Cursed | Draco Malfoy

Four

They had all been gathered at the Great Hall the next morning. Umbridge's words ringed in her head, and each time — it infuriated her even more.

How could she? Say to everyone Cedric's death had been a mere 'accident'? It was a sin to even remotely suggest that! No, Hermione wasn't there when the event occurred — but what she would believe are the words coming out of her best-friends mouth. Even if Harry did tell a lie, you couldn't deny the shrivelling paste of despair when he had brung Cedric back from the last round.

"Silence!" hollered Professor Dumbledore at the front of the Great Hall. Multiple heads turned in the direction as he stroked his grey beard, a stone-cold expression on his face — as always. Dumbledore had never been one to express much emotion — hell, Hermione couldn't even think back to a moment where he had smiled.

But, in his small blue eyes - a sense of agonize had been in them.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is being threatened. The safety, the reliability, the education and the sheer home for many of our students — has been turned, rather under attack, of the new masking presence of You-Know-Who. Ever since the events that occurred last year, the dear losses and dark magic returning, his hateful and distant marking on Hogwarts has not been forgotten. Hogsmeade trips are to be put to a halt until further notice — unless absolutely necessary. Our ministry has been doing the absolute best and remote plans to keep this dark lord far from our school. This message is to be kept in your mind as you do your whereabouts, it is not to be taken lightly." He finished.

Hermione swallowed, as her eyes felt distant and hazed.

"It is not a act of mere threat, it is the beginning of a war." He roared. Instantly, heads turned and people began murmuring - she even noticed some people beginning to cry.

With that, he ended his announcement as he began to walk away from the stand — turning his back and talking with the other teachers seated behind.

She heard a groan behind her as she whipped her head — only to see Harry, holding his scar as he groaned and winced in pain.

Hermione's eyebrows rose as she laid a hand on his shoulder, "Harry? Harry! What's wrong?" She swiped a thumb across his shoulder comfortingly.

"I- My scar! Voldemort-" he bellowed, as he fell off the bench, onto the floor and began spazzing uncontrollably. "Harry!" She exclaimed, getting on her knees to tend him as students huddled around them.

"Somebody help!" Hermione weeped, as Professor Mcgonagall came running towards them — holding her long gown preventing her from tripping as a look of worry and fret read all over her expressions.

"The student is unwell, take him to St Mungo's immediately," she rushed at Madame Poppy who had arrived as well - she pressed a feather hand to him. Madame Poppy nodded, before she lifted the boy onto a cot she conjured — taking him away.

Dumbledore had now appeared beside Professor Mcgonagall, "very well everyone, return to what you had been doing. Harry Potter is known for mishaps like these," he uttered, walking away.

Hermione tried to follow Madame Poppy and Harry before a hand rested on her shoulder to turn her back. She looked to see Mcgonagall, "it's best you give him some time alone before you see him," she spoke, Hermione didn't want to - not one bit.

"But, Professor. Im a healer it's what I do-" she shook her head, not uttering another word as it was a final 'no' she earned from the professor.

She let out a final suppressed breath, before she heard a voice somewhere in the stilled crowed mumbling.

"About time that scar-head got what he deserved, hopefully the twat won't survive it this time." Hermione's brown eyes widened, as her head whipped around to see who had spoken the horrible things.