Chapter 6
The rest of the week was pretty ordinary for Cedric apart from Harry becoming the youngest quiddich player in a century. Cedric was happy for Harry really, but it was a little embarrassing that his first year friend who didn't even know what quiddich was a few months ago was starting before him. Cedric was the backup Seeker. He would probably start next year, but he couldn't be sure.
For Hermione the rest of the week was rough. On Friday she went to flying class which she hated because she was rubbish at it. It was the only thing she was rubbish at.
Madam Hooch was not happy that over two months into the school year Hermione still hadn't flown a foot off the ground.
"I don't know what to do with you miss Granger. All your classmates have mastered the art of flying and you haven't even pushed off yet. Tomorrow after the quiddich match I'll ask one of the players to tutor you. After the game meet them on the pitch understand?" Madam Hooch asked.
"Yes Madam Hooch." Hermione said dreading her tutor session.
As if that wasn't bad enough, that night Malfoy challenged Harry to a duel and then never showed. He sent Filch instead. Harry Ron and Hermione ran away from Filch and wound up in the forbidden third floor corridor. They realized why it was forbidden when they saw a giant three headed dog. It tried to attack them but they got away just in time. It was standing on a trap door, which could only mean it was guarding something. Hermione didn't know what It was guarding yet, but was confident she would figure it out. She couldn't wait to tell Cedric in the morning.
Saturday morning Hufflepuff had their first game against Gryffindor this season. The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement as Cedric found his three favorite Gryffindors whispering to each other with very serious looks on their faces. This, he knew had nothing to do with quiddich.
"Hello little cubs how are you this fine morning?" Cedric said as he sat next to Hermione across from Harry and Ron.
"Hi Ced." Harry said.
"Hey." Ron said.
"Cedric we have to tell you something." Hermione said.
"What's wrong? Is it Malfoy, because that git is going to wish…"
"No! It's not Malfoy. Just listen okay. Last night the three of us went into the forbidden corridor." Hermione explained.
"What! What in Merlin's name were you thinking!?" Cedric asked.
"Shhh Malfoy told me to meet him in the trophy room for a midnight duel, but Filch showed up instead so we ran away from him and sort of ended up there by accident." Harry answered in a loud whisper.
"Yeah then we were almost eaten." Ron said.
"What!" Cedric exclaimed.
"Shhh." Hermione said putting her hand over Cedric's mouth. "Well apparently there is a giant three headed dog guarding a trap door in the corridor." Hermione explained.
"What! No one has ever gone in there before. I mean before last night that is. Three first year Gryffindors just can't help themselves can they." Cedric rambled to himself anxiously.
"Cedric relax." Hermione said.
Cedric took a deep breath. "You three are going to get yourselves killed. Mountain trolls, detention, giant three headed dogs, Merlin it's no wonder I'm not in Gryffindor my nerves weren't made to handle this kind of stuff." He sighed. "Do you have any idea what it's guarding?"
"We don't know, but it must be pretty important. I was reading the Prophet just now and saw this" Harry said handing Cedric an article about an attempt of robbery in Gringotts.
"That volt that got broken into is the one Hagrid took me to before I left to go to the school. Hagrid took whatever was in there out. He said it was secret Hogwarts business, but if it is so important that someone tried to steal it from Gringotts then we think it must be important enough to have a three headed dog guard it." Harry whispered to Cedric.
"Maybe that's what you know who wants." Cedric said.
"That's what I was thinking. I told them" Hermione pointed to Harry and Ron "my theory about why He is in the forest and they were quick to give me our first suspect."
"Who?"
"Snape of course. Who else would be a follower of you know who. He doesn't exactly hide it well." Ron said loudly.
"I would like nothing more than for it to be Snape, but to just say it's him because he's mean isn't exactly fair." Hermione told them.
"Wait a minute. You remember when the troll got in and none of the professors could figure out how it got into the school. Well what if Snape let it in?" Cedric whispered.
"What are you saying?" Hermione said.
"Well Snape walked me to my common room that night and he was limping. He had a bad cut on his leg. I didn't think anything of it then, but what if he let the troll in as a diversion to try to get past the dog? What if he wants to get you know who whatever the dog is guarding?" Cedric said.
"Don't be daft. Snape may be vile and cruel, but he is a teacher. I don't think a traitor could be teaching right under Dumbledore's nose without him knowing about it." Hermione said.
