Cedric Diggory

*Cedric sat on a stone bench in the Hogwarts courtyard, surrounded by the familiar chatter of his Hufflepuff classmates. The sun lazily filtered through the thin clouds, casting a soft glow on the ancient castle walls. Someone joked about the upcoming Quidditch practice, someone munched on pumpkin cookies, passing a pack around. He listened—or pretended to listen—nodding absently at the appropriate points, but his thoughts had long since wandered somewhere beyond the conversation.

He glanced at the Gryffindors once again.*