A/N: --UPDATED-- Chapter Twenty. ^_^; I'm sorry to all of you who wish me to make Draco Malfoy the kindest person in the universe, but as you can see in this chapter, that's not my style.

Oh, and this is SUPER IMPORTANT, I lost my whole contact list, so PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT celestialspectre@mac.com IF YOU STILL WANT UPDATES!

- Cellie

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

Disclaimer: Anyone you don't recognize is most likely mine. The concept of Timekeys are mine, as well as how they're used. The Cirrus species is all mine. Everything else (Harry, Peter, Voldie, James, Remus, Arabella, Sirius, Dumbledore, McGonnagal, Flitwick, Snape, and all the other Hogwarts people) belongs to J.K Rowling. The concept of Annie being Sirius's squib twin sister belongs to Kaydi. Annie's personality, however, belongs to me.

Chapter Twenty
Secrets and a Sewing Disaster



was James's only remark after Cassie and Remus had filled him in, conveniently leaving out the parts relating to Cassie's future. So.. you're.. wow. And you two.. James pointed at Remus and the black haired woman, who blushed slightly. A crafty smile lit up James's face. Well, well, Remus. You've certainly inherited some kind of luck, Godric knows you never had it in school, He quipped lightly. Remus rolled his eyes, and shot a glance at Cassie, who smirked.

You're on your own, Remus. I only have so much wrath in me a day. Remus gave her a skeptical look.

Really, Cass, you must be joking. I thought your wrath was never-ending! Cassie gave him a withering glance, and turned her gaze back to James.

She asked innocently. Where's Sirius? He shrugged.

Well, I left him alone back in the library with the—Oh, bad..

Bad? .. What did you do? Remus queried. James smiled sheepishly.

Er, we kind of found a Cirrus wandering the passageways. Remus slapped his palm to his forehead.

And you left SIRIUS in charge of a Cirrus? Are you mad? Cassie raised a hand meekly, as if she was in a classroom. Raising an eyebrow, James nodded.

Er.. What's a Cirrus? Remus gave a hollowed chuckle.

Cassie, you really don't want to know, trust me. Cassie nodded vigorously.

Yes, I do. She said defiantly, twirling her wand in-between her fingers. Remus ran a hand through his graying brown hair, sheepishly, eyeing the wand precariously.

Well, they're little grayish kittens with wings— Cassie's eyebrows shot up.

She said, thoughtfully. That's interesting to know..

Remus and James nodded solemnly. Yep.. one of them almost bit Moony's head off in 6th year, didn't they, Remus? James commented. Cassie cringed.

I didn't know they were that dangerous.. After all, Lizzie kept one as a pet, present from Sirius.. Both men's eyebrows shot up in her direction.

I'm sorry, did you say Sirius? Remus interrupted. Cassie nodded, giving him a strange look.

Yeah.. he was Lizzie's best friend in Knockturn Al—ehehehly.. Realizing what she was saying, she quickly swallowed the rest of her words. Frowning, Remus looked into Cassie's eyes.

Cass, who's Lizzie? He asked slowly. Cassie looked away.

She's no one. She muttered. Someone I thought I used to know.
Remus touched her shoulder lightly. Cass, you remember something? About the.. accident? With your parents? She stared at the nicks in the wooden floor stubbornly.

Uh, Moony, I better go and check on Sirius.. make sure the Cirrus hasn't eaten the library whole. James murmured. Remus shot him a grateful smile as James climbed up the wooden stairway and went out through the door.

After he left, Cellie turned around and faced Remus, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Of course I remember! I remember every single damn thing that went on that day. I remember how my mother touched that STUPID rose, even though I warned her. Of course, why be afraid of a silver rose? Mum didn't know at the time that bloody Grindlewald wanted us all dead, how could she? Her divining powers didn't reach into Evil Overlord territory.. I knew. I should've told them, I should've. But I told Lizzie, and she didn't understand, she thought it was another game..

No one really understood, Remus, no one, She said sorrowfully, turning her wand in her hands. Not even Jonathan, though he tried to. Not even Lizzie. Not my own sister. Sure, she got that the rose was bad, but that was after the explosion.. And after the explosion, Lizzie was a different person. Living in Knockturn Alley can do things to you.

