human again / hp.

Chapter 74

Days had passed since the chaos of the second task, and Hogwarts felt heavier somehow, as though a dark cloud had settled over the castle. The usual buzz of chatter in the Great Hall was subdued, and even the enchanted ceilings seemed dimmer. Word had spread quickly: Bartemius Crouch, one of the Ministry's most prominent figures, had been found dead on the Hogwarts grounds.

The details were murky, whispered from one student to another. Some claimed it was an accident, others a targeted attack. But one thing was clear—his death had sent ripples of unease through the wizarding world.

I sat at the far end of the Gryffindor table, absentmindedly poking at my breakfast. The air around me was tense, the usual warmth of the morning routine replaced by a prickly silence. Across the room, Harry sat with Ron and Hermione, though they were clearly avoiding my gaze. Not that I blamed them—I'd been avoiding them, too.

Daphne slid onto the bench beside me, her blonde hair gleaming in the soft light filtering through the enchanted ceiling. She placed a cup of tea in front of me, her expression cautious.

"Still not talking to Potter?" she asked, her voice low enough not to carry.

I shook my head. "There's nothing to say."

"Really?" she said, arching an eyebrow. "Because from where I'm sitting, there's a lot to say."

I sighed, turning my attention back to my plate. "I can't, Daphne. You know that."

She studied me for a moment before nodding, her expression softening. "Fine. But don't let this drag on too long. You'll regret it."

We ate in silence for a while, the subdued atmosphere of the hall making it impossible to ignore the tension hanging over everything. When the mail arrived, a flurry of owls swooped down, dropping parcels and letters onto the tables. A sleek black owl landed in front of Daphne, depositing a small envelope.

"From Mother," she said, her tone clipped as she opened it.

I didn't ask what it said. Daphne's relationship with her parents was as complicated as my own, and prying would do neither of us any good.

The door to the Great Hall opened, and a hush fell over the students as Professor Dumbledore entered, followed closely by Professors McGonagall and Snape. Their expressions were grave, and even from a distance, I could see the lines of tension etched into Dumbledore's face.

"Something's happening," Daphne murmured, leaning closer.

I nodded, my stomach twisting. Whatever had happened to Barty Crouch, it wasn't over.

As the professors disappeared through a side door, the chatter slowly resumed, though it was more hushed than before.

"I heard Crouch was cursed," a Ravenclaw girl whispered to her friend at the next table.

"They say his body was... twisted." the friend replied, her voice tinged with fear.

I swallowed hard, my appetite disappearing entirely.

"I need some air," I said, standing abruptly.

Daphne looked up at me, her concern evident. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I lied. "I'll see you in class."

I left the hall, the murmurs of speculation following me out.

The library was quiet, the perfect refuge from the chaos of the castle. I found a secluded corner near the back, surrounded by tall shelves that shielded me from view. The books offered a sense of normalcy, their orderly rows a stark contrast to the turmoil in my head.