a/n: sorry I have not updated in a while, I had midterms and a whole bunch of other activities last month and now this month. I don't think I need to say this but I do not own any of the character or settings, well some, it mostly belongs to J. K. Rowling. I would also like to say that most of Cedric's friends (expect James and Roger) are based on my guy friends so sorry if their names are not British. There is some language in this chapter and also some sexual content, so this is why the story is rated teen.

A New Year, A New Task

The Hogwarts Express pulled up at the station with all the students on board in their school uniforms, ready for a new year. Cedric stepped off the train in front of his best friend Roger Davies, a Ravenclaw sixth year.

"Here at last!" Cedric exclaimed while heading to the coaches.

"Well don't hold your head too high." Roger replied.

"Why Davies, still afraid of Snape?" Cedric jokingly questioned Roger, whose face was turning red. "Come on Roger it wasn't that bad."

"Yea, you think! You try to tell a lie under a truth sirup." Roger replied while stepping into a horse less carriage. Cedric entered, along with some other people. Then all the carriages took off toward Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry.

When the two friends had entered the Great Hall together each, walked over to their House tables, to catch up with their friends from their house. Cedric looked around to see if any of them had arrived before him and sure enough there was a short Asian Huffelpuff sixth year wearing glasses talking to a tall lean tan brown haired Sixth year Huffelpuff.

"Chuck, how was your summer?" Cedric said to his short friend but his other interrupted before Chuck had a chance to answer.

"Hey, what about the Danamator?" The second boy said.

"New name for your self I see. So did it take the whole summer to figure that out." Cedric only replied before the rest of his friends sat themselves down next to Dan, Chuck, and Cedric. He gave a little sigh relieved to be around the people he trusted the most once more. A blond timid boy sat down next to Cedric, his name was James and the other called Mark, a trouble maker with dirty blond hair and brown eyes, took his place in between Chuck and Dan, to prevent any food fights. Tim, Cedric's odd friend, was near a group of fifth year Huffelpuff trying to put on the charm that never worked.

With a start of a new year there was as buzzing echo in the Great Hall. All went silent as the First years entered that hall. When everyone had been seated and sorted Dumbeldore stood up, "Today is the beginning of a new year, a new task for every single one of you students. As headmaster I welcome each and every one of you to another year at Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. I also have a few announcements to make. First the Forbidden Forest is as always forbidden to all students. While the village of Hogsmeade is forbidden to students under their third year.

"There have been new items added to the list of items that are forbidden in the castle. The complete list is in Mr. Filch's office on the third floor if you care to look. I am also sad to announce that the Quidditch Cup will not take place this year due to an event that will start in October."

No, not Quidditch. He has to be lying!

I'm going to go mad without it!

I live for it. Cedric thought to himself at the Huffelpuff table.

"Hey cheer up Ced." James, his good friend, said patting him on the back for comfort. Cedric just sat there with a pain in his heart and looked back up at Professor Dumbeldore.

"For we are hosting the Triwizard Tournament. It is a competition among the three largest schools in Europe; Hogwarts, Beauxboton, and Durmstrang. There is a Champion picked from each school, who is chosen by an imperial judge, and they compete in three challenges. At the end only one is known as the Triwizard Champion. Over the centuries the Ministry has tried bringing back the Tournament and all has failed, until now. The winner gets one thousand gallons as their prize." Dumbeldore went on, with a buzz in the hall.

"The ministry has also set an age limit to protect students under age, seventeen, to participate in the Tournament for your own safety. The students of Beauxboton and Durmstrang will be arriving late October and staying the remainder of the year." Dumbeldore was still talking but the hall was filled with a soft whisper. All around the hall faces were turning back and forth with their lips moving. Cedric tried to concentrate on Professor Dumbeldore but his friends were into a deep conversation around him.

"Damn, I'm too young! That filth Bastard doesn't think I can handle fear!" Mark exclaimed cursing at the ministry.

