Three days at the Leaky Cauldron with Severus Snape was quite interesting. He insisted on sharing a room, which Celosia found surprising and immediately refused. Even if it was cheaper and Severus was paying, she knew that he couldn't stand the both of them in a room together, let alone sleeping in one, even if there were two separate beds. Lily had given half her savings at Gringotts to Celosia and the rest, combined with James', were given to Harry. She was pretty much as rich as him when she combined the amount with her own.
At the end of the three days Celosia packed and walked out of her room, jumping in surprise to see Severus already waiting for her. Together the two Apparated directly outside of Hogwarts grounds, Filius Flitwick standing at the gate with a long list in his hands.
"Celosia Evans?" The short man squinted his eyes.
"It's nice to see you again, Professor." She smiled sweetly and Flitwick grinned.
"It's great to know that one of my sharpest students is now going to be helping with security this year!"
Severus cut their conversation short, pulling on Celosia's arm as they made their way up to the castle. She got a room up near Ravenclaw Tower, relief on her face knowing she'd be far away from Severus' place in the dungeons. She had mixed feelings for the man and although she was grateful of his protection, she also didn't forget their past. Perhaps Severus was doing it just because she was Lily's sister, which always made her heart feel tight when thinking about it.
The feast had begun and Celosia stood at the side of the Great Hall doors facing into the hall, her wand in her belt and at the ready if need be. Across from her on the other side of the door was Kingsley Shacklebolt, who gave her a small smile and nod of acknowledgement. Harry had not taken notice of Celosia yet and she remained to keep it that way until the end of the feast at least. No doubt questions would be flooding his mind. Questions she just couldn't answer to him yet.
When the arrival of the Triwizard Tournament came and Beauxbatons and Durmstrang had arrived, Dumbledore was in the middle of introducing the new teachers when the sky had thundered. Students started screaming in alarm and Kingsley had his wand out just as fast as Celosia had hers, both of them looking around for a threat of some kind. Two Ministry officials were also on the other side of the doors outside, looking out for an imposter.
A burst of magic calmed the ceiling and everyone looked to the front, Alastor Moody shoving his wand back into his cloak as he shook Dumbledore's hand, muttering something. Celosia and Kingsley had calmed, looking at each other before putting their wands away.
After the feast all the staff members stayed, the Hogwarts students making their way back to their common rooms. Harry caught sight of Celosia and walked up to her. "Well hello there, love." She smiled at him. He was almost as tall as she was, but with the added height of the heels she always wore, Harry was up to her shoulders.
"I thought you would be up there with the other staff." He said and Celosia shrugged, knowing he was not ready to know the real reason she was here.
"Get some sleep; I'll be here the entire year." She assured and Harry nodded before leaving with Ron and Hermione. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were next to leave and some of the staff had left, the rest staying.
It wasn't long before the three schools were crowded into the Great Hall again, Kingsley and Celosia at their posts. The Goblet of Fire gleamed brightly in the middle of the Hall again and the teachers were scattered all around the high table, most with goblets of whiskey in their fingers. Celosia leaned against the wall. She would kill to be up there sipping drinks as well.
Champions for the Tournament were selected and Celosia clapped politely for each one. As Dumbledore went on about the Triwizard Cup, the Goblet of Fire burst into purple flames again. In a flash Kingsley and Celosia's wands were drawn, Severus stepping towards the cup while Dumbledore whipped around.
A piece of parchment was spat out of the fire and Dumbledore caught it in his hands, reading the name and a look of disbelief on his face. "Harry Potter."
Celosia's eyes widened and Kingsley looked over at her. Dumbledore looked around the silent Hall. "Harry Potter!"
Severus' eyes met with Celosia's at the very end of the hall, fear and confusion in her eyes. Harry stepped off from the side, walking passed Dumbledore and towards the Trophy Room. Once he approached Severus, the man's eyes moved from Celosia's to Harry's, looking at him suspiciously. Harry walked passed all the teachers, just as confused.
