"Cedric I'm being serious! You put far too much pressure on yourself to represent Hufflepuff, relax. I mean, eternal glory does sound nice but it's not worth risking your own life." I scolded.
"Allison you don't understand, I really want to do this. And anyways, it's highly unlikely I'll be picked out of everyone who puts their name in." Cedric replied.
It had been several months since my first day of school, and I'd really been enjoying it. Me and Cedric had gotten closer, our playful banter and flirting annoying his fan girls.
Cleo started drifting from the group, starting to hang out with Malfoy and his blood obsessed group.
Slowly over those several months, Cedric started to open up to me, and came out of his shell. Honestly, after what he had told me, I felt bad for him.
He told me that his father had always had high expectations for him to be the best at everything and represent Hufflepuff. Constantly being followed around and having people fawn all over you when you want to take time for yourself can be mentally draining, and Cedric was always in that position.
It was a rainy day at Hogwarts, and grey clouds were scattered across the dark sky. Large raindrops pattered against the stained glass windows as I sat by the warm fire in the Hufflepuff common room. I was wrapped in a plaid blanket, sitting next to Cedric on the couch and leaning my head on his shoulder. Classes had just ended for the day, and the rain seemed to come down even harder, as bolts of lightening and clashes of thunder sounded.
"It's nice outside." Cedric said in a drowsy tone.
"Since when is a rainstorm nice weather?" I asked.
"Wanna go outside?" Cedric said with a devilish smirk.
"Are you crazy? We'd get soaked!" I said with wide eyes. "...You're not being serious, right?"
Cedric gave me a certain look that told me 100%, absolutely yes, I have never been more set on anything in my entire life.
"There is no way you can get me to go outside in that weather." I guffawed.
"C'mon, we can dance in the rain or something -- I'm bored." Cedric whined.
I playfully shook my head and giggled, my hair hitting my face as I shook it.
"Fine, I can ask Minnie for some hot chocolate after." Cedric said as he rolled his grey eyes, a goofy grin plastered on his face.
"Yay! See, now I'm convinced."
Cedric put his warm hand in mine and lifted me off the couch. He dragged me out of the common room and through the kitchens, desperate to have something to do.
We finally made it to the double doors to go outside, after being given many strange looks from professors and students. They were probably wondering why were going outside in such terrible weather.
Cedric opened the doors and headed into the downpour. I lingered for a moment, not wanting to get soaked like he already was.
"C'mon Alice, it's fun!" Cedric yelled to me.
I walked outside and was soon greeted by the cold rain all over my face and back. I squealed, and started to run over to him, puddles created from the rain splashing beneath my feet.
"Madam," Cedric said as he offered his hand out to me. At this point his hair and clothes were drenched with rain, and so were mine. He held both of my hands in his and started swaying back and forth. Cedric spun me around, my hair flying in all directions as I laughed loudly, my head cocking back. We continued swaying in the rain, holding each other close and letting our eyes close. I imagined a slow song playing, letting myself move with the music in my head.
"We should probably get inside, I'm freezing." Cedric mumbled into my hair.
"Sounds good to me, at this point I've probably got hypothermia." I giggled.
As we start to let go of each other our eyes meet and we stay there for a second. We both lean towards each other, then.
Bang!
A clash of lightning hits the Forbidden Forest.
We quickly let go of each other and ran back inside, giggling and dripping wet from the rain.
Me and Cedric ran back to the common room, leaving a trail of water behind us. I went back into my room to get changed, and only saw Ada and Hermione.
That's odd. Where's Cleo?
I decided not to think about it too much, but I hadn't seen her at all lately. I missed her.
"Why are you all wet?" Ada asked. "I was with Diggory, dancing in the rain." I sighed with a dreamy look in my eyes.
Ada let out a loud gasp, her hand flying over her mouth.
"Someone fancies the golden boy." Hermione stated whilst rolling her eyes.
Ada squealed.
"What? I do not." I scoffed, lying through my teeth.
"Yes you do. You talk about him all the time, and when you're not with him your head is in the clouds. Thinking about him, might I add." Ada stated.
"Ok, maybe I have a little crush, but it's not a big deal." I said while discarding my wet clothes.
I changed into a new uniform, a long sleeve white button up and a grey sweater vest with a Hufflepuff badge on the front. I then put on a skirt and black knee socks, paired with a black set of ballet flats. I then brushed through my long wet hair, letting it fall down to my back.
"Ok guys, I'm going to get some hot chocolate with Cedric." I announced, halfway out the door.
