Celestia Malfoy sat amidst the towering shelves of Hogwarts Library, her brow furrowed in concentration as she poured over her Arithmancy assignment. The soft rustle of pages and the occasional whisper of fellow students provided a backdrop to her focused study session. As she scribbled notes furiously onto parchment, her mind consumed by the complex calculations, a sudden interruption broke through her concentration.
A small brown owl swooped down from the rafters, dropping a letter onto Celestia's open textbook before flitting away. Intrigued, Celestia picked up the letter and unfolded it, her eyes scanning the elegant handwriting. It was from her childhood friend, Klaus, who hailed from Germany and whom she hadn't seen in years. He was in Hogsmeade for the weekend and insisted on meeting her, mentioning that he wouldn't take no for an answer.
Celestia's heart skipped a beat as she read Klaus's words, a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. She hadn't expected to hear from him, let alone see him in Hogsmeade. But as she glanced at the bustling library around her and the unfinished assignment on her desk, a pang of guilt tugged at her conscience. Harry had asked her to accompany him to Hogsmeade this weekend, but she had declined his invitation, citing the need to finish her assignment and mainly to avoid being spotted by her annoyingly overprotective twin brother.
With a sigh, Celestia made a quick decision. Setting aside her Arithmancy notes, she hastily gathered her belongings and made her way out of the library, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Hogsmeade Weekend was a rare opportunity for Hogwarts students to explore the charming village and indulge in sweets and treats, and Celestia wasn't about to miss out on the chance to reunite with her old friend.
As she stepped out into the crisp autumn air, the quaint cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade greeted her with a sense of familiarity and warmth. The scent of butterbeer wafted through the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of students milling about. Celestia scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face amidst the sea of strangers.
Suddenly, she spotted him – Klaus, standing by the entrance of the Three Broomsticks with a wide grin on his face. As she approached, he enveloped her in a warm embrace, his German accent adding a touch of charm to his words.
"Celestia, mein Freundin, it is so good to see you again!" Klaus exclaimed, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
Returning the embrace, Celestia couldn't help but smile at the sight of her old friend. Despite the years that had passed, their bond remained as strong as ever.
Over mugs of butterbeer and plates of warm pumpkin pasties, Celestia and Klaus caught up on old times, reminiscing about their childhood adventures and sharing stories of their respective lives since they last saw each other. Klaus and Celestia decided to take a walk around Hogmead village as they laughed and talked, the worries of assignments and unfinished business melted away, replaced by the simple joy of being in each other's company once more.
They soon settled down on a huge rock by the end of the village, overlooking a mountain. It was a deserted place, as Klaus told her his intentions to marry his long-term girlfriend who happens to be a muggleborn. Celestia explained to him it wouldn't be easy to refuse the engagement he has with a pureblooded girl, she felt concerned as they discussed various possibilities. Laughing imagining his parents faces once they found their son's love affair.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley walked back down the mountainside with Padfoot, across the boulder strewn ground, and back to the stile, suddenly they stumbled upon an unexpected sight.
At the edge of the mountain, overlooking the village, Celestia Malfoy was seated on a large stone, engaged in lively conversation with a foreign boy Harry didn't recognize. They seemed to be sharing a private moment, their laughter echoing in the crisp air., her long blonde hair cascading in loose waves around her shoulders. She wore a form-fitting black coat with silver buttons, accentuating her slender figure, and a matching scarf wrapped elegantly around her neck. Her sharp features were framed by a pair of oversized sunglasses, adding an aura of mystery to her already enigmatic presence.
The foreign boy, on the other hand, had a more laid-back yet stylish appearance. He had tousled chestnut hair that fell casually across his forehead, and his olive skin was warmed by the afternoon sun. He wore a well-worn leather jacket over a fitted gray sweater, paired with dark jeans and scuffed boots. His hazel eyes sparkled with intelligence and a hint of mischief as he observed the unfolding drama with a bemused expression.
Their heads close together as they shared a moment of laughter. Harry's heart sank as he watched them, a pang of jealousy twisting in his chest. He had thought he was the only one Celestia was seeing in secret, but here she was, with someone else, sharing a private moment.
"Isn't that Celestia Malfoy?" Ron pointed out the couple.
"What's Malfoy doing here?" Hermione whispered, her brow furrowing in confusion as they observed the scene below.
Ron shrugged, equally puzzled. "No idea, but who's that bloke with her?"
