Cedric Diggory x Reader

[Theme: Student]

"Cedric!" I yelled to the boy behind me as we ran through the Hogwarts corridors. "If we don't hurry, we're going to be late and I am not receiving another detention with McGonagall!"

It was all his fault! He had to be so charming and handsome that he distracted me over lunch and I completely forgot that we had Transfiguration. After my atrocious essay last time, McGonagall was ripe with having points to say if I continued. It was because she cared about her students, that much was obvious, but she put the shame in the right places.

My lungs wanted to give way and each breath caused great pain in my stomach. I hadn't run this fast and this intensely since I was a child and Mum would call me down for dinner. I'd have to get there fast before Dad ate most of the garlic bread. But this was no race for garlic bread; this was a race for my life.

We were only a single corner away when the bell toned, signalling we were officially late for class. My running slowed to a defeated stop. McGonagall was going to kill me. Cedric met my side and he didn't look out of breath at all.

"Great." I said as I took in heavy gulps of oxygen. "She's definitely going to say something, I just know it. Merlin, if you can grant me a way to get out of this, please do so." I begged, knowing that it was pointless.

Cedric, on the other hand, was cool and collected as usual. "Sorry, I knew I should've said something." he said and wrapped an arm around my torso, pulling me close. "You know I can't get enough of you."

I sighed and we pressed forward a few steps. There were numerous positives to dating Cedric Diggory. First, you were dating Cedric Diggory. The negative... you were dating Cedric Diggory. His chaotic fanbase from being captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team was one thing, and many girls let me know they felt, but his way of making you forget the world and live in the moment was another.

"That's no excuse..." I pouted and leaned my head against his arm. He did at least make a comfortable pillow.

"I'll make a deal with you." he said, stopping in his tracks and turning himself directly to face me. "Show me a smile and I'll tell McGonagall it was my fault."

"It is your fault." I reminded him, forcing myself to keep a neutral face. I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction of feeling like he did me a favour.

"What was that? I didn't quite hear you." he said pretending he was deaf.

My eyes thinned into a glare. "I said it's your-"

Cedric stopped my words by pressing his lips to mine.

"There you go, there's that smile." Cedric remarked with his signature cocky grin.

I bat his arm and walked ahead. "You're the worst!" I yelled but I couldn't hold in my laughter.

We finally arrived at the classroom and I thought I would see a very disgruntled McGonagall. Instead, she was speaking to Sprout with a hand covering her mouth. Whatever they were speaking about, it must have been important. Hopefully important enough to get us off the hook for being late.

Their eyes met us as we approached and instead of switching to displeasure, McGonagall stood solemnly while Sprout appeared to have tears in her eyes.

"It's alright, Pomona." she said, patting the shorter woman's back and stepping forward to meet us halfway. "Normally, I would have little patience for students who are late... but considering the circumstances, I'm afraid I must be more lenient. Mister Diggory, please take your seat while I speak to Miss L/N separately." she requested. Sprout gave a small weep and I suddenly understood this wasn't some mild incident.

Cedric went to step inside but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Professor, if this is something serious, I'd like Cedric here for it." The longer this went on, the more anxious I felt and I wouldn't want him to leave.

McGonagall nodded. "Of course, if you don't mind, Mister Diggory."

He held my hand tightly and gave it a squeeze of encouragement.

"As I'm sure you know, the Ministry has been doing what it can to capture all those who once supported You-Know-Who." she began with doubt in her voice. I knew she didn't believe wholly her words. "Some still remain and... we have received some unfortunate news." She went silent.

"Professor?" I encouraged, and judging by Sprout's face, I wasn't going to like this.

She inhaled deeply and what she would say next changed my life forever. "There was an incident during one of the attempted captures. Your parents- they were caught in the middle and they did not survive."

My breath went still and at first, I felt nothing. The shock that jolted through me numbed me until my body came to overpower it.

Sprout came forward, trying her best to bring up her motherly energy. "Dear, if you need anything, anything at all, you know where to find me. This is a difficult time and you shouldn't be alone."

"Yes... I..."

I couldn't breathe. My vision was going blurry from my emerging tears. This couldn't be happening. How could it have happened to them? They had never done anything to draw attention to themselves. It must be a mistake. They had the wrong student! Yes! That's it!

