when the time comes

remember

His back arches as the wind picks up, just like his confusion. Strong, fast and overwhelming. Too much is happening and his mouth falls open.

"Be a good boy now. This is the only thing you are good for."

It sends a jolt of disgust and pain through his body. He thinks he screamed but isn't certain. His mind disassociates as a fog covers his coherent thoughts. Grey eyes cloud over with a sheen of new tears, becoming dull with the seemingly endless hopelessness.

He's left panting, dirty and absolutely revolted by himself. His body aches all over, sore and raw. But most notably it's bare, he is bare, just like the day he was born. But a person isn't born filthy or disgusting... Blood oozes out of freshly torn wounds. A black eye present and a blistered lip. He can't move... Can't do anything... Cedric is and will always be utterly hopeless. He can't face Harry like this he thinks as shame takes over his bare body. Clothes discarded to the side in a heap. The wind is still there. The room smells terrible and Cedric feels absolutely disgusted. His head faces the ground as all the contents in his stomach spill out of him. His stomach twists and knots, he whimpers pathetically. That's what he is...pathetic and useless. He's a Hufflepuff and Hufflepuffs are unremarkable and they always will be.

His mind turns blank and he falls to the ground exhausted and utterly hopeless. This is a new low...emotions keep beating down on him as he loses the last bit of conscience he's been grasping and clinging onto.

...

Cedric dully grasps the letter brought by Hedwig, Harry's snowy owl. Harry hasn't given up with the letters, but Cedric can't send any back. Somehow they all disappear as soon as he ties them to any owl. It's frustrating but Cedric can't bother with such emotion. He doesn't care anymore or at least that's what he pretends not to do.

He carefully opens the neat letter and as his eyes scan through the contents his mouth starts gaping and his eyes widen in fear.

Dearest Cedric,

I'm expecting an explanation for your prolonged silence the next time we see each other. I don't know why the notebook isn't working or the telepathic connection, but I hope you are well.

But this isn't why I'm writing you this letter, at least not fully. In any case, I cast magic with my wand fending off Dementors at little Winging. I also have a terrible feeling that the ritual in June did not go as smoothly as I had hoped.

So, as I was saying, the ministry send a letter of expulsion first and then a suspension from Hogwarts. My hearing at the ministry will be on the 12th of August. In roughly four days some Aurors will come to my house and take me to 12 Grimmauld place in London.

I truly hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Harry

Ps. If your silence has something to do with your father I want to hear all the details. Cedric, I wish I could be there with you and get rid of all your worries. I love you and I always will, but I'm sick with worry over here. Just remember that you aren't alone.

Tears stain the white parchment. Cedric clutches the heartfelt letter close to his heart. He shouldn't think the way he has the past few days. Just remembering has him reeling and ready to vomit. He was so sore after that, so filthy, so scared and disgusting. He wants to hate...but with his empathy it's been getting harder and harder to do. He has too much love locked inside of him just waiting to come out.

Harry's hearing is soon. Cedric has to be there! Sitting, still hurts like hell but if it's for Harry, he will do anything. Maybe he can somehow convince his father to let him come along, using some form of favourable positivity for the Diggory image.