Empty Fortune

Cedric hadn't shown up for dinner. Oliver found himself checking the door each time someone new entered, hoping it would be the Hufflepuff. But each time he was denied. A tiny niggling voice started up in the back of his head, taunting him. Making his already tortured conscience feel even more guilt. Until he was absolutely convinced that it was his fault the young Seeker was not amongst them. Cedric obviously couldn't face seeing him. After all, he had told him that he never wanted to see the younger boy again. He swallowed his pumpkin juice with difficulty.

He did love Cedric, so why had he been so horrible? The grey-eyed boy had definitely seemed truly sorry about what had happened. He knew the Hufflepuff never lied… but he had also believed that Cedric would never cheat on him. Then again, had he really cheated? Would he have gone all the way with Roger? Somehow, deep inside, he knew that the answer was no. And he also knew that Cedric needed him. He finished his dinner quickly. Mind made up to find the other boy and to help him. Anyway he could.

He made his way to the Hufflepuff common room, knocking on the portrait door loudly. A somewhat startled third year answered.

'I need to see Diggory.'

'He… he's not here.' The girl answered. 'We haven't seen him since this morning. We thought maybe he'd gone to see Roger in London.'

Oliver nodded. 'Thank-you.'

He walked away, not convinced that Cedric had gone to London. Maybe if it had been at the weekend. But not midweek.

He checked the library, the top of the astronomy tower, down at the Quidditch field and by the lake. But he didn't find Cedric anywhere. The sky was starting to darken by the time he went back to the castle.

'Find your beloved Hufflepuff?'

Oliver span to face the owner of the voice. His eyes flashed dangerously. 'What have you done?'

Leonarto stepped out of the shadows, a sneer on his coldly handsome face. 'I did nothing. Now why would you assume I did?'

'Because you're sadistic and cruel. And if you've hurt him, I will kill you.'

'Oh don't worry; I haven't touched your precious Cedric. Wouldn't touch damaged goods anyway. I'm surprised you can stand to be near him, let alone inside him. I last saw your plaything in the Potions corridor, at the end of lessons.' Leo sauntered away, leaving an extremely angry Oliver behind him.

The Gryffindor ran his hands through his hair in despair. Where could Cedric be? He stormed up to the common room, cornering George Weasley, dragging the wiry redhead away from Katie Bell.

'Hey! Watch it Oliver.' George protested, rubbing his arm. 'What's wrong?' His expression changed as he saw the look in Wood's eyes. 'What's happened? Are you okay?'

'I can't find Cedric. Nobody has seen him since last lesson. Not even the Hufflepuffs.'

'Oh,' George fell silent for a moment. 'Maybe he's gone to see Roger?'

Oliver shook his head. 'No they wouldn't let him. Not midweek. Something has happened. I just know it.'

George chewed his lip. 'I know you care about him, but have you even considered that he might just want some space? I mean, you told him you didn't want to see him again. Maybe that works both ways…' He trailed off as Fred approached.

'Couldn't help but hear that last bit.' His twin announced, pulling a battered old bit of parchment from his back pocket. 'Have to say George, that's about the worst bit of advice you've ever given. I saw Cedric earlier he didn't look good. Upset would be an understatement, and people like that are best not left alone.'

Oliver felt the blood drain from his face.

'But Ced is sensible, he'd never do anything stupid would he!' George put in, shooting a look at Fred and nodding towards Oliver.

'Course he wouldn't.' Fred agreed hurriedly. He glanced at the parchment and Oliver frowned, wondering what a shabby old bit of paper could possibly do to help.

'He's in the forest.' Fred stated. 'Right near the centre too.'

'Centaur territory.' George agreed head now bent over the parchment too. 'You best fly above the tree line. Look for the lightning struck tree and the little cave filled glades.'

Oliver was already on his way to the broom shed.

Oliver had landed a short distance from the blackened tree. Continuing on foot to the hollow George had mentioned. He trod lightly, trying not to disturb the stifling hush, that was common this deed in the forest. He'd heard stories about vampires and werewolves. That even the trees moved. He saw a black shadow pass through the trees on his left and paused. A thestral flitted from shadow to shadow and was gone. Oliver's fingers tightened on his Cleansweep, reassured by its sturdiness he headed forward.

