Chapter Six: There's A First Time for Everything

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

Cedric P.O.V.

It was probably one of the hardest things to do, containing my laughter as Anna and I cleaned up the mess we made in Potions. I could see Anna chuckling to herself the whole time, and it helped deplete the guilt I originally felt. It wasn't awkward anymore. It was like Anna was slowly starting to come around. Don't get ahead of yourself, Cedric. Don't have such high expectations. It's true. I was always one to expect so much, whether or not I was or wasn't let down in the end. But either way, I was happy that Anna wasn't being so hostile towards me, even if it was just for one class.

Thank Merlin Snape was giving us another chance to brew the potion! I'd feel even worse if Anna's grade had to suffer due to my total idiocy. We finished cleaning the mess by the end of class. I saw Cho talking to Anna before leaving the classroom. I got jealous for a second. Not of Anna, but of Cho. How Cho could actually talk to Anna, how Anna appreciated having Cho in her life, how Cho was now Anna's best friend. Those were things I took for granted, things I might never be able to get back. I groaned in frustration and began putting my books back in my bag. When I looked up, I saw Cho standing right in front of me.

"Are you okay? I heard the explosion, but didn't quite expect it to come from your corner of the classroom," she giggled, but tried to remain serious, as if afraid I'd be offended.

"I'm fine, Cho, really. I'm more concerned about Anna. She didn't seem too happy."

She chuckled. "I'd be pretty upset, even if you are my boyfriend. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. She'll shrug it off like she always does." She smiled her sweet smile.

I was about to say something when I saw Anna walking towards the door. She glanced at me for a moment, as if pondering something, but then shook her head and left. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, so many things I wanted to say to her, mostly apologies. But if talking to her proved to be such a challenge, good luck trying to get in any sort of closure.

"Uh, Cedric? Are you alright there?" I almost forgot about Cho who probably thought I was going insane.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine…Look about the other night, I feel bad about you feeling bad that we didn't get to spend any time together over the summer." She starting giggling, probably because of my confusing word choice, but I kept going. "I want to make it up to you. So I'm taking you out to a day at Hogsmeade this Saturday, no matter how many times you protest." I said that last part because I knew she would.

"Cedric, no, you do too much for me already! I don't need to go to" but I cut her off by placing my lips on hers. They tasted like strawberries. It was the lip gloss she used. When we broke apart, her eyes fluttered open and she looked at me lovingly.

"Fine, I'll go with you. But only because I'd feel bad either way," she teased. Before leaving, she planted a small kiss on my cheek and said a quick 'I love you'.

I asked myself when I got so lucky. But the answer I came up with was not the one I expected it to be.

I was in the library that night finishing up a Transfiguration assignment. I still had about an hour or so left until the detention with Snape. I was writing the last sentence of the paper when I felt someone looking down at me at the table I was sitting at. "Mind if I sit here, Diggory?" I looked up to see Bryan Chase.

"Yeah sure mate. I'm just finishing a Transfiguration assignment."

"Oh, I just wanted to ask you something, but if you're busy…"

"No Bryan, it's alright. I'm literally on the last sentence."

"Oh okay…but I wanted to ask you about Anna." I froze suddenly. But I tried to hide my surprise.

"Yeah, sure, what's up?"

"I know you're dating Cho, but do you and Anna have some history or something?"

"No, why would you ask such a thing?"

"Well, I overheard you and Derrick talking about her on the train here and wondered if something was up…but I guess it was a misunderstanding. That clears things up…"

"Excuse me? What do you mean 'that clears things up?" I started to get annoyed with this bloke, especially when the person we were talking about is my best friend.

"I just wanted to make sure she wasn't dating anybody, if I had the green light to go and make my move if you know what I mean." He smirked at me. I could care less if Anna hated me, I still cared about her deeply. I was trying my best not to lash out at the guy, not to beat him up right then and there. That was Anna he was talking about!

"Look Bryan, you seem like a nice bloke. But don't try things like that. Everyone around here knows about your little 'To-Do List'. You've gone through more girls than Draco Malfoy has hair gel. Anna's a friend, and I don't want to see her get hurt because of something you did."

"Don't worry, I was just kidding!" he held up his hands in front of him, laughing. All I could do was raise an eyebrow at his immaturity. But there was something about this guy that made me doubt him…

"I trust you then. I have detention with Snape so I'll see you around, yeah?" I heard him mutter a quick 'Goodbye', and I bolted out of the library. I needed to get away from that guy! Not only did he creep me out, he made me worry for Anna. I didn't trust him around her. But hey, it's not like she would listen to me if I told her to watch her back.

I arrived at the Potions classroom early due to my… encounter with Bryan Chase in the library. Snape didn't look like he was expecting me to come early, but he told me what to do while he attended an important meeting with Dumbledore. Me and Anna alone for two hours…I just hope he knew what he was doing leaving us like that.

I picked up a broom and started sweeping the floor. I thought I heard footsteps but I ignored them. Snape probably just forgot to tell me something.

