A/N: Well. It has been awhile, hasn't it? XD Almost a bloody year. And right about now, I'm smacking myself for not ever finishing this fanfiction. -_-; Ah, well.. I'm going to OOTP-ize the general outlines of the story (the DA will stay, and Umbridge will come in), because I've worked too dammed hard on keeping this story canon-ized, at least halfway, I'm not stopping now. ;P Hoping that I'll at least have enough steam to finish this story--I have it plotted, buut.. -_-; Stupid writer's block.
- Cellie
Note: It is advised that you read I Never Knew before trying to tackle this piece. It is also advised that you reread Chapter Twenty Three, if you were previously following this story, as a few things have changed.
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, Sirius, Dumbledore, McGonnagal, Flitwick, Snape, and all the other Wizarding people) belongs to J.K Rowling. Arabella Figg's name belongs to JK as well, but her personality's all mine. :P The concept of Annie being Sirius's squib/muggle twin sister belongs to Kaydi. Annie's personality, however, belongs to me.
Chapter Twenty Five
Return to Neverland
Upon discovering his wand was missing, Remus Jonathan Lupin went into a frenzy no one but the teenage Marauders had witnessed from him. He tore apart the neat bunk beds (seemingly not noticing that the other three beds had cobwebs all over them), searched in the cupboards, up, down, sideways, and out.
.. Thirty minutes later, he was still unsuccessful. And this did not make Remus a happy camper.
WHERE IN BLOODY HELLS IS IT?! he yelled at no one in particular, The Hollow echoing his cry around him morosely. Finally exhausted, he sunk into one of the armchairs by the fireplace, his small hands over his face. Remus rubbed his eyes gently, slipping his fingers off his face.
Ugh.. World to Remus, shouting is REALLY not good, alright? .. -Especially- with a headache like this, he added as an afterthought, groaning. James probably just stole my stupid wand so I wouldn't break it, because it was a full moon. Yeah, that's gotta be it. And they're all probably sitting down at breakfast right now, or maybe already in classes.
Wearily, Remus glanced at the watch on his wrist--and did a double-take as his 16 year old reflection came into swimmy focus in the reflection.
It's 1995?! The teenager jumped up, all traces of morning grogginess and headache gone. But.. How.. HOW..
A moment later, Remus held up his hands, and forced himself to sit back down. Come on, now. Think about this rationally. It can't actually be 1995. Sirius knows how to dismantle wizard watches. He probably just reset it as a prank. He nodded, as if this settled everything. Yeah. Just a prank. After all, OWLs are next week. He was just trying to rattle me up. Even though it says September 2nd.
.. Remus did another double-take, jumping at his wrist.
SEPTEMBER 2nd?!
~*~
Oblivious to the Great Hall's thunderstruck stares, Cellie happily went on feeding Leo some of her cream tart. Arielle watched, with a bit of a skeptic eye.
You know, if you feed all of those cream tarts to your Cirrus, you're not going to have any left for your own breakfast, she said, observing the dwindling cream tart amounts on the table.
Cellie shrugged. I don't really eat breakfast. Only came down because this little guy was waiting for me. She scratched the underside of Leo's chin, and the kitten mewled happily, tongue extended to lick Cellie's fingers. Hey, you, that tickles! she said, scolding the kitten jokingly.
Arielle merely glanced around the tables, before her eyes narrowed on a pair of important-looking people entering the Great Hall.
Hey, hey, Cellie, look at this. Cellie's attention instantly dropped from the Cirrus to the figures entering. Instantly, the hall went silent.
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, was walking briskly up to the staff table, followed by a squat little woman covered in a bright pink cardigan. Cellie made a face. Who're they? she whispered to Arielle. The Third Year stared at her like she was an idiot.
Cornelius Fudge, she hissed, you know, the Minister? Cellie's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded.
And the other? Arielle shrugged.
Some secretary for the Ministry. Dunno what she's doing HERE, though.. Indeed, it seemed like the whole Hall's eyes were focused on the pair, now, as they made their way up to Dumbledore. He himself seemed to be quite oblivious to the Minister's entrance, acting like to Dumbledore, this kind of thing happened every day. Cellie noted wryly that the other teachers made no move to hide their open surprise (and in some teachers' faces, disgust).
Professor Dumbledore! Fudge thundered. Dumbledore looked up from his breakfast, waved cheerily, and went back to it. The urge to laugh was extraordinarily high, as Cellie could see by most of the other hall resisting to laugh. At Slytherin, however, only she, Arielle, and a couple others were holding back laughter.
