A/N: --UPDATED-- Incredibly sorry about not updating sooner.. Finals and Hell week.. x_x;
- Cellie

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

Disclaimer: Evan Rivera, Wendy Figg Rivera, Venna Rivera, Cellie Rivera, James Metz, and Cassie Black Woods (No relation to Mother's Curse) are all mine. The plot, however odd, is mine. Annie (Andromeda) Black is loosely based on a character created by the great and mighty fanfiction writer Kaydi. The Potters, and anyone else I may mention are property to J.K Rowling, and her alone—Aww, poor Remus..—That's nice, Cassie.

Chapter Fifteen
The Hat Of Stupidity


Sirius decided, mid Floo ride, that he didn't much like this way of transportation. As a matter of fact, Sirius vowed that he would leech off of James's wand to disguise himself, and go buy another one. He needed it. It would provide Sirius a way to Apparate again—hey, he became an Animagi without an operating license, so why should he have an Apparating one?

As the grates for Atlantis whizzed by, Sirius wondered why Remus had been so resistant to going to Hogwarts. Understandable, that he had to rest, and that Apparating took a lot out of him, but there was something else, Sirius noted, that was troubling his friend. When Sirius had asked Remus where he had spent the better part of the summer, Remus turned pale, and refused to answer. Sirius was worried about Remus. He never evaded the subject, unless it was about the wolf—but he hadn't had anything to do with the wolf this summer, had he?

Just then, a jolt threw him out of the fireplace. In alarm, Sirius transformed—and came face to face with Arabella. The dog in Sirius wanted to yell, scream, and get the hell out of that place.

However, that was most certainly out of the question, seeing as how Sirius was somehow in a steel box of sorts. It had no windows, a queen sized bed, and a table with what looked like a food unit the muggles called a fridge.

He glanced at Arabella's suprised face, and checked around warily for Ministry guards. It seemed that Arabella was the only one there, but you could never be sure. Sirius realized that if there were, his cover had been completely blown. If the Ministry knew he could transform...

I'm sorry I had to use a pulling charm, Sirius. I needed to talk to you, and I couldn't find where you were staying to Apparate. Sirius scrunched up his face, and growled. Arabella seemed to realize what he was expressing, and shook her head.

The Ministry isn't here, Sirius. We're in a floater suite. No one can Apparate here, nor is there anybody in this room besides you and me. She stated. Sirius cocked a doggy eyebrow at her, and she glanced into his eyes.

Sirius, I swear on the grave of Grindlewald, I'm telling the truth. I just want answers. Arabella said, a hurt look in her eyes. Sirius stayed where he was.

With a frustrated sigh, she threw her wand at Sirius. It landed by his front paws.

There, I'm unarmed. You have a weapon, kill me if you like. Arabella spat. The black dog looked down, and with a POP, transformed into Sirius. He glanced down at the wand, not touching it.

This isn't your wand, Sirius commented, offhandedly. It's mine. Arabella nodded, slowly. Sirius saw that she almost seemed to be afraid of him, and gave a sad smile.

Arabella, I would never hurt you, you don't have to worry. He said in a soft tone.

But why would you hurt James? And Lily? She asked. Sirius swore he could hear a tint of hope in her voice, but brushed it off. Leaving the wand there, he walked over to Arabella, who seemed rooted to the spot. He touched her cheek, and she shuddered visibly.

'Bella, look at me. He coaxed. She slowly brought her eyes to meet his. Sirius saw that she was crying.

I hate you, Sirius. I hate you, I hate you! Why did you do this to me? She sobbed. He put his arms around her, and without much of a protest, Arabella conceded. She pulled Sirius into a tight hug, and cried into his shoulder.

Shh, Bella, it's all right.. He soothed. She looked up, and scowled.

Sirius, it is not all right'. The first time I see you in fourteen years, and you say, I'll OWL you?'. I have loved you, and hoped that you were innocent, and sane, and you say that. She replied.

In case you didn't notice, I was sort of pressed for TIME. Can't exactly go and have a nice cup of tea when the Ministry is ten feet away from you, wanting to butcher you without a second thought. Sirius said, angrily. Arabella raised an eyebrow.

Well, kidnapping Harry certainly might've had something to do with it, Sirius. She pointed out, sarcastically. Sirius recoiled.

I did NOT kidnap Harry! He yelled. I hadn't seen him in months, and that dratted Dursley was about to KILL him—

Months? You've been commun—you've been SEEING Harry? Arabella interrupted. Sirius nodded.

Why the hell not? He is my godson.

Oh, let's see, Sirius. Maybe the fact that you're wanted for the murder of his BLOODY parents has something to do with it. Sirius's eyes narrowed.

I did not kill Lily and James, He muttered.

