Familiaris

La Luna: Chapter 6

Nigel sat alone in the bleachers of the Quidditch pitch. Cedric still wasn´t talking to him. Nigel had been brooding over why and refused to give up until Cedric was his friend again. But, he still didn´t know why Cedric was mad and avoiding him at all costs. Nigel´s face was very pale and pained. He didn´t care that it was dinnertime and that his stomach was growling. He hadn´t realized how much Cedric had actually meant to him. There was this odd connection. He didn´t have it with any other boy he was friends with. Sally and Lilah were the only other friends that came close. Nigel brushed his fingers through his hair that was now longer. He had combed it across his forehead instead of split in the middle. Cedric was starting to wear his hair like that. They both looked like the lost members of the Beatles.

"Nigel?" whispered Lilah.

Nigel turned and saw her standing behind him, frowning.

"Why are you out here all alone?" she asked and sat next to him.

Nigel shrugged and didn´t answer. Lilah looked over at him, wanting to ask what was really on her mind. What was he doing to himself? She had started to notice his skin growing sallow and his face thinner. Her gut feeling convinced her it had something to do with Cedric.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," Nigel huffed.

"You sure?"

Nigel turned and smiled weakly with a nod. His cheekbones were becoming rather obvious and pointing out. He was starting to scare her.

"Why aren´t you at dinner?" she mumbled.

"Not hungry," he sighed.

"You are eating right?" she whispered.

"Yes," he chuckled.

"You´re not doing something to get thinner are you? Perks is losing it. She has been begging me to find out what is wrong with you."

"What?" he asked turning towards her.

"I mean well, I don´t know. She thinks you´re bulimic or starving yourself."

Nigel blinked his eyes wide. "Why?"

"You are getting really skinny," she replied.

Nigel didn´t know what she meant. It wasn´t like he spent much time staring at himself in the mirror, but he hadn´t noticed any difference.

"I am?" he asked. "I suppose it´s from playing Quidditch all the time."

"You swear?" she nagged.

"Yes," he replied.

Lilah sighed and looked out at the setting sun. She didn´t say anything else.

* * *

The door to the Slytherin Boys dorm flew open. Lilah ran in dressed in her nightgown. In her hand was a letter. She ran over to Blaise´s bed and jumped on it.

"Blaise!" she screamed.

He sat up with a jolt.

"What!" he gasped.

Draco and the other two boys stirred.

"Look!" Lilah screeched holding the letter towards the dazed and still sleepy Blaise. She had never seen him just awoken. His brown curls were standing up in knots. She thought he looked cuter that way for some reason. Blaise glared at her and snatched the letter from her hand.

"Lily, this had better be good," he muttered.

"Shut up!" Draco snapped while pulling the covers over his head.

"I´m sorry I woke you up," she sighed and added, "Blaise. I couldn´t wait till you woke up."

"Could you shut your face?" Draco shouted.

"Read!" Lilah giggled to Blaise paying no attention to Draco.

Blaise opened the letter and a bundle of tickets fell onto his lap. He lifted them up.

"The Nott-Black Tour?" he read.

"Yup," Lilah nodded, "Xenia gave me all those tickets for my friends and backstage passes. It is this July!"

A pillow flew across the room and hit Lilah´s back. She looked over and Draco was sitting up in his bed glaring at her. His hair was messy, falling about his face like a Weeping Willow. She grabbed the pillow and laid her head on it. "Thanks, Draco."

Draco was seething and jumped out of his bed to retrieve his pillow.

"You wanna go?" Lilah giggled to Blaise. "It is not just Max Nott and Xenia performing. Is all types of groups like The Weird Sisters, Vampire Boys, Wheat, and a billion others. She lists them in the letter."

Draco reached under her head and pulled the pillow violently towards him, causing her head to flop down. She glared up at him. Blaise looked through the letter reading the list of the bands and didn´t see the oncoming fight. Draco brought down the pillow on Lilah´s head. Blaise felt the bed shift as Lilah jumped and ran after Draco.

"I can actually meet Xenia?" Blaise asked, unconcerned that Lilah had Draco in a headlock as he squealed to be let go.

"Yes," Lilah grunted to Blaise as Draco pushed her back and hit her again with his pillow.

"Give me that!" she screamed and they tugged back and forth grunting. Lilah stumbled back with the pillow in hand and charged at Draco beating him repeatedly.

"Sounds fun," Blaise smirked and got up from his bed.

Crabbe and Goyle were sitting up watching, not sure if they should protect Draco from Lilah. She seemed rather scary. Blaise strutted over to Lilah as Draco fell down covering his head from the blows of the pillow. Blaise bent down avoiding the pillow and picked up Lilah, slinging her over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" she screeched. "Just you wait, Malfoy!"

Draco returned her screams by giving her the two-finger salute.

"You prat!" Lilah screamed at Draco and ran at him, but was pulled back by Blaise and fell on his bed.

Blaise pulled the pillow out of her hand without much force and chucked it at Draco. It hit him in the face causing Lilah to cackle madly. Blaise shook his head with a smirk and handed Lilah the letter.

"Here, we´ll talk about it later alright," he said.

Lilah pouted and agreed. She went to walk to the door and turned, but Blaise was behind her.

"Out," he muttered pointing to the door.

Lilah stomped her feet, "But-"

"Out!"