I need to speak with you! Fudge tried his thundering voice again. Dumbledore nodded, slightly.
In my office, Cornelius. I'm sure you'll feel better without 1000-odd students listening to your speech, including a few people who might listen a bit too clearly. At the Gryffindor table, Fred and George exchanged a look, and instantly the pure innocence mask was upon their faces. Cellie put a hand to her mouth to dampen out the chuckle, at a strange look from both Arielle and Leo.
It's something the twins've been working on. Extendable Ears, they're genius. Arielle gave her another strange look.
You.. associate with the Weasley twins? she stammered.
Well, yeah. George has been my penfriend for several years now, he's one of my best friends, well, besides Metz, but... she explained before trailing off at the veela's expression. Arielle? You okay?
The girl nodded mutely, her pale face turning slightly pink. Cellie was about to further question her, when Fudge interrupted.
I'd like to talk with you now, please, Albus. The furry lady next to him gave such a high pitched squeak of agreement behind him, Cellie wasn't sure if she was human or not.
Dumbledore looked from side to side down the staff table, and shrugged. Go ahead, then. I'm listening.
Finally getting what he wanted, Fudge for some reason looked more than uncomfortable with this situation.
Aren't you.. Going to dismiss the students? he mumbled, looking around.
Why should I? Dumbledore smiled behind his beard. You and I both know that by the end of the day it'll be all over the school.
George and Fred exchanged a sneaky look by the Gryffindor table. Cellie was pretty sure those two were, again, whom Dumbledore was fingering. Fur-woman tried give a sharp protest, but Fudge waved her off.
the Minister said icily, and dropped his voice down to a hissing whisper. Too excited to talk, the students leaned in, trying to catch snippets of the conversation.
Death.. preposterous.. this school's being run.. crackpot.. Potter.. Fur-woman was shaking her fist at Dumbledore in accordance with his speech, as Cellie gasped at the latest item.
What's he talking about Harry for? she muttered, angrily. Arielle's eyebrows shot up.
Oh, so you know Harry Potter now, too, huh? she hissed back. What does that make you, Cellie, practically a Gryffindor?
Cellie glared at the girl. I suppose by all rights, I should be. I've been friends with Harry for the last month.
You've WHAT?! Arielle exclaimed, then grimaced at the loudness of her own voice as several students looked their way. But.. Cellie.. You're a Slytherin. If it gets out that a Slytherin, let alone a Rivera—
What's my name got to do with anything? Cellie shouted. What's it to the stupid wizarding community, anyhow? It's a dumb, stupid surname. RIVERA. Arielle stared, blankly.
she snapped at her friend, who pointed wordlessly behind her. Cellie turned her head, and found Fudge looking in her direction (as well as the rest of the student population, who were staring at Cellie oddly).
Is she really, Headmaster? he said, an unintelligable look on your face. I would have thought you would have better judgement to let one of her kind into the school. Cellie gave out a yelp of protest, but Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly at Fudge.
I have told you again and again, Cornelius, the school is run by me, and I alone have the power to decide which students are and are not accepted to this school. The students were in awe of what was going on. Were they honestly watching a duel of the tongues between the Minister of Magic and their Headmaster?
That will have to change, Fudge said icily. As will the bringing of this.. he gestured to Cellie, whose eyes took on a very dangerous edge.
If he says one more word.. Cellie muttered, feeling her hands curl into fists.
Fudge shuddered, as if the name was tainting his mouth. Aren't you afraid for the students, Dumbledore? he stage whispered, his face looking like a mix of disgust and fear. What.. dark magic she learnt?
Cellie's eyes blazed as she stood up. Cellie, no. Arielle whispered, tugging on her robes, but she shook her head and brushed the veela's hand off her.
None, actually. Her voice rang stiffly through the air, aimed straight at Fudge. And I'd appreciate that if you're making accusations about me or my family, you tell ME. Maybe at least that way, I'll figure out what the hell happened to make everyone stare at me like I was some kind of.. FREAK! And with that, she grabbed her satchel, Leo on her shoulder, and she exited the Great Hall.
.. Unfortunately for her, this happened to be right when Harry and his friends were turning the corner. Cellie ran straight into Ron, knocking him and her down.
