Keogh

~***~

Mrs. Weasley kept them on their toes all while they were at Grimmauld Place. Everything needed to be scrubbed, polished and dusted, and a good many things needed to be chucked out all together. Finding Cedric’s idea a very good one, Sirius and Remus enlisted his help in cutting a hole around the portrait of Mrs. Black, taking her down once and for all. The space behind the wall opened up into a large sitting area and they decided that there was enough room that they could build an entryway cloakroom there without crowding the room too badly.

Although he would rather be working with Hermione, Cedric did not mind working with Black and Lupin. The older wizards were jovial when together; Sirius somewhat daring and tending to push the boundaries of polite talk and Remus being the more gentle and well-mannered one. They did; however, tend to have debates over the strangest things.

“I will not accept it.”

“C’mon, Moony! It’s not charity! You’ve as much a right to it as I do. More, if you we’re going to be honest about it. If anyone deserves ‘restitution’ for poor treatment at the hands of the Ministry, it’s werewolves.”

“I am not taking your money, Sirius.”

“It’s our money, Moony.” Black had Cedric hold a crossbeam up while he hammered it into place. “Always has been. We’re practically brothers and have been since school. When I think of how many times you covered for James and me... well… I’m certain I would have been chucked out of school on my handsome derriere had it not been for you. Besides, we’ve always looked out for one another.”

Lupin shook his head as he used his wand to check that the boards were level. “It’s not the same, Padfoot.”

“Of course it is. Besides, it’s only half. Well, almost half. Five for you, five for me and one for a… business venture I’ve decided to invest in.”

Remus paused and gave the other wizard a curious look. “What sort of business venture?”

“Oh, perfectly harmless, I assure you, Moony.” Sirius gave the other man a bright smile. “Just a little start up that I believe will be wildly popular in the near future.” Something like a warning bell sounded in the back of Cedric’s mind. He was not at all certain that he liked the glint in Black’s eyes. “But, I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, Moony. The Ministry has all but black listed you from finding a decent job, and if their gold can see to it that you never want for another thing as long as you live then you might as well take advantage of it. Besides, you think I want you living here and being underfoot all the time? What if I want to bring a lady friend home?”

“It’s never stopped you before,” Remus responded dryly. Cedric could not keep himself from laughing, almost dropping the piece of lumber he had picked up in the process. Sirius looked over at him with an evil grin.

“And speaking of ‘lady friends’”

“Leave him alone, Sirius.” Lupin gave him a sympathetic smile as he helped Cedric fasten another board into place.

“Oh I’m not going to give the boy a hard time, Remus. I’m happy for him. Both of them, actually. And if it tweaks Snape’s oversized nose, so much the better. No, I just thought we should have a talk with the lad while we have him to ourselves. See just how good his knowledge of the castle is and fill him in on any places he doesn’t know about, yet. Places where a young couple in love might find a little privacy without fear of being caught.”

Cedric mopped his brow before giving Black a somewhat speculative look. “I take it you’re quite familiar with such places?”

“Oh, I was in love quite often at your age. Of course, it might be against some unspoken code to give all the secrets to someone such as you, but Remus here kept them to himself well enough. Just remember, it would be bad form for you to use the knowledge for bad.”

His lips twitched with a smile that wanted to get out. “’Bad’ being using it to seek out rule breakers rather than breaking the rules myself?”

Black’s grin returned. “Exactly. I knew I liked you, Diggory. Always did like Hufflepuffs. Don’t care what people say about your lot, you’re not nearly a squeaky clean as you let on.”

~***~

He dried off his hair after a shower, grateful to be rid of the sweat and grime now that the new cloak closet was finished. Sirius had celebrated by using his mother’s portrait as kindling, much to Kreacher’s dismay, and had insisted that he and the twins join him and Lupin in a round of firewhiskey. They had only taken one shot, though, to avoid Mrs. Weasley’s wrath.

He was just pulling on his clothes when the twins arrived. “Booklists are here,” announced Fred (he was getting better at telling the difference between them) as he tossed a heavy envelope onto his bed before tearing open his own. Cedric finished pulling his shirt on before opening his own letter and letting the heavy Head Boy badge fall into his hand. He had known it was coming, of course, but having the badge in his hand made it somehow feel more real.

“Stop grinning like a prat. We all know you’re Head Boy.” George flopped onto his own bed as he perused his list. “At least you’re likely to be better than Percy.” The name, as always, was spat out as though it were something distasteful. Cedric could hardly blame them for their vitriol. He wagered that he would feel the same had he been in the Weasleys' shoes. His heart went out to dear Mrs. Weasley, knowing that the estrangement from her son was hurting her deeply.

“Looks like Dumbledore finally found someone for the DADA job. About time, too. It was getting close.”

Cedric looked over the book list and frowned. “Someone interesting if the book is anything to go by.”

