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

Chapter 29

I didn't know what to do with my newfound information.  Did I confront Cedric and tell him off, or did I just forget it ever happened and go on with my life.  Either way I'd end up finally cutting off Cedric from my life, which was something I didn't want, but knew it was necessary to do.  However, Cedric managed to find me before I could decide what I wanted to do.

He stopped me in the hallway and grabbed me on my shoulders, holding me tightly so I couldn't push him away.

"We need to talk."  He said in a stern tone.

"We sure do," I hissed, "I figured out what happened at the party."

He immediately changed his expression from harsh to nervous at these words, "You did?  How?"

"It doesn't matter.  All I know is that you told me you wanted to forget about it, you said you wished it had never happened.  Why?"

He sighed, "It's complicated."

"All of this time the two of us have been fighting over that bloody party because you wouldn't tell me what happened.  But now I know."

"You don't understand-"

"I understand everything.  I'll never be anything more to you than your silly little best friend."

"Listen," Cedric grabbed my arm and held it with a tight grip, "You have no reason to be upset.  I have feelings for you as well."

I yanked my arm out of his hands, "How dare you."

He tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"You- you convince me that you're in love with me, but then you go and get yourself a girlfriend.  And when I told you I loved you, you didn't even bother to break up with her.  In fact, you stayed with her even after I warned you about how cruel she was.  You don't love me, so stop pretending that you do.  You're just playing with my emotions and hurting me more."

"But I do love you!  I just loved Cho as well for a bit."

"That's the thing Cedric.  My whole life I've never loved anyone other than you, but I can't keep doing this to myself anymore.  I can't make you my first choice when I'm barely even your second!"

"You are my first choice!"

"Then why didn't you break up with her after the party?  If I told you how I felt and you felt the same way, then why did you stay with her."

He paused for a moment and then opened his mouth to answer, however I interrupted him before he could say anything.

"Don't even bother answering.  I know why.  It's because deep inside we both know you don't love me like that.  I'm your friend, and that's all I'll ever be?  Isn't it?!"

"I didn't want to lose you!"  He blurted, "If we dated and broke up then there's a chance we wouldn't be together anymore.  I kept everything from you to protect our friendship!"

"Yeah, well you've done a great job of that haven't you?!  This whole year while you've been trying to 'protect our friendship', you've only made it worse.  And to think, you called me a liar for not telling you how I felt.  You're the biggest liar out there!"

"I'm not lying.  I really am in love with you, so why are we fighting?  Isn't this what you've been wanting all year?"

"Cedric, you're pathetic.  This entire year I've been put through so much, things you can't even imagine.  But I'm so glad that I have because it's taught me that I am so much stronger than I thought I was, and that I'm so much more than your little love interest.  I'm intelligent, I'm tough, I'm a goddamn great quidditch player, and most importantly, I am my own person."