"Don't feel that bad. You probably wouldn't win being a prat." James replied giving Mark a playful push.

"Well you're of age James, why don't you enter?" Mark questioned.

"We all know James is a chicken right Ced?" Dan said fallowed by a hearty laugh.

"You got that right." Cedric answered entering into the conversation.

"Cedric you could enter," Chuck claimed while placing the newly appeared food on his plate, "you could do it, for Huffelpuff."

All fell silent for a few minuets for every single one of them knew Huffelpuff was not known as one of the better houses but of one the others could step on. Huffelpuff was never in the spotlight, only behind the scenes. Even last year when Cedric did beat Griffendor in Quidditch, it was still an unfair win. Sometimes, though, Cedric hoped that it was fair so for once Huffelpuff could seem like the great house it truly was instead of being hidden behind the others. Yet when Huffelpuff did do something important it was always for the wrong reason, so the truly never got their chance in the spotlight. A chance to feel important. A chance to break free and not be quiet anymore. To show the world what a Huffelpuff could do, and it would be a miracle if that did happen.

Cedric spoke up, "Why not any of you?"

"I don't have the guts." James replied, "Even if I had you still have more courage than me."

"Ha James. You trying to be nice!" Tim said, "you still have a chance Cedric, you, and Chuck 'cause you're all of age."

"Huh." Chuck said looking up with food coming out of his mouth.

"Nothing," Mark replied, "just eat." So, Chuck did.

By then Cedric was sitting there eating his food and thinking about everything Dumbeldore had said during his beginning of the year speech.

Maybe I should.

But what about Quidditch?

One thousand gallons,

I could do a lot.

Though how can I live,

Without Quidditch?

There is always next year.

Huffelpuff Glory,

At last!

Days and months passed with Cedric being his normal self. By the time October came he was still a bit unsure if he was going to enter the Triwizard Tournament. Until he had read a sign a week before the 30th. The sign intrigued Cedric about what was going to take place if he was made School Champion. It made him feel good, no Cedric felt great about Huffelpuff glory.

Triwizard Tournament:

On October the 30th all classes

will end an hour earlier, to greet

our guest from Beauxbotons and Durmstrang.

It was at that moment Cedric had decided exactly what he was going to do enter the tournament but he wanted his friends to clear it off.

He stood outside along with the other Hogwarts students the cold air in his face, waiting for Beauxbotons and Durmstrang to arrive. The younger students twisted and turned hoping to be the one who spotted the schools first. Cedric, though, just stood there waiting and hoping like the younger ones, just holding it all inside of him.

Up in the sky, horses appeared followed by a carriage. Students rushed around to get a glimpse of this marvel. The carriage was slowly bumping its way down to the grounds, filled with students from Beauxbotons. The carriage hit the ground without anyone getting hurt. A tall woman walked out first and approached Dumbeldore. She was followed by a group of young ladies that seemed flawless in every area by their looks. The headmistress and her pupils were lead into the castle. Now everyone was looking up hoping to spot Durmstrang sailing through the sky.

"A mast, a mast!" A young Griffendor yelled so all could hear his call.

Cedric quickly turned his head toward the Black Lake and there it was, a mast. The ship slowly appeared. Just like before, the headmaster and students left their ship and entered the school. Cedric was slowly watching them. One student stood out from all the rest. It was Victor Krum.

Cedric thought to himself, Krum, VICTOR KRUM!

At Hogwarts!

The world's greatest seeker in the world.

Cedric turned to go inside the castle with the other students.

This is amazing,

The Victor Krum at Hogwarts.

Dumbeldore, who was between Madam Mixine and Professor Karakaoff, prepared for another one of his speeches. "Welcome one and all. Students, teachers, ghost, and most importantly guest. Now we bring in the Imperial Judge but, while they bring it in, let me say a few words. Mr. Crouch and Mr. Baghman (everyone cheered for him) will be on the judging panel along with Madam Mixine, Professor Karakaoff, and me in judging the three Champions." There was a pause.

