The Brave at Heart

Chapter 15: Changes at Hogwarts

Draco Malfoy was not an idiot. He knew acting on his affections for Hermione would have consequences. And truthfully, he didn't know how she felt about him. So, Draco did what any wise man in his situation would do. He ignored his feelings and carried on as usual, as though he didn't have any massive epiphanies about his best friend. It was better this way.

Thankfully, Harry Potter was his friend. And Harry Potter came with a multitude of problems. Especially with the Third Task looming over them. Naturally, Draco did everything he could to help his friend prepare for the Task. Draco really did believe that Harry had a chance of winning the Triwizard Tournament.

The Third Task had an ominous feeling to it. They had to sit and watch the four champions walk into the maze and disappear from sight. After that, it was mostly just hearing Fred and George try to sell their products (some of which, Draco saw Dumbledore buy) and waiting around until they appeared again. Perhaps that was why it felt so ominous. They couldn't see what was happening in that maze. Granted, they couldn't see what was happening in the lake, either. So, perhaps, everything would turn out fine just like at the lake.

Draco didn't think he'd ever forget the sight of Harry suddenly appearing with the Goblet and Cedric Diggory. Up until this point, Draco never understood the fascination that seemed to circulate Cedric Diggory. He was just some Hufflepuff. But Draco would gladly trade all his sarcastic comments, he'd even willingly suffer through Lavender's lecture about Diggory's beauty, if only the undeniable truth about Cedric Diggory would change.

Cedric was dead.

And Harry was crying, shouting that Voldemort was back.

A scared and shocked hush fell over the crowd. All semblance of celebration completely disappeared. The only sound anyone could make out was the painful cries of a father, staring at his dead son.

"M-maybe he's not really..." Hermione murmured hopefully beside Draco. He just nodded in response, not having it in him to crush that hope. The hope that everyone of them had. Draco had never cared much for Cedric Diggory. But he didn't deserve to die. He deserved so much better than this.

Slowly, the professors ushered the students back to their dormitories.

----- 

The night's events were recalled by Harry later. McGonagall had told Draco, Hermione, and Ron to meet Harry in the Hospital Wing, where he would most assuredly be staying the night. Draco had never seen Harry more distraught than in that moment. He was probably blaming himself for Cedric's death. He was probably playing it over and over again in his mind.

For a long moment, Harry was determined not to say anything, but Hermione forced it out of him. He couldn't just appear with a dead body, claiming that Voldemort was back, without a hint of explanation. Hermione assured Harry that talking about what happened would help him feel better. Draco could easily see this wasn't true. If anything, it made it all worse. Harry had to relive it.

When Harry had finished talking, he looked to Draco, a serious expression etched onto his face mixing with the evident pain of Cedric's death. "Did you know?" Harry demanded.

"Did I know what?" Draco returned, genuine confusion building inside of him.

"Did you know that Voldemort was coming back. He was there. Your father was there."

For a moment, Draco opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He had no defense for his father. His father was nothing more than a spineless coward. All those years, Lucius had spoken of how better their lives were without the Dark Lord. But the moment his beloved master returns, Lucius appears to bow at his feet. His confusion turned to disgust and shame. What was his father doing to their family? Why couldn't he have left it all alone?