Chapter Two: Behind Those Eyes

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the awesome Harry Potter series. I only own my OC and the plot of this fanfic.

Cedric P.O.V.

Summer was… amazing. I truly don't know how else to put it. My parents were overjoyed to see me. It was like the moment I walked through the door, they hadn't seen me since I was born. I get it; I'm an only child, their only pride and joy. Even though I'm a seventeen year-old boy, I still love my parents. After all, they're the ones who gave me everything, and above all, let me go to the school of my dreams. Hogwarts is my home away from home. The people there aren't just fellow schoolmates; they're like my second family. Being away from them for a whole two months was going to be hell, but hey, it was only a matter of time, right? Plus, I have two wonderful parents, not to mention a great girlfriend I couldn't wait to see again.

Cho and I got together shortly after the end of fourth year. I don't know what brought the feelings on to be honest. We never really interacted come to think of it, except for Quidditch. I guess she was the only reason Cho and I had started speaking. No, I inwardly scolded myself for even thinking of her. Don't be weak Cedric. Let it go.

My thoughts landed back on the thought of me and Cho. It's been three years, three near perfect years. I don't want to sound like an arrogant arse, but I think we're Hogwarts' number one couple. The hoots and hollers say it all. Sometimes I wonder if our relationship would ever become something more. It is my last year, so where do we go from here? I didn't want to even think of my Hogwarts career coming to a close. It was one of those touchy subjects for me. Whenever someone asks me what I plan to do afterwards, I always reply with the same thing: "I'm not positive. But hey, my parents both say hi." So really, I can't quite say if Cho and I were "meant to be". There always seemed to be doubt inside my heart…

"Hey Ced, are you alright, mate?"

My closest friend, Derrick Aidan, broke me out of my momentary trance as I mindlessly stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express. "I'm fine," I replied calmly, and I was. There was only one thing on my mind the whole time: Where the hell was Cho?

Honestly, where could she be? She usually can't wait to see me, to ask me about my summer, to just spend time with me. We've been on the train for already four hours. She should be with my right now. Should I go look for her? I mentally contemplated this for what felt like hours, but came to the conclusion that she was too intelligent to get herself into trouble. I'd see her in time anyway.

I dozed off for a couple of hours until my ears seemed to regain their senses. My eyes may be closed, but it's not like I'm all of a sudden a deaf bloke.

"…yeah I know, she's back! She's actually back! I couldn't believe it. I overhead Potter and his friends talking about it. From what I hear, she's quite the looker now." I could pinpoint Derrick's voice from a mile away, especially when it came to talking about the female specimen. I could just imagine him wiggling his eyebrows. I moved up from my sleeping position.

"Merlin Cedric, you scared me!

"Shut it, Derrick. You know I can't help engage in a friendly conversation. What's this I hear about a girl 'coming back'?" Suddenly, the compartment got very quiet. Derrick, Robert, and Andrew all stopped talking and laughing, each trying to avoid my gaze.

"Come on mates, don't be such gits. Just tell me." I was starting to get annoyed. Was the news really that bad?
"Ced…it's uh…it's Adrianna Summers."

They were right. The news really was that bad.

Don't get me wrong, I truly admire Dumbledore; he's a great headmaster. But his welcome speeches are beginning to bore me. I mean, it's the same thing year after year. Sorting time, I thought to myself as I eyed the tiny first years that nervously made their way to the front of the Great Hall. I caught sight of Cho at the Ravenclaw table. She sent me her usual stunning smile. It takes my breath away every time. However, it was the person next to her that caught my eye.

Is that…it can't be. She doesn't even look the same! I felt like I was on the brink of insanity right there and then. But, it was her eyes that confirmed it all. That intense shade of green and hazel. Everything else clicked into place. Those long lashes. That perfectly tanned skin. Those full lips. That long, wavy, dark brown hair. It was as if Cho didn't even exist anymore. No Cedric, get a hold of yourself! Who's the girl that's loved you faithfully for the past three years? Who's been through it all with you? Who do you know you love? Cho was the only girl my responses gave rise to.

I smiled at my rationalizing the situation. My thoughts were only slightly stirred when she looked up and saw me looking directly at her. Shit, really? Do I really need this now? She looked stunned, as if she were looking at a ghost, but there was something else in her eyes. It took me a while to figure out what it was: a burning fire of both sadness and anger.

"Hey," I recognized that sweet, angelic voice anywhere.

"Hey, I got worried when I didn't see you on the train…" I let my voice trail off, hoping she'd catch on. I mentally slapped myself. It's the amazing Cho Chang, of course she'd catch on!

"Yeah, I know…but…," she seemed hesitant to continue. "It's Anna, Cedric. She's back for seventh year." I saw it coming, but I couldn't bring myself to tell Cho that I aimlessly stared at an old friend for more than five minutes. I know Cho, and it wouldn't turn out pretty.

"Oh, well, that's good news, I guess. I hope you guys enjoyed each other's company, yeah?"

"We did! It was so great seeing her again! Well, I best be heading off to bed now. It's so nice seeing you again. I missed you so much," she said sadly and I could already see the tears starting to prick at the corners of her eyes.

I lifted her chin with my right hand, forcing her to look up at me. I wiped away some of the fallen tears with my other hand. "We're together again, are we not? We're going to make it another memorable year. Promise. I love you," I said before capturing her lips in a light kiss.

"I love you too, Cedric. Goodnight." She walked off quietly down the corridor towards the Ravenclaw quarters. I could still hear her subtle sniffling as her footsteps became fainter and fainter. Strangely enough, I heard another set of footsteps coming from the opposite direction. I expected it to be either Filch or a professor, but my breath nearly hitched in my throat when she came closer.

"Cho? Is that you? You really should be heading back to the…" she stopped mid-sentence when she saw who it actually was. She stared at me, no, glared at me with eyes that could kill, literally.

I waited a few seconds to respond, quite unsure of what to say. "She actually just left." Why was I talking?

"Great, bye." She immediately turned on her heel, already following the direction Cho went. Something inside me made me open my mouth. "Wait," I jogged to catch up to her accelerating pace. "Wait, Anna!" I shouted her name and she stopped dead in her tracks. I was momentarily scared, unsure of what would happen, especially at night in Hogwarts.

"What the hell do you want Cedric Diggory?!" she snarled at me, those intense eyes burning holes in mine.

"I just wanted to welcome you back…" I sounded pathetic.

"Ha," it was a harsh laugh. "Why? Was fourth year not enough satisfaction for you? I'll have you know that I've come a long way, a very long way since then, Diggory. I also see you and Cho have come an even longer way." She practically spat the last part with such venom it made me shudder to the core. I looked at her and saw that her expression had somewhat softened to the Anna I knew. "I didn't come back here because of what happened. I didn't come here to ridicule the past. I came back here to have a future."

"Anna-," I pleaded.

"Adrianna," she abruptly corrected me.

"Yes, well, please just listen to me..."

"I'm tired of being hurt, of being apologized to over and over again. You're the last person I need this from. I'm not asking for any explanation, I'm asking for you to leave me alone." With that, she took her leave, disappearing into the depths of the castle.

I know you're probably wondering what happened during fourth year... it shall be revealed later! Also, I want to inform you that the relationship between Cedric and Anna will start off rocky, extremely rocky. It will take some time to develop, but I have huge plans for this fanfic. Please read and review!