DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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Chapter 22: Longing

"Well, Arthur, you must do what you think is right. But you're forgetting Albus Dumbledore. I don't think anything could hurt Harry at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's Headmaster. I suppose he knows all about this?" -Molly Weasley, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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1993

(Cedric and Hermione's past)

It was Hermione's first time visiting Cedric's home. They lived in a small cottage, painted yellow. There was a beautiful garden with flowers and other magical plants and in the backyard was a mini Quidditch pitch. The property was big, and she guessed it was heavily warded, just like the O'Brien Manor which was located in a Muggle area but no one minded when the boys played Quidditch.

Mrs. Diggory welcomed her as soon as she stepped out of the Floo in the sitting room fireplace. Cedric excused himself and brought her overnight bag to a guest room upstairs.

"How was your stay at the O'Briens, dear?" asked Mrs. Diggory, offering her tea.

"It was nice, Mrs. Diggory. They were all hospitable. I wish I had a library as big as theirs," she replied honestly.

The beautiful witch chuckled. "Cedric says you love reading. He sometimes complains you almost live in the Hogwarts library."

"Oh, when?" she asked politely.

"He mentioned in his letters last year and the other year... He writes to us regularly - about you and your friends, his studies..." Mrs. Diggory looked very pleased and she smiled fondly. "My Ced... he's very close to us, you know."

"He's a very good friend, and I thank all of you for inviting me to your home."

"Oh, it's a pleasure, dear. Ced's never had a female friend during his first two years in school. He is friendly, but he only had two friends..." Mrs. Diggory stood up. "I'll be making Ced's favourite apple pie. Why don't you go outside with Ced?"

"I want to help..." she volunteered. Mrs. Diggory looked surprised. "Ced might be reading for his private lessons, anyway. And... I like apple pies, too." She could feel her cheeks blushing. The truth is, she just liked apple pies because of Ced. She noticed he would eat a lot every time it was served for dessert at Hogwarts, and she started to become fond of it, too. Also, she wanted to make something for him.

Mrs. Diggory smiled kindly. "Very well. Come on, dear."

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"This apple pie's good, Mum, but tastes a bit different," Cedric said after taking a bite of an apple pie slice, frowning and licking his lips as if trying to remember something.

They were having dinner. Mr. Diggory was at the head of the table, his wife to his right, and Cedric to the left. To Cedric's left was Hermione.

Hermione glanced nervously at Mrs. Diggory, across Cedric. The older witch smiled affectionately at her. "Do you like it, honey?" she asked her son.

Cedric nodded. "Of course! It's flavourful... but not your usual pie."

"Hermione helped me make it."

Cedric turned to her with a surprised look - surprised but pleased because he was grinning. His hand traveled from the table to her hair just below her shoulder. "Really, Hermione? Wow! Thank you!"

Hermione smiled nervously. "No need to thank me. I just want to help around... Glad you liked it."

Cedric didn't break their eye contact. He was flashing his crooked smile, and then pinched her nose. "You're the best, little pod," he whispered.

Hermione was happy, but at the same time, she felt a bit sad that time. She was regretful that she could only spend three days at the Diggorys; just three days with Cedric without their friends. She loved them - Susan, Ian, and Terrence. She wouldn't tell anyone but Cedric was her favourite. It was different when he was around. She felt safe, appreciated, and special. And there were butterflies in her stomach.

"You all right?" Ced's facial expression became very concerned.

Hermione pulled away from her musings. "Yeah. I'm absolutely fine. Elated," she smiled.

Two days more, so might as well enjoy every moment with him, she told herself.

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Hermione quickly saw Ian and Terrence when she crossed the street with her parents. The two boys greeted her mum and dad politely and they exchanged pleasantries.

Her mum kissed her cheek. "We'll pick you up after lunch, sweetie. Have fun shopping."

"You sure you don't want us to go with you, poppet? Surely you'll buy a lot of books," her father said.

Hermione grinned. "Oh, don't worry about me, Dad. I'm a midget, but I have two bouncers here."

"Don't worry about our little bookworm, Dr. Granger," assured Ian. "We'll make sure the books are taken care of. I mean, Hermione..." Even her parents laughed and said their goodbyes.

"Where are Ced and Sue?" she asked the boys as they entered The Leaky Cauldron.

"Sue is still at home. Ced is picking her up with his parents. Madam Bones was hesitant to let Susan go without her," replied Terrence.

"And don't worry about our safety, Hermione. There are Aurors everywhere."

"Because there's an escaped prisoner?" she confirmed.

