Dennis's Secret

The days went on, and surprisingly soon, the Hogwarts castle started seeming very much like home to Celena. She became quite friendly with most of the staff members, especially Hagrid, and Professors Flitwick, Sprout, and Trelawney. Professor McGonagall was nice too, in her own stern way; but as Headmistress she was a bit distant. The castle itself seemed more welcoming too – she stopped getting lost on her way to the dungeons or the staff room, and Peeves found it more difficult to surprise her now.
What's more, the students ceased interrogating her about being related to Nicholas Flamel, or about whether she had the faintest idea about how to make a Philosopher's Stone, and started appreciating her lessons on their own accord. They learned that the standards she used to evaluate their homework were pretty high, but still she was much more agreeable than Professor Snape, and the dungeons were so much nicer these days.
Snape, maybe because of his natural nastiness, or maybe from the dismay it caused him to hear that the subject of Potions grew much more popular than when it was taught by him, continued making his sly, acid-dripping comments whenever he could, hinting he still thinks Celena isn't skilled and experienced enough to teach – but in such a subtle way all she could do was fume silently. He did it most often in front of the compassionate audience of students from his own house, Slytherin. Indeed, the Slytherins didn't seem quite as fond of Professor Costello as the rest of the school, but didn't dare to show it openly.
Neither Uncle Remus nor the others made the slightest suggestion they were still doing work on the behalf of the Order, although Celena could swear she saw her uncle frown with hidden knowledge when she told him about the prophecy Firenze made to them in the Forbidden Forest. She decided to let it be for now. She also spent a few more times in the company of Firenze, who was the wisest and most gracious of all beings she knew. They had long discussions unlike any conversation she had before.
A couple of times she met the gargoyles again, accompanied by Hagrid, but didn't enjoy these visits as much as he did, even though Goliath, Angela and Korian were starting to grow on her.
She spent her weekends reading countless essays on the properties of moonstone and potion-preserving, visiting Hagrid in his cabin, strolling down the neat little streets of Hogsmeade with her fellow teachers. Several times she traveled home by Floo Powder.
She finally saw Timothy, even more than once, but never for long – he seemed busy. He hinted there was an important project he was involved in, an excellent opportunity. She understood. After all, she was absorbed in her work as well, and it was rewarding to know her students were doing well. To her great relief, most of her sixth-year N.E.W.T students were now more or less at the same level, and she promised the ones who have been doing extra homework that this measure will soon be stopped.
It was even more surprising, after she made this announcement – which caused an unmasked outburst of delight - in class, to receive a request for extra lessons from Dennis Creevey, who didn't have to do additional homework in the first place, and who seemed to be doing fine, except for an occasional fit of clumsiness from time to time.
She was in her office when it happened. It was the night before Halloween, and the house-elves have just finished decorating the castle for next day's feast. Hagrid grew some of the largest pumpkins Celena had ever seen, and dozens of splendid Jack-o-lanterns illuminated the Great Hall. A smaller one even stood on the desk in Celena's office, adding to the festive atmosphere. A Hogsmeade visit was to take place the next day, and Celena was happily anticipating it. She could go to Hogsmeade every weekend if she liked, of course, but it was somehow so much merrier with all the students around. She fancied a cup in The Three Broomsticks with the other teachers, and thought she'd look at some winter robes, because the mornings were becoming steadily frostier.
She was contemplating that when she heard a knock on her office's door. She threw a glance at the clock; it was getting late, about time for all the students to return to their common rooms, and she was surprised to see Dennis when she opened the door.
- Good evening, Professor Costello, - he said timidly, - may I have a word?
- Come in, Mr. Creevey. How can I help you? Would you like a cup of tea, perhaps? But be brief, unless you fancy being caught and given detention by Mr. Filch for breaking curfew. – Er, no, thank you, Professor, - mumbled Dennis. – I'll make it quick… I need your help, Professor; I think I could do with some private lessons, if you have the time… perhaps once a week? – He said hopefully, and then added as an afterthought, - whenever you find it most convenient.
- Extra lessons? – Celena frowned. – Are you certain you need them, Mr. Creevey? Sure, I could make some time for you, but I find your work in class satisfactory, and the essays you hand in are nothing short of excellent. I'm very pleased with you.
- That's the thing, Professor, - replied Dennis, blushing for some reason and looking not at Celena, but rather at the pumpkin on her desk. – I think I've learned the theory off by heart, but it doesn't help to really polish my practical work, and what's Potion-Making without a skilled hand?
Celena sighed.
- In that case, Mr. Creevey, we have no reason to put it off. If you want to truly perfect your work, I am, of course, more than willing to help you… we shall start next week, Monday night, seven o'clock, the Potions classroom. It might be a bit cold down there, but I daresay it's roomier than my office. Now off you go, Mr. Creevey, it's getting rather late.
- Thanks, Professor! – Dennis said excitedly and hurried off to Gryffindor tower, careful to avoid Filch.
… - Extra lessons? – Martin Nordholm gaped at him in disbelief, - you are taking extra lessons?
Dennis first blushed, then said defiantly:
- Yeah, I am. Celena agreed to start next Monday.
- Celena? – Martin sounded astonished. Then he said in a flat voice, - you fancy her! I don't believe it – you actually fancy her!
- Shut up! – Dennis hissed, looking around, but they were quite alone in the common room, except for two second-year girls who sat absorbed in a game of wizard chess.
- I should have known, - Martin continued in a quieter voice, - from the very moment I saw you in the Potions class. You hated Potions, you always did. You would never continue if Snape stayed –
- Oh yes I would, - argued Dennis, - I need it, a N.E.W.T in Potions is required in loads of places.
- So is a N.E.W.T in other subjects, but I never see you spend half the night working on your homework for those! I mean, you give her two rolls of parchment when she asks for twelve inches…
- Oh, shut up, - repeated Dennis exasperatedly.
- And you shouldn't forget we have the first Quidditch game in no time, and I'm sure you don't want to lose to Slytherin, and the new Beater we have, that Saunders guy, is doing lamely so far, and your cozy private lessons mean one practice less every week –
He broke off, noticing that Dennis didn't take in a word of what he was saying.
- Listen, - he said impatiently, and Dennis finally turned his head towards him, a dreamy, misty look in his eyes, - Professor Costello is cool and not half bad, but she's a teacher, do you get it? You don't think you could really –
Dennis opened his mouth to speak, but Martin raised a hand.
- Don't bother, - he said, - but whatever you do, please don't call her Celena.