I.. I only saw her twice. The first, she came into Ollivanders, when I was twenty five or so.. She was with Sirius. I'm not sure why they fell in love with each other, perhaps it was that they both went by their middle names.. I don't know. I didn't say much, I just hid my face in a cloth and got their carving orders down as quickly as possible. I doubted that Lizzie would even remember me, though I knew it was her instantly. I thought she'd never come again.

But she was back, a year later, with a baby. Cassie shuddered, looking at the ground again. Remus slipped his arms around her from the back, and Cass let herself sink into the embrace while she continued.

She had seen me, that first time. She remembered. Mostly, she wanted a twin sister again. I couldn't, though. It'd been too long. I wasn't a sister any longer.. But I let her stay, for awhile.

She said the baby's father had been killed.. I later found out that the father was Sirius, though it took me awhile. He'd been murdered fighting Grindlewald, to save Lizzie and baby Ri. Lizzie hadn't married Sirius, though. She was too afraid that his family would scorn her.. As a fanciful childhood dream, she had decided to keep her maiden name, and that name wasn't exactly welcome among Sirius's family.

After Lizzie had been there for a couple of days, she decided to get a job selling robes across the street, so she left me in the care of her baby boy. Ri reminded me in every image of my father. Sturdy, black haired, mischievous in every way.. But there were those peculiar eyes of his.. not quite like mine, the crystallite, and not at all like Lizzie, who had green eyes. His were bright gold. I joked that those eyes would light up the moonlight some time. Cassie looked up at Remus, and her eyes lost the clouded look.

Kind of like yours, really. She commented, smiling weakly. Though they were more of a pure gold, and yours have blue flecks in them. Remus gave Cassie a warm smile, but she turned away, and he could see faint tears sketched onto her facial features. She grabbed at the wand in her pocket once more, turning it between her fingers.

She left, though, in the middle of the night, about half a year before I wound up here. Lizzie and baby Ri. They thought they could get away. After all, Grindlewald was practically defeated! Why would he care about Cassandra Elizabeth Black and her baby boy, Orion? She scoffed, harshly, and walked towards the circular workstation. Remus's eyes widened slightly.

Cassie, did you say— He started, but she cut him off.

Of course, Remus! Didn't you hear me clearly the first time? I remember everything. She replied coldly.

Remus frowned, fidgeting with the edges of his frayed robes. Why didn't you tell Dumbledore? He asked kindly. Cassie gave him a look.

I couldn't tell him, Remus.. Lizzie's not really supposed to exist. She had no birth certificate, no markings distinguishing herself—the only thing that made her different from me is that she had green eyes, and I had these silver ones. Cellie sighed, and rubbed her thumb against the unfinished surface of the wand absentmindedly.

Lizzie was a spell gone wrong, really.. I wanted a twin brother, so I went through the books in my father's library to find the book I was looking for—yet I created Lizzie instead of my wanted brother. With her, I threw in some of myself —the cautious part, the scared' part. I thought I didn't need to be scared. Her eyes flicked to the ground. Sounds pretty silly now, I imagine.

Remus's mouth curved upwards to form a slight smile, and he brushed a strand of black hair from her face, causing Cassie to look up at him. It's not silly at all. Everyone wants to get rid of their fear.

A forlorn look crossed her face. Has anyone ever actually succeeded?

Well, no.. Cass nodded simply in reply.

I succeeded, and too well. I was a bit brash for a couple of years, while I was getting used to it, and I got into a few situations.. well, you don't want to hear about it. But that's not really the point.

Well.. before the accident, Lizzie was just a ghost, a shadow. No one could see her except for me. And then that happened, and first it was Ollivander who noticed, then apparently Sirius noticed, along with the whole wizarding world. But Dumbledore's different. He knows things. You can't lie to someone like that, it's impossible. If I told him Lizzie was just a sister, he'd find out the truth.. She sighed, and rested her head on his shoulder. Remus put a loose arm around her, which Cassie didn't seem to mind.

He'd understand, Cassie. Remus said softly. He understood about me.

But you're just a werewolf, Remus. I have a bit more of a problem, seeing as how Lizzie just.. appeared in the world when she was five. If I told him about her, he'd realize I remembered the accident, and I can't go back to it, Remus, I can't!

Oh, Cassie.. Remus murmured. In response, the girl just stayed there, in his arms.

