Bruises ~ In editing

~ 8 ~

I feel myself slipping from the deep black, my eyes seemingly floating from my body as I stare at a scene. A scene I recognize at first sight.

I watch me, 15 years old, looking at the 17 year old Cedric Diggory, walking into the final event of the Triwizard Tournament. He turns around, sending me a smile and wave as he disappears into the trees. I feel my stomach drop, waiting for the moment he'll return, either victor or not.

I feel a small leap of my heart as I think of all the time I've spent with Cedric. I know girls have been hating me for it, especially those in Hufflepuff that should have had more of a chance than I had, being in the same house as him and all.

Although me and Cedric were not publicly official, everyone knew we were constantly together. We spent nearly every second together, talking about the future and laughing about all the silly things he would do to make me smile.

To everyone else, me and Cedric were boyfriend and girlfriend, and especially Rita Skeeter who headlined the "Alleged Romance of the Mysterious Black and the Dashing Diggory." I remember the problems it caused between Cho and Cedric. Cho had a crush on Cedric, but Cedric didn't reciprocate the feelings. Instead, he liked me, which made Cho not like me.

Either way, me and Cedric had a plan. After this year he was going to find a place and I was going to run away from the Avery's and live with him. I knew the Avery's wouldn't report it because they didn't want to get caught by the ministry for working for You-Know-Who.

It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was a solid plan nonetheless. That was more hope than I had had for the past 5 years of my life.

Cedric always told me that after I graduated Hogwarts, he would have a surprise for me, which gave me excitement for the future.

He was always good at making me excited for the endless possibilities life could give me if I just kept on living.

I would never admit it to anyone including myself, but I loved him because of that.

It feels as though we've waited for hours as I see a small twitch in the air, then a spark as Harry and Cedric land on the ground together.

Everyone erupts into cheers and stands up into my way as I climb upwards onto my seat, trying to get a better look.

There is commotion down in front as teachers run to them and I hear Fleur scream.

My chest tightens as I jump into action, pushing people, trying to get to the bottom.

"Everyone stay in your seats!" a voice yells, trying to keep the crowd controlled, but I sprint to the ground floor anyways, "Cedric!"

I feel two arms grab mine as I scream at the top of my lungs, "Let me go! Damn you, let me go! Cedric!"

I finally catch sight of him, his body laying lifeless under Harry as the scared boy sobs, screaming that Voldemort has returned.

Everything is in slow motion as I feel my whole life crashing around me, my only goal to now get to his side.

I rip my arms free as I sprint to his side, dropping to me knees beside him.

I stare into his now lifeless eyes, my hand pressed to his cheeks as I speak to him, "Cedric please, Cedric listen to me! Speak to me! Damn it Cedric, please! I love you! Don't leave me like this! You promised me! You promised you'd never leave me!"

I press my lips to his as I start mouth to mouth, trying to do CPR, get any form of him back that I can.

I imagine seeing him gasp for breath, come back to me, reach up, and press his lips to mine, but his open eyes don't close in any effort to blink as his once warm, soft skin turns slowly to ice.