My heart jumped when I heard a familiar voice speak. "Where's Snape?" I didn't want to say anything, this clearly wasn't the time and place, but Anna looked angry. I could tell. Her lips were stuck out, her eyes were piercing, and her breathing was heavy. No matter how angry she was, she was still beautiful…don't get me wrong, Cho was beautiful in her own way, but Anna had something different. I always thought she was pretty when we were young. I was proud to call her my best friend. Then I remembered Bryan…gross, I could just imagine the "moves" he was planning to use on Anna. But there was no use in me trying to convince her he was a good person. She'd just ignore me.

"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." She looked down, really down. I wanted to say something to her the whole time we cleaned, but I knew she would just try to ignore me. I decided to keep quiet instead. I was beginning to feel like accepting defeat on the promise I made to make it up to her.

"So what, did someone cast a silence charm on you or something? Earlier you wouldn't shut up and now you refuse to talk?" I was more than surprised when she was the one to start the conversation.

"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." And I did. I felt more than bad, actually. It was probably because of me that she was angry before coming in.

"You're right. It was your fault." She was trying to be serious, but it just came out as funny. She was sarcastic a lot of the time. I laughed in spite of the tense atmosphere.

"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."

For a moment, it felt like she didn't hate me, like she was actually enjoying my company. The whole time we were cleaning, she was the old Anna—the one that didn't hate me. She acted like we were best friends again. I looked at detention a new way because of her…but that's just who Anna is. She makes you see things differently, with a new perspective.

We finished cleaning up the classroom early; the entire time was spent laughing and reliving the good old days. We chose to talk for the remainder of the two hours.

"Does your dad still hate me?" It was an honest question, though I knew Anna would take it in a humourous way.

"He hates all boys I talk to." We both laughed. It was true. Mr. Summers actually did hate every boy that associated with his daughter. But I guess if I had a daughter who attracted so many boys like Anna did, I'd have to develop some sort of hostility towards them.

"How's your mum doing? She still owns that bake shop?" Mrs. Summers was the best baker ever to live. It was Anna and I that persuaded her to open up her own bakery after we tasted her raisin bread and peanut butter cookies in second year. They were amazing! She had a hidden talent, that's for sure.

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

I laughed at what she said. "Oh please, you never watched what you ate! You eat like a pig!" I was dead serious. She knew I was right. Anna never watched her weight; she never tried to starve herself to become skinny. Sure, she was skinny, but it wasn't because of a diet.

"Shut up, Diggory! You're not exactly a role model of proper etiquette." She crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air. She always used to do that when we had debates about who the better Seeker was. Never did I give her the satisfaction of winning. I always put up a good fight. At that point, we started laughing. We both knew I was the more behaved one. Always have been, always will be.

It took us a while to catch our breaths. We hadn't laughed together like this since third year. After regaining my composure, I asked Anna another question. "How's your brother? Garrett, right?"

Something about this question set her off. She stopped laughing and then stared directly at the floor. Her eyes didn't move for some time. All of a sudden, she stood up and began walking towards the door. It's a good thing I saw or else she would've already been gone. I stood right in front of the door. I wasn't going to let her run away anymore.

"Move Cedric," she growled at me.

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

"I said move!" She tried pushing me out of the way. Good try, Anna. You're not that strong.

"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!" I yelled at her. We've never fought 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!" she shouted back as equally enraged.

"I know I was an arse, I don't need reminding, Anna. I'm not an idiot!" She needed to stop treating me like I was stupid. I know what I did! I've gotten over it, it's your turn.

"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!" I narrowed my eyes at her. I felt a tad guilty about the venom in my words, but I couldn't take it back.

"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!"

That, right there did it. I respect Anna, yes, but she had absolutely no right to call me those things. Did she know what being me was like? No, no she didn't. I tried to supress my anger, but it already reached its boiling point. "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 felt bad about calling her poetry book stupid. I knew how much she loved poetry, and to be honest, I even held a high regard for that poetry book. She would read them to me all the time. It's because of Anna and that book that I'm in love with "The Road Not Taken". It was the first one she read to me.

She didn't say anything for a bit, but her eyes began to water. Those beautiful green eyes, the eyes that spoke to me in a different language, were now flooded with tears. I was still breathing hard from my outburst, and I know my gaze still remained hard on Anna. I could tell she was scared of me; she was scared of me yelling, shouting, fighting with her. It was a side of me she'd never seen before.

It took a while for her voice to return, although it was shaky when it did. "You wanna know why I left in fourth year?" Oh no, not this again.

"What the hell, Anna? Did you not understand me before? I don't want to revisit the row we had!" And I really didn't. I meant what I said before. She needed to stop making me feel like shit.

"I'm not talking about the fucking fight, Cedric!" Her swearing was all that was needed to shut my mouth. I tried not to look afraid, so I kept my gaze hard. I never took my eyes off her. I let her speak.

"I didn't leave because of what happened between us…I left because Garrett died." My heart dropped inside. I did not see that coming. Garrett and I were friends. We weren't close, but I respected him. He was a genuine person, but most of all, he was a good brother to Anna. They had always been inseparable. For her to lose him…Now, I felt bad. I was about to apologize when she held up her hand to silence me.

"I'm not done, let me finish." I nodded my head and let her continue.