"Well it sounds likely to me. Who else would let the troll in?" Ron asked.
"I don't know, but we shouldn't jump to conclusions." Hermione said.
"Come on Hermy he was injured that night. How else would that have happened? The troll might even have done it." Cedric said.
"Hey Ced! Come on no fraternizing with the enemy today!" Herbert called from the Hufflepuff table.
"How about after the game we go talk to Hagrid about this? Right now we have more important things to worry about. There is a quiddich game to be played you know." Cedric said with a smirk.
"As if quiddich is more important than the safety of Hogwarts." Hermione scoffed.
"Nothing is more important than quiddich Hermy." Cedric said with fake sternness.
"Alright. I better go. You are going to have to get ready soon Potter. Good luck today. You're gonna need it." Cedric said with a smile as he got and started walking away.
"When was the last time Hufflepuff beat Gryffindor!? I think Dumbledore was the Seeker back then!" Ron laughed.
"Yeah, yeah. I literally have no comeback for that. I don't even know if Hufflepuff ever beat Gryffindor." Cedric said with a laugh and a shake of his head.
"It doesn't matter. Good luck Cedric." Hermione said.
"Thanks …" Cedric said.
Cedric walked away and Hermione followed him with her gaze. As he made his way over to the Hufflepuff table about six witches stopped him to wish him luck or to say they were going to be cheering for him. Hermione rolled her eyes at the girls fawning over him and turned back to Ron and Harry.
"He doesn't even play!" Ron said exacerbated.
"You don't have to be so mean to him Ron!" Hermione said after Cedric walked away.
"Oh come on he calls me Weasel every day!" Ron defended himself.
"Yeah but you usually start it."
"Sorry If I offended you by offending your boyfriend. Why don't you just snog and be done with it." Ron said folding his arms.
"You are so rude." Hermione said shaking her head and turning completely red. She went back to reading hiding her red face behind her book as much as she could.
"He's not my boyfriend either. He's popular, older, and he could go out with whoever he wants so why would he want to go out with a witch like me?" Hermione said with a shrug from behind her book.
After breakfast the Gryffindor's went to their common room to have a little rally before the game. It was tradition. The Gryffindor's were cheering and singing and Oliver Wood gave a speech.
"We're stronger, smarter, quicker and better in every way. There's no way we can lose to Hufflepuff!" Wood shouted.
Cocky much. Hermione loves Gryffindor but she like most people knows they can be a little full of themselves sometimes.
"We haven't lost to Hufflepuff in 15 years so let's keep that streak going!" Angelina Johnson added.
This is why Hermione hates quiddich. Whenever there is a game the entire school goes insane. They turn into a bunch of hooligans. Today was even worse for Hermione though because Hufflepuff was playing Gryffindor. Usually she roots for both of them, but now she had to listen to her house bad mouth Hufflepuff.
The whole school filed into the quiddich pitch. Hermione sat next to Ron in her usual seat and waved at Harry warming up and Cedric on the bench. The entire class around Hermione cheered and sang but Hermione couldn't care less. In fact if she had to choose she would want Hufflepuff to win. Not that she would ever say that out loud.
"Those duffs can't beat us! Come on Harry let's make it 16 years!" Ron shouted and Hermione rolled her eyes.
About an hour into the game the Hufflepuff seeker got injured. Cedric had to take his place. Hermione could tell he was so nervous.
"Easy win, easy win!" Ron shouted.
"Don't be rude Ron." Hermione said.
"Come on there's no way Diggory can beat Harry." Ron said with a smug grin.
"Well you don't have to be so smug about it. Besides you never know what can happen." Hermione said getting nervous for Cedric.
"Why don't you go sit with the Hufflepuff's. You seem to hate sitting here with me." Ron said annoyed.
Hermione just ignored Ron and watched the game with a newfound interest. Cedric seemed to be doing well. Not that Hermione knew much about quiddich. Hermione knew he had to find the snitch before Harry, and since Harry didn't find it yet Cedric couldn't be doing that bad.
About a half hour after Cedric came into the game he and Harry both went flying towards the right end of the pitch at the same time. Jordan announced that the seekers found the snitch at the same time and were now on its tail.
Fred hit a bludger at Cedric and it hit Cedric in his side. That slowed him down just enough for Harry to grab the snitch first. Gryffindor won… again.
