#portrait Cedric Diggory

[flippinpancakes64]

I watched the Harry Potter saga and now I can't stop wondering!

The Cullens' reaction when their partner comes up to them and tells them they have something important to show him, and they take out their cell phone and show Cedric (a Harry Potter character) who looks just like Edward (let's ignore the fact that it's the same actor)

The Cullens when you show them Cedric Diggory

I think this is such a funny concept so hopefully this is good

Thank you for requesting and I hope you enjoy!

Edward:

So concerned

He tries his best to play it off and say that he doesn't really look like him

But he can't deny that he does

He goes on a whole deep dive of the actor and watches everything with him in it obsessively

"See he has a mustache in this one he doesn't look like me"

"He literally just looks like you with a mustache"

He won't admit it but he kinda wants to meet the guy

Just to see if they're really as similar as they look

Alice:

Thinks it's hilarious

It's only made funnier when Edward keeps completely overreacting

She prints out pictures of the actor and tapes his face over Edward's in family portraits

He does not find this funny

She teases him about it a lot

Calls him by various names of other characters the guy has played

Jasper:

Shrug

He thinks it's funny, sure

But he doesn't care nearly as much as Edward does

And he doesn't take as much joy in teasing him as Alice and Emmett do

So when you show him he chuckles a little

But he honestly doesn't give it much more thought after that

Rosalie:

She honestly gets a little jealous

Like wdym Edward gets a celebrity lookalike and she doesn't

But other than the initial annoyance she doesn't care

She helps Alice and Emmett with their pranks

But she doesn't go out of her way to prank him herself

Emmett:

This is comedy gold to him

And especially once you told him that Cedric dies (spoliers sorry)

He was insufferable

He pretended Edward was dead

And that he could still hear his voice like a ghost

Help Alice cut and print all the photos of the actor and replace Edward with him

Esme:

She thinks it's interesting

She's seen a movie or two with him in it and never made the connection

Sees it as just a little fun fact

After all there are like 7 people who look just like you or smthn like that

Or maybe that's wrong idk

But she doesn't think it's too weird

She likes to imagine that her son is famous <3

Carlisle:

He's not surprised

Over his many years of living and traveling, he's come across many people who look exactly like other people

It's a common thing

Especially when you've been around a lot

He reassures Edward that it's okay and he doesn't need to be worried about anything

Vampire! Bella:

She was alive around the time HP 4 came out

I like to think she was an avid reader/watcher of the series

She never made the connection until you pointed it out

So she then proceeds to gush to Edward about how Cedric was one of her crushes

He absolutely hates it

She's joking

But he doesn't need to know that

[midnitemarauderz]

you are in love | cedric diggory x fem!reader (part 1)

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Cedric was content with what he had. He was prefect, quidditch captain and the unspoken partner of yours. He wouldn't want to risk a thing with you because everything is so good as it is. But when other students are thrown into the equation, at the end of the day, is he truly yours?

warnings: two dummies in love, reader is a Gryffindor

word count: 2.5k

a/n: This is my first fic published so I'm nervous!! But I'm going to try to make multiple parts for this one because it was just getting too long and I have so many ideas for Cedric (bc we were robbed!) Also not proofread! ₊˚⊹♡

Fred pushed the list of self made “Prettiest Girls at Hogwarts” in the new first years’ faces. The tiny moving portraits of the Hogwarts girls looked a little silly in the first years’ minds but the twins insisted that pictures solidify their case.   

“These are who you lot should be aiming for,” he stated with confidence, utterly prideful of the list, “aside from y/n of course, she’s off limits.” 

“Off limits? She said she didn’t have a boyfriend while she toured us though?” a small first year girl chirped. The twins exchanged a knowing look before chuckling slowly. 

“The beautiful Gryffindor prefect, my little unknowing friends, is off limits because ah, right on time as usual” George dramatically cocked his head in your direction.  

You had been eating your breakfast alone quite peacefully when you felt someone in yellow dawned robes slip into the open seat beside you. 

“Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff prefect, quidditch seeker-“ 

“And captain” George sang. 

“And just all around dream boy. All the girls think he’s bloody fit.” Fred concluded. 

“He has kind of an unspoken dibs on y/n. Has had one since last year when they became prefects. No one has even tried to make any advances on her cause of it.” 

“Why’s that?” the first years were now all huddled close to the twins, listening with intense interest. 

Fred rolled his eyes, “because look at the bloke!” A couple of students from neighbouring tables looked curiously in the direction of the loud proclamation. Looking around he leaned in closer to whisper, “Rumour has it he’s planning to put his name in for the Triwizard Tournament this year too. He’s as fit they come!” 

“Not to mention he’s so bloody nice that you can’t even hate the bloke for being so perfect.” George finished as the rest of the table nodded along, absorbing the precious information. 

“He’s not perfect you know.” Everyone whipped their head to see Hermione chiming in, not even looking up from her books. 

“If he was the dream boy you all say he is, they would’ve been together by now. Personally, I think he’s too comfortable for his own good.” 

“What’d you mean by that Hermione?” Fred asked. 

She shut her book with a thud and sighed, “Yes he’s attractive in all ways, but how long do you reckon he’s going to keep stringing her along like that? He’s been flirting with her for as long as he’s known her but won’t do anything about it. It’s sad really.” 

The twins paused while exchanging confused looks, not understanding what was so sad about the two perfect prefects’ relationship. 

“Ugh, boys!” Hermione, exasperated, gave up and opened the thick novel to continue her literature. 

It’s not like Cedric didn’t like you. He liked everything about you, but Hermione was right, he was comfortable with how things were. He wasn’t cocky, not in the slightest, but he was always far from worried when it came to you and other guys at the school. Everyone knew about you two, so he’s never been challenged for your attention. He in all honesty, guiltily enjoyed the lack of complication that the two of you had when it came to your relationship status. There wouldn’t be anything to lose if he didn’t start anything, so he stayed in his comfort with you. 

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“Morning y/n!” Cedric’s presence instantly made you feel relaxed and warm. 

“It’s such a pleasure seeing you here at my house’s table this morning Diggory.” you teased. It wasn’t completely unnatural for Cedric to join you at the Gryffindor table, but he usually felt that as a prefect, sitting at his own house table was almost a requirement. 

“I came bearing quite honourable and exciting news y/n,” he was beaming, so excited that it seemed like he was going to jump out of his seat, “I’ve decided to do it this year. I’ve officially made up my mind that I’m going to throw my name out for the Triwizard Tournament.” 

He was ecstatic, to say the least, and it was difficult for you to match his energy as you had just heard the worst news you could’ve expected from him. The Tournament has had students die while participating, so it wasn’t surprising that you didn’t want the boy you cared so much about to have a chance at it. 

He caught onto your uncertainty fairly quickly; you were obviously smiling but it didn’t reach your eyes. He let out a breath and carefully reached for your hand. 

“I know that you may feel hesitant about it but believe me, I know the risks but there is so much for me to gain from this experience. So please trust in me y/n.” his pleading eyes were too difficult to resist. 

“I do, I do trust you Cedric,” you mustered as much support as you could in that moment, “the Goblet would be stupid not to choose such a fine competitor.” Your words seemed to satisfy Cedric as he jumped out of his seat, gave you a quick kiss atop of your head and sped off to the Hufflepuff common rooms. 

He had made his mind up and the only thing you could possibly do was to try to hex that stupid over-gloried cup in your mind as you prayed to Dumbledore for Cedric’s name not to be pulled.  

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The news that students from other schools were coming to Hogwarts excited the masses. It wasn’t every day they got to see such new faces. Especially faces as attractive as the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students. 

Everyone was bursting with excitement in the Great Hall, awaiting anxiously for the foreign students to arrive. You on the other hand were busy glancing at Cedric who was chatting happily with his housemates. 

“You’re staring you know.” Hermione’s deadpan voice made your head turn to face her, your eyes lingering just a second longer on the Hufflepuff table. 

“Honestly y/n, we have some of the greatest wizarding students coming in for a tournament that only happens every five years and your focus is on Diggory? Merlin y/n if anything, focus on the OWLs instead.” Hermione wasn’t annoyed, but instead truly baffled as to how you could easily ignore such a large celebration for one boy. 

You held up your hands in defense, but before you could retort, Dumbledore had already started introducing the new guests. 

