Chapter 18
The End
The crowd in the stadium waited eagerly for any sign of a champion emerging from the maze with the Triwizard Cup. We couldn't see anything that was happening inside the maze, much to everyone's disappointment, so we talked about what we thought was happening in the maze. Occasionally we could see the hedges shaking, and when they did a ping of anxiety coursed through my body. Was it Cedric or Harry causing the shaking? What kind of creatures were they battling?
About twenty minutes into the task, a shower of red sparks emerged from the maze. The crowd speculated on which champion was calling quits.
"I bet it's Potter," I heard Draco say. "He can't handle the obstacles they've put in." Pansy giggled at his words and agreed with him.
"Honestly, I would rather Harry send up red sparks then see him get hurt," I said with a small glare in their direction.
A few minutes later, Hagrid emerged from the maze carrying Fleur. She was unconscious, her silvery hair had come out of the ponytail she had it in before the start of the task. Madam Maxine ran over to Hagrid and Fleur clearly worried about her student.
"I hope she's not seriously injured," Pansy said, watching the scene unfold in front of us. Hagrid and Madam Maxine disappeared into a tent where I was sure Madam Pomfrey was waiting.
"She looked like she was stunned," I said to Pansy. "I'm sure she's fine."
A few minutes later Bagman made an announcement. "Ladies and gentleman," he said in his magnified voice. "Fleur Delacour, the Beaxbaton champion, is out of the running for the competition. She made an amazing effort in the maze, and has only suffered minor injuries. That leaves Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, and Viktor Krum left."
"See," I said. "I told you she would be fine."
It wasn't much longer when a second set of red sparks were fired into the air. Another champion could no longer continue in the competition. A part of me wanted it to be either my brother or boyfriend, so that I would know they were safe. However, when Hagrid appeared with the champion it was Viktor Krum. He was also passed out, and Hagrid took him into the tent with Karkaroff following close behind him.
"Viktor Krum, the Durmstrang champion, has been eliminated from the competition." Bagman announced to the crowd. "Krum got halfway to the center of the maze before he encountered an obstacle that was just too much for him. He has suffered only minor injuries, and will make a speedy recovery. With both of the visiting school's champions out of the running, the winning champion will be from Hogwarts!" The Hogwarts students began cheering loudly, either for Cedric or Harry, I could not tell.
"At least we will have a Hogwarts champion!" I heard Zabini say excitedly to no one in particular.
"Let's just hope it is Diggory instead of Potter," Draco said with a small sneer. "Hufflepuff hasn't had any sort of glory in the last century."
"Is that why you're cheering for Cedric? Or do you just not want my brother to win?" I asked with a small unbelieving laugh.
"Your brother already has enough glory," Draco responded. "Don't you think that's enough?" I couldn't really argue with him there. So I gave him a small shrug and turned back towards the maze.
It felt like hours went by before anything else happened, and what happened next I will never forget. Everyone was waiting for either more red sparks to appear or for one of the two champions left to emerge from the maze holding the Triwizard Cup. Neither of these things happened.
Without any warning Harry appeared in front of the maze, the Triwizard Cup clutched in his hand. He laid there on the ground, holding on to something I couldn't quite make out. The crowd began to cheer, calling out Harry's name, but I knew something was wrong. Harry looked distraught, he wasn't happy or excited about winning the competition. Instead he remained on the ground, shaking over... was that a body? Fear coursed through my body and I stood up, trying to get a better view.
The cheers closest to the front of the maze began to turn into screams. Something was very wrong. Dumbledore rushed over to where Harry lay, worry etched on his face. He crouched over him and turned Harry over. I rushed through the crowd, trying to reach my brother.
I was just feet away from Harry when I finally got a view of what he was holding onto so tightly. I felt the world fall out from under me when I saw my worst fear come true. I froze in place, my heart beating so hard it drowned out everything happening around me. The world spun around me as I fell on my knees, only one thing stayed in focus. Underneath my brother's arms was Cedric's lifeless body. I stared into the glazed over eyes of my boyfriend, not really sure if what I was seeing was real.
