Ron Weasley strolled into the great hall for lunch after finishing his History of Magic exam. He was surprised to see members of his family there.
"Mum - Bill!" He said, stunned, "What're you doing here?" He joined them at the table.
His mother responded brightly, "Come to watch Harry in the last task! I must say, it makes a lovely change, not having to cook. How was your exam?"
"Oh… okay," he grinned sheepishly. "Couldn't remember all the goblin rebel's names, so I invented a few."
Noticing his mother's stern expression he added whilst serving himself some food, "It's all right. They're all called stuff like Bodrod the Bearded and Urg the Unclean; it wasn't hard."
The rest of his family at Hogwarts joined them and they had a homey meal that seemed to cheer Harry up considerably.
Ron was glad of this, as he hadn't seen Harry properly relaxed since his name came out of the Goblet of Fire. He supposed some of the blame for this rested on him, and he shook off the guilty memories of his behavior the previous fall.
Ron's last exam was Care of Magical creatures, which he and Hermione were relieved to learn was simply the feeding and caring of Salamanders and Nifflers. The students then had to draw and label a blast ended skrewt, which was easy as most of the students had become far too familiar with them. Bidding a cheerful farewell to Hagrid, Ron and Hermione returned to the castle for the evening feast.
Harry was quite pale as he picked at his meal, but he had the determined look he had before quidditch games. Ron and Hermione were sure to bolster his confidence with every remark.
"Don't worry mate, we've all worked hard, and you're better prepared than ever."
Hermione agreed, "Harry, don't forget to use a strong motion on the impediment jinx. You've done loads of things like this before, and as long as you keep a cool head-"
Harry did not seem to hear, but he nodded slowly anyhow.
When Dumbledore finally bade the champions to go down to the Quidditch pitch, Ron, Bill, Hermione, and his mum wished him good luck.
They, along with Fred, George, and Ginny went down to the pitch shortly thereafter and got seats very near the front. "How are we supposed to see what's happening?" Ron asked Hermione as they sat down.
"I'm not sure we are."
"Well, that's mental. They bloody well ought to-"
Ron was interrupted by the magically magnified voice of Ludo Bagman.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each- Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both from Hogwarts School!"
The audience clapped and cheered with all their might. Hermione grabbed Ron's arm in anxiety, as Bagman continued introducing the champions. He sent Harry and Cedric off with a short blast of his whistle, and Harry and Cedric ran into the foreboding darkness of the maze.
Shortly thereafter Krum followed, ('Please let him lose,' Ron thought grumpily), and then Fleur- her silver hair rippling behind her. Ron sighed after her, and Hermione quickly let go of his arm.
The event was by no means a spectator sport. The crowd quickly began chatting and speculating, everyone with their own friends. Ron vaguely heard Hermione explaining to Bill and his Mum what sort of preparation Harry had done.
"I still can't believe Dumbledore allowed this to happen! He's far too young!" His mother was exclaiming shrilly.
Ginny patted her arm consolingly. "Don't worry Mum, Harry's going to win, I just know it."
Fred and George had taken out a deck of exploding snap and were playing. Ron just sat and waited, watching for any sign from the maze.
About ten minutes in, Professor McGonagal walked up to Ludo Bagman and spoke to him. After listening and nodding, Bagman once again addressed the crowd. "I have just received word that Miss Delacour is out of the running. She has been injured, but is recovering in the first aid tent."
This set off another round of exclamations from the crowd. McGonagall left to resume her patrol around the maze. Ron spoke to Hermione, "You know, he might actually win!"
Hermionie nodded, "Oh, I hope so! The odds are improving for him, and I just know he can handle whatever sort of nightmares are in there."
Red sparks burst into the air somewhere over the depths of the maze. The audience let out a collective gasp.
Hermione once again grabbed Ron's arm, almost painfully tight. The crowd held it's breath, and watched as Professor Flitwick strolled quickly to Bagman's side.
After a minute or two of discussion Bagman spoke, "Mr. Krum is officially out of the running and is also safely in the first aid tent. Mr. Potter and Mr. Diggory are the only two champions left to complete the third task."
