Always - Welcome to the Wizarding World

Part 32

"Today, we acknowledge a really terrible loss. Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, incredibly hard-working, infinitely fair-minded and, most importantly, a fierce, fierce friend". 

Dumbledore glanced over towards me at that. The entire school were gathered in the Great Hall to hear Dumbledore speak in Cedric's memory. I was sat next to Draco, my head resting on his shoulder. I hadn't stopped crying since this morning and I was still weeping silently now. I didn't want to stop, I had good reason to weep. My Cedric was gone. 

"Now, I think, therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." 

My stomach twisted at his name. Voldemort had returned and, upon his return, had seen fit to kill Cedric, just like he had remorselessly killed so many others. If I ever saw Voldemort in the flesh, I would kill him or die trying. I was sure there would be no consequences for the murder of an evil Dark Lord. 

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this, but I think not to do so would be an insult to his memory." 

I bit my lip angrily to stop myself from shouting out in protest. The Ministry had failed me with my mother's death and now with Cedric's. How could they be so heartless? So careless? 

"Now, the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me and reminds us that while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship we've made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that, and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain. You remember that and we'll celebrate a boy who was kind and honest, brave and true, right until the very end".

After the ceremony had ended and the entire hall had cleared of all students, Dumbledore caught Draco and I quickly before we could leave.

"Miss Snape, Miss Snape, hello. How are you, my dear? I hope you aren't taking everything too hard" Dumbledore asked. I stood tall and looked him in the eye. Something I had never done before. 

"It's a hard time, professor. How else am I supposed to take the death of a friend?" He smiled sympathetically and put his wrinkled hand on my shoulder.

"Cedric would be very proud of you, you know. For staying so strong for him, I know you cared for each other deeply". I nodded. He wouldn't be proud of me, though. I nearly killed myself out of cowardice. He wouldn't have wanted me to die for him; he didn't want anyone to die for him because he was selfless, unlike so many others. Unlike me.

"Thank you, sir. I just wish there was something I could have done to prevent it". He shook his head.

"You were his friend, Miss Snape. That was all he needed from you" Dumbledore assured me. "Even though Cedric has left this world, you are not alone, Miss Snape. I can assure you of that".

"I know, sir". I squeezed Draco's hand tightly, the one that was entwined with mine, and he smiled at the ground. 

"Oh, I also have a message for you from your uncle. He says he hopes that you have a good holiday and he looks forward to seeing you at school again next year". 

Whilst Professor Dumbledore was whittling on about Snape, he glanced down at mine and Draco's joined hands and grinned, then looked back up at us both. "Professor Snape also informs me that you two both have an aptitude for potions and he is starting you onto an advanced course, am I correct?" Draco and I nodded. "Well, what a lovely task for you both to bond over. I had no idea Severus was so sentimental! Good afternoon" he said smugly, strolling away from us. We turned back to watch him leave, humming to himself as he did so. We tittered at him. It felt good to laugh, took my mind off things.