Chapter 15: A Lot Of Things That Should Be Different

"So!" Umbridge said triumphantly, looking down upon her prey. "So...you think it amusing to turn a school corridor into a swamp, do you?"

"Pretty amusing, yeah," Fred said, looking back at her deadpan.

It's hilarious, Harry thought, grinning to himself.

"You two," she spat vindictively, gazing down at Fred and George, "are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."

"You know what?" Fred said. "I don't think we are." He turned to his twin, "George, I think we've outgrown full-time education,"

"Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself," George said lightly.

"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?" Fred asked.

And before Umbridge could say a word, they raised their wands and said together, "Accio brooms! "

Fred and George flew out to the sound of cacophonous applause. The story of their flight to freedom was told and retold so often over the next few days Harry was certain it had been cemented as Hogwarts legend. Not only were Fred and George not likely to soon be forgotten-the swamp was left with no cleanup instructions-they had inspired the student body to fight back.

Filch prowled the corridors with a horsewhip ready in his hands, desperate to catch the troublemakers, but there were now so many that he did not know which way to turn. Outside of the old caretaker, Umbridge didn't seem to have a single member of the staff on her side or lifting a finger to help.

Harry was in Charms one day when Ron raised his concern that his mother would be angry at him for not stopping the twins. This turned to speculation about how the twins had found the money to afford a place in Diagon Alley, and quickly revealed the truth of the donation he and Cedric had made.

Hermione stared at him in stunned surprise, "Oh, Harry, you didn't! And Cedric? Surely he wouldn't!"

"Yes, we did," Harry said firmly. "And I don't regret it either. Neither of us needed the gold and they'll be great at a joke shop…"

Once they had exhausted the subject of Fred and George's dramatic departure, which had carried through their conversations until that evening in the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Hermione had wanted to hear news of Sirius. As Harry had not yet found the words to confide in them the reasons he had needed to talk to Sirius, it had been hard to think of things to tell them. After describing the mirrors, which they thought were brilliant, he had admitted saying to them, truthfully, that Sirius wanted him to resume Occlumency lessons. The subject of his dreams got up, and Harry felt frustration tightening in his chest.

"You are trying to block your mind, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," Harry snapped.

It's not exactly easy right now, Hermione! There's kind of always a lot going on…

"You know," Ron said after a tense moment, "if Montague doesn't recover before Slytherin plays Hufflepuff, we might be in with a chance of winning."

"Yeah, I s'pose so," Harry muttered, sighing. "Cedric should still be team captain."

"There are a lot of things that should be," Hermione said plainly, "You and Cedric should be playing Quidditch. You-Know-Who should be dead. Umbridge should never have been put in charge of children. We should all be safe. Doesn't change anything."

"Well," Ron muttered, closing his Potions text. "Someone's feeling optimistic."

"And there are a lot of things left to be grateful for," Harry said quietly, fingers brushing against the red fabric wrapped around his left wrist.

The final match of the Quidditch season, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, was to take place on the last weekend of May. Although Hufflepuff in their last match had scratched out a narrow win-Cedric was close to shouting at Smith for several horrible decisions-Gryffindor was not daring to hope for victory. This was due mainly to Ron's abysmal goalkeeping, though no one said it out loud.

Cedric tried to be encouraging along with Harry and Hermione. If he wasn't going to be cheering for Hufflepuff, he was cheering for Gryffindor without a doubt, even with Cho on the opposing team. Ron, however, seemed to have found a new optimism; if he couldn't get worse, there was nothing to lose. At least this seemed to put him at ease.

The day of the match dawned clear and fine, perfect conditions. Harry, Hermione, and Cedric found seats in the topmost row of stands. The Slytherins, predictably, were singing Weasley Is Our King , mocking Ron. Hidden in the relative privacy of being bodies in a crowd, Cedric found Harry's hand and interlaced their fingers tightly. They were both missing being on the pitch.

They never did see the conclusion of the match in person though, halfway through Hagrid came to find them. He was bent double as though anxious not to be seen, though he was still at least four feet taller than everybody else. He didn't look good; his noose was gently dripping blood, his eyes were both blackened, and he looked utterly woebegone.

"Listen," he whispered, "can yeh come with me? Now? While ev'ryone's watchin' the match?"

"Er...can't it wait, Hagrid," Harry asked. "Till the match is over?"

"Nah, it really can't."

Cedric hesitated only a moment longer. Hagrid was their friend, and, from the look on his distressed face, this was important. They followed Hagrid out of the Quidditch stadium, deep into the Forest. Hagrid was acting quite strange, and it turned out he was afraid of being fired any day. Because of this, he wanted to introduce them to Grawp.