Fred looked up. “How do you reckon?”

He waved his book like slightly. “Whoever it is has assigned us Harriford’s Guide to Defense and Survival. I’ve read it, and it’s an aggressive take on things. Still, I’d give anything to have Professor Lupin back. He was the best teacher we’ve had in that class all my years combined.”

“Yeah, well,” George spoke darkly, “that’s not likely to happen until people pull their wands out of the arses, is it?” He folded up his book list. “Let’s go see what the ickle babies are up to.”

“You really shouldn’t call them ‘babies’.”

“Why not? It annoys the hell out of them.” The twins grinned and disapparated with a crack. Cedric closed his eyes and shook his head before walking out of the room to go pull them off Harry and Ron. George was talking as he opened the door. “Ced says the book’s good, so hopefully we’re getting someone who knows what he’s doing.”

Harry did not sound surprised. “Reckon it’s getting hard to find anyone who’ll take the job. It doesn’t come with a very good track record. He should have asked Sirius to do it.”

Fred snorted. “Right, like he’d go from hiding from the law to being shut up trying to teach a bunch of kids. Doesn’t strike me as the academic sort, anyway.” He looked over at the youngest Weasley boy. “Oy! What’s up with you, then?”

Cedric was closest, having come through the door like a normal person. He glanced over Ron’s shoulder and recognized the layout of the supplementary letter that had arrived with his book list. “Congratulations, Ron.” He smiled and clapped a hand on the boy’s shoulder before looking over at the twins. “He’s made Prefect.” The twins looked gob smacked. One of them snatched up Ron’s envelope, dumping the heavy red and gold badge into his hand while the other snatched the letter from his hands, holding it up to the light as though to check for signs of forgery. “Hey, now!”

“But it’s got to be a mistake! Nobody in their right mind would make Ron a Prefect.”

“Oy!” The back of Ron’s neck was turning purple and Cedric saw him clench a hand into a fist. He kept his hand on the younger boy’s shoulder before he did something stupid.

“Spending the summer with you has made me realize just how fortunate I am to have been an only child. Why would you think Ron couldn’t be a Prefect, after all he’s done? Harry didn’t get into all those messes on his own, you know.”

“But that’s it, Ced,” began George as he shoved the badge back into Ron’s hand as though it might contaminate him.

“We thought Harry’d get it for sure.”

“All the mad stuff must have counted against him.”

"Yeah, Harry, you’re too much of a trouble maker. At least one of you has your priorities straight. Oh, Mum’s going to be revolting.”

Ron stepped out from under Cedric’s hand towards Harry, holding the badge out to his best friend so that he might confirm that it was genuine. Harry took the badge and turned it over in his fingers. Cedric thought he saw a little light of envy in the smaller boy’s eyes and knew that this probably did come as a shock. Just then the door opened to reveal a very excited Hermione. He reasoned the likely cause of her joy even before she squealed in delight, waving her own Prefect’s letter and rushing towards Harry who quickly disabused her of the notion that it was he.

“Ron? But that’s…”

“Unbelievable?” supplied one of the twins.

“No! Not really. Ron’s done loads of things… he’s the perfect choice.” Her discomfort was almost tangible and Ron’s face was turning purple again. Cedric cleared his throat and tried to lighten the mood.

“I guess that means the two of you will be answering to me this year, then. I think my first order will be that one of you heads upstairs and makes my bed. I never got around to it.” He clasped his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels slightly. The room fell silent as everyone looked at him. Hermione broke the silence.

“It doesn’t work that way, you prat.”

Everyone started to snigger, but at least the youngest Weasley no longer looked on the verge of committing fratricide. Cedric grinned at his new girlfriend and motioned her over. “Come here. Let’s see how that badge fits.” He took the red and gold pin from her hand and fixed it to her shirt, polishing away his finger smudges with the cuff of his sleeve once it was in place. “Looks natural there. Always knew you’d get it.”

She blushed, still unable to keep the happy smile off her face. Mrs. Weasley came in with fresh laundry, her mind clearly on several things at once. “Ginny says the book lists have arrived. Give them to me and I’ll head over to Diagon Alley to get everything. Ron, you’re going to need new pajamas. Yours are way too short. You just keep growing so fast! What color would you like?”

It was too much to hope the twins would have let it slip by. “Get him red and gold to go with his badge.”

“His what? What are you on about? What badge?”

“His badge! His shiny, new Prefects badge.”

Once she got off the initial shock, Mrs. Weasley proceeded to show Ron just how Cedric felt every time his father was overly pleased with him. The boy’s protests were somewhat muffled, smothered as he was in his mother’s embrace as she kissed his cheeks. The twins made choking noises a few feet away. After promising to look about getting Ron a new broom as a reward, though appearing somewhat uncertain about it, she hurried off back downstairs.

