Chapter 4

I awoke screaming. Cho rushed to my bed, her night robe billowing about her. She grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

"Angela! Angela, what's wrong?"

It was a week before the third and final task. I had gone to bed early. I had been so nervous I couldn't eat. Cho brought me some bread but I could only eat a little. I know sat shaking in my bed after a terrible nightmare.

I shook my head to clear it. I blinked at Cho.

"Nothing. Just a bad dream."

"You were screaming," she pointed out.

I looked over her shoulder to where a group of girls were huddled, whispering among themselves. I forced a smile (I seemed to have been doing that a lot lately).

"I'm fine." I insisted.

She nodded slowly. "Okay, well it's time to get up."

I looked at the window where the sun was rising. I sighed and flung my legs over the side of the bed. I got dressed quickly, practically flying down the stairs in my haste to find Cedric. I had to tell him about my dream. I snagged him just before he entered the Great Hall for breakfast.

"Cedric listen to me, you cannot do the last task."

He looked confused. "What do you mean? I can't drop out, I have to finish it."

"Last night I had a dream, a nightmare. It was about you."

"So?"

"So, it was a nightmare!"

"Angela, you're not making sense. What are you talking about?"

"What do you mean 'what are you talking about'? Aren't you listening? It was a nightmare and it was about you. Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Should it?"

"Bad things happen in nightmares!"

"So what? Something bad happened?"

"Yes!" I was growing frustrated that he didn't understand me.

"Something bad happened to me in your dream so you want me to ask Dumbledore to find a way to withdraw me from the last task. Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes! That's what I'm saying!" I was shouting.

"That's crazy! It was just a dream!" Now he was getting annoyed, I could tell.

"It wasn't just a dream. It was a nightmare, a horrible nightmare! I'm telling you, you can't finish this Tournament!"

"Why not!" He shouted back.

I couldn't stand it anymore. I grabbed his arms and shook him roughly.

"Because you died!" That sobered him somewhat. I buried my face in my hands and started sobbing. The horror of what I had seen in the night coming back in a wave. Cedric slowly took my hands and moved them away from my face.

"Angela, tell me what happened."

I struggled to control myself. "You were racing against someone during this last task, I couldn't tell who. You grabbed the Goblet and ended up in this dark place that filled me with chills. Someone came that filled me with horror. Someone very evil. You held out your wand to defend someone, or something . . ." I trailed off.

Cedric looked at me expectantly. "And?"

"And the person who came shouted the Killing Curse and you died." I covered my face again. "It was horrible. I woke up screaming. Cho told me."

Cedric's jaw was tight. "Did you tell Cho this?"

I shook my head. "No. But now do you see? Now do you see why you can't do the last task?"

Cedric looked down at me his expression slightly annoyed which confused me. "Angela, it was just a dream."

"But it felt so real!"

"Nightmares sometimes do. Angela, I can't withdraw from the Tournament. The contract with the Goblet can't be broken." He shook his head. "Thanks for the concern though."

He moved to walk past me. I placed myself in front of him.

"But Cedric you can't!"

His eyes flashed dangerously. I had never seen them do that before. I backed away a step involuntarily. His voice was low as he spoke.

"Don't tell me what I can't do, Angela. You told me yourself that you believed in me, and you promised to trust me. And I'm telling you that it was just a silly dream. If you can't trust me to believe that, I don't think we can continue to be friends. Friends trust each other, Angela. In case you didn't know that."

He pushed by me roughly, heading towards the Great Hall. I could only stand there with tears running down my cheeks. Cedric had never gotten that mad at me before. I wrapped my arms around myself and backed up against the wall, slowly sinking down to the floor. With my knees pulled up tightly to my chest, I cried as I had never cried before.

A long time passed before I could gather my composure. My stomach was growling hungrily from lack of supper last night and the missing of breakfast this morning. I headed first to the bathroom however, in order to wash the redness from my eyes. I entered the Great Hall near the end of breakfast, but I was able to get a few bites in before classes started. Cedric avoided me the rest of the day. Malfoy taunted me about that, but surprisingly his biting words did not upset as much as before. I assumed the hurt Cedric had bestowed upon me surpassed anything Draco could throw at me. Cho was sweet and kind. She seemed to know something had gone wrong but she did not pry.

