Chapter Text
The light from within the goblet glowed ominously, it had radiated brightly with Viktor and Fleur however it shone impossibly brighter now than ever before as it reached towards the crowd consuming them in its warm yellow aura.
When the image of a small boy in a field popped up Harry felt his chest drop, breath rushing out in disbelief.
It was Cedric he thought, himself along with others stunned to see the lively boys face once again, as it he wasn’t even gone, as it nothing had happened.
He was stood in a field, it appeared to be a bright summer's day, they could feel the warmth from the sun heat their skin, sink into their bones. He could almost smell the grass, the flowers, feel the vibrant nature and life that buzzed around Cedric.
As Cedric walked through the field, weaving his fingers through the tall grass they got a closer look at the adorable child version of the man they knew, he had a sweet smile, probably around seven years old, giggling as he played.
Harry frowned at the peaceful sight, the memory was so different from Fleur and Krum’s darker ones, a welcome reprieve from the two brilliant but harrowing experiences of the other victors.
Harry didn’t know what to feel as he watched the young Cedric, so happy, such a full childhood he could sense the security, the love and absolute safety and comfort emanating from Cedric, so different from his, Viktor and Fleur’s childhood.
Although even Viktor and Fleur received love from one of their parents he reasoned, an absolute love they could trust in, the overwhelming sensation of these emotions Harry had never felt before baffled him, sure he loved his friends but he could barely recognise the serenity that Cedric displayed.
The audience felt a jolt of surprise and panic as Cedric seemed to spot something in the field suddenly, rushing to a far corner, the sun blocking their vision. As he came to a still they saw what had caught his attention, laid in the tall grass was a small bunny, its leg was twisted at a wrong angle, injured, dying Harry thought.
Cedric bent to gently pick up the rabbit, cradling it in his arms as he rushed towards an aged but welcoming cottage in the distance. They watched as he left his food, his games in the field, an inherently selfless act for a small child to bring it in, as he came to the withered door an older women, his mother Harry recognised grinned indulgently at him as he presented it to her with concern.
“Again Cedric” she said, her grin betraying her attempt at scolding as he blushed and smiled impishly.
“Please mummy” he said, looking up at her imploringly “I couldn’t just leave it”
She sighed and nodded, beaming down at him “I know honey, that’s why you’re my lovely boy” she teased, rustling his hair and kissing his forehead.
Harry along with the audience sat stiffly, bodies tensed as they attempted to ignore the choking sobs coming from the back, at least trying to give his parents some privacy for their grief.
This was hard for many Harry knew, seeing the student the school had admired so, looking up at the teachers table he could see the tears in Professor McGonagall and Sprout’s eyes.
The memory continued with the rabbit raised in Cedric’s hand toward his mother.
“Please will you heal it, its hurt” His mother smiled,
“Of course sweetie” she assured, giving a wave of her wand as its wounds began to heal, they could feel Cedric’s awe, his desires to pet it. They felt his slight jealously of his friend’s rabbit come to mind, but how he knew his family were too short on funds to afford one.
His mother looked at his expression in consideration “Do you want to keep it” she suggested lightly.
Cedric turned to look up at her in astonishment “Really” he questioned, almost jumping up in excitement at her offer.
“Yes”, she said, hugging him in her arms, “you did rescue it after all”.
Cedric hugged her back tightly, “thank you so much” he whispered into her embrace.
She grinned “shush”, she began, “Just don’t tell your father” she joked, Cedric laughed.
The memory skipped briefly, Harry sensed it was later in the day, the sun beginning to set, Cedric was sitting in the grass with the bunny on his lap, he noticed it moving looking imploringly toward the woods at the edge of the field, he gave a disappointed smile as he lowered it down gently, the bunny must have a family he thought, he couldn’t keep it, he sighed letting it go and keeping guard as it reached its safety of the forest.
The crowd sat stunned at his kindness.
Of course this wasn’t the last time, they watched as memories carried out, far too many to count Harry supposed, all revealing Cedric’s kindness, his care for others. How he worked hard, how he sought extra lessons to learn healing spells so he could continue his acts of care into adulthood.
Whilst the other two champions had been determined to become powerful and Stronger not a bad thing, Cedric’s motivation stemmed from pure desire to work hard to be able to help others.
At his years in Hogwarts all saw his gentle nature, countless times helping students who were lost, his mentoring those in his house, even bridging the house divide and aiding those who were facing difficulties fitting in to their respective houses, Harry recognised a girl from Slytherin who smiled at the image of Cedric’s memory self, consoling her in the library one night.
