Merchandise in hand, Celesta and the twins followed the crowds of other Witches and Wizards into the stadium. Shouts of laughter, snatches of singing and even a few whining words reached Celesta's ears, her senses straining not to become overwhelmed as they made their way to the stadium proper. The ministry witch that checked their tickets beamed at Mr. Weasley.
"Top Box! Go straight upstairs, as high as you can go!" the woman informed, waving their party forward.
Each twin had a hold of one of Celesta's hands as they began to climb...and climb. Even the albinette was struggling after a while, though, a whimper leaving her panting breaths that had Fred seamlessly bending and picking her up, setting her on George's back piggy-back style. "There we are, Princess." he'd whispered just for her to hear.
"Blimey Dad, how far up do we have to go?" Ron whined himself, "Even Celesta can't keep up." He'd added that, drawing attention to the twins comforting Celesta quietly as they continued to carry her up, switching whenever one twin would get tired.
Celesta's cheeks burned at Ron's words, her red eyes turning on the youngest Weasley's form with a glare that had Ron flushing himself, turning away sheepishly in a silent apology. She forgave him, but her cheeks still burned, her normally pale face turning to hide in Fred's neck.
Fred, who was carrying her now, couldn't help but stutter in his steps as he felt her breath hit the back of his neck, goosepimples appearing over his covered arms. He even had to focus on quidditch facts, just to calm his sudden erection, mortification burning his ears. Even George was somewhat affected at the sight, subtly adjusting himself once nobody was looking.
Finally, they'd made it to the Top Box, taking their seats. Celesta, who was quite used to the adverts, seemed to only want to relax. Even with the walls and glass cutting out the cries of glee and competitive words, with her animagus status, even that couldn't muffle everything completely.
Over the next half hour, the place filled up with witches and wizards, Arthur standing to greet a few important ones. But when greeting Fudge, Luscius arrived, Celesta stiffening in her seat. Suddenly, she no longer slouched, and with a heavy sigh she stood, plasturing a fake smile on her lips, that grew a little more real when she saw Draco.
"Father! Brother! It's so good to see you again. Thank you, again, for letting me stay with my friends this summer." she greeted first, the Malfoy head plasturing a fake smirk on his lips that turned into a subtle sneer as he gazed over at the Weasleys.
"Of course, Celesta. You are my daughter." was all he said before he dismissed his attention of her to the prime minister and Harry. Draco was a bit more open, his gaze softening on Celesta, a subtle nod Luscius wouldn't catch, but then his mask came back into place.
Narcissa, however, greeted Celesta warmly, pulling the young 'Malfoy' into a fierce hug. "Oh, how I've missed you so. Have you been taking your potions?" With those words, Celesta allowed herself to bask in the attention of the only mother-figure she'd known growing up, a silent spell keeping their real words private while letting others believe they were just catching up from the summer.
She spoke of how her apprentenceship had been going, how her new apartment was holding up. Even Maera peeked out from her hair lapping at Narcissa's cheek before hiding once more. They spoke of how things were going back at Malfoy Manor, but before long Narcissa had to go sit with Draco and Luscius, a sorrowful gaze in her eyes as they parted as the match started.
Celesta returned to her seat between the twins, but with her 'family' there, Fred and George knew they had to behave properly. Holding hands where Luscius couldn't see, her hands on their thighs. Occasionally she'd squeeze, both boys stiffening in their seats, but then they'd lean in close sa if explaining the game to her, only to whisper words that had her squirming in her seat. Really now! She was only fourteen, but some of their words didn't help, her cheeks occasionally blushing, luckily it could be explained away by the excitement.
Victor Krum won the match at last, though Celesta couldn't really pay attention to the game at all due to her boyfriends. As they were getting up to leave, Luscius pulled Celesta into an obviously fake and reluctant hug, a show for the wizards around them. "Be good." was growled into her ear.
Draco, following his father's lead, hugged Celesta next, breathing his warning. "Don't sleep. Get to the forest. Take your twins with you, if you must. Hide!"
Before Celesta could respond he'd pulled away, his words rushed due to Luscius watching carefully. Narcissa hugged her again, tighter this time. "I love you, no matter what, my daughter." Narcissa whispered, before the Malfoys were gone, heading to their tent.
Still bewildered, Celesta said nothing as she was lifted onto Fred's back. What had Draco meant?
Arthur let them celebrate, getting butterbeers for all the children. It was only when the loud bangs and screams reached her ears that she understood Draco's warning, grabbing onto the twins and grabbing Ginny's hand. "We have to get to the forest! Hide!" she yelled out once Arthur had left. Immediately they were swarmed by other fleeing witches and wizards, jostling her. "Ginny!" she yelled as the youngest Weasley was ripped from her, only for George to grab onto his sister.
"Keep running! We're almost there!" Fred let out, his own hold on her wrist secure, keeping her magic from reacting in panic and exposing her secret. Finally, they reached the thicket of woods, Celesta whimpering once they'd found a good hiding spot, hiding her fce into Fred's chest while gripping George's bicep. Her father...why would he do such a thing on such a happy day?
Charlie and Bill found them like that after it'd quieted down, Ginny and Celesta sheltered by the twins protectively. The latter had tear tracks down her cheeks, her eyes swollen from crying, but her form calm and peacefully slumbering now. Bill picked up Ginny before the twins got up, lifting the sleeping Celesta and carrying her back as she drowsily awoke.
"Luli." she called for her house-elf, and with a 'Pop' she appeared, handing Celesta her wand and Maera, who'd gotten lost in the confusion and found Luli. Smiling, Celesta nodded her thanks, but the twins didn't let her down as they approached Arthur, Percy, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were stunned and confused at the situation which had transpired, but packing up nonetheless.
"Let's go home. Salvage what you can." Arthur told them, and the twins nodded as they went into their tent, Celesta in tow. Celesta, who had her items in her bag still, had nothing to repack, but she helped the twins with what she could. Besides some merchandise, it seemed they hadn't unpacked much. Once everybody was done, they looked at Arthur, who sighed but nodded, heading back to the portkey location.
"Mr. Weasley? Since I know where the burrow is, would it be alright for me to apparate with Luli instead?" Celesta spoke up, not wanting to experience the sickness from travelling via portkey once more. With a nod of approval, Celesta hugged and kissed the cheeks of her twins, before Luli grabbed hold of her wrist and they apparated, arriving back to the Burrow.
I AM SO SORRY that it took so long to post another chapter. Things just keep getting in the way of me writing. BUT I promised you guys I wouldn't give up on this story and I haven't! Hopefully now that things have calmed down a bit I can continue this story! I do need to rewatch the movies, however. And probably re-read the books, but even then from this point on it's going to be a bit more AU-while following the events from the story, of course.
THANK YOU to all who read, favorited, followed, and reviewed!