Cobra's bite

13

Marian's eyes widened when she saw two really familiar faces in the crowd of the third and final task of the tournament. "Mum! Bill?!"

"Come here little sis." Bill opened his arms, making Marian run to him and hug him. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"It has been too long. How is Egypt?" Marian asked with a big smile on her face.

"Hot." Bill shrugged.

Marian rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled. "What are you two doing in here?"

"We came to give our support to Harry. It's the final task after all." Molly spoke with a smile.

Everyone took their seats and the champions walked to the front where Dumbledore gave them all a little talk before they walked to their own spots from where they would be entering the maze.

From the corner of her eye Marian saw Bill look at Fleur Delacour. Marian smiled slightly. I mean, the blonde woman was gorgeous so she didn't really blame her brother.

The loud bang was heard and the champions walked in the maze before the hedge closed behind them.

"And now we just wait." Bill spoke and Marian nodded in agreement.

Everyone waited to hear something from the champions but it seemed to take forever. But then Fleur came out from the maze but without the cup, meaning that she didn't make it. Three to go.

"Oh my! Is she okay?" Molly asked from Marian who just nodded slightly.

"She will be. I'm sure of it. She's maybe just a bit frightened from the maze but she will be okay. She has friends and her sister to look out for her." Marian spoke with a soft reassuring smile.

Some time passed again and then Viktor Krum came out of the maze. He looked like he was in a trance or just not right here right now. What on earth is happening there?

But when waiting for either Harry or Cedric to appear, it took so long. Even some of the professors started to look a bit concerned but Dumbledore calmed them down saying that these things just sometimes take time.

"Is it supposed to take this long, dear?" Molly leaned towards Marian and asked.

"I really don't know, mum." Marian sighed slightly. "This is the final task. Anything can happen. This might be the most challenging out of them all. So it might take time."

-

With a loud pop sound both Harry and Cedric appeared back with the cup. Everyone cheered and the band started to play loudly and happily. They have done it!

Bill and Marian jumped up and started to cheer loudly while Molly had a huge smile on her face.

But slowly people around started to quiet down. Harry was hovering over Cedric, almost like wanting to shield his body and it looked like he was crying. What happened? Is he hurt?

"Let me though! That's my son! That's my boy!" Amos Diggory cried out when he reached his son who was still laying on the grass.

Marian's eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock.

It can't be. No. No.

Bill wrapped his arms around Marian and pulled her against him to protect her and cover her from the sight...

~

Many students of Hogwarts visited Marian's office after the tragedy. Especially Hufflepuff students who were closests to Cedric.

She did her best to offer comfort and different kinds of coping mechanisms for students while also trying to navigate herself through all that's happened.

Not only was the cup turned into a portkey, Cedric Diggory was killed, Harry had been there to witness Voldemort coming back, Mad Eye Moody had been revealed to be a death eater, Barty Crouch Jr all along.

Too much happened. Way too much. Nothing is the way it was anymore. Things will change and Marian didn't know if she is able to keep all the people closest to her safe. She just has to try. She needs to stay strong. But who is going to stay strong for her?

________________________

Short chapter. I know.
Once again maybe more of a filler chapter.
But in the next chapter we're going to see Coby again and things are moving forward :)

-E