Cedric lifts his shaking arm, tapping the tip of his wand against the top wall of the coffin. It's still intact, but not for long. "I think this is going to hurt."

He clutches Howard close, curling around to protect him as best he can. Those splinters and scrapes won't be pretty. But dying here is a far less attractive option.

With a silent prayer, he sucks in a breath. All his magical power runs down his arm, working its way into the most forceful spell Cedric has cast in a long time. They'll need all that force to break the surface.

"Ascendare!"

A sudden surge of power erupts from the tip of the wand, pulling it upward and forcing it past the coffin's wall. Cedric and Howard are dragged up with it, with Cedric clinging to the wand for dear life. He nearly lets go when his hand is forced past the hole in the coffin roof, and he swears, but---they make it. The other scrapes are nowhere near as bad.

Finally, they force their way through the mound of soil, flying through the air. They crash a short distance from their grave.

Cedric rolls onto his back, staring dazedly at the night sky. It's real. The air is cool. They're alive. He can hardly believe it.

"...Howard?" He nudges his friend, worried.