CHERRY, george weasley ( slow updates )

040, remember cedric diggory!

THE LAST MONTH HAD passed, and Cerise had hardly left Cedric's bed. Cedric's dormmates had moved into other rooms to give the girl some space and privacy, which she desperately needed. She had occasional visits from her friends, the most frequent visits being Elijah, George, Fred, Lee and Loralei. They often brought her a plate of food, which she just picked at.

So, to see the girl sitting at the Gryffindor table at the end of the year was a huge surprise to everyone. Hermione pulled her into a hug, which Cerise didn't know she needed, before the feast began. 

Cerise picked at her food as Lee held tightly onto her hand. The Great Hall was silent, for once, as Dumbledore stood in front of everyone, looking at them all. "The end of another year," he paused, looking at the Hufflepuff table, where Cedric would be sitting usually, before looking at Cerise.

Cerise looked ill. The bags under her eyes were dark, her lips were badly chapped, her skin was incredibly pale, and she had lost a noticeable amount of weight.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight," said Dumbledore, "but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here," he gestured toward the Hufflepuffs, "enjoying our feast with us. I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

The benches scraped as everyone ( but Cerise ) in the hall stood, raising their goblets, and quietly saying "Cedric Diggory," simultaneously. Everyone was looking at Cerise worriedly.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore continued. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about."

Cerise looked at Harry, who was already looking at her.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

A panicked whisper swept the Great Hall. Loads of people were in disbelief, but Harry didn't care if his story wasn't believed — Cerise believing it and not blaming Harry was all he needed.

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so — Either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are." Dumbledore said, "It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory."

Cerise leaned her head against Lee's shoulder, who gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Tears were rolling freely down her face as Dumbledore spoke about her brother.

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death," Dumbledore went on. "I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter. Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honour him."

Dumbledore turned to Harry and raised his goblet once more. Nearly everyone in the Great Hall followed suit. They murmured his name, as they had murmured Cedric's, and drank to him.

Cerise gave Harry a thankful look.

When everyone had once again resumed their seats, Dumbledore continued, "The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened — of Lord Voldemort's return — such ties are more important than ever before."

Dumbledore looked from Madame Maxime and Hagrid, to Fleur Delacour and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to Viktor Krum and the Durmstrangs at the Slytherin table.

"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again — in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

Lee gave Elijah a loving look from across the hall.

"It is my belief— And never have I so hoped that I am mistaken — that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst."

Dumbledore's eyes landed on Cerise, "Not only was he a student here at Hogwarts, but he was a best friend, a brother, and a boyfriend to some of your peers who will need that extra comfort during these difficult times."

Cerise felt as if she couldn't breathe.

"Remember Cedric, and the smiles he put on all of your faces. Remember Cedric, a kind and loving twin brother."

Cerise felt her body tremble as she placed a hand over her mouth to quiet her sobs. Everyone stared at her worriedly, but quickly averted their gaze once they saw Lee's, Elijah's, Fred's, George's, Hermione's, Ron's, Harry's and Loralei's harsh glares.

Cerise, in that very moment, wanted nothing more than to be with Cedric. He was everything to her, she needed him.

George swapped places with Lee as Cerise broke down at the table. He pulled her into a hug as she quietly sobbed into his chest. He pushed away his own tears to comfort her.

"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

A/N: Did I cry writing this chapter? The answer is yes. Cho will be making an appearance very soon guys!