Harry's jaw clenched as he watched Celestia and the boy, his mind racing with questions and doubts. Without another thought, he started making his way down the mountain, his friends trailing behind him.
As they approached, Celestia looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance as she spotted them. "Potter, what are you doing here?" she snapped, her tone sharp and defensive.
Harry ignored her question, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the boy beside her. "Who's this?" he demanded, his voice betraying his irritation.
Before Hermione or Ron could respond, the foreign boy noticed their approach and raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Can I help you?" he asked politely, his accent unfamiliar.
Harry bristled at the boy's tone, but he maintained his composure. "We were just curious," he replied evenly, his gaze flickering between the boy and Celestia.
The boy nodded, his expression unreadable. "Well, now you know," he said cryptically, turning his attention back to Celestia.
Harry's jaw clenched as he watched Celestia and the boy exchange a knowing look. "What's going on here, Celestia?" he demanded, his frustration seeping into his voice.
Celestia sighed, her annoyance evident as she glanced up at Harry. "Can't you see we're busy?" she snapped, her tone sharp and defensive.
Harry's temper flared at her dismissive attitude. "I thought you said you weren't coming to Hogsmeade this weekend," he accused, his voice tinged with betrayal.
Celestia rolled her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Plans change, Potter," she replied curtly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."
But Harry wasn't about to let her off that easily. "No, Celestia," he said firmly, stepping closer to her. "You don't get to just walk away from this. You lied to me, and I want to know why."
The foreign boy raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the unfolding drama. "Looks like you've got yourself in quite the predicament, Celestia," he remarked with a smirk.
Celestia shot him a warning glare before turning back to Harry. "And what if I did lie?" she challenged, her tone daring him to confront her further.
Harry felt a surge of frustration and hurt at her words, but he refused to back down. "It matters because... because you're my girlfriend," he declared, his voice echoing across the mountaintop.
There was a stunned silence as Hermione, Ron, and even Sirius in his dog form stared at Harry in disbelief. Celestia's eyes widened in shock, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as all eyes turned to her.
"You're his girlfriend?" Ron spluttered, his eyes wide with incredulity.
Hermione's jaw dropped, her expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. "But... but how?" she stammered, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.
Sirius barked in agreement, his tail wagging furiously as he looked between Harry and Celestia, clearly amused by the turn of events.
Celestia's cheeks burned with humiliation, but her pride refused to let her back down. "Yes, I am," she said defiantly, meeting Harry's gaze head-on. "And I don't need your approval, Potter."
Harry felt a surge of anger and hurt at her words, but he swallowed it down, refusing to let it show. "Fine," he said tightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But don't expect me to keep pretending like this doesn't matter."
As Harry stormed off, his friends exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what to make of the situation. Hermione's brow furrowed in concern, while Ron scratched his head in confusion.
"What just happened?" Ron muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
Hermione shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I have no idea," she replied, her tone troubled. "But something tells me this isn't over yet."
Meanwhile, Sirius in his dog form bounded after Harry, his tail wagging eagerly as he caught up to him. He nuzzled Harry's leg affectionately, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Harry couldn't help but crack a small smile at Sirius's antics, his anger slowly dissipating in the presence of his loyal friend. "Thanks, Sirius," he said softly, ruffling the dog's fur.
Sirius barked happily in response, his tongue lolling out in a canine grin. He seemed to sense Harry's need for distraction and bounded ahead, leading the way back to Hogwarts with a newfound sense of purpose.
Back at the mountaintop, Celestia watched Harry's retreating figure with a mixture of regret and frustration. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but her pride had gotten the best of her once again.
The foreign boy beside her cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that had settled between them. "Well, that was certainly unexpected," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement.
Celestia sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "Tell me about it," she muttered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
The boy chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "So, are you going to explain what that was all about?" he asked, arching an eyebrow inquisitively.
Celestia hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But then she met his gaze and saw the genuine curiosity and concern reflected in his eyes.
"Let's just say things are a bit complicated between Harry and me," she admitted, her tone guarded yet vulnerable.
The boy nodded understandingly, his expression sympathetic. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure you'll figure it out," he said reassuringly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Celestia smiled gratefully, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. "Thanks," she said softly, her voice tinged with gratitude.
As they sat there in companionable silence, Celestia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. Whatever happened with Harry, she knew she wasn't alone, and for now, that was enough.