Barely anyone spoke after that. There were a few hushed murmurs, but by and large the crowd was watching and waiting. 15 minutes passed… thirty, ("Just how big was this maze?" Ron thought), an hour passed.
Ron and Hermione were nervous. Had something gone wrong? Had both competitors been injured without being able to send up sparks? Where was Harry?
Another 15 minutes passed. A great woosh of air swept from the grassy patch at the entrance to the maze, and two figures appeared, prostrate. The gleaming surface of the Triwizard cup was visible. Some of the crowd started to cheer, but it became quickly obvious that something was wrong. Neither figure was moving, and both were covered in blood.
Ginny was the first to scream out in horror. Voices and screams then erupted from the crowd as Dumbledore ran from his place in the front row, accompanied by Cornelius Fudge and Ludo Bagman. It was too slow. What was happening?
People left their spots in the stand, Amos Diggory first among them, rushing towards the two figures. Soon, it was impossible to see through the crowded throng. Ron stood, followed by his family. They pressed their way through the crowd. The word "Dead!" cut through the night like a knife.
Ron's heart froze in his chest. Harry couldn't be dead, he couldn't be.
But the word was soon modified, "Cedric Diggory is dead!" "Dead!"
The phrase was said again and again like a sick, twisted echo. Ron heard cries from people all around him. He seized Hermionie's hand behind him and aggressively pushed his way more to the front. He finally caught a glimpse of Harry being raised from the ground by Dumbledore. He looked horrible, with blood covering his robes. His face was pale and stricken; he was leaning heavily on Dumbledore. But he was alive.
Ron spoke back to Hermione, "He's alive, he's standing up."
She nodded with wide eyes, unable to see as Ron could with his height. Bagman was trying to return the crowd to their seats, his magnified voice hurting Ron's ears.
Ron caught a brief glimpse of Professor Moody taking Harry towards the castle. "Good," Ron thought, this crowd wasn't going to help Harry any, and Moody would take better care of him than most. But Diggory presumably still lay there. The cries of Cedric's father were harsh and cutting. His despair could be felt by everyone there.
"Where's Harry!?" Hermione cried.
"I saw Moody take him back to the castle. Hospital wing, I reckon."
She looked anguished and confused, but did not respond; it would be fruitless anyhow to have a conversation amidst the growing loudness of the people around them. Ron saw a weeping Madam Pomphrey magic Cedric's body onto a stretcher. Diggory's parents followed it and her into the first aid tent. Finally Dumbledore magnified his voice.
"Students." He called out gravely, "Every effort will be made to determine the cause of this tragedy. Go back to your dormitories as fast as possible in the mean time."
Dumbledore abruptly turned from the retreating crowd. Instead of following Madam Pomphrey into the first aid tent, he gestured to Snape and McGonagall to follow him. All three of them ran back towards the castle.
Ron and Hermione moved away from the crowd and the other Weasleys followed. "Where's Harry!?" Ginny and Mrs. Weasley asked, both of their faces wet with tears.
Ron answered quickly but unsurely. "I saw Moody take him back to the castle, hospital wing, perhaps?"
Mrs. Weasley set her jaw, "Alright, Bill and I will go see him. You kids do what Dumbledore asked."
Ron shook his head, "No chance. Hermione and I are coming too."
Mrs. Weasley didn't often lose a battle of wills, but it was stupid to even start one with Harry gone who-knows-where. "Let's go, hurry!"
They arrived to an empty hospital wing. The four of them were getting frantic. Bill asked Ron, "Are you sure you saw Moody take him to the castle?"
Ron replied angrily, "Dead certain, and you saw Dumbledore come here too!"
Hermione spoke up, "Maybe they're in Dumbledore's office?"
"Okay, where's that?"
She gestured hopelessly, "I don't know, Harry's never-"
Madam Pomfrey burst into the wing, followed by a healer that looked to be from St. Mungos. "-Krum and Delacour are clear for release, but give Krum a calming draught, just in case. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory are still with Cedric in the tent along with Miss Chang, I hated to leave them, but I simply have to-"
She stopped when she saw the four of them standing there. "Where's Mr. Potter!?"
