Luna Mia || Theodore Nott

Chapter: 34

Our fourth year ended earlier than supposed, the students were never able to go back to studying or living normally. The next week that followed the third task, everything has dimmed. Students were on edge, ghosts whispered in the corner, the sky was glum and grey. Life didn't go back to what it was, no one could shake the image of Cedric's unseeing eyes, his father's sobs,.. 'he's back'. That week, I sobbed alot. Cedric was young and brave and kind. Except he was. Harry's story was clear; he tried to defend him against the Dark Lord and was killed in the process. The ministry denied it though. I guess they didn't want to cause a panic. Throughout all that time, Theo was by my side, providing a safe hold when I cried, soothing me to sleep when I was haunted by nightmares and fears.
'Shh, it's okay, everything will be alright, I promise'

The customary colors of the four houses are nowhere in evidence. Instead, the hall is draped in black banners. I sit solemnly among my fellow Gryffindors as Dumbledore addresses the tables.
"The end... of another year. Ordinarily this is day of celebration, a day in which we recognize the accomplishments of ourselves and others. But today..."
His eyes drift to an empty seat at the hufflepuff table as do mine.
"... we acknowledge a terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as many of you know, exceptionally hard-working, infinitely fair-minded and, most importantly, a fierce friend. I think therefore you have the right to know exactly how he died."

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."
Nervous whispers spread throughout the hall. What Dumbledore was saying was the opposite of what the Ministry was spreading.
"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But to not do so is, to my mind, an insult to his memory."

As Dumbledore continues, my eyes drift to Harry, his wounds still not healed, agony shining in his eyes. Cho, ashen and pale, sitting numbly. Fleur gently clutching her hand. Krum sitting stoicly. Katie squeezes my hand.
"It was the hope, in restoring the Triwizard Tournament, that magical ties would be deepened between those of us who come from different backgrounds. In light of recent events, such ties will be more important that ever. Differences of habit and speech become meaningless when the language of our hearts is the same."
"With dark and difficult times comes a choice: between what is right and what is easy. Should you ever waver, remember a boy who was kind and brave and true. To the very end..."
Back in our dorm, packing my bags, I peer out of the window, where the empty maze stands like a desolate ruin.
"Everything's going to change now isn't it?" Katie appears next to me.
"Yes."

We sat in the train, Dumbledore's words weighing heavily on us all. Us and the boys shared a compartment. I sat next to Theo, hand in hand, but the mood was dim. Light chatter filled the place, mostly talks about summer plans and triple dates I knew most, if not all, weren't going to happen. Soon, every girl got into hushed side conversations with her boy.
"Theo?"
"Yes love"
"Can I ask you something" I had a question nagging my brain since that dreadful night.
"Ofcourse you can, is that a question. Go ahead"
I took a deep breath.
"That night, the Third Task night, you know what happened right? The thing that the Ministry refuses to admit to."
"Yeah..." He knew I was talking about his return.
"Do you think your father..." I trailed of, not sure how to complete the question. I knew what kind of father Theo had, my father had told me about the deatheaters like him and Lucius Malfoy. Thuban Nott was declared innocent after saying he was submitted to the imperius curse like many others, but my father said he didn't believe them.
"No he wasn't, or atleast I hope so" His eyes hardened.
"Listen Sara, you don't have to-"
"No Theo. I'm not leaving you, you and your father are different people, and our families' differences won't stand between our love." I knew the risks since the moment I decided to be with Theo. The risk of his father being a willing deatheater, our families' differences and rivalries. But if there was one thing I learned from hanging out with the Slytherins, it was that they were judged based on their family, when they are separate people from them. Their parents' mistakes tainted their image too. The things I felt for Theo though, ignited a reckless part of me, a part that was more daring. Before him I would never have left any letter from my father unanswered, even more if I was in trouble. But falling in love with Theodore Nott forces you to cross the rules, and I was willing to. For him.

"I love you, and I promise you, nothing will stand between us. I won't let anything hurt you. And I keep my word" his eyes softened, shoulders sagging in relief. I kissed him and he melted more into my lips.
"Get a room you two" Draco said.
I pulled away, cheeks burning. For a moment, I forgot we weren't alone.
"Mate! You ruined it!" Theo complained.
Katie and Blaise were laughing at us.
"Also why do you get to go snogging your girl everywhere and I can't huh?"
"Hey! Who said he can snog me everywhere?" Elle complained.
"Oh we both know I can" Draco said, smirking, and she shoved his shoulder.
"You'll pay for this love." And that was a mistake, as he found his blond hair in her fist.
"OUCH! ALRIGHT ALRIGHT SORRY!"
We all burst in laughter, forgetting the hell that was waiting for us outside this train. Just like what I do with Theo, enjoying the moment, facing trouble when it comes.

We soon arrived to the platform.
"I'm going to miss you" I mumbled against Theo's chest, hugging him tightly. We decided to say our goodbyes in the train, since our parents were waiting for us outside.
"I'll see you this summer, no matter what it takes" He promised, giving me a kiss.
After we got out and separated, I searched for my father. A heavy feeling sat in my stomach, I was nervous, seconds away from what awaits me at home. And then I spotted him in the crowd.
I slowly walked towards him, Theo's reassuring words reciting through my head to calm me down.
"Dad" I greated when I arrived.
He gave me a brief hug that I knew was because of the terror he must've felt when he heard of what happened in the third task and his concern for me, then we headed home. Silence followed us the entire trip, and I knew I was in big trouble.