Disclaimer: I do not under any circumstances own Cedric Diggory or the wonderful world of Hogwarts!

Authors Note: I am trying to keep my few readers, so any of your questions, comments, or concerns are completely welcome! I also made a few changes to the first chapter if you want to go back and check it out! Hope you enjoy it!!

Mal

Sunlight seeped through the gaps in the hangings on Cedric's four poster bed. Dawn had come all too quickly and the warm light had begun to pry his eyes open for the first day of the new term. Ced glanced at the clock on his bedside table. Six o'clock. He wouldn't have to wake for another hour. He closed his eyes and after a few futile moments of attempting to return to sleep, he sat up and began to dress himself quietly in his school things, allowing Ewan and Matt to continue their peaceful slumber.

Fully dressed, Cedric made his way down through a parlor and into the Hufflepuff common room, expecting it to be completely deserted. He was, however, surprised to find that the wonder-lust of their first morning at Hogwarts had also extended to Samantha Bennett. As Cedric entered the common room he spotted Samantha over by a window, gazing out over the grounds seemingly unaware that she was no longer the only person in the room. He surveyed her appearance quietly, attempting to figure out why she was up at such an unearthly hour of the morning.

Samantha Bennett was a fifth year girl who was quiet and reserved, though generally friendly and always offered up a smile to anyone who glanced her way. Her shoulder length sandy blonde hair fell into soft curls around her face and her grey-blue eyes could be seen behind a pair of glasses perched on her nose. She was short and only came up to Cedric's shoulders, but what she lacked in height she made up for in intelligence. Sam usually was to be found in the library or common room snuggled behind a large book.

'Hi', Cedric said, interrupting the silence and stillness of the morning.

'Oh hi,' she replied, startled slightly, turning her attention from the widow to Cedric. 'Sorry, I didn't think anyone was here except me.'

'No worries,' he took a seat near her widow, inviting conversation. 'It's a beautiful morning. I couldn't justify sleeping through it.'

Sam chuckled a little and nodded in agreement. 'Did you have a nice summer holiday, Cedric?' she question politely.

'Indeed. Dad and I went camping a bit and I spent time with my mum playing quidditch and stuff. Though I must admit, nothing is quiet like Hogwarts.' And as he finished, he offered up a pleasant smile.

'I know exactly what you mean. Me and Dad have always said coming back to Hogwarts is like coming back home.' Sam continued to gaze out the window as a few more students began to trickle through the common room. 'Then mum says we're certifiably insane. But she's a muggle, she doesn't know anything about Hogwarts.'

'That must be fun, having a muggle in the family! She likes magic I take it?'

'Oh yeah, loves it. She wishes that she could have been a witch. Dad and I tease her and tell her she's a squib.'

'I could never be a muggle. Life without qidditch would be awful!' Cedric replied, happy to have a steady flow of conversation going.

'So, do you think we'll have a good house quidditch team this year? Any chance at beating the Gryffindors?'

Cedric laughed, he'd heard Sam liked quidditch, but it would seem that she enjoyed the sport almost as much as Cedric did himself. 'We have a few great returning members, but we are more than likely going to have to find a new chaser and beater. Finchers and Swanson both left last year and they are going to be some pretty big broomsticks to fill.'

'Well, I'm sure you'll have the team whipped up into shape in no time, Captain.'

'Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sam, but I think it will depend on the talent we get at the try-outs, much more than my captaining skills.'

'A team is only as good as its captain, Diggory. You of all people should know that.' Sam retorted smartly.

Cedric smiled and chuckled softly to himself. Talking with Sam was a pleasant way to pass the morning. She was easy going and an earnest listener. Cedric was just about to ask her how she did on her O.W.L.s when Ewan and Matt came bounding through the parlor door, intent on filling their stomachs properly before Professor Sprout passed out their term schedules and, as Matt put it, 'ruined the rest of the term'. As Matt and Ewan walked toward the statue exit they beckoned for Cedric to join them and unable to refuse, he bid farewell to Sam, with a slight twinge of regret, and left the common room.

The Great hall was washed in the same golden morning light as the grounds when Matt, Ewan and Cedric took their seats at the Hufflepuff table and began to help themselves to bacon, eggs, and toast.