Er, sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going, she said, getting up while apologizing to the red-haired figure she knocked down. Once she was standing, she offered a hand to the boy. In response, he spat at her.
I don't need, your help, you filthy piece of Rivera scum. Ron muttered under his breath, getting roughly to his feet himself. Only Cellie heard it, but that was all it took.
A moment later, Ron was flat on the floor, clutching his nose, which was bleeding, and Cellie was running away, down a random corridor.
Harry stared, horrorstruck. That wasn't the Cellie he had spent the last month with, it couldn't have been. She was nice, sweet, a bit tomboyish, yeah, but not someone to punch his best friend in the face after no cause of action. Hermione didn't look too thrilled, either, but her eyes were narrowed on Ron, not on Cellie's retreating figure.
she said, unsure of what she had just witnessed.
Why'd she do that..? Harry asked tentatively, interrupting her by saying what he thought Hermione was thinking. Ron narrowed his eyes.
Because she's stubid Ribbera scub. he spat out, still holding his nose. Pro'lly dobes bis for fub.
Hermione's eyes flared up, turning to ice. Ronald Weasley, you're no better than the Slytherins. With that, she stormed off, in the direction of the commons.
Hey, hey, Hermione! Harry yelled after her. Come back!
If Hermione had heard him, she made no motion to reply, but continued walking until she was out of sight. Harry looked back towards Ron, who sat there, flabbergasted, and a bit hurt.
But.. is true.. he muttered, looking forlornly at the corridor Hermione had dashed down.
Er.. Ron.. Harry said tentatively.
Ron looked up, and even with his hand holding his nose, Harry could see that it was enormously swelled, possibly even broken.
Er.. Let's get you to the hospital wing, okay? You should get your nose fixed before first class.
Ron nodded in agreement as Harry offered him a hand up. Together, they walked down the corridor leading towards the Hospital Wing. Ron said nothing as they walked, obviously deep in thought about something. Harry wasn't exactly talkative either; instead, his mind was whirring. Why had Cellie done what she did? What was wrong? Hermione seemed to know, but what had it had to do with Ron? And why were Cellie's eyes so cold..?
~*~
Remus was pacing around The Hollow, trying vainly -not- to freak out. After all, just because both his magical watch and the magical Updating Calendar said September second didn't mean that Sirius hadn't still bewitched them. He stared, frustrated at the calendar, grumbling.
Come on, Remus. Sirius knows all of the Hollow's spells better than you do. Stop freaking out over some silly prank. Stop.. His words trailed off as he heard a soft sob from behind him. A red-haired girl lay crumpled in a heap at the front entrance of the Hollow, her hands over her face. As Remus focused his gaze in on her, he didn't even notice the winged kitten flying up into the rafters of the Hollow, frowning at his owner's sobs.
.. Lily..? Remus murmured tentatively. The girl looked up, and even if her face hadn't dispelled his thoughts, the bright green Slytherin blazer would have. He made no mention of this, though, and walked over, kneeling down beside her.
Are you alright..? he asked her, putting a hand to her cheek. The girl stared back at him, bright green eyes halfway between anger and tears.
she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. Everyone's done nothing but judge me, and I've barely been here a day. Even though Remus couldn't see what she was talking about, as the girl looked to be at least a 5th year, all the logic of the situation sort of melted away.
They're idiots to judge you without knowing you, he said consolingly. 16 year old Remus knew all too well how rashly the population of the magical world judged people who were.. different.
You.. you think so? she asked, looking up into his eyes. He nodded, stroking her cheek softly.
I know so. Remus said, grinning, producing a small smile out of the girl herself. Suddenly, she leaned forward, hugging him tightly. Quite surprised (and not used to having strange girls hug him), Remus slipped his arms awkwardly around her, which seemed to be enough. A few minutes later, the girl withdrew, smiling thankfully at Remus.
Thanks.. er.. Sorry, I didn't catch your name. she said.
It's Remus, he said, grinning. And yours, Miss American Accent? The girl gave him a withering look.
Don't tell me you're going to tease me on it.
Wouldn't dream of it. he said innocently. The teenager punched him lightly in the arm.
I'm Cellie. she replied. Celestia, but you call me that, and I might have to get angry.
Well, Celestia, Remus smirked at her, Might I ask how you managed to find your way in here, or has Sirius decided to show off the Hollow to his latest girlfriend? In response, Cellie gave him the most horrified face she could muster.
M-me? Date Sirius, are you crazy? Remus chuckled.
