Chapter Four:

A/N: The glasses that Harry wears are similar to Lady Gaga's. The only difference is that they are completely black. The glasses have to be really thick or some of the scarring will show.

Oh and there are probably a far amount of mistakes in this chapter…sorry! My beta's being a little slow on editing :p and I felt really bad for making you wait so long for this chapter…

Tali: AM I TOO SLOW FOR YOU?

Phoenix: *cowers* no, you're just lazy

Tali: Oh fair enough

Phoenix: *phew*

Tali: WAIT! YOU JUST CALLED ME LAZY!

Phoenix: oh shit *runs*

Harry suddenly felt very vulnerable. 'Professor?' he murmured in a small voice.

'Yes?' she answered, having stopped for him.

'Do the glasses hide the scarring?' he asked in a somehow even smaller voice.

Then Professor McGonagall did something strange. She hugged him. 'Yes,' she said, a slight creak in her voice.

He nodded and tugged at the left sleeve of his robes. He then took a deep breath and walked into the Great Hall. The change was maddening. Just like when he stood in the entrance for the common room, the near deafening noise of student's chatter died almost instantaneously.

'Nice glasses, Potter,' he heard Malfoy shout and several Slytherins laughed cruelly. Harry felt himself go red. McGonagall squeezed his hand reassuringly and guided him to the Gryffindor table.

He stumbled slightly as he sat down but he felt someone who was already seated steady him into his seat. 'Don't worry, Harry,' he heard Neville say. Harry gave him a wan smile and bowed his head, tugging at his left sleeve again.

Harry reached out in front of him and, often asking Neville what food or drink he'd managed to get his hands on, filled his plate and goblet. He was grateful for Neville's help and that he wasn't too eager, only helping when he was asked. Neville was giving a brief commentary of what was happening around the room which was soon joined by Ron and Hermione who took Neville's lead. It was fun. Eating was a slow process as Harry was too stubborn to be fed, especially after of week of Madam Pomfrey insisting that he was hand-fed, but Harry wasn't very hungry so he finished around about the same time as everyone else.

'Who won the house cup?' he asked, realising that he had no idea and couldn't check by the decorations.

'Dunno, the drapes and stuff are all black. Wonder why…' Ron commented.

'Probably in respect for Cedric,' Hermione said in an undertone.

Harry nodded and as Neville said that Dumbledore was getting up he heard the noise rapidly drop. Not as fast as when I came in, he thought bitterly.

'The end,' Dumbledore said, looking around at them all according to Ron, 'of another year.'

'He's looking at the Hufflepuff table,' hissed Hermione.

'There has been many good memories forged; exciting and fun, and there should have been some learning too' he continued and Harry could imagine how his bright blue eyes would twinkle. 'But this year has also been struck with tragedy and I would like to acknowledge a fine young man that should be sitting here-'

'He's pointing towards the Hufflepuff's,' Ron muttered.

'-enjoying our Feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory.'

Harry got up and he heard the scrape of benches coming from all around the Hall as, he presumed, everyone stood and raised their goblets. He joined in the loud, low, rumbling, 'Cedric Diggory' and again heard the scrape of benches as they sat down again.

'Cedric was a valuable member of Hufflepuff house and was proud to represent them on many occasions. He was a diligent student, talented Seeker, a proud Hufflepuff and Hogwarts champion; drawing with Harry Potter for in the Triwizard Tournament. He died as he lived; doing what he felt was right and fair. I feel that all of you, his class mates, international counter-parts and teachers, deserve to know how he died.'

Harry raised his bowed head and turned towards to the staff table.

'Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort.'

Harry could hear the panic in the whispers around him.

Hermione, Ron and Neville had stopped their hissed commentary in shock. Hermione and Ron knew already but they must have been as shocked as him to hear Dumbledore say it so plainly to the entire school.

'Your parents would possibly be horrified to know that I have told you this. They will either not believe the evidence provided by the Ministry or feel that you are too young. However, as his peers, I feel that you need to hear the truth as opposed to lies.

He was murdered for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the wrong time; caught in a trap designed for another. This other returned him to us. He put himself in considerable danger, surviving his fourth encounter with Voldemort, to return his body to us. He displayed courage and determination beyond his years. For this I will ask you to raise your glasses to Harry Potter.'

Harry felt the two beside him rise and he heard the scrape of benches as the Hall rose, a slightly softer murmur, for lack of volume or contributors he did not know, and drank to him like they had for Cedric.

'Harry is a courageous young man and has already suffered greatly. I acknowledge all that has been sacrificed so that he may sit here and what he has sacrificed so that Cedric's body may rest with us. Though most of you know, I say this for those that don't: If Harry Potter had not brought Cedric's body back for us, he would still be able to see.'

Dumbledore stopped speaking. There was a deafening hush around the Hall and Harry could feel countless stares burning into him. He adjusted his glasses self-consciously and ducked his head. He was grateful when Dumbledore started talking again.

'Something we have feared for the past fourteen years has occurred; the most feared Dark Wizard of, possibly, all time has risen again. It is now, more than ever, that we need to stand strong and as one. We are only as strong as we are united. When you are faced with that dark times that are surely coming, remember what you fight for, and remember what you have to lose.

'But most importantly remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.'

Dumbledore's speech was met by a solemn silence which none dared to break for many minutes. Slowly the silence was broken as students rose and exited the Hall, though none spoke. Harry stood up and stumbled, his hands snatching at air until Hermione grasped his arm to guide him. He gave an appreciative look in her direction and they made their way back to their dorm.