Work of Karma || Cedric Diggory [2]

Chapter 3: Theories and Terror

Following the whole Draco-Malfoy-in-Knockturn-Alley incident, Analeigh and her friends had quite different reactions and held varying opinions. Harry found it highly suspicious and truly believed it had something to do with him being converted into the dark side, especially after his father, Lucius, had been sent to Azkaban due to his involvement in the Department of Mysteries attack last school year. Hermione and Ron agreed that it was fishy, but after some thought, it didn't seem that abnormal. They just assumed Malfoy had an interest in the items that Borgin & Burkes sold.

Meanwhile, Analeigh was torn. On one hand, Malfoy had always been a person who wasn't exactly good in their eyes – he was a bully, discriminated against muggle-borns, and thought himself to be superior over others. But to be downright evil like Harry had been suggesting? She wasn't too sure about that anymore. No matter how much she loathed the guy, she just hoped that he wasn't doing anything more than a stroll down Knockturn Alley that day.

Not long after, it was finally time to return to Hogwarts. The Weasley household – well, at least the remaining ones who were still attending school – were in a mildly chaotic state as they prepared to leave for Kings Cross Station that morning. Despite all their years of going through this on the 1st of September, they never learned. They would always end up doing last minute packing and stressing over the possibility that they were forgetting something.

On the bright side, Cedric would be dropping by to see Analeigh one last time before she left, just as he had promised a few weeks prior. He had written to her recently, saying that he'd be at the Burrow at half past ten. They had to adjust their plans slightly as it turned out that Cedric wouldn't be allowed to accompany her to Kings Cross Station. Mr. Weasley had ordered for a Ministry car just for his wife and the kids, and the only other people they were expected to encounter along the way were two Aurors assigned at the train station as their security personnel.

As the clock ticked nearer and nearer to that time, Analeigh decided to head downstairs with her trunk and cat, Velvet, in her traveling basket. That way, she wouldn't have to face all the hustle and bustle that always took place right before leaving. Right behind her was Harry, who was on his way to grab his last set of freshly laundered clothes – unsurprisingly, he had only done his laundry last night, so he was in a bit of a hurry now.

As both Analeigh and Harry stepped onto the landing, they bumped into Ginny.

"I wouldn't go in the kitchen just now," she said, sounding disgusted. "There's a lot of Phlegm around."

"I'll be careful not to slip in it," Harry joked. Ginny smiled before making her way around them, Harry's eyes watching her as she made her way back up the stairs. Analeigh suppressed a smirk at that.

Like Ginny had warned them, Fleur was indeed sitting at the dining table as she announced her plans for her and Bill's wedding, while Mrs. Weasley cleaned up wherever she could around her, looking bad-tempered.

"... Bill and I 'ave almost decided on only two bridesmaids," Fleur was saying. "Ginny and Gabrielle will look very sweet togezzer. I am theenking of dressing zem in pale gold — pink would of course be 'orrible with Ginny's 'air —"

"Ah, Harry, Leigh!" Mrs. Weasley took this chance to cut off Fleur's monologue. "Good, I wanted to remind you two about the security arrangements for the journey to Hogwarts later. We've got Ministry cars again, and there will be Aurors waiting at the station —"

"Is Tonks going to be there?" asked Harry. He had always enjoyed her presence, and he wanted to see how she was doing after what his friends told him about her feeling guilty for Sirius's passing.

"No, I don't think so. She's been stationed somewhere else from what Arthur said."

"She has let 'erself go, zat Tonks," Fleur commented, examining her reflection in the back of a teaspoon. Analeigh grimaced at that. While she was on good terms with Fleur, she recognized that this was one of the reasons the Weasleys didn't particularly approve of her. "A big mistake if you ask —"