Gasket?

Sirius, honestly! I thought you worked with motorcycles!

Yeah, but that sounds like a poor deprived creature, not a motorcycle.

It's a PART of a motorcycle, Sirius.

Oh, right. I knew that.

Next up, if my dear friends ever stop arguing, are James and Lily, the sweetest people I know and love.

Prongs, have you asked Lily yet?

To what?

To marry you, you dolt.

Er, yeah. I'm asking her today.

I smell a coverup.

Seriously!

What? What'd you use my middle name for?

All right, that's it, I'm getting Annie.

No! No! I'll behave! I promise! Just don't get my twin!

And, ladies and gentlemen, Sirius, whom we all know is going to wind up in Azkaban for some prank.

All right, I can't really deny that. I probably will.

Don't worry, Sirius. You'll be out of that place in a month. You're too crazy for Dementors to handle.

I concur, Remus, you're probably right. Anyway, next to Sirius, there's me, whom I assume everyone who will ever look at this book knows about.

But of course, Arabella! It is your book..

You don't say.. Next to me, there's Evan, everyone's misplaced Slytherin.

Don't worry, Evan, we all know that silly hat never really knows where to place people.

After all, it should have realized that Sirius is just an old fart whom—

No more insults, Queen Figg.

All right, all right, O Mighty Dog Star.

Now that's a bit more like it. Next to Evan Rivera, is my dear sister Andromeda, who will probably kill me if she knows I have written down her real name.

I suggest you run, Sirius. Because if Annie doesn't, you know Evan will.

Oh, the joy of having my sister date the only person able to beat me in a duel..

The scripting stopped there, leaving Cellie in a cold rage. Her father went to Hogwarts. He was a Slytherin. He knew Sirius, he knew James, he knew Professor Evans yet neither recognized each other, he was English and not American, he—

Suddenly, a large crash from the living room made Cellie snap the book shut and stuff it back into the box. Sirius and James! She had totally forgotten. Suddenly, voices were heard in the kitchen.

Arabella, is something wrong? That sounds like the Floo. She heard her aunt's footsteps come near the cupboard about the same time as she heard Sirius groaning about the underwater Floo. Cellie frowned, and smacked the cupboard door open, glad her aunt didn't lock it.

Hey! What in the name.. She felt her aunt hammering at the door that had smashed open, blocking her vision and path to the living room.

Both James and Sirius whirled around, and saw Cellie pushing against the door, its hinges straining.

She gasped, as she pushed harder against the door. James took the hint, and put out the fire, grabbing Sirius and tugging him towards the door just as Cellie's weight gave out. Her aunt bashed the door open angrily to see—nothing, except for Cellie looking a bit bruised.

What the hell do you think you were doing? She snapped at her.

Suddenly, Cellie became aware of another figure in back of her aunt.

Well, Celestia Rivera. Isn't this a surprise. Albus Dumbledore said.

No one noticed as the front door shut itself quickly.



Outside, Sirius shut the door abruptly upon hearing Dumbledore. He staggered over to the next house, and sat down on the stone step. James frowned, and came to sit next to Sirius.

'Ey, Padfoot, the Floo travel wasn't that bad, was it? Sirius shook his head, an astonished, horrified look on his face.

Dumbledore—Dumbledore said Celestia.

James asked, quizzically.

He said Cellie... He said Cellie was Celestia Rivera. James raised an eyebrow.

So? I know her name. Sirius glanced up at his friend in disbelief.

Prongs. You remember my sister, correct?

Well, yeah, I remember Annie—

And do you remember who she was dating before you disappeared?

Yeah, of course! Evan Riv— James's eyes widened to moons.

You don't say.

Suddenly, both were aware of a solid yell from the back of the house. Sirius jumped up, fear in his eyes.

It's Harry. Both ran around the side of the house and saw a boy trying to get out of a window which had the remains of muggle prison bars on them. James's heart got caught in his throat as he looked at the boy. Sirius hadn't been kidding when he spoke of the similarity between the two.

James realized that Harry was on a broomstick that was about ready to shoot out the window with him, but Harry was being pulled back by a big pudgy hand.

James spat. For, you see, even though James and Lily weren't courting, they still were quite good friends. And she had written to him numerous times about her sister's awful husband. James narrowed his eyes, aimed, and shouted the disarming curse. Instantly the pudgy hand flew backwards, and the house seemed to shake. The broom flew out from under the boy, and James called it to him. The broom responded fairly well, and jumped over to James, who flew up to the window to rescue Harry.

Sirius, however, slapped his hand to his forehead in frustration.

Now you've done it, James! He yelled up at his friend. Sirius looked around, and transformed into Padfoot as he heard the silent whistle of the Ministry's alarm systems being broken.



Cellie sort of just sat there, looking sheepish. Arabella frowned, trying to think of an excuse. Dumbledore, however, looked delighted.

Look, Professor, Cellie— Suddenly, alarms started blaring inside her home. Arabella looked horrified.

It's Harry! Someone's used magic over there, and it's not him! Dumbledore's eyes turned hard, and he turned to Arabella and Cellie.