Whatever Cedric had been expecting that afternoon, it was certainly not meeting a giant. Not just any giant though, Hagrid's half-brother and the cause of his bruises over the past months. Hagrid asked them, in the event he was sacked, to take care of Grawp and teach him to talk. Cedric found this prospect terrifying, but Harry and Hermione looked determined to help their friend, and he wasn't about to abandon them on this, so eventually they all agreed.

Actually meeting Grawp and waking up Grawp was….interesting.

When they finally made their way back to the Quidditch stadium, Hermione muttering about how irresponsible that all was and Harry trying to calm her down, they were greeted by the sound of Weasley Is Our King. Judging from the lyrics of this rendition, however, it was no longer being carried by Slytherin voices.

Weasley can save anything,

He never leaves a single ring,

That's why Gryffindors all sing:

Weasley is our King.

"HARRY! HERMIONE! CEDRIC," Ron yelled, waving the silver Quidditch Cup in the air and running over to them, looking quite pleased with himself. "WE DID IT! WE WON!"

As the singing crowd carried their friend along to celebrations, the three of them quietly agreed to save the news until tomorrow. The mood of Gryffindor tower was loud and boisterous, a welcome reprieve, and Ron deserved to savor the moment.

It took several days for Harry and Hermione to find a spare moment to talk to Ron, who was riding a giddy wave of euphoria in the aftermath of the Quidditch match. When they finally did get a chance to talk, they convinced Ron to join them at the edge of the lake in the sun and study.

Cedric was swamped with work and did not join them as often, though he managed to find Harry and give him a hug or a kiss every day. Despite the workload, Cedric didn't appear to be actually that stressed about exams, which Harry was grateful for. It was about time Cedric recognized his own skills; Harry just wished he could transfer that confidence to how he was feeling about the interview.

After Ron rambled a bit about Quidditch, Harry and Hermione managed to say their piece. Ron's emotions traveled from surprise to fear, and they all agreed it wasn't good to dwell on the matter until Hagrid was actually fired. Harry wasn't sure they could deal with that on top of everything else.

The castle grounds were gleaming in the sunlight, the cloudless sky smiled at itself in the smoothly sparkling lake, the satin-green of the lawns rippled occasionally in the gentle breeze. O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were upon the castle at last.

Harry could feel the tension building like status electricity in the Fifth and Seventh year students. Ernie Macmillan had developed an irritating habit of interrogating people about their study habits. Malfoy was being his usual self, seemingly delighting as Neville's anxiety visibly increased. The black market for aids in concentration, mental agility, and wakefulness flourished.

They received their examination schedules and details of the procedure for O.W.L.s during their next Transfiguration first exam, Theory of Charms, was scheduled for Monday morning. Harry's last exam, History of Magic, was scheduled the same day as Cedric's Healer Apprenticeship interview.

Hermione asked Professor McGonagall when they should expect their results-some time in July-and Harry found himself smiling widely as he imagined opening his results at Grimmauld Place…

How will Sirius and Remus react?

For the first time, a wave of truely nauseating anxiety overcame him about the exams. Maybe it would have been easier if he was back at the Dursley's. Sure, it would majorly suck, but at least there he didn't have anyone to let down. Surely Sirius wouldn't be horribly disappointed if he did terrible? But what about Remus? And for that matter...Amos and Thea.

Not only were they his boyfriend's parents, they had informally adopted him into the Diggory family. He had a lot to prove to them, and he had Umbridge to prove wrong. There was a lot riding on these exams.

At lunch, Hermione tried to talk Harry into helping her review Charms, once he agreed he immediately regretted it and shoved the book back into her hands. She was agitated, nervous, and acing every question he gave her. Meanwhile Ron was reading two years worth of Charms notes. Dinner was a subdued affair and the evening an uncomfortable sort.

None of the Fifth or Seventh Years talked very much at breakfast the next day either. Once the meal was over both years milled around the entrance hall while the other students went off to lessons. Cedric slipped away from his group and Harry followed, meeting him in the relative privacy of one of the alcoves.

"Good luck," Cedric said, kissing him gently and then pulling him into a hug.

"Hmm," Harry sighed, content and happy, "Good luck to you. Love you Cedric."

"Love you too Harry."

At half-past nine they were called class by class to reenter the Great Hall. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, though neither Harry nor Ron was keen to talk about it. Cedric seemed to be at ease, at lunch Harry used the pendants to ask and Cedric said he was doing alright, just nervous about the interview. Harry reminded him of how proud his mother was, how confident she had been at Christmas, and was rewarded by a genuine smile.

On the whole Harry thought the Charms practical after lunch went rather well also. Herbology was Wednesday (other than a bite from a Fanged Geranium, Harry felt he had done alright) and then, on Thursday, Defense Against the Dark Arts.

