Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch.89

The Great Hall was filling with low murmurs of the students. It wasn't as lively as it usually was, so when Professor Dumbledore stood up the room became very quiet.

"The end," Dumbledore began, "of another year." His eyes went to the Hufflepuff table and lingered there, "There is much I would like to say to you all tonight, but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person who should be sitting here, enjoying this feast with us." he said. Celine felt a gentle hand patting her arm in comfort. She looked over her shoulder and gave Daphne an appreciative smile.

"I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses to Cedric Diggory." He said, holding his goblet up in the air.

Everyone did the same thing, they all got out of their seats, grabbed their goblets, raised them up over their heads, and in one, loud and low voice they spoke. "Cedric Diggory."

They all sat back down in their seats so that Professor Dumbledore could speak again.

"Cedric was a person who portrayed many of the qualities of a Hufflepuff. He was a good and loyal friend, who was hardworking and valued fair play. His death affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. Because of that, I think it's right for you all to know how it came about." Said Dumbledore. He looked at all the students for a second. "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

Panicked whispers spread through the Great Hall. Céline was looking at Dumbledore, unsurprised by his statement. She had known this since the night it happened. She heard Daphne and Tracey whispering in disbelief behind her. Draco glanced over his shoulder to her, and was a little surprised to see her not have much of a reaction to this news.

Her eyes moved to him and he quickly looked away.

"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so — either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

Draco turned his head to Céline and leaned it so that he could whisper to her.

"Do you believe what he's say?" He asked quietly. Céline looked at him again. This is where she felt conflicted, shes tried to not let what Harry said get to her. When he named off different names of her friends to be Death Eaters. She wants to believe that their parents aren't going to involve their children in this.

She slowly nodded her head, "Yeah, I do." She said. He stared at her for a moment but her expression was neutral. Their attention was drawn back to Dumbledore when he spoke again.

"There's someone else I need to mention in connection to Cedric's death. I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

Many students turned to look at Harry before going back to Dumbledore.

"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort." Continued Dumbledore. "He risked his own life to bring Cedric's body back to Hogwarts. He showed a sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort. And for this, I honor him."

Dumbledore raised his goblet again while looking at Harry. Almost everyone followed his lead. Céline noticed as she stood that Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Theo and a few others didn't stand or touch their goblet.

She wanted to believe they didn't do that because they didn't like Harry. She sat back down and listened to Dumbledore continue.

"The Triwizard Tournament was aimed to promote and further magical understanding. In light of what's happened, Lord Voldemort returning, such ties are more important than ever." He looked at Madame Maxime and Hagrid and the. To the Beauxbatons students and the Durmstrang students. "Every person here in the Great Hall will be welcomed back to Hogwarts, should they wish to come."