I watched as the Minister of Magic attempted to pull my brother off of Cedric with no success. Dumbledore seemed to say something before gently removing my brother from Cedric's limp body. Dumbledore then reached down and gently closed Cedric's eyes. I was too shocked to do or say anything. I just knelt there, just a few feet away, trying to comprehend what was happening.
"He needs to go to the Hospital Wing. He's ill, he's injured." Fudge started to say to the crowd, trying to control them. But it was too late, too many people had already seen him. The crowd began to shout the news, repeating over and over again about how my boyfriend, the first person I fell in love with, was dead.
Fudge attempted to take Harry to the Hospital Wing, but Harry refused to leave. He was saying something about Dumbledore not wanting him to leave. It wasn't until Moody grabbed Harry and dragged him away that I got a full view of Cedric's body. My heart sank even further, as if seeing his whole body made his death even more true. I wanted to go to him, to touch him one more time, but I could not find the strength to pick myself up off the ground.
I heard a loud sob coming from behind me. I turned my head to see Mr. and Mrs. Diggory running towards Cedric, their cries filling the air. When they reached Cedric, they fell to the ground just as I had done. Cedric's mother wept over her son, her head resting on his chest. Mr. Diggory lightly touched Cedric's hair, moving it out of his face.
Without me noticing, someone walked up behind me and put their hand on my shoulder. I didn't bother to look up and see who it was. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore.
"Chloe," said a soft voice. "Chloe, you need to get up."
"No," I said quietly. I continued to stare at Cedric, starting to feel numb all over my body.
"Chloe, please." The voice said gently. I felt the hand move from my shoulder and grab my forearm to gently pull me up. I looked one last time at the body of my dead boyfriend before allowing myself to be led into a standing position.
I looked around to see who was with me and came face to face with Draco. He didn't say anything, instead he pulled me into his arms and held me close. I felt the tension in my body leave, and grief overtook me. I started to sob into his chest, the reality of what happened finally settling in. I'm not sure how long we stood there, but eventually the crowd was told to leave and the teachers herded everyone away.
Draco guided me back to the castle, holding onto my shoulders. I could feel the tears streaming down my face as we walked. When we reached the Slytherin common room, I felt the stares of my fellow Slytherins on me. Draco must have been giving everyone a 'do not come near us' look because even Pansy left us alone. He settled me onto a couch, and found a blanket to wrap around me. I was no longer crying because there were no more tears left in my body. I stared into space as numbness took over my body once more.
I must have sat there all night because the next thing I knew it was morning. Slytherins began coming out of their dormitories, talking under their breaths about last night's events. I felt someone stirring beside me, and with great effort I turned to see who it was. Draco rubbed his eyes as he looked around the common room.
"Were you there all night?" I managed to ask softly.
"You don't seriously think I would leave you alone at a time like this do you?" He asked, yawning. "Did you get any sleep?" He looked at me with concern.
"No," I said, looking away from him.
"You need to come to breakfast. Get something in you." I felt him put his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm not hungry," I answered quietly.
"Doesn't matter, you need to eat." I let Draco guide me up and lead me out the common room. I heard Pansy ask me if I was okay, but I didn't bother to respond. It took all my effort just to keep walking.
The whole school was a buzz with speculations on what happened during the last task. Everytime I heard Cedric's name, a jolt of pain went through my heart. It felt as though I was being stabbed over and over again. I could only imagine the pain Cedric's parents must be feeling as well. Would they ever recover? Would I?
Draco somehow managed to get me seated at the Slytherin table. He sat on one side of me, and Pansy sat on the other. She stopped asking if I was okay, realizing that I wouldn't answer. Instead she loaded up my plate for me, and tried to encourage me to eat. Draco poured some pumpkin juice into a goblet and handed it to me.
"You need fluids," he said. "Drink up." I did as I was told, and took a sip of the juice. Normally, I enjoyed the taste of pumpkin juice but now it had no flavor. I slowly picked at my food, and slowly my body started to feel slightly better. I had definitely been dehydrated, from all the crying.
