The Empress of Magic

Since the disastrous episode of the pixies, Professor Lockhart had not brought live creatures to class. If it was out of fear for what might befall his students or the fact that he did not want to be berated by a certain white-haired Ravenclaw, no one was sure. Instead, he read passages from his books to them and sometimes reenacted some of the more dramatic bits. He usually picked Harry to help him with these reconstructions; so far, Harry had been forced to play a simple Transylvanian villager whom Lockhart had cured of a Babbling Curse, a yeti with a head cold, and a vampire who had been unable to eat anything except lettuce since Lockhart had dealt with him.

Honestly, it was exhausting to have to continuely stay put and listen to the man's tales, and Celestia couldn't wait until she got a reply from her uncle, the last letter having shown promise for very interesting stories concerning their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Rodolphus and Bellatrix had been incredibly worried when their daughter had written them about the Chamber of Secrets being opened and her newest Vision.

They did not know what kind of Beast it was, but they were sure to tell her to stay as far away from it as possible, especially if her Vision showed the almost certain death of a student.

The pair was of the opinion that if there was even the faintest possibility of their daughter escaping such a fate they wanted her to take it, though it might end with the demise of another child.

Harry was hauled to the front of the class during their very next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, this time acting as a werewolf. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, but still did as told.

"Nice loud howl, Harry - exactly - and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced - like this - slammed him to the floor - thus with one hand, I managed to hold him down - with my other, I put my wand to his throat - I then screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm- he let out a piteous moan - go on, Harry - higher than that - good - the fur vanished - the fangs shrank - and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective - and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks."

The bell rang and Lockhart got to his feet.

"Homework - compose a poem about my defeat of the Wagga Wagga Werewolf! Signed copies of Magical Me to the author of the best one!"

Celestia rolled her eyes at that but made no further comment, walking out of the classroom with Regulus at her side, Theo and Blaise behind them.

,, Saturday's finally the first official match of the season.." Blaise said, putting his arms behind his head as they walked down the Corridor.

,, Right... Dear Regulus's first match." Theo teased his fellow Slytherin, Regulus looking unamused. ,, Yeah, tease me as much as you like....... just remember that we share a dorm room and I'm easily able to get access to your Trunks." 

Theo and Blaise immediately shut up, not wanting to risk their entire future because of a joke.

---------------

The evening before the match Regulus, Blaise, Theo, and Draco sat awake in their room, talking.

What had begun as a simple conversation about the match the next day, turned into the other three pestering Regulus about his feelings about a certain white-haired Ravenclaw.

,, Come on Reggie, we see the look in your eyes when she's in the room." groaned Blaise, done with everything.

Ten minutes and the boy was feeling like he was talking to a Stonewall.

,, Look in my eyes ?" Regulus repeated, raising an eyebrow.

How they had gotten to talking about Celestia and himself he had no idea...............

But he honestly wanted it to be over already.

,, Yeah, you're normally stone cold eyes suddenly show emotions and you even smile at her." Blaise said. ,, I mean, come on Regulus, when have you ever done that, besides when Celestia is nearby ?"

Regulus thought about it..............

Did he really show so much emotion when he was with her?

,, Aha..... So you admit it." Theo said, leaning against his hand, the book he had wanted to read long discarded to the side.

,, We're friends, Best friends even.... but nothing more." Regulus said, making the other three groan.

,, Reg, let me try it this way..." Blaise said, eyes set on the Heir of the House of Black.

,, What do you feel when she's around ?" He asked, which made Regulus blink and tilt his head, somehow reminding the Italian of a dog.

Regulus looked down at his lap, thinking about it........

Her smile came to mind.............

The feeling of her fingers running through his hair........

The mischief twinkling behind her bi-colored eyes...

Or how she held his hand, hugging him......

He unconsciously smiled the tiniest bit.

,, ....... It's.... warm.." He admitted, at which Blaise leaned back, crossing his arms, with a smug look on his face. ,, Continue...." He encouraged.

,, ...... I feel like I can tell her anything, without having to worry about being judged............ And I want to protect her." Regulus said, recalling all the times he felt the need to shield her from dangers....or their talk in the Forbidden Forest in their first year.

,, See, dear Reggie, that feeling you're describing." Said Blaise. ,, Is called Love."

Regulus frowned. ,, We're not even thirteen yet, how can-"

,, Don't try to get your way out of this one by arguing that you're both too young to even know what love is." Theo said, shooting a pointed look at him.