"Eternal Glory! That's what it is Eternal Glory! The three Champions must face three dangerous tasks and only one will be known as the Triwizard Champion. Let me say this competition is not for the faint hearted." Dumbeldore paused for a second to let four men place down a jeweled case on a wooden stand. He took his wand and made the case disappear. Inside there was a large wooden cup with blue flames bursting out of it. Dumbeldore then went on, "The Goblet of Fire is now lit, the Triwizard Tournament has now begun. If you wish to enter, you must write your name on a piece of parchment along with your name and school in the Goblet of Fire before this time tomorrow, the thirty first. I warn you though, you must be of age. Now let the feast begin.

At that moment when the food appeared, everyone seemed confused in some way. The foods that were in front of them were barely recognizable, expect for a select few. When dinner was over all left to go asleep. That night in Cedric's dormitory it was a bit rowdy.

"Do you think I should enter?" Cedric questioned, but no one heard him.

"Oh, those girls from Beauxbotons?" Dan said.

"Damn. Those ladies were hot!" Mark replied throwing his towel in the hamper.

"Especially that brunette. Wouldn't mind getting her in my bed at some point." Dan finished.

"Yea, my question is why that little girl?" James questioned.

"Don't know why James but all I know is this," Tim said in an uneasy way, "she was adorable, not hot, maybe in a few years."

"Z . . . Z . . . Z . . ."Chuck entered the conversation in his sleep.

"Do you think I should enter?" Cedric repeated.

"Sure," James replied, "if you want to Dumbeldore said it was going to be hard."

Professor Sprout entered the room, "Boy's it's eleven at night, light outs, now!" The dorm fell silent as the friends went to their beds to sleep. Cedric lay on his bed still thinking about the Triwizard Tournament.

Huffelpuff glory.

That would be nice.

Though do I have the guts?

Dad did always say I am brave,

and a gentleman.

Cedric let out a little chuckle thinking how proud his dad would be. Cedric leaned over and took a glance at his poster of the Irish Quidditch team soaring through the air and went to sleep.

Early that morning Cedric took a piece of parchment and placed down three words that changed his life forever.

He then closed his eyes and went into a deep slumber. When Cedric normally awoke, that day, no alarm clock rung, no voice was heard, the dormitory was silent. It stayed like that for another hour until the boys arose, expect for Cedric who slept soundly in his bed, and left their dorm for breakfast. They did not notice Cedric laying there soundly thinking he was already up. By nine Cedric was still asleep but woke-up with a start. The bright sun had already filled the room brightly. He took a look around to see that his room was empty. Cedric rolled out of bed to see James alarm clock flashing 9:00am, 9:00am, 9:00am.

Nine in the morning!

You've got to be kidding me.

I haven't slept like that in years.

Wait it's nine!

I've got to go!

After thinking to himself he quickly got dressed in his uniform, grabbed the piece of parchment containing his name and school, and left the room for the Dining Hall. It was pouring rain out side, pounding hard on the ground, Cedric tried to run but the cold rain stung his skin. Cedric did not care though he loved the rain. As he walked through the down pour, Cedric could sense something good was going to happen.

"Diggory! Wait up!" Roger yelled behind him, running as fast as Rogers legs would take him to catch up with Cedric. "Why the hell are you walking? It's pouring out here!"

"No, really. It's not that bad." Cedric only said as they both walked inside an opening to the school. Roger turned to go inside the library and Cedric then realized that he had made a wrong turn. "Roger I' ll see you later."

"Later." Cedric then left the library to the Dining Hall. On the way though more familiar voices come up behind him.

"Cedric? What you doing, taking your shower?" He turned to Dan and rolled his eyes.

"Putting my name it the Goblet, that's what." Chucks face beamed with excitement.

"You mean your going to enter?" Cedric gave Chuck a funny look.

