Chapter Five: Forgiving and Forgetting

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

Anna P.O.V.

Stupid, stupid Anna! Why would you smirk at him? I kept scolding myself for smirking at Cedric that one morning at breakfast. He obviously thought we were on good terms now. Well, maybe not "good terms", but still. I remember feeling his eyes boring into me. He was staring at me the whole time I was eating. Creepy? I think so. But really, why should I care? Tons of people saw me eating, what makes Cedric different? Well, he is the only one who knows the pig I can be when it comes to food. I giggled at how disgusting I probably looked.

After leaving the Great Hall that morning, I heard someone call my name.

"Anna! Anna, hey wait up!" I turned around to see the seventh year Gryffindor I winked at earlier. It was Bryan Chase.

"Hey," I greeted him when he caught up to me. Just looking at him took my breath away. His golden, perfectly tousled hair, his piercing blue eyes that resembled the ocean, his muscular build, and best of all, his dazzling smile. I didn't think teeth could be that white!

"Hey! Welcome back! I never got the chance to formally say it."

"Yeah, don't worry though. You're one of many."

He laughed a glorious laugh. "They'd be crazy not to notice you."

I blushed. No matter how cheezy that line was, it sounded great leaving his mouth. "Thanks…so, you had a good summer?"

"Yeah, it was…interesting. My girlfriend broke up with me though."

"Well, if I may say so, she's the crazy one. I have no clue why anyone would want to break up with you." Oh Merlin! Did I really just blurt that out? The old me would've never said that. But hey, I can't take it back now.

He laughed again. I must be pretty funny. "You're cute, you know that Anna? Look, I have to go to class, but I'll catch up with you later, yeah?"

I blushed again. I probably looked like a tomato. "Yeah, for sure! See you later Bryan." He strode off to class, leaving me giggling like a little school girl. I'd have to tell Cho everything.

The next day, I went to the library to study for an upcoming Charms test. I don't even know why I was studying in the first place. Charms was one of my best classes. Studying was the last thing I needed to do. But I wasn't doing anything else, so I might as well guarantee that I got a perfect mark on the test.

"Anna, is…is that you?" I looked up from my book to see Bryan Chase's gorgeous face looking down at me.

"Oh hi, I didn't even see you. Please, sit!"

"Thanks," he pulled out an empty chair at the table I was sitting at. "What are you reading there?"

"Oh well, this is my poetry book. I finished studying for my Charms test on Tuesday, so I decided to read in the meantime."

He smiled that beautiful smile of his. "You just reminded me that I have a Transfiguration test that same day. Thank you." It was a genuine smile. "And poetry, huh? I was never really into that kind of stuff, but I'm open to anything. Read me one."

I chuckled. "You really want me to read you a poem? I don't think you'll enjoy it. You'll probably find it boring."

"Try me." He challenged me. My face sunk suddenly and I could tell he noticed it. I wasn't sad or anything, but I remembered how Cedric used to ask me to read him poems. I remembered the first time I read him a poem. He challenged me the same way Bryan was challenging me.

"Come on, Anna, just one! Please!"

"You're gonna laugh. I know you are. You'll think I'm boring."

"It's like you don't even know me. Of course I'm not going to laugh! I respect you, and anything you like. Please." He pouted his lower lip, something he knew I couldn't say no to.

"Fine. But you better keep your promise there, Diggory. Which one do you want?"

"I will. You can count on that. And hmm…read me your favourite one." He smiled the famous Cedric smile that could make anyone feel better.

I flipped through a few pages to find the one poem that meant so much to me. I smiled when I saw the familiar words. "It's called 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost. He's a famous Muggle poet."

Cedric looked at me with kind eyes, and I knew he was ready to listen.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

"That was absolutely beautiful, Anna. I don't know why you were so ashamed of it."

"Not ashamed, just…embarrassed. I thought you'd hate it."

"How could I? The only thing I hate is having to write this stupid Potions paper for Professor Snape."