Life's not fair. She muttered, her voice slightly muffled by Remus's robes.

I know, Cassie. Remus said, sighing. I know.



The rest of the day at Diagon Alley passed too quickly for Cellie's liking. There seemed to be no end to the splendors of the wizarding city. They went from store to store (and Harry had to drag her from Quality Quidditch Supplies when she spotted the new Chaser's broom, the Spectre), with Harry basically buying the supplies for her while she looked around, starstruck.

Diagon Alley amazed her. The structure of the buildings, the cobblestone roads, the thousands of wizards and witches freely gabbing about everything from Quidditch to the Ministry. When Cellie and Harry stopped at Flourish and Blott's, they spent an hour longer in there than meant to, because Cellie insisted upon looking at every single book in the store (or, at least, it seemed like it).

Finally, they had only two stores left to go—Madame Malkin's, for both teenagers needed robes, and Ollivander's, so Cellie could purchase her wand. They decided to hit Madame Malkin's first, and then eat before going to Ollivander's.

Mr. Ollivander has a tendency to make you lose your appetite.. Harry confided in Cellie as they reached the entrance of the shop. She gave him a skeptical look.

Oh, come on, shopkeepers aren't that scary.. Unless you happen to shop in Brookstone, of course..

Er.. Brook what? Harry questioned, an odd look on his face. Grinning, Cellie shook her head.

It's a store in California.. She replied. Harry shrugged.

He said simply. Hey, d'you mind if I go and have a look in the store across the way? She glanced over at the glassblown insignia that shone in the window.

One Thousand and One Ways To Annoy Potions Teachers? Harry, don't get me wrong, but.. do you really need a thousand and one ways? She asked, confused. Harry doubled over, laughing.

It's.. joke shop.. He managed to say between laughing fits. 'Rius.. James.. need.. stuff. Cellie smothered a giggle herself when the sign changed to read, A Million Jokes To Torture and Confuse Your Enemies.

Go enjoy yourself, Harry.. And pick up that Annoying your Potions Teacher book for me.. I bet some of those tricks could be used on my Chem professor. Harry, managing to collect his dignity, grinned and submerged himself into the crowded street.

Chuckling to herself, Cellie walked into the store. A white haired teenage boy was arguing with a seamstress at the counter about a shimmery green material in-between the two. Cellie could tell just by looking at the teenager that he wasn't exactly the nicest wizard around. His tone had a slimy, scaly voice to it that reminded her all too well of Duncan Zimmerman, a senior at her high school who was infamous for his seducement of freshman women. Cellie cringed, remembering how close he had come to hurting her. If Metz hadn't intervened..

I probably wouldn't be alive. She thought silently, hovering awkwardly in the doorway.

Now, look right here, see? That's LACE! There's still lace on this material! Malfoys do NOT wear dress robes with lace. The boy yelled at the seamstress. Cellie, though, grinned slyly at the mention of the name. Malfoy. She remembered Harry's talk about him. A sudden stroke of insight hit her brain, prompting her to reply.

I'm sure, though, that white fur looks absolutely fabulous on you, doesn't it, Malfoy? She called out coyly, making the teenager twist himself around. Ferret fur, perhaps? Malfoy's eyes narrowed icily, and he sneered.

What on Earth, is an American, he said the word with malice, doing in a well to-do robes shop like this? Surely you could find some muggle shop to make you your perfect ripped clothing for you? He spat. Cellie walked forward a few steps, refusing to lose her cool.

And I'm sure that fluffy pink robes look great on you, Malfoy, She retorted, causing the boy to quickly look in a mirror to make sure his appearance hadn't changed.

You'll pay for that, He snarled.

I highly doubt it. After all, if you can't even stand your own in a stupid prank, how can you make me pay? She asked, a smirk upon her face. Malfoy's eyes narrowed.

American scum, do you know who my father is? Do you know what I could have him do to you? Cellie gave him a skeptical look.

Somehow, I really doubt he could do much to me. After all, Professor Dumbledore doesn't allow parents to hurt kids that've insulted their children.. does he? She replied, stepping a few steps more, so that she was within several feet of the teenager.

Malfoy's eyes widened, and then narrowed to slits. I've never seen you at Hogwarts. Cellie shrugged.

