WHEN FIRE DANCES WITH SILK || DRACO MALFOY x OC

Chapter Twenty-three - Going home

Sienna POV

******

"The end,"

said Dumbledore, looking around at them all, "of another year." He paused, and his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. Theirs had been the most subdued table before he had gotten to his feet, and theirs were still the saddest and palest faces in the Hall. I saw Sienna crying with her champion sweater on.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," said Dumbledore, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

They did it, all of them; the benches scraped as everyone in the Hall stood, and raised their goblets, and echoed, in one loud, low, rumbling voice, "Cedric Diggory." I did too. I was one of the three Slytherins to do so. Blaise and Sky are beside me. How disrespectful.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff's house," Dumbledore continued.

"He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about." I stared at Dumbledore.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. People were staring at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. He looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence.

"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. Some of your parents may be horrified that I have done so — either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

Stunned and frightened, every face in the Hall was turned toward Dumbledore now. Sienna was looking at me. I shot her an "I'm sorry" glance.

"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again — in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. "It is my belief — and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken — that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst. "Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to choose between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a good boy, and be kind, and brave because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

*****

I had packed my trunk. Sienna was getting Cedrics. She walked into our little room in tears. She was rigging his trunk behind her. I walked over and hugged her. Tight. She sobbed painfully.

"I miss him so much, Dray."

"I know Love."

We packed our trunks and I had mine sent down by Keeny. I carried Cedrics and hers. She stayed close to me and I held on to her during the carriage rides. The big scarlet train came into view. She looked back at the school.

"Until next time" she whispered before boarding the train. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it as she led me to a compartment.

****

I looked down at Sienna. She was asleep on my shoulder. The sunlight shimmered on her skin and her lashes were slightly curled. I gently stroked her hair. Her beautiful thick hair. We were with Sky and Blaise. They were also cuddled up together. Both the girls were exhausted from crying. We'd talked about random things to pass time. We played an exploding snap game and I got her stuff from the trolley. She wouldn't let go of me. I dreaded the time that we got to kings cross. My heart squeezed as I realized I wouldn't see her for a while. She stirred and I softly hummed our small tune in her ear. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, rested my head on her hair, and let myself sleep.

I wished that we could stay like this forever.

Just Sienna and Draco.

Two hearts against the world of heartbreak.

***

"Promise you'll write to me?" Sienna asked as we were nearing Kings Cross. Sky and Balise were still asleep.

"Yes, Love. I promise." I murmured into her hair. She reached up and kissed me. A long sweet desperate kiss.

"I'll miss you," she whispered when we broke apart.

"I'll miss you too Love."

I gave her one last sweet kiss before we had to go back to reality.

I memorized her smell, her taste, the way she moved her lips against mine, and how I felt inside.

END OF YEAR FOUR