Lumièrè || C. Diggory

TWENTY-FIVE

Aurelia Dior stood at the entrance of the Hogwarts castle, her heart heavy with grief and a sense of longing. The Triwizard Tournament had taken a tragic turn, and her beloved boyfriend Cedric Diggory had lost his life in the ordeal. It had been a whirlwind of emotions, and now it was time for her to return to Beauxbatons, her magical home.

Beside her, the wind rustled the leaves of the Forbidden Forest, and she could hear the soft hooting of owls in the distance. The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the grounds as if bidding her a bittersweet farewell. Aurelia took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, before turning to face the trio of friends who had become like family to her during her time at Hogwarts.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione," she began, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "I want to thank you all for everything. For your kindness, your friendship, and for standing by me during these trying times." Her eyes met each of theirs, and she offered them a small, sad smile.

Harry, his messy black hair catching the fading sunlight, stepped forward. "Aurelia, we're going to miss you so much," he said, his voice tinged with genuine sorrow. "Cedric was a good friend, and you've become an important part of our lives too."

Ron nodded, his red hair glinting like flames in the evening light. "Yeah, and don't forget, you're always welcome back here. Hogwarts will never be the same without you."

Hermione, her warm and understanding gaze fixed on Aurelia, spoke softly. "We'll always be here for you, no matter the distance. And if you ever need anything, just owl us."

Tears welled up in Aurelia's eyes as she looked at them, feeling the weight of their care and support. "Thank you, all of you. I'll cherish the memories we've made together. Cedric... he would have appreciated your friendship too."

The four friends stood in a heartfelt silence, the unspoken words of grief and love passing between them. The castle's towers and turrets stood tall behind them, a testament to the resilience of magic and the bonds forged within its walls.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard, Aurelia wiped away a tear and took a deep breath. "I have to go back to Beauxbatons now, to heal and to honor Cedric's memory. But I'll never forget any of you. Goodbye, for now."

With one last lingering look at her friends, she turned and walked away, her steps firm and resolute.

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying her farewell to Hogwarts and to the trio who had become her confidants and companions

-

The moon hung high in the sky as Aurelia stood before the modest gravestone that marked Cedric Diggory's final resting place. The graveyard was bathed in a soft, silvery light, and the air was heavy with the scent of night-blooming flowers. She knelt down, her fingers brushing over the cool surface of the stone, tracing the engraved letters of his name.

"Cedric," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the rustling of leaves. "I can't believe you're gone. It's like a part of me has died along with you." Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them away, her gaze fixed on the grave as if hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

"It's so unfair, you know?" she continued, her voice quivering with raw emotion. "You were kind, brave, and full of life. You didn't deserve any of this. Hogwarts won't be the same without you. I won't be the same without you."

Aurelia's fingers clutched at the grass beneath her as if seeking some connection to the world that had been torn apart.

Her heartache was like a heavy weight in her chest, an ache that seemed impossible to soothe. She lowered her head, her tears falling onto the ground as she struggled to find the words to express the depth of her grief.

"Every day without you is a struggle," she murmured brokenly. "I keep thinking about all the moments we shared, the laughter, the love... and now, all I have left are memories. I wish I could have done something, anything, to change the outcome."

The wind whispered through the trees, as if carrying her words to Cedric's spirit, but there was no reply, only the haunting silence of the night. Aurelia's shoulders shook as she let out a choked sob, her grief pouring out like a river breaking through its banks.

"I miss you so much," she sobbed, her voice cracking. "I wish I could see your smile again, hear your laugh, feel your touch. I wish I could have said goodbye properly, held you one last time." She pressed her hand to her heart, as if trying to ease the physical ache that mirrored the pain in her soul.

Aurelia's tears fell freely now, mingling with the dew on the grass. She reached out and traced Cedric's name on the gravestone as if trying to etch it into her memory forever. "I'll never forget you, Cedric. You were my Lumièrè, my love. And I'll carry you with me, always."

"You appear in my dreams, I find myself wanting to stay in them, to stay with you. I'll be returning to Beauxbatons, so this will be the last time I see you, in a while."

As the night wore on, Aurelia remained by Cedric's grave, pouring out her heart and soul to the one she had lost. The world around her seemed to fade, leaving only the weight of her grief and the memory of a love that had been tragically cut short.

And as the first rays of dawn broke through the darkness, she whispered one final goodbye, her voice a mere whisper carried by the wind, a tribute to a love that would never truly be lost.

"I wish you were here to meet him."