"If you want a happy ending, it just depends on where you close the book!" - Orson Welles 

Important Info: So many of you lovelies have been wondering if there will be a sequel to Elle's adventures and I am here to tell you! The Answer Is: Of Course, Idiot~ (jk, love you all) But, Seriously, of course, the romance has only just begun! This story is my 'fun' one while my DoA series is quite filled with action and a lot of puzzle pieces to jam together >:( so I won't be giving it up soon!

~Chapter 40: Jenna's Tears and Lana's Fears

A/N: I'm sorry.

     Mrs. Weasley's attitude towards me had changed like a switch being flipped and she remained by my side the rest of the day, gushing about how I was just 'charming' and how Fred may be 'temperamental' but he really was a good boy. And, how she just knew we were going to end up together when she saw him carrying me into their home the night I came to their house (which made me blush like mad, I hadn't remembered that happening).

Harry was pacing the Common Room while everyone was enjoying the moments of family and no school work. "Don't worry Harry, I'm sure everything will be good, and even if you don't win, you still made it this far!" I called, pulling my legs up onto the couch next to a grinning Ginny, she was currently painting a gold and red 'GO HARRY POTTER' sign.

"Thanks Elle." Harry smiled lightly and shook his head, walking towards the door and going out. "I'm going to talk to Mad-Eye and see if he has any more information I could use."

     At this, Lana stiffened. I raised a brow and Jenna shook her head, about to ask Lana what was the matter. Lana eyed the crowds of families and friends and shook it off. "It's nothing, that guy just gives me the chills..." The way her voice trailed off into a soft echo seemed to say that something was amiss in her mind. I tried to recall what she'd been telling me about Mad-Eye this morning, but couldn't.

     "Lana, you said you'd found something --right?"

     She shook her head, as if this wasn't the place or time, and whispered that we could talk about it later. Leaning in closely, she eyed Mr. Weasley and his wife. "They seem nice. Mr Weasley said he worked for the government?" She asked.

      At my slight nod, Lana hmmed and shook her head. "I wonder if they know the lessons Professor Moody has been subjecting everyone to." We said nothing further. After all, Harry put his faith in Moody, as did Dumbledore. And, we had no further reason to question things -- being from another continent entirely and everything.

"So, Elle." Hermione piped up with a smile, throwing herself next to on the couch and giving me a serious look. "Mum and Dad wrote me today, and they told me that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley invited us to stay half of the summer - but they want to know if that is okay with you, and what you wanted to do over the summer?" She bit her lip, giving me a questioning look.

"What do you mean?" I cocked my head to the side, seeing the smiling faces of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny as they waited patiently for my answer. Ron had left with Harry earlier.

       Hermione chuckled and shook her head at me as if I was missing a part of my brain. "What do you want to do this summer? Did you want to go home to America for a while? See your brother Trey? Mum and Dad say it's whatever you'd prefer!" She wrinkled her nose with a cute smile and nodded. My expression must have looked amiss because she laughed and rolled her eyes while I thought it over.

My mind went into a frenzy. Trey? Clarisse? I hadn't even considered seeing my old family again. I hadn't even thought about Trey and his wife Alle in a long time. I was the worst adoptive sister in the whole world. "Really? They'd let me do that?" 

Hermione nodded with a serious face and smiled. "Of course, you aren't a prisoner."

"Then yes - I really would love to see Trey and Alle. Man, I haven't talked to them in forever." I sighed with a soft smile on my face, even though Trey was not my blood brother, there was still a close bond that I couldn't wait to rekindle with that Muggle. 

A soft blush spread over Jenna's cheeks and she sighed softly. "Ahh, Trey. He was my first love. Special place in my heart for that man, yup indeed." 

Lana rolled her eyes and smacked Jenna upside the head with a frown. "I thought you'd long forgotten about him, being with all the eye candy here." She snorted, shaking her head at Jenna's antics.

      I rolled my eyes as well with a small smirk. "I guess it would be good to visit!" 

Hermione smiled and Lana smirked, keeping a firm arm rested on top of a growling Jenna. "Well, then it's settled, you and I will go visit Trey first thing when we get out! It'll be a little surprise." Lana cheered happily, making Jenna pout.

"Oh? And what about me?"

Hermione rose a brow at Jenna and giggle. "I don't know if it's appropriate for a love-struck teenager to enter the house of a newly wed couple, Jenn."

Jenna opened her mouth in protest and complained. "No, I promise, I'll be good - besides, I love babies, so if they do have a kid I'll just be known as Auntie Jenna, nothing more!"