"Fine," she pouted and opened the door and turned back, "Can´t fight your own battles, Malfoy?"

Draco ran forward and she slammed the door before he could get to her.

* * *

Lilah rolled over on Nigel´s bed kissing him. He glided his hand down the curve of her body. She moved her hand to his stomach and began to pull up his shirt. Her hand slid up his stomach. Nigel suddenly jolted away from her pushing her hand back. If she took his shirt off she would see the new hand marks there and ask far too many questions. Lilah looked up at him blinking a few times.

"What´s wrong?" she asked.

"Er, I just remembered I have to finish my essay. You should probably go," he babbled.

Lilah´s mouth hung open a bit, looking insulted. She flipped her hair back and jumped off his bed.

"Fine," she snapped and left.

That night, Nigel went into his room. He began to change into his pajamas. He pulled on his trousers, which he noticed hung a bit looser than usual. He shook his head. Lilah and Sally´s paranoia was getting to him. He pulled the curtains around as he changed his shirt. He didn´t want anyone to notice his scars. He kept telling Moody about them, but he told Nigel not to worry. So, Nigel gave them no thought. But after what happened with Lilah that afternoon, he was beginning to find them a real nuisance.

After he was changed, he pulled back the curtains and took his clothes to put them away. As he walked forward he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror on their wall. Justin watched curiously as Nigel walked over to the mirror slowly and touched his face. He was pale and he did look thinner. The girls weren´t just over reacting. He stood closer and turned his face from side to side. He looked sick.

"Never seen what you look like?" Justin smirked.

Nigel faced him, "Er, was just looking at how tired I look. I should sleep earlier."

"You sleep the earliest out of all of us. You´re like an old man," Justin chuckled, "If you sleep any earlier you´ll go to bed at lunch time!"

Nigel tried to laugh and looked back slowly at his reflection.

* * *

April brought rain and then May brought more rain. Nigel, holding his schoolbag above his head, hurried over with his friends to Herbology, as the rain poured down on their heads. They made it to the greenhouses. The downpour had caused the surrounding grass and sod to become a large puddle of mud. Justin didn´t notice and slipped falling on his backside. Sally-Anne stopped running and dropped her bag laughing. Hannah rolled her eyes at Sally and gave her hand out to Justin. He observed her for a second then took her hand. Hannah was relieved he did so. It meant he didn´t hate her completely. Though she believed he had the right to.

The Hufflepuffs arrived in the greenhouse. Justin´s trousers were covered in mud. Most of the Gryffindors were already inside. Sally snickered as she noticed Ron had a similar mud stain on the side of his trousers. Professor Sprout came out to start class and out of sheer pity cast a charm over the class so that everyone´s clothes instantly dried. No one was more grateful than Justin. After that she allowed the students to pick partners. Nigel was a little amazed when Harry hurried to his side and sat down. They were to be planting simple herbs and plants like Belladonna and Lavender. They were to be used in Snape´s sixth year class, who were studying the side effects of sedative plants in potions.

"Hi," Harry whispered.

"Hullo," Nigel replied, reaching for his spade.

"Do you mind?" Harry asked.

Nigel shook his head and began to separate the seeds.

"Er, Nigel," Harry began digging out the soil from the pots, "Is er, something going on with you?"

Nigel stopped counting and faced him. "Pardon?"

Harry took a deep breath and said in a hushed voice, "People are talking about you and Cedric. And the other day I heard him . . . er . . .say something rather mean about you. I mean . . . I didn´t know he could say mean things."

"What did he say?"

"That´s not the point. The thing is, I thought you two were mates and now I don´t know. It´s really Hermione who wants to know. Mostly because you have gotten to look-no offense-a little sick. She worried that it had something to do with Cedric."

Nigel thought for a moment and stuck his spade in the soil as if stabbing someone.

"What did he say?" Nigel muttered between his teeth.

Harry frowned and shook his head. "Is not important."

"Tell me," Nigel begged.

Harry sighed, wishing he wasn´t telling Nigel this. "He called you an illegitimate bastard."

Nigel stopped moving. Inside were the small beginnings of a fire.

"What is his problem?" Nigel growled. "Why does he hate me? Because I was adopted? Well sod him!"

Some of the students near by looked over. Nigel looked down and began to dig out the soil tossing it everywhere.

"A-and further more," Nigel stammered, his anger restricting his words, "He should learn how to insult someone. Because illegitimate bastard is a bit redundant!"

Harry stood eyes wide. Nigel kept scooping up the earth frantically then stopped, his head hung low and frowned.

"I just don´t get it. Why does he hate me?" Nigel huffed.

After class the Hufflepuffs attended lunch with the storm still entombing the school with sheets of rain. Nigel wasn´t very hungry and left early to the common room. He entered and sitting on the sofa was Cedric and Kalinda. Nigel pretended not to see them and kept walking. He wished Cedric would insult him now. He would at least be acknowledging his presence. But Cedric continued whispering to Kalinda. Nigel went up a few stairs and stopped as he heard Cedric raise his voice a little.

"Is he gone?" Cedric asked.

Kalinda looked over towards the stairs and Nigel came stomping back down.

"No I´m still here," he pouted. "And I don´t think I am going anywhere . . . so . . .so get used to it!"

Cedric raised an eyebrow and looked ready to laugh. This infuriated Nigel even more.

