A/N:

Hello!

Chapter 3 is here!:)

Hope you'll enjoy it!

Chapter 3

Cedric chuckled when he finished reading the letters. It was not his first time to read the letters. In fact, he already read it for several times. He could almost memorize the whole thing.

He must say, he was not that surprised with the way she responded. Knowing her reputation, this kind of reaction should've been expected. She is a very logical witch. Even if she received a letter -a confession letter (if it counts as one), she would never believe it not unless she's sure that it was a sincere one unlike some other witches who would never second guess such letter and entertain it almost immediately.

A huge part of him was relieved with the fact that she responded. It means that she didn't dismiss him. He really thought that she would discard it and won't even bother to reply once she received it. Maybe that was his pessimistic side thinking. Though, he couldn't deny that he was a little disappointed that she doubted his letter.

I'll see you at Hogwarts

Cedric grinned. How smart of her to easily figure out that the one sending her letters is a Hogwarts student.

"Cedric! My boy!"

Cedric was startled by his father's voice. He quickly went to the dining room where his parents were having their afternoon tea.

Mrs. Diggory smiled at him. "There's a letter for you dear."

Cedric blinked a few times and thought, "It couldn't be…" His eyes swiftly moved at the table but found nothing, "Where?"

Amos clapped his son's shoulder and raised the letter, showing the Hogwarts' seal. Having seen the seal, Cedric was a tiny bit disappointed but still smiled at his father's enthusiasm.

"Here you go, son." Amos gave him the letter and winked at him. "Mind you, it was a little heavy."

Cedric opened the letter slowly and realized the reason why his father was giddy. He inhaled deeply and opened the letter completely. A badge fell on the table. He stared at the badge and noticed the carved writing. Head Boy. Different emotions flooded within him all at once. Happy. Pleased. Thrilled. Hesitant. Worried. Confused. He doesn't know how to handle the news.

"Head Boy!" Amos beamed, "Congratulations son!"

Cedric was too engrossed with his thoughts that he didn't notice his father picked up the badge. Cedric smiled at his father, "Thank you, Dad."

Mrs. Diggory hugged him and said, "We're so proud of you, dear."

Cedric smiled at her in return. Amos was still mumbling about his son's latest achievement when he suddenly exclaimed, "I should tell my friends about this news!"

"Dad…" Cedric started but Amos already left the dining room. Knowing full well what his father was going to do, Cedric sighed.

"Are you alright, dear?" Mrs. Diggory asked.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm alright mum." Cedric replied.

"Are you sure?" She pried. Mrs. Diggory noticed her son's odd behavior. She had quietly observed how he inhaled deeply before opening the letter and saw her son's expression when he looked at the badge. Her husband was too busy beaming at their son to notice. After the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric changed a little. She couldn't pinpoint what it was but she could tell that something changed.

Third task, Triwizard Tournament

The tournament ended with Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter winning. Though, what happened that night was far from a joyous celebration. Cedric and Harry appeared in front of the maze clutching at the Triwizard trophy. Both of them were heavily panting and their clothes were covered in blood. Both teens wore an expression of shock and fright. The professors immediately approached the teens while the audience started celebrating.

"SILENCE!"

The audience was startled.

Professor McGonagall was the one who announced using the Sonorus spell then she continued with a grave look, "Students and spectators are requested to return back to the castle immediately. The Awarding Ceremony will be held tomorrow instead. Heads and Prefects will assist you."

Mr. Diggory held Mrs. Diggory tightly as the latter watched their son. He took few steps towards his son but Dumbledore emitted an aura of privacy so he hesitated. Cedric was about to follow Mad-Eye and Harry when Dumbledore stopped him. Mrs. Diggory was about to approach them when Amos stopped her. She looked at him, "Amos."

Amos gave her a worried glance and looked at their son again, "Let's wait for a while. It looks like a conversation just between the two of them. I'm worried too but Dumbledore..."

"Amos!" Mrs. Diggory muttered and buried her head to Mr. Diggory's shoulder. "I'm very worried about him. He looks like he's in deep pain. My poor boy."

