A World Fading To Black - BOOK 2

Chapter 10 - Dragons; But What For?

It's been two weeks since the Wand Weighing Ceremony and the interview with Rita Skeeter. I heard The Prophet will publish her article today, so I assume everyone in Hogwarts will be getting a copy this morning.

I could wait here, in the Great Hall, for all the mail owls to invade the room and drop thousands of Daily Prophets on the four House tables. But, since I decided I'm not in the mood for judging looks or following gazes – which would certainly happen, since I'm expecting the article to be full of crazy and embarrassing lies –, I get up from my seat and make my way to the West Tower to see if Moon or Pad (A/N: I don't know, I just thought it would be cute if she sometimes called them by their nicknames instead of 'dad' or 'papa' or something... maybe just to joke around, I guess? I'm crazy, I know) have answered my letter yet.

The icy morning breeze blows on my face as I walk up the steps of the Owlery. I look around the place and see a few owls snuggled in their wings, trying to stay warm. Then, I see two owls flying in my direction, both with a letter attached to one of their legs.

One of them lands on my shoulder and the other flies to one of the stands, sleepily waiting for whoever they must deliver the letter to.

I take out the letter and open it.

I read it in a whisper:

"Dear Jupiter,"

I recognise Pad's handwriting.

"I hope you've all been doing well. At least as well as you can be with all this Tournament thing going around. We received your letter and we are... terrified. But also very proud of our little tawny owl"

I smile slightly.

"Dumbledore also wrote to us, practically saying the same you did. He also said we would be welcomed to stay at Hogwarts, about a week before the Tournament starts, to see the tasks. So I suppose you can expect us to be there two weeks from now, of course"

I let out a small laugh, impatient for my family's arrival.

"We've been quite good lately. We have been 'living our best lives', as you said; not the way I would think of when I was younger, though. We haven't been going to crowded parties or gotten drunk just for fun. No, we stay here at home, we go to Tonks's parents a lot – Andromeda has always been my favourite cousin –, and we visit the Weasleys sometimes"

My smile grows wider, knowing that they're happy and safe.

"I'm glad we chose to live in this cottage; it's a lot helpful for Moony when he's... well, on his time of the month"

I can almost hear him chuckling lightly as he writes the letter.

"And it's always good to be in contact with the nature!

Well, that might be all... We'll see each other in a few days, so we can talk about whatever happens in the meantime then.

Lots of love,

Padfoot"

With a smile still on my face, I close the letter and prepare to leave. I walk to the door, not really looking where I'm going.

And, of course, when you're not looking forward, you bump into things. Or people.

"Oh, I'm sorry" the person says.

I look up to see Cedric, whose lips instantly curl into his sweet smile.

"Hello" he says.

"Hey!" I reply, smiling back, "What are you doing here? Getting your Prophet before everyone else...?" I joke.