Everybody is Someone Else's Secret (Seamus Finnigan)HOLD

Chapter 8

"T-the h-hospital wing?" I cried out, my disbelief written clearly across my face. Cedric. My brother. In the Hospital Wing. What happened? Why did this happen? Was it an accident? Or did someone want him to get hurt on purpose? If so, why? Millions of questions zoomed quickly through my head, my pulse was racing as fast as my mind. So many questions. And who knows if I'd be able to get them all answered.

Had I heard wrong? Or did I just not want to believe what I had just heard? I wanted to know, but I was almost just too scared to ask. What would I do without my older brother being there to help me? I couldn't even imagine...

He nodded, and the queasy feeling in my stomach got worse, "Yeah, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Thought you knew, though. I heard a couple of Slytherin boys knocked him off his broom, they got in trouble. But their names weren't released publically. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later though. It would obviously have to be a fifth year or up, using the spells that they did."

Luna stepped forward, "So you didn't see at all whom it was?" She asked, her fingers were clutching onto some strange necklace. She was always wearing it, but I'd never really paid attention to it until now. Especially now, I was studying every simple little detail, as if the world around me didn't exist. And it didn't...until I heard the voice of the Hufflepuff head boy reply(Didn't know his name...).

"No, I'm not a Quidditch player myself, but those who are said that they couldn't tell who was in the stands. Too far away." He answered. "However, Cedric's supposed to be out within a couple days, depending on how fast he heals and how he is feeling."

So his wounds weren't that bad. That was a relief. Still the unanswered questions still loomed like clouds on a rainy day. They just couldn't go away. I suspected that this wasn't an accident. Not at all. Not just a few Slytherin boys hanging around, hurting people for fun. Although that probably wasn't far from the truth. Everyone knew how nasty Slytherin could be.

"Oh," Luna cast a look over in my direction, "would you want to go and see how your brother is doing, Emma...? If so, I can come, if you want me to. I don't mind."

"Sure, thanks, it'd be nice not to go alone..." I heard a voice reply. Closing my eyes I realized that I was the voice. I was just so...shocked, I guess, that I didn't realized that I even replied. Doesn't surprise me. Cedric wasn't the type to end up in the Hospital Wing. He wasn't accident prone. He's never even fallen off of his broom (before today). So, I think that I had a right to be shocked. If it was Neville who'd gotten hurt, I wouldn't have been so shocked. He, on the other hand, was totally clumsy.

"That sounds...Well, I think that Cedric would be happy to see you." Head Boy replied, waving us off, "Better be off, then. It's almost Seven o' clock and no one is allowed to visit past Eight o' clock. So you don't really have much time."

Luna smiled encouragingly at me, "Come'on, let's go."

"Emma." My older brother, Cedric, smiled up at me. "They told you I was in here, huh? Don't worry, I'll be fine. They'll let me out in a few days. Just took a nasty fall out on the Quidditch Pitch. Happens to people all the time. I-"

It was strange seeing Cedric in the Hospital Wing...More specifically, laying down on a bed in the Hospital Wing. He didn't quite look his usual self. He was pale. His arm was all wrapped up in a bandage. It had to have been something more serious than a broken or sprained bone. Those could be healed fast. It made me sad to think it. But, I had the sneaking suspicion that he wasn't telling me something. To 'protect' me, perhaps. Although I wouldn't bug him now, I would ask him later...Or, even better yet, find out for myself what went on on the Quidditch Pitch.

"It's okay, Cedric. I understand. Yeah, I've certainly heard that you fell. I also heard that it was a few rowdy Slytherin boys that knocked you down...Do you know who it was?" I asked, I had someone specific in mind.

His smile turned into a grimace, "No, he was too far away, hiding in the stands. But, yes, he did wear a Slytherin Robe. He had a small group of friends with him." He answered. Yet I wasn't satisfied. I would have to find out who did it for sure. And why. It could have been whom I thought it was. I also could have been miss leaded. The question was; how could I find out who...well, I didn't know what he did. Whether a curse or just a simple spell. Either way, he hurt Cedric.

Who am I kidding?

How could I ever find out who did it?

Well, you already have a good guess.

My worst enemy. It would be so like him to hurt my brother. But...why? His name?

Draco Malfoy. And his goons. Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle. Who followed him like little lost puppy dogs. Doing whatever he did. Sneering at his victoms. Laughing alone with whatever Draco said. All Slytherins were alike though. Or so it seemed. So it also could be someone else...

I replied with a simple, "Oh," Hoping that my voice didn't sound too disappointed. Sensing that the conversation would go no further; I changed the subject.

"How are you feeling?" Short. Simple. He already said that he was going to be fine, I know, but I just needed to hear him say it again. Even though this wasn't a fatal accident, it could have been. I guess I was still in shock that he was hurt.

Cedric sighed, "Better. Much better. Like I said, I'll be fine."

Luna tapped on my shoulder (I totally forgot that she was with me!), grinning, "Well, that's good. Just remember to drink some tea. It helps you keep the Fendurals away. Fendurals, well, they aren't good."

Cedric laughed, I admit that I, also, was laughing. In my head, at least. Luna, she could cheer me up. And, apparently, Cedric as well.

"Oh, I will," He winked at her, "I will. Luna Lovegood, is it?"

Luna blushed. Actually blushed! And I thought I would never see the day. I know Cedric was just being friendly. He was already with Cho Chang. Right? Right. Still, a little weird seeing your brother wink at someone other than his girlfriend...

Luna nodded, "Yes, yes, it is. Luna Lovegood. I have heard people call me Loony as well. I know that it isn't a complement, but I don't mind it." She replied happily. "I mean, it's their opinion. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?"

"You're too nice. Everyone has their own opinion, yes, but I wouldn't like it if someone called me Loony. So I don't think someone should call anyone Loony. Especially my sister, Emma. Only I can call her Loony." Cedric laughed.

"Hey," I giggled, my face red. Resisting the undesirable urge to punch him, (He was already hurt enough) I sat down in the chair besides his bed.

Luna sat down next to me, her face still a little flushed, "I don't know. I mean, I honestly don't mind, really. I guess I've gotten so used to being called Loony that it's become a normal thing."

"Well, I don't call you that. None of your friends do. So it's not okay." Sighing, I looked at Luna. "I don't think you're Loony."

"Thanks," Luna started. Too bad she didn't get to finish, but we got interrupted by Madam Pomfrey.

"It's time to leave now, dearies. I'm afraid that Cedric needs his rest. You can visit him tomorrow. He's healing fast, so perhaps he can get out within a couple days." She said, giving us a kind, but concerned look.

Getting up, I reply, "See you later, then, Cedric."

"See you, Emmy." He grinned, "don't worry about me, Emma. I'll get back to my usual self soon. You heard Madam Pomfrey say it herself."

Giggling, Luna got up. "Knowing Emma, she'll worry anyways. Bye," Luna says to Cedric.

"Bye to you as well," he replied.