Finding Himself

Dulce et Decorum Est
Pro Patria Mori

"It is sweet and proper to die for one's country."
(Horace, Odes iii 2.13)

Summary:  In a time of war, how does a crippled man feel
 when he's the one left behind?  There are battles fought with
 fire and magic, and battles fought in the hearts of men.
 
(parallel canon)

Sequel to Finding Himself.  As a sequel, this story really will not make any sense unless you've read the preceding novel.

WARNING:  This tale contains  ADULT  situations and imagery.  Don't want to get too specific and give away surprises, but just ... be aware.

Genres:  War story, coming-of-age, action-adventure, romance

On Canon Events:  Although both Finding Himself and Dulce et decorum est are 'parallel canon,' meaning they run very close to the original novels in terms of events, the further we get from the point of change, the more alterations one will find between this novel series and JKR's originals.

You may not translate this novel without my permission.

1. Storm Coming
Cedric and his mother have a 'chat,' and Cedric undergoes a series of tests at Muggle hospital.
2. Changing of the Guard
Fudge is out, Scrimgeour is in.  What will that mean for the Wizarding World?  The Grangers finally hear about Voldemort.
3. The Ministry of Magic
Cedric has a job interview.  A new position is created at the Ministry to meet the threat of war.
4. Building Sandcastles
Cedric hears the results of his hospital tests, he and Hermione quarrel, and he runs into someone at work who he'd hoped he'd never see again.
5. Desire
Scott and Tonks attempt to stage an intervention and discover Cedric is stubborn.  Hermione wrestles with the limits of being a "good girl," and gets a bit neurotic.
6. Stealth
Is Draco a Death Eater?  Harry thinks so.  Trouble is, no one else does, except maybe Cedric.  Hermione makes a dog's dinner of spying.  Cedric, Bill and Fleur get a flat together.  A Muggle flat.
7. Separation
Cedric has his first Muggle medical treatments.  Hermione and the rest return to school.  Cedric doesn't.  They must adjust to living apart.  And Dumbledore wants to talk to Cedric's denmates.
8. Sleet and Curses
Reunions are sweet.  Cedric has a little chat with Harry about his borrowed textbook.  A crisis occurs.
9. The Politics of Hope
Hermione learns something from Cormac MacLaggen that she didn't know about Cedric; Cedric visits the unconscious Katie in St. Mungo's.  He, Bill and Fleur discuss the politics of hope and fear.
10. The Slug Club
After 7 months, Cedric has another attack.  Slughorn's Christmas party is quite the shin-dig and Hermione has a special gown.
11. Theories 
Harry and Cedric discuss Draco, and Tom Riddle.  Scrimgeour has a special assignment for Cedric, and Cedric takes Hermione to Scrimgeour's New Year's Eve party
12. Disappearing and Reappearing
Hermione has doubts as she, Ron and Harry take Apparition Lessons.  Cedric worries as more people disappear, and contacts an old friend.
13. Charlie

14. Lucky/TBA


All recognizable characters and situations are the property of J.K. Rowling.
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Images:  Cover art by Cunning Croft.  A number of manipulations appear throughout this novel, acknowledged in notes.  Please don't take any of them without the permission of their creator -- not me.

Title:  The title comes from a line by the Latin poet Horace:
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori: mors et fugacem persequitur virum
nec parcit inbellis iuventae poplitibus timidove tergo.

Acknowledgements:  Special thanks go to Naomi for editing and Muridae-X for keeping my British on track, and last, to Kathryn, for HP detail checks.  As always, novelists owe a lot of other people for their support, assistance and enthusiasm.

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