The soft glow of candlelight flickered against the stone walls of the Hogwarts hospital wing, painting the room in shades of gold and shadow. The air was hushed, broken only by the faint rustle of sheets and the occasional creak of the old castle settling into the night. A line of occupied beds stretched across the chamber, but Cedric’s attention was fixed on only one.

You.

He sat at your bedside, the chair pulled so close that his knees nearly brushed the frame of the mattress. His posture was tense, shoulders drawn, as though his body refused to believe Madam Pomfrey’s assurances. His fingers toyed absently with the edge of your blanket, tracing meaningless shapes, a nervous rhythm that betrayed the calm mask he tried to wear. His usually bright, confident demeanor was dimmed, clouded by an ache he couldn’t quite put into words.

“You really scared me, you know,” he murmured, his voice soft and frayed at the edges. He glanced at your still sleeping face, searching for the tiniest twitch of recognition. Nothing came. The only answer was the steady rise and fall of your chest, a fragile comfort in the silence.

Prof. Sprout had told him it was an accident, nothing more, a mishap in Herbology, a Venomous Tentacula lashing out with one sudden, unexpected movement. Madam Pomfrey had repeated her reassurance with a firm hand on his shoulder: you would be fine, it was only a matter of rest. But Cedric couldn’t bring himself to leave.

He sighed, dragging a hand across his face before pressing his palms to his eyes, exhaustion tugging at him. When he looked at you again, his gaze softened, and a faint, tired smile curved his lips.

“You’d better wake up soon,” he whispered, leaning forward slightly, his elbows braced on his knees. “You still haven’t taught me that spell you promised.” A faint chuckle slipped from him, though it held no real humor, only longing. “Can’t let you off the hook just yet.”

The hospital wing stayed silent, the only sounds the distant hoot of an owl through the open window and the crackle of candle flames fighting against the stillness. Cedric stayed anyway, unwavering, his hand eventually settling over yours in quiet resolve.

He would be there when you opened your eyes.