"L-Look Diggory, you have a lot of nerve hating me because I am adopted," Nigel snapped. "I am not ashamed, but maybe I could enlighten you on something, I may be illegitimate, but at least my father doesn´t make me cry!"

Cedric jumped up from where he sat.

"What did you say?" Cedric hissed.

Kalinda looked from the taller and burlier Cedric to the weaker and just slightly shorter Nigel.

"Y-You heard me," Nigel stammered.

"You have no idea what hell I have gone through because of you!" Cedric yelled. "You don´t know what it´s like to be me. So don´t pretend that you do!"

Kalinda stood up getting in front of Cedric. "Cedric, calm down please."

Cedric was breathing fast through his nostrils, but nodded to Kalinda. Nigel stood tall, though inside he was having a heart attack for raising his voice to someone so strong. Cedric turned and hurried out of the common room. Kalinda observed Nigel with a scowl.

"You two," she sighed and followed Cedric.

* * *

After Nigel and Cedric´s little fight in the common room, both boys took every opportunity to avoid each other. Even at breakfast Cedric got up early just so he didn´t have to be sitting at the same table as Nigel. Nigel had even started talking loudly whenever Cedric was around, about how Harry was going to win the Triwizard tournament. Cho was happy that Nigel wasn´t around anymore. Not that she hated the boy, she just had been feeling neglected. But now, a shadow had dropped over Cedric since the rift between the boys and she couldn´t figure out why. No one knew how to make them make up, for no one knew what was the problem. Except for Kalinda.

She walked quickly to the Hufflepuff common room. It was the night before the third task. She had had enough of those two and was going to put things right. Or at least that is what she hoped would happen. She walked in and found Cedric talking with Mortichai. She knew Nigel would be in his room. She waved to the boys and headed up the stairs to find the fourth year boys. She knocked on the door.

"Excuse me?" she said. "Hullo?"

Justin answered the door, "Yes?"

"Is Nigel here?" she asked.

Justin nodded and let her in. Nigel sat, paler then ever, playing cards with Lilah and Ernie.

"Nigel," Kalinda sighed, "You have to help me."

"With what?" he asked.

"It´s Cedric," she sighed.

Nigel pouted and crossed his arms. "What about him?"

"He´s really stressed out over this third task and he won´t talk to me about it. He hasn´t been eating or sleeping for two days."

"So?" Nigel huffed.

"I was hoping you could maybe talk some sense into him. He´ll listen to you," she sighed.

"Me? He hates me," Nigel scoffed.

"He´s trying to hate you," Kalinda sighed. "He really needs you."

Nigel rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

"Please at least try to talk to him," Kalinda begged.

Nigel groaned and nodded. "Fine."

"Thank you," she said relieved and left the room.

Nigel returned to his game with his friends. He would say something tomorrow to Cedric. He didn´t feel like doing it that night.

* * *

The maze was laid out on the Quidditch field. It was the morning of the third task. Cedric sat on the bleachers by himself thinking. He had this feeling that he wasn´t going to win. He didn´t know why, but he had this cloud over him. It had been there for a while. He sighed and headed back down the bleachers. The third task was going to start in a half hour. The entire student body would be out there to watch him lose. He made to the bottom of the stairs lost in thought. He turned back towards the castle and crashed into someone who was coming towards the stairs. Nigel stumbled back and fell on his back. Cedric began to apologize until he realized it was Nigel.

"What are you doing here?" Cedric muttered.

Nigel scowled and stood himself up.

"Was looking for you," Nigel spat.

"Why?"

"Because," Nigel huffed, "Kalinda said she was worried about you and that you wouldn´t talk to her and maybe you´d talk to me,"

"She said what?" Cedric gasped.

"I just told you!"

Cedric shook his head laughing bitterly.

"She is a piece of work. She lied to you. She was probably just trying to get us to talk. Well congrats!" Cedric huffed. "We´ve talked and now I´m leaving."

Cedric walked passed Nigel.

"Why would she want us to talk?" Nigel called after him.

"She thinks I am over reacting!" Cedric yelled looking back at Nigel. "She doesn´t understand. I can´t . . ."

Cedric looked down and frowned.

"I can´t help but hate you," Cedric sighed. "I don´t know what else to do. You don´t know what it´s like to watch your mother suffer everyday for something she did when she was 22."

Nigel titled his to the side like a confused puppy.

"What are you talking about?" Nigel asked in a tone that he had used before when talking with Cedric till the wee hours of the morning.

"Look, I found this letter in Dumbledore´s office. All the prefects were in there to discuss the Yule Ball. It was on his desk and I saw my name in it and started to read it when no one was looking. I couldn´t finish it and so I-I stole it."

Nigel almost snickered but didn´t want to upset Cedric, not now that he was talking in a humane tone of voice.

"It had this random cryptic nonsense in it. Saying `the pains are starting again. It started on the 28^th. His birthday. I can´t stop the visions. I don´t know what to do.´ Etc, etc."

"And?" Nigel urged him on.

"It mentioned that `Nigel was in danger or maybe it´s Cedric. I am not sure´. So, it just struck me as odd."

"Who wrote the letter?" Nigel asked.

"Saffron. Does that name mean anything to you?"

Nigel shook his head.

"Her maiden name was Demetrius," Cedric said gravely. He took a deep breath and continued. "She´s your mother."

