Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

58

"Hermione, is the Room of Requirement unplottable?" Harry asked. Cayden, him, Ron and Hermione walk the courtyard.

"If one wants it to be. Why?" Hermione asked.

"It would explain why I thought Malfoy was leaving the castle when he disappeared off the Map." Harry said. "He was going to the Room of Requirement."

"Of course, and that explains the Vanishing Cabinet as well!" Hermione exclaimed.

"No. I got an owl from Dad this morning. The one at Borgin & Burke's? It's still there." Ron said.

"But I'm telling you. I saw it--" Harry was cut off by Cayden.

"What if there are two Vanishing Cabinets." Cayden said, looking at them.

"What if there are?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know..." Harry said.

"Good luck, mate." Ron said.

Harry turns back to Cayden, Ron and Hermione, neither able to fully conceal their concern. He smiles reassuringly, continuing on. "I don't need luck. I'll be with Dumbledore."

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden looks up when the ground shakes, looking around at the students who are looking at him and Hannah for an answers as to what's going on.

Cayden walks out of the common room, making his way up to the middle courtyard with the Hufflepuffs and Hannah behind him. He stops, looking in front of him with a stunned expression. The Hufflepuffs and Hannah stop as well, looking.

Cayden watches Harry kneel down next to Dumbledore. The man's eyes are closed, his face peaceful.

Harry straightens his half-moon spectacles, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth. Running the back of his hand, gently, over the weathered cheek. Then he notices something lying beside Dumbledore's ashen hand. He takes it, considers it numbly.

Cayden sees Harry's body starting to shake and moves forward, dropping down beside him. At his touch, Harry's head falls on his shoulder and he begins to stroke him.

Professor McGonagall lifts a trembling wand to the sky and slowly the tip glows to life. One after another, students and staff do the same, lifting their wands in salute.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden, Harry and Hermione stand by the ramparts while Ron and Ginny stand further along, just out of earshot. Harry stares into the distance at the ashen of Hagrid's Hut. Hermione toys with the locket before them.

"Do you think he would've done it. Draco?" Hermione asked.

"No. He was lowering his wand. In the end, it was Snape. It was always Snape. And I did nothing..." Harry said. Cayden looks away from him, looking out onto the sky.

Hermione studies Cayden and Harry, taking the locket from the rampart. "Strange. Thinking this is a piece of Voldemort's soul..."

"Yeah, strange. Only... it's not. It's a fake." Harry said as Hermione reacts, Harry nods. "Go on. Open it."

Hermione pries open the locket and removes a piece of parchment folded in a tight square. "To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B." She looks up. "R.A.B.?"

"Dunno. But whoever they are, they have the real Horcrux. Which means, it was a waste. All of it." Harry said.

Hermione studies Harry's troubled face, then glances at Ginny and Ron. "Ron's okay with it, you know. You and Ginny. But if I were you, when he's around, I'd keep the snogging to a minimum." She smiles faintly, trying to cheer him on, but Harry merely nods, looking away again.

"I'm not coming back, Hermione." Harry said, finally glancing at Cayden who is still looking up at the sky. But he knows Cayden is thinking the same thing as him.

Hermione nods. "We reckoned -- Ron and me."

"We have to finish what Dumbledore started. We're not sure where that will lead us... but we'll let you and Ron know where we are -- when we can." Harry said.

"I've always admired your courage, Harry, but sometimes... you're really thick." Hermione said to Harry. Cayden was looking at Harry as if he's insane, that's why.

Harry turns, looking at her in surprise.

"You don't honestly think you can find all those Horcruxes by yourself, do you?" Hermione stops Harry before he can open his mouth, leaning in to whisper to him. "You need us, Harry."

Harry just stares at her. She cocks her head, smiling, doing her best to coax one out of him. Finally, he does, briefly.

"Yeah, I do. But do me a favor. When I'm around? Keep the snogging to a minimum." Harry said, watching in silent amusement when Hermione reddens.

"Like that's going to happen." Hermione said, glancing at Ron, shaking her head. "Besides, he's barking."

"Funny, he says the same about you." Harry said, glancing at Cayden who is trying his best to hide his smile.

"Yes, but I'm exceptionally perceptive." Hermione said.

"You're brilliant. You both are." Harry said, looking off again.

Hermione follows his gaze, looking out over the grounds. "Do you think we'll ever..." She stops, eyes glistening briefly. Then she fights it back.

Harry fights back his own emotion, reaches over and gives her hand a brief squeeze. Then releases her. "I don't know." He admits, looking at Cayden who turns his head to look at him.

Hermione nods and Harry's eyes shift, considering Ron and Ginny. As if sensing his gaze, Ron turns and they exchange a look, something unspoken but true passing between them.

Just then a song rises on the air, mournful and haunting, and seconds later a bird soars out from beyond the tallest turret and begins to stitch its way across the sky.

Ron and Ginny cross to Cayden, Harry and Hermione, leaning against the rampart. All look to the horizon, watching the bird grow smaller while its song-- magically-- endures.

No one says a word.