Chapter 10
Tragedy
Lenora had gotten into a heated argument with her parents on the day that Adam came to collect her to watch the third task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. More than anything else, it had gotten Lenora's curiosity peaked again. Why was her folks so against Lenora's setting foot on Hogwarts grounds? She knew it was more than just her parents' opinion of Dumbledore and Hogwarts in general. Most likely, it had to do with Carrie. They seemed to not want her anywhere near Carrie, but why?
"I'm going," Lenora had stormed. "If you try to stop me, you know what I'll do."
"You're a spoiled brat, Lenora," Gertrude had raged as she waved her wand to rekindle the fire. However, the flames shot up and escaped, setting the hearth rug on fire. "Shit." Gertrude waved her wand again and put out the flames effortlessly. Dammit, but Lenora made her so angry! Why couldn't the girl see reason?
"I may be a spoiled brat, and if I am, then it's your fault," Lenora spat. "I'm going and that's all there is to it."
She flounced away and stalked upstairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her. She was fuming as she began to prepare for Adam's arrival, glad that she had something to occupy herself. Sitting idle when Lenora was in a fit of temper did not bode well, and she knew herself well enough to know that she might do something she would regret if she didn't have an outlet for her feelings.
She was still in a fowl temper when Adam arrived, spinning like a top and landing on the floor in front of the fireplace in her room. Normally, he would have come to the front door to collect her, but Lenora didn't want her parents to see her disguise. Lenora had stolen some Polyjuice potion from her mum's storage cabinet so that she could put it to use. As Death Eaters, her parents and their friends had access to potions not found in the average wizarding household.
"I got Aunt Ethel's hair," Adam said, showing her a small vial. "Oi, what happened to you?"
"Want to take a wild guess?" Lenora said brusquely.
"Your folks aren't happy that you're coming with me to Hogwarts."
"How right you are," Lenora grumbled. "But that's just too bad, isn't it, because I'm not caving in. I'm going and that's that." She was not about to give up this opportunity to see Hogwarts and to watch this much awaited third task.
Adam nodded, knowing how much Lenora had been looking forward to it. He just wished for her sake that it didn't have to be so difficult. "We'd better get moving. This potion has to last for quite a long time, so you'll have to drink a lot of it."
Lenora pulled a face and squared her shoulders in determination. "The things I do these days." Sighing in resignation, she dropped the small bunch of grey hairs into the large container of potion. She turned positively green when it turned blue and then yellow. However, she downed it in one gulp, holding her nose and willing it to stay down. Moments later, she felt her body begin to grow in all directions. She had grown much taller than her five foot stature, had acquired a large stomach, and her hands elongated into big pudgy ones. Her hair shrunk and grey replaced the beautiful golden curls, giving her a curly poodle look. When the transformation was complete, she looked in the mirror and nearly screamed. "Well, shit, shit, shit."
"Aunt Ethel isn't much of a looker, I'm afraid, but it will work. Don't worry. She knows what I'm up to and is helping us. She wasn't feeling up to going to the tournament since she was just recovering from an illness, and she has always been a scheming partner of mine. This way, she'll get my mum off her back about going, and we can smuggle you inside at the same time. I promised her I'd show her the memories in the Pensieve so she'll know how it turns out."
"Very clever," Lenora smirked. "I suppose I can handle being in her body for a while."
"You're a trooper, Nora," he grinned at her. He kissed her, which made Lenora laugh afterwards.
"I don't think you'd kiss your Aunt Ethel like that normally."
Adam roared with laughter. "No, I wouldn't. Come on, let's go."
They arrived at Hogwarts a while before the event was to start, and Adam was caught up in the excitement of what was to come. This night would decide who the winner would be, and everyone was keyed up. "Let's go find Ced."
Adam led Lenora through the front door of the castle and into the little room where the champions waited with their families. Adam grinned as he pulled Lenora along with him. "You clean up good, mate."
"Look who's talking," Cedric grinned back as he and Adam slapped one another's backs and ruffled each other's hair. "So, where's that lady of yours that you've been talking about day in and day out?"
"Er, she couldn't make it," Adam said, giving Lenora a warning look. "she has the flu."
"Too bad. I'd have liked to meet her. Aunt Ethel's a far cry from Nora, eh?"
Adam grinned and Lenora began to cough pointedly. It looked like dear ole Aunt Ethel was the butt of many a joke.
Unfazed, Adam grinned and punched Cedric's arm. Lenora knew that Adam had told his cousin a little about her. To him, she was Nora Eldridge, a girl who lived in London. Adam wanted nothing more than to tell him more about Lenora, but she had asked him not to. She didn't want anyone at Hogwarts knowing of her existence yet; there was too much for her to do an accomplish before her true identity was found out.
"So," Adam said, still grinning, "when are you going to pop the question to Cho?" Lenora knew about Cedric and Cho Chang's romantic involvement.
Cedric's smile faltered somewhat. "I want to be sure I have enough to support us. These winnings would help, but I have to earn them first. If I win, I'll ask her tonight."
