Cedric was watching Ginny intensely as she explained the chamber to him. She knew this was probably a bad idea. She'd literally never spoken about it with anyone except Harry, Ron and Hermione, and Harry was the only person who knew everything. The only one who knew how she had felt about it all. But in order for Cedric to understand the nature of her relationship with Harry, she needed to tell him exactly why her feelings for Harry were non-platonic.

She told him about the diary, about Riddle's possession of her, and how he had controlled her mind to believe that it was her fault that Harry was about to die, and that she wasn't worthy of him. At this point, Cedric's eyes widened into orbs and he looked at her in sheer disbelief, understanding splashed across his face. The only part she left out is the part about how she had been on the verge of death and how Harry had saved her from it, and the feelings of guilt thereafter. She didn't tell him about the dreams that still happened to this day either. Ginny didn't want him to worry about her, or for her to come across as needy. He had enough of that with Cho. She also didn't want to come across as more weak than she already did.

Once she was done, Cedric's mouth was pierced into a thin line and he seemed to be absorbing everything she had just told him. He was looking over the lake as silence fell between them and she bit her lip in worry. His thick eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he turned to her and whispered, "Ginny…" She shook her head and choked, "You don't need to say anything. I'm just explaining why I'm only friends with Harry. It's because I can't, at this point in time, be more." Cedric grimaced and asked quietly, "Does he know that?" Ginny nodded and sighed, "Yes. It took everything in me to open up to him. He, and now you, are the only two people in the world I have really spoken to about this." Cedric's handsome face cracked into his usual smile then as he stroked a strand of her hair to the side and asked, "Why me?" She blushed heavily and whispered, "I don't trust often, or so quickly. But I feel like with you it's completely natural. I know I can." He beamed the smile that she loved and nodded, "I won't tell as soul. I'll take your secret to the grave. Thank you for trusting me so much." Ginny whispered, "Thank you for trusting me about Cho. I just wanted to explain to you that I somewhat know about your situation because of my relationship with Harry."
Cedric nodded gently, "I understand, now. Harry likes you?" She bit her lip and nodded. She wasn't sure if Cedric was supposed to know this, but she felt like she could tell him anything now. She sighed and whispered, "Yes. But he knows I don't…can't feel that way about him…at least not at the moment." He grimaced and shook his head, "I can't believe you were so brave. You fought him for nine months. I see why you say you're tough." Ginny shook her head and whispered, "I could have been tougher. I could have resisted him more." Cedric chuckled and replied, "How? How could you resist him more? You did everything you could. I'm in awe of you." She blushed even brighter now and she could almost feel her cheeks burning.

Suddenly a familiar figure appeared at her side and she looked up to find Colin standing over her and clearing his throat, "Hey Gin, Cedric. Sorry to interrupt but it's getting dark and people are heading into the hall for dinner." Ginny glared at him and if looks could kill, he would have died on the spot. She was surprised to find that he was with another girl though. Come to think of it, he hadn't been around much recently. Ginny felt a little guilty that she hadn't missed his absence at all. The girl was a Ravenclaw whom Ginny had never seen before, and she saw the way she looked at Colin with big, brown puppy dog eyes.
Ginny murmured, "Right. Thanks Colin. We'll be up shortly." He nodded and headed towards the castle. Cedric chuckled then and he whispered, "He's always liked you hasn't he?" Ginny rolled her eyes at Cedric's joking tone and she murmured, "Yes. In an annoying, never-give-up type of way." This caused him to laugh even harder and then he looked around the lake and sighed, "We better get back. Everybody's leaving." Ginny nodded in agreement. Colin had been right. Couples sitting along the edges like themselves and groups of friends were making their way back to the castle as the sun was setting. She turned to face Cedric who was getting up and he held out his hand for her. She took his and he smiled down sweetly at her, "So…just friends?" Ginny sighed in agreement, "Just friends." It wasn't what she had wanted, but she wouldn't force the issue. Being friends with Cedric was better than being acquaintances, and at least he knew now that she understood what he was going through. That had been her intention when she had gone out with him that day. She probably should feel relieved, but she felt a little disappointed too.

As they packed up and walked back to the castle, she felt better as he made her laugh about the silliest things. She could be herself around him, and he accepted her for who she was. It wasn't strained, it wasn't difficult or uneasy. It was natural and maybe it wouldn't hurt to just be friends for a little while longer. After all, the longest relationships lasted when the couple has usually been friends for a long time first, right? That's what she would have to keep telling herself.

Cedric interrupted her thoughts by calling her name, "Gin? Ginny?" She looked up in surprise and whispered, "Oh, sorry Ced! I was lost in my own thoughts for a bit there." He smiled kindly at her and replied, "Thank you for understanding. You have no idea how much I appreciate it." Ginny grinned at him, "No, thank you for understanding. That's what friends are for, right?" He nodded and said softly, "I better be taking the basket and blanket back to the kitchen, as well as the leftover food. I'll see you in the hall?" Ginny nodded and giggled, "So that'swhere you got the surprise from!" Cedric slapped his forehead jokingly and replied, "Man…I forgot about that! The house elves were kind enough to rustle some things up for me." She smiled half heartedly and he asked "Can I see you in the week? You owe me ten knuts." He winked at her and she laughed, "Sure, but Ced, one more thing, if we're going to be friends, you can't wink at me like that." He looked surprised as she explained, "It gives me mixed signals." He nodded and grimaced, "Sorry, it's a natural habit of mine. I will try to keep that in mind." Ginny nodded as he waved and she watched head towards the kitchen. Instead of going to dinner however, she needed to go back to her room and think. She had a lot to process and a lot of decisions to make.

Author's note: And another one because I took so long posting the previous one!