Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction whose characters are the intellectual property of one J.K. Rowling. All rights belong to her. This idea was inspired by Clell65619's "The Hufflepuff Conspiracy part 1" found in "The Big Box of Silliness".
The Council
"Mr. Potter is saying Cedric was killed by Peter Pettigrew. The ministry claims Potter did not want to share the Triwizard's Cup. What are we to do Poppy?" cried Professor Sprout.
"Settle down Pomona. We Hufflepuffs stick together. Give me a few days and I'll find the truth of the matter. Call for a council meeting Thursday night. We will let are fellow 'Puffs decide." replied Madam Pomfrey.
"It will be done." murmured Professor Sprout as she headed towards the door.
Looking at the room full of empty beds the healer eyed one in particular. It's time for another checkup for Mr. Potter she decided.
Two days later
People of all ages slowly filled the room. Each one had a gold ring with a badger engraved on it's face. The rings were charmed to be portkeys; only able to activate when a council was called.
"It is amazing that all these people are here without anyone else in the school knowing," stated Ernie MacMillan.
"It's been 12 years since the last council meeting was called. What's this about?" asked Hannah Abbot.
"I'm sure we will know soon. The rumors say it concerns Cedric's death. With all that's happened, it must be important," replied Susan Bones.
A stage was at the front of the room. It held a podium and 3 chairs on it's left side. A table with a stone basin covered in runes took the center spot. A chime sounded and a silence descended upon the crowd. A door at the side opened and 3 people walked onto the stage.
"Look its Auntie," whispered Susan.
"Shh.." Hannah held a finger to her lips and blew.
Prof. Sprout walked up to the podium. "Sonorus," she muttered holding her wand to her neck. Returning her wand to its holster she began. "I call the 527 meeting of the Hufflepuff Council to order. Our last meeting held over a decade ago was one of rejoicing. The dark lord had been defeated. This meeting is one of sorrow and mystery. One of our own Cedric Diggory is dead. As if that wasn't enough, we have Harry Potter saying the dark lord has returned and the Ministry of Magic denying it all."
The noise level in the room jumped as excited whispers filled the air.
"Quiet please," Professor Sprout spoke once more. "Our own Madam Pomfrey has brought evidence of what happened. After she speaks we will hear briefly from Amelia Bones, head of the D.M.L.E."
Madam Pomfrey stood and walked to the podium as Prof. Sprout took a seat. A vial was pulled out of her pocket and held in her hand. Turning her head from left to right she looked at the room's occupants. "My fellow Hufflepuffs. After Cedric's death all I could think was how did this happen? It wasn't enough that Cedric died. Two different versions of his death have surfaced. The first one is by Harry Potter." The noise level rose again yet Madam Pomfrey continued speaking. "Mr. Potter claims Cedric was killed by Peter Pettigrew. A man that has been dead for 12 years. Mr. Potter also claims the cup was a portkey that took him to a graveyard where his blood was used in a ritual to give he-who-must-not-be-named a new body."
"No it can't be!" a voice cried out. Cries of fear filled the audience.
"The second version of events comes from the ministry under Cornelius Fudge," Madam Pomfrey trudged on. "He claims Cedric's death was an accident. Minister Fudge denies the dark lord's return and hints that Mr. Potter wanted to be the sole champion."
"I decided to find out the truth of the matter instead of wondering who i should believe. Two days ago after a brief conversation with Prof. Sprout, I summoned Harry Potter to the infirmary. The pretext for calling him was a medical checkup. I dosed him with veritaserum and questioned him. His answers shocked me. I then asked for and took and copy of his memory of the events in question." With that Madam Pomfrey raised her hand showing everyone the vial. She opened the vial and walked to the table. Slowly she poured the silvery contents into the stone basin.
"For those of you who do not know, this is a pensive. It's purpose is to hold memories so they may be reviewed. This particular one allows the memory to be projected above it," Madam Pomfrey finished speaking and touched her wand to a rune.
Above the pensive an image flickered to life. Two young men... their hands both reaching for a silver cup in between them. The scenery vanished as they were transported, landing in a graveyard. The first image that of Cedric Diggory looked at the other youth. "Wands out do you reckon?"
"Kill the spare," a voice rang out. A green light flew through the air impacting against the Diggory boy. His body fell to the ground lifeless.
"He never had a chance," cried Hannah as the memory played on.
"Poor Harry," whispered Susan. "How much can one person take? We need to help him.." The memory continued as they watched the man Peter Pettigrew cut off his hand dropping it into the cauldron. He then walked up to Harry and drew his blood with a knife and flicked it in as well. Smoke rolled from the cauldron. A man appeared.
"It's him... it's the dark lord!" a woman's voice screamed. The crowd filled with gasps. People were crying in terror that Voldemort was back. The image was suddenly filled with people. Deatheaters called by their lord. Everyone watched spellbound by what they were seeing. Amazed that Harry had lived. Cheers rang out as they watched Harry duel the dark lord and escape with the body of Cedric.
"He's back...Voldemort's back." spoke the voice of Harry, and the memory ended.
"What are we going to do?" yelled a fear stricken old man on the second row. Pandemonium reigned as everyone tried to speak at once.
Hannah's arms enveloped Susan. "What's going to happen now Susan?" she asked.
"We are going to listen to Auntie. After that, ideas will be given for us to choose from. As a whole, a decision will be made on what to do," replied Susan in a no nonsense voice. Reaching her hand up she brushed tears from Hannah's cheek. "Don't worry we don't have to do it all. Others are here to help."
Thirty minutes later the room began to quiet. Amelia stood and walked to the podium.
"Time. It takes time for us to digest what we have seen and heard. It takes time for us to accomplish our goals. I say this to remind you that there is no quick fix to what we have just witnessed. There is no simple solution. The minister of magic is bound and determined to the idea that Voldemort is dead and Harry Potter is a liar. He will not listen to reason or seek to verify the truth."
"As each of you has been made aware of today Voldemort has returned. Death and terror will once more appear on our doorsteps. Yet we have hope!" Amelia's voice cut through the air. "Today we have witnessed that Voldemort is not invincible. A 14yr old boy faced him in a duel and won."
The meeting continued for another hour before a final decision was made.
"I don't know how everything else that was decided will work out, but Harry is fortunate that he is going to get his own personal 'Puff. I sure hope it's me," Susan spoke.
"So do I Susan...So do I," grinned her best friend Hannah.