Part Thirteen
The final task. Apparently it's a maze. One that will try to actively kill them. Perfect. It's a couple hours before the maze starts and you and Cedric are spending a little time together while also trying to keep eachother calm.
"Seriously Ced. I get you're tyring to calm me down, but you're kinda making it worse. I love you, but please stop." Cedric hugged you and stepped back.
"Sorry, I just don't want you to worry. I'll be ok. I promise. If I see trouble I'll run the other way." He kissed your cheek and left to get ready.
The seats filled fast. You sat next to Cedric's father. You chatted for a long while until the contestants were brought out. The crowd cheered loudly. You silently prayed for all of their safety as they entered one by one. You couldn't see anything inside so it was just sitting and waiting. A red flaire went up and Fleur was brought out. After a while another went off and Krum was brought out. But hours passed and Harry and Cedric had yet to return. You started to get worried. Then in a blip they both appeared. Harry lay on top of Cedric. The crowd stood and cheered but you felt something was wrong. When Harry didn't move from Cedric you knew. They pried him away. You ran down the stands not caring who saw. When you reached Cedric you saw his misted eyes and fell to your knees. A heart wrenching scream left your body. The world seemed to go quiet. You held his cold hand in yours and cried. You didn't care who saw you, if they knew, none of it mattered anymore. You didn't notice when his father came nor his screams. It felt like hours that you sat there crying while holding his hand.
He was gone.
Hours later the arena was cleared out. And they had lifted Cedric onto a Pallet. The two of you sat in silence with quiet tears flowing. He'd lost his son, you'd lost your first love.
Time moved slowly. After they gave news of Cedric's death to the three school's students and the others went home it was time for Hogwarts students to return home for the summer. People had whispered and stared at you until they left. Harry had come by and the two of you had cried together for a bit. But now everything was numb. The portraits had learned what happened but didn't mention it. Though you noticed their sad glances as you passed them. The professors tried to consol you but nothing helped. Your summer was spent in your room. Old photos and notes the two of you shared neatly packed up in the corner. But one photo remained next to your bed. It was taken one fall. The two of you hugged eachother laughing and smiling. Cedric wore his Hufflepuff scarf but had a Slytherin colored hat on. You wore a Slytherin scarf woth a Hufflepuff hat. The two of you had switched. The hat sat behind the photo. You'd warn it every cold day since, no matter the strange looks you got.
His father had given you his scarf. After the funeral the two of you had a long talk. He didn't mind the two of you were together. He was glad you were happy. After he found out about your living situation he offered a room in his home for the holidays. You'd sadly declined saying you needed time to yourself, but you did write letters every so often. When the scarf had arrived in the mail you cried for the whole day.
----------
September had arrived faster than you'd hoped. You were sitting in the common room wrapped in a blanket staring into the fire when a knock resounded. You looked over and a portrait spoke up.
"It seems to be Mister Malfoy." You clung tighter to yourself. He hadn't come to visit since your fight. God only knows what he could be here for now. Perhaps to gloat? Denounce your friendship for good?
"Let him in." The door opened and after a moment the blonde stepped into the room. You stood and he walked to you.
"What is it you want Mal-" your sentence was halted by the boy wrapping you in his arms. He held on tight.
"I'm so sorry." Tears misted your eyes.
"For what?" You felt his fingers clench against your back.
"For not being here. Being here for you. I should have come to your side when.....I should have been there." You slowly lifted your arms to return the hug.
"It's ok. You couldn't have known. I never told you. Never told anyone."
"I know, and we'll talk about that, but after. I was a horrible friend. I should have just pulled my head out of my broom and said I was sorry. You shouldn't have had to be alone. And I'm sorry for that."
"It's ok. You're here now. That's all that matters." The tears finally fell. He held you the whole time. After a while you both sat down.
"Friends?" Draco gave a sad smile.
"Friends." You gave a small one in return. He looked at the time and sighed.
"I suppose we better get to the Great Hall. Wouldn't want to be late. I'm sure Snape would give us an ear full." You nodded and went on your way. Thanking the portraits as you went.
The Great Hall was full as usual. Shortly after the new students were sorted Dumbledore announced a new professor from the ministry. Dolores Umbridge. You were shocked at the amount of pink that one woman could adorn herself with.
"Well this doesn't bode well."
1.2.23