Arabella said, a look of confusion on her face.

I DID NOT KILL LILY AND JAMES! He shouted. Arabella stepped back, cringing.

No need to yell, Sirius. She commented. I heard you well enough the first time. Sirius glanced at her.

I'd take Veritaserum, Bella, anything. I'm telling the truth, I swear. Her face softened, and she enveloped him in another hug. Sirius put his hands up in surprise, but then returned the hug.

I take it you believe me? He asked. Arabella nodded.

I always knew it, Sirius, but it's nicer to hear you confirm the fact. But.. She looked into his olive green eyes.

Who was it? She asked. Sirius's face turned to stone.

He spat. Arabella's eyes widened.

You're kidding. She said. Sirius shook his head.

The bastard faked his own death. Cut off his finger, made me out to be the culprit..

Gods, Sirius.. She said, almost at a whisper. Suddenly, she remembered something.

'Bella, what is it? He asked.

We've got to go to Hogwarts. Now. She said, urgently.

Er, why?

I kind of told Dumbledore that I saw Peter take Harry..

Oh, jesus.



Well, don't worry, I was on my way there, anyway. James, Harry, Cellie, and I were going to ask Dumbledore if we could hang around there for awhile. Arabella froze.

She asked, slowly.

James, Harry, and—Oh. I didn't tell you about James, did I, He said, a half smile on his face.




As Harry, James, and Cellie tumbled out of the grate that led to Albus Dumbledore's office, they were greeted with some sort of magical scanner that felt, to Harry and James, like the sorting hat. To Cellie, it just felt weird. The scanner' seemed to recognize them, and allowed them through. Harry was the first to come to his feet, and helped Cellie up while James got up himself. Harry noticed that Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, was missing from the cage.

I let him out for a bit of a fly, he deserved it. Harry spun around to see Professor Dumbledore standing in the doorway. He walked over to James, and the sparkle in his eyes enlarged.

James Potter.. Well, well, how did you get here? He asked, with the utmost calm. James grinned sheepishly.

Well, you see, it's kind of a long story.. Dumbledore nodded.

Later, then. He turned to Cellie, and a smile lit up his features.

Celestia Rivera, I certainly wasn't expecting to see you here. I was told by your aunt that you were not of magical blood.. Well, I daresay that she was incorrect. Cellie nodded, a small grin on her face.

I'm sorry, sir, I know that I'm a bit old, but do you suppose.. I mean, can I.. She trailed off. Dumbledore nodded.

Of course, Celestia. I have just the prefect in mind to help you catch up.. of course, you will need to buy some things, first. Cellie frowned.

But, professor, I have no money.. I mean, I have about ten bucks, but that will barely buy me lunch! Dumbledore smiled, warmly.

My dear, Evan Rivera has quite the family fortune down in a Gringotts vault. If he were to translate it all into American dollars, he'd be what I believe they call.. a billionaire? Dumbledore chuckled. Cellie's jaw dropped.

My dad.. bill.. Holy.. She sputtered. Just then, James frowned.

Hey, where's Sirius? He commented. Harry glanced around the room, but his godfather was nowhere to be found.

Professor Dumbledore, sir, where do you suppose he is?

If memory serves, I got an owl this morning, not only from you, James, but from the lovely Miss Arabella. It appears that her owl had gotten a bit misdirected, and was actually supposed to go to Evan Rivera. It said something along the lines that Celestia had been taken by Sirius, and she was going to try and confront him. I do suppose that is where Mister Black is now. Dumbledore stated.

Harry said. Clearly, he wasn't expecting to get that much of a reply. Who's Arabella?

Lily's next door neighbor. She went to Primary with me and Sirius—

Sirius and I, Cellie corrected without thinking. James gave her a funny look, and continued.

She and Lily were practically inseparable. When she got her letter (Lily and Arabella both come from muggle families), Arabella was about ready not to go, because Lily wasn't going to be able to—until Lily got a letter too. Of course, Sirius and I, we sort of originally gave Lily a fake letter, just so we could get Arabella to come, so when Lily's real letter came, we got into a bit of a jam.. James trailed off, a smile coming to his face.

Um, James? Harry asked.

Yeah, Harry?

Did Mum—er, Lily live on Privet Drive her whole life? Harry asked. James sniggered.

Lords, no! Lily and her family hated that kind of development. Well, Petunia liked the fact that everything looked the same, but then again, that was Petunia for you. They lived somewhere deep in Surrey's countryside. Sirius and I lived closer to the city. However, I think Arabella's grandparents lived on Privet Drive. Yeah, pretty sure they did. Number.. oh, 3, I think. Harry's eyes widened.

