Title: Finding Himself

Author: Minisinoo

Summary:
'The boy who almost died' has to figure out what it means that he didn't.  Harry's tulmultous fifth year at Hogwarts is Cedric's seventh and final.  Bound together by a shared trauma survived, both boys fall under Ministry fire and suspicion, and both undergo a 'deconstruction' of sorts in the face of that crisis.  Who is Cedric Diggory?  He must find himself amid rumors of war, the awkwardness of falling in love, and a crippling personal tragedy. (parallel canon) ... Like any novel, this one involves an ensemble cast, but the central protagonist is Cedric, not Harry, which naturally skews the focus so that some characters important to the books are less important here while others barely mentioned become significant secondaries.  Nonetheless, the 'holy trio' remains central.  At least initially, all romances reflect canon, and most will continue so -- with one important change (Cedric/Hermione).

Comments:
I can't say enough good things about this fic.  Minisinoo is a teacher, a professional writer and a long-time fanfic writer (chiefly in X-Men).  In Finding Himself, she takes a "what-if?" - Cedric Diggory survives the Triwizard Tournament, but is gravely and permanently injured - and runs with it.  The writing is sparkling, the characterizations are round, there is a fantastic OC, the story deals with a number of serious issues, and the plot is fascinating to me.  This is an R-rated fic due to significant adult situations - Cedric and Hermione end up in an intimate relationship.  The details are as far from the porn-with-plot variety as you can get, but are quite complete.  I wouldn't recommend this fic for readers under 17, but I heartily recommend it for any grown-up HP fan who is open-minded about 'shipping and prizes a very, very good read.