It was the evening and all the students were waiting in the arena, ready to sing for and cheer their schoolmates, and espiecially one. The winner.

I was nervously nibbling my fingers unable to wait any longer. But then, it felt like I new this scene, like I knew this moment, just like I had already lived it some time ago. Everything was so strangely familiar. I glanced all around me and felt the panic overwhelm all my body. Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Bargman...and Moody! No, I perfectly knew this moment, I fully knew what was going to happen in only a couple of seconds.

I felt so lonely and powerless: all these people around me didn't know what I knew, they didn't know what they were up to find out. And then, it happened. A noise was heard and a light shined forth. The musicians began to play, and the students to applause and sing. No, no...not again. I couldn't believe this was happening again! I was doomed to live once more this unbearable moment, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I walked down the stairs of the arena and hesitantly went towards the crowd. I closed my eyes when I heard Fleur shriek. I knew what I was about to see once I'd go through all these people, I knew who I would find. But I did it, it was just like it had to be. I had to repeat what had happened even if I didn't want to. When I reached the place, I saw with pain Harry kneeling on the floor, crying out in despair. I moaned and walked a little closer to where Harry was crying. I knew what I was going to see. I wanted to close my eyes but I just couldn't. It was like I was in my head, but that I couldn't control my body. I looked down and saw with horror Cedric's breathless body, lying on the ground.

But this time, it was different than the first one, I came closer and knelt down close to him. I stroked his white and cold cheeks and called for him. I was no longer hearing the students' shrieking and screams, I was focused on him, and him only.

"Cedric" I whispered. He didn't react and I just stared at his still and empty pupils. Amos Diggory bolted out of the crowd and fell down on the ground. I quickly stood up and watched with terror and distress this father crying over his son's body.

Cedric Diggory was dead, again.

I suddenly woke up and a little shriek slipped off my mouth. My face was wet of my tears and my heartbeat was racing. I gasped while I tried my hardest to recompose. But I was unable to, this dream was so horrific, so painful. I was feeling a lot more distraught than I had been that day of the last year. He wasn't any schoolmate, out of my circle of relatives. He was my non-complete ghost, my friend, my...

I was uncapable of stoppping the flow of my tears. I was breathing heavily, covering up my face with my two hands. I then gasped and rolled around over my stomach, digging my face under my pillow to weep freely without disturbing my roommates.

When I finally cooled down, I kept still on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was desperate not to have Cedric here with me to comfort me. I wanted to see him, wished I could see him walk through the wall and sit next to me to make me forget this nightmare.

Today wasn't any day, it was the 24th of December, and I felt a little relieved when I remembered that I would spend Christmas Eve with him, and exclusively with him. Ten minutes later, I forced myself to get up from the bed. I dressed in my Muggle clothes and went downstairs in the common room.

I found all the Weasley's and Harry there, chatting about presents, but also about Christmas dinner.

"Hey, don't touch it" I heard Harry exclaim to Ginny. My friend scowled and moaned. "But I can't wait till tomorrow" she complained. She made her poppy dog-eyes. "Please, let me open it".

Harry kept quiet a long minute, and I felt like my best friend was close to giving up. "Please Ginny. I want you to wait until the next morning. I promise you, you'll be the first one to open your present".

Ginny sighed and even mumbled some inaudible words, then she finally walked to me. She greeted me and then left with her brothers. I took a seat next to Harry. "Good morning" I said.

Harry glanced up and froze a couple of seconds. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned "What happened to your eyes?". I glooked away and tried to discreetly cover them with my hand. By the way, I felt the first signs of a cruel and heavy headache. "I had a bad night" I muttered. Harry frowned and stared at me a long moment. "Okay well, I hope it won't stop you from celebrating Christmas " he said.

I bit my lower lip. I wasn't expected to get onto this subject that soon, to be honest I wanted to wait till dinner. "Actually" I began with a soft voice "that's what I wanted to talk about with you" I lied. Harry stared at me with a surprised look. " I'm sorry, Harry. But this year, I could not stay with you for Christmas Eve ".

Harry sighed.

"Don't tell me you've planned to work on your schoolworks during Christmas, haven't you?" he exclaimed with a reproachful voice

"No" I answered. "I'm not just a bookworm", I wanted to answer. Although I was sure that Harry knew a lot about my personality, sometimes, I felt like Cedric did know me better than my friend ever could.