Every time a student was featured, they would blush and sob, they all revered the inner purity of the champion.
Whilst many, especially the Slytherins had resented a Hufflepuff champion even they could see how someone so loyal and true like Cedric was one. He worked hard, believed in honestly toward others and giving back. Even at times when one would be selfish or envious he denied his desires and thought of those who his actions would hurt, how it would affect others.
Harry knew that the cup chose him for his noble heart. The characteristics of a true champion.
As Harry’s own self appeared in Cedric’s memory he and others gasped. They watched as Harry was chosen as the second champion for Hogwarts, Cedric’s confusion when another was called, his inner doubt that he was a mistake somehow, how jealous he felt to be paired with Harry who was already famous and rich.
Harry hunched in on himself as people in the crowd glanced toward him, even now still believing he had cheated, they would hate him even more now, as he hated himself for making someone so true and good as Cedric doubt themselves.
His thoughts were quickly overturned though as Harry saw himself through Cedric’s eyes again.
He along with everyone else felt Cedric’s increasing guilt at seeing how the school treated Harry. Harry appearing frail and upset, abandoned in Cedric’s memories.
He blushed as people looked toward him in pity, avoiding the concerned gazes of Dumbledore and McGonagall, the Weasley’s in the corner.
The school watched as everyone praised Cedric, wore Cedric Diggory for Hogwarts champion and the horrific Potter stinks badges, they watched on as Cedric accepted the praise, even as the guilt slowly ate away at him.
Harry watched as a familiar memory of himself came into focus, Cedric was walking through the halls with his friends when Harry appeared from the corner, he could feel his own small hand pull Cedric to the side.
“Cedric” his memory self, whispered, looking embarrassedly toward Cedric’s own friends making fun of him. “The first task, its dragons”
Everyone in the audience gasped, the teachers and ministry officials looking toward Harry, they were shocked.
The memory continued as Harry told Cedric how the other two schools champion’s had been informed about the first task. Hogwarts teachers murmuring angrily at finding out the competitors had cheated. At Harry's revelation the other schools, well Beauxbaton at least appeared guilty.
Hogwarts students along with Cedric it appeared were still confused however as to why Harry had told Cedric this, as Cedric himself questioned Harry.
“I don’t understand, why didn’t you keep it to yourself to win” he questioned Harry.
Harry explained, “look Cedric I know you don’t believe me, but I didn’t put my name in, I don’t want to win, I don’t want the fame, I just want to survive” he implored.
Harry turned to the side hiding his face from view as he was once again made a spectacle of before his school. As he did, he even saw Snape turn his head to regard him.
Cedric’s thoughts shifted at this, he seemed to admire Harry. Harry blushed, how could he, he thought to himself, Cedric was so hard working, so kind, Harry had merely landed himself in another awkward situation that he needed others to help him get out of.
But that was not what Cedric saw he realised, watching with the crowd how after the dragon task Cedric reached a breaking point, confronting those who tried to bully the lonesome Harry, confiscating the badges and his anger at the school and ministry that a fourteen year old was tasked with defeating a dragon, Cedric’s amazement when Harry actually did.
The audience were astounded again and many smiled and sobbed in gratitude when Cedric returned the favour with the eggs.
At this point many had begun to assess Harry with new eyes, while they had once believed Harry had indeed stolen the championship from Cedric, that he had orchestrated it and put his name into the goblet.
They couldn’t ignore someone so admired and caring as Cedric believing Harry’s innocence, seeing the tasks themselves from Fleur and Cedric’s memories allowed them to see the pure panic and nervousness that the mere fourteen year old Harry could not fake in reaction to the tasks.
Those who had partaken in voting, made bets on the young child losing or even dying looked down on shame at their callous attitude toward such a dangerous tournament.
Everyone held still as a new memory came forth, the third trail of the tournament, the maze appeared before them. With bated breath people anticipated the revelation of what exactly had occurred in the maze. How Cedric Diggory had died.
They watched as Cedric and Harry arrived at the goblet, sweaty, dirty, blood soaking their clothes.
Harry could barely stand to look as Cedric’s figure appeared, he knew what was coming.
Outcries from the crowd occurred when they saw the enchanted maze bounding toward Harry and Cedric, a dark mass of leaves heading violently toward them pushing them in the direction of the goblet.
