Don't Leave Me (Cedric Diggory)

7. Prank

Narrator:

Cora and her mother were waiting for the train to arrive. Her vacations hadn't been so awful after all, her mom thought. It was clear that HHogwarts had changed her daughter's behavior.

Hearing the train, Amelia crouched to the girl's height.
-Be careful, okay? - She hugged her. - I love you. Never forget that.

-I know, Mom. - Cora replied with a serious expression. - I have to go! - She said before leaving and entering the train.

Being inside once again, she searched for an empty compartment to resume her reading. Juat like it happened the previous term, the door slided open, but it wasn't Cedric. It was the girls that talked about her last year.

-Not in here... She's here. - One of them spoke.

-I'm sorry, do you know where the twins might be? - A brown-skinned girl asked. - Angelina Johnson.

-Cora Fianze. - The girl responded, not quite convinced. - And no, I haven't seen them, sorry. - She said before looking back to the pages.

The girls left, and, in less than two minutes, the doors opened again.
-Oh, sorry. - A younger girl spoke. She seemed new.

-It's all right. If there are no other compartments available, you can stay here. - Cora assured, without looking up from her book.

-I'm Cho Chang. Pleasure to meet you. - The girl extended her hand.

-Cora Fianze. Pleasure. - She greeted, shaking Cho's hand.

[...]

Cora got out of the train. She hasn't seen anyone on the journey... So, when she arrived at the Great Hall, as always she sat on her own. Alone in a corner.

-Hi, Cora. - Elizabeth sat by her side. But she wasn't alone since Jeremy accompanied her.

-Hi. - She spoke, not looking up from the pages.

Jeremy wasn't surprised by the behavior. Elizabeth had talked to him about it and Cora seemed curious to him.

Dinner was calm. The House selection went on as usual, and Dumbledore's speech was the same as always.

When Cora stood up, someone tapped her shoulder.
-Oh, hi, Charlie. - She spoke, surprised to see him.

-I just came to tell you that... if you want to, tomorrow we could do some training for you to apply as a Keeper. And I'm not taking a "no" as an answer. - The girl frowned. - Believe me when I say I can see talent. And you have it.

-Wow... thanks? - She replied, confused. - Anyway, tomorrow I have a free period after lunchtime. - Cora was still confused, but what was she losing by trying?

-Great! See you around. - Charlie said before returning to his friends.

Elizabeth and Jeremy had already left, so she sgould go to the common room alone.

-I noticed you hang out with older ones. - Cora turned out and found Cedric. - How've you been?

There was an awkward atmosphere in between them. However, Cedric tried to break it.
-I'll take you to your common room. - He began walking. - Sorry about what happened in the train.

-It's all right, it wasn't your fault. - She hugged her book to her chest at they walked. - But if it bugs you or anything...

-I won't give up on talking to you. - Cedric told her. - You're my friend, right? - Cora was about to answer, but they had arrived to the common room. There was another girl there; Cho.