Nigel held his breath. He stood frozen.

"My mother?" he finally squeaked out.

"She´s also," Cedric sighed, "my mother."

Nigel walked up to Cedric.

"You´re mad!" Nigel exclaimed.

"No I´m not!" Cedric shouted. "We have the same mother!"

"You mean we´re . . . that we´re brothers?"

Cedric nodded sternly but Nigel was smiling.

"Really?" Nigel chirped.

"Er, yeah," Cedric smirked amused by the younger boy´s happiness.

Nigel looked ready to jump up and down, when his smile fell.

"Then why did you turn on me?" Nigel asked.

"My mum isn´t the happiest of people and not until recently did I know why. She could never forgive herself for putting a baby up for adoption. It is something my father never talks about. He pretends it never happened. But it did. When I found out you were that lost baby, all I could do was hate you for torturing my mum."

"I didn´t mean to," Nigel said softly.

Cedric stepped closely to Nigel. Nigel had an odd feeling Cedric was going to hit him. Instead, he put his arm around Nigel and hesitantly pulled him into a hug just as Cho walked by. She stood in shock gaping at them but they couldn´t see her.

"Look I´m sorry," sighed Cedric. "I don´t know what came over me. Do you forgive me?"

Nigel stood back and said softly, "You had every right to be upset."

Cedric nodded and walk back and forth pushing his fingers through his hair.

"It´s weird you know," Cedric sighed. "I always felt we had some sort of connection. Like something deeper then just friends."

"Me too," Nigel said back with a smile.

Cho felt her stomach jump and almost fell against the wall.

"Well I need to go soon," mumbled Cedric. "But I want you to meet my mum."

"Are you sure?"

Cedric nodded.

"She won´t feel weird?" Nigel asked.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," sighed Cedric.

Nigel nodded.

"I´ll see you after?"

"Sure," Nigel chirped.

Cedric began to go as Nigel called out, "Are you gonna tell Cho?"

Cedric turned back thoughtfully, "I really don´t think we should tell anyone. Not just yet."

"You´re right. People won´t understand. I mean you and me? It would be hard to explain," Nigel sighed.

"Right. Well see you!"

Nigel said goodbye and headed for the bleachers when a rather flustered Cho Chang stopped him.

"I don´t mean to be mean or prejudiced or whatever," she snapped, "but please tell me what the hell is going on with you two!"

"I can´t," mumbled Nigel.

"I think as his girlfriend I have a right to know!"

"I don´t want to cause a huge scandal and embarrass him,"

"Well using me like some pawn isn´t very nice!" Cho snapped, tears in her eyes. "I actually believed he loved me."

"Wait . . . what?"

"Well, I guess you won," she muttered sorrowfully. "I can´t believe this."

"Won what?" Nigel asked.

"Cedric," she snapped.

"I have no idea what you´re talking about," mumbled Nigel.

"Stop lying! Please just admit it. I will be fine. But you two better just deal with this. I mean admitting it is the first step."

"Of what?"

"Well, you guys are gay," she said softly.

Nigel´s eyes grew wide and stumbled back laughing extremely hard.

"What is so funny!" Cho snapped.

"We´re not gay, I promise you," Nigel chuckled.

"It´s okay. I mean I see how you two are together. I mean I just saw you both hugging each other."

"Cho, I swear it wasn´t what you thought," Nigel continued far too amused.

"I know what I saw!"

"Look," Nigel sighed, "We´re not gay."

Cho shook her head, "Fine be in denial. You think I am done? Guess again. Just wait till Mr. Diggory gets back! You two have a few lessons to learn."

Cho began to storm off and Nigel ran after her.

"Look I don´t want you getting the wrong idea! I´ll tell you! Okay?"

Cho stopped in a huff.

"Look Cedric is my," Nigel gulped and continued, "my brother."

Cho turned towards Nigel with big eyes then stepped back.

"Oh. That would make more sense," she mused. "Explain."

"It´s a long story," Nigel muttered. "I´ll tell you on the way to our seats."

Nigel then explained to Cho everything that Cedric had said. She looked more confused then anything as they reached the bleachers. He gathered she would just have to ask Cedric himself when he was done with the third task.

"I can´t believe you thought we were gay," Nigel said under his breath as he sat behind his Hufflepuff friends.

"Who´s gay?" Sally-Anne asked looking up.

"Er . . . Malfoy," Nigel replied meeting Cho´s eyes.

"I knew it!" Sally-Anne shouted. "His anger couldn´t just be pure unadulterated hatred towards Harry. It is an obvious reaction to suppressed homosexual tendencies. I saw it on Oprah."

Nigel patted her head smirking, "You muppet."

Hannah looked up behind her and smiled at Nigel. All the Hufflepuffs were full of excitement. They wanted Cedric to win so badly. A few minutes later the champions appeared on the field. The Hufflepuffs and Cho jumped up screaming the loudest for Cedric. The atmosphere was more energetic, in Nigel´s opinion, than to that of the one at the Quidditch World Cup. Everyone sat back down and held their breath as the champions ran into the maze. Nigel tried to keep his eye on Cedric, but some parts of the maze were covered in mist and he soon lost him. He was leaning forward with everyone trying to figure out where each champion was. Nigel caught a glimpse of Harry before he disappeared into the mist.

Sally was jumping up and down on the bleachers she sat on. "Finish already!"