Adam's smile was replaced by a slight frown as well. "Hey, come on, mate, you've been putting money away. You've got enough to get you two started. Why put off your happiness? She wants to marry you, you know that, but she's waiting for you to propose."
"I know, but I can't just yet," Cedric said a little impatiently. "I know we disagree on this, cousin, but it has to be this way. It's not fair to force a life on her that will be an arduous one. Cho deserves the best."
"To her, you ARE the best, Ced. If you put it off until you find an ideal situation, you'll never do it because you'll always be looking for something better," Adam persisted. "It will work out. Just ask her and you'll see."
"Look," Cedric said irritably, "I can't think about this right now. I need to do what I have to in that maze and then I can get everything else in order. Just lay off, OK?"
Adam sighed and shook his head. "Alright, fine. Have it your way. You'll do great. Good luck, mate. You've got it all sewn up."
"Thanks," Cedric said, softening. "I'm sorry I bit your head off. I'm just rather frazzled. I'm not sure I have it sewn up, really. Harry's a strong contender."
"Maybe so, but you've got age and experience on your side," Adam said, grinning again. I can just see you holding those galleons right now."
Cedric returned the grin and slapped is cousin on the back. "Well, we'll find out soon. Hey, thanks for coming." He enveloped Lenora in a hug. "I'm glad you decided to come, Aunt Ethel. It wouldn't have been the same without you."
""I'm glad I came too, dear," Lenora said, feeling quite awkward. She and Adam exchanged a look, both of them hiding how guilty they felt about deceiving Cedric. When and if Cedric found out that their aunt wasn't there at all, he was bound to be quite miffed.
They were situated in their places in the stands, along with Adam's family, everyone glad to have good seats. It was exciting to see how fired up everyone was. A small instrumental ensemble had begun to play while sparks in both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor colors illuminated the sky. But then, all went silent as Dumbledore, Ludo Bagman, and the other judges took their places. It was time to begin.
The signal was given, and Harry and Cedric were the first to enter the maze, followed by Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour. "Oh, Adam, I can hardly stand it," Lenora hissed softly in his ear. "I wish we could see what was happening."
Adam nodded but his gaze never wavered from the maze. A slight commotion ensued, however, when Fleur and then Viktor were retrieved from the maze. "It's only Harry and Ced in there now."
Lenora tore her gaze away from the maze so she could look around at the other spectators, hoping that maybe she could catch a glimpse of Carrie. She had almost given up and started to turn her head back toward the tall hedge, but she'd caught a flash of golden hair out of the corner of her eye. Yes, there she was! Lenora couldn't help but stare at her for a moment; she looked so much like her. Carrie was whispering to a taller girl with dark auburn hair while holding the hand of her boyfriend, Eric Schultz. There was a buoyant joy about Carrie that Lenora knew she, herself, didn't have. Carrie seemed so carefree and vivacious. Well, why shouldn't she be? She got the good life while Lenora lived in a loveless household. A surge of anger tinged with grief shot through her, and she stifled a sob that unexpectedly wanted to rise up. Hurriedly looking away, she squeezed Adam's hand and focused her attention back to the maze. Whether Adam noticed her slight change in mood, she didn't know. His eyes hadn't wandered from the maze as far as she knew. If he hadn't noticed, she would be relieved, for she just didn't want to expound on it.
What happened next seemed unreal, like it belonged in the pages of one of those horror novels that some people got their kicks from reading. The Tri-Wizard Cup had been found and brought back, but Adam knew that he would never forget the sight that accompanied that cup. Harry Potter was clutching the cup – and Cedric's dead body – as he appeared before the massive audience.
As if in a nightmare, gasps and screams greeted their ears. "He's dead!" someone shrieked. "Cedric Diggory! He's dead!"
A piercing scream from Cho Chang sounded, and in that moment, Adam knew that it was true. Cedric was dead! But how? What happened?
"I have to get down there," a completely stunned and white faced Adam said as he clutched Lenora's hand.
Lenora could only nod and follow helplessly as he pulled her behind him. She was glad to be in the disguise because it would be of use so she could stay close to Adam. Spectators, except family, were being shooed back as Dumbledore bent over the dead wizard.
Tears filled Lenora's eyes as she looked around at the stunned and distraught faces. Oh, it had all gone horribly wrong! Nobody was supposed to die in this tournament. It was unfathomable! Cedric had been so alive and talking to them only a while ago, and now…"Oh God!"
As they hurried along, Lenora said fervent prayers that it wasn't true, that Cedric would get up. Once he was in plain sight though, she knew it would be hopeless. Cedric's eyes were staring at the sky, but there was no life, no expression in them at all. His jaw was slack, as if he'd been caught by surprise before he died. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some mutilated old looking bloke with an artificial leg and some crazily moving eye leading Harry Potter away while the spectators continued to gape. The old wizard she knew to be Dumbledore was talking to a couple who she thought to be Cedric's parents. Putting an arm around Adam, she felt him trembling next to her.
The next thing Lenora heard nearly ripped her heart out. Cedric's father had broken away and was now crouched over his son in anguish. His heartbroken sobs penetrated her senses, and the sight of his tears and grief stricken face nearly brought her to her knees.
