The stairs were not the best place to sit, as you would feel your bottom numbing if you sat stationary on them for even twenty minutes. But Florence couldn't really feel the numbing, just like how she couldn't feel anything after yesterday's tragedy. She did not feel tired, nor hungry, nor sad. And instead of resting as she should be for a train ride back home in a few hours, there she was, sitting on the stairs just outside Cho's dormitory room, who she hadn't seen since she went to mourn Cedric. It was four o'clock in the morning, and she just wanted to be there, emotionally supporting her friend through a closed door.

This said closed door had creaked open, much to her surprise, Florence preparing to scramble up and ask Cho how she was feeling when she stopped in mid action, realizing that the person who had came out was infact, not Cho, but Marietta, who was holding an empty glass in her hand.

She too, was monumentally startled with Florence's appearance, composing herself as soon as she made out her face in the barely lit staircases, "Oh, uh," she said awkwardly, "I was just going to put this away... It was a glass of cold milk, for Cho. Professor Flitwick generously left her some, said it would help her sleep." she sighed, "The sun's nearly up and she hasn't slept at all."

"Has she talked to anyone since..." Florence paused, not sure what she was going to call it, "...since it happened?"

Marietta shook her head, "I don't really know. She was out for quite a bit and when she returned, Professor Flitwick was escorting her up." She glanced back at the room, "She must feel absolutely terrible. I feel extremely bad for her."

The fourth year student set the glass onto the ground, plopping down beside Florence on one step of the stairwell, "Did you hear what they were saying after everything happened?"

"No," Florence frowned, "I, I left immediately...the crowd was getting violent. What happened?"

Marietta leaned in closer, as if afraid that someone would overhear her, despite the fact that the two of them, and Cho, were probably the only waking souls at this time of the morning, "Harry Potter said that he saw you-know-who come back."

Florence froze, Sirius' franticness to communicate with Harry all year finally made sense. Did Harry feel anything? Was that why he was placed into the tournament as a fourth champion? She shook herself out of her trance, as Marietta looked like she had more to say.

"...a couple of students also saw the Durmstrang headmaster flee the venue before Harry came back with dead Cedric. Apparently he was a death eater once? Who would have known? And here's more: Professor Moody wasn't professor Moody at all!"

"Okay," she stopped the girl, before she launched herself into a frenzy of explanation, Florence still trying to digest what she had said. "Let me get this straight. What do you mean Moody isn't Moody at all? And Headmaster Karkaroff put Harry's name into the Goblet?."

"No," Marietta interjected, "But you would think that Headmaster Karkaroff did, right? He acted pretty guilty but it wasn't him. Turns out Professor Moody was this ex Death Eater all along, disguising himself as the real Professor Moody with Polyjuice potion... He was the one who had put Harry into the tournament... I overheard the Fat Friar and Nearly Headless Nick talking about how the real Moody was locked up in a trunk or something..."

It was amazing how a Ravenclaw's nosiness could help at situations such as this, Florence thought for a second.

"Do you know where Harry is now?"

"Probably still at the Hospital Wing. They tried to detain Cho there as well, but I think she insisted on going back to her room for the night...said she needed to pack, which, unfortunately, I haven't done yet." Marietta sighed heavily, getting up from her previous spot, picking up the glass. "I better take care of this... you should try and go back to sleep too. I'll tell Cho that you came by."

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Florence replied with a faint smile, watching the girl walk down the stairs, before heading up to her room.

Sleeping was not on the table for her, though. Florence had realized this the moment her head hit the pillow. She knew that she was emotionally exhausted, but she did not feel it enough. Tossing and turning, the image of Cedric's lifeless body flashed repeatedly in her head. It was eerie to think that he was gone now when she had just talked to him less that 24 hours ago. Cedric, Captain of the Hufflepuff team, Prefect, her desk partner in History of Magic. How did it even make sense?

Perhaps it was Nicolai's loud snoring from the bed beside her that kept her from sleeping, or the faint ticking of the clock. She never knew, or cared to find out. Florence got up, deciding to keep her mind busy by packing up, seeing as she was the only one who was unprepared. But even then, she realized that it would take her more than a distraction to shake the grief off of her as she laid down, eyes wide until the sun rose fully in the sky, filling the room with light through the gaps of the heavy blue curtains. It was awhile until she heard one of her roommates shifting awake, Florence closing her eyes immediately in fake slumber, someone pulling the curtain open fully.

She was beginning to doze off as her roommates scrambled around the room, in hopes of getting things done. She was on the brink of falling asleep when Nicolai shook her awake, making her bolt out of her bed so fast in panic, that she hit her head on the headboard. She groaned, trying to keep her eyes open as she rubbed at the sore spot.

"Sorry," said Nicolai sheepishly, who was now fully dressed and ready to go down. She noticed that Florence's stuff were packed and ready to go. "When did you have time to pack?"

"Last night," she lied, "After you fell asleep."

Nicolai pursed her lips together, "You don't look very good. Did you get enough sleep, though?"