McGonagall and Sprout said something to Cedric and he started walking me away. He was trying to say words of comfort but my agony blocked them out entirely. Why would they be saying these things anyway when they had the wrong person? I couldn't understand it.

Dead... It simply couldn't be.

...

Cedric took me back to the Hufflepuff common room and sat me down on one of the sofas. There was nobody else in sight so we had the place to ourselves, making it feel all the more homely. At least, that's how it should have felt but the cacophony of thoughts attacking me only brought nausea.

He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight against his chest. Still, I felt nothing. Not comfort, not sadness. Only... disbelief. Denial.

"I'm so sorry." he whispered as he stroked my hair. "I know how important they were to you."

"I don't understand." I said. "It can't be. They sent me a letter only yesterday! It said they were doing fine. They can't be gone. It has to be someone else. Mum's at home waiting for Dad to get off work, like usual."

Cedric sighed reluctantly. "McGonagall handed me this to give to you. She said it was on your mother."

Pulling back, he held in his hand a small chain bracelet that I recognised as the one Dad bought Mum as an anniversary gift a few years ago. She wore it everywhere and the one time she lost it, she went into a mental shutdown until she found it. He placed it into my palms and solidified what I heard as truth.

My denial spiralled away, lifting away its pain relief and replacing it with a new emotion: anger. My breathing became heavy, harsh and uncontrolled. I wanted to scream.

I shot up to my legs and started pacing around, my mind mulling over the answers I needed to find. Who was responsible for this? Why were they there?

"I... How could they do this? How could they... how could they leave me!?" I yelled, clutching tightly to the bracelet until I felt forced to look at it. It was golden and had two small hearts attached to the chain with their names on it. Everything was red. Someone had to be blamed for their deaths- whether it was the Death Eaters that killed them, the Ministry for spurring the fight, or my parents for being there to begin with. I couldn't pinpoint where I wanted to place it and that terrified me.

"They didn't leave you on purpose, Y/N. You know if they could be, they'd be right here." Cedric tried soothing and it only made things worse. I didn't want to hurt him. That was the last thing I'd ever want to do.

The words came out without me realising. "As if you can say that! Your dad's part of the Ministry! He could have been a part of this!"

Cedric froze momentarily and quickly came to realise I was lashing out unintentionally. He tried his best to keep his tone calm. "You know that's not true. My dad works in the Department of Magical Creature Regulation. Listen, you don't need to blame anyone. It might make you feel better for now but it won't last."

Blame. That was the only thing I could focus on. "But- but why were they outside? Merlin-" A realisation hit me. It was my birthday in a few days. If they had gone out to buy me a gift... they would have gone out because of me. "I should've- I should've told them I didn't want anything. Then they wouldn't have gone outside. Then they wouldn't have died. This is my-"

"It's not your fault." Cedric intercepted, stood up and forced me to look at him by cupping my cheeks. "None of this is your fault. Do you understand?"

His eyes were filled with sympathy and desperation. He was in pain seeing me act like this. I had to get myself together, if not for helping me, but to stop him from hurting.

"Cedric..." I whimpered and charged myself into his chest for him to hold me. Instinctively, he did so and I felt his warmth envelop me and calm the fury that claimed my heart. "I'm sorry..."

"It's alright... Focus on getting it out. I'm here." he whispered lovingly.

I didn't know what I'd do without him. My anger likely would've swallowed me whole until I became destructive. It was because of Cedric and his patience that he was able to bring me out of that moment.

A part of me still couldn't believe it but I had come to accept that finding blame wherever it appeared wouldn't help. For now... for now, I had to try to relax. I had to breathe. Find whatever it would be that would make me whole.

I looked at Cedric. He was the one that made me whole.

In time, I broke away from the embrace and clutched the bracelet in my hands once more. My hands were shaking and unsteady despite my breathing finally relaxing.

"I'll... be alright. You should go back to class. I think I need some time alone... to think things over." I admitted.

"Are you sure? I can stay if you need me to." he offered, still concerned about my well-being.

"...Yeah. I know where to find you anyway."

He nodded and pressed a kiss to my forehead before reluctantly leaving. As he exited the common room, I saw him look back and flash a smile at me. I was barely able to return it.