The vision of blue overwhelmed your senses and you were stunned for a second, only being snapped back to reality by the hollering of the surrounding boys. You shifted in your seat in an attempt to see Cedric’s reaction to the Beauxbaton girls, but the rowdiness of the male students blocked your vision. Sinking back in your seat pouting, you wondered if Cedric was enjoying this as much as the other boys were. I mean, Ron was practically drooling. You didn’t have much time to sulk over the issue as you got simultaneously shoved on both sides by Hermione and Ginny. You craned your neck to see what was causing this female commotion. 

“Oh Merlin y/n, it’s Viktor Krum! And he’s even better up close!” Ginny whispered excitedly. You stared at the older boy not really impressed but you giggled with Ginny nonetheless, feeling left out of the Viktor-Krum-is-so-handsome festivities that were happening at the table. 

From across the grand path of new students, Cedric stared at you as you giggled and whispered with Ginny. Following your line of sight, his eyes were met with the stiff, soldier-like, famous Viktor Krum. Groaning, he hung his head in his hands as the noises of the Great Hall faded in his ears. He was beginning to think, maybe he was, in fact too cocky when it came to you. 

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Your friends were whispering excitedly in the courtyard when you had joined them. 

“What’s got you lot so excited?” you asked while squeezing to sit between Hermione and Ginny on the ledge. 

“Viktor Krum! What else?” Ginny chirped excitedly. Just at the mention of his name, the other girls squealed in pure bliss. You observed your young friends’ excitement happily. You hadn’t had much time to observe the new Hogwarts guests, as the reality of Cedric putting his name into the goblet this year became more and more clear to you. A warm hand delicately tapped your shoulder from behind you, breaking you from your worries temporarily, and you looked up and behind to see Cedric standing behind you while giving you his most infamous, heart-stopping smile. 

“Ladies” he nodded to the group of girls in acknowledgement before bringing his full attention to you. Content, you leaned your head back into his chest as you looked up at the boy who seemed to be radiating sunshine. 

“Cedric! What are you doing here?” you were beaming. He looked like honey. You couldn’t really describe it, but he was just so warm and so sweet. Beautiful really.  Especially in the courtyard sun. 

“I thought you could perhaps lend me your potions books for today?” he grinned lopsidedly at you as you sighed and pulled out the heavy book. How could you ever say no to this boy? 

“You’re the champion of my heart y/n, you know that?” you laughed when he clutched his heart with his free arm. Your heart bubbled with warmth. You let yourself bask in the feeling only for a moment when Ginny moved to head back to the common rooms first. Feeling rather amorous, you told her you would meet her back there soon. You wanted to share your bubbly feelings with someone and Ginny always loved listening to it. 

“Not just your heart Diggory.” Hermione teased quietly seeing that you were distracted with Ginny for a moment. She gestured Cedric towards a pair of Durmstrang students. One in particular seemed to be taking quite an interest in you. As the Durmstrang boy kept glancing at you, Cedric’s hand on your shoulder unconsciously became a little stiffer and he pulled you a little closer. 

Cedric then bent down to reach your ear and whispered lowly, “I really do appreciate it y/n. You’re not only the champion of my heart but also the one who holds my mind, body and soul in all completion.” The cheesiness of his words had you giggling. You knew he didn’t truly mean what he was saying, but the light tinge of pink on your cheeks was evident. 

Stretching back up to stand Cedric held his gaze on the Durmstrang boy, feeling rather confident and accomplished as he watched the boy’s friend pat him on the back consolingly as they walked away. 

“Oh, Merlin! I forgot that I told Ginny I’d meet her in the common room!” you frantically gathered your things and hollered rushed goodbyes. “Don’t forget to return my potions book Cedric!” you reminded and he chuckled lightly to himself in response. 

As your sporadic figure grew smaller in the distance, Hermione turned to face Cedric. “You know Diggory, every guy at Hogwarts may know of your guys’ relationship, but the ones at Durmstrang don’t.” Hermione stated matter-of-factly, making Cedric’s grin falter. 

“What’s that supposed to mean Granger?” Frustrated, Hermione groaned, “It means that although the boys at Hogwarts don’t fancy y/n, that doesn’t mean that the boys at Durmstrang won’t. You can’t pull that kind of stunt again with every Durmstrang boy she comes in contact with. Godric, boys are so dim sometimes!” she huffed as she turned on her heel to leave. 

Cedric rubbed the back of his neck, feeling quite sheepish for being caught in his rather childish act. Hermione was right though, he wouldn’t be able to keep every single guy away from you. So what was he supposed to do? 

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The night of the choosing of names came all too fast for you. You knew he put in his name. You knew he really wanted this. And for some reason, you felt like you knew he would be picked. This weighed heavily on your mind and you honestly could not for the life of you, pay attention to who the other two victors were. 

The paper flew out and Dumbledore caught it. The dread in your stomach increased to a nauseating level, the chatter of the students ringing in your ears and then the room went quiet. It wasn’t actually quiet but suddenly you weren’t able to hear the cheers of your peers as you watched the boy you yearned for so dearly, walk through the aisles in celebratory fashion. Your head started spinning, how many students had entered their names? What were the odds? How was it possible that the one student, the one student that you couldn’t risk being out in that tournament, had gotten picked? 

Cedric was on top of the world at that moment. He wasn’t too interested in becoming legendary or glorified through the Tournament but was simply elated to bring pride to the Hufflepuff House. He would be lying though, if he said that he would gladly take on the glory if it meant you would see him as such. Thinking of you, he searched quickly for your head in the crowd. When he finally spotted you, his grin widened but as he saw your fallen and disconnected expression he grew concerned and tried to move his way through the crowd to your spot. Unfortunately, it was a lost cause as the Goblet erupted once more and the wave of confused students swept Cedric further away from you. 

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“Krum’s got a yes!” Cedric turned his attention away from his house tablemates to the rowdy group of Durmstrang boys that were chirping excitedly. 

“Who’s the lucky woman Viktor? I mean half of this school wants to be your date to the Yule Ball! You have to tell us who you ended up asking!” the boys leaned in eager to hear more about Viktor’s proposal. 

“Who else, I asked the pretty Gryffindor I said I would ask.” he replied shortly, seemingly unamused by his friends. 

“Bloody hell, he’s asked y/n!” Cedric whipped his head around to the first-year Hufflepuff who had also turned to listen in. Cedric’s facial expression dropped. 

Glancing at Cedric nervously one of the older Hufflepuffs questioned the girl, “How in Merlin’s Beard would know that? Krum didn’t even say that he had asked y/n.” 

“It’s obvious!” she smiled as she hurriedly reached into her pocket and fished out a piece of paper. 

“Prettiest…Girls…At…Hogwarts” one of the Hufflepuffs read aloud slowly. Unbeknownst to you, the twins have not only been solidifying their list with the Gryffindor first years, but ALL the first years. 

“Look!” she pointed to your tiny moving portrait on the paper. 

“It says right there: y/n, 6th year, Gryffindor. If Viktor Krum had been talking about a pretty Gryffindor, it had had to be her. She’s a prefect, he would absolutely go for her!” the tiny girl smiled proudly at her findings as if she had cracked a hard case. 

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Sitting alone in the Hufflepuff common room, Cedric was deep in thought. 

Had Viktor Krum really asked you to the ball? Had you really said yes? He knew he hadn’t asked you at all but he had assumed it was only natural that the two of you would’ve gone together. Right..?

The more he questioned you and himself the more miserable he became.

[thimbleandakiss]

Midnight Snack

Cedric Diggory x Reader

Summary: You woke your boyfriend up to come to the kitchens with you because you're hungry. No other reason. Obviously.

Content: mentions of nightmares, fluff, house elves, hogwarts kitchens

Cross posted to Ao3

Playlist used to write

“Ced!”

You shake his shoulder to no avail. Bloody hell, the man can sleep. 

“Ced!” You repeat in a whisper-shout, shaking his shoulder once more, and this time you’re rewarded with a rousing groan. 

You grin broadly down at him as he rolls in our direction, light brown hair thoroughly mussed with sleep, rubbing his eyes and squinting at you in the dim light “Sweetheart, what-”

You swiftly place a finger to his lips, hushing him. “Shh! We don’t want to wake your dormmates, now, do we?”

His brow furrows, frowning slightly in a way that tells you he’s actually trying not to mirror your smile. “Let’s start with what you’re doing in my dorm in the first place, hm?”

“I’m hungry.” Your smile never wavers. 

“You’re joking.”

“Nope!” 

“You woke me up to escort you to the kitchens two meters from the common room entrance for a midnight snack?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Cedric sighs heavily, slinging an arm briefly over his eyes. “You’re very lucky I like you. Alright.”

“Aw, don’t be silly,” you coo teasingly, handing him his jumper from where it’s slung over the bedpost, “you love me.”