I laughed. Cedric always knew how to lighten the mood.

"Uh, Anna?" I completely forgot that Bryan was looking at me all the while when I was having a momentary flash from the past. Great, he probably thinks I'm some sort of psychopathic freak.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I just…remembered something. You were saying?"

He chuckled lightly. "I was wondering if you could read a poem to me out of that book of yours." He flashed me a winning smile.

"Yes, of course I will. But before I do, promise me one thing."

He leaned a little closer and my heart starting beating uncontrollably. "Anything."

"Don't laugh or make fun. I just have a great love of poetry."

"Anna, I would never laugh. How could I laugh at someone like you?"

"Okay, I'll read you my favourite one."

I flipped through the pages and found THE poem. The one that I could never get tired of.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

He remained quiet for a while, as if thinking about something. I got a little nervous.

"Well, what did you think?"

"It was…interesting. I've never heard that one before."

"It's by a famous Muggle poet. But did you like it?"

"Yeah, it was very… poetic?" He laughed, and I did, too, but in truth, I didn't find what he said at all funny.

"Yes, well, it is a poem." I was afraid my tone was a bit too sarcastic or harsh for his liking.

"Indeed. Look, Anna, I was wondering if you wanted to… maybe… go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend. I've really wanted to ask you that ever since you came back, but you've always been so busy. What do you say?" He beamed at me. How could I refuse such a beautiful face?

"It sounds lovely, Bryan. Of course I'll go with you." I returned his smile.

"Great, this Saturday, yeah? I'll pick you up at the Ravenclaw tower." He sat up from the table and left. I couldn't help but sigh at what just happened. I just got asked out by Bryan Chase! He was perfect—good-looking, seventh year, Gryffindor, and a noble guy. I guess I don't know him that well, but that was sure to change, especially after our little date this coming Saturday. I couldn't wait!

That week's Potions class was…interesting. Ravenclaws shared Double Potions with Hufflepuffs. What a coincidence, right? Professor Snape informed us the previous class that we'd be brewing Amortentia, a love potion, and a powerful one at that. He also told us that we'd be working with partners. I don't have anything against Professor Snape, despite the fact that I think he isn't too fond of me, but I honestly hated how we always had to work in partners. Why? Did he not believe we were independent enough?

Snape asked for a volunteer to explain what the potion was. My hand immediately shot straight up in the air. I could care less if other people were annoyed with my "Ravenclaw-ness". I was proud of it.

""Well Professor, it's Amortentia, a love potion. Whoever smells it instantly smells the things they're most attracted to. For example, I smell…vanilla…cinnamon…and…" I was surprised by the last thing I smelled, for it reminded me of the past. I stole a quick glance at Cedric because I knew he would understand. "…and watermelon." I could tell without even looking at everyone in the room that nobody understood why I was attracted to that scent. Even Cho gave me a look that seemed to say, Honestly? Watermelon? I didn't dare look at Cedric again. I couldn't let myself become weak by thinking of the past.

Snape then awarded Ravenclaw ten points for my great answer. I didn't really have any doubts, though. I still nodded my head JUST to be respectful.

"And now, time to partner up for today's brewing of Amortentia. Remember, it's a very powerful potion, but considering that you are all seventh year students in two intelligent houses, I presume there will be no trouble. I will read off the list for the partners." Hold that a moment, he was picking the partners?! I didn't have a partner, and by the looks of it, Cedric and Cho were planning on being partners (of course, it was a love potion for Merlin's sake!), but you could tell everyone was disappointed. Snape seemed to enjoy seeing everyone's misery.

"Smith and Cartwright, LaDrue and Roberts, Chang and Aidan, Summers and Diggory…" Shit. Did Snape really just put us together to do this assignment? I saw Cedric's face, and by the look of it, he wasn't thrilled. You need a good mark in Potions, Anna. It's just an assignment, you can handle it. I was right, it was just an assignment. I could do it. I'd promise to try to act nice not for Cedric, but for myself. After all, I truly did need to bring up my grade in Potions.

