Without You

Unexpected Turn

There was nothing that stopped the two of them from seeing each other. Whether it meant meeting in a girls' bathroom or sneaking out at midnight, the two of them were willing to take the risk.

They spent that time getting to know each other even more. Autumn would talk about her family, and Draco would talk about his. They also spoke about what they did in the summer, and the kind of things they liked. For a pure-blood, Autumn had a lot of experiences others did not. Going to a cinema to watch movies, going to the shopping mall on weekendsㅡ it was all because of Hermione.

The next morning, the Great Hall was filled with students, each reading the Daily Prophet. For some reason, everyone seemed to be louder than usual. Taking a seat beside Harry, as usual, the three of her friends stared at her as she sat down. She gave them all questioning looks, as Hermione passed her the newspaper.

Autumn saw that on the front page, there was a picture of Draco, holding onto her two hands. There was a large title that read 'Star-crossed Lovers of Hogwarts', causing Autumn to have the urge to rip every newspaper in the Great Hall. She looked up at her three best friends, surprised to see that they weren't mad at her for this.

"Autumn, we need to talk." Harry said, folding the newspaper, "Somewhere quieter, perhaps."

Hermione stood up, "Come on. Let's go to the library."

Autumn and Ron followed behind the two, avoiding the curious glances of the other students. Autumn wondered how Draco was feeling about this, and how he was reacting to this. She could only imagine his rage-filled expression, confronting Rita Skeeters. Out of all the people in the wizard world, Rita Skeeters had to be one of the most frustrating. The other time, she wrote a story about Harry, making things about his life to make things more interesting.

"Autumn, you don't have to lie about this to us," Hermione started, "We already know. We just want to hear it from you."

Harry and Ron nodded, although Harry hesitated. It made senseㅡ he was the one with a strong rivalry against Draco.

Autumn sighed, "It's true. Draco and I are seeing each other, and I've fallen head over heels for him."

"Well, I'm glad you're being honest with us, Autumn. But if he tries anything funny, break it off with him." Harry warned.

For once, everything was finally going her way. Her best friends were finally accepting Draco, trying to see him in a different way. That was the reason why Autumn loved her friendsㅡ they'd support anything she chose to do, and they'd be there to protect you when things get dangerous.

* * *

Months pass, and it's almost the end of the Triwizard Tournament. The final task involved a maze, where the competitors had to find a way out. It seemed easy at first, until they mentioned the dangers inside.

Autumn, Hermione and Ron went down to support Harry before the task. The other competitors had their parents to support them, so it was only fair for them to be able to do the same. After squeezing Harry into a hug, Autumn turned her head to see that Cedric was looking at her. They exchanged smiles. It was strange to think that this boy once made her heart beat a thousand times faster than usual. They walked to each other, stopping in the middle.

"Well, I haven't seen you in a while, have I, Autumn Rosewood?"

Autumn laughed softly. It definitely had been a while since they last spoke. "Yeah, it really has. Good luck for your task, Cedric."

"Thanks," he replied, "But promise me one thing."

Autumn looked up at him, her head slightly tilted to the side.

"If I win this Tournament, you'll agree to let me take you out this weekend. To Hogsmeade."

Autumn's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect him to invite her out in this way. She nodded, smiling. Draco shouldn't mindㅡ it was only for one weekend, and didn't have to mean anything. They were just friends who hadn't seen each other in a while.

"It's a promise, then," she grinned, "That is, if you win."

Cedric chuckled, "I'm feeling motivated."

"That reminds me," Autumn said, before turning away, "I still have your robe from the other time."

He grinned, "You can give it back to me next time."

After wishing Harry good luck one last time, Autumn went to take a seat beside Hermione. Ron was on the other side of Hermione, looking twice as nervous as Harry. Then, a figure sat beside Autumn, gently nudging her side. Nudging back, Autumn didn't have to think twice to know who it was.

Everyone sat there in anticipation as Harry and Cedric entered the maze, followed by Fleur and Viktor. Nobody could see what was happening in the maze, and they could only sit there and wait for them to return again.

"My bet's on Diggory." the boy behind Hermione called out, "Cedric's gonna win for sure."

