Raven (Fred x oc)

49. The Third and Final Task Preparations

"Professor," I said, sitting in the chair and being careful not to touch the wood of the armrests. "You asked me to keep you updated about my ring. There is more, sir."

"Go on," Dumbledore requested, steepling his hands under his chin. 

I glanced over at Khadija as I said, "I can see and talk to the dead. I have to help their spirits pass on to peace. They're like...ghosts but I can see more of them and..." 

"Can you see any of them now?" Dumbledore asked. 

"Yes," I admitted. "There's one that's always with me, talking to me. She died a year ago she said." 

"Where in the room is she?" Dumbledore asked. 

"Right there in the chair next to me," I said, pointing. "Her name is Khadija Harris." 

"Where did she die?" 

"Hogsmead," I said. 

"How?" 

"I-" I broke off, unsure. Looking over at her, I asked, "How did you die?" 

"I fell off the cliff while hanging out with my friends," she explained. "Cracked my skull open." 

"She fell off one of the mountains," I explained. 

"Ah," Dumbledore said. "And she is always with you?" 

"She brings the other spirits to me," I said. "So that they can pass on. Everyone who has died since my mother passed away in this area." 

Before I could say more, the door to Dumbledore's office burst open and Cornelious Fuge appeared with Professor Moody. 

"I tried to tell him you were busy, Professor," Moody said. 

"No mind, Alastor," Dumbledore said. "Miss Black, if you don't mind, we may continue this conversation another time. Keep me updated." 

"Yes sir," I replied. Glaring at the other two people in the room, I left, Khadija following behind me. 

...........................................................................

The day of the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament was swiftly approaching, causing quite the stir in the school. But, as Khadija was quick to point out, this was not necessarily a good thing as we had no idea what was to come. 

Over many long walks around the school grounds, I had explained everything to her. Khadija had been a witch when she was alive, but she was from Canada so she had only heard whispers of Voldemort, but never much as he had not been much of a threat to her. 

I had not told anyone besides Dumbledore about her or the ring. Fred asked once or twice if the ring was doing much else, but I just told him the dreams had stopped and left it at that. Luckily, there wasn't much time for anyone to accuse me of hiding anything as final exams were now upon us. 

I devoted most of my time to studying, Khadija helping me as she had excelled at most of the subjects I was taking. She turned out to be the best help I could get for the exams, but she had told me that she wouldn't help me during the actual exams. 

At long last, the final day of exams and the day of the third task arrived. I'd done pretty well so far on my exams and was so wrapped up in the final task that Khadija had to get my attention several times before I was focused enough to go down to the exams. 

As I was leaving breakfast in the Great Hall, I spotted Cedric. "Cedric!" I called. Muttering something to his friends, he came over. 

"What's up?" he asked. He was slightly paler and he was wringing his hands slightly.