When everybody else returned home, the twins took one look at her tear-stained face and dragged her up to their room, refusing to let her go back to Ginny's. They spent the rest of the day consoling her, telling her that nobody thought bad of her. Fred and George had even refused to let her go back to Ginny's room for the rest of the trip, Molly making them sleep with the door open.
Two days after she started sharing the twin's room, Molly peaked her head in late at night, her eyes widening in shock at what she saw. Between Fred and George lay Celesta, but what truly shocked her was that she could visibly see the magic wafting around the three of them like colorful flames. Soft eyes watched them for a few more moments, before she went back to her and Arthur's room, digging through her bookshelves in search of the book she needed. The book that would give them answers. Sneaking it into Celesta's bag, she brushed her hands, before nodding, heading to bed. Celesta would find it, when it was time.
The rest of summer seemed to fly by. The day before Molly made a feast of all Harry's favorite foods, a brilliant treacle tart for dinner. The morning of September first, they were all up by dawn, Celesta grabbing a slice of toast before heading outside as the family rushed to and fro. She had no desire to get in their way. Maera scrambled up onto her shoulder as she sat on the fence to the chicken coop, the kumigo having grown to be five tails. By this time next year she'd be fully grown, according to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
By eleven the family was ready to leave, Molly hugging Celesta as she prepared to apparate with Luli. "I'll see you at the station dear. Best get going."
Celesta had returned the warm hug, only to get swamped by the twins, a warm flush going through her and her magic. They told her they'd sit with her for some of the trip, the two of them placing quick kisses on either of her cheeks that she doubted anybody else saw. A quick 'POP' later and she was at the station, earlier than most everybody else as she board the train, choosing a compartment and pulling her trunk out of her bag before stopping off of it. She needed to visit the vendors for a meal for lunch.
Draco and Narcissa arrived at the station a quarter until the train was scheduled to leave, Celesta coming up to them. "Mum! I've missed you so." she murmured, offering a light hug.
It was brief, their reunion, before Draco suggested they get on the train. It took a moment to find an empty compartment for them to talk, but once they did Draco pulled her inside, locking the door. "Be careful at Hogwarts this year, Celesta. Father is up to something. I didn't tell him about your friendship with Granger, but he asked why I wasn't with you at the top of the year. He's planning something, sister. And your actions at the bookshoppe gave you up. Be careful you don't do anything muggle-like at home."
Warning given, he gave her a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek, before fixing his clothes. "Love you. Look out for yourself. I'm sorry for whatever I say in advance to your friends this year. Father knows you're friends with the Weasleys, and though they are not...of the same status, they are at least purebloods, so you may visit them during holidays, he told me to tell you," he said in parting, nodding his head before leaving the compartment.
The Weasleys arrived just before the train was about to leave. Celesta was in her own compartment, Maera standing on the windowsil, barking when she saw them. Chuckling a little at the weird noise, Celesta waited until Hermione found her, the twins popping in to say hi, as well as to make sure she made it like they almost didn't. When the train started moving from the station she wasn't too worried, but before an hour passed with no sight of Ron or Harry, she and Hermione grew worried.
Before they could get up and look for them though, the twins popped into the compartment, sitting on either side of Celesta.
"Well now Gred, who knew we'd ever be here, in the presence of a princess and her pretty bird of a handmaiden?"
"I know Forge! Isn't it great?"
Hermione and she burst out in giggles, before Hermione stood. "I'm going to look for the boys. They must've found another compartment or something, plus I think I'm going to check on Ginny." And with that, her best friend left her with the twins, who were playing with her hair, which she'd pulled into twin braids that hung over her shoulders.
"Now why princess," Fred began, slowly undoing the ribbon on his side, combing his fingers through the braid to undo it.
George continued the question, his breath brushing her ear and making her shiver, her cheeks heating. "Would you put up your hair? You know we love it down."
Celesta swallowed thickly, the twelve year old biting her bottom lip as they continued undoing her hair, playing with the soft strands. "Appearances mean a lot to the Malfoys," she whispered lowly as a group of older students laughed loudly, passing their compartment. The twins nodded before humming to themselves.
They nodded at her words, before chuckling. "Well then. Want to help us plan our first prank? We're thinking of color-changing potions in the Slytherin's shampoo. Of course, we'd have to sneak into the kitchens..." Fred trailed off, debating how he'd convince the house elves to do their bidding.
"Oh! So, Princess, when we get to school, meet us in our room after dinner. We have something to show you. We haven't even told Lee yet!" George cut in, thumping Fred upside the head. They had no need to drag Celesta into their mischeif, it'd only get her banned from coming to their house over holidays.
After another hour or two, the twins left, Celesta pulling out the sandwhich she'd bought for lunch and snacking on it. Hermione returned just in time for the trolley lady, each of the girls getting a few sugar quills. While worried for their friends, they weren't too worried to stop them from catching up from over the summer, going over their homework and such.
"Oh! Hermione, since I couldn't celebrate your birthday last year, I've decided to give you last years gift now, and another one on your birthday." Celesta announced this with a smile as she pulled out a wrapped parcel from her back. She handed it over with obvious glee, watching Hermione unwrap the gift she'd gotten from Diagon Alley before everything turned sour.
Once the ribbon was untied from around the parcel the wrappings fell away from the bookmark she'd picked out for her friend. The metal was silver in color and in the shape of a quill, a small chain connected leading to a metal butterfly with a periwinkle bead. "It's charmed to lock your place in whatever book you use it on. It'll follow along with you even. Just tug the bead and the book will open back up."
Hermione gasped as she ran a finger over the bookmark. "Oh Celesta, you shouldn't have! It must've cost a fortune!" She'd protested, Celesta shaking her head and holding up a hand.
"My family has more than enough to buy eight thousand of those and not budge a dent. It really wasn't that big of a deal," Celesta stated, a smile on her lips. "I'm glad you like it."
Author's Note: I almost forgot I had plans to make this a slow burn. That book will probably not come into play until towards the end of PoA. Almost put in a couple paragraphs about the twins and Celesta questioning their magic!
I know I said I'd wait for three more reviews, but honestly? Not even I'm that patient. You either love it or you hate it, but as long as I love it, I'll keep posting chapters.
Obviously this one is a bit of a filler. Draco warning her he's gonna be a jerk and about his Father being up to mischeif (I know! SO unlikely of a Slytherin.), the twins showing more care for their new princess. Obviously they're going to fancy her, but the age difference can and will come up, most likely them denying the bond or something. STILL haven't decided what I'll call it.
Special thanks to all who've read to this far, those who've reviewed, favorited, or followed as well. It brings me hope that this isn't a total waste of space on this site.
I wonder what House you guys are sorted into, as well as what House you guys think I'M sorted into. Perhaps I'll keep you guys guessing...first ten people to guess correctly will get to name random characters in the story~