Chattering stopped as Professor Dumbledore stood up at the staff table. He looked tired, as though he was up most of the night. "I am standing here before you to make a request. Harry Potter has gone through a major event, and I implore you to leave him alone. Do not ask him any questions, and most importantly do not ask him to tell the story of what happened in the maze. I promise to have more information for you during our end of year feast." And with that he sat back down.
At the mention of my brother by Dumbledore, I began to wonder how he was. Even though Dumbledore said to not ask him any questions I needed to know what happened, and only he would be able to tell me. Harry and Cedric both reappeared at the same time, which meant Harry must have been with him when he had died. I looked up towards the Gryffindor table, looking for my brother. He was not there. He was most likely to be in the Hospital Wing, where he would be recovering from last night's events.
I stood up from the table and started to leave the Great Hall. I was going to go to the Hospital Wing right then to get some answers. I heard Pansy call out, asking me where I was going. I ignored her, and kept walking. It didn't take me long to reach the Hospital Wing, and when I entered I found Harry lying in a bed about halfway down the room. I started to approach him, but was stopped by Madam Pomfrey.
"He needs his rest," she said, blocking my way.
"I need to see him," I said, trying to side step her.
"He needs rest," she repeated annoyingly.
"Chloe?" I heard Harry ask from behind Madam Pomfrey. "Chloe, is that you?" She sighed heavily and told me I only had a few minutes before she'd come back to kick me out.
"Harry!" I cried as I went up to him. He looked horrible. He had some bandages on one of his arms. The bags under his eyes were huge. "You're okay." I said as I gave him a soft hug.
"Chloe, I am so sorry," he began to say. I suddenly felt guilty for what I was about to do. Harry looked as though he had been through hell, did I really want to make him relive it? A small part of me wanted me to do what I came here to do, but a larger part told me not to.
The small part of me that wanted to ask what happened won out. "I want to know what happened, and I realize you may not want to tell me." Harry grimaced at my words. "But please, I need to know. Even just a little bit, just how Cedric…" I couldn't finish my sentence.
"Chloe," Harry said softly. "There was nothing I could do. It was a trap, a trap for me and he got caught in it"
"A trap?" I asked, even more confused.
"The Cup was a portkey, we touched it together. We were transported to a graveyard, Pettigrew came out of nowhere and before we realized what was happening he… he killed him." Harry's face winced as he recalled what had happened. A small ping of guilt coursed through my body, but I pressed on.
"I'm confused, you were at a graveyard with Peter Pettigrew? The Cup was a portkey? Why did it take both of you?"
"Chloe, Cedric wanted me to tell you that he loved you so very much. He said that he couldn't imagine a more wonderful person to have been with, you meant the world to him." Tears formed in my eyes.
"How did he tell you that?" I asked, my voice cracking. Harry opened his mouth to respond, but we were interrupted by Madam Pomfrey.
"Time's up." Madam Pomfrey had come out of her office.
"But-"
"Time is up." She shepherded me away from Harry despite my complaining.
I had gotten some answers, but those answers created more questions. What did he mean the Cup was a portkey? Why was it a portkey? Why was Peter Pettigrew in a graveyard waiting for them? How had Cedric told Harry what to tell me after he was dead?
I slowly made my way back to the Slytherin common room. My thoughts were consumed with finding out what happened last night. As soon as I sat down on an armchair, my body was so exhausted from not sleeping last night, I instantly fell asleep.
When I woke up a few hours later, I was surrounded by my Slytherin friends. They had all taken up seats around me, sitting silently. Pansy sat in the chair next to me, Draco and Zabini took the loveseat that sat across from me. Crabbe and Goyle were, it looked like, standing guard behind the armchair I had been sleeping in.
"How long have you all been here?" I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"For a bit," said Pansy. She gave me a look of concern. "Chloe, are you alright?"
"No."
"What can we do to help?" Pansy placed a hand on top of my hand, trying to comfort me.
"Unless you know how to bring someone back from the dead, there's nothing you can do." I said, a bit more harshly than I intended to. "Sorry, I'm just…"
"I get it," Pansy said with a tiny smile. "You don't have to apologize."
"You need to leave," I heard Crabbe say gruffly to a second year Slytherin who was trying to approach us.
"I have a message for Chloe Potter," said the second year in a small voice.
