章 39: Superb Actor: Cross Greengrass

Cross, returned to the front with Harry.

He dropped Harry to the ground and held the cup in his hands, still chuckling. Harry sat up and said "Return!" Cross looked at him and said "Oi.. Mate. We're back, you fainted right after telling me to get to the Portkey. Quite troublesome to bring you back actually."

Harry looked around and shouting "We're back!? We escaped?!" Cross pulled him up and patted his back saying "Yeah. We're safe now." Harry let out a breath of relief.

The surrounding people felt something was wrong with Harry's shouts. Dumbledore said "What happened, Harry?" Harry said "V-Voldemort! He's back!" the crowd started screaming in fear and the people started panicking.

Dumbledore was silent, Moody took Harry away, Cross looked at him for a moment as he flashed a smirk before moving past the teachers with the Cup in his hands, looking for someone to announce his victory.

Luna was sitting in the stands and clapping by herself as everyone scrambled away, fleeing from the scene. As such, Luna was the only one in the stands. Cross looked over and bowed to her as he said "Ah my loyal fans never cease to amaze me!" Luna giggled and cheered by herself.

Cross chuckled and looked around, only seeing a few teachers left, they were discussing something with the Minister of Magic. Cross sat in the stands next to Luna and showed her the cup, telling her about his meeting with Voldemort as well as his time in the maze... and his disappointment that there were no treasures in Salazar's grave.

Luna listened with a smile and was a bit angry when they were interrupted.

The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge coughed and said "Ah yes. Congratulations, young man. May I have the cup please?" Cross handed him the cup and Fudge added "What happened?" as he took the cup, Snape and the other teachers perked their ears, while Dumbledore examined Cross very closely.

Cross put on a scared look and stuttered "M-Minister, it was h-horrible!" his shoulders started shaking and Luna patted his hands, making it look like she was calming him down. Cross took a deep breath and said "We got to a graveyard because the Cup was a Portkey! There the Dark Lord was waiting! He tried to kill me but Harry stopped him! Without Harry, I w-would be alive!"

Fudge patted his shoulder softly as he said "It's alright, lad. You're safe now.. Do you recall what he looked like?" Cross gulped and put on a terrified look as he said "H-He has snake-like features! And he was draped in a pitch black robe! He said he was going to kill all muggles and destroy the Ministry!"

Cross trembled and looked at Fudge as he said with a stutter "I-Is it true, Minister?" Fudge had a grave expression as he said "I'm afraid it is, lad. You showed excellent bravery, you should be proud of your achievements! Not just anyone can meet him and live to tell the tale!"

McGonagall stepped forward and said "I shall take Mr. Greengrass and Ms. Lovegood back to the castle, Minister." Fudge nodded and said "Very well." he turned back to Cross and said "Don't worry. The Ministry will take care of this, there is no need to be afraid."

Cross nodded fearfully and McGonagall brought him and Luna away.

A while later

Cross left McGonagall as she had something to do. Luna said "Do you think they'll believe that?" Cross shrugged and said "Doesn't mater if they do or not. The only one who has to believe it is Fudge."

Luna said in surprise "You want the Ministry to fight him?" Cross nodded and Luna said "But wouldn't it be better to force Voldemort to attack the school instead. Then you can find out who's behind the things here while also having them be occupied as you took care of the problem."

Cross looked at her with a smile as he said "Because you're here. I don't want you getting hurt." Luna looked at Cross in a daze and mumbled "Y-You..." Cross caressed her cheek and said softly "As long as you're safe, nothing else matters."

Luna's eyes turned red and got watery, she jumped into Cross' arms, wrapping her own around his neck and kissing his lips deeply as tears cascaded down her cheeks, dripping onto Cross' shirt.

Cross wrapped his arms around Luna's waist, as she stood on her tiptoes. He held her tightly and teleported to his room, falling back first on his bed. Luna separated from his lips and rested her head on his chest with a happy smile.

Cross stroked her back and smiled happily, himself. He felt so peaceful just holding her in his arms that he fell asleep. Luna wasn't too far behind and fell asleep on top of him.

The next day

Cross was sitting in the great hall as Dumbledore gave a speech "Today we acknowledge a very terrible event. While we were fortunate enough to not lose a student, the situation is very grave! The Ministry of Magic would not want me to tell you, but in respect of the students who survived the tragedy, I must!"

Dumbledore looked around and continued "Lord Voldemort has returned! This is not something to be afraid of! On the contrary! This is something to use for improvement! Only by becoming stronger will you be safe! At Hogwarts you will all be safe.. I guarantee it."

Dumbledore paused and added finally "The bonds you have made with your new fellow students shall not be forgotten! The hard times must be shared just a must as the good times!"

Cross rolled his eyes and tuned out as Dumbledore kept speaking before sending them off to pack and leave the school as it is the end of the year.

A while later

Cross was standing in the courtyard with his pajama clothes on. He also had his backpack on with his storage bag inside. He stretched his muscular arms and yawned, hearing a 'awwwww' all around him. He went back to normal and clicked his tongue, walking away from the courtyard.

Cross lifted his hand and said "Where are you." Luna replied "Coming!" Cross put his hand down and waiting in one of the side wings.

Ron, Harry, and Hermione showed up and talked with each other. Cross heard Harry say "Moody was actually Barty Crounch Jr." Cross said in surprise "They found out?" Harry looked over and said "You knew?!"

Cross shook his head and said "I knew he was drinking a Polyjuice potion and what he looked like, but I've never seen Crounch Jr. Before. How could I know?" Hermione said "Why didn't you say anything?"

Cross shrugged and said "Why should I say something? That class was much more interesting with him teaching it, also I don't know if you know, but he was actually a good teacher. What was he before?"

Harry said "A Death Eater." Cross clicked his tongue and said "Shame. He was interesting." Ron said "Interesting?! Blood hell, if he's interesting than Voldemort himself but excite you?" Cross chuckled and said "He's better than Snape for sure." the three chuckled a bit before hearing a cough.

They turned and Snape said "Mind your tongues... Before you lose them..." as he left.

The four watched him go before laughing when he was completely gone.

A few minutes later

Luna showed up with her bags and Cross smiled as he said "Ready to go?" Luna nodded and Cross said goodbye to Harry, Hermione, and Ron before leaving the school and going home.