I won't always be updating this quickly, I just happened to have a lot of time on my hands the last few days. Here it is, the second installment! I know it may seem a bit more fast paced and selective, but remember that I'm trying to include four whole years full of experiences into one storyline. That's why I chose this format. I also know that so far not much has changed from the original storyline, but it will! Rome wasn't built in a day! All praise J.K. Rowling! Happy reading!

CHAPTER TWO

I ran into Louisa quite often after the school year started. Sure, she was two years behind me but we still managed to have passing conversations in the halls. A few times I would stop her in the entranceway, and I fancied we had become fairly good friends. Louisa was embracing this year by being outspoken and funny, but only very rarely unkind. Usually those instances when her jokes were a bit cruel they were aimed at Draco Malfoy. I had never liked him so I didn't mind them, and was starting to find them particularly funny. She and the twins had adopted a practice of "coughing" every time they passed him in the halls, this cough was to disguise the word "ferret" of course. After Mad Eye Moody's famous discipline of him when he tried to curse Harry from behind. I had thought the punishment was very harsh, but I also thought very little of Malfoy. So when on my way to the Great hall from the library I saw Louisa heading toward the stairs I joined her, and had to stifle a laugh as she passed Malfoy and let out a cough. This earned her a glare from him and just hurried her around the corner.

"You're terrible," I proclaimed as we waited for the stairs to finish shifting to step onto them.

"Am I though? Malfoy basically begs for it," Louisa reasoned, "I mean considering how ridiculous he is he must want to be made fun of. That's the only logical explanation."

"Clearly," I chuckled, "So, excited about the tournament? Trying to devise a way to put your name in?"

She laughed, "Are you kidding? No thank you. I'm friends with Harry Potter, we have no need to purposefully seek out danger, it finds us. Anyone who wants to enter into something like this is completely mad in my opinion."

She looked at me when I was silent, "Oh, so you're entering?"

I gave a sheepish smile and fished the parchment out of my pocket, it read Cedric Diggory - Hogwarts. "About to, yes."

"Sorry, I'm sure you'll be brilliant." She said enthusiastically, "No, really. You'll win and be remembered at Hogwarts forever as our greatest champion and hero. When they hand you the trophy you will have to decide whether or not to keep hold of it or hold on to Miss Chang when she throws herself at you out of pure love and adoration!"

I felt my cheeks heating up, "Why would you..."

"Oh please Cedric you've been making googley eyes at her every chance you get," Louisa rolled her eyes at me, "It's all right, I approve. In fact I am certain she is your soul mate. You will fall madly in love, and when you become the youngest Minister of Magic in history she will be right by your side. You will be the greatest most attractive and definitely the most shiny couple that the wizarding, or muggle, worlds has ever seen! Please invite me to your wedding. I love weddings."

I was laughing so hard by the end of this that I had to stop, "You're awful!"

"I got partnered with her in Divination you know. I can write whatever predictions you want for her. Shall I say that there is a tall handsome Triwizard Champion in her future?" She grinned at me.

"I take it back, you're wonderful. The most splendid witch, aside from my future wife of course," I shook my head.

"Of course."

"When I am Minister of Magic, which I never said I wanted to be by the way, I shall appoint you to whatever position you desire."

"It's the least you could do seeing as I helped bring you and your lady love together."

We were in the entrance hall now and people were milling around excitedly, it seemed like there was a great deal of activity within the Great Hall itself I heard a strange sound a chorus of laughter shortly before two figures came loping out of the hall with long white beards on their chins. It took me a moment to realize that it was Fred and George Weasley. I had heard rumors that they were planning to try and fool the age line, but I hadn't actually thought they would try it! Then again, I probably should have, shame on me really.

"Lou!" One of them laughed.

"It almost worked!"

"This close!" One mimed a short distance with his fingers.

"How fetching do we look with these beards though?"

"Reckon we should keep 'em Lou?"

Louisa beamed at them, "You idiots! I can't believe I missed it!" She took a moment to survey them, "Oh yes, very handsome. I can plait them for you later if you'd like."

"Brilliant!"

"As always!"

She shook her head, "Go see Madame Pomfrey you loons. I can't have you two looking like old men when half the school thinks we're dating!"

They laughed, "We could only be so lucky Lou," they chorused as they both hugged her dramatically and then turned in the direction of the Hospital wing.

I was laughing quite a bit at this point, the more time I spent with Louisa the more time I spent with the twins. I was laughing a lot more these days because of it. I figured I would have permanent laugh lines by the end of the year, If I still had my head from the tournament that is. Louisa was still smiling as she realized they had somehow pulled her plait loose. She shrugged and just ran her fingers through it to undo it entirely. The scent from the freed locks drifted over, apparently her hair smelled of honey and lavender.