It looked as though Cedric wasn't going to move, so I took the initiative and made my way towards him. "Hey," I tried to sound as emotionless as possible. I wasn't use to talking like this. By the look on Cedric's face, I could tell he wasn't used to me talking like this either.

"Hi. Here, sit down," Typical, polite Cedric. I wanted to smile, but didn't. It wouldn't feel right. He moved out the empty seat next to him and motioned for me to sit down. I accepted the kind gesture.

"Thanks." I immediately started flipping through the textbook to see what ingredients we needed. "So we'll need some Ashwinder eggs, rose thorns..."

I didn't get to finish because Cedric cut me off. "Wait, no 'How's it going?' or anything like that?" Did he really think this was the time to socialize?

"Do I really need to explain myself? The only reason I'm talking to you right now is because I just want my O and be done with it. Potions isn't my best class, Cedric." I was being dead serious. I enjoyed Potions, but it didn't like me, never did. We couldn't waste any time in brewing the potion.

Surprisingly, he laughed at what I said. Seriously, was I that funny? "I know, Anna. I remember."

This shocked me. I couldn't believe he would remember something so meaningless like that. To my surprise, I smirked. "Yes, well, I suggest we start brewing this potion."

"Right." He smiled at me. I don't know why, but I found myself staring at his smile. It wasn't perfect like Bryan's, but it held truth. I remembered all the times that smile made me feel like I was the most important person in the world—the times I felt stressed because of school, the times I got into fights with Cho, the times I had a frustrating Quidditch practice. That smile gave me reason to smile. The corners of my mouth were about to lift, when a voice inside my head pulled me out of my trance. Anna, what the hell are you doing? Snap out of it and start brewing the potion already!

Right, right. I shook my head and headed to the supply closet to start getting the ingredients we needed. I whispered to myself all the while. That was another old habit of mine. I could feel Cedric's eyes on my back. I pretended not to notice and kept concentrated on what I was doing.

The whole time we were brewing the potion, Cedric kept trying to make conversation with me. I knew what he was doing. It was more than obvious. But I didn't give him the satisfaction. Instead, I gave him the shortest, bluntest, most unexpressive responses I could conjure. After a while, I started to feel bad for him. Even though I hated him now, he was my best friend. Ironic how we used to be inseparable, but now we can't even have a normal conversation.

"So, you're getting used to things again here?"

"Yes."

"You enjoying your classes?"

"Yup."

"Trying out for Quidditch?"

"Plan to."

"Anna, stop. Stop!" He raised his voice slightly, and grabbed the hand that I was using to crush the rose thorns. I shivered a little at the sudden contact. Nevertheless, I looked him straight in the eye. I promised myself I would act polite for this class. "Come on, can we not act civil for one class?" Was he actually accusing me of not acting civil? You know how hard it is to be civil towards the person that made your past hell?

"I am being civil. I don't know what you're talking about. You're asking questions and I'm responding. Isn't that how it goes?" I was being honest. I was actually trying my best to be nice to him. If it was going to get me my O, I would do anything.

"Technically, you're being civil. But you're not being the Anna I know." That, that was what pissed me off. The Anna I know? You DON'T know me! I've changed because of YOU!

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I slammed down the knife I was holding hard on the table. Thank Merlin nobody else noticed. That would've just made the situation ten times worse. I made sure to speak quietly so others wouldn't hear. "Stop playing games, Cedric. Did you even bother to get to know the real me? No, you were too busy worrying about everybody else, but me. I meant everything I said to you that day. I tried to be your best friend. But you obviously didn't think I was good enough. You pushed me away. Remember?" I didn't regret anything I said, especially after seeing that guilt was clear on his face. He needed to hear he truth.

"Anna, if you would just let me in!" No, he wasn't getting another chance. No way was I going to take that risk.

"It's Adrianna, and you give me no reason to. Now can we please finish this potion so I can get my O and be done with it!" I wouldn't let him call me by my nickname. He didn't deserve that.

