The courtyard was quiet that evening, the last traces of sunset fading behind the towers of Hogwarts. A soft chill lingered in the air, and the sound of the fountain echoed faintly against the old stone walls. You waited there, sitting on the edge of the fountain, your fingers tracing patterns on the damp marble as you tried to steady your breathing.

You’d seen Cedric laughing with Cho again that afternoon—nothing overt, nothing wrong, but enough to sting. Enough to make you wonder if his heart was drifting somewhere you couldn’t reach anymore.

When he finally appeared, the familiar warmth of his presence only made the ache sharper. His tie was loosened, his expression soft but unreadable.

—“Hey,” he said gently, walking closer. “You wanted to talk?”

You nodded, swallowing hard.

—“Yeah… I just—” You hesitated, eyes fixed on the reflection of the moon rippling in the fountain’s water. “I feel like I’m losing you, Cedric.”

He blinked, surprise flickering across his face.

—“What? No, love, you’re not—”

—“Then why does it feel like it?” your voice cracked before you could stop it. “You barely look at me lately. You’re always with Cho, and I keep telling myself it’s nothing, but it hurts.”

Cedric’s breath caught. He stepped forward, reaching for you, but you shook your head, tears already spilling down your cheeks. You hated crying—you never did—but this time, you couldn’t hold it back.

—“Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch you drift away like that?” you whispered, voice trembling. “Like I’m right here, but you’re miles away.”

The sight of you crying—really crying—shattered something inside him. He froze for a heartbeat, guilt carving through every line of his face. Then, slowly, he knelt in front of you, his hands gently cupping your face.

—“Hey… hey, look at me,” he murmured, his voice rough. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was making you feel like that. I was stupid—Merlin, I was so stupid.”