A few days passed. Cho and Cedric went out on a date every night. I was left along in my tower, awaiting the moment of reckoning. I had the nightmare twice more as the week wore on. Finally the night of the final task in the Tournament arrived. I could not take the silence between me and Cedric anymore. Before the contestants had to meet at the gigantic maze (which the contestants had to go through to find the Goblet at the center in order to win), I sought Cedric out. He found me first.

"Listen—" we both started.

"You first—" we said in unison. Blimey, we were worse than the Weasley twins.

We laughed together awkwardly.

"You first," I said.

Cedric nodded then sighed. "I wanted to apologize. I was being unfair to you that morning we argued. I was upset because you were so insistent and it was making me nervous. I was afraid it would affect my performance if I worried about something like that. But that doesn't excuse what I did. You were simply looking out for me. That's something a good friend would do. So, I'm sorry."

I smiled faintly. "I accept you're apology and I'm sorry too. I don't want to be mad at you anymore."

"Neither do I," he said, smiling slightly. "So, are you alright now?"

I bit my lip. "I don't know Cedric. I've had that dream twice now. I can't shake the feeling that something bad will happen."

Cedric took my arms in his strong hands. "Listen, I am not going to let anything bad happen. And I am not going to die."

"You don't know that. Something could happen and—"

He placed a finger over my mouth. "Nothing is going to happen. Trust me."

I nodded and took a deep breath. "But still, I think there is something you need to know before you go down there." This was it. I had thought about this last night and I knew I could not let him go down into the maze without him knowing.

He looked at me expectantly. I closed my eyes, drawing up my courage.

"Cedric, we've known each other ever since we were babies. And you've been my very best friend."

"You're my best friend too, Angela."

"Yes but there's more." I opened my eyes, looking straight into his. "I don't know how to say this so I'm just going to say it. I love you."

Cedric laughed awkwardly. "Well, so do I. I mean, we're like brother and sister."

I shook my head. "No Cedric. Not like that. I love you . . . more than a brother. I suppose I have since last year, but I realized it after the Quidditch World Cup."

The smile left his face. "Oh."

There was an uncomfortable silence. He rubbed the back of his neck. I looked down, embarrassed and ashamed to have even brought up such a delicate subject. I shook my head, tears gathering in my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I'll just leave now."

I turned to go. I was surprised to feel Cedric's hand on my arm, stopping me. I looked over at him apprehensively.

"Angela," he started. "I just wish you would have told me sooner."

"Why?" I asked, curiously.

He smiled slightly. "Because, before I started talking to Cho, what I felt for her was just crush. I actually liked you more."

"Really?" My mouth almost dropped in surprise. "Oh."

"Yeah." He rubbed his neck again.

"But you really like Cho don't you?" I asked, my heart sinking.

He nodded ruefully. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "No. Don't be sorry. It's my own stupid fault for not bringing up my feelings sooner. Cho is a great girl. She deserves someone like you. I really hope you two are happy together. I know I've been jealous of her, but I'll get over it. I want you to be happy."

Cedric's sad eyes lit up. "Really?"

I nodded. "Really."

We heard Flitwick's band start warming up down in the orchestra pit of the spectator stands. Cedric tilted his head. I sniffed slightly, tears still in my eyes.

"Well, you'd better get down there."

Cedric looked tenderly at me. "It's going to be all right, Angela."

I nodded again. "Sure."

He turned to go. I bit my lip, wanting to call after him. Suddenly I reached forward and grabbed his sleeve. He turned toward me.

"Good luck." I said.

He nodded and smiled. "Thanks."

I punched him lightly in the stomach. His smile grew and he cupped my cheek in his hand briefly before turning and jogging down the stairs to the ring in between the stands and the maze. I made my way to my seat. I spotted Cedric stopped for a moment next to Cho who was sitting on the very last bench. He kissed her firmly before heading to where the other contestants had gathered. I sat down directly in the middle of the stands. I didn't realize who I was sitting next to until Dumbledore started introducing the final task. When I did I had to resist moving away from him. He noticed me and smirked.

"Hello Angela, how has your week been?"

"It would have been a lot better if you hadn't been there."

The smirk widened. "That's touching, it really is."

"Shut up."

The cannon sounded and the contestants disappeared into the maze. The countdown had begun. I was reminded once more of my nightmare. I bit my lip nervously. It was going to be a long night.

About an hour later I felt something grip my heart. I felt pain ripple through me. Something bad had happened to Cedric. I could feel it. I gasped and reached out my hand to clutch something. I didn't realize that the something was Malfoy's hand. He looked at it then up at my pale face.

