☤ Pseudonym ☤

~Chapter Twenty One~

It seemed as if the world stood still for a moment. Two voices locked in a moment of perfect opposition. One aiming to kill, the other to disarm. Harry was stood slightly bent over as a result of his injuries. His arm outstretched before him in defence. Voldemort was poised perfectly with no fear in his eyes, only hatred. 

The green and red light met in the middle causing giant sparks to leap out. Time began to unfreeze as the green wandered dangerously close to Harry's wand. 

I closed my eyes, not wanting to watch another one of my friends die. 

"Do nothing!" Voldemort shouted, "He's mine to finish!" my eyes snapped open to see that Harry had began to fight back with surprising success. 

My father grunted as vibrant wisps emerged from their conjunction. They leapt out and formed ghost-like forms. I sobbed slightly as I recognised the obscure form of Cedric. Three more figures appeared but I didn't recognise any of them. 

"Harry, when the connection is broken, you must get to the Portkey." one man who was standing next to Harry started to talk quickly and frantically, "We can linger for a moment to give you some time, but only a moment. Do you understand?" Harry nodded desperately. 

"Harry," Cedric's deep voice reverberated out, "take my body back, will you? Take my body back to my father." Harry nodded once more, too strained to speak. "Forgive her, Harry." he spoke once more and tears began to stream down my face, "Take her with you, please?" he pleaded. 

Harry looked over at me as the woman told him to let go. As Harry began to pull up, I twisted out of Malfoy's grip, "Stupefy." he stumbled backwards and I ran towards Harry and Cedric. Harry grabbed my arm and accioed the Portkey towards us. 

We landed on soft grass. There was cheering and applause all around us. Harry started sobbing violently. I stumbled to the side and vomited onto the ground. An ear splitting scream silenced the lively band. I could hear Dumbledore calling Harry's name as he rushed over to pull him off of Cedric. 

A stillness fell over the once joyous crowd as Harry tried to tell Dumbledore what happened. 

I grasped at the grass, trying to steady myself. The world was spinning and I wasn't sure whether the dampness on my face was tears, blood or vomit. I turned around and stumbled towards Cedric. I needed to see him again. He can't be dead. I pushed through the gathered crowd and fell in front of his stiff body. 

I broke down at the sight of his still open eyes. I could hear the wailing of Cedric's father somewhere behind me. It felt as if I was underwater and I gasped for breath. I gripped his torn shirt trying to find some sort of anchor. 

Soft hands pulled me away and I clawed at them to let me go. "There there, dear." McGonagall soothed in my ear. I cried into her robed shoulder.

"Harry? Where's Harry?" I looked around frantically. "Where did he go?" he wasn't safe yet, Barty was still here somewhere. I saw two figures retreating out of the arena and I ran. I nearly tripped over my own feet as lethargy took over my limbs. I followed Harry's sobs down the darkened hallway and out into the grounds. 

I followed them along the path and up to the castle. I couldn't quite keep up as I think I had sprained my ankle when we landed. Physical and emotional pain had become a blur. 

I couldn't see Harry and Barty once I was inside. I stumbled, leaning against the stone walls for support, all the way to Barty's quarters above the D.A.D.A. classroom. The pressed on the door to find it bolted shut.

I heard voices coming from inside and with a weak voice I said, "Ostiolum Aperio." the door flew open to reveal Harry sitting on a chair by the fire and Barty rustling through a cabinet of empty bottles.