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𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽𝔂

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The day of the final task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament soon fell upon the three schools, and yet Sadie, Marianne and Chad felt as though their mission of getting Marianne's bloody invites out was even more difficult than whatever it was the Triwizard Champions had to face. People were all over the place, since everyone was getting ready to head down to the Quidditch pitch, where the third task would be held — and so this was making it even harder.

"Right," said Chad impatiently, counting up how many invites they had left to hand out. "Who have we got left?"

"Maddie, Jess, Jake," said Marianne. "Neville... Ginny... I'll tell her she can bring friends, considering the only people she really knows coming are Harry, Ron and Hermione - and we don't even know if they're coming, yet..."

"I've got... Hannah, Susan," Sadie continued. "You did Seamus and Dean earlier didn't you?"

Chad nodded in response.

"Aye, thought so..." Sadie continued. "Harry, Ron, Hermione... that's all, in my pile,"

"Of course you have Potter in your pile," said Chad, with a teasing glance. The girl playfully rolled her eyes, in return.

"Yeah, I gave her those three on purpose," said Marianne. "Not just because she fancies Harry, though - Sadie's good at selling, she'll get people to come if they're a big too comfortable in their comfort zone. And I reckon Harry and Ron might take some convincing,"

"You're not wrong, to be fair," Chad said, nodding.

The blonde girl opened her mouth to speak, but she caught sight of Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff walking with her friend Susan, and wasn't going to waste any chances. She rushed off.

Unsurprisingly, Sadie and her friends eventually split up in their attempt at hunting down the rest of the students to be given one of Marianne's invites. The Vixen girl ended up just leaning against the wall of the corridor leading to the outside path to the Quidditch pitch, until the sight of the final three Gryffindors she was searching for came into view.

Turns out, the reason they had been so absent today was because - who she could only assume as Ron's mother, due to the ginger locks - had come to see them. Now, Sadie knew there were parents coming to watch their children in the tournament, but she'd only assumed Harry's guardians would show up. Perhaps they couldn't make it? She wasn't sure, she didn't know much about whoever he lived with, anyway, except from the fact that it was his auntie and uncle. I didn't seem to matter, though, however - because he looked over the moon to see Mrs Weasley.

The blonde Ravenclaw fanned herself with the lasting invitations to keep herself cool on this humid summer's day, as she waited to figure out how she could catch the trio on their own.

Truth be told, Sadie was feeling extremely uncomfortable in these particular moments. She couldn't help it - she was a girl who was constantly haunted with the idea of the possibility that people were looking at her, and was unfortunately obsessed with how she was being presented to everyone else. She did not want anyone to know how awkward she was feeling. She had always been the bright, happy girl filled with confidence - she had to make sure it stayed that way. Even if there was the odd time where she felt like an ant in a world full of giants.

Whatever. Shake it off, Sadie. Marianne needs her invites given out, no matter how awkward you feel about waiting to do so. You're being stupid.

"Hey!" Sadie called, her face brightening at the sight of the trio finally (no offence, Mrs Weasley) parting ways with Ron's mother, and the blonde rushed over, startling all three.

"Erm - hi," she smiled, as Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at her with inquiring expressions.

"Hi," Hermione was the first to speak, putting on a friendly smile in return.

"So, Marianne's having a party in the summer," Sadie explained, glancing down at the three invitations in her hands. "For her birthday, and we wanted to invite you all,"

Sadie looked down and gave each person their invitation. Ron seemed pleasantly surprised he'd received one for himself, as he looked down to read the words 'RON WEASLEY' printed across the front - almost as though checking she hadn't mistaken him for someone else.

"There's a lot of people in our year invited - only the ones we know and the decent ones, of course," Sadie continued. "And Marianne's setting up Portkeys, and ways to get there by the Floo Network, so you don't need to worry about how you'll get there. It'll be fun! You should come,"

"Thank you," Hermione said, with a smile, tucking her invitation neatly into the front pocket of her bag. "We'd love to come - wouldn't we?" the brunette turned to the two boys.

"Er - yeah!" Ron said brightly. He still seemed to be processing the whole thing.

"Erm, I'm not sure if I can get-" Harry begun.

"Oh come on, Harry!" Sadie said, with a playful eye roll. "Lighten up a wee bit, it'll be fun. It's just a gathering with people in our year and a couple other friends. Seamus and Dean are coming. Maddie and Jake are, too..."

He still didn't seem too convinced. Maybe he wasn't free around then? Or perhaps it takes a little more prodding to push Harry Potter out of his comfort zone.

