The Amazing Thing About: Trust. Chapter thirty.
Author's note:
Hello and welcome to chapter 30! I'd like to thank everyone who has read this far. I appreciate you and am excited to continue this journey with you all. Now, TRIGGER WARNING: DEATH. VIOLENCE. This chapter was physically painful for me to write. Good luck.
...
It was impossible to get anything done on the day of the first task. She'd spent the morning with Kelly. While younger students were sitting through exams they didn't have them until the next year when they would be taking their NEWTs. While one would consider it a blessing it spoke to how hard the exams would be for them to give students two years to prepare for them.
At lunch she was surprised to see Mrs. Weasley and Bill with Harry. She greeted them but didn't stick around as she didn't want to interrupt their time together. During the meal she asked Victor if he would attend the event with her. "Ms. Montgomery are you asking me to be your date?" He teased and she hated that he could make her heart skip with the right kind of smile.
"No." She huffed just to be stubborn.
It was good that he saw right through her. He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I was actually thinking of skipping the event and asking if you would join me on a stroll through the woods." He said. The tender way he looked at her made her nearly melt but his words sunk in and her eyebrows shot up. "The forbidden forest? That sounds like a romantic date to you?" She asked quietly.
He set his hand on hers under the table. "Scared?" He asked with a quirk in his brow.
That was the second time someone had asked her if she was scared in the last couple weeks. "As someone who likes to think they have common sense? Yes." She said turning her hand over to let his fingers slide between hers. It was strange how even with so many others around it felt like they were on their own little island. He pressed the outside of his thigh to hers and she didn't miss the way his eyes flickered to her mouth.
"I'll keep you safe." He said. "Besides. I just want to spend some time with you before this year is over and I have no interest in staring at a maze waiting for someone to win." The way he was looking at her had Eliza questioning what exactly kind of time he was wanting to spend with her.
She broke eye contact and turned to her plate to give a bit of meat to Rikki. "Because you didn't get to compete?" She asked playfully trying to diffuse the sudden tension.
Eliza nearly shuddered when he spoke close to her ear. "I have a much better prize than glory."
Her face felt like it was on fire as she glanced his way and he watched her with a winning smile. "I'll consider it." She said suddenly occupying herself with her cup as her mouth had gone very dry.
"Lovely." His tone was light and chipper and she wondered once again how he was able to say things the way he did with zero shame. He had to be the bravest guy in the world to be able to speak the way he did with a straight face.
She's been doing a lot of thinking after lunch. It was all about Victor and the way things had progressed between them. With the year coming to a close she figured out that she didn't want their relationship to stop. She wanted to tell him how she felt and it looked like she had the perfect opportunity to do it right in front of her. While she was finishing up a large supply of Guzzlers in the shop with George she made up her mind.
"Excited for the last task?" He asked avoiding the subject of his relationship. They'd been talking about how things were going with Katie and he'd been playing coy about it which was a dead giveaway that they were going very well. It helped her come to grips with her own feelings and how she wanted to proceed.
"I don't think I'll be attending." Eliza said casually.
He turned to her. "What? Why not?" He asked.
Eliza smiled to herself hesitant to say anything. There was no telling how the night would go and she didn't want to jinx anything. George leaned against the table inspecting her face. "Iz?" He looked confused by the smile on her face.
She shrugged. "Victor wants to spend the task with me. Wants to take a walk." She said like it was no big deal. To her it was a very very big deal but she was also massively nervous.
He pointed to her face. "That doesn't explain the way you're smiling."
She glanced up at him trying really hard not to laugh. "I can't smile?"
"Over a walk? No. You're hiding something." He said crossing his arms and staring at her expectantly.
There was something fun about teasing him. "Maybe." Her smile grew bigger and she pretended to be too busy stirring the batch. They were just about done and she'd be able to focus on other things. There were a million different ways she could tell Victor how she felt and she kept running through them. If she ended up stumbling over her words she'd feel like a complete idiot.
George looked like he was getting impatient with her. "Alright spit it out." He said.
She couldn't help but toy with him for a while longer. He just looked so confused it was endearing. "What?"
"Don't 'what' me. What's got you so giddy?" He said taking the ladle from her giving her nothing to fiddle with.
Eliza caved and set her hands on the table, tapping her index finger as she tried to think of how to phrase it. "I was just thinking that with no word from Connor and him possibly being in America that maybe it was time I took some happiness for myself." She said.
