Diggory Is A Loser

10- The Veela

After the 1st task there were a lot less Potter Stinks badges around, as the other houses were now supporting Harry just as much as Cedric. Except for the Slytherin's, who were being just as nasty to Harry as normal.
But Harry had made up with Ron, which improved his mood greatly. This also meant that he had no need to confide in Celia anymore, so she was back to having no friends again, even if her brother was being nicer to her than normal.

Shortly after the task, to Celia's horror, it was announced that there would be a Yule Ball held over the Christmas break. And everyone was expected to find dance partners to escourt to the ball.
Celia felt as if she had stepped inside some sort of nightmare that wouldn't end.
Boys and dating had never been her thing before, and now all anyone could talk about was who they were going to ask to the ball.
The girls in her room were all pretty, and Celia knew they would easily find dates. But she also knew that no self respecting 5th year would want to be her partner, even if she was Cedric's sister.

As the weeks passed, the excitement regarding the Yule Ball, only grew.
Almost everyone in their 4th year and above had put their name down to stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays.
Celia considered going home, and avoiding the ball all together. But she knew that her father was likely to talk non stop about Cedric, and she wasn't willing to put up with that.
To Celia's annoyance though, Cedric asked her roommate Cho Chang, to be his partner, meaning that Cho was constantly talking about how amazing he was and how much she liked him.

When the Yule Ball was only a few days away, Celia had realised that she was going to be the only one in her year without a date.
Even though she usually despised people and boys in general, she was incredibly upset that she was going to be the odd one out once again.
She was crying in an empty stairwell one evening, when she suddenly realised that she was not alone.
Celia quickly wiped away her tears, and looked up at the gorgeous person in front of her.
"What do you want?" Asked Celia, as she glared at Fleur Delecour.

"You are Cedric's zister" said Fleur.
"Yeah. Lucky me" mumbled Celia.
"What are you doing down here, all alone?" Questioned Fleur.
"It may have escaped your notice, but I don't have any friends. So I'm always alone" admitted Celia.
"I wouldn't zay that I have many friends either at ze moment"
"Come off it. You're the most popular girl in Beauxbatons, and propbably the most desired person in the whole school"
"Just because everyone wants to zleep with me. It doesn't mean zat they want to get to know me or be my friend. And ze girls at my school are jealous zat I am a champion and zat all ze boys like me. So I don't have many friends".

"At least someone as pretty as you doesn't have to worry about getting a date. Every single boy here would be happy to take you" sighed Celia.
"It might zurprise you to learn that I don't have a date either. I have been asked numerous times, by different boys, but I have turned zem all down" revealed Fleur, as she sat down beside Celia.
"Why?" Questioned Celia.
"Because I wanted zomeone to like me for my personality, and not just because zey think I am attractive. I wanted to ask Cedric, because he is a nice boy, who is always kind, and doesn't try to flirt with me all ze time. But he turned me down"
"Sorry about that, but he's going with my roommate Cho Chang".

"It zeems zat I'm not going to be lucky enough to have zomeone like me, for me. So, I am just going to have to say yes to ze first boy zat asks me next. If there are any left" admitted Fleur.
"I didn't think that pretty girls like you had any problems. But I guess knowing that someone is only with you because of your looks, must be pretty awful" replied Celia.
"Men have been looking at me and my body ever zince I was around 10. Because of the Veela blood in me" informed Fleur.
"That's sick. No man should be lusting after a 10 year old".

Fleur shrugged, "I have been dealing with zat my whole life".
"But it's wrong" insisted Celia.
"Yes. But it's not always the mans fault. The Veela blood in me makes all men instantly attracted to me, and they begin to lose their heads" admitted Fleur.
"In hindsight, I wouldn't trade my life for yours"
"And I wouldn't wish this life upon anyone".

"I know it's not much consolation, but there's an older boy in my house who doesn't have a date yet. And he's a nice guy" informed Celia.
"I do like the people in your house, zey are nice. Who is zis boy?" Asked Fleur.
"His name is Roger Davies, he's the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain" answered Celia.
"He will do. I will seek him out tomorrow"
"I'm glad I could be of some assistance".

"Now zat you have helped me and listened to my problems, I must help you" informed Fleur.
"You really don't have to do that. Besides, I think I'm beyond any bodies help" sighed Celia.
"I have turned far uglier girls than you in to models" admitted Fleur.
"But the ball is only in a few days time. No one is going to notice me in that short amount of time"
"Alright, let's look at zis another way. Are zere any boys you like? Because if zere are, I can help you ask zem out"
"I never paid much attention to boys before. And boys normally never notice me..."
Celia faltered as she thought about the one person who had noticed her, when she thought she was invisible.

"Something tells me you have a certain boy on your mind" smiled Fleur.
"I don't really know him that well. I've only spoken to him once" revealed Celia.
"Well, what is his name?" Questioned Fleur.
"Benjamin Taylor, he's one of the Beauxbatons boys"
"I know who you mean. He is a nice boy. Back at Beauxbatons he always has his nose stuck in a book. So he's a lot like you"
"Even if we are alike, I would never have the courage to ask him to dance, because he'd say know. Besides, he's probably already got a partner".

Fleur shook her head, "A lot of the boys are not choosing a partner. Zey are just going to dance with whatever girls ask zem on ze night".
"So, you think that if I asked him, he would dance with me?" Asked Celia.
"Almost certainly. And if you let me do your hair and make up, he will definitely not be able to look away from you" insisted Fleur.
"I'm afraid that my dress robes aren't that great either. So even if my face looks pretty, the rest of me won't"
"Zat doesn't matter. I brought several dress options with me. You can borrow one of mine, and we can use magic to make it fit you".

"Why are you doing all this for me?" Questioned Celia, who was suspicious of all the help she was being offered.
"Not many people want to actually talk to me. Some just stare at me. You are kind and zweet like your brother. Cedric is a champion like me, so he knows what it is like to have all zis pressure placed on you" answered Fleur.
"So, you are doing this for Cedric?" Quizzed Celia.
"No. I am doing this for you, a fellow girl in need... Now, let's go and get you all made up, so zat we can ask Benjamin if he will be your partner".