...

I shut myself in my room and sat on my bed, clutching my pillow to my chest. Doubts started to consume me as to if I should have let Cedric leave, but I tried my best to focus. He and my parents wouldn't want me to wallow in tears. They would want me to... do my best.

An idea came to me. I found the letter that they sent me yesterday. It detailed how things were going at home, asking me how my studies were going, that they were looking forward to seeing me when the term ended, and telling me that everything was fine.

As I read through it, I remembered that I penned them and sent them back barely an hour after receiving their letter. Did they get it? What did they think about it? A surge of guilt hit me. I could've told them not to go out, or I could've asked them for a different gift, or not to get me one at all.

Then, I felt fear. They were ordinary people doing normal things. Hardly anyone would be thinking about Death Eaters while they were shopping in a populated area. Is this really what our world has come to? The point where we have to worry about death wherever we step?

Did they fight? If they did, will the Death Eaters be wanting revenge? Would I now be in danger because of something I played no part in? These thoughts petrified me knowing I could be next.

I crumbled up into a ball and lay there in silence. At some point, I drifted off to sleep after my body gave up with feeling overwhelmed. When I awoke, there was a split second of bliss where my brain had forgotten all that occurred. Then, my eyes settled on the bracelet that sat atop my dresser.

The sky was dark outside and without any lights on, the room was almost pitch black apart from the moon's illumination. Watching it, I wondered what Mum and Dad would've been doing right now. I'd do anything to know that they were safe. If Merlin was able to do anything to save them despite being gone for centuries, I'd accept his help in a heartbeat, no matter the cost.

I wanted to see them smiling and hear them laughing. Getting up from bed, I opened the window and watched the world go by. If I stayed here long enough, maybe an owl would fly by and give me a letter; a letter that would tell me that they hadn't died. They were only injured and they'd make a full recovery in time.

I'd be able to go skip classes and go see them at St Mungo's. They'd be waiting in their beds and the matron would let me in to see them. Their faces would light up and I'd be able to go and hug them. They'd tell me how sorry they were for getting hurt and I'd tell them it wasn't their fault and I was thankful they were alive.

Yet... that letter would never come. There was no alternative to death. Praying to a higher power was pointless for not even the gods could change fate. I was going to have to learn to adapt without them being there.

What would happen to me once I would return home for the summer? The house would be empty and while I was somewhat dependent, I couldn't manage everything by myself. Belong alone would swallow me whole too.

There was a short rattle on the door followed by a peaceful 'It's me' that I knew to come from Cedric. I told him to come in and he entered holding a place of food from the Great Hall.

"Hey." he said with a small smile, enough to inspire a little bit of hope.

"Hey." I mustered enough energy to reply back. It was still a struggle to exist, let alone put mental energy into a conversation, but I wanted to be with Cedric as I knew he was doing everything he could for me.

He sat down on the bed next to me and handed me the small plate. "Thought you might be hungry." he commented sweetly. There was a neat assortment and it seemed that he had picked everything out with great care. I picked a bit of cheese up, placed it near my lips, and my stomach rejected it instantly. I had to put it back down and leave the place on my dresser.

"Sorry... It's really thoughtful of you but I'm not in the mood for eating." I relayed with a depressed sigh. There wasn't any motivation in me to do anything.

Cedric pulled me close and allowed me to lean on his shoulder. "That's alright. It's there for later if you need it. How have you been?"

I shook my head, "I basically slept since you left and kept to my thoughts. I kept thinking about everything I should've done and wondering what could've gone differently. It... it's Hell. That kind of uncertainty... it eats at you alive. I think I've done away from it now, but now I have questions about what's going to happen next."

"Like what?"

"The main one is where I'll be going after the term ends in a few weeks... I could go home but I don't know if I'll be able to handle things on my own... or stay there knowing they're never going back."

"You could always stay with me. You know my parents love you. Mum's constantly asking for you to come over anyway." Cedric confessed and I wondered if it would be plausible. "Only takes a few minutes to send a letter."

I hummed in contemplation. It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea assuming we would stay together. Well, after today, I wanted Cedric with me forever. The thought was out of the question and it was a reasonable solution.