Of course you haven't. I'm coming this year.. Dumbledore thought I'd get a good start with my fellow Fifth years, thinks I have the talent enough to catch up.. An evil grin crossed her face as Malfoy's jaw dropped.

An.. An AMERICAN? In Hogwarts? He said, stunned. My.. My father will have to hear about—

How you were turned into a ferret by your Defense Against The Dark Arts professor? Or, maybe, how you were cursed off the Hogwarts Express? I doubt you've told Daddy that.. Cellie finished for him. Malfoy's pale face went red with anger.

How dare you, you American bi— But he didn't get a chance to finish, as Cellie took this as a very opportune time to punch him in the jaw.

And that, my Slytherin friend, is how we Americans fight. She then turned to the seamstress, sweetly.

So, do you have any material for Hogwarts robes?




You did what? Harry exclaimed, staring at Cellie in wonderment as they sat down at a free table in the Leaky Cauldron. She shrugged, a sly grin on her face.

Well, it's not like I know how to battle a wizard's duel properly, you know.. She said, looking as innocent as possible. And he was insulting me. I had no choice. You can't be that mad at me.. Harry tried to look stern, but his face dropped that within seconds, and envy retook it.

Mad? Cellie, the only thing I'm mad about is that I went into the joke shop instead of witnessing that spectacle.. Malfoy's funny enough as a ferret, but embarrassed and on his back in Madame Malkin's? Harry grinned, and took a big bite of spaghetti. To twell de tooth.. He swallowed, I wouldn't have minded doing that myself.

Grinning, Cellie finished her butterbeer, and set the empty mug down onto the table. Wand shopping? She asked.

Harry nodded, and grinned. I have to warn you.. Don't be suprised if Ollivander does something.. well, odd. Cellie cocked an eyebrow at him.

After everything I've seen today? I doubt a little old wand maker could stun me.



.. She was wrong. Ollivander stunned her very much, even as she walked alone through the door of the tiny wand shop (Harry had opted to wait outside for her). There she found a wizened old man who was caressing a wand in his hand, rubbing it down with some finishing oil. He set the wand down as she came warily into the shop, eyeing the high stacks of wands that looked surer than ever to fall.

Cellie finally came to rest her eyes on what seemed to be the shopkeeper, and he met eye contact with her.

.. Could this be? He started muttering to himself. Here all along? He gave her another quick glance before continuing, But that's impossible.. Evan.. Ollivander looked up again.

He tried. Cellie nodded slightly, and a glint of hope came into the shopkeeper's eyes. She nodded again.

Celestia Rivera.. Well, well, well, I was beginning to think that you weren't coming.. He whispered, in the eeriest tone possible. Began to think that you had died, perhaps.. Or Evan had forbidden you from our world.. He smiled, and Cellie noticed that he had rotting teeth.

Evan.. Ah, I remember every wand I've ever sold, Celestia, He told her. Fourteen and a half inches, yew, with a single strand of dragon heartstring. Your father was quite the lucky one, to have such a fine wand choose him.. Ollivander frowned.

I don't suppose he kept it.. Cellie shrugged, an uneasy smile on her face.

I don't suppose so.. I didn't really find out about it—magic, I mean—until a couple years ago, and certainly not from my dad. She replied.

Ah, for the best, perhaps.. A wizard who has abandoned our world should not go back on his vow. Cellie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

Ollivander, abandoning that subject, quickly pulled out some sort of glowing magical tape.

Your wand arm?

Uh, I'm left handed— He nodded, and took ahold of her right arm instead.

Shouldn't it be my left, then? She asked awkwardly, as he wrapped her right arm in the measuring tape. Ollivander shook his head.

For some people, it is—here, hold this, She obediently held one end of the tape to her upper arm, But for left handers, it's usually their opposite hand they do best with—kick around the right side of the brain a bit, eh? He replied, taking the end from her and snapping the tape back together.

Well, there we go.. Hmm, one moment.. Ollivander said, and left Cellie standing in the front of the shop for a moment before coming back with a wand with a silverish look to it.

Try this: 12 and a quarter inches, holly and a hair of a unicorn, great for— He didn't finish his sentence as Cellie waved the wand and caused Ollivander's already scraggly hair to stand straight up, like something out of a cartoon.

