morph | cedric diggory

seven

Cedric hadn't spoken to Esther in almost a week now, not because he didn't want too, though he had just gotten so busy. Firstly, he felt as if he wasn't spending enough time with his other friends, and then the Quidditch season had started up again and Cedric was determined that Hufflepuff would not come last again. Sometimes, Esther would wonder by the Quidditch Pitch while they were practising, watching how much belief and strength Cedric had with his team. It made Esther lightly smile to herself, before she wandered off in whatever way she wished.

"Not spending much time with Esther then Ced?" Tom asked, sliding down into the seat next to Cedric.

"I'm trying just to focus on friends and Quidditch that's all." Cedric sighed, he was fiddling with his fork.

"Is Esther not just a friend then?" Tom said suggestively, yet Cedric just rolled his eyes.

"I don't know, just she makes me think of Poppy too much." Cedric seemed exhausted. Perhaps he had been practising with the team a bit too much, though his mind seemed so stressed as well.

Luther turned his head into the conversation, "Or maybe it's Poppy that just reminds you of Esther." Then Luther stood up, and walked off to someplace other than there.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cedric mumbled into his breath.

"That you need to go and get the girl." Tom winked, before running after Luther, leaving Cedric alone with his thoughts. Then his mind raced to alluring memories of Esther, her laugh, which was light and playful, and how she would always end it on a short but sweet giggle. Then her smile, that smile, which reflected Poppy though seemed so original. Cedric thought whether Poppy was right about Esther being enigma too, as that girl had secrets yet didn't even let that on when you spoke to her. You could know her for years and not know she was hiding something so big from you. He remembered how sometimes, Esther would just smile to herself as if she was thinking about something incredible.

Then, he was thinking so much he heard 'Asleep' by the smiths begin to play. He approached Esther and held her close, swaying her to the music, her head leaning on his chest. And in a flash. It all faded into the hall in front of him. He met a new feeling of guilt, not at all like the one he had greeted after Poppy's confrontation and his realisation. Then, the pain that this guilt brought was like a spider, crawling across his back, daggers for legs. Something, that with pain, pushed him forward. He had got up, then found himself almost running towards the Hufflepuff Common Room.

"Esther!" he cried out, as he sped towards down the stairs to the basement. Though it was then he heard a familiar voice behind him, calling his name. Swiftly, he turned around, and then there she was, Ona Goyle.

"Cedric, Blaise has Poppy." For a moment, he felt like turning around and continuing for Esther. However, something struck inside of him, knowing that Esther would want him to go and help Poppy, maybe Poppy was the key to Esther.

Now, he was running again, in the opposing direction to where he thought Esther to be. At first, he was unsure where Ona was taking him, then it all seemed familiar. The tower, the one he had taken Poppy too. Was that where Poppy was hiding all this time? In the very castle?

"I don't know how to get in." Ona cried as they reached the entrance, "though I saw Blaise come through here holding Poppy down." Without a fraction of hesitation, Cedric did the pattern that opened the door. Right behind him, he heard another voice.

"Cedric?" Then, as he turned around again, it was Esther. Running towards him with Malcolm, her smile had been replaced with a look of worry and pain. "Where's Poppy?".

"Right up here." Ona smiled, then both of them sped up the stairs that led to the tower. So unknowing of how Ona and Malcolm stayed by the door, guarding it.