Chapter One: The Encounter

The typical Saturday morning started just the way it had always started off, typical. Cedric Diggory awoke in his Hufflepuff dorm in a rather particular mood. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about today was different. After laying in bed for another couple of minutes he finally decided to get up and get ready. He wasn't quite for what, however. He was glad that his friends were early birds, because he didn't want to be bothered by the overwhelming crowd of people today. Once he was dressed and his hair was slightly brushed he dragged his feet sleepily out of the dorm and down to the common room, scanning around to make sure no one could jump him for conversation. Once he saw that the couple of Hufflepuffs, that had lingered behind, didn't seem to notice, or care, he was in the room, he quietly slinked past them and out of the common room. The halls were empty, except for the few ghosts that popped up here and there, and it was just the way Cedric liked it. Contrary to popular belief Cedric disliked being around a lot of people. The sun beamed down through the windows as if smiling at him, beckoning him to come outside and shower in its rays. And it seemed his feet had decided to listen. He was just about to exit when a sudden conversation caught his interest. It was Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. 'Curious…' He thought to himself as he walked in the direction of the bickering voices, curiosity was obviously his weakness.

Cedric didn't know what he was expecting to see when he finally reached the two. He wasn't even sure why his curiosity cared so much for this situation. There was just something in him that told that he had to be there. He didn't even to say anything. Draco was, as always, happy to make any situation worse than it already was. "Diggory. What do YOU think about girls?" Draco asked in a nonchalant matter. For the next half an hour the two went back and forth over their unpopular opinions about girls, while Hermione stared in disgust she really was a bit cute when she was wound up like that. "I'm going to go before I get any stupider by listening to the two of you." Hermione snapped, walking off in a gust of anger mixed with love. She may have found them annoying but there was no denying that Hermione enjoyed the company of the two. It had to be better than Harry and Ron, right? Draco and Cedric watched as Hermione flicked them off in the distance and turned a corridor, smiling at the other in satisfaction as if they had just won a huge war against an evil troll. "You've got quite the opinion on girls, Diggory. What would Cho say if she heard you speaking this way?" Draco's eyes glistened with curiosity as they studied Cedric. Draco knew Cedric, not because the two were friends secretly, or because Cedric was engaged to one of the most famous seekers of all time Viktor Krum, or even because their dads got along, no, it was simply because of Cedric's popularity. But Cedric was a Hufflepuff. A pretty boy. Perfect in everything he did, he was a threat. So Draco paid him no attention, the boy was too goody two shoes and caring for his taste. So apart from today, and a couple of Quidditch matches, they had never interacted with one another. There was never a reason. However when Cedric didn't come off as what Draco had assumed him to be, it left a little impression on Draco and it only proved the old saying 'You know what they say about assuming, it makes an ass out of you and me.' "She would probably just nag, as usual. That's why I had to kick the bitch to the curb. I would rather someone Avada me before having to listen to another one of her BORING stories about things that I don't even care about." Cedric replied with a chuckle. He wasn't normally so rude about other people so openly but because this was Draco Malfoy, and Cedric knew Draco probably didn't care anyway, he didn't hold back. "Ah shit. I forgot I had Quidditch practice. See ya around, Malfoy." Cedric said quickly before Draco could register what he had only just said seconds before, with that he was gone. Leaving Draco alone. Draco watched in silence as the Hufflepuff hurried off in the opposite direction. Something inside of Draco Malfoy stirred that day. Whether it was a good or bad thing, only time could tell. Whatever it was made him follow Cedric, like a metal to a magnet.

Draco sat silently, almost invisible, in the stands, watching the Hufflepuffs practice. He crystal blue eyes observed how much more different things were being a Hufflepuff. They were so carefree and happy with each other…it almost made Draco jealous. Almost. Draco wasn't here to watch the giggle fest, he was here to watch Cedri. He wanted to know a little more about him. He was…interesting. He figured if another came asking him what he was doing he would just say he was sent out here to spy on them by Snape. Draco's eyes followed Cedric's every perfect movement. They boy really was flawless. It was no surprise Viktor Krum had chosen him to be his soon to be. Remembering this Draco's eyes squinted "Hmmph." He grunted softly, watching Cedric catch the snitch for the 15th time in a row. The match was over all too quickly. "Great. Now what am I suppose to do?" He thought outloud to himself, making his way out of the Quidditch field and casually strolling by the boys locker room. Maybe if he was lucky he could catch a quick glimpse of Cedric…"What am I doing?" it was only then that Draco realized he probably looked like he was interested in the guy. The very thought made his insides churn. "I'm clearly too bored for my own good." With that he was off in the direction of the school.

