Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except Chloe and anything else you don't recognize.
Okay, here's chapter nine. Sorry it took me so long to put it up but here it is so enjoy!
Chapter 9:
Hero
The fresh air was defiantly something needed. My head had cleared and I decided that I needed to apologize to Cedric. It wasn't his fault that he had said what he said. I had provoked him so it was my fault, really. I had been grumpy today. I blamed Professor Moody. Don't you think that Dumbledore could've gotten someone better then him? Oh well, beggars can't be choosers. Besides, if things keep going the way they had for the past three years-since Mr. Potter had graced us with his presence-then he wouldn't be returning next year.
I heard something snap behind me. I spun around, waving my wand around and spreading the light. There was nothing. Maybe it was just me stepping on a twig. I continued my walk. No sooner had I done that when I heard light footsteps on the grass behind me. I whirled around again, nothing. But I was still scared. Someone was following me, I just knew it. Maybe now was a good time to talk to Cedric. That didn't sound half bad at the moment. I turned and ran right into Marcus Flint. He had a creepy smile on his face and an evil glint in his eye. I knew what he wanted. My breath was caught in my throat. I took an involuntary step back. He stepped toward me, his smile growing. I gulped before opening my mouth to speak.
"Wh-what do you want Marcus?" My voice was barley audible. His smile grew. Chills ran through my body. Not good chills though.
"Oh, I think you know," he said as he pulled out his wand. I whimpered in fear and clutched my wand tighter. He opened his mouth and raised his wand. I knew what he was doing, he was going to do a spell that would hold me in place or silence me or something. I beat him to it.
"Stupefy!" I yelled. He flew backwards and landed on his butt. I took the opportunity to take off towards that school. If I could just get in the school, I would be safe. He wouldn't dare try it in there, especially since Filch would be making his rounds soon. I was almost there, just a few more strides…
"Ah!" I screamed as a hand clamped around my ankle and dragged me across the grass. I grabbed at the grass in a desperate attempt to get away but only managed to pull them out. I quickly called out the first name that came to my head; I could only hope that he would hear me.
"Cedric!"
Cedric POV:
I couldn't believe what I had said to Chloe! How could I have just lost my temper like that? The hurt in her eyes never left my mind, no matter how hard I tried. I sighed and sat down on one of the stone benches and buried my face in my hands. I silently cursed myself. I had been circling the courtyard for what seemed like hours. I didn't my 'friends' trying to tell me to forget about her. I couldn't forget her! She was probably the only one who wasn't worshipping at me feet. She was like a breath of fresh air after being locked in a stuffy broom closet all day.
I felt so guilty! After six years of trying to get to know this extraordinary girl, I blow it in one sentence. Smooth move, Cedric. What was shaping up to be a wonderful friendship had been totally ruined. I didn't blame any of this on Chloe, it wasn't her fault that I said what I did. It wasn't her fault that I had hurt her. True, she wouldn't listen to me and she was accusing me of something that I didn't do and yes, I was a little angry at her but the anger was drown by the overwhelming guilt. I closed my eyes for just a second. Chloe's hurt face was there to greet me behind my lids. I opened them quickly. This clearly wasn't helping. I sighed before standing up and heading back towards the nearest entrance to the school but something made me stop.
"Cedric!"
It sounded familiar. Could it be…?
"Cedric,"
Yes, yes it was! She sounded like she was in trouble. I took off in the direction of her voice, as fast as I could.
"Cedric," she sounded like she was crying. "Plea-" something cut her off and I found out that I could run much, much faster then I thought I could. I heard her muffled protests and knew I must be closer. I didn't even want to think of who was doing what to her. And that's when I saw him-Marcus Flint-, on top of her kissing her. Chloe, my Chloe. I was enraged. I gave a cry of anger as I ran at him, full speed, and pushed him off. I was much too angry to pull out my wand and just started punching him like Muggles did.
Chloe POV:
I was beginning to think that Cedric was unable to hear my pleas until I heard an enraged cry and the weight of Marcus's body on top of mine and his lips on mine disappeared. I let my eyes open and saw Cedric punching the hell outta Marcus, served him right. I sat up quickly and buttoned the buttons the managed to undo back up. I curled into a ball on the spot as I watched Cedric beat Marcus, tears still streaming down my face.