Mrs. Weasley pulled her fingers through her hair, and exclaimed, "We wanted to ask you the same!"
It was a frantic 10 minutes or so of questioning Madam Pomfrey. They were briefly interrupted by the arrival of Mad-Eye Moody, who looked like a completely different person. He was thin, pale, and clumps of his hair were missing. He looked awful. Madam Pomfrey busied herself with attending to his comfort, but was unable to stop the continued badgering from the Weasleys. When the heavy doors of the hospital wing opened at last, Ron saw an exhausted looking Harry, Sirius in dog form, and Professor Dumbledore with his hand on Harry's shoulder. Ron's mother immediately screamed. Ron and Hermione gasped, starting towards him.
"Harry! Oh Harry!"
Dumbledore held up a hand to halt her crazed rush towards Harry.
"Molly," Dumbledore said gently, "please listen to me for a moment. Harry has been through a terrible ordeal tonight. He has just had to relive it for me. What he needs now is sleep, and peace, and quiet." He addressed all of them. "If he would like you all to stay with him, you may do so. But I do not want you questioning him until he is ready to answer, and certainly not this evening."
Ron's mother turned to Ron, Hermione, and Bill and loudly whispered, "Did you hear? He needs quiet!"
Madam Pomfrey seemed eager to get her hospital under control again. "Headmaster," she addressed Dumbledore, "may I ask what-?"
Dumbledore interrupted quietly, "This dog will be remaining with Harry for a while." He also explained that he had to meet with the minister, and left, assuring Harry he would return.
Harry went behind the screen of his bed to change. They brought up chairs to be around his bed. Ron didn't know quite what to do. Harry had more than his fair share of rotten luck and trauma. What had happened in the maze?
Harry got under the covers and closed his eyes tightly for a moment, as if trying to block out the world. He opened them and gave a very slight smile to reassure Ron and Hermione. "I'm alright," he said raspily, it sounded as though he lost his voice from shouting. "Just tired."
Madam Pomfrey gave him a goblet of potion, and instructed Harry to drink it. He complied, but slumped into unconsciousness before he could finish it. Ron caught the cup before it spilled everywhere.
Mrs. Weasley took off Harry's glasses and put them on the nightstand. She was crying, looking sadly at Harry. Ron patted her arm consolingly. "Don't worry, Mum," he softly whispered, "Harry's made of strong stuff. He'll be alright."
She shushed him, but smiled and sniffed. To be honest, Ron wasn't sure if Harry would be the same after this. This year Ron had caught a glimpse of the demons that seemed to dwell in Harry's psyche. He saw it when Harry mentioned his bitter childhood with the Dursleys, when Rita Skeeter went after Hagrid, or especially that awful night when Harry had thrown the "Potter Stinks" badge at Ron's head. Not that he hadn't deserved it, but Ron had never seen Harry so angry- before, or since.
The group sat silently for a while, and eventually Hermione leaned over on Ron's shoulder and began to sleep lightly. It was only about 45 minutes after this that distant shouting could be heard outside of the hospital wing. It got louder and louder. Hermione woke up, and whispered angrily, "They'll wake him if they don't shut up!"
Ron asked, "What are they shouting about? Nothing else can have happened, can it?"
Bill and Mrs. Weasley moved closer to the door. Mrs. Weasley pointed out, "That's Fudge's voice. And that's Minerva McGonagall's isn't it? But what are they arguing about?"
The shouting and general clamor getting louder as the voices approached the door. Ron could hear the minister, "Regrettable, but all the same Minerva-"
McGonagall shouted before he could finish, "You should never have brought it inside the castle! When Dumbledore finds out-"
Fudge pushed open the doors of the hospital wing with a bang, he was followed by a furious McGonagall and a scowling Snape. "Where's Dumbledore?" Fudge asked Mrs. Weasley sharply.
She drew herself up and responded, "He's not here, this is a hospital wing, Minister, don't you think you'd do better to-"
The doors opened again, and Dumbledore strode in, sternly and swiftly. "What has happened? He addressed Professor McGonagall and Fudge. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you- I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch-"
McGonagall was shaking, her square glasses precariously close to falling off her nose. "There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" She was shrieking, "The Minister has seen to that!"