“I do, indeed,” He hums, leaning forward to kiss your cheek before pulling the jumper over his head. 

It’s a matter of a few moments before you’re quietly padding down the steps to the common room, fingers interlaced, Cedric still yawning. It hadn’t taken much to convince him, because he knew the veiled reason for your sudden fixation with the kitchens. 

It was a nightmare. Another one. He can see it in the way your eyes didn’t crinkle the right way, in the dark circles under your eyes. And who is he to deny his girlfriend anything?

When Cedric covers another yawn with his hand, a twinge of guilt for dragging him out of bed flickers through your chest. 

“You could have told me no,” you murmur, pushing open the common room door. 

“Nonsense, darling,” he mumbles in reply, giving you a sleepy smile, pieces of his unkempt hair falling across his forehead. The sight has you smiling again. 

He squeezes your hand, holding open the portrait of fruits for you like the gentleman he is. 

Most of the house elves are asleep, but a good number are still up, preparing breakfast for the students the next morning, cleaning, or stoking the fires. Several heads snap up, owlish eyes blinking at the two of you as you step into the kitchen. 

As usual, the elves are more than happy to feed us, pulling up stools by one of the roaring fireplaces, but there’s… a slight confusion to their actions. Two in the morning certainly isn’t when they expect to have random visitors. 

“I swear, the house elves are judging us,” you murmur, a warm mug of hot chocolate in one hand, a small fruit tart in the other. 

“Let them judge,” Cedric replies, biting into his own tart, “My darling wanted a midnight snack, and so a midnight snack she will get.”

You grin at him, giggling softly, and taking a bite of your tart, some crumbs and filling lingering on the corner of your mouth. He leans forward, his arm coming up to the side of your face, his palm against your cheek and the pad of his thumb brushing the mess away. 

“Is it something you want to talk about?” He asked, his brows pinched slightly in concern. 

He knows he’s guessed right by the way your gaze flickers, then drops. “Not particularly, no. I’d rather try and forget it.”

Cedric nods, brushing your lips with his thumb again in a gesture that no longer has anything to do with the tart crumbs. “That’s alright, sweetheart. As long as you know I’m here if you need me.”

You sigh appreciatively, leaning your head into his hand briefly before allowing him to withdraw it. 

“Um, Mister… Miss…” The squeaky voice catches you both off guard, and you look down to see a rather nervous-looking house elf blinking up at you. “If you’re… quite done, we feel it important to remind you that a good night’s rest is imperative for a productive day tomorrow.”

You and Cedric look up, make eye contact and snort, nodding to the little elf at the same time, eyes glimmering with mirth. 

“Told you they were judging us.”

[omiluvsangst]

"Truly, Deeply, & Freely" // Cedric Diggory x Slytherin!Reader

i. "cold as ever"

parts: next

plot: you were cursed to never love another, to love another is to take their life away from them.

pairing: cedric diggory x slytherin!reader

words: 2.4k

a/n: ahh this is my first first fanfic ever! i'm so nervous but just as excited to share this with all of my fellow cedric lovergirls <3 this especially for all my girlies who love an angsty, slow burn, enemies to lovers type romance story. this chapter is just to introduce you all to our cursed main character and get to know her backstory! cedric is sadly not in this chapter BUT he will be in the next one, don't worry lovergirls!! anyways i hope you enjoy the slow slow burn, tysm for reading!!

𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙𓆙

There’s a chill that never leaves you.

A chill that you’ve gotten used to as you’ve grown during your years at Hogwarts. It’s a chill that curls into your spine the moment you wake and lingers long after the last candle’s been snuffed out in the Slytherin common room. It’s in the stone under your feet, the cold breath that ghosts across the back of your neck. It’s in your eyes, mirrors of winter lakes, frozen deep and silent.

You’re used to it. You’ve wrapped yourself in it like a second skin.

You’ve created quite a reputation for yourself, a persona you’ve worked hard to put on every day for your fellow witches and wizards. You’ve done so well that they now call you the Ice Princess. The name clings to you like frost on glass: beautiful, distant, untouchable. It started as a whisper in your second year. Now it’s a fact, you claim this name with pride, stitch it into your identity, paint it onto your heart like the hanging tapestries of the Hogwarts’ house crests and the portraits in the halls that blink too slowly.

You’ve never corrected them. And why would you?

It’s easier this way.

No one asks about the way your fingers twitch when someone gets too close. No one notices how you flinch from warmth like it might burn. They don’t see the way your eyes linger on the others, laughing, living, loving. They don’t feel your longing, your yearning for something others can so easily take for themselves. This is the way it’s always been and the way it has to stay.

You’ve made sure of it.

You sit in the Slytherin common room, curled in your usual armchair, (no one other than you sits in the chair, everyone is much too afraid to be caught stealing your designated spot) by the green glowing fire. Your robes are neat, your posture perfect, not a hair out of place. Not a single flaw in sight. A book is open in your lap, the content of the book? You didn’t know, you haven’t turned the page in fifteen minutes.

You’ve been listening.

Across the room, a group of fourth year girls giggle about someone’s new crush, some Ravenclaw boy with sea glass eyes and a dimpled grin. You clench your hand against the fabric of your robe and press your mouth into a tight line. Do they know how privileged they are to talk about such things? What a luxury it is to fawn over silly boys? To admire someone so openly and not have to worry about the consequences whatsoever?  You soon tune out the words and focus on the sound, the way they laugh without fear, without walls. The high pitched giggles of girls who know every little thing about each other, who can turn to each other no matter the circumstance. You wonder what all that must feel like.

You turn the page.

There’s a photograph tucked between the chapters. An old one. Slightly crinkled at the edges from being handled too much. You shouldn’t keep it. It’s dangerous. But you do.

In the photo, a man and woman sit under a blossoming tree. A woman whose appearance is strikingly similar to your own is pictured. Her dark hair tumbles down her shoulders, eyes fierce and full of something sharp grinning directly at the camera. The man has a quiet smile and a book in his hands, though he’s looking at her instead, with warm eyes full of affection and a fond smile. Between them sits a little girl, barely seven, her face buried in the beautiful woman's robes, arms around her waist.

You.

Your parents look alive in a way you can barely remember. The kind of warmth that you’ve only ever felt from your mother and father when they were still well and breathing. You trace the edge of the photo with your thumb, and a feeling of sorrow washes all over your limbs. You missed them greatly, wishing they could be here with you in this moment, regretting the moments you took for granted. You trace your finger along the confident grin your mother gave the camera as you close your eyes and take a breath before tucking the photo back into the pages of the book you couldn’t bring yourself to read.

That photo always brings you to remember the day you were told. The reason why your dear parents weren’t with you today.

It was raining. The kind of rain that blurred everything into watercolors. You were nine.

Your mother sat you down in the drawing room, her face, the calm before a storm. Her voice was low. Careful. Your father stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder like an anchor. They looked at you with glassy eyes, their eyebrows scrunched together in sorrow. You remember feeling confused as to why they looked so distressed, your relationship with your parents was wonderful, not even the strongest wind could knock your family off of the firm foundation that you guys had built together.

Your mother placed her hand softly on your cheek and rubbed her thumb against it, you leaned into her familiar touch. She looked deep into your eyes and gave you a soft smile, but something behind that smile looked almost regretful. Like she wished she didn’t have to tell you whatever she had to, but she did. 

“You are cursed”, she had said. “You can never love. If you do… it will kill them”.

Your mother was always like that, straight to the point. Never beating around the bush, always telling you how it was.

You didn’t understand at first.

Then they told you, “we are the only ones you can ever love”.

And then, a week later, they were dead. And you hated yourself. You were the reason your parents had passed away. Your parents had told you not to feel guilty, that you were the light of their lives and they loved you with all of their hearts. That their death was not because of you but because of the one who had cursed you. They told you that no matter what happened, the love you felt for them was all they needed to die peacefully. But your love had to be buried with them and could never be revived. For if you were to love anyone else you would lose them forever as well. They couldn’t let you live like that.

And so, you hadn’t loved anyone else. You’d obeyed. You’d done everything right.

And yet… they were still gone.

Now, at sixteen, you are beautiful in a way that hurts.

People don’t know what to do with beauty like yours. It unnerves them, draws eyes and shatters words. You’re beautiful in a way that scares people, the girls envy the enchanting darkness in your eyes, the boys stare at you longingly as you whisk past them in the halls with grace and perfection. But you’re intimidating, no one dares to approach you, you make others cower in your presence. 

You use that fear to your advantage. You wear the illusion of it like armor. It keeps people away.

