"Oh my God, how dare you?"
Professor McGonagall's voice trembled with disbelief, her chest rising and falling rapidly in agitation. Her lips were pressed into a firm line, and her hands clenched around the arms of her chair as she tried to suppress the storm of emotions swelling inside her.
The Diggory couple, already anticipating such a reaction, sprang into action without hesitation.
Mrs. Diggory rushed to the professor's side, gently placing a hand on her back in comfort, while Mr. Diggory gave his wand a flick. A teacup soared through the air and landed softly in his hand, filled with steaming hot tea. He passed it to McGonagall with a calm urgency.
Then he turned sharply to his son, his face contorted in frustration.
"I told you to start with something lighthearted!" he scolded, glaring at Cedric.
"I did tell harry first!" Cedric defended himself hastily, though his tone lacked conviction.
"We shouldn't be afraid of the Dark Lord anymore!" he continued boldly, his voice growing more impassioned. "If it weren't for the Death Eaters cursing his name, I'd have written a whole song celebrating his downfall!"
Cedric threw his arms up theatrically. "Not only do I want to read it, I want to sing it!"
He pointed to his chest with dramatic flair. "If we're too scared to even say his name, how will we ever stand in front of him, face him, and defeat him?!"
The fervor in Cedric's voice made even his perfectly combed hair sway with his movements. His entire body pulsed with energy, his determination practically radiating off of him.
Professor McGonagall stared at him in stunned silence.
She, too, had once been a fierce opponent of Voldemort. A proud member of the Order of the Phoenix, she had witnessed both triumph and loss. Now, looking at Cedric's passionate stance, memories of those long-ago days flickered through her mind. The hope, the courage, the heartbreak… and the resolve.
The Diggory couple exchanged a look and, almost instinctively, clasped their fingers together again.
Here we go again, their expressions seemed to say. Another of his "magical" speeches.
Every time Cedric delivered one of these grand declarations, it stirred something in their hearts. And every single time, it left their household in emotional chaos.
Parents weren't acting like parents. Children weren't acting like children. Was this charisma… a blessing? Or a curse?
"I'm sorry," McGonagall finally said, lifting her glasses and dabbing at her eyes under the guise of wiping the lenses. Taking a calming breath, she composed herself.
After a moment of thought, her voice turned firm and clear.
"Very well said," she announced. "Cedric, I am willing to serve as your guarantor and allow you to return to Hogwarts early."
Gasps escaped from the Diggory couple, though they were quickly muffled. McGonagall's decision was not just based on Cedric's magical potential—it was also his unwavering spirit that convinced her.
Bringing him back to Hogwarts, where Dumbledore himself could observe him, was not only wise but necessary.
Clearing her throat, Professor McGonagall straightened and returned to her usual no-nonsense tone.
"Whenever you're ready, send me a message."
"I am ready!" Cedric announced, lifting a suitcase by his side. "Even though I didn't know if you'd agree to my request, I prepared in advance. I know your time is valuable, and if I could save you even a minute, I would."
He paused and added, "Also, I may be young, but I can already live independently. You won't need to worry about that."
The Diggory couple held their breath, afraid even the sound of an exhale might sway McGonagall's decision.
She stared at Cedric for a moment before a warm smile appeared on her face. "You're very thoughtful."
She could no longer hide her admiration. What a remarkable young wizard.
If the next generation of magical children were like Cedric, then yes… the better days for the wizarding world might truly be approaching.
Still, she glanced back at Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, sensing that this was a delicate decision for them as well.
"If you're comfortable with this—"
"Absolutely!" Mr. Diggory interrupted with enthusiasm.
"Hogwarts is our alma mater," Mrs. Diggory added, nodding firmly. "We have the utmost faith in Headmaster Dumbledore and you, Professor McGonagall!"
"Our child is in the best hands. We couldn't be more relieved!"
They smiled and spoke so quickly that it seemed like they had rehearsed those lines for this exact moment.
"So, let's not waste any more time," McGonagall said, raising her wand.
With a graceful tap on Cedric's suitcase, it floated into the air beside him.
McGonagall reached out her hand. "Come, Cedric. Let's go to Hogwarts."
"This is so cool!" Cedric practically skipped around the table, placing his hand into hers with wide eyes and a grin that stretched across his face.
To him, this moment was magical beyond belief.
The day had finally come. He was going to Hogwarts!
"I'll never forget this day," Cedric declared, turning back to his parents with deep emotion. "Goodbye, Mum, Dad. I'll miss you."
Mrs. Diggory quickly turned away, pressing her face into her husband's shoulder to hide her expression.
Only by doing that could she hide her joy—and the faint smirk playing at her lips.
"Help me out," Mr. Diggory whispered urgently, sensing he might ruin the act.
Without hesitation, Mrs. Diggory pinched a tiny piece of skin on his back and twisted it sharply.
The pain made Mr. Diggory's eyes well with tears.
"Go on, son," he choked out, his voice trembling with dramatic intensity. "Your mother and I will be fine."
Professor McGonagall watched them with admiration. "Such touching family bonds," she said sincerely. She dabbed at her eyes again. "Don't worry. I'll return Cedric to you even healthier by the summer holidays."
"Of course, of course," Mr. Diggory said, nodding like a bobblehead, too afraid to speak further.
"Then let's go," McGonagall said, giving Cedric's hand a firm squeeze.
They stepped out of the house together. As they exited the front door, Cedric felt a strange twisting sensation traveling up his arm.
Before he could process it, they vanished.
In the blink of an eye, they reappeared in a quaint wizarding village.
Cobblestone streets, peaked roofs, and a cozy shop bearing the sign The Three Broomsticks Inn caught Cedric's eye immediately.
"Is this… Hogsmeade?" Cedric asked, breathless with wonder.
McGonagall gave a small nod. "Yes. We'll walk from here to Hogwarts. I'll explain some basic guidelines along the way."
"Okay, Professor McGonagall!" Cedric replied eagerly.
Finally. After all these years of being in the Harry Potter world, Cedric was going to Hogwarts.
He couldn't hold back his excitement and cried out in joy, "The better days are finally coming!!!"
Back at the Diggory household, Mr. and Mrs. Diggory clutched each other and wept… tears of joy.
Their son was finally out of the house.
He wouldn't be delivering soul-stirring speeches every morning.
He wouldn't be filling the living room with revolutionary monologues.
They could finally have peace.
Mrs. Diggory pulled the pins out of her elegant bun, letting her hair fall wildly down her back. She marched up the stairs like a queen returning to her throne.
"I'm going to bed. If anyone dares wake me, I will personally hex them!"
"Same here!" Mr. Diggory declared, flicking his wand.
Bottles of chilled butterbeer and a platter of snacks floated toward the sofa.
"I'm going to watch a full game of Quidditch on the sofa today, undisturbed!" he announced, collapsing into the cushions with a sigh of pure bliss.
He raised his bottle and toasted the empty air.
"To your next stop, Cedric—good luck at Hogwarts!"