"From?" Goyle asked, cracking his knuckles.
"P-Professor Dumbledore," stuttered the kid. I looked around my chair to see a small girl, holding a letter. I held out my hand for the letter and she handed it to me before scurrying off.
Quickly, I ripped open the letter. Dumbledore wanted to see me right away. I wondered if he was going to tell me what happened last night. I stood up, ready to leave.
"What's it say?" Draco asked.
"He wants to see me," I answered. "Doesn't say why, but I'm hoping I'm about to get some answers."
"Do you want me to come with you?" He asked, standing up as well.
"No," I shook my head. "I'll be fine." Draco looked as if he wanted to argue with me, but he held his tongue.
A few minutes later, I was knocking on Professor Dumbledore's office. I felt my heart beat increase as anxiety slowly filled my body.
"Come in," I heard Dumbeldore say. I pushed open the door to find him waiting for me behind his desk. "Chloe, please have a seat." He gestured at one of the chairs in front of his desk. I crossed the circular room and sat down.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" I asked, not even saying hello to him.
"Chloe, your brother has been through a major event. One that will affect the whole wizarding community." Dumbledore began to say.
"I just want to know what happened to Cedric," I interrupted.
"I understand you are feeling grief for the loss of someone dear to you." Dumbledore gave me an understanding smile. "I promise to tell you all that I know, as long as you promise to not bother your brother again."
"You know about that?" I asked with a small wince.
"Your brother needs rest and time to process everything he has been through. In fact, he may never want to discuss all that had happened to him again."
"But he told you," I said.
"I needed to know what happened while it was fresh in his mind, but now I think it best to let him decide when he is ready to talk about it."
"Alright then, I won't bother him again." I promised. Dumbledore nodded his head before continuing to talk.
"During the final moment of the Task last night, your brother and Cedric reached the Triwizard Cup at the same time. They made the decision to take the Cup together so the competition would end with a tie. However, when they touched the Cup they were transported to an old graveyard. It was here where Cedric met his fate. A figure approached the pair, and before either realized they were in danger, Lord Voldemort ordered Peter Pettigrew to kill Cedric."
"It was Voldemort? In the flesh?" I asked.
"Lord Voldemort only needed your brother, Cedric was never meant to be there." Anger flooded my body at his words.
"You're telling me that Cedric wouldn't have died if he and Harry hadn't decided to take the Cup together?"
"I am so sorry," Dumbledore said sympathetically. Tears came to my eyes, and I tried my best to keep them from spilling over.
"Then what happened? What did they do to Harry?"
"Harry was forced to take part in a ritual. A ritual that would result in the return of Lord Voldemort. They took blood from his arm, an ingredient necessary for the return of Lord Voldemort. Using Harry's blood made it so the protection your mother gave to you two would no longer be an obstacle. When Voldemort returned, he called upon his Death Eaters and many of them came back to him. Harry was released, with his wand, and involuntarily dueled against Lord Voldemort.
During this duel with Lord Voldemort, your brother's wand and Voldemort's wand connected. Their wand cores are made from the same phoenix, Fawkes. When two wands with the same core are forced to fight one another a rare event takes place, priori incantatem. One wand forces the other to regurgitate the last spells used, in reverse. The most recent first and then those which preceded it. Which means, your brother saw Cedric again."
"He what?" I asked, confused.
"An echo of Cedric reappeared as Harry's and Voldemort's wands connected."
"He could talk to Cedric?" The tears I was fighting finally streamed down my face. Dumbledor nodded and I now understood how Cedric was able to tell Harry that he loved me. Even after death, Cedric was thinking of me. My heart burst with a pain so great I thought I was having a heart attack.
"However, it did not stop at Cedric. The connection lasted long enough for other echos to appear, including your parents. The echoes are almost like a ghost, only temporary. Harry was able to interact with them."
"Harry also got to see our parents?" Even though I knew my brother was in danger when all this happened I couldn't help but feel jealous of him. He actually got to see and interact with our parents, something I had never been able to do.
"These echoes of Cedric, your parents, and a few others helped your brother escape. They blinded Lord Voldemort long enough for Harry to reach Cedric's body and grab the Triwizard Cup to return back to Hogwarts."
