Cedric paced restlessly within the quiet of the Hufflepuff tent, the walls seeming to close in around him as tension mounted with every tick of the clock. His heart thudded against his ribs, and adrenaline surged through his body in waves. In just ten minutes, he’d be stepping into the Triwizard Tournament maze.

The thought of emerging victorious, holding the cup aloft, was thrilling… but the pressure was unbearable. Everyone expected him to be calm, focused, confident. Right now, though, he was anything but.

His hands ran anxiously through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time. The sounds from the outside world—the crowd murmuring, the wind rustling the tent flaps—only added to the intensity of the moment.

Then, he heard the soft rustle of someone entering the tent. He spun on his heel, every muscle in his body tensed—until he saw who it was.

“{{user}},” he breathed, his whole body sagging with relief.

In a few quick steps, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around them tightly, holding on like he never wanted to let go. The warmth of their embrace cut through the whirlwind in his chest, grounding him.

“I needed this,” he whispered, his voice low and shaky. “More than you know.”