He soon came to the hollow and had barely set foot in it when he spotted Cedric. The younger boy was curled up on the floor, fast asleep. His outdoor cloak tucked tightly around him, and beside him, lying down but completely alert, was a centaur. He stared at Oliver, watching the Gryffindor approach with icy-blue eyes.

'You are the one that causes him this heartache.' The centaur stated, eyes glittering in the watery moonlight.

'Is he alright?' Oliver avoided the centaur's cool gaze, choosing instead to watch Cedric's sleeping face.

'He is still a foal and easily wearied by pain and insecurity.'

Oliver sighed, knowing the reasons for Cedric's state and the part he'd played. 'How do you know so much?'

'We talk, he and I.' the centaur raised his eyes to the heavens. 'This one I have watched for a long time. I am his guide, for my part. Though… I cannot change the fates.'

Oliver frowned. He had never known such a creature before. And had had no idea that Cedric was in contact with a centaur.

'I… I didn't know.'

The centaur smiled slightly. 'No you didn't.' he stood, careful not to wake Cedric. 'Tell me, do you still love the boy?'

Oliver was taken off guard by the blunt question, but felt compelled to answer. 'Yes I do. With all my heart.' He bit his lip. 'But-'

'Love should have no hesitation or conditions.' The centaur said quietly. 'You love him, and he you. There is nothing more than this, and if it is less then you deceive yourself, for it is not love.'

Oliver shook his head, confused by the centaur's words. 'I do love him. I need to make this right.'

'You only need tell him.' The centaur moved away, still gazing at the heavens. 'But do it now, do it soon. His star has already faded.'

'What do you mean?'

The centaur walked slowly over to Cedric, stooping down to trail his fingers through the unkempt hair. 'I mean his star has gone out.' His voice lowered and he stared at Oliver, eyes full of sadness much deeper than a human could ever feel. 'He has few years left in this world. The heavens have called him on.'

'No. That can't be right.' Oliver felt cold as if a cloud had covered his heart.

The centaur shook his head, moonlight catching his white-blond hair briefly. 'The planets, the stars, they are never wrong. I only hope, that perhaps this once, they have been misread.' The centaur turned, walking away across the glade. 'Goodbye, Oliver Wood.'

Oliver started, wondering how the centaur knew his name but the question died on his lips as Cedric shifted in his sleep.

'Firenze?' Beautiful grey eyes opened, looking round sleepily.

Oliver's heart stopped as Cedric's gaze came to rest on him.

'Oli?' Cedric shifted to sit up, hugging his knees to his chest. 'Where… where did Firenze go?'

'He, um, he left.' Oliver moved from foot to foot. 'I need to tell you something.'

Cedric looked at the ground, unsure of what was to come, wondering why Oliver was here. How had the older boy even found him?

'I was worried. I looked everywhere I could think of.' Oliver sat beside the Seeker. 'I saw Winter and of course I thought the worse. I accused him of hurting you. I was so panicked. I though maybe he'd hurt you again. Then Fred told me he'd seen you headed this way. I had to find you.' He gently tilted Cedric's face up, looking into those endless silver eyes. 'I was wrong. I do want to be with you. I love you and I don't work when we're apart.'

Cedric's eyes filled with tears. He'd hoped to hear those words for so long. 'Ol… I'm sorry… for everything.'

'Sssh.' Oliver pressed his lips gently to Cedric's, feeling the younger boy melt against him. His hands slipped round Cedric's slim waist, pulling the Hufflepuff into his body. 'You're freezing.' Oliver pulled away, concern flooding his warm brown eyes.

'I'm fine.' Cedric smiled at him.

'Hmm. I think I should get you beside a blazing fire, warm you up a bit.'

Cedric laughed at that. Eyes glittering. 'I bet you should.'

Oliver shook his head, laughing softly. He pulled Cedric to his feet. 'Come on, I'll fly us back. We'll find somewhere to go.'

Cedric smiled again and Oliver knew that this was right. This was how it was meant to be and he never wanted to lose it. He caught a glimpse of white through the trees; Firenze turned tail and melted into the shadows. Oliver frowned, remembering the centaur's words. Everything he'd said about Cedric. He glanced up at the stars and shivered. Hoping that they had, this time, been read wrongly.