Charlotte spends most of her time at Hogwarts with our favorite side characters. Wonder what they were doing during those anything but normal 7 years? Lottie is Cedric Diggory's best friend, a Gryffindor ally and an all around adventure driven, snea...
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"This is so out of place." I mutter as I cross the Quidditch field. "I really think you need to get your mind off Anna." Cedric says as he walks in front of me.
I haven't left Anna's side in days. The mandrakes are almost ready. Madame Pomfrey and Professor Sprout have done a wonderful job. But I'm just not patient. It's almost the end of the year and if they don't stop the attacks the school could be closed for next year.
Cedric opens up the box of all the Quidditch balls. "Alright so you want to try out for seeker?" I roll my eyes. "Yes next year." It's not like this is really me trying out- it's just Cedric.
Cedric releases the snitch. It comes right at my face as if you say hello. I blink but don't flinch. It quickly flies away. Cedric sits down on the ground and looks at me expectingly. I shrug. "What?"
Cedric gestures wildly with his hand. "Well go catch it." I huff. I hop on the broom and fly around. I haven't done this in a while, but as I remember from last summer the wind on my face feels amazing. It blows back my brown hair that is tied in a ponytail. And all the few wispy pieces fly too.
I see the snitch and I take off. I weave between house stands and I go up and down to practice maneuvering. But it doesn't take much to get the snitch in my hand. I reach once and miss but get it on my second try.
I fly back to Cedric so he can put the snitch away. "7 minutes and 22 seconds." He says. I brush my loose pieces of hair back. "What?" He chuckles. "7 minutes and 22 seconds. That's how long- after you got on your broom that it took you to catch the snitch." I shrug. "Okay what does that mean? Do you want me to improve my time this summer or...?" He laughs his hearty laugh that reminds me he's older. He eyes glisten with excitement. "No it means you're the new Hufflepuff seeker."
He starts to drag the case of balls back to the shed. "What are you talking about? Auditions will be next fall?" "Not for you. You're on the team." I throw my hands up. "Cedric!" We get to shed and get throws the trunk in.
"I'm captain. I outweigh the other votes. I vote you're on. Luiski will graduate and we won't hold tryouts because I will take his place as Keeper and we don't need a seeker, because I am passing the torch to you. I trained you myself after all...." "GETTING a little cocky there." I say thru gritted teeth.
"Look, Charlie. You're right for the spot. You earned it. Now you can have a little fun this summer." I smile. "Wow. Thank you." I pause for a sec. "are we still gonna practice?" Cedric shrugs. "I'm going to visit Cho for a month, but when I'm home - sure."
My eyes widen. "Wow a month. Getting a little serious there huh?" He smirks. "Charlie." I smile. "Yes...." "Mind your own business." He says lightly. I put my hands up as a sign of surrender.
During our next Charms class, Seamus was all too excited to tell me someone had broken into his dorm. Rummaged through all their stuff. It freaked me out a little, but then I shared the news with Seamus that I was going to be on the Quidditch team. It was news I hadn't told anyone except a petrified Anna.
Seamus took my mind off things much easier and was always reassuring me Anna and Justin were going to be cured....
Only about a week later we get the news. Harry Potter stopped the attacker. It was You-Know-WHo. A name so dark it's not even whispered. I only know bits and pieces about him. I think I may ask my parents more this summer.
But Hogwarts will stay open and all the petrified students will be healed.
At dinner, I sit with Susan and Hannah anxiously awaiting for Anna to arrive. Dinner has barely started- Dumbledore hadn't given any of his iconic speeches yet- when I fee a tap on my shoulder. It's Seamus.
"Hey!" I say kindly. "Hi." He says relieved by my reaction. "What's up?" I ask. He sighs. "Are you excited?" I nod. "So much so...thank you for eveything these past two weeks." He chuckled. "I hope it makes up for the other week in the library." I sigh. We had avoided talking about it. "No, I'm sorry. You had every right and you just wanted to help me. That Slytherin did trip me and I lied. Badly lied but still you...you always want to help. I should have let you."
I give his hand a squeeze. He squeezes back. We're all good. "I'll go so you have some house time but tell Anna I said to have a good break." We all nod.
My foot taps feverently. "Where is she?" Susan is quiet and Hannah is biting her nails. Suddenly Hannah goes "look!" There at the doorway of the great hall is Anna and Justin. The 3 of us get up and run to them. I give Justin a hug first, while the girls hug Anna. "Oh my god." Then over time Anna. "I'm so happy you don't even know. I've missed you so much."
We all exchange hugs and inside jokes and then we sit for dinner. Justin and Anna ask about what's been happening. We tell them about the elusive You-Know-Who mystery and my Quidditch position which leads to Justin shaking me senseless. More healed students trickle in, ending with Hermione Granger.
Dumbledore starts his speech letting us know this really is the end. He announces that final exams are cancelled. "Thank god because Anna missed a month of classes and would fail all of them." Susan jokes. Anna pushes her lightly but we all chuckle.
Hagrid shows up for dinner. I haven't seen him a while which is a bummer because he's also one of my favorite faculty members. Harry says it isn't Hogwarts without Hagrid. So we all cheer and clap wildly.What Harry said is true. But if any one of my friends left or god forbid die I wouldn't look at Hogwarts the same way.