"Why was the Cup a portkey? Who turned it into one?" I asked, wiping tears from my face with my sleeves.
"Barty Crouch Jr. was using the Polyjuice potion to disguise himself as Professor Moody," said Dumbledore gravely. "It was he who entered your brother in the Tournament, and it was he who turned the Cup into a portkey. Lord Voldemort planted Barty at the school to ensure that Harry would end up at the graveyard."
"Barty Crouch Jr. was dead I thought."
"So did we all. Mr. Crouch switched his son and his wife while he was in Azkaban, it was his wife's last wish before she died. He kept his son, under the Imperius Curse, at his house for years. Winky was charged with the task of caring for his son, but eventually he was able to break the curse.
Now that I have you all caught up, I need to be sure that you will not do anything rashly. You and your brother must return to Privet Drive this summer. It is the only safe place for you to be this summer." Dumbledore said as he peered at me through his half-moon spectacles.
"I do not want to go back there." I said, shaking my head. "I can't go back there. I'll-"
"You must return, for your safety." Dumbledore insisted.
"No," I argued. "Harry's the one in danger, not me. He's the one Voldemort keeps trying to kill, not me."
"We do not know what Voldemort is planning for you, Chloe. It is essential that you remain safe as well." Dumbledore said calmly.
"If I go back there, I'll go insane. I just lost the first love of my life, and you expect me to be tortured all summer by my 'so called' family? They wouldn't understand, and I know I'll take my grief and anger out on them." I could picture myself using a hex or jinx on my cousin simply to make myself feel better about my loss.
"Privet Drive is the one place I know you'll be safe."
"I was going to spend part of my summer with Cedric," I said, ignoring his words. "I had plans with him and now he's gone. I…" My voice trailed off as tears, once again, trickled down my face.
"I understand-" Dumbledore began to say.
"Do you?" I half yelled, half cried. "Then why would you make me spend my summer with the people I hate the most? Should I not have people who care about me with me while I grieve for Cedric?" Dumbledore watched me sob in the chair across from him. My hands covered my face as I cried harder, thinking about the summer I would never have. He stood up and put a hand on my shoulder, attempting to comfort me.
"You will not have to spend the entire summer there." Dumbledore tried to reassure me. "Just the beginning, then I'll have somewhere safe for you two to go."
"I will not go back." I said in between sobs. "I won't." And before Dumbledore could say anything else I fled from the room, still crying.
I ended up outside, near the greenhouses. I wandered until I found the bench that Cedric and I would often sit on and enjoy the scenery. I sat down, feeling hopeless. How was all of this happening? Could not one thing in my life go right? My head felt dizzy from all the crying, which had stopped now. I'm not sure how long I sat there, but it was dark outside when I finally went back inside.
The next few days went by in a flash. I felt like a robot, completing my daily tasks simply so people would leave me alone. I saw Harry a few times, but didn't feel like talking to him. Everytime I looked at him all I could think of was Cedric, and tears would begin to form. Draco and Pansy helped me get through the days, making sure I was eating and drinking and getting to our lessons. I was grateful for them and the efforts they were making.
Thursday evening, the night before term ended, the school gathered in the Great Hall for the leaving feast. Instead of the usual decorations that would be in the Hall, black drapes were hanging behind the staff table. A tribute to Cedric.
I looked at the staff table and noticed the real Mad-Eye Moody was now sitting up there. He twitched every time someone spoke to him, to which I understood. He was, afterall, imprisoned for months while Barty Crouch Jr. took his place. Professor Karkaroff's chair was empty and I wondered how long he would be able to evade Voldemort. He did expose Death Eaters to get a lighter sentence after Voldmort's disappearance. Madam Maxin was still there, sitting next to Hagrid.
Dumbledore stood up, and the already fairly quiet Hall became silent. "The end of another year." Dumbledore began to address the school. "There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight. But I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured towards the Hufflepuff table, "enjoying the feast with us. I would like you all to please stand and raise your glasses to Cedric Diggory." The entire school stood up, benches scrapped as all four tables prepared to pay tribute to Cedric.