She nodded, "All right Cedric Diggory, it is time for you to become a legend. Go forth and place your name in the Goblet of Fire. Also make sure Cho is watching. I'm already planning what I'm wearing to the wedding!" She said as we entered the hall and then we parted ways.

Louisa went to find her seat at the Gryffindor table and I saw her wedge herself in next to Ron Weasley and said something to him that made him smile very broadly. I pulled out the scrap of paper again and just moved forward toward the center of the hall. I had planned to do it earlier when there weren't so many people here, but I had gotten held up in the hall. It didn't matter, who knew if I would even get chosen? I chanced a glance toward the Ravenclaw table out of the corner of my eye to make sure that Cho was actually watching. I stepped over the line easily and dropped the paper in to the flames. There, it was done, I took a deep breath and went to sit down among the cheers of the Hufflepuffs. I received several pats on the back as I settled down to eat and I shrugged off all the praise and well wishes. I didn't want to seem too confident, after all, I figured I probably wouldn't even be picked.

I glanced back at the Ravenclaw table and caught a smile from Cho. Without thinking I turned to find those laughing brown eyes at the Gryffindor table. Instead I got several resentful looks, one of them from Ron. Louisa followed his gaze and immediately gave him a good natured slap at the back of his head. She said something that made him turn around, but she didn't look back at me. That bothered me a bit. Everyone else was impressed it seemed, or did she really think I was an idiot for entering? She probably just had more on her mind. I shrugged it off and just turned to continue with my breakfast.

I was stunned. When Harry had come in after us Fleur had assumed he had come to deliver a message form the professors. I had known straight away that something serious was happening though for two reasons. First: He was Harry Potter and I was pretty familiar with his exploits around school, and second: He looked like a ghost he was so pale. I watched him carefully as his presence was explained and the arguments began. Everyone from the other schools were clearly angry. McGonagoll was clearly worried and Dumbledore was very careful to hide whatever he was thinking, but he obviously believed Harry when he said he didn't put his name in. Fortunately Mad Eye Moody was there to dazzle us all with a splendid and highly paranoid theory that this was a all an elaborate plot to kill Harry Potter. That was absolutely preposterous, sure he was Harry Potter but he was just a kid! It wasn't like You-Know-Who was lurking around the castle at the moment.

I was still trying to figure it out as I walked with Harry out into the empty entrance hall, "So," I said to break the silence, "We're playing against each other again?"

"I s'pose," Harry replied, he looked very pale and I figured he must have never thought his name would come out when he put it in.

"So... tell me..." I paused, "How did you get your name in?"

"I didn't..." He started to speak.

"Of course you didn't," Louisa hurried toward us, she looked very pale as well, "It would have taken a much more experienced wizard to fool the goblet. Not even a seventh year could have pulled it off. I daresay most wizards would not have been able to."

Harry just sighed, "At least you believe me." he told her, looking truly relieved.

"Of course I do Harry. I know you and Ron joked about it, but I know you would never actually do something that stupid," Louisa reached up and rubbed his arm reassuringly, "These things just happen to you. Head up to the Common room. I'll be right behind you."

Harry nodded a bit numbly and started up the stairs, she waited for his footsteps to fade away before she turned to me, "Good luck Cedric. Congratulations. Cho was positively thrilled when your name came up."

"You really don't think he managed it somehow? I mean he got into the Chamber of Secrets didn't he? Surely he could..." I stopped at the expression in her eyes, as usual it gave her away. Now it was filled with such a steely contempt that I had to resist the urge to shiver.

"Don't be stupid," She snapped, "He's fourteen Cedric! You should have seen his face, he definitely did not put his name in!"

Louisa just shook her head, clearly agitated, "Good night Cedric. I hope this was everything you dreamt it would be." She turned and started up the stairs quickly.

This left me feeling particularly ashamed, "Louisa!" I called but she was gone, I couldn't shake the memory of the look she had given me though. She had been disappointed that I hadn't believed Harry, why should I? He had spent his entire career getting in and out of one huge adventure of the next since he got here! Why shouldn't I think he had put his name in? Who else would want to? Mad Eye was just paranoid, it wasn't like anyone was actually very likely to die in the tournament. Dumbledore himself was overseeing it, the whole point was to make it safer wasn't it? I shook my head and just started back to the Hufflepuff Common room. I tried to celebrate, but I just felt annoyed and tired by the time I got there. Still I stayed up and let them congratulate me and pat me on the back. This was supposed to be fun.

Louisa didn't talk to me for weeks. I wasn't used to not being liked, and I considered her a friend, so it bothered me quite a bit. Everyone else was basically my biggest fan, except for everyone in Gryffindor. I kept trying to catch her in the hall between classes but I found myself constantly surrounded by friends and well-wishers. So even when I did see her all I could do was try and get her attention. I could tell that she usually heard and saw me when this happened, but the crowd let her get away and pretend like she didn't. She didn't pretend not to see the Support Cedric badges though, I saw her telling several of their wearers off at a distance. I tried to get people to stop, I figured maybe she would talk to me if she got wind that I didn't like them either. I still wasn't sure that Harry hadn't put his name in, but if Louisa believed it I figured the argument that he hadn't definitely had merit. She was right, logically Harry couldn't possibly have been able to put his name in in the manner that he had. Still, it was hard to think that anyone besides Harry himself would want to enter.

