Author's note: Hi. Sorry, guys for the delay. But here is the next chapter. Thank you for all your reviews and alerts. I feel so glad. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great, I had a little cute puppy!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year if I don't update early.
I showered as quickly as I could, actually, feeling uncapable of staying too far away from Cedric. I knew he needed me, probably as much I did. I got out of the showers and dressed into my school robes. I brushed my wet hair, and savoured during a couple of seconds the feeling of being washed and fresh. I opened the drawer to get the brush back in it when I saw my crystal ball: a smile drew on my face when I observed the shining little star. I gently took it and admired it again and again, probably seeing it in a new light. Now that Cedric was alive ( Oh Merlin, I couldn't realise I had just said that), his present had taken on greater value. I stroked the crystal glass with my finger nails, giving at the same time a quick glance at my fingers. They were bruised and a bit swollen, but I did not really care about this. I put my little ball into my robes pocket and left the dormitory.
I quickly went down the stairs when I found Harry and Ron waiting in the common room.
" What are you waiting for? " I asked them.
" Well, you " Harry answered.
" You're late Hermione. We won't have time to have a proper breakfast, now ".
Harry gave me a very eloquent smile: we both knew that by 'we', Ron actually refered to himself. I nervously scratched my cheek.
" I...won't come to lessons this morning maybe even all the day. I have something more important and serious to deal with ".
" What is it? " Ron and Harry asked.
I shook my head and glanced at the clock.
" I need to go, now: he's waiting. And you two are going to be late for breakfast ".
Ron and Harry shared a worried look.
" Is it something bad? " Ronald asked.
I smiled. " No, it isn't. I swear. It's something...good and unexpected ".
Ron nodded and gave a reassuring look at my best friend.
" I'll see you soon " I said, walking accross the room.
Harry grabbed my wrist and murmured in a lowered voice. " Are you sure you're alright? ".
I smiled and patted his hand. " Everything is going to be fine from now " I whispered to him.
Harry sighed and capitulated letting go my hand. I gave him a last friendly and comforting smile and left the common room.
I quickly made my way along the corridors, not even watching the dozens of students who were slowly walking, not even aware of what is going on in their headmaster's office. But it was now a matter of time before everyone hear about Cedric, about me, about our Spell. I couldn't pretend I wasn't scared. I was in a way. Will they all keep on seeing me like before after the official annoucement of Cedric's coming back? Could I have a kind of normal life? A life with long afternoons in the library, a life with special moments shared with Cedric? Will his family want to get him back to home? Will they let him stay here in Hogwarts? So many questions I couldn't answer! So many questions I will have soon to think about!
I walked through a band of Hufflepuffs, mouthing a not very trustworthy "sorry", being too absorbed by my thoughts.
I finally reached Dumbledore's office and said the password. I then walked up the stairway and came in the room. Cedric was silently observing some headmaster's odd magical objects. Too happy to see him again I ran accross the office towards him. He heard me and turned, his arms already opened to hug me. I passionately slid my arms around his neck, eager to feel his warm body against mine. It remained to me the very best proof of him being alive. Cedric slipped his fingers on my hair then on my back. I felt his warm breathe on my neck and even managed to hear his heartbeat, pounding a bit fast.
" I missed you " he whispered hugging me tighter than before.
I ran my fingers through his soft hair then broke the hug to stare at him. My fingers stroked his temple and went down his cheek. Cedric hold my two hands and looked at my bruised fingers. He winced a little, being like unable to feel anything else but pain, disgust and guilt. He softly stroked them and finally raised them to his mouth. His lips brushed my fingertips with more tender, passion (and even longing I must say) than the night before. I had never considered a possible attraction for Cedric after his coming back. I had always seen my relationship with him from an intellectual and a romantic point of view. Now that Cedric was real and in the flesh, I realised that unconsciously I could be kind of focused on his flesh. Maybe not in the most concrete meaning of it: but I needed to feel him, to touch him. And, otherwise, his touch had enough effect to be noticed and even appreciated by the serious and bookworm girl-not-at-all-interested-in-boys that I am.
" I'm fine " I finally mumbled, taking deep breaths but not because I was breathless. I let go my fingers from his dangerous and kind of intoxicating grisp. Cedric sighed but then gave me a little smile.
" Are you nervous? " I asked.
Cedric scratched his neck. " You took a shower " he said to me with a very evasive voice.
I calmly stared at his anxious face knowing that he was only trying to avoid my question. I remained calm and sympathetic.
" Are you nervous? " I repeated holding his hand to my chin.
He glanced at me and a little smirk appeared on his face with a big look of disappointement. I squeezed his hand to put him at rest.
" I assume this is going to be hard to have a peek, now " he murmured.
" I understand that you're feeling nervous but...you've done what? " I practically yelled dropping Cedric's hand.
Cedric stared at me with an amused look.
" When and how this had happened? " I asked, shocked.
