Part Eight
You don't normally read the paper but today was an exception. The news of what happened at the Quidditch World Cup Final was front page. The same event Cedric had invited you to. You had denied the offer as you'd feel weird being there with everyone else. But now seeing that it had been attacked made your heart drop. Cedric hadn't written you yet so you sat in your bed worried and anxiously waiting for any news. The train would arrive soon and you could ask him.
~
As the students filed into the Great Hall you stood in between the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables waiting for Cedric to come. You felt a tap on your shoulder.
"What are you standing there for. Just sit down. Come on." Draco tries to take you to the table.
"I'm waiting for Cedric." At the name Draco's eyebrow twitches.
"What are you waiting for him for. Hes not in our house." You huff and keep looking around.
"He was at the world cup. I want to make sure he's ok." Draco scoffed.
"I was there too. And you aren't worrying about me." You turn to face him then look him up and down.
"Well you're here and you look just fine." He rolls his eyes.
"All summer and even some of last year we haven't talked and that all you have to say."
"Well I told you to talk to me when you grew up and cared about people other than yourself. And you're just talking to me now so I guess you needed the time." As you finished you saw Cedric enter. Your face lit up and you speed walked over.
"Cedric! You're ok!" You wanted to hug him but resisted the urge in leu of embarrassing yourself. He smiled.
"Were you worried?"
"Of course I was! I saw the news about the attack and you hadn't owled me. I thought you got hurt." He chuckled.
"All right, all right. I'm ok. See?" He jestured to himself. You crossed your arms and laughed.
"I guess." The both of you walked to your tables and sat down. Classes were normal for a while. As normal as a class with Mad Eye Moody could be. He was teaching about the 3 unforgivable curses. The Imperious, Cruciatus, and the Killing curse. He even used them on some creature he had in a jar. It left quite a few students frazzled, including you.
~
A month later Dumbledore stood at the podium at the head of the Great Hall. He announced that Hogwarts was hosting the TriWizard Tournament. And that two other schools would be coming to stay for the year. Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and the Durmstrang Institute did their fancy entrances and everyone ate. The bustle of people talking about the tournament and entering it rung in your ears. It was time to enter in for the running and many people went forward to put their names in. One you didn't expect was Cedric Diggory. You went up to him afterwards.
"You're entering the tournament? Its dangerous Cedric! Why didn't you tell me?"
"I know its dangerous thats why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you to worry." He put a hand on your shoulder.
"But I am worried! Now I just didn't have time to get over it." You gave into the urge and hugged him.
"I don't want you to get hurt. You're my closest friend." He sighed and patted your back.
"I know. I won't get hurt. I promise."
"You better not. Or ill curse you." You both smiled and hugged once more before returning to your dorms to await the cups decision.
~
Everyone gathered in the Great Hall for the choosing. Dumbledore stood by the cup.
"Mow the moment you've all been waiting for. The champion selection!" He dimmed the lights and held his hand to the cup. A paper emerged from the flames.
"The Durmstrang champion is...VICTOR KRUM!" The school erupted into cheers for their champion and he stepped forward. The flame flickered again and another paper came out.
"The champion for Beauxbatons is...FLEUR DELACOUR!" The girls all clapped and she stood and joined Krum at the front. The final flicker of flame shot out the third paper of choice.
"The Hogwarts champion...CEDRIC DIGGORY!" More cheers could be heard as he joined the other two.
"Excellent! We now have our three champions! But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one wil hoist this chalice of champions. This symbol of victory. The Triwizard Cup!" The cup was unveiled and the cheers grew louder. The light blue glow entranced any and all that saw it. But the fun was cut short by the goblet's fire flickering and whipping about. A hush fell over the room as everyone watched and Dumbledore went to investigate the disturbance. Another paper burst out of the fire as he approached. It flittered down into his hand. It started with a mumble but his voice grew louder.
"Harry Potter. Harry Potter? HARRY POTTER!" Mutterings amist the crowd lowered at his yell. And Harry approached the headmaster then joined the other three. You sighed and rolled your eyes.
"This'll be good."
1.6.2021