Things you should know before reading:

Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter are only one year apart in age.

Voldemort was killed by Harry during his 5th year in the War (don't ask how).

Cedric wasn't killed by Voldemort during the Triwizard Tournament.

But he did see Voldemort return along with Harry.

Cedrics' parents were a part of the Order and were killed during the War by Bellatrix Lestrange.

There is a new student (who was homeschooled before) coming to Hogwarts named Casady Williams.

Her parents were part of the Order and were also killed by Bellatrix Lestrange.

For reasons unknown (for now) she was not allowed to attend Hogwarts before her parent's deaths.

During the book I will be switching off points of view with Cedric and Casady.


So here it is…

Chapter 1. Wishful Thinking

Cedric Diggory swiftly ran his finger across the spines of old and tattered books. He was searching for something that would provide him with information on becoming an auror. Since the famous Harry Potter, also known as the Chosen One, had defeated Voldemort in the War during Cedric's Sixth year, he had taken it upon himself to find and imprison every death eater that had escaped the grasp of both the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry. In only a few months did he plan on asking Dumbledore for permission to join the Order. After all, one of the death eaters who had escaped was responsible for both his parents' death. Bellatrix Lestrange, even thinking her name made his eyes glow with hate.

I should have been there for them…He thought bitterly. I can still see my father fighting Voldemort and a curse from Bellatrix comes out of nowhere. He crumples to the ground and when my mother crawls over to him and cries over his body she is hit by the killing curse as well, also done by Bellatrix. She was absolutely defenseless. All Bellatrix could was laugh that evil, high pitched cackle…His head had begun to ache just from thinking about it.

The students of Hogwarts had returned to start their new year of schooling only two weeks ago. Lately, Cedric had begun to notice more girls following him around the school. He was almost sure that it was do to his part in the War. He was one of the first to join Harry in the battle and had stuck by him throughout it. As a result Cedric had started using the library as a sort of sanctuary from the constant giggles of girls.

Finally, he came across a thick book with a dark red spine. It was titled, Defensive Magic for Aurors by Caroline Calbot. Then, out of nowhere, he heard that faint giggle of girls approaching. I've got to get out of here. He thought to himself. He hastily stuffed the thick book into his book bag and sprinted to his common room. He collapsed on his four poster bed and began to read hoping that these crazy girls would leave him alone soon.

But although a week had passed the giggling had yet to cease when Cedric walked by. He often heard remarks such as "Hey cutie." Or even sometimes "You're my hero." Cedric usually just tried to pretend he couldn't here these overly flirty comments.

That morning Cedric sat with his usual friends from Hufflepuff. His best friend, Jake Berlin, teased him, "Hey Ced have anymore girlfriends to add to the list?"

"Ugh, don't remind me," he replied. Cho Chang one of his ex-girlfriends who had overheard Jake had just given Cedric a look that reminded him of his grandmother when he didn't iron his clothes. She hadn't taken their break up very well. Cedric ended it just after the War. Cho had clung to Cedric like a life raft every where he went. It had become slightly annoying and he was just tired of it. He wanted a girl that wasn't afraid to go out on her own and fight for what she believed in, someone smart, funny and attractive.

Maybe it was fate. But just as he had mulled these thoughts over in his head, a girl walked into the Great Hall with Dumbledore at her side. She was slim and slender and looked like she was about 16. Her light brown hair had a slight wave in it and her facial features were flawless. Despite the many pairs of eyes upon her, she walked with a sense of curiosity instead of fear. Professor McGonagall then shuffled over to her and handed her a new set of black and red robes and told her to sit at the Gryffindor table.

"Phew. Isn't she just a beauty?!" Jake whispered into Cedrics ear.

But all Cedric could do was mumble something inaudible. Professor Dumbledore then stood up and said "Now as we all know it is very unlikely for new students to come to Hogwarts. Most of us begin schooling here in our first year. That is why I am asking all of you to extend a hand of warm welcome to our newest Gryffindor Casady Williams. After being homeschooled she has decided to pursue her education here with us. Now you may all precede to your weekend activities."

