Deleted Scene from Trials of a Champion (Takes place before Chapter 21)
A Rude Awakening
Silence…Whimpers...Silence…Sobs…Silence. That was all that filled the Gryffindor Common Room from the moment everyone was sent to their houses for the night three hours ago. The sight of Harry Potter being rushed to the hospital wing in a dire attempt to save his life was an image the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would never forget. They had seen Harry reappear, bruised and battered, with an unmoving Cedric Diggory. They had watched in horror as Harry struggled to whisper a few words to Sirius Black before going completely still. Everyone had heard Sirius Black pleading Harry to 'come back'. That was all it took for everyone to fear the worst. That was all it took for everyone to realize how much Harry meant to them.
Those who loved Harry like a brother were consumed with pain and disbelief. They were still trying to think of some way something like this could happen to a boy who always had to face more than anyone ever should. Those who were an actual friend of Harry were still in shock. It was only a few hours ago that Harry was smiling during dinner. How could everything change this drastically so quickly? Those who only knew Harry as a housemate and a name didn't know what to feel. Shock flooded one minute concerning the fact that something like this could ever happen to a fellow Gryffindor was replaced by guilt the next for not taking the time to know Harry better.
No one knew what to do or say, especially towards those who knew Harry best. Ron and Hermione were completely distraught along with the rest of the Weasley siblings. They had tried to follow their teachers to the hospital wing but had been ordered by Professor McGonagall to return to the Gryffindor Tower and wait for an update. Ron and Hermione had protested but instantly found themselves ushered back to the Gryffindor Tower by Bill Weasley with a promise of an update as soon as possible.
Now after hours of waiting everyone was starting to fear the possibility that Harry may not have been saved. The mere thought of Harry not surviving was enough to send Ron and Hermione into another round of tears. Their best friend had always been a survivor. He had always bounced back from what was thrown at him. It seemed impossible to think of Harry not being able to bounce back again, no matter how dire the situation may seem.
The sound of the portrait entrance opening grabbed everyone's attention. Tears were halted. Whimpers were bit back from escaping lips. A tired and distraught Professor McGonagall was the first to enter followed by shaken Mrs. Weasley and a solemn Bill Weasley. The silence was now completely nerve-wracking as Professor McGonagall desperately tried to compose herself. Everyone wanted to demand answers but the fear of what those answers may be kept them silent.
Professor McGonagall brushed away a tear before clearing her throat. "My Gryffindors, I'm afraid I must inform you that Mr. Diggory is indeed dead," she began and bowed her head in respect. There were only a few gasps since the majority of the school had heard Minister Fudge already declare the fact. "At the current moment, Mr. Potter is alive but he is in critical condition. I will not elaborate to the extent of his injuries but you should be aware that they are indeed serious. If Mr. Potter survives the night he has a favorable chance for a full recovery."
Hermione let out a sob as she buried her face in her hands and was instantly pulled into a comforting embrace by George Weasley. Ron inhaled sharply as he closed his eyes and bowed his head. Ginny made no effort to hide the tears that fell freely as she stared at her mother who appeared to be more distraught than Ginny had ever seen her. Fred was staring with wide eyes at Professor McGonagall, awaiting for the second half of the bombshell.
"Until Mr. Potter stabilizes, I'm afraid that no visitors will be allowed into the hospital wing," Professor McGonagall continued. Several people moved to protest. "I know all of you are worried about Mr. Potter but this is what Madam Pomfrey and Mr. Potter's guardians have decided," she added sternly then let out a sigh as her features softened. "I wish I could tell you more—" her gaze shifted to Ron and Hermione "—but unfortunately we don't know any more. As difficult as it may be, we need all of you to be patient and understanding. If any of you need to talk to someone, the entire staff is willing to listen. I know that many of you care greatly about your housemate. Mr. Potter has defended this school and the honor of Gryffindor repeatedly in the past few years. Be considerate of each other and those in other houses who are currently mourning. We are not the only house who is affected by this evening's events."
Receiving no protests, Professor McGonagall left the Gryffindor Tower. As soon as the portrait entrance closed, Mrs. Weasley hurried to Ron and Hermione, pulling them into a fierce embrace. Hermione instantly broke down into tears while Ron seemed to be in a state of shock. Bill sat down next to Ginny and wrapped an arm around her. Ginny buried her face into Bill's chest, her tears absorbing into Bill's cloak. Fred and George just sat there in equal states of shock, not moving.
