I'M BACK

Colette's POV:

I know I'm crying like a 10-year-old kid right now, but I can't help myself because it's been so long since I've seen my parents. Worse, I cried so much because I realized that no matter how badly I wanted to wake up from this horrible nightmare, I would still have to face the fact that Cedric would no longer be waiting for me with open arms. Rolf must be aware of what I'm thinking because he says nothing and simply stands there, allowing me to have my moment.

"I miss you so much, mom and dad," I said, tightening my grip on them and then pulling away to wipe my tears away. Suddenly, I extend my bare hand, and Rolf places a tissue on it. He has a great understanding of me. I mouth thank you to him, and he winks at me, mouthing "I got you."

"We miss you terribly, Colette," my mother said. Now that I'm moving away from them, I can get a better look at them. They appear older, which I assume is because they are grieving as much as I am after Cedric's death. Celina Diggory, my mother, is a young, beautiful, and elegant American. Despite being 45 years old, she still appears to be in her twenties. I get a lot of my looks from her, with the exception of my eyes and hair. In contrast to my brother, Cedric, who has grey eyes like my father, I have deep, blue eyes like my mother.

"It's great to have you back, my daughter. I've waited for this day," my father said, wiping away tears from the corners of his eyes. Despite the fact that my father is a strict man who places a lot of hope on his children's shoulders, he is still the best father in the world to me. Even though he said I was his princess, he always cherished and cared for me as if I were his princess. My father, Amos Diggory, is a 50-year-old man who is diametrically opposed to my mother. If I'm being honest, he's a ruddy-faced wizard with a scrubby brown beard who isn't particularly attractive. That also means that both Cedric and I owe a lot to our mothers for our outward appearances.

The silence was briefly broken by a faint coughing sound that drew all of our attention. My parents and I turn to face the coughing, only to see Rolf awkwardly smile at us, and I grin back. He has the appearance of a puppy who has been abandoned on the sidewalk. My parents are also aware that they have been rude to their guests, but Rolf is unlike any other guest because he has met my family numerous times. Rolf is like their own child to my parents, and yes, they know we're not a couple because they know I'm a lesbian because I came out to them after Cedric connived in my third year. I chuckled a little at the thought.

"Oh, Rolf, we're so sorry. We didn't mean to forget you," my father said as he approached Rolf, and they both shook hands. Rolf is taller than my father, so the sight was quite amusing. Heck, I'm taller than my father. "You've matured into quite a man, haven't you?" "It's good to see you, boy," he says.

"I didn't mean to break the moment, it's just that I think the appointment is due in a few minutes," he explained as my mother approached and gave him a big hug, which he quickly returned.

"Oh, silly me, I'm forgetting things now that I'm old," my mother said as she kissed Rolf on the cheek and chuckled at his amusing expression as she drew away.

"You're not old at all, mom," I told her as I crossed her arm, and she lightly kissed my cheek as well.

"Oddly enough, aunt Celina, Letty is correct. You're not old at all, and neither are you, uncle Amos," Rolf joked, making both of my parents laugh.

"You flatter," I told him.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, we must depart." "Colette, you can grab your mother's hand and hold mine to do side-along apparition," my father told us after the laughter had died down a little because time was clicking and rushing on us. As we all apparatus out of the apparition's spot, I hold onto my trunk and Snowy's cage while clutching my mother's arm. I feel like I'm being "forced through a very tight rubber tube."

- LATER, AT THE DIGGORYS HOUSE -

When I arrive in front of my house, I feel as if I'm in a dream. I'm still struggling to accept the fact that I'm back at home with my family. Although the witch at the Residents Department was mocking my father for spending his entire life fighting people like me, here comes the karma. Normally, my father would be upset about that, but I know that the fact that I am his daughter has made him feel a lot better, and he simply shrugged off the mocking, which causes the witch to fume.

There were times when I was terrified of my father's disdain for me, but it all went away when he entered the room and gave me the father-daughter talk. I remember it like it was yesterday.