"I think that'd work. That's one worry off my mind for now." I said with a sense of relief.

"What else is there?" he asked as he rubbed my shoulder.

"It's hard to put it into words. I guess... knowing no matter what I do, I can never go back in time. Things will keep pushing forward and I have no control. It makes everything feel... hopeless."

Cedric placed a kiss on my forehead. "That may be true, but it means that we should do our best to make the future with what we can control. For example, I can't control where the Snitch goes. That's why I practice every day to improve my speed and ability to see it. My skill is something I can control."

A chuckle came out of me. "What is it with you and Quidditch players with always making metaphors back to the game?"

"Can you blame me? It's got a lot of components. Point is, you have more power than you realise. Focus on that."

He made sense. If I was so afraid of being hurt, I could do what is in my ability to get stronger so then I can protect myself and others. Maybe there was hope that I needed to internalise still.

"Have you ever lost someone before, Cedric?" I asked as the thought came to me. He seemed so knowledgeable about dealing with grief that he must have experienced it before.

"No, I haven't. Not yet, at least." he confessed.

"How are you so good at this then? If you've never felt it."

"Once you realise how fragile lives are, you start to realise that every moment is precious. I know Mum and Dad won't be around forever so I make sure to tell them that I love them. Then when they do go, I'll have said everything that I wanted to and I'll be able to go without regrets. I'll miss them when it does happen but I know I can heal. The same goes for you."

I pressed my lips together and eyed the bracelet. I leaned over and tenderly picked it up, looking at my parents' names. They may not be here anymore yet they'll always be watching over me. In the letter I sent back, I made sure to tell them that I loved them. They may not have read it but they knew how I felt. Carefully, I undid the clasp and coiled the chain around my wrist.

"You're right," I said softly. "They knew and... I can carry them with me wherever I go. It's going to take time but I can heal. Thank you, Cedric." I turned and threw my arms around his neck to which he returned.

As I listened to his heartbeat, I came to accept the truth. They really were dead, but it doesn't mean that they're gone. Their memory will live on with me and it's because of them and everything they did that I got to where I am today. The path forward lies with me.

It's mine to control.

...

With Sprout's permission, I took a few days off from classes to grieve before returning to lessons. Cedric spent every waking moment with me when he wasn't practising making sure that I was sleeping and eating. It was thanks to him that I managed to get out of the hole I had fallen into as unharmed as I had.

There were days when that depression would come back. I'd experience that deep sadness where I wouldn't touch any food and it would be lucky if I slept an hour. When it came to praying, Cedric was there to help me turn it into a positive. Instead of praying hopelessly for them to come back, he taught me to write down a happy memory that I had with them. It was never a fact of forgetting them but turning my remorse into something productive.

Then, when the term ended, I was mostly back to my original state. I had moved into the Diggory household's spare room and Mrs Diggory was more than happy to allow me to stay. What was going to happen to my family home was up in the air. Mrs Diggory seemed to be prodding the idea that if Cedric and I were to wed, we could live there together.

Some people did get married after graduating but that was a few years off and neither of us was ready for that. We did talk briefly about moving in together to coinhabit which seemed to be the agreed-upon route for now.

I sat at the dinner table in the kitchen tightly clutching a glass of water. This day was going to come whether I liked it or not: my parents' funeral. Yesterday, Mrs Diggory took me out shopping for an appropriate dress with Cedric there to support me. It was difficult knowing I was picking out what I would be wearing for their final farewell. In the end, I picked out something simple.

Cedric came from getting changed into his suit. Normally, I'd have teased him about how much effort he was putting in but all I could do right now was give him a short smile.

"Nervous?" he said, motioning to my grip on the glass. If I wasn't careful, I'd drop it from it slipping out.

"That's one way to put it. It's hard to believe this day came so early." I replied and took a swig of water. "Merlin, I've been drinking all day because of everything. I might explode..."

He came over, took the glass from me and placed it by the sink before kissing my hair. "Good thing you're staying hydrated. Is there anything I can do to help you relax?" he offered as he sat on the chair opposite me.

"There is one thing, I don't know if you'd be willing to help me out."

...

