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Year 4: He's Back!
Alan stood in the crowd of the Final Task with his friends. He had on a dark brown jacket over a red shirt with blue jeans and his favorite Ravenclaw hat backwards on his head.
By his side stood Dana and Amon, the only two he really trusted at the moment. After a somewhat bad breakup with Fleur about a couple weeks ago, Marcus seemed that he wanted her the week after. Alan let his feelings for Fleur go, but he felt that with Marcus going after her almost immediately was just too greedy and shallow, even for Marcus.
He later found out someone cast the Imperius curse on Marcus. While Alan wanted to believe that, he felt it was hard to believe, since no one in the school is allowed to use magic on one another. After a misunderstanding and one hell of a fight later, their friendship was somewhat patched up. Still a bit rocky, but still there. Just needed some space, he told himself.
The music started to play as the Champions walked to the front. First came Cedric, followed by Fleur, then Viktor, and finally Harry. Everyone started applauding loudly for Harry except for the Slytherins and some supporters for Cedric.
As always Dumbledore started with a speech explaining the rules. Alan drowned him out, tired of having to here almost the same thing again. He was brought back by the early cannon from Mr. Filch. He cheered for Harry as he walked forward into the maze.
Dana tapped him on the shoulder. "You all right? You had the thousand yard stare going on."
Alan slightly shook his head clear of the cobwebs. "Not really. I have a bad feeling."
Amon turned his head to his friend. "Naturally. Lord knows what's in that maze."
"I think he's talking about something else," said a voice. All three turned to see Marcus standing there with his hands in his pockets. "Something worse than that. Surely, you all remember Alan has a knack for these sorts of things," he said, chuckling. The others couldn't help but nod in agreement. He moved towards his friends, but didn't go past Amon. Alan was sort of thankful for that.
Two hours later...
The crowd roared with excitement. Harry had returned the victor. People were high fiving and whistling; applauding and cheering. But Alan's gut instincts knew something bad had happened and Fleur's cries confirmed that.
"What's going on?" Dana asked, trying to look over the heads.
"I don't know. Harry's on the ground and...that's Cedric. But, he's not moving," Amon told the others.
"Alan. You don't think..." Marcus asked.
"No. No, he can't be," Alan replied, close to a nervous breakdown.
"He's back! He's back! Voldemort's back!" Harry cried.
The Ravenclaw quartet felt their blood run cold. All exchanged a panicked look. That was replaced with sadness after hearing Mr. Diggory run from the stands to his son. "That's my son! My boy!" He wailed.
Alan felt tears sting his eyes. He tried to keep them at bay. Dana put an arm around his shoulders, tears in her own eyes, knowing he would break at any minute. He responded by putting his hands on Dana's and Amon's shoulder. He felt a hand on his own. He looked up to see Marcus, nodding his head to his friend. Alan smiled weakly, hoping his friend knew how welcome his comfort was.
The day after was very solemn. The only happy thing was that classes were cancelled. After lunch was served, everyone left and waited for the Great Hall to switch over. It had changed to somewhat of a church setup with long benches and high rafters. Everyone took their seats and tried not to cry as Dumbledore stood to speak.
"Today, we acknowledge a really terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as you know, exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair minded, and most importantly, a fierce, fierce friend. Now I think, therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort! 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. Now the pain, we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me and reminds us that while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues our hearts beat as one. 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. You remember that and we'll celebrate a boy who has kind and honest and brave and true, right to the very end."
Alan silently filed out with the others. Not many words were exchanged between them. It was then time for goodbyes to their classmates and new friends. "Goodbye to you, Connor. Promise we'll keep up this summer."
"Of course, my friend," the young Norwegian said. Alan shook his hand and hugged as friends do.
Then came the moment that had him worried: Fleur. He wasn't expecting her to say goodbye to him, but she was walking towards him. He walked to her, albeit a bit hesitant.
"Bonjour, Alan," she said in her sweet voice.
"Hello, Fleur. Look, I know we didn't work out. But that doesn't mean I don't want to be friends. So...can we be friends again?" he asked.
There was a long silence following his words; that is until he felt her lips against his cheek. "Of course. I vould love that, mon ami." She handed him her address and he did so, too. After a kiss on her forehead (which she blushed like he did) and a warm hug, the two parted ways as Beauxbaton's and Durmstrang took their leave.
He followed his friends to a spot along a walkway overlooking the lake. "Another year approaches," Alan said, standing next to Amon.
"Only the stakes are higher now," Marcus added, jumping up and taking a seat on the ledge.
Amon and Dana stood amongst the two. "Please promise we'll keep in touch this summer," Dana told her best guy friends.
Amon laughed as the others looked at each other. "Deal."
Alan looked out at the horizon, anticipating another year at Hogwarts. Little did he know what was to come for him and his friends.