"But I've planned something tonight" I continued. Harry frowned. "With Scott?" he said in a neutral but reluctant voice. I shook my head. "No. Scott will be with his friends" I answered "I'm not going to stay with any student of the school". Well, you could say that this last sentence was a lie, but I considered it was the truth in a way: Cedric wasn't a Hogwart's wizard anymore. Harry mused and then nodded. "Are you sure that's what you want?" he asked. I knew Harry enough to understand that this question was a rhetorical one. I nodded and composed a smile. "Can I count on you to announce it to Ron?" I asked. Harry winced but agreed. "Thank you" I murmured, then I stood up to go to the Great Hall for breakfast.

I silently took a seat on the bench. I didn't need to see my face on a mirror to know that I certainly looked grumpy but also deeply depressed. I was depressed. Two days ago, when I was in Hogsmeade, I had cried all over my way back to the castle, and the night, in my bed, I had cried again.

I felt so powerless, weak and guilty. I was blaming myself for not getting that bloody book earlier. I even wished I had been brave enough for sneaking out of the bookshop with it in my packets! I would have probably not slept for a while, eaten up by remorse, but I would have been working on that rebirth potion already.

My dark thoughts were apparently visible to everyone because Ginny took a seat next to me. She gazed me a long minute, and I waited for her to finally talk. And she did.

"Hermione, are you sure you're feeling alright?". I looked at her and saw her worried face. "I'm fine" I answered "Why are you asking me that?"

"Look at you" she exclaimed "You look so upset. I've never seen you in that state before".

"I"m feeling fine Ginny. Don't worry" I murmured taking a bite of my tastelessly toast. She shook her head. "I can't. Hermione, you're my best friend. I blame myself. I was so busy talking about Dean that I haven't noticed that you were in big pain"

"I'm not in big pain" I tittered. That was quite funny to see how Ginny always managed to extrapolate things. "Then, what's wrong?" she asked. What could I tell her? She was waiting for an answer, and I was sure that she wouldn't give up until she got one. "I made a promise that I won't be able to keep" I whispered.

Ginny shrugged. "Who is it you made a promise to?"

It's a little complicated, and kind of a secret". Ginny tensed up just like I had slangged her. "Don't you want to share this secret with your best friend?" she asked in an offended way.

I sighed. I held her hand and tried to comfort her. Merlin! I was supposed to be the one to be comforted, and now I was trying my best to find the good words to put her at rest. "Ginny. You are my best friend. But I can't talk about this with you. Not now." I murmured. She gave me a frown "You are not going to spill the beans, are you?"

"I'm not" I ranswered with a little smile. (But it probably looked like a grimace)

Ginny patted my hand and brushed one of my locks back behind my ear.

Twenty minutes later, while I was still grumbling at myself. I heard footsteps.

"Is that true?" Ron said.

I turned to him, with a compelte neutral face. My red-haired friend looked me up and down. Behind him, I saw Harry who was giving me an apologetic look.

"You won't be with us tonight, will you?" he asked.

I rubbed my puffy and irritated eyes and sighed.

"No, I won't" I answered "I don't want to argue with you, I'm not in a good mood".

I rested my elbows on the wood table waiting for Ron to yell at me. "Well, alright" he said iwith a calm voice "But you're going to have dinner with us, aren't you?" he hopefully asked. I gaped in surprise. I glanced at him and saw his calm face. That was...unexpected. Really. Miracles could finally happen in Christmas.

"I will" I answered.

Ron gave me a little smile and nodded. "It's better than nothing". His voice wasn't reproachful, it was just neutral with a hint of disappointment. I glanced at Harry who looked as surprised as I was. He gave me a satified and content grin.

It was seven, and the dinner was close to be served. My boredom and my grief lightened a little when I remembered that I wasn't so far now from meeting up with Cedric. Actually I haven't seen him since I had gone to Hogsmeade a couple of days ago. In fact, to offset my absence after dinner I had assumed that it would be better if I spent the most of my time with my Gryffindor friends.

I was surprised to see how much I missed the presence of him next to me during those two days. And maybe this had made me sink more into my chagrin.

In the dormitories, all the girls were dressing up and putting on make-up. Lavender was brushing her hair while Ginny was changing her sweater for the fifth time. Thank Merlin, I avoided all these disturbances. I dressed with a brown trousers, a long-sleeved beige sweater and a sleeveless brown waistcoat. I tied my hair in a poneytail and let a couple of my curly locks frame my face.