George seemed like he was following but was missing a few pieces. "And that means...?" He probed.
"I think I want to make things official with Victor." The words rushed out of her in a breath and she looked up at him to see his mouth drop open. "You're joking." He said.
She shook her head. "No. It feels right. I want to tell him that I'm in love with him." The moment the words left her mouth it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her. Eliza was sure George already figured out she was falling for Victor but to say it out loud felt insane.
"Izzy." He suddenly hugged her and she laughed at his reaction while patting his back. "I'm so happy for you." He sighed. It felt good to share that with him and she remembered the night after the Yule Ball when he'd told her that she deserved to be happy. It felt like a dream then but she had it in her grasp. All she had to do was reach out and grab it.
"Thank you, George. This is why you're the best." She said as she pulled out of the hug and motioned for him to hand her the large jars he'd collected for the larger amount of guzzlers. He was smiling like an idiot as he did so and she had a feeling he understood now why she'd acted so ecstatic for him and Katie. There was something special about seeing a friend truly happy.
"This is his last year. How will you make it work?" He asked taking the top off the jar and setting it on the desk. He motioned for her to hold it so he could pour the potion and she did so with an equally stupid smile. "Oliver and Kelly seem to be doing a good job of it." She said. From what she knew about Victor she had a feeling she could trust him with the distance. He'd waited this long for her already and she didn't see him giving up just because she had to finish school.
"I can't believe it." He chuckled and they brushed shoulders before exchanging laughs over the way they were acting. They were like giddy little kids.
Eliza took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Feels unreal." She admitted. While there was still a part of her that thought it might end badly she told that part to shut up and let her have this.
"I bet." George lifted the cauldrons one by one and would pour, stop long enough for her to grab another jar and then start up again. Once they were finished he lifted one of the jars to inspect it before setting it in the cabinet. With their work done she checked the time and motioned to the door. As they left the workshop he put his arm around her, rubbing her arm. "Fred is going to be so glad. He's been getting tired of the 'will they, won't they' thing." He said.
"Can't blame him." Eliza said and she felt like she was walking on air. He hugged her one more time before they parted ways in the grand hall. Mrs. Weasley asked her to join them but she declined and thanked her for the offer. To the side she saw George whispering something to his brother and Fred's head snapped her way. Eliza smiled to herself and told Mrs. Weasley she was glad to see her and told Harry 'be safe' before heading off. She had her eyes on Victor who saved her a seat.
For most of the meal she talked to Louis and Hannah as Louis asked Victor what he would have done to prepare for the maze. Victor humored him and Eliza watched him interact with the younger student, admiring him. He was so patient.
When Dumbledore called for the students to head down to the pitch Victor acted just as casual as ever and Eliza followed after him. On her way passed the Gryffindor table Fred and George both shot her smiles and Fred mouthed 'good luck'. She held up her hand, fingers crossed as they filed out with the rest. Hannah and Kelly asked if she wanted to join them but Victor pulled her into his side. "Sorry, ladies. I'm kidnapping her for the evening."
The girls' eyebrows shot up and Kelly nudged Hannah. "Oh. Well you two have fun." She said quickly. Eliza waved to them as he guided her off to the side. He waited until they neared the pitch before pulling her along and moving around to the side using the stands to conceal them. From there they were free to wander towards the tree line as the stars started to appear in the sky.
"Nervous?" He asked as they passed into the forest. Eliza wanted to tell him he had no idea but it had nothing to do with the forest that she was an anxious mess. She wanted to time it right and also just wanted to blurt out her feelings right then and there. She took a deep breath to steady herself even though her heart refused to stop pounding. Eliza looked around them and tried to play it cool. "It isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I expected monsters everywhere."
Victor laughed quietly. "Don't be fooled. There's plenty to be scared of but I wasn't planning on taking you in too far." He said and took her hand, interlocking their fingers. The way he was able to make her feel safe with such a simple gesture made her wonder how she'd ever tried to resist him.
"Good. I'm not in the mood to run for my life tonight." She tried to joke but it came off awkward making her want to kick herself. How was she supposed to do this? She worried she was going to mess it all up.
A squeeze of her hand snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked up at Victor to see him smiling softly. "I'd never let anything happen to you." He sounded so sincere and she believed him without a doubt. Being with him made her feel invincible especially when he looked at her that way. As if she was something precious that he would defend with everything he had. Merlin, she had it bad.