"Have fun with your boyfriend." Hermione teased. I sighed as I headed out of the dorm and walked to the yellow couch in the Hufflepuff common room.
I saw Cedric waiting patiently for me, his thick hair still wet from the rain. I sat down next to him and he nearly jumped -- it was obvious that he was spacing out before I came.
"Can we get some hot chocolate, Ced? You prooomised."
"Sure, I'm still freezing." Cedric agreed.
We quickly hopped off the couch and strolled over to the kitchen, greeting other students on the way over.
The small, blue eyed elf jumped out, radiating with excitement.
"Hello Mr. Diggory, can Minnie get you anything today? Minnie is more than happy to make something for Mr. Diggory." Minnie stated.
"Do you mind making me and Allison some hot chocolate?" Cedric asked.
"Minnie does not mind at all, Mr. Diggory. Minnie makes the best hot chocolate!" she said with a large grin.
Minnie got right to work, making sure that she made it perfect for me and Cedric. Within minutes the hot chocolate was done, marshmallows scattered across the top of it whilst was pouring out.
"This looks wonderful Minnie, thank you so much." I smiled.
"Oh, anytime Mrs. Diggory! Minnie is more than happy to help!"
Shocked, I looked over at Cedric, my eyes wide with surprise. He was more than surprised by this statement, as he was struggling to formulate a sentence and his cheeks were bright pink.
"Erm, let's - let's get out of here. I want to put my name into the goblet of fire." he sputtered, leading me out of the room with his hand on my lower back.
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The blue fire from the goblet lit up the dark room, specks of lights from jewels hitting the wall. Me and Cedric walked in hand in hand, and his wet hair was dripping on me. Annoyed, I gave him a small punch in the shoulder. "Hey bud, keep your wet hair to yourself." I drawled.
Cedric was greeted by his friends, and soon after walked away with them. I looked around the room for one of my friends, when my eyes locked with 2 pairs of familiar eyes. "Hey guys!" I yelled. Ada and Hermione walked over to me.
No Cleo. Where could she be?
"Where's Cleo? I haven't seen her in weeks." I questioned.
"She's been off with Malfoy lately, probably snogging him every chance she gets." Hermione said, visibly disgusted.
"She's usually not like this, 'Mione. Cleo must have just found her crowd of snobby pure bloods." Ada said. I noticed that Ada had gotten increasingly agitated at Cleo's actions.
My attention averted over to the goblet, and I soon saw Cedric being pushed into the age line that Dumbledore drew. He had a small paper in his hand with his name written on it. Cedric carefully dropped it into the flame, and a cheers erupted amongst the students.
This is really happening, I thought.
Several hours later the rain calmed down, and me and Cedric headed back to the room where the goblet was. Dumbledore walked over to the large elegant cup and started to catch names out of the flames. I started zoning out while the other names were being called, lazily clapping when everyone else did. My head was laid against Cedrics shoulder, my breathing heavy and fast.
My attention went to Dumbledore when I heard him clear his throat. "The Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory!"
Everything slowed down.
No no no no. This is not supposed to happen.
Cedric confidently walked up to Dumbledore and shook his hand. Several seconds later another paper spewed out of the fire. I looked over, confused. "Harry Potter?" Dumbledore inquired. "HARRY POTTER!" Dumbledore boomed.
I frantically looked around the room, trying to find my friends. I saw Hermione and Ada staring at me, wide eyed with concern and worry. I quickly jumped off of the seat and rushed towards my friends. Tears started to sting my eyes, threatening to stream down my face.
Ada noticed my current state, and led me and Hermione out of the room.
"Allison are you all right? We heard Cedric's name called and knew you would be worried." Hermione asked.
"I honestly don't know. What if he gets hurt? I can't lose him! For goodness sakes I love him!" I yelled, unaware of my tone.
"You what?" Ada asked quietly.
"I didn't mean that..." I started.
"No, no you mean it! You love him!" she squealed.
Tears were coming down my face at this point, messy and fast.
"I think I need to get some fresh air." I choked out. I started to run down the hall towards the door to get outside, large tears blurring my vision. I pushed the doors open and started to walk quickly towards the door to the garden, my favorite place in the school.
As I walked I used the wall to hold me up, since I was not able to keep myself stable at this time. My legs started to give out so I leaned against the wall and let myself slide down. I curled myself into a tiny ball, bringing my legs to my chest. I let out small choked sobs as I slowly sunk down into the floor, drifting to sleep.