The Golden Trio

Chapter 3

Harry awoke, a white ceiling greeting him. It seemed lighter than when he was awake earlier. He slowly sat up, a headache not appreciating that, and looked around. Everything looked blurry and from what he could tell, the hospital wing was empty.

The raven haired boy reached over to the bed-side table and found his glasses. He placed them on his face and the room focused. He was correct, the hospital wing was empty. For the first time, the realization of what happened sunk in. He no longer felt numb, he just felt despair. He didn't cry. He refused to cry. He blamed himself for Cedric's death, He faced and fought Voldemort...

His thoughts were interrupted when the two big doors of the Hospital Wing swung open and Madam Pompfrey burst in the door with Hermione and Ron at tow. The old school nurse held a handful of potions and Hermione held a book.

"Oh, Harry, dear! You're awake. I wasn't expecting you to wake for another hour or two!" The nurse said, rushing over to his bed side.

She organized some of the potions and muttered things to herself as Hermione sat on the end of his bed with Ron.

"Hey, Harry. How are you feeling?" Hermione asked in a soft tone.

"I'm fine." Harry lied, twisting his hand in the covers.

Hermione gave a small frown, knowing the lie. Ron spoke for the first time,

"We were really worried about you, mate."

"No need to worry, I'm alright." Harry shrugged off, giving them a fake reassuring smile.

"Potter, dear. Take these three potions first." Madam Promfrey said, pouring one potion into a cup.

She handed him the cup and Harry took a sip. The taste was foul and he grimaced as he finished the potion quickly. The nurse poured a dark red potion in the cup and handed it to Harry. It didn't smell awful so he tossed it back, finishing it quickly. It tastes like cherries. It wasn't the foul rotten taste of the bright green one he had just drank. Madam Pompfrey poured a final potion that tasted bad but Harry finished it without complaint.

The green-eyed boy instantly felt better. He lost all pain in his leg, head and arm. He felt stronger and more awake, as well.

"I'll leave you to talk with your friends, dear." The nurse said, exiting the hospital wing.

Hermione and Ron still sat at the edge on Harry's bed and looked up at him.

"Hey Guys." Harry spoke, with a stronger voice than earlier.

"How are you really feeling?" Hermione asked.

Harry just shrugged. He honestly didn't know. Hermione frowned and Ron spoke up,

"Do you want to talk about it? You know you can, right?"

Harry gave them a smile and said, "Maybe not now..."

Ron and Hermione nodded in understanding and Hermione decided to brighten to mood.

"You are allowed to leave tomorrow morning, if you wish to."

Harry brightened, "Of course I do."

"What happened...to, you know... Mr. and Mrs. Diggory?" Harry asked nervously.

"They had a talk last night, after you were taken away. Dumbledore asked us to ask you if you would talk to them. They want to know his final moments. Only if you want to." Ron explained.

"I guess. I mean, it's the least I can do."

"Also, Harry. You got the reward!" Ron said, excitedly.

Ron's excitement died with the look on Harry's face. It was a mixture of betrayal, anger, and annoyance.

"What?" Hermione asked, seeing Harry.

"Why should I get it? Cedric's parents should get it!" Harry blurted, furious.

"You fought you-know-who off. You got the cup, you-" Hermione started but Harry cut her off,

"I know Hermione but Cedric showed more bravery than I did. He stood up to him and he tried to protect me. I was never supposed to be in that tournament."

Hermione and Ron glanced at each other in silence and didn't respond. They didn't know what to say.

Hermione and Ron sat in the great hall, eating dinner. Their minds rampaging about what Harry said in the Hospital Wing but they didn't speak of it.

Ron turned his head to the doors as they flew open. Hermione's drifted there as well. Harry walked in with his school robes on. He visibly shuddered from the silence that hit the hall as he walked in. A small gash on his pale face and his shaggy un-tidy hair falling into his eyes. His right arm was wrapped in a bandage.

Everyone's heads turned to him and he glanced around the room. Harry stepped forward and walked towards where Ron and Hermione were sitting. He did his best to ignore the quiet whispers and mutters of his classmates. He noticed the decorations were changed to black banners with a silver 'H' on each one.

He finally, for what seemed eternity made it to Hermione and Ron. They scooted over allowing their friend to sit. The green eyed boy took a seat between Hermione and Ron and they looked at him with concern.

Headmaster Dumbledore stood to the podium that stood in the front center of the great hall. He brushed a hand over his long scraggly beard and looked up, clearing his throat.

"Students, Teachers, Staff. Two days ago, we had a terrible loss. An incident in our Tri-Wizard Tournament. Cedric Diggory is dead. The ministry doesn't wish for me to tell you this. Cedric Diggory was murdered. By Lord Voldemort."

Dumbledore continued his speech but Harry tuned out. Hermione letting tears fall down her face. The Hall was mostly quiet other than the stiffened sobs of Cho-Chang and the other Hufflepuffs. Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder and Harry stared blankly at Dumbledore. Ron biting back tears. Harry was having difficulty.

For the first time...in a long time, Harry felt like he was going to cry. He wasn't that close to Cedric, but he blamed the death on him. It's My Fault. It's All My Fault. The words rattled and echoed in Harry's mind.

"There is another, we must mention." These words from his Headmaster pulled Harry out of his daze.

Harry looked up, Hermione still on his shoulder, and Dumbledore continued,

"Harry Potter. He brought Cedric back, and he fought of the Dark Lord."

Harry knew all the heads had turned to him, but his gaze stayed fixed on Dumbledore. He felt the gazes like daggers as Dumbledore continued,

"'We toast, to Harry Potter."

He heard the clinks of goblets and some muttering his name in a toast. He guessed they had done the same for Cedric.

Harry spaced for the rest of dinner, refusing to speak to anyone. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances as the three walked out to the courtyard to say goodbye to the Durmstags and Beauxbatons.