This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Word Count: 1671

Title: From Cedric To Celia

Note: Muggle Soldier AU! Crossdressing Cedric Lives. Also, in previous chapters I allude to the fact that Harry's mother died, James Potter became a general, and left his son with the Dursleys until he was old enough to enlist as a soldier.

Warnings: Prejudice

Beta: Ash Juliet, ViolaMoon

Quidditch League:

[Team]: Pride Of Portree

[Position] Captain

[Theme]: Quidditch Supplies

[Prompts]:

[Theme]: Book Club

[Prompts]: (color) white

[Theme]: Pokemon

[Prompts]:

International Wizarding School Competition:

[Cabin]: Malfoy

[Prompts]: Write about someone trying to break into the world of the arts

[Theme]: Painting

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

[House]: Thunderbird

[Assignment]: Herbology:

[Task]: Task #4 - Devil's Snare: Write about someone doing the opposite of what is expected from them.

[Bonus] [word] Dream, [Colour] White

Hogwarts

Assignment 1: Ancient Runes: Iclandic Magical Staves: Task #2: Ægishjálmur - Helm of Awe (or Helm of Terror); to induce fear, protect the warrior, and prevail in battle. Write about someone winning a fight or battle (it doesn't have to be a real fight or battle).

UBC: Low: Write about something happening at night, (era) Trio

XX Cedric XX

Despite enlisting in the army because of his father, Mr Diggory hadn't sent Cedric a single letter. Cedric often wondered what would happen if he just quit? Would his father wish him dead instead? Or what if he died during this war? With a bloody gunshot wound to his chest, and the screams of his squadron echoing as they frantically try to save his life? How much longer would he follow what his father expected of him, before he became his own man?

Cedric loved to sing, and as he sat humming, watching the others, he remembered his time before joining. When he used to dress up as Celia, and perform at the bar for the regulars. It was something he missed with all his heart. A nervous tingle ran through his body, and he wondered, could Celia make a comeback? They were deployed close to a small town, and if he snuck out at night, he could easily avoid the other men, go out and sing, and then return by twelve to rest up for the next morning.

"Diggory," Lieutenant Potter greeted him. His discovery of Potter and Malfoy making out in the woods had been mostly forgotten until the messy-haired boy was standing in front of him again.

"Want to sit down?" Cedric offered politely, moving his gun to make space at the table. The expression on Potter's face changed to curiosity. Cedric had never tried to make friends with him before. Personally, he found Potter to be a bit reckless and too much of a show-off, because of how high-ranking his own father was in the army.

"Thanks," he said with a small smile. "I don't mean to pry…" Potter started and Cedric raised his eyebrows at him. He hated when people started a sentence like that, despite what they say, they often do mean to pry. Potter seemed to notice his expression, and changed his wording. "I mean, I heard you had a nightmare last night, and I just wanted you to know that if you wanted to talk about it, I am here."

Cedric felt like he was smacked. 'Oh, no, Potter thinks I am gay, because of the stupid nightmare about the night my father threw me out,' Cedric thought to himself. 'He doesn't know me, but, maybe he would understand what it feels like to be so different?' he added mentally.

"I appreciate that," Cedric responded, and Potter seemed confused by the reaction. "I could use a friend, all of you are younger than me, and just seem to get on naturally, even you and Malfoy," he added. Cedric almost laughed when Potter's eyes flickered to the table where Malfoy was sitting, and colour rose to his cheeks.

"That, that's not getting along," Potter insisted.

"You don't need to hide it from me," Cedric said softly.

"Yeah, I don't suppose I do," Potter replied, reinforcing Cedric's thinking that Potter assumed he was gay.

"I saw you and Malfoy, I mean," Cedric admitted, tired of the misunderstandings, although he still wasn't sure just how he would explain exactly what he was. Potter's face turned scarlet.

"Oh, I, it's…" Potter stuttered.

"I won't tell," Cedric said simply, holding up a hand to stop the protests. "As I said, I could use a friend as well."

"Someone who understands?" Potter asked.

"Not in the way you think, but yes," Cedric admitted. Potter was puzzled by his response. "I will explain it, sometime, when I know how."

"Why me then?"

Cedric shrugged. "I just think that we both are different, and you seem a lot easier to talk to than your boyfriend." The last word was practically a whisper, but it seemed to send a bolt of electricity through Potter's body.

"Shhhh!" Potter replied, putting a hand over Cedric's mouth without thinking, making Cedric laugh. Cedric could feel the force behind the glare coming from Malfoy's table.

"Shit," Cedric said, as Potter removed his hand. "I didn't mean to cause you problems."

Potter sighed. "It's okay, I will talk to him."

"Rather you than me, mate," Cedric replied, and Potter gave him a small smile in response.

"Can I call you Cedric?"