"Cedric Diggory," said a low rumble of all the students. Tears flooded my eyes at the sight of the whole school honoring Cedric.
"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguished Hufflepuff House. He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think you have a right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about. Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." A panicked whisper swept around the hall. I kept my eyes down, not wanting to see the stares of my friends around me.
"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so. Either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is preferable than lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident or some sort of blunder of his own is an insult to his memory."
"So," I heard Draco mutter to Crabbe and Goyle. "He is back."
"There is somebody else that must be mentioned in connection to Cedric's death. I am of course talking about Harry Potter. Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed in every aspect the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this I honor him." Dumbledore turned to Harry and raised his goblet once more. Almost everyone in the Hall did the same, save for many of the Slytherin table.
"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened, in Lord Voldemort's return, such ties are more important than ever before." Dumbledore looked to the Beaxbaton's and Durmstrang students who were still here with us. "Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here any time should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again, in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.
It is my belief, and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken, that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago a student was taken from our mists. Remember Cedric. Remember if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good and kind and brave because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."
That night the Slytherin common room was abuzz with conversation. Many of the Slytherins had family that were involved with Voldemort in the past, so there was a good chance many of them would go back into his service. Even Draco seemed excited by the idea of Voldemort's return.
"My father was close to him, you know." I heard him tell Crabbe and Goyle. "I wouldn't be surprised if I joined his ranks when I am of age."
"Why?" I asked.
"Why what?" Draco turned to look at me.
"Why would you join him?"
"To prove myself. To show him that I am loyal, and powerful."
"He killed Cedric," I felt tears form once again in my eyes. Draco gave me a sympathetic look.
"Chloe, I am sorry about that, truly. I know how much Cedric meant to you."
"Then why would you align yourself with the person who killed him?" I felt anger rise up in my chest.
"How else am I supposed to prove myself to my family? I can guarantee you that they have already gone back into his service. I need to show them, and myself, that I am more than just a regular wizard. That I am worthy of fame and glory." There was a sparkle in Draco's gray eyes that I had never seen before.
"You can achieve that without supporting him," I insisted.
"I think using my family's standing with him would make it easier than trying to go against their wishes. Besides, where would I go? Even my extended family supports the Dark Lord. What other choice do I have?" I didn't have an answer. "Chloe, can we talk in private?" Draco asked after a moment of silence. I nodded and let him lead me out of the common room.
When we reached an empty corridor he stopped walking. Draco turned to face me, but I had a hard time looking at him. He reached out and gently lifted my face so we were looking at each other.
"You need to make a decision." He said softly. "My family is ready to host you for the summer, if you want to come."
"But…" I began to say. I felt very confused. I didn't want to return to Privet Drive, but was Draco's place any better? "You said your parents have most likely already returned to Voldmort's service. Why would I want to spend time with people who support him?"
"They can protect you. They can talk to him, show him you aren't a danger to him." Draco insisted.
"But maybe I am! He killed Cedric, I cannot forgive him for that." I turned my head away from him.
"How do we know it was actually the Dark Lord who killed him? Did Harry tell you?"
"I- I suppose technically it was Peter Pettigrew that cast the curse that killed Cedric, but he did it on Voldemort's orders. So what difference does it make?"
"You could get revenge on Pettigrew." I looked up at Draco, slightly taken aback.
"If you can show the Dark Lord that you won't do anything to stop him, maybe he would allow you to take revenge on Pettigrew. If you don't show him you aren't a danger to him, he'll come after you. What better way to keep you safe than to join him?" I thought for a moment, considering his idea.
"What if it doesn't work? What if he decides he won't take any chances and he just kills me?"
"Like I said, my parents have a bit of standing with him. I am sure they can convince him to not kill you straight away, to give you a chance. You're not like your brother, Chloe. Your brother has gone against the Dark Lord several times already."
"So have I, during my first and second year here." I reminded Draco.
"But you said that the Dark Lord told you that your destiny was different from your brothers. That you could change the world. That doesn't sound like something he'd say if he were going to just kill you."
"I suppose…" My voice trailed off as I thought of the possibility of being able to get revenge on Pettigrew. He was the one who performed the curse that killed Cedric, and he deserved to be punished for that.