"You don't look so good." He stated.

"Something's happened." I whispered.

"What are you talking about? Let go already, you're breaking my fingers off!"

I released his hand. Something had gone wrong. I could feel it. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I had never liked waiting. Another hour passed. Suddenly I gave a great gasp. I felt as if someone had torn my heart out. I doubled over in pain. Malfoy looked at me apprehensively.

"Are you all right? You're not going to throw up are you?" He moved away in disgust.

"Cedric." I murmured, just before I blacked out.

When I opened my eyes it had only been a few minutes. The band had started playing again. Draco was looking down at me with a confused expression on his face. I sat up quickly. Some commotion was going on down in the ring. Harry had appeared. He was leaning over something. A body. A still body. I stood quickly and rushed for the steps. As I got closer I saw who the body was. It was Cedric, dead.

An inhuman wail ripped through the air. People turned to stare. I realized the wail was coming from me. I pushed my way down to the dirt ring. I arrived at the same time as Mr. Diggory. He started wailing, harder and louder than I had. Professor Moody pulled Harry off of Cedric's body, holding him tightly. Mr. Diggory knelt beside his son, pulling the boy up to his chest and crying into his dirty hair. I collapsed in the dirt, tears coursing down my cheeks. I couldn't take my eyes off of Mr. Diggory and Cedric.

Someone knelt beside me and threw her arms around me. It was Cho. She sobbed into my shoulder. I placed my hand on her back. I could not speak. All I could do was stare as the tears continued to flow. My nightmare had come true.

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There was some conspiracy surrounding Harry that involved Professor Moody and someone named Barty Crouch, Jr. I didn't really care. The Ministry of Magic insisted it was an accident. I knew better. I just wished I knew who had killed him. Cho and I were allowed to see Cedric before they buried him. Cho went in first. She came out a few seconds later, crying. I hugged her gently before entering the room where he was laid out for burial.

His body had been cleaned and he was wearing his Quidditch uniform. His hair was brushed and his face looked serene, his dark lashes lay across white cheeks. It would have felt uncanny being in the same room with a dead person, but not now. Dead or alive, this was my best friend. I looked down at him for a few seconds, not moving. Then slowly I reached out and tenderly touched his cold cheek. That's when the tears came. They ran silently down my face as I ran my fingers through his dark hair, smoothing it out across his forehead.

"You said to trust you," I whispered, my voice surprisingly calm.

I wanted to be mad at him for not listening to me before, but I couldn't. How could you be angry at your dead best friend? No, who I was really mad with was the Ministry of Magic for not telling the truth about his death. Seeing how distraught Harry had been I assumed that Cedric had been defending him against whoever had done this.

"I will find out who did this to you," I said in a firm voice, running my fingers down the side of his face.

As I looked down into his still face, I felt a large hole rip through my heart. The pain inside me hurt so badly, I couldn't explain it. I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his cold ones. I bit my lip as I drew back. It was rather ironic, I thought as I slowly left the room. I had wanted to kiss him for so long but could not because of Cho. Now that he was dead, it didn't matter.

Cho met me outside the door. My tears had dried, but I still felt empty. Hollow almost. The pain in my chest did not go away, and I wondered if it ever would.

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I could not sleep. My dreams were filled with Cedric. I missed him so much. I missed his smile; I missed his comforting arms around me when I was upset. I missed the way he always responded to my punches. I wanted to cry, but for some reason I couldn't. I shut my eyes tightly, willing myself to go to sleep. Finally I did.

The next thing I knew I was opening my eyes to a commotion. I blinked in confusion. Neville Longbottom and Ron were holding my arms tightly. Harry was in front of me, looking frightened. I shot confused and startled eyes to Ron. He relaxed slightly.

"It's okay, she's awake now."

Ron and Neville released my arms. I looked down and noticed I was holding my wand. What was going on? I looked up at Harry.

"Angela, do you remember what just happened here?" He asked cautiously.

I shook my head, still terribly confused.

"I think you were sleepwalking." Neville put in.

"You went over to Harry and demanded that he tell you who killed Cedric." Ron said.

"When he didn't tell you, you kind of freaked out."

"That's when we came in to hold you down."

"Then you woke up. What did you mean by that? I thought it was an accident."

I looked down at my wand. Had I really done that? I passed a hand over my face. I shook my head, unwilling to explain. I glanced apologetically to Harry before leaving the room quickly. This was bad. Now I was walking in my sleep and almost killing my friends. But it was bothering me. Who had killed Cedric? I returned to my room shaking. Cho was awake. She looked surprised to see me.

