Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch. 84

"It seems that Madame Maxime, had truly been oblivious of what was happening in her own school. But she will do something about the matter, because she is definitely someone who— had she known- wouldn't have tolerated it." Said Dumbledore, breaking the silence.

Céline clenched her uninjured hand, grabbing a fist full of her robes.

"She was also rather upset at your parents for merely making it seem like some sort of accident on your part." He said.

"Obsurd." Mumbled Professor McGonagall to herself. She had been incredibly upset, after hearing what happened to her and how Céline'a parents reacted to it. She had lost a considerable amount of respect towards Professor Everhart after that night.

"They tried to dismiss it again, didn't they?" Asked Céline.

"Yes, but seeing that it happened here, in my school, I wasn't going to let them. Thankfully a certain someone, came to testify against Miss DuPont." Said Dumbledore.

Céline looked at him surprised and confused. She thought he had used Draco's research, she didn't know someone witnessed what happened.

"Who testified?" Asked Céline.

"Miss Hannah DuPont came forward and told everyone what happened that night, saying that Miss Marie Ann, her cousin, had pushed you." He said stroking his beard. She looked at him even more surprised by this.

"Anyways, I wanted to speak to you in regard to your parents..." he said more seriously, causing her to close her mouth. "After the term ends and you head back home, there isn't much I would be able to do for you, if you choose to stay silent of your family situation."

"I know you're trying to help me with this, Professor. But.. I don't have anywhere else I could go to if I do choose to speak up..." She said looking down to her feet. "I promise, once I muster up the courage, I'll say something. But I don't have that courage right now.."

"I understand," he said now right in front of her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she looks up at him, her eyes glistening. "My offer will always stand for you, Miss Everhart, should you find the courage."

Her bottom lip quivered as she tried to hold her composure, "thank you, Professor." He nodded and checked the time,

"I think it might be time for you to eat something before your next class." He said to her, she nodded and turned towards the door and looked at Professor McGonagall who gave her a soft pat on shoulder.

She stepped back out into the Great Hall towards her friends at the Slytherin table and ate her lunch, before heading up to divinations.

By dinner time, the entire school was emanating excitement. The tables were filled with more food than normal, and everyone ate as they chatter about what they think the last task would be or who would with the tournament.

After eating, Céline quickly got up and walked over to a table she hadn't gone to for months. As she approached, Cedric happened to notice her and he smiled at her with great warmth. The same warmth he had always given to her since they had first dated. She smiled back, but something tingled in her gut when she looked at him.

"Hey Cedric." She said to him a little nervously. His friends were eyeing her and looking at her strangely, she wasn't sure why, until she remember that she still looked a little beaten up.

Cedric got up from his seat, once she was in front of him, finally seeing that scrapes and bruises and her arm. His face changed to concern. "Céline, what happened to you?"

"Mmm... Nothing good, but Professor Dumbledore and Madame Maxime have dealt with it." She said. The realization hit him and he looked around to the Ravenclaw, searching. But Céline grabbed his attention when she gently tapped arm. "They're not here anymore. Like I said it's been dealt with. I just came here because wanted to wish you good luck tonight."

He stared at her for a moment before giving her a soft smile. "Thank you. I'm glad you're still supporting me."he teased lightly.

"Of course." She smiled at him, "you always have my support."

A familiar figure stood up behind him, a face she hadn't seen since the Quidditch World Cup. "Miss Everhart, long time no see." Said Mr. Diggory. "I've heard many great things about you, from his one. Thank you for fixing his watch, that meant a lot." He said beaming at his son, proudly.

She smiled to him politely. "Good evening Mr. Diggory. It was my pleasure to fix something that was precious to him."

"Shame you two didn't work out." He said, slightly disappointed.

"It's alright, I still consider him as a dear friend of mine. Besides, Cho is just as lovely, if not more." Céline said smiling at him, before she checked her watch, "my apologies, Mr. Diggory, but I did just come to wish your son luck. I have to go check on another friend before the headmaster gets up." He smiled and nodded, patting Cedric on the arm before siting back to with his wife again.

Something in her gut tingled again, she didn't know what it was, but it felt odd. She left to thinking maybe she was still sore from her fall. She looked back to Cedric who was smiling at her.

"Well," she said sticking her hand out. "Good luck on the third task Cedric. I'll be cheering for you and Harry." She smiled, but got hit with the same gut feeling. Her smiled faltered a little, and he noticed.

"Thanks, Cél. Don't worry I'll be fine." He said giving her a reassuring smile, still holding on her hand. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Be careful, okay? Seriously." She said. He smiled at her and let go of her hand. The same feeling came over her again. She didn't like it, but she couldn't pinpoint to what it was exactly.

"I will. Go to Harry before Professor Dumbledore announces it starting. I'll see you later." He said waving her off. She nodded and made her way over to Harry, still feeling weird.

She finally made it to Harry, who was looking much more nervous than he did during lunch. She smiled at the others who saw her coming. She nudged Harry who hadn't noticed her standing there.

"Harry. You've prepared. You've got this." She said smiling to him. He looked at her and gave her a meek smile, that looked more like a grimace. "I wanted to wish you good luck on the third task. Please be careful." She leaned in and gave him a side hug.

"Thanks, Cél. I needed that." He said to her.

"Céline, dear, will you be sitting with us, during the task?" Asked Mrs. Weasley with her motherly smile.

"No, I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley." Said Céline with an apologetic smile. "I promised my friends from my house that I'd sit with them for it."

"That's alright, we can always have you celebrate with us, if Harry wins." She said to her. She nodded to her.

"That sounds great." She said, just as Professor Dumbledore's voice echoed through the Great Hall.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, in five minutes I will be asking you to make your way to the Quidditch field for the third task, the final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now." Dumbledore said.

Céline's gut turned again, as Harry and the other three champions stood up from their seats to follow Mr. Bagman. Céline grabbed Harry's arm quickly and he looked at her.

"Be careful, Harry." She said, her tone of voice had some anxiousness to it. He nodded and continued with the rest of the champions. She said her goodbyes to the others and made her way back to her table where her friends waited for her.

Author's note::

Ughghh here we go! The final task! I've honestly been stalling for this moment.

Get ready for the next couple of chapters y'all!

Anyways! Let me know what you think so far of the story!
As always, I hope you're enjoying it!
Thank you for all the votes and comments! Love to see them!

I appreciate you all so much!

Xoxo- Mari.