Not your type, is he? Cellie gave him a strange look.
He's my uncle. Remus stared at her.
Uncle, that's right.
But, Cellie, that can't be right. Sirius is a Fifth year here. A Fifth year. And Annie's in high school. She can't have a daughter the same age as her. Now it was Cellie's turn to stare.
Um, Remus. Sirius is 37. Slowly, Remus turned his head around to look at the calendar again. September 2nd, 1995.
You're telling me.. his mouth went dry, that today's year.. Remus swallowed awkwardly.. is 1995?
As Cellie nodded, Remus felt all the blood rush to his head before everything went black.
~*~
Cassie looked skeptically at the man she had been told was Sirius Black, who was currently looking at her as if she had some kind of horrible disfiguration.
Is Slytherin that much of a curse? she asked, raising an eyebrow.
James gave Cassie a very, very sympathetic look before Sirius Black blew up in her face.
IS IT THAT MUCH OF A CURSE?! YES! OF COURSE! IT'S A DIRTY, ROTTEN PLACE THAT HOLDS NOTHING MORE THAN DARK WIZARDS AND SCUM! CELLIE SHOULD NOT BE IN SLYTHERIN!! SHE—
Cassie said determinedly, looking straight into the eyes of her sister's great grandchild. Sirius's mouth moved in angry motions for a few more seconds before realizing what she had done. His eyes then widened to saucers, glaring at her, and then flicking his eyes to James, looking pleadingly.
No go, Padfoot, my ears hurt. he said, smiling sheepishly.
If Sirius could have growled at the moment, he would have. His eyes flicked back to Cassie, who was still standing there with her wand in hand.
If you promise not to yell, I'll take it off. Sirius nodded feverently.
Or maim her, trick her, etc, Sirius, James warned from behind.
Yes, all of those things, please.
Sirus nodded again, though not so feverent this time. Cassie waved her hand, and the enchantment was lifted.
What'd you do that for? Sirius spluttered, trying to regain control of his voice.
For one thing? You were yelling like a maniac. Cassie replied. Whether Slytherin is such a bad place or not, I'd rather you keep your opinions to yourself and not scream in my ear, please.
Sirius muttered, running a hand through his hair. But why wouldn't you know if Slytherin was bad or not? Every Hogwarts student should have, you especially. Cassie raised an eyebrow.
Why me especially? Sirius looked rather surprised.
Eh, you attended Hogwarts around when Grindlewald was there, and he was a Slytherin. Cassie's mind warped, suddenly, and she found herself back in Ollivanders.
Cassie, love, I want you to meet my fiancée, David..
Pleasure, Mr..
she asked puzzledly, opening her eyes. It was then that she realized she was on the floor. Sirius and James were standing over her.
You alright? James asked concernedly, offering a hand up. Cassie nodded, taking the hand gratefully and pulling herself up.
I don't know what happened, she confessed. I just was remembering something..
Sirius frowned.
From your facial expression, you seemed to be in pain. he remarked. I'm.. eh, sorry if I said anything.. Cassie waved him off.
It's fine. Noting Sirius's expression, she gave him a shrewd look. Really. It just got me thinking about one time in Ollivanders, when I was at the counter, servicing..
Sirius asked puzzledly. But they don't hire anyone past thirty, especially for stocking and servicing. Cassie gave a snort.
Stocking? Not stocking, you silly child, I carved. Ignoring the usage of the word child, Sirius raised an eyebrow.
Carved? As in, carving wands? But that's ridiculous. No one's carved wands--
Since I left, actually, Cassie replied, thinking to herself. Why had Ollivander stopped after she had left, anyway? He was a far superiour wand carver to her, he didn't need one little assistant to help.. Did he?
But.. When did you go to Hogwarts? She shrugged.
I didn't go. Sirius's eyes widened, and he looked like he might have facefaulted.
You didn't go? he exclaimed. Why the devil not? Cassie shrugged again.
I was never sent an invitation to. Doesn't matter. I learnt all I should have from Ollivander. she replied rather stiffly. Which is why, Sirius, I didn't learn about silly house rivalries. Or feuds, she said meaningfully. Although I can understand why you would. This Severus character is rather.. eh.. tempremental?
You've met Snape? Cassie smiled.
Met, kicked, and bound, yes, that'd describe it. Sirius blinked.
And I wasn't around to see this?
