Red Lion [2] // Harry Potter// Draco Malfoy

A Maze By Any Other Name (Part 1)

CHAPTER TWENTY: A Maze By Any Other Name

No one can stop the inevitable, not even me, and I've tried more than once.

The Graveyard was different since the last time I saw it. In the middle was a black cauldron on a small unlit fire, inside was an odd coloured potion that seemed to be prepped but not finished.

Looking around, there was a flash behind me.
In confusion, I gasped lightly as Cedric and Harry fell out of nowhere; the Tri-wizard cup falling out of their grasps.

Wormtail walked out from beneath the crypt, a bundle of black fabric in his hands.
"Kill the spare." A snake-like voice echoed.

In a shocking act, the killing curse wrapped around Cedric's body like vines. Thick tears ran down my face as Cedric stared up in the sky.
He died alone. He died scared. He died innocent.

Whipping my tears from my face, I linked arms with Hadleigh as we carefully walked down the paths following the golden arrows to the Quidditch pitch.

Small lanterns lit the paths towards the Pitch as the sun began to set, climbing up the stairs, Hadleigh found us a raised bench that was near the front of the bleachers. The centre of the pitch had a large circular maze in the middle, the hedges had been grown so tall we couldn't see inside. Around the edges where the teachers and school governors sat during the Inter-house matches, the seating had been lowered to the ground creating space for the ministry officials, teachers and champion visitors to be closer to the Maze.

"Why do we continue to watch this when we can even see a damn thing?" Hadleigh asked, fanning her face from the humidity.
Hermione looked at the leaflet in her hands," This is a historic event, I thought a Ravenclaw would be more appreciative of that."
I nodded," We would be if we could actually watch the event rather than listen to Tabitha Jones try and play the trombone."
Seamus nodded," Yeah, it's not the best school anthem in the world."
"We have to time to compare so let's find out," Dean smirked.

Isabelle rolled her eyes as she took a seat next to me," Well isn't this going to be fun."
"Please say that was sarcasm?" I asked her.
She nodded," No, I think that as a once in a lifetime event, the end of it must be fun, like a closing ceremony or something ."
"Like the Muggle Olympics?" I pointed out.
"Yeah just more, magic-related." Isabelle shrugged opening a bag of salted peanuts, "Want some?"
I nodded, "Sure."

Eating the nuts from the palm of my hand, we watched as the Beauxbatons students sang their School Anthem. Even though they projected their voices as much as possible, they were still drowned out by the sound of the Hogwarts band.
Each section of the stadium appeared to be designated to specific supporters, on the far right was Durmstang, on the far left was Beauxbatons and in the middle was a mixture of colours supporting either Harry or Cedric.

Hadleigh looked over at me," How bad is this going to end?"
"In the worst way possible." I muttered," I just want to say that I am sorry, I tried to stop it."
"Stop what?" Hermione whispered, leaning over Hadleigh's shoulder.
I licked my lips," Enjoy it whilst you can, ok?"
They nodded.
"I'm sorry, so very sorry." I gave the two a sad smile
Hermione took my hand and squeezed it," We know you tried and whatever outcome you saw we will face it together as the brain behind the operation."
"Ok." I gave a shaky breath.
Hadleigh pulled me into the group hug," No please stop apologising, after three times it becomes awkward."
I laughed, not sure if it made it to my eyes or not.
"Love you, you awesome dipshits." I smiled.
"Love you too." The two girls smiled as we broke the hug.

Conducting the bad, Professor Flitwick moved slightly as the Champions entered through the tunnels which lead to the Quidditch changing rooms. The Four champions made their way out in alphabetical order starting with Cedric Diggory and ending with Harry Potter. Each Champion had an adult with them, for Harry, Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum they were accompanied by their teachers whereas Cedric had his father.
I wish I could warn them, even if it's so they could say good-bye.