He was dead. Never going to live again. He was never going to look into my eyes and blush in the simple way he did. Cedric Diggory. Why, Cedric? You were one of my best friends. Always giving me tips in Seeking, although you were in Hufflepuff. Inviting me to the Yule Ball. Being so nice to me although you knew I was in love with Oliver Wood. And you're just...gone now.

Cedric Diggory was gone. My best friend was dead.

"Cho?"

I turned.

"Oliver?"

He pulled me into his arms in a deep embrace.

"I heard about it, Cho. Word got to the Ministry. So it's true? He's really dead?" Oliver asked, his brown eyes full of concern.

"Yes. Yes he's gone," I answered. And not for the first time that day, I cried. I held Oliver closer.

"Oliver?"

"Yes, Cho?"

"Promise me you won't die and leave me alone," I said. I knew I wasn't talking sense. But at that moment...nothing else mattered.

"I promise, Cho. I promise," he said, running his fingers through my hair. He pulled away and looked at me. And then he wiped my tears away. "Stop crying now...it won't do anyone any good." Oliver kissed my forehead.

"So what're you doing here in Hogwarts, Oliver?" I asked. Oliver hadn't been in Hogwarts since he graduated last year.

"Just investigating the Ludo Bagman case. I'm from the same Department he's in. Apparently he ran off due to God-knows-what...I don't know what's going on, just here to find out." he replied.

"Oh," I said. And then, the tears came out again. It was unstoppable. "Cedric...He's gone, Oliver! I don't know what I'm going to do..."

Oliver held me tightly in his arms.

"Don't worry, Cho...it will be over soon."

**

In school the next day, I heard rumours flying around as I walked down the corridors.

"Hey! That's Cho...Cedric's girlfriend. I heard that she blames Harry for Cedric's death...after all he did ask him to take the Portkey with him..."

"That's Cho Chang, isn't it? Do you think she's upset..."

I tried to get away from all the noise. I had no idea where the rumour saying that I hated Harry for Cedric's death came about. I never blamed Harry Potter. I knew that he wouldn't do anything to harm anyone on purpose, considering that he played a part in saving my life last year. And since when did Cedric become my boyfriend?

I ran all the way to Charms. Oh Cedric, if only you didn't die...

**

"Miss Chang? Are you listening?"

I was jolted away from my thoughts.

"Yes, Professor Flitwick."

"Good. Now can you try to perform the Buffadulus Charm?" he asked, looking at me.

"Er," I got up and tried the charm, which I couldn't do at all because I hadn't been listening.

"5 points from Ravenclaw for not paying attention in lessons, Miss Chang," said Professor Flitwick sternly. "And I will see you after class."

I nodded. I accepted the punishment willingly...after all I never had the mood to pay attention in lessons since Cedric's death.

Charms Lesson ended. I went to see Professor Flitwick.

"Now Miss Chang, I understand you are upset about Cedric Diggory's sudden death," he started. I stiffened. "But there is no reason for you to let your studies slacken. Was Mr Diggory your boyfriend?"

"No sir, he was never my boyfriend," I responded curtly.

"And then why have you always been seen to be daydreaming during lessons since his death?" he asked.

"He was my best friend, sir," I said truthfully.

"Really?" Professor Flitwick looked at me suspicously.

"Yes, if you must know, my boyfriend is Oliver Wood," I admitted finally.

"Oh," he gave an amused smile. "I would have never expected you to get together with the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain."

"Neither did I. Sir, may I be excused now? I'm late for my next lesson." I said. I didn't want to continue talking about my relationship with Oliver, or my relationship with Cedric.

"Yes, yes, you may go now." Professor Flitwick said, looking seemingly satisfied.

**

After the whole day at school, I finally could go to the Common Room to rest. A few of my good friends came up to me.

"Are you all right, Cho?" asked Sandra.

"Yes, I am. There's nothing wrong. I'm sorry Sandra, but I'd want to be alone for a while, please," I replied.

"Sure, Cho. Anytime." She smiled in an understanding manner, and together with Kate and Stacy, she left.

I was alone in the Common Room. All of a sudden, I wished that Oliver was here. It was a comfort to be held in big strong arms and to look at a more understanding face. Hmmm. Since he was back at Hogwarts, he should be in the Gryffindor Common Room. I got up, left through the potrait hole, and went towards the Gryffindor Tower.

**

I was in front of the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Hey, erm, can you help me tell Oliver Wood that I'm looking for him?" I asked the Fat Lady.

"Hmmm. I'm not sure if that's going according to the school rules, miss," she responded.

"I'm sorry...but Oliver isn't a student at Hogwarts anymore. Surely it wouldn't hurt to just let me go in and get him?" I said hopefully.

"Well, I don't know..." she trailed off.

"Please? I really need to speak to him," I said.

"Well, okay," the Fat Lady gave in finally.

The portrait swung aside, and I went in through the portrait hole.

"Thanks," I said.

Stepping in, I saw Oliver with his ex-Quidditch team mates.They were laughing and joking. I hadn't been able to laugh like that since Cedric died. I forced a smile.

"Oliver? Could I speak to you?"

Everyone jumped. No one had noticed me coming in. Harry gave me a remorseful and guilty look.

"Cho?" Oliver looked at me. "What are you doing here? You're a Ravenclaw."

"Yes, I know that. I was looking for you," I said. This wasn't the time to distinguish between houses.

"Okay..." he smiled. He looked at his friends. "I got to go for a while...see you guys later."

We stepped outside the potrait hole. We went further down the corridor, where there were no paintings or people.

"What's wrong, Cho? It's quite unlike you to come to the Gryffindor Common Room looking for me like that," he said, immediately seeing that something was disturbing me.

"I don't know, Oliver...it's just...Cedric..." I trailed off. Emotion was choking me. "I hadn't been able to concentrate on anything! Just because of his death...I can't even think properly, I can't even listen during lessons! What am I going to do, Oliver...What am I going to do..."

"There, there..." he said, pulling me into his arms. "It's natural. Cedric was one of your close friends..."

"Yes...I know. And Oliver? Can you tell Harry that I never blamed him for Cedric's death? Those rumours going around were never true. Tell him that for me, will you? Tell him to stop blaming himself too..." I said, pulling away.

"Sure, Cho," he said. "Now stop crying."

He wiped away the fresh tears that were flowing down my cheeks.

"Oh Oliver..." I said, in between sobs. "How could this happen...?"

Oliver said nothing, and continued holding me in his secure embrace, patting my back.