I walked through the crowded seat and found a spot right next to Neville. I barely got sat down when the champions started walking out, and the band began to play. I stood up and cheered with everyone else as Cedric, Krum, Fleur, and Harry all came walking into the pitch.
"Earlier this evening, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard Cup within the maze. Only he knows where it resides." Dumbledore spoke loudly. I felt Neville squeeze my hand as the Champions lined up outside the maze. "As the scoring is close, the first to touch the Cup will become the first Triwizard Champion in River one hundred years!"
Harry and Cedric were tied so they were going in together, followed by Krum, then Fleur. As Cedric and Harry disappeared through the tall maze bushes my heart skipped a few beats. I had caught a glimpse of Ced's face and it was full of pure and utter terror.
That's when I heard Mum calling down the row. I looked and saw her waving me over. I sighed and dragged Neville with me down the row to be with my family. I didn't even get a chance to say anything before Bill pulled me down into the seat between him and Mum.
"BILL!" I yelped as my butt hit the hard wooden seat.
"Sorry, but I had to fight Ron for you to sit by me!" Bill said flashing a big brotherly smile. I sighed as a smile grew on my face. I leaned over and hugged him tightly.
"How was Cedric before the task?" Mum asked patting my leg. "Harry was quite nervous, I never got the chance to talk to him."
"He's a bit worried ..." I said hoping she wouldn't hear my blatant lying voice.
"Lorrinda Maye, I KNOW when you are lying!" Mum spoke sternly. "Now, honestly, how was Cedric feeling?"
"Honestly? He was terrified! I've actually never seen him cry, or even tear up before, and he was crying as he hugged me before walking in here." I explained. "I know he's got everyone rooting for him and all, but ... something is telling me this is not going to go the way we hope for it to go."
"I'm sure you're just nervous, Lori!" Mum patted my cheeks. "Just put on a happy face." She sang to me. I chuckled lightly as she hummed a small tune while messing with my hair.
Before we knew it, an hour had gone by and Fleur was getting escorted out of the maze. She'd gotten attacked, and was very shaken up. Bill pardoned himself before rushing down to talk to her. I heard both Ginny and Mum groan as he walked down there.
"Great, a Veela!" Mum exclaimed.
"She better not lay a hand on Bill or I swear!" Ginny spoke cracking her knuckles.
"Calm your hippogriffs!" I said to them. "Can't he be interested in a woman?"
"Yes. Just NOT a Veela!" Mum hissed. I groaned as I rolled my eyes, I couldn't believe my own mother was so against Bill having a crush on Fleur. I doubt she was even a full Veela!
Another hour had passed, and Krum was now out of the maze. He had apparently gotten imperioed, which made me get more anxious for Cedric to come running out of that maze. With every passing minute, I was getting more and more scared and worried.
Suddenly, in a flash, Harry AND Cedric appeared together on the field. I didn't even get a chance to cheer before I got attacked in hugs from my friends. I started to cry tears of joy as the band started playing and everyone was clapping.
"AAAHHHHHHHH!" Fleur screamed. I shoved my friends and family out of my way and got a good solid look at Harry and Cedric. Fleur kept screaming, as I stared down. Harry was sobbing over Cedric ... and Cedric ...
He wasn't moving. I swayed as I stared down at the field. I quickly shoved people out of my way and begun to make my way down. Fred came over and grabbed my shoulders.
"Lori ... don't!"
"FRED MOVE!" I shouted as I tossed him down to the seats. I sprinted down the stands, jumping over seats and students. Trying to get closer, and hoping this was all a prank. Hoping Fred and George talked Cedric into playing dead.
"Ced? CED!?!" I screamed as I jumped over the last row and down the small stairs to the field. Ron apparently had followed me and tried to hug me. I just pushed everyone away and fell to my knees beside Cedric.
"He's back, he's back! Voldemort's back." Harry cried through sobs. "Cedric, h-he asked me to bring his body back. I couldn't leave him, not there!"
That's when I looked at him, his once beautiful grey eyes were now, dull and lifeless. His face was forever locked into a face of pure shock and terror. My body started to shake, as I reached out and grazed his hand. It was cold, and that was when it hit me.
Cedric Diggory was dead.
I started sobbing uncontrollably as Cedric's father started screaming. I just barely felt the hand on my shoulder as it pulled me into a hug. I sniffed as I buried my head into the shoulder of the person hugging me, and got a smell of potting soil and tulips.
"Shhh. Shhh. Hey, hey. You're fine. It's okay, everything is going to be okay." Neville said as he started rubbing my back. "You're fine, okay? You're fine." He said as he kissed my forehead. After a few moments, I lifted my head and whirled it around.
"Where's Fred? Where's George?" I cried. Having a hug from my best friend was great, but right now ... I needed my older brothers. Neville waved his hand and they came bounding over.
"Lori!" George cried as he got down and picked me up. Fred was right behind him as they both carried me off towards the castle. The entire way I was sobbing and sobbing into George's jumper.
When we got there, George took me right up to their dorm room. Where he placed me gently down on his bed and continued to hug me. That's when I felt the parchment in my pocket. I slowly reached in and pulled it out.
"What's that, Ri Ri?" Fred asked, his voice was raw and choked.
"Ce-Cedric told me to read this if anything bad happened to him tonight. That ... I should read this." I lifted up my shirt and wiped my nose and eyes, so I could at least attempt to read it. I slowly opened it up to see the entire page was filled with words. I tossed it down and sobbed some more.
"Do you want us to read it for you, Lori?" Fred asked. I just nodded as I cuddled next to George some more. He cleared his throat before beginning the long letter.