"Dad, do you hate me?" I asked, sitting on the mattress by my room's window with my legs folded up to my body and my head down to my knees. I didn't dare to look up at him because I was afraid to see the hatred in his eyes, but he forced me to. When I looked up and looked into his grey eyes, I saw love, tenderness, caring, sorry, and guilt, but no hatred, disgust, or disappointment.

He sits in front of me and takes my hands in his large hands. "Colette, do you know how much I blame myself every day for what happened to you today because of my blind hatred for "them"? I always feel like it's my fault, but I never think I hate you, and I never think you're at fault."

"But, Dad, you always despise people like me."

"Colette, pay attention. Whatever you think you are now, you will always be my little princess, my precious princess, with me. I admit that I have blindly hated people like you in the past, but not any longer, and I promised you that one day I will make it easier for you and "them" to live in the Great Britain. Do you get what I'm saying, Colette? I'll change what I did wrong. So, princess, please don't think I hate you because I love you too much to hate you."

"DAD!" I yell, lunging at him while crying aloud.

Now, I look up at my lovely home, and before I can say anything, Rolf compliments me, as if he can read my mind.

"Wow! Letty, your home is stunning. "I can't believe you never told me about this," Rolf said as he examined the various types of plants that surrounded the wooden staircases that led to the main doorway. I raise my eyes to my lovely home. It looks exactly like it did 5 years ago, with the same wood house, the same warm yellow color coming out of the house, and the same wide woods surrounding the house. The house is still high up, and behind it is the same river I used to come down to every day.

"Now, now, we can't stay here like this forever, let's come in," my mother said as she opened the door, my father already standing next to her waiting for us. We both dash to the front door and enter the house. Oh, the aroma. Yes, that familiar pasty and cookie aroma that has haunted my memories for the past five years. I wandered around the house, looking at everything, comparing each corner of the house to what I remembered in my memories, all the while murmuring to myself, "I miss this."

At the same time, Rolf must be overjoyed about the trip out to the river and woods because he simply asks where the door is and bursts through it. My mother smiled warmly and went into the kitchen, while my father sat on the couch in the living room, staring at me with a twinkle in his eyes.

When Rolf returns, I've already finished wandering around and settled into the kitchen, where I'm assisting my mother in organizing the refrigerator. Although she uses magic to cook, some of her best dishes must be made by hand, and she intends to make one of them today. My mother knows how much I enjoy her Lancashire Hot Pot. Believe me when I say that, despite being an American, my mother makes the best Lancashire Hot Pot. My mother must have made my father fall for her by cooking him English dishes, I think.

My mother then kicks both me and Rolf out of the kitchen, and my father shows us our rooms. Dad advised us to use this time to unwind after a long day and to organize, setting up our rooms. Although I think he just meant rest because my room doesn't need much organizing other than putting my clothes in my wardrobe, and the same goes for Rolf's room, but how could I say no?

When Dad left, I sat on my bed and gazed up at the ceiling. In my memories, the room is still the same as it was before. After a while, I close my eyes and raise my hand to cover my eyes, murmuring to Cedric, "I'm back."

My room is on the left, with only a door visible if you open the main door. Rolf's room is directly across from mine, and my parents' room is at the back of the house. My house's second floor only has a storage room and another bedroom, Cedric's. Everything in my room is still there, including the dolls, paintings, and stickers. After a few seconds, I sit up straight and turn to unshrink my suitcase, opening my trunk and laying it on my bed. I also open Snowy's cage to let him out and wander around his new home. I'm cleaning and arranging things and putting clothes away with a big grin on my face. I'm overjoyed to be home.

About an hour later, dad and mom both knock on my door and tell me it's time and let's go. I know what they meant so there's no need to ask where and why. Rolf asked to tag along and we all feel like he's a family member so there's nothing uncomfortable about him coming with us to where my brother's lying right now, his grave.