I left the Gryffindor aisle and walked to the Great Hall. The room was decorated with hundreds of candles. The sky ceiling was glittering, the Houses big flags were hanging above students' heads. Almost everybody was gathered, sitting at their respective tables. The twins were lighting some little fireworks in the hall while Filch was running after them, voicing the most violent threats ever.

Dumbledore, sitting on his chair, was watching the scene with a grin. Then, his eyes turned to me and he gave me a friendly smile. I smiled back at him and walked towards my table.

Scott, who was talking with his mates, ran to me.

"Merry Christmas" he exclaimed. He hugged me and smiled. "I've read your note on the frame" I said. Scott winced and ran his fingers through his hair. "Oh sorry. But, it's not what you think. 'Become besotted' is an expression we used to say with Ced". I shook my head and smiled.

"I know" I answered. Scott relaxed. "Good. I feel reassured now that I know that he had let you into the secret" he winked at me.

"Yeah, a lot more than you can imagine" I thought.

We heard his friends call for him. He gave me an apologetic look. "Do you want to stay with us?" he proposed "Don't worry, we'll take good care of you".

I smiled. "I don't doubt it but I have already planned something for tonight. Thanks anyway." I answered.

Scott gave me a disppointed look but smiled. "Merry Christmas" I added before he went back to his table.

The dinner was almost over when Dumbledore got up to make an announcement: the students were free to go around the castle until midnight, but after that time they would have to be back to their common room.

Most of the students erupted with joy, and I saw Umbridge mouth a big "what?". Obviously, the headmaster had forgotten to share this piece of information with her. She even tried to speak, but Dumbledore suddenly grew his voice louder.

When he finally sat down, she stood up to make her own announcement (certainly to add up some restraining rules) but she didn't time to start that all the students were already rushing out of the Hall. She huffed and sat back on her chair. I wished a last merry christmas to my friends and left the Hall, thrilled. I didn't know how it was technically possible, but the corridor was already empty when I got in.

I was about to reach the corridor leading to the Hufflepuff common room when I heard. "No corridor today. It's a special night, you know".I stopped and I felt a big smile appear on my face.

I spinned around and saw Cedric standing behind me. "I'm glad to see you" my mouth blurted out. I flushed a little, and Cedric grinned at me. "I'm glad to see you too" he answred back. "Well, I can even say that I missed you these last two days." And that's how I was feeling too. It was like I was discovering his features again.

"Where are we going, then? " I asked.

Cedric smirked and stepped closer. "Well, I've heard Dumbledore's annoucement and" he smirked "seen Umbridge's face". He glanced away a couple of seconds as if he was afraid to be heard, or let's say as if he was about to tell me a secret. He grinned at me and added "So, I know you're mine till midnight". I laughed, surprised. "It's not enough, but we'll deal with it" he said. I raised an eyebrow and gave him an inquisitive look. "What are you conspiring?" I asked.

He smiled at me. "Come on" he said walking up to the exit doors. "Outside?" I said surprised "What for?". He didn't answer and walked accross the park. What all this secrecy was supposed to mean? Anyway, I would lie if I said I didn't like it. I loved when Cedric was surprising me. And especially tonight. So I didn't ask more questions and followed him.

The air was cool but nice, and the snowy landscape was pleasant to watch. We reached the lake and he pointed me a broken trunk where I could sit on.

"How did you friends react about tonight?" he asked sitting next to me. I rubbed my hands to warm them up. "Well, pretty good. Ron didn't get mad" I answered.

"Wow, that's staggering" he laughed. I nodded and smiled. I looked him deep in the eye,it was so comforting to see so many feelings. His eyes weren't lifeless like in my dream. They were proving me he was still alive. I didn't care about his state, he was here with me.

Cedric suddenly tensed up.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, raising his hand towards my puffy eyes. "It seems like you..."

"I'm fine...now" I murmured. Cedric kept silent a few seconds, wondering if he should insist to get answers or trust in my words. He chose the second option, and I sighed in relief.

We spent the next couple of hours talking about every things crossing our minds. He made me laugh and, at the same time, he made me forget about my troubles.

He then paused and looked up.

"I've always liked to watch the stars" he said.

"They're beautiful" I agreed, staring skywards as well.

He smiled and looked back at me. I could see nostalgia in his eyes.

