Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Longing

By; ChoCedric

As she stands in front of the mirror, she sees him, handsome and triumphant, with his arm around her, holding the Triwizard Cup in the air in victory. Tears stream down her face as she watches her mirror-self beam at him in joy. Many more people join the mirror-couple, a whole crowd of them. Cedric's friends and family smile happily as he continues to hug Cho, love present in his eyes.

The scene is so different from the one that was witnessed only last night. The look on Cedric's face when he arrived at the maze entrance ... it was one of fear and vulnerability. He didn't fling his arms around Cho, smiling and waving the Triwizard Cup in triumphant delight. Instead he lay on the grass, his lifeless eyes staring at the crowd while they wept and wailed. Cho can remember with vivid clarity holding onto his limp hand, looking into his staring eyes and begging them to blink, for that normal Cedric smile to light up his face, for him to sit up and say "I'm fine, I made it!" to his loyal fans.

The reflection in the mirror suddenly shifts and changes, and now it is just the two of them, Cedric and Cho, lying under a starry sky. Cedric had promised her that they would do just that last night, whether he won or lost the tournament. Uncontrollable sobs rack Cho's body as she is torn apart by grief, watching the mirror-Cedric mouth "I love you" to Cho, and she sees her reflection say it back. She weeps in despair as she sees him give her a long, warm hug and a raw, passionate kiss. Oh, how she wishes that this were real, that she didn't have to remember the screeches of "Dead! Dead! Diggory's dead! Dead! Dead! Cedric Diggory! Dead!"

The reflection changes again, and now it is a picture of them a few years later. Cho has grown older, you can see it in the lines of her face, but they are smile lines. She is in a beautiful wedding dress. Cedric stands beside her in a Tuxedo, smiling. His radiance shines out for everyone to see, and as Cho looks on, eyes streaming, she sees the words "I do" escape from the couple's mouths. She collapses to the floor, her hands over her eyes so she can't see any more. This is a nightmare, a nightmare from hell. All her fantasies, her dreams, have been shattered. There will be no Cedric to marry now, no vows to exchange, no love in her life. Her happiness, her joy, her knight in shining armor, is dead.

She doesn't know how long she sits and sobs in front of the Mirror of Erised. All she knows is that eventually, she feels arms around her. Looking up, she sees Albus Dumbledore's beard and his sad, honest face. After her shaking and sobbing has subsided, he gently guides her out of the room. Softly, he says, "Cho, I once lost someone very dear to me as well. But Cedric would not want you to dwell on what you no longer have. In great strife, it helps to think of the good times. I know it is extremely difficult right now, but eventually, you will remember mr. Diggory with a smile. I know you two had a very special relationship, and in a world full of pain, love is the most important thing."

He smiles gently at her, and leaves her in the corridor. Cho doesn't trust herself to say thank you, so she gives him a tiny, mournful wave. He's right: it hurts too much to think of the good times right now. As she walks back to her common room, she knows her heart will take a long, long time to mend, and in the meantime, she will spend her days longing for lost love, remembering her and Cedric's reflections in the mirror, mouthing words of forever. A single tear glides its solitary way down her cheek, and she thinks: cedric, you were my everything. Rest in peace.