Chosen

Chapter 20

My eyes fluttered open and I heard many people whispering.

"Do you think she'll be okay, I mean, did you see her last night?" Hermione's voice whispered.

"I think she just needs time to grieve." Neville jumped in. My eyes were refusing to open. I just listened to what they were saying.

"Oh god, Diggory was so good for her though. I don't think she'll ever find someone like him again." Seamus said.

"Well, whatever happens, we have to be there for her, even if she pushes us away." Ginny cut in.

"Do you think she'll be alright with what's happening today, in the Great Hall?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know Hermione, we'll just have to wait." Ron replied. I finally opened my eyes, squinting from the brightness. I stirred around a little on my bed. They all looked at me.

"Nyx!" Hermione embraced me with a hug. "We were so worried!" She let go and stood back up.

"How are you feeling?" Seamus asked.

"Are you really asking me that?" I croaked.

"Do you feel well enough to get out and go to the Great Hall?" Ginny insisted. I sat up feeling very nauseous.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." I said. Hermione quickly grabbed a bucket and held my hair back as I vomited into it. I guess that's what happens when the love of your life dies.

"Madame Pomfrey!" Ginny walked away and Madame Pomfrey appeared.

"Yes dear?"

"Can you give Nyx something? She just got sick." She sounded worried.

"Of course dear." Madame Pomfrey walked up to me and reached inside of her apron. "Alright, sweetums drink this; it will make you feel better immediately."

I sat back up and took the potion. She was right; I did feel a wee bit better.

"So, do you think you could make it to the Great Hall for breakfast?" Ron pleaded. I nodded swinging my feet over the bed and pulling on my shoes. I stood up shaking a little bit, I guess I was still in shock.

"Miss Thyme, if you feel the need to come back in, please do." Madame Pomfrey said. I walked out of the Hospital Wing with my friends close by my side. I was getting stares from all over, but I didn't care. I could tell that my eyes were all red and puffy, and I probably had dark circles under my eyes as well. We reached the Great Hall finally. I looked around and thought to myself. Do we really have this many students at this school? It seemed more than usual. I was getting pitiful stares from everyone.

"Do you want to sit with us at the Gryffindor table, Nyx?" Seamus asked sweetly. I nodded my head and followed them to the table and sat down. I looked over to my table and saw Malfoy staring at me. I hated him even more knowing the things he said the night Cedric died. I glared at him through gritted teeth.

"I'd be worried if I were you Nyx, Diggory doesn't stand a chance in this tournament."

"Today we acknowledge a really terrible loss. Cedric Diggory as you all know, was exceptionally hard working." Just hearing his name made my eyes sting with tears. "Infinitely fair minded, and most importantly, a fierce dear friend, maybe even more to others." I could feel several eyes on me now. "Therefore I think you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered." I felt a hot tear slide down my cheek. "By Lord Voldemort. The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this, but not to do so I think would be an insult to his memory. All the pain, we all feel the loss reminds me, reminds us, why we may speak of different comfort, we may speak with different tongues. Our hearts beat as one. And like in recent events, the bonds of friendship we made this year are more important than ever. Remember that, Cedric Diggory would not have died in vain. You remember that. We will celebrate a boy that was kind and honest, brave, and true, and right to the very end." By the time he was done I was silently sobbing. My cheeks streaked with hot tears. We all walked out of the Great Hall.

"I'll meet you guys on the platform." I said to my friends. I headed straight for the dungeons. I walked in the Common Room. I looked around at everyone who was looking at me.

"It's not nice to stare." I sneered at them. They all looked away. I headed up the stairs to my dorm and packed all of my belongings. I put my hand to my chest and immediately found the locket Cedric had given me. It was open. I looked inside to see a picture of me and Cedric hugging and smiling. We were friends at the time this picture was taken. I smiled weakly at the photo causing a stray tear to run loose down my cheek.

I finally decided that I really needed to board the train for King's Cross. I dragged my trunk out through the Entrance Hall and into the courtyard. People cleared out of the way for me. I looked around noticing the twins and walking up to them.

"Hey." I stated flatly. They both looked me in the eye and hugged me from both sides.

"We're so sorry Nyx." Fred whispered in my hair. I sniffed a little. After seconds of hugging, they let go and stepped back. All my friends were there now. This included the twins, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Dean, Neville, Seamus, Ron, and even Blaise off the side.

"Group hug!?" Seamus asked excitedly. They all smiled and walked up to me surrounding me with warmth and love. This reminded me of Cedric's hugs. I used to nuzzle my face in his shoulder while he whispered 'I love you' into my fiery hair. Everyone pulled apart.

"I'll meet you all on the train." I said walking towards the platform. The whole ride home was uneventful. We were finally at King's Cross as I lazily jumped off the train with my trunk.

"Nyx!" I heard Ron yell. I jerked my head to the left.

"Hey Ron." My voice was a little scratchy.

"You're welcome to come home with us, you know."

"Thanks Ron, I don't think I'm ready to handle Malfoy Manor just yet."