"I know." Eliza had to look away or risk making a complete fool of herself. He seemed satisfied with her response and as they walked it was easy to just enjoy each others company. It felt like nothing really needed to be said but they filled the quiet with little bits of conversation. Nothing substantial just plans for summer break. Eliza joked about how if she was lucky her mom and dad would let her outside at least twice. Victor took the chance to remind her that he wanted to meet her parents.
Instead of brushing him off she told him he'd have to mentally prepare himself for an interrogation. He had the charm dialed all the way up when he smiled and told her it would be easy since all he had to do was tell the truth.
"I'm glad you joined me tonight." Victor said as she wondered what it would be like to have him in the same room as her parents. "I'd much rather be here with you than sitting in the stands waiting to see how who comes out on top." He continued and Eliza wholeheartedly agreed. Even if she was nervous she couldn't deny that this was easily becoming one of her favorite nights of her life. It felt like things were finally coming together.
Eliza smiled to herself. "How much you wanna bet Harry wins?" She would have put money on it if she cared for betting.
Victor chuckled. "It seems there's very little he can't do." He said but there was something in his tone that said he wasn't invested in the conversation.
"He's something special. Everyone knows it." Eliza nodded. She had a feeling that there was nothing that Harry couldn't do as long as he had his friends to lean on.
"Eliza..I don't want to talk about Harry right now." He stopped her and Eliza felt a shock of something run through her chest as he loosened his grip on her hand. She looked down at their intertwined their fingers and her eyes followed the movement as he slowly raised her hand to his mouth. "I don't think I'll get a chance to do this again. I want to do this right."
Her face heated at his words. She had a feeling she knew what he was going to say and she gulped. Eliza had come with him planning to express her feelings and now it seemed he was beating her to the punch. He didn't make it a secret how he felt about her but he hadn't put it into words. He'd slowly been showing her.
All the gestures, grand and small. His support and the tender way he cared for her when she needed him. His eyes often told her more than his words could. With everything between them this year she'd felt something building. While she'd brushed him off the year before he'd gotten under her skin. He'd been so patient and was taking her wall down brick by slow brick. She hadn't even noticed it at first. It was always so easy to be around him and talk to him about what was on her mind. Whereas once she'd thought it was impossible Victor seemed to be able to work miracles.
"Victor I-" She started but he held up his hand to stop her. "Eliza. Please. Give me a moment to speak." He said and the way his voice shook made her snap her mouth shut. While there was still a tiny piece of her wanting to stop him she couldn't bring herself to do it. It was the way he held her hand or the look in his eyes that spoke of purity and pleading. She nodded and he took a deep breath to collect himself.
"Ever since I saw you I thought I had to know you." He said. "At first it was a little crush on a girl who came out of nowhere. You were a blur and then an awkward girl sitting watching people play chess. But something told me I had to get to know you." His eyes were soft as he stared into hers and Eliza felt unable to look away. "You may not know how beautiful you are but I do. The way you are with your friends. You're sense of humor. Your kindness. How you suffer so much but always try to help others. You stopped being some cute girl and became a beautiful heart I wanted to hold. To cradle. To heal."
Victor took a shaky breath. "I know you don't believe it but you deserve to be happy. I want to give that to you. Have ever since that trip to Hogsmeade. I'm always thinking of you. In class I can't focus. In my bed your smile is the last thing I think about. When I wake up its so I can see it again."
Eliza sucked in a sharp breath trying to keep herself in control. She didn't want to get over emotional and start to cry but she felt like she was close. At the sudden inhale his gaze flickered to her mouth, his hand rising to cup her cheek gently. His thumb caressed her cheekbone brushing away a tear she hadn't realized slipped from her eye. So much for not crying.
"I'm in love with you, Eliza." His whispered words made her shiver.
She wanted to tell him that she knew but the words wouldn't come. Eliza knew he'd been falling for her and it was hard to admit but Merlin, she'd wanted him to. He was so good to her. So soft and sweet. He was always there. Her hand shook as she lifted it to slide around the back of his neck to pull him down. If she could ever be happy she knew it would be with him. He made her feel safe. If there was ever anyone who would be right for her it was him.
When their lips connected Victor's arms wrapped around her and her heart skipped. It was only a brief kiss but he didn't let her go when he pulled away. "Is that you saying that you'll be with me?" He asked and Eliza stared up at him for a moment before nodding. The smile that he gave her was wide and she could swear he'd been holding his breath in that moment because his next breath punched out of him in relief.
