Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except Chloe and anything else you don't recognize.
Alright, the poll results are in and everyone who voted said Cedric should live, so he does. So thank you all for your reviews and voting on the poll and enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 24:
A Promise Kept
He started towards the cup without me. I thought we were supposed to grab the cup together! I headed after him, thinking I could catch up. Turns out I couldn't and he grabbed the cup and disappeared. Was that part of the task?
Chloe POV:
Fleur and Krum had been pulled from the maze leaving only two more people in there; Cedric and Harry. I hoped they came out soon. I was getting really anxious. I kept looking into the sky for red sparks.
"Chloe, would you please calm down?" Emma begged.
"No, I'm worried." I replied.
"Well, stop worrying. He's going to be fine." I rolled my eyes. She wouldn't understand. She had a mere crush. I was in love. So, so in love. Emma sighed. "Oh, Chloe," she put her arm around me. "Do you think Cedric would want you worrying about him as much as you are?"
"Maybe," couldn't help it. Emma chuckled.
"And I'm supposed to be the annoying one,"
"You are," I mumbled. It was then that red sparks shot into the air and big black hole formed in the pit of my stomach. Could it be Cedric? Please let it be him, please let it be him. I shot a hopeful look to Emma before standing up and looking to the maze, praying that it was him who would be led out and not Harry. I could hear my own heart beat as I eyed the exit of the maze. Please be Cedric!
I stood there waiting anxiously for what seemed like hours before there was finally some movement. My breath caught in my throat. Was it Cedric? Please let it be him. I stood there, wringing my hands nervously as someone stepped out of the maze. It was Cedric! I let out the breath I had been holding. He was alive and well. I ran down to meet him. I didn't have to call to him. He ran up to me and took me in his arms.
"I was so worried," I said. I felt close to tears and I had no idea why.
"It's okay, I'm here now. I'm never going to leave you." He promised, holding me tighter. Before I could stop myself, I was crying. Why am I crying? Probably because I was so worried. He could apparently tell I was crying because he pulled away and looked at my face.
"Why are you crying?" He asked.
"I was just so worried. I was afraid you wouldn't make it out." I answered. He held my face in his hands.
"Chloe, I made you a promise," he said, wiping away my tears with his thumb. "I wasn't about to break that promise. I love you Chloe and I'm never ever going to leave you," he continued. "Promise," I smiled at him. I knew he meant it, I could see it in his eyes. The tears stopped, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. I must've taken him by surprise because he did seem surprised at first but he did wrap his arms securely around me and kissed me back.
We went back to the Team Diggory section. The only seat left was mine so I was sitting on Cedric's lap. Harry still hadn't come back. Now I was starting to get worried about Harry.
"Cedric,"
"Yes?"
"Do you know what happened to Harry?" There was a moment of silence before he answered.
"I don't know, we were supposed to grab the cup together and he ran ahead of me and disappeared when he grabbed the cup." I looked up at him, confused.
"Is that part of the task?" I asked.
"That's what I was wondering," he replied. I couldn't help but chuckle as I rested my head on his shoulder. But I was still worried about the young fourth year. He could be dead! He's only fourteen! He could be dead!
It was at that moment that Harry appeared in the field below with the cup. Cheers rose in the air and the music started again. Dumbledore rushed down to the boy who looked like he had just woken from a nightmare. He immediately started raving, saying things like, 'he's back! He's come back,' no one needed to ask who he was taking about. Who-Know-Who had come back. The music stopped and murmurs spread through the stands. Cedric's hold on me tightened and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The staff tried to calm the students down but the chatter just grew louder. Dumbledore finally stepped up.
"Silence!" He yelled, projecting his voice with his wand again. "Calm down," everyone quieted and calmed down. "Now, seeing as it's the end of the final task, you may all head back to the school and get some sleep." He said. I let my eyes wander to the place where Harry should've been and saw that he was gone. And so was Moody. Dumbledore turned and saw that Harry was gone. He didn't go into complete panic mode, he just sent us all on our way, gathered Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape and walked out of the arena.
Back at the Hufflepuff Common Room:
Cedric and I sat in the common room after Amos had stopped by. Everyone had already gone to bed, giving me and Cedric some alone time. We were just sitting in each other's arms on the couch, watching the flames dance. I was just enjoying sitting in his arms, in my safe protective little bubble. No news had reached my ears on whether they had found Harry or not. I was worried about him, despite the fact I barely knew him! I'm sure I wasn't the only one worrying about him.
I let out a yawn as I burrowed my face in Cedric's chest.
"Tired?" Cedric asked, sounding somewhat amused.
"A little," I answered. He chuckled and picked me up. "Cedric!" I squealed as he headed to the girls' dorm.
"Its bed time," was all he said.
"But I'm not tired," I argued. I was lying, I think it was obvious. I was exhausted, but I just wasn't ready for bed. I was enjoying the moment Cedric and I were sharing.
"Uh-huh, sure your not," I couldn't argue, it's pretty much a lost cause already. Cedric rushed me into the girls' dorm and laid me down on my bed. He planted a light kiss on my lips.
"Good night beautiful," he said. I couldn't help but smile at being called beautiful.
"Good night handsome," I replied, just to humor him. Even though it was true, he was very handsome. He chuckled as he walked out of the room.
"Cedric," I called after him. He turned to face me.
"Yes?"
"I love you so, so much," I said. He smiled.
"I love you more," and he walked out of the room, leaving us to our sleeping. I smiled as I pulled the covers over myself. I was so relieved that he made it out okay. I wouldn't be able it live without him. I closed my eyes, a smile on my face, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Alright, I meant to make this longer but it just didn't end up that way. Anyways, there will be one more chapter and then the story will be over. But, I will write a sequel cause I just can't leave Cedric and Chloe alone. They're my favorite couple that I've written so far. There will also be a one-shot in which Cedric dies, thank you Sporkface for the idea. It really intrigued me. And now, because I do like writing cliffies, here is a preview from the next chapter;
"So, are we going to go onto year 8?" I asked as Cedric and I walked around the courtyard.
"I'm planning on it," he answered, smiling. I couldn't help but smile.
"I certainly hope you do," I said.
"But I thought my staring annoyed you,"
"Changed my mind," he laughed. We walked in silence for a few more minutes.
"Chloe," Cedric said as he stopped. I turned to face him.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"No, nothings wrong," he answered.
"Then what is it?"
"I just have something I want to ask you,"
And I'm going to leave you there. The faster you review, the sooner chapter 25 will be up and the sooner you'll be able to see what he asks here so hurry up and review!