Chapter 9: Lies Everywhere
My life seemed so surreal. After how long George had waited to cultivate the perfect relationship with me, I was going to end it. I felt so awful it made my stomach hurt.
I found George sitting at the Gryffindor table, laughing uproariously at something his twin had said. My chest rattled from fear. I took a deep breath and approached the table.
I put on a normal happy face, and beamed, "Hello, Gryffindors!"
George's eyes lit up when he saw me. "How was the party?"
I stammered, "Fun, fun. Hufflepuffs sure know how to party."
Fred smirked. "Who would've thought?"
George clapped his hands as if a new idea had dawned on him. "I have something I want to show you, Michelle! Quickly, before the mass exodus to the Pitch!"
Déjà vu. I said goodbye to Fred, and followed George out of the Great Hall.
While we walked, George yammered on about his night (he, Fred, and Lee talked joke shop for hours, with enough time to set off a dung bomb in Mr. Filch's office). He led me down hallways, stairs, and finally, we were in front of the Quidditch changing rooms. The crowd for the Third Task was gathering in the stands—the varied voices growing louder and louder by the minute.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, bemused. I had forgotten how much fun George was. I wondered if he would cry when I broke up with him.
"Shush, I have a surprise for you," George grinned. He opened the door to the gathering room by the changing rooms. Inside, the Champions's families were gathered around, talking to their children. I noticed Cedric standing with his parents on the opposite side of the room.
"Michelle, meet my mum!" George thrust me into the arms of a short, plump red-haired woman.
Mrs. Weasley, or so I hoped, crushed me in a tight embrace, like I was one of her own daughters, instead of her son's cheating whore girlfriend.
"I've heard so much about you, sweetheart!" she cried. When we pulled apart, I noticed her eyes were glittering. "You're beautiful."
I smiled, my cheeks hot. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"Call me Molly," she corrected. Molly put her arms around the tall, red-haired man standing next to her and said, "This is my oldest, Bill. He works for Gringotts."
Bill grabbed my hand. His grip was firm and warm. "Hello."
"Hi," I said. I hoped they wouldn't hate me when George told them I cheated on him.
Just then, I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt," Cedric's voice said coolly, "Michelle, a word?"
"Of course," I said, my voice high and thin. George eyed me suspiciously, but didn't say anything when I followed Cedric across the room toward his parents.
"Act natural," he advised, and then threw his arm around my shoulder.
"Oh dear, we missed you!" Annie, Mrs. Diggory, exclaimed, pulling me into her arms. "Have you been keeping my son in line?"
"Not well enough. Look where he is now!" I joked, and Annie laughed.
"Hello, Michelle," Amos offered his hand—always the best he could do.
"Sir," I replied jokingly. I heard Cedric snigger; Amos never quite got it.
"How have you been this year?" Annie asked excitedly. "Cedric's hardly written us at all. He must have been so busy with the tournament and all."
I caught Cedric's eye, and he gave a sheepish grin. "Er, it's been a good year," I said vaguely.
Annie smiled supportively. "You must be thrilled that next year is your last. All this Healer work must have you going mad."
I loved that she remembered things like that about me. My heart swelled with love for Cedric's mother. "Yes, I'm ready to be done."
"Good," Annie squeezed my arm affectionately.
"It's almost time for the Task," Amos said warningly, "You girls should probably go find your seats."
"Oh, yes! I wanted a photo first!" Annie unearthed a massive, wizarding camera from her purse. "Cedric, stand next to Michelle. Yes, like that. Alright, smile!"
The flash went off two or three times. I saw nothing but white light and Cedric's arm around my neck.
"Great!" Annie beamed, putting the camera back in her purse. "We'll add those to the album. Where are you sitting, love?"
"Her friends," Cedric answered for me. "Kim and Kelly. You remember them, Mum?"
"Sweethearts," Annie surmised.
"You must be remembering the wrong girls," I teased, even though my stomach felt sick.
"I'll walk you out, Michelle," Cedric said, his voice thin. He put his arm around my shoulder again and beckoned, "Come on."
After a few steps, I lowered my voice and asked, "Do they know about Cho?"
"No," he answered bashfully. I saw George, Molly, and Bill waiting for me by the door. "I thought you should know first… I'm breaking up with her."
"Oh." I should have known better than to be surprised, but I still felt taken aback. "I was actually going to do the same with George."
Cedric smiled. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
"I need some time to think," I blurted. Cedric's smile faded.
"Of course," he said coolly, trying to hide his disappointment. He reached his pocket, and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He crumpled it in his hands, and stuck in his my pocket. "Don't read it until later, okay?"
I nodded. Cedric pulled me into an embrace. I rested my head on his shoulder, and wondered what he was thinking.
"Good luck, love," I kissed his cheek.
And these were the last words Cedric Diggory ever spoke to me, "Thank you," he said, "for everything."
A/N: Remember to leave a review! Because, you know, you like my story and stuff.
