Marauders - Always - Part One

CLXXXVII: Believe in Yourself

Cedric Diggory and Herbert Fleet were running through the halls, climbing the stairs from the Hufflepuff Common Room, throwing a quaffle back and forth as they went, broomsticks carefully tucked through their belt loops and the shoulder straps of their book bags to balance so they could carry them hands-free. Cedric laughed as Herbert fumbled and made a dramatic lunge to catch the quaffle as they crossed the Entrance Hall.

"Hi Cedric," people were saying as they passed by.

"Way to go Ced."

"Rooting for you, Diggory."

Buttons spun - POTTER STINKS! glowing from the chests of several people. Cedric tried not to notice the badges. After all, he'd had nothing to do with them - rumor had it Draco Malfoy had been producing and handing them out.

"What the hell is that you're wearing?" he'd asked Malcolm Pearce just that morning when he'd turned up wearing one.

"Isn't it grand?" Malcolm had laughed, looking down at the badge and angling it so it spun from Potter Stinks to a picture of Cedric's face. I SUPPORT DIGGORY, it said in garish lettering 'round the edges. He tapped it again and it spun back 'round to the green POTTER STINKS! side. "We can tell who's for you from a mile away." Malcolm grinned and elbowed Michael McManus with amusement.

"Well take it off," Cedric had commanded him. "That's awful. The poor bloke's under enough pressure without that." He'd plucked the badges off Malcolm and Michael then and unceremoniously dumped them in the bin. Herbert and Cedric had spent a good portion of the morning plucking them from as many of the Hufflepuffs as they could - but several, like Ernie Macmillion, refused to take them off.

"I invoke my inalienable right to root for who I wish," said Ernie, refusing Cedric's demand to hand over the offending badge. "I've paid for it --"

"Paid for it!" Cedric exclaimed, "Who's made you pay for it?"

"Crabbe and Goyle. They were selling them at breakfast. Only five sickles."

"Five sickles!" Cedrick said, rolling his eyes, "Bloody hell. Five sickles too many. I'll give you seven to take it off."

"No way! I'm proud of you being in the Tourney - you're MY Hogwarts Champion, whatever Potter thinks he is!" Ernie folded his arms over his chest.

Herbert had pulled Cedric along with him, "C'mon, Ced, you'll have to give it up as a bad job. We've got to go and meet Oliver Kent."

But still, Cedric felt rather awful about the stupid badges, which were popping up everywhere all over the school. He wondered if the Slytherins really were getting five sickles for each badge and, if they were, what the bleeding hell they would do with all that money?

They were about halfway across the Entrance Hall when Cedric threw the quaffle to Herbert and the ball soared by and bounced off into the Great Hall as Herbert stood, transfixed, staring at the entry doors. "Grand catch, Fleet," Cedric complained, casting an accio to get the ball back. He paused, seeing Herbert's face, and turned, following his gaze. "Hey - is that Professor Lupin?"

"Yeah," Herbert said, "Yeah it is!" He abandoned Cedric and rushed across the room. "Professor!" he shouted, rushing up to where Remus Lupin was about to start climbing the stairs, "Professor Lupin!"

Remus paused and turned 'round, looking eager and then seeing Herbert Fleet, a slightly dampened look came over him. "Mr. Fleet," he said, "How are you?"

"Swell," Herbert answered. He looked hopeful, "Please tell me you're here on account of Dumbledore's decided to rehire you on, hey?"

Remus Lupin smiled, "No, just here for a meeting with the headmaster. Not about employment," he added quickly. "Do you not like Professor Moody?" he asked interestedly.