.. Maybe a less temperamental one, then. Ollivander said uneasily, snatching the silver wand from her palm and replacing it with a wand that looked almost black.

13 inches, mahogany, dragon heartstring.

The store seemed to suffer a mild earthquake as she took it in her hands, and Ollivander took it from her before it could cause any more damage. 10, then twenty more fell this way, and soon Cellie lost count because her arm too much. Finally, after both wand maker and customer were worn out, Cellie spoke.

Hey, don't you have anything.. a bit, say, odder? Ollivander's eyebrow raised itself.

Odder? Miss Rivera, whatever do you mean? Cellie shrugged.

I dunno.. It's just, dragon heartstring, unicorn hair, phoenix feathered wands.. They just seem so.. common. Ollivander gave her a funny look.

Celestia, those cores are anything but—

I know, Mr. Ollivander, I know they're rare, but don't you have anything excitingly rare? Like.. a troll hair, or something? She asked, a prankish spark in the girl's green eyes. Ollivander frowned, then an idea hit the old man.

One moment, He said, and disappeared into the back of the shop, returning a few minutes later with a beautifully carved auburn wand, with a sliver of green showing.

You want adventure, Celestia? Here. Thirteen and a quarter inches, a hybrid of wormwood and maple, with a single werewolf hair concealed in the core. That exciting enough for you? Cellie took the wand and aimed it at the box of robes from Madame Malkin's she had taken in with her, and muttered the spell that she had asked James about nearly a month ago.






Cellie walked out of the wands shop ten minutes later, the wand in her pocket. She met Harry at Madame Malkin's, where he had just finished getting his own robes. He gave her a strange look as she walked up to the door.

An hour, Cellie? She nodded, happily.

You were expecting it to be easy? She asked, tauntingly. Harry grinned.

Come on, let's get back to the Leaky Cauldron. I fully intend to get to Platform Nine and Three Quarters extra early, so I can find Ron and Hermione. She raised an eyebrow at him as they started walking.

Won't you see them on the train? She asked. Harry nodded.

Yeah, but this thing about Draco is too good to wait till the train. Cellie snickered. Boys.

The rest of the way back to their rooms in the Leaky Cauldron went without a word spoken, and as Harry went over to pay Tom, she stole her room key from Harry and went upstairs.

She flopped her bags down by the bed, and collapsed in the armchair by a fire that had ignited when she walked into the room. She glanced at the clock that stood to the right of the bed, and sighed.

I guess this is it, She said aloud to herself. Tomorrow I'll be at Hogwarts.. Tomorrow. Cellie yawned.


A/N: I must warn you—BIG BIG BIG cliffie coming up next chapter, so feel free to yell at me in advance.

ra-chan: A relic is something old and fragile. In James's case, he was talking about people thinking he was fragile. Snape was commenting on how old her clothes and appearance looked (If wizards dress like they're starring in Oliver Twist now, imagine what they looked like a hundred years ago). Yup, think about how many magical items have wanted to kill him.. The Mirror, the Diary, The Willow, and the Triwizard Cup, even. One from each year.. :p

Platform 7 1/2 is one of my inventions. After all, wizards don't just go to and from Hogsmeade station just to get to Hogwarts.. I figured there must be other wizarding platforms at King's Cross as well, seeing as how 9 and 3/4 is just the Hogwarts Express platform..

Cellie would like roller coaster rides, except for the fact that it's dark. And muggy. And wet. Did I mention that being a mile underground wouldn't be that great either?

Ah, a Cirrus is certainly dangerous enough for Hagrid—but they're an endangered species, and they're only allowed to be kept as pets if they choose you. Naturally, Hagrid isn't crazy enough to catnap an endangered species, especially an endangered species so rare that it's kept out of Magical Creatures textbooks.

Yeah, cream tart is definitely a bonding tool for the convict. One of the few things that makes him remember Hogwarts during Marauder reign.


WhetherRose: You, ra-chan, and Tarawen have officially become my favorite reviewers. XD I'm really glad that you like Cellie, because you're gonna be seeing a lot more of her..

You know, I think we read the same books. I've definitely seen that phrase floating around somewhere, and I'm flattered that you'd apply it to my story.. Though you probably need to change humor so that it reads Sparkling with wit and confusion.. *grin*