The three academy professors looked on with alarm. As Harry saw Dumbledore hastily conferring with the ministry and professors he realised that that had not been planned, was not supposed to happen, Barty crouch junior must have bewitched the maze he realised.
As they stepped before the goblet, glowing with a blue light as it was presently, the audience watched astounded as Cedric urged Harry to take the goblet.
Yes no one had dare say it out loud, but many secretly believed Harry had killed Cedric in his jealousy to win the tournament.
“You saved me back there, take it” Cedric demanded, the threat of the maze behind them imminent as he urged the younger boy toward the cup.
His parents watched on proud of their son, it melted their hearts to see his kindness, his honour.
Harry felt even more grateful despite what his actions had caused, knowing that even as winning meant so much to Cedric, what the fame and money would allow him to do, he was still willing to share in his victory, not take it for himself as he deserved.
Memory stood firm shaking his head in denial, he looked to Cedric grasping his hand “Together” he shouted, dragging the Hufflepuff both racing toward the goblet before the maze could harm them, as they touched the cup the audience screamed as the were portkeyed away, they were supposed to be released from the maze, not taken away.
The images faded as the memory faded there, Harry was relieved not to see the next events although a small part of him shared in the audiences disappointment, at least part of the truth had been revealed.
With that final scene there truly was an odd atmosphere in the hall.
Harry avoided the numerous expectant looks he received, beseeching him to explain once again the circumstances and events that lead to Cedric’s death, he could feel their curiosity, knew from the looks of auror’s and ministry that he would be questioned after the event had finished.
He hoped at least that more people believed him about Voldemort now. The popular viewpoint had been that Harry was hysterical after Cedric’s death, he was confused about his parents death so lied about what had happened to Cedric (however most believed this was to become more famous), the ministry’s ‘conclusion’ had been that it was an accident, that the dangerous creatures of the maze which had given Fleur and Krum such severe injuries had led to Cedric’s death, but now people realised, they had seen Cedric take the cup with Potter, had seen them leave, what had happened after?
The hall was filled with voices, screaming at the school, at Harry, at the ministry for answers.
Harry was so alarmed he didn’t know where to look, he saw Ron and Hermione urging people to leave him alone. As he cast his eyes over the room he found himself catching the eye of Amos Diggory, who looked to be making his way toward Harry he saw panicking at the act, Harry looked around planning to escape from the room.
A loud explosion from Dumbledore drew the attention of the hall
“Silence” he shouted many flinching at the power and serious in the typically genial man’s tone.
“We have watched the events the goblet deemed to reveal to us, no one shall be questioning Harry right now for answers, the ministry has been informed of his version of events, whether they or indeed anyone here chooses to believe it is up to yourselves”
Harry could see some people such as Madame Bones, Moody and a female auror with colour changing hair speaking in hushed tones, casting a glances and harsh looks towards Fudge, they obviously had not been informed by the minister how Cedric had died , they too assuming it was in the maze.
Harry felt a brief hope, maybe, maybe truly there was some use to this farce, that by seeing what the goblet had revealed they would believe that Voldemort was back, prepare and protect themselves.
Harry could see Lucius Malfoy sweating, casting wry looks at him as he made his way to the back of the doors. However the doors had been kept locked earlier, to prevent disruptions Dumbledore had informed them, and would not reopen until the ceremony had finished.
Dumbledore stood up to the podium once more, “Now with that, I ask that we all give a moments silence for the late Cedric Diggory, we have all known him to be a charming, intelligent and hardworking young man, he was an honoured student here and I trust we can all appreciate the difference he has made to many lives. A young man with such a caring, noble and heroic heart was well deserved to be a champion for Hogwarts school.”
“Let us honour him” Dumbledore said, head down leading a silence that all followed.
Harry closed his eyes, rested his head against the table. Praying that Cedric was at peace.
As the noise started again moments later, Harry knew it was his turn, he gulped. Ron and Hermione sent him grins of assurance; he looked up to the professors table to see a beaming Hagrid offer him his unequivocal support. Even Snape appeared to have a neutral assessing look on his face in place of his usual sneer.
“Now” Dumbledore declared, “ Those of us who know Harry Potter know he has already proved himself, however maybe this will prove suffice to those who doubt him, the final champion” he said his blue eyes looking with concern at the boy who had gone through so much already, with so much more to come he thought sadly.
The goblet glowed with a brilliant emerald light, bigger than the rest, Harrys heart sank at the sight of it, somehow knowing it would last longer than Fleurs, maybe even longer than Cedric’s.