How I Changed Fate- 15: Convincing a Honey Badger

As I waited for the last couple of days before classes would start, I wondered how I would convince Cedric to help me. I also thought of why I couldn't change more.

Knowing the future is terrifying, but knowing it and changing it is way worse. If you change too much the future becomes unrecognizable, and if you change it too little no actual change will happen. I had already changed the fates of Pettigrew and Draco. This already changes the year ahead a lot. I know that I can't stop Voldemort from resurrecting because he could just figure out a different way to do so; which would leave too much to chance.

When it finally came down to it the only thing I could and should change this year was Cedric's death. So, I finished making my plans and started putting them into place.

On the train ride to Hogwarts, I sat with the Hufflepuffs. I laid the seeds of sisterly concern on all of those riding with me, including Cedric. "Guys, I worried."

They looked sad and then asked "Why?"

"Well, Mhamó made me promise to keep Harry safe this year, and Harry has not had much luck when it comes to staying safe. Cedric, do you know if the Governors have anything planned for the year?"

The look of fear crept into his eyes. "Lord Malfoy visited our house shortly after the Quidditch World Cup. He told my father that Dumbledore has forced our school to participate in the new and improved Triwizard Tournament. After he left, father was mortified. He asked me to sign up because then there would be an heir in danger and they could convince the Ministry to shut it down for good."

"Oh, my," I said very concerned, "Cedric, if I ask something of you later about this can you promise me you will listen?" I tried to say this while wringing my hands and looking scared.

"Louise…" He paused for a long time. Then Looked me straight in the eyes and said. "I promise to listen to you."

Bingo. Just like that, the Honey Badgers opened their door to a stranger.

When we arrived, the story remained the same from the book, and when the other two schools showed up as well as the goblet, I had to start my real mission.

That night, after the rules were stated, I walked right up to Cedric fell to my knees and started to speak. "Cedric, I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this, but now is the time to keep your promise."

He sat down in a chair nearby and only nodded for me to continue. "I think the goblet that will choose the champions has been tampered with, but I can only prove it if you would listen to my careless request. Would you be willing to put my name in the goblet for me?"

Cedric froze for a moment. "Do you know what you ask of me?"

"I am asking for you, a perfect, to break the rules for me."

"Yet, you still ask, why?"

"Harry. If I am right, then even if the age line will stop Harry from entering himself, though if I'm completely honest he wouldn't do anyway; then anyone could put his name in and he would become champion. The only way I can prove this is if someone old enough to put their own name in could put mine in with theirs. The age line won't stop you, but if it hasn't been tampered with then my paper will turn to ash a blow away, and yours would stay in the goblet."

"So, you want me to simply observe if it would accept yours?"

"Yes, I do not wish to join but it was the only way to keep Harry from being Hogwarts' Champion."

"Harry… That boy has the worst of luck," a Hufflepuff boy said, "Cedric, you are the only one of us who could help her. It wouldn't hurt to simply watch and see what happens to her paper right?"

A girl spoke up then. "It wouldn't be cheating, and if she's right you could give your dad another reason to ban the game in the future." After that, many of them spoke at once giving reasons as to why he should do this.

Cedric put his hand up to stop all the chatter that had occurred. "If I do this and you're right, you could end up as champion of Hogwarts and you would have to participate. You are only a fourth year, and you could die during the tournament."

I looked him dead in the eye with the most determined face I could muster. "I would do anything to protect Harry. I cannot let him be chosen. I would gladly take his place."

Cedric gave me the saddest look I had ever seen. I was remembering my parents face the day they found me again. I couldn't let Cedric's fears overpower my courage. I was ready to beg and plead with him, but just as I was about to, he spoke. "I hope you are wrong because I would rather not throw you to your doom."

I smiled. I couldn't tell him it wouldn't matter. After all, I doubt my changing things made them change the games themselves. I had convinced the badgers into helping me break some rules. I had only one fear.

Draco.

The teen was in love with me. If I got called forward as champion, Draco would claim an old tradition which stated that any man could offer himself should his lady ever find themselves in trouble. He would say it's his duty to do it for me, but it would just make him the victim of Voldemort instead. My next stop that day would be Slytherin.

A while later

I entered Slytherin and saw Draco alone. He spoke first. "Grá mo chroí*, you have been on edge since Dumbledore showed us all the goblet. Mind telling me why?"

I could feel his concern and worry as he held my hands in his. "I did something that you might hate."

He giggled at me. "Banphrionsa*, nothing you could ever do would make me hate you."

"Even if I begged an older student to put my name in for me?"

Draco froze, pulled me closer to him and looked me dead in the eyes. He clenched his teeth as he spoke. "Why?"

I felt his anger and fear. I also felt the wind pick up. I calmed myself before I responded. "Something bad is going to happen to Harry this year as well, I just know it. I asked them to put my name in because I feared that the goblet had been tampered."

"If it is and you're picked, you could die. Is this you telling me I can step forward as your champion?"

"Draco, you need to calm down. I can feel your anger and it's hard to control myself when you touch me."

He calmed himself by breathing and holding me closer. "Are you good, cause if you aren't, I can't finish."

"I'm sorry, Louise."

"It is okay Draco, I understand. This isn't the worst of it, Draco."

"How could it get any worse?"

I gulped. "As the queen of Slytherin, should I become the Hogwarts Champion, I order you to not to take my place."

It was at this moment I felt his pain. I could feel it like it was my own. He fell to the ground on his knees, he had only a few fingers touching my boot. I knew what I was feeling right then. I had broken him. I had destroyed him. As I looked at him, I wondered for a brief moment if this is how that monster had felt as he destroyed me. I shook my head with the thought of it would've needed a heart to feel for that to work. He sobbed a little. Draco looked at me and cried.

"You came here after deciding to do something reckless and have forbidden me from saving you. You pulled the most Slytherin move you could on me knowing that should I break it you would lose all trust in me. A stór*, this is the hardest thing you have ever put me through. I don't know what I'll do should anything happen to you."

At that moment my now 14-year-old self felt this rush of joy and abundance of…love. I wanted to shake it off forget it, but there he was sitting in front of me on the ground telling me he doesn't know what he'll do without me. I wanted desperately for these feelings to be anyone else's, but Draco was the only one around and all he felt right at this moment was immense sadness. I could ignore it and act on it later, but right now I had to focus on Draco. So, I had to ignore it.

I knew right then that I was telling him the best lie I could, but he wouldn't know that. "Draco, I'm sure I'm just being paranoid and that my paper will be turned into ash in the wind. Besides, I am confident that even if it doesn't the goblet won't choose me."

He sighed releasing all of his sadness into it. "If it was me being targeted, would you still be doing this?"

"If it was you, I would do everything in my power to protect you. That is why I gave you the order Draco. In case something bad happens at least it wasn't you."

The silence was deafening as Draco made his way to his usual chair. He reached out his arms and gave a 'come here' gesture. I walked to him, and he pulled me on his lap. "Until the goblet chooses its champions, you are not leaving my side."

Grá mo chroí= My beloved, Banphrionsa= Princess, A stór= Darling. Remember! I do not know Irish and am translating it from English into Irish using google. I do this with any language I use besides English! If you know the language please tell me if there are any better words or phrases to use! Thanks Again!