You Know I Love You, Right? (Cedric Diggory x Reader)

Chapter 25

Needless to say Cedric and Cho Chang's relationship quickly came to an end after he found out she had been tormenting me for the past month.  I was walking to Divination when I heard it all happen.

"You're seriously going to side with someone who hates you over me?!"  She cried.

"I don't care who it is, you were still being a bully."

"She deserved it!  After all that she put you through..."

"You put her through worse.  It's over."

She grabbed the crystal brooch he had given her out of her and threw it on the ground, the moment it shattered I could tell Cedric's heart had as well.  He loved her, and she had turned out to be a bad person.  I knew that he was not only disappointed in Cho but in himself as well.

As I focused on the broken brooch on the floor I thought about a gift I had received from someone who I had cut ties with as well, my badger ring.

I didn't even notice that I had still kept it on after my fight with Draco.  I was so used to wearing it that sometimes I'd forgotten that it was still on my finger.  I sighed, there was no use in wearing this old thing anymore.  Draco had betrayed me in the worst way possible.

As I began to slip the ring off my finger I heard a familiar voice shout 'Stop!'  in the distance.

Draco?

He grabbed my arm before I could pull the ring off.

"You promised you would never take it off."

"Yeah, and you promised you wouldn't get my dad fired."  I scoffed.

"Merlin, I'm so sorry I ever did that.  I'll never forgive myself."

I turned to him, "I'll forgive you under one condition, because frankly you're the only person in this school who doesn't hate me.  You have to answer any question I ask, and you have to answer it honestly."

"Ask me anything."

"Why are you so nice to me?  I mean, no offense, but you kind of have a reputation for not being the kindest.  So why is it that you're so friendly with me?"

A bit surprised by the question, Draco took a deep breath, "I'm nice to you because you're nice to me."

"That doesn't make sense because you treat Crabbe and Goyle awfully and they're nothing but loyal to you."

"Those big lugs only hang around me because I'm popular.  They're not nice to me out of the goodness of their hearts, they're afraid of me...  Do you remember the day we met?"

"How could I forget?  It was my first Quidditch game ever.  I was so nervous that day!"  I laughed.

"Yeah, and do you remember how I caught the snitch but it slipped out of my hands, so they didn't count it?"

"Right, that was so unfair.  You had it in your hand for a good amount of time before it fell.  You deserved to win that match."

"Exactly, and when I said that nobody else listened- nobody except for you."

His words hit me deeply, it was odd to think that my small gesture had been so special for him.

He continued, "You're the only person who listens to me.  I didn't want to lose you so I decided I'd just be nice as well, but I messed up.  And I'm so sorry."

I took his hand, "It's okay.  I forgive you."

He smiled, "Don't tell this to anyone, I don't want people to think I'm some little soft baby, but I think I really do love you- as a friend."

I smiled back, when Draco told me he loved me as a friend it felt different than when Cedric said it. When Cedric said that I'd be disappointed, but with Draco I was content, because I felt the exact same way.

"I love you too, as a friend."

I gave him a hug, it felt nice to finally have a friend after being alone for so long.  For a moment, when I was in Draco's arms, I didn't think about Cedric at all.  I was just happy because we had made up.

I suddenly felt a surge of guilt, if we were going to be friends I was going to have to be honest.

"Draco, I need to apologize for something as well."

"What could you have possibly done that was worse than what I did?"

My lip curled, "I kissed Harry."

"You what?!"  His eyes widened.

"I didn't mean to, I swear.  I didn't even know it was happening until it did.  It felt wrong and I felt awful about betraying you.  Even though we weren't on good terms when it happened, I couldn't help but feel like I was letting you down.  Please forgive me."

"Under normal circumstances I'd never let you live this down."

I sighed.

"But seeing as we've both been pricks to each other, let's just put the past behind us and start over."

"I'd like that."

Things finally seemed normal for once.  I tried to enjoy the feeling but I couldn't get my mind off of Cedric. All of this trouble had started because of the party, I just wished more than anything that I could go back and see what happened.

"So, what's been going on with you?"  He asked me.

"Oh, you have no idea."

I started by telling him about my trip to Hogsmeade, my kiss with Harry and my blow up with Cedric.  I boasted about the fact that I punched Cho Chang in the face, and he seemed very proud.  Then I got to the part where I told Cedric I hated him.

"You hate him?"  He asked.

"Absolutely not, but I was so caught up in the moment that I couldn't control what I was saying."

He was shocked to find out that the situation only got worse, I explained to him every detail about Fred and George's party, and when I finished his jaw was practically on the floor.

"I can't believe you went through all of that alone, I'm so sorry."

He held back a snicker.

"What's so funny?"

"I just think that the nickname 'Huffleslut' is so clever!  No wonder Ravenclaws are known for being smart."

I laughed, "I know right?  I can't even be upset over it because of how incredibly brilliant it is!"

We spoke for a bit before I had to leave to get to class.  I was more giddy than usual because not only did I finally have a friend at Hogwarts, but Cho Chang and Cedric were officially broken up. Life was finally starting to turn around.