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Your Standard, Boring Disclaimer: All characters - and Dumbledore's speech - belong to Joanne Kathleen Rowling. 'Goodbye' belongs to the Spice Girls - but that's no reason to hate/love my fic!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Good-bye ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No, no, no, no

Ravenclaws aren't normally ones for breaking rules. We find it better to stick to what the teachers tell us to do. After all, guidelines are in place for our own safety … but sometimes you've got to take matters into your own hands.

I need some time to think. So I sneak up into the Astronomy Tower after the feast and lean against the wall, looking out over the grounds. The Forest stretches out in front of me, tiny birds flying up from the branches of the trees. I can see

Hagrid, patrolling with Fang. He's small from up here.

That's why I had to break rules and come to the Tower. So everything would seem smaller and I could put things in perspective. It's stifling in the castle, but not because it's hot or crowded. It's emotionally stifling. All that grief - and added to my own, it's too much. I had to get away.

The lake is calm, with only a few small ripples showing the wind as it blows gently across the surface. I remember when Cedric pulled me out of that lake. I was embarrassed, but secretly pleased, at being who he would miss most. Not all the other girls were happy about that - but I was.

Listen little child, there will come a day

When you will be able, able to say

Smack! A snowball bursts across the back of my robes and I whirl around, laughing. Cedric stands there, another, ready-made snowball in his hand, smiling mischievously "Mind if I join in?" he asks.

"Well … okay!" I say, and launch the white sphere I've been holding behind my back. It explodes at Cedric's feet and snowflakes splatter across his face.

"You'll pay for that, Cho Chang!" Cedric yells, and I dodge behind a tree and come face-to-face with Mandy Brocklehurst, also hiding from the snowball war. I hold my finger to my lips, restraining giggles. Confused, Cedric wanders past our tree, and Mandy and I get him at the same time.

He chases me from behind the pine and across the grounds, pelting me with snowballs as I beg for mercy. Finally, I stumble and fall into a pile of snow. Spitting icy flakes out of my mouth, I look up. Cedric is sniggering uncontrollably at my - er -exhibition of grace, but courteously holds out a hand to help me up. I grin and take it.

Never mind the pain or the aggravation

You know there's a better way for you and me to be

The crowd gasps as the jet of fire shoots past Cedric, missing him by inches. He draws his wand, points it at a large stone and bellows, "Canis! Canis!" The rock pops out of existence and is replaced by a dog. The dragon pauses, confused, and Cedric takes the opportunity to dodge past her swishing tail and make for the eggs.

"He's taking risks, this one!" Bagman roars, thrilled.

I'm on my feet, my hands over my mouth. Next to me, Ailsa Fawcett jumps up and down in excitement and in front, Cedric's friends shout encouragement to their champion.

The dragon twists her head around, sees Cedric and screams fury. She sends flame from her throat and there are shrieks from the audience: Cedric's robes are on fire. He claps his hands over the flames, extinguishing them, and while the dragon is busy with the dog, he tries again.

"Come on, Cedric!" I scream. As if he's being spurred on by the hundreds of voices clamouring their enthusiasm, Cedric avoids a clawed foot, jumps over a batch of eggs and seizes the golden one. The crowd erupts in cheers.

Look for the rainbow in every storm

Fly like an angel heaven sent to me

We stroll to Charms and Herbology, hand in hand. I lean against Cedric's shoulder as we walk and he squeezes my fingers.

People smile as we go past, feeling the comfort of the moment, and we feel it even more.

Although I don't want to, I stop at Professor Flitwick's classroom. "This is where I'm supposed to be," I explain, and kiss Cedric lightly on the cheek. I wish we were in the same house. The only times we can talk are at meals and for the short, hurried breaks between lessons. And Cedric's so busy with the Triwizard tasks …

Noticing my forlorn expression, he smiles at me and says, "Hey, don't be sad. We'll see each other again." And I smile back.

Goodbye my friend

I know you're gone you said you're gone but I can still feel you here

It's not the end

You got to keep it strong before the pain turns into fear

Ahead of me, I see Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff champion, talking and laughing with his friends. I can feel myself blushing as they get closer. Cedric spots my group of girls, says something to his gang and they go on without him. Then Cedric walks up to me, looking nervous.

"Um - Cho?" he says. My friends giggle. I don't.

