Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or the song Silence by Aly and AJ
Author's Note: This isn't a oneshot, it'll keep going. Just so you know.
What's happening to me?
He remembered laughing as she made faces whenever Professor Snape had turned his back, then reverting to a normal face when he turned to see what the commotion was all about. He remembered her bending over to examine something in the Black Lake, then jumping back and shrieking as it snapped at her. He remembered all the times she'd angrily chased after Peeves, hexing him, or been a smart-ass in class and get detention despite her great marks.
What happened to that Jesse? Cedric asked himself sadly as he watched her sleep. Jesse had been sick for a while now, and getting steadily worse. He missed the sound of her guitar and voice breaking the silence in the Common Room when things got too quiet. He missed the smile she'd give when trying to explain to him one of her uncle's articles in The Quibbler, and shaking her head when he didn't get it. He missed the way she'd stand on her toes to get her cousin Luna's shoes down from the ceiling again, occasionally asking him for help when it was too high to reach.
She opened her eyes and smiled at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but coughed instead. When she regained her composure, she spoke.
"Cedric, when you get back to your dormitory tonight, there'll be something there for you, okay? I want you to know that even though I'm sick up here, I'm always with you wherever you go." Her shockingly blue eyes seemed more alert than since she'd first become sick, and her long, wavy black hair was tied back so it wouldn't get in the way of her face. He nodded.
"I'm sure you'll be out of here soon, though." he said, not sure if he was reassuring her or himself. Just then Madame Pomfrey came and shooed him away, and he squeezed Jesse's hand. He wanted to hug her or kiss her on the cheek, but Madame Pomfrey wouldn't let him, for fear that he would fall ill as well.
She waved at him as he stood and began to walk away. For reasons unknown to him, he felt tears begin to slide down his face as he descended the stairs towards the Hufflepuff Common Room. These tears were accompanied by the burdening feeling that he'd never see Jesse Lovegood alive again.
When he returned to his dorm, he found a small object on his bed. Recognizing it as a magical sound recording, he tapped it with his wand. His pain was freshened as her voice came spilling out.
"I'll bet two years I'll bet one year
I'll bet those years you won't be here
I guess I'll keep, I guess you'll keep
Every memory
Sadly we may never be
I'll bet my tears I'll bet your tears
I'll bet those tears over time could disappear
Wait a minute I have more to say
and I can't reminisce need to me
I need you more than you'll ever know
I still do, willing to let it show
I need a minute just to get to you
I feel like I might be getting through
Come over and say nothing
Silence is everything
I know, I know
Feelings can show
If you let go-oh-oh-oh
It must be told
I've got a hold
On what we used to have
I will forgive if you forget
All the things we said
Let's accept it
I need you more than you'll ever know
I still do, willing to let it show
I need a minute just to get to you
I feel like I might be getting through
Come over and say nothing
Silence is everything"
He was glad she'd made it for him. This sort of thing took a lot of concentration, and it was a real gift. But the happiness was bittersweet, for he knew what she meant by the song. She'd known she wouldn't last, and she wanted something for him to remember her by.
Silence.