When I get to stand in front of Cedric's grave I was stunned for a moment, I don't know what to do. Exactly, what am I supposed to do, I hear my parents telling him to rest and that I'm home. Then, it's Rolf's turn, he come and place his hand on Cedric's grave telling him things from his own heart.

"You were like a brother to me, and you will always be. Don't worry about Letty, I will take care of her, she's also my older sister.", he said and I'm tearing up, "Rest In Peace, Ced. I hope you still get to play your Quidditch over there.".

When it's my turn, it's hard for me to even crack a word, or even a letter. I don't know how am I supposed to talk to his grave as if I'm talking to him because I can't believe it and I can't accept it, the fact that my brother died and leave me in this world being torn apart every time I think of our time together before. Mom and dad seems to both understand my situation because ain't any of them were rushing me to say something because it's too fucking hard to do that. Saying something to my brother's grave also means that I accept that he left me. However, I know it's time to let go, to let my brother Rest In Peace.

"Ced..it's too hard right now. I… I don't know what to do… really. I don't even know how to stop myself from thinking about you, if… if you were me in this situation, what would you do, Ced?", I pauses like I'm waiting for his respond even though I know that will never going to happen. Feeling defeated, I continue, "I know you must thinking of telling me that I should let go and move on, but it's hard, Ced. You won't understand, but I can't blame on you. I actually can't blame anyone actually because somehow I know it's just fate that take you away from me.".

"I hope that you are at least happy over there and laughing right now, please, at least do that for your sister, can you? I'm home now, Ced, back to Great Britain, back to where you were. I'm staying at our house now, living with mom and dad, but it's still so sad whenever anyone mentioned your name. I will move on and live my life better because I know that's what you also want me to do. Rest In Peace my dear brother, Cedric."

When I finished, I feel like the burden on my shoulder is now lifted, and I burst out crying while holding Cedric's grave. I feel a hand touching my shoulder, and then I feel myself being hugged by a pair of warm arms, my mother. She's cradling me right now like I'm a baby and she's also sobbing. We all are actually.

When it's dinner time, I don't know what to say, everything feels so natural, and we all just automatically place ourselves in our seats. The table was designed to fit in 10 people with 10 chairs and 2 chairs in each opposite side of the table. At the head of the table is my father's seat, and next to his right is my mother, then to his left is me. Sitting on my left is Rolf, everything were perfect, it's only missing one piece, Cedric to be complete.

"Dad, I heard you get promoted?", I asked while eating my favorite dish, Lancashire Hot Pot.

"Oh yes! I get promoted into the Head of Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, my dream actually.", he said sipping a sip of butterbeer and the proud and smug expression shown on his face.

"Congratulations dad! You have finally managed it!", I told him and giving him a hug.

"Congratulations uncle Amos, you're wicked!", Rolf said and ask for a toast to him ask a congratulations.

This moment, at exactly this moment, I feel more alive than ever. It's like my dream coming true, me being with my family and my "brother" in Great Britain, yet deep down, I know there's still a missing piece. But, I know Cedric, he would really want us all to move on from it and continue living our own lives. So, I'm living my life now, I'll move on, but you'll always in my heart, Cedric.

- HOGWARTS, HEADMASTER'S OFFICE - (A WEEK BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1ST)

I stepped out, still stifling the dizziness as I stepped aside for Rolf to join me.

"Miss Diggory! Mr. Scamander"

Who could possibly refuse to smile at the delighted tone and warm welcome? In response, I grinned and moved closer to the desk. "Professor Dumbledore!" Albus Dumbledore is tall and thin, with silver hair and a beard (auburn in his youth) that is so long that it can be tucked into his belt. He has a very long and crooked nose that appears to have been broken at least twice.

He chuckled and motioned both of us to his desk. I sat in one of the two chairs he summoned, while Rolf did the same in the other. Rolf also took his time as he shook hands with the headmaster.