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was wondering - you see, the Triwizard champions have to open the ball, it's - er - traditional, I think - and anyway, I've got to have a dance partner - so if you don't mind - if you're going - would you like to come to the ball with me?"

My face breaks out in an idiotic smile.

So glad we made it

Time will never change it

I kick at the wall of the tower. It isn't fair, I think angrily. Why did he have to die? Cedric never did anything bad. I've done plenty of bad things in my life. I broke a window when I was eight and then lied about it. I turned my brother's wand into a mouse when he wasn't looking. I tore my best dress at my aunt's wedding. It should have been me.

Cedric was so much better. I never deserved him. And now he's dead. Why did this have to happen to him, of all people? Cedric was innocent, sweet, brave … and right when he had won the Triwizard Cup, he was murdered. It is not fair.

No, no, no, no

Amos Diggory sobs into his handkerchief, Mrs Diggory patting his arm. Her expression is terrible, as though something is tearing her apart from the inside. The preacher's voice rings distantly in my ears. "Earth to earth … ashes to ashes … dust to dust …" The coffin is slowly lowered into the earth, and I want to throw myself on it, yank it open, to show everyone that Cedric's not dead. He'll stand up in the wooden box looking puzzled and he'll ask what we're all doing, and everything will be okay …

My mother is tugging at my sleeve. "Come on, dear," she says gently. "The funeral's over."

"No," I reply, shaking her off. "Just leave me for a moment. I want to talk to someone."

I go to Cedric's parents. "Hello," I say, and Mr Diggory looks up. His eyes are red and swollen. I swallow a lump in my throat.

"I - I just wanted to say - I'm Cho Chang, and I knew Cedric - your son - your son was - he was -"

"Oh, darling," says Mrs Diggory, "come here," and I throw myself into her arms and cry.

Just a little girl, big imagination

Never let no one take it away

I cough and splutter as I come up to the surface. For a moment, I am confused, and then I remember: I, the thing that Cedric would miss most, have been at the bottom of the lake for the past sixteen hours. I turn around, treading water, and there he is, smiling at me. Cedric looks tired but happy.

Not caring what the people on the shore will think or say, I kiss him right then and there. I blush when we break apart. Whoops, laughter and catcalls follow us as we swim back to land.

Madam Pomfrey rushes up to us, fretting, and pours Pepperup Potion down our throats. With a thick, warm cloak wrapped around me and steam shooting out of my ears, I see that no other hostages have returned. I have to restrain myself from hugging everyone in sight - we were the first back! My friends mill around me, slapping me on the back, but I have eyes for one person only.

Went into the world, what a revelation

She found there's a better way

I'm not paying attention, though I probably should be. It's the year of my O.W.L.s, after all, and I want to do well. But who can focus on Switching Spells when there are so many other, much nicer things to think about? Do I really need to learn how to turn a mirror into a marmot?

"I assure you, Miss Chang, you do." Professor McGonagall's icy voice cuts through me like a knife. I hadn't realised that I'd said that last part aloud! "Switching a marmot and mirror will be on the exams - if, of course, you plan on taking them this year?"

"Oh - um - yes, Professor McGonagall. Sorry."

The teacher turns away from me and Emily nudges me in the ribs. "I know who you were thinking about!" she teases, giggling.

"Shut up."

For you and me to be

Cedric and I lie on the grass, gazing up at the stars as they come out, one by one, and the sun is reduced to a faint glimmer on the horizon. He's got to be terribly worried, but doesn't show it. His face is serene and peaceful, his grey eyes fixated on the constellations forming thousands of miles away.

"You're going to win," I say. "I'm sure of it."

"Are you? Really?" Cedric asks, propping himself up on one elbow and staring at me. "I'm not. I've got butterflies in my stomach. Big ones."

"I'm positive," I reply. "Just think: this time tomorrow, you'll have that Cup for good, and a thousand Galleons too."

Cedric takes my hand and we look up. The sky reaches out above us, infinite, unending. I feel like no one is as happy as I am: I've got a wonderful person beside me who's about to win the Triwizard Cup, the exams are done, Cedric is going to visit over the summer. The world could end tomorrow and I would not be sad.

Look for the rainbow in every storm

Find out for certain

Dear Diary,

Would you believe it? Cedric Diggory's asked me to go to the Yule Ball with him! I can't wait for it to come - and yet I'm so scared. What if I step on his feet? That's silly and I know it - if I'm careful, I'll be fine - but there are so many things that can go wrong, at a ball! But there are also so many things that can go right.

