Cedric obeyed and sat down, placing his hands on his knees, looking slightly nervous.
"Cedric, what do you think about Harry becoming the fourth champion?"
Cedric thought for a mont before answering. "Since the Goblet of Fire chose Harry, I believe he has the right to compete. Perhaps there's so trait in him that made the Goblet select him." The words sounded a little formal, but they were Cedric's genuine thoughts.
Most students were dissatisfied with Harry being chosen as a champion, but Cedric had his own judgnt. He knew Harry's strength wasn't enough to bypass the age line Dumbledore had set. As for who might have helped Harry, Cedric didn't really care.
As long as the competition was fair, he wasn't afraid of anyone.
"There's sothing I'll need your cooperation on…"
Cedric's attention imdiately sharpened. Wes Elwin began to explain their plan in detail—starting from the possibility that the Goblet of Fire had been tampered with, to the likelihood of Death Eaters being involved, and finally to how they intended to deal with it all.
By the ti he finished, Cedric was stunned. He had never expected the Triwizard Tournant to be shadowed by Death Eater sches, and for a mont he couldn't accept the reality.
"I thought they were all caught. The Dark Lord was supposed to be dead."
"Why are you telling this?" Cedric asked, frowning. "Wouldn't it be easier for your plan if you kept in the dark?"
Wes smiled faintly, his eyes showing a trace of admiration.
"You're a clever young man, and you're much stronger than Harry. There's a good chance you'll be the first to touch the Goblet. But the Death Eaters won't spare you just because you're still a student. Now that you know our plan, we don't want you caught off guard. Their target is Harry—but if you'd be willing to withdraw from the Tournant…"
"No!" Cedric clenched his fists. "I won't withdraw!"
Wes shrugged, as though he had expected that answer.
"That's why we need to make sure you have the strength to protect yourself. If I suddenly gave you special training without explanation, you'd be suspicious. You're not as easy to fool as Harry, Cedric. That's why I'm being honest with you."
"Think it over carefully. Don't rush to give an answer just yet."
Wes finished speaking and handed him a glass of water.
Cedric sat in silence for a long while, then finally made up his mind. "Professor, I'm willing to cooperate with you."
"Are you certain? We can't guarantee your safety completely. This isn't a joke—you'll face Death Eaters directly, and you'll fight them."
Wes kindly reminded Cedric once again that this was no small decision.
But Cedric raised his wand, his voice steady and confident. "I was chosen by the Goblet of Fire. I am a champion."
"Since you've decided, then this must remain secret." Wes patted Cedric's shoulder. "Counting you, only four people know of this plan."
Cedric swore he would never leak a word, even offering to make an Unbreakable Vow.
Wes only smiled and shook his head. "That won't be necessary. I trust you, Cedric. You understand the importance of this plan—that's enough."
Although Cedric's face stayed calm, Wes could clearly see how nervous and excited he really was inside.
A seventeen-year-old suddenly burdened with so many secrets, playing such a critical role—how could Cedric not feel excited?
"Get a good night's rest. Starting tomorrow, I'll be putting you through special training. If you want to survive against Death Eaters, your current strength isn't nearly enough."
When Wes Elwin was younger, he too had fantasized about receiving a secret mission, saving the day, and becoming a hero. He understood exactly how Cedric was feeling now.
"I understand, Professor. I'll give it my all."
After Cedric left the office, Wes returned to his desk, resuming preparations for the plan ahead.
From the very next day, Wes began Cedric's rigorous special training. The thod was simple—endless combat, nonstop practical trials.
Forbidden Forest: In the damp, shadowed forest, Wes's clones appeared again and again. Cedric had to dodge and counterattack in the tangled terrain. At first, he lasted less than five minutes before being defeated.
Black Lake: Beneath the freezing waters, Cedric faced not only underwater obstacles but also Wes's clones. The sessions there dramatically sharpened his endurance and reflexes.
Mountains: On the rugged slopes, Cedric learned how to use the terrain to shield himself and strike back.
Day or night, Cedric had to remain constantly alert, for Wes's clones could ambush him at any ti.
Wes set only one requirent: Cedric must escape his clone's pursuit successfully.
At the start, Cedric barely lasted a few minutes. But with ti, his endurance grew longer and longer. By the ti the first task arrived, he could hold out for half an hour.
To achieve this, Cedric sacrificed all his free ti, even cutting back on the hours he spent with his girlfriend. Every day he finished training battered and bruised. Without Madam Pomfrey's exceptional healing skills, he wouldn't have lasted.
anwhile, Harry was also undergoing Moody's training. Moody's thods were much harsher than Wes's, leaving Harry utterly exhausted.
Every day, Harry and Cedric ended up eting in the infirmary, and gradually, the two grew closer.
One evening, the two lay side by side on neighboring beds, both receiving Madam Pomfrey's treatnts.
"Honestly, just because you were chosen as champions doesn't an you should destroy yourselves like this," Madam Pomfrey scolded them, frowning deeply as she examined Harry's injuries. "No, this won't do. I'll be speaking with Dumbledore. Harry, you're still far too young—this kind of high-intensity training will stunt your growth! You wouldn't want to end up short, would you?"
After fussing over them, she hurried off toward the headmaster's office to complain, leaving Harry and Cedric staring at each other awkwardly.
"Um…" Harry began.
"Um…" Cedric started at the sa ti.
They froze, then both said in unison, "You first!"
A laugh burst out of both of them.
"Didn't expect us to be this in sync," Cedric said with a shrug and a grin. "Go ahead, you first."
Harry nodded and spoke. "The first task—it's dragons. I heard it from Hagrid. I know it sounds insane, but I'm certain it's true."
Cedric blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter so hard his eyes watered. Harry watched him, bewildered, wondering if Cedric had gone mad and whether he should call Madam Pomfrey back.
But Cedric wiped his eyes and explained, "That's exactly what I was going to say. Seems we really are in sync."
Harry grinned wide, the weight on his chest instantly lighter. In that mont, two rivals beca comrades who truly understood each other.
°°°
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