"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." She was crying like crazy now. She should be. I could feel myself wanting to join her, but I didn't. I didn't say anything, just kept silent. I never looked away from her eyes, the eyes that held truth.

She continued. "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." Please Anna, don't say that. Our friendship meant the world to me! I know I was a jerk, an arse, whatever you want to say. But don't accuse me of never caring. I wanted to say something, to hug her tight and tell her it wasn't her fault, to comfort her, to wipe away her tears. It pained me to see Anna like this. It pained me to see my best friend like this.

"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?" What she just said was like a slap in the face. A well-deserved one. She said she felt like a loser because I betrayed our friendship. I realized the part about our friendship, but I didn't know she felt like a loser. That was something I never, ever wanted anyone, especially Anna, to feel like. She was crying hard 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." That I didn't know. And why didn't I know? Because I didn't bother to talk to Anna. Now, I felt like killing myself. Between sobs, sniffles, and tears, Anna continued.

"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." So she changed because of me…I felt like throwing up. It made me sick to think that I was the one who caused Anna so much misery, so much torture. She was my best friend. Adding in the fact that her brother died made me want to vomit even more.

By the way she said the last part, I could tell she had no more to say. She said it all, every last bit of it. Ours eyes locked for a moment, as if she was hoping I would say something, anything. But I stayed quiet. I could feel tears beginning to prick at the corners of my eyes, but I was able to hold them back. I wanted to cry because of the how much I hurt her. I wanted to cry because she lost her brother. I wanted to cry because I betrayed our friendship. I wanted to cry because she changed herself. But I couldn't cry…I wouldn't. Not in front of Anna.

Anna could see it was done, neither of us needed to say anymore. She tried to push past me and I let her. It was useless trying to stop her. I watched her walk out of the classroom, my eyes trailing the floor she stepped on. To my surprise, they stopped and turned around. I looked up again when I saw her facing me. "I forgive, but I don't forget Cedric. Remember that." With that, she rushed off to the Ravenclaw Tower. I could hear her sobs and sniffles from a mile away. No matter how much I wanted to go after her, I stayed put. My feet were glued to the floor. I was still trying to take it all in when Professor Snape walked into the room. Perfect timing.

"Mr. Diggory, I just saw Miss Summers running through the halls, crying. Would you happen to know something about that?" he raised an eyebrow at me, as if he already knew the answer.

"We just…had a disagreement, Professor. Nothing of your concern, sir."

"It is of my concern when you were both supposed to spend a full 2 hours serving detention in my class." His nasal voice was both annoying and belittling.

"I apologize, Professor Snape. I should be thanking you for giving me and my partner another chance to brew the potion."

"Indeed. Look, Mr. Diggory, if you and your partner are incapable of working cooperatively together, I could always arrange for you to do your own separate assignments. I'm sure that will work to the benefit of you both."

I thought about it for a while. Potions class was probably the only chance I would get to talk to Anna. But it was clear that we wouldn't be talking for a while. I needed to make a fair decision on behalf of us both.

"We'd both appreciate that very much, Professor."

"Very well. I will give it to you both next week. You may leave now, Mr. Diggory."

"Goodnight, Professor Snape." He nodded and I left the Potions classroom.

It was only shortly after 8, but I wasn't in the mood to see or talk to anyone. My head was hurting; my mind was replaying the fight Anna and I had over and over again. I couldn't forget the look on her face, the tears in her eyes, the way her voice shook when she spoke. I suddenly felt dizzy, until I heard someone call my name.

"Cedric! Cedric, are you okay?" I instantly recognized it as Cho's voice. I felt her come up beside me.

"Yeah, I'm fine just…dizzy." I felt like I was losing my balance. The desire to throw up was returning.

"I'm taking you to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey needs to have a look at you." I felt her loop her arm through mine, supporting me. I didn't resist. I felt horrible. I generally didn't like going to the Hospital Wing, unless I really needed to, like for Quidditch injuries after a game. But this time, I felt worse than being hurt in a Quidditch game.

It took about half an hour to get to the Hospital Wing. Normally, it would've only taken a few, but I wasn't fully capable of walking independently. Poor Cho. She had to practically carry me from one end of the castle to another. And I towered over her in comparison! I felt really bad, especially because she was my girlfriend.

When we arrived at the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey wasted no time in telling Cho to get me on one of the beds. Cho gently placed me down, and seemed more than grateful to not have to lug me around anymore. Her and Madam Pomfrey said a few things to each other, then Madam Pomfrey left.

"She's just going to get some medicine. I can't stay, Ced, she won't let me. But I promise I'll come see you in the morning. I love you so much," she kissed my cheek lightly before leaving. I'd have to give her a proper "Thank You" when I built up enough strength. I groaned in pain. My head felt like it was on fire and my stomach felt like I got punched twenty times. I tried not to think of the fight, or the pain. But it was hard. It was hard to not think of how much you hurt the best thing that ever happened to you. Madam Pomfrey was gone, I was alone. I was alone. I let the tears fall, the tears that had been dying to fall since Anna left, since she came back, since our second fight. I never cried before in my life, but I guess there's a first time for everything.