Diggory Is Still A Loser (book 2)

19- The Grimm Old Place

As Celia sat nervously beside Hermione on the Knight Bus the following morning, she was incredibly anxious.
The constant swaying on the bus didn't help, if anything it made her feel sick. And since it took a long time to get to Grimmauld Place from Scotland, Celia felt awful for several hours.
But eventually they arrived in London and got off, with Hermione leading the way.
They stopped in front of a large house, that Celia could have sworn hadn't been there a few moments earlier.
After knocking on the door, it swung open and the girls stepped inside.

The first thing that Celia noticed was the sound of screaming.
"Don't worry about that, it's just one of the portraits, she doesn't like people being in her house, especially Muggle-borns like me, since the building is normally owned by pure-bloods" informed Hermione, as she lead the way into the kitchen to get away from the screams.
"Well, the Black family are one of the Sacred 28. They are about as pure-blood as you can get" Celia yelled back over the shouting.

Once the door of the kitchen was shut, and the screaming was blocked out, Celia saw Mrs Weasley standing opposite them, beside a man with long black hair, whom she assumed was Sirius Black.
"Hello Mrs Weasley. Thank you for inviting me over for Christmas, it's just a shame that it couldn't take place the Burrow" admitted Celia.
"You are most welcome. When Ronald said that you were considering spending Christmas at Hogwarts, with that awful Umbridge woman, I knew that I had to invite you to the Burrow. But you'll have to come over next year instead, so you can see how we celebrate Christmas" replied Molly.

"I'd love that... I'm sorry about Arthur" informed Celia.
"Thank you. It was quite a scare, but he's doing much better now" smiled Molly.
"That's good to hear" replied Celia.
"Yes. But it's time we stopped being rude, and you got to meet our host; Sirius Black".
The man with long hair stepped forward, and stretched out his hand.
Rather nervously, Celia shook it, before quickly moving backwards.
She found it strange to be in front of a man who'd been on the front cover of the Daily Prophet so many times, looking like the deranged murderer they claimed he was.

"It's a pleasure to have you here for Christmas, Miss Diggory" said Sirius politely.
"Thank you. And please just call be Celia" replied Celia.
"I thought you'd say that. Harry speaks of you often, as he considers you a very good friend. And I want you to know that I am really sorry about your brothers death" informed Sirius.
"Thanks... I must say that you look a lot better than you do on your wanted posters".
Sirius smiled, "Well, I wasn't looking my best when those pictures were taken. Azkaban can make one look quite unhinged".
"I'm glad that you don't really look like that" admitted Celia.

"So am I. Anyway, why don't you guys go and find Harry" suggested Sirius.
"Do you know where he is?" Asked Hermione.
"No, but Ron and the others are in his bedroom, so you should ask them where Harry's hiding" replied Sirius.
"Dinner isn't too far away, so don't take too long" said Molly.
"We won't" promised Hermione.
She then stepped out of the kitchen, with Celia following closing behind her.

Once they found the Weasley's, they quickly learned that Harry had been locking himself away ever since Arthur was attacked.
So Hermione went off to retrieve him, while Celia waited with the others.
And several minutes later, Hermione returned with Harry at her side.
"Celia. I didn't expect to find you here" he admitted.
"Well, it has been a weird few days, ever since Dumbledore told me about the Order and Sirius Black. But I'm glad I know the truth at last though" replied Celia.
"And I'm glad that I won't have to lie to you about all this in the future".

"So, Harry, how are you feeling?" Asked Hermione, as she sat down inbetween Ginny and Celia.
"Fine" mumbled Harry.
"Oh, don't lie Harry. Ron and Ginny have told us that you've been hiding from everyone, since you got back from St Mungo's" informed Hermione.
"They do, do they?" Frowned Harry.
"Well, you have been hiding, it's true. You won't even look at us" snapped Ginny.
"It's you who won't look at me!" Harry snapped back.
"Maybe you are all taking turns to look, and keep missing each other" suggested Hermione, as she held back a grin.

"Very funny" spat Harry.
"Oh stop feeling all misunderstood. Look, the others told me and Celia what you overheard last night on the Extendable Ears-" started Hermione.
"Yeah? Have you all been talking about me then? I don't know why I'm surprised. Everyone likes talking about me, behind my back" interrupted Harry.
"We wanted to talk to you Harry, but as you've been hiding from us since we got back, we haven't been able to" admitted Ginny.

"I didn't want to talk to anyone" Harry said roughly.
"Well, that's a bit stupid of you, since I'm the only one here, who's been possessed by you-know-who, so I know what it feels like!" Shouted Ginny.
"I forgot" mumbled Harry awkwardly.
"Lucky you"
"I'm sorry... So, do you think I've been possessed?"
"Well, can you remember everything you've been doing? Are there big blank periods where you don't know what you've been up to?"
"No"
"Then you-know-who hasn't possessed you".

"But what about the dream I had about your dad and the snake?" Questioned Harry.
"Harry, you've had those dreams before. You had flashes of what Voldemort was up to all last year" reminded Hermione.
"This was different, it was like I was the snake" admitted Harry.
"Dumbledore believes that is because Voldemort was possessing the snake at the time, and your mind went with him and into the snake" informed Celia.
"No, it was more than that. What if Voldemort managed to transport me to London?" Asked Harry.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes.
"One day, you'll read Hogwarts: A History, and perhaps it will remind you, that you can't apparate or disapparate inside Hogwarts" said Hermione.

Harry looked over at Celia, for confirmation on what Hermione had said.
"It's true. It is impossible for anyone to apparate into or out of Hogwarts. The only time it's possible, is during apparation training. But even then you can't apparate out of the great hall. The magic around Hogwarts is too strong" reassured Celia.
"But what if Voldemort found a way to use magic to carry me out of my room?" Questioned Harry.
"It's like Celia said, the magic around the castle is incredibly powerful. Even Voldemort couldn't just make you fly out of your dormitory" admitted Hermione.

"Besides, you didn't leave your bed mate" informed Ron.
"I didn't?" Quizzed Harry.
"No. I saw you thrashing around in your sleep for at least a minute before me and Neville could wake you up" revealed Ron.
"So, I guess that means I wasn't really the snake that attracted Mr Weasley" announced Harry, as he allowed a smile to creep onto his face.
"At last, he believes us" sighed Hermione.
"Good, now let's go and get something to eat, because my stomach as finally settled after spending hours on that bloody Knight Bus" admitted Celia.
Everyone laughed, and then the group headed downstairs, passing Sirius Black on the way, who was singing God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs, on his way to feed Buckbeak, at the top of his voice.