'Why were you up so damn early this morning, Ced?' Ewan asked between mouthfuls of bacon.

'The sun woke me up.' Cedric told him.

Ewan nodded and before anything else could be said, Cedric watched Sam enter the great hall and he resisted the urge to call her over to sit with him. Cedric didn't realize Ewan and Matt were watching him closely as he observed Sam take a seat next to her fellow sixth year Joshua Zountenbier.

Matt turned to Ewan and smiled. 'I think Ced's got it bad and he doesn't even know it yet.'

'I think your right. This situation is going to need constant observation. Cedric Diggory has known to be a bit of a wank-'

But before Ewan could finish Cedric hit him in the arm. 'Don't you dare Ewan. Or you Matt.' He exclaimed as he rounded on his friends. 'There is nothing going on about Samantha Bennett. We were talking this morning about quidditch and I was wondering if she'd try out for the team. I don't even know who in our house is a decent player.' Matt and Ewan exchanged disbelieving looks and eyed Sam suspiciously from where they sat.

Soon afterwards Professor Sprout came by with their schedules for the new term and Cedric was pleased to find that he started the new term with double N.E.W.T. level Charms with the Ravenclaws that afternoon followed by a free period later that evening. As they all compared schedules they became pleased to find that they all shared N.E.W.T. level Potions, Herbology, Charms and Transfiguration. Ced only had Arithmacy and Muggle studies alone this year since neither Ewan nor Matt had opted for the extra work load this year.

'Ced, you must be suicidal to take on six N.E.W.T. level classes, plus the quidditch team this year!' Ewan commented as he glanced at his friends schedule. 'You don't plan on having any fun this year do you?'

'Poor Sam, she'll never see you. How can you shag her if you're too busy or too tired?' Matt mused aloud.

'Matt, anymore comments such as that one and you'll be fed to Hagrids latest monster. No questions asked and no remorse.' Cedric sighed, hoping to end the conversation. He glanced at his watch. 'Anyways, I want to sneak into the Library for a bit, I'll see you guys later?'

'Sure you will. Meet us outside the statue of Frankard the Furry after lunch and we'll all head to charms.' Ewan suggested and as he mentioned their first class of the term, Matt began to hum a low, mournful funeral hymn. And with that Cedric gathered his belongings, one last piece of toast and headed to the library, waving goodbye to his friends.

As Cedric walked through the halls of Hogwarts on his way to the library, other students in all years and even some of the portraits and paintings on the walls waved and said Hello to Cedric, politely asking him how his holiday was. He was chatting with the portrait of Sir Gallingham when a short blonde walked by and caught his eye. He quickly excused himself from Sir Gallingham and caught up with Sam.

'Hey Sam!' he exclaimed, trying to get her attention, and she quickly turned to see him, an expression of shock and delighted surprise mingled on her face.

'What's up Ced?' she asked politely. He imagined she found it very odd that he had now sought her out twice in one day. In previous years he had spoken to her seldom outside of their Prefects meetings and some study sessions.

'Remember how I was saying we were going to need a new chaser?' Sam nodded. 'Well, do you play? I heard Zountenbier saying that you whipped his sorry arse in a match over the summer holiday.' Which wasn't true. He had never really heard Zountenbier say anything about Sam but he had heard she was a decent player through the grapevine.

Sam blushed. 'I guess I play ok, nothing like Swanson last year though. He was brilliant on a broom.'

'Well, if you would like to show me your stuff, I'll help you polish up enough to join the team. I bet you're better than you give yourself credit for.' Cedric hoped she would take him up on his offer. Quidditch would be the perfect cover story so he could spend some time with Sam without the ridicule from Matt and Ewan.

Sam paused for a moment, then nodded. 'Sure. I'd love to. But I wont make any promises about my skill. I'm nothing like you guys on the team.'

'Let me be the judge of that.' Cedric smiled. 'I was just about to head to library to see if they got any new books on quidditch, wanna come?'

'I cant, I have to get to potions.' Sam make a sort of gagging sound. 'But thanks for the offer.'

'That's to bad. Well, wanna meet on the pitch tonight? After dinner, say seven thirty?'

'Sure,' Sam replied. 'That would be great. See you at seven thirty.' And with that she gave Cedric a small wave and a smile and went off in the direction of the dungeons.