NOTE: Ok, I am going to finish out this story in regular third person. I don't like when they jump around a lot, so I'll stop, K? REVIEW, dammit.
Chapter three: Musings and broom-cupboard revelations
Ceo stomped into the common room, a bit of snow dusting the top of her head.
"Jesus who! Its cold," She gasped, pulling off her gloves and quickly snagging one of the chairs by the fire, just before a second year could reach it. She gave the poor girl a snarl and sent her running to her friends.
"You're horrible," Lily sighed, standing in front of the fire, her hands behind her back in attempt to warm them.
"Yeah...I know. Great though, isn't it?" Ceo lost her smile as she saw James and Sirius in the far corner, their heads together conspiratorially.
"I heard they are staying here during Christmas," Lily remarked, seeing the cause for Ceo's frown.
"Really?" The brunette's eyebrows dipped together as she sat there thinking. "Are you?"
"I was thinking about it. I had gotten into a tiff with my parents before I left for the train. You know the one wizard, the bad one that is starting to recruit followers, and has evaded capture so many times? They caught wind of him and was afraid of me coming here. Rubbish really."
"Why would they stay though?" Ceo asked distractedly. "Sirius always goes to James' during holiday. Why not now?"
"Who knows?" Lily rolled her eyes.
On the other side of the room, two of the biggest masterminds in history were at work.
"I don't see how that can help," James said in a low voice, casting a look over to Ceo who was frowning in their direction.
"We need to find a way...anyway. Even if it means getting her thrown out," Sirius started, and then let out an irritated sigh when James interrupted.
"That's harsh, Padfoot."
"Would you rather pissing her off and then everyone knowing about Moony? A lot of parents wouldn't like their kids sitting down for potions with a werewolf. Better to loose a thorn in your side then a best mate." James shifted in his seat, looking uneasy.
"There are other ways, Im sure," he started. "But can't it wait till after the last match before break? It was worth hexing Perwittia, because Ceo is loads better."
"Yeah, it can wait till break. Maybe a tromp through the woods or something. We'll have to sort it out. In the meantime we need to find out if she is staying here as well."
"She always stays," Both James and Sirius looked up to see Remus standing before them with an armful of books. He set them down on the nearest table. "Planning sabotage so early in the game? I think she is pretty clever with a wand."
"But she threatens everything," James admitted. He too thought that Ceo would be a powerful ally to have. Sirius had the same feeling, thinking that she would have been great with the ritual Snape torturing. But she simply had to go, and there was no getting around that.
"What? You mean me?" Remus shrugged. "It's not gunna be a secret forever, you know. Someone is bound to find out, despite Dumbledore's preventions. I don't think he even knows about you guys knowing." Now, however, Remus was discontented, rolling his shoulders. The thought of betraying Dumbledore's trust got to him more then anything. He pushed the thought of his mind, and turned to the other two. "What do you have in mind?"
"Not much at the moment. We just have to wait and see."
0-0
James scheduled practices nearly everyday as the final match of the semester drew nearer. Ceo was fastly becoming frazzled. N.E.W.T levels were finally catching up to her, and she soon found herself torn between two mediums. That all snapped, however, after the victorious game, and the horrendously wild party ensued. She drank the fire-whiskey with ease and even set to dancing with the others when someone bewitched one of the many sconces to play music. It was wizarding music, yes, but they were pretty good in Ceo's opinion.
A fair few people stayed home during holiday. The older ones mentioned how they felt safe in the large castle, and the younger ones just wanted to be cool by staying with the older ones. At breakfast the day before Christmas, Ceo, James, Sirius, and Remus were all sitting at the table, debating this new dark wizard.
"He has to be serious," Ceo stated, taking a drink of coffee and then wincing as it scalded her tongue.
"Ten galleons says the Aurors catch him in the next month." James shrugged, pouring massive amounts of sugar in his porridge.
"Dunno, mate. He's been around for a while, even if the Profit doesn't write his name. Disappearances. Strange deaths. The Muggles are starting to pick up on it." Remus pointed out.
"And there is Dumbledore." Ceo said quietly, looking down into her cup.
"What about him?" Sirius sat a little straighter in his seat, frowning.
"Haven't you noticed?" Ceo looked up, her black eyes all but boring into him. She shot a glance up at the Head-table, where Dumbledore sat in a splendid set of maroon robes, his chin resting on his fingers that were steepled. "Something is bothering him. He hasn't been his quirky self this year."
James tilted his head to the side; thinking. Indeed the strange and brilliant headmaster had been very subdued their sixth year.
"And," she continued in a more brisk tone, "Didn't you hear the sorting hat song?"
"Nope!" Sirius said proudly. "I was in McGonagall's office."
"Already?" Ceo snorted, then stood up. "I think I'm going to look in the archives, then talk to Dumbledore. See ya," She gave a wave of her hand and in a swish was gone.
"That is some weird bird," James said, shaking his head. "Madder then a balloon, but she notices things."
"Yeah, we notice." Sirius cut in dryly. "If it weren't for that special talent of hers, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now."
"Oh...I almost forgot. I thought of a way." James lowered his head, and gestured for Remus and Sirius to do the same. "It gets both Ceo AND Snape out of our hair...and we can't be blamed for it."
"How?" Remus was skeptical.
"Because, you are not responsible for what you do whilst you are a werewolf...right?" James wiggled his eyebrows, and Sirius was starting to catch on. His face split into a wide grin.
"No..." Remus said slowly, his eyes narrowing. "But I doubt anyone can get past the Willow. I mean...only us four..."
"Ah, but you see, here is the beauty of it..." James paused for a dramatic affect. "He could use with a bit of...help?"
Sirius and James smiled wickedly, but Remus frowned.