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

Chapter 37

I didn't get much sleep the night before the third task.  The closer it was getting the more uneasy I began to feel.  It didn't help that my mind was racing with thoughts about Cedric and his letter to me.

I woke up to see that I was still wearing his sweater, I took it off and quickly changed into my school uniform.  As I walked outside I could feel the energy of the enthusiastic students all around me, my heart pumped a bit faster as well.  I couldn't help but feel some sort of excitement in the midst of my nervousness.

We were all gathered for a big feast to celebrate the last day of having the other two schools, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, with us.  I looked around but saw no sign of Cedric Diggory, who should have been eating at the champions table with Fleur, Harry and Krum.

I sat next to Malcolm Preece and a few other sixth year boys.

"Malcolm, where is Cedric?"

He turned towards me, "He went to pay a visit to his mum before the tournament.  He'll be back soon."  He turned away and went back to his conversation with his friends.

I walked over to the Champion's table, hoping I could get a word with Harry before the Tournament.

"What are you doing here?"  Fleur asked, a bit harshly.

"I need to speak with Harry."

His head perked up at the sound of his name, his eyes hidden behind the light reflected off of his spectacles.

Fleur raised an eyebrow, "Are you ze girlfriend of Harry Potter?"

"No!  I just need to talk to him for a minute."

She shrugged as Harry Potter got up and walked with me to the corner of the Great Hall.  He leaned against a wall and I stood right beside him.

"Good luck today, Harry."

"Thanks, is that all?"

"No," I pushed myself against the wall as well, "Can you make a promise today, please?"

"If you are going to make me promise to let Cedric win, just know I won't do that."

I laughed, "No, I really don't care who wins or loses.  Just promise me that you'll make sure he'll be safe.  Bring him back to me in one piece, alright?"

"I'll try my best to, but if he lays a hand on me then it's fair game."

I frowned as he giggled at his own joke.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure nothing happens to Diggory."

"Thanks Harry."  I threw myself onto him and gave him a tight hug.

We didn't let go of each other for a while, we both needed a hug like that.  Unfortunately, we were interrupted by a seemingly angry voice.

"What's all this, then?"

I broke free from Harry's arms to see Cedric towering over the two of us.

"Did my letter mean nothing to you?  I poured everything out onto that, and you're just going to be with Potter?"

"Cedric, it's not like that.  We're just friends."

"Oh yeah," He ridiculed, "Like the two of us, we're 'just friends' too, right?"

"You're turning this into something it's not, Ced."

"You know what, forget everything I said.  I'm over this.  You can't seem to make up your mind on anything and I'm tired of being hurt by you."

"You don't understand-"

"I understand enough.  Potter is good for you.  I hope you two are happy."

"Stop it, I am not with Potter!"  I shouted.

Harry took this as his cue to exit, speeding away from our argument.

Cedric followed suit and stormed away as well.  I smacked myself on the forehead in frustration.  Why wouldn't he just listen to me?

I decided to give Cedric time to cool off before I spoke with him again.  I was not going to push off telling him what I wanted to.  Cedric had to know exactly how I felt about him, and in a way, so did I.

I sat back down next to Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott.  Dumbledore approached his podium and all noise came to a halt.

"Students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, it is with great pleasure to announce that the third task will commence in just a few hours!"

Everyone cheered, I watched as the four champions left their tables and went outside with their respective guardians.

"Today will be our last day with our guests, and it has been quite the delight hosting this event.  Thank you to everyone for treating each other with dignity and respect.  I hope that we can come together more often.  As we approach the final task, I believe that it is important for each of us to appreciate the things in life that we take for granted.  The maze the champions will be journeying through, is a reflection of our own lives.  We go through life trying to reach our one goal, and at times it is easy to make the wrong turn and end up somewhere we don't like.  However, it is never too late to turn around again and continue the fight.  Because if whatever is at the end of your maze is truly worth finding, then you will do whatever it takes to reach it.  Carry this with you as you go on with your day, your year, and the rest of your life.  Thank you."

Students and faculty applauded at Dumbledore's speech, however I sat still deep in thought. Dumbledore was right, the trophy at the end of my own maze was worth everything I had to fight for.  And I knew one thing for sure, I couldn't stop fighting.