"Please Chloe." Draco looked down at me, a pleading look on his face. "I don't want to risk losing you again, not when there is a chance we convince him you're not a threat."
"Okay," I said. "I'll come." What difference would it make? I'd either be able to get revenge for Cedric, or I'd die. I already felt like my life was over, like there was no point anymore. So why not?
"Thank you," Draco said as he pulled me into a hug.
"Draco?" I asked, after we pulled apart. "Why does what happens to me matter to you so much?"
"You're my friend," he began to say. I noticed his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "I care about you."
"Would you do this for your other friends?" I asked, curiously.
"My other friends don't need help staying safe from one of the most powerful wizards in existence."
"Okay," I said, nodding. "Write to your parents and let them know I am coming with you."
The next day, with our luggages all packed up, Draco, Pansy, Zabini and I got into one of the horseless carriages that would take us down to the train station in Hogsmeade. Occasionally I would shed a tear when my thoughts turned back to Cedric, and I would feel Pansy rub my back whenever it happened.
The train ride felt short, and I did my best to avoid my brother. I knew he wouldn't understand my decision to stay with the Malfoy's. But, I couldn't avoid him the whole time. I had to tell him sooner or later.
When the train reached Kings Cross Station, Draco and I left the train together. It didn't take my brother long to find me, and I felt anxiety course through my body as I watched him approach us.
"Let's go, Chloe." He said, ignoring Draco.
"I'm not going with you." I said, a small tremor in my voice.
"What do you mean you're not going with me? Dumbledore-"
"Dumbledore doesn't know what's best for me." I stated. "I am going to the Malfoy's this summer."
"You're what?" Harry sounded angry and confused. "Chloe, you can't be serious. His dad," Harry gestured towards Draco, "was there that night. You can't go there, you won't be safe."
"I can't go with you, Harry." I looked down at the ground. "I know what I am doing. Please, just leave me alone."
"Chloe," Harry sounded desperate now. "Chloe, you aren't thinking straight. Come with me." He reached out a hand, attempting to take one of mine but I moved out of reach.
"Harry, how do you expect me to look at you? Everytime I do, all I think about is Cedric. Cedric died and you did nothing to stop it." Tears started falling down my face. "You should've tried to save him."
"There wasn't anything I could do," Harry tried to get me to look at him. "Chloe, there wasn't anything I could do."
"Please, leave." I said. "Harry, I don't want to be around you anymore. I need to do what's best for me."
"How is this what's best for you? How is associating with bad people best for you?" He was angry now. "What did you do to my sister?" The last question was for Draco.
"I did absolutely nothing to her." Draco said calmly. "She wants to come with me, not you." It almost sounded as though Draco was gloating.
Without warning, Harry lunged at Draco, punching him in the face. His action caused the two of them to fall. The pair of them rolled on the ground, punching and kicking each other. I tried to separate them, but was unsuccessful. After a minute of them brawling on the floor, a tall man with long blonde hair, the same color as Draco's, strode up and performed a spell that separated the two. Both were pushed back, landing on their butts. Draco had a black eye, and Harry's nose was bleeding all over the place.
"What is going on here?" The man asked Draco, eyeing Harry with disdain.
"Father," Draco said. "Potter here thinks I am responsible for his sister's choice to join us this summer." Lucius Malfoy looked between Harry and me, finally noticing the family resemblance.
"I see," he said. "Mr. Potter I suggest you find your way back to your home. Your sister will be safe with us." Harry looked as though he wanted to argue, but decided against it.
"Chloe, you are making a mistake." Harry said to me. I looked away from him, unable to keep eye contact. "I am asking you one last time, come with me."
"I've made my decision." I answered. With the look of defeat on his face, Harry walked away towards the wall that would take him to the muggle side of Kings Cross Station. I felt a wave of guilt go through my body as I watched him walk through the brick wall.
"Chloe, let's go." Draco said, grabbing my hand. I turned away from the spot Harry disappeared and followed Draco and his father. I was about to have a very interesting summer break.
AN: Thank you all for reading my fanfic! Please leave me a review on your thoughts about the story so far!