I thought I had a chance when we all met for the wand weighing. If I could talk to Harry maybe he would pass along to Louisa that wasn't being a prat to him, or something. Rita Skeeter kept Harry busy and then the weighing wasn't a good time to talk to him. The pictures took forever, but fortunately they did Harry's portrait last so I was waiting for him in the hall. This was also one of the rare moments when I wasn't completely surrounded by my supporters.

"Harry! Hey," I moved next to him, "Look I wanted to tell you, about the badges. I've asked them to stop wearing them. Really..."

"It's fine Cedric, I believe you," Harry said tiredly.

"I'm really sorry for how you're being treated, it's not fair." I was about to ask about Louisa when Ernie Macmillon called out to me from down the hall. I turned to wave and when I looked back Harry had hurried off. Yeah, I could definitely see why he would want to avoid people at the moment. I half hoped I would run into them on the Hogsmeade weekend, but instead I ran into Cho in Honeydukes. We ended up talking so long that when I made it to the Three Broomsticks I was told Hermione and Louisa had come but they had left already.

In the end though, she was the one that found me the next day. I was walking to charms after lunch with my friends. By this point I had basically given up hope that I would get to talk to her before the challenge. At the moment my friends were distracting me by bringing Cho up a lot, which was a welcome topic of conversation. Cho was great, I really enjoyed spending time with her. She was exceptionally pretty and bright, and we were both Seekers. It was hardly a secret to anyone at this point that she and I had been spending more and more time together. My friends told me I should ask her out soon, that the feeling was definitely mutual. I just wasn't sure about making my move with all the craziness of the tournament going on.

"Cedric!" A familiar voice called over that of my friends and I turned to see Louisa flagging me down, "A word?"

I nodded, "You guys go on. Tell Flitwick I'll be there shortly."

They eyed Louisa for a moment before they shrugged and hurried off, they certainly didn't want to be late. I opened my mouth to speak, I was ready to apologize for doubting Harry, for the badges, I was ready to smooth things over and tell her that I really wanted her to be my friend. Especially since I was so stressed, I didn't have nearly as much fun with my other friends.

Louisa spoke first, "Someone needs to tell you something," she said simply and that's when I noticed Harry rushing over.

"Oh, hey Harry..."

"It's dragons," He said quickly, "The first task. It's dragons. They've got one for each of us. Fleur and Viktor probably already know because Madame Maxime and Karkaroff saw them too."

I blinked at him, "Dragons?" I cast a wary glance toward Louisa, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because it's fair," Harry shrugged.

I bit my lip dubiously, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely..."

Louisa just shook her head, "Figured he wouldn't believe you, why would he? Yes Cedric he's quite sure. Dragons. All right, we're all late for class so let's..."

We all fell silent and looked up as Professor Moody rounded the corner, "Come with me Potter... off you go Diggory, Randall."

I watched as Harry followed him away uncertainly and when I turned Louisa was hurrying away, "Louisa! Wait, I want to talk to you."

"Look Cedric I'm sure you probably can't stand the thought that someone doesn't adore you, but we're okay. I'm not angry. I'm just focusing on Harry. His fan club isn't quite as big is it?" Louisa said simply, "It's safe to say that he needs me more than you do. Besides, we're only barely friends Cedric. You've got plenty of much better friends to help you through all of this. Not that you need it, I'm sure."

"I'm nervous," I sighed, it was true. Dragons? I knew I wasn't exactly Louisa's favorite person at the moment but I knew she wouldn't give me false information so it must be true. In all the scenarios I had thought about for the tasks dragons hadn't even occurred to me. I assumed that since it was supposed to be less dangerous this year... if this was safer then what were the tasks like before? I watched as her expression softened slightly and so I continued, "I miss talking to you. I get it, Harry is one of your best friends. I'm not his enemy, I'm really not. I hate those stupid badges."

She raised an eyebrow at me, "Cedric Diggory did you just say you hate something? I'm all astonishment."

I smiled, "Look, I'm not asking you to choose me over him. I know that's not possible, but why can't we still be friends?"

"You just want me to keep talking you up to Cho, don't you?"