     The air drifted from nostalgia to the thrumming beat of excitement as the Grandfather clock in the Common Room struck the hour. Lana jolted up at the sounds and bounced onto the balls of her feet. "Well, I don't know about you, but it's five o'clock and I want a good seat to see the Champions. So, how about we head down to the stadium?"

        The Weasley's nodded and Ginny put the finishing touches on her sign as we grabbed coats and money for snacks. This was going to be extremely exciting, yet I couldn't help but notice the sheen on Lana's face as she gathered up her things and pocketed her wand.

     I felt my own stomach flip as well. It was the last challenge after all. And, based on how dangerous the last few had been, I was worried about my friends. I was sure Lana was thinking of Fleur too. I couldn't imagine how I'd be feeling now, if Hermione had been competing.

       The walk to the stadium was filled with zings of excitement and happy chattering. People were placing bets on who was going to win and what the outcome would be. Right in the middle of that circle were Fred, George, and Lee. Blake was holding the money box.

Making my way over to the betting crowd, I came across Mr. Diggory, Cho Chang, and Cedric. They were walking towards the stadium with big smiles and laughing at unheard jokes. "Cedric! Cho! Hey guys!" I called, walking over to them.

      Cedric grinned and Cho waved a hello. "Hey, Elle! You ready to cheer your Champion on?" From the way he was beaming from ear to ear, I could tell Cedric was talking about himself. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was rooting for Harry. 

      "Of course, so you'd better win -- or else place second, buddy." I chuckled, earning a cheer from Cho. "So, did you practice really hard? Because you have some stiff competition waiting for you." I teased and Mr. Diggory scoffed.

"Oh please, my son will win hands down! He's a Diggory." He chuckled, patting Cedric on the back and giving me a playful grin. "No doubt about that, hon."

I nodded, satisfied. "Okay, then I'll watch with a firm knowing! See you after, Cedric, Cho - the celebration party will be on me!" They grinned and waved good bye, going into the stadium below.

     Bids and boisterous laughter rang out from the betting circle. Students were placing wagers on anyone and anything at this point, and I could swear that Seamus Finnigan even bet that McGonagall herself would snag the Cup at the end of it all.

     Chuckling, I made my way through the crowds and grabbed a handful of Knuts, not wanting to go overboard with my bet this time. "Fifteen Knuts on Potter!" I cheered, throwing it into the box, making the crowd cheer and groan, shouting teases at me.

"Come now, Granger! Potter may be good at Defense, but everyone else is in their seventh year! Potter doesn't stand a chance."

"Yeah! It's Diggory you should be rooting for!"

"No way - Krum's gonna wipe the floor with all of them!"

I grinned and rolled my eyes, just walking away to get a good seat. "No way, just wait and see - Harry will win." 

     Fred linked arms with me and followed, abandoning his post. "You know, Granger, you seem to have this weird fetish for betting on Potter. Is that something I should be concerned about?"

       "Yup!" I sung. "You should be very very concerned." With a childish attitude, I stuck my tongue out at him. Fred shook his head, a smile plastered onto his face, muttering about how strange I was. 

     "So," I prodded, "who do you think is going to win?"

"Diggory." Fred nodded, not even wasting one second in replying. 

     Pushing past students from various houses, all excited and chattering about the giant maze that lay out before us, I raised a brow and claimed a portion of the wooden bench beside Lana, who was already chewing a liquorice wand. 

      "Why're you so sure?" I asked. Fred only shrugged and stole one of Lana's candies. She only smiled at this and offered me one as well. 

"It's because I know Ced, he's smart and really good with Charms. If any one can make it to the Cup in that thing, it's Diggory." He gave me a crocked grin, making my heart stutter for a second.

I chuckled and bit a chunk off of my candied wand. "Oh? Now who has a fettish for who? Do I need to be concerned?"

"Yup." He replied back in the same manner, wrinkling his nose as a large grin took over his face. Shaking my head, I leaned in and kissed his cheek, then turned my eyes back on to the events below.

      The sun was setting low in the sky, sinking beneath the dark ripples of the haunting maze. The golden horizon was streaked with red, like a bloody tear in the clouds. As the last rays of light dipped out of sight, Dumbledore took a stand among the crowds.

     The elder pointed his wand against his throat, making himself become amplified. "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Third and Final Task. Here, the Champions will come to face their deepest fears and complex tests of knowledge." He gave the four Champions a stern look and continued.