"Mr. Scamander, I was very delighted when I know that you would be joining Miss Diggory as I once taught your grandfather."

"Oh yes, professor. I heard a lot about you from my grandfather, he idolizes you,", Rolf said.

"He was a gifted student of mine." I'm very proud of him; every year, we taught students about his book. I have to say. Mr. Diggory was another talented Hogwarts student, and I'm sorry for your loss." Prof. Dumbledore stated. He appears to be a very friendly person, which explains why Cedric told me he likes him a lot, but he still prefers his Head of House, professor Sprout, I believe.

"Thank you very much, Professor."

Professor Dumbledore smiled warmly at us as he settled into his seat and continued speaking. "Miss Diggory's parents have registered both of you for this school year." You two will be transferred from America to Hogwarts this year, and you will both begin your fifth year.", then he turn to look at me in my eyes and continue. "As for your condition Miss Diggory, the school have considered and as you must know before, our school also has a student similar to you. We had been been able to let him use the Shrieking Shack behind the school to transform each month. It is completely safe and secure. Just so you know, Shrieking Shack is an abandoned house on the outskirts of the village of Hogsmeade.".

"That would be just fine, Professor, and please don't worry about keeping it as a secret. I'm not ashamed of my condition at all, and the Ministry of Magic also did not forced me to keep it as a secret. I think it would be best if we just let it natural so that if anyone realize than so it is. It's not like I'm committing a crime or anything."

"Fantastic! So, do you want to be sorted into your house right now, or do you want to wait until your first day of Hogwarts and be sorted after the First Years?", Professor Dumbledore asked.

After some thought, I turn to see Rolf turn to look at me, and at that moment, we both know what we want.

"We'd like to get this sorted right away, please," we agreed.

"Now, please come and sit on this chair, one by one," Professor Dumbledore said, summoning a chair next to the fireplace. He then rose to his feet and went in search of the sorting hat. "Who goes first?"

"I'll do it first," I said as I sat down. I go first because I know exactly which house I'll be in, so it's not surprising. I tilted my head back, allowing the sorting hat to sit straight on my head. When it touches me, I feel as if I'm in a darkroom.

"Well, look who we have here?" said the Sorting Hat, and it appears that I am the only one who hears it because everyone else is acting normally.

"Yes, no one can hear you or me."

"Cool."

"Godric! Oh, Godric!" It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to sort through an heir. You're... Helga Hufflepuff's heir? That's incredible. I haven't been able to determine Helga's heiress or heir in over a century."

"Are you aware of who I am?"

"Of course I'm aware! Hogwarts and I have talked about so many things, dear. We were both overjoyed to learn that you'd be attending Hogwarts this year."

"I got her letter about two days ago."

"I can see it in your reminiscences. Shouldn't we look at your personality traits?"

"I thought I'd go straight to Hufflepuff?"

"Well, I can tell you about your characteristics and why you were chosen."

"Really?"

"Yes. Let me take a look. There's hard work, loyalty, kindness, and justice. Wow, you have all the characteristics of a Hufflepuff, but there's something more to you; you're wise, daring for those you care about, and still cunning."

"So, am I a Hufflepuff?"

"You are, indeed."

"HUFFLEPUFF!" exclaimed the Sorting Hat. Then it is removed from my head, but I have the distinct impression that I just saw the Sorting Hat wink at me?!

Professor Dumbledore said, "Congratulations Miss Diggory, you are a Diggory."

"Thank you very much, Professor," I said. When it's Rolf's turn, he turns and says to me, "You have to tell me everything later," and I say, "You too."

The Sorting Hat brushes against Rolf's head, and he appears to be conversing with the hat on the inside, just like I did. The hat then exclaimed, "HUFFLEPUFF!" I was relieved to hear that because it would be so sad if Rolf and I were in different houses.

"Mr. Scamander, welcome to Hufflepuff as well."

We had a brief conversation before saying our goodbyes to Professor Dumbledore and allowing the green flames to engulf me once more.