Emerson Wilmore was an exemplary Ravenclaw student, known for her unwavering dedication to academics and an unyielding moral compass. However, things took a twisted and deviated turn in her life after her boyfriend, Cedric Diggory, was murdered by L...
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In a natural Gryffindor house celebration, the Gryffindors hosted an after party to enjoy their well-deserved win over Slytherin. Emerson and Olivia were one of the only non-Gryffindors invited, since Olivia was dating George and he was a Beater on the Quidditch team.
The Gryffindor common room was a whirlwind of laughter, red and gold decorations, cheers, and celebration after the Quidditch victory. Most of the Gryffindors were jubilant, passing bottles of butterbeer around and recounting the best moments of the match. They weren't privy to the announcement yet, that the Gryffindor team were down three of their players for the remainder of the year.
Yet, in a shadowed corner, Harry, Fred, and George sat isolated from the rest, their expressions a stark contrast to the festivity. The reason for their misery hung heavily in the air: Umbridge had banned them from playing Quidditch for life after they retaliated against Draco's taunts, while Draco and Crabbe, who were the true wrongdoers, only got a single detention. For Harry, Fred and George, the victory over Slytherin felt hollow in the wake of Umbridge's cruel punishment.
Olivia, whose fingers were interlaced with George's, watched him with concern etched in her eyes. It was the first time that she'd seen Fred and George so disconsolate and angry, slumped around the fire. Harry, looked even more so. Fred and George only had two games left of their entire schooling life but Harry still had two more years ahead of him – taken away from him by the pink toad.
"Hey, Harry," Emerson said softly, sliding into the seat beside him. He looked up. She could see the storm brewing in his green eyes. "I heard what happened. I'm so sorry."
Harry blinked, his green eyes dull with frustration and helplessness. "Thanks," He grumbled. "What's done is done. We're banned for life. We can't do anything to change it."
"Umbridge is an awful, horrid woman, but you'll find a way through this to get back at her. You always do," Emerson tried to keep the anger out of her voice, not wanting to stir up any more bitterness for Harry. It wouldn't make him feel any better.
Harry's gaze shifts back to the fire, its flickering light casting long shadows on his face. "Thanks," He muttered darkly, but her words didn't have any effect on consoling him or making him feel any better. He didn't even look in her direction as she greeted him, his stare changing from the floor to the fireplace. "It feels like everything's falling apart this year. First Cedric, now this. Between Umbridge and Voldemort, I seem to be losing every single thing in my life, bit by bit."
The mention of Cedric's name made Emerson's heart twinge and clench with agony. She thought back to her numerous nightmares of his death and the raw pain of losing Cedric. She swallowed hard, pushing away the feelings as much and as far as she possibly could. "Harry... You've always overcome challenges. This is just another one of them."
He shook his head, frustration etched into every line of his face. "This is different. This isn't like the Triwizard Tournament or facing Voldemort. Quidditch was one of the few things around here that made all this bearable. Now, what have I got?"