You gave yourself rules. No friends. No crushes. No softness. No risk.

It’s what you lived by for years.

But every so often… something cracks.

You spend your free periods in the stables behind the greenhouses.

Most students don’t even realize Hogwarts keeps horses. They’re mostly used for groundskeeping or private carriages for staff. But one black mare, the wild one with eyes like nightfall, has always been yours.

You named her Nyx.

She was a gift from your mother after telling you about your curse. Something you could love without consequences; it was your mother’s last act of love for you. She had placed a shield that could only be used once against the curse upon Nyx, a protection from the death that loomed about you. When your mother first brought Nyx to you, she was bruised and half wild after a failed attempt at taming. So, you sat outside her stall that your father built just for Nyx for hours, days, weeks. You never reached out. Never forced her. Just waited. And one day, she came to you.

Now she follows you like a shadow. She was your best friend, your only friend. 

You brush her coat in silence, fingers working through the knots, her breath warm in the chilly stable air. You don’t speak. She wouldn’t answer if you did.

But she knows. She always knows.

When your hands tremble, she leans into your touch. When your eyes sting, she noses your cheek like a question. You sigh and breath in the comforting musky scent of her beautiful black coat. You resume stroking Nyx’s mane while humming a tune your mother would always coax you to sleep with. It was in these stables that you could find warmth, even if the rain was pouring and the harsh wind would cut through your robes, all of it seemed so insignificant when you were with Nyx. It’s like she knew the horrible thing that had been placed upon you and would be more than willing to let you escape your reality whenever you need to.

You feed Nyx a bright golden apple, an opal, they were her favorite you’ve come to find out. She takes it gratefully; you smile softly as you pet her lovingly and give her one last look as you head back to your dorm.

As you walk through the night and wet grass you already knew you wouldn’t get a good night’s rest tonight. Your mind was always too loud at night, full of static that would never clear no matter how hard you tried. But the silence of the dorms was much too thick. And so, you wander the halls of Hogwarts, this was your routine. Walk the halls like a ghost, barefoot and breathless, careful not to wake the castle.

The portraits whisper as you pass.

There she goes, the Ice Princess. So cold, so lovely. Cursed child.

You ignore them.

You walk to the Astronomy Tower and sit against the stone wall, pulling your knees to your chest. You sigh and look up to see the stars shimmer above you, so beautiful but always just out of reach. And you wonder, would anyone miss you if you were gone? No, not the Ice Princess, but you. The girl beneath the frost. The one who dreams of warm hands and late night secrets and laughter that hurts cheeks. 

But as always, you crush that thought before it can bloom.

~

In class, you are silent but precise. Being constantly alone made it much too easy to master whatever task was given to you. Your studies were never difficult.

You brew potions with practiced elegance. You transfigure with a flick and flourish. It was almost like an enchanting dance as your graceful hands moved about your cauldron. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, you move like you were born for it, controlled, decisive, unshaken.

Professor Snape favors you, though he never says it aloud. 

“Miss L/n,” he says often, “your restraint is... admirable.”

He doesn’t know. None of them do.

The restraint isn’t learned, it’s survival.

If you let go, even for a second, someone might see. Someone might get close. Someone might matter. And then… someone might die.

You’ve never told anyone the truth. Not that you had anyone to tell anyway. But even if you did all you could say is that you were cursed to never love. You didn’t know how this curse came to be, you didn’t know who could be so cruel to place such a horrible thing on you, you didn’t know how to break it, or if there even was a way to take away the curse.

Your mother wouldn’t tell you, she insisted it was for your own good, that you didn’t need to know. A part of you resented her for it, why would she keep something like that from you? Something that could release you from something so dreadful, how could she withhold that information from you? But she was your mother who you loved dearly, so you trusted her, even as it broke you.

After potions you walk back to your dorm before your next class. Your dorm mates leave you alone. As always. They fear you in the way girls fear snakes (ironic) beautiful, cold, coiled in the corner, watching with eyes too sharp. You haven’t smiled at any of them in years. You’re polite. Distant. Impeccable. They don’t ask questions. So, they whisper instead.

“She doesn’t feel anything.”

“She’s heartless.”

“I heard she hexed a boy in second year for asking her out.”

You let them believe it. You’d rather be feared, it’s safe this way.

Still… sometimes, someone tries.

A Ravenclaw girl from Charms class once offered to walk with you to the library. Her hands were ink stained. Her eyes too kind. With a heavy heart you said no. A Hufflepuff boy dropped his quill near you in the corridor. You stepped around it like it was poisoned. 

You can’t afford to forget.

Every kindness is a temptation. Every smile, a risk. Your curse doesn’t care how careful you are. Love is insidious. It creeps up slowly, silently, until it’s too late. You will not let anyone die because of you. Not again.

But oh, how you ache.

You ache when you see girls in the common room painting each other’s nails, trading secrets and perfume. You ache when you hear someone whisper “I think he likes you” behind a giggle. You ache when you read stories in bed, tales of stolen glances and midnight kisses, and feel the hollow place in your chest echo with longing.

You want it. You want it all.

But more than anything you want them alive.

So you stay frozen. 

You keep them safe. 

You stay alone.

next

[papervenom]

✩ chapter fourteen: S.P.E.W ✩

summary: your fourth year starts with the return of the triwizard tournament— and a relationship with cedric diggory that should feel steady, but doesn’t. when harry’s name gets pulled from the goblet, everything shifts. the trio starts to crack, and being with cedric only adds to the tension. you’re sure about how you feel , you love him. but someone else is pulling for your attention, and it’s getting harder to ignore. a slow-burn, character-driven take on goblet of fire, told through your perspective

chapter warnings: heavy sexual tension, intense making out lol, emotional vulnerability & insecurity

word count: 5.7k

INSATIABLE MASTERLIST⋆˙⟡

November 16th, 1994

During the few, fleeting weeks after the Inter-House party— Cedric and I had become inseparable.

Every morning, I would find him waiting for me on the other side of the Fat Lady's portrait to walk to the Great Hall together for breakfast. He'd join us at the Gryffindor table and would make sure I was properly alimented before escorting me to my first lesson of the day. 

We made a habit of leaving a few minutes before the bell rang, while the halls were still vacant, because the moment that we were out of our peers' eyesight— we would be on one another.

There'd be a make-out session before his departure for his next class and another in between lessons at the Courtyard with his friends' jeering surrounding us.

Everyone in our proximity became victims to the clingy fervor we felt towards each other, and I could tell it was annoying to most of them. 

My friends, especially.

The Golden Quartet became The Golden Trio once more, since I was rarely around to spend leisure time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

We'd hang out during class, though we wouldn't be able to socialize much then, but as soon as the bell rang— Cedric would somehow already be there, earning a scoff from Ron, an eye-roll from Harry and an exasperated look from Hermione, who thought I was being severely irresponsible with my free-time where I could've been studying. 

But I couldn't care less. 

I was aware that the majority of Hogwarts was growing sick of how inseverable we were, yet I couldn't keep my hands off him.

I was crushing hard on the Hufflepuff who was by far the most handsome guy I've ever known.

Cedric Diggory was a movie-star type of handsome— the kind that people would falter in their step to watch go by. 

He wasn't as tall as Fred or George, and he was a bit slimmer, but he had a finely drawn, sensitive face that managed to be thoughtful and looked like it was carved by angels or Michelangelo himself.

His lively, dancing, bright-grey eyes managed to be gentle and sympathetic and held so much emotion in them.

It wasn't for nothing that he attracted girls like honey does flies.

And he was mine.

Or at least, it felt like it.

We never had much of a conversation about the exclusivity of our relationship, but Cedric didn't shy away from kissing me in areas where anybody could see— tuning out the rest of the world until it was just background noise as we got lost within ourselves.

I couldn't deny that it would be awkward when people would ask when we had made it official, but I wasn't interested in anybody else and neither was Cedric, so that's all that mattered.

As for the Tournament, the next task wasn't until the end of February and neither Harry nor Cedric had even touched their Golden Eggs ever since we heard the disturbing, high-pitched screeching they emitted when they opened them in unison at the party.

They had plenty of time to figure it out, so we all let negligence get the best of us as we grew accustomed to everything returning back to normal. 

Even if it was just momentary.

The beginning of December was looming ahead and it was already bringing wind and sleet to Hogwarts. 

I was always grateful for the castles' never-ending, burning fires and thick walls every time I passed the Durmstrang ship bobbing on The Black Lake or the Beauxbatons caravan, which was likely to be chilly as well.