For the first time, Harry was completely confident he passed. He took a vindictive pleasure out of it too, during the practical, performing all the counter jinxes and defensive spells right under Umbridge's nose. He even conjured a Patronus, using the mental image of her getting sacked and then punched by Cedric as fuel.

On Friday, Harry and Ron had the day off as Cedric and Hermione sat their Ancient Runes exams. They took a break from revision to play a game of Wizard's Chess, and Harry was glad to get his mind off things for a bit. Hermione came back from the exams quite angry because she was sure she had miswritten at least one word.

Cedric sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, looking at her intently, "Hermione, if you insist on stressing like this I have no idea how you are going to survive the next two years. Relax. One word is not going to cost you your O, Ancient Runes are as much an art as a science. It's not exact. Seriously, relax."

You always know what to say, Harry thought, smiling at his boyfriend fondly.

They all spent the weekend revising for the Potions exam on Monday; Cedric insisted on making some time in his schedule to quiz Harry for a couple hours out by the lake. Studying, in this case, eventually devolved into a series of kisses. With everything going on, they needed it, needed each other.

Just as Harry was expecting Cedric to pull away, the kiss deepened; it was somehow different then before, more...hungry. Cedric's fingers were digging into his skin, their bodies were pressed tightly together, Harry found himself hyper aware of...everything. The warmth that shivering down his muscles wasn't the same fervent sparks either, it was...passionate. Almost...sensual. It was a foreign, but not altogether unpleasant feeling. A groan escaped him, and Cedric abruptly broke apart.

"Sorry," he said, a bit breathless. "I know you don't...I didn't mean to…"

"Oh shut up and kiss me, you stupid Hufflepuff," Harry grinned, pulling him back.

All in all, on Monday Harry walked into the Potions exam actually feeling alright. His mood was improved when he realized Professor Snape was not present and by the time he handed in his flask, Harry actually felt mildly confident that he passed.

Harry was determined to perform well in Tuesday's Care of Magical Creatures Exam and not let Hagrid down. On the whole he felt, or hoped, that it went quite well, but Hagrid still looked nervous. Harry gave Hagrid a last fleeting thumbs-up before heading back up to the castle.

Cedric didn't answer his pendant when Harry called. Harry, understandably panicked. It was only when he had run half the distance back to the school that he realized Cedric would have surely called if he was in trouble, right? Right?

He found Cedric in the library, asleep on an open book.

"So, you're done," Harry said quietly after a few minutes.

Cedric nodded, "Only Gav's got a N.E.W.T left. No more standardized exams for me...until hopefully I take the General Healer certification in a few years. Then I can work towards becoming a Combat Healer."

"You will," Harry smiled. "You just have to get through the interview, and I've seen you working for it. You're going to do fantastic, love."

The astronomy theory exam on Wednesday morning went well enough. Divination was in the afternoon, and it went badly even by Harry's standards. The practical exam for Astronomy was at eleven o'clock at night. Harry had been filling in his star chart for an hour when the commotion began.

Half a dozen figures were walking over the lawn, being led by a pudgy figure that was clearly Umbridge. He had just turned back to his exam when the distant sound drew his attention; a knock that echoed into the night, immediately followed by the barking of a dog.

He looked up, his heart hammering. There was light on in Hagrid's windows and the people he had observed crossing the lawn were now silhouettes against it. The doors opened and six figures crossed the threshold. When the door closed once more it was followed only by silence...and then a distant roar. The professor reminded them of the exam and the time, which they were quickly running out of.

BANG!

Hagrid's door had burst open, and by the light they could see him quite clearly. He was fighting, fists flying, and the figures were trying to stun him.

"No!" Hermione cried out.

"My dear!" Professor Tofty said in a scandalized voice, "This is an examination!"

But by this point almost no one was paying attention.

Jets of red lights were flying into the night, cries and yells for Hagrid to come peacefully could be heard clearly across the grounds. Harry stared as a stunner hit Fang and Hagrid reacted, realizing they had never actually seen their friend truly angry…

"How dare you!" Another figure was sprinting towards the cabin. "How dare you!" It was McGonagall.

"Stay out of this Minerva!" Umbridge's voice carried surprisingly well over the lawns of the castle. "I'll have you off these premises quickly enough, do not give me a reason to hasten your departure."

" 'Hasten my departure,' " McGonagall repeated sarcastically. Harry rather got the impression that she had drawn her wand. "I'll have you know, Dolores, that I have no intention of leaving peacefully."

A jet of red light left Umbridge and collided with a shield McGonagall had erected. When she spoke the danger in her voice seemed to shiver through the air, "You do not wish to cross wands with me, Dolores."

