Disclaimer: I still do not own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: Thank you so much for the review, Yellow 14. I'm so glad you're still enjoying the story.

As far as your behavior in your earlier years, many people do what you did, but many people don't have the courage to admit to it, and that it was wrong. I have a lot of respect for people who know they were wrong and change their ways. Therefore, I commend you for it. You seem like a great guy, and I'm sure you're a much better person now. I went to high school with guys who were very much like that - where do you think I get these characterizations from, after all? But I know that many of them have grown up by now.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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As the time drew near for the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations to arrive, it became the talk of the school. The professors were having trouble getting the students to pay attention in their classes, and the Great Hall was constantly buzzing with conversation about who the Hogwarts champion might be, and what the three tasks would entail.

As for Cho, she felt butterflies in her stomach of both nervousness and excitement when she thought about the upcoming tournament. Eternal glory ... fame ... a victory for Hogwarts. Cho knew Cedric did not want "eternal glory" or "fame", but a "victory for Hogwarts" was the only thing he wished for. He wanted nothing more than to do his beloved school proud. She found this out through another of their serious conversations; it was one that she knew would stick with her.

It happened the day before the delegations were set to arrive. Cho and Cedric sat in the stands on the Quidditch pitch. They'd just gone for their customary fly, and they were munching on chocolate frogs as they came down from the adrenaline rush flying always brought. Cho looked into Cedric's gray eyes; she could see the same nervousness and excitement that she knew was reflected in her own gaze. "So, tomorrow," she said quietly, addressing what was on everyone's mind.

"Yeah, tomorrow," Cedric said. He attempted to radiate confidence, but Cho once again saw that vulnerability he so rarely showed. "It all begins then."

"I can tell you're nervous," Cho said softly. "Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to, you know."

As she said these words, she couldn't help the worry that was starting to develop within her. She'd heard stories of past Triwizard Tournaments, and the reasons why there hadn't been one in so long. Apparently, the death toll of the champions had been rather high. She wondered why in Merlin's name it was being brought back. Dumbledore had given his reassurance that it was a lot safer now; precautions had been taken as to not put the champions or spectators' lives in danger, but Cho still couldn't help but be anxious for the boy she realized she deeply cared for.

Cedric, perceptive as he was, sensed her anxiety. "Cho," he said, smiling softly at her. "You know what Dumbledore said. There've been extra precautions made." He lifted his hand, and ruffled Cho's hair affectionately, something he'd been doing as of late that Cho honestly loved. No one had ever done that to her before. "And anyway, I honestly doubt I'll get it. Eternal glory?" he snorted. "That's not why I'm getting into this."

"I know," Cho replied quietly. "I'm sorry. I'm probably worrying too much."

"Maybe just a bit," Cedric teased gently. Growing serious again, he added, "But I can't say I blame you. You're right about me being nervous too. I ... if, for some insane reason, I do get chosen ... I hope I'm good enough for it."

Cho could recognize the signs of doubt and insecurity that Cedric was displaying. Hadn't she seen that look in the mirror often enough? "I don't care what your dad says," she said emphatically. "You'll be the best champion." She looked into Cedric's eyes again, truly gazed into them, and she saw the turmoil swimming within their depths. Upon first beginning to spend time with Cedric, she'd noticed how expressive his gray eyes were. They had captivated her and made her want to know the soul that resided within them. "Are you entering the tournament because of your dad?" she asked softly, hoping beyond hope that she wasn't prying too much.

Cedric took several seconds to answer. "Honestly?" he said, his face pensive. "I think the thought of entering was because of my dad at first. I want to make him proud of me." He looked out over the pitch, a faraway expression on his face. "Is that stupid?"

"No, of course it's not stupid," Cho said instantly. Memories swarmed her mind of all the times she'd stayed up until past midnight, working feverishly on her essays, trying to find and fix any little error. She knew the stress of trying to make intimidating figures proud of you. She recalled Marietta's frustrated, worried whisper: "For Merlin's sake, Cho, go to bed. You won't be any good in classes tomorrow if you don't sleep at all. Your dad's not worth all this anxiety."

And now, Cho wanted to tell Cedric what Marietta had told her. This boy was willing to put himself in real danger just to try and impress his dad. It seemed wrong on so many levels.

"It's not stupid in the least," Cho reiterated, her words straight from the heart. "But you shouldn't put yourself at risk just to make him happy."

"But that's not the only reason," Cedric protested, rushing to get the rest of his explanation out. He looked more worried than Cho had ever seen him. "I've always loved this school," he continued, his eyes roving over the Quidditch pitch again. "And for some reason, many in my house always seem to look at me as their role model. Dunno why, but ..."

"Are you joking?" Cho exclaimed. "You seriously wonder why people look at you like that? Is it any wonder they do? You're one of the most genuine people I've ever met, Cedric. You don't act stupid, you don't show off, you're not mean to people behind their backs."