We had just finished our last lesson of the day and were on our way to the Great Hall for dinner. 

It was at the moment we'd sat down and started filling our plates with food when I noticed that Cedric wasn't beside me, like he usually was. 

Not thinking much of it— I took the opportunity to catch up with my friends.

"Harry, did Sirius answer the letter that you sent?" I asked, knowing that Harry had rushed to send his Godfather an update on his survival from the dragon the morning after the first task.

Harry nodded as he worked on chewing his mouthful of pudding to be able to reply to me when Ron hastily interrupted him.

"Yes. He did. And you would've known if your lips weren't glued onto that plonker's face."

"Ron! What is wrong with you!?" Hermione seethed, glowering at him in my defense but I grinned cheerfully, nonetheless— feeling like absolutely nothing could damper my mood.

"So? What did he say?" I asked Harry again, ignoring my redheaded friend who was evidently upset with me, and Harry soon filled me in on everything.

Sirius was relieved, to say the least, but still reminded Harry to be wary of Durmstrang's Headmaster Igor Karkaroff. 

Ron seemed to have been brought up to date on everything that he missed while Harry and he were fighting, because at the mention of Karkaroff's name— Ron went off on a tangent where he claimed that we ought to have suspected that he had been a Death Eater all along.

"I mean, it fits, doesn't it?" spoke Ron over a mouthful of Pumpkin Juice. He took a big gulp before continuing, "Remember what Malfoy said on the train? About his dad being friends with Karkaroff? Now we know where they knew each other. They were probably running around in masks together at the World Cup... I'll tell you one thing, though, Harry— if it was Karkaroff who put your name in the Goblet, he's going to be feeling really stupid now. Didn't work, did it? You only got a scratch! There's no way any of the other tasks are going to be that dangerous. How could they be!?" Ron went on. "You know what? I reckon you could win this Tournament, Harry. I'm serious." 

As if on queue, Hermione scoffed at Ron's ignorance and I smiled privately to myself at how predictable my friends were. 

I had missed them so much.

"Harry's got a long way to go before he finishes this Tournament," she said gravely. "If dragons was the first task, I hate to think what's coming next."

We all shuddered at the thought— the panic subsiding into my nervous system again, and Ron seemed to notice because he nudged my knee gently and when I peered up at him, he was looking at me worriedly.

"Right little ray of sunshine, aren't you, Hermione?" spoke Ron accusingly. "You and Professor Trelawney should get together sometime."

I giggled at the idea of Hermione and Trelawney hanging out and Ron's features seemed to soften once I did, pleased to have gotten me to lighten up as he gave me a dorky smile.

When asking Hermione what she's been up to the past weeks, she told me that she remained occupied with her usual long hours of studying at the library, but then informed me of a new project that she was currently working on.

"Hermione! Stop trying to rope her into that spew shit!"

"I'm not!" she said hastily. "And it's not spew, Ron —"

"Changed the name, have you?" he retorted, frowning at her. "What are we now, then, the House-Elf Liberation Front?"

The two bickered back and forth as Harry and I shared a look of wary solidarity for one another for once again being caught in the middle of another argument.

"Shut up, Ron. I wasn't even talking to you! I was simply trying to inform (Y/N) about a very critical situation happening in this school, out of all pla—"

"Tell me then," I interrupted impatiently before Ron could quip back at her, "What's going on?"

"Right. So remember that mountain of food Fred and George got for the party? I was curious about how they managed to acquire so much of it, so I asked them," Hermione explained in an innocently casual sort of voice, "And that's when I found out about the House-Elves! The twins told me how to get to the kitchen dungeons, so Harry, Ron, and I went a few evenings ago—"

"Against our will, might I add," Ron muttered and Harry huffed out a laugh.

"And you'll never guess who we saw, (Y/N)! Dobby! Remember we told you about the House-Elf that Harry freed during our second year who used to work for the Malfoys?"

I thought back to the night that Harry caught me up on the two years that I had missed with them back at The Leaky Cauldron and vividly recalled him telling me about Dobby, the abused elf who once lived his days getting kicked around and scorned at by Lucius Malfoy.

"I remember," I replied, letting her carry on with her story.

"He's working here at Hogwarts, (Y/N). Like actually working down in the kitchens. There are House-Elves cooking us countless of food options for the three meals we eat daily, and guess what!? Most of them aren't even getting paid for it! Dumbledore is paying Dobby, because Dobby asked for it— rightfully so, but most of the other House-Elves are so adamant about providing free labor! Oh, (Y/N), I'm just hoping the other elves will see how happy Dobby is, being free, and slowly it'll dawn on them that they want that too! So I'm making it my mission to inform others of what's going on in the kitchens. In the meantime, I made these..." Hermione trailed off as she started rummaging into her book-bag.

I waited patiently for her— my interest piqued in whatever Hermione had to show me since she seemed so passionate about the subject when I heard Ron curse under his breath.

"For fucks sake," Ron grumbled.

I searched to see what had made him so grouchy and spotted Cedric entering The Great Hall.

Many of the students erupted in cheers as they spotted their Champion, and some Hufflepuffs were even calling out Cedric's name to get him to join them for dinner— but he just waved them off, making a beeline towards me.

His bronze locks were gorgeously disheveled and his yellow House tie hung loosely around his neck— adorning his exposed collarbones stunningly, as the first few buttons of his white dress shirt were unbuttoned. 

Many of the girls in the Great Hall were giggling and fanning themselves with their hands from how devastatingly sexy Cedric looked— but I couldn't find it in me to take it personally, because I completely understood the sentiment. 

Once the Golden Boy was at my arm's length, I didn't waste a second before jumping into Cedric's arms and giggling girlishly as he spun me around.

He chuckled and set me down so my feet were touching the ground again, and I stood on my tip-toes to peck his lips sweetly. 

I caught Hermione smirking at me from the corner of my eye. 

Harry seemed indifferent to us and Ron was eyeing us odiously and told us to 'get a room'. 

"Looking good, (Y/N)!" a voice called out from somewhere in the Great Hall and I noticed that it was Roger Davies from Ravenclaw and he was sitting up on his chair as his eyes roamed me excitedly.

His friends were guffawing at his boldness but the laughter quickly died in their throats— the reason being Cedric who was glaring at them furiously next to me.

He steered me to my seat, his body blocking me from their view protectively.

It was thrilling to see him become so threatening. 

I didn't think it was possible— with him being so soft and gentle most of the time. 

"I don't know how you can tolerate those imbeciles cat-calling you that way," Cedric mumbled as he pulled out the chair I was previously sitting at for me and took his seat right next to mine. 

He soon began filling my plate generously with baked potatoes before starting on his own.

"It comes with being a woman, unfortunately," I remarked nonchalantly, pouring pumpkin juice into both of our glasses. 

"It's crude," he prompted, his eyes flickering up to glower at the Ravenclaw table. 

"I hate to tell you this, Ced, but most guys our age tend to be a bit crude. I just got really lucky with you," I spoke lowly so only he could hear, watching his face soften as his grey eyes peered down at me.

He grinned and pecked me on the lips.

"I'm sorry I'm late, dove. Snape held me up. Ever since he found out that the Triwizard Champions had been excused from exams this year, he's been persistent in assigning me extra coursework." 

"Of course he has," I sighed. 

My attention was grasped when someone stood up abruptly from the Ravenclaw table and stormed out of the Great Hall. 

I noticed that it was Cho Chang who had just burst into tears and was being followed by her friends who rushed to her aid behind her.

I felt a pang of guilt at the prospect that the sight of Cedric and I had made her so upset.

When I turned to look at Cedric worriedly, I saw that he didn't even seem to notice as he ate his dinner.

"Hello, how are you guys doing?" Cedric greeted my friends, nodding at them politely like the gentleman that he was.

Only Harry and Hermione greeted him back, as Ron became engrossed with his pie. 

"What's in the box?" Cedric asked Hermione, pointing at it. 

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed, smiling sheepishly as she seemed to forget that she was holding a box in the first place. 

She took off the lid and showed us the contents. 

Inside were about fifty badges, all of different colors, but all bearing the same letters: S. P. E . W.

Ron snorted as soon as he got a good look at them, earning a nasty look from Hermione. 

"S-P-E-W. What does it stand for?" Cedric asked curiously, picking up a badge and inspecting it. 

"It stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. I've founded it to promote liberation and rights for House Elves."

