PARALLEL {Cedric Diggory | Harry Potter}

Thirty One

Sweat plastered Harry's hair to his face, the top of his shirt a darker colour than the rest and his breaths uneven.

"In the dream," Dumbledore began, "were you standing next to the victim,  or looking down at the scene?"

Harry stammered for a second, "Neither, it's like I was... Professor, will you please just tell me what's happening?"

Dumbledore ignored him, moving to one of the portraits, "Everard. Arthur was on guard duty tonight, make sure he is found by the right people."

The occupant of the portrait nodded, disappearing out of his frame, as Dumbledore moved across the room to another one.

"Sir?"

"Phineas. You must go to your portrait at Grimmauld Place. Tell them Arthur Weasley is gravely injured and his children will be arriving there soon by Floo Network."

Everard coughed, taking his seat in his painting, "They got him, Albus. It was close and they think he'll make it. What's more, the Dark Lord failed to acquire it."

"Ah," Dumbledore sighed in relief.

"Look at me!" Harry suddenly roared, before his voice broke, "What's happening to me?"

Snape suddenly strode into the room, looking at Dumbledore expectantly, "You wished to see me, headmaster?"

"Severus, I'm afraid we can't wait. Not even until the morning, otherwise we'll all be vulnerable."

*

While the entire castle was at breakfast, the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were in the Gryffindor Common Room and packing their trunks, Cedric doing the same in his dormitory across the castle.

They received a few curious glances as they headed down the stairs towards Dumbledore's office, all laden with trunks and cages for animals.

"Lori?" Katie suddenly appeared at her best friend's side, "What's going on? Where are you all going?"

"It's my dad, he's been badly injured at work." she explained, skirting the truth, "We're all going home to see him."

"Even Harry and Hermione?" she asked, casting a look at the other Gryffindors.

Lori nodded, "They're staying with us over Christmas."

"But, Lori, what's going on?"

Carrying her trunk away, she yelled back, "I'm sorry, Katie, I really can't stop. I'll send your Christmas presents to you via owl!"

Cedric was already waiting for them, having had less distance to travel to and from the Common Room. Flitwick smiled at all the children, speaking in his high, cheery voice, "Now that we're all here, let's go."

The Charms professor led the eight students out of the castle, starting to head into Hogsmeade, leading them the entire way through the village and to the Shrieking Shack.

"Miss Weasley, Mr Diggory?" he asked, "I trust you have it from here?" Cedric nodded, taking the bags of Floo Powder from him and handing them out to everyone, "Then try and rest up and have a good holiday."

"You too, sir!"

As agreed, Lori and Cedric would got through first and last, just in case a very well planned attack came down on them, although this was highly unlikely.

Case in hand, handful of powder in the other, Lori stepped into the grate, "Please, Harry, try and speak clearly this time." she smiled, her hand opening, dust falling, "12 Grimmauld Place."

She was rather used to the sickening sensation by now, the two rooms warping before her eyes, until she stepped out into the empty headquarters, Molly was down in the kitchen preparing breakfast for them all.

Ginny came through next, then Hermione, Ron, Harry and the twins, Cedric the last to appear in the meeting room.

After dumping their trunks in their rooms, Lori sharing with Tonks, who was currently at work, they all trampled down to the kitchen and took their seats around the table.

Mrs Weasley had gone down to the pantry to fetch an extra chair for Lupin, who had appeared at short notice, before smiling when she first noticed her children.

"Is dad gonna be all right?" Ron asked, casting a glance at where their father usually sat at the table.

"He's going to be just fine." Molly smiled, starting to ladle tomato soup into bowls, "Remus, are you hungry?"

The werewolf nodded, quite groggy from his transformation the previous night, when he had locked himself in the dingy basement of the house, casting a Silencing Charm around it so he wouldn't wake the others while he howled through the darkness.

A red hot warmth shot through the top of Lori's leg, she delved into her trouser pocket, producing the enchanted galleon Hermione had given her.

Satisfied that her mother and Lupin were busy in conversation, she got the others' attention, "It's a message from Cho. She's finally thought of a name for the group."

Around the table, they all smiled. George the one to speak up, "What's she saying? Ravenclaw United?"

Lori laughed, "No. Dumbledore's Army."