"Cho Chang and a couple people from the year above are coming, too..." Sadie said, knowing perfectly well what she was doing. Although, that didn't stop her heart sinking a bit at the sight of Harry's eyes lighting up at this little bit of information.

"I mean," he said. "Yeah, I'd like to come, but... I dunno if I can get there, still. My aunt and uncle, they..."

"We'll figure out something," Hermione said. "Thanks again, though, Sadie. I'll have to check with my parents, and then let Marianne know, but I'm sure I can come!"

"Yeah, same," said Ron.

"All the details are on there," Sadie beamed, nodding at the identical invitations in the trio's hands.

"Er - thanks, Sadie," Harry said awkwardly.

"We hope to see you all there!" the blonde said, about to turn away, before saying, "Also - good luck today, Harry,"

The moments of talking about Marianne's birthday seemed to have distracted Harry from the final task - and his expression dimmed at the reminder.

"Thanks," he nodded, before gulping. Sadie tilted her head, still smiling warmly. How that girl's face didn't ache from those smiles, Harry did not know.

"Oi, Sadie!" A voice called, and the blonde turned her head to find its speaker. "Nope - wrong way, you colossal twat. I'm up here!"

Sadie looked up and let out a laugh at the sight of Chad leaning over one of the moving staircases above them.

"Chadders!" she sang, her head still tilted back.

"There's a big table in the Common Room full of food and stuff we can take to watch the final task - hurry your ass up, before all the Chocoballs go!"

Sadie's entire face lit up. "Coming now!" she shouted back to him, and his head disappeared back over the banister - assumedly heading back to Ravenclaw tower. The blonde turned back towards Harry, Ron and Hermione who were still awkwardly standing in front of her. "Anyways, I'll see you all later?" she said. They all nodded.

"Bye!" Hermione said.

"See you," Harry and Ron murmured in sync.

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After meeting Chad and Marianne back in the common room and collecting a small lot of Chocoballs, Sadie walked onto the Quidditch pitch for the third task, which was now unrecognisable. A twenty-foot-high hedge ran all the way around the edge of it, and there was a gap at the front of them - which was only assumed to be the entrance to some kind of vast maze. Sadie had to admit, it looked creepy. She did not envy these champions.

The Ravenclaw trio pushed themselves through the stands to find a spare place with a good enough view - although, by the looks of it, it didn't seem like they'd be able to see the Champions anyway, once they were in the maze. The sky was darkening, now, and Sadie was delighted to see the beautiful stars beginning to appear.

Seamus and Dean appeared, dragging Sadie, Marianne and Chad over to sit with them and sharing their excitement for the third task.

"Shame we won't be able to see them, though," said Dean.

"I know," Marianne nodded. "What's the point if we can't even watch it? That's two out of three we'll be spending just waiting."

"Aye," Sadie agreed. "It was already stressful enough, waiting for them to come back out of the water in the second task, not knowing what was going on..."

"That's because you're a worrier, Sadie," said Chad, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She grinned.

"I mean... maybe..."

"Not maybe, yes,"

Dumbledore took to the field and and the crowds cheering their favourite champion calmed, allowing him to being talking. Marianne squeezed Sadie's hand.

"Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Tri-Wizard Cup deep within the maze. Only he knows it's exact position. Now, as Mr Diggory-"

The crowds around Sadie and her friends erupted with cheers.

"-and Mr Potter-"

Sadie, Chad and Marianne let out loud whoops, along with Dean and Seamus. The Vixen girl could see Harry standing alone at the entrance, nervously glancing around the crowd until his eyes came into contact with hers. She beamed at him.

"-are tied for first position, they will be the first to enter the Maze. Followed by Mr Krum-"

Durmstrang's students roared in support.

"-And Miss Delacour. The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed staff to patrol the perimeter. If at any point, should a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she will need only to shoot up red sparks with their wands,"

Sadie took a deep breath. They'd never been given the option to voluntarily withdraw before, unless they were injured really badly. What was in that Maze?

"Champions, prepare yourselves!" Moody called, as Harry and Cedric walked over to the entrances, turning their backs to the audience and facing the Maze.

"On the count of three," Dumbledore began. "One,"

But, the canon set off early, and Sadie flinched, several people also jumping and swearing at the sudden boom. And so, the third and final task began.

"Why can't we see them!" Chad complained. "Like - what even is the point?"

"I know," Sadie agreed, popping the last Chocoball in her mouth and scrunching up the wrapper, shoving it back into the pocket of her shorts. She couldn't help eating them on the way down, and waiting for the task to begin, okay? It's not like there was anything else to do.

