Perfectly Imperfect || C. Diggory

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐢𝐱 || 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 *

The Three Broomsticks had become one of our main hang out spaces in all of Hogwarts. Well, technically, just outside Hogwarts.

The cups, and cutlery clanging together, and voices buzzing around us, faded into the background as we dove deep into conversation. I think the warm inn put us all at ease. Most of our conversations had been about the Tournament, and I think it sort of stressed us all out. We were all worried for Cedric.

He was getting less, and less sleep every night, and I could tell by the darkness around his eyes, which grew every passing day. The poor thing didn't even want to talk to me about it, because he didn't want to get me all worked up.

I just felt horrible. Cedric was usually the guy who stayed sharp in class, taking perfectly neat notes, with his perfectly neat handwriting, looking perfectly perfect as he did it. But, he had fallen asleep in two classes so far this week, one being History of Magic, and two, in Divination. Two classes I found quite boring as well, but even still I could stay awake.

Sometimes he would be in snappy moods, but he'd realize later and come talk to me about it, or he'd get all frustrated over the littlest things, like if someone was tapping their foot in class, or a pencil dropped on the ground. I had never seen him like this before.

I don't even know why he did this whole thing. Was it just to please his peers, or was it his duty as the Hogwarts' Beloved to do something as heroic as this? He did mention wanting to make his father proud, but how could he not be, already? Cedric was literally an angel incarnate.

He was the sweetest, most kind, caring, thoughtful, would-go-out-of-his-way-to-help-someone person! He must have been out of his mind. I've met Mr Diggory before. All he ever did was rave on about how his son was the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain, or Prefect. I know he's proud of Cedric. Everyone is. Especially me.

We sipped our steaming butterbeer, which even though it was a particularly warm June day, it was nice. Being in Hogsmeade was a nice distraction from all the commotion from the Triwizard Tournament. Boys and girls, mostly in younger years would come up to Cedric, asking him what he was going to do, or what the task was going to be. I could tell it was quite tiring for him.

"Okay, let's talk relationships." I clapped my hands together.

"Wha- with the guys still here?" Olivia chuckled, gesturing to Steve and Cedric who sat to the right of us. I sort of felt bad that Oliver wasn't a part of our friend group. I know how much Olivia loved him, though she only got to see him on her personal time. Before school ends, I think it would be nice to have a triple date with the lot of us.

"I guess not." I smiled. "What else, then? What's new with everyone? It's been a while since we've been able to have a nice evening, like this. When was the last time, like... April?"

"I think so. Yeah, I guess it has been a while. Well, since the rest of us have final exams, unlike Cedric, Triwizard Champion and all, we've got to start revising." Steve reminded us all. Jenn groaned, and buried her face in her hands.

"I hate exams." She mumbled, dragging the 's'. Steve chuckled, and pressed a kiss behind her ear. She looked up at him, and smiled.

"We'll all study together. It'll work out." He replied. The rest of us agreed, nodding and murmuring.

"I hope so. Cedric, how are you feeling about the Tournament?" Jenn asked, changing the subject. I saw a spark of nervousness flash in his eyes.

"Fine, it's- yeah, I'm... feeling great about it." He smiled. I could see right though it. I knew that everyone else could too, but I don't think anyone of us wanted to nag him about it.