Cho saw that Cedric blushed so profusely in response to this that it caused her own face to go red. "Er," he said, at a loss for words. "Thanks. But you're wrong about the acting stupid part. Of course I act stupid at times." He let out one of his amazing laughs which always filled Cho with euphoria.

Cho laughed too. "Well, that makes two of us," she said. "Acting stupid is common among teenagers."

"absolutely." Cedric agreed wholeheartedly. "But honestly, I'm doing this for Hufflepuff, and for Hogwarts. I guess my dad drove me to think about it, but it's Hogwarts that made my decision final."

Cho still felt jittery when she thought about what Cedric would face if he was chosen. But she knew she would support him wholly if he was. She still marveled at the fact that she had acquired such an amazing friend. "Well, good luck," she said, meaning it with every fiber of her being. "Just ... just know you don't have to do it if you don't want to. No one should think any less of you for it."

There was a light in Cedric's gray eyes; they shone with gratitude, and he didn't look as vulnerable and insecure as before. Cho hoped that she had been able to relieve some of his stress. She didn't think she'd ever related more to any other human being before. Cho and Cedric were two teenagers, adrift in a world which expected much of them and trying to radiate confidence as they navigated through the corridors of life. Many people didn't see past their outer shell, but they had broken through each other's and seen what lay beneath.

Cho knew Cedric was far more than the handsome, charismatic Hufflepuff Quidditch captain and Seeker. Cedric knew Cho was more than a girl who buried herself in her studies and walked down the hallways with three other girls, her hair perfectly fixed and her face always holding a smile.

And that, Cho mused as she and Cedric continued to munch on their chocolate frogs, meant the entire world.

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It was time.

As Cho and her dormmates got ready for the Halloween feast, the feast that would officially kick off the Triwizard Tournament, her stomach felt like it had creatures stuck within it. The whole school had been talking of the Goblet of Fire for the past twenty-four hours, and everyone was on edge, wanting to know who it would select to be Hogwarts champion.

Cho thought back on the arrival of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons the night before; it had been a spectacular sight. Cho had especially admired the boat that had brought the Durmstrang students, although she didn't like the look of Igor Karkaroff. There was something rather creepy about him that turned her off, and it was obvious from the looks of the girls around her that they felt the same way. "We should stay away from him," Marietta had whispered beside her, looking rather anxious.

The Beauxbatons students had sat with the Ravenclaws, and Cho had spoken with several of them. The dishes on the tables had varied; there were the usual ones which the house-elves always served, but there was a selection of food which was part of the cultures of the other schools. Cho remembered how many of the Beauxbatons students had turned up their noses at the British food, while the Hogwarts pupils did exactly the same at the French dishes.

Today's classes had been extremely difficult to get through. Even the teachers had seemed to not quite be themselves, and some assigned less homework than usual. Cho was glad for it - she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate much.

Over the past few days, Amanda and Meghan had been particularly annoying, making insinuations about her and Cedric. "I can't believe you're being so coy about him," Amanda had said the night before as she stretched out on her bed. "I mean, come on! The most handsome bloke in the entire school is spending so much of his time with you, and you're not telling us anything about it!"

"Yeah," Meghan said, a definite coolness to her voice. "What's going on between you two, anyway?"

Before Cho could answer, Marietta had come to her rescue. "Has it ever occurred to you that the reason she hasn't said anything is because she doesn't want you constantly on her back about it?" she'd said, sounding highly annoyed.

"Oh, not you too!" Amanda exclaimed with an overdramatized sigh. "Honestly, I don't know what's up either of your arses lately, but I'm really getting tired of it."

"Yeah, me too," Meghan snapped. She then addressed Cho again. "Fine, if you want to be all secretive then go ahead. But don't ask us to be there for you when he gets sick of your high and mighty attitude." She'd then proceeded to close the curtains around her bed, as had Amanda.

Cho had sighed miserably, placing her head in her hands. How had things come to this? She'd never forget when the four of them had vowed to be friends forever. Now she could hardly stand to stay in the same room as two out of her three roommates.

It was depressing, but it was a reality. And when Cho really, truly thought about it, the guilt over this feeling lessened. They were treating Cho's friendship with Cedric as though it was something to gossip, laugh, and giggle over. They didn't consider that it meant so much more to her than that. Cedric had been there for her, not only helping her become less of a basket case in Transfiguration, but seeing far beneath the surface when it came to her thoughts and emotions. She'd found a kindred spirit in him, and the shallow, petty way in which Amanda and Meghan spoke of him, it just ... it really rubbed her the wrong way.

And now, as Cho got ready to go to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast, neither Amanda nor Meghan said anything to her. She saw them out of the corner of her eye giving her discreet looks, but that was it. Cho didn't do anything to change it; her anxiety and excitement over this evening's events would have only caused the rift to become wider if they made some smart-mouthed comment or badgered her about Cedric - she feared she would have snapped something rather nasty at them.

"Ready to go?" asked Marietta, giving her friend a smile as she headed out of the room.

"Yeah, I'm as ready as I can ever be," Cho replied, smiling back. "Let's go."