Cedric didn't dive immediately.
He hovered high above the Quidditch pitch, the most conspicuous figure in the sky. Across the field, the Ravenclaw Seeker was inching ever closer to the Golden Snitch.
If he acted too hastily, he might mislead his team—or worse, give his opponent the advantage.
So, instead, he feigned ignorance, pretending to be simply scanning the skies. He turned slowly in a wide arc, his gaze casually sweeping across the field as he subtly drifted toward the Snitch's location.
Cedric was in his element.
With his SSS-level flying talent, it was as though he became one with the wind. The broom beneath him moved with such natural grace that he might as well have been born to fly. Freed from gravity's grip, he felt a sense of lightness unlike anything else—like a feather gliding on the breeze, with only the whisper of air in his ears.
He couldn't help but smile.
He had truly fallen in love with flying.
No wonder so many wizards loved Quidditch. And no wonder it was said that mankind had dreamed of flying like birds since the dawn of time.
But he couldn't linger in the moment.
"It's time to end this," he murmured.
In an instant, he pulled up on his broomstick and shot forward like a golden arrow loosed from a bow.
His eyes were locked on the Snitch.
Tiny, dazzling, and darting through the air with erratic speed, it zipped between players and above the crowds. Its wings beat so quickly that the air around it shimmered, producing a subtle whirring sound—one Cedric had trained himself to detect even amidst the chaos of a Quidditch match.
He had it now.
"Cedric's making a move!" Lee Jordan shouted excitedly from the commentator's stand.
Even though the Ravenclaw players hadn't seen the Snitch, their instincts kicked in. Two of them immediately tailed Cedric, hoping to intercept him or at least obstruct his flight.
But Cedric's control was flawless.
With a subtle tilt and twist of his broom, he weaved through the air like a dancer. A quick barrel roll, a sudden dip, and a sharp vertical ascent left the two Ravenclaws scrambling in his wake.
He extended his right arm.
The Golden Snitch fluttered, its wings flashing like sunlight off a blade.
And then—
Snap!
His fingers closed around it.
Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff stands.
"CEDRIC DIGGORY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" Lee Jordan practically screamed.
"That brings Hufflepuff to 180 points—Ravenclaw, 40! Victory belongs to Hufflepuff!"
Hufflepuff students went wild.
Golden and black fireworks shot into the sky, trailing glittering ribbons and forming the shape of the smiling, slightly goofy Hufflepuff badger. Trumpets blared. Ribbons and confetti spiraled through the air.
Cedric landed to a roar of applause.
From the Gryffindor stands, the Weasley twins exchanged glances—half-excited, half-nervous.
"Well, that just made things interesting," Fred muttered.
"More like terrifying," George replied. "We're going to face a supercharged Hufflepuff next."
Indeed, Cedric's victory had changed everything.
Up until now, his reputation was known mostly among first- and second-years. But this match thrust him into the spotlight for the entire school.
The boy who was already called "the perfect son," "dueling prodigy," and "Animagus miracle" had now become a Quidditch savior as well.
The rumors about him didn't seem so far-fetched anymore.
Not long after, the next big match was held between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Despite a valiant effort, Gryffindor lost. Slytherin claimed victory with 190 points to Gryffindor's 80.
With all four houses having completed their first matches, winter finally arrived.
One chilly morning, Cedric awoke to find his classmates huddled by the dormitory windows.
Overnight, snow had blanketed the castle grounds in a pristine sheet of white.
It was officially the holiday season.
That same morning, Cedric received a letter from none other than Professor Slughorn:
> "The book is officially on sale! You, my dear boy, will be the shining star this Christmas!
Don't worry about the Order of Merlin just yet—we'll let your reputation grow a little more first. I already have a few ideas brewing!"
Cedric couldn't help but chuckle.
Slughorn's connections truly ran deep. And Cedric was grateful—his fame hadn't yet fully caught up to him at Hogwarts. He could still enjoy the pre-Christmas joy in relative peace.
Despite many students returning home, plenty remained at school to celebrate the season.
The Great Hall was transformed.
Twelve towering Christmas trees sparkled with golden ornaments and icicles. Candles floated above as usual, but their warm light now reflected off the shiny surfaces, casting a golden glow across the hall.
Every tree was draped with strings of enchanted candy.
The Weasley twins had clearly contributed to the decorations—Cedric spotted Nosebleed Nougat and Canary Creams dangling among the tinsel. Their inventory had been so successful, their supply had temporarily sold out.
More than once, he saw Gryffindor students racing down the corridors, clutching tissues to their bleeding noses.
Apparently, the twins' newest prank treat was a hit.
Just before the holidays began, Cedric made a visit to Hagrid's hut.
This time, he brought along a gift: his custom-built, oversized magical hot pot.
"This is really good!" Hagrid bellowed, gleefully stabbing at chunks of lamb and mushrooms floating in the bubbling copper cauldron. "The smell alone could tame a dragon!"
He dunked a piece into the sesame paste and popped it into his mouth, completely missing the glob of sauce that stuck to his beard.
Cedric laughed.
"There's more where that came from," he said, pulling a notebook from his robes.
Inside was a collection of ten foundational spells, study notes from six subjects, and organized tips for learning—all hand-written.
It was the teaching aid Cedric had promised.
"This is my Christmas gift to you, Hagrid. If you study this, you'll be able to manage third-year coursework. I believe in you."
Hagrid's eyes glistened. He clutched the notebook like it was the most valuable treasure in the world.
Though Dumbledore had fought to prevent the Ministry from confiscating Hagrid's wand, he still couldn't use magic openly unless he passed the O.W.L. exams.
This notebook was his first real step in that direction.
"Thank you, Cedric!" Hagrid boomed. "Aside from—you know who—you're the most powerful wizard I've ever met!"
"You can't mean Dumbledore?" Cedric teased with a grin.
Hagrid scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well… there's also young Harry, of course…"
Ah.
Of course.
No matter how far he came, Harry Potter would always loom as the golden boy in the minds of many. Cedric respected Harry, even liked him—but he couldn't help seeing him as a rival.
Not because of fame.
But because they shared the same enemy.
Voldemort.
"I guess I'll just have to keep getting stronger," Cedric thought. "After all, I'm the one who's taken on You-Know-Who already. Don't make it too easy for yourself, Harry!"
After sharing dinner and laughter with Hagrid, Cedric made one final stop before the holidays began.
He headed to the caretaker's office, carrying a carefully wrapped package.
As he approached, he heard hurried footsteps inside.
The door creaked open just as two figures rushed past him, trying not to make eye contact.
Cedric paused.
Oh? Those two?
He watched them disappear around the corner, a curious smile playing on his lips.
It seemed all th
e rumors about Hogwarts weren't entirely baseless after all.
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