Nigel leaned forward and rested his chin on top of her head.

"Nigey, you still hate Cedric?" Sally asked.

Nigel sat up and shook his head. "No."

"Good," she replied. "Uh, what happened exactly with you two?"

"I´ll tell you later," he sighed.

Sally nodded and looked back out towards the field.

"Is that a giant Spider?" Hannah gasped.

Nigel and his friends leaned forward as they observed a large spider-like figure at the end of the maze.

"What are they supposed to do?" Sally squeaked. "Get out a really huge can of bug spray?"

No one, out of Nigel´s friends, had any idea of how to get past it.

"It´s Cedric!" Justin shouted.

All the students nearby looked over to where he was pointing and Cedric was fighting against the spider. There was another figure nearby.

"Is that Harry?" Cho mumbled.

"They´re both in there?" Nigel gasped.

"Come on, Ced!" Sally hollered. "Trip Harry or something and get the trophy!"

Suddenly the spider picked up Harry and both boys cast simultaneous spells. It dropped Harry and soon the spider crumbled to the ground. Cedric was left standing. But, he walked towards Harry instead of the trophy.

"What is he doing?" Ernie gasped. "Leave him!"

Harry stood himself up and both boys were facing each other. Then to everyone´s surprise both went towards the trophy.

"What´s wrong?" Cho whispered.

Harry and Cedric both reached out at the same time to take the trophy and just as people were realizing that they were trying to win together, they disappeared. No one was sure if it was part of the task or not. Nigel looked over at Cho who just shrugged.

"It has to be part of the task," Sally commented.

But when the teachers rushed out into the field, Nigel felt in his gut that it wasn´t.

"Something´s happened," Nigel breathed.

Cho began to fidget in her seat.

* * *

A few bleachers down were the Slytherins.

"Where the hell did they go?" Blaise remarked to Lilah.

She shook her head. They sat quietly watching, not really feeling alarmed. Draco had stood up and was looking down.

"You´re going to fall, Malfoy," Lilah slurred leaning her head onto Blaise´s shoulder.

"Something has gone wrong," he smirked pointing down. "Look at everyone rushing over to the spot they disappeared from."

Lilah and Blaise sat up and looked down.

Draco shook his head chuckling and sat down, "Bye-bye Potter."

Lilah looked over disgusted at Draco. He met her eyes with an amused scowl. He was about to remark when Lilah suddenly grabbed her shoulder squealing in pain.

"What´s wrong?" Blaise asked.

"I think something bit me," she muttered rubbing her shoulder through her robe.

Blaise shrugged and looked back at the field. Draco kept his eye on Lilah as she contorted in amusing positions to scratch and rub her shoulder. She pulled down her robe, looking behind her trying to get a better reach. First Draco noticed her bra strap then almost fell back from his seat. On her shoulder blade was the Dark Mark.

"L-Lilah," he stammered hoarsely.

"What?" she snapped.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "You have . . . er . . . the Dark Mark on your shoulder."

"What!" she shrieked.

Blaise looked over watching them.

"Don´t joke like that!" she growled.

"I´m not!" Draco spat.

Draco looked down at the field and then at Lilah.

"Oh, God," he said under his breath. "He´s back."

"Lilah, we have to go to your uncle, now!" Draco snapped pulling her up.

"Why?" she fussed.

Draco met her eyes, hissing for only her to hear, "Voldemort is back."

Lilah felt her insides grow cold. Blaise looked up at them.

"What is your problem, Malfoy?" he smirked.

"Come on, Lilah," Draco urged her, moving past the other students.

Lilah observed him as he held out his hand to her. This was some sort of trap or trick or something.

"Prove it!" she shouted.

"You still have to follow me to do that!" he shouted back.

She stomped her foot and followed him.

"Where are you going?" Blaise called after her.

"Don´t worry. I´ll be right back," she replied and descended the stairs after Draco.

* * *

Harry reappeared onto the Hogwarts grounds. Everyone in the stands began shouting and pointing. Nigel jumped up as many people were standing blocking his view. Harry was holding onto the trophy and a body. Nigel felt his insides go cold. It was Cedric.

People were murmuring and leaning to see. Nigel began to push through them. He ignored their yells of annoyance. He jumped up on the bleachers they were supposed to be sitting on and ran. He made it to the stairs as people were beginning to move down. He pushed and squeezed through the crowd wanting to get down. He was begging them to move but he wasn´t big or strong enough to cause any faster movement of the crowd. His heart jumped as he heard sudden screams. He looked around as everyone else began to panic. He couldn´t hear anything understandable; just yells and screaming from the field. He began to panic as the crowd began to run. He almost fell down the stairs as everyone was pushing in hysterics. He finally made it to the field and ran as fast he could towards a large group that was gathering in the center. He saw Moody taking Harry somewhere. His feet kept running, though he was running quickly out of breath.

"He´s dead," sobbed a woman.

Nigel stumbled forward and fell. He was a few inches from the crowd and he didn´t want to move. His face was lying on the grass and he breathed in the earth slowly. They couldn´t mean Cedric. He pulled himself up and tried to squeeze through the crowd again. This one was a bit more obliging and he finally made it to the center. Lying still on the ground was Cedric´s body. Dumbledore was looking around for something or someone. Two adults, Nigel assumed the Diggorys, were bent over Cedric. He couldn´t see their faces. Nigel was shaking his head. No. Not his brother. It couldn´t be happening. Not now. He ran forward and someone grabbed him. He looked up and Snape was holding him back.

