Hogwarts: The Next Generation

Chapter 16: First Task

When the lunch bell rang Cedric headed to the hall to get lunch togo for him and Annabel. One of the Hufflepuffs came up to Cedric and wished him good luck for tomorrow's task. It totally split his mind that he still had to participate in the tri-wizard tournament all he could think about was Annabel and how bad she must be feeling mental and physical. Cedric thanked the Hufflepuff and gathered some food for two people. He started to head to the hospital wing where he would tell her what he was thinking. When he got there he was a little shocked to see a girl laying down on the bed. He walk towards the girl and woke her up.

"Hey Anna-.. You're not Annabel?" Cedric said backing away from the girl. "Where is she?" He asked

"Cedric!" a familiar voice called out to him. Cedric turned around and was greeted by Annabel hugging him. Cedric pulled away and rubbed his hands down her arm to feel her bone. With a bright smile on his face he rejoiced and said

"Your arm it's healed that's wonderful!" Still shocked to see it healed so quickly. He looked up to see her bright smile on her face and it warmed his heart but not enough. He looked back down at her arm and within seconds his bright face turn dull and dark.

"Is there something wrong?" Annabel asked Cedric and he didn't reply. Annabel didn't need to read the boy's mind to know what he was thinking. She had seen that face more than once in their time shared. "Cedric it's not your fault!" she said softly. He was still very easy to read when he is upset or bothered. He grabbed her arm the one that was broken and said

"This would of not happen if I came out of the common room earlier or if I would of grabbed my wand and aco a shirt!" he was getting upset by the minute just thinking or speaking about what happen.

"No Cedric you're wrong! It's my fault for sneaking into your room and grabbing you to see the-" Annabel stopped before she said anything else about the task.

"Annabel listen." Cedric taking a deep breath and grabbing her hands and placing them inside his. "Look it's my fault and I will take the blame but you must know I care about you. I care so much about you! You are younger than me so -"

"Cedric you are only older by a month-" She said but getting interrupted

"-I can't loose you like I lost my little sister." he said as tears ran down him face. He usually never talks about Sharna. He still blames himself for what happen. Wiping his tear off his cheek he gave Annabel a big hug and said "I can't, no, I won't lose you. That's why I made an oath to myself. That I will always protect you no matter what happens."

"Cedric I appreciate that but-" Annabel bit her tongue as she looked at Cedric. He had the look of desperation in his eyes plus his mind was going in all different direction. She sighed and layed her head against his chest, deciding just to let him have it this one time. "Thank you Cedric." The two were started by the bell. They then gathered their belongings and headed to the classroom to finish their last class of the day so they can prepare for the tournament.

"Ahh Annabel your arm is healed that's great!" Kayden said rejoiceful.

"Yeah I'm better now feel like myself again" Annabel said as she sat down for the class. Cedric sitting by her side. When class was over the two headed to the Slytherin common room for an uneventful night of reading up on the first task.

"Well, I really need sleep." Cedric yawned, stretching. "Besides, I need to leave before your head girl figures out who I am and curses me or something." He shut his book and set in on the table in front of the couch. Annabel rubbed her eyes and blinked lazily up at Cedric. The boy smiled and gently pushed a piece of hair behind her ear, his hand drifted to her cheek. He looked over her face and suddenly seemed to notice how attractive he found her tired blue eyes were. He suddenly noticed that she had so many more freckles across her cheeks and nose that he had originally seen. Annabel leaned into his touch and yawned closing her eyes. Cedric felt a blush creep to his cheeks. "I should go..." He said, not daring to raise his voice above a whisper.