A Cedric Diggory Story

An Unexpetced Task

Cedric's P.O.V

A week after the first task and people were still congratulating me. Everywhere I went. Walking to classes , eating dinner , in the common room , Everywhere.

There was a new notification on the bulletin board one day .The notification said : 'Atttention students, every fourth year and above is to be in the Great Hall today after dinner , all classes after dinner will be cancelled.'

"Ahh , that means we miss out on double potions", sighed Willow sarcastically. I laughed at her before we set off for our first class.

Since our N.E.W.T 's were next year the teachers were making us study a lot so we would do well. We were also landed with twice as much homework each night.

That night me and Willow tried to do a little homework before heading off to dinner. It was no use. The furthest we got was writing a tiny paragraph. After a while we decided to leave the homework for later and went down for dinner.

We didn't feel very hungry and apparently most of the students as well. We were all curious to find out what Professor McGonagall wanted with us that was so important that we got out of going to double potions.

We stayed in the Great Hall after dinner and when Professor McGonagall entered she asked us to move so she can move the chairs and tables. With one quick wave of her wand , all the tables moved to the side and the chair in front of them.

We all took our seats as Mr Filch , the caretaker, walked in with a record player in his hands. He placed it on a small round table and Professor McGonagall stood up and started talking.  "I have something to say to ye all", she started, The Yule Ball is approaching- a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. Now , the ball with be open only to fourth- years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish , and dress robes will be worn".

Cedric saw a shocked expression on Ron Weasley's face and knew why. He had seen Ron open a package that his mom sent him. The package included an ancient dress that was supposedly Ron's dress robes. They were brown- ish wine not black and they had a lace around the neck.

"The ball will be starting at eight 'o clock on Christmas Day , finishing at midnight in the Great Hall", continued McGonagall , "The Yule ball is of course a chance for us to all- er - let down our hair".

Cedric and Willow glanced curious looks at each other. Professor McGonagall had never let down her hair, she usually had it put up in a tight bun.

"But that does NOT mean", Professor McGonagall went on , "that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from students embarrasses the school in any way".

The bell rang for the free class that they had ended. When everyone had rushed to their next class Professor McGonagall stayed back a while to talk to the champions.

"Diggory and Potter - a word please".
We walked up to Professor McGonagall.

"Boys  , the champions and their partners- "

"What partners", Harry asked shocked.

McGonagall looked at me as if I were stupid.

"Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter", she said coldly."Your dance partners".

"Dance partners"? Harry asked,
"I don't dance".

"Oh yes you do ", said Professor McGonagall irritably. "That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball".

"I'm not dancing", Harry said

"It is traditional", said Professor McGonagall firmly. "You are a Hogwarts Champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get a partner, Potter.

"But - I Don't-"

" You heard me Potter ", said Professor McGonagall before turning and walking off.

I walked back to the common room that night to find Willow doing homework. I sat down next to her. She looked up and smiled before turning back to her work.

"Um... Ced", she started looking up.
"Yeah", I answered.

"Do you no the way we have to find partners for the ball", she asked , "well, would you mind if I went with someone else".

"No problem", I answered.

"Really "? She asked.

"Certain", I answered.

"And you won't be mad ,will you", she asked kinda worried.

"Why would I be mad", I asked.

"No reason , thx Ced", she said getting up to kiss me on the forehead before sitting back down, " how much homework do you still have to do"?

"Not much", I answered "just some fun potions to do".

She turned , laughed a bit before turning back to her homework.
We stayed up until dawn helping each other with homework and talking about the ball.

Willow was resting her head on my shoulder and we were finishing off the last of our homework when I cheaked my watch and realised it was four in the morning I jumped up off of the chair and showed Willow my watch. She had the same reaction. We both ran upstairs, said goodnight and ran into bed to get some sleep.

Next morning we both woke up at 7:30 when our first class was at 8:00. We sprinted downstairs ate breakfast and ran off towards History of Magic. We litterally reached the classroom as Professor Binns closed the door. We sneaked into class and went to our seats quietly. Thank god , he didn't see us.

After History of Magic me and Willow went to look for partners for the ball.

"I'll see your in the common room later Ced " , she said.

"Kk bye Will", I said before we both ran  off. I was heading off to look for Cho Chang. Seeker of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.

I saw some of her Ravenclaw friends and asked them if they knew where she was but they didn't . I went up to the Ravenclaw common room and found some more Ravenclaw students crowded there.

"Hello Cedric Diggory", said Luna Lovegood.

"Um... Hi", I said ," do you know where Cho is".

"I'll cheak if she's inside the common room", said Cho's best friend , Marietta Edgecomb.

She returned a few minutes later with Cho at her side.

"Um.... Hi Cho", I said nervously .

"Hi", she answered shyly.

There was a short , awkward moment where we both just stared down at the ground waiting for the other person to speak. Finally I decided to break the silence.

"Um... Cho... I was just wondering if you'd want to go to the ball with me", I asked.

" Ya , ok", replied Cho smiling.

"Great " , I said before turning around and walking off.

A few hours later I was sitting in the common room waiting for Willow. Suddenly the common room door burst open. Willow walked in.

"Well", she asked, how did it go.

" I'm going with Cho Chang", I said.

"Oh wow , great", she said excitedly.

"What about you", I asked curiously.

"George Weasley", she answered.

"Cool", I said.

After that we both sat down and took out our homework again , but this time we looked at the time now and then. It was 11 o clock when we went to bed that night.

"Good night Will", I said.

"Night Ced", she replied before we walked into our dormitories.

We woke up a lot earlier next morning. We didn't have to wolf down our breakfast and we  arrived in time for potions. We took our seats at the back for the class and Professor Snape walked in. We were ready for a long hard class.