"Fine." Finally, you agree with me. He was always so stubborn. I went on to work on the Ashwinder eggs, but I caught sight of Cedric throwing a handful of rose thorns into the potion. Oh no. That wasn't a good thing.

"Cedric, no!" That was the only thing I could say before the thing exploded. Suddenly, I smelt the distinct smell of burning and I felt the potion splatter all over me. I was livid! Everyone was looking, I was covered in this pink shit, and we would probably get some sort of punishment! It wasn't even my fault! Now you see why I hate working with partners.

"Mr. Diggory, Miss Summers! You will stay after class to clean this mess up! Both of you, detention in my office tonight at 6 o'clock." Detention? You've got to be kidding me Snape!

"But professor, I have assignment to complete, essays to write, I don't have time for detention!" It was true. I actually did have tons of homework and tests to study for. Thanks Cedric fucking Diggory.

"I simply do not care, Miss Summers. Clearly, you and your partner need some extra help in my class. I'm afraid I will not take excuses." Snape then turned around to help someone else. I glared at Cedric who started laughing. He thought it was funny. Actually, I thought it was pretty funny, too. The explosion, the gunk that was now covering Cedric and I, the look on Snape's face. I could feel myself giving in to the desire of wanting to die of laughter. I regained my composure, I was in front of Cedric after all. I decided to turn around and start cleaning the mess. I wasn't sure how long I could keep a straight face without looking at Cedric's, which still held the trace of laughter. I began wiping the counter, but found myself chuckling while I was. I was positive Cedric could see me. I could just picture him smiling. The rest of the class consisted of the two of us working separately to clean the mess while secretly laughing to ourselves.

At the end of class, we were done cleaning the mess. Thank Merlin Snape agreed to give us another chance to brew the potion. He told us we'd be able to brew it again next week. Cho came up to me before leaving the classroom.

"Anna, are you okay? I got scared when I saw you and Ced covered in pink goo."

I laughed. "I'm fine Cho. No harm, no foul. I just need a good shower."

"Yes, yes you do." We laughed together. That ended quickly when she saw Cedric who just finished putting his books bag in his bag.

"I'll see you at dinner Anna." With a sweet smile, she went to go greet her boyfriend. Now, it's definitely time to leave. I made for a quick exit out of the room. I could feel Cedric's eyes on me as I walked out. We exchanged glances before I left.

Maybe it's time to forgive him. Was I going crazy? I could never forgive him after the torture he caused me! I can't believe that I'm actually considering mending our broken friendship. Just because we managed to survive Potions class together doesn't mean we're suddenly best friends again. Having a friendship like we did takes time to build, especially after all that happened.

That night at dinner, I told Cho all about how Bryan Chase asked me out to Hogsmeade the coming Saturday. She was just as giddy as I was.

"Really?! Anna, that's great!"

"I know, I'm so excited!"

"Did you tell Cedric yet?" I stopped giggling then. Why did she think I would tell Cedric? She knows that we're not close anymore.

"No, of course not."

"I've been thinking. I think you guys should just get over it whatever happened in fourth year. I mean, you're both more mature now. I was able to get over whatever went on, and now look at us! We're best friends again! I feel like you and him should do the same."

I took my fork and stabbed my steak forcefully. How dare she think that it was that easy! She didn't even know what happened! I stood up instantly, pushing my plate away, not caring if I spilled someone's pumpkin juice. "I can't believe you're defending him! You don't even know what happened between us. How could you possibly have an opinion about it? Honestly! I have detention to attend to because of your "perfect boyfriend". Night Cho." I stormed off, out of the Great Hall, still fuming inside.

When I reached the Potions classroom, Cedric was already there sweeping the floor. I didn't see Snape, though.

"Where's Snape?" I asked him. He was startled by my sudden presence. He obviously didn't hear me come in.

"He said he had to attend an important meeting with Dumbledore. We're supposed to clean the classroom. That's all he said."

