I know Cedric dying was instrumental to the series, especially the fifth book, but I disagreed with it. So this is what came out of my disagreement-ness...

Your Hand In Mine

Chapter 1 – Explosions in the Sky

The crowd cheered as Finius Alberdeen launched the Quaffle through the middle hoop.

"And that's another 10 points for the Moutohora Macaws, bring the score 40-60 to the Moose Jaw Meteorites," the commentary echoed across the stadium.

"Go Dad!" Isabella Ashford screamed from the sidelines, next to her older brother, Henry, and mother, Celestine. Julian Ashford, seeker for the Moutohora Macaws, waved as he whizzed past on his Firebolt.

He had given her a Firebolt for her birthday last year when it came out. It had come in extremely handy for her role as chaser on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. Tomorrow she would be flying over to England, in time to buy her new books, board the train at Platform 9 ¾, and begin her fifth year at Hogwarts. This was her first year going alone; Henry had graduated last year. He now worked at the Ministry of Magic in Wellington.

She was currently in Tennessee, America. Her summers were split into two haves. The first half was spent with her family at their secluded cottage in New Zealand, and the second half was spent in their other cottage near Ottery St. Catchpole where her father toured Europe and America with his team; last summer she had been allowed to go see him play Puddlemere United. They had lost, but it was a brilliant game.

This was the second time they were playing the Moose Jaw Meteorites. Last time they had lost, but the Meteorites had done a fantastic victory display – flying around the stadium with fiery sparks trailing from their broom tails.

The commentator's voice bought her back to the present, "Amanda Jackson passes the Quaffle to Kevin Hamish. Nice shot from beater Dennis Moran. Through the hoop and that's another 10 points to the Macaws!" Their phoenix mascot, Sparky, did a victory lap around the stadium.

"And Ashford is on to something now! He dodges a bludger by Peterson, and seeker for the Meteorites, Edmund Brayburn has caught on too. And Ashford dives...is this a Feint?" The crowd grew in volume cheering the two seekers on, oblivious to the rest of the game.

"AND HE HAS DONE IT! JULIAN ASHFORD HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! THE MOUTOHORA MACAWS WIN THE GAME: 200: 60!" the commentator screamed.

Isabella cheered loudly as the Macaws did a victory lap, their red, yellow and blue robes streaming out behind them. Red, yellow and blue sparks shot from their wands, as Sparky let out an ethereal victory song. The crowd went wild.

Isabella ran to her dad at the after party, crushing him in a hug. She had inherited his red hair, except hers was fine and straight, while his was curly and thick. She had inherited her mother's large green eyes, while Andrew had inherited her blonde hair. He had also inherited his father's blue eyes.

"Hey sweetie! Did you like the game?" he asked, still in his Quidditch robes. She nodded.

"Did you see the Meteorites faces when they heard the score?" she asked excitedly.

"I did..." he trailed off, an unidentifiable emotion flitting across his face.

The Macaws captain, Matthew Brookes, stepped up onto the stage at the front of the room, grinning.

"First I'd like to say congratulations to the team for pulling off that brilliant victory!" he yelled, as the room cheered.

"But now I have sadder news. As some of you may know, Puddlemere United has recently lost their seeker to the Montrose Magpies," he paused while many in the crowd booed.

"And one of our own team has decided to take up the position. Although we are saddened by this fact, we have found a replacement, who was recommended by the very person who is leaving us. And so I call upon Julian Ashford, long time seeker who has never lost us a game, to say his goodbyes." As Matthew left the stage, there was a shocked silence. Isabella turned to her dad.

"Is it true? You're leaving the team?" she asked in disbelief. He opened his mouth to reply, but the crowd was leading him up to the stage.

"As much as I have loved playing for the Moutohora Macaws, I have turned over a new leaf. It is true that I am taking up the position of seeker on the Puddlemere United team, but I'll always remember the team that stuck with me through all events and weather, and who always pulled through no matter what the outcome. But I'm not leaving you without a seeker, so I'd like to introduce Andrew Whitman, your new seeker!" The crowd clapped, and a few cheered. Many were silent, the realization sinking in.

As Julian neared his family, he saw his daughter look at him, hurt.

"Why are you leaving them Dad? I have two more years of school to go, but I'm fine taking the plane by myself. We could stay in New Zealand," she said softly.

"Bella, we already have a cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole. There are other wizarding families there; you could make friends..." he started.

"I already have friends," she snapped. Her father sighed.

"I meant friends who go to the same school. Besides, we wouldn't have to travel between houses all the time; you could spend your summers and holidays in one place, instead of globetrotting. And I'd still tour, but I'd be closer to home. It would be quicker to get to Kings Cross and Diagon Alley, so you wouldn't have to cut your holiday short," he said.

"So you expect me to come quietly?" she spat.

"No. But Henry and your mother have already agreed to the move. Your mother prefers the cottage in Ottery St. Catchpole, and your brother was planning on transferring to the Ministry of Magic in London anyway," he said.

"You knew?" she asked, turning on her mother and brother. Her brother nodded, ruffling her hair.

"Sweetie, this will be good for you. I can feel it," her mother said, enveloping her in a hug. She stepped away, out of the embrace. Turning, she started to walk towards the door.

"Bells wait!" Henry called, running after her. She turned as he grabbed her arm.

"What?" she huffed.

"You've forgotten who lives in Ottery St. Catchpole," he said, grinning.

"Henry, I don't have time for this!" she said, impatiently.

"Just ask."

"Fine! Who lives in Ottery St. Catchpole that I've somehow managed to forget?" she asked sarcastically.

"Cedric Diggory." Isabella felt a blush creep up her cheeks. That certainly put a new spin on things.

So what do you think? Any suggestion, etc. would be great!

Next Chapter – Welcome Ghosts

Isabella's family move into Ottery St. Catchpole, but what does Isabella have to do with a certain boy?