Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

34

As Cayden's boat glides into the spongy bank, he disembarks, beginning to walk off when a voice stops him.

"Congratulations, Potter." Mr. Crouch said.

Cayden was a bit startled by the man's appearance. "Mr. Crouch..."

"I'm sorry we haven't spoken. After all, your story is one I heard so many times. Quite remarkable, really. Tragic, of course... to lose one's family... never whole again, are we... Still, life goes on... and here we stand... I'm sure your parents would be very proud of you today, Potter. Any parent would. Very proud indeed..."

Cayden blinks, not knowing what to say, but he was fortunately saved by Delphine and Severus.

"Cayden! You are needed over there." Delphine said, pointing to where Cedric and Viktor seem to be waiting for Cayden while talking with each other.

Cayden smiles, nodding to Delphine and starts walking towards his boyfriends, making him smile wider at the thought.

"Hey, you." Cayden said, making himself known to his boyfriends who turned their body to look at him, smiling.

"Hey." Cedric said.

"Hello." Viktor said, glancing at Mr. Crouch over Cayden's shoulder before looking back at their flower. "What does he want?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Cayden shrugs. "I stopped listening when he began to say something about my story." He admitted, watching Cedric and Viktor emotions change serious into amusement. "Like, what kinda story Mr. Crouch? My brother is the one you're looking for." He said, sighing.

Cedric snorts, wrapping his arm around Cayden's shoulders, walking away from where he and Viktor are standing. Viktor walks on the other side of Cayden, joining in on their talk when Cayden asks him about it.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden smiles softly at the sound of his friends' cheerful voices and the gentle evening breezes, then he winces and grabs his arm. Through the trees ahead, the reddening sky shimmers like blood. Dropping his gaze, he spies something dark lying in the brush.

The trunk of a fallen tree. Or a pile of wood. Or... the body of a man.

Cayden stands frozen, unmoving, the wind gently tossing his hair. A distant peak of laughter-- Ron's-- drifts to him from somewhere far behind.

Cayden recognizes the man, it's Barty Crouch.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden sat himself in the Hufflepuff's common room with Cedric and Viktor. He absently trails his fingers over his right arm, gaining the attention of Cedric.

"It's hurting again, isn't it?" Cedric asked, turning his head to look at Cayden who is staring numbly into the fire.

Cayden turns his eyes, looking at Cedric.

"You know what you have to do." Cedric said, giving him a sympathetic smile.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden approaches Professor Dumbledore's office, hearing voices talking from the other side.

"If you take the necessary measures, Cornelius, we may still be able to save the situation." Professor Dumbledore said.

"Cancel the Triwizard Tournament! You can't be serious, Albus! It would be an international incident. And as Minister of Magic, I must say, the last thing we need is--" Fudge's words were cut off by Professor Dumbledore.