Diggory Is More Than A Loser (book 3)

1- Good News

Celia Diggory walked around the empty halls of Hogwarts, like a ghost.
The corridors were barren, as it was the summer holidays, so every other student was at home with their family.
But Dumbledore had allowed Celia to stay at school, to avoid her going home to parents who didn't care about her, and only made her feel bad about herself.
Being at Hogwarts also allowed Celia's damaged mind to heal, without interference from negative influences.
And after many hours with her therapist, she was finally starting to feel like a normal functioning human being again.

With the Daily Prophet in her hand, Celia practically skipped down the corridors towards Hagrid's hut outside.
Since not many members of staff stayed at the castle during the summer, Celia had been spending lots of time with Hagrid.
When she arrived at his cabin, she saw him sitting outside beside a large Hippogriff.
The creature had originally been named Buckbeak, and sentenced to death for attacking Draco Malfoy, before escaping with Sirius Black. And after Sirius's death, he had been returned to Hogwarts, but he had been renamed Witherwings to put the Ministry off the scent.

"Good morning Hagrid" said Celia, before bowing to the Hippogriff, showing it the respect it deserved.
"Hello there Celia. You're certainly in a good mood" commented Hagrid.
Celia smiled and raised the Daily Prophet.
"It's finally happened, Fudge has been sacked" announced Celia.
"That's great news" replied Hagrid.
"Yes. It took them long enough, but the Ministry officials had to listen to the people eventually, and fire him since he was useless. Not to mention the fact that he'd been lying to the whole world for a year".

"Who's replaced him as Minister for Magic?" Asked Hagrid.
"Someone named Rufus Scrimgeour. He used to be the Head of the Auror Office in the Department of Magical Law" answered Celia.
"Well, hopefully he'll do a better job than Fudge" replied Hagrid.
"Since he's an ex-auror I guess that means he's a fan of action, and actually doing something. Unlike Fudge, who preferred to hide away in his office, rather than do his job"
"I expect you're happier than most, that Fudge is gone".

Celia clenched her fist and glanced down at the scars on the back of her left hand, which Dolores Umbridge had forced her to carve into her own skin using an evil quill.
"Yes, I'm glad that he is out of power. Although, I'd prefer it if him and Umbridge were in Azkaban for their crimes" admitted Celia coldy.
"You knew that was never going to happen" Hagrid said softly.
"She deserves to be fed to the Dementor's, after what she put me and Harry through. I never would have tried taking my own life, if it weren't for her. But she hasn't even been punished for her actions. She just went back to her cosy job at the Ministry, as if nothing happened. She should have been punished".

"I agree. But you can't go taking the law into your own hands" reminded Hagrid.
Celia sighed, "I know. And don't worry, I'm not going to try and assassinate Fudge again. Nor will I try and murder Umbridge in her sleep, even though I'd quite like to. Because I know that hurting them won't take away my pain".
"Is that something your therapist taught you?" Questioned Hagrid.
"Yes. Vanessa says that trying to hurt others, won't heal me. And she's got a point. Looking back on it, trying to kill Fudge was a really stupid thing to do. But at the time it seemed like a good idea".

"You were concussed, and not thinking straight" reminded Hagrid.
"Yeah, I know" mumbled Celia as she walked over to Buckbeak and began stroking his feathers.
"I wish I could undo the last 2 years and make them better" she continued.
"We cannot move back, only forward" replied Hagrid.
"Unfortunately you're right about that... I can't believe it's my final year at Hogwarts. 7 years really do go fast"
"You've still got a whole year to go, so don't start counting down the days just yet".

"I know I've got a year to go, but I've got no idea what I want to do when I get out of here" admitted Celia.
"You've still got time to decide what you want to do with your life" replied Hagrid.
"I just need to get Outstandings in all of my NEWTs, and then I'll be able to do anything in the future. I failed all my tests last year, but luckily those were only end of term tests, and don't count for anything. These NEWTs are important though, and I have to do well in them"
"I'm sure you will"
"I got all Outstandings in my OWLs, but a lot has happened in my life since then".

"A smart Ravenclaw like you, has nothing to worry about, I'm sure" insisted Hagrid.
"I hope you're right" sighed Celia.
"I am... Have you got any plans today?" Asked Hagrid.
"I've got an appointment with Vanessa this afternoon and I'm meeting Benjamin in Hogsmeade this morning for brunch"
"Then you had better get going, you don't want to make your lover wait for you"
"You know full well that he isn't my boyfriend. We are just friends"
"Maybe you were. But you've been spending an awful lot of time together lately".

Celia groaned, "You sound like McGonagall. She's always on my case about how much time I spend with him. If it were up to her, I wouldn't have seen anyone these past few weeks, while my mind is still healing. Don't worry about me though, I know what I'm doing. And being around Benjamin makes me feel better, not worse".
"That's good to hear. Now go on, get going" encouraged Hagrid.
"Bye Hagrid. See you tomorrow" replied Celia, before bending down and kissing Buckbeak.
"Goodbye Celia. Have fun on your date" shouted Hagrid, as Celia began to walk away.
Celia rolled her eyes, but said nothing and continued on her journey into Hogsmeade.
While it was true that her and Benjamin had once dated, they were now just friends.
However, they had been getting closer the last two weeks, and Celia wasn't sure if they were merely friends anymore.