The twins looked back at their brother. “You don’t mind if we don’t kiss you, do you, Ron?”

“We could curtsey if you like.”

“Lay off him.” He shook his head as the twins sniggered and apparated away with a crack. “Ignore them, Ron. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Quite the contrary, actually.” The other boy still looked a bit uncertain about what to think.

“Fred and George say only prats made prefect, no offence, Diggory.”

“None taken.”

“Still… they’ve never had a new broom, either.” His face brightened a bit. “We can’t afford anything like a Nimbus or a Firebolt, but there’s a new Cleansweep out. I think I’ll go see if Mum’s gone yet. Tell her I’d like the Cleansweep.” And just like that he was off, brightened not by Cedric’s words of encouragement but by the prospect of a new broom. It was almost humbling.

~***~

Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Cedric and herself. Seven students to get packed, dressed, fed and off to school. If Mrs. Weasley had not raised just as many children of her own, and thus had developed organizing such a mess into an art form, Hermione would have considered it a lost cause. Of course it helped that the twins and Cedric were all of age and therefore allowed to use levitation charms to assist in moving all the trunks.

Hermione had found it difficult to pack everything she needed. On top of her muggle clothes, school clothes and school supplies, she had her work out gear, kamas, sai and a few blades. The trunk was a bit overfull, but Cedric quietly offered to smuggle some of her non-school items in his own trunk since he would be able to give them back to her when they met for practice at the castle. They managed to get the owls in their cages but she had trouble locating Crookshanks. After calling out for him in an increasing state of panic the massive ginger cat was found curled up on Cedric’s pillow up on the room he had been sharing with the twins.

Moody, Tonks, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Sirius escorted them to Kings Cross. All about them on the platform for the school train people craned their necks to get a closer look. Some were looking at Harry. Most of the older girls, Hermione noticed, were looking at Sirius. She supposed that he did have that attractive, ‘bad boy’ air going for him. That he knew he was good looking did not help matters much. She rolled her eyes and turned to board the train after she caught him give a wink to an older girl who had come to see off her younger sibling.

Cedric had a little more trouble getting through. Every few feet another Hufflepuff student would stop him to congratulate him for making Head Boy. The entire house, it seemed, was dead chuffed that one of their own had reached the exalted position. She hid her grin at his flushed cheeks as he tried desperately not to let all the praise go to his head. Why would any girl want the rouge when the modest Prince Charming was so much more appealing?

She and Ron left Harry and Ginny to find them a compartment as they made their way to join the rest of the prefects along with the Heads. Someone could have knocked her over with a feather when she saw who were to be their Slytherin counterparts.

“Malfoy?” Ron gaped at the pale boy their age in disbelief. Of course his grades were good, but she would have thought his disposition would have kicked him out of the running.

Draco smirked. “Surprised to see you here, Weaselbee. Gryffindor must be really scraping the bottom of the barrel if you’ve been made a prefect.” She reached out and gripped Ron’s elbow automatically, knowing how easily Malfoy could prick his temper. “Though I can’t say I’m surprised to see you’ve gotten a badge, Snape.”

She drew in a hiss. “It’s Granger, Malfoy. Or are you too thick to remember that?” If Malfoy being prefect was a surprise, then his female equivalent was a complete shocker. Pansy Parkinson was beyond dense and was doing well to spell her own name correctly. Honestly! What was Severus up to naming her as a prefect? Of course, there were not many choices amongst the Slytherin girls in their year, but Hermione was pretty sure that Millicent still scored higher than Pansy.

Draco sneered at the mention of her preferred surname and looked about to respond when the head students finally joined them. Cedric took a silent headcount, pausing to wink at her before speaking. “Sorry for the hold up. Had a bit of a tense situation to diffuse. Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

She was aware of the curious glances sent her way when Cedric took up the seat next to her. She ignored them the best she was able, and that included the sullen looks that Ron sent her way every now and again. Honestly, for someone who seemed to forget she was even a girl until a silly dance was almost upon them he certainly did get jealous at the least little bit of attention she might receive from someone other than Harry or himself. Between his glares and the twins’ not-so-subtle threats, she would be lucky if Cedric did not run screaming for the hills.

The briefing done, Cedric asked if there were any questions. He slid a gaze over to one side when Adrian Pucey, the seventh year prefect, raised his hand. “Yes?”

“Do I get to be Head Boy after you die from poisoning?”

Everyone gaped at him. It was Ernie, the Hufflepuff prefect, who sputtered indignantly. “Is that a threat?!”

Pucey gave a snort. “Honest curiosity, because Professor Snape is going to murder Diggory once he finds out he’s sniffing around her skirts.” He gave a nod with his chin towards Hermione. She gave him a sneer in return. Cedric was far more tactful.