"Stay put!" he snapped.

Nigel didn´t care if it had been Dumbledore himself, he began to squirm and fight against Snape´s hold.

"Let go!" Nigel yelled.

"Stop it!" Snape shouted jerking the boy.

"Let me see him!" Nigel screamed his eyes watering.

"It´s not your place!" hollered Snape dragging Nigel back.

Saffron heard the squabbling and looked behind her. Her eyes were full of tears and her vision blurry. She knew she couldn´t be seeing what she thought. Snape was struggling with Cedric? She blinked and the boy screaming wasn´t Cedric. This one was younger.

"Snape please!" Nigel begged. "He´s my brother!"

Snape stopped moving.

"He´s my brother!" Nigel shrieked desperately.

Amos turned his head quickly, watching Nigel. Saffron gasped and stood up.

"Let him go," she whispered, but only Amos heard. "L-Let him go!" she repeated so that Snape could hear.

Snape met Mrs. Diggory´s eyes and dropped Nigel to the ground. Nigel scrambled over to Cedric´s body. He fell down on his knees next to his big brother. Cedric lay still as if sleeping. Nigel reached out to touch him when Amos pushed his hand away.

"Who do you think you are?" he yelled.

Nigel didn´t say anything, his face covered in tears. Saffron walked up slowly towards Nigel, afraid he might scurry away like a frightened animal. Her hand was covering her mouth as tears trickled down her face.

"Please?" Nigel begged Amos.

Amos shook his head violently.

"You´re not my son," he snapped and grabbed onto Cedric´s limp hand.

Saffron watched Amos wanting very much to smack him. But she couldn´t. She never could stand up to him. Nigel looked over to Saffron for some support. She wanted to give it to him more then anything. Instead she looked away and stared back at Cedric´s face. Nigel watched both of them for a few moments, but they didn´t look back up at him. Nigel´s watery eyes looked down at Cedric again as McGonagall conjured a stretcher to carry him away. She lifted up his body in the air. Nigel stood up as McGonagall asked the Diggorys to follow and began to walk off. They didn´t look back at Nigel and left him there. He didn´t see Saffron biting on her knuckle to keep from calling him. The crowd followed and soon Nigel stood alone.

He watched them head back to the school. His brother and mother gone just like that. Nigel had never felt such emotions like this. He had learned to not feel when he was little. How to be closed off, never getting attached, for they would probably leave him. His parents had. He still feared that most of all. Nothing lasted forever and sooner or later people got tired of him and would leave. And now Cedric had. He smacked his face trying to stop crying. He didn´t cry. He couldn´t. It was too painful.

"Stop it," he muttered to himself.

He heard footsteps behind him. He didn´t want Sally seeing him like that and quickly wiped his face and turned around. But, instead it was Ginny standing there.

"Nigel?" she whispered.

Why was Ginny there? He felt his eyes fill with tears. He wanted Sally. He wanted Lilah. Why Ginny? What did she know about loss?

"Leave me alone, please," he sighed.

"But Nigel," she urged.

"Please," he begged.

Ginny didn´t say anything and frowned.

"Excuse me," he mumbled and walked towards the school.

"Nigel!" Ginny called.

Nigel snapped back around and faced her, "Ginny! I have just had a pretty shitty day! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Ginny was jolted back. Nigel eyes suddenly went cold and dark. She had never heard him speak that way before. Nigel felt his insides turn. The old him was creeping back. Cold distant and angry. The younger Nigel. The orphan. No one ever met him at Hogwarts, except for Ginny at that moment.

"What´s happening to you?" she whispered as he turned and stomped off.

She looked down at her feet and rubbed her arm. She did this when nervous. She felt the coarse skin on it and pulled back her sleeve. The mark was still there. It would be gone after a few more sessions with Pomfrey. The ones on her back and chest were gone. But the first one she ever noticed was still there. The mark of Tom Riddles´ hand.

She suddenly looked up at Nigel´s form as it was growing smaller and smaller in the distance. The mark she saw on his arm those months back. It looked like a hand. But she ignored it. Tom was gone. She knew it wasn´t possible. It couldn´t be. But Nigel was growing weaker, and skinnier and paler. Ginny felt her heart beating quickly and ran as fast as she could after Nigel.

* * *

Draco hurried into his room pulling in Lilah.

"So?" she screeched.

"Look!" Draco shouted turning her towards a large mirror on the wall and grabbing Blaise´s mirror he used to style his hair with.

Draco held up the mirror and faced Lilah´s back to the larger one on the wall. She pulled down her shirt to see her shoulder.

"What did you do to me!" she screeched.

"Nothing!" he snapped back.

Lilah looked back in horror at a skull with a snake in its mouth, which somehow had appeared on her shoulder.

"You put this there didn´t you?" she snapped.

"No I didn´t!"

"Then why are you the only one who noticed it?" she growled pushing him.

"Look Lily, I don´t know how the hell to put a permanent Dark Mark on you and besides it is supposed to be on your forearm!"

Lilah rubbed her shoulder still feeling the burning sensation in her flesh. Draco was still holding the mirror to his chest. His eyes wide and frightened. She focused in and a rush of panic and confusion filled her. He wasn´t lying. He was just as scared as her.

