Chapter Eighteen
It has been several days since the wedding had happened. Celeste was running about her room while doing her last minute packing before heading off to school. It seemed all dark and gloomy outside. The weather threatened thunderstorms. It was her favorite thing to sleep to at night. Sighing while quickly changing into her school robes. Her skirt with long black socks, cardigan and tie. The perfect emerald color with the black. Putting her Head Girl badge on as well before hearing her mother calling her name. Quickly double checking before shouting back. She wrapped her favorite cloak from Alecto around her shoulders, not wanting to forget it.
"Coming mother!" She shouted and dashed down the stairs. Seeing Professor Snape as well.
"Headmaster?" She asked with a curious look. He handed her a scroll.
"New rules for the Prefects. I expect high out of you this year Miss Malfoy." Snape spoke before leaving. Celeste only nodded her head before hugging her mother then father.
"I'll escort you this time dear. Your father is still wanted. Plus, Draco is away until the Holidays." Narcissa spoke with a frown.
"Mother. Don't worry. We are all still here together. Our family only got bigger." She smiled and hugged her mother again. Seeing that she had grown a bit again. Opening the door to follow her mother outside and down the path. You could smell the crisp leaves that fell to the ground. Light frost covered the grounds in the morning. Seeing nothing around but the garden slowly dying as the trees turned from green to gold, brown, and yellow colors of fall. Some flowers were still in bloom but slowly falling. It was finally time to go back to Hogwarts. Though, this year was going to be very much different
Celeste felt the familiar tug of the apparation. She was very used to it now, for she didn't cough for air. That was a new accoplishment. Smiling at herself before quickly following the faces she knew from her house and other houses from school. She saw the Weasley family and raised a brow. Potter, Granger and Ron weren't there like they were every year. She had a gut feeling now. Wondering where the trio were took her attention before feeling a pinch.
"Ouch! What? Oh, sorry mother." She spoke as Narcissa raised her brow. Feeling a rush of embarrassment as her mother hugged her. Now she knew where she got that look from.
"I love you mum. Don't worry, I should be able to visit for the Holidays." She added before heading onto the train. Her luggage brought by the elf as it was loaded onto the train.
"Hello. Your mind seems to be wandering a lot." A soft gentle voice of Luna spoke.
"Luna! Hey!" Celeste hugged her best friend tightly.
"We missed you at the wedding." Luna spoke softly while the two friends took a seat in am empty compartment.
"Yeah. I am sorry. My brother got married as well." Celeste spoke as Luna gasped with a gleeful look upon her face. "To Greengrass to be exact!" She beamed proudly about her brother.
"Good. I was worried about Pansy. Oh hey, we were thinking about starting the D.A. back up. You in?" Luna asked when she changed the subject. Feeling the train starting to leave. Celeste looked out the window and waved to her mother whom smiled weakly and waved back before the train disappeared.
"I'm not sure Luna. I was promoted to Head Girl." Celeste spoke.
"Even more to join. That way, we can know when it's safe. We haven't Harry's map anymore." Luna added with a frown before pleading her friend.
"I'll see what I can do, but I do not promise anything!" Celeste spoke as Luna gleefully clapped and hugged her friend again.
"I gotta get to the prefect compartment and let them know of the new rules and the patrolling details." Celeste sighed and hugged Luna who nodded before leaving. Celeste was deep in thought before she walked down to the last compartment where the others were waiting for her.
"Blaise." Celeste spoke and nodded once to him. Seeing him as the new Slytherin Head Boy. Cling and Hannah from Hufflepuff. Terry and a girl she never seen before from Ravenclaw. Plus two new Gryffindors. Knowing full well that the last two were gone.
"Right, so. Our new Headmaster; Professor Snape. Has given me details for the patrols for this year. Most of you will be doing downstairs on the first few levels. While Zabini and I are patrolling most grounds along with a few other professors. Each night is switched around between all of us. That way, we will have time for homework and what not." Celeste spoke as the others were silent. "Questions?" She asked as Clint spoke first.
