Neville's Despair

"I've already heard about it, Harry—"

Ever since Professor Breen had left Hogwarts to find a way to save Hermione's life and capture the mastermind behind the attack, with both Professor Breen and Hermione absent, the atmosphere during physical training had become much more relaxed. After all, without Professor Breen here, many of the exercises couldn't be carried out. All they could do was reinforce their dodging abilities and practice their Charms.

Amid the constant clattering in the training room, Cedric approached Harry slowly, with a freshly printed special edition of The Daily Prophet tucked under his arm. Before this, he would never have wanted to provoke Harry, who had been prickly as a hedgehog these past few days.

"I heard Professor Black sent word that Hermione is out of danger now. Is that true?"

"Wait a moment, Neville. I'm talking to Cedric—"

Harry was helping Neville get familiar with the Disarming Charm. Among everyone there, Harry's Disarming Charm was widely acknowledged to be the best.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Harry took a few breaths and looked at Cedric. A smile appeared on his still-sweaty face.

"That's right. Sirius did say so."

Being able to speak calmly with Cedric would have been utterly impossible just a few days ago. But the joy of Hermione's recovery had quickly washed away the hostility in Harry's heart. Even if the boy in front of him had taken Cho Chang away, Harry was willing to say a few more words to him.

"That's good. Did Professor Black tell you when Hermione can return to Hogwarts?"

Seeing that Harry wasn't glaring at him, Cedric relaxed slightly as well. It wasn't as if he hadn't heard some of the extreme things Harry and Ron had been saying lately. Though he didn't care much about