Diggory Is A Loser

13- Runaway

Running into the Forbidden Forest at night in the middle of winter, all alone, was not a good idea.
Nor was it wise to run in heels, especially if you weren't experienced at wearing them.
But Celia wasn't thinking properly.
She had been embarrassed on her first ever date, by her own brother. And she wasn't sure Benjamin would want to see her ever again after what had happened.
As she ran, branches and leaves cut into her face and legs, leaving her with small cuts. And while trying to run, she fell and twisted her ankle, which is when she decided to stop and catch her breath.

As she looked around her, she realised that she was in a part of the woods that she'd never seen before and she was utterly alone.
She didn't even have her wand with her, as she hadn't thought of bringing it to the ball.
When snow began to fall from the sky, Celia realised how much danger she was in, as she could easily catch hypothermia before she made it out of the forest.
She was grateful that she still had Benjamin's jacket around her shoulders. But she knew it wasn't enough to stop her from catching her death.
Celia managed to resist the urge to start a fire by hand, as that would only summon all the deadly creatures in the forest towards her.
Hagrid had taught them about some of the things that lived in the woods, and she knew that there were much scarier things than Blast-Ended Skrewts out there.

Every twig snap and animal call put Celia on high alert and sent shivers running up her spine.
Her heart was beating fast in her chest and she began to cry, as she didn't think that she would ever see the sun again.
She wanted nothing more than to get out of the forest, but the woods were huge and she couldn't remember which way she had come. If she tried to get back to the castle in the dark, she could end up going even further into the woods.
With no other option she curled into a ball on the ground, hoping to preserve her body heat so that she could stay alive until morning. Once the sun had risen she would then be able to make her way back to Hogwarts.

After what seemed like hours, Celia heard the sound of hooves coming towards her.
She immediately sat up straight and pulled her legs in towards her into a defensive position.
The layer of snow that had settled on her body slipped off as she sat up.
Celia watched in terror as a large figure began making its way towards her.
At first she thought it was a horse, but as it got closer she realised that it was a palomino centaur.
"It's alright child, I mean you no harm" said the creature.

Celia pushed herself slowly to her feet, making sure to keep the weight off her bad ankle.
"Who are you?" She asked, her voice no more than a whisper.
"My name is Firenze. I'm a centaur" answered Firenze.
"How did you find me?" Questioned Celia.
"Albus Dumbledore got together a large search party, all of whom are looking for you. He came to the centaur camped and asked us if we had seen you, which we had not. But I decided to join the search, going against my herd's wishes"
"They didn't want to help find me?"
"My people mean you no harm, but it is not our business to meddle in human affairs".

Celia shivered, "Does Professor Dumbledore really have a search party out looking for me?".
"Yes, numerous teachers are involved in the search. Several students wanted to help, but Dumbledore wouldn't allow anyone else to step foot in the forest, since he didn't want to put anymore lives at risk" revealed Firenze.
"How did he know I was in the Forbidden Forest?" Asked Celia.
"I believe your brother saw you run in here, and he went to fetch help" replied Firenze.
"I expect he was feeling guilty, since he's the reason I'm in here".

"Well, whatever his reasons, he asked Dumbledore to help find you. And now I must return you to your Headmaster, for the woods are a dangerous place to be in alone" admitted Firenze.
"You know the way out of here?" Quizzed Celia.
"Of course. Follow me, and I will lead you to safety" promised Firenze.
Although Celia knew it was foolish to trust a stranger, she knew that she didn't really have any choice, for she was dead if she stayed in the forest.
So, she began following Firenze through the Forbidden Forest, hobbling as she walked, until they arrived in a small clearing that Celia recognised, as they often had Care of Magical Creatures class there.

"Firenze, it looks like you've found our little runaway" said Hagrid, as he made his way over to them.
"Yes. I trust she will be safe in your care Hagrid?" Asked Firenze.
"Of course" replied Hagrid.
"Good. Then I will leave her with you".
Firenze turned to go but Celia stopped him.
"Thank you" she mumbled.
"You're welcome... I'm sorry for your suffering" admitted Firenze.
"I'll be alright" reassured Celia.
"I mean the suffering that has yet to come".
Without expanding on his comment, Firenze took off, disappearing into the trees.

Celia was puzzled by his comment, but she didn't have time to ponder on it, as Hagrid had placed his ginormous coat around her, knocking the wind out of her.
He then raised his pink umbrella sending up red sparks into the sky.
A few minutes later the people who had been involved in the search party began to regroup in the clearing.
"Thank heavens you found her" said McGonagall as she charged towards them.
"It was Firenze who found her, not me" admitted Hagrid.

"Are you hurt child?" Asked McGonagall, as she began to inspect Celia.
"I'm fine" replied Celia quietly, who didn't want to put any attention on her minor injuries.
"Professor McGonagall, perhaps you should take Miss Diggory to Madam Pomfrey, so that she can make sure that she is O.K" suggested Dumbledore, as he joined the group.

"I'm sorry for all the fuss I've caused. I didn't mean to run into the forest. And I'm sorry that you all had to come here to look for me" apologised Celia.
"I am not angry with you. What you did was foolish, but we will discuss this properly, once you've had time to rest" replied Dumbledore.
McGonagall then placed her arm around Celia's shoulders and began escourting her back to the castle, so that she could be checked over by the matron.