"Yea, why?" Dan looked at Chuck too.

"He did just say he was going to enter Chuck."

"Well I thought . . ."

"You thought what?"

"I don't know! Something else."

"Okay." Cedric said as he enter the right entrance to the school. Dan immediately called James and Mark from down the hall who were surrounded by two fifth-year Huffelpuff girls.

"Come here Diggory going to enter!" both boys and the girls ran up as Cedric entered the hall filled with people of all ages and houses watching to see who was entering. A loud rumble followed him inside. Drenched from head to toe he walked up to the age line and slowly crossed it. The slip of paper was still in his pocket. He pulled it out slowly and placed it in the Goblet of Fire. An applause from everyone in the room followed. A huge grin swept across Cedric's face as he approached his friends across the age line giving Dan and Mark a hug, while everyone was cheering and coagulating him for entering. He was happy as could be but eight hours still awaited him for the answer.

The rest of the day seemed to take forever. Classes started at ten thirty, a half hour after he had entered. The bell would never give Cedric his way. Sitting there waiting and waiting until six at night when the Champions would be chosen. His friends were there for support, but their talk of what the task might be did not help the time fly faster. Cedric's last class of the day was Arithmancy, it was an easy class for Cedric and always seemed long, though today the class was driving him mad! The clock was so close to five forty five that Cedric started pulling hairs from his head.

Damn it clock!

You filth bastard!

Hurry up!

Make Gosh, Damn, Time move faster!

Oh, Fuck you!

Your not going to listen to me you, Fucken objects!

Can't you filth little hands move faster, than you should?

Just this Gosh Damn once!

Oh, come on . . .

Cedric was free the bell had rung. He was off to the Dining Hall. Fifteen minuets later the hall was filled with everyone from Hogwarts, Beauxboton, and Durmstrang. It was filled with voices all wondering questioning who would repent their school. Food appeared at the tables and all was eaten. Dumbeldore then stood up from his golden chair and walked up to the Goblet in the center of the hall. The fires in the hall dimmed until almost all the light was from the blue flames bursting from the wooden cup. Old hands reached out and touched it, and the hall fell silent, the flames turned red. A piece of parchment flew out of the fires and into Dumbeldore's hands. Everyone looked upon him with wide eyes. From Cedric's table the Huffelpuff's were all leaning out to see. The word had gotten around that Cedric had enter and everyone in his house had their fingers crossed hoping that Cedric would be the Hogwarts Triwizard School Champion. Cedric's heart was beating so hard he could barely hear the words coming out of Professor Dumbeldore's mouth, dreaming that his name would come out of the Goblet of Fire.

"The Durmstrang Champion is Victor Krum." Krum then got up from the Slytherin table with his fellow school mates applauding him as he presented himself in front of Dumbeldore, and walked away through the door behind the teachers tables.

The flames went red again and the parchment sailed into the headmaster's hands once again. "The Champion from Beauxboton is Fleur Delacour." A small cheer was heard the Ravenclaw tables, most though hung their heads in disappointment.

The hall was truly silent now. The whole school wanted to know who the Hogwarts Champion was. Cedric's stomach was in knots, twisting and turning with every second after Fleur had gotten her named call. Sweat dripped down his face, and he was shaking all over. It felt like the flames would never go red again. The moments in between took forever. Seconds later the flames went red and a piece os parchment flew out of Dumbeldore's hands slower than the rest. He took one look and the name and grinned. "The Hogwarts Champion is Cedric Diggory!"

The hall erupted with cheers! Cedric slow got up not believing his ears and with a nudge from his friends took the walk up to the center of the Hall. The piece of parchment was still in Dumbeldore's grasp when Cedric approached him. He took it out of his hands and walked through the same doors as the other Champions did.

I am a School Champion!

I can't believe it!

It has finally come true!

Huffelpuff Glory!

Huffelpuff Glory!

At Last!