"They'll be alright, though," said Dean. "Right? I mean, they've got teachers patrolling around the outside, so if anything goes wrong, they'll be there in a flash,"

Marianne nodded. "...Yeah," she said. "They should be fine... surely..."

Although, the red sparks that appeared shooting into the sky after some time had passed contradicted both Dean and Marianne's words.

"Oh, bollocks," said Chad, as the group watched in silence, anxiously awaiting the rescue of one of the four champions hidden in the depths of the maze.

It was Fleur - with a look of terror so extreme Sadie had never seen it on anyone's face before, and it sent chills all the way down her spine.

"What the fuck is in that Maze?" someone a few seats down said.

Moments later, Krum was rescued - completely stunned.

It wasn't looking good, whatever the situation was. And Sadie was growing stressed, annoyed with whoever had come up with the idea that the champions would be alone, with no audience. No witnesses. Because it all felt wrong, and she could feel it in her gut, somehow. Even when she looked up, the stars above her seemed out of place - everything felt too superstitious.

But, she didn't seem to be the only one. Everyone was exchanging worried glances with their friends. Jake Martin had to remind Hermione Granger to breathe, like the suspense had been enough for her to forget. Perhaps it was the silence of the maze, with the exception of the rustling leaves. Or the night's darkness creeping in through the gaps of the bushes. Whatever it was, it was unsettling.

And then, a crack sounded - and Harry and Cedric appeared out of the maze, the Tri-Wizard Cup with them.

Everyone began to cheer, and Sadie let out a laugh of relief - which stopped almost immediately, because she was one of the first to notice that-

"Harry's crying," she said, shaking Marianne's arm. "Harry's crying - why's he crying?" the blonde said, turning to the red-head beside her. But the colour had left Marianne's face, and she was staring at the two champions expressionless, her eyes completely flooded with horror.

Sadie looked back, her eyebrows creased, as a cry sounded from somebody in the front row. And somebody stepped to the side, the sight of Cedric lying on his back, emotionless eyes reflecting the stars above coming into view. And that was when it clicked - Harry was sobbing over Cedric's dead body.

Cedric diggory was dead.

Sadie's expression turned from confused to terrified, and she found herself completely frozen in place, unable to move, like somebody had stunned her. Cedric Diggory was dead.

A wail that sounded almost inhuman sounded a couple rows behind her, and if Sadie was able to move, she'd have turned around to see a sixth year Slytherin hugging his brunette best friend, who'd absolutely crumbled at the sight.

Sadie's eyes were beginning to gloss, but no tears seemed to escape. She was in some kind of state of shock that did not allow her to even twitch. Cedric Diggory was dead.

Cedric's father rushed over to the boy, his voice ringing through the crowd,

"Let me through! That's my boy!"

A single tear escaped Sadie's widened eye, and trickled all the way down her cheek, as the crowds around her erupted in a mixture of panic and horror. But she couldn't move. She was petrified.

"Sadie?" Chad managed to choke out, shaking her shoulder a little. But she was stuck.

"He's back!" Harry cried, with a tone that shattered many hearts - including Sadie's. "He's back! Voldemort's back!"

"Shit," Marianne weeped, turning to a shocked Seamus who didn't hesitate to wrap her in a hug.

"Sadie?" Dean said fretfully. She still couldn't move. Everything felt like it was shaking, but not a limb on her body was in motion. Her head was swimming. Her eyes were beginning to overflow at the sight of the Hufflepuff boy's corpse lying still on the grass. Cedric Diggory was dead.

"Cedric! He asked me to bring his body back... I couldn't leave him! Not there-"

"I'm... I'm gonna be sick," Chad said quietly, putting a hand over his mouth - the other still resting on his best friends shoulder. He turned away.

Many people were rushing over, Kaya Bennett being one of them, as she ran past Sadie and her friends, Fred Weasley and Jaeden Ezra racing after her.

"Kaya, no-"

"PISS OFF!"

Sadie couldn't think. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, she barely blinked. A blonde girl in a trance overcome with the pure shock and terror of a school boy dying in a task they were cheering for, his dead body on show and his father only just realising his son was gone. His son was no more. And she was watching it all unfold in front of her, unable to do anything. Not even able to move.

Cedric Diggory was dead.

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A/N: Ugghhhhhh I hate writing sad chapters 😔 Cedric really deserved better, wtf was that for JK?!

BUT on a happier note - Marianne's bday! I'm so excited to publish that chapter it's gonna be so fun 🥰 I feel like in the HP series, there wasn't enough of them all just being teenagers, so it'll be cool to see that side of them all! (Even if the golden trio might not be so carefree thanks to Voldemort fucking everything up 🙄)

But, I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you thought! <333