After A Fall [Closed]

[theboywhodied]

Everything hurts, Cedric thought, but no broken bone or bruise was as painful as the guilt he felt at the moment. Much to his displeasure, he'd been admitted to med bay immediately upon delivering Sirius, and they'd been placed together. Even worse, there was no chance that he'd be discharged before the older man woke up.

...It's no wonder I walked straight to my death. If I'm going to be horrifically stupid, I can't be taking anyone with me.

He'd managed to win the right to prop himself up against the wall after a tussle with a nurse, using his vantage point to look fearfully over at Sirius every few minutes. What could Cedric say? There was no explanation other than 'hello, I'm an idiot, I'm sorry.'

And he'd have to swallow the consequences of that.

Comments

[theboywhodied]

Cedric's tone softened too. It was bad to bring this up, he knew, but...well, maybe it would explain what he'd done.

"I'm sorry. I just---in all this, I've been thinking about him. What he did. He said he became a rebel after I died, and I've been wondering."

He folded his hands. "Obviously I'll need a more subtle way to fight, but he'd be doing something about this. Howard and Orc were lucky to be saved. The next ones might not be."

There was also the issue of the ship's other horrid insistence of separating them, but he was getting to that.

[grimbiker]

There was a trace of a smile on Sirius's face. He folded his arms over his chest.

"And however we do fight we know that we can't do it alone. We'll need a plan. Fortunately, we're not the only ones who think so."

[theboywhodied]

"There's that," Cedric agreed with a weak nod. He sunk into his pillow, wondering just how he'd get by. "Maybe their Muggle way's better."

He lifted his healing hand and frowned at it. "We ought to learn it too. In every dangerous situation, I either lose access to my magic or find that it's entirely useless." It's made him feel rather redundant.

[grimbiker]

Sirius's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? Magic is plenty useful."

You know, aside from the time he hit the Basilisk with a curse that backfired on him but no need for Cedric to know about that.

"Not that I'm discounting learning anything else. It doesn't hurt to branch out."

[theboywhodied]

"Not here it isn't. When the robots attacked, we lost it. I tried using one of their guns, but I wasn't very good at it."

That was an understatement. It'd been a disaster zone near the Vatican for a short while. "And if it's that easy to take our magic, someone'll do it again. The most I can do without more training is throw things."

Some Quidditch players are particularly good throwers. It's a specialty of his. "Say, do you know anything about that? Their weapons?"

[grimbiker]

Sirius really needed to be better about keeping up with what had happened while he was captured by GLaDOS. She seemed very fond of him and it was bound to happen again.

"The Daligig's? I haven't a clue. Most everyone here seems to rely on Muggle technology although far more advanced than I've ever seen. It seems the same is true for them but they may have enchantments of some sort."

[theboywhodied]

"No, ours. I need to learn how to use these weapons," he said with some distaste. "It's...really frustrating, to be no help at all. But it fits, doesn't it."

He closed his eyes, trying to think of some way to fight. Some way to win.

[grimbiker]

"I honestly have no idea." He honestly thought Muggle weapons were laughable. Now he wasn't so sure. "It can't be that hard to learn."

Sirius put his hand on Cedric's shoulder. "You're not useless."

[theboywhodied]

"Not that I've got a lot to show for it," he shrugged, looking down at that raw hand. "I feel angry enough to tear the ship down when they're in trouble, and I can't. Don't know who can."

[grimbiker]

Sirius fell silent. He remembered the last time he felt the way Cedric was describing and in his rage he played right into Pettigrew's plans.

"Sometimes... sometimes it's better to take your time before acting on your emotions." He could hardly believe what he was saying and he sure as hell would find it impossible to live up to the advice. "But you'll get your chance."

[theboywhodied]

"Or I'll get you hurt again," Cedric sighed. "Or maybe he'd be hurt more."

He needed to be responsible, in other words. Cedric tucked his hands together, blowing on some stray hairs in his eyes.

"Anyway, you'd better get back to...wherever it is that you stay. I'm sure they'll clear you. Hospital wings aren't known for being comfortable."

[grimbiker]

"I'll go if you want me to. But if you want me to stay..." Sirius trailed off. He kept his hand on Cedric's shoulder.

[theboywhodied]

"I'm assuming that doesn't include sneaking me out of here?" he asked hopefully.

...what? He did need to see the others.

[grimbiker]

Sirius looked Cedric over. On the one hand he was all for sneaking people out, on the other he knew it could backfire if they weren't feeling well enough.

Sirius nodded and smiled. "If you're up for it I don't have a problem with bending the rules."

[theboywhodied]

Cedric flashed a little grateful smile. He could act the part for long enough to escape this confinement.

"I think so. Might be slightly drowsy, but I'll sleep better outside."

He pushed himself upright, managing it only slightly slower than usual. Phew. "Should I try for casual?" he whispered.