I am too good to you really-posting such an important chapter so quickly...feedback would be lovely.
It was now two days since Severus and Celeste had fought, Celeste was very troubled by what had occurred, but was unable to find time to speak to Severus. They had never fought like this before and though upset at being called a half-breed; Celeste was horrified that she had slapped him. Remus had told her that Severus and Sirius had fought, this was not unusual but Celeste did not understand why Severus would turn on her in such a way just because of that.
After dwelling on these unhappy thoughts for two days, Celeste decided to seek Severus out, apologize, and perhaps receive an apology in return. On this last point she wasn't too sure, but at present, even getting Severus to look at her would be an improvement.
It was a Thursday, which meant that her chances of seeing Severus alone were few. At mealtimes he was surrounded by Slytherins and because they were a year apart, there was never a chance of meeting in the same class. The only possibility was during the Slytherin's extended break period, which was during the last half of Celeste's Charms lesson. Celeste decided that would be the time to speak to him.
Charms being Celeste's best subject, she usualy finished her assignments ahead of the others. Today they were reviewing former lessons to prepare for their O.W.L. exams. Celeste finished her review and put her parchment, quill, and wand back into her bag, before walking up to the teacher's desk at front of the class, fifteen minutes before class was over.
"Professor Flitwick," she began, "since I've finished with my review on growth charms already, do you think I could leave class a bit early? I'd like a little extra time to prepare for my double Potions lesson."
Tiny Professor Flitwick smiled cheerfully at Celeste from where he stood atop a large pile of books behind his desk. He and Minerva McGonagall had always been good friends, and he held a certain fondness for Celeste, rather like an uncle might be fond of a favorite niece. The fact that she had a penchant for Charms pleased him very much and he was quite willing to give her a bit of free time. Potions, he knew, was not her best subject and the better her frame of mind before hand, the better she would handle the double period in the dark and smelly dungeons.
And so with Flitwick's blessing, Celeste left the Charms classroom, once the door had closed behind her she began to run. She flew through hallways and down staircases, slowing only when she reached her mother's classroom, it would not do to be caught by her. As she passed the classroom door, she could hear her mother's stern tones from inside.
"Mr. Pettigrew, this is absolutely ridiculous, even from you. Turning the footstool into a rat instead of a flamingo? You will please spend rest of this lesson beside Mr. Potter. Perhaps he might be able to teach you something about transfiguration!"
Resisting the urge to peek through the door for a glimpse of Remus, Celeste sped on, finally reaching window that looked out over the courtyard. There were the Slytherins, a few had books open in front of them, but most were gathered into groups, talking and laughing. Celeste didn't bother to search the groups; a few moments later she spotted Severus in a far corner of the courtyard, immersed in the book in front of him. Celeste left the window and descended a final flight of stairs, coming out of a doorway directly behind where Severus was sitting.
"Severus," she whispered urgently, not wanting to be noticed by any of the other Slytherins.
Severus turned toward her voice and scowled. "What do you want?" he hissed.
"I need to speak with you now," she pleaded, "please?"
Severus considered a moment, then shoved his book into his bag and followed her into the castle. Relieved, Celeste led the way into an unused classroom on the way to the dungeons. When the door had closed behind him, Severus spoke.
"All right, Celeste," he said, seating himself on a desk. "What is it you want?"
Celeste took a deep breath. "I want to apologize for slapping you. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that, I'm sorry," she paused, Severus didn't say anything so she went on. "I know that you and Sirius had a fight the other day and I know I promised you I wouldn't interfere with your vendetta against him and James, but..."
"Hold on," Severus interrupted, "who told you I had a fight with Black?"
"Remus," said Celeste, "he saw how upset I was after I slapped you and I told him about how you and I are friends and then he told me that you and Sirius had fought."
"I see, did he bother to give you the details of our little 'fight'?" Severus sneered. "Looks like your latest boyfriend has been keeping a few secrets from you Cice. And so early in your relationship too, pity."
Celeste reddened. "How dare you talk about Remus that way, he would never keep anything of importance from me. You may not like his friends, but you don't know anything about him. If you truly cared about me you'd give him a chance."
"I do care about you, Celeste," Severus said, starting to shake with fury. "And I know more about Remus Lupin than you might think. You think I'm biased against him because of James and Sirius, but I'll have you know all three made an attempt on my life Monday night, I could have died because..."
"Stop it, Severus," Celeste shrieked, "you're just sore because you've been made to look foolish time and time again! James and Sirius might try to hurt you but Remus would never..."
"You are so blinded by your love for him you can't see what's right in front of you," Severus yelled, "he's a werewolf, Celeste!"
In the hallway outside, students could be heard laughing and calling to one another as they changed classes, but inside the unused classroom, there was silence. Severus was taking deep calming breaths, while mentally kicking himself for breaking his promise to Dumbledore. Celeste on the other hand was finding it hard to breathe at all. Severus' words had hit her like a tidal wave.
It was a lie, Remus couldn't possibly be a werewolf. But even as she told herself this Celeste knew what Severus had said was true. All the stories and excuses Remus had ever given for his absences suddenly seemed silly and full of holes. All the times he had seemed so ill, the scratch marks, why hadn't she ever questioned these things more?
What hit her hardest was the fact that Remus had never confided in her. True, they had only been dating a few days, but they had been close friends for almost two years, surely he could have told her. Did he think he couldn't trust her with such a powerful secret? Or did he think her love wasn't strong enough to withstand such a shock? This thought she tried to ignore.
Struggling to regain her breath and fight back tears at the same time; she turned to face Severus.
"When did you find out that he was, a werewolf?" she asked hesitantly.
"Monday night," he said softly. He then explained how Sirius had told him how to get past the Whomping Willow and what he had found at the other end.
When he had finished, Celeste spoke. "I still don't believe Remus was in on the trick, he may be a werewolf, but he's not a monster."
"How can you be sure of that, Celeste," Severus said impatiently. "He's lied to you over and over again, how am I supposed to stand back and watch the two of you together when I know what he truly is?"
"The same way I've had to stand back and watch my friends curse and jinx each other all these years at Hogwarts," said Celeste shortly.
"Well I'm sorry Cice," said Severus, hotly. "But I can't do that, you'll have to decide..."
"What!" Celeste said in disbelief, "you would force me to choose? To pick between the two people I love most in this world? Severus, how can you!"
Severus sat in stony silence. The rumble of students had faded, classes were starting. Celeste grabbed her bag and left the room in shock, Severus stayed where he was.
-
Needless to say, Potions was a disaster. Celeste's poor frame of mind coupled with her usual abhorrence for the subject earned her Restorative draught a zero and cost her house twenty points for the waste of rare potion ingredients.
Celeste skipped dinner and avoided everyone in the common room that night. She went to bed early, but it was long past midnight before sleep came to calm her troubled mind.