Chapter 26

Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns Harry Potter and co. I created Melissa.

Mel walked along the semi-empty street. She kept her head lowered, unable to stop her tears. She felt awful for leaving Harry. She knew he needed to talk, but she just needed to get away from Cedric. Mel hesitated at a four-way intersection.

Where could she go? It was late. Even if she had been writing Angela and Lindsey, it was way too late to just appear at their door. Plus, she would have to explain what was going on with Cedric. Mel did not feel right talking about his issues with others. She sighed; she was avoiding all the places she would normally go to. She held out wand, waved it, and took a few steps back.

BANG!

The triple-decker, purple bus appeared with a giant gust of wind. She climbed up the steps and handed the driver her fair.

"Leakey Cauldron, please," she said before walking down the aisle and sitting on one of the beds. They took of with a jerk, and, after a few stomach upsetting stops, she was let off at the pub.

Tom, the bartender, was wiping down the tables. He set down the dirty rag when he saw her.

"Can I help you, Miss?" he asked.

"I need a room for the night. It's just me."

Tom nodded and went to get her a key. He led her up the stairs to the third floor, telling her to let him know if she needed anything. She bid good night, as she closed the door behind him.

She scribbled a quick letter to Cedric, just to let him know she was ok. She then crawled into the bed, still her clothes, and cried herself to sleep.

XXX

When Mel woke up the next morning, her body was oddly sore and stiff. Stretching, she figured her body must have been tense as she slept. The sun was shining brightly into her room. It must be late, she thought. I should get back. She sighed and got out of the comfortable bed.

She tried to fix herself, but it was no use. She was a mess: wrinkled clothes, smeared make up and knotted hair. She washed her face with cold water, fixed her hair with the complementary brush and comb and straightened her clothes to the best of her ability.

Yet again, she found herself avoiding people's gazes as she descended the steps and crossed the pub floor to the counter. She paid for her room and went to the back, where she could apparate home.

Mel apparated outside the perimeter of the security spells. She supposed she might have just apparated straight into the house since she knew where it was, but thought it best not to surprise Cedric. She took her time walking up the dirt path, which was surrounded by tall, browning grasses. She paused upon reaching the door of the small cottage and took a calming breath before knocking.

She heard the hurried footsteps inside before the door was yanked open. Cedric stood in the frame, his wand raised and eyes distrustful. When it registered who she was, he lowered his wand and his features relaxed, but only a bit.

"Didn't think you were coming back," he said coolly.

"Of course, I was! I just needed to get away for a while, be by myself," she said, hoping he would understand.

"Because of me."

He didn't.

"No!" she said exasperatedly. "Because of the situation. Because I saw everything you and Harry experienced — I might as well have been there too! Because I keep having nightmares about the graveyard and Voldemort and Sean. Because I feel betrayed and abandoned by those who were supposed to protect me. But mostly, because I feel helpless. I don't know how to help you or Harry," she said, her voice trailing away. She gave him a pleading look as her eyes filled with tears.

Cedric's hard exterior fell and he pulled her to him and inside the house. He cradled her as she cried into his chest.

"I'm sorry," he finally said. "I didn't even think about what you've been going through."

"I was trying to be strong for you," she sobbed. "You've always been so strong for me."

"We're going to get through this," he reassured with a determined tone.

And for the first time in ages, she believed him.

AN: I know it's short, but I needed to write this to finish up what happened in chapter 25 and let us move forward in the story. As always, thank you for your time and patience.