Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

56

Cayden suddenly appears in front of Ginny and Harry, pointing his wand at the sky which darkens the clouds and he points his wand in front of him at Greyback, knocking the werewolf back. He points his wand forward at the reeds, where he can hear Bellatrix's cackling carried through the night.

The lightning disappears from his wand, turning to look at Ginny and Harry who is looking at him with slightly widened eyes.

"Really, another spell?" Ginny asked, looking at Cayden. "And since when can you Apparate?"

"Months ago." Cayden said, shrugging, turning and starts walking out of the reeds with Ginny and Harry behind him. "Oh dear." He said, looking up at the burning burrow.

≪ °❈° ≫

"You're lucky you both weren't killed." Hermione said, reading the Daily Prophet as she walks alongside Cayden and Harry. "You have to realize who you both are."

"I know who we are, Hermione, alright?" Harry said sharply, slumping down when Cayden glares at him. "Sorry." He apologizes to Hermione.

"So tell me what Arthur said." Hermione said.

"If Dumbledore's traveling places, it's news to the Ministry. But get this: that night at Borgin & Burkes? It seems Draco was looking at a Vanishing Cabinet." Harry said.

"What would Draco want with a Vanishing Cabinet?" Hermione questioned, looking at Cayden who shrugs at her.

"You tell me." Harry said.

Hermione frowns, pondering this. "He looks different, don't you both think? Draco. Almost... ill."

"Who could tell the difference?" Harry asked.

"Me and Harper." Cayden answered without hesitation. "He does look sick."

"Lav, c'mon. Of course I'll wear it." Ron said.

"Excuse me, I have to go vomit." Hermione said, leaving the twins behind her.

Cayden frowns, rolling his eyes at Ron and Lavender. "Gosh, I'm gonna be sick." He said, following Hermione.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden, Harry, Professor Dumbledore, Severus, Professor McGonagall, Ginny and a very somber Hermione circle Ron's bed as Madam Pomfrey ministers to him. Professor Slughorn sits off to the side, in a chair, looking stunned.

"Quick thinking on your part, Harry. Using a Bezoar. You must be very proud of your student, eh, Horace?" Professor Dumbledore said.

"Hm. Oh. Yes... very proud." Professor Slughorn said.

"I think we all agree that Mr. Potter's actions were heroic. The question is: Why were they necessary." Professor McGonagall said.

"Why indeed." Professor Dumbledore said, taking the half-empty bottle of mead, still bearing a bit of giftwrap. "This appears to be a gift, Horace. You don't by chance remember who gave you this bottle, do you -- which by the way possesses remarkably subtle hints of licorice and cherry when not polluted with poison."

"Actually I had intended to give it as a gift myself." Professor Slughorn said.

"To whom might I ask?" Professor Dumbledore questioned.

"You, Headmaster." Professor Slughorn said.

Just then -- the door bursts open by Lavender. "Where is he? Where's my Won-Won! Has he been asking for me?" She stops, glaring daggers at Hermione. "What's she doing here?"

"I might ask you the same." Hermione retorted.

"I happen to be his girlfriend." Lavender answered.

"I happen to be his... friend." Hermione said hesitantly.

"Don't make me laugh. You haven't spoken in weeks. I suppose you want to make up with him now that he's suddenly all interesting." Lavender said, crossing her arms.

"He's been poisoned, you daft dimbo! And for the record, I've always found him interesting." Hermione frowns, a bit embarrassed.

Ron snorts, stirring.

"Ha! See? He senses my presence. I'm here, Won-Won. I'm here--"

"Er... My... Nee. Er! My! Nee!" Ron, in a haze, reaches out blindly.

Blushing, Hermione takes his wand. Instantly, he falls unconscious again. Lavender, vibrating with rage, stalks out.

Professor Dumbledore beams. "Ah, to be young and feel love's keen sting. Come, everyone, I think Mr. Weasley is well tended."

As Professor Dumbledore leads the others past Harry, Harry studies him. Ginny passes, face very close, whispering as she indicates Ron and Hermione.

"'Bout time, don't you think?" Ginny asked.

Harry watches her go, hopelessly smitten, noticing that Professor Slughorn has paused in the doorway.

"I've always cherished my students. They're my life..." Professor Slughorn said, then he is gone too.

Harry turns back, studying Hermione, hand enfolded over Ron's. She looks up, noticing his faint smile.

"Oh shut up." Hermione said, rolling her eyes lightly.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden looks up, watching Harry who is running after Draco. He stood up as well, running after Harry.

He sees Harry turn into a corridor and runs towards him, noticing that they're approaching a bathroom.

By the time he arrives at the bathroom, he sees Draco laying down on the floor with blood spurting from his face. The water is red with Draco's blood.

Cayden breaks out of his staring and moves towards Draco, taking out his wand and starts waving it over Draco's wound, murmuring an incantation.

Instantly, the skin begins to knit itself together.

Cayden turns his head away from Draco, looking at Harry who is slowly backing away. He was about to stand up when a hand gripped his arm, kneeling back down next to Draco as he looked at the blond who was looking up at him.

"Stay, please." Draco said, begging Cayden to stay with his eyes.

"I will." Cayden said, sitting down on the wet floor just as Severus enters the bathroom, looking at him and Draco with curiosity. "He was hurt by your Half-Blood Prince book."

"Why does he have it?" Draco asked, sitting up with the Hufflepuff's help.

"He didn't have the book needed for Professor Slughorn's class." Cayden answered, looking down at his wet clothes. "Oh dear."

Draco stood up, helping Cayden up. "We should go change."

Cayden nods, agreeing with him. He looks at Severus, gripping his hand as he walks by him with Draco behind him. Happy that he got his friendship with Cayden again.