Chapter One: The Beginning

I stared at his body as he returned. I felt a tear slowly trickle down my face. I could have stopped this. If only I had told him how I actually felt. Then I remember what Cedric had told me right before he had gone into the maze. "Hermione, whatever happens between Cho and I or even Morgan and I, just know that I will always love you."

Those were the words that I clung to dearly right now. I watched Cho run down the stands and fling herself onto his body dramatically as if they had been lifelong lovers. But they weren't. I watched Morgan stare at him. She probably felt the exact same way as I did. To tell you the truth, that was the last time I ever saw her.

Three Years ago, year one

I looked up hopefully at the large maroon train with the words, Hogwart's Express in gold. I felt the pit of my stomach drop. It was scary to think that only one month ago, I was planning on going on to my next year at Muggle school.

That is before I got the letter.

I had never made friends easily, I had always just relied on my knowledge. So I did what I usually did: memorize the books.

Just then a huge throng of older students came through the platform and one of them knocked into me. All of my books fell out of my hands and onto the walkway.

"Here you go," said a very handsome boy handing my copy of Hogwarts: A History. I stared into his deep gray eyes. "First year?"

I nodded.

"I'm Cedric Diggory. I'm a third year at school. What's your name?"

"H-h-Hermione Granger," I mumbled.

"Welcome to Hogwarts Hermione." I blushed furiously.

As I was standing in line to go try on the sorting hat, I was trying to remember all of the spells I had learned. But for some reason, Cedric's face kept on popping up in my head. When I ran up to go try it on, I remember hearing the hat say something about going after what I desired. I didn't know what it meant back then. I looked up and saw Cedric grinning as he clapped for me.

Year Two

"Hey Hermione, I'm glad I caught you right before I went onto the field," said Cedric coming up to me in his canary yellow Quidditch robes.



"Cedric aren't you supposed to be on the field?" I asked him heading towards the library. I just knew that my theory about why Harry could hear the voices was right.

"Hermione, you're going to get mad at me for saying this, but. I don't think that you should be Harry."

"Is it because you think that he's the Heir of Slytherin?"

"Well yes, but—."

"Cedric I know you mean well but, I know that it's not Harry," I said firmly. Cedric shrugged and went off to the Quidditch field. Moments later, I was petrified.

Year Three

"Hippogriff trials, nice topic," read someone over my shoulder. I looked to see who it was. Then I saw that it was just Cedric. I motioned for him to sit down. I figured that he was in the library because he had his O.W.Ls to study for. But the silence didn't last for very long.

"Hermione, I'm worried about you," said Cedric closing his book.

"Why?"

"Because Harry and Ron are mad at you for a stupid reason. What they don't realize is how you were just caring for them by telling McGonagall."

"Are you done," I asked him. He rolled his eyes at me. "Cedric I'm not that same little first year girl anymore. I don't need you watching out for me like my over-protective big brother. You're one of my best friends; don't get me wrong, but… Cedric, you need to let me fall and take the blame."

He got up and walked away. Thanks for understanding Ced.