Diggory Is A Loser

20- Patching Things Up

Celia wasn't sure who had the more difficult task, her or Harry.
She wanted to back out more than anything, but she knew that she had to speak to Benjamin and face her fears.
So, that evening she headed down to the Beauxbatons carriage, and found Fleur standing outside it.
"I have not zeen you in ages" admitted Fleur, as Celia came towards her.
"Well, I've been busy" lied Celia.
"I zuppose you want to zee Benjamin" sighed Fleur.
"Yes, is he here?"
"He's just inside, I'll go and get him for you"
"Thank you".

Celia waited awkwardly until Fleur returned with Benjamin.
"We need to talk" announced Celia.
Benjamin didn't smile when he saw her, but he nodded his head in agreement.
"Yes, I suppose we do" replied Benjamin.
"Right. Well, let's go then" said Celia.
The pair wandered away from the carriage in silence, until they were alone together on the grounds.
"I take it you saw this mornings Prophet" Celia sighed.
"Is there anyone in the country who hasn't seen it?" Questioned Benjamin.
"My father thinks you spoke to Rita Skeeter, and told her about me" replied Celia.
"Well, I didn't"
"That's what I told him".

"I don't suppose you know where this story came from? Or why this journalist decided to pick on me and you?" Asked Benjamin.
"No. She likes writing stories that will shock people, which is why she picked my family. You just ended up getting involved because you took me to the Yule Ball" admitted Celia.
"But all stories have to have some facts in them, so where did this bastard idea come from?" Quizzed Benjamin.
"I honestly have no idea. All I told Skeeter, was that my father likes Cedric more than me, that's it"
"She's clearly got it out for you"
"Yeah, I just wish I knew why... I'm sorry that your family has been dragged into this. If Cedric wasn't a Triwizard champion, then none of this would have happened".

"Do you think she planned on writing an illegitimate story, before the champions were even chosen?" Asked Benjamin.
"There's a chance that she was going to write that story about someone. We were just the unlucky ones who's families got chosen" answered Celia.
"My dad's furious. And my mum doesn't know about you or what you're like. So she doesn't know that Skeeter is lying, and she thinks dad really did have an affair and an illegitimate daughter" revealed Benjamin.
"She's not the only one who's going to believe the rumours".

"This is serious. My parents could get divorced over this!" Admitted Benjamin.
"I'm sorry... You will have to convince her that it's all lies. I can give you some pictures of members of my father's family, who look like me, to prove that I'm a Diggory, if that will put your mum's mind at ease" offered Celia.
"I'm not sure what good that will do" sighed Benjamin, as he ran his fingers through his hair.
"I'm so sorry about all this. I know you wish that you'd never met me, so I'm sorry that I've dragged you into all this".
Benjamin frowned, "I never said that I wish I'd never met you".

"Maybe not, but I'm sure you regret going to the Yule Ball with me. You got punched in the face by my brother, and then your family got dragged through the mud, by a journalist who was trying to discredit the Diggory's. I don't blame you for hating me" admitted Celia.
Benjamin placed his hand around Celia's face, "I don't hate you. I still care a lot about you".
"You do?" Questioned Celia.
"Yes... Your brother isn't around is he? Because I would really like to kiss you right now"
"He's not here. I also told him to back off and stay out of my life. So you don't need worry about him any more"
"Good. That means that I won't get punched in the face again".

Benjamin leaned in to kiss Celia, but she placed her fingers against his lips, stopping him.
"Are you sure about this? I mean, the last thing we want to do is add incest to the list of sins our families have supposedly committed" warned Celia.
"I don't care what anybody else thinks. Besides, maybe this will even make some people at school realise that Skeeter was lying in her article" replied Benjamin.
"So, you want to date me, because you want to prove to everyone that we are not half siblings?"
"I want to date you, because I fancy you. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes".

Benjamin rolled his eyes, "Come here you".
He leaned in again, and this time Celia did not push him away.
The pair kissed before drawing apart and hugging each other tight.
"I was so worried about you when you ran into the forest" whispered Benjamin.
"In hindsight, doing that was a really bad idea. But don't worry about me, I'm fi-" Celia faltered, as she was tired of lying to everyone about how she was feeling.
"What's wrong?" Asked Benjamin, as Celia withdrew her arms from around him.

"I keep telling everyone that I'm alright, but I'm not sure that I am. At night, I dream that I'm back in the Forbidden Forest, surrounded by terrifying creatures that want to eat me. Everywhere I go, people whisper about me, because I'm a freak. And I'm sick of it. I know I always say that I prefer to be alone, and normally I do. But there are times when I want to have friends and be like everybody else. I want people to like me" revealed Celia.
"Those are all completely normal feelings. And after everything you've been through, it's no wonder your mind is all over the place. Wanting to feel normal for once, is understandable" reassured Benjamin.

"Everyone keeps asking me to talk to them and tell them how I really feel. But you are the first person that I've actually been truthful too" informed Celia.
"I'm glad that you chose me to talk to" smiled Benjamin, as he took hold of Celia's hand, and laced his fingers through hers.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" He asked.
Celia nodded, "I think a walk would be very nice".
"Well then, lets go" replied Benjamin.