No Time To Breathe

Summary: Harry has a saving people thing. It makes him a hero. (AU GoF)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. It belongs to JK Rowling.


"Harry saves people, Cedric," Hermione says. "It's what he does."

They're siting by the lake and Hermione hovers over him, but not too close. Cedric doesn't think he could stand anyone being too close right now, which is why he's out here and not with Cho.

He thinks he should tell her to go away, because he doesn't want to talk, and especially not about Harry, but they've already talked and there's nothing left to say.

"We should take it together," Harry said.

"You… you sure?" Cedric asked. He wants to take the cup so bad it almost hurts, but Harry deserves it and Cedric would rather hurt and be right than take it from Harry.

Harry nodded. "Yes. We'll take it together. It'll still be a Hogwarts victory."

"Okay." And they do.

Cedric's not really sure what he expected, but it wasn't this.

"Did anyone tell you that the cup was a portkey?" Cedric asked, moving carefully around the gravestones.

Harry shook his head, hand clenched around his wand. "I think… I think we should go back."

There's a figure moving towards them and Cedric feels a chill. This isn't right.

"Kill the spare."

"Cedric! Catch!" Harry yelled desperately, catching on quicker and waving his wand. The cup flew up from its resting place and towards them.

Like a good Hufflepuff, Cedric caught the silver object whizzing towards him, felt the tug at his navel, even as he heard the curse.

"Avada Kedavra!"

There's nothing more to say. Harry is a hero and maybe he's still alive and maybe he's not, but they'll wait and hope, anyway, because without Harry they can't do anything but wait and hope.

"I know," Cedric replies, anguish leaching into his words. "I just… I just wish he could have saved himself instead."