Diggory Is Still A Loser (book 2)

16- Large Distraction

Celia nearly screamed for joy, when she recieved an owl from Mrs Weasley, inviting her for Christmas at the Burrow.
But she managed to restrain herself, as she was sat in the middle of the great hall, and she didn't want to draw attention to yourself, even though she was very happy.
Once she'd finished her breakfast she immediately headed over to the Gryffindor table, to tell Harry and the others, the good news.
When she arrived at the table, she found it rather boisterous, but this was to be expected, as the Gryffindor vs Slytherin game was to take place letter that day, and everyone was very excited about it.

"Your mum said I can come for Christmas" Celia said excitedly to Ron.
"That's good news. That means you don't have to stay here, or go back to your parents for the holidays" smiled Harry.
"I know, I'm so excited" admitted Celia.
"I wish I was coming" sighed Hermione.
"I'm sure you'll have a nice time skiing though" replied Celia.
"I hope so" muttered Hermione.
"Aren't you excited too, Ron?" Asked Celia, who felt downhearted by Ron's lack of enthusiasm, at the idea of spending the Christmas holidays with her.
"Yeah, it's great news" mumbled Ron, who didn't even turn to look at her.

As Celia looked closer at Ron, she realised how unwell he looked.
He was pushing his breakfast around his plate, and he seemed incapable of eating anything.
Ron was staring at a fixed point on the wall in front of him, completely ignoring his friends and those around him.
"Is he O.K?" Celia whispered to Harry.
"He'll be fine. It's just nervous about the match, that's all" replied Harry.
"Well, it's natural to be nervous" admitted Celia.
"Yes, but Ron doesn't deal with his nerves and anxiety very well".

"Were you nervous before your first game?" Asked Celia.
"Terrified. But that match went great in the end" answered Harry.
"Didn't your broom try and buck you off though?" Questioned Celia.
"Yeah, but only because it was being controlled by a dark wizard-"
"And didn't you nearly choke on the Snitch"
"Sort of, but-"
"And didn't numerous Gryffindor players get taken out by Slytherin thugs?"
"Look, you're not really helping the situation. This game is going to go brilliantly, you'll see. There will be no accidents in this match, and Gryffindor will win".

Celia would have replied if Luna hadn't wandered over to the table, at that precise moment looked quite unusual.
She had to stop herself from laughing, as Luna was wearing a large lion head, that looked as if it were trying to eat her.
"I'm supporting Gryffindor" announced Luna.
"I think everyone who's not in Slytherin, is supporting Gryffindor" admitted Celia, as she tried to keep a straight face.
"Look what it does" grinned Luna, before tapping her lion head with her wand.
The lion opened its mouth and roared loudly, making those sitting near them, jump.

"It's good isn't it? I wanted to have it chewing on a serpent, to represent Slytherin, but there wasn't time... Anyway, good luck Ronald" encouraged Luna, before wandering back over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Every time I'm around her, I feel like I've stepped into some sort of alternate bizarre dimension" admitted Harry.
"Yeah, Luna has that effect on people" replied Celia.
"I guess it's something you just have to get used to... Are you going to hang out in the Gryffindor stands and keep Hermione company, or are you going to stay with your own house?" Asked Harry.

Celia bit her lip awkwardly, "Actually, I'm not going to watch the match".
"What! Why not?" Frowned Harry.
"Keep your hair on. I'm not just going to sit in the library, or study in the common room, instead of watching the game, like I used to do" reassured Celia.
"What are you going to be doing instead, that's more important than supporting your friends?"
"I'm going to sneak into Hogsmeade to see Benjamin"
"I didn't know you were still seeing him"
"Well, I accidentally sent him a letter while drunk, begging him to come back to England. Unfortunately I forgot I'd sent a letter, and couldn't stop him from coming over. But now that he's here, we've been secretly hanging out in Hogsmeade as friends, and writing each other letters".

"Can't you see him some other time, and not during one of the few matches we have a year?" Questioned Harry.
"There are quite a few matches a year. Besides, you know that I'm not really a big fan of Quidditch. I only went to the world cup final, because I was forced to by my dad" answered Celia.
"I know you're not the biggest fan of the sport, but I thought you'd want to come to support us" Harry said quietly, clearly hurt by Celia's choice.
"I'll be cheering you on in spirit. But these Quidditch matches are great for me, because everyone's attention will be on the game, and no one will notice that I'm not there. They are a very large and loud distraction. Afterall, students are only supposed to go to Hogsmeade on offical trips afterall. So this game is the perfect cover for me to sneak out of school".

"Well, since I can't convince you to come to the game, at least try and have a good time with Benjamin" sighed Harry.
"I will. And I promise that I will watch your final match at the end of the year" replied Celia.
"I'll hold you to that promise"
"I thought you might... Anyway, Angelina is on her way over, so I'd better leave you guys to it. Good luck, and make sure that you smash those blasted Slytherin's"
"We will certainly do our best"
"I know you will".

While everyone headed down towards the Quidditch pitch, Celia made a detour and headed into Hogsmeade.
She found Benjamin waiting for her outside Honeyjukes Sweet Shop.
"You do know that too much sugar is bad for you" scolded Celia, when she reached him.
"So I've been told. But I have a taste for sweet things" smiled Benjamin.
"I can see that" replied Celia, as she looked down at the paper bag of sweets that Benjamin was carrying in his hand.

"Would you like a Bertie Bots Every Flavour Bean?" Offered Benjamin.
"How can I say no to such a generous offer from a kind gentleman such as yourself" teased Celia, as she placed her hand inside the bag.
After picking out a sweet, she placed it inside her mouth, praying for a pleasant flavour.
"Well? What did you get?" Questioned Benjamin.
"Popcorn" answered Celia, with a smile on her face.
"Nice. I had a soap one earlier, which was most unpleasant"
"I bet it was... Come on, let's get going. Quidditch matches don't last forever, especially when Harry is the Seeker. And I want to enjoy our time together".