Victor rested his forehead against hers with a soft laugh. "Thank Merlin. If you'd said no I would have been so embarrassed."
His words made her giggle. "How embarrassed?" She asked.
"The kind of embarrassment where I resort to wearing a bag over my head for the rest of my life."
They both laughed and Eliza allowed her hands to slide over his shoulders before she looped her arms around his neck. His arms around her made her feel warm and she didn't want him to let her go. "You're far too good-looking to be wearing a bag." She whispered and pulled him down for another kiss, her eyes fluttering closed. As she did so she could've sworn she saw a flash of light, probably from the tournament. People were bound to get rowdy while waiting to see the outcome. But when Victor went stiff in her arms she felt her stomach twist. Eliza opened her eyes to see Victor's face frozen in confusion just before he crumbled to the ground.
Eliza felt the world slow to a stop as she watched him fall. The way his limbs splayed out as he landed and the frozen look on his face didn't want to process in her head. She felt a tear slip down her cheek as she stared. She couldn't comprehend why he was laying there. The sound of footsteps reached her ears and her eyes slowly rose from Victor's body to the trees. They weren't alone.
The darkness seemed to deepen in her heart as she focused on the familiar form stepping forward from a group of trees. He approached casually, one hand in his pocket while the other twirled his wand between his fingers.
"Surprise, lover."
At the sight of him Eliza felt all the hope in the world drain out of her and she crumbled to her knees beside Victor. This was wrong. It didn't make sense at all and she struggled to understand. He couldn't be here. Victor couldn't be gone. She leaned over him and took his face in her hands, shaking. "No."She whispered as the world started to crumble around her.
She felt she was suffocating as she stared down at him as if she expected him to return. "Oh, no no." She shook her head, tears suddenly blurring her vision. When had she started crying? "No no no no. Please." She released him and stared down at her hands. "No. Oh, No please no." Her voice was cracking and she hunched over until her forehead was pressed to Victor's chest, her fingers gripping at his shirt. She clutched at him desperately whispering for him to come back to her. That everything was okay. The things she whispered didn't even make sense but she couldn't stop.
The gravity of reality was a slap to the face as Connor's footsteps came closer. He was laughing. "NO!..No.." It felt like a weak chant of defeat as she began to sob, her tears soaking into his robes. The realness of what happened was settling in and she felt herself being torn apart inside, her heart was breaking for Victor. He'd been so good and he'd been willing to overlook everything just to be with her. They'd finally come together. She'd finally let him in. They were going to be together.
Her cries only got louder and louder until she sat up and wailed at the top of her lungs. Everything felt twisted and horrible as she screamed for him. Everything he'd been to her and she'd never let him know. She'd waited too long to tell him. She'd blocked him off for so long and he'd looked so happy when she let him in. It was all coming together and in a flash it was all falling apart. She dropped her face into her hands trying to shut it all out.
"Now, now. All of those tears aren't going to bring him back."
Eliza raised her head and stared up at Connor who was looking Victor over. He smirked and used his foot to nudge Victor's head to the side. It caused something inside of her to twist and rage became a palpable emotion. She'd known anger but this was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. It shot through her veins and burned bright in her chest causing her to lash out. For once her magic was useful and Connor was knocked back a few feet causing him to stumble and fall and Eliza stood though her knees threatened to buckle.
There was only one thing on her mind in that moment and it kept her standing.
"Ooh. Someone's feisty." Connor said as he sat up, wand pointed at her. She pulled out her own focused on keeping him away from Victor. "You have no idea." She muttered and launched an attack of curses his way. He'd always been stronger than she was and it was foolish to challenge him but she couldn't stop herself. She wasn't even thinking straight and it was as if her wand were doing all the work for her. Connor rolled and was on his feet and dodging while firing back his own.
"Who taught you to fight?" Connor laughed as he sidestepped her next hex. His amusement only fueled her anger.
"My boyfriend." She hissed and launched another string of attacks remembering the things Victor taught her. 'keep your feet planted' She could swear she could still hear him guiding her as she managed to land a hit and sent Connor spinning through the air. He rolled when he landed and quickly hit her right back as she advanced on him.
"Crucio!"
Eliza hit the ground and it felt like her entire body was on fire. She'd tasted pain plenty before this but it somehow all paled in comparison as she curled in on herself as if she could escape it. She screamed and it felt like an eternity of agony stretched out before her. Like it would never end. When it did end Connor was standing over her and she panted as she searched the ground for her wand.
