Talking with her mother did wonders for Celeste's disposition. Although she had missed the last half of her Care of Magical Creatures lesson and lunch, by the time Celeste had left her mother's office and retrieved her bag she was only three minutes late for Herbology. Indeed her focus was so much better that Celeste was able to answer some rather difficult questions from young Professor Sprout, earning Gryffindor ten points.

Her heart sunk a little as she passed a group of Slytherins on the grounds after class, Severus among them. They had not spoken since their fight, Celeste wasn't sure there was anything left to say.

The rest of the afternoon was open for students to study for their upcoming exams. Celeste didn't bother to study today, she had not eaten since lunch the day before and she was staring to feel faint. After dropping her bag off in her dormitory and changing out of her robes, Celeste left Gryffindor tower and headed towards the kitchens.

Not everyone knew where the Hogwarts kitchens were located; James Potter and his gang had discovered them in their first year and often gathered food for late night parties. But Celeste had known since before her first year at Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall had started teaching at Hogwarts the year Celeste was born, and although she stayed home during the summer holidays, there were times she needed to be at the school during break. During these times, Celeste would come with her mother and with a few friendly ghosts as her guides and guards, made herself familiar with the castle. Now that she spent the summers with her father and Minerva stayed at Hogwarts, Celeste had given up wandering the castle, except of course when she skipped three straight meals.

The entrance to the kitchens was behind a large painting of a bowl of fruit; Celeste tickled the pear and slipped through the resulting door. Once inside she was accosted by a crowd of squeaking house elves, all anxious to prepare her something to eat. She had just requested two bacon and cucumber sandwiches, a jug of pumpkin juice, and some strawberries, when the door to the kitchens was opened again to reveal two people Celeste wasn't too keen to see at the moment.

Once James Potter and Sirius Black had gotten past the first barrier of elves, they noticed Celeste standing by the fireplace, waiting for her food. James gave a small wave and continued with his food list, Sirius however, came to join Celeste.

"Hey, you," he said, flopping down in an armchair and stretching his long legs out in front of him. "What's up with you lately? Remus said you didn't even answer him when he spoke to you last night, and rumor has it you walked out on Kettleburn."

His tone was casual, almost careless. Stretched out in the chair he seemed about to fall asleep.

"I'm fine now," Celeste answered, "I've just had a lousy few days, Remus isn't angry is he?" She added anxiously.

"Remus, angry? No, he's just a bit worried about you. You know," Sirius said suddenly, sitting up in his chair,"I think he's really got it for you, he's crazy about you like James is for Lily. Only Remus isn't fool enough to get all idiotic and moony when you walk by." Sirius shot a disgusted look at James. "Yeah, I'd say he's really in love with you."

Celeste was pleased to hear this, especially coming from Sirius. She was glad to see he wasn't the least bit bitter about their break-up. Strangely enough, Celeste was reminded of her parents, who got along better now than they ever had when they were married.

Celeste wondered if she should be angry with Sirius for what he had tried to do to Severus, but she decided it wouldn't do any good. If they chose to fight each other, so be it. It was their concern, not hers.

James joined them at the fireplace and immediately began talking about Quiddich, and what teams he thought had the best chance of making it to the World Cup. Sirius and Celeste's eyes began to glaze over as he talked, it was a relief when two house elves scurried over with Celeste's food and she was able to make her escape.

Once in the hallway, Celeste started up to her mother's office, knowing Minerva would be in a staff meeting. More than anything, Celeste wanted to be alone, she needed time to decide how to first approach Remus.

But when she opened the door to Minerva's office, Remus was already there.

-

Dun, dun, dun!