"Gryffindor wins!" Madam Hooch yelled and everyone around Hermione cheered.
Everyone went back to the castle while Hermione and Ron went to the pitch because Hermione's flying lessons were going to be done now.
They met up with the Gryffindor team once they were on the pitch. Hermione was embarrassed when they asked what they were doing there, but apart from Ron none of them were giving her a hard time for not knowing how to fly.
"Look at it this way Hermione at this rate maybe you can be a chaser in about a century or two." Ron said laughing.
"Leave her alone Ron." Harry said.
"That means I'll probably start before you." Hermione said angrily at Ron.
"Ooooh nice one Hermione." Fred and George said together with a laugh.
Hermione smiled proud of her comeback.
"Whatever." Ron murmured.
"I want to have a quick practice session before we call it a day." Wood said to his team.
"Blimey practice after a win?" George whispered to Fred.
"Imagine what he'd have done if we'd lost." Fred whispered back.
Just then, Cedric flew over to them on his broom from the other side of the pitch.
"Diggory: nice game. You'll make a fair seeker once you get the starting job." Oliver Wood stated.
"Thanks. Congratulations on your win. I'm here to teach a certain witch how to fly." Cedric said winking at Hermione.
Hermione blushed. She had no idea he'd be the one to teach her.
"Oh okay, just stay out of our way. We are going to have a short practice. Come on guys let's leave these two to it." Wood said to his Quiddich team.
"See you later. Don't forget about going to Hagrid's." Harry told Hermione and Cedric.
"No spying on our team Diggory." Ron said.
Cedric scoffed. "Our team? Don't you have to be on the team for it to be 'our' team?" Cedric taunted.
"Shut up." Ron said and walked away with the Gryffindors.
"Ah that Ron always with a witty comeback." Cedric said.
"Would you leave him alone." Hermione said.
"What? He starts it every time. Well almost every time." Cedric said smiling.
"Was your punishment for losing the game teaching me to fly?" Hermione asked.
"Nah I just feel like I'm the best man for the job."
"We'll see about that. I can't even get the broom to fly into my hand." Hermione said feeling embarrassed.
"Don't worry I'll have you flying circles around Weasel in no time." Cedric said laughing.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"You know for someone who just lost you're awfully happy." Hermione said.
"Well maybe there are some things more important than quiddich." Cedric said with a wink.
Hermione blushed but composed herself.
"Are you gonna teach me how to fly or what?" Hermione asked with her arms on her hips.
"Alright first you need to relax. Don't think too much, and try to have fun. Basically stop being yourself." Cedric said nudging her with his elbow and smiling.
Hermione nudged him back. "If you're going to insult me then I'm sure I can get Oliver or one of the twins to teach me." Hermione said folding her arms.
"You could but you won't because you secretly love my teasing." Cedric said confidently.
Hermione laughed and shook her head.
"Alright stick your hand over the broom and say up."
"Up!" Hermione shouted but the broom just jolted a little and fell back to the ground.
"You almost had it. Just think of happy things." Cedric explained.
"Like in Peter Pan?" Hermione joked.
"What? Who's Peter Pan?" Cedric asked all humor leaving his eyes.
"He's just…"
"Do I know this guy? Is he your boyfriend in the muggle world?" Cedric asked anxiously.
Hermione burst out laughing.
"No you lunatic he is a character in a children's book." Hermione laughed again.
"Oh. Well excuse me if I'm not familiar with muggle books." Cedric said embarrassed.
"I can't believe wizards don't know Peter Pan. You'd like him he's a lot like you."
"Handsome, charming, strong and popular?" Cedric asked.
"More like immature and big headed." Hermione corrected.
"Would you just try again Granger. Be happy not terrified."
"Up!" Hermione yelled and the broom flew into her hand.
Hermione was so happy she threw her arms around Cedric.
"I did it did you see that I finally did it!" Hermione beamed.
"Relax Granger you didn't even get on the broom yet." Cedric chuckled.
"This is huge for me."
"Get on the broom. This is where it gets fun." Cedric said holding the broom for Hermione to get on.
"I don't know if this is such a good idea." Hermione stalled.
"It's okay I am holding the broom. I won't let it fly without you wanting it to."
Hermione hesitated.
"Come on you can ace transfiguration, charms and every other class, but you're gonna flunk flying? Not on my watch Granger now get on the broom and let's get you in the air."
Hermione took a deep breath and got on the broom.