,, I mean, take Celestia's parents and your Grandparents for example. Rodolphus and Bellatrix were said to have been in love with each other since they were in their second year... And your Grandparents were already married when they got into their seventh." He said, making Regulus keep quiet.

,, Or Potter's parents. Even though I greatly dislike them, James Potter had fallen in love with his wife when they were first years." Draco put in, even if all of them were pretty sure that James had seen her as a trophy to win at one point. 

Regulus turned red, clutching the fabric over his heart in his hands...............

This.......

Was Love...?......

,, And.... what do I do now ?" He asked.

Blaise wanted to bang his head against the wall. , Merlin this boy is hopeless when it comes to Love. 'Tia you have my condolences.....'

,, Well.... She probably feels the same way about you, if the blush she had when you looked into her eyes said anything..." He muttered, though Regulus had heard him and rose an eyebrow. ,, So start slow." 

,, That doesn't help me in any kind of way, Blaise." The boy said, letting himself fall backward onto his bed.

,, What Blaise means to say is, give her your scarf before the game tomorrow." Theo bluntly said, at which Draco almost choked on thin air, while Regulus abruptly sat back up again, blushing furiously. ,, My Scarf !? Are you bloody mental !?" 

In Slytherin, it was an open secret that boys only gave their Scarfs to girls they were in a relationship with.

Giving it to Celestia who was unaware of such a thing......

,, Don't worry, knowing Celestia she's already well aware of the meaning. If she accepts you'll know that she definitely feels the same way about you.... we'll work from there then." Blaise said.

,, We'll ?" Draco repeated, unsure if he heard right.

,, Well, Regulus is as dense when it comes to Love as Chrome when it comes to stopping to accept food, so yes." Blaise replied, ignoring the offended look his friend shot him.

----------------

As eleven o'clock approached, the whole school started to make its way down to the Quidditch stadium. It was a muggy sort of day with a hint of thunder in the air.

Celestia walked down towards the Slytherin lockers, Theo and Blaise having been very pushy about it the entire morning......

,, What do you think will await us, Mistress ?" Fenris asked her, the both of them taking their final steps toward their destination.

,, I don't know, Fenris....... We'll have to wait and see." She answered, smiling at the Wolf, who was carrying Chrome.

They stopped in front of the lockers, peeking in.

Thankfully the Slytherin team always changed very quickly, so the boys were all dressed in their Quidditch Gear, their brooms in their holds.

Flint noticed her standing in the doorway, raising an eyebrow at her sudden appearence, before looking like he just remembered something.

,, Black, you've got a visitor." He called out, at which Regulus and the rest of the team turned around.

Funnily enough, the boys seemed very eager, as if waiting for something to happen..........

Regulus walked up to her, leaving his broom with Draco.

,, Good morning, 'Tia..." He greeted, stopping in front of her.

,, Good morning, Reggie." She greeted back, smiling. 

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, which made Celestia sweatdrop slightly, as she tilted her head, looking closely at her best friend. , ..... He seems nervous.........' She thought.

,, Is everything all right? Blaise and Theo practically ordered me to get here this morning.... Are you perhaps not feeling well ?" She asked, while Regulus nervously fiddled with the Scarf in his hand, hidden thanks to his Gear.

The fact that his teammates were right behind him, watching the entire thing did not help.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down he slowly looked at Celestia, his Grey eyes meeting her Bi-colored ones.......

Something in them made his bravery rise and he slowly brought the Green Scarf forth, a dust of pink now covering his cheeks......

Celestia blinked as she caught sight of the scarf.............. a blush spreading over her pale cheeks, reaching her ears as she registered what was happening........

,, I was wondering if you'd wear my scarf from today on...." He asked, both of the normally composed Pre-teens blushing messes....

She was in shock..........

Xavier had told her about some of the Slytherin traditions, one of them being the Scarf gifting.............

Her eyes went to Regulus, who was looking anywhere but her, also red in the face............

She almost couldn't believe it....... He was in love with her...?........

Celestia was in quite a difficult situation, never having truly experienced the feeling of love..............

The half-Veela knew before arriving at Hogwarts that once she was considered old enough a match would be picked for her from one of the noble families that showed interest, like it had been done for Generations.

She was in a position where she couldn't just accept anyone at her side, the circumenstances around her family and past too complicated to accept for many.

Yet Regulus was different.......

He came from one of the eldest noble families from France, his bloodline having sworn alliance to her house several times over the centuries, even serving directly under some monarchs as Hand, advisors, or shadow....