I returned the smile she gave me, "Exactly. Also, any advice on how to take down a dragon?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment before looking at me seriously, "There's only one piece of a advice that can help you now Cedric Diggory. When you face that dragon, go in with no less than CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

I blinked and laughed happily, we waved and I hurried into charms, feeling quite a bit better. Since Louisa apparently forgave me, Cho apparently had a crush on me, and Harry had earned my respect I decided I would insist that people take off those badges, at least around me. It really wasn't fair, Harry was the one most likely to get eaten by a dragon and he didn't deserve what he got. Besides, Louisa would be happy about it.

I was not feeling very positive anymore. I paced up and down the tent and paused for a moment with a genuine concern that I might vomit. I took a deep breath and continued pacing, I managed to look up and give Harry a small smile when he entered. I don't think any of us were listening to Ludo Bagman as he spoke. None of us were particularly surprised when Fleur drew a miniature dragon out of the bag he offered us. I just hoped the one I got wasn't particularly horrible, I couldn't decide if I would rather go first or last. Sure, getting it over with would be ideal, but still... there was a dragon out there. I swallowed when it was my turn and reached a gloved hand in, I ended up with the Swedish Short-Snout, and the first slot. I figured it could have been worse.

"Mr. Diggory, remember to retrieve the golden egg. You will be going first, enter the arena at the whistle. Harry could I have a word," Ludo Bagman spoke quickly and I just moved toward the entrance to the arena. I closed my eyes and took a few slow deep breaths. I had a plan, I knew what I was going to do. So short of it killing me the second I stepped out I should be fine. I knew the spell. It would work, it would have to. Golden egg, just get the golden egg.

The whistle blew. I opened my eyes and walked out into the arena. I blinked around as the sunlight hit my eyes. All around there were cheers from the stands. I looked around the arena quickly, the dragon was int he center and there were plenty of rocks and things to hide behind. I saw the egg, the dragon was currently perched over top of it. Super. It was at that moment that it saw me and lunged forward with a roar. I moved to the side quickly and weaved my way through several rocks in an attempt to keep out of sight. When I figured I had lost it I crouched down behind a rock and searched quickly for what I needed. I found a rock about the right size and aimed my wand at it, I made sure I moved my wand correctly and said the spell. I didn't get to see if it worked or not because suddenly the dragon crashed against the other side of my cover.

I jerked away and sprinted in the opposite direction, I glanced back to see that it had worked. The rock was now a labrador dog, and the dragon was currently chasing after it in the other direction. I took my opportunity and made straight for the egg, scrambling up over the rocky terrain of the arena as quickly as possible. However, as soon as I got near to it the dragon seemed to have changed it's mind. It had a taste for human flesh rather than dog, it seemed. It roared and came barreling toward me. I couldn't really turn back now so I just dove and scooped the egg up into my arms, the dragon let out another roar. I ducked and rolled away as the flames rushed toward me. I shouted when I felt the flames biting into the skin of my face, but I was clear and alive. I ran a few paces away as the dragon wranglers came forward quickly.

I was hurried off the medical tent first, for which I was grateful. My face felt pretty singed, but Madame Pomfrey made quick work of it before I went out to see my scores. In the end I didn't really pay attention to them, my adrenaline was still high and I was searching the stands for familiar faces. I spotted Cho in a group of Ravenclaws cheering enthusiastically. I saw several of my Hufflepuff friends waving their hands and shouting wildly as well. I didn't see Louisa though. I went back to the tent and sat down while Madame Pomfrey applied more of the strange orange substance to my burned face. She assured me it wouldn't scar.

She had left and I heard the crowd shouting and the dragon roaring as the second competitor started. I wasn't really interested in listening, I was just relieved it was over. I could only imagine listening to all this while waiting to take my turn. Going first was definitely best I thought. The tent opened but instead of Madame Pomfrey Louisa smiled at me.

"Wow, look at you. You're still going to be pretty right? Because I didn't want to say anything before Cedric, but that's really all you had going for you."

I laughed and winced lightly at the pain that caused, she made a sympathetic sound and moved inside, "So... rock into a dog huh? if she wasn't before Cho is definitely crazy for you now. After that flashy display! Not to mention getting injured, good call on that one. Gets you sympathy, plus I hear that girls love scars. I personally find them repulsive but..." She shrugged easily.

I grinned at her, "You're best friends with Harry Potter."

"Well his scar is famous so... I'm shallow enough to look past it." She laughed.

"I thought you said the scar would get me sympathy. Shouldn't you be holding my hand and dabbing my forehead with a damp cloth?" I joked, I was happy we were on speaking terms again.

"Wow you're so needy." Louisa smiled and nodded, "Well I should get back out there. Did you know there are people fighting dragons out there?"

"No kidding?" I laughed and Madame Pomfrey looked in suddenly, "Careful Cedric, don't disturb the paste or it won't heal properly. Miss Randall, shouldn't you be cheering the other champions on?"

Louisa gave me a mischievous look before she ducked out of the tent quickly. No one else came, they were all probably too afraid to miss any of the competition, I didn't mind. I was in a pretty good mood again.