The corridors were silent as me and Cedric were taking the last of our Prefect rounds to check no student was out after curfew.

I was relieved that my rounds were assigned with him instead of Davies or Warrington because both are absolutely insufferable. I don't even think I can stand in a room with the two for any longer than fifteen minutes.

Tough luck, I have got to see them at the Prefects meeting almost every day...

But Cedric, on the other hand, was a good friend of mine ever since our little accident of porcupine quills in potions. So Prefect rounds with him were a lot better.

"How are you handling all the Triwizard Champion pressure?" I asked, as always being the first to initiate a conversation.

Ced was a nice guy but he had a certain habit of being quiet, though once someone else started a conversation, he would gladly join in.

"Okay so far," he replied, a smile gracing his lips as he spoke, "it's a bit extra pressure considering we do have NEWTs at the end, and being a Prefect, there are other duties to tend to."

"I understand," I replied, "prefect problems never end. Just the other day, I ran into second-year Slytherins who had pissed Filch off by almost blowing up his office. Reminds me of the good old days..."

He chuckled, "I heard you and your brothers exploded color bombs in there."

"Guilty as charged," I laughed as well, "to this day, I can't believe I got made a Prefect."

"You're a good Prefect," he complimented, he was always so sweet, "I don't see many people from your house who could do that well as Prefect."

"Hey," I shoved him playfully, "you are not allowed to diss my house."

"I am not dissing, just stating what I observed."

However, I noticed a movement in the corridor and held my hand up slightly in a gesture for him to listen.

He went silent too and the two of us cautiously approached the end from where we had heard the shuffling sound come from.

Initially, both of us thought it would be some student out after curfew, but we were met with a strange sight.

Professor Moody was standing there, his magic eye resting on his hand. He was hastily chugging a liquid from his flask and me and Cedric exchanged a glance, not knowing whether we should ask him what was wrong or just let him be.

It was dark so we couldn't see clearly but it seemed as if he was a bit... Different.

Not like how he usually appeared as.

Weird...

Before we could back off, he turned and we saw the empty socket where his eye was supposed to be, and trust me, it was a very disturbing sight. Both me and Ced visibly flinched.

"Oi, what are you two doing here?" His authoritative voice resonated through the corridor.

"Just completing our round, Sir," Cedric spoke up, "we thought a student was out after curfew."

"The only students I see out are you two," but then his eyes landed on the Prefect badges so he grunted, "go now, your round must have been done by now."

"Yes Sir," I replied and we left the corridor before Moody changed his mind and stopped us.

We reached the Gryffindor Tower where we were supposed to part ways and were a bit out of breath since we had literally run away from our intimidating and rather weird Professor.

However, as we stood at the start of the stairs to the tower, we broke into laughter.

That all had a very escapade sort of feel to it.

"I still find it funny how he didn't know we were Prefects," Cedric remarked, "and that eye of his is extremely creepy."

I had to admit, I was disgusted to see the eye whizzing around in his palm too, "hella weird. Though what still bugs me is why he was out after curfew."

"Must have dropped by the kitchens to get a quick drink," Ced shrugged, "anyways, I'll see you tomorrow morning. It's late already and we should go to our dorms."

"Sure, good night."

"Night."

I watched him go down the stairs and turned to face the Fat Lady who had woken up by then.

"Hungarian Horntail," I gave the password and she seemed half asleep as she didn't make any fuss about serenading me with a song or a lecture (both equally boring, in my opinion) and allowed me to step in.

Ced was right, it had gotten really late and I was too exhausted. 

So I went to my dorm and pushed open the door slightly, knowing that Katie and Angelina would be asleep. Then tiptoeing my way to the bed, I took my shoes off, changed into my nightdress, and climbed in between the soft covers.

Sleep overpowered me shortly after and I lapsed into the bizarre world of dreams.

***

I should have said the bizarre world of nightmares, not dreams.

My head was throbbing as I headed down to breakfast that morning, my eyes were slightly red as I hadn't been able to sleep as well as I had initially expected.

I didn't recall the nightmare which was a partial relief since deep down I knew it had been very disturbing. But given the history of my absurd dreams, a part of me was afraid that I couldn't recall it.

If it was a vision, I didn't want it to come true.

"Earth to Katerina," the twins snapped their fingers in front of me, "we've been talking to you!"

I looked up, grateful that they had shaken me out of my worrisome thoughts, "oh hey, sorry."

"What happened? Reminiscing about the upcoming NEWTs?" George asked.

"Heaven forbid," I mumbled, earning a laugh from Fred. But then my eyes flickered towards the High Table, realizing that Professor Moody was nowhere to be seen, "where's Professor Moody?"

"Like we'd know. We don't keep tabs on the teachers, Kat."

Liars.

I know they use the map to keep tabs on everyone.

"No seriously, we don't know," Fred added, "why are you asking?"

"I don't want to attend Defense today, that's why."

Both of them looked at me in surprise, "well, that's a first. Who would have thought you'd ditch a Defense class?"

I shook my head, trying to drive the throbbing away, "I just don't feel like attending any of the classes. I have a splitting headache."

Their eyes softened in sympathy and George spoke up, "well, you're in luck. Preparations are being made for the Final Task so almost all the teachers are busy. Probably that's why you didn't see Moody at the table."

"Oh..."

Thinking about the third and final task, a dreadful feeling settled at the pit of my stomach and I could no longer eat the remaining of my breakfast. I felt as if the dream I had had was connected to the third task.

My eyes flickered towards the Hufflepuff table, connecting with Cedric who gave me an acknowledging smile.

But the pain in my head worsened and a snippet from the nightmare flashed in front of my eyes.

Cedric being struck by a jet of green light and falling lifeless to the ground...

"No," I hadn't realized I had actually said that out loud but everything had started to spin.

"Kat, are you okay?"

Obviously not...

"Can you guys take me to Madam Pomf..." I couldn't even complete the sentence as the pain worsened and I felt darkness taking over.

It was the most horrible feeling, exactly like when I had dreamt about Azkaban. And by then I was quite sure the scar on my hand would be bleeding too.

I could hear my name being called out but the voices seemed to fade and come from a great distance. I felt being lifted up and carried out but the darkness was making me unable to see anything.

But then a terrifying face flashed in front of my eyes and I probably screamed.

The next thing I knew, I had fainted.

***