The Prisoner's daughter

He's back

It was time for the final challenge. I sat beside Neville. Me and Neville haven't spoken since before the second task. Dumbledore spoke and everyone sat down and silenced.

"Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard cup deep within the maze. Only he knows it's exact position. Now, as Mr. Diggory..." Hufflepuff cheered. "...and Mr. Potter..." Me and the rest of Gryffindor cheered. "...tied for first position, they will be the first to enter the maze, followed by Mr. Krum..." Drumstrang cheered. "Miss Delacour". Beauxbatons cheered.

"First to touch the cup will be the winner", Dumbledore said. Everyone cheered. "I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter. Should, at any point, a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she needs to send up red sparks with their wand".  Dumbledore turned to the four contestants. "Contestants, gather around. Quickly". The four of them walked towards Dumbledore and he spoke to them.

After the champions spoke with Dumbledore, we all cheered. Then, the contestants were off. They went into the maze and then the entrance closed. Here comes another long wait.

--

I looked at Neville for the 15th time. I couldn't think of what to say to him.

I looked over at Hermione and Ron. Hermione looked at me and mouthed, "Talk to him".

I looked at Neville for the 16th time. "Can we talk? Please?" I asked.

"What's there to talk about? You're dating that Slytherin. He's using you, Irina. Why can't you see that?" Neville asked.

"He's not using me. He even talked about switching to Gryffindor. For me. I told him I wouldn't want that, but he said he wanted to be with me", I said. "Why can't you be happy for me?"

"Because I...", Neville paused. He sighed. "I just don't want to see you get hurt".

"If he hurts me, I have all of my friends. Fred and George will prank him, Ginny and Hermione will probably hex him and Ron and Harry will give him reasons why he doesn't deserve me", I said.

"And me?" Neville asked.

"You'll be you and be by my side. Your my best friend, Neville. And right now, I need your support", I said.

"I didn't know you had an active imagination", Neville said. "Though, that does sound like Hermione. She scares me".

"What about me?" I asked.

"You're less frightening", Neville said.

"Wow, that hurt my feelings", I joked, but Neville must have thought I was serious (Or Sirius).

"Iris, I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean to hurt your feelings", Neville said. I chuckled.

"I'm messing with you", I said.

"Oh", Neville said as he blushed in embarrassment. I smiled. He's so cute when he blushes.

"I know Karate, Jujitsu, and Taekwondo", I said. "And a little bit of boxing. And sword fighting".

"I take it back. You're scarier than Hermione", Neville said. I laughed.

My smile faded when I remembered what Ginny said. She thought me and Neville could be together and Snape said that Neville seemed to like me.

"Neville, what am I to you?" I asked.

"You're my friend", Neville said.

"This year and things with Jack, it cheered me up", I said. "But this summer, I am starting my search on Pettigrew. I must clear my father's name".

"Iris, I'll help you. If you try to convince the Ministry alone, they'll believe your trying to save him from getting thrown into Azkaban".

"But I am trying to save him from getting thrown into Azkaban".

"What I mean is, if you tell the Ministry that Sirius is innocent, they'll think you've joined the Dark Lord and that you're trying to save him", Neville said.

"Volde- I mean, you-know-who, is gone", I said.

"I am helping you", Neville said.

"It's going to be dangerous", I said. "Is the shy Neville Longbottom ready for that?"

"If it means I'll stand by you, then yes".

I smiled at Neville. "Thank you for being there for me", I said.

Harry and Cedric appeared in front of everyone. Everyone cheered. But I noticed something was not right. Dumbledore and the Professors ran towards them.

The band stopped playing. Everyone realizes something is wrong. Dumbledore tried to pull Harry away from Cedric, but Harry refused. He hung onto Cedric, who laid on the ground.

I couldn't hear what was going on. Until I heard a man say, "Keep everyone in their seats. A boy's just been killed".

I gasped. So did many other students.

"Let me through. Let me through!", Amos shouted as he tried to walked towards them. He ran towards Harry and Cedric.

"That's my son! That's my boy", Amos said as he cried. I looked at him sadly.

I joined the students who had gathered around Cedric's body. I looked at him in shock. I tried to fight back tears, but I couldn't.

Professor Moody pulled Harry off of Cedric. "Harry", I said. He wrapped his arms around me. I ran my fingers through his hair.

"It's going to be alright", I said while trying to convince myself that it was going to be alright.

Amos Diggory cried over his son. "Miss Black, he needs to get away from here. The sight of Cedric Diggory's body won't make him feel better", Professor Moody said.

I nodded. I let go of Harry and let him go with Professor Moody.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see Dumbledore.

"Mr. Potter is lucky to have you as his friend, Miss Black", Dumbledore said.

"Is he going to be alright, sir?" I asked.

"The death of Cedric will forever be a tragic moment in our history, in his history, but yes, he will be alright", the Professor said. "Why don't you go sit with your friends, Irina. Me and the Professors have matters to attend to".

I walked towards my seat next to Neville. Amos still cried for his son.

Cedric Diggory is dead and no one will forget this moment. No one.