"Great now kick off from the ground and the broom will hover in the air. Just make sure you don't lean in any direction or the broom will move." Cedric said still holding the broom.
"No, no I can't do that. I don't want to." Hermione said grabbing hold of Cedric's robes.
"Easy relax nothing will happen to you." Cedric said calmly.
"I can't do it Cedric." Hermione said disappointed in herself.
"Alright move down." Cedric said throwing his leg over the broom.
"What?"
"I'm going to fly with so you can get the feel of flying without hyperventilating and falling off the broom. Hold on tight." Cedric said to Hermione behind him.
Hermione hugged Cedric to her so tight he could hardly breathe.
"Hermy that's a little too tight."
"I don't care!" Hermione said hiding her face in Cedric's back.
"Alright now kick off Hermione."
Hermione gave a little kick and they were off the ground. They went a few feet in the air and if it was possible Hermione held Cedric even tighter.
"We won't go more than three feet from the ground. You can relax a little and open your eyes!" Cedric yelled through the wind.
Hermione opened her eyes and peaked out of her hiding pot in Cedric's back. She didn't loosen her grip on him, but she stopped hiding.
"Alright I want you to lean to the right very gently."
Hermione leaned left right and forward. They turned and picked up speed. Hermione was getting more comfortable and Cedric knew it was time to move on to something harder. Cedric landed and they both got off the broom.
"Wow that was amazing." Hermione said with a huge smile.
"Cedric laughed at her enthusiasm and her windswept hair that was now frizzier than ever.
"Don't get all happy yet. You are going to fly in the front now." Cedric said holding the broom out for Hermione.
"What? I just flew isn't that enough for one day?"
"No. Do this and we'll call it a day okay? I'll be right behind you in case you lose control or something." Cedric said comfortingly.
"Alright but if I freak out and fall off the broom you better catch me Diggory." Hermione said.
"I promise I will."
Hermione got on the broom again and this time Cedric was holding Hermione. When Hermione kicked off Cedric could feel her body tremble with fear, but she didn't stop. She did everything Cedric told her to do. She turned left and right and even flew higher. She had a huge smile on her face and Cedric just watched her and smiled with her.
"Well now you know what Peter Pan was so happy about." Cedric said in Hermione's ear.
"Yeah it sure is a rush." Hermione said.
"You'll have to introduce me to this Pan sometime." Cedric said.
"It was my favorite book when I was a kid. I think you'd like it."
"Maybe, but if I have to read that then you have to read Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump. That's way better than this Pan guy ever could be." Cedric said.
"Babbitty Rabbitty? Seriously?" Hermione questioned.
"Don't knock it until you read it."
They were interrupted by shouts from below them.
"Hey you two practice is over! Let's go talk to Hagrid!" Ron shouted to them.
"Okay!" Cedric shouted back.
"Just gently lean forward." Cedric said to Hermione.
Hermione did as she was told and eventually came to a slow stop a little too close to Ron who jumped out of the way.
"Relax Weasel she's a natural."
"Yeah well she almost bloody ran me over."
"Well if she would have just followed my directions…"
Hermione slapped Cedric's back gently as he laughed. Harry laughed as well and the four of them made their way to Hagrid's hut.
Hagrid answered his door with a happy hello to the four students he'd grown fond of this year.
"What can I do for ya?" Hagrid asked inviting them inside.
"We know about the three headed dog." Harry said immediately.
"You're not supposed to be wondering in that part of the castle. Fluffy could have killed ya!"
"That thing has a name?" Hermione asked.
"Of course he does. I named him myself." Hagrid said proudly.
"We also think that Snape is the one who let the troll in on Halloween." Cedric said.
"Blimey you four shouldn't make accusations about a teacher like that. Professor Snape was appointed by Dumbledore. If he trusts him then so do I, and so should you." Hagrid said getting angry.
"But he was injured that night. How else could he have gotten hurt?" Cedric asked.
"I'm sure Dumbledore knows all about it. Now enough about this."
The room was filled with an awkward silence until Hermione spoke.
"We're sorry Hagrid. Can you just answer one other thing?" Hermione asked innocently.
"What'll that be?"
"What is Fluffy guarding?"
"I cannot tell you that. That is strictly between Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel… I should not have said that." Hagrid said worried.
The four students looked at each other like they just hit the jackpot. Looks like Hermione is in for a long day at the library.