Worlds Collide Harm(fully)(lessly)

Chapter 23

"The end of another year."

Nico sat at the Hufflepuff table with some pain still in his stomach and his arm burning where his dark mark was. Ever since the cemetery, he hadn't heard anything from Voldemort or...what he could probably call his mother. Not in his dreams or in reality.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," Dumbledore continued. "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory. "

It felt too much like burning a shroud at camp. If he closed his eyes, he could smell the smoke and the strawberry fields.

They did it, all of them; the benches scraped as everyone in the Hall stood, and raised their goblets, and echoed, in one loud, low, rumbling voice, "Cedric Diggory. "

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continued. "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 that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."

Nico wondered if all spies felt guilty like he did, if any could even attend a funeral in peace.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

(then Nico wondered some more why Dumbledore didn't just say Voldemort. why the 'lord' was necessary)

"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 generally preferable to 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. There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter. "

A kind of ripple crossed the Great Hall as a few heads turned in Harry's direction before flicking back to face Dumbledore.

"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him. "

Dumbledore turned gravely to Harry and raised his goblet once more. Nearly everyone in the Great Hall followed suit. They murmured his name, as they had murmured Cedric's, and drank to him.

(if Nico had died at the cemetery, would they have drunk to him?)

"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened - of Lord Voldemort's return - such ties are more important than ever before."

(would they even have known? or would they have thought he ran off, was truly a coward?)

"Every guest in this Hall will be welcomed back here at 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."

(this included the demigods, and Dominic looked happy about it, but Nico had put the shakey relationship between wizards and demigods to the back of his mind long ago)

"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 midst. 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. "

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Throughout the last days, Nico swung nectar down his throat like an alcoholic took shots from their flask. The only wound before this that hadn't healed from the godly food, even after time, were the claw marks he had gotten on his trip back to camp with the Parthenos. But this- the flesh he had taken away to create evil- this was as unhealing as those claw marks and every bit as painful.

He never let himself be alone with Will or Dominic, too afraid that the truth would come out if he did so. But Will kept looking at him like he was a lost puppy, and Dominic's eyes were growing too angry about that distance between them. When it finally came to the day Dominic would leave with the other demigods, Nico hugged him goodbye and whispered a quick "I'll explain when I'm ready". Nico never really heard an answer, but Dominic went peacefully so he assumed he accepted his words.

He didn't say goodbye to Will.

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His last day at Hogwarts for the year was emotional. Some parts of him feared he wouldn't come back. Others feared that he'd never have another peaceful moment there. Voldemort was back, and Voldemort wasn't going to let any of them live in peace for long.

"Are you coming home for the summer?" Ron asked as they boarded the Hogwarts Express. The question entered Nico's mind for the first time, but he didn't hesitate when he answered.

"Yeah, same as last year. I'll take little trips to America to visit them."

His stomach was healing too slow for his liking, was a sign of the darkness he had created. His sword was growing dust, his wand was commonly used, and his dark mark burned beneath his robes.

(was there room for love in war?)

The train was smooth and full of laughter. It was peaceful, peaceful enough for him to doze off a few times during the ride. There was no danger around him, and the half-hellhound that had saved his life was beside him, and his brother was still alive in front of him.

(where had this wedge between him and Will come from? why couldn't he approach it?)

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"I'm going home."

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AN: Next book up soon! Thanks for reading!