Hogwarts castle. Great Hall. Day. The customary colors of the four Houses are nowhere in evidence. Instead, the Hall is draped in black banners.

Harry, Ron and Hermione sit solemnly among their fellow Gryffindors as Dumbledore addresses the tables.

"The end ... of another year. Ordinarily this is a day of celebration, a day in which we recognize the accomplishments of ourselves and others. But.. today".

His eyes drift to an empty seat at the Hufflepuff table.

"We acknowledge a terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as many of you know, exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair-minded and, most importantly, a fierce friend. I think therefore you have the right to know exactly how he died ''.

A beat from students. Dumbledore eyes on them.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort".

Nervous whispers spread throughout the Hall.

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But to not do so is, to my mind, an insult to his memory".

As Dumbledore continues, Harry's eyes drift. Cho ashen and pale, sits numbly, Fleur gently clutching her hand. Krum sits stoically then, catching Harry's eye, nods.

"It was the hope, in restoring the Triwizard Tournament, that magicalties would be deepened between those of us who come from different backgrounds. In light of recent events, such ties will be more important than ever. Differences of habit and speech become meaningless when the language of our hearts is the same".

Harry's eyes drift to the enchanted ceiling where the sky shines blue.

"With dark and difficult times comes a choice, between what is right and what is easy. Should you ever waver, remember a boy who was kind and brave and true. To the very end".

Courtyard moment later. There's a large crowd gathered, the pupils are going home.

Viktor Krum gives Hermione a kiss and hands her some paper.

"Hermy-own-ninny. Write to me. Promise".

Hermione looks up at him as he blows her a kiss. She blushed. "Bye".

"That's so great. Finally.. just admit Hermione.. are you two in love?"

Hermione bit her lips, say. "Maybe. Maybe not".

"Because of Snape?" Her eyes look up. "They talk about you and Snape frequently. I hear the teachers are shocked and Dumbledore denies the rumor".

Hermione nods understanding. "Well, you should agree with Dumbledore. Because Dumbledore knows the best, me and Snape.. are nothing. Student and teacher".

"Suit yourself Hermione. We are just saying. Though we know you're gonna say that, because it's just a rumor. Everything will happen because of rumors".

"Exactly". Hermione smiled.

Ron is sitting alone. The french sisters approach him, they both in turn give him a kiss on the head.

"Au revoir Ron".

The Beauxbatons girls leave in uniform, the crowd applauds. The Durmstrang boys leave too, shaking hands as they go.

Owlery. Same time. Harry sits with Hedwig, hair tossing lightly in the wind. He eyes the three drops of blood on the plank floor, then peers out the window, where the empty waze stands like a desolate ruin.

After a moment, a distant voice calls out. "Harry!"

He glances out the opposite window, to the ground and below, sees Ron and Hermione approaching. He takes a last look toward the maze, then sets Hedwig free.

We follow her into the sky, watching her glide gracefully. "Do you think we'll ever just have a quiet year at Hogwarts?"

"No".

"No I don't think so". said Harry.

"Everything's going to change now, isn't it?"

Harry, Ron and Hermione as they walk toward the castle. "Yes".

"Promise you'll write this summer. Both of you".

"Well I won't. You know I won't!"

Hermione to Harry. "Harry won't you?"

"Yeah. Every week".

Harry and Ron fall in then, arm laced over Hermione, three becoming one.

They look over the balcony, the flying horses pulling a carriage head off into the distance.

The Bulgarians' ship goes underwater. Leaving them behind for the sky once more. Clouds lurk in the distance. A storm waits.

"It's gonna rain, isn't it? Cedric is a good boy we've known. I can't believe he just went with You-know-who who killed him".

Harry bowed his head. His eyes focused on the previous Bulgarians ship going underwater. He doesn't want to talk about it, Voldemort is back and that he should be worried about.

"I'm sorry, Harry. This upsets you".

"Don't be, Hermione. I'm fine".

Ron patted Harry's arm. "It's okay mate. We are here, you need us. That's what friends do".

"Ron rights Harry". Hermione smiled. Drag Harry and Ron arm back to the castle. "I think today our feast is gonna be splendid".

Dumbledore office. McGonagall makes her own way out from Dumbledore's office, Snape left behind.

As the door shut. Snape takes a step forward. "Headmaster?"

"Amos Diggory won't forgive who killed his son, Severus. Voldemort is back.. Harry.. he seems to be guilty of Cedric's death".

Snape sighs, say. "They must know who did this even if the Ministry forbids you to say so. They have the right to know, or they will say Mr. Potter who the one kill Cedric".

"Yes. Yes, Severus. They should know and they should know Voldemort is back. His threats. A threat to our wizardry world".

Snape feels worse than ever. All he think is about Hermione safety. Of course Harry too, what if Voldemort attacking muggles for no reason.

Attacking his Hermione.

"I was afraid of their safety, Headmaster. With the return of Lord Voldemort, everything will be chaotic in our wizardry world".

Dumbledore nods his head, agreeing with Snape. "I'm also afraid of Miss Granger safety".

"As long as I'm here my boy. No one can touch my students neither Miss Granger.. I promise you that".

Dumbledore leaned his back on the chair. He suddenly smiled. "What a beautiful dance between you and Miss Granger that night".

"You were there, Headmaster?" Snape eyes him. "You were watching".

Dumbledore nods. "I don't blame you, Severus. Like Miss Granger says, you deserve that dance. I've known you for so long my boy.. not even Lily's would make you happy like Miss Granger did. I'm impressed how she didn't look at you, who you are ''.

"I've been rude to her, Headmaster".

"You've been rude because she is your student, friends of Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. You can't expect yourself to call Miss Granger sweetheart right in front of them".

Snape eye on Dumbledore again. Dumbledore makes his move towards the shelves.

"She danced so happily with you, Severus. You two could make a beautiful couple one day".

"I'm old enough to be Miss Granger, guardian even worse like her own father. She can't accept me by snapping her finger and I'm hers the next day".

Dumbledore chuckles. He turned to Snape. "Never worry that you step on someone 's foot". Dumbledore studied him. "I'd just want to see you happy, you deserve to be happy".

"I'm planning to visit my mother".

Dumbledore nodded again. "Very well, send my regards to Eileen". Snape turned and walked to the door, before he could reach the knob, Dumbledore stopped him.

"Send my regards to Mr. and Mrs Granger if you visit them". Snape turned towards him. "I'm the most important Headmaster and I know where you go, Severus".

Dumbledore winked at Snape. He reached the door, then shut behind him. Walk back to the dungeons in sighs.

THE END.