Lenora didn't realize that she was sobbing herself, nor did she know how she ended up in the office of Albus Dumbledore. The next thing she realized was that she was sitting in a chair next to Adam and clutching his hand.
"My deepest sympathies to all of you," Dumbledore was saying. It was clear that the wizened wizard was fighting for control. It had been a long, long time since a student had actually been killed. Although he was not involved in the cause of death, he felt responsible anyway. He knew who had murdered Cedric Diggory, but explaining to a grieving family that Lord Voldemort had risen was going to be an extremely difficult undertaking.
Lenora listened numbly, not really taking in half of what was said. She caught bits and pieces, words like Voldemort, Portkey, and Harry Potter, but none of it made sense. Every now and then, she glanced over at Adam, who was silently wiping tears from his face with his free hand.
"You are Cedric's Aunt," Dumbledore was saying.
"What? I'm sorry," Lenora said, startled.
"You are Cedric's great Aunt Ethel Diggory," Dumbledore repeated gently. "Amos said that you and Cedric are…were…very close."
"Y…yes, that is correct," Lenora replied in Ethel's voice. Oh God, she shouldn't be here in the midst of this family's grief! Somehow, she had to get out of there before the potion wore off. She felt completely out of place and uncomfortable, but most of all, she now felt guilty for the deception that she and Adam had engaged in.
She almost panicked when Adam jumped up and ran from the room. She couldn't blame him at all. This had been horrible. Nothing like this was supposed to happen. Cedric was supposed to have won the gold and come back healthy – and alive.
"Adam, come back," a woman begged as Adam fled. Lenora knew this was Adam's mother.
"I'll…I'll go after him," Lenora replied hoarsely. She wanted to comfort him, but she knew she had to get out before the potion wore off. She couldn't bear the thought of causing this family even more sorrow.
Lenora found him by the converted Quidditch pitch. By now, the scene had been cleared and Cedric's body had been taken away. Adam was crouched by the area where Cedric and Harry had appeared, tears streaming down his face and his shoulders shaking with sobs.
Without a word, Lenora took him into her arms and pulled him close. "I'm so sorry, Adam. Oh God…I'm so sorry." Her tears mingled with his as she leaned her forehead against his and then kissed his face from time to time.
They sat like this for what seemed to be an endless time, both of them sobbing softly. Lenora, of course, didn't know Cedric, but she cried for his loss nonetheless. What a waste! But, she cried for Adam's pain mostly. It was obviously tearing him up, and she felt completely helpless as to what to do. She was no good at this comforting thing. All she knew to do was to do the things he had done for her when she had cried against him for hours on their second date. Lenora stroked his hair, planted little kisses on his wet face, and attempted to hum softly to him through her own tears. Oh, Merlin, she had never felt so helpless in her life, not even when Ralph had messed with her. It hurt her in a way she had never known before. To feel such intense pain was almost unbearable.
"Come on. I'll take you home," she said softly when their tears had abated. "we can't stay here."
"The others will handle the…arrangements, but I need to get word to them about where I'll be," he croaked, his voice hoarse from crying. Waving his wand, he produced a talking Patronus that was in the shape of a Golden Retriever. "I'll have it tell them I went home with Aunt Ethel."
Lenora ducked her head in shame. "I'm sorry, Adam."
"Don't," he said once his Patronus was on its way to the castle. "We had no way of knowing. In a way, this is good because it will have spared Aunt Ethel the--" He swallowed hard as fresh waves of grief assailed him. "It would have devastated her to see that."
"Yes," Lenora said gently as she tugged on his hand to signal him to get to his feet. "Come on. I'll take you home."
Lenora took from her purse the empty perfume bottle she'd used to activate a Portkey to get them to Hogwarts. "Portis," she whispered as she tapped it with her wand. The bottle began to glow and shake for a moment, and then it was still once again. "It'll be ready to go in three seconds."
Lenora felt the sensation of being pulled by the naval through a vortex as the Portkey whirled and spun them to their destination. Instead of going to Adams' house, they landed in Lenora's bedroom where she locked and put a double impervious charm on the door. She also performed a quick Siren Song to keep it locked and impossible to get through from the other side. Ralph and Gertrude, she knew, would be out rather late that evening, but even if they were there, she had no doubts that Adam would be undiscovered. She didn't care about that anyway. The only thing that mattered was giving him succor. He needed her now more than ever, she was positive of that.
They ended up staying awake all night, spending hours with Adam regaling her with his memories of Cedric. She listened intently and chuckled in the right places, sometimes laughing outright at their antics. It was clear that the two cousins were close. In fact, they had been more like brothers than cousins. He also confessed his guilt about feeling envy toward Cedric for his popularity, and Lenora tried to reassure him that it was a normal feeling. He took comfort from her words, she knew, but it would be a long, long time before Adam could lift the burden of guilt from him. Although they did a lot of talking, most of the night was spent with Adam being held in her arms while he sobbed his grief, his head cradled against her breast. Just as he had done for her, she focused all her attention to comforting and soothing him during this time of seemingly never ending darkness.
