Eyes on the Stars Feet on the Ground

The End of First Year

Weeks pass, and Cielo revels in his training with Eleanor. The two of them improved considerably, and Cielo would bet that they were the best of their year. Four months had passed since the last attack from the Heir of Slytherin, so Cielo was sure that the perpetrator had been scared off by the crackdown.

So it was an extreme surprise when Professor Sprout summoned them all to the common room on the day of the Gryffindor V. Hufflepuff match day.

"The match has been cancelled," she informed them all gravely, "there has been another attack, this time with two students petrified. We will now be enforcing heavy security rules. All students will be walked to their next class by their teachers, and the prefects will escort you from the dining hall to the common room. If you need books or other resources, please ask a teacher or prefect, and we will make arrangements for its retrieval."

"So the danger level has risen," Minverva worriedly turned to Albus, "Albus, do you have any idea on what is going on?"

"Theories alone Minerva," Albus sighs, "if I figure out anything more concrete, I'll let you know."

"Thank you," Minerva thanked him placidly, "that eases my worries."

"Ced," Cielo quickly found his older friend, "do you know what's going on?"

"The Ravenclaw prefect got petrified," Cedric answered briskly, clearly bothered by the whole situation, "and a second year Gryffindor as well. I need you to promise me you'll stay safe Cielo. I don't want you to get petrified, or worse killed."

"I promise," Cielo swore, noticing the stress on Cedric's face, "are you okay Cedric? You look really pale."

"I'm fine," Cedric brushed off Cielo's concerns, "this whole thing is just very worrying, that's all. Tell you what. Why don't I teach you some advanced defense against the dark arts? That would put my worries at bay."

"You're worried about me?" Cielo was shocked, "Cedric, why are you so worried?"

"Because you're my friend," Cedric answered honestly, "it's my job as the older friend to look out for the younger one. You're like a little brother Cielo, I worry about you always."

"What a good friend," Pandora commented, "I can't believe Amos Diggory of all people would raise such a gem."

"He's rather gruff, isn't he?" Xenophilious chuckles, "but Nancy's a doll. I'm sure Cedric gets it from her, more than from him."

"He also felt that way," Eleanor gasped to herself. She hadn't realized the depth of the bond between Cedric and Cielo. She had known they were close, Cielo was his biggest cheerleader while he was in the tournament, yet she never could have imagined that they considered each other brothers. This was just another cruel slap in her fiancè's face.

"Ced," Cielo found himself astounded at the older boy's kindness, and had nothing to say. The older boy seemed to understand, and wrapped him in a reassuring hug. Times were scary, yes, but there would be safety in their friendship.

Days passed under the new system. The days were tension filled, as Dumbledore had been ousted from the school by the Board of Governors. Professor McGonagall had stepped into his place, yet she could not provide the sense of security that having the most powerful wizard of the century present had had.

Cielo was barely able to see Luna, so he had resorted to owling her letters. He only saw her and his other friends during classes, so he was forced to spend an overwhelming amount of time with his roommates. There was nothing wrong with them, he liked them well enough, but an excessive amount of time spent, coupled with the fear and lack of freedom, can make anyone frustrated.