Chapter 40: Ritual of resentment – 2.

[Meanwhile]

"We might be able to help you in that." Fred and George said in unison.

Cedric, Hermione and Michael looked at the twins, they were both still wearing their Quidditch gear and were drenched in sweat.

"And why would you do such a thing?" Cedric asked suspiciously, looking at the angry mob of Gryffindor students he wasn't just going to believe anyone. He believed Hermione just because she spoke in favor of Liam shouting that he wasn't the one responsible.

Fred: "Because we are the only people who know that he wasn't the one who enchanted the broom."

Cedric's suspicion rose, "And how do you know that?"

George: "First of all he was with us last night, and Harry's broom was fine till the evening yesterday."

Fred: "Which means that the enchantment was done last night."

George: "As he was with us last night how would he be able to enchant Harry's broom."

Fred: "Secondly, he bet 10 galleons for the Gryffindor team to win."

George: "You know how poor he is, why would he bet on Gryffindor even though knowing that they will lose because of the 'Enchantments'?"

Both the twins started towards Cedric and said in unison, "Do you believe us now?"

Cedric sighed, "I believe you for now."

Hermione looked at the surrounding, she noticed that there were many people around them, "This is not a right place to talk. Does anyone know where we could talk freely and no one will be able to listen to us. We can't trust anyone." She lowered her voice, "I believe that there's a very dark magic involved in this."

Cedric nodded, "You are right." He looked towards Michael. Trying to get his approval but he noticed a lot of things odd about him. Michael was not acting as his usual self, he looked very paranoid and was sweating profusely.

He put his hand on Michael's shoulder, "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I am fine." He shrugged of Cedric's hands off his shoulder.

Cedric was confused because of the sudden behavior change in Michael. He noticed that Michael was wearing a black bracelet which he had never seen before.

"Let's go to the great hall, there aren't many people there around this hour." Hermione suggested.

The rest nodded and followed her to the Great hall.

…

[The Great Hall]

The long tables very empty leaving few students there was no one else. The professors were having a small meeting, the guests had already left disappointed because of the match.

All of them met in the Great hall after changing into their casual clothes. The twins were covered in sweat, they wouldn't want to be like this when they talk. The others also took this time to freshen up.

Hermione put up a spell which didn't let their voice transfer more than a few meters. Now they could talk in their normal voice and no one would hear them. Unless they come in the range of the spell. But no one was present in the room so there wasn't any chance of that happening.

"Everyone in the Gryffindor house has been cursed, I don't know which type of curse but it's a very dangerous curse." Hermione said this with confidence.

Fred: "We are Gryffindor as well then why didn't the curse work on us."

George: "You should also be cursed then. Why are we the exception?"

Hermione straightened her back and started explaining, "Let me ask you a question first. Who fought and defeated the trolls?"

Fred: "It was Liam of course."

George: "Yeah! It was Liam."

Hermione smiled, "Well that's the truth, and only we know it. The curse only affects the people who doubt this. Just few days ago rumors spread that instead of Liam it was Harry who fought the trolls, and I believe the curse started there. Everyone who had even a slightest of doubt were then affected by the curse and started to resent Liam. To make people have doubts about Liam they even said that Snape gave Liam the credit instead of Harry."

"As Liam is very close to Prof. Snape and this does seem like a thing Snape would do. They started to believe the rumor and then got affected by the curse. Whoever did this is a very sly and calculative person." Her expressions showed disgust.

Cedric had listened to all this and was sitting next to Michael holding his chin, "That seems like a very good theory. But even if what you just said is true, how can we break this curse."

Hermione looked down, she didn't have the answer to this, "I tried to explain to them that the rumors were just rumors and it was actually Liam who fought the trolls. I thought that they would believe me because I was there when it happened. But they got very crazy when I said this, they were even willing to hurt me just to turn me into their side. For a moment… for a moment even I was getting influenced by their words but I closed my ears and got my consciousness back."

"Then your theory is confirmed. This is a curse and it's spreading because of the doubt. But who did it? I don't remember Liam ever offending anyone." Cedric looked towards Michael who looked like he wasn't paying attention.

Michael noticed Cedric's Gaze and replied, "Even I don't know anyone who would ever do such a thing. All Liam does is read the books in the Library nothing else."

Fred: "Liam doesn't have to offend anyone for someone else to get offended."

George: "It may even be as simple as envy. There were many people I saw were very envious of Liam because of all the attention he was getting."

Fred: "He was even considered as child of a lost Noble wizard family. This rumor spread in the Slytherin house. There may be Slytherin students who could have done this, they do have a history with a lot of dark magic."

George: "And they also have the reason for being jealous of Liam."

Hermione shook her head in disapproval, "This seems very convenient, I don't think it's a Slytherin student who did this. We have to figure out who did this quickly, or else Liam would be blamed he could even be expelled. We have a very limited amount of time as well, the final match has been delayed to the day after tomorrow, which gives us just tomorrow to find out who did it."

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE…. GO BACK TO YOUR DORMITORIES."

Fred: "Its FILCH" he exclaimed.

George: "We should go back to our dormitories. WE can find the true culprit tomorrow…"

Hermione sighed but she accepted, everyone was very tired because of what had happened.

"Okay then, we'll meet tomorrow." Michael got up from his seat and left.

Cedric looked at the leaving Michael, 'He is acting very strange… is he also under the curse?'

Fred: "What a true, friend!"

George: "A good friend indeed, he didn't even hesitate."

They both said sarcastically.

"He is not like this, I know him. HE is acting very strange since this morning." Cedric explained.

Fred: "We are very tired because of the match."

George: "Sorry but if we don't get a good rest we wouldn't be able to help you tomorrow."

The twins also left.

"I think we should also leave and get rest, tomorrow we'll definitely find the culprit." He said with determination and followed the Weasley twins.

Cedric left the great Hall and went back to his dormitory.

…

[Hufflepuff Dormitory, Cedric's room]

Cedric was very confused, 'Why would anyone go to such length just because of jealousy. It has to be something else.' He looked out of the window to the black sky in which a full white moon was shining.

"HOOT….Hoot…"

Cedric heard an owl's voice, he saw an owl was sitting just outside his window.

"Isn't this Michaels owl?"

He got up from his bed and opened the window.

The owl flew inside Cedric's dorm room and sat on his table. It had a small slip tied to his leg.

Cedric carefully took out the rolled note and started to read it….

"WHAT....?"

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Author's wise words:

The extra chapter.... thanks for the review.

I promised to upload an extra chapter every review I get, I am currently uploading two chapters a day and taking the next day off. Today was supposed to be my day off, but because of the review I had to upload this chapter. Hope you are happy.

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I saw another review, just now. Tomorrow I will upload three chapters.

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