I assume you'll both still be here in ten minutes. He said hurriedly, and rushed outside. Cellie and Arabella each gave each other a look, then ran for the back door.



Hurry up! He sent a silent message to James, hoping he'd understand it.

James arrived at the window to see Vernon cornering Harry. James couldn't take it any longer, and yelled in there.

Dursley! You big fat Skrewt! Vernon flipped around, his face a purplish red, and his eyes pretty much short of bugged out.

He said with surprise. YOU'RE DEAD! DEAD! James saw out of the corner of his eye that Harry, who hadn't seen him yet, thought that Vernon was talking to him.

I didn't do anything, Uncle Vernon, I swear! But, it seemed that Vernon wasn't listening—for he fell over into a faint. James glared at the man, and perched the broom beside the windowsill as he climbed in.

Hallo, Harry. Interested in going on a bit of vacation?



Harry looked up in suprise at the mysterious voice who spoke, and froze. It was like looking into the Mirror of Erised all over again. Only this man had slightly softer wrinkles, and his skin was tanned quite much. His european accent had almost completely disintegrated, but it was still slightly obvious.

... You're.. You're.. Jam.. James.. He stumbled. The man grinned.

James Potter. I've noticed. Your godfather's down on the lawn, and is yelling at me right now that he hears the ministry squad coming, so if you want to go, time would be of the essence. Harry shook his head.

You're not real.

Harry, I am. I really don't have time to explain now, but I promise you, I will.

Then you're not him! You're not my father! Harry yelled. James nodded.

You're right. I'm not your father. However, I am James Potter.

That—That doesn't make sense! Harry stammered.

I assure you, it really doesn't, but you have to come with me, Harry. Harry shook his head in fear.

No! Prove it! He said in bursts.

Prove what?

You're him! James frowned, then closed his eyes. With a POP, James Potter was no longer standing there. Instead, a stag rose magnificently in his place. Harry's jaw dropped, and James turned back.

Harry, you've got to trust me. If I had evil intentions, I wouldn't have been able to get through these wards. James said. Harry walked towards the window.

Where's Sirius?

Down here! A voice yelled. And you've got to bloody hurry, they're taking down the wards in the front of the house! Harry made his decision in a matter of moments.

My trunk's packed, it's under the bed.

James yelled, sending the trunk over to him. He quickly bewitched the trunk to become very small and feather light, and slipped it into his robe. He turned to Harry.

Time to go! He said, and motioned for Harry to get on the broomstick outside. Harry obliged, and hopped on, James following suit. They zoomed down from the window just as several Aurors burst into Harry's room.

Harry! Over towards Sirius, now! He yelled. Harry maneuvered the broom down to Sirius, who transformed back. Just as he hopped on, a voice yelled at him from behind.

Sirius Black! He flipped his head around, and his breath caught in his throat. Arabella stood there, her eyes displaying a number of emotions. Suddenly, Cellie appeared behind her.

She called out. Arabella flipped around, and Sirius heard her saying something to Cellie, who protested vailiantly. Sirius made his decision right as the Aurors started pouring into the backyard. He jumped off the broomstick and ran over to Arabella and Cellie.

Sirius, don't! Harry yelled, but Sirius only held up a finger signaling both to wait. He reached Arabella and Cellie, and smiled slightly.

Hey, Bella. Scuse me if I don't talk to you long, otherwise I'll probably wind up dead. Cellie, ready to go? Cellie nodded. Arabella's mouth was opening and closing in surprise.

She stammered, breathing shallowly. He grinned softly.

I'll owl you. Sirius said, and grabbed Cellie's wrist, both of them running for the Firebolt. Sirius swung on and Cellie grabbed the tail end as Harry flew straight up and forward. The broom obviously wasn't happy of the supreme weight on itself, but it complied wearily. The Aurors and Arabella, regaining her senses, tried to shoot summoning charms and containing charms at the broom, but a Firebolt wasn't a top of the line broom for nothing. It zoomed high into the cloudy sky of Great Britain's early morning, and disappeared.




A/N: Whoo, boy.. talk about a confusing chapter. But it's long, so that should make up for my lack of updates and other stuff. I'm sorry that I've let updating slip, but several major things are happening at my school, so I'm going to have to cut back to updating once or twice a week. This isn't because I've lost my train of thought for this story, I still have very many ideas.. I just need to take some time to finish my work.

Also:

Some of you were confused about the speakers above in the album.

This is Arabella Figg.

This is Sirius Black.

This is Remus Lupin.

This is James Potter.


ra-chan - Believe me, that show is just.. er.. odd. I watched five minutes of it and decided that it was awful dung that should be eaten by a Skrewt.

Tarawen - ^_^; Yeah, I know I haven't really updated that in awhile, but, you know, I've sort of reached a flat line with that story.. Not a lot of Dursley bashing, I'm afraid, but there will be in the future.. It's just with a hundred or so Aurors about to catch you, there's not much time to attack everyone's hated family.

Bess - GG is quite an addicting series.. D'you know if it has a third season scheduled?

Midnight Dragon & Legolas Lover - I'm writing, I'm writing.. :p