Star Girl | Cedric Diggory

|*| Thirty One |*|

|*| guys I've got big plans for this chapter... |*|

Cho never went to see Cedric because Aquila had frightened her away. The green haired girl proved to be quite intimidating. Aquila, feeling triumphant, went in to see her best friend at last.

It was clear that Cedric wasn't alright. Not only was he slightly bloody and burnt, but there was something about his eyes that made Aquila's stomach turn. His eyes were a bit puffy and his nose was slightly red. She knew that he had been crying. Maybe the task had mentally scarred him. Maybe Ching Chong had said something to upset him beforehand.

Whatever it was, she wanted to cheer the boy up.

"Ced, you did brilliantly," Aquila said, walking over to him. She sat down at the foot on his bed and smiled at him.

"Well, it's all thanks to you," Cedric said, "after all, you suggested transfiguration."

She could tell he was in a happier state. Sometimes, simply talking to people could cheer someone up.

"Well, I am a genius," she said, flipping her green hair. When Cedric didn't laugh, she knew something was really bothering him. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he said quickly. "Just... I feel bad for that dog; he didn't deserve to be slow roasted in an arena."

"It was more like quick roasted," Aquila said, "but all dogs go to heaven, so it's good!"

Aquila didn't quite believe that a dog had brought him down. It was something more than the death of a dog he had never even pet.

"But, it's my fault," he said. "I did this to the dog! I sent it into a situation I should've knew it couldn't handle! I shouldn't have done that to y-it! It was my best friend..."

"You randomly conjure this dog from your wand, and suddenly it's replacing me as your best friend? That's messed up, Ceddy. We've got to get your brain checked out..."

"Aquila, I'm fine."

"Cedric, you were talking about this dog like it's the love of your life!"

"I'm not talking about a dog!"

Instantly, Cedric regretted saying it. It didn't take long for Aquila to piece things together, and he was sure she had found out how he felt about her.

"Oh, I get it," Aquila said, folding her arms. Her features became dark and angered. "You're referring to Cho Chang, your new best friend!"

"Aquila, I'm-"

"Let me finish," Aquila commanded. "I don't even know how you met this girl, but for some reason, she's ticking me off. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first, but then I recalled a conversation we had in our second year about our good friend Ethan. Remember when you thought I'd think you were replacing me with him? And I told you you having more friends was totally fine? Which, it is-I stand by that.

"But now, Ching Chong has rolled in from the deepest pit of hell and somehow got you thinking she's all that. And because I trust that you won't ever replace me, you thought it'd be totally fine to start a friendship with Chingsley behind my back. You didn't think I would care at all-hell, you thought I wouldn't even notice that brat! But, I did! And while you might not want to replace me, she sure does."

"You didn't let me finish," Cedric said calmly. "I wasn't talking about Cho. Cho was always just a friend to me. She offered me help with the tasks, and I didn't want to bother you, so I accepted it. She might've had different intentions, but mine was purely friendship."

"Then who were you talking about if it wasn't Ching Chong? Fancy a different girl?"

"Yes, actually," Cedric said.

"Mind sharing?" Aquila asked. She was genuinely interested in anyone who was important to him. Plus, as long as that person wasn't Cho, she was happy.

"Well, I didn't tell her yet," Cedric said, "because of the current situation with the task, but she's amazing. She's smart and funny and has killer hair. When she smiles, the whole world lights up, and she's got a super power that's so cool, it's out of this world."

"And who is this amazing super girl?" Aquila asked with a slight smile and a glow in her eyes.

Cedric never meant to tell her then. He was waiting for the exact moment where everything was perfect. The mood had to be right, and the Hospital Wing wasn't ideal.

But, the time was right. It was just them alone, and he couldn't deny that it was a good opportunity to get it out. He had been keeping it a secret for the longest time, and he was itching to let it out.

"Her name is Star Girl," Cedric said, "and she's the greatest person I know."

|*| otp otp oTP OTP OTPPPP |*|