It was of perfect beauty, no blemishes at all. He twirled it in his fingers by the stem, not minding the thorns as he gazed at thoughtfully. How long would he have to carry it for, he wondered. Would it last before he was able to pass it on? Magic could only hold for so long, and really should it have to hold forever? No, it shouldn't have to. He should not have to hold onto this single rose forever until he could give it to someone. Everyone and everything had to die sometime...He just somehow didn't find it fair that he had no one whereas everyone else seemed to have someone of their very own...someone to give roses to...

He was liked of course, by a lot of people. Not in the way he wanted though. All they wanted was his popularity or to get on the Quidditch Team somehow. It all felt fake to him, especially the rumour that said Cho Chang liked him. Sure, she could very well like him, but only for what he had to offer her. He was of Pureblood family, just like she was, and his family was quite rich...that's why he almost prefered those from non-magical family, then at least they liked him for his popularity and now for his family rankage...

It didn't end when the holidays came either. There was always some dinner party to go to, or his father would take him along to a meeting just so he could be seen and be able to network with people. After all, he only had three more years of schooling to go, and his father expected him to be able to walk straight out from there into a comfortable job, just like he had. Even working there during holiday breaks would be good. Get in early to succeed early, that's what he always said.
He wanted a break. He wanted...freedom. He just wanted to be himself and be loved and admired for that, instead of how friendly he was or how well he could fly or how much money he had to spend on Hogsmeade weekends. It was just all so fake! He wanted those who walked in the shadows with the others and smiled, and were loved for how they were...why couldn't he have that?

Cedric didn't know why it was so important to him, but after a long day of being social and having to spend time with everyone and almost sink down to gossiping all he craved was someone he could go to where he could just be himself. Or where he didn't even have to talk and they could just...hang out, you know?
He wanted to be loved for him, no any other reason. He wanted to feel wanted.
But he knew it would never happen.
After all, as it was said in that Muggle Fairytale, who could ever learn to love a Hufflepuff?