"Alright."

"If you want, you can get to work washing the blackboard. I'm almost done sweeping the floor, but I'll help you when I'm finished."

"Okay." It was best that we worked in separate areas of the room. Silence was most appreciated, too.

To my great surprise, he didn't try to make conversation with me. He didn't say one thing the whole time. It started to make me feel bad. Did my outburst earlier in Potions scare him? I know I shouldn't care, but I couldn't help but feel guilty.

"So what, did someone cast a silence charm on you or something? Earlier you wouldn't shut up and now you refuse to talk?"

"It's not that, Anna. It's just that I feel bad that you have to be here right now. It was my entire fault and I'm sorry."

"You're right. It was your fault."

He chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh myself. I felt like I was under some sort of spell. Why was I not being hostile towards him?

"Still same funny Anna."

"Never considered myself funny."

"I always did."

"I guess, you were always laughing at me when I would get frustrated over Potions."

"It was funny. I couldn't help myself."

The rest of the two-hour detention was full of laughter and reminiscing old times. It was like it was Cedric and Anna, the dynamic duo, from third year. We finished cleaning the classroom early and decided to spend the rest of the time just talking.

"Does your dad still hate me?"

"He hates all boys I talk to." We both laughed at this.

"How's your mum doing? She still owns that bake shop?"

"Yup, always baking cakes and cookies. It's because of her that I have to watch what I eat."

He laughed at my joke. "Oh please, you never watched what you ate! You eat like a pig!"

"Shut up, Diggory! You're not exactly a role model of proper etiquette." I crossed my arms and stuck my nose high in the air. He died of laughter at that point. We both knew he was always the more behaved one.

After a while of trying to catch our breaths from our hysterical laughter, he asked me another question. "How's your brother? Garrett, right?"

I instantly stopped laughing. My eyes landed on the floor and stayed there for a while. He didn't know. Well of course he wouldn't, he was the one who pushed me away! Then, I had an epiphany: What the hell was I doing? I was enjoying my time with Cedric, the person that betrayed our friendship, ditched me for popularity, made me vow to change myself! I stood up, and made my way towards the door, but Cedric caught on and stood in front of the door. Oh no, I wasn't about to let him get in my way anymore.

"Move Cedric," I spat at him.

"What's wrong Anna? We were just having fun. What happened?"

"I said move!" I tried to push him out of the way, he was way too strong and stood still.

"Tell me, Anna! I'm tired of you avoiding the real matter. Let's just say it: I screwed up! I was the one who left you! You don't need to remind me anymore of it. I know that's the reason why you left in fourth year! I don't need you making me feel worse about it!" he was now yelling at me. I shuddered at his raised voice. Cedric and I never had full-fledged fights like this before.

"That's not the reason why I left! And for your information, yes, you did screw up! You screwed up big time! I'm not trying to make you feel bad, I'm trying to get you to see what an arse you were!" I engaged in the shouting, too.

"I know I was an arse, I don't need reminding, Anna. I'm not an idiot!"

"You sure acted like one! You acted like…like…a coward. You acted like a jerk, a big one!"

"Continue to go on? Because you're sure on a roll!" he narrowed his eyes at me.

I wasn't about to let him take the victory. "You're Cedric Diggory, Golden Boy, but you acted like anything but golden to me in fourth year. You made me feel like a loser, so that's what I became. You were a selfish, arrogant, cocky git that didn't give two shits about our friendship! It meant nothing to you!"

"You're right, I didn't make an effort to talk to you, I'll admit that. But it's not like you made any effort either! No, you hid behind that stupid poetry book instead! And don't you dare call me those things. You don't even know how hard it is have a large amount of pressure on you. I told you how I felt about it! I thought that you, being my best friend, would understand! I was clearly wrong!" I flinched at his raising voice. Seeing Cedric shouting, yelling, angry like this was a first-time sight for me.