"Yes...no...maybe a little bit," Florence said, before sighing, "I'm just worried about Cho...and the Diggorys. I can't imagine it happening to anyone, especially to their family. Cedric was an amazing person... He just didn't deserve it, Nic."

"He really didn't." Nicolai said solemnly, plopping down beside her friend, "Hopefully they'll find peace of mind over time. It wasn't anyone's fault but..." she paused, "Harry said you-know-who is back..."

"Do you believe him?"

"I'm not sure," Nicolai admitted, "He was the only one there."

"I believe him." said Florence, "The boy's been through enough, don't you think? He's lost his parents and saw a friend die. Voldemort has been tormenting him all his life. He couldn't possibly lie about stuff like that."

"Well... I don't know Flo...Whatever this is I hope it Cedric's death meant something..." Nicolai sighed, "By the way, Dumbledore's calling everyone to the Great Hall quite earlier than usual. We're saying goodbye to the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students after our feast..."

"Okay," she gave her a small smile, "you and Xander go ahead... I just need to freshen up and change."

The Great Hall was an eerie sort of silent, especially for the Leaving Feast that was usually the most festive. This occasion was different, due to the fresh memory of yesterday's demise. Even those who barely knew Cedric were shaken as well, every person who was there could not push it to the back of their minds.

Everyone ate in silence, with the occasional faint murmuring among the house tables. And as the last pieces of food and crumbs were cleared off of the tables, the Hufflepuff house flag began to unfurl all around, draped across the walls and posts, like how it usually was when a House would get the most points. But it was not for that, the students knew, as Dumbledore walked solemnly to his podium, ready to deliver a speech.

"The end," said Dumbledore, looking around at them all, "of another year." He paused, and his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. Theirs had been the most subdued table before he had gotten to his feet, and theirs were still the saddest and palest faces in the Hall.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," said Dumbledore, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

On the corner of Florence's eyes, she saw Marietta, rubbing Cho's shoulder as tears started flowing from her eyes.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continued. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."

Anticipation lingered in the air, a light buzz of chatting spreading quite rapidly after his pause. Whether or not to believe Harry was the question. Whether or not Dumbledore believed Harry was another question.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."
A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. People were staring at Dumbledore in disbelief, in horror. He looked perfectly calm as he watched them mutter themselves into silence.

"The Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore continued, "does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him." he raised his goblet toward's Harry's direction, and encouraged the others to do so.

When everyone had once again resumed their seats, Dumbledore continued, "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened of Lord Voldemort's return — such ties are more important  than ever before."

He spoke of unity, calling students of Hogwarts and those of other schools, to come together during these times of hardships.

"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, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

                                            --------

"I'll miss you guys so much," Alanna sighed sadly, giving Nicolai, Florence and Alexander hugs for the nth time, not wanting to get in to the carriage just yet. Julien was patiently waiting for his sister, content with the first goodbyes he had made. More so, he did not feel the sentiments, as his upcoming auror training was sure to lead him back to Hogwarts somehow. Alanna, however, will be stuck in France until she is finished with her education, and hopes to get a job at London to be with her brother.

"You two will write to me, won't you?" she asked Florence and Nicolai, who reassured the girl, "Yes, Alanna, we'll write to you twice a month...We won't forget you." said Nicolai.

"Do try to visit London. We'll meet you if you do."

"Thank you, I will."

The siblings heard Madame Maxime shout something in French from a distance, panic spreading across Julien's face, "Alanna, we must go. We're the only ones they're waiting for."

She huffed, slightly annoyed, waving to her friends as she walked to her carriage.

Some Hogwarts students came to watch their visitors depart, waving excitedly as the horses pulled the carriage into the air, and as the Durmstrang ship disappeared in to the water.

Soon they found themselves settling in to the Hogwarts Express, Florence falling asleep almost immediately against Fred's shoulder, who had to stay perfectly still in fear of waking her up. She looked sleep deprived, at most, despite her claims to have slept enough. George and Alexander were playing a game of chess, which resulted to Fred having to scold them and to tell them to keep it quiet whenever one of them got too excited, or whenever Nicolai—who was spectating— was cheering on someone.

The sun was setting as the train arrived at King's Cross Station, a crowd of parents waiting patiently for their children, a collection of different emotions.

Fred gently shook Florence awake, who had managed to sleep for the entire duration of the train ride. She rubbed at her eyes, before unloading her smaller trunk from the top compartment. Nicolai and Alexander both said their goodbyes to her as soon as they got all of their stuff from the luggage claiming section, Fred and George walking her further down the station, with Fred's arm around her shoulder, while the three of them were chatting animatedly about plans for the summer.

A familiar looking black dog trotted over towards Florence, barking playfully as Florence detached herself from her boyfriend, quickly shoving him off as she saw her mum nearing as well. She still needed to tell them about Fred, but it wasn't the right time. She hugged the Weasley twins, tight, before saying her goodbyes and making her way over to her mother, who looked extremely suspicious.

"Who was that?" Jane asked in a subtle teasing voice, Florence petting Padfoot's black fur as Emmy helped with what luggage she could move. Florence blushed. "I'll tell you later yeah? I'm still knackered."

"Alright," she shrugged, "As long as you do..."