American Teen [George Weasley Love Story]

Things will never be the same

*trigger warning-self harm*

I broke up with Andre a few days after the fight happened. I'm not really sure why. I just didn't feel like having the burden of a boyfriend at the moment. He wasn't the one for me anyways. I grew especially close to Cedric. I did everything with him. Back when my ex and dad were hitting me, I would inflict pain on myself to relieve the worthlessness that built up inside of me. I was too afraid to cut myself- I didn't know what I would do if someone discovered it. So I used charms that wouldn't leave a mark. But it hurt like a bitch, even if it wasn't the cruciatus curse.   Whenever the old compulsions to relieve the stress started to take over, I would find Cedric and he would sit with me until I got through it. Everybody needs someone to lean on, and I was very heavily leaning on Cedric. 

I still saw my dorm mates, but I purposely woke up late or early and went to bed early in order to avoid them as much as possible. I could tell they missed me; I missed them. But they were all friends with George. And while I missed my best friend, I couldn't see his face anymore without thinking of my ex or my father. So Cedric replaced him. 

 Prof. McGonagall checked in on me each week. We would have lunch together on Friday. She wanted to make sure I was okay. I told her as long as I kept my distance from George, everything is fine. 

George had tried to apologize to me several times. I started chatting politely in class with him when I was forced to, but for a long time I couldn't look at him without remembering the two worst people in my life. He had no right to act that way. So I stuck by what I said. He needed to learn. 

---

I sat with some Hufflepuffs that I met through Cedric for the third task. I was so excited for him. He was tied for first with Harry. 

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Diggory will enter the maze first since they have the most points. They will be followed by Mr. Krum and finally Ms. Delacour." I cheered loudly with the Hufflepuffs as Cedric entered the maze. 

This task was just as boring as the last one. I couldn't see anything that was happening. Each sound the maze emitted felt like a stab to the heart. When the first shower of red sparks went up, I prayed that it was Cedric so he could leave and be safe. But I didn't because I also knew how much this meant to him. I wanted him to win. 

It turns out the sparks were Fleur, who came out of the maze with scratches all over her body. She looked similar to how she did after the Grindylow attack. When the second spark went up, Viktor was carried out of the maze limp. I was scared something bad was going to happen to Cedric. I was better, but I didn't know if I could handle losing my last remaining friend. 

After what seemed like a decade, Harry and Cedric appeared holding the house cup. I began to cheer with everyone else until I saw that Harry was sobbing and Cedric hadn't moved. 

No.

I ran through the crowd. I saw Dumbledore, Prof. Sprout, Prof. McGonagall, and Mr. Diggory race to Cedric and Harry. I fought and pushed harder than I ever had, getting closer in hopes that I could see Cedric's chest rising and falling.

No. 

I was kept back by Hagrid who was blocking people from flooding the field. I heard Harry's cries. I locked eyes with Prof. McGonagall and in that moment I knew- I had nothing left to live for. 

Nothing. 

I sank to my knees, sobs erupting from me. I can't believe he's dead. He was my best friend. He wasn't fake like George. He cared. About everyone and everything. He was fair, kind. He loved his dad and did everything to make him proud. I remember joking with him one day that we should set up our parents. At this moment I didn't care if I got trampled by the crowd. I saw Cho, Cedric's girlfriend, in the distance crying. I didn't realize the emotional impact Cedric had made on me until he was gone. Cedric had been the support I desperately needed to prevent myself from falling into disrepair and going back to hurting myself. But now...

He's gone. 

I'm gone. 

I slowly slipped out of consciousness, the stress too much to bear. Before completely going under, I felt someone's arms wrap around me. I didn't care who. I leaned into them, tears still rolling down my cheek as I drifted away. All over again, I meant nothing.