Feedback is lovely...Kerichi sorry about the short chapters, this one is longer. Also, I cannot change the story to simply Romance, suffer through till the end and you will see why...

This chapter is the final chapter for Celeste as a student...the next chapter will be set a few years later.

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As Minerva and Celeste watched, a man stepped out of the flames and into the room, brushing soot from his clothes. He was tall and handsome, with a mischievous look in his gray eyes. His wavy hair was the same deep brown as Celeste's, but it was turning gray at the temples. Upon seeing Celeste he threw open his arms as she rushed to greet him.

"There she is, how I've missed you Celeste!"

Celeste hugged her father tightly as he kissed the top of her head. Erik Potak was about 6'1" tall, his ex-wife barely four inches shorter, but for some reason Celeste had never stretched beyond 5'6". Pulling away from his daughter, Erik surveyed her closely.

"Well," he said, "you certainly haven't gotten any taller. But you have, if possible, grown more beautiful."

"Since Christmas?" Celeste asked mischievously.

"Since Christmas," Erik replied, then turned to Minerva. "Hello, Kitty, you look well."

"Thank you Erik, I am." She smiled and gave him a small hug as he kissed her cheek. "I'm sure you haven't eaten yet, so I'll summon something up from the kitchens."

Minerva walked over to her table and tapped it twice. Instantly the table was covered in platters, there was sausages and boiled eggs, a large bowl of chocolate covered strawberries, and even a crystal pitcher filled with champagne and orange juice. Minerva began pouring the juice for them all while Erik asked Celeste about her O.W.L. exams.

"So, my dear," he said, "how did the exams go, you didn't set anyone ablaze did you?"

"Not exactly," Celeste replied, then proceeded to tell him about the Potions disaster. "Other than that, everything went well. I got an 'Outstanding' in Charms and Care of Magical Creatures, I'm sure. My Transfiguration wasn't bad either."

Erik glanced inquiringly at Minerva who nodded. "She did very well in her Transfiguration exam, except of course for the rooster business, but I've seen worse."

The morning went by pleasantly, Erik brought news of the new vineyard he had purchased, as well as greetings from one of Minerva's aunts that he had run into while in Scotland.

"Tell me, Celeste," he said turning to look at her, "how is young Mr. Black?"

"He's fine," she answered, "but we're just friends now. I'm dating Remus Lupin, he's a friend of Sirius."

"Really," said Erik, raising an eyebrow and turning to Minerva. "What is your opinion of this boy, Minerva?"

"He's an excellent young man, Erik," she answered smiling. "And he's very much in love with your daughter."

"Well, I guess its all right then," said Erik, winking at Celeste. If Minerva approved of this young man then he had nothing to say against him.

Erik asked about all the teachers, including Professor Brewster. Celeste made a face at his name and stuck out her tongue.

"I see things haven't changed then," said Erik laughing. "But how is Severus? Is he staying out of trouble?"

Celeste looked down at the table and said nothing. Erik noticed the tear sliding down her cheek and guessed it's meaning. A look from Minerva told him he was right.

"I'm sorry," he said gently, "That's too bad."

-

Erik Potak stayed until after noon. When he had left, Celeste kissed her mother and headed back to the common room. When she arrived it was to find the room empty save for a few first years playing gobstones. One of them looked up as she entered.

"Oh, Miss Celeste," he squeaked, "Miss Lily said to tell you to meet her out by the lake when you got back."

"Thanks, Nick," Celeste said, then turned and went back through the portrait hole.

The grounds were covered with students, all lounging in the sun and talking to one another. Some called out to Celeste as she passed; she waved and continued on towards the lake. There on a large blanket sat Lily, James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus, all waiting for her, a large birthday cake between them.

"Happy Birthday!" they called as she came into view. She sat down next to Remus on the blanket after giving Lily a hug and thanking them all for surprising her.

"Where were you this morning?" Remus asked after kissing her in greeting.

"My dad came by for an early breakfast," she whispered, not wanting the others to know. For some reason she couldn't understand, she really didn't want James, Sirius, or Peter to know Minerva McGonagall was her mother.

Remus nodded and cut her a slice of cake, angel food, her favorite. After they had finished eating the cake, they all gave Celeste a present. Lily gave her a small painting of Celeste that she had done herself and Remus gave her a beautiful hand drawn map of Hogwarts castle, Celeste was amazed, she had no idea Remus could draw maps with such skill. After opening the candies from James and Peter and the eagle quill from Sirius, there was one more present to be opened. No one new who it was from, an owl had delivered it to her bed that morning.

Celeste gently removed the wrapping to reveal a small, silk covered book. Inside, in beautiful calligraphy, was a compilation of poems and prayers, from Scotland and Poland. Celeste knew instantly who had sent it, whom else new of her parent's home countries? Who else but Severus Snape would send her such a collection? As she rifled through the pages, a small note fell out.

Celeste-

Our friendship is coming to an end, but I wanted you to have this as a reminder of how it used to be.

-SS

Celeste tucked the note back inside the book and told the others it was from an aunt. Remus looked at her closely, but said nothing. Celeste smiled at him and took his hand, she missed Severus, but despite that dull ache in her chest, she was happy.