The majority of the students slowly made their way towards the dorms since there was nothing they could do except wait but Hermione and the Weasley siblings had no intention of going to bed just yet. Once the Common Room was nearly disserted, Fred finally broke the silence. "Mum? Bill?" he asked tentatively. "How bad is Harry really?"
Bill let out a sigh as he rubbed Ginny's back in a soothing manner. "It's bad, Fred," he said seriously. "Whatever happened to him…I can't believe that he's still alive. His chest and back are covered with bruises. It looked like he had been slammed into something hard…repeatedly. There were cuts all over his upper body that Madam Pomfrey had a bloody time sealing up. He has broken ribs and his lungs collapsed, making it impossible to breathe. If Remus had acted when he did…"
"Let's not worry about that, Bill," Mrs. Weasley said in a wavering voice as she continued to hold Ron and Hermione in an embrace for another moment before pulling away. She glanced at all of her children and wiped away her tears. "What's important now is Harry's recovery," she said gently. "Harry will pull through this. Madam Pomfrey will make sure of it. Sirius and Remus will make sure of it. The only question now is what are you all going to do to help him through it?"
Ron looked at his mother in confusion. "What can we do?" he asked. "We're not even allowed to see him?"
"At the moment, Ronald," Mrs. Weasley corrected. "You'll be able to see him soon enough but you all should know it won't be easy seeing him. At the moment he needs help to breathe and is heavily bandaged. It will probably be days, maybe even a week until he wakes. The point is: when Harry does wake up, he's going to need us. I know he cared for the Diggory boy."
Hermione nodded while trying to wipe away the tears that continued to fall. "They helped each other out in the Tournament," she said in a shaky voice. "Viktor told me that Cedric t—treated Harry l—like a b—brother."
Mrs. Weasley bowed her head and shook it in disbelief. "Oh dear," she said softly. "That poor boy. I didn't realize they were so close."
"I don't think anyone realized how close they were until Harry was attacked by Hagrid's hut," George said quietly. "I was sure Diggory was going to hex Krum into oblivion when he found out what happened. I never saw Diggory as mad as he was that morning. I heard from several Hufflepuffs that Diggory actually arranged for several sixth and seventh years to keep an eye on Harry so nothing like that happened again."
"I heard the same thing," Fred added. "I have a feeling he would have done more if Remus hadn't been here teaching when Professor Moody was sick."
Silence filled the Common Room once again. No one knew what else there was to say but they didn't want the conversation to end just yet. Ending the conversation would mean retiring for the night and for those who had to sleep in the dorms would most likely be cornered by roommates who would want to know what they had learned. That was the last thing Hermione and the Weasley siblings needed at the moment.
Finally, the silence was broken. "What do we do now?" Ron asked quietly.
Mrs. Weasley looked at her youngest son compassionately. "All we can do, Ronald, is wait for Harry until he needs us," she said gently. "I guarantee he will need support sooner or later. Whether it is to have someone to talk to or even to have someone just sit with him while he works through his feelings on his own. Losing someone you care about is painful, especially when their death is as unexpected as this. I won't lie to you, Harry may try to block us from his pain and he may even take his pain out on us. It will be hard and it will be frustrating—"
"We don't care, Mum," George said firmly. "Whatever Harry needs—"
"—we'll be there to provide," Fred added. "Harry's our brother in every way that matters."
"Fred and George are right, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said as she brushed away her tears, a determined look replacing the distraught one that had been there only moments ago. "We're not going to walk away from Harry no matter how difficult it may be. He wouldn't abandon us if the situation was reversed. "
"I know, dear," Mrs. Weasley said in a reassuring voice. "I just wanted to warn you all that you will have to be patient with him…and with Sirius and Remus. I have no doubt that they will be extremely protective for quite some time." Mrs. Weasley let out a sigh as she looked at the dying fire before returning her attention to her children. "It is rather late. As difficult as it may be, you all should try to get some sleep tonight. Your father is probably waiting for us at the Burrow."
Bill took the hint and stood up. "We're only an owl away if you need us," he said to his siblings, "and I'm sure Mum and Dad will be visiting during the next few days."
Mrs. Weasley kissed and embraced her children and Hermione before leaving the Gryffindor Tower with Bill following her. The halls were uncomfortably silent, so different from only a few hours ago. As the two Weasleys took the familiar route in order to leave the walls of Hogwarts, Mrs. Weasley could only dread what tomorrow would bring. Harry would survive this but he would no longer be the same child that he had been. Whatever Harry had seen, he would carry it with him for the rest of his life.
If she only knew how right she was.
A/N: That's it for Trials of a Champion. Coming up next, Fred and George have a talk with Sirius about 'Padfoot' and 'Moony'.