“Don’t let it bother you, Pucey. Besides, I imagine Davies is next in line if I encounter an unfortunate accident during Potions.” She gave him a scolding frown coupled with a sharp jab to his ribs. His response was just to laugh.

The majority of the train ride went as expected. Insults exchanged between Draco, Harry and Ron were par for the course. Cedric tried to stay in their car as much as possible, but he also had his friends from Hufflepuff to spend time with and there simply was not a single compartment large enough for everyone. Hermione assured him it was all right and that she would not feel slighted if he went to join his friends as long as he did not feel slighted if she wanted to spend time with hers. Besides, it was not as though they were not going to see one another once they got to the castle. The only added strangeness was Luna Lovegood being in their compartment. Sometimes she truly wondered about that girl.

After disembarking from the train, Hermione watched Cedric shepherding the first years over to Professor Grubbly Plank. “Where’s Hagrid?”

Ron and Harry were just as mystified. “Must not be back from whatever Dumbledore sent him off to do.” They all three exchanged worried looks before getting into one of the carriages. Cedric joined them as soon as he was able, not looking the least bit repentant as he stretched his long legs out to purposefully crowd Harry. The younger boy gave as good as he got by snatching his legs up and then using Ced’s knees as a footrest. It was all in good fun and so very much a boy thing to do that Hermione had to shake her head at them.

Of course she could not sit with Cedric at his house table. She had to sit at her own table like a good little prefect. It took a while for Cedric to be able to sit down at any rate. He had to keep stopping to accept cheerful congratulations from his house with just about every step. His face was burning before he was halfway through. Harry leaned over to her to whisper, “This is why I hate being famous. Nice to see someone else have to deal with it for a change.”

She sat down between him and Ron. “They’re also happy that someone has drawn the spotlight onto Hufflepuff. They really do get the short end of things.” And they did. Hufflepuffs were not weak or ‘leftovers’. They were actually quite wonderful, and it was not just her inner-girl saying that.

“Helga was a wonderful woman and a dear friend. She also could trounce Gryffindor in a wizard duel any day of the week. And did on several occasions.”

“You’ve been quiet.”

“You’ve been busy. I’ve heard good things about that young man, though I would remind you he is still a man. I was his age at one time and I assure you that much the same desires and lusts motivates us all. Do not let yourself be pressured.”

“Cedric wouldn’t do that.”

“Perhaps not intentionally, but good intentions can be lost in the heat of passion.”

“Harry! It’s Sirius!”

Hermione was pulled out of her conversation by Ron’s voice. She frowned and looked up at the head table. There, seated between Professor McGonagall and Severus was, indeed, Sirius Black. She blinked, shook her head to clear it, and looked again. No, it was still him. “He couldn’t… I mean… Professor Dumbledore couldn’t have…”

“He must have!” Harry’s grin was so wide that it looked as though his face might split in two. “This is brilliant!”

“But is he even qualified to teach? I mean… “

“Hermione, he fought in the first war against You-Know-Who!” Ron craned his neck to get a better look. “And he and the Marauders did all sorts of things while at school that were well past what we learn normally. Look at Snape! He’s furious!”

Her eyes moved over to Severus. If she had been concerned that he might lash out at Cedric this year, she was not concerned any longer. If he was going to be poisoning anyone it would likely be Sirius. He looked even paler than he usually did and she thought she might actually be able to see him shaking from anger.

“Shit-Fire-Mother-Fucking-Damn.” She did not notice her two best friends gawking at her. “He’s going to be a nightmare in class. Just see if he isn’t.” Harry and Ron exchanged a look behind her back of which she was completely unaware.

After the sorting was complete and the hat carried off for safekeeping until next year, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet for the announcements. “I would first like to welcome back Professor Grubbly Plank who has kindly agreed to join us while Professor Hagrid is away on other matters. We are glad to have you, Professor.” Everyone applauded, some with a bit more enthusiasm than the Gryffindors liked.

“I would also like to introduce a new member to our faculty. After finally being cleared of alleged wrong doings, Professor Sirius Black has agreed to join us to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Sirius rose from his chair and gave a winning smile to everyone, throwing a wink over to the Gryffindor table. “Welcome, Professor Black. We wish you the best of luck.” The applause was an odd mixture of trepidation and robust enthusiasm. Those who knew Sirius applauded loudly, of course, but so too did many of the older girls. Many others, however, were still a bit nervous. Especially those who remembered two years ago when Black had somehow managed to break into the castle and into Gryffindor Tower.

“I bet Sirius will be every bit as good as Remus,” Ron suggested. “Probably even better since he won’t have to take off when the moon gets full.”

“I bet he even breaks the jinx on the job.” Harry was still grinning. “Bet he makes it more than one year.”

Hermione forced a reassuring smile to her face that did not quite meet her eyes. “What is it? I thought you liked Black.”

“I do, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Something tells me this is going to be a very long year.”

~***~