"One down, baby. I'm only getting started." He sneered and delivered a swift kick to the side of her head.
Everything swam but Eliza could swear she could hear the call of a crow. It almost sounded like laughter as she rolled to the side. Victor's body lay a few feet away from her and the need to be next to him forced her to move. She made it to her hands and knees and crawled toward him. When she reached him tears began to flow freely once more, her rage being taken over by grief. It took everything in her to close his eyes but she did so and placed a kiss to his forehead.
Nothing else mattered but staying next to him. She couldn't leave him no matter what common sense whispered to her that she needed to find help. That she needed to get someone. All she could do was hold onto him as her sobs wracked through her. Off in the distance, the crowd drowned her out. So she laid down next to Victor, tucking herself against him wanting to keep him warm. His hands were growing cold so she took them both in her own. She laid her head on his chest but it only hurt more that there was no heartbeat.
It was only when she realized that his hands weren't warming that she sat up. She couldn't help him. He was gone. Someone had to know. She had to tell someone. He couldn't just stay there in the woods. She put his arm around her shoulders and tried to lift him. He was far too heavy for her though and she collapsed to her knees. She thought about dragging him but she didn't want to hurt him. It was a stupid thought but what if he got hurt?
"I'm a witch. I can do this." She was panting and tried to lift him via magical means but it just wasn't working. The feeling of her world shattering apart was too overwhelming to concentrate. Shock was beginning to set it and she was torn between staying with him and running. Her legs made the choice for her.
She stumbled through the woods towards the sounds of others. She didn't register at all that she was still in dangerous territory or even the branches that she ran into on the way. Whenever she snagged she just kept going, tearing herself free. When she blinked all she saw was Victor's face. A flash of light. It was playing again and again.
Her feet guided her forward, the sounds of the tournament registering somewhere in her mind. She just had to keep moving towards someone who could help. Anyone. Her tears fell freely as she continued on until she reached the edge of the pitch and found people. They were hanging around outside talking excitedly about what the outcome would be. They were smiling and laughing, cracking jokes about who was going to win the bet over who would emerge victorious. They were talking about what they would do with their winnings. When she stumbled forth from the dark and grabbed hold of one of them they were all startled.
"What's wrong with you?" The girl she'd grabbed asked as Eliza opened her mouth but her voice was broken as she begged. "Please..Help.." The students looked at each other, confused.
"I think I know her. I'll get someone. She looks freaked out." A boy said before disappearing. The girl she was holding onto looked uncomfortable as she tried to ask Eliza what was going on but Eliza felt the world falling away from her.
It felt like forever while the students tried to get her talk about what was going on. She didn't know what to say to them to make them understand and some of the others decided to go back inside away from her and whatever it was that was wrong.
When the boy returned her breath caught in her throat. Behind him were Fred, George, Lee, Hannah and Kelly. She saw Fred first and her feet carried her forward until she was throwing herself against him, her fingers clawing and grasping at his robes. "Izzy?" He sounded alarmed as he wrapped his hands around her arms to keep her upright. George, Hannah, and Kelly tried to get her attention and ask her questions but she clung to him harder until Fred put his arms around her. He ducked his head down to speak quietly to her. "You've got to tell me. What's wrong?"
She heard one of the girls ask where Victor was and she broke. Her knees gave way and Fred went with her as she sank to the ground. "Victor..." She sobbed. "His body...Someone has to.."
Her words had Hannah quickly muttering to George and Kelly to get a teacher. They hurried off while Fred gently asked her to tell him what happened. "Victor..He said..And then Connor-" The words couldn't come and she wailed, the sound tearing from her as the pain ripped through her. All over again she saw Victor's smile and then the flash of light. If only she'd been paying attention. This was all her fault. She'd thought Connor wasn't a risk to them. She'd let her guard down. Fred was quick to hold her to his chest. "Where is he, Izzy?" He asked.
"He..In the forest..He's cold." She whimpered and tried to tell him where but it was between sobs. She was sure she wasn't making any sense but he rocked her and tried to soothe her as she struggled. "We'll find him. It's okay." He whispered as he smoothed her hair and rubbed at her back as she wept.
When Flitwick appeared with George and Kelly he was looking panicked. Behind him was Professor Sprout asking what all the fuss was about but Flitwick was quick to assess the situation. "Eliza. Where is Victor?" He asked trying to get her attention but Fred pushed him back before he could get too close. "I know where he is." He said and he called to George. "I'll show them the way. Stay with her." He said. George had to pry her away from Fred before she would let him go.