And more importantly, he knew her...... knew how she kept things hidden from him about what had happened to her, yet he never pressed her about it, continuing to stand by her side...

,, Love is a very strange thing, Celestia...." Camila's voice rang in her mind.... ,, It comes suddenly and is unpredictable.... which is why it's so hard to understand, even with a brilliant mind like yours........... If you ever find yourself in a situation where you're in love, accept it, even if it feels unknown and weird to you. You'll gain experience from it, even if it ends."

Thinking back on those words...... she decided to accept the warm feeling in her chest.

,, ..... I'd love to..." 

Regulus snapped his head towards her, eyes wide.

Had he just heard her right?

,, Are....... you sure...?.." He asked, wanting to make sure that she was actually aware of what this meant.

She gave a close-eyed smile, nodding. ,, I am.."

His eyes practically sparkled, his whole demeanor screaming happiness.

He took a step forward and wrapped the green and silver colored scarf around her neck...

The both of them looked at the other, Grey meeting Bi-colored eyes, at which small smiles broke out on their faces.

,, Black! We gotta head out now!" Flint notified him, at which Regulus turned his face towards him.

,, I'll be there in a sec-!" He got interrupted by the feeling of a pair of warm lips placed on his cheek, making his eyes widen....

He turned to Celestia, who was blushing madly by that point, though a smile was still on her face. ,, Good luck..... I'll see you later." She said, hastily making her way towards the Slytherin Stands with Fenris and Chrome.

A wide-eyed Regulus lifted his hand, placing it over the place Celestia had just kissed........

He turned to his teammates, all of them grinning brightly.

As they made their way out to the pitch he got more than just a few claps on the back in congratulation, Flint looking like a proud older brother as he messed up Regulus's curly black hair.

----------------

Celestia arrived just in time, Blaise and Theo grinning at the sight of her red face and a familiar green / silver scarf around her neck.

,, A nice scarf you've got there." Blaise teased, realization shining in her eyes as she figured out that they had been planning this whole thing with Regulus.....

She covered her face with her hands, not wanting them to see her red face as she mumbled. ,, I hate you two......."

They replied. ,, We love you too, 'Tia." each wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

As the Players walked out onto the pitch, a roar of noise greeted them; mainly cheers, because Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were anxious to see which team would win, but the Slytherins in the crowd made their boos and hisses heard, too. Madame Hooch, the Quidditch teacher, asked Flint and Wood to shake hands, which they did, giving each other threatening stares and gripping rather harder than was necessary.

"On my whistle," said Madame Hooch. "Three... two... one..."

With a roar from the crowd to speed them upward, the fourteen players rose toward the leaden sky. 

,, Good morning children." Theo, Blaise, and Celestia turned to the new arrivals in surprise.

,, Grandfather, Lord Black, Uncle Lucius..." The girl greeted the three men, the boys quickly letting go of her as they bowed, though the focus of the elder Wizards was on something else...

,, 'Tia........ From where did you get that scarf ?......" Xavier asked an almost painful smile on his face.

Celestia glanced away........ unsurely covering half her face with it, immediately getting hit by Regulus's scent....

,, .... Regulus....." She answered, at which a dark look crossed Xavier's eyes, silently swearing to strangle the boy the next time he dared to step foot into Pendragon castle.

Arcturus carried a look of amusement in his eyes, Lucius looking shocked.

,, Is that so ?" Was Arcturus's only reply to that, though he was sure to talk to Xavier after this game, maybe even with both Regulus and Celestia present.

After all, he wanted to make sure that the Head of the Lestrange family wasn't going to kill his Heir.

Their conversation got interrupted by no other than Draco.

"All right there, Scarhead?" yelled Draco, shooting underneath Harry as though to show off the speed of his broom.

Arcturus and Xavier gave Lucius a look at that, the blonde covering his face with one of his hands in humiliation..

Harry though had no time to reply. At that very moment, a heavy black Bludger came pelting toward him; he avoided it so narrowly that he could probably feel it ruffle his hair as it passed.

,, Close one.." Blaise said.

"Close one, Harry!" said George, streaking past him with his club in his hand, ready to knock the Bludger back toward a Slytherin. They saw George give the Bludger a powerful whack in the direction of Adrian Pucey, but the Bludger changed direction in midair and shot straight for Harry again, making Celestia raise an eyebrow.

,, Did you see that ?" She asked, wanting to make sure she wasn't the only one noticing the strange behavior of the Bludger.

,, See what ?" Blaise asked, tilting his head as he and Theo squinted their eyes to watch closely.

