(Y/N)'s POV

I found Harry later in the day, he was sat in the dorm, looking utterly vacant, he turned to see me, he made a very odd expression, it was like his face was going through every emotion he had, not sure which one to land on.

I broke the silence first. My big mouth running before I could think. "It wasn't your fault" he looked away. "I told him to take the cup with us," He argued "he would have taken it anyway, we all would have" I reasoned, "but I could have-" 

"What? Fought off all the Death Eaters? Stopped Voldemort? Wouldn't have worked, trust me, I tried" He paused, "Harry, it wasn't your fault. I want you to remember that" I strode up to him and gave him a hug too, he shrugged me off. I left him; I think he needed some time alone.

Then I remembered something, I reached into my trunk and pulled out a cat toy, it was basically just a weird fishing rod looking thing with a toy on the end that muggles used to play with cats, nothing special about it, but when I presented it to the cats they loved it, and I could use it one handed.

I did this a lot for the next few days, I suppose it was easier then thinking about things. The week after, Mum insisted I was admitted to St Mungo's, so they could treat my hand. Part of me thinks she just wanted to keep me safe, which I understood. 

I agreed to go, with the condition that I could leave on two occasions, one was Cedric's Service at Hogwarts. Something I could never forgive myself if I didn't attend. "The end," said Dumbledore, looking around at us, "of another year." 

He paused, and his eyes fell upon the Hufflepuff table. "There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight, 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." We did it, all of us; the benches scraped as everyone in the Hall stood, and raised their goblets, and echoed, in one loud, low, rumbling voice, "Cedric Diggory." I looked down at the table as we all sat down again.

"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." I was in shock as Dumbledore spoke his next few words. "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort." A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall 

"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." 

Stunned and frightened, every face in the Hall was turned toward Dumbledore now "There are others who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter. And (Y/N) (L/N)" 

For the second time in the school year, those words made my heart sink. "Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort," said Dumbledore. "He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. Aided in this struggle of course by (Y/N) (L/N)." 

"They showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honour them." That wasn't right, I didn't do anything brave, I didn't deserve the word honour.

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." 

Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table. Krum. "Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore.

His eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again, in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." 

"Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

 "It is my belief — and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken — that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort." 

"Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst. 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 looked down at the table, telling myself I would. Voldemort might have taken him from us, but I swore to remember him, the kind boy sat in the tree, and though he was denied the chance, I promised myself that I would tell my grandchildren the story of brave Cedric. I'd never forget him.

The hours passed by in a blink, soon we found ourselves ready to depart. The second reason I left St. Mungo's was to get the train back to London, it took a while to explain to Mum, and even longer to persuade her, but I tried to make her understand that I needed to.

 It was one of the only things in my life that was always the same, plus I had to say goodbye to a couple of new friends. " 'Arry! (Y/N)" We looked around. Fleur Delacour was hurrying up the stone steps into the castle. Beyond her, far across the grounds.

The Beauxbatons carriage was about to take off. "We will see each uzzer again, I 'ope," said Fleur as she reached us, holding out her hand. "I am 'oping to get a job 'ere, to improve my Eenglish." "Well, let me know if you ever need to practice again," I smiled, she nodded and passed us both her contact information 

"It's very good already," said Ron in a strangled sort of voice. Fleur smiled at him, but seemed a bit put off "Good-bye, 'Arry," "Au revoir (Y/N), à bientôt" said Fleur, turning to go. "It 'az been a pleasure meeting you!" 

I waved her off, as well as Gabrielle, who ran over and gave me a rushed hug. "Wonder how the Durmstrang students are getting back," said Ron. "D'you reckon they can steer that ship without Karkaroff?" 

"Karkaroff did not steer," said a gruff voice. "He stayed in his cabin and let us do the vork." Krum had come to say good-bye to Hermione. "Could I have a vord?" he asked her. "Oh . . . yes . . . all right," said Hermione, looking slightly flustered and darting her eyes to me, following Krum through the crowd and out of sight.

"You'd better hurry up!" Ron called loudly after her. "The carriages'll be here in a minute!" "Oh, shut up Ron, let her have it, If I've learnt anything this year, it's that jealousy doesn't suit you" he flushed too.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I tapped my good hand to my nose. As she returned, she was smiling widely "So, he proposed yet?" I teased, she blushed crimson, "NO!" then I clapped my hand to my mouth.

"I don't believe it. He's PREGNANT!" she slapped my arm "NO!" Then Krum himself strolled up, "Sup Vicky? How far along are you? Can I be godparent?" he snorted. "You, are insuvrible" "Cheers" I smiled, he handed me a note, it was his contact information. We shook hands, gripping tightly, almost talking without words.