"What about points and detentions?" He asked.
"Those powers are now only for Head Boy and Girl. Professor Snape took that from all Prefects. So, the power isn't abused now." She added.
"Who are the new professors? You must know?" Terry asked as Celeste shook her head.
"We will find that out tonight." She spoke before handing each of them their schedules for the year and dismissing them. She was on first patrol on the train but had tonight off. Zabini had first shift. Celeste's mind began to wander again before hearing scowling. Her head turned and saw Ginny who was glaring at her. The blonde only shrugged her shoulders. She didn't want to be bothered with the Weasly girl. In fact, she didn't want to be bothered by anyone. She wanted her brother here with her. It seemed she would be leading the student body herself. Blaise didn't seem to pay any attention to the new rules. As if he didn't want to do his new duties. 'Oh well.' She thought before feeling the train slow down and stopped in Hogsmead.
"First years off first!" She shouted as the students began pushing and shoving to get off of the train. Following after and took a carriage in the front and first. Feeling the dirt under the carriage as mist took over the air.
"Everyone in line by fours and by houses!" Celeste shouted. "No! You over there! Terry! No! Stop right there! In front of Ravenclaw! Blaise!" Celeste was shouting. She was not having it when the students finally got in order. Each house was marching in unsion while Celeste was in the lead. She could feel her breath and shuddered. Looking up as hundreds of Dementors surronded them. Hearing louds shocked voices.
"Hush!" She spoke. Seeing the doors opened to the Great Hall. Each of the teachers were already seated as Snape in the center. Celeste stopped at the front and turned while watching the students take their seats in silence. Once everyone was accounted for, Celeste gently grabbed the Sorting Hat and placed it upon the stool in the front before taking her seat. As she did this, the doors opened and a small crowd of First Year students walked in. They did not seem cheerful as Celeste was during her first year. In fact, they looked dead scared before Professor McGonagall called each name. Clapping with the Slytherins to welcome her new House Mates before the Sorting was over quickly as it began.
"Now, welcome back to our old and welcome to the new. As most of you that do not know, I am the new Headmaster and there are several new rule changes. You can find them hanging up on the boards in your Common Rooms. Any other questions will be taken up with your Prefects. Now, we have here new changes in staff. Professor Amycus Carrow. He will be taking over the Dark Arts class. Professor Alecto Carrow will be taking over the Muggle Studies class. Which is now required for each of you to take. They will be in charge of all punishements and dentetions. Fail to show up will result in exsposure. Now, off to bed." He spoke.
Finishing her drink as she looked up to see a pair of eyes upon her. Smiling at Alecto before standing up.
"First years follow me please!" She spoke loudly enough to see the new ones. Her heart fell. There were only seven new ones this year. Knowing full well that the muggleborns were not to be attending. Others must be getting home schooled. "Come along now. Quickly please!" She spoke as she took long strides. Forgetting she had to slow down for their short legs. Chuckling at this before leading them down.
"Are we going to the dungeons?!" A girl squeaked with fear.
"Our Common Room is down here dear." Celeste spoke softly which eased the girl. Seeing the familiar large door with skulls all over.
"Password?" The door hissed.
"Cruciatus." Celeste spoke as a few of the new years gasped. Knowing full well what the password was now. "Enter quickly. Come on now. Hurry up." She spoke and stopped in the ceneter of the room. "Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room. We are below the lake which gives us the green dim color. Girls are downstairs on the right and boys same on the left. Breakfast is at seven in the morning. Do not be late." She spoke as they scattered. Smiling at herself before heading into her dorm with the other girls.
"How was it?" Pansy's voice came. Celeste rolled her eyes at this.
"Fine. I'm heading to bed." She spoke. Quickly changing into her gown and crawled into bed.
'Goodnight my Rose.' Alecto's voice spoke as Celeste blushed and smiled stupidly.
'Goodnight my dark witch.' Celeste spoke back. Remembering that she could hear the thoughts due to the mark. Yes, goodnight indeed. For it was going to be a rough year now.