Eyes on the Stars Feet on the Ground

Holidays Aren't for Everyone

Quidditch is in season, and Cielo is seen rushing up the stands with Eleanor and Luna. He'd worked things out with Eleanor after his talk with Flitwick. 

"I can't believe Hufflepuff has to play in this weather," Cielo shivered as he sat in the drenched stands, "I can't believe Slytherin used Malfoy's fake injury to get out of playing in this weather."

"I agree," Eleanor sighed, "why can't they just play honestly? You should have heard the upper years bragging. Malfoy was so smug that his "injury" was going to save them from this weather. As if he hadn't been hitting people with his "injured" arm five minutes earlier. That kid is obnoxious."

"Not surprised the kid is as horrid as his parents," Sirius sighed, "I can only hope he'll learn someday. Doubt it, but a relative can still hope, can't he?"

"Life has a way of working in strange ways," Lily comforted Sirius, "perhaps we'll see the change we crave happen in the future."

"I wish," Sirius gazed longingly at his nephew, "the kids deserve it. Why couldn't we just be better Lils? I will always regret not being a better brother to them. If I had tried a bit harder, perhaps none of this would happen?"

"Playing with what ifs is a dangerous game," Lily warned Sirius, emerald green eyes shining with empathy, "you'll just drown in your regrets. Try to think of what can I do nows."

"Thanks Lils," Sirius smiled at the fiery woman he would soon call a sister-in-law, "you're the best."

"She is," James slings an arm around her, "I'm so lucky to have her."

"You two are sweethearts," Lily blushed from all the attention. She may be engaged to James, but the public affection was still embarrassing 

"I see Cedric," Luna pointed at the seeker in yellow, "Cedric!"

Cedric glanced down in the ground, and eagerly waved to Cielo and Luna. The two waved back, screaming his name in cheers.

"Alright," Eleanor rubbed her hands together, "time to bet on who's going to win. I bet Gryffindor. Potter's record is unbeatable."

"Cedric and Hufflepuff will win," Cielo put his bet on the table, "Potter's never played in weather like this. He's out of touch. Cedric's flown in worse, I'd know, I was on his broom."

"Potter's a natural though," Eleanor defended her opinion, "he'll adapt well and win."

"We'll just have to wait and see," Cielo smirked, "I can't wait for the chocolate frogs you'll be giving me after I win."

Orion sighed deeply. Why was his only grandchild, the last heir of House Black, acting in such an immature manner? Why had his only daughter entrusted her child to someone who would raise him in such a distasteful way? He was soft and would require a lot of instruction and discipline to make a functioning heir. However, he couldn't complain much. He had no one else other than this boy, so he could only hope someone would take him under their wing and mold him into a proper heir.

"Stop arguing," Luna suddenly froze up, "Cielo. I feel death, right now. It's the same as on the train. There's something wrong."

Cielo stiffened up, drawing his wand defensively in front of his godsister and friend. He would not allow them to come to harm.

"Look!" Eleanor pointed at the sky fearfully, "dementors!"

"I can't cast a full patronus," Cielo said, "but if they come by, I can cast a partial one. Stay behind me."

"That's incredibly brave," Alice turned to the boy, "it takes a lot to put yourself in front of others."

"Thank you," Cielo accepted the compliment from Neville's mother. It pained him that he was able to have this experience, speaking and sharing with Alice and Frank, when their own son would never.