"Good Luck" was all he said, strolling off. "What was that about?" said Ron. "You'll never know" I teased, hopping on the train, but still, I handed him the autographed picture of Krum I got earlier in the year, keeping the others for myself.

After some general settling in on the train, the topic of conversation fell to Rita Skeeter, and how she surprisingly hadn't written anything on the events on the third task, positive or negative. Hermione giggled, seeming oddly proud of herself .

"Rita Skeeter isn't going to be writing anything at all for a while. Not unless she wants me to spill the beans on her." "What are you talking about?" said Ron. "I found out how she was listening in on private conversations when she wasn't supposed to be coming onto the grounds," said Hermione in a rush.

"If I had to hazard a guess, Magic?" I said, she frowned at me. "How was she doing it?" said Harry at once. "How did you find out?" said Ron, staring at her. "You see . . . Rita Skeeter" Hermione's voice trembled with quiet triumph "is an unregistered Animagus. She can turn-" 

Hermione pulled a small sealed glass jar out of her bag. "-into a beetle." "You're kidding," said Ron. "You haven't . . . she's not . . ." "Oh yes she is," said Hermione happily, brandishing the jar at them. Inside were a few twigs and leaves and one large, fat beetle. "HAHAHA that's brilliant"

"That's never — you're kidding —" Ron whispered, lifting the jar to his eyes. "No, I'm not," said Hermione, beaming. "I caught her on the windowsill in the hospital wing. Look very closely, and you'll notice the markings around her antennae are exactly like those foul glasses she wears."

She continued to explain how Skeeter was able to get her stories, with the help of a certain Slytherin. Hermione took the glass jar back from Ron and smiled at the beetle, which buzzed angrily against the glass. 

"I've told her I'll let her out when we get back to London," said Hermione. "I've put an Unbreakable Charm on the jar, you see, so she can't transform. And I've told her she's to keep her quill to herself for a whole year. See if she can't break the habit of writing horrible lies about people."

"Hermione, despite the fact this is oddly sinister, you continue to amaze me" I smiled, she beamed, "Got any bugspray?" I said, taking the jar from her "Kidding" I said as she gaped at me, "Still, having a little fun won't hurt" I put Skeeter eye level with me.

"Hi, remember that story you wrote about my brother?" I shook the jar violently. Then I put her in my eye line again "I should introduce you to another member of my family" I presented her, "This..." I lifted her up.

"Is Bones, she's my cat, she didn't like that story very much either, If you want some more information on her, she has a bad habit of chewing on spiders, but I think she might like an odd beetle now and then."

The beetle scuttled away in the jar, "Don't worry, she'll be good, just a reminder" then I set the jar on the floor, Bones swatted it over and began playing with it, batting it back and forth. "Good girl" I pet her. Crookshanks was watching with a glint in his eyes.

A few minutes later the door of the compartment slid open. It was Draco Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle were standing behind him. His smirk widened. Crabbe and Goyle leered. "Trying not to think about it, are we?" said Malfoy softly, looking around at all of us. "Trying to pretend it hasn't happened?" "Get out," said Harry.

But Malfoy pushed his luck, as normal "You've picked the losing side, Potter! I warned you! I told you, you ought to choose your company more carefully, remember? When we met on the train, first day at Hogwarts? I told you not to hang around with riffraff like this!" He jerked his head at Me, Ron and Hermione.

"Oddly sentimental Malfoy, you sound a little worried, why?" He ignored me "Too late now, Potter! They'll be the first to go, now the Dark Lord's back! Blood Traitors, Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers first! Well...second...Diggory was the f-"

It was as though someone had exploded a box of fireworks within the compartment. Blinded by the blaze of the spells that had blasted from every direction, I blinked and looked down at the floor. 

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were all lying unconscious in the doorway. Me, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on our feet, all of us having used a different hex. Only we weren't alone. "Thought we'd see what those three were up to," said Fred matter of-factly.

 He had his wand out, and so did George. "Interesting effect," said George, looking down at Crabbe. "Who used the Furnunculus Curse?" "Me," said Harry. "Odd," said George lightly. "I used Jelly-Legs. Looks as though those two shouldn't be mixed. He seems to have sprouted little tentacles all over his face. Well, let's not leave them here, they don't add much to the decor."

"I got 'em" I said, using my wand to force their bodies out of the room, then tumble down into the Slytherin compartment like they were on a conveyor belt. "I see why people keep using that on me, its so simple, and oddly satisfying" I smiled.