"What does it mean?" she whimpered suddenly struck with fear.

"I don´t know?" Draco spat.

"Your family are all bloody Death Eaters! You should know!" she screamed.

"Well apparently so was yours!" shrieked Draco.

Lilah´s lower lip quivered. Her mother was one. And she knew from some hints dropped by Grandmamma that Uncle Severus was, but only as an undercover one she recalled.

"I can´t take this," she sniffed.

Her insides were tightening painfully and her hands began to shake. Then her stomach and soon her whole body.

"Lily?" Draco whispered.

"I-I can´t take anymore!" she sobbed, the anxiety and fear consumed her. "I-I . . ."

Lilah looked like it was too painful to speak. Her whole body was shaking and tears kept running down her face.

"I´m so scared," she whispered her eyes closed.

She felt her body getting sucked into a black hole of fear and darkness. What was going to happen now? She didn´t hear the mirror fall from Draco´s hands and break. She didn´t hear him mumbling reassuring words. But, she felt his arms wrap around her tightly. She sobbed into his shoulder not caring how they were supposed to act towards each other.

Draco was breathing rapidly, more afraid then he was letting on. Sure, Mudbloods were terrible burdens to deal with. Yes, his family was devoted to the Dark Lord. But when it came down to it, Draco was a frightened little boy. He was all talk. He did hate Potter. But, right now he hated Voldemort. Why did it have to involve her? Lilah looked up at Draco still sobbing.

"You´re gonna be okay?" he whispered. "Please stop crying."

He met her glassy eyes. They stood watching each other, as if waiting for their next instructions. Draco heard a noise outside the room. Students were coming up the stairs. He pushed Lilah away. The noise was growing louder and he realized someone´s footsteps were running towards them. Lilah realized it too and stepped away from him. The door swung open and Blaise stood there panting.

"Why the hell did you two run off?" he yelled.

"Long story," Lilah mumbled looking away.

"You scared the shit out of me!" Blaise yelled at her.

Lilah looked up as he approached her.

"All hell has broken loose out there. Diggory is dead!"

Draco looked over in shock and Lilah gasped.

"Everyone is screaming `You-Know-Who is coming´ and I couldn´t find you!" Blaise shouted, he looked truly worried.

Lilah felt the guilt swelling. She was hugging a person she hated to make her feel safe while Blaise was worrying over her. Lilah began to tear again and embraced Blaise.

"I´m sorry," she whimpered.

Blaise sighed and put his arms around her. Draco glared at them.

"Lily?" Draco whispered in a small voice.

"What happened to Cedric?" she asked Blaise.

"Well, I don´t know. Harry just reappeared with Cedric´s body."

"Lilah?" Draco repeated.

"What do you want?" she spat.

Draco stared at her breathing hard through his nose. He laughed cynically to himself and turned to leave. He didn´t say anything else and slammed the door behind him.

"What´s his problem?" Blaise asked looking at her.

"I have no idea," she sighed.

Blaise nodded and stroked her hair. He sighed and noticed something on the floor.

"What happened to my mirror!" he gasped.

* * *

Nigel entered the hall, wiping his face, and suddenly keeled forward gasping for breath. Ginny stumbled to a halt behind him far enough not to be seen. He coughed loudly and looked all around causing Ginny to hide behind a statue. He looked down at something on his chest and quickened his steps. Ginny ran after him. He came across a bathroom. It was a girl´s one, but no one used it. He ran in.

An instinctual spasm of alarm soared through her. That bathroom always and forever would strike fear in her. But, she had to find out if she was right. She took a deep breath and walked slowly towards it and opened the door. Standing in front of a mirror, was Nigel without his shirt on, staring at something on his chest. Ginny squinted to see what was there, but the light that was shining out reflected on the mirror hurting her eyes. She inched a little forward pushing the door. Nigel stepped back hearing the door squeak and faced her. Ginny stood frozen and gasped out when she saw how frail Nigel looked without his shirt on. She could see his ribs clearly. A crystal around his neck was shining bright and he had hand marks all over his chest as if he had been branded with them.

"What are you doing in here?" he shouted.

"I was just wondering the same thing," she squeaked.

Nigel grabbed his shirt and pulled it back on noticing that Ginny couldn´t stop gawking at his scars.

"What´s happening to you?" she asked.

"Nothing," he hissed. "Go away."

"But Nigel, those hand prints where did they come from?"

Ginny saw something of a fog flutter in the mirror behind him.

"Ginny, I am fine. Alright?" he huffed.

Ginny shook a bit as from the mirror a ghostly hand reached out towards Nigel and began to wrap around his chest. He didn´t seem to notice.

"What´s that!" she hollered running towards him, "Nigel get away from the mirror."

"I´m fine," he whispered in a dazed tone as she reached for him.

"Get away!" she screamed tugging as the specter hand held Nigel tightly.

"Nigel!" Ginny screamed as another arm came from the mirror and grabbed onto him.

Ginny kept one hand on Nigel and the other she reached for her wand.

"Expelliarmus!" she screamed at the mirror and a beautiful girl flew out of it and let go of Nigel.

Nigel stumbled forward and without hesitation Ginny ran off dragging him behind her.

"What was that?" she asked him.

"I don´t know," he mumbled.

"Yes you do!" she screamed. "Why are you letting her touch you?

