The Triwizard Tragedy

Something just wasn't right thought Lilyana as she lay in bed looking out the window into the slowly brightening sky. Her vivid green eyes flickered around the dark room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet she couldn't shake that feeling which had kept her tossing and turning all through the night.

In a huff of discomfort, she sat up and turned on the lamp next to the bed. Squinting through the light she slipped from her bed and padded barefoot across the hardwood floor. She opened the door quietly so she wouldn't wake her father sleeping across the hall. Lilyana made her way into the kitchen where she poured herself a glass of milk. Then she went to retrieve the day's edition of the Daily Prophet, which was lying at the base of the living room fireplace.

Settling herself into her father's favorite arm chair, she unfolded the Prophet. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the bold headline, Scenes of Terror at the Quidditch World Cup. Skimming the rest of the article, words such as 'Death Eaters', 'Dark Mark', and 'dead bodies' were enough to send her leaping from the chair, nearly upsetting the glass of milk on the way. Scurrying back into the kitchen, she tossed the Prophet onto the table, and then shot a glance at the clock that hung over the sink. It was quarter past six. Her father wouldn't be up for another hour or so. That gave her plenty of time. Her gaze shifted to the open window, the coast was clear. Quietly she opened the back door and slipped out. She crept noiselessly along the side of the garage and then sprinted into the wooded area at the back of the yard. She ran along the well trotted path until she came to a small clearing. A large white house with red shutters came into view. Quickening her pace she raced toward the house. Not bothering to knock, she let herself in.

Slightly out of breath Lilyana walked into a small but cozy kitchen. She wasn't surprised to find it already occupied. Sitting at the polished woodened table was a woman. She looked to be in her late forties and was wearing a fuzzy blue bathrobe, her sandy hair still in curlers. As Lilyana approached, she noticed a mug clutched between the woman's hands and grey eyes which held an unbroken gaze upon the front page of the Daily Prophet lying on the table.

Lilyana watched the woman carefully as she seated herself at the table. After a moment or two the woman reached out and rested a hand on Lilyana's wrist. An immediate sense of relief rushed through her body and she let out a soft sigh.

"Have you heard from them yet?" she asked quietly, her eyes searching every inch of the woman's face for an answer.

Shaking her head, the woman's gray eyes met Lilyana's. "No, not yet," she replied briefly, but seeing the look of fear spread over Lilyana's face she continued. "I just keep telling myself Amos is caught up in Ministry work and that they are both just fine." She spoke with a reassuring confidence but her face gave away her true concern. Giving a slight shake of her head as though to wake her from her daze, a soft smile appeared on the woman's tired face. "Would you like some tea dear?"

Nodding, the woman made to stand but Lilyana jumped from her seat. "Oh, no Mrs. Diggory please, let me get it," she offered hastily. She needed to do more than just sit around worrying. It wasn't long before she was bustling around the kitchen making tea.

Lilyana always felt at home with the Diggory's, since her family had known them for as long as she could remember. She considered them a second family in some ways. Her father, Gregory MacKendrick, worked with Mr. Diggory in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but had been friends at school before that. Unfortunately her mother, Rose, lost her life during the raid of a presumed Death Eater headquarters when Lilyana was only two years old. Ever since, Mrs. Diggory cared for Lilyana during the times her father had to work. The best thing to come from the arrangement was that the Diggorys' had a son that was the same age as Lilyana. She and Cedric were extremely close and remained that way even after being placed in separate houses at school.

When Lilyana rejoined Mrs. Diggory at the table, she had her own cup of hot tea which helped to calm her nerves. The two of them chatted for a while about various things, but mostly the upcoming school year. They were just beginning to talk about classes when, from the other room, came the distinct sound of the doorknob being jostled. The two ladies glanced at one another for a brief moment before hurrying into the front living room.

