Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A Fallen Leader
By: ChoCedric
Ernie is sitting with the other Hufflepuffs, wondering where the two Hogwarts champions are, when the two boys in question fall onto the grass with a thud. He's about to leap down the bleachers, about to congratulate his role model, his friend when screams erupt all around the pitch. It's then that he knows something's terribly, terribly wrong.
He notices then that Cedric isn't moving at all, and Harry's grasping his wrist in an unbelievably tight grip, refusing to let go. Numbness sweeps over him, for he knows immediately what's happened before people start screaming it into the night: "He's dead! Diggory's dead! Cedric Diggory! Dead!"
Words can not describe what a leader Cedric Diggory was in Hufflepuff house. Through the days that follow, Ernie tries his best to cheer up grieving younger students. First-years and second-years who Cedric helped are beyond devastated, and even the students who are older than Cedric grieve for their fallen comrade. The entire Hufflepuff house pulls together, and Ernie feels that it's a shame this unity had to come from such a tragedy.
He decides then and there that he's going to do all he can to show Cedric that he meant something to the house, that they can stand strong and united. He organizes a special meeting in the common room where he and all the other Hufflepuffs form a circle, join hands, and promise they'll remember Cedric for the rest of their Hogwarts education, and far beyond it. Tears are shed, and a candle is lit in his memory. "Here's to you, Cedric," they say softly, once again remembering their strong, brave leader.
And the Hufflepuffs keep their promise; never do they forget him.