Harry dropped quickly to avoid it, and George managed to hit it hard toward Draco. Once again, the Bludger swerved like a boomerang and shot at Harry's head.

,, That." Theo answered Blaise's earlier question, the three of them sighing.

Bludgers never concentrated on one player like this; it was their job to try and unseat as many people as possible...

Fred was waiting for the Bludger at the other end. Harry ducked as Fred swung at the Bludger with all his might; the Bludger was knocked off course.

"Gotcha!" Fred yelled happily, but he was wrong; as though it was magnetically attracted to Harry, the Bludger pelted after him once more and Harry was forced to fly off at full speed.

,, Someone is messing with the Bludger." Blaise said, looking about done with the world.

.......Harry Potter shouldn't be allowed on a broom if it meant constant Quidditch Injuries and death threats for him....

It had started to rain, and they felt heavy drops fall onto their faces. It was very difficult to see what was going on in the rest of the game until they heard Lee Jordan, who was commentating, say, "Slytherin lead, sixty points to zero."

The Slytherins'superior brooms were clearly doing their jobs, and meanwhile, the mad Bludger was doing all it could to knock Harry out of the air. 

,, You've got to be kidding me..." Theo muttered.

,, They should call for a Time-out and inspect the Bludger." Xavier said, not pleased with what was going on.

There was a Bludger obviously targetting a student, yet Albus and the other Professors seemed to think nothing of it.

"Someone's - tampered - with - this - Bludger -" Fred grunted, swinging his bat with all his might at it as it launched a new attack on Harry.

"We need a time out," said George, trying to signal to Wood and stop the Bludger from breaking Harry's nose at the same time.

Wood had obviously got the message. Madame Hooch's whistle rang out and Harry, Fred, and George dived for the ground, still trying to avoid the mad Bludger.

"What's going on?" said Wood as the Gryffindor team huddled together, while Slytherins in the crowd cheered. "We're being flattened. Fred, George, where were you when that Bludger stopped Angelina from scoring?"

"We were twenty feet above her, stopping the other Bludger from murdering Harry, Oliver," said George angrily, in disbelief over how his Captain cared more about points than the safety of a fellow Teammate. "Someone's fixed it - it won't leave Harry alone. It hasn't gone for anyone else all game."

"But the Bludgers have been locked in Madame Hooch's office since our last practice, and there was nothing wrong with them then..." said Wood, anxiously. Madame Hooch was walking toward them. Over her shoulder, they could see the Slytherin team, quietly watching them while exchanging some words.

"Listen," said Harry as she came nearer and nearer, "with you two flying around me all the time the only way I'm going to catch the Snitch is if it flies up my sleeve. Go back to the rest of the team and let me deal with the rogue one."

"Don't be thick," said Fred, shocked. "It'll take your head off."

Wood was looking from Harry to the twins.

"Oliver, this is insane," said Alicia Spinner angrily. "You can't let Harry deal with that thing on his own. Let's ask for an inquiry..."

"If we stop now, we'll have to forfeit the match!" said Harry. "And we're not losing to Slytherin just because of a crazy Bludger! Come on, Oliver, tell them to leave me alone!"

"This is all your fault," George said angrily to Wood, Harry was obviously too naive if he thought it was just a , crazy Bludger ' and that he could catch the Snitch on his own. "'Get the Snitch or die trying,' what a stupid thing to tell him--"

Madame Hooch had joined them.

"Ready to resume play?" she asked Wood.

Wood looked at the determined look on Harry's face.

"All right," he said. "Fred, George, you heard Harry - leave him alone and let him deal with the Bludger on his own."

The twins were displeased with the outcome, wanting to at least tell Madame Hooch about it, but she would probably also ignore it.....

So with gritted teeth, they kept their mouths shut, mounting their brooms once more.

,, Oi, Wood you sure you don't want that Bludger checked ?" Flint asked, walking over to his fellow Captain.

The Slytherins had noticed it targetting Harry Potter, especially over the game, and from what Regulus could tell him it was most likely hexed or cursed......

,, Why? So that you can have a rest and win? I don't think so." Wood replied, heatedly glaring at Flint, who merely rose an eyebrow.

,, Wood, this has nothing to do with the Game. The Bludger is obviously on your Seeker and if you let the game continue on like this, he'll land himself in the hospital Wing." The Slytherin captain told him, and the rest of the Gryffindors were shocked that the male tried to make Wood see reason.

,, We'll be fine, return to your team, Flint." Was Wood's only reply, to which Marcus sighed, shaking his head.