 "And you expect us to walk around wearing badges that say 'spew,' do you?" said Ron  

"How many times do I have to tell you, Ronald? It's S-P-E-W!" said Hermione hotly. "I was going to put Stop the Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status, but it wouldn't fit. So I made that the heading of our manifesto." Hermione said as she pushed the piece of parchment towards us. "I've been researching it thoroughly in the library. Elf enslavement goes back centuries. I can't believe no one's done anything about it before now. " 

"Hermione— open your ears," said Ron loudly. "They. Like. It. They like being enslaved!" 

"Our short-term aims," continued Hermione, her attention on Cedric and I as she spoke even louder than Ron and acted as though she hadn't heard a word, "are to secure House-Elves' fair wages and working conditions. Our long-term aims include changing the law about non-wand use, and trying to get an elf into the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures because they're shockingly underrepresented."

"And how can we do all this?" Cedric asked, seeming interested as he pulled Hermione's parchment towards him to read through.

"We start by recruiting members," replied Hermione happily. "Two  Sickles to join, that buys a badge, and the proceeds can fund our leaflet campaign." 

"How many members have you got?" Harry asked. 

"Well, if you four join, it'll be five members," Hermione replied confidently.

There was a pause in which Hermione beamed at all of us, and I was torn between exasperation at Hermione and amusement at the look on Ron and Harry's faces. 

But the silence was broken, not by Ron, who looked as though he was temporarily dumbstruck, but by Cedric who started rummaging his pockets for two Sickles to buy a badge.

"Count me in," he assured as he pushed the coins towards Hermione and pinned the badge to the front of his robes.

After Cedric bought a badge, Harry and Ron felt obliged and also paid their two Sickles, but I felt like they had only done it to keep Hermione quiet. 

I bought mine because I thought the intention Hermione had was good, and although it seemed like the House-Elves didn't care for being liberated, I was curious to see how far Hermione would take this.

Some people at our table, like Neville, had paid up just to stop Hermione from glowering at them.

A few seemed mildly interested in what she had to say but were reluctant to take any active roles in campaigning.

Many regarded the whole thing as a joke. 

Cedric spoke to Hermione for a few more minutes about the elves, having some knowledge since the Hufflepuff Common Room was in the dungeons, right across the kitchen. 

He was very polite in brainstorming ways that they could ease the hard work for the elves, and even promised that he'd help them wash dishes before heading to bed, which causes Hermione to grin ecstatically.

Already having finished my supper, my eyes roamed the Great Hall and saw students gossiping and glancing at our direction every once in awhile.

This disinterested me, since I was already so used to it— so I merely stared back at everyone blankly until my eyes landed on the Slytherin table where Draco was sitting, surrounded by his friends. 

They looked like The Last Supper mural, but filled with assholes.

After the party, Draco and I had gone back to ignoring each other with a few occasional glances which always ended in me scowling at him or flashing him the finger.

In other words, everything was back to normal.

One morning, Draco caught Cedric and I kissing right outside of the Potions classroom as he was coming down the stairs to the dungeon. 

He seemed livid— looking unreasonably scornful as he stormed towards us and I was almost afraid that he would tell Cedric about our weird moment at the party, but he just walked past us and went into class.

I felt disgusted with myself for allowing Draco to get so close to me that night.

I don't know what came over me. 

My only conclusion as to why I let it happen was that I wasn't sober.

But ever since that day, Pansy Parkinson had been perched on Draco's lap and slobbering disgusting hickies on his pale neck as he sneered at me.

The sight of them was revolting, but I just hoped that our hostility would last this time around because frankly, I never wanted to speak to him again.

After some time, the Great Hall started clearing up as all the students returned to their Common Room for the night.

Cedric took the liberty to accompany us back to  Gryffindor Towers, and the Champions used the time to inquire each other about their process of figuring out the message hidden within their Golden Eggs while Hermione chimed in with suggestions from some book she read but Ron remained tight-lipped and simply brooded.

When we were standing in front of the Gryffindor Common Room entrance, I lingered behind to have Cedric to myself for a few minutes.

"This was sweet of you," I murmured, toying with Cedric's S.P.E.W badge once the last student had shut the entrance with The Fat Lady's portrait behind them. 

Cedric shrugged, placing his hands on my waist.

"Anything to get on your friends' good side," he smirked and cupped my face with his hands.

"Speaking of— I wouldn't get mad if we didn't spend all of our free time together, Ced. I bet your friends find me intolerable for taking their Champion away from them," I grinned, emphasizing the word 'champion' as I stepped closer to him and combed my fingers through his hair.

"They're more understanding than you think. Have you seen yourself, sweetheart? They're downright envious of me," he muttered before nipping the soft skin of my neck which elicited a giddy laugh from me as I squirmed away from him.

"Look who's talking. How very dare you arrive to dinner looking so despairingly handsome. All the girls' eyes nearly rolled out of their heads— you should show them some mercy," I scolded him humorously, my hands working on buttoning his shirt and tying his necktie.

Cedric hummed nonchalantly in response, attempting to kiss me but I moved my head away from him as I pretended to be too preoccupied with tidying him up— earning a frustrated huff from the Hufflepuff as he leaned on the staircase's banister.

"No one's giving you a hard time anymore, are they?" Ced asked, his demeanor becoming serious as he searched my eyes with genuine concern.

I thought about all the dirty looks I got from girls whenever I walked hand-in-hand with him in the hallways. 

And then I remembered Cho's outburst earlier.

I couldn't pretend it didn't make me feel remorseful.

"Well... someone's always bound to be jealous... but maybe we should cool it with the PDA? I'd hate to make any of your... ex-acquaintances any more upset."

Cedric's eyes softened once I said this— looking at me as if he'd been seeing me for the first time in his life, and then he broke into a dashing smile— his eyes crinkling as he flashed his perfect, pearly white teeth.

"This is one of the many things I love about you, (Y/N). How extraordinarily thoughtful you are. I've never met a girl like you, you're incredible." 

Cedric gushed as he pulled me towards him by my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him into an embrace to cover up the fact that I was blushing furiously. 

I tried to steady my erratically beating heart after hearing him say 'love'. 

I knew we weren't there yet, but it still felt like a genuine confession, even though he spoke it so casually.

Cedric pulled away from the hug, his large hands nestling my face in his hands before he dove down to crash his lips onto mine.

We both hummed in bliss at the contact, his warm lips gliding over mine softly. 

It was inexplicably passionate, the way that we connected like magnets.

Behind us, I could hear the hushed, gossipy whispers coming from the portraits as they peered down at the both of us. 

But they were inconspicuous to me— my attention enveloped by the way my skin seemed to go ablaze with electric shocks when Cedric pulled me towards him to deepen the already feverish kiss— his teeth tugging at my bottom lip as his tongue proceeded to swipe into my mouth. 

Our tongues were greedily exploring each other when he abruptly pulled away, leaving me breathless.

Both our chests rose and fell as we watched each other in silence, allowing one another to breathe for the first time since he initially kissed me. 

Cedric's hands were clutching my face selfishly, and his lips were pink and swollen, but it was the fervor with which he was looking at me that sent my heart racing so quickly that I was sure it was audible.

I've never been looked at in that way.

I was used to receiving the male gaze on the daily basis, but this look held much more than sexual desire.

Cedric was looking down at me as if I were a dream come true.

"You're fucking beautiful" he murmured before slating his mouth over mine again.

My bottom lip was quickly captured between his warm ones, and the kiss was slow like dripping honey this time. 

The ardor and hunger were still very much prevalent, yet he was taking his time with me—wanting to savor the moment. 

I tried to ignore the butterflies that rioted in my stomach.

I didn't think I could ever get enough of him.

Cedric Diggory was overpowering all of my senses and it was driving me fucking insane.

Yet, I wanted more.

I kissed him back ravenously— combing my fingers through his tousled curls as I pressed my body to his. 

I could feel him smirk against my lips but to my infuriation, he didn't do anything else.

"Ced," I muttered as I clung to his robes. I wasn't sure what I was pleading for, but I needed it desperately.

"(Y/N)..." he mumbled against my lips warningly, trailing his kisses down my neck until we were both sighing— out of breath as we usually were after a few heated minutes with each other.

I looked away in shame, acknowledging that I let myself get carried away until Cedric took my chin and angled me to look at him.

"Hey... look at me," he insisted when I still wouldn't meet his eyes.

When I finally did, all my humiliation evaporated as Cedric looked at me pleadingly, his dark eyebrows furrowing in empathy. 

"I want to. I just... want it to be right, okay? You deserve that."

"Okay," I replied in a small voice, not knowing what else to say.

He stood up from the banister and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"Also, I don't want you to worry about Cho. I see her at Prefect meetings, and she's doing absolutely fine. I'll see you tomorrow angel, okay?"