I had never seen Cedric so mad. It scared me a little, yet it made me feel safe. My tears didn't stop falling though. I was still scared from what had almost happened.
Cedric turned to me once he was finished with Marcus, who was lying bruised, beaten, bloody and unconscious on the grass. I looked up at Cedric, my face tear stained and the tears weren't stopping. He walked up to me and kneeled by my side. He was a little hesitant as he wrapped his arms around me, as if I would think he was trying to do what Marcus was trying to do. I shuddered at the thought before falling onto his chest. My sobs picked up. His arms wrapped around my tightly. He rubbed soothing circles on my back and whispered comforting words in my ear.
"It's going to be okay," he whispered. "I'm not going to let anyone touch you." I took comfort in his words but I was still scared. We sat there for a while.
"I think we better head back," Cedric said. I didn't do anything. I just sat there, in his arms; it felt right, sitting here in his arms as he soothed me. He suddenly picked me up. I didn't make a sound; I just wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest, sobs still ripping from my chest. I was only half aware of Cedric walking through the halls to the Hufflepuff dormitory. I heard him mutter the password and I knew we must've arrived. He walked into the common room. I didn't hear anything except the crackling of the fire. I took a peek. No one was there. Thank goodness, I don't think I could stand anyone watching us and possibly wolf-whistling as he walked across the room.
Cedric began walking towards the girls' dormitory. He didn't seem to want to put me down-not that I minded. I felt safe in his arms-so it he had some trouble opening the door but he managed. All the girls seemed to be asleep so they didn't notice us. And they didn't wake up, thank goodness. Cedric strode across the room to my bed. He attempted to put me down but I held onto him tighter.
"No!" I wailed. I didn't want to be left alone. I was too afraid to be alone. I needed someone to be with me, and not just any someone, Cedric.
"Do you…want me to stay with you?" He asked, seeming a little unsure. I nodded against his chest. "Okay," he laid me down on my bed and climbed in beside me, pulling the covers over both of us. I knew that Cedric wouldn't try anything funny. I trusted him. He held me tight as I continued crying.
Cedric POV:
I was still furious at Marcus. It took everything I had in me not to rip him limb from limb right on the stop. I couldn't do it in front Chloe, not when she was still so scared. I'd get him as soon as I could. He wouldn't know what hit him!
I held Chloe tight in my arms as she sobbed. I couldn't just leaver her like this, especially when she didn't want me to. I should've followed her when she walked out. I would've been able to protect her better.
I don't how long she had been crying but she finally spoke.
"Cedric," her voice was cracked and broken.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I'm sorry," she said. She was sorry?! It was even her fault!
"No, Chloe, I'm sorry." I said.
"But it was my fault," she insisted. "I wouldn't listen and I was accusing you of things you didn't do."
"But I still shouldn't have said what I did," I said.
"Let's just forgive each other and be done with it," she suggested.
"Deal," even though her face was still hidden in my chest and I couldn't see it, I could tell she was smiling. I was even grinning a little. "Now get some sleep, I think you'll need it." She nodded.
"Okay," she agreed. Silence, "one more thing Cedric,"
"What's that?"
"Thank you," I smiled a little.
"If you think I was just going to sit in the common room sulking then you were horribly mistaken." She chuckled a little. That was a good sign. She pulled away from my embrace but I kept my arms around her. She was smiling! Oh, how I loved that smile.
"So you followed me?" She asked. Yeah I wish, I only smiled back at her.
"Go to sleep Chloe,"
"Will you be here when I wake up?" Her smile had disappeared and the fear returned to her eyes.
"Of course," I promised. She looked unconvinced and scared. I cupped her face in my hands. "Chloe, I'm not going to let anyone touch you," she smiled, though there was still fear in her eyes.
"Promise?"
"Promise," she sighed in relief. Now she looked convinced. "Now, lets both you and me get some sleep," I suggested. She nodded before leaning her head against my chest. I wrapped my arms tightly around her again.
"Good night, Cedric,"
"Good night," I love you.
Alright, there was Chapter 9. There was some fluff and we got to see some stuff from Cedric's POV and how he feels about Chloe. So yeah, R&R!