Without You

Cedric Diggory

"Harry swears he didn't have anything to do with it," Autumn started, walking down the corridors with Hermione, "We have to believe him. No one else does."

Hermione nodded, "I understand that, but... It's going to take more than that to persuade Ron."

The girls stepped outside, catching a glimpse of Harry. He was walking towards Cedric.

"Is that Harry? What is he doing with Cedric?" Hermione asked.

Autumn looked around and noticed many students, especially Hufflepuffs, were wearing badges that read, "Harry stinks" or other insults like that. Checking the time, Autumn realised it was only half an hour until the time she promised to meet with Cedric at the library.

"Hermione, I'm going to study for a bit. I'll see you at lunch."

Walking off towards the library, Autumn decided to arrive earlier than she planned with Cedric. It could be hard finding a spot to study, since so many students were planning to study for their OWLs.

After a while, Cedric found Autumn in the library, reading a spell book. He sat on the seat beside her, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Did I make you wait too long?" he asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Autumn shook her head, "No. I just arrived..." she passed him a book, placing it in front of him, "I think the second chapter would be most important."

He read a bit of the page, looking up at her. "Defence against dark forces? Don't you think attacking would be more relevant for the Triwizard Tournament?"

Autumn shrugged, "I guess so. Try reading the third chapter, then."

Autumn then noticed a round, purple badge in Cedric's pocket. He caught her staring at it, and pulled it out.

"Do you know Harry Potter?"

It was one of the badges she saw those girls wearing. It was one of the badges that gave Harry a bad name, and said many terrible things about him.

"Of course, I know him. Harry is one of my best friends," she said, closing her books, "And if you have a problem with him, I'd rather find someone else to study with."

Before she could stand up and leave, he grabbed her wrist tightly, but gently. He shook his head, "It's not mine, Autumn, I swear. This badge was my friend's, and I took it from him so he wouldn't wear it. I promise, I had nothing to do with it. I tried to tell them not to wear it."

Autumn shook her head, pushing his hand away. "I'll just see you around."

* * *

"Did you and Harry get into a fight, Ron?" Autumn asked, sitting opposite of the red-haired boy.

He just shrugged, "I don't understand him at all, sometimes. I think there's something wrong with him, that's all."

Autumn looked around the Great Hall, eyes meeting with Cedric's. He looked sorry. He stood up from his seat, walking towards the Gryffindor House. Hermione noticed him coming, and nudged Autumn. Everyone's eyes were on him, now. Knowing what would have happened, Autumn walked out of the Great Hall, towards the girls' bathroom. She needed time to reflect to herself.

She leant over the sink, letting out a sigh. She took a deep breath, turning on the tap to wash her face. Autumn jumped at the sound of Moaning Myrtle's high-pitched voice, "There's a handsome boy waiting outside for you. I wouldn't let him wait, if I were you."

Letting out an annoyed sigh, Autumn stared at Myrtle. The girl annoyed her every time she used the bathroom, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She must have felt lonely, being here all by herself all the time. Hermione says that she was murdered in this bathroom after she was bullied by other students in the school.

Without saying anything to Myrtle, Autumn walked out of the bathroom, to be greeted by a worried Cedric.

"Look, I'm sorry if I upset you yesterday, but Autumn Rosewood, I swear what I said to you was completely true." he said, his eyes staring into hers.

"I got rid of all of it," he started, "You can look for yourself. No one in Hogwarts owns any of those badges anymore."

"And why would you do that?" Autumn asked, raising an eyebrow, "Why would you do that just for Harry Potter?"

"I did it for you," he admitted, "I didn't exactly enjoy seeing you so upset. And besides, Harry Potter is your friend. So, please. Would you forgive me?"

After a while, Autumn slowly nodded. "Of course."

"You know, Autumn Rosewood, you really do look pretty when you smile," he said, tucking her hair behind her ear, "I'd like to see that more often."

Autumn could feel her cheeks warming up. Whenever Cedric spoke, her heart happened to beat faster than usual. It was his special kind of ability.

"I was wondering if you were going with anyone to the Yule Ball," he suddenly said, "If you don't, I'd like to be the lucky man to take you."

Autumn hadn't actually considered going to the Yule Ball before now. She decided if no one was going to ask her, she'd sit it out. Cedric Diggory just asked her to the Yule Ball. That definitely changed her mind.

"I would be honoured to go with you, Cedric."

Cedric and Autumn headed back to the Great Hall, where their friends had been waiting for their return. Ron, Hermione and even Harry sat there with the most curious expressions plastered on their faces.

"What was that about?" Ron asked, "Anything you need to tell us, Autumn?"

She shook her head, "It's nothing, really." She picked up a corn cob, taking bites of it. It was obvious she was avoiding their questions, and definitely did not want to talk about it. It would have been awkward telling her friends she already had a date to the Yule Ball. It had only been a day since it was announced. Later in the evening, Autumn was going to meet with Cedric who promised her he'd help her improve her charms and spells. She did not want the three to know, since they'd be suspecting something going on between the two of them.

It was finally ten o'clock, the time many wizards were asleep after a long day. Cedric said to meet Autumn near the Room of Requirement, which was a secret room only known to little. Autumn had to swear not to tell anyone about the room, or the pair could get into serious trouble.

"You made it," Cedric says, stretching his arms. He looked tired for some reason. "Are you ready to start?"

Autumn nodded, pulling out her wand, pointing it towards the dummy. Cedric stood behind her, asking her to perform a number of different spells.

"Expelliarmus!"

"If you hold your wand more like this," Cedric was standing directly behind her, helping her with the way she was holding her wand. Although their bodies were close, neither of them were distracted from their purpose to practise.

"Expelliarmus!"

The dummy's wand fell onto the floor, bouncing off perfectly. Autumn turned to Cedric, smiling appreciatively at him.

"I've never done it so perfectly and easily before... Cedric, thank you."

Cedric returned the smile, stepping towards her. Autumn did not take one step back. Their faces were only inches apart. His hands had found its way around her waist. No matter how much Autumn wanted this to happen, it was all happening too fast for her. Something, deep inside of her, told her that this wasn't right. Before she could pull away from Cedric, what seemed like a gallon of water fell from the roof, drenching the pair.

Cedric grabbed his dry cloak from the chair, wrapping it around Autumn body. It was much colder than just average water. It seemed like ice water. Autumn looked up, noticing that a very large cauldron had been set up. Cedric followed her gaze, a frown forming on his face.

"I'll find who was responsible for this, and they'll be sorry."