Call Me Em

Goodbye

Chapter Twenty-Two: Goodbye

***Embry's POV***

It had taken me nearly an hour to calm down completely after George and Cedric found me. After I had Cedric and I hid out in the Room of Requirement until it was time to go to the Quidditch pitch for the third task. The whole way there I was holding his hand in a death grip as the voice's words from earlier echoed through my mind. The voice had said that I'd be dead by the end of today and today was more than halfway over.

"Embry?" Cedric's voice broke through my thoughts. I blinked a few times before I realized that we were at the tent that'd been set up for the champions and their families. I looked around the tent to see that Fleur was talking with her sister, a woman that looked like an older version of her who I assumed was her mother, and a short man with a black goatee who I assumed was her father. Viktor was with an older man and woman, the man shared many traits with him so I took them as his parents. Harry was off to the side by himself, I felt bad that he didn't have his parents here for him as support. The only other person I spotted was Amos who hurried over to us with a large smile.

"My boy!" Amos pulled Cedric into a tight hug that made me smile. Their love for each other was so clear, a bond between father and child that I wished I had. When their hug broke apart Amos turned and smiled at me before pulling me into a hug that was just as tight. "How have you been Lu?"

"I've been well Mr. Diggory, how are you?" I asked politely as he released me. As soon as he did Cedric had my hand in his again.

"Fantastic, couldn't be prouder!" He grinned at Cedric who looked embarrassed. One of the Ministry workers that was here called his name and I watched as Amos left us to talk with them.

"I've never seen him this happy since my mom died." Cedric whispered. I looked up to see a thoughtful look on his face and slight pain in his eyes, he'd never spoken about his mother before. All I knew is what Amos had told me at Christmas last year, that she'd died almost five years ago from a Muggle illness. He'd told me about how Cedric had taken it so hard, that they'd been best friends when Cedric was younger. I'd never questioned him about his mother, I never wanted to cause him pain by making him talk about her.

"Follow me," he pulled me behind him and we slipped outside the tent where no one else was around. Now that we were alone I could see the fear and nervousness that was consuming him and I didn't know what to do but hug him.

"You'll be okay." I whispered. "You're going to finish this and then everything will be back to normal next year. Everything will be fine."

"I love you," he kissed the top of my head before reaching into the pockets of his pants and pulling out a letter. He put it in between my hands and kissed them. "Don't read this until after the tournament, when we're alone again."

"Okay," I promised as I slipped it into my pocket just as Amos stuck his outside the tent and spotted us.

"There you two are! Cedric it's time to start!" Amos informed us. Cedric pulled me into another hug and leaned down so our lips met. The kiss was gentle and sweet, it was perfect.

"I love you," he kissed my forehead.

"I love you too." I smiled up at him. "Now go kick some arse Diggory."

"Yes ma'am!" He saluted me before disappearing back inside the tent while I walked around and made my way into the stands. I found Hermione and Ron easily and sat down next to them just as the champions made their ways onto the field with their families, Harry with Dumbledore. After the cheers quieted down Dumbledore started the explain the final task, they had to locate the trophy that was hidden somewhere inside the maze. He also warned that the maze changed people. The whole time he was talking though I was watching Cedric who was looking right back at me. I was wearing his Hufflepuff scarf around my neck with one of my Gryffindor shirts to support Harry as well.

All too soon the cannon sounded and everyone watched as Cedric and Harry entered the maze, followed by Viktor, and finally Fleur. With the champions gone everyone started to talk amongst themselves about who'd win.

"Look!" Hermione pointed up at the sky after an hour or so. Ron and I followed her finger and spotted the red sparks shooting up from the maze. This caught everyone's attention and we all waited anxiously until McGonagall appeared with Fleur, she was out. It wasn't too long after her that Flitwick appeared with Viktor after he'd sent off sparks too. All that was left were Harry and Cedric. I was so nervous as it grew later and there was still no sign, it'd be dark soon.

"I need to go to the bathroom, I'll be back in a minute." I told Hermione before making my way from the stands. Halfway to the bathroom though I changed my path and headed further from the stands. I didn't understand why though, I needed to go to the bathroom, why was I going the opposite way? I tried to stop but my legs wouldn't listen and I found myself in front of a small little cup. I had the urge to pick it up so I did.

I wish I hadn't.