At the time, I think you were blowing up something. A broom shed, perhaps? Sirius and James exchanged a guilty look as Cassie began to turn away towards the door.
Well, um.. Sirius began, catching her arm lightly. Tell Cellie that.. eh.. I hope she liked her present. And that I hope.. she's doing okay in.. Slytherin.
I'll tell her you're not mad at her for getting into Slytherin, you mean. she said, smiling. Sirius nodded, sheepishly.
That too. Cassie turned to leave again, smiling at Sirius. She could definitely see some of Orion in him..
Oh, and Cassie..? James said, interrupting her train of thought.
James grinned devillishly.
Say hullo to your lover for us, he's been conspicuously absent lately. Cassie gave him a mock glare as James winked.
Oh, shush. she reprimanded jokingly, walking out the door of their dorm, smiling to herself. Maybe she would visit Remus after their first classes..
But her happy little thought never got farther than that, as she was roughly shoved out of her daydreams by someone grabbing her arm. Having lived on the streets for more than a year, Cassie was no stranger to grabs, and whirled around, breaking the person's grip, her eyes flashing. When she saw two unfamiliar faces, a short woman with frizzy hair and a man in a green bowler with purple trim, she slipped the hand not in their view on her wand, now fully finished. Wandless magic was good for surprise, but it could only go so far, and if she needed to escape from these people, Cassie was thinking she'd need a lot more than basic spellwork.
.. Cassandra Elizabeth Black? Cassie gulped, nervously. How could they know that name? How could they--
Hem, hem. The woman in the cardigan coughed lightly. Now there's no need to be of a fright. The minister doesn't know that's not your proper name.
Cassie looked down at the woman, who was at least a foot shorter than her.
she said puzzledly. The woman smiled, showing a row of too perfect teeth, giving Cassie an extrodinarily good reason to gag.
He just knew you from when you were brought into Azkaban, not your real name. Ms. Woods, isn't it? Cassie nodded, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. So they didn't think she was.. well, Sirius's grandmother. But of course that had to be decimated by bowler hat's next words.
We need you to come with us.
What? Why? Cassie asked, confusedly.
You'll see, the woman in the cardigan replied, smiling another one of those horrid smiles, You'll see.
A/N: Boohahahahaha.. This story just gets more complicated and complicated, doesn't it? :P I'm very glad I'm following up on it, though.. I missed it! :D All the A/N responses to this story will accompany their original reviews, because I highly doubt anyone remembers what they wrote last year. XD
mastermind's devil trill wrote:
Writer's Block is evil. ^^ Asprin, however, is very, very good. Yeah, well, one of the Marauders might have been in rat form at that point. ^^ Best not to interupt Snuffles while he's ranting, eh? Sounds like me. You interupt me, I start at the beginning of my rant. My friends tune me out. Leo is very, very, tres, totemo cute! I love him. ^^ It doesn't hurt that he has one of my favorite names. ^_^ Cream tarts for breakfast? Interesting. But good bonding method. ^^ Great. Mentions of things. That means I need to go reread it. I like how you dealt with my name. ^^ Oh, ALD is my friend's abbreviation for our english class. American Literature Dishonors, since we're not in the Honors American Lit class, that leaves DIShonors. ^^ *sighs* must go do dishes then either go do Geometry homework or go to bed, I haven't decided. I wanna Leo! *pouts* I got the longest response to my review. ^_^ Ron will be Ron, and that's the best way to put it. ^^
Response:
Yes, it is. XD Especially when you've had it for a whole year. -_-; I've been drawing evil three layered teeth winged cats after seeing Attack of the Chub-Chubs, the flick that came before MIBII -- So I had to use something like that in one of my stories, which is where Leo was born. :D ROFL, that's cute. I'd use it, except I'm in an honors lit class. ^_~ Muah-hah.. Yeah. o_o; He kinda goes a bit overboard in this chapter. Angst, angst, angst, that's all the characters are nowadays..
Tarawyn wrote:
Interesting interpretation of the hat...and more interesting that you're going against what Rowling said, because it leaves more room for experimentations...
*grin* I would have reviewed last night, but my sister kicked me off my computer. You've gotten an idea from TBT? Now I think I understand some things you said...
The Slytherins are interesting. One kind girl and a bunch of nuts who're afraid of Cellie, not even realizing that she thinks they're acting idiotic. I guess that their behavior will be changing relatively soon, if Cellie doesn't manage to keep her mouth shut. Very shut.
