☤ Pseudonym ☤

~Chapter Fourteen~

I filled my lungs with a deep breath as I breached the surface of the water. Air has never tasted so good. I take a few more rushed breaths before the icy cold water absorbed me again. A strong arm wrapped around my waist and helped me resurface. 

I grabbed onto the person and gripped onto their t-shirt to stop me from going under again. I never liked swimming and was not about to start liking it any time soon. I looked up at my lifeline and was surprised to see Cedric. The sleeping potion Snape gave us was strong and made my memories fuzzy. 

Cedric swam powerfully to the stands, people were cheering all around us. Dean and Seamus grabbed my arms and heaved from the cold water. My whole body was shivering violently. Dean immediately wrapped a towel around me and started rubbing my shoulders excessively. I laughed at his enthusiasm. 

Cedric came over to see if I was okay. Asking me about a million times. I placed a peck on lips in order to shut him up. 

Dumbledore tried to get everyone's attention, but the students were too wrapped up in cheering for their favourite champion. Dumbledore placed his wand to his neck and his voice thundered all around us.

'The winner is...' For a second there was silence on the lake. 'Mr. Diggory!' Shouting broke out amidst raucous applause. I whooped and hugged him. There were cameras about and it would be extremely embarrassing to have us kissing on the front of the Daily Prophet. 'Who showed innate command of the Bubble-Head Charm. However, seeing as Mr. Potter would have finished first, had it not been for his determination to rescue, not only Mr. Weasley, but the others as well, we've agreed to award him second place!'

The Hogwarts students cheered loudly for Harry, yet the Durmstrang students were not so pleased as it seemed Krum had been bumped into third place. 

The students started to board the small boats to take us back to the shore. I got into one with Cedric and Seamus tried to get in as well. But Cedric blocked him and nodded to the next boat. I was too cold to be concerned about his slight rudeness. 

The towel placed onto me was now as wet as I was. Cedric pulled it off me. 'Renn you need to take off your wet clothes.' 

'N-n-no, Cedric. I feel f-fine honestly.' I stuttered.

'Renn come on. You're gonna sick. My Dad brought me some dry clothes.' I frowned slightly. 'Please?' Reluctantly I pulled my sodden jumper over my head. My white shirt was now see through and stuck to my skin. I would have blushed but my cheeks were colder than ice. I fumbled to unbutton my shirt and Cedric reached over to help me with his dexterous fingers. I wondered how he was able to stay so warm. 

When my shirt came off Cedric froze. I thought he was staring at my boobs, but I followed his gaze. It was stuck on my arm. My forearm. I snatched away my hand and thrust it into the soft sweatshirt. I let out a shaky breath, Cedric was still staring into the empty space where my arm had been. 

'Cedric?' he shook his head. 'Cedric, please look at me.' He shook his head violently. I gently placed my hands on his cheeks and directed his gaze towards me. 'Talk to me, Cedric.'

'Florence, you... you're a... you're one of them.' he has never called me Florence before. 

'No Ced, I just... I...' I trailed off, not sure what to say to him. I was interrupted by the boat bumping into the bank, knocking my hands from his face. Cedric quickly got up and walked away. 

It took me a second to process what was happening, before I jumped up and ran after him. 'Cedric, wait!' I got near but I tripped over a root and my still freezing legs gave way under me. I expected Cedric to rush over and help me up, but he never came. The feeling of abandonment rushed over me and a tear slipped down my cheek, dripping onto the forest floor.

I was still for a second then I pushed myself up onto my hands and knees. My heart was beating a little too fast and there was a sharp pain in my ankle. 

An arm slipped around my waist and lifted me up gently. I turned to face the person and was shocked to see a bespectacled boy with a memorable scar. 

'H-Harry?' I mumbled, the cold was still affecting the muscles in my jaw. 

'Come on, Renn. We need to get warm.' I blinked my eyes slowly. 'No Renn, you need to stay awake.' I opened my eyes once more. 'Tell me all about... umm... what you're doing... um.. at Easter.' 

I would've laughed at his awkwardness but I was too cold. 'I don't want to go.' I think the water has fried my brain. 'It's bad.' Then I just started laughing. I don't know what's so funny. Harry looked at me, a balance between amused and afraid. 

'Don't worry Renn we're nearly there now.' He rubbed my back. He must be cold as well. Why am I the only person who seems to be fricking cold?

As we entered the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey hurried over and aided Harry in placing me on one of the beds. 

'Okay, dear. Drink this. It will keep your lungs clear.' she handed me a steamy mug of god knows what. I took a tentative sip and recoiled at the strong taste. Then she took out her wand and said with a flourish, 'Concalefacio.' I felt a flood of warmth engulf my body. 'Better?' 

I nodded happily and hurried off to attend to someone else. 'So where was Cedric when you were dying in the woods?' Damn I forgot about the chosen one sitting at the end of my bed. 

'His... um... Dad wanted him to... do an interview.' that was the least convincing thing I have ever heard. Harry raised an eyebrow at me.

'Please just tell me what happened.' he looks so innocent. It's hard to imagine this guy talking down Lord Voldemort.

I sighed in defeat, 'We kinda had a fight. A really bad one.' 

'And he just left you to die?!'

Rolling my eyes I replied 'Please, I was not going to die.' 

'Renn! You were shivering and delirious!'

'But I was fine. Thanks to you.' Harry huffed and shook his head in frustration. 

He left me so I could sleep. I was exhausted, but the worry about Cedric kept my eyes open all night. What if he tells someone? What if he never forgives me? That thought filled me with dread and caused salty tears to ripple down my face.