Once the funeral had ended, we headed to Diagon Alley and picked up one special item that I knew would bring me closer to the closure that I needed. Then, we went to my family home and went directly to the garden. In my hand was a potted chrysanthemum; one of my mother's favourite flowers. I decided I wanted to plant one in their honour.

"Here," I pointed at a spot near the end of the garden. "I think she'd want it to be in the sunshine."

We bent down and dug out a shallow hole in the dirt. Carefully, I unpotted the flower and set it in its new home in the earth. It wasn't the neatest extraction but it was the thought that counted.

I took a deep breath in of the fresh air and let it go, alongside my woes and worries. Mum and Dad had been put to rest at last and there were many routes forward for me now.

"I haven't seen a smile like that in a while." Cedric teased and pulled me in for a hug. "I'm really proud of you."

"Thank you for everything you did to help me." I remarked, pulling away and gripping the bracelet around my wrist. "You've always been there when I've been feeling hopeless. I hope you know that I'd do the same for you."

It was at that moment that I had come to realise something important. These feelings I held for Cedric aware amounting to more than I previously calculated. I wanted to be there for him through thick and thin, and I knew he would be there too. Never would there be a single day where I didn't want him by my side. He was the remedy that I was seeking.

"This may be bold of me to say..." I began and swallowed my nerves, "but, well... Cedric... I think I love you."

His eyes widened in surprise and quickly he turned to have the brightest grin I'd seen him sport. He picked me up by the waist and spun me around in cheer.

"C-Cedric!" I yelled and he gently placed me back on the ground.

"Sorry- just- are you sure?" he asked in disbelief.

"I'm sure! After everything, how could I not love you?"

He laughed in shock and brushed a hand through his hair. "I love you too."

He leaned down and captured my lips in his. From now on, our lives would be intertwined. We promised each other, no matter what, we would do our best to strive to control what we could. It was building our stability for a future we wanted to craft. I had the utmost faith that we would make it.

That was the sort of relationship we had.

...

The Triwizard Tournament

I never wanted to let Cedric participate. It was far too dangerous and he knew that well, but it was his choice to make at the end of the day. Truthfully, I didn't think he'd be chosen so when his name was picked, I was beyond devastated yet I did all I could to support him.

The hedges Hagrid had planted in the Quidditch pitch had grown to full size leaving its innermost contents left unseen. Nobody knew what was inside it apart from those who managed the tournament. Even then, they only spoke about 'grave dangers that only the most skilled wizard could hope to overcome'.

Anything could happen in that maze and I was going crazy with apprehension. If he got hurt- or somehow died- I couldn't figure out how I'd live with myself.

"Five minutes until the champions must arrive." the announcer boomed.

Cedric finished changing in his section of the champions' tent and met me for the final time. He was looking as bold and confident, as ever. In comparison, I was barely holding it together.

"Hey," he whispered as he grabbed my hand gently, "it'll be fine. You know they won't let anything serious happen to us."

"But what if something does happen that they don't account for? I can't lose you, Cedric." I wept and held him as tightly as I could, not daring to let go. "Promise me. Promise me you'll forfeit if something happens."

Carefully, he took hold of my grip and held my arms while he looked into my eyes. "I promise I'll come back to you."

"You know that's not the same thing... just... please don't be self-sacrificial. What matters is you. If it takes being selfish, then be selfish to survive. Please." I begged, fretting over every minute detail.

"I can't say no when you look at me like that." he said bashfully. "I'll be careful."

"Champions, please prepare for the final task to begin."

"That's my cue." Cedric said and kissed me for good luck. "I'll see you after. I love you."

"I love you too... idiot."

...

A bright red flare shot up and exploded, illuminating the sky in a crimson glow. My heart stilled and froze. Was it Cedric or someone else? Was he injured?

A group of wizards flew above the maze and pulled out an unconscious body, bringing them back to where we were all seated. Madam Pomfrey ran out to tend to them and I saw that it wasn't Cedric; it was Fleur Delacour. She had been stunned and beaten up by numerous different beasts and plants. She wasn't in good shape but Pomfrey was confident that she had dealt with worse.

That remained the question of what was happening with Cedric. No doubt Fleur was a capable witch. Her state gave some indication of the threats within and that did nothing to calm my worries.

