Diggory Is Still A Loser (book 2)

11- Rebellion

Although Celia was hesitant at first, eventually her hatred of Umbridge got the better of her.
Especially since Umbridge got made High Inquisitor, giving her power above the other teachers.
So on the first Hogsmeade visit, instead of hiding at school, Celia headed down into town and entered the Hog's Head.
After greeting her friends, she took a seat and waited for everyone else to arrive.
Over the next 10 minutes, numerous people arrived, and joined the group. And the more people that turned up, the more uncomfortable Celia felt.

To Celia's annoyance, Cho had turned up, and she had brought Marietta with her. But the rest of their roommates remained absent.
There were several other younger Ravenclaw's, that she also recognised; Luna Lovegood, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, and Parvati Patil.
But the only people she was really pleased to see, were Fred and George Weasley, since they were always nice to her, and then even took their seats either side of her, protecting her from the rest of the students.

Once everyone had gotten comfy, Hermione stood to her feet and addressed the group.
"Well, umm, hello... Well, we all know why we're here. I had this idea that it might be good if people who really wanted to study Defense Against the Dark Arts, got together and learned it as a group. Because what Umbridge is teaching is useless. Which is why I thought it would be a good idea if we took matters into our hands" she informed them.
"And let me guess, you want to pass your Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL?" Asked Michael Corner.

"Yes, that is important. But it's more than that. We need to learn how to fight. Because... Because Voldemort is back" announced Hermione bravely.
As normal, the mention of Voldemort's name caused several people to gasp, and Marietta even spilt Butterbeer down herself.
"Anyway, that's the plan. So, if you want to join-" started Hermione.
"Where's the proof that You-know-who is back?" Questioned a blonde Hufflepuff, that Celia didn't know.
"Well, Dumbledore believes it-"
"You mean Dumbledore believes him" the boy interrupted again.

"Who even are you?" Demanded Ron rudely.
"Zacharius Smith. And I think we all have the right to know why he says that you-know-who is back" insisted the Hufflepuff, as he pointed at Harry.
"Look, this is not what this meeting is about" replied Hermione.
"It's alright Hermione" sighed Harry, before turning and staring at Zacharius.
"What makes me say that Voldemort is back? I saw him! But Dumbledore told the whole school what happened, last year, and if you didn't believe him, then you aren't going to believe me. And I'm not going to waste an afternoon trying to convince anyone" continued Harry.

"All Dumbledore told us, is that you-know-who killed Cedric Diggory, and that you brought his body back. He didn't give us details or tell us exactly how Diggory died, and I think we'd all like to know the truth" informed Zacharius.
Celia's palms began to sweat nervously as the topic turned to Cedric's death.
And those near her kept giving her awkward glances, since they knew that Cedric was her brother.
"If you want to know what it looks like when Voldemort murders someone, then I can't help you. I don't want to talk about Cedric! So, if that's why you came here today, you might as well clear off now!" Shouted Harry.

"Yeah. No one is making you stay here" said Fred.
"And did you not think that maybe Harry wouldn't want to talk about the day Cedric died, in front of Cedric's sister" added George.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset her" mumbled Zacharius, who didn't seem in any way sorry.
"Oh, I'm sure that you didn't. And I realise that as a Hufflepuff, it might be difficult for you to understand how delicate certain matters are. Since I know that you're not blessed in the brain department, like us Ravenclaw's. But if you'd had your sibling murdered, then perhaps you would understand why talking about his death is inappropriate. Harry doesn't want to have to go through it again, and I don't want to have to hear how my brother died for a second time. So, like Harry said, if that's why you came here today, then f*ck off!" Said Celia sternly.

Everyone stared at Celia, but no one moved from their seat, not even Zacharius.
Hermione eventually took control of the meeting once more and everyone began discussing where they should meet and what spells they should learn.
But Celia wasn't paying any attention to what Hermione was saying.
After her outburst about her brother, Celia had been unable to get it out of her head.
She kept picturing him being murdered in some dark and cold graveyard, miles away from those who loved him.
Her chest began to ache, and she felt tears forming behind her eyes, which she did everything in her power, to hold back, as she did not want to cry in front of everyone.

At the end of the meeting, everyone signed a piece of parchment, which Hermione quickly placed inside her bag.
People then began leaving the pub in small groups, so that they didn't raise any attention, by all leaving at once.
Eventually it was just Celia and her friends left.
"Well, I think that went quite well" admitted Hermione.
"That Zacharius bloke's a wart though" frowned Ron, as he stood up.
"Yes, I know. I don't like him either. But he overheard me telling Ernie and Hannah about the meeting, so I had to invite him to" explained Hermione.

Harry got up and made his way over to Celia, who had remained sat in her seat.
"Are you O.K?" He asked quietly.
"I'm fine" answered Celia.
"Are you sure?" Questioned Harry.
"Yes... I just wasn't expecting Cedric to come up in conversation today, so I wasn't ready for it" replied Celia.
"Neither was I. And I'm sorry that it did"
"That's alright. It wasn't your fault"
"Thanks for coming though, I know that big crowds are not your thing"
"You're welcome. I wanted to be here to support you, and like Hermione said, we need as many people as possible, so that we can take Voldemort down".

Celia sighed and stood up, instantly making her way over to the bar and ordering a Firewhisky.
"Is that a good idea?" Quizzed Harry, who had followed Celia across the pub.
"Probably not" mumbled Celia, before taking a shot of the Firewhisky, which burned her throat on the way down.
Celia cringed at its taste, before ordering another one.
"I thought you were past all this" sighed Harry.
"That shows how much you know" replied Celia.

As Celia reached for the next shot glass, Harry stuck his hand out, stopping her from doing so.
"Harry, get off my case. It's the weekend, so it doesn't matter if I get drunk" continued Celia.
"Maybe not. But I don't want you throwing your life away like this. Drowning away your sorrows is not the answer" insisted Harry.
"I know. But it's what I'm going to do anyway. In case you hadn't noticed, my life sucks right now. So, if I want to get drunk or high, then I'm going to" admitted Celia.
Harry sighed, before making his way back over to Hermione and Ron, "Just don't say that I didn't warn you".