"Once a week, my father and I used to go out in the garden of the house. We would lay down on the grass and quietly stare at the stars. He would teach me all their Muggle names, and we would spend all the night long like this". I saw him took a more serious look. "Two years ago. The day before I went back to Hogwarts, while we were in the garden, my father shared with me one of his oldest secrets". I bent closer to him, fascinated by his words. " He taught me a spell. A spell that a few wizards and witches know."

"A spell?" I asked, curious. "Would you give its name to me?"

Cedric laughed, apparently not surprised by my request. Well, it was true that during a second I thought of going in the library to get information about this rare spell.

"I'll do better" he said "I am going to show it to you". I widened my eyes in surprise. "Take your wand". I felt thrilled but also afraid. What will this spell be? And how Cedric had planned to show it to me. I handed my wand which was half digged into my trousers pocket and held it to Cedric. He shook his head. "You're going to cast the spell for me. You'll just have to repeat what I'll tell you".

"Are you sure?" I asked "I don't want to blow up the castle by accident".

Cedric giggled and stood up. "Don't worry. I trust you. You're going to make it just fine, probably even better than I would have . I shot him a firm look. How could he trust me more than I trusted myself? I stood up too in front of him. Cedric took a focused look. "Okay" he said "Raise your wand, draw a half arc and then, say 'Stellam Noctis Coerce'"

I gave a last worried look to him but his confident smile was still there. "Keep your other hand firmly closed" he added " Open it only when I'll tell you to do so". I nodded and gulped. Cedric's face softened. "Trust me, will you?" he murmured.

While I clenched my toher hand into a fist, I raised my wand, drew a halr circle and voiced the spell. A radiant blue light spread out of my wand and flied up into the dark sky. I watched it mount in a couple of seconds and then disappear. I looked at Cedric with an inquisitive face. He smiled. Keep your hand closed". All this was just so mysterious, but nonetheless I obeyed. I clenched my fist a little tighter when, all of a sudden I felt that my skin was touching something which wasn't there before. I frowned, and little by little, the unknown object grow bigger in my hand. Finally, the phenomenon stopped and I could see a bright light escape from between my fingers. "You can open your hand, now" Cedric murmured. I slowly released my grip and stared at the object: in my palm was a crystal shoo. Inside it, we could see a little shiny white light glittering. Cedric stepped closer to me. I glanced up at him.

"What was this spell?"

"This is the Starcatcher Spell. It catches a star, and holds it into this small crystal ball. Just like a star does, this light will keep on gleaming. Endlessly." he murmured. "Do you like it?" he asked with a tied voice. Staring at the shoo, I grinned."That's magnificent, Cedric. But why did you show it to me?". Cedric smiled. "Well that's my Christmas present for you". This was just amazing. Too beautiful for me. How could I take this wonderful present when I hadn't gotten one for him? He had pulled a star down for me and I hadn't even able to buy an old book.

Guilt and grief came back overwhelming me, and I felt my eyes fill in with tears. "I can't take it, Cedric. I'm sorry" I said. The hufflepuff boy tensed up, almost freaking out. "Why not? Don't you like it?" he asked, confused and alarmed. "This is, by far, the most beautiful present I've ever been offered" I answered. "But I don't deserve it" I said with a disappointed voice.

I let myself fall back down on the trunk and cried. Cedric knelt down on the snow in front of me. I knew something was wrong when I saw you" he said, "Tell me what's happening". I looked up at him. His face was expressing sadness, worry, but, more than anything, tenderness. I decided to be fully honest with him, I couldn't endlessly pretend that's everything was alright. I should tell him.

"I'm sorry Cedric. I failed" I said "You didn't fall upon the good witch. I didn't bring you back. You deserve better". He shook his head in protestation. "No, no. Don't say that." he whispered coming closer to me "I know you're the good witch. I couldn't hope for a better person. I trust you and as I already told you, I could never hold a grundge against you. Ever." He pointed me the crystal ball. "Please, take it. I don't want to offer it to anyone else but you". He trailed off and added " It symbolizes my faith in you". I looked up at him and wiped my tears away. I protectively clutched the object. "I'll take care of it. I promise" I said. Cedric looked relieved like he had be taken off the weight of the world. He actually even looked thankful about my words. Then I said the first thought that crossed my mind. "How do you always find the good words to comfort me?". Cedric laughed and his face lighted up. He stood up and leaned in towards me. He pressed his impalbable lips on my forehead.

"Merry Christmas, Hermione Granger" he whispered.