Ron was confused. Wasn't Barty Crouch missing? Last he had heard of Crouch was Harry and Krum's incident where Crouch turned up mad in the forest. Perhaps he showed himself again.
Snape continued the story in his greasy, low voice, "When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater, (another surprise to Ron- Crouch was a Death Eater?) responsible for tonight's events, he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch-"
McGonagall interrupted, fuming, "I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore! I told him you would never allow dementors to set foot inside the castle, but-"
"My dear woman!" Fudge spat, puffing up his chest, "as Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-"
McGonagall shouted over him, "The moment that- that thing entered the room it swooped down on Crouch and- and -"
She shuddered, and Ron did too. The dementor had kissed Barty Crouch, rending his soul from his body, and leaving him to a fate worse than death.
Fudge did not see this as a bad thing. "By all accounts, he is no loss! It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!"
Dumbledore looked severely disappointed in Fudge. "But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius." The Minister shrunk under Dumbledore's gaze. "He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."
So Crouch had sabotaged the third task. He was responsible for Cedric's death and the state Harry was in now. For a brief moment Ron was quite glad of Crouch's fate.
The minister was blustering a defense for his own actions. "Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it? He was a raving lunatic! For what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!"
"Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius," Dumbledore continued, (Ron winced at the sound of You-Know-Who's name), "Those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort (once again, a wince) to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."
Ron had stood up when Dumbledore entered the room, but he sat down again at these words. You-Know-Who was back. This was catastrophic. Ron had heard his Mother and Father talking in quiet tones about the old days when the world was mired in fear. He remembered his own despair to learn that Ginny was at the mercy of the heir of Slytherin, who turned out to be You-Know-Who. Harry had faced him two times so far. Would he be as lucky at the next inevitable meet?
Fudge seemed to be feeling a similar rush of emotions. He blinked and stared uncertainly. "You-Know-Who… returned? Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore…"
Dumbledore spoke as if explaining to a belligerent child. "As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you," said Dumbledore, "we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, ("Ah," thought Ron, "It's Barty Crouch Jr as a death eater." It certainly made more sense than the elder Barty Crouch.) and how Voldemort- learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins- went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort to return."
No wonder Harry looked like he'd been tortured, Ron thought with a sad shiver, he probably had been. Hermione held a hand over her mouth, listening in horror to Dumbledore's words. She also was looking at Fudge, who Ron noticed with a start was somehow smiling.
"See here, Dumbledore, you- you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who- back? Come now, come now… certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders- but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore…"
"When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight," Dumbledore continued, "he was transported straight to Voldemort." He witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office." Then, sighing he explained, "I am afraid I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight."
Fudge didn't stop his twisted smile. "You are- er- prepared to take Harry's word on this, are you, Dumbledore?"
Ron clenched his fist. Other than Malfoy or Snape, (and maybe Fred and George) Ron had never so strongly felt the urge to punch someone in the face. Sirius growled, something Ron wished he himself could do.
Dumbledore's expression went from disappointed and urging, to fiercely angry. "Certainly I believe Harry. I heard Crouch's confession, and I heard Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup; the two stories make sense, they explain everything that has happened since Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."
Fudge's voice now became insufferably condescending. "You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who… well…"
A quiet voice made Ron and those around him jump in surprise. "You've been reading Rita Skeeter, Mr. Fudge." Harry was awake, sitting up, and resolutely staring at Fudge.
"And if I have?" Fudge was daring anyone to condemn him on this point. "If I have discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having funny turns all over the place-"
Dumbledore towered over Fudge. "I assume that you are referring to the pains Harry has been experiencing in his scar?"
"You admit that he has been having these pains, then? Headaches? Nightmares? Possibly- hallucinations?"
Ron was having some very aggressive thoughts about the minister, but fortunately Dumbledore seemed to share these feelings. "Listen to me, Cornelius," he said with an ice cold fury, "Harry is as sane as you or I. That scar upon his forehead has not addled his brains. I believe it hurts him when Lord Voldemort is close by, or feeling particularly murderous."
