♫ hogwart's march

- patrick doyle

(yes, it's the trumpet song)

✧

"Good luck, Cedric!" Priscilla said, tossing her arms around him and squeezing tight.

Nitara stood behind them awkwardly, looking around the huge stadium full of students, teachers, and spectators. It was finally June 24th, and the combined excitement from the three schools was thick in the air. Exams were over as of that afternoon, and a victor of 1,000 galleons and eternal glory would be crowned tonight once the final task was over.

Cedric looked at Nitara, hoping she'd say something, but all he got in response was a half-assed smile. He sighed and walked off to join the other champions around the huge maze. 

"It wouldn't kill you to wish him good luck, you know," Priscilla scolded as they made their way up the stands. She tried not to look behind her at the maze, she had seen it in her vision long before the champions were told of the task a month ago. The sight of it in person made anxiety bloom in her chest.

"Shit!" Priscilla exclaimed, turning around and running back down the steps to the field, leaving Nitara behind. She ran onto the field over to Harry and gave him a huge hug, who stood stiff and patted her back awkwardly. "Good luck, Harry!"

"The Roberts girl!" Rita Skeeter exclaimed dramatically. "A love triangle between two Triwizard Champions and the most powerful, unhinged witch of her age... quite a story. Care for an interview with the Daily Prophet?"

"Get lost, lady," Priscilla snapped at the gaudily-dressed reporter. "Everyone knows you make your shit up. Harry's eyes aren't glistening with the ghosts of his past." Rita gasped and walked away dramatically, making the two laugh.

Cilla turned back to Harry and gave his hair an affectionate ruffle before running back up to where she left Nini on the stands. Nitara, Cassius, Adrian, and Neville sat awkwardly around a loud, bustling Weasley family. Molly was screaming at Fred and George from across the stadium to stop collecting bets, while Arthur was scolding Ron for smelling like marijuana, making Hermione and Ginny have a laughing fit at the poor boy's expense. Bill had made the trip to come to watch the tournament as well, and he waved kindly at Priscilla as she came close. He really was the calmest Weasley of them all.

"Charlie wanted to come, but he couldn't get time off. Percy's over there with Fudge, though," Bill explained, pointing at the judges' tent. Sure enough, the high-strung Weasley brother elder to the twins was sitting with his head held high next to the Minister of Magic. "It's good to see you, Priscilla!"

"Oh!" Molly said excitedly once Priscilla was in front of them. "Priscilla dear, good to see you," she said, reaching over Adrian to give Priscilla a big hug. 

Adrian had to duck his head so the two could embrace, but didn't mind one bit. "Saved you a seat, Roberts!"

"Got snacks too!" Cassius added, handing over their wide variety of treats to Nitara and Priscilla, who both kindly declined.

"There's Cho," Nitara whispered. Priscilla followed her gaze a few stands over, and sure enough, there she was. Cho was sitting with her Ravenclaw girlfriends, who were all extremely excited for the task to begin. She was surrounded by signs that read GO CEDRIC and I ♡ DIGGORY. She looked absolutely miserable and frowned at her ex-boyfriend ahead of her. 

Priscilla held Nitara's hand supportively, giving it a little squeeze. She could see Nitara's shoulders relax as she sighed. The two intertwined pinky fingers, just like they always do, and Nitara cracked a small smile in appreciation. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each —Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!" Ludo Bagman shouted, his amplified voice filling the once Quidditch Stadium with excited screams and cheers. Priscilla almost had to cover his ears due to the absolute racket the twins were making behind her.

"So... on my whistle, Harry and Cedric!" shouted Bagman."Three — two — one —" 

Harry and Cedric were off, sprinting into the hedge maze. Cedric's coming in first place in the second task and Harry and Priscilla's combined heroic efforts granted them an advantage in this task. 

Priscilla and Nitara watched Cedric wink at them as he disappeared into the maze.

✧

After some time, a scream erupted from inside the maze followed by a ray of red sparks. The voice was female, clearly belonging to Fleur Delacour. Eventually, she was hauled out of the maze, completely unconscious.

"Shit," Priscilla muttered. She looked at Nitara, who looked just as worried.

"Don't worry, Priscilla, the boys will make it out fine," Arthur reassured from behind them, but it didn't help.

Priscilla was reminded of those visions again. The hedge maze, Nitara's shocked face, the screaming... come to think of it, she had heard Fleur's scream in her vision. The scream that just happened, she had heard months before.

A couple of minutes later, a mad, sputtering Viktor came out of the maze. As he was led out, Priscilla noticed Moody watching with a smirk. His magical glass eye was flickering around, and he licked his lips again, making Priscilla shiver.

"Let's get closer," Nitara whispered. Priscilla nodded and led the way, her heart beating in her chest furiously. They weren't the only ones with that idea. The teachers began to pace back and forth in front of the maze nervously.

"Nini, I don't feel good about this," Priscilla whispered.

"Me neither," Nitara agreed.

They never let go of each other's hands.

They never let go when Fred and George came down the stands to reassure them that the boys would be alright. The twin's jokes couldn't come close to piercing through the girls' anxiety.

They never let go as the teachers instructed everyone to go back to their seats. They didn't move a muscle and didn't say a word when Dumbledore instructed the other professors they could stay. After that, it was so silent, you could hear a pin drop.

They never let go when the sound of a whoosh from a portkey filled the arena. The sound of fanfare from trumpets began, and the crowd began to scream and cheer excitedly.

They never let go as they ran to Harry and Cedric without thinking as soon as they appeared not the grass. Nitara had begun to smile, but Priscilla knew better.

They never let go when they realized Harry was screaming in agony. They stopped in their tracks on the grass. It was the biggest joke of the year, the crowd and band excited and celebrating for a few more moments, unaware of the scene before them.

They finally let go of each other when Cho's scream overpowered Harry's and the brassy trumpets. Nitara dropped to her knees on the grass, eyes wide and mouth parted slightly at the sight before her. It was exactly as Priscilla had seen.

Harry refused to let go of Cedric's jersey when Priscilla knelt down next to the shouting boy. She wrapped her arm around Harry as he screamed. The band finally stopped their reverie as more shouts erupted around the stadium. 

It was deafening and overwhelming.

"He's dead!" "He's dead!""Cedric Diggory! Dead!" 

Priscilla looked in the unmoving eyes of her friend.

Cedric Diggory laid dead before them.