Once the door had swung open, two tall figures worked their way into the house. Lilyana hung back as Mrs. Diggory rushed forward pulling both her son and husband into her arms. As they moved further into the room it was apparent neither of them had gotten much sleep during the night, both looked exhausted. Mr. Diggory, by far, looked the worst of the two partly because he was covered from head to toe in dirt and soot, but also because he looked heavily troubled. His mind was still laboring on the events that had occurred only a few short hours ago.

Cedric looked in similar fashion to his father, but in fewer quantities. He looked disheveled and slightly on edge, although it didn't stop him from grinning when he realized who else was standing in his living room. He was grateful to see a friendly face after such a traumatic night.

Lilyana threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, thankful that nothing had happened to him. It was only when Mrs. Diggory suggested that they wash up and have breakfast that the two of them parted. Lilyana helped Cedric carry his belongings to his bedroom at the top of the stairs. She waited in his room while he washed up in the bathroom. While she was waiting something caught her eye. A photograph was sticking out from under one of the large books piled on the floor. Carefully she eased the photo out from under the weight of the book. It was an old photo of her and Cedric standing in front of the Hogwarts Express, waving and laughing. Lilyana smiled as the memory of that day flooded back into her conscious thoughts.

Peering over her shoulder, Cedric chuckled. "I remember dad wouldn't let us get on the train until he took that picture."

"He was so proud that you were going off to Hogwarts. Of course he had to document the occasion," Lilyana said with a soft smile, thinking of how he begged his dad not to take the photo, but in the end gave up and did it anyway. She glanced back at Cedric, who was rummaging through one of the sacks they had brought up.

"I have something for you," he said with a grin, as he pulled a scarlet and black scarf from the bag.

"Ooh, thanks Ced! What team is it from?" she asked curiously, not exactly knowledgeable about the sport of Quidditch, having never really taking a fancy to sport or even flying for that matter. She had a particularly memorable incident falling off a school broom in her first year and twisted her ankle pretty good. Since then she has never touched a broomstick.

"It's from Bulgaria," he replied with a shrug, unpacking a few more souvenirs from the match. "I just thought you'd like something, even though you hate Quidditch," he teased.

Lilyana chuckled. "I do love the scarf though," she said honestly, running her fingers over the soft material. In a sudden change of expression, she furrowed her eyebrows. "I'm just glad you are alright. I was worried when I read the Prophet this morning."

Cedric sat down next to her on the bed and nodded. "Yeah, last night was terrible. When the Death Eaters started their rampage, dad made me go into the forest to get out of the way. Loads of people were heading there for safety. The Ministry was trying to keep people from getting hurt. When the Dark Mark appeared, I could hear people screaming from every direction," he explained slowly. The images of the inflamed campsite still crystal clear in his mind. "After a while I went back to the tent. It had been trampled, but it wasn't the worst off. Some tents were smoldering from being on fire. The Death Eaters were gone, so I packed away our things and then helped some of the nearby families so they could go home. When dad got back he mentioned that they weren't sure who conjured the Dark Mark, but they had something of a lead," he said, shooting her that look of reassurance that made her smile softly.

"I'm sure the Ministry will catch them in no time," Lilyana added, trying to reassure him, as well as herself.

Cedric took her hand and stood. "Let's go down and get some breakfast. I bet mum has it all ready by now," he said as they walked down to the kitchen together.

Mrs. Diggory was sitting alone in the kitchen when they arrived. She explained that Mr. Diggory had gone into work to help with the crisis. Of course, no one could blame him. Things had to be pretty bad at the Ministry after the night at the Quidditch World Cup. Cedric and Lilyana took seats at the table. It was filled with all sorts of delicious looking pastries. They talked of the World Cup as they ate.

Lilyana's eyes flickered to the clock that hung above the archway leading to the living room, half past nine. She jumped up from the table.

"Blimey, I didn't realize the time. My dad doesn't know I am here. He's going to be furious with me," she said apprehensively. Leaning over to Cedric, she kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Thanks for the scarf Ced. See you on the Express. Thank you for breakfast Mrs. Diggory," she added, before hurrying out the door.