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Charlie laughed softly as everyone surrounded him. After enduring such immense pain in both the maze and the graveyard, a moment like this was exactly what he needed. It was like a reminder that no matter how dark things may seem, there was always a light that would guide him home.
"I'm okay," Charlie breathed out again, wobbling on one foot as they all separated. He felt the need to keep repeating himself, not for the sake of his friends and family, but for the sake of his own sanity. His head kept replaying the events of the Third Task over and over in his head like a nightmare —
"Both Potter and Hawthorne will need to go to the hospital wing," McGonagall said loudly. "They're gravely injured and potentially ill. Poppy will want to see them immediately."
"I'll take them," Dumbledore said in a relieved tone, still amazed by the fact this grandson was standing next to him. "Minerva, Severus, Ludo, and Alastor, please make sure that the students and respected crowd find their way back to safety while I do so."
That's when Moody had stepped forward, "I'll take them, Dumbledore."
"No, it's quite alright —"
"You need to alert the Minister of what has happened," Moody said, matter of factly. "I'd imagine he'd like to know that his son managed to survive..."
Dumbledore stared at him blankly, "Then maybe it's best that they stay here until —"
But Moody clearly didn't even want to entertain that idea, as he had pushed the two boys in the direction of the castle.
Hermione watched Charlie carefully before she moved towards him, "I'll come with you."
But before Charlie couldn't even respond, Professor Moody had dismissed the idea.
"You'll do no such thing," he growled. "They need rest," — he shifted his gaze back to Dumbledore — "stay here and deal with damage control, I'll make sure that the boys are well cared for."
Then, without even being given a chance to rebuttal, Charlie and Harry were being half-pulled, half-carried, by Professor Moody through the frightened crowd. Charlie heard people gasping, screaming, and shouting as the man supporting him pushed a path through them, taking him and Harry back to the castle. Across the lawn, past the lake and the Durmstrang ship, all the way until they were finally walking up the castle steps; only then, did Moody put them down.
Harry had thrown himself under Charlie's arm once again to help him walk. The two of them wobbled along behind Moody as the retired Auror clunked his way through the empty corridor.
"What happened?" Moody asked as they walked up a set of stone steps — Clunk. Clunk.
"Cup was a Portkey," said Harry as they crossed the Entrance Hall. "Took me and Charlie to a graveyard... and Voldemort was there... Lord Voldemort..."