I'm so glad I got the dress robes I liked. I probably shouldn't have spent as much as I did, but I just love the colour red - and they'll be perfect for the ball.

Listen to me, going on about my clothes like a fool. I'd show up in rags if I had to and I'd still have a wonderful time. At least, that's what Dad would say.

I'm so lucky. Cedric's one of the nicest people I've ever met, and out of all the girls at Hogwarts, he's asked me - me! - to go with him. The rumours going around said that he was planning to ask Fleur Delacour. I've got to go, diary: I told Emily that I had good news for her and she's dying to know what it is.

Love,

Cho

Goodbye my friend

I know you're gone you said you're gone but I can still feel you here

It's not the end

You got to keep it strong before the pain turns into fear

What's the use of crying? Cedric is gone and that's final. This is what I hate most about death: the helplessness. If you have a problem, any other problem in the world, there is always something you can do to fix it. But when someone dies, not even Dumbledore can bring him back.

I'd thought that he would win. I'd had such a clear picture of him in my mind, holding the Triwizard Cup above his head while Hogwarts screamed approval. I had planned a victory party for him.

I keep expecting him to be there when I turn around. I see his face in my dreams, he tells me that I had imagined it all, and then I wake up and he's still dead. I want to pretend that Cedric's not gone, that he's on vacation, or just missing. I make up stories in my mind about how the body Harry was clutching wasn't Cedric's at all, how it was someone else. And then reality sets in again, and it is horrible.

The times when we would play about

We ride our brooms through the Hogwarts grounds, shouting with laughter. Cedric makes a tight turn in mid air and zooms toward me. I dodge him narrowly and shoot upward like a cannonball.

My face hurts from smiling so much, but I can't stop. Cedric is showing off on the Quidditch pitch, looping around the goalposts and making spectacular dives toward the hedges below, just to hear me gasp. Every time Cedric plummets, seemingly out of control, I think that he's going to crash, I shriek with terror and he zooms back up again, completely fine.

I start to scold him for scaring me, but Cedric just chuckles and dares me to a race around the pitch. I take off after him and we finish in a tie. We fly back to the broomshed after that, bantering above the noise of the wind.

The way we used to scream and shout

I enter the Hall, spotting a familiar face at the Hufflepuff table. Cedric talks to his friend Derek, animatedly discussing Quidditch while I start to creep up behind him. I put a finger to my lips, warning Derek not to tell Cedric what I'm doing.

I clap my hands over Cedric's eyes. "Guess who!" I tease.

Cedric pretends to be stumped, guessing one of his friends, then the other.

"Jeremy?"

"Nope!"

"Alex!"

"Nope!"

Finally, he says "Now, you couldn't be - oh, I don't know - Cho, could you?

Because she never plays tricks like this."

I giggle and remove my hands. Cedric looks at me in false astonishment. "Cho you are!" he cries.

We never dreamed you'd go your own sweet way

Someone should have made it through the maze by now. People are whispering to each other, wondering what's going on.

And then there is a loud bang, and there is a figure sprawled on the ground at the edge of the maze.

It is the strangest sight I've ever seen. Joining the mass of people rushing down to the pitch, I can make out the figure of Harry Potter, holding two things very tightly: the Triwizard Cup, and - my heart stops - Cedric.

I fight my way to Harry. He's being helped to his feet and looks like he's about to faint. Cedric is beside him, lying on the grass of the pitch. The grey eyes are blank and empty, devoid of life. Cedric is dead.

I scream. And scream. And scream.

Goodbye my friend

I know you're gone, you said you're gone but I can still feel you here

It's not the end

You got to keep it strong before the pain turns into fear

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities which distinguish Hufflepuff house," Dumbledore says, and I can feel the tears start to come. Jenna rubs my arm comfortingly, but it doesn't help. "He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not."

I start to cry. I knew him well, I knew him better than anyone. Sympathetic glances are cast my way as I sob, not caring that people are staring at me. "He shouldn’t have died," I murmur, so quietly that no one can hear me. "He shouldn't have …"

"Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."

No, no, no, no

I love you, Cedric. I hope you knew that.

No, no, no, no

Goodbye.

No, no, no, no

Don't be sad.

No, no, no, no

We'll see each other again.