Hmmmm...only a few chapters left...two more till the climax...feedback? Oh yes, my apologies for taking so long to post this chapter!

-

As Celeste had predicted, Molly came to fetch the boys after only four days. Molly had grieved enough, now she just wanted to gather her children close.

Celeste and Minerva didn't put up much of a fight, they were exhausted after chasing the two boys around and trying to keep them out of trouble.

School would not start until September, but Minerva had decided to get started on her lessons and so had headed off to Diagon Alley for supplies. Celeste opted to remain at the house to recover from their guests. The fever that had forced her to leave St. Mungoes was still taking its toll. Celeste had taken a long time to recover and now weeks later, she still felt dizzy and easily became short of breath. These moments of weakness worried her, but she refused to let either Minerva or Remus know, they would worry excessively and would want to keep an eye on her at all times, something Celeste did not want.

Once Minerva had left for Diagon Alley, Celeste went around the house, trying to repair the damage inflicted by the two boys. Nothing serious, Minerva didn't keep many trinkets around her house, but there was a large stain on an armchair Celeste was sure had come from Bill's hot chocolate. There wasn't any scouring solution in the house and Celeste wasn't very good at making potions, so she let the stain slide, Minerva was never home to notice anyway. She didn't think her mom would care, but Celeste placed a pillow over the spot to be safe.

Before Celeste had come to stay at her mother's place the house had been abandoned. The furniture had been covered in sheets and the paintings as well. There weren't very many paintings; a few McGonagalls that Minerva had been rather fond of had left her their portraits in their wills. They were mostly jovial uncles and feminist aunts, but there was one portrait of Minerva's great grandmother Inez, who was rather stern and formidable except after partaking in some sherry with the portraits of her grandchildren. Celeste thought Inez and her mother much alike.

Around midday, Celeste received an owl from her best friend, Lily Potter. Lily wanted to meet for dinner; Celeste returned the owl saying she would meet Lily at their favorite muggle restaurant at six. She had no sooner sent the owl out the window than a familiar voice called out from the garden.

"Anyone home? I'm sure I've come to the wrong place because this certainty cannot be Minerva McGonagall's garden."

Rolling her eyes, Celeste opened the back door and came face to face with her father, Erik Potak.

"Hello dad, like what I've done out back?" Celeste asked, smiling.

Erik laughed and pulled her into a hug. His dark brown hair was slowly becoming streaked with silver, Celeste felt this suited him and thought he looked handsome. Minerva wouldn't admit it, but she thought so too.

"What brings you by here, dad?" Celeste asked as they settled themselves at the kitchen table.

"I was driving up to London and thought I'd drop by to see how you were doing," he smiled. "Don't think I don't know about your dizzy spells, you can't hide anything from your mother. She sent me an owl this morning and suggested I come check on you."

Celeste groaned, then she raised her eyebrows.

"What is it that takes you to London, today of all days?" she asked, looking at her father suspiciously.

He laughed. "You sly thing. I'm going to have dinner with Kitty, if you must know. She said she would be running errands in Diagon Alley and suggested if I would see you on my way we could have dinner."

Celeste snorted, her mother arranging a date with Erik wasn't very thrilling. Most likely they would talk about Celeste and what improvements could be made to the cottage they had bought for her. There wasn't any chance of a romance between them anymore, something which didn't bother Celeste very much. She had long stopped thinking of them as a former couple and merely thought of them as her parents. Good friends who had merely had a child together.

Celeste and her father spent some time talking about her engagement. Erik took a moment to admire her ring, which she hadn't had during his last visit. It was a thin silver band with a single ruby surrounded by tiny diamonds. It had belonged to Remus' great aunt and Celeste loved it.

-

After Erik had left, Celeste began to get ready for dinner with Lily. She chose a pale pink halter dress and tied a scarf around her hair. Grabbing her purse, Celeste closed her eyes and pictured the small wooded area close to the cafe. Seconds later, she was there. Crossing the street, Celeste entered the small cafe and looked around for Lily.

Immediately, Celeste spotted the flaming red hair of her friend and went join her.

"Hello, Lily," Celeste said, sitting down at the table.

Lily Potter looked up and greeted Celeste warmly. She was wearing an emerald top that matched her eyes exactly. At Hogwarts she had been Lily Evans, but two years ago she had married James Potter, a very good friend of Remus Lupin's. Like Celeste, Lily was very beautiful, every eye in the room, was directed at their table.

The two friends chatted for awhile, but the conversation, as it always did, turned towards the war against Lord Voldemort. Lily was a member of the Order of the Phoenix, as was James.

"Lily, how are things going with the Order?" Celeste asked. "Are you any closer to stopping him?"

"I really don't know," Lily said, her lovely eyes full of concern. "He's so very powerful, and he has so many supporters."

Celeste looked down at her plate. Yes, Lord Voldemort did have alot of supporters; Severus was one of them. Lily seemed to sense her friend's distress.

"Oh, Celeste! Please don't worry about Snape," Lily pleaded, "perhaps he'll come around. You shouldn't feel responsible for the decisions he's made."

Celeste sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry Lily, your're right," she gave an apologetic smile. "Let's talk about something else, what about that dog James wants to get? Did you say it was a Great Dane?"

"Yes, it's a monster," Lily laughed. "You should see the thing, it's huge! I've tried to point out we have no time to take care of a brute like that, but he's smitten."

-

The two friends spent a pleasurable evening together and when Celeste finally apparated back to her mother's house it was well past midnight.