Minutes later Celosia was storming into the Trophy Room, Dumbledore pushing Harry into a wall. She wanted to beg the old man to be gentle with him but she didn't interfere. As the teachers all huddled around, Celosia stayed back, her arms crossed in worry. There was no way she would allow him to compete.
"The rules are absolute. Mr. Potter will have to compete." Barty Crouch Senior announced.
"No!" Celosia exclaimed and everyone turned to her. "You can't allow that. He's only fourteen."
"Yet the Goblet of Fire pulled his name out for a reason." Crouch frowned.
"Harry didn't put his name in there on purpose." She scowled. "He has better things to worry about, he already has eternal glory. What he needs to focus on is staying alive. Death Eaters are still out there for him. I do hope you remember the World Cup incident merely days ago?"
"You have no place in making this decision, Miss Evans." Crouch exclaimed.
"It's Ms. Dilaurentis now and I'm his aunt."
"Not Mr. Potter's guardian."
"He's my blood." She snapped.
"Celosia," Severus said softly, the other staff members looking at him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore said that only students aged seventeen and over will be allowed to compete." Celosia defended, Harry watching her from the side. Never had someone tried to defend him like that and it made him feel warm inside that his own aunt was here trying to help him. "The boy is fourteen!"
"Celly." Severus said sternly and Celosia immediately turned to him. Only Lily called her that. "Leave it. Rules are rules."
The woman sighed, dropping her arms in defeat. She looked at Crouch with a glare. "It's on your head." She snapped and walked towards Severus. The man looked at her and nodded his head in approval, Dumbledore going back to what Harry had to do. Celosia leaned against a pillar, arms crossed and frowning. If anything happened to Harry she wouldn't be able to forgive herself. Petunia wasn't here for him except for the summer and she had to make sure he was safe while at Hogwarts. Lily would want it.
Angry professors started walking out of the Hall, including Dumbledore. Severus was about to take his leave before he noticed Celosia stay behind. Fleur, Viktor and Cedric had all left as well but Harry was staring at the fireplace, hands in his pockets. Wanting to make sure Potter got to his dorm on time and that Celosia wouldn't be keeping him, Severus leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets as well.
Celosia walked over to Harry, staring into the flames. "Love, did you put your name in the Cup?" She asked softly.
"No, I didn't." Harry answered sharply but not as harsh as he had minutes before. He was tired of fighting an argument he couldn't win.
"I believe you." She smiled and Harry nodded, thankful someone was on his side. "I tried getting you out of it."
"Thank you for that." He muttered and Celosia pulled her fingers through his hair gently.
"You have your father's hair." She grinned. "Not like I felt it like this though. He made me fix it for him manually when there was a Ball in our fourth year. Lily hated him at the time and refused to do it."
The corner of Harry's lips twitched up in a smile. "Will you tell me about them sometime?" He asked softly.
"Of course." She whispered. "I'm going to help you get through this Tournament. Anything you need, I'm here."
"Thanks." Harry smiled and looked up at Celosia, who ruffled his hair.
"Now give me a hug so I can go to sleep knowing you're ok." She smirked and Harry rolled his eyes, Celosia pulling him into her arms. She kissed his forehead beside his lightning bolt scar and smiled. "Goodnight Harry."
"Night Cel." Harry smiled and turned, seeing Severus still in the room and rushing out. Celosia smiled. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were the only ones who called her Cel in school. Just hearing it from Harry reminded her of James and Lily.
As Celosia watched the boy leave the room, she noticed Severus against the wall. "Spying, are we?" She raised a brow, walking towards him. "You're awfully good at it."
"You do realize Potter will be fine." Severus said, looking down at her. "You couldn't have changed Crouch's mind even if you kept talking. You're lucky I stopped you from wasting a lot of time."
"Thank you for that." She said and smiled. "Sev."
"Still here for you and always will be." He said softly and stood straight, looking at her in the eye. She had said so herself that she was jealous of Lily because Severus was there for her. Now he was here for Celosia and her alone.