The Golden Mare - Cedric Diggory

The First Task

Aurora was studying outside with Hermione and Ginny. They were sitting in the grass, laughing and working on their homework for Charms. Or, at least Hermione was.

"I can't believe Professor Flitwick is giving us a test on the Monday after the tournament", Hermione grumbled. Aurora nodded in agreement, but tried to push it to the back of her mind. The tournament was a mere few days away, and Harry had been a bundle of nerves. This wasn't helped by the groups of students wearing "Potter stinks" pins, and Ron and Harry's continual feud.

Aurora frowned as she saw a group of Slytherin's walk past with the pins. "Is that really necessary?" She murmured.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Of course not. I just think Draco is jealous that Harry got picked for the tournament."

Aurora turned her head quickly. "Draco? What do you mean?"

"Well, Draco is the one who made the pins, of course", Hermione said absently, still absorbed in her books.

Aurora blinked. Draco? I mean, of course she knew that Harry and Draco had a feud. However, she didn't think that he would try to humiliate him in front of the whole school.

Ginny laughed. "Oh, right. I forgot that Malfoy was a part of your epic love triangle."

Aurora gave her a glare. "Oh, shut up! He is not!"

Hermione smirked as she looked up from her book. "Aurora, at least be honest with us. We all know Cedric, Draco and Harry are all smitten with you."

Aurora blinked at them. "They do NOT like me, okay? Me and Cedric are merely-"

Hermione's eyes suddenly grew very large as she dropped her book. Aurora stared at her for a moment. "What?" She said, turning her head to see Cedric smiling over her.

"Oh my god, Cedric! You scared me!" Aurora let out a shriek as she placed a hand on her chest.

He let out a laugh. "My apologies, darling. That wasn't my intention." He sat down on the grass next to Aurora and Ginny. "Now, continue. You and Cedric..."

Aurora made a face and picked up one of Hermione's books to playfully hit Cedric in the side. "Oh, stop it. I was just talking about...how we are supposed to meet in the library tonight, right?"

He grinned at her. "Of course. We must continue our project."

He certainly was right. They had been working on it non stop for the past two weeks. Turns out, becoming an animagus was harder than Aurora or Cedric had initially anticipated. At this point, they realized that it may take months for them to evolve.

"So, how are you feeling about the tournament?" Aurora asked.

"Pretty good, I think. I have been studying. Of course, when we're not working on our studies."

Aurora let out a giggle. "That's good. Do you know what the task is?"

He shook his head. "No idea. I think that's what I'm most worried about- the unknown."

Aurora offered him a cheeky grin. "How deep, Diggory."

He gave her a face and looked as if he was about to respond, when Aurora noticed Harry walking up to him.

"Cedric, could I have a word?" Harry asked tightly. Aurora tilted her head, highly curious about what Harry had to say. Cedric looked equally confused.

"Yes, of course." Cedric murmured, rising off his feet and walking away from them. Aurora noticed Harry flinch away from a few "Potter stinks" pins as he and Cedric were walking somewhere private.