Immediately talk and whispers broke out amongst the students as they finished the rest of their breakfast. Casady was seated between Hermione Granger and Lavender Brown. Cedric knew that Hermione was one of Harry's closest friends and one of the smartest girls in the school. He was sure she would be more than happy to help her around the school for a while.

"Hey! Ced! People are starting to stare! Ced!" said Jake.

Cedric hadn't noticed that for the past two minutes his eyes hadn't left the new Gryffindor. He only broke his gaze when she turned around and gave him a confused (but beautiful he thought) smile. Embarrassed he pretended to be very interested in the waffles stacked on his plate. Jake only chuckled, "Looks like we got a girl for you Ced?! Eh…Eh?"

"What no?! It's just that we don't get new students here often and I mean I don't even know her," retorted Cedric.

"But you want to know her don't you?" questioned Jake.

"I don't know…" he mumbled.

When breakfast was over the students all got up to either study or spend their day on the grounds. While moving through the crowds towards the exit, he ended up right behind Casady. Wow she smells like warm cinnamon. She then turned around to look for Hermione when she saw Cedric and gave a little chuckle. Her laugh is so perfect and her eyes are like a forest full of browns and greens. Whoa! Stop right there Cedric Diggory. Do you even know this girl? Yeah I didn't think so; you need to stop all this wishful thinking! He quickly turned on his heel and sprinted to the boy's lavatory.


It wasn't like she was afraid of going to a school or anything. Her parents had taught her well how to deal with fear. It was just weird….Seeing so many wizards and witches her age all together. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was much different than her usual classroom setting which basically was her dining room with a chalkboard and a school desk. For the last five years Casady Williams had been a home schooled witch. That was not something you came across very often. But her parents had had their own reasons for not letting her attend Hogwarts. Unfortunately, however, during the War against Voldemort both her parents lost their lives; she never had the chance to ask them what exactly had been so wrong with her that she couldn't go to a normal school.

She strode along side of Dumbledore as she entered the Great Hall. Only ten minutes ago had she learned that she was going to be a Gryffindor. The brave and the bold…wow. Professor McGonagall handed her the new robes and she sat down next to a friendly looking witch who she knew looked familiar.

"Hi, my names Hermione Granger!" said the girl gingerly.

Then she realized who she was sitting with across the table was Ron Weasley and the famous Harry Potter.

"Hi, I'm Casady Williams," she replied, "then you guys must be Ron and Harry."

"Yep," they said in unison.

"Wait; you're Tilly and George Williams' daughter right?" Harry questioned.

"Yeah I am," She said quietly.

"Oh, I am so sorry to hear they didn't make it through the war," said Hermione truthfully, "they were amazing wizards."

"Yeah, I miss them a lot at times," she said, "so um…wow Hogwarts is really amazing….it's just so big."

"Yeah, but we can help you get around for a while," said Ron sweetly.

"It looks as if you've got an admirer already, Cedric Diggory hasn't taken his eyes off you," whispered Hermione.

Casady turned around to find two green eyes looking into hers. She had to admit he was very cute. She let out a little laugh as he quickly snapped out of his trance. She wasn't used to boy attention.

"He's pretty cute," she whispered back to Hermione.

Harry and Ron both rolled their eyes. She was pretty sure that she had already made a few new friends and actually believed that she might be able to adjust to a new school fairly quickly. Little did she know, she had Snape for double potions the next day. After finishing off her pancakes she shuffled out of the Great Hall with the rest of the students with Hermione at her side. But before she knew it Hermione was gone, lost in the sea of students. When she turned around to look for her, she caught the eye of Cedric once again, almost analyzing her, but before she could say hello he had sprinted off in the other direction. Her heart fluttered. She, Casady Williams, had caught the eye of the Hogwarts heart throb twice in one meal. Wow.


Ok so I know it's kind of short, but that's all I've got for now, but it's only chapter 1. So hang on tight!!!

And please please please review!!!

Thanx for reading! ~Hermione GrangerRanger