Diggory Is A Loser

24- Wild Party

Although Celia was feeling bad about what had happened between her and her brother, Harry quickly turned her mood around.
He placed a Gryffindor scarf around her neck and sneaked her into the Gryffindor tower by hiding her in a large crowd, so that the Fat Lady wouldn't notice her.
When Celia stepped inside the common room, she felt her jaw drop.
"Like it?" Grinned Harry.
"It's incredible" admitted Celia.
"I suppose it's a bit different to the Ravenclaw common room" replied Harry.
"Very. The Ravenclaw tower is open and spacious. We also have our own library. This place feels a lot more homely and crowded".

"We've snuck into the Slytherin common room before, and believe me, it looks exactly as you think it does. It's all dark and creepy. Not like our lovely red and happy common room" smiled Harry proudly.
Several tables had been set up, all full to the brim with food and drinks.
Everyone in the room was smiling and laughing, and Celia couldn't believe that she got to be a part of it.

"I think I prefer my own tower, since I am an introvert. But it is very nice in here. Thanks for convincing me to come, and for sneaking me in" informed Celia.
"You're welcome, I'm glad you like it" replied Harry, as Lee Jordan ran up to him and tied a Gryffindor banner around his neck, before rejoining the party.
"Nice one mate, you showed those other champions who's boss" praised Fred, as he appeared at Harry's side.
"Yeah, they won't mess with Gryffindor's like us in the future. You may be the youngest champion, but you are the best. You and all your moral fibre" added George, as he placed himself on Harry's other side.

"Merlin's beard Harry, what's she doing here?" Questioned George, as he looked over at Celia.
She instantly turned red and attempted to back away, but Harry stopped her.
"She's here at my request" informed Harry.
"Why?" Quizzed Fred.
"Because she's my friend and she helped me in the second task" answered Harry.
"Well, any friend of Harry's is a friend of ours" admitted George.
"Although she does stick out like a sore thumb" added Fred.
"You're right" mumbled Harry.

Harry then moved into the middle of the common room and began addressing the other Gryffindor's.
"Today, we have a special guest in our common room. I'm sure you all recognise Celia Diggory. But today she is not here as Cedric's sister, but my friend. She helped me on the second task, and I wouldn't have been successful without her. So, I want everyone to raise their glasses to her, to thank her for what she did for me" announced Harry, as he gestured his hand towards Celia.

Celia blushed as everyone turned to look at her, before raising their butterbeers and toasting to her.
"I also don't want anyone whispering about her, or spreading any rumours. We are proud Gryffindor's and we will not stoop as low as the Slytherin's. But that's enough from me, enjoy the party!" continued Harry.
Someone turned on the radio and music began to play as Harry made his way back over to Celia.
"You shouldn't have done that. You know how much I hate attention" admitted Celia.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But everyone would be staring at you, wondering why you were here, unless I told them all the truth. I also wanted to put an end to the bullying you recieve from those in my house" explained Harry.
"So, now I only have to worry about the Slytherin's, Hufflepuff's and other Ravenclaw's" sighed Celia.
"Hey, it's the best I can do" replied Harry.
"I know, and I'm grateful".

"So, Celia, how are you enjoying your first party?" Asked Ron, as he and Hermione joined the pair.
"I have been to parties before, you know. My dad used to drag me to family parties all the time" admitted Celia.
"Yeah, but I bet you've never been to a party like this before" replied Ron.
"No, a Gryffindor party is an entirely new experience"
"We don't do things by half, that's for sure"
"How long do these parties go on for?"
"It depends. Sometimes they go on until 3 in the morning, and only stop when McGonagall arrives to tell us to be quiet"
"That's a long time. I'd better make sure that I'm gone long before then, as I don't want McGonagall to find me in Gryffindor tower".

"McGonagall's cool, she's not like Snape" reassured Harry.
"No, if Snape found you somewhere you weren't supposed to be, you'd lose so many house points, and be in detention for weeks" agreed Ron.
"That's the second time we've stolen from Snape's office. I hope we don't make a habit out of it" admitted Hermione.
"What ingredients did you steal last time?" Asked Celia curiously.
"Boomslang skin" answered Harry.
"And what exactly were you needing that for?" Questioned Celia.
"Well, we may or may not have brewed a batch of Polyjuice Potion in our 2nd year".

Celia's jaw dropped, "That explains how you managed to sneak into the Slytherin common room. But that's a really advanced potion. I'm suprised that a bunch of second years were able to make it".
"Well, we had Hermione" admitted Harry.
Hermione blushed, "Even with my help, it was still very challenging. It took over a month to make".
"I am really suprised you didn't end up in my house. We could use a brilliant witch like you" replied Celia.
"The Sorting Hat considered it, but in the end it placed me in Gryffindor" revealed Hermione.
"I guess it thought your willingness to break the rules, was too strong, to place you in my house".

"I'm glad you ended up in Gryffindor, because I don't know where we'd be without you" admitted Ron.
"Neither do I. Hermione is the smart one of the group, and you'd be lost without her" agreed Celia.
"Hey, we aren't idiots" frowned Harry.
"You are next to Hermione" teased Celia.
"I guess you may have a point... Anyway, it's time to celebrate, so let's enjoy the party. Afterall, it is all for me"
"If that head of yours gets any bigger, it'll fall off your body. But you're right, let's have some fun".