" I think one month ago " Cedric answered, calmly. " I was looking for you in the dormitories and I just...walked through the wrong wall ".
" Oh no " I murmured, feeling my face burning with embarrassment.
Cedric laughed, grabbed my hands and raised my chin.
" I was a perfect gentleman. I saw nothing..." he smoothed me. I felt myself cool down. I stopped being defensive and let Cedric be tactile again. He held my shoulders and smiled. "...unfortunately" he added with a murmured voice.
I widened my eyes and half shrieked. I slapped his chest. " Cedric Diggory, keep on this way and I will have to personally deal with your case ".
Cedric smiled and came closer to me. " But I want you to personally deal with my case " he whispered in a husky tone.
I rolled my eyes at him but nonetheless let him hold my hand and stroke it. We were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
" So it worked " I heard.
I was startled and turned around to see Aaron's shocked face. I unconsciously pulled Cedric aside and stepped up.
" Aaron " I said " How did you know? ".
McCoy who was staring at what was behind me finally glanced towards my direction.
" You bumped into me earlier and you looked quite distracted. I was...worried for you I hadn't seen you since..." he stopped when he glanced back at Cedric. " Merlin, I can't believe it. It really worked " he whispered.
I glanced back at Cedric who was still, but looking quite anxious and uneasy.
" Yes it did " I answered. I nervously scratched my throat.
Aaron walked accross the room, carefully, like someone who would be afraid to make a bird flee with no hope to see it back. He reached my side and stepped closer towards Cedric. The two boys stared at each other, even if I saw Cedric looking down, obviously too uneasy to keep a steady look. I watched them both, they were incredibly silent. " Boys " I thought, rolling my eyes. Then a second thought crossed my mind. I frowned and said.
" I better go " I murmured, taking a step back.
" Please stay " they both shot out in a same voice. I widened my eyes in surprise but obeyed. I just kept stood, like a statue, watching the scene, waiting for them to move. Cedric looked like he had heard me because he finally decided to look at the Head Boy. Aaron gazed him during long seconds, as still as I was. They were probably thinking so many things that I did not even want to try to guess what they were. I knew that Aaron but also Cedric needed some time. They would all need time to get used to this event. Aaron made the first move: he nodded. That would have looked very simple and even insignificant in any case, but for that moment, that nod had replaced so many words.
Aaron stepped up and raised his hand to his former schoolmate. Cedric watched him and finally raised his own to shake his. They shook their hands during a few seconds, their face as neutral as it could. McCoy gave him a little smile, came closer and gently patted Cedric's back. I could easily say that it was, for them, the biggest hug they could have never had.
" Nice to have you back " Aaron said still 'hugging' him.
" Thanks for your help " Cedric answered quite shyly but genuine.
The two boys broke apart and looked at each other.
The door of Dumbledore's office opened: Aaron, Cedric and I turned around with a concerned face. The headmaster came in, followed by the professors McGonagall, Sprout and Snape.
Dumbledore looked surprised when he saw Aaron standing in the middle of his office.
" McCoy, what are you doing here? " he asked while the other professors were oddly staring at Cedric.
" Sir, he was..." I said trying to find him an excuse. I was cut off by himself.
" I wanted to make sure that Granger was alright, professor " he said.
I bit my lower lip so hard I could have cut it. Dumbledore frowned.
" And why would she have not been, Mr McCoy? " he asked.
Aaron kept quiet a couple of seconds. He glanced at me then looked back at the headmaster.
" Because I was aware of her plan, sir " he frankly said, obviously not scared at all.
The headmaster considered him several seconds, then gave him a little nod.
" Mr McCoy, get back to the Great Hall. We'll disscuss this, later " he said.
Aaron nodded. He gave a quick glance at Cedric and a sympathetic and quite friendly little smile to me.
" Of course, I count on you to keep quiet about what's going on here " Dumbledore added, with an already confident tone.
The Head Boy left the office, walking slowly, obviously calm and serene.
" I can't believe it " McGonagall finally exclaimed, coming closer to Cedric. She turned her look on me. She seemed surprised and impressed. " And you say you did it alone, didn't you? " she asked. I was about to give her an answer, but apparently she didn't need one. She stared again at Cedric.
" How do you feel Mr Diggory? " Mrs Sprout asked with a motherly voice.
" Obviously he's fine " Snape answered with his usual firm and neutral voice.
He walked around Cedric, observing with care each part of him, half-sceptical half-stunned.
" Mr Diggory and miss...Granger " he trailed off with disdain "put themselves into unthinkable troubles ".
Snape looked straight at me like if he was implying that he will personally be one of these 'troubles'. I felt myself got weak, having a hot flush and sweating. I glanced up at Cedric, his features had tensed up, he looked like he was about to put himself between Snape and me.
" For goodness sake, Severus. There are so many other things we can say before this " Sprout exclaimed.
" Pomona is right " McGonagall said. She walked closer to Cedric and smiled. " A lost student and boy is back. No matter -for now- the consequences, the fact is here: an innocent person has just been saved ".