I didn't know what to say after that. I know he insulted me, I know he called my precious book stupid. But what got me was when he said that he actually cared about our friendship. He actually cared about me. He still thought I was his best friend. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I wasn't going to let any fall.

We both stayed quiet for a long time. Cedric was still breathing heavily from his outburst, cheeks still flaming red, eyebrows still furrowed, and eyes still focussed on me. My confidence came back, and I finally built up the courage to say something.

"You wanna know why I left in fourth year?" I could feel my voice getting shaky.

"What the hell, Anna? Did you not understand me before? I don't want to revisit the row we had!"

"I'm not talking about the fucking fight, Cedric!" When I saw some fear in his eyes when I swore and yelled, I knew I had him. I knew this was the moment when I would tell him the truth.

"I didn't leave because of what happened between us…I left because Garrett died." Cedric was about to open his mouth, but I held up my hand. "I'm not done, let me finish." At that, he closed his mouth and nodded his head. I continued. "At the beginning of fourth year, my parents sent me a letter as per usual, except this letter was different. In that letter, my parents explained to me that Garrett was sick with a disease…a terminal disease. You know how close we were, that was clear. After receiving that letter, I realized that he wouldn't live forever, that his days were numbered. I didn't know what else to do. So I blocked myself off from the world." I tried hard not to break down. It got to the point where I didn't even care if the tears were already falling freely down my face. I couldn't tell what Cedric was thinking. His eyes were still glued on me, never shifting from their hard gaze.

"I decided that the world was a bad place, that it hated me. That's why I stopped talking to you and Cho. That's why I stopped attending classes. That's why my grades suffered. And that's why I turned to poetry. I hid behind my poetry book because I thought it could shield me from the world of shit around me. Cho at least tried to ask what was wrong. But you…you didn't do anything. It's like you didn't even care. I could've died and you wouldn't have noticed. You were too busy dissecting every last bit of attention you could get. I wondered if our friendship ever even meant anything to you." He kept quiet the whole time, I was glad he was letting me speak my mind. I could tell he was thinking, but other than that, nothing.

"That day you stole my book, I felt like such a loser. Not because I was being publicly humiliated in front of a group of boys, not because I was crying over something as little as a poetry book, but because you, Cedric Diggory, my best friend for four years decided to betray me. And for what? For popularity. That was like a slap in the face, you know that?" The tears were falling uncontrollably now. "To see your 'best friend' making fun of you, laughing at you, not standing up for you. And you wanna know the reason why that book meant so much to me? That book was a present from Garrett on my eleventh birthday. It was the last thing I had to remember him by. I kept it with me wherever I went because I felt like he was always with me, even though he wasn't." I sniffled and sobbed, but wiped my face with the sleeve of my sweater. "The day of Garrett's funeral, I made a promise. I vowed that I wouldn't let anybody take the upper hand on me. I vowed I wouldn't let the past ruin my future. I vowed that I would change anything and everything I could about me to make a person that wasn't weak. And that's why I came back; I came back to prove to you that you couldn't do something like what you did in fourth year and just get away with it. I came back to start fresh, not be the 'loser girl' in Ravenclaw."

I said the last part with finality to let him know that I meant each and every word. He never took his eyes off me the whole time I spoke, but the look in his eyes, I couldn't identify it. I did, however, see those blue-grey orbs begin to turn slightly glassy. I didn't say anything, though. It wasn't the right time to be critiquing. I decided I had no more to say, and I didn't. I let it all out right there, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Cedric was still standing in front of the door, but when I tried to push past him, he stood aside and let me. I was just outside the classroom door when I turned around to face him again. His eyes were lowered, but he looked up again when he saw I turned around. "I forgive, but I don't forget Cedric. Remember that." And I walked towards the Ravenclaw tower as quickly and quietly as I could.

There's Chapter 5! Hope you all liked it! Just to let you guys know, about the whole Tri-Wizard Tournament, that will come later on. I just feel that I need to build up my characters a bit more before throwing in something that huge. Please read and review!