The weeks had passed and Brooke found herself bidding good luck to Harry, who nervously went with the other three champions to face the third task. She, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George sat with Mrs. Weasley and Bill, Harry's pleasant surprise. The champions' families came to visit to watch them compete in final task. Mrs. Weasely tried to avoid talking to her, until, thankfully, Harry set her straight saying they weren't going out at all. Her usual warm and welcoming smile only lasted a little while. They were showing them around Hogwarts and Draco came up to say hello as they neared the Slytherin common room.
"Oh! And I believe everyone knows Draco," Brooke said, blushing furiously upon realizing Mrs. Weasley and Bill weren't aware of the two. She could feel the rising tension and was trying to think of the easiest way to deliver the news.
"Don't worry, mum," George patted Draco on the shoulder. "He's not too much of a git now that he and Brooke are going out."
She and Draco chuckled uncertainly under their surprised gawking.
To Draco's defense, he had been very gentlemanly like, smiling and even shaking their hands. Mrs. Weasley and Bill, on the other hand, were reluctant to return the favor and only looked at Brooke with wide, disapproving eyes. She'd thought she'd be used to it by now, but it's something hard to ignore.
"Ladies and gentleman," Ludo Bagman yelled into his wand as they were in the stands just around the front of the massive maze. "The third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each- Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School! In second place, with eighty points- Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute! And in third place- Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"
Harry looked up to them and they waved back, smiling. Draco couldn't bring himself any further than to clap, however, Brooke owed Draco for deciding to watch the task with them instead of cheering for Krum like most of the Slytherins.
She was hoping Harry would come back with the trophy in no time. The maze had to be a task made for him, after all the things he's been through already. Fighting Quirrel, Fluffy, the magic flying keys, Devil's Snare, a Troll, the Dementors, Brooke listed down in her head, each one, more reassuring.
"So…on my whistle, Harry and Cedric!" said Bagman. "Three- two- one-"
He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry and Cedric hurried into the maze and they were gone. Brooke wondered if the audience would be able to hear what would go on in the maze, for she was convinced there were more dangerous things than dragons and mermaids. Bagman whistled in Krum and then Fleur. Then, they were left to wait and hope.
They sat down, talking about what they thought the champions had to go through to get to the trophy.
"I think we prepared Harry enough. I mean, he's gotten down the general jinxes and charms," said Hermione, despite a worried expression on her face.
"I wonder if Hagrid got more dragons somewhere," Ron stared in the maze, as if trying to see any hint of scales and fire.
"Maybe they got a hold on another Basilisk and put it in there," said Draco. Brooke knew he was just trying to be more conversational, but the rest were horrifically surprised, especially Mrs. Weasely, remembering Ginny being captured her first year in the Chamber of Secrets.
Even Hermione and Ron tried to loosen the obvious, but unmentioned tension, ultimately failing and only getting Bill to stiffly talk to Draco.
"Well, it's not like they're your parents," muttered Draco, giving up.
"Yes, but they're like family," said Brooke, also losing hope.
"They're not exactly thinking the same thing about me," said Draco bitterly.
"They have good reason to. Your father's been absolutely horrible to them all these years. And so have you, for that matter."
"So you still think I'm so horrible?" he said defensively.
"I didn't say that. But you can't possibly believe you've been an angel the other three years."
"Right now, I think I've been angel. I didn't say one thing about them being poor or muggle lovers. I haven't even called Granger a mudblood in months!" he whispered loudly.
"And I'm so proud of you, but please, just…I really want them to like you too," she said, receiving a disbelieving glower. "Which I'm sure they will…sometime," she hoped, doubtfully.
The minutes passed by without a sign of the champions. Then, red sparks flew into the sky, the signal of a champion giving up. They were all relieved to see it was Fleur and not Harry, who had been escorted out of the maze by a teacher. She looked disheveled with bits of grass and leaves stuck in her hair. She was babbling angrily in French to Madame Maxine.
The audience drifted back into their conversations, now having evidence that the task was hard enough to make someone forfeit.
Later, Bagman announced to the crowd of Viktor Krum forfeiting, returning very confused and angry. It sparked a loud cheering war between those supporting Cedric and those supporting Harry.
Another hour had gone by and no sign of either champion was seen. Brooke wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. She kept picturing Harry facing something they didn't prepare for and being in so much danger he couldn't reach his wand to send up sparks. Her head was resting on Draco's shoulder, tired, but too anxious to be sleepy.
Then in one instant, the crowd heard a thump. Both Harry and Cedric returned and the audience roared so loud that they couldn't hear a word Bagman was yelling into his wand. The trumpets went off and her eardrum went numb with cheering. The crowd bounced up and down, raising their hands in the air. It was over, she sighed, yelling at the top of her lungs in joy. Then she looked at Harry. She expected him to be beaming and holding up the trophy, delight shining on his face. Instead, he was still on the floor, clutching onto Cedric, crying. She stopped clapping and whooping.
