The house party had continued till deep in the night and left the younger years falling asleep on the couches. Cedric had been bringing them back to their dorms when a massive yawn made him stumble and lie down to collect himself. Falling asleep before he knew what was happening.

A cold stream of air and piercing howl awoke him with a jolt. Something was very wrong.

The Common Room was completely silent.

No younger years staying up to play a game and falling asleep without reaching their bed.

No older years who had stayed up too late studying for a test. 

No one was present, Owen Cauldwell, who he had been helping back to the dormitory, was gone from where she had laid on the ground.

This was really bad, unless Dumbledore had an actual plan by whisking away everyone for the Third Task, which Cedric doubted, they might be in big trouble. It wasn't like the other two had been organised well.

Cedric pushed the barrel away to open the entrance to the Common Room and left its relative safety, to be immediately assaulted by a dog. 

He had climbed through the hole in the wall wand first in his outstretched arm. He hadn't really taken a step yet before a huge black dog came barreling into him, knocking them both to the ground.

"What the- Get off of me?!"

Though the dog immediately jumped away from where its weight had been crushing Cedric, the damage had already been done.

Cedric's wand, his faithful companion through many years, was broken.

"Congenital, what else could be expected of an untrained hound like you, Padfoot."

Lucius Malfoy was sneering down at where Cedric was laying on the ground, the dog taking a protective stand between them.

"It seems Mister Diggory that we found ourselves locked inside the Third Task and as you only now stumbled out of your, Common Room, I assume we have to find our way outside?"

The dog began to growl as Malfoy took a step closer.

"Control your base instincts, Black. I want to be here as much as you can assume. I was having a wonderful evening in great company when I found myself magically alone. So, no, I am not in the mood to play your stupid games."

In whose company would Lucius Malfoy spend his evening in Hogwarts that he would say it like that? As far as Cedric knew, his marriage with Narcissa Malfoy was quite solid.

"Now? Let's get out of here as fast as possible, please? The longer it takes, the less likely I'll be able to control certain, urges."

Cedric was slowly trying to move farther away from the man without attracting too much attention to himself, which made standing up a bit difficult.

"You deprived maniac! I won't let that happen!"

The black dog had jumped at Malfoy, shifting midair to a man Cedric belatedly recognized as Sirius Black. The murderer.

"My homicidal ones at a certain Headmaster, who once again endangered my family. Please, Black, I'm taken, and even if I wasn't, my standards would never sink low enough to endure your presence."

The growl that threatened to leave Black's mouth even in human form was stopped at its source at Malfoy's counter.

"If you would be so kind to lead the way Mister Diggory as it is your Task after all?"

Cedric accepted the offered olive branch with both hands, no need to keep yelling at each other here when they should be trying to find their way outside. Something that was exceedingly more difficult than expected because of a multitude of reasons.

Most of them bearing the names "Malfoy" and "Black".

"Can you imagine? I hadn't had a good evening in a week, because of that stupid moon. The first night in relative peace and boom, magicked away to Merlin knows where."

Black bristled and opened his mouth to retort, but closed it just as fast.

"You would never know how it feels to be cherished by someone as selfless as my love, Black. But I want you to know, you are missing out on so much."

Maybe it wasn't the best course of action to let Cedric lead as he couldn't find his way out. The hallways had changed and even the Common Room was unfindable. And every moment it took longer, meant Malfoy had more time to spew jabs at Black.

Who was becoming increasingly agitated and wouldn't stay silent for much longer.

"Merlin's balls! Shut up Malfoy or tell us the lad's name and be done with it."

Cedric wanted to slam his head against a wall when he saw the smirk that had appeared on Malfoy's face.

This was exactly what he had been going for.

"Well, if you want to know that badly. Who am I to say no? But do come closer no need for the students to know."

Cedric watched in astonishment how Black walked closer and moved his ear closer to Malfoy's mouth. They did not have time for stupid things like this.

"WHAT?! HIM? You have to be joking!"

Black was rising his arms and making himself up to attack Malfoy when Cedric stepped between to stop this foolishness before it could further escalate.

"Why not? He's more of a man than you can ever dream to be, far braver too."

Malfoy just had to throw oil on the blazing fire, didn't he?

