Courage

by Falconflight

For a challenge. Cedric Diggory never honestly wanted to sign up for the Twiwizard Tournament, but all of his friends wanted him to. A mixture of his Hufflepuff-side and his Gryffindor-side at work.

For yellow 14's Courage is not just a Gryffindor trait

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Cedric's POV (Seventh Year, Fourth Book)

Honestly? I never wanted to sign up for the Triwizard Tournament. I had done some reading in the library, and I realized how dangerous it was. Everybody wanted me to do it, though. They all thought that I was the best choice.

One day, my best friends told me to write my name down on a slip of paper for a Secret Santa thing. I should have realized that it was suspicious, but I was no Ravenclaw; I was a Hufflepuff, and I trusted my friends.

So I did, and I asked them where I was supposed to put it. They exchanged Fred-and-George-like grins and told me the Great Hall. The minute I stepped into the Great Hall, they both shoved me into the blue ring. Everybody started shouting "Cedric! Cedric! Cedric!" over and over.

But, as I said, I didn't want to enter. I wanted to just turn around. I was fully prepared to disappoint all of my friends. Then, of course, my Hufflepuff side protested. I couldn't just slither away, could I? All of my friends, even Cho, were counting on me.

I swallowed and tried to summon some courage. I tried to dampen my fear of being drawn, of facing all of the tasks alone. Somewhere, I found it. I dropped the slip of paper into the goblet, and everybody cheered.

I couldn't help but laugh as I stepped out of the ring and I was pounded by congratulating friends. I guess courage is not just a Gryffindor trait.