,, If he gets injured the fault will lay with you. Don't get angry when I, later on, tell you I told you so." Flint said, walking back to his own team, Alicia Spinnet silently watching him as he did, only snapping out of it when Angelina elbowed her in the side, an amused look on her face.

The rain was falling more heavily by now. On Madame Hooch's whistle, they kicked hard into the air and heard the telltale whoosh of the Bludger. 

As Harry dodged the crazed Bludger laughter from the crowd, none of them really caring or seeming to be aware of the dangers up in the air; they were squinting through the silver sheets of rain to the Gryffindor goalposts, where Adrian Pucey was trying to get past Wood with the help of Regulus.

"Training for the ballet, Potter?" yelled Draco as Harry was forced to do a stupid kind of twirl in midair to dodge the Bludger, and he fled, the Bludger trailing a few feet behind him; and then, glaring back at Draco in hatred, he saw it - the Golden Snitch. It was hovering inches above Draco's left ear - and Draco, busy laughing at Harry, hadn't seen it.

,, What is that idiot doing !?" Blaise growled out, Theo glaring at the blonde boy with the rest of the Slytherins, who were yelling at him to look at the Snitch right next to him.

,, Not doing what he is supposed to be doing." Was Celestia's answer to it, though a small smile grazed her lips as she spotted Regulus scoring.

But then suddenly-

WHAM

Celestia turned to look and really wished she had not.

Harry had stayed still a second too long. The Bludger had hit him at last, smashed into his elbow, and broken his arm.

It did not look pretty at all.

,, Dear Morgan.." Blaise muttered, Xavier and Arcturus covering Celestia's eyes, not wanting her to witness the sight before them.

If only they knew all the things she had been made to witness in her short life.....

Through a haze of rain and pain, Harry dived for the shimmering, sneering face below him and saw its eyes widen with fear: Draco thought Harry was attacking him.

"What the -" he gasped, careening out of Harry's way.

Harry took his remaining hand off his broom and made a wild snatch; now only gripping the broom with his legs, and there was a yell from the crowd below as he headed straight for the ground, probably trying hard not to pass out.

With a splattering thud, he hit the mud and rolled off his broom. His arm was hanging at a very strange angle; a good deal of whistling and shouting came from the crowd. As he clutched the Snitch in his good hand.

Lucius sighed, disappointed in his son.......

Arcturus merely shook his head as he turned around and started walking out of the stands and towards the Pitch, all of them following after him.

As they walked towards Harry, they could already spot that he had fainted, most likely from the pain in his arm.........

Sadly they were not the only ones making their way toward the two teams surrounding the injured boy.

"Oh, no, not you," he moaned, seeing sparkling teeth hovering above him from his line of vision.

"Doesn't know what he's saying," said Lockhart loudly to the anxious crowd of Gryffindors pressing around them. "Not to worry, Harry. I'm about to fix your arm."

"No!" said Harry. "I'll keep it like this, thanks..."

He tried to sit up, but the pain was terrible.

,, Potter, don't lean your weight on your injured arm, you'll make it worse." Celestia said, kneeling down beside him.

There was a clicking noise, which made Celestia turn towards the source, spotting a first-year Gryffindor with a Camera in his hold.

"I don't want a photo of this, Colin," Harry said loudly.

The boy looked slightly Heartbroken, at which Celestia sighed. ,, Excuse me ?"

He turned to her, now looking very much pale and scared.

...It seemed like even the first years were already made aware of who she was.

,, Mr. Potter is injured right now.... And even though I can understand that taking pictures is probably your hobby, please do remember that sometimes it's not the right time.... okay ?" She offered him a gentle smile, at which his face turned crimson and he nodded, glancing at her with admiration in his eyes.

Nodding she turned back to Harry, about to ask him if she could lift his arm. Unfortunately-

"Lie back, Harry," said Lockhart soothingly. "It's a simple charm I've used countless times--"

"Why can't I just go to the hospital wing? Merlin, I'll even accept Grindelwald's help," said Harry through clenched teeth.

"He should really, Professor," said a muddy Wood, who couldn't help grinning even though his Seeker was injured, something that made Flint look at him in disbelief. "Great capture, Harry, really spectacular, your best yet, I'd say--"

Through the thicket of legs around them,  Celestia spotted Fred and George, wrestling the rogue Bludger into a box. It was still putting up a terrific fight.

"Stand back," said Lockhart, who was rolling up his jade-green sleeves.

"No - don't -" said Harry weakly, but Lockhart was twirling his wand and a second later had directed it straight at Harry's arm, and Celestia's hand.