     Jenna gnawed on a Chocolate Frog, her steel eyes wide with terror and anticipation at Dumbledore's enigmatic speech. I stirred as well, twirling the half-eaten candied wand in my hand. For a moment, holding the faux wand, I realized that I'd misplaced my actual one.

     Quickly, I pat down my pockets and the deep compartments of my robes, cursing softly. In my mind, I knew exactly where it was too. On my bedside table, placed beside where I kept my shoes, waiting to be grabbed. I groaned and shook my head. 'I'm such an idiot.'

"If any one should come across difficulty, all they need do is send red sparks into the air and help will come. However, this is forfeiting the Final Task. The maze is very challenging, so be prepared." He gave them all a serious look over his half-moon spectacles and waved the four towards him so he could whisper something at them.

Then, they all took their places at four different entrances to the tall, dark maze. "Now, at the sound of the canons, Harry and Cedric will go first, then a second canon will sound for Fleur and Viktor. Good luck, Champions." Dumbledore nodded.

We had picked some of the best seats, we were practically ground level, and I could read every expression on the Champion's faces. Cedric looked nervous, but with a grin, he hugged his father and stood by his post. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said their good lucks to Harry and gave him firm hugs before he too stood by his entrance.

Suddenly, a shot sounded in the air telling Harry and Cedric it was time to start.

       "What does he think he's doing...?" Lana growled, furrowing her brow and running a nervous hand through her hair. Frowning, I followed her eyes to see they were not on any of the Champions, but on Professor Moody.

      I gave her a curious look and cocked my head to the side. "What are you talking about Lana?"

       "Didn't you see what he just did?"

         "No..." I looked over at Moody once more, but he was only talking with one of the band members, completely inconspicuous. "What did he do?"

         Lana gave me a strained look and breathed out her nose. "N-Nothing. At least, I hope it isn't anything."

       "Okay," I sighed and turned to face her with a sigh. "You need to tell me what's going on. You've been hiding something."

      Lana went pale, a furrow on her brow as her eyes shifted from Jenna to me. Fred was enwrapped in a conversation with his brother and Lee Jordan, hardly paying our trio any mind. Lana inhaled deeply and shrugged. 

      "I mean, I guess I don't know. I just, I feel weird -- really weird, about him. Professor Moody, I mean." 

     "Well, he is a Dark Wizard catcher, after all," Jenna prodded. "I think we all feel uneasy in his class." 

    "No," Lana shook her head. "No, there's something... something else. I can't explain it. But, I feel like something bad's going to happen whenever he's around." 

      "Something bad?" I asked, leaning closer. "What do you mean?"

        Fred perked up and turned to us with interest. "Oi, what's this about something bad?"

        Lana sighed and shook her head. "Nothing, at least..." There was a moment's pause, a breath of indecision and disdain as her kaleidoscope eyes darted around the green hedges and took in the enraptured faces of the students around us. A dark glower settled on her brow and Lana inhaled slowly. "Nothing I could prove anyway." She turned to me and whispered. "Let's talk about it more after the maze."

       The Final Task went by rather quickly, considering we were unable to see anything going on. Jenna and I wasted time by sharing candy and playing cards. Sometimes I would say a few things to Ginny, but she was mainly preoccupied with exchanging Quidditch-battle stories with Katie. 

The band never stopped playing some god-awful melody that sounded more depressing than happy. Fred intertwined his fingers with mine, making me smile like a child and I teased him for a while. Everything seemed so happy and inviting, it was hard to understand what happened in only a mere few seconds.

     Suddenly, a bright flash of light shot down from the sky and the stadium was alive with cheers of excitement, the band finally struck up a happy tune. Standing up in my seat, I broke hands with Fred to cheer and shout with Jenna as we watched the mop-head of Harry come into view amid the field. 

      However, the moment's joy was eclipsed by the sight of Cedric lying under Harry, immobile and unblinking. Ice ran through my veins as cheers and screams erupted around us. Something was terribly wrong. Hermione and I met eyes and we knew. 

     In my fright, I found my voice. "Cedric?" My voice was shrill and sharp. The band had already begun to peter out of tune with the confusion. Harry was sobbing, I could see it now. My lungs tightened and a ball caught in my throat. The atmosphere switched from light to sombre in a matter of moments. 

"Is he dead?" 

     "Oh my god!" 

          "What happened?"

       All these questions spewed from the crowd. I felt tears rolling down my face as everyone was frozen in complete terror. Fred jumped up and pulled me into a hug, trying to make sense of it. I could feel his fear as well as my own. But, I could do nothing to tear my eyes away from the twisted scene in front of me. 