Cedric shrugged. "I don't see why not." For once, Cedric felt optimistic, he had a friend, and a chance, another chance to sing.

That night after Colonel Dumbledore suggested they all turn in for bed, he went down into town.

The familiar noises of drinking men and women, laughing loudly, made him feel like he was at home again. Of course, he didn't have his makeup, dresses or wigs with him, but there was nothing to be done about that now. He could scout out the place, and after some shopping, he could return to the stage where he belonged.

He grinned as he entered the busy bar; the lights were low, and there was someone on stage - a woman- it looked like. It wasn't often he came across another man that likes to wear stilettos and white Marilyn Monroe dresses. She was pretty, with straight black hair, and a slender build, the way she moved with a microphone had him dazzled. She wasn't only a good dancer, but her voice made him weak in the knees.

"Wow," Cedric said, and he heard the bartender behind him.

"Quite exceptional, Cho?" the bartender asked conversationally.

"You sound fond of her," Cedric replied with a pang of longing. The bartender laughed.

"It's nothing like that, I own this place, she sells out every time," he explained. "I'm Remus Lupin," the man said, holding out his hand.

"Cedric Diggory," Cedric responded.

"I consider myself more of a mentor to her, a father figure of sorts, a lot of girls end up here when they have nothing else, it's sad really."

"A spot open for another performer?" Cedric asked, nodding towards the stage.

"Sorry, Diggory, but men just don't manage to fill her up," he shrugged.

Cedric tried to laugh, but ended up being a slight cough instead. "Not me, my sister, Celia," he said. Perhaps this could be some escape for him.

"Oh," Remus said, surveying him. "Similar build, looks?" he looked Cedric up and down like a prized show horse. Cedric merely nodded in reply.

"Bring her in, I'll have a talk with her," Remus agreed finally.

"Thank you," Cedric said to the man, and made his way over to the bar, getting himself an ale. When the woman Remus called Cho stepped down into the audience, she seemed reluctant at the attention, but pulled up a seat by the bar, moving her long hair behind her one ear.

"You look new, are you a soldier?" Cho asked him.

Cedric nodded. He had never been very talkative, and unless he was dressed as "Celia", he wasn't very confident in himself. She crossed her legs at the knee, and his gaze travelled to her dainty feet in black stilettos.

"Are you a size five?" he asked, before he could help himself. Cho's laugh was musical, and he felt himself blush.

"Six, actually," she replied. "You are quite unusual," she added, her dark eyes surveying him curiously.

Cedric felt himself grow hot; he had a bad habit of noticing things that made him stand out.

"I'm Cho," she introduced, holding out a small hand to shake his.

"Cedric," he replied, taking a swig of his ale to give him courage.

"Will I be seeing you around?" she asked, hopeful.

He longed to say yes, Cedric already wanted nothing more than to make this beautiful girl happy, yet he knew nobody would accept his secret identity, he would see her, yes, but she would only see Celia, would only see what he portrayed to the world.

"I don't think so," he responded, trying to sound non-committal despite his racing heart. "My sister wants to sing, I thought I would scout out the bar, and then she could speak to Remus."

"Maybe you will come watch her perform then?" Cho asked hopefully.

"Um, maybe," he muttered softly.

It took him a while to get everything he needed; he didn't want to be too obvious.

It was a couple of weeks later when Celia made her way down to the bar, pausing at the doorway of the bar to listen to the voice of Cho and the cheering of the crowd. This was what life was meant to be like. Celia walked over to Remus, grinning with her freshly red lipstick smile that she knew turned people weak in the knees. "Ah, Celia, I presume?" Remus said, holding out a hand. She nodded her mid length blonde hair looked so realistic, Cedric was sure nobody would tell it wasn't a wig.

"I was hoping for a chance to prove myself," she said eagerly, eyeing the stage with longing.

"All in due time, my dear," Remus told her. "As soon as Cho finishes up, you can go on."

Despite the dim lighting, she could feel eyes seek her out curiously, but for once, she felt comfortable, and then Cho's gaze landed and on her, and Cho smiled. She couldn't be sure, but she felt like the smile was just for her.

As soon as Cho left the stage, a bunch of people seemed to decide to leave. That was, until Celia reached the stage and picked up the microphone. "Good luck," Cho whispered into her ear, touching her shoulder gently before climbing off-stage.

The music seemed to fill her up from the inside, and she felt whole again. It didn't hurt that Cho was watching with awe or that all the patrons leaving the bar had stopped and turned back to the stage. She wasn't as pretty as Cho Chang, but one could argue that her voice was more powerful. She knew that despite all it took to get here; she had finally found a place where she belonged. Time would tell if Cho, Harry, and Draco would be part of her secret haven, or just strangers on her path to reach her dream.