The Lies We Tell - Draco Malfoy

Holding on - 21

Part 21

I looked up to see Harry crying. "He told me to bring his body back, I couldn't leave him!"

I could barely process what was happening, but Dumbledore was knelt down next to me, I still clutched Cedric's shirt, not wanting to let go. Dad was to my left, Cedric's face in one hand and my hand in the other. I was uncontrollably sobbing by this point.

"You did the right thing Harry." Dumbledore said.

How had this happened? Why would the maze be capable of killing students?

Grief and confusion overwhelmed me, suddenly I wanted everyone to shut up, it's like no one realised there was a dead student in front of them.

As if they could hear my thoughts everyone stopped talking, staring in silence at Cedric, the only noise our sobs.

Eventually Dad pried my hands off of my brothers shirt, I tried to protest but multiple people pulled me away, tears streamed down my face, the saltiness prominent on my lips.

Time seemed to slow down, I got a final look at Cedric's face, before a cloth was thrown over his body.

I didn't know what to do, how to feel, what to think.

I broke free from the people and ran, I didn't care what time it was, how cold it was, where I was going, I just ran. The moon was full and round, shining down on me. The night was clear, the stars bright, one star shone brighter than all the others, I stared at it, stopping. I wiped the tears from my cheeks, the star was beautiful.

I realised I was stood near the lake, I found my usual spot, pulling my knees into my chest.

I heard a twig snapping and turned, Draco was walking towards me, he sat next to me.

"I'm sorry Kassie." He gave me a sincere look, and I knew he meant it.

I nodded slowly, turning away from him. I felt his arms wrap around me and he hugged me, I found myself crying again, tears dripping onto his shoulder.

I hugged him back tightly, he was warm and I sank into him, his hand rested on the back of me head and he tucked his chin into my shoulder.

We had never been so close, but I didn't care in that moment, I'd lost one of the people I loved most in the world. He was taken too soon, he never deserved it. I didn't really believe in life after death, but if there was, I hoped he was happy.

I don't know how long Draco and I stayed like that, I didn't let go until the tears had dried off my cheeks.

"You didn't deserve this." He murmured into my ear.

I let go of him slowly, clasping my hands together on my lap. "He didn't deserve this."

I was taken home the next day, not speaking to anyone as I left. There was only 2 weeks before the term ended, and I was meant to return after the summer holidays.

As soon as I got back home the remainder of our family hugged and cried together, aunties, uncles, cousins, grandparents. They all came to support us, but I hid in my room, lying down unblinking or scribbling furiously on paper. It was a new habit I had developed, I was angry, all the time. Throwing books that Cedric had given me at the wall or pummelling my pillows.

In the rare moments of peace I had I would paint, I'd always loved to paint, I painted, forests, stars, oceans, lakes and eyes. It helped me forget everything, grief had hit me like a truck.

One evening I heard my Grandparents talking in hushed whispers in the room next to mine, I held my ear to the crack of my door, listening.

"The poor darling has definitely taken it the worst." Granny muttered.