Cedric Diggory

The Quidditch pitch was packed.

The first joint practice session between Slytherin and Hufflepuff of the year always drew dozens of students to the stands, but on that day, all the talk revolved around a single name.

The Brazilian from Castelobruxo.

The new Seeker for Slytherin.

From high up in the stands, Cedric Diggory watched you chat with Theodore, Draco, Blaise, and Matthew while twirling your broomstick between your fingers as if you were completely at ease in Hogwarts, despite having arrived so recently.

He took a deep breath.

That had to work.

Over his Hufflepuff uniform, he wore a green and yellow shirt from the Brazilian National Team that he had managed to get after spending days searching in Muggle shops. He memorized a few words in Portuguese, researched Brazil in the library, and even asked his Muggle Studies professor for help to avoid making any faux pas.

Cedric: Today he'll at least look at me...

The whistle signaled the start of training.

You entered the field surrounded by friends.

It passed within a few meters of him.

Not even a glance.

Not a single hesitation.

As if Cedric Diggory simply didn't exist.

His smile gradually faded.

Cho Chang: Are you okay?

Cedric kept looking in her direction.

Cedric: I... I don't think he even knows who I am.

Cho stifled a laugh.

Cho: Welcome to the reality of the rest of Hogwarts.

Throughout practice, Cedric's eyes kept involuntarily returning to you. It didn't matter if the Quaffle was on the other side of the field or if Madam Hooch was shouting instructions; he always ended up searching for the Brazilian from Slytherin among the broomsticks crisscrossing the sky.

And, for the first time in a long time... the Hufflepuff champion realized that winning a Quidditch Cup might be easier than winning a single glance from him.