Chapter 17

Cedric woke up in the hospital wing with Madam Pomfrey, Professor Sprout and Dumbledore around his bed.

"What happened?" Cedric asked groggily grabbing his head as if it would fall off if he didn't hold it on. He felt like he was asleep for a year but everything became clear quickly and he remembered exactly what happened. "It's a giant snake! A basilisk!" Cedric shouted at the professors.

"Relax dear boy it is all taken care of. It seems your Gryffindor friends have a knack for saving the school. You were petrified and you are very lucky to be alive." Dumbledore said smiling.

"Thanks to Hermione... HERMIONE! Where is she?!" Cedric jumped up frantically.

"Relax Mr. Diggory she is fine. She is right over there." Madam Pomfrey moved and pointed to a bed behind her.

Cedric could make out Hermione's bushy hair and he relaxed a bit.

"We cured you first. We will be getting to Miss Granger shortly." Professor Sprout said reassuringly.

Cedric nodded at them and then fell back on his pillow.

"You should stay in bed and rest. It'll take a while for you to get your full strength back." Madam Pomfrey said.

Cedric wasn't leaving without Hermione anyway so he nodded in agreement. "Thank you." He said to the three of them.

"Mr. Diggory if you don't mind. Maybe you can try getting out of the habit of being in the hospital wing at the end of term." Dumbledore said with a half smile looking at Cedric over his half-moon glasses.

Cedric blushed. "I'll try sir."

Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder and joined Madam Pomfrey and Professor Sprout in curing Collin Creevey.

Hermione felt groggy. She tried to open her eyes but couldn't find the energy to. She wasn't sure where she was or what happened to her. She felt a hand slip into one of hers and gently rub circles on the back of her hand.

"Come on Hermione wake up. You can do it. I need someone to keep me company in this hospital wing. Collin is getting on my nerves with all his questions about Harry."

Hermione knew that was Cedric's voice, but what was he doing in the hospital wing? What were they doing in the hospital wing? Wasn't she mad at him for something? What was...The Basilisk! The Chamber! Hermione jolted up into a sitting position.

"The basilisk!" Hermione shouted as she shot up from her sleep.

"Whoa Hermione it's okay." Cedric put his free hand on her shoulder to steady her. "Apparently Harry and Ron were able to stop it because of the research you did." Cedric smiled with his hand still wrapped around hers.

Hermione realized Cedric was wearing a hospital gown.

"Were you petrified too!?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Cedric looked down at himself embarrassed and nodded.

"After our... fight I was going to go to the quidditch pitch but I decided to turn around and go back to the library. When I got there you were gone so I went looking for you and saw that basilisk thing. Then, I found you petrified so I tried to use your mirror to go tell Dumbledore but it petrified me before I could get to his office." Cedric said looking down not making eye contact with Hermione.

"I'm sorry for what I said... in the library. I didn't mean it. I don't know why I said it."

"It's okay Cedric I know I can be a bit bossy and a bit of a know it all but..." Hermione said.

That got Cedric to look her in the eye.

"No Hermione... I mean yes but I like that about you. I mean it's great to have a friend that's a genius. I mean without you where would Harry, Ron, and I be? We would probably have been dead or expelled a long time ago." Cedric said looking fondly at Hermione.

Hermione blushed at the compliment.

"I'm sure you three would be fine without me." Hermione smiled.

"No way. It was you who figured out what was petrifying people. Think about it the Chamber was opened fifty years ago and no one ever found out what killed that girl. Fifty years Hermione! Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Snape, Crouch, Fudge, not one of them could figure it out, but you did. You're amazing Hermione and I'm sorry if I made you doubt that." Cedric said with his gaze never wavering from Hermione's face.

Hermione was a little shocked. No one had ever said something so nice to her before. She felt proud for figuring out the mystery of the Chamber and she felt a bit embarrassed by all the compliments Cedric gave her.

"Thanks Cedric." Hermione leaned over the bed and gave Cedric a tight hug with her head resting on his shoulder.

He hugged her back just as tightly resting his cheek in her hair.

So this means I'm forgiven right? I mean that was a heck of an apology if I do say so myself." Cedric smiled into her shoulder.

Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled away from Cedric's embrace.

"Yes you're forgiven."

"So where are Harry and Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Well Madam Pomfrey said they would be informed we are awake after lessons are over for the day.

Speaking of Madam Pomfrey she scurried over to Cedric and Hermione to check on their recovery.

"Oh Miss Granger you're awake. I will inform the headmaster. How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine. I'm a little hungry." Hermione said rubbing her stomach.

"Me too I could eat a whole turkey by myself." Cedric added.

"Well I don't see why you two shouldn't be able to go to the Great Hall for dinner tonight. I'm glad you are awake. Now everyone who was petrified is awake and doing well including Mrs Norris." Pomfrey said smiling.

Cedric let out a deep breath. "Well that's a relief imagine how much crazier Filch would be without that cat."

Just then the door burst open and Harry and Ron came running into the room.

"Hermione! Cedric! Bloody hell you scared us half to death." Ron exclaimed.

"Weasley, its good to see you for a change." Cedric said as he gave Ron a one armed hug.

"Don't be a prat I was worried about you two." Ron slapped Cedric's arm away. Cedric smiled and hugged Harry. Ron and Harry gave Hermione a group hug and she laughed at them.

"So how did you two stop the Basilisk? Hermione asked.

"Well it was mostly Harry. I didn't do much."

"We could have guessed that Weasley. Come on Harry get on with the good bits."

"Shut up Diggory. At least I wasn't unconscious AGAIN."

"touche Weasley."

Hermione smiled at her friends antics and listened as Harry began to tell the story. Poor Ron could never get two words in without being teased by Cedric. She was lucky to be alive. They all were and with another year gone she couldn't help but think about the crazy things they'll get into together next year.