Muggle-Born Princess: HPF

Voldemort has Returned

Esme's POV

It's been a few days since the final task. Since Cedric Diggory was murdered by Voldemort. Today we say goodbye to the visiting schools. Yesterday I went with the others to see Hagrid. Who told us he is going on a little job with Madame Maxine over the summer. Wouldn't tells us what though. I then meet up with George and we checked on the birds one last time. As they will be staying as we return home for the summer. I pray they'll all be ok. Hagrid promised to watch them for us.

When I entered the Hall with George, we see at once that the usual decorations were missing. The Great Hall was normally decorated with the winning House's colors for the Leaving Feast. Tonight, however, there were black drapes on the wall behind the teachers' table. I knew instantly that they were there as a mark of respect to Cedric. George and I sit down at the Gryffindor table.

"The end of another year" Dumbledore states beginning his end of term speech. "There is much that I would like to say to you all" he tells us. "But I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here" he says looking at the Hufflepuff table. "I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory" he tells us.

"Cedric Diggory" we all say raising our glasses. I caught a glimpse of Cho through the crowd. There were tears pouring silently down her face. Poor girl, I can't imagine how I would feel had it been George and not Cedric. It hurts to even think about losing him.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house" Dumbledore tells us. "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" he states. "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort" he declares.

A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. People were staring at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. He looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence. I already knew thanks to Harry, but it still scares me knowing that Voldemort is out there. George wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders.

"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" Dumbledore explains.

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter" Dumbledore continues. "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 honor him" he states.

Dumbledore turned gravely to Harry and raised his goblet once more. Nearly everyone in the Great Hall followed suit. They murmured his name, as they had murmured Cedric's, and drank to him. I do so. We then all retake our seats.

"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" Dumbledore tells us.

"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, 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 across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory" he tells us.

The feast was quiet. Afterwards, many Beauxbaton students came to wish me a fond farewell. Giving me their contact details saying I can owl them anytime. I promised only a few that I would. Like Fleur and her sister. Hermione said goodbye to Viktor.

"So you visiting this summer?" George asks me.

"Of course, besides I look forward to seeing your house" I tell him.

"It's not much, but it's home" he tells me with a smile. We catch a carriage together with Lee, Angelina and Fred. Then got a compartment together on the train. The weather could not have been more different on the journey back to King's Cross than it had been on their way to Hogwarts the previous September. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. But none us wanted to enjoy it. Not in the wake of Cedric's death and Voldemort's return.

As we relaxed. We see Draco Malfoy pass with his friends. Fred, George and I decide to investigate. While Angelina went to go see her friends and Lee decided to go see some of his her friends. Turns out Draco and his friends were up to no good. We jinxed them with Harry and the others in his compartment.

We pushed Draco and his unconscious friends into the corridor. Before joining Harry and the other two. Fred brought out a deck of cars. And the boys started to play exploding snap. While Hermione and I read a book each. The rest of the journey home was uneventful. When I got off the train. I was surprised to see my mother with two people I've never seen before.

"Hello Miss Bourette, we've been asked to escort you to a safe house. Where you'll be spending your summer" the man states.

"What? Why?" I ask confused. "Who are you?" I ask.

"I'm Tonks and this is Kingsley. We're aurors" the woman states.

"I didn't recognize you" I tell her with a smile.

"They are here at Dumbledore's request" mum tells me.

"What about you?" I ask her.

"I am going into hiding with Diana, we'll be fine" she assures me. She hugs me. "I promise we will meet again" she states.

"I love you" I tell her.

"And I love you" she says kissing my forehead. We leave and go our separate ways. Kingsley escorts my mum to the airport. While Tonks walks with me to Grimmauld Place. Where she hands me a note. I read it and a new house appeared in between 11 and 13 like magic. Tonks destroyed the note and leads me inside. Where we're greeted by Remus and Sirius.

Sirius showed me to my room and left me to unpack my trunk. Guess this will be my home for the summer, could use a little cleaning. Ok, a lot of cleaning. I wonder if George and the others will be allowed to visit over the summer? If I'd be allowed to send letters? Guess I'll find out soon, along with why I am here and not with my mother or at home for the summer.

The end of Esme's journey in the Goblet of Fire, see you all next time in the Order of the Phoenix.

A/N

Picture above of the great hall.