Chapter 4: Cedric's Request

At five minutes past midnight, Cho sleepily walked into the Ravenclaw common room. Traveling upstairs and finally into her bedroom, she found that all of her roommates were asleep, except for Marietta.

"You're awfully late. Where've you been?"

"Library."

"The library closes at 11, Cho."

"Library then Flitwick and Hooch had to talk to me. I was on the Quidditch field from 'bout 5 to 9."

"That's an odd combination…Quidditch practice started already?"

Cho shook her head, "No. But for me it did."

Marietta looked at her friend truly perplexed, "I am really confused."

Cho sighed and crashed heavily onto her bed. "Look. I've been rusty at Quidditch. Last year, Ginny Weasley—someone two years younger than me, and a totally newbie caught the snitch right in front of my eyes. Hooch told me immediately that I would have to show some vast improvement if I wanted to stay on the team. I was horrible last year—too many things on my mind. Everyone knows I've been flying horribly."

"Bloody hell. Cho, you've been under a lot of stress with Cedric gone, I mean, can't they understand that?"

"I know. They do. It's just that—they're sort of right. Etta, it's been not one but two years now. I mean, that sort of pain never really goes away but I can't loose Quidditch. I've been a brilliant seeker since the age of six. I mean, there's no reason for me to be playing this badly. I can't afford to loose being on the team."

"So, Hooch and Flitwick are coaching you?"

Cho shook her again, "Well…Hooch is for now. But in all honesty, since she is the superintendent for the Quidditch program at Hogwarts…she really can't spend hours specifically training with me. It shows favoritism to Ravenclaw. Technically, Roger is supposed to be doing that since he's our captain. Except…"

"…Roger busted his knee and is walking on crutches."

"Exactly."

The girls were silent.

"I really don't want to be kicked off the team, Etta."

"You won't be. You just need to find someone else on the team to help you."

Cho shook her head, "Highly unlikely." She yawned. "It's been only the third week into school and I've already got homework up to my nose. The library seems to be my new hangout, how depressing."

Cho climbed into her bed and pulled the covers over her petite body. "Goodnight, Etta."

"Goodnight, Cho."

Cho was tossing and turning. She slowly opened one eye to glance at the alarm clock on her nightstand. 3:13 AM. Cho turned the other way and did not find any more comfort. This is just going to be another sleepless night.

Cho annoyingly shook off her covers and grabbed her Quidditch Through the Ages book and headed downstairs for the common room.

Cho quietly exited her bedroom and walked down the stairway into the Ravenclaw common room. The fireplace was still faintly burning. She found her way into a large recliner and started reading her book until she saw a translucent hand turn the first page for her.

Cho immediately dropped her book and before she could scream—

"No, Cho, don't scream!"

Cho's face immediately paled. "C-c-edric??"

What appeared to be the ghost of Cedric Diggory kneeled in front of Cho and nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, it's me."

"Are you a ghost?"

Cedric shook his head, "No. I'm not."

"Am I dreaming?"

Cedric laughed, "No, you aren't. Cho, you're...exactly how I remember you. You're so beautiful."

"Cedric…" Cho spoke with hot tears streaming down her face, "I've missed you." She leaned her hand out to touch his face.

"No! Cho…Cho, you can't touch me."

"I don't understand."

"I'm not a ghost. I'm…it's hard to explain…a spirit. I'm a spirit who's been watching over you…I know that sounds like rubbish. I mean, in a time of need, certain people who have been lost can come back for a few minutes. I needed to come back and talk to you. But you can't touch me, if you do, you'd die as well. I'm not really supposed to be here."

"Then why are you here Cedric?"

Cedric nodded, "Cho. I'm here because I need to tell you that I'm alright."

"You died….you were killed…"

"But I'm alright. I'm at peace. Cho, listen, you can't continue to do this to yourself. You're letting my death eat away at your own life…your soul, everything."

"Wouldn't you, Cedric?"

"Listen. Cho. I cared for you and you cared for me and though I'm gone, that won't change. But when I see you, you make me sad. You've almost given up on Quidditch. You hardly laugh or smile like I remember you used to. Don't make your last year here a bad one. You know I wouldn't have wanted that."

"I don't know how to make myself happy anymore."

"Yes you do. You know that someone else can. There is hope in Harry Potter."

Cho raised her eyebrows, "I can't dishonor the memory I have of you…and Harry…Harry doesn't like me."

"Harry doesn't understand you. You have to make it clear to him; about how you really feel."

"I'm not sure what that is."

"Cho, if there was anyone in the world I would want you to be with you, it's him."

"Why?"

"Harry's a good man. He saved me in the TriWizard Tournament…he tried. His heart is pure and he has a lot of love to give. But he's hurting right now, he's lost someone special to him too. Cho, he's lonely as well. You can change that. And he can do great things for you too—Cho, I'm begging you to stop making yourself miserable. You don't have to feel ashamed for liking Harry."

Cho nodded. "I haven't spoken to him in three weeks."

"Then, what are you waiting for? Cho. You and I won't ever change. But I need to see you take your chance at life. Don't let me stop you from living. Harry can save you for a life of misery, believe me, I've seen it."

"Will I ever see you again?"

Cedric looked down, "I'm afraid not. I can't risk coming back to this world—it's complicated. But just know this: Don't let me stop you from living, Cho. Will you promise me that?"

Cho nodded. "I promise you, Cedric."

Cedric smiled as he started to fade away.

Cho watched slowly as Cedric started to disappear.

And for the first time in three weeks, Cho closed her eyes and started to drift off to sleep.