Once again Ron felt a stab of pity and worry for Harry. Surely with You-Know-Who back, this would only get worse?
Fudge was incredulous. "You'll forgive me, Dumbledore, but I've never heard of a curse scar acting as an alarm bell before…"
Harry attempted to rise, but paled again. Whether in anger or exhaustion, Ron did not know. Harry shouted, "Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" Ron's mum was pushing him back. "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy-"
"Malfoy was cleared!" Fudge said, almost panicked, "A very old family- donations to excellent causes-"
"Macnair!" Harry yelled.
"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"
"Avery- Nott- Crabbe- Goyle-"
Fudge hissed, "You are merely repeating the names of those who were acquitted of being Death Eaters thirteen years ago! You could have found those…"
Ron had stopped listening. These people, the Death Eaters, were free and out in the world and once again under the control of the deadliest wizard of all time. His best friend was the number one target of this wizard. Fudge was denying it all, leaving no defense for the wizarding world. The argument seemed to echo around him, as Dumbledore continued to implore Fudge to see reason. Dumbledore had a plan, and Fudge was as responsive as a brick wall. Ron felt helpless as Snape finally stepped up to Fudge in disgust and showed him the Dark Mark, which lay ugly and dark on his forearm.
Fudge stepped back from Snape, all hints of a smug smile gone. He whispered, "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."
With a sniff he casually dropped a heavy bag of gold onto Harry's bedside table. "One thousand Galleons." He looked at Harry with an expression of distrust. "There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances…"
The minister punctuated his exit with an angry slam of the doors. Dumbledore faced the group and began relaying hurried instructions. It was like watching a general command his army. McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey, Bill, and even Snape and Sirius followed his instructions with military haste.
When only Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, and Harry remained, Dumbledore addressed them. "I must go downstairs," he said finally. "I must see the Diggorys. Harry- take the rest of your potion. I will see all of you later."
He swept out of the hospital wing, but a tense silence remained. Harry looked at where Dumbledore had left for quite some time.
Finally, Mrs. Weasly spoke gently, a tone Ron recognized from when he was sick and she was taking care of him. "You've got to take the rest of your potion, Harry. You have a good long sleep. Try and think about something else for a while… think about what you're going to buy with your winnings!"
Harry just shook his head, listlessly. "I don't want the gold. You have it. Anyone can have it. I shouldn't have won it. It should've been Cedric's."
Harry's voice broke on the last word, and he blinked and stared up at the ceiling.
"It wasn't your fault, Harry," Mrs. Weasley reassured him, her eyes filling with tears.
"I told him to take the cup with me."
Never, in the four years Ron had known him, had he seen Harry battle his own emotions. He'd seen Harry fall 50 feet, break his arm, and face Voldemort, but now Harry was twisting his face with emotion. Mrs. Weasley quickly set the potion down and embraced him. Ron felt like an intruder, but didn't want Harry to face any of this alone. Harry's shoulders were shaking, and soon Ron felt the back of his throat burning as well.
A sharp slam broke the moment. Harry winced, and they all turned to stare at Hermione who was standing by the window, something held tight in her hand.
Instantly Hermione whispered, "Sorry."
Mrs. Weasley grabbed the potion from the nightstand and passed it to Harry. "Your potion, Harry."
This time Harry drank it all and fell into a deep sleep.
Mrs. Weasley pulled a handkerchief from inside her robes and blew her nose. She spoke quietly to Ron and Hermione, "I reckon we can turn off the lights and leave him to sleep. We'll be back before he wakes up tomorrow morning." She hugged both of them. "I'm proud of you two. I know you'll stick by Harry. Things have only begun to get difficult for him, I'm afraid."
Ron did not quite understand what that was supposed to mean, but as it was now nearing midnight, he allowed his Mother to send him and Hermione up to Gryffindor tower to go to bed.
As they walked, Ron noticed Hermione's hand was still clenched tight. "What's that about, Hermione?"
She gave a gentle smile. "I'm not sure now's the time. I do hope Harry will be alright. I can't imagine what he went through tonight."
Ron nodded. "We won't push him to tell us. But we'll be there for him. We always will." He put his arm around her and the two headed up to Gryffindor tower.
