Just Like Magic (Cedric Diggory and Hermione Granger Fan fiction)

Chapter 11: Nightmares

My legs carried me to him before I even made the conscious decision to do so. Cedric's body was thrashing on the tiny twin bed-his legs wrapped tightly in the woolen comforter that warmed his body. The look of terror on his face as he screamed his way through his dreams was kindle to the night of the final task. My arms gripped him and shook him awake.

"Cedric." My voice was inching towards desperate.

Suddenly the thrashing stopped and his eyes snapped open. He looked around the room, coming back to reality, and finally settled upon me. His breathing was low and shallow as he tried to relax. He sat up and my arms wrapped around him crushing him tightly to my body. Within seconds, he was gripping me tightly acting as if I was his lifeline.

"You're okay." I soothed. "It was just a dream."

Cedric nodded against me and just then my parents rushed into the room dressed in their robes and wearing matching faces of worry. They took in the way Cedric relaxed against me, and with assurances from Cedric, turned and went back to bed.

I released a bit from Cedric's grasp and pulled the covers over the both of us before laying and placing his head on my chest. His arm immediately wrapped around me and his head snuggled against me. My fingers rubbed soothing circles in his hair and he sighed.

"How long have you been having them?" I asked.

He already knew what I was talking about. "Since school ended."

"Are they always the same?" He nodded. "You're not there anymore, Cedric. You don't ever have to go back again."

When he spoke his voice was merely a whisper. "I was so scared, Hermione."

It must have killed him to admit this, but it meant so much that he had. Had Cedric talked about that night with his father? If he had, why was he still fighting back tears as he laid with me now? Cedric had been through a truly frightening experience and I knew the only other person who would be able to relate to him would be Harry. The idea of him being a part of the "family" I had at school seemed to be building even now. The picture of Cedric holding me tightly while joking around with Ron and Harry played over and over in my mind. It could all work out. We could be family.

"One spell, Hermione." He spoke when I didn't answer. "One spell and I wouldn't be here right now. I would be around you letting everything about you intoxicate me to the very point of insanity. One spell and I wouldn't be learning everything about you. If I had died that night... I would have left you, my family, and my friends."

My hand slid up and down his arm. "But you didn't. You here, wrapped up in me, and I'm not letting you go until I absolutely have to. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other."

"I look forward to that."

"You can talk to Harry, you know. I'm sure he's been dealing with things this summer as well."

He nodded. "It's not your fault, Hermione."

Harry, even though he would never admit it, longed for the letter he received from Ron and me during the summer. Life at his aunt's house was horrid and he liked to hear about our adventures and how much we missed him. He longed to hear he was loved.

A solitary tear fell down my cheek. "I know. Harry must be going through such a hard time now that Voldermort's back. I just wish he knew instead of having to be confused as to why we aren't contacting him."

"He'll forgive you. I'm sure you'll make it hard for him not to."

I smiled despite myself. "Thanks. Are you okay now? Do you think you can sleep?"