☤ Pseudonym ☤

~Chapter Twenty Two~

He was the last person I expected to be sitting on the end of my bed. His dark hair was slightly damp and his skin was unnaturally pale with large bags around his green eyes. He looked as if he hadn't slept for days, but I knew how he felt. 

I didn't know where to begin. I had so much to say. So much to explain. I was surprised that he had come to see me after everything that had happened. 

He cleared his throat a little and started fiddling with the sleeves of his robe. "I know that you're... one of them." he was avoiding looking me directly in the eyes, "And I know that you're his daughter... But" he eyes clouded over with sadness, "But Cedric told me to forgive you. I...I don't know if I can quite do that, but I thought I would give you a chance to explain. Seeing as you kind of saved me from Barty." his green eyes met mine. There was so much pain in them, and I knew that I was the cause of most of it.

I started fiddling with my fingers again as I collected my thoughts. This was probably the only chance I would get for him to listen. I inhaled slowly and with my exhale I told him everything that I had told Dumbledore. 

Harry was silent for the whole time I was speaking. His eyes watched me as I disclosed all my secrets, leaving out the rather gruesome details of Barty's punishments. When I had finished I looked into his eyes, waiting for his judgement. 

"So Malfoy's your brother?" he said in disgust.

I laughed a little, "Is that your only question?" 

"I have more than I can count, but I think you've been through enough interrogation for now." he placed his hand over mine and smiled softly. "I'm sorry for everything that has happened to you."

"No I'm sorry. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have reached that graveyard, and Cedric would still be alive right now." my eyes began to water as this thought instilled tremendous guilt inside me. 

His warm hand squeezed mine gently, "I forgive you, Renn." I gasped and looked up at him, "And I know that Cedric has as well."

I quickly wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much." I whispered in his ear. After I released him my face was covered in a large grin. "He's not so bad, you know. Malfoy I mean. He took care of me after...." I trailed off and winced at the memory. "After Barty whi...whipped me for not doing what I was supposed to." 

Harry's eyes filled with tears and I smiled. "I don't need your pity, Potter." I said jokingly and nudged his shoulder. 

"You're the bravest person I know, Renn."

"I'm not brave, Harry. Being brave is being scared to do something, but doing it anyway. And that's you. You faced the man who killed your parents, and you saved a girl who could have been working for him. That's brave." 

-----

Most of the school had already entered the hall before I got there. I could sense eyes on me as I stepped through the open door. They had all seen me with Harry and Cedric. No one knew how I had got there. They could also see the marks on my cheek from where my father had dug his nails in. I lifted my hand to touch them, but pulled it back down. I had to be strong.  

Everyone was wearing their school uniform, the smartest I had seen them. Durmstrang and Beauxbaton were arranged near the front. Great big banners hung solemnly from the ceiling. They expressed the Hufflepuff sigil in an elegiac black and yellow. I could see my Gryffindor friends gathered near the front and I headed towards them. 

Once I got close they noticed my presence and Hermione flung herself onto me. "I'm so sorry." she said quietly to me. I looked at Harry and he smiled weakly. He had agreed not to tell anyone unless I gave him permission to. I knew that Ron and Hermione had to find out eventually.

Dean was next to give me a big hug, then Seamus, then Ron gave me an awkward pat on the shoulder. 

Silence fell as Dumbledore entered the room. I quickly sat inbetween Harry and Dean. My hands were shaking with nervousness and grief. I felt a smooth palm wrap around my right hand and I intertwined our fingers. I knew this would be difficult for Harry as well. He had witnessed no one should ever have to witness. 

Dumbledore sat heavily down on his large chair. He rested his head on his hand for a second. The whole room was silent while they waited for him to say something.

He seemed to struggle for words for minute, "Today, we acknowledge... a really terrible loss." his usual booming voice had been replaced with a rather melancholic low one. "Cedric Diggory was, as you all know... " he rose from his chair and I tightened my grip on Harry's hand to stop me from crying. "exceptionally hard-working... infinitely fair-minded... and most importantly... a fierce, fierce friend." Dumbledore made small hand gestures as he described Cedric. "Now, I think, therefore, you have a right to know exactly how he died." 

I took a sharp breath as I worried what he would say, Harry and I exchanged a small glance. "You see... Cedric Diggory was murdered..." Dumbledore walked slowly forwards, "by Tom Marvolo Riddle. Or as many of you know him, Lord Voldemort." people began to look at each other. "The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But not to do so, I think, would be an insult to his memory." I could see Harry nod slightly at these words, he swallowed to restrain his grief. "Now, the pain... we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me --reminds us-- while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one." many faces around the room had tears staining their cheeks. I could feel the salty water drip off my chin and fall onto my leg, leaving a small darkened patch on my skirt. "In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship we've made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that, and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain." I could hear Harry's shaky breaths mirroring mine, "You remember that." Dumbledore's speech was so full of passion, "And we'll celebrate a boy who was... kind and honest and... brave and true right to the very end." I bit my lip to restrain myself from full on sobbing as Dumbledore ended his speech. 

Students began to funnel themselves out of the hall and I found myself lost amongst the masses. Occasionally someone I barely recognised would approach me to express their feelings of sympathy and sorrow. But none of their compassionate messages could alleviate the heavy weight that had settled on my chest.