Hermione, Ron and Autumn sat nervously, their eyes fixed on the maze. Harry had to make it back. He just had to. Autumn's gaze soon after followed George and Fred Weasley, who were still collecting bets from the audience. Most people had voted for Cedric. It was very likely he'd win this taskㅡ he was fast, smart and brave. But he was also up against Harry.

At least an hour passes, and Fleur's body had been collected from the maze. She wasn't deadㅡ she had just been knocked out. The French girl's friends ran to her side, hugging her tightly. It was a relief to know that she was okay. Autumn couldn't help but wonder what was beyond those maze walls. How was Harry doing? And Cedric? What could have possibly knocked Fleur out like this?

"What was that about earlier, by the way?" Draco suddenly asked, "With Cedric?"

Autumn smiled cheekily, shaking her head. "That's a secret only between the two of us."

Draco leant back onto his seat, smirking. "If you won't tell me what you spoke about, I won't go with you to Hogsmeade this weekend. You can go on your own."

"Oh, that's fine. Cedric asked me to go with him, anyway." she laughed, causing Draco to cross his arms across his chest.

Everyone sat up when they saw Viktor return, injured. Draco must have noticed the worried expression on Autumn's face.

"Don't waste your energy worrying about Potter. He can handle anything, trust me."

Autumn decided she was going to listen to what Draco had said, and sat back in her seat. "Harry's going to make it. Cedric and Harry will come back safely."

After another hour, Harry and Cedric finally return, with a goblet in Harry's hand. Everyone was cheering, all chanting their names. For some reason, Harry and Cedric wouldn't stand up from the ground. And for some reason, Harry was sobbing.

"Harry! Harry's back!" someone yelled.

"Cedric Diggory, too! They've won it!"

Hermione, Ron and Autumn rushed down the stairs, the cheering coming to a stop. Lying there, beside Harry, was Cedric Diggory's still body. He was dead.

"He's back! He's backㅡ Voldemort!" Harry cried out, not letting go of Cedric.

Autumn could only stare at his pale face, his lips no longer the rich colour of crimson. "No..... Th-This isn't...."

As Autumn looked up, her eyes meeting with Cho's. Cho held her hand up to her mouth, tears running down her cheeks. Autumn ran to the girl, wrapping her arms around her. Cho did the same, sobbing on Autumn's shoulder. As the girl's pulled away from each other, an older man pushed through the crowd. He must have been Cedric's father.

"My son.... He's my son!" he called out, bending down on his knees. "My son...... My son...."

His wife ran to his side, cupping her son's pale face. She was shaking her head in disbelief.

Autumn stared at Dumbledore, who seemed to be just as shocked as the rest of them. All of a sudden, the world seemed much more dangerous. He was back.

* * *

The Great Hall was much quieter than usual during the Leaving Feast. Dumbledore stood up at the staff table, everyone falling into silence.

"This marks the end of another year," he started. He looked around the hall, eyes stopping at Hufflepuff. That section of the hall had been the quietest since the beginning. "There is much I have to say to all of you tonight, but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured towards the Hufflepuff house, "enjoying our last feast with us. I'd like you all to, please, stand and raise your glasses to Cedric Diggory."

Students from every house stood up, holding up their glasses. Their low voices echoed in the room when they repeated his name. Harry turned his head slightly to the left to look at Autumn, who's face was wet with tears. It was no surprise she was crying. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve as Hermione rubbed her back for comfort. Everyone sat back down after a few seconds of silence.

"There is someone else who should also be mentioned in connection to Cedric's death," Dumbledore said, "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

Everyone turned their heads to look at Harry before facing Dumbledore again.

"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards had ever shown when facing Lord Voldemort. And for this, I honour him."

Dumbledore raised his glass again, and drank. Many of the students followed, with some exceptions from the Slytherin house. There were at least ten of them still sitting, a gap forming between the students. Harry was surprised to see Draco standing, alone, between his friends who were questioning his gesture. Harry nodded at Draco gratefully, who nodded back slightly. Autumn, too, was surprised to have witnessed such a change in character, but gave the rebellious Slytherin boy a small, but proud smile.

"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."