"Exploding Snap, anyone?" said Fred, pulling out a pack of cards "Patty cake?" I offered. They were halfway through their fifth game when Harry decided to ask them. "You going to tell us, then?" he said to George. 

"Who you were blackmailing?" "Oh," said George darkly. "That." "It doesn't matter," said Fred, shaking his head impatiently. "It wasn't anything important. Not now, anyway." "We've given up," said George, shrugging.

But we kept on asking, and finally, Fred said, "All right, all right, if you really want to know . . . it was Ludo Bagman." "Bagman?" said Harry sharply as I grumbled. They explained that they had been tricked by Bagman too, he stole their money and replaced it just like mine, then lost it all with a bad bet to some goblins.

Me and Harry shared a glance, I'm sure we were thinking the same thing, I reached into my trunk and followed Harry as he stepped out of the compartment "Fred — George — wait a moment." The twins turned. 

Harry drew out his Triwizard winnings "Take it," he said, and he thrust the sack into George's hands. "What?" said Fred, looking flabbergasted as I handed him my half. "Take it," Harry repeated firmly. "Mine too, I don't want it." "You're mental," said George, trying to push it back at Harry.

"No, I'm not," said Harry. "You take it and get inventing. It's for the joke shop." "they are mental," Fred said in an almost awed voice. "Listen," said Harry firmly. "If you don't take it, I'm throwing it down the drain. I don't want it and I don't need it." 

"But I could do with a few laughs. We could all do with a few laughs. I've got a feeling we're going to need them more than usual before long." "Yeah, if I ever need money, I'll just have Mum curse me while she's on the job" I smiled.

The twins stared at us. "Just don't tell your mum where you got it" "Guys," Fred began, but Harry pulled out his wand. "Look," he said flatly, "take it, or I'll hex you. I know some good ones now. Just do me one favour, okay? Buy Ron some different dress robes and say they're from you."

"Damn, he beats me again, I blame being lopsided" I said, drawing my own wand "Consider it an investment in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes" I said as Harry slipped back inside the compartment. I'd never seen them look so lost for words. 

They stared at me, then each other, stunned into silence. "Maybe like a silent partnership sort of thing, a very silent partner sort of thing, like, take this money and never bother me about it again sort of thing" I said, they seemed to snap out of it.

"You? Silent?" Said George "I don't see it" Said Fred. Both put out an arm around me and said "Thank you" quietly, it was the sincerest I'd ever heard them sound, I shrugged, "Well, with how you two are, you would have won it off me eventually anyway, so why no speed up the process?"

They smirked, "Then consider this the start of a beautiful business relationship" they said in unison, then they walked into their compartment seeming over the moon. I was smiling until I realised "Damn, there goes my pocket money."

As we were pulling into the station, we all made plans, mine involved a lot of medical treatments apparently. Ron said, "D'you think we'll ever just have a quiet year at Hogwarts?" They replied with "No" and I said, "I hope not" he shrugged, "Oh well, what's life without a few dragons?" I nodded "Boring."

We were about to split up. But Hermione hung back, "Everything's going to change now isn't it" she lamented sadly, "Yes" said Harry plainly. I laughed, throwing my arm around her, she smiled but had a request.

"Promise you will write over the summer" "all of you" she stressed to Ron, "I won't, you know I won't" said Ron, she nodded, "Harry will, won't you Harry?" he nodded, "Yeah, every week" he said cheekily. 

She turned to me, "(Y/N)? You will once you're out of the hospital won't you?"  I paused to think, "Maybe... If I get bored" I winked to her. The Weasleys and Harry quickly departed and Hermione and me were left alone.

I spotted my family waiting for me, as did she, I started to feel really awkward, not knowing what to do, but as always, Hermione did. As her parents waved at her she turned to me and while I was trying to figure out the right sequence of words to use, she pressed a quick peck on my lips.

I was stunned, after a moment she giggled and hurried off looking very proud of herself. This year at Hogwarts was completely different then I had expected, and I know even when I go back there, it would never be the same from now on. 

I looked over at my parents, who were waiting for me patiently, Dad was beaming, Mum was jumping up and down and pointing, excitedly squealing about the spectacle she had just witnessed, Winky beside them, awkwardly playing with her 'dress.'

I think Hermione said it best, "Everything's going to change now" but I had a long while in St. Mungos to think on it, I concluded "What's wrong with a few changes eh? Keeps things interesting." 

I realised, even if some things change, it's the things that stay the same that really matter. Because that's what you remember in the end, the things in your life you wouldn't change for the world.