"I know you love them but they're probably the biggest idiots to ever walk the Earth! Even among the Muggles! But they protect you and they love you, therefore I have to like them," Cedric laughed as he watched your boys disappear down the hall. You smirked, missing them already. Your stupid brothers were you're entire life. You would be lost without them.
"I hope you weren't too rough on them while I was gone and vise versa. I know they can be a bit overwhelming but they mean well," you sighed, happily.
Cedric shifted so that he was leaning comfortably against the headboard, still balancing you on his lap. You smiled, kissing him lightly. "A bit overwhelming is the biggest understatement I've ever heard. You're brothers are like your own personal entourage. George was telling me if I was ever going to be accepted then I'd have to fill out an application and they'd consider me for the job!"
You threw your head back in a fit of laughter. Leave it to your boys to make a club out of your friendship. "Yes, it's a very prestigious organization. They only accept the best of the best. They run a very tight ship. Or so I've heard," you teased.
"You can just pardon me, Madam President!" Cedric replied, kissing you again. You leaned forward, closer to him. He smirked against your lips but pulled back quickly. You sat back, surprised. You searched his face, worriedly. What was he thinking?
"Cedric? Baby? Are you alright?" You asked as you brushed away a few stray tears that were slipping down his cheeks. He shook his head and pulled you closer. You stroked his hair as you laid you head on his shoulder.
"You have no idea how scared I was! I didn't think I'd ever see you again! I though I had lost you forever! I should've never let you walk back alone! I should've never kept you out that late! I should've had-"
"Cedric! Do you even hear yourself? This is nonsense! None of this was your fault! What happened wasn't any of our faults! It was Black's! But if anything, it was my fault! If I hadn't been eavesdropping and walking around the castle so late none of this would've happened and you wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble!"
"No! Princess! Baby girl! This isn't your fault! I was just worried about you! We all were! I'm not blaming you for any of this! I just wanted you to be safe! I cried myself to bed every night and you have no idea how many times I sat in Snape's office, just sobbing my eyes out!" Your heart broke as he cried even more. This was all your fault.
"I'm so sorry! I wanted to come home and I tried to escape but...Wait...Did you say you sat in Snape's office?" You asked in disbelief. Cedric's smile returned as he nodded. Your eyes widened as you bit your lip to keep from laughing.
"He was actually the most comforting to me! To all of us actually! McGonagall helped but she had a hard time keeping herself together. Dumbledore was always busy, but Snape. He really cares about you and he was really kind to me. He was the one who found your diary and gave it to me when we were searching your things for clues."
You stopped breathing. Your diary. No one was supposed to know about that. You had actually planned on burning it at the end of the year. Cedric looked at you with deep concern. You shook your head. "You read it didn't you?"
"Not all of it. Actually I only read 3 of the entries. The 3 days before you disappeared. I didn't show anyone else and I didn't want to but I hoped that I would find a clue. Something to help me find you. I didn't mean to invade your privacy, baby girl." You averted your eyes as he reached for your hand.
"So you saw the part about...You know...About breaking up?" His breath caught in his throat as he looked at you, remembering.
"Yeah. I saw that part. I cried when I read that. (Y/N) we've talked about this over and over. It's been almost 2 years since we started dating. Don't you think if I thought I deserved better I would've left you by now? But you're more than what I deserve. You're perfect in almost every way possible. Don't ever break up with me because you think I deserve better! You're so much better than any other girl in this whole damn school!"
You nodded timidly as he rubbed your back, lovingly. You wouldn't break up with Cedric. Not for that at least. But you knew, you didn't want to break up with Cedric. Ever.
"I'm just curious, but how did you find me? I didn't leave any clues! I was on the way back from the Hospital Wing when I was- Cedric! I've lost my ring! It must've fallen off when I was attacked! I'm so sorry! I loved that ring," you sobbed, tears slipping down your face. That ring was your reminder. It was one of the best things you owned.
Cedric smiled gently as he wiped your tears away. You leaned your cheek into his hand. You were so angry you'd lost his ring. "Don't cry my love! It's alright!"
You shook your head, just as he pulled a ribbon out from underneath your shirt collar as he did when you were in your 5th year. You gasped. "You found it?"
"Well Dumbledore did but he let me hold onto it for you. I told you, baby, I vowed I'd never take it off until I could return it to it's rightful place on your finger. Because that's the only place it will ever belong. And my love will only ever belong with you," he replied as he kissed you passionately. He slipped the ring of the string once again and slid it gently back onto your finger.
"Thank you. I love you too. Honestly, I know it's just a ring but it reminds me that I still have all of your love even when you're not with me. That probably sounds stupid but I like having that reminder."
"No it doesn't! I think it's sweet and it makes me happy to know you have a reminder like that because I will always love you! And someday we'll replace that ring with an engagement ring. And then with a wedding ring. If you say yes you'll make me the happiest man alive. But right now, we've got to worry about what we're going to eat for dinner," he laughed, kissing you again.