James, Arabella's name—surname, I mean—It's not—

Dumbledore said, with a crafty smile. Ah, yes, Harry, I do believe you may know Arabella. Although I'm not quite sure if you've ever seen her face. Harry went white, then a red tinge of anger crept into his face.

Professor.. She wouldn't have been there to.. spy on Privet Drive, would she? Dumbledore gave a secretive smile.

You may ask her when she arrives, Harry. For now, I think you all look a bit tired. If you'll come with me, I know of a few guest rooms which are currently vacant, and several hundred house elves that are quite eager to have some new orders. With that, Dumbledore turned back and started riding the escalator' of stairs downward. James and Harry followed. Cellie started to, but tripped over her laces and fell to the carpeted floor. Harry turned his head.

You okay? She nodded.

Yeah, fine. Go on without me, I'll catch up. Harry nodded, and stepped on the moving stairway. Cellie tied her sneakers, muttering something about dratted laces', when she heard a sound behind her. She jumped to her feet in suprise, turning around. However, nothing seemed to be there. Just a dusty old hat. Metz had told her that Hogwarts had ghosts, but he had never told her about them being invisible—had he?

Suddenly, the voice spoke again. Rivera child.. it whispered. Try on the hat..

Doing something Cellie would later regret, she tried it on. Instantly, the weird feeling she had felt while coming out of the fireplace reappeared tenfold.

So, you are the Rivera child. It spoke into her mind. Cellie jumped.

Who are you?

I am the Sorting Hat. It was I who called to you. Cellie had heard of the Sorting Hat from Metz. It was the one who put people into the four houses.

What did you do that for? Scared me to death!

You were not scared, youngling. You were frustrated. You have no patience, I see.

So I've been told, She replied sarcastically.

This rules Hufflepuff out.

Wait a second! I didn't put you on to be sorted!

Well, that's what I am used for, Rivera child. I see you becoming great, and in order to do that, you must be sorted.

But I don't want to become frigging great! I just want to eat and go to sleep! That's all!

That is not all. You want power. You want to control the world.

I do NOT! She told it indignantly. I want peace, not control!

Odd. You almost have two sides to your aura. That is puzzling.



You are certainly of Slytherin characteristics. But you are of Gryffindor at the same time. Two sides to the same coin. I cannot decide.



So confusing. I have to place you in one, but neither fit. You are not fit for any house, yet you are fit for all of them. I—

Suddenly, Cellie felt a wrenching, as if her soul was being torn in two. The next thing she knew, she was staring into Harry's bright green orbs.

Are you okay? He asked. I thought you had been gone a bit long, so I went up here to see why you weren't coming down, and the hat was practically suffocating you.. Cellie shut her eyes tightly, trying to numb out the painful headache she was experiencing. Nothing was this painful, nothing, she couldn't think straight...

Suddenly, Cellie was aware of warmth around her. She realized that Harry had taken her in a hug. The headache seemed to lessen to a dull ache, and she was able to open her eyes slightly.

She croaked out, sounding like she had been sick for days. He nodded, and released her very carefully, not sure if she would relapse. Cellie gave him a shaky thumbs up, so Harry let go completely and put the hat back on its shelf. He helped her up.

He asked.

She responded, feeling slightly better.

You never answered my question. You okay?

Better. Not okay. Harry seemed to take this as a good enough answer, so he started moving towards the door. Cellie followed, trying to shake off what was left of the horrible ache in her head.

Little did she know that it would only be the beginning.


A/N: If I've said it once, I'll say it a million times. This won't be a Cellie/Harry romance. I've other plans for her. However, if you must believe that there is something going on, I can't very well stop you, since mind erasing is something I've yet to perfect. :p

WeasleyTwinsLover1112: Drunk Remus.. You have no idea how much I'm tempted to sneak that into my story. Problem is, I just don't see Remus as the drinking type.. *thinks*

Sarah Teer: *grin* James and Sirius.. And, of course, we can't forget Remus. All of my favorite characters.. ^_^

Jelli Bean: Theater Sports.. sounds incredibly fun. As for Evan, he'll show up in a bit.. probably around chapter 20 or so.

Weasley, Weasley, and Jordan: I'm glad you like my portraying of Harry. I hate when people make him out to be the savior of the universe or something. So what if he is? He's still a fifteen year old boy.

ra-chan: As I said to WTL, I'm really tempted to write in a drunk Remus chapter. I've got an idea where to put it, too.. Your story's great, please continue.

ShortySC22: *grin* The Lakers are in the championship.. WHOOOOOOOOOO! Okay, rant over. :p

Tarawen: I'm not updating as fast any more.. too much work. x_x I wanted Cellie to be a bit more realistic than most of my OC characters, now that I'm keeping her in the story (Originally, she was just going to be there as a plot point to bring James back, but now..). Update your story soon! ;p