"See you tomorrow, Ced. Good night." I replied and floated back to my dorm room on a cloud.

༻✦༺

The next morning, I got woken up by Crookshanks who was pawing at my face repeatedly and as soon as I saw that Hermione was awake, I filled her in on what happened with Cedric the previous night as we both got ready for the day.

I appreciated having her as an audience, because really— she was the only one that I could tell these things to.

She'd sigh dreamily when I told her about Cedric mentioning how rightfully envious his friends were that he was seeing me. 

She'd coo when I brought up the nicknames he gave me like dove, angel or sweetheart.

She'd 'awww' when I added how he softened at my regard for Cho's feelings and told me it was one of the many things he 'loved' about me.

But what really piqued her interest was what happened after.

"(Y/N)! Right outside the hallway!?"

"Nothing happened! We just got carried away, a little bit. He was the one that stopped it and said he wanted to wait for the right moment. Gods, it was so fucking awkward. He probably thinks I'm a sex- freak or something," I groaned, becoming more mortified by the second and quickly buried my face in my hands.

"I promise you, he doesn't. This is completely normal. I'd bet you ten thousand Galleons that he's thought about so much more. He is a guy, after all." Hermione added, smirking at my reaction.

Once we were ready, we descended to the Common Room and met up with the boys.

We had a quick breakfast and then Harry, Ron and I sprinted to the other end of the castle for Double Divination— which became thoroughly enjoyable again ever since Harry and Ron rekindled. 

We were still doing star charts and predictions, but everything became very funny, once more. 

Professor Trelawney, who had been so pleased with us when we had been predicting our own horrific deaths, became quickly irritated as we giggled through her explanation of the various ways in which Pluto could disrupt everyday life.

"I would think," she said, in a mystical whisper that did not conceal her obvious annoyance, "that some of us—" she said as she stared very pointedly at Harry, "might be a little less frivolous had they seen what I have seen during my crystal gazing last night. I gazed into its crystalline depths... and what do you think I saw gazing back at me?"

"An ugly old bat in massive specs?" Ron muttered and our whole table fought hard to keep a straight face.

"Death, my dears." she announced and Parvati and Lavender both gasped dramatically, putting their hands over their mouths, looking horrified.

"Yes," said Professor Trelawney, nodding appreciatively at their reactions, "it circles overhead like a vulture, lowering itself over this castle..."

She stared meaningfully at Harry, who in turn yawned very obnoxiously.

"It'd be a bit more impressive if she hadn't done it about eighty times before," Harry said as we finally returned to the fresh air of the staircase beneath Professor Trelawney's room. "But if I'd dropped dead every time she's told me I'm going to, I'd be a medical miracle."

"Maybe you could be the next Gryffindor ghost? Give Headless Nick a run for his money," I suggested and the boys snickered.

"As if he could ever compete with Headless Nick! A lightning-bolt scar is child's play compared to nearly removing your whole head off your neck!" Ron chortled.

"You're right. Harry just has his pathetic little scar," I agreed.

"Oh-kay. Shut up, you two, before I dump you both and make the Hogwarts Ghosts my new friends. Bet they'd show me more respect than you both do,"

"Peeves!? Showing you respect!?" I laughed incredulously.

"Maybe not Peeves," Harry admitted and we all giggled as we went to go pick up Hermione from the library before getting to our Transfiguration lesson.

Once entering, we saw that the library was almost entirely vacant of students.

We found Hermione hunched over her favorite table, doing more House-Elves research— and sitting at a table across from her was Viktor Krum. 

Ron hovered behind the bookshelves for a while, watching Krum and debating in whispers with us whether he should ask for an autograph— but then he realized that six or seven girls were lurking in the next row of books, debating exactly the same thing, and he lost his enthusiasm for the idea.

Hermione seemed flustered for whatever reason as we left the library, glancing over at Viktor who was peering at her over the gigantic book he was reading, giving her a small smile.

I raised my eyebrows as I noticed the discreet interaction, and made a mental note to ask her about it later. 

Our task of the day in Transfiguration was to partner up and convert guinea fowls into guinea pigs before shutting them away in large cage that was placed on Professor McGonagall's desk.

Hermione and I were done within ten minutes and were trying to aid Neville who somehow managed to give his guinea pig some scales.

Ron and Harry had finished a few minutes after us, and there was still awhile left for the end of the lesson so they started having a sword fight behind us with a couple of Fred and George's fake wands. 

You could almost hear Hermione roll her eyes as she neatly copied down our homework from the blackboard.

"Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?" Professor McGonagall's irritated voice suddenly cracked like a whip and both Harry and Ron jumped in their seat and looked up.

The whole class had finished by now, all the guinea pigs squeaking merrily in the cage. 

McGonagall made the cage disappear with a swish of her wand and glared at the boys sternly.

"Now that Potter and Weasley have been kind enough to act their age," said Professor McGonagall, with an angry look at the pair of them, "I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching— a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests."

Lavender Brown let out a shrill giggle as she clapped her hands gleefully. 

Parvati Patil nudged her hard in the ribs and the both of them turned around to look at Harry. 

"Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock, a week before Christmas Eve, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now, the Yule Ball is of course a chance for all of us to... let our hair down... But that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way. We will be having a House dance-rehearsal in just a few weeks,"

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class as we sat in silence, processing what she just told us.

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

We were about to leave when Professor McGonagall called above the noise, "Potter— a word, if you please."

Ron, Hermione and I didn't hesitate to follow Harry up to the teacher's desk, and Professor McGonagall didn't protest either— almost as if she had expected us to be in the conversation to begin with.

She waited until the rest of the class had gone, and then said, "Potter, the champions and their partners—"

"What partners?" interrupted Harry.

Professor McGonagall looked suspiciously at him, as though she thought he was trying to be funny.

"Your partners for the Yule Ball, Potter," she said coldly, "your dance partners."

Hermione and I glanced at each other excitedly at the mention of this, but Ron and Harry's faces both seemed mortified at the prospect of having to find dates for the Ball.

"Dance partners?" Ron asked as his face turned the same shade of his hair.

"I don't dance," Harry said quickly.

"Oh yes, you do," said Professor McGonagall irritably, making me suppress a smile,"That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the Champions and their partners open the ball."

My heartbeat sped in my chest as I thought of Cedric and I entering the Ball arm-in-arm with everybody surrounding us.

I couldn't help but feel just as giddy at the idea as every other girl in the school.

"I'm not dancing," Harry replied vehemently.

"It is traditional," said Professor McGonagall firmly. "You are a Hogwarts champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative of the school. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter."

"But I don't—"

"You heard me, Potter," said Professor McGonagall in a definitive sort of way.

It seemed like the news of the Yule Ball was announced to the entire school now, because as soon as we stepped out of the classroom— we noticed the corridor booming with tittering and excitement.

The boys faces were still tinged green but Hermione and I turned to each other and shared a look of pure enthusiasm and immediately set off to the library to research and prepare ourselves for the highly anticipated Yule Ball.

✩ next chapter: scavenger hunt ✩

[destourtereaux]

treat you better - cedric diggory x fem!reader (part 4: the finale)

read first: part 1, 2, 3 summary: all is well in love and friendship wc: 1.4k follow @lovebirdupdates to join my "taglist"

a/n: dear reader, thank you so much for following this series - i never imagined you would like it so much. i hope you enjoy this final fic, and please do reblog if yes! i’m sad to leave ceddie and harry, but i like how i've ended it :)

The morning after Cedric’s surprise party, you’re woken up by the soft sunlight streaming in through the huge windows of the Hufflepuff common room. Lifting your head up, you hear Cedric grumble, arms tightening around you. The scene feels so cozy that you don’t want to return to reality - but there’s a Herbology midterm coming up, and you’ve never been a natural at the subject, unlike a certain Hufflepuff. And so, you begin extricating yourself from Cedric’s embrace, which is no easy feat.

“How’s it feel to be seventeen, Ceddie?”

You get a groan in response.

“Alright, alright, then you stay put, but I’ve got to go study. I’m not a genius like you,” you tease, squirming in your efforts to slide out of his grasp.

“‘M not a genius, Y/N/N. You help me all the time. Don’t go, I know you’re ready for it, you don’t need anymore studying,” comes a sleepy protest. 

“Mm… thank you for your confidence, but I assure you I am not in the least prepared. And what is all this bad advice coming from a prefect,” you raise an eyebrow, before finally slipping out of Cedric’s arms, and standing up immediately to avoid being pulled back in. 