"CEDRIC!" A tormented cry rang out from the midst of the crowd. The sound of it made me clutch harder onto Fred. "LET ME THROUGH!" I shuddered as his voice came into my ears, like a shot into my chest. "THAT'S MY SON!" His strangled voice cried again and I watched as Mr. Diggory ran over to Harry and Cedric's body. "THAT'S MY BOY!"

I sobbed harsher and buried my head in Fred's shoulder, wishing this was all a dream. It had to be a dream. Looking up once more, I saw Mad-eye hobble onto the field and grasp Harry by the collar. After muttering something into Potter's ear, Moody dragged him off the field.

Lana sobbed beside me and jumped out of her seat, down the stairs and after Moody. "He's not going to get away with this!" She cried, making me tear away from Fred and run after her in shock.

"Lana! What are you doing?" I called out, cringing as my voice sounded strained and thick with tears. Giving Cedric's crumpled body one last look, I prayed he was still alive and took off after her. She had been hiding something important this whole time, and I needed to know what she was up to. I couldn't lose two people in one day.

She ran out of the stadium and down the corridors quickly, I had to sprint to catch up with her. "Lana! LANA!" I yelled, finally getting her to pause for a second. "What are you doing?! What do you know?"

A single tear slid down Lana's cheek and she kept running after Moody and Harry, though we'd lost them before we'd even started. "It's all my fault. If only I'd told some one sooner, this wouldn't have happened." She cried, and kicked open a door, empty. 

"Do you know what happened to Cedric?" I asked, heart breaking. Already it seemed like a distant memory. As soon as I'd left the stadium my brain begun trying to forget, to play it off like some kind of dream or play. Cedric really wasn't laying dead outside. Yet, no matter how hard I tried, his father's voice repeatedly rung through my ears, making me want to claw my eardrums out.

Lana's voice quivered, and she kicked in another door, but this room too was empty. "Remember the day I ditched Potions?" I only nodded as she kicked in another door in a vain attempt to find Harry and Moody. "Well - I over heard Moody talking to some one - so naturally I eavesdropped. Wh-what he said, it didn't make any sense at the time - bu-ut, now it does! I-I should have t-told some one!" She screamed, lips quivering. "He said something about a 'cup and a 'graveyard'. Then another voice sounded saying 'everything was in order for His coming'."

She cursed herself and tried kicking in a door, but this one wouldn't budge. Angrily, she pulled her wand out of her back pocket and unlocked the door with a charm. Suddenly, a terrifying fear took over my body and I knew I didn't want to see what ever was behind that door.

Slamming it open, Lana raised her wand and shouted at Harry. "Harry, run!" Then she tried to throw a curse at a twitching Professor Moody. However, he was too quick. Spinning on his wooden heel, he pointed the wand at her head and yelled:  "Bombarda!" The sickening sound of bone cracking filled my ears as I watched Lana being flung back by immense force and slamming into the stone wall opposite me.

     Sliding down to the floor, I could feel my heart in my throat. I knew I'd screamed, but I didn't feel it. The sound merely registered in my ears. "Lana! Lana!" I wanted to shake her, but knew she was in pain. I clutched her close to me and she moaned and fell into an unconscious state. "Lana, wake up!" Blood. There was too much blood. It pooled from her ears, her mouth, her eyes. 

    For what seemed like the first time, I didn't know what to do. 

Harry watched the scene, pale faced in the corner, not knowing what was going on. However, he reached for his wand, only to realize his pocket was empty.

"Looking for this Potter?" The twitching Moody called, holding up Harry's wand. "I'll deal with you after this one." He sneered at Harry then turned back to me. Muttering curses under my breath, I examined Lana, wishing I hadn't left my wand on my dresser in the Gryffindor girl's room. 

     My hands trembled and my world spun. 

Moody turned back to me and raised his wand. I could hear footsteps rushing towards the room we were trapped in, but I knew they were not going to make it in time. Clutching Lana's bloody body closer to mine, I faced the wand in front of my face with a confident face. If I was going to die, I was going to die with honour.

The words were out of his mouth seconds before the door slammed open. "Confringo." Swallowing the lump in my throat, I watched the flaming bomb explode from his wand, slamming me against the wall. The pain was the all-over kind. Flames licked at my skin, while the explosion knocked my head roughly against the stones, cracking it open like an egg. 

And all too soon. 

It was over.

~~~~

DON'T WORRY - THERE WILL BE AN EPILOGUE!

Okay - now you can scream.

xxJess 

{A/N 10-YR: It is interesting, to me, how my fight scenes evolved from this moment. I was so lost on what to do.}