𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 . 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐓

𝐋𝐀 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐄.

1994;

Merely five days had passed since Cedric's death, and it felt like the school year had come to a screeching halt. To Harry, each passing week seemed to drag on, as if time itself had slowed down to a crawl. He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever escape the clutches of this place, not that he truly desired to.

Being trapped at school was a far better fate than being confined to the haunting memories of his troubled home. Home was supposed to be a sanctuary, a haven of comfort and security, but for Harry, it had always been devoid of those feelings. Surprisingly, even his most detested classmates seemed to share this unspoken understanding, though he knew better than to question them about it. Nor did he think about it.

He was but a boy, trapped within the confines of his own intricate universe. Lost in contemplation, he pondered the mysteries that surrounded him. But, the disheartening truth remained: everyone refused to believe his words, his warnings of the looming threat of Voldemort. One would think that after Cedric's death, their eyes would open to the harsh reality.

However, Harry paid no mind to their perceptions of his sanity, for he held steadfast to the truth he had witnessed. No soul could refute the evidence that his very eyes had beheld. Not even the venerable Dumbledore himself.

"Harry," Hermione interrupted his train of thought, her voice filled with a touch of exasperation. "Quit dwelling on it. Give your mind a break from all these thoughts."

She somehow sensed the preoccupation that had consumed him throughout the week. Ron, too, shared her worry for their friend. As the three of them settled onto the train, a shared understanding passed between them, unspoken yet palpable.

"I swear, I really wasn't," Harry adamantly denied, his voice brimming with conviction, though the truth was evident to all.

Ron let out a playful scoff, teasingly remarking, "Mate, you're rubbish at lying"

Harry swallowed hard, his gaze averted. Unbeknownst to him, the weight of grief settled deep within his being. Cedric's passing had left an indelible mark on his soul. Though Cedric may not have been his closest confidant, witnessing someone's demise with such noble intentions had shaken Harry to his core.

But what snapped Harry out of his reverie was when he caught sight of Viola. There she was, casually strolling out of the bathroom, her expression as composed as ever. He couldn't help but notice the elegance of her attire, which he assumed must be quite pricey. Of course, he knew her background, so it made sense.

He found it strange how he couldn't help but analyze her every time he caught a glimpse. The memory of that day when Malfoy and Nott cruelly created those badges of him still lingered in his mind. He had been convinced that Viola and Pansy would be sporting them together. However, when he saw her, he noticed that she never did. Instead, he witnessed her defiantly tossing the badge into a nearby fountain.

He also knew about her connection with Cedric and couldn't help but wonder how she felt about what had transpired. However, he decided not to dwell on it, thinking that her seemingly unfeeling demeanor probably meant she didn't care anyway.

Hermione glanced over to see what had captured his attention. She was taken aback to find that it was Viola. However, she decided to keep her thoughts to herself, even though her brows couldn't help but furrow in curiosity.