"What? What's wrong? I'm more excited than you are!" yelled a smiling Draco, who noticed her quick stop.
But Brooke only stared fearfully and intently on the two champions. The audience soon began to quiet and instead of happy cheers, they only heard Harry's echoing cries piercing through the night. It drew the blood from her face and gave her chills to hear him like that. Teachers and judges darted forward and Dumbledore tried to pry Harry off of Cedric's body, who lay unmoving. They were gasping, shocked faces, screaming, even.
The stands heard Cornelius Fudge, pale in the face and panic in his voice, "He's dead!" It echoed through the crowd. Ripples. "He's dead! "Cedric Diggory! Dead!" Brooke stared again, into Harry's screwed up face over Cedric, staring blankly into the sky.
Gasping, she grabbed for Draco's hand, scared and her mind reeling in thousands of directions. He was just as shocked as she was, his hand as cold as hers. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory raced forward, the greatest fear in their eyes. They started weeping hysterically upon their dead son. She tore herself away and saw Cho, who had already ran down the stairs to the field, her face buried into her hands. More blood drew from her face. Her nerves jolted cold.
Draco squeezed her own hand, his eyes wide, jaw clenched and mouth frowning.
Not knowing what made them all snap back to reality, she, Draco, Hermione and all the Weasleys went down the stairs without a word. They only found the tragedy up close, cries louder, one hundred times more awful. Harry, Dumbledore and even McGonagall had all run off somewhere.
Mrs. Weasley said something about the Hospital Wing, and they hurried along. The nervous chatter and exclamations faded as they moved away in silence.
They could now only hear the rustle of leaves from the chilly night wind and echoing cries over Cedric's dead body. The moon had risen, leaving a solemn blue glow and brought shadows to life, moving along the corridors.
When they had gotten to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey came, rushing to the sound of the door.
"Where's Harry?" they sounded all at once.
"I'm sorry, but he hasn't been here. I haven't seen anyone all night. The task didn't turn out well?" she asked innocently.
"That's an understatement," said Fred.
"It was terrible. You haven't heard him anywhere?" said Mrs. Weasely.
"No, not at all."
"But he should be here," said Brooke.
"He has to, he's not anywhere near the maze," said Bill.
"What happened to him?" demanded Ron.
"I said I don't know!" exclaimed Madam Pomfrey.
Just then, the doors opened and Harry came in, accompanied by Dumbledore and a large black dog. They rushed forward, but Dumbledore put a hand up, stopping them in their tracks.
"Harry has been through quite an ordeal tonight," said Dumbledore softly. "And I have just made him relive it. What he needs now is rest. You all are welcome to stay with him if it's okay with Harry, but I want no one to question him until he is ready, and that is definitely not tonight."
They nodded, still looking at Harry who glared darkly at Draco, then looked down, avoiding eyes. Brooke turned to Draco, who looked quite confused and especially pale, considering the moonlight.
"Headmaster," said Madam Pomfrey, staring at Sirius. "May I ask what-"
"This dog will be remaining with Harry for a while," said Dumbledore simply. "I assure you, he is extremely well trained. Harry- I will be back to see you as soon as I have met with Fudge. I would also like you to remain here tomorrow until I have spoken to the school." He left.
Madam Pomfrey gave Harry some pajamas. He changed in silence. No one knew what to say.
"Is he going to be alright?" Harry finally spoke, laying on the bed, staring at Moody. Brooke hadn't noticed him and why he looked so weak, ragged and helpless. He looked much thinner than he had a few hours ago, but obeying Dumbledore's orders, they kept quiet.
"He'll be fine," said Madam Pomfrey and she went to get a potion.
"I'm alright," Harry looked at them all, who looked back, scared. "I'm just tired."
Then Madam Pomfrey came back giving Harry a potion for dreamless sleep and he soon drifted off.
Hermione sighed and sat down on one of the cots, shaking her head. Ron sat next to her, his expression somber.
"Hey, I think I should get going," Draco whispered in her ear.
"No, it's okay. You can stay with us for a bit, if you want," she whispered back. Truthfully, she was afraid and having his hand there anchored her.
"I want to, trust me, but I think you should be alone with them."
"I'll walk you to your common room," she agreed.
Draco said goodnight to them, but they only nodded and kept staring at Harry.
They crept out of the Hospital Wing to face the same empty and gloomy corridors. It seemed like the whole world was dismal. The couple created echoing steps, themselves matching to the quietness of the school, until they reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room.
"Goodnight," Draco said.
"Sit with me for a little?" she didn't let go of his hand. "Please?"
He smiled and nodded, following her to sit at the window's ledge. There, they had a clear view of the now empty Quidditch field and the moon above it, crickets chirping their sad song.
"Thanks for staying with me the whole day," she said quietly.
He grasped her hand tighter, looking outside.
"I can't believe this all happened," she continued.
"Neither can I, but death happens."
"Not like this," she shook her head, "Not in some lighthearted competition."
