(Chapter 10 edited March 15, 2007)

September 1, 1989

(Water makes his mark. And becomes a Hufflepuff.)

My mother and father were quite excited this morning. I think they had more butterflies in their stomach than I did. I know they wanted me anywhere but Slytherin. They never outright said it but I had a feeling that was something that was not going to happen if I wanted to live to graduate.

I made my way to King's Cross with my parents in silence. They didn't say much but my mother kept fiddling with my hair and my father slipped a few galleons to me. He had never been overly emotional or affectionate with me. A handshake was his version of a hug. That did not however stop my mother from doing so.

Not many words were exchanged besides that. The two soon left after my father put my trunk on the train and my mother wished my luck on the train and was awaiting post. I knew I just had to be sorted into a house with one of those two boys from that party. I had forgotten their names by names by now, but knew they were in Slytherin and Gryffindor and I remembered how they looked like.

The rest of the ride was blown by quickly. I was soon joined in my empty compartment by two black girls who introduced themselves as Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet and a blonde boy named Zacharias Smith who I already knew did not think before he spoke. The four of us got along for most of the ride. I was disappointed I had not seen my friends but I had a feeling we would see each other soon.

The ride in the boats with the other first years was actually fairly dry compared to the tales I have heard from other people. I was so nervous. I rode the boat with Zacharias and the two girls. The sun had not completely set by the time we departed for school on the boats so I was tempted to go for a swim. It was so long since I had gone surfing as my dad has called it unfit for a wizard during the beginning of the summer. He wanted me to take my studies more seriously, but he just doesn't understand…

I was the first of the four of us to be sorted. Then again I was one of the first to be sorted period. I was very anxious to have my fate determined. The sorting hat looked older than Professor Dumbledore and that is saying something.

I had begun to drift off and search for my friends when it was my turn. Someone had poked me as it was my turn to walk up the middle aisle to the head table.

xXxXxXx The Four xXxXxXx

The deputy headmistress shouted "Diggory, Cedric".

I walked up and as I did I saw those two boys from the banquet. The dark haired one was in Slytherin. The one that "stole my heart" was in Gryffindor. I know that sounds weird for me to say about another boy. He was just everything I wanted to be if that makes sense. I was an only child and my father was always working so I didn't really have a male influence growing up. I didn't have any romantic feelings for him. It was just that I really looked up to him despite not really knowing him.

I would never be in Ravenclaw. I am quite bright, but I don't enjoy the work. That came out wrong. I am not lazy and I don't dislike doing work. I just don't like doing excessive amounts of work and obsessing every little detail of what I have read and written. Ravenclaw would never be a good match for me for I do not possess enough wit to be a Ravenclaw.

So I have a one in three chance to be with him. Gryffindor, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff. I also had a two in three chance of being with someone I knew. But I really wanted to be with the Gryffindor. I put on the hat, and the hat immediately surprised me.

"Warrior of water, Ravenclaw is out of the running"

I was immediately taken back by what was happening. I had no clue the hat was a sentient being. I thought it was just done randomly. I was not ready for what I was about to hear.

"You are brave, but you are no Gryffindor. You will face the epitome of evil head on, but will not back down. But it is not in your future to be in the den of the lions. And alas don't worry you'll see him soon enough."

"You are ambitious and cunning…"

'No Slytherin!' I thought. As much as I wanted to be with someone I knew I didn't want to be with the black haired kid with the horrible teeth. He seemed nice enough but I really didn't want to be with him for the next few years.

"But you could do well. You could go far there."

'No!' I replied.

"Dedicated and stubborn, better be HUFFLEPUFF" it announced to the Great Hall.

The Gryffindor boy looked crest fallen while the Slytherin had a smirk on his face. I knew everything would work out in the end. It just had to. The sorting hat said so…

Oh no. Then it sunk in as I finally sat down at the Hufflepuff table.

'I won't be with him.'

After some self doubt I began to put everything back into perspective.

'Maybe the hat is right after all" I said as I had begun to eat.

The possibility of becoming friends was not out of the running, but it was unlikely with the housing situations. And then it hit me. His name was Oliver and the Slytherin was Marcus.

I don't know why I spaced like that but then all of a sudden I could think of their names again. All of this has to be happening for a reason. We are all in different houses as part of a bigger plan or something…

xXxXxXx The Four xXxXxXx

Hey Journal,

It's me again. My first year did not change me as I thought it would. I just grew to hate my father even more and tried to even rebel a bit, but to no avail. I know Hufflepuffs are supposed to be loyal and everything but you should try living with that insane man. I made a few friends, but none of them were worthwhile mentioning… well except for Oliver and Marcus. The two of them always did their best to come through for me, even when they could have done nothing and avoided losing house points or getting a detention.

They really stuck by me much to my fathers chagrin. He was jealous of the Wood's prestige and the Flint's wealth. Sooner or later hopefully he will see the error of his ways. This man will be the death of me I swear. I can say for one thing that I am absolutely horrible in everything. Flying was ok, but there is no way I will make my way onto the Hufflepuff house time for the seeker on the team is really good and is only a fourth year.

Potions is the bane of my existence. My marks were less than stellar, but I don't really care. Yes everyone sees me as perfect little Cedric, but oh well. I guess I just had a very difficult time adjusting to life here at Hogwarts. Hopefully next year is a much better year for me or I will never be able to make it here at Hogwarts.

No one in my house is really worth my time as horrible as that may seem for me to say because they all see me as my father's son and that is driving me insane. Sure there are people that will talk to me when they have to when they are bored or have work to do, but no one in my house genuinely wants to talk to me.

Zacharias, or Zach—that's what he "lets" me call him. I can't believe that my first year is already over. He isn't that bad of a guy but one thing for sure he is a big pompous git, even worse than that Weasley in Oliver's year. But deep down he is a good guy, but for some reason he refuses to show that side of himself to others…

I have to go now. We are about to arrive at King's Cross

-Cedric

Author's note

I've done a few cosmetic updates on the chapter. I did add Cedric's perspective on his first year. While Oliver and Marcus' were from more of a third person perspective I decided it would be much more effective if Cedric summed up his first year for you the reader. I will try to add more in the future. Review responsibly please!

-griffin