"Izzy. Come here. It's okay. They're going to get him." He pulled her to the side and sat on the grass. Eliza could hear Fred leading the professors away and she couldn't take her eyes off of them until George tugged her to him. Feeling cold she crawled into his lap. He pulled her head to his shoulder and she went willingly wanting everything to just stop.
Eliza proceeded to cry against his neck as he held her. "It's okay." He sounded like he was trying to hold it together as she lost it and he set his cheek on top of her head. Hannah was kneeling next to them holding one of Eliza's hands. She was crying as well and Eliza's grip tightened as her body shook and her tears soaked George's shirt. "George...He's gone. George I-" She whimpered and sniffled. "He killed him. George he wants to- you and Fred. Please don't go."
"I'm right here." He whispered. "I'm not going anywhere." It sounded like a promise and it was one she desperately hoped he could keep.
With the commotion some students had wandered out to see what was going on and Hannah was on her feet to tell them to back off. But from the crowd still watching the task came loud cheers. Those cheers lasted for a few minutes before screams began to ring out. Eliza burrowed herself into George's neck at the sounds. It made her want to curl up inside herself and die. There was panic rising in the crowd and George lifted his head. "What's going on?" He asked quietly to Hannah who moved off.
She returned a few moments later and she was silent for some time until she finally said. "Cedric Diggory...He's dead."
The words froze Eliza to the core and George was startled by her suddenly trying to get up. He rose quickly and helped her to her feet as students were being rushed away from the area and back to the castle. There was crying and sobbing echoing all around her. Hannah was in hysterics, the night's events getting to her. She was one of the most prideful and strong girls Eliza had ever known and she was holding her mouth as tears slipped down her cheeks. Pain was palpable in the air and Eliza felt it ring sharply through her as one word managed to make its way through the madness. "Cas."
George grabbed for her as she headed for the crowd. "Eliza!" He shouted as she began shoving her way through the students, her vision blurred with tears. People shoved her back and yelled at her as she fought through. George was right behind her trying to get her to come back but she wasn't listening. If she was heartbroken over Victor she couldn't imagine what Cas was going through. Her own pain fueled her forward even when she was stopped by Mcgonagall who grabbed her by the arm just before she broke passed the crowd and in the middle of everything was Cedric's body. Harry was being yanked away from him as Cas and her father knelt beside him.
The night that she'd thought was one of the best of her life was now madness.
Dumbledore was shouting and Moody was pulling Harry away from the boy while Cas held her brother's hand crying loudly. "Mr. Weasley! Get her away from here!" McGonagall snapped, her face screwed up in pain while trying to be authoritative.
"I'm trying!" George snapped as he caught her by the arm but Eliza couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene. How did it all go so wrong? Everything she'd felt since the summer break was right. Things were changing. Things were breaking. Cedric's father was trying to pull his daughter away from her brother and she knew exactly what that felt like. She'd been there. She was still there. Something deep unraveled in her gut and her sorrow hit a peak as she opened her mouth.
"CAS!" Her scream had Dumbledore turning and Mcgonagall looked to the headmaster, her hand on Eliza's chest. Cas turned her head and the look of absolute despair shattered what was left of her. McGonagall pushed her back and everything felt muffled as the woman shouted and Cas' gaze returned to her brother. Eliza was dragged away by George. The professor helped and as they led her back towards the castle Fred emerged from the forest followed by Flitwick and Sprout. Their faces were all grim and the sight of Victor's body floating behind them had Eliza dropping. George caught her and Mcgonagall's eyes seemed to register understanding.
"What is happening?" The woman gasped before taking off towards Flitwick.
"C'mon, Eliza." George was saying before forcing her back to her feet and towards the castle, his arm tight around her. Eliza's eyes were stuck on Victor's form though until they were too far away to see him anymore. Inside the castle the halls echoed with sadness. Eliza couldn't keep track of where they were going, her eyes meeting crying faces and people huddled together as they passed. They were all crying for Cedric. No one knew that there was more than one death to mourn yet. It felt like she and George floated on their own island of pain amongst the sea of turbulence caused by Cedric's passing.