"He'll be fine. He's our son." Amos comforted.

"Mr. and Mrs. Diggory." Pomona Sprout approached, "It's better if you wait for Cedric at the Hospital Wing. The Headmaster will escort him there after they finished."

"Pomona, is my boy alright?" Amos asked.

"Physically, yes. I'm not sure if he's emotionally stable right now." Sprout answered sadly.

"What happened?" Mrs. Diggory asked.

"I'm sure Cedric would love to tell you about it himself later. Let's go, I'll escort you to the Hospital Wing." Sprout said.

With one last look at their son, they saw Dumbledore clamped their son's shoulder that was now shaking hard, their backs facing them. Cedric told them what happened at the maze and graveyard when he arrived at the Hospital Wing. Mr. And Mrs. Diggory hugged him and held each of his hands as he talked. Some of the Weasleys were also there listening to his tale.

Harry Potter was sleeping because Madam Pomphrey forced the sleeping potion to his throat. She also offered the potion to Cedric but he politely declined stating that he would drink it after talking. Mrs. Diggory remembered how much she cried as her husband blinked some of his tears when they both realized how much their son endured that night.

After a few days, Cedric slowly returned to his usual self. She was glad to see that but it doesn't mean that she's not worried. She will always be worried about his lovely boy especially after everything that happened.

Mrs. Diggory tapped Cedric's shoulder and gestured him to sit down. She poured some afternoon tea in a cup and gave it to her son. Cedric held the cup with his both hands. As Mrs. Diggory sat down, she took one of Cedric's hands. " Please tell me what's on your mind, Cedric."

Cedric looked at his mum and sighed, "I'm confused mum."

Mrs. Diggory hummed, "About what?"

Silence.

"About being a Head Boy?"

Cedric nodded and quickly said, "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I was chosen to be the Head Boy. I'm happy that you and Dad are proud of me."

"But?"

"But I don't think I should do it"

"Why?"

Cedric paused and thought for a while, "I'm not sure."

Mrs. Diggory nodded at his answer and squeezed his hand, "You should think about it first dear."

"Mum…"

"I'm not telling you this because I disapprove of your choice. I'm telling you this because I want you to think about it carefully." She told him gently.

Cedric nodded, "Dad…"

"Don't worry dear, I'll talk to your father. I'll tell him that you're still uncertain about the position." Mrs. Diggory interjected.

Cedric smiled sadly, "I'm sorry"

Mrs. Diggory touched her son's cheek, "Don't be. Whatever your decision is Cedric, we're still proud of you and we'll support you."

Cedric squeezed his mother's hand, "Thank you mum."

"Just promise me one thing son," Mrs. Diggory said in a serious yet reassuring tone, "Put yourself first this time."

Cedric looked at his mother in surprise. He smiled sincerely and reached out to hug her, "Thanks mum."

Mrs. Diggory patted his back, "Now go, I'll talk to your father."

Cedric spent the rest of his afternoon contemplating about what he should do. He distracted himself by cleaning his trunk for the upcoming school term. He threw the things that were unnecessary and hidden all the books that he might need in the future. When he was done, he finally decided to read the letter again and this time, he read it with utmost concentration.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster : Albus Dumbledore

Mister Cedric Diggory

Ottery St Catchpole

Devon, England

Dear Mr. Diggory,

Congratulations!

We are pleased to inform you that you are offered to take the role of being the Head Boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year. Please find enclosed a list of responsibilities and duties that a Head Boy must fulfill. Also, attached to this letter is the Head Boy badge that you are required to wear at Hogwarts once you accept the role.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Cedric sighed, "What should I do? Why am I being like this in the first place?!"

He groaned and threw himself on the bed. He glared at the ceiling. He was surprised when he found himself in this kind of predicament. If this happened last year, he would've accepted the role without hesitation. He would've been thrilled to be given this kind of opportunity. So, what happened?

Oh right. I almost died.

Cedric closed his eyes as he recalled what happened at the graveyard.

Once he and Potter touched the cup they were transported to a graveyard. He remembered asking the younger if he knew that the cup was a portkey. The younger panicked and said they needed to get out of the place. Cedric was already on guard when he noticed the younger's behavior.