"I will if I must! I will have order!"

Abruptly Hagrid gave out a great indignant roar, picking up one of the Aurors and tossing him like a sack of potatoes. This drew McGonagall's attention, "Leave him alone! Alone , I say! On what ground are you attacking him? He had done nothing, nothing to warrant such-"

Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender screamed. No fewer than four Stunners had shot from the figures around the cabin towards Professor McGonagall. For a moment she looked luminous, illuminated by an eerie red glow-Harry could only be grateful it was not green-and then she landed on her back and moved no more. They had shot her from behind.

"COWARDS!" Hagrid bellowed, his voice booming across the grounds. "RUDDY COWARDS! HAVE SOME O'THAT-AN'THAT!" Minutes later, Hagrid ran away, disappearing into the darkness.

They were all shaken by the event; Hermione was furious with Umbridge, and Harry agreed with the feeling. When they returned to the Gryffindor common room they found it full, several people had woken their friends to tell the tale.

"But why sack Hagrid now?" Angelina Johnson was shaking her head. "It's not like Trelawney! He's been teaching much better than usual this year!"

"Umbridge hates part-humans," Hermione said bitterly, flopping down into an armchair.

Harry scowled, "That's not all she hates. She hates anything and anyone who is different."

It was nearly four in the morning before the common room cleared. Harry felt wide awake, the image of Hagrid sprinting away into the dark was haunting him. He was so angry with Umbridge-for Hagrid, for McGonagall, for Cedric, for everyone she had brought pain to-no punishment he could imagine ever seemed to be enough to equal justice.

Their final exam, History of Magic, was not to take place until that afternoon. Harry would very much have liked to go back to bed after breakfast, but Cedric was leaving an hour after lunch and he didn't want to leave his boyfriend anxious and alone. He pulled Cedric away from last minute studying to go for a short walk on the ground.

Harry was confident in his boyfriend's abilities, he just needed to relax really. So they walked, and talked, and kissed, and laughed, and smiled, and generally enjoyed being in each other's presence. All too soon it was time.

After giving him a kiss goodbye for luck he walked with Cedric to the gates of Hogwarts, where the other students applying for the program and Tonks were waiting. The witch waved in greeting.

"Wotcher Harry. I'm here to keep you safe Cedric, we don't want a repeat performance from earlier this summer."

Harry felt a small knot of tension leave his shoulders at her words. At least Cedric was protected. And, only moments later, the group was walking to the edge of Hogwarts wards and apparating away.

Harry was left alone, suddenly struck by a strange sense of horrible foreboding. He shook himself, trying to remind himself that Cedric wasn't alone at least, but as he studied back in the Common Room, he could not quite get the feeling to leave.

The Fifth Years entered the Great Hall at two o'clock and took their places in front of their overturned examination papers. Harry felt exhausted and unfocused. He just wanted this to be over so that he could go and sleep-maybe Cedric would be back by then and they could cuddle in the Room of Requirement. That would be nice. Then tomorrow, he, Ron, Cedric, Gavin, and James were going to go down to the Quidditch pitch and celebrate their freedom from studying...

A mere half an hour after they left Hogwarts they arrived at the reception area of St. Mungo's, without incident. Tonks looked relieved, the walk between apparition points was the most likely place for an attack. She went and talked to the receptionist, gesturing to Cedric and the group of Hogwarts students. A minute later another witch came out, checked their names and IDs on a piece of paper, and directed them to sit on the chairs along the wall in order.

Sitting there, waiting, was practically agony. Cedric had to force himself to breathe deeply; it wouldn't exactly look good if he had an anxiety attack over a simple interview. When the five St. Mungo's Healers that were to conduct the interviews finally showed up and he was just ready to get it over with.

"Cedric Diggory?" A stern-faced middle aged witch with her hair pulled back into a tight bun raised an eyebrow at him. He nodded. "I am Healer Romilda, I will be your proctor for the interview. Come with me."

As Cedric Diggory broke away from the group, Tonks flashed him a thumbs up; he managed a smile despite the growing unease in his stomach. The witch led him deep within the hospital, past rows of wards, until finally they arrived at the door to a small office. It was bare except for two hard backed chairs facing each other.

"Some paperwork for you, Mr. Diggory," she muttered, handing him a clipboard and a standard looking hospital quill. Cedric took it in hand…

And felt a stabbing, paralyzing fear strike him in the center of his heart.

The moment he had touched the quill Cedric felt a familiar jerk from behind his navel. His body had left the hardback chair, and left the office altogether. He could not unclench the fingers gripping the quill; it was pulling him onward in a howl of wind and swirling color. He was helpless to do anything but let it take him where it would.