Dear Lorrinda,
Sadly, if you're reading this ... that means I'm no longer among the living. I don't know what made me write this letter, maybe all you're pestering and worrying got to me. So, here's everything I wish I could say to you but never will get the chance.
Lori, I thought I'd always end up with one of the girls from Hufflepuff, or Cho Chang ... never did I EVER imagine I would be graced to have you be my girlfriend. Granted, we did have our ups and downs, our highs and lows, but we got through them all and stayed loyal to each other.
I loved you, more than Quidditch, more than books, more than candy, and maybe even more than life itself! I was an arrogant douchebag before you agreed to date me, so much so in fact, you actually threatened to break up with me if I didn't stop acting better than everyone else.
I'll never forget all those times we spent together. Flying on brooms, ice skating out on the lake in the winter, sneaking down to the kitchens for some bites of food before heading to bed. Most of all, I won't forget the day I actually laid eyes on you. I've never told you this, so ... sorry this will probably break your heart.
It was your second year, my fourth. You were running into the library with Hermione, just as it was about to close for the night. I was packing up my books and supplies when I saw you sit down while waiting for Hermione to get a book from the restricted section. You were messing with your hair using magic. Styling it into a bun, then pigtails, then a ponytail, the braids, to just end with your hair in one gorgeous long braid down your back.
That's the first time I caught your smile. Your blue eyes lit up with joy as you saw yourself in the reflection off of something close by. You tucked your wand into your braid as Hermione came walking out with a potions book. You got up and smiled at Hermione before thanking Pince for getting it for you guys.
Something in me clicked, you were beautiful and sweet. I was so nervous however when Fred and George found out ... they cornered me in the locker room and questioned my motives with you. We can both, guess where that conversation went.
Lori, I am truly, deeply sorry if you're reading this. I wanted to hug you and kiss you in victory. Alas, that just wasn't meant to be. Please, don't cry because I'm gone. Cry because I still owed you three galleons from that bet last year. Seriously though, don't cry, just smile and remember the good times we had.
Surround yourself with your loving friends and family, trust me, you've got like a BILLION friends and family. Try and move on, I know it won't be easy but ... just try and find new love.
I love you, Lorrinda Maye. We just weren't meant to be forever. Take all the time you need to grieve ... but don't forget to live your life.
Love,
Cedric Amos Diggory
Both Fred and George were in tears as Fred folded the letter up and placed it on the table beside the bed. I was now basically screaming into George's shoulder. My brothers just surrounded me in warmth and hugs as I cried myself to sleep.
***
The days following the task went by in a blur. I hardly left my dorm room, not even when Neville stood outside and wanted to come in. The only people allowed in were Lavender, Parvati, and Hermione. Other than that, no one was to enter.
Now it was the last day of the year, and also the day of Cedric's funeral. I was standing in front of my mirror, placing a black headband in my hair. I took off my necklace and laid it in the drawer. I wasn't going to wear that, not now. I took a deep breath as Hermione walked in.
"You ready, Lori?"
"I guess," I muttered as I started walking over. Hermione held my hand as we walked down. When we got down to the Common Room, I saw Fred, George, Lee, Ginny, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Ron all standing waiting for me. I released Hermione's hand and rushed over and hugged my friends and siblings.
"It's almost time," Dean said. I sniffed and grabbed ahold of Ron's hand and Neville's. I was needed the support of my twin and my best friend down there, and I wanted them both to know that.
As we entered, I felt all the eyes in the room train on me as I walked in. Ron and Neville squeezed my hands to show they noticed as well. We quickly sat down near the front of the room. I technically had a chair up with his parents, but I couldn't handle sitting up there. So, I stayed with my family.
"The end ... of another year," Dumbledore spoke at his golden phoenix podium. "Ordinarily this day is a day of celebration, a day in which we recognize the accomplishments of ourselves and others. But today ..." His blue eyes landed on an empty seat in the front row of the Hufflepuff section.
"Today, we acknowledge a terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as many of you know, exceptionally hard-working, infinitely fair-minded, and, more importantly, a fierce, fierce friend. I think therefore you have the right to know exactly how he died."
The entire room sat up straight, I clenched both Ron's and Neville's hands so hard I swear I heard some bones crack. However, neither were wincing in pain so I continued.
"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." Nervous whispers broke out around the Hall as everyone was shocked. "The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But to not do so is, to my mind, an insult to his memory."
"It was hope, in restoring the Triwizard Tournament, that magical ties would be deepened between those of us who come from different backgrounds. In light of recent events, such ties will be more important than ever. Differences of habit and speech become meaningless when the language of our hearts is the same."
"With dark and difficult times comes a choice: between what is right and what is easy. Should you ever waver, remember a boy who was kind and brave, and true. To the very end ..."
***
The next day, we started to get onto the Hogwarts Express to head home. As we got on, I sat with Neville, Dean, and Seamus. As Dean placed his stuff on the luggage rack, I spoke up.
"What a year, huh?"
"Yeah, that's an understatement." Seamus chuckled.
"Everythings gonna change, now," Dean muttered. "Voldemort's back ... that means ..."
"Don't even say what I think you're gonna say, Thomas!" I said looking over at him. "The Ministry won't let him get as powerful as he was back then. We have a warning, Harry saw him come back."
"That doesn't mean squat, Lori. I've heard from Ron that they don't believe him." Seamus said. "Fudge is denying him with all his life."
"They'll come to their senses soon," I said sitting back. "They've just GOT to!" I turned to look out at the sky, which was dull and grey. My eyes scanned the sky, hoping to find a ray of sunshine ... hoping to find some sign that happy thing laid ahead. However, throughout the entire ride, it remained dull and cloudy.