Death. A concept few can grasp. But for Cedric Diggory and his family, they understood all too well.

Y/n Diggory didn't think her father would send her back to Hogwarts after Cedric's... incident. But much to her surprise and dismay, there she was, walking down the crowded hall. She couldn't tell what was worse. The lonesome feeling of her older brothers missing presence. Or the pitiful glares like daggers poking at her skin. It was lunch. Instead of making her way to the mess hall, Y/n sat alone on a bench, a book in hand. Her attention was solely focused on the ink that traced the pages. Her brows furrowed as she read.

Draco Malfoy walked down the hall, his brows furrowed as he searched around for anyone that wasn't where they were supposed to be. His gaze landed on one specific bench, his eyes narrowing as he stormed over to the girl sitting on it. He grabbed the book from her lap, earning her attention. "Give it back." She pleaded. Why she had a special connection to the book was beyond Draco. "Why aren't you in the mess hall?" He asked sternly. "I wasn't aware we had lunch." She replied. "Lying will only make the punishment worse for you." He spat. His words as cold as his gaze. "Lets try this again, shall we? Why aren't you in the mess hall?" He repeated. "I don't want to go to lunch. I'm not hungry." She croaked, averting her gaze anywhere but him. "Doesn't matter. Professor Umbridge wants everyone to be where they're supposed to. That means you in the mess hall." Draco continued. "Fine. But can I have my book back?" Y/n asked. "No. I'm confiscating it until the end of the year." He retorted. "End of the year? That's not fair!" She protested. "All right." Draco replied. A smile formed on her face but fell quicker than the words that had fallen from Draco's mouth. "Diffindo." He exclaimed and with a flick of his wand, the book ripped to shreds. A shriek left y/n's mouth as she fell to her knees trying to pick up as much of the scraps as she could. Tears began to well in her eyes as she looked up at Draco pleadingly. A pang of guilt washed over him for a moment. "It's just a book. Get over it." He hissed. "You're wrong, Malfoy." She muttered. "What?" Draco scoffed. "It wasn't just a book. It was Cedric's favorite book. He gave it to me before the Triwizard Tournament." She sniffled. "Oh." He replied. "Oh? That's all you can say?" She scoffs. "I didn't know." He defends. "I believe you can be a kind person, Draco. I do. And I'd love to be here the day that you realize it. But I have a strong feeling that that will be in a very, very long time. I wouldn't wish the pain you cause on anyone. Not even you." She snapped before walking off, leaving Draco to drown in her words.