It wasn't until she was sat down on a bed that Eliza realized she was in the hospital ward. Madam Pomfrey was bustling over and asking questions but George said she wasn't hurt. He explained the situation and the woman stumbled back at the news before the doors opened and students began to pour in in hysterics. Eliza let her gaze wander over each and every one of them. It seemed they were the ones closest to the front to see Cedric's body on display. Some were older with shock in their eyes and others were younger with broken dreams. The fun of the school year was now marred by tragedy. Death had come like a storm to Hogwarts. Yet they had no idea that lightning had indeed struck twice.
The sheer amount of agony in the room left Eliza feeling overwhelmed and she was almost glad for the teachers rushing in and telling the students to go back to their common rooms with calming droughts being handed out. Madam Pomfrey's eyes were wide after the students had gone and she whipped the curtain closed around the bed she and George were sitting on. "Stay quiet." She ordered. The sound of footsteps and raised voices filled the room and shadows played on the curtains as the bodies of Cedric and Victor were moved through.
George sat against the head of the bed and pulled her close. Eliza couldn't tear her gaze away from the gap in the curtain where she could clearly see Victor's hand dangling limply as he was escorted through. "Don't look." George said and she went willingly as he pulled her against his chest and she tucked her feet up onto the bed as he reclined back. Eliza buried her face in his robes but nothing prepared her for the conversation that took place.
"How did this happen?!"
"Albus is looking for Harry now. He should be with Mad-eye."
"Snape as well. Harry will be alright."
"If they get to him in time."
Eliza's body jerked at the idea of Harry in danger but George kept her close. She couldn't help anyone yet her knee jerk reaction was to go to him. To go to Cas. People were suffering and she felt completely helpless. What was wrong with her? Inside her was a storm and while she wanted to cry it felt like everything inside her had dried up. Her hopes, her dreams, her love. It had all been sucked out and tossed aside.
"And Duponte?"
There was a silence that wrenched at Eliza's heart.
"It seems he was an unfortunate victim of Connor Wardell. He used the last task as way to slip through somehow."
"And Eliza?"
"Stop!" Madam Pomfrey hissed.
"Victor's parents will be here soon. We cannot deny that this would not have happened if it weren't for his involvement with Ms. Montgomery."
"I said stop!" Pomfrey raised her voice.
"She is a part of this!"
George slapped his hands over her ears but they were right. She didn't have to hear it to know that this was her fault. She'd signed his death certificate when she ignored Connor's warnings last year and continued to let him closer and closer. She knew the danger. Her guilt built and crashed over her like a great wave and she began to claw at the sheets while George's chest caught and she heard him sob. "Shhh. Don't listen." His voice cracked but she couldn't stop the whimper of pain that slipped through, the sounds causing footsteps to come their way. The curtain was ripped to the side and there were a few gasps.
"I told you to stop!" Madam Pomfrey hissed as she stepped in front of professor Sprout.
The sound of the doors bursting open made them both jump. A woman and a man rushed towards Flitwick and Professor Sprout. "Where is he? Where is my son?" The woman was begging and the professors both led her and her husband away. Madam Pomfrey, however, looked to George and Eliza with great sympathy. "I'm so sorry." She whispered as Victor's mother wailed, her cries echoing through the hospital ward. George took a deep breath and kept her head pressed to his chest.
A few moments later Victor's father came storming their way. His face was contorted in anger and pain and Eliza sat up as George did the same. "You!" The man pointed an accusatory finger her way as he came closer. "This is you! If it weren't for you-! The man reached the bed and he kicked the frame. Pomfrey had the man by the arm trying to pull him away and trying to talk sense into him but he wrenched away from her and walked around the bed. George was on his feet at her back but Eliza did nothing as Victor's father snatched her by the collar and dragged her up.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she stared up into his eyes. "You killed my son!" He exclaimed and shook her. How could she deny it? Victor's blood was on her hands even if she hadn't cast the spell that ended him. George pulled her away from him. "No, she didn't!" He said as Pomfrey once again tried to pacify him. But his rage had him pulling his wand out. Eliza barely registered the sound of running footsteps before there was a flash of red hair and the man was shoved away from her. "Get off her!"
George tucked Eliza under his arm as Fred stood between her and the grieving father. Lee stood a bit off to the side as if he were backup. They looked ready to kill and Eliza couldn't take it. How could this be happening? None of this was right. It was awful and she could barely breathe.
"STOP IT! NO MORE!" Windows rattled and beds shook as she shouted. George pulled her head to his shoulder as she turned away. "Izzy.." He petted her hair but she couldn't take anyone else getting hurt. "Hasn't there been enough pain?" She asked. "I don't want anyone to suffer anymore."