"Someone was bound to die sometime in this thing," he shrugged.
"He was here a few hours ago. Alive and breathing and now he's gone. And to imagine," she squinted at the air, "that whatever happened to Cedric could have easily happened to Harry." She wouldn't have believed it. Not only was he one of her best friends, but to the rest of the world, he became the symbol of everything against Dark magic.
He pulled her in to rest in the warm cocoon of his body. Feeling incredibly grateful to have someone to hide away in, Brooke buried her head into his chest and let him hold her tightly. It would be lovely. It would be so lovely to stay like that forever and let everything else fade away.
"Did you notice the death glare he gave me just a while ago?" said Draco, suddenly.
"I did, actually. I wonder why. You didn't do anything, did you?"
"Of course not," he snapped. "I wish you would stop insisting that I do everything wrong."
"Sorry," she sighed. "Bad habit."
They paused for a while again, listening to the silence.
"I should be getting to bed," said Draco, unleashing her from his grasp. "I'm sure your friends are wondering where you went off to."
"Oh, erm don't mention anything to anyone, alright?" she asked.
"I won't. I promise. And I'll see you as soon as I wake up tomorrow."
"I'll probably be in the Hospital Wing."
They said goodnight and Brooke went back to find Hermione, Ron, Bill and Mrs. Weasley, now sitting down, expressions the same.
"Where did Fred, George and Ginny go?" she whispered to Hermione.
"Back to their dormitories. Mrs. Weasley's orders," she replied.
Harry lay there, in dreamless sleep, somewhere where no one could touch him or hurt him. Whatever happened that night, he could forget, just for this period of time. Tomorrow, he would have to wake up, realizing everything was real again.
Half an hour passed without a word breaking the air.
"What do you think happened?" Ron whispered.
"Something terrible, that's for sure," Hermione replied.
"Best not to jump to conclusions," warned Mrs. Weasley.
It wasn't too late in the night and they were wide awake, whispering back and forth until footsteps approached along with yelling.
Dumbledore, Fudge and McGonagall had stormed into the Hospital Wing. What they were arguing about was a little hard to catch on, but Brooke soon understood. Someone- a Death Eater, she assumed, had been captured and kissed by a dementor. Dumbledore was furious and tried to convince Fudge that Voldemort had returned.
She shared a look with Ron and Hermione, who were just as perplexed.
With all the racket, it was no surprise that Harry was awake, up and listening every word they were saying. He told them what happened.
"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" Harry shouted. "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy-"
Harry glanced at Brooke for a half second and Brooke's eyes widened. Harry must have remembered Lucius when he saw Draco at the Hospital Wing. She wasn't sure where this would put her between them. The two Malfoys were separate in her mind. Although, looking the same and being related, she knew Draco was nothing like his idiotic excuse for a father. No one else would be as convinced.
"Malfoy was cleared!" said Fudge, visibly affronted. "A very old family- donations to excellent causes-"
"Macnair!" Harry continued.
"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"
"Avery- Nott- Crabbe- Goyle-"
She mentally checked off every one of Draco's Slytherin friends as Harry called them out, each one, burrowing a hole in her stomach.
The only thing she could think of was now what.
Once they all left, the room was silent again and none of them spoke.
At some point during the heated conversation, Brooke had sat down next to Hermione. She could understand why Fudge was so adamant on not believing Voldemort was back. Who'd want to believe it? If it had been up to anyone in the room, however, none would hesitate in smacking the Minister of Magic across the face for his stubbornness.
Still, it was a lot to take in, especially once Snape had come in and revealed his Dark Mark. Nothing seemed to make much sense anymore.
"You've got to take the rest of your potion, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said at last. Her hand nudged the sack of gold on his bedside cabinet as she reached for the bottle and the goblet. "You have a good long sleep. Try and think about something else for a while…think about what you're going to buy with your winnings!"
"I don't want that gold," said Harry in an expressionless voice. "You have it. Anyone can have it. I shouldn't have won it. It should've been Cedric's."
Harry was far away. Physically, he was only a couple of feet, but he stared off at the sack of gold.
"It wasn't your fault, Harry," Mrs. Weasley whispered.
"I told him to take the cup with me," said Harry. His eyes began to shine and Brooke couldn't see him like that. She looked around the room, looked for nothing, but wished it could have been a happy night. They could have been celebrating with him with all their friends, coming up with the strangest ideas to spend the money on.
Her eyes managed to land back upon Harry. Mrs. Weasley put the potion down and hugged Harry. He cried in her arms, just as he cried when he landed back in the Quidditch field, carrying Cedric and the trophy. Brooke blinked away. Everything Dumbledore threw upon Fudge, she had on repeat in her head. For Harry to witness so much…
Something made a loud pounding, making the rest of them jump. Hermione was on her tiptoes to reach the window, shoulders up, eyes glowing with excitement.
"Sorry about that," she whispered, hands still clasped down holding a scurrying little beetle with pointed glasses.
