Turn Back Time // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Five- The Graveyard

My heart was beating out of my chest. After all these months of nightmares, I was finally living in one. My thoughts and anxiety were interrupted by Cedric.

"Where are we?" he wondered out loud. Both Harry and Cedric slowly got up looking around, looking as confused as I felt. Harry started wandering around as Cedric knelt down by me. "Are you alright?" He reached for my hand and helped me up.

"Fine," I answered. "Just confused. Also, still not used to travel by portkey, if that's what this is. Harry, do you know where we are?" Cedric looked to Harry as well and asked, "Did anyone tell you the cup was a portkey?"

"No," Harry answered. "Madeline, is this supposed to be part of the third task?" I suddenly remembered Harry thought I was on a task force for the final event. "Um.. I dunno, no one has mentioned this." I replied. Harry wandered forward as I stayed behind. Cedric looked at me concerned. "Did you still see the blue light on the cup when we touched it?" he asked me quietly. I nodded in response. "Yea, but now it's quiet, almost too quiet."

Cedric wandered forward with Harry. What is this magic? I wondered as I stayed behind taking in my surroundings. That's when I noticed it. More blue light wisps far in the distance of the graveyard. I looked back at the boys who looked distracted and continued forward alone.

I traveled pretty far where I couldn't see the boys any longer. It felt like I was walking forever until the wisps finally stopped at an old looking grave. I crouched at the grave. It was quite old and covered with leaves and vines, like it hadn't been touched in a long time. "Lumos." I cast my wand to give some light. As my wand grew closer, the weeds and vines withered away slowly until I could finally make out a name.

Ominis Gaunt

1873-1891

Gone too Soon

I didn't recognize the name, nor did I know what this was supposed to mean. Whoever he was, he died at only 18. Just a year older than me. I guess this is the information I'll be taking to Dumbledore. I took a mental note in my mind, making sure to remember everything on the headstone. I stood up looking around, remembering I had traveled a bit far from the boys. I decided to head back to them.

As I made my way back, I racked my brain, trying to figure out what this could all mean. All of this information so far seemed completely irrelevant to me. What did a boy 100 years ago have to do with me? My thoughts were soon interrupted when Cedric and Harry came in view, both still too far to see or hear me coming. That's when I noticed another cloaked figure close to them. I had a bad feeling. I quickly ducked behind a large tomb like stone, in case there was danger ahead and I needed to step in unannounced.

I peaked over, staying hidden to see Harry looking rather disgruntled and worried. Suddenly, Harry's hands moved up to his head, wincing in pain. His scar. Then I heard a voice. A voice that I can only describe as if all the happiness in the world had been drained. Almost like a hiss. The pit in my stomach grew bigger. "Kill the spare." It whispered.

No.

"Avada Kedavra!" the mysterious figure yelled pointing his wand, a flash of green protruding from it directly towards Cedric.

I watched as Cedric's body collapsed to the ground almost instantaneously. My hand raised to my mouth gasping, feeling as if I was going to vomit. All of the air disappeared from my lungs, and I sank to the ground in a sudden despair. Cedric Diggory was dead. I remained on the ground, petrified with grief and shock as I just witnessed something so horrible.

My mind flashed to the night we shared in the kitchens. Cedric had always had a bad feeling about this day. All his worries and anxieties had come true right in front of my eyes. In a matter of seconds, the once precious and powerful Hufflepuff boy was murdered. Tears streamed down my face, as my hand still remained on my mouth, silently sobbing. Then I vomited. Oh no.

I looked up to see Harry, his face looking as pale and destroyed as I was. He noticed me too, thankfully the cloaked man still had not. "Go," Harry mouthed to me. "Now." I knew he needed my help, I had to get to the cup and find Dumbledore and get Harry help before he faced the same fate as poor Cedric.

Cedric. My heart mourned again for the boy who only ever showed kindness and compassion to me. Wait. I remembered as I pulled the velvet sack from my hands. I had almost forgot Dumbledore had given me a portkey that I knew would take me back to Hogwarts when my mission was complete. I dug in my pockets and pulled out the sack, but was interrupted by the sound of Harry's voice.

"You!" he hissed at the cloaked figure. I looked back at the scene where Harry and the figure stood. That's when I saw the cloaked figure drop something into a cauldron. What was he doing? I thought. Suddenly, the cauldron started bubbling, and sparks were flying from it.

It was now or never Maddz, I thought to myself. I pulled the stone out of the velvet sack and held it in my hand. Then I remembered, what about my magic. Maybe I can do something here and now. I thought about what I did to that spider. Perhaps I could do it again, at least that way I wouldn't be leaving Harry behind to find other help.

I looked desperately around for any signs of my ancient magic. Any blue light, or wisps calling to me. I saw nothing. Have courage. I thought. For Cedric. I can do this. Maybe Cedric was right, maybe I can be the hero.

With out thinking any further, I stood up and walked forward, wand in hand, stone in the other, revealing myself to the figure and Harry, but this time there was a third figure. There he stood. A tall snake like man, with slits for a nose. My blood ran cold as I realized I stood facing the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort.

Harry looked at me, pain in his eyes, worried I would be the next victim. Without thinking, I raised my wand to Voldemort. I willed for anything, any sort of ancient magic I could conjure up in that moment. Nothing. No wisps, no blue light, not even a powerful urge, even with all the emotions I was feeling. Voldemort laughed. "Ahh Harry, I see you brought another friend along. Pity what happened to the boy."

"No!" Harry cried out.

I stood there frozen. "Let's give her a proper welcome." My heart sank as he hissed those words, remembering them vividly from my nightmares. The air grew cold, and the world grew silent. Time stood still.

"Crucio!" Voldemort commanded, pointing his wand towards me. All I saw was a red flash, and then pain. It started in my core, spreading through every fiber of my body. I collapsed, all thoughts leaving my mind as it felt as if I were on fire. The pain was unimaginable. I continued writhing on the ground until the pain started to lessen once Voldemort's wand was off of me, no longer casting the curse. I continued to feel volts of what felt like electricity spark my nerves. I felt like I would never be ok again.

My mind was so cloudy, unable to think straight, I looked at Harry from the fetal position I was on the ground, he was screaming to me, shouting for me, but I couldn't hear a sound. I had to get help, I had to go.

I felt the rock still in my hand. I squeezed it with what strength I could muster up, one time. Voldemort raised his wand to me again. I stared at him, almost lifeless. "Avada–" he started.

I squeezed my rock a second time."Kedavr–" I squeezed my rock a third time, taking one final look at Harry and then Cedric. A flash of green, and then nothing.

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Poor Cedric. We all knew this was coming, but it's still heartbreaking. Almost to the start of Hogwarts Legacy folks. I can't wait to get there. I just want to make sure this story is set up for success! <3 Maddz