She stopped running as Nigel was barely moving. He didn´t have the strength.

"Look where is it? The diary?" she begged him.

"What diary?"

"The one that girl came from. I know what those handprints are. I had those before. Whoever she is isn´t your friend. Where is the diary?"

"I don´t have a diary," Nigel wheezed sliding down to the ground.

"Nigel, look at me," Ginny begged holding his face. "You have to stay awake."

He looked up at her. He looked ready to break from a strong wind. Ginny´s eyes trailed down and saw the crystal.

"It was glowing before. It´s this isn´t it!" she called.

She reached around his neck and began to take the necklace off when someone reached from behind her and threw her to the ground. She looked up and standing above her was a girl who resembled Lilah. But, it couldn´t be. This girl´s eyes were a menacing blue.

"Viviane!" Nigel shouted. "What are you doing?"

"She was trying to hurt you my lord and steal the crystal."

"She was?" Nigel asked in a daze.

"No, Nigel! Don´t listen to her!" screamed Ginny. "She´s taking your energy like a succubus!"

Nigel blinked as Viviane advanced towards him laughing.

"Please, don´t insult me child," she sneered at Ginny, "I am no pathetic succubus. Am I my lord?"

Nigel cowered against the wall.

"What are you, Viviane?" he whimpered sounding like himself again.

"Oh you poor thing," she sighed reaching for his face.

Ginny ran over and smacked Viviane´s hand away. Viviane whirled onto Ginny and smacked her, throwing her up against a wall. Ginny crumbled down in pain dropping her wand. Viviane floated quickly to where Ginny lay whimpering and crumbled her wand with one hand.

"Viviane!" Nigel screamed though with effort. "Stop this! She isn´t stealing it!"

Viviane let the broken pieces of Ginny´s wand hit the floor and walked back to Nigel.

"You Hufflepuffs are really the stupidest of the houses. I thought maybe you would figure it out, eventually. I mean the fact that I look like your little Lily wasn´t a good enough clue? Hell! Barty basically told you!"

Nigel reached for his wand and pointed a shaking hand at Viviane.

"Oh my little Nigel. You´re too weak to use magic. I mean with me, and that tragedy outside. I am very sorry about your brother."

"Who are you?" he growled.

"I think the question is . . . who are you? Barty knew for years," she smirked. "He just brought me along for the ride. His little school crush Saffron told him about the affair and the baby. Feeling so trapped in her arranged marriage and a fling with some mudblood. The recurring dreams. All of it. Barty told Voldemort and do you know something, that night when Harry´s parents were killed, do you know who was next on the list? You."

Nigel dropped his wand shaking.

"The little heirs killed in their cradles. But thanks to Harry you were spared," Viviane growled. "And now here we are and again bloody Potter escapes. But you won´t."

"What are talking about!" Nigel shrieked, "I thought I was helping Viviane Hufflepuff!"

"Viviane was an idiot. She did whatever she was told. Hanged herself when Salazar wouldn´t forget about Helga. Pathetic. But I pretended to be her. It was the only way to gain your trust. I was going to seduce you and get my little friend Lilah to seduce Harry for me. But no! You had to be a bloody Hufflepuff and be smitten with the bitch. I tried to make her think she was in love with Harry. At times she obeyed and then suddenly for no reason I couldn´t have any access to her. As if something was purposely blocking any spirits from interacting with her."

Nigel suddenly thought of Lilah´s talisman but said nothing.

"I gave up on that girl because Voldemort has plans for her and Potter, and left you to me."

Ginny was sitting shaking against the wall.

"You copied Tom, didn´t you?" Ginny yelled. "You´ve been possessing Nigel!"

"I think Tom copied me! And I didn´t possess him. I never made him do things against his will. He did it all voluntarily. I just sucked his life away by touching him."

Nigel looked ready to throw up.

"You are a succubus!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Did I sleep with the boy? No! He´s too young for me to have pleasure out of absorbing his life that way."

Nigel looked around at the girl. He couldn´t figure it out. Who she was or even what she was. He reached down and yanked the crystal off and threw it across the room.

"Oh, no sense in doing that now Nigel. You have given me so much strength, one blast and you will be dead."

Nigel rested his head on the wall and saw Ginny lying on the ground staring at him fearfully.

* * *

The Hufflepuff students were brought into their common room. The atmosphere was morose. Hannah was sobbing into Justin´s chest as Susan stroked her hair. Sally-Anne was on the couch, crying curled up in a ball next to Ernie who sat quietly frowning. The rest of the Hufflepuffs were sitting quietly or crying. Kalinda was hysterical and crumbled to the floor and had to be carried to her room by Mortichai. No one said a word.

It was moments like this that Hannah just wanted a hug from Nigel. He always gave the best hugs. She then realized he wasn´t even in the room. Hannah slowly looked up, her eyes swollen and red.

"Where´s Nigel?" she sniffed.

Everyone looked around. No one had noticed that he was missing.

"I don´t like him missing," Hannah said slowly, feeling a wariness deep inside.

"I´m sure he´s fine," Susan said. "He´s probably with Lilah."

"No, something´s wrong," Hannah said, shaking her head.

She could feel it in her gut. Nigel was in trouble.

~Author´s updates on upcoming chapters and art for this and other fanfics of mine, check out my Yahoo Group listed in my profile.~