Sprout grinned, patting Cedric's shoulder, while Snape had this never-changing firm and cold look. Was this man deprived of humanity?
" Mr Diggory " Dumbledore said " Your parents will floo into professor McGonagall's office in a quarter-hour. I assumed it was better to not announce them your coming back in a note, of course I'll stay with you just in case ". Cedric nodded, silent and pale like he had just heard the most frightening thing ever. The headmaster paused then turned to me. " Miss Granger, it would be, I think, more appropriate for you to get back to your classes. I'll call you back later of course. "
I shyly nodded even if the idea of being separated from Cedric during a whole morning was unbearable. I glanced at Cedric: apparently he was thinking the same. It was like an unbreakable connection was between us.
All the professors shared a knowing look and silently left the office. I observed them, trying my hardest to put off about a few seconds the inevitable close separation. I finally turned to Cedric and quickly made my way towards him.
I held his hands and squeezed them. " Everything will be alright. I know it. Your parents will be unbelievably happy to see you. If you don't find anything to tell them, well, just stay quiet. You won't need any words to express " I murmured.
Cedric carefully listened to me then nodded. He leaned closer to me, was about to hug me but stopped himself. He paused and kissed my forehead.
" Thank you for everything you did and are doing " he whispered.
I smiled and quickly stroked one last time his soft cheek. I then turned around and left the office.
I quickly made my way towards the Common room. I picked up my school bag and the books and ran out to meet up Harry and Ron in the Great Hall before they got to class. I found them just getting out of the Hall. Ron was carrying some little cakes.
" Hermione " Harry exclaimed, surprised but content to see me.
" I'm going to class with you " I said breathelessly.
" Did you eat? " Harry asked.
I shook my head and winced. I hadn't eaten since the last evening. I was starving. Harry turned and gave a very significant glance at Ron who was about to swallow one of his cake.
" What? " Ronald exclaimed with a confused face. Harry glanced at the cake then at him. Ron sighed and held it out to me. I smiled and took it.
We went to our Charms morning class. We came in the room and Flitwick gave me a friendly little smile: I assumed he hadn't be told about Cedric, yet.
I took a seat and tried my hardest to keep focused on Flitwick lesson, but it was pretty hard when I was thinking that Cedric, that I had just brought back to life, was now talking with his parents. I just couldn't imagine what he was feeling, what his parents were feeling at that moment. What had been their reaction? Did they just hug him or did they stand aside, staring at him with confusion? I couldn't imagine. I, myself, would have probably been shocked and surprised if I had seen him in the middle of a room, alive.
Flitwick asked the class to pratice a new spell. I was the first one to make it well, Ron grumbling some inintelligible words. I got a bad headache during the next part of the lesson, shivering a little because of the lack of food I guessed.
After Charms, we got out of the class and made our way towards the stairway.
" I'm sick of those spells, I can't do them well " Ronald spat, yelling.
" Could you just stop shouting, Ron " I complained rubbing my temple.
" Oh come on, Hermione. It's not because you can do that silly spell, that everyone else can do the same as well " he answered.
" I'll learn it to you if you like " I murmured, just willing to make him shut up.
" Ron, enough " Harry said with a little and calm voice.
" Well do it, Hermione " Ron yelled stopping just next to the stairway. " I know you're dying to show off your skills. So do it, learn that spell to me ".
I began to walk down the stairs, shaking my head. I didn't have time to waste with Ron: Cedric was certainly waiting for me. I needed to know how the meeting with his parents had gone.
" Ron " Harry shot out.
" Go on, fantastic Hermione Granger, please I'm begging you to learn that so easy spell to the fool I am supposed to be ".
" Well you're acting like a fool, Ronald, so leave me alone. I just wanted to propose you my help " I said, standing up in the middle of the stairway.
" False, you wanted to show off. So do it, now. Or maybe you're scared to fail "
I glanced up and watched Harry's deperate face, and Ron's big red one.
" I think you're just pissed off because you haven't eaten your cake " I answered.
Ron clenched his fists.
" Yeah, now make fun of me " he shouted " But why don't you simply cast that spell and make me shut up? ".
" Ron, stop " Harry yelled.
I walked up the stairs and glared at the red-head ( It looks like I had been associating with Scott too long) . " I'll do that bllody spell just for the pleasure to see you shut up, then ".
My heart was pounding hard in my chest, and the anger was making me feel frail. I took the wand and point it to Ron's face.
" Keep on bothering me, and I swear I'll hex you " I snarled. Ron gulped a little, a bit frightened I could say.
I raised my wand towards the wall and yelled with rage the spell. It perfectly worked, maybe too much, it was so powerful, a lot more than it should have been. I watched the spell hit the wall with strength but then I felt myself dazzling. I staggered and tried to take a grisp at the handrail. I barely heard Harry shouting my name then I blacked out.
Okay, guys give me your impressions. Please, review. I don't own Harry Potter.