"You-"

"Shut up! Both of you, we have to get out of here and irritating each other is not helping."

Black let himself fall back from where he had been leaning into Malfoy's space, who crossed his arms in a defensive pose.

"Then why do you keep leading us in circles, Diggory?"

He wasn't leading then in circles! How was he supposed to do that if he couldn't find the way to begin with.

"Don't act like you can do it better Malfoy, the kid is doing his best."

Black's retort did nothing to crumble Malfoy's confidence.

"We have been walking in circles and every time we cross the staircase to the Great Hall, you choose the other path. Excuse me for being disbelieving."

That was interesting information. If Malfoy wasn't lying, he could see through a very powerful enchantment without even trying.

"Well, if you're so sure of yourself, by all means, lead the way, peacock."

Cedric closed his eyes at that last word. If he didn't see the murder he wouldn't have to testify against a pureblood lord.

"Mature. This way, I'll show you the way out."

-

Malfoy led them to the Great Hall without faltering once. Once outside Cedric could see the straight path through another maze leading to the finish line.

They were standing under the night sky and full moon basking in their newfound freedom, when something caught their attention.

A shiver ran down Cedric's spine as something he only knew from the history books was plastered on the night sky.

"The Dark Mark."

"Impossible. He's death."

They were in so much trouble.

"I don't expect an Unbreakable Vow from either of you, but if you utter a word of anything you see this night, I'll destroy you."

Cedric was about to voice his questions when Black opened his big mouth once again.

"Destroy me? Like I have something left and who are you to demand that."

Malfoy tore the silken shirt he had been wearing from his torso and enormous black wings sprouted from his back.

"Never doubt a Veela from protecting their family, Black. Cedric come here, I'll carry you. Black, you have to fend for yourself, I fear you might meet an old friend tonight."

All the blood disappeared from Black's face. Before Cedric could blink his eyes, he had shifted and gone into the maze.

"Hurry up, I promise it's safe. I can carry my love or Draco without problems and I doubt you'll be much heavier than either."

Cedric took a tentative step forward and was up in the air before he could think about struggling.

It did nothing though to stop the scream of fear from being ripped from his throat.

He was dropped at the end of the maze, mere yards away from the finish line. Malfoy was up ij the air flying back, before Cedric could properly thank him.

A Veela's hunting call accompanied Cedric as he crossed the line, and the announcer called his name as the winner of the test.

Krum arrived much later into the night, though Cedric couldn't say anything about the actual time that it took. No one else was standing there, and they were subjected to waiting on an empty clearing

The sun rose above the horizon and the announcer let his voice be heard for a last time before the spectators appeared.

"Attention everyone! The sun has risen, which concludes the Third Task. Cedric first place, Viktor second and Daé is yet to appear. A search party will enter the maze shortly to collect his body. Till the Winner Ceremony, and have a good day."

-

Lucius was going to kill Dumbledore. No, he would aid Severus in getting ingredients and then make sure there would be no repercussions.

The man didn't deserve a quick death because of Veela wraith. No, he should suffer.

He didn't know why the werewolf had run away from Daé's bleeding body, nor did he care. All that mattered was that Daé wasn't dead yet.

Severus or Pomfrey would be able to heal him, but for now Lucius send as much magic into the boy before lifting them both back into the air.

He would ensure Daé would be alright.

-

Sirius had heard the howl of a werewolf on the hunt. The blood freezing in his veins as he now without question knew Dumbledore had never cared.

Moony was loose.

Luckily, he didn't need to search far, as the werewolf came barrelling into him. Blood on his claws, yet his muzzle was clean.

Maybe, maybe they had been on time to save the unfortunate soul that had found themselves on Moony's path.

Sirius led them through the maze, back to the shrieking shack. Moony would be safe there till the sun would fully rise. Protected by walls, a werewolf couldn't break through.

Yet when they arrived, a hole was clear on the wall. Made with magic and big enough to let a werewolf out.

This hadn't been an accident.

Sirius left Moony inside, hoping he would stay there as the moon was rapidly disappearing under the horizon.

He would go and find whoever did this and tear them to pieces.

No one used Remus as a murder weapon.

-

Chosen item: broken wand

March 20, 2023