She knew the gentle touch of Pomfrey's hand on her back. "Oh, dear." She whispered and she clung to George tighter when the woman said it would be best if they left so she could talk to Victor's parents. That Cedric's parents would be coming soon and that she didn't want to see anyone else get hurt. Everything felt like a blur as she was led from the ward. She kept her eyes on the ground the whole way and she knew they were talking but she couldn't wrap her mind around anything.
It wasn't until she was made to sit that she looked around her. They were in the workshop. It confused her and she reached a hand out, her fingers weakly tugging on George's robes before he could move too far. He sighed and turned to her. "I'll be right back." He said and she stared up at him for a moment before she dropped her hand into her lap.
As he moved away she stared down at her hands. Hands that had once held Victor's. Hands that had pulled him in closer and played in his hair when he kissed her. She moved her fingers trying to remember what that felt like. His hair was surprisingly soft and he'd sighed, content, whenever she ran her fingers through it. She raised her fingers to her lips thinking about the way he kissed her fingertips. She closed her eyes and took a long shuddering breath. His hands were so playful and tender, now they were cold and frigid.
Behind her closed eyelids his face flashed and she snapped them open. The way he'd stared up, his eyes empty, would never leave her. She knew it in that moment.
"Izzy?"
Eliza hadn't even noticed Fred crouching down in front of her until he'd spoken. She looked from his face to the rest of the room but George and Lee were nowhere to be seen. It confused her and she frowned. Hadn't George said he wasn't going anywhere? It had sounded like a promise. He wouldn't break his promise would he? She looked back to Fred.
"They'll be right back. They went to get some things." He was speaking softly as if afraid she'd break if he spoke too loud. The room felt too quiet and too loud at the same time. It made her want to curl up on herself. "We're gonna stay here tonight." He said as she pulled her knees to her chest and placed her head in her arms. She wanted to disappear.
Fred moved to her side and his arm settled around her. "You're cold." He whispered and she heard him moving around before he was settling something around her and pulling her in. She lifted her head and pulled his robe around her tighter. It smelled like him and it was comforting. It was something she could focus on. Fred was familiar. He was strong and smart. She wished she could be like him.
Eliza leaned on him. "I didn't mean to kill him." She whispered. Fred jumped as if he wasn't expecting her to say anything. He sucked in a breath and she felt his chest stutter as she settled against him. "Iz.." His voice sounded strained. It made her wish she could do something so he wouldn't feel so bad.
He cleared his throat. "You didn't kill Victor." He said, his tone firm and stern. It made her chest constrict. "I know you're going to torture yourself over this so I'm going to tell you right now I will never let you blame yourself for his death as long as I'm around."
"I didn't even get to tell him I loved him."
"Oh, Izzy." His voice cracked and she could hear his head thud against the wall. She looked up to see him sitting with his head back, his adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. He turned his head to the side away from her but she saw him swipe at his face quickly before he guided her head back to his chest. "He knew. He wasn't an idiot." He took a breath and it caught in his chest. "I'm sure he knew." He whispered.
Eliza hoped he was right. Against his chest she listened to his heartbeat. It was strong and the sound of it made her relax until the door opened. George and Lee were carrying blankets and pillows. Fred sounded relieved as he muttered "Thank, Merlin." He got up to help them and Eliza felt useless so she made to get up as well. Lee spotted her and quickly put a hand on her shoulder.
"We've got this. You just relax." He said and she frowned. Relax? How was she supposed to do that?
When they'd finished Lee made her drink something and lay down. While she did so willingly she refused to give up Fred's robe so he just pulled a blanket over it. George sat down next to her and she abandoned the pillow to lay her cheek on his leg instead. He sighed but he didn't make her move. He did move so that his back was supported by the wall. Lee sat on her other side, a warm presence at her back, and she could see Fred on the stool by the table. He had his head in his hands and she couldn't tell if his shoulders were shaking or if her eyes were playing tricks on her. They were starting to feel really heavy.
"Are you okay, Freddy?" She asked quietly.
He looked so still at that moment. Like a statue. Finally he raised his head and shook his hair back out of his face. She waited with bated breath until he looked her way and he nodded. "Yeah, Izzy. I'm alright." He said. "Get some sleep."
"What about you?"
A soft laugh punched out of him. "Don't worry about me." He said. "I'll sleep soon."
"Okay."
George rested his hand on the top of her head and the weight of it was comforting. It felt like the world was slipping away from her and she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.
