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( 𝔳𝔬𝔩𝔲𝔪𝔢 𝔦𝔦, 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 ) — little dark age
The Great Hall was normally decorated with the winning house's colours for the Leaving Feast. Tonight, however, there were black drapes on the wall behind the teacher's table; a mark of respect to Cedric.
The real Mad-Eye Moody was sat at the staff table now, his wooden leg and magical eye back in place. He was extremely twitchy, jumping every time someone spoke to him — when Evangeline had asked him for the water jug, he almost fell backwards off of his chair. Nobody could blame him; his fear of attack was bound to have increased by his ten-month imprisonment in his own trunk.
Professor Karkaroff's chair was empty (there was no surprise there; the brunette pure-blood gladly put her handbag in his place). Madam Maxime was still in attendance, sitting next to Hagrid, talking quietly together. Further along the table, McGonagall and Snape sat on either side of Evangeline in a pregnant silence.
Thankfully, Dumbledore soon stood up. The Great Hall, which in any case had been less noisy than it usually was at the Leaving Feast, became very quiet.
''The end of another year,'' he began, looking around at everyone.
His paused as his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. Theirs had been the most subdued table before the headmaster had gotten to his feet, and theirs was still the saddest and most palest faces in the room.
''There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight, but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here and enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory.''
There were tears silently pouring Cho Chang's face, who everybody knew had been his girlfriend. They were a perfect match, to say the least.
The benches scraped as everyone in the Hall stood, and raised their goblets, and echoed, in one loud, low, rumbling voice.
''Cedric Diggory.''
Evangeline's voice was unusually raspy as she spoke, along with the uneasiness she had stood up with. He had taken a toll on her, which was as plain as day. Still, most of them chalked it up to the first death of many.
''Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house. 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 . . . Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort.''
A panicked whisper swept over the Great Hall. People were staring at Dumbledore in disbelief and horror, occasionally glancing Evangeline with a fearful eye.
''The Ministry of Magic 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.''
Stunned and frightened, every face in the Hall was turned to the elderly wizard . . . or almost every face. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco was muttering something to Crabbe and Goyle, their glares fixated on their Charms professor.
''There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter. Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. 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 honour him.''
Dumbledore turned gravely to Harry and raised his goblet. Almost everyone in the Hall followed suit. They murmured his name as they had done Cedric's, and drank 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. 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, and 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. 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 the pass across Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.''
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