"There you are," She said. "Could you not sleep either?"

I sat down next to her on the couch. We stared into the fire together, neither saying a word. I remembered the times when my phobia of fire had caused problems when I was growing up. But Cedric had always been there to comfort me and to tell me everything was going to be all right. Cho turned to me.

"Angela, you haven't spoken since he died. Are you alright?"

I didn't respond. I hadn't really noticed I had stopped talking. I just did not know what to say. Also the pain inside of me was so deep I was afraid if I spoke I wouldn't be able to control myself and I would break down. I did not want to break down. I had to be strong. For Cedric. Cho sighed.

"You loved him too, didn't you?" She asked.

I glanced at her, surprised. She was smart. No wonder Cedric liked her so much. This girl didn't miss a thing. I nodded slowly. She placed a hand on my arm.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know . . . before."

I shrugged, still staring at the fire. I could see my father's face in the flames. And Cedric's also. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.

"The funeral's the day after tomorrow." Cho commented.

I barely heard her. I licked the blood off my bottom lip. It stung slightly but it didn't matter. Their faces faded from my sight.

"He talked a lot about you, you know. You two seemed really close."

I nodded. Cho finally fell silent. She closed her eyes and I closed mine. When Padma came to wake us up the next morning, she found us sleeping with our heads together, still curled up on the couch. Tear stains on both of our cheeks.

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"Today we acknowledge a really terrible loss." Dumbledore began. "Cedric Diggory was, as you all know, exceptionally hard working, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly, a fierce, fierce friend."

I sat straight as a board as I listened. It had been several days after the funeral but Dumbledore wanted to say something before we started our end of the year feast. Cho was sitting beside me, crying into her handkerchief. I leant her mine when hers became too soaked to use. I couldn't cry. The pain was too great at the moment. When I closed my eyes I could almost imagine his face. It was fading. I knew I had to ask Mr. Diggory for a picture of him before I forgot his face completely. That would be terrible. Dumbledore's next words caused me to snap my eyes open.

"Therefore, I feel you have the right to know exactly how he died. You see, Cedric Diggory was murdered, by Lord Voldemort."

I started in surprise. That must have been the evil presence I felt in my nightmare.

"The Ministry of Magic does not wish me to tell you this. But not to do so I feel would be an insult to his memory. Now the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me, and, reminds us, that though we may come from different countries and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one."

I felt a piece of paper be pressed into my hand. I closed my fingers around it tightly.

"In light of the recent events, the bonds of friendship made this year will be more important than ever. Remember that, and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain. You remember that . . . and we'll celebrate a boy who was kind, and honest, and brave, and true, right to the very end."

I glanced over at Harry. He seemed to be struggling to keep his composure. I felt sorry for him. I looked down at the crumpled paper in my hands. I opened it as the students began to stand and get out of the way of the tables that appeared for the end of the year feast.

I'm sorry about your friend, it said, Draco.

I looked up and tried to find him at the Slytherin table. He was laughing at something Goyle had said. I narrowed my eyes. Did he have a hidden agenda in sending me this note? I decided it wasn't worth investigating. I looked down at my food. I wasn't very hungry considering the circumstances, but I knew Cedric would not have wanted me to whither away to nothing so I began to eat. I didn't enjoy it however. I ate mechanically, the food tasting like sawdust in my mouth. I swallowed hard.

An owl came swooping into the room. I recognized it as my owl. She dropped a letter into my hands and flew off. The envelope had my name written on it with my mother's handwriting. I opened it slowly. There was a note inside and something else. It dropped out into my hand. I read the note first.

My dear Angela,

I was deeply sorry to hear about Cedric. I am also sorry for not being able to attend the funeral. My foot swelled up again and I couldn't walk all day. Anyway, I sent you this locket for you. I put a picture of your father in it along with one of Cedric. This way you can always remember their faces. I love you my sweet girl. Keep your chin up and make me and your father proud.

Love from your mother

I took a look at the locket. It was very simple. A heart with a small design of a flower on it. I realized I had seen it before. It was my mother's locket. The one father had sent her. That just made it more precious. I opened the heart and stroked the pictures. They were wizarding photographs.