Cassie is still one of my favorite characters.Not too much else to say, except that James and Sirius are being...James and Sirius. Enough said. Keep it up!
Response:
Yeah, well, against what Rowling said.. I'm going to be doing a lot of that soon. ^_^; Bull to me for choosing to continue a story set in Harry's fifth year. I was going to fast-forward a year, but I -needed- Sirius in this story, and I didn't want to go off-canon (too much :P). As you'll see later on in Dewdrops, I'mma still be taking a.. warped version of OOtP (no un-canonizing, after I worked SO HARD to keep it canon -_-), but changing things here and there. For instance, the Sorting Hat's weird and places a lot of Slytherins in Dewdrops, in OOtP it sings a song. ;P But the same major events will still take place (including the death of you-know-who-dies-in-OOtP.. I didn't want to put it in, but it'll screw up canon too much.. *whimpers*), basically.
Yeaah.. Well, as you can see, Cellie kinda.. pops in this chapter. And after only two days, eeep! o_o
Much more Adult character stuff is being put in.. I just need to get Cellie settled into Hogwarts first. -_-; How fun.. ;P
tempest wrote:
*grin* i FINALLY finished! it's really really REALLY good! really really REALLY hope you post more VERY soon!!!!!!!
ARG! i can't believe you put poor cellie in slytherin... *glares* but i suppose that does make for a more interesting story.. you'd better not let ron be too mean to her...cassie is a very interesting character... i like her. and i think you do a good job of portraying remus and sirius... i also think the whole idea of james being alive but not REALLY being harry's dad is brilliant.
i'm glad to hear you're thinking of turning peter back to the "good side" i've been doing that in the story that i'm writing and it's nice to read some other stories like that for inspiration... i think your blood bond idea of voldie being in debt is super creative! *applauds*
Response:
Well, this isn't soon, but at least I posted.. ^_^;
Eheheh.. ^^;;.. Ron's gonna be a meanie for awhile, I'm afraid.. Cassie has always been one of my favorite time travelers, out of the lot in this story.. And there's a lot for one story. o_o; James, Cassie, Young Remus, and more coming soon.. And thanks ^_^ I Never Knew gave me the plot bunny (And believe me, I wasn't intending INK to be a lead in to something like this.. It was originally supposed to be a Lily/James fluff ficlet XD), and I HAD to use it before someone else did. ^_~
Yay! All aboard the Peter's not a complete prat express! :D
And yeah, I have to find some way for him to be humanly defeated.. I don't like the idea of JKR's prophecy rubbish. ;P
WhetherRose wrote:
I came to this story the minute I got your update e-mail (this is the one story I drop everything to come & read), printed it off, and read it instantly. The reason I didn't review was because I was _technically_ on fanfiction hiatus, and had vowed not to come on this site for a week. See how well that turned out... Anyway, I'm back :)
That little scene with Milicent & the other Slytherin girls talking while Cellie was sleeping was hysterical. I love how ridiculously you portray them, and how Cellie remains so calm & cool. They may be afraid of her, but at least they're not torturing her. I also loved the flashback to when the Marauders were being sorted, and the way you connected it with the present day was a great transition. The line "Even after all of these years, the question still loomed in his mind," struck me as really powerful. Then, of course, the connection to the discovery of Cellie being in Slytherin was, as James put it, "perfect." :) This just flows so well... And Cellie finally found a friend. That's good, she definitely needs one, especially if more information about her family is going to start surfacing, she'll need someone to back her up. And just so you know, I _liked_ the ending. So it wasn't a work of art; at least it wasn't a cliffhanger ;)
Response:
Aww.. ^_^; I'm sorry for taking so long.. *whacks her head* Stupid writer's block..
See, that's actually from something that happened to me when I was at camp once. XD I was sleeping, and the other girls from my bunk were crowded around me, trying to figure out a good prank to pull on me, but they were all so afraid that I was going to get them back they just kept talking and not doing.. ;P
Has it gotten into everyone how much I like messing around with the Marauders yet? :D They've always been my favorite characters, and doing flashbacks with them is one of my favorite things to do. ^_^ .. Pluus, if it helps the story.. ^_~
Yeah, I don't know if you'd call Arielle a.. , yet. She's more of someone who won't shun Cellie when she talks, even though she does make rough cracks. Sort of the relationship Ron and Harry had with Hermione in book 1 before the Troll incident.