I clasped my hands together. "I hope you're safe, Cedric..." I whispered under my breath.

Another flare exploded and quickly followed Victor Krum. Only Harry Potter and Cedric remained. If both of them had to forfeit, was Cedric still in one piece? I was suffocated thinking about what could have happened to him.

I had to trust him. I had to trust Cedric knew what he was doing. He can't control fate but he would do everything he could to control his abilities. He trained and he was skilled. He could make it to the end and survive.

A sudden flash of white shot down from the entrance of the maze with the Triwizard cup flying out and scattering by the viewing stands. Two people then popped out, Harry on top of Cedric and clinging to him for dear life. He was screaming and shouting.

Amos jumped to his feet and I followed in pursuit.

"HE'S BACK!" Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. "VOLDEMORT'S BACK!"

The music from the brands came to a halt and Dumbledore came to inspect the scene. Dumbledore pulled Harry off Cedric's body and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Cedric lay motionlessly on the floor before us. I stepped back, tears burning out of my eyes as Amos hugged Cedric.

Everyone in the viewing stands was ushered away and Harry was taken by Professor Moody, leaving only myself, Amos and Dumbledore.

"Amos, I assure you, you have my sincerest apologies." Dumbledore tried to console Cedric's father.

"Apologies!? Is that what you think is good enough for the death of my son?" he bellowed in anger and rose to confront Dumbledore.

I knelt down beside Cedric and watched him. His eyes were closed and his skin was turning pale. I clasped his hand and held it to my cheek, my tears falling down and hitting his chest.

"Cedric... why...?" I whimpered as I remembered his promise. He promised he'd come back to me... I never expected it to be like this.

Just as I was able to let go, I felt a squeeze on my hand. The one I was holding had turned to hold mine. There was warmth returning. It couldn't be... Surely not... Cedric... Cedric should be dead!

Cedric's eyelids flickered open and he slowly sat up, clutching his head. "Where... where am I?"

My mouth dropped and Amos stopped yelling at Dumbledore. All three of us looked at Cedric in bewilderment.

"You've arrived back at the start of the maze, Cedric." Dumbledore spoke. "Tell me, what happened in there?"

Cedric held a hand to his head like he was suffering a severe headache. "Harry and I agreed to grab the cup at the same time since we only managed to get to the end together. I remember being apparated somewhere... a graveyard. I can't recall anything after that."

"I see." Dumbledore remarked with a concerned look. "Excuse me, I have another matter to attend to." Amos went to call him back to finalise their unfinished business but Dumbledore didn't turn back.

The two of us helped Cedric to his feet and took him to the champions' tent to let him sit down. Amos wiped the tears away from his eyes and cleared his glasses.

"I need to speak to Fudge about this immediately. Look after him." Amos said and darted out of the tent, leaving Cedric and me alone.

"You're alive... Thank Merlin." I said to myself and held Cedric tight. "I thought I lost you."

"I promised you I'd come back." he teased. "They can't get rid of me that easily."

His words reminded me of what Harry had said; that Voldemort was dead.

"Cedric... that graveyard. You don't remember anything?" I asked.

He shook his head in denial. "Only for a second and then everything went black. You know as much as I do at this point."

"I don't want to think it but... what if you met You-Know-Who? What if that's why you were unconscious?"

Cedric contemplated in silence momentarily before silently agreeing. "Maybe that was the case, but now that I'm back, the matter's in Dumbledore's hands."

Knowing he was right, I sighed. "I'm just glad you're okay, but now you have to truly promise me you won't be reckless again. No more signing up for these ridiculous tournaments..."

"Quidditch is the exception, right?"

I wanted to flick him in the forehead but held back so I didn't worsen his undoubtedly horrible headache, albeit he deserved it for the amount of stress he caused me.

"Yes, Quidditch can be the one exception."

All along, I was right. There were numerous positives to dating Cedric Diggory. He was kind, sincere, charming, and loveable. He could be reckless but he knew his limits. I wouldn't change his love for anything in the world.

I lost my parents and I almost lost the love of my life. I couldn't stay weak anymore. If Voldemort is truly back, I wanted to face him.

I had to protect those who were dear to me. No matter the cost.

I had to control my strength... to force the hands of fate.