It showed Dad kneeling beside a chair, fixing it. He looked up and smiled. I smiled back then turned to Cedric's picture. He was dressed in his Quidditch uniform. He swooped down on his broom and stopped just in front of the camera, smiling and raising a fist in triumph. It must have been taken during one of the Quidditch matches. I gazed into his bright eyes and some of the pain in my chest lessened. Now he would be with me forever. I closed the locket and placed it around my neck. It rested against my heart and I smiled for the first time since Cedric's death.

"That's a pretty locket," Cho said.

I nodded thanks and pocketed the note. I would have to write a thank you as soon as possible. I finished my food with a lighter heart.

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The Durmstrangs and the Beauxbatons left at the same time as everyone else for home. Summer break had started once again. Only this would be my first summer never seeing or writing to Cedric. I stood next to the tree under which Malfoy had asked me to the Yule Ball and watched everyone exchanged addresses and say goodbye to new friends. I would say my farewells later. Right now I wanted to reflect.

The Quidditch World Cup seemed to be part of the distant past. My birthday would be coming up soon. I would be sixteen in July. My first birthday without Cedric. I couldn't imagine what it would be like. The Yule Ball seemed so long ago. I could still remember Cedric's face when he found out how Malfoy had convinced me to go with him. I smiled slightly.

"Looking for another kiss?"

I sighed. I knew that voice anywhere. I turned to see Draco leaning against the tree behind me. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Now that's a nice response. Very mature."

I rolled my eyes. Malfoy pushed off the tree and approached me. I held my ground, getting ready for whatever he would throw at me.

"Nice necklace." He said, moving to touch it. I slapped his hand away. He held up his hands in surrender before he placed them in his pockets. "I heard that you haven't spoken since the murder. That true?"

I frowned at him but nodded once before turning my back on him.

"Well that's a pity because I so miss your wonderful responses to my questions."

I stepped back on his foot. He stepped back muttering a curse at the pain. I smiled. He didn't leave however. I felt his fingers grasp the end of my long hair. He tugged lightly. I flipped my hair out of the way. He sighed in annoyance. I moved to walk forward but a hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to Malfoy, raising my eyebrows in an expression that said "Now what?"

"See you at school next year, eh, Barry?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded. Of course I would see him at school next year, was he daft? He seemed to be hesitating. I crossed my arms, waiting for him to say what he wanted. He grabbed my arms and kissed me. I stood still for a moment, not kissing him back for a few seconds. Then I gradually leaned into him and the kiss deepened. But even as I was kissing Malfoy, my heart was crying out for Cedric.

When we drew away Malfoy's eyes were slightly fearful. I remembered how I had scolded him last time. I smiled slightly.

"Was that on a bet too?" I asked.

"No, actually I—" he stopped, confused and surprised. "Hey, you talked!"

I touched my lips lightly. So I had. I smiled slightly.

"Your kiss must have shocked it out of me." I said, my face deadpan.

Draco smirked. "Do you want to kiss again?"

I almost laughed. That boy was sure persistent. I decided it wouldn't kill me and I had liked it. I put my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his. He held me close against him, and although it was just lips on lips and nothing else, just as before, it somehow seemed intimate. It flitted through my mind briefly that maybe Malfoy could turn into someone I could love. Someday maybe Cedric would have brought us together after all.

I pulled away but kept my arms around him. He smirked down at me.

"Definitely Pumpkin juice." He said.

I smirked back. "Butterbeer."

I dropped my arms and he did as well. "See you next year," I said, rather flippantly as I made my way to the Weasleys to say goodbye. I did not look back but I could feel his gaze on me while I walked.

With the Weasleys it was a general hug fest all around. I hugged Hermione and Harry. Apologizing to Harry once more about the incident in his room. He forgave me willingly. Everyone was glad to hear me talking again.

Cho hugged me tightest of all.

"I'm going to miss you," she said. "Promise you'll write?"

"As long as you promise to write back." I said. We had exchanged addresses earlier that day.

She smiled. "I promise."

We hugged once more and then watched as the Beauxbaton's carriage and the Durmstrangs ship left Hogwarts. Our train wouldn't leave until morning. One by one I watched my friends return to their dormitories to pack. I figured my new locket. Everything was going to change now. I could feel it. Big things were going to happen in the future, and not all of it would be good. But I knew with friends like Cho, the Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry, I would never be alone again. I thanked Cedric for that.

A/N: This fanfic is dedicated to my friend qwertykate88. Kate, you're awesome! I hope you enjoyed the story. :-D

Reviews make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. :-D (nudge nudge, wink wink) :-P