"I assure you Miss Potter, there is nothing to be nervous about. They bear you no ill will, I swear it" Professor McGonagall calmly reassured me in her soothing Scottish voice.

My throat felt too restricted to vocalize any response, so I gave a slow nod instead. My heart was racing and my palms sweating as we rapidly approached McGonagall's office, and in what seemed like the space of a few minutes we reached the carved oak door that signaled our arrival. Even as we entered the room, I was rapidly thinking of how to act or what I could possibly say to Diggory's had their backs to the door, but once we entered they quickly turned to face us. I had yet to see or interact with Mrs. Diggory before, but she had a round and kind looking face which reassured me. Cedric's parents both looked exhausted, their eyes red-rimmed. I was fairly sure Amos Diggory's robes were the same as those that he had been wearing the night of the third task.

"Hello, Rose. I am so happy to know you" Mrs. Diggory began, moving forward to shake my hand.

"You as well" I croaked, returning her smile with a soft one of my own.

Mr. Diggory stood behind his wife, but when his eyes met mine they seemed to communicate an understanding of what had passed between us on that horrible night…

I had fallen, along with Cedric's body, with a thud on the grassy entrance to the maze, and I had kept my arms around him tightly, trying to will some sort of protection upon him. I remember there had been screams, but all I could do was keep my face tucked tight into his neck, smelling the cologne I had bought him as a Christmas gift still on him. There had been nothing but me and him in those fleeting moments before I had been forcibly pulled away, trying to hold onto him and keep him safe for as long as possible. I had attempted to block out the screams and sobs that began to arise from the crowds, with Amos's yells being the most piercing of all. I immediately recognized his voice once he started to speak back in McGonagall's office as a result.

"Rose, we are so proud of you. And so happy that you're safe." Mr. Diggory began, his wife nodding in assent beside him. "And we can never give enough thanks to you for how happy you made our son, and the love you gave to him. But nonetheless, we thank you with the most sincere gratitude and appreciation."

My mind ran blank for a minute as I tried to formulate a response to this unexpected interaction. They were thanking me? After I had been the one to tell Cedric to take the cup with me so we could win together, and led him to his death?

I had been processing for too long apparently, as McGonagall responded for me "I'm sure Rose is greatly appreciative of your kind words, aren't you?" she prompted me.

I nodded my assent, even though it made a pang of guilt go through me to do it. How could I be appreciative of their thanks when it was so ill deserved?

"Well, we don't want to keep you longer dear. We just wanted to tell you that if you ever need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would very much like to keep in touch with you if you're agreeable."

"Yes, of course. I would like that too." I replied, eager to say something, or do anything for them that might make amends for what I had done to their son.

They both nodded somberly, Cedric's mother coming forward to kiss me on both cheeks before they turned to leave, Amos's arm wrapped tightly around his wife.

Watching them go, I felt as if there was more I needed to say. I hadn't really said anything at all yet or given anything which might help them.

"He was so brave." I said loudly, and they both turned to face me. "He wasn't afraid at all, there was no fear in him. He…he truly saved my life and I-" my throat threatened to let sobs escape for a moment, but I recovered myself so that I could finish. "I'm so sorry I couldn't save him."

They both came forward and embraced me at once, reassuring me that they placed no blame for what had happened to me at all, and thanking me for speaking about him.

"We will see each other again soon, I know it," Mrs. Diggory said as they turned to leave. I didn't think to ask whether she was referring to myself or to reassure herself about Cedric until after they had left.

McGonagall had kept her distance during this exchange but soon moved forward to stand beside me.

"The Diggory's also wanted me to tell you that they'll be taking Cedric's…body" she harrumphed and then continued on "with them, once they leave the castle. Apparently there is a family plot in the mountains in Northern Wales somewhere, and that's where he'll be laid to rest. It's almost as high in the sky as Cedric ever was on his broom, is what his father said."

I smiled, "Good," I said. "He'll like that."

"And-" she hesitated again. "And, they wished me to convey that if you want to see him before they left, to feel free to do so. If you want to say goodbye to him."

"Yes. Yes, absolutely." I didn't falter in my response for one second.

"If you're sure…I must attend to some other matters, but Cedric is near the dungeons right now. The house elves have been preparing him for…for the burial. Professor Snape is in his office now, his last class should have just ended. He will show you to Cedric if that is what you wish."

"Thank you, professor," I said, the emotion evident in my voice. Before she could say anything else, I began walking to Snape's classroom, eager to be near to and see Cedric once again.

I knocked loudly and heard him say "Enter" from the other side of the door. I walked up to his desk and was surprised to see that his usual glower seemed to have been replaced by a look of somber exhaustion.

"Professor McGonagall said that you could take me to see Cedric?" I questioned.

He looked shocked for a moment before nodding yes, asking if I thought that it would be wise to do so.

"I need to see him" I pleaded, trying to convey the urgency that I felt to Snape without him becoming annoyed and delaying me from seeing Cedric for even longer.

"Very well. Follow me, I don't have much time."