Ian rolled his eyes unhappily. "Because Harry Potter's staying at The Leaky Cauldron."

"He blew up his aunt. Speaking of the devil," murmured Terrence.

Hermione saw Harry Potter walking down the stairs. He was wearing overly large and worn clothes, but his trainers looked new. He spotted her and they exchanged smiles.

"Hey, would you mind if I talk to him a bit?" she asked her friends. The boys shrugged and went to a table to wait. Hermione walked slowly towards Harry. "Hi."

"Hi," he replied timidly.

"I heard about your aunt, I'm sorry. How are you?" she asked sincerely.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank Merlin there's an escaped prisoner; the Minister didn't expel me for using underage magic. Apparently, Hogwarts is the safest place for me. Right now."

Hermione smiled sadly, feeling sorry for Harry Potter's situation. "I can't say I understand what you're going through, but... Well, if you need someone to talk to..." But she trailed off when she saw a group of redheads coming down the stairs. "I better go. See you around, Harry."

"Yeah. See you around."

Hermione went back to her friends and together, they entered Diagon Alley. Susan and the Diggorys were all waiting for them outside Gringotts.

"Hey, Prefect Diggory!" she greeted him happily and threw her arms around him. "Congratulations!"

Cedric laughed and hugged her back. "Thanks, Hermione." She felt him slightly kiss the top of her head but said nothing.

They released each other and she greeted Susan and Mr. and Mrs. Diggory. They entered the bank and all went to their respective vaults, except for Hermione who exchanged her notes to Galleons with Mrs. Diggory.

On their way out, they saw a family of redheads with a messy-haired boy coming up the stairs.

"Amos! Cecille!" greeted a man with eyeglasses jovially. Hermione reckoned it was Ronald Weasley's father.

"Mum and Mr. Weasley work in the same office," Cedric whispered to her.

Mrs. Diggory and Mr. Weasley exchanged pleasantries.

Mr. Diggory smiled at the man. "Oh, Arthur, Molly, it's been a while... are these all your children?"

"Oh, yes," replied Mr. Weasley. "But this one's Harry Potter... Ron's best friend." He looked quite proud in a positive way, Hermione noticed. "I thought you only have one son?"

"Yes. This is my niece, Susan Bones, and family friends, Terrence O'Brien, Ian Fawley, Hermione Granger... and of course, Cedric, our new Prefect." Mr. Diggory smiled fondly at his son who was a few steps away.

"Oh, great! Our Percy's Head Boy!"

"Oh, Merlin. He's going to be your boss," she teased Cedric in a low voice.

"Penelope's Head Girl, so that's fine, I guess," he mumbled.

"How was Egypt? I saw your family picture on the paper."

"Oh, the children had a great time. Our eldest son, Bill, gave us a tour around. Can you believe that those pyramids were cursed? All this time, these Muggles were making theories and guesses about those pyramids and what was inside..."

"Dad not better tell Mr. Weasley you're a Muggleborn, or we'll be here all day," he whispered to her again while the adults talked. Hermione could not help but notice how extremely close their bodies and faces were. "He's very fascinated with Muggles."

"That explains the flying car," she whispered back, giggling, and then she caught Harry's look. There was longing. His eyes looked sad. Hermione gently pulled away.

"All right, children, let's get going..." Mr. Diggory announced.

"I shall take the girls to Flourish and Blotts. You wizards go to get new school robes. Give me your books list, boys," offered Mrs. Diggory.

"See you later, alligator." Ced squeezed her hand.

"After a while, crocodile," she grinned.

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July 2020

(the present)

"Where is Healer Davies?" Hermione asked one of the trainee-healers, Kelsey, once she went to the third-floor station.

"She's attending a poisoned patient at Room 315, Healer Diggory," Kelsey replied politely. "How is Mr. Smith?"

"He's asleep now and I gave him an antidote. We have to report the expired chocolate this store is selling in Diagon Alley. Can you call the Aurors?"

"Oh, I think I've just seen Auror Thomas on the first floor, visiting Auror Patil. I'll check if he's on duty."

She nodded kindly at the girl. "Thank you, Kelsey."

Hermione was left alone at the station and reviewed some charts.

"Poisoning, rashes, incessant giggling... again?" she mumbled and shook her head in disapproval.

"Some things never change, huh? You still have that look when you disapprove of something."

Hermione froze at the voice for a moment before looking up. The owner of the voice was a familiar wizard, wearing black Auror robes.

"Hello, Healer Granger."

"It's Diggory," she corrected kindly at the wizard who had jet-black hair, round eyeglasses, bright green eyes... "It's been a while, Auror Potter."