BADGERS ○ CEDRIC DIGGORY

1;

"Estelle!" My mum called from behind me. I pursed my lips and turned around. "Estelle, you need to wait." I turned back around and continued watching. I knew where the tent was. It was in the same place as every single year. Besides, I wasn't going to be staying in our tent anyways. I was staying with the Weasleys. Fred and George were in my year at Hogwarts, but a different house. They were some of my best friends. I didn't slow down to wait for my mom. I continued walking, thinking about how my last year of school would start in in just a few days. I sucked in a deep breath. I walked down the familiar path until I spotted the sea of flaming red hair about a couple hundred yard down. I started to run.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I really need to watch where I'm going!" I heard a voice laugh as two arms stopped me from falling to the ground. I kept my eyes shut. I really did not want to have to speak. I spoke anyways.

"No, I–," I started before being cut off.

"Es! Oh my god!" The arms attached to the familiar voice pulled me into a tight hug. My eyes flew open, and once I saw who it was I immediately hugged back.

"George! Oh my lord it's so great to see you! Also, I don't know how your brother would feel about you hugging me." My arms fell to my side as the hug ended. We were both smiling and laughing.

"I just was looking to tell you - Your mum is looking for you."

"Ugh. I really don't want to talk to her." I frowned but I was already walking away. I really couldn't wait to get away from my home. I couldn't wait to go back to Hogwarts. I couldn't wait to be with my two best friends...

     All of the sudden, my thoughts were interrupted. "Estelle Noa Williams! When I told you to slow down, I meant slow down."

     "I saw my friends. I wanted to go hang out with them." I responded.

     "You still didn't answer me! Estelle, this is unacceptable. If it happens again I'm taking you're wand until school starts back up." My mum had an annoyed expression. She was rolling her eyes. I groaned.

"Mum–," I was cut off.

"Don't 'Mum' me. I can not stand your attitude." She glared at me. I realized she wasn't glaring directly at me but around me. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hello Mrs. Williams. I was wondering if I could possibly steal Estelle away from you for a bit?" A familiar voice spoke kindly. My mum's eyes narrowed.

"Who is this?" She asked suspiciously. I turned slowly around. I felt a smile form on my face.

"I didn't introduce myself, did I?" He chuckled. "My name is Cedric Diggory, surely you know my father from the ministry, his name is Amos Diggory."

"Sure, sure. Go ahead. Deliver her to the Weasley tent when you two are done hanging out." I nodded slowly, turned around and Cedric and I started to walk away.

We walked in silence for a bit. He then nudged me. "What's wrong Hufflebud? You seem depressed." I laughed when he used the "squad name" he came up with several years ago...

~flashback~
This was it. It was my first year at Hogwarts. I was about to be sorted. I waited, nervously and impatiently. I sat with two boys on the train. Both of them had already been sorted into Gryffindor. I waited impatiently for the stern looking witch to call my name. To be sorted into Slytherin. My entire family, for generations back, have been Slytherins. I was not looking forward to being sorted into the house that was stereotyped to be evil.
    "Williams, Estelle" The stern witch called. I walked up to the stool and sat down, wanting it to be over. I sat there for a very long minute.
     "HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat screamed to the hall. Loud cheers erupted from the tables. All except for one, who I assumed to be the Slytherins. I felt the smile on my face grow huge as I walked over to the Hufflepuff table. I sat between two people who I remember to be "Diggory, Cedric" and "Hudson, Vivianne"
     "Hello. I'm Cedric. We are going to be great friends. The Hufflebuds!" He shouted the last word and we all laughed.