HARRY POTTER Book 4: Chapter 37 (Copy)
Chapter 37
THE BEGINNING
Later, when Harry thinks about these days, he does not remember everything clearly. He only remembers small parts, and most of them are painful. The worst moment is the meeting with Cedric’s parents the next morning.
They do not blame him. Instead, they thank him for bringing Cedric’s body back. Mr. Diggory cries through most of the meeting, while Mrs. Diggory does not cry at all. Her pain is too deep. “He didn’t suffer much,” she says. “And he died after he won. He must have been happy.”
When they leave, she looks at Harry and says, “Take care of yourself.” Harry tries to give them the gold he won. “Take this,” he says. “It should be Cedric’s.” But she steps back and refuses. “No, it’s yours. You keep it.”
Harry returns to Gryffindor Tower later. Ron and Hermione tell him that Dumbledore has already spoken to the school and asked everyone to leave Harry alone. Now, many students avoid him. They do not look at him, and some whisper behind his back. Harry knows that some of them believe what they read in the newspaper about him.
He does not care much. He feels best when he is with Ron and Hermione. Sometimes they talk, and sometimes they sit quietly together. All three of them understand that something serious is happening, but they do not know what.
Ron tells Harry that his mother asked Dumbledore if Harry could stay with them for the summer. “But he wants you to go back to the Dursleys first,” Ron says. “He says he has his reasons.” Harry does not like this, but he accepts it.
The only other person Harry feels comfortable talking to is Hagrid. One afternoon, they go to visit him. It is a bright, warm day, and Fang runs out to meet them, barking happily. Hagrid greets Harry warmly and gives him a strong hug. Inside the cabin, he makes tea and watches Harry carefully. “Are you all right?” he asks. “Yeah,” Harry answers. “No, you’re not,” Hagrid says, but his voice is kind. “But you will be.”
Hagrid then says something that surprises them. “I always knew he would come back,” he says quietly. He explains that he has believed for years that Voldemort was still out there. “Now it’s happened,” he says. “So we fight. Dumbledore has a plan.” He looks at Harry with pride. “You did something brave,” he says. “You did what your father would have done.” Harry smiles for the first time in many days.
That night, Harry packs his things. He feels heavy inside. The next day is the final feast, but it is not a happy one. The Great Hall is decorated in black, not in the colors of the winning house. The black cloth is there to honor Cedric. The room is quiet as everyone waits.
Dumbledore stands up to speak. “There is much I would like to say,” he begins, “but first we must remember a student who should be here with us.” He asks everyone to stand and raise their glasses. “Cedric Diggory,” they say together. When they sit down again, Dumbledore continues.
He speaks about Cedric’s good qualities, his kindness, and his fairness. Then he says clearly, “Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort.” A wave of fear moves through the hall. Students whisper in shock. Dumbledore remains calm. “The Ministry does not want me to tell you this,” he says, “but the truth is better than lies.”
Harry looks up, listening closely. Dumbledore then speaks about Harry. “Harry Potter escaped Lord Voldemort,” he says. “He showed great bravery.” Many students raise their glasses to Harry, but not all of them. Some students sit still and do not join in.
Dumbledore finishes by warning them. “We must stay united,” he says. “If we are divided, we are weak. Dark times are coming. Remember Cedric.” His words stay with Harry.
Soon after, it is time to leave. Fleur comes to say goodbye. “Goodbye, Harry,” she says. “I hope we meet again.”
Krum also comes and shakes Harry’s hand. He speaks kindly about Cedric. Ron, excited, asks Krum for his autograph.
On the train ride home, the weather is bright and clear. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sit together in a compartment. For the first time in days, they talk more freely. It feels easier now. Hermione takes out a copy of The Daily Prophet. Then shows them something surprising - a small glass jar with a beetle inside. “That’s Rita Skeeter,” she says.
She explains that Rita can turn into a beetle and has been secretly listening to people all year. Ron is shocked, but Harry understands how it explains everything. Suddenly, Malfoy appears at the door with Crabbe and Goyle. He smiles in a cruel way and begins to speak, but Harry tells him to leave. Malfoy continues, saying something terrible.
Before he can finish, spells fly from every direction. When it is over, Malfoy and his friends are lying on the floor. Fred and George step into the compartment, smiling. They help move the others out and close the door.
Later, Harry calls Fred and George back. He takes out the gold he won and gives it to them. “Take it,” he says. “I don’t want it. Use it for your shop.” They refuse at first, but Harry insists. “Take it, or I’ll hex you,” he says. In the end, they accept it.
At the station, they say their goodbyes. Mrs. Weasley hugs Harry tightly. Hermione kisses his cheek, and Ron smiles at him. Harry then walks to his uncle. He does not feel happy, but he remembers something Hagrid said. What will come, will come. And he will face it.
