#so we don't drag them out for weeks after the completion of the main tournament

[city-flag-tournament]

Congratulations to our two finalists, Palekh and Tikiraqjuaq!

The final match will be posted tomorrow at noon Pacific Time!

[muxshwriting]

our last summer

Cedric Diggory x reader

summary: your last summer with the love of your life before it's all cruelly stripped away || warnings: main character death, ANGST || word count: 904 || masterlist

REQUESTED by @quokka-supremacy : can i please ask for a really angsty fic about cedric diggory? I saw you did george weasley and was hoping something a bit 'our last summer' inspired. hope this is alright, have a good day my lovely!!

“Ced!” You yell after him. “Slow down.”

His laughter echoes back towards you as he runs up the hill, glancing back at you. “Come on!”

Your laughter soon joins his, “I’m trying!”

Your final summer before turning seventeen was spent like that, running through fields, finding secret picnics Cedric had made for you. He would explore the woods for hurs and then fall back into the gras to watch the stars. It was a perfect summer, the kind told of in idyllic storybooks of love and eternal happiness.

But nothing is eternal, summers end and love can fade.

★--~-~--★

You flop down into your seat at dinner, glad that the day is finally coming to a close.

“What’s up with you today? Everything alright?” Hermione asks.

“All of my friends have got dates to the ball but no one has asked me yet. I’m gonna be all alone at the dance.”

“You’ll be fine. What about Cedric?”

“He’s been avoiding me all week.” You grumble. “I just want to enjoy this year but I’ve spent most of it worrying about the tournament.”

"Cedric will be fine, trust me." She said. "He might actually win it."

You push her with your shoulder. "I thought you'd be behind Harry or Viktor Krum."

"I just want them both to be okay."

"So you know how I feel about Ced." You insist.

Hermione narrows her eyes. "You and Cedric are slightly different. You worry a whole lot more."

“Hermione-“

“What do you want me to say?” She asks. “What do you want?”

"I want to be with the boy I love at the Yule ball. And I want, by some miracle, for him to love me back. I want one pure moment of relief before the swift fist of life punches me in the gut again. And I want a moment when I don't have to face the reality that we might not work out in the long run."

“Uh huh?” She clears her throat. “You might want to turn around." Her eyes are focusing on something behind your shoulder and you turn. Your voice dies in your throat, seeing Cedric standing a couple metres behind you, clearly hearing every word that had been said.

"Might not work out huh?" He teased.

Your face flushes red, "Shut up Diggory."

"You first."

"Make me." You smirk.

"Gladly." He practically kept forward and pressed a brief kiss to your lips, smiling as he pulled away. “That good enough for you?”

“That was perfect.”

★--~-~--★

“I’m scared.” You whisper the fact into the nights air and feel Cedric’s arms tighten around you. “What if something happens to you?”

“Baby… nothing is going to happen to me, I’ll be perfectly fine.”

You’re reassured by his words but can’t shake the uneasy feeling you carry.

The third task was the most anticipated yet. Everyone had watched the maze grow all year, eagerly waiting to see their champions face it. You were more worried than others and also slightly relieved that it was coming to an end.

You celebrated as the Champions lined up, blowing Cedric a kiss just before he turned away.

Time dragged on as you waited for someone to return. Suddenly, both Harry and Cedric appeared on the grass and the crowd erupted into cheers. You could barely hear Harry’s frantic shouts of Voldemort’s return over the rising screams in your ears.

Cedric wasn't moving. Cedric wasn't blinking. Cedric wasn't breathing.

You stare in abject horror, realising you’re the one screaming. Your mind couldn’t form a complete sentence, just wanting to be near him but a pair of arms held you back. Someone turned you around, blocking your view and pushing you away from the crowds.

The sound of your heart breaking sent a shudder down your spine and made you fall to the ground. He wasn’t gone, right? He couldn’t be gone…

★--~-~--★

You gingerly trace one of the white roses, plucking it from its stem. Gently, you add it to your bouquet and carry it with you. Your feet dragged you down the gravel path, past the yew trees and towards his grave. There a stab of pain in your chest as you read his name, as it does every time you come here. But you’ll keep visiting. You won’t let Cedric be forgotten.

You crouch down, running a hand over the smooth stone. It’s cold, despite the sun beating down. It grounded you, making the world feel real and not just some messed up dream. You let the scent of the flowers wash over you, carefully placing them down on the ground and taking a step back.

From the Other Side, Cedric watches you as you walk away. You don’t glance back, even if you had you wouldn’t have seen him. You won’t ever see the golden curls and slanted smile that once gave so much joy.

Cedric watched his lover, wishing for nothing more than to be there and hold you in his arms. He wanted to go on one last walk through the countryside with you, wanted to watch the stars as they appear over the mountain crest, wanted to laugh for hours about anything at all and wanted to kiss your lips one more time. Because all the times that he had before were not enough. The time he had would never be enough.

If your love could have saved him, he would live forever...

i will not cry, i will not cry, i will not cry, i am crying