Diggory Is A Loser

30- Family Bonding

The day after Celia's last exam, was also the day of the final task of the Triwizard Tournament.
But since the task wasn't until that evening, Celia planned on spending the whole day with Benjamin, to make up for the time they'd lost while she'd been studying.
Unfortunately for her, these plans were ruined when Professor McGonagall came over to the Ravenclaw table during breakfast.
Celia had just finished reading a nasty article about Harry, written by Rita Skeeter, when the teacher arrived.
Since Fleur was sat by Celia's side, McGonagall addressed them both.
"The champions are congregating in the chamber off the hall after breakfast. So please head there once you have finished eating" instructed McGonagall.

"I will zee you later" Fleur said to Celia, before getting up and heading out of the hall.
Fleur was so nervous about the 3rd task, that she had barely had anything to eat.
Celia knew how she felt, as she was very worried about how Cedric would cope in the final task.
"You are expected to head to the chamber as well" informed McGonagall, interrupting Celia's thoughts.

Celia frowned, "But I'm not a champion".
"I am well aware of that, Miss Diggory. But the champions families have been invited to watch the final task. Since you have finished your exams, you are expected to join your family, and spend the day with them" revealed McGonagall.
"I have to spend the whole day with my family?" Questioned Celia, hoping she had misheard
"Yes" answered McGonagall.

Celia groaned loudly as McGonagall walked away.
She was not looking forward to seeing her father or losing a day with Benjamin.
But since she didn't have a choice, she rather begrudgingly headed out of the Great Hall.
As she made her way down the staircase, she found Harry loitering on the steps.
"Hey Harry" said Celia.
Harry spun around to face her, "Hi. I see you've been invited to this err, family bonding exercise".
"Unfortunately" replied Celia.

"I don't expect there will be anyone down there for me to greet" Harry said quietly.
Celia took his hand and squeezed it tight.
"You've got me. And right now, I like you over every single person in my family" admitted Celia.
"Well, at least if you are down there, I will have another friendly face to talk to" agreed Harry.
"I will be. So, come on, let's be brave and get this torture over and done with".

Celia and Harry both took a deep breath before stepping inside the chamber.
Harry's face lit up when he saw that instead of the Dursley's, Mrs Weasley and her eldest son Bill were stood in the chamber.
He headed towards them as Celia sullenly made her way over to her own family.
"Celia dear, how good to see you" smiled Martha, as she embraced her daughter.
"Hi mum" mumbled Celia.

"I didn't know you were going to be here" admitted Cedric.
"Neither did I" replied Celia.
"You don't have to spend the day with us. I'm sure we could find a way to get you out of it" offered Cedric.
"No, it's fine. I'm here now".
"It wouldn't be good for anyone to see us excluding Celia. So today, we are going to act like one big happy family" announced Amos.
"Sure" muttered Celia.

Harry and the Weasley's passed them on their way out of the chamber, and Celia saw from the look on Amos's face, that he was angry.
"There you are. I bet you're not feeling quite so full of yourself, now that Cedric has caught you up in points" boasted Amos.
"What?" Questioned Harry, who's mind was not on Triwizard Tournament points, as he was still happy about seeing the Weasley's.
"Ignore him. He's been angry ever since Rita Skeeter's first article about the tournament, when she pretended that you were the only Hogwarts champion" whispered Cedric.

"He didn't bother to correct her though, did he? Still, you'll show him Ced. Beaten him once before, and you can do it again" announced Amos loudly.
"Leave Harry alone dad, he hasn't done anything wrong, so get off his back" snapped Celia.
"You would defend Potter, over your own brother?" Asked Amos.
"Harry is my friend, so of course I'm going to defend him from the likes of you".
"I'm fine with it dad, so you should be to" informed Cedric.
Celia smiled at her brother, for his support.

"Rita Skeeter goes out of her way to cause trouble Amos. I would have thought you'd know that, working for the Ministry" said Molly Weasley sternly.
Amos looked like he was going to fight, but Martha placed her hand onto his shoulder and shook her head.
"Let it go. We are one big happy family, remember" she said quietly.
Amos sighed and allowed Harry to leave the chamber without causing any more trouble.

Sensing her friend's distress, Fleur pulled Celia away from her parents, so that she could introduce her to the Delecour's.
Celia had already met Gabrielle at the 2nd task, but she enjoyed seeing her again and getting to meet her and Fleur's parents.
"Who waz zat tall man with Harry?" Asked Fleur quietly, as she took Celia to one side.
"His name is Bill Weasley. He's the oldest Weasley sibling, he left Hogwarts several years ago. And now he works as a curse breaker in Egypt" answered Celia.
"You zeem to know a lot about him" replied Fleur.
"His family lives near mine, so us and the Weasley's hang out a lot. At least we do, when we aren't at each other's throats".

"He is very good looking" commented Fleur.
"I suppose he is, if you're into that kind of thing" shrugged Celia.
"You have already got yourself a man, but I have not" reminded Fleur.
"He's also too old for me. And I'm not a fan of the long hair or fang like earrings"
"I don't mind them"
"Well then, if you're lucky, I will introduce you to him after the 3rd task this evening"
"You are a very good friend"
"You're welcome".

Celia spent the rest of the day following Cedric around as he lead their parents on a tour of the school.
Amos spent the whole time complaining that Hogwarts wasn't as fantastic as it was when he was a student.
Cedric and Celia decided not to respond when he made comments like that, as they didn't want to antagonise him.
They both played along, pretending to be part of a loving and happy family, hoping to fool anyone who might be watching.