Kill the spare.

They were surprised to hear a hiss then a green light was coming towards him, giving Cedric just a few seconds to move away. He stumbled and hit his head on a rock and the last thing he could hear was Potter's screams.

Potter screamed when he saw Cedric laying down unconscious. He saw the green light moving towards Cedric but he had no time to move because of his leg. He only saw the green light then Cedric's body on the ground.

Cedric woke up with his head aching. He touched the back of his head and saw drops of blood on his hand. He quickly did a healing charm to stop the bleeding. He scanned his surroundings and saw Potter tied in a post a few meters away from him. A hooded man was stirring the cauldron and chanting. Carefully, he moved behind the gravestones, thinking of a plan to help Potter.

He saw the hooded man dropped something in the cauldron then there was a large smoke. Potter was screaming loudly. Cedric shivered watching the event unfolds before his eyes. He just witnessed the resurrection of Lord Voldemort.

Cedric was not stupid. He knew that he was in a death trap the moment he saw Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He was just lucky that he was a bit far from them and Potter captured all their attention. As much as he would like to help the younger, Cedric was frightened. He wasn't a Gryffindor for god's sake! He doesn't know what to do. This wasn't a task. This was a real life and death matter. One wrong move and he's dead.

He was awed with Potter's bravery to face the powerful dark wizard. He watched as both wizards fought and their wands created a powerful light that could blind a person. Cedric saw the glistening cup when he tried to look away from the battle. "That's it! We can get out of this place through the cup! I just need to find a way to grab Potter and the cup." He realized.

Cedric heard Voldemort's scream and noticed Potter running away. Death Eaters were shouting curses at his back. Cedric, following his instincts, ran to meet Potter who was very surprised to see him and shot stunning spells at the Death Eaters.

"Come on!" Cedric clutched Harry and summoned the cup. The last thing they heard was Voldemort screaming about not being able to kill the spare and they were transported back to the entrance of the maze with the loud celebratory cheer of the clueless audience.

Cedric knew that he wasn't supposed to survive that day. It was obvious that Lord Voldemort intended to kill Potter on that night too. He couldn't imagine how furious Voldemort must've been to his followers. He didn't just fail to kill Potter but also, two witnesses of his resurrection escaped.

But then again, Voldemort must've been pleased with the way the Ministry's acting right now. If only they get their heads out of their arses and locate where the dark wizard and his followers are hiding instead of slandering Harry Potter and Professor Dumbledore. Cedric's name was also mentioned a couple of times but it was nothing compared to the other two. He remembered how his parents held him back when he read the Prophet. His father promised him that he would do something about it.

All his father was able to do was tone down the mentions of his name and his father also said it was a lost cause to tone down the other two as well. It wasn't fair, they should've tone it down altogether. The Ministry's delusional for thinking that they would be able to stop Voldemort from rising by attacking the leader of Light and the boy who lived. No matter how much they deny it, Voldemort's back.

Cedric shook his head. He knows that the upcoming wizarding war is inevitable and he decided he will join the war fighting for the light side once he graduates no matter what. He was given another chance to live for Merlin's sake. He should do something about it.

Second chance.

Two words but it hit Cedric so hard. How many people were given a second chance to live? Few. How many must've wished to be given a second chance? A lot. Cedric considered himself lucky. That's why he decided to make the most of it. He wants to do numerous things. Not just the things that he felt obligated to do but the things that he really wanted to do.

Like sending her a letter.

Funny how it took him a life and death situation to gather some guts to interact with her. Now that she knows that he existed, maybe he could also gather some courage to approach her at school. He wants to know her. Not just the things that people say about her but also who she really is. Her likes and dislikes. Her dreams and goals. He wants to know more about her. He's interested in her.

But I can't do that if I'm busy.

Cedric sighed after that thought.

A/N:

That's chapter 3! :))

By the way, Does anyone knows the name of Cedric's mother? I can only remember his father's name. I tried to search for it but there was none. Well, if you can, please suggest a perfect name for his mother :))

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