While in the showers Cedric had decided that he would take some nice relaxing time over by the great lake. If no one came to bother him with something before hand. Lucky for him, they didn't. There was always this one particular tree Cedric enjoyed sitting under. He didn't know why he loved the tree so, he just did. He called it 'The Tree of Secrets' because whenever Cedric had a lot on his mind he would sit under it and think about his problems with his eyes closed and it felt as though every single one of them was being lifted from him and unto the tree. "Don't worry old friend. I'm not here to burden today. I simply missed relaxing underneath your cool shade." He whispered, picking up a couple of pebbles and skipping them into the lake. Meanwhile Draco was only half way to the gigantic castle when he took one last glance over at the boys locker room and spotted Cedric walking toward the lake…alone. He just couldn't help himself. Again like metal to a magnet Draco found himself being pulled in Cedric's direction. What was it about this Hufflepuff that made Draco so interested? Maybe this was his chance to find out. As he walked he watched Cedric sit down and make himself comfortable. 'What am I going to say?' He thought to himself with every step he took 'Why am I so worried about this? This shouldn't even be this hard. Is he talking to a tree? The boy is as mental as Luna if he is.'Draco's mind raced with thoughts while on the outside he looked as carefree and calm as ever. "Mind if I join you?" He asked when he finally reached Cedric. Draco's voice was surprisingly careful, it was as if Draco Malfoy was trying not to say the wrong thing to scare or anger Cedric, it only made Draco even more upset with himself.

Cedric looked up at him with those almond colors eyes and innocent smile, "I don't mind." He replied in his usual friendly tone. For some reason Cedric didn't find it odd. He found it completely normal for Draco to be there with him, underneath the tree that held all of Cedric's secrets and wishes, maybe it was something in the air. He continued to skip pebbles in silence. Draco watched each pebble skip along the lakes. He watched the ripples of the water change the course of the steady stream. His eyes slowly made their way to Cedric's figure. That's when he spotted the ring on Cedric's finger. Again his eyes squinted, as if trying to figure out what he felt about the situation, but should he care? This only made Draco's war with himself even bigger. Draco could no longer contain himself, it was like word vomit, "Do you love him?" He blurted, only to regret it shortly after. But he was Draco Malfoy. He wasn't going to admit that it had been a mistake to ask. "Yeah, but I'm not IN love with him." Cedric replied while he continued to skip pebbles. Draco's eyes widened in horror, he edged himself closer to Cedric. After all such topics should be spoken in secrecy, "What do you mean you're not in love with him? You're going to marry him! How can you love him but not be in love with him? That doesn't make sense. Aren't you scared?! You're going to be with him for the rest of your life…." Draco couldn't have stopped the questions of unexpected concern even if he had tried. Maybe Cedric held the answer to Draco's own love problems. Maybe this was why he felt so attached to this Hufflepuff who had only been a mere Quidditch enemy up until a couple of hours ago. Cedric chuckled softly at Draco's questions, turning around to face him and jumping a little. He hadn't expected to see him so close to him. He could practically taste Draco. " Just because I am going to marry him, it doesn't mean I am in love with him. Not everyone gets married because they are in love, Draco. Most people get married because they love and care for the person and eventually they do end up falling in love. That's me. I love the guy because he treats me with respect and he cares for me. Why wouldn't I marry him? I'm happy. In the future perhaps I will fall in love with him. Or not. Who really know. I have no reason to be scared. Whatever happens…happens." He spoke casually, calm. Draco's eyes softened a little. He had never thought of love in that sense, but Draco was brought up a lot different from Cedric was. It seemed that the answer Cedric had given Draco was exactly perfect, because for the next couple of hours the two talked about everything and anything underneath that tree. They shared stories, laughter, joy, a little anger, secrets, everything. With every passing second Draco knew he was falling for him and vise versa. "So when do you two plan to get married?" Draco asked, leaning back on his elbows for support. Cedric frowned a little, "Tomorrow." He replied softly, not looking at the other. "Tomorrow?!" Draco blurted a bit louder than he should have. Suddenly the time was very late and suddenly Draco had some place to be. "I..have to go. Take care. Good luck with your wedding." Draco stood up and began to walk away but not before turning around and saying,

"You're alright, Diggory."

It's funny how love works. One minute you're on clouds and the next minute you're walking on broken glass. Cedric had spent the night tossing and turning, he couldn't get Draco out of his head. He didn't think it was possible to fall for someone so quickly. What had taken Viktor and himself years of doing, took a couple of hours to happen with Draco. But there was no denying it. Cedric had fallen in love with the boy. As odd as it sounded. He knew it was love, because only love would have found him in the situation he was in right now. Which was inside of Moaning Myrtle's bathroom with a confused Draco, an hour before his wedding.

"You said you wanted to talk…?" Draco asked nervously, trying to keep his voice calm. 'What is going on? Why is he acting so weird? Is this normal? Why does he have to look so adorable when he is in the middle of what looks like a break down? Maybe its wedding gitters….' His last thought made a sharp pain run from his stomach to his heart. He was about to open his mouth to say something when suddenly Cedric had spoken and the words that tumbled out of Cedric's mouth might as well have been a spell to stupefy Draco because that is exactly what they did.

"I'm calling off the wedding."