The girl was pulled back by Flint in the very last second, none of the Gryffindors having thought about doing the same for Harry.....

,, 'Tia, did it graze you ?" Xavier immediately asked, looking at his Granddaughter closely.

,, I'm fine...." She said, furrowing her brows when she spotted Harry's arm....

Letting go of Flint she reached for it, lifting it up.

Thanks to Lockhart it was like gummy, stretching and bending at weird angles, that made most of the others turn away and gag.

"Ah," said Lockhart. "Yes. Well, that can sometimes happen. But the point is, the bones are no longer broken. That's the thing to bear in mind. So, Harry, just toddle up to the hospital wing - ah, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, would you escort him? - and Madame Pomfrey will be able to - er - tidy you up a bit."

As Harry got to his feet, he felt strangely lopsided. Taking a deep breath he looked down at his right side. What he saw nearly made him pass out again.

Poking out of the end of his robes was what looked like a thick, flesh-colored rubber glove. He tried to move his fingers. Nothing happened.

Lockhart hadn't mended Harry's bones. He had removed them.

,, Potter, go to Madam Pomfrey and tell her to give you a Skele-Gro and a Potion for your Head injury. You probably have a concussion and a lot of bruises..." Celestia said, standing up as well.

He gave her a nod, letting Ronald and Hermione lead him away toward the hospital wing.

,, 'Tia!!!" The twins called out, glomping her into a hug, both carrying worried expressions as they heatedly glared at Lockhart.

,, George...Fred...I'm all right." Celestia assured, patting their backs....

Honestly.......

Those two were very protective older brothers she had to admit.

,, Lockhart..." Xavier said, stepping in front of the three, a very cold look on his face. ,, The next time you fire a Spell in the direction of my Granddaughter you can be assured it will be the last Spell you've ever cast."

He gulped, nodding as he fled the Pitch.

,, We were worried-"

,, When we saw that the fool-"

,, Pointed his Wand at you." The twins said, looking at their little sister in all but blood in worry.

In the distance Celestia could see Ginerva Weasley, clutching something to her chest as she stared at them, before dashing off.

She found it weird but decided against doing something for now.......

------------------

As they walked back to the castle, having said goodbye to Arcturus, Lucius, and Xavier there was mostly a comfortable silence....

,, You know...." Regulus then began, making the others glance at him. ,, I think I'll have to be careful around Lord Lestrange from now on..... He looked like he was about to Curse me when we said our goodbyes." 

Blaise and Theo snickered, Celestia, chuckling as the twins tilted their heads in confusion.

,, Why ?" They asked, very confused. After all Lord Lestrange seemed to get along fairly well with Lord Black and accepted the boy's friendship with his Granddaughter.

This made them halt.........

Oh boy...........

Regulus really did not want to be the one explaining it to them.

,, Well....." Blaise began. ,, When a Slytherin Boy gives his scarf to a girl..and she accepts..... they start to..*Cough* get closer......"

The twins narrowed their eyes.

,, Don't make it sound so weird." Theo chided. ,, It's something we do, before the time comes to court someone. If the pair gets along well and their families agree, a betrothal contract will be set up and the two are officially together." 

At that the twins turned to Celestia and Regulus, both having kept awfully quiet this whole time..............

Their eyes landed on their little sister, who was wearing a Slytherin scarf..........They didn't have to guess long who it actually belonged to.

,, ...........Say, Reggie......."

,, .....Mind if we talk to you for a second....?..."

,, ....... In Private.....?..." 

Regulus knew this was not going to end well, so he let go of Celestia's hand, giving her a kiss on the cheek, before sprinting off.

,, OI!!!!!"

,, BLACK! GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!!!" 

,, HOW DARE YOU KISS OUR LITTLE SISTER !?!?" 

The twins sprinted after him, yelling threats and profanities the whole way.

Blaise, Theo, and Celestia stood at the castle entrance, Fenris next to them, as all of them broke out into amused laughter.

Fred and George were indeed protective of their little sister.

Suddenly they heard screaming from inside, making them stop laughing and instead enter the castle, where they found many students surrounding a body....

,, What happened?" Theo asked a nearby Ravenclaw, who was frowning.

,, Another attack....... This time it got Collin Creevy." 

At that, they looked forward, at the sight of a Petrified young boy with wide-open eyes and a horrified expression on his face greeting them........

He had his Camera clutched into his hands, a plate, and grapes all around him...

At that, they shared a look.

The Beast had begun its hunt.