Disclaimer: I don't own Cedric or the amazing world that he lives in.
Authors Note: This is the second try at this chapter after a very long time. Please, any helpful hints, ideas, comments, or concerns are certainly welcome!!
Plus there have been some changes made since 8/23/07
The grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry called to Cedric in the twilight as his carriage approached the large iron gates. The castle and its grounds had an almost seductive power. It had only been a summer since he had last set foot in the castles grounds and endless hallways but it had seemed like an age to the young Hufflepuff boy. The sun was in a deep lull in the sky, casting long shadows across the green grass and deep gray of the Black Lake, marking the last of the summer evenings. Fortunately, he wasn't going to miss the summer. He gazed out the window in silent admiration, as if to imprint the entire thing upon his memory.
'Earth to Cedric,' called a voice to his right, somewhere beyond his shoulder interrupting his quiet ponderings. Turning his attention back to the inside of the carriage, he looked at his best friend Mathew Bridormire. 'Welcome back mate. I was afraid we'd lost you there for a moment'. He added smartly.
Mathew was tall with an athletic build, darkish hair and light eyes of mixture of blue and green. A mix-blood wizard, Matt was a bright student and an even better sportsmen. He played keeper on the Hufflepuff House Quidditch team. He had befriended Cedric after running headfirst into the young Hufflepuff during their first day of lessons, causing the small first year to drop all of his belongings and making a huge mess in the corridor outside the Potions dungeon. Ever since that collision nearly six years ago, they had been through, more or less, the same trials and troubles Hogwarts had to offer. But had done it together.
Cedric laughed with Matt and, rather begrudged, turned his full attention back to the inside of the carriage. He, Mathew, and fellow sixth year Hufflepuff and treasured friend, Ewan Quilleren had crammed their luggage and owls into the carriage for the ride from Hogsmeade to the castle.
'Wonder if Dumbledore got a new dark arts teacher this year...' Ewan mused aloud.
'He must have! We cant very well have no Dark Arts classes this term.' Cedric retorted
'That would be a waste, wouldn't it? I mean, wait- it looks like we'll know soon enough- we're here!' and with the Ewan popped open the carriage door enthusiastically and pulled out his luggage, with Cedric and Matt quickly following.
The three boys left their trunks and such in the Entrance Hall amongst the trunks, owl cages and belongings and stepped into the Great Hall which was decorated in it's usual start of term splendor. They made their way to the far left to the Hufflepuff table and took seats near the teachers table at the head of the Great Hall.
'Lets hope for a decent crop of first years for Hufflepuff this year!' Matt exclaimed as the line of black cloaked, smallish first year made their way down the center of the room.
Cedric, however, turned his attention to his golden plate. He was famished. He hadn't really eaten on the train, with the exception of a pumpkin-pasty he'd nicked from Matt when a pretty sort of girl walked by their compartment window, to which Matt was compelled to comment on as he watched her walk away from their compartment door.
The sorting hats brim opened wide and began its song, accompanied by a large growl from Cedric's stomach. It seemed like an age stood between himself and what was sure to be a gratifying feast.
After what seemed to be an eternity, the last name was sorted ('Zilflower, Phillipa' was placed in Ravenclaw), and Dumbledore stood, his hands outstretched as his eyes twinkled through his half-moon spectacles.
'I would like to say a few words,' he announced. 'But now is, perhaps, the wrong time. So I leave you with this; Tuck in!'
And just as the headmaster finished his last word, the golden plates and goblets filled with an assortment of food, each dish more enticing than the one before it. Cedric dove head first into his plate, now filled to the brim with every dish he could reach within ten feet of himself. To his excitement each course of their excellent start of term feast somehow managed to best the previous. As the desserts were whiskered away, Cedric leaned back and surveyed Matt and Ewan, who by the looks of it, were sharing the similar feeling of being extremely well fed.
Dumbledore stood once more. 'I would like to info the first years that The Dark Forest at the edge of the grounds in strictly forbidden... and it seems some of our returning students could use with a reminder as well' Dumbledore eyes flicked to the Gryffindor table for a brief moment. Cedric leaned back and let the headmasters words wash over him. As soon as he completed the assorted announcements ('Mr. Filch has now added Fanged-Frisbee's to the list of banned items on school grounds. For a full list, which consists of some six-hundred items, please see Mr. Filches Office door.') Cedric stood up and stretched, feeling a bit heavier than when he had first sat down for the feast.
'First years! Hey First Years, follow me!' Cedric called out to his table. Matt and Ewan snickered and went on ahead of him mockingly yelling 'Midgets! Oi, Midgets!' and sauntered off in the direction of the common room. He led the group of wide eyed first years to the statue of Borris the Bewildered in the hallway just east of the Entrance Hall. The first years eyed the statue hesitantly as it jumped aside and into a low bow as the password ('Snorkwalf!') was uttered.
'Welcome to Hufflepuff House first years! This is your house Common room. Consider it like the den or living room or your home.'
Cedric ushered the first years into the gleaming warmth of the golden Hufflepuff common room and directed them to their respective dormitories. As soon as they all appeared to settled in their respective dormitories with all their questions satisfied, Cedric plopped down into one of the plush gold and brown armchairs nearest to the fire across from Matt, who was watching the fire with an intense gaze as if he could mold it into shapes with the power of his mind.
Cedric shook his head and sighed to himself, feeling very at home with his surroundings and overcome with a feeling of tranquility very difficult to express through mere words. As he gazed toward the fire a smallish sort of girl caught his eye, reading near in a cushy brown armchair, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her medium length blond hair between her fingertips.
As if she felt his gaze land upon her she glanced up from her book and smiled at Cedric, giving him a little wave, that he quickly returned. There was something different about her. She still appeared to be slightly awkward behind her glasses, but her smile seemed to twinkle.
'There's something different about Sam this year…'
'Captain random strikes again. Thanks for the newsflash Ced.' Matt replied as he considered Cedric's statement before blurting out 'You don't want to shag her, do you?'
'No you crude little sod!' Cedric shot back at him while throwing a pillow from the couch in his direction .'She… just looks like a sixth year now. Finally caught up I suppose.'
'Ced… she is a sixth year now. That could be the reason. Bloody hell, how did you get to be head boy…' Ewan added, chuckling to himself before challenging Matt to a game of wizard chess.
The rest of the first night in the castle was spent in much the same fashion for Cedric. It was comforting to him to return to his favorite chair in the common room and laugh with his fellow seventh years. As the fire slowly turned to embers the young Hufflepuff meandered to his dormitory and pulled off his shirt, crawling into the warm sanctuary of his four-poster bed. As he slowly drifted into an easy slumber his last thought was of the small sixth year blond, smiling widely and cheering as Cedric won the House Cup for Hufflepuff.