You feel the loss of Cedric’s warmth around your shoulders, and it weakens your resolve far more than it should, so you figure you need to leave as soon as possible, before grey eyes melt you into a puddle and back into his chest.

“Oh, fine. Leave me right after spending the night,” Cedric jokes, fully awake at last. He chuckles at the flush on your cheeks from this statement, and dodges your hit to his arm. “Just kidding, darling. Thank you for the party. Now go do what you have to do, I know you’re a busy girl.”

You smile softly, before tiptoeing up to ruffle his hair, and turn to leave. The gray eyes don’t leave you until you’re fully out of sight.

******

Climbing through the portrait hole, you see Ron and Harry sitting on the carpeted floor in front of the hearth, playing Wizard’s Chess, and Hermione engrossed in a book on the nearby couch. The scene is so familiar and comforting that it brings an involuntary smile to your face, before you wipe it off, the fight replaying in your head. 

Ron is the first to see you, freezing mid-check, and gives a weak wave. Harry turns, and so does Hermione, with the former also stiffing up, and the latter offering a sweet smile. Hermione then looks back, and, finding the two boys silent, rolls her eyes, and jerks her head in your direction, glaring at them.

Spurned, Ron and Harry stand up, and walk over, looking so dejected that you almost feel sorry for them.

“Y/N - it’s nice to see you again,” Ron begins, his expression sheepish. Harry nods to echo the sentiment.

“We just wanted to apologize for that night. For the mean things we said. None of it was true, and it was of no fault on your end,” Ron confesses.

Your eyes soften, and give him a pat on the shoulder, “thanks Ronnie. And I expect you’ve said the same to ‘Mione?” giving him a pointed look, to which he nods fervently. At this, you offer a smile at last, and seeing this, Ron seems to realize he’s forgiven.

“I’ll give you two some space then,” he says, guiding Hermione away, and leaving Harry alone with you in the Gryffindor Common Room.

Harry gestures for you to sit, and the two of you settle in on the carpet.

“Y/N/N - I’m really, honestly sorry. I had no right to say what I said, and I’ve felt horrid about it every day since then. I know you’ll always have my back, and some Yule Ball date would never change that. I hope you’ll forgive me,” the black haired boy finally blurts, the words spilling out of him.

Your resolve crumbles. I mean, this is Harry. One of your best friends. You could never stay mad at him, no matter how much he messes up. It’s like he said: you have each other’s backs. So you lean forward and hug him, breathing in the smell of broom polish and treacle toffee that you had missed incredibly, feeling the boy physically relax into your touch.

“You really like him, don’t you?” Harry chimes, as you pull out of the hug.

“Yes, I do. And I hope you’re okay with that,” you share, crimson spilling onto your cheeks.

Harry nods, a grin spreading across his face, “I am, really. I know I acted in jealousy at the ball, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually felt romantically towards you - not that you’re unlikeable, you know, just -”

You laugh out loud, cutting him off, and offer a nod, “I get it, don’t stress yourself out, mate.”

He nods in relief, “you’re my best friend, Y/N/N, and that’s it. I love our relationship, and I do not want it to ever change.”

You nod, feeling better than you have in nearly a month.

Ron and Hermione choose that exact moment to enter the room, the guilt of eavesdropping written on their faces. But you’re far too happy to care - the gang’s back together.

******

Over the next month, life returns to normal, or rather, a new normal. Hermione is hanging out with Krum as much as possible, to make the most of their time together before the tournament ends and he returns to Durmstrang. You don’t see her nearly as much anymore, but it’s understandable. 

Instead, you spend your days either studying out on the greens with Harry and Ron, or hanging out with Cedric, going to Hogsmeade’s various little cafes.

The second tournament task comes along, and you, Hermione, and Ron are pulled into the headmaster’s office then sent to the bottom of the Black Lake. When you awake, Cedric is treading water to keep the two of you above the lake, and you’re quickly pulled out and given a warm towel. Since Cedric finished first, the two of you rest in the champion seating section, and the boy keeps asking you if you’re okay, despite your fervent exclamations that you’re probably doing better than he is.

His friends soon surround him, arriving with endless teasing about how you’re the person “he’ll sorely miss,” and Cedric flushes scarlet at their words, refusing to meet your eyes. Eventually, he manages to shove them all away, and looks down to see you grinning.

“Ced, just so you know, I would’ve sorely missed you too,” you admit, before pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

Suddenly, Cedric could care less about his friends. He feels warm and dry and cozy, not a trace of the Black Lake’s eeriness on his mind.

******

A few weeks later, and it’s your birthday. Cedric had wracked his brain for ways to top your surprise party for him, and enlisted the help of the trio to do so. Hermione contributed all your likes and dislikes: she knew you like the back of her hand; Ron got Fred and George to put together a little sparkler show for you, and Harry was in charge of inviting all your closest friends.

The day of, you wake up to Cedric’s voice, before he gives you five minutes to pick an outfit, then promptly blindfolds you and leads you out to the courtyard, where the cutest picnic party had been set up. You laugh in delight, ecstatic, and after a quick kiss for Ced, rush over to meet up with your friends. 

As you catch up over drinks with them, two boys, one Gryffindor, one Hufflepuff, are standing a distance away, both looking at you with slight smiles.

Soon, the sky is darkening and the party growing more and more uproarious. You spin around to see Harry and Cedric talking, and grin. Strolling over, you place an arm around each. Cedric kisses your hair, and you give Harry a tight hug.

“Thank you for all of this,” you say, “seriously. I’ve never been happier.”

Before they can reply: you were never one for cheesy emotions, you (forcibly) pull them toward the karaoke machine, where Ron and Hermione are singing their hearts out.

****** THE END! interested in my other works? see my masterlist!

[bunny-1111]

Theo Nott x Reader Series, Dark Marks and Forbidden Hearts, Chapter One.

Work count: 1.2k words

Warnings: mentions of death, family of death eaters

Chapter One

...

You walk through the cold corridor of your home, and darkness seems to lurk in every corner. The hall is dimly lit, the walls lined with portraits of your family—past and present—each pair of painted eyes watching you. Their expressions are heavy with gloom, and it chills you. You’re competitive, ambitious, and cunning—but not evil. Not yet.

You pause in front of the portrait of your great-grandfather, Alphard Avery Senior. He was known for his ruthlessness. His eyes seem to cut straight through you, reminding you that your bloodline is not easily escaped. The weight of your ancestry feels almost physical, pressing down on your shoulders with every step you take.

There’s a cruel sense of transformation growing with each year. You see it in your reflection, in your posture, in your thoughts. You're becoming more like the solemn, stone-faced ancestors who came before you. The question haunts you—will you be the one to cleanse the deep red stain of your family’s legacy? You ask yourself this often, especially in moments like this when the past feels too close.

The ancient line of pure-blood wizards must be protected—or so you’ve been told your whole life. In the House of Avery, it's not a belief—it’s law. Your parents ingrained it in you from the beginning: your duty is to uphold the family name, a duty echoed by the Sacred Twenty-Eight and all who follow the dark path. You feel it now, heavy and inescapable.

You first felt this pressure back in 1995, when word of Cedric Diggory’s death reached you. That moment never truly leaves you. You remember the chaos at the Quidditch World Cup, the Dark Mark hanging like a threat above the sky. And you remember Harry Potter lunging toward you and your friends behind the stadium seats, his voice breaking with grief. “They are just as guilty! It was their fathers behind those masks! I saw them—I saw them for myself!” he shouted before someone—later revealed to be Barty Crouch Jr. in disguise—pulled him away.

You feel it again in the summer of ’96, walking to the train. Just ahead of you, Harry turns his head slightly and says, “We have something worth fighting for.” The words hit a nerve. Your smile fades. Your gaze drops to the floor. What about you? Do you and your friends have something worth fighting for—or do you still need to find it?

The feeling creeps in again this morning, as you arrive home for summer break. Your mother and father sit you down. Their expressions are too still, too rehearsed. You already suspect what they’re about to say. Voldemort has returned, they confirm it. And with his rise comes war. Two sides. Two beliefs. The second Wizarding War has officially begun.

The conversation isn’t gentle. It’s blunt, a result of timing and inevitability. Your family did not escape the first war unscarred. In their final school year, your mother gave birth to a son. He died within his first year during an Auror attack—five years before you were born. That loss changed them. Your father swore loyalty to the Dark Lord, desperate for safety and power. Your mother followed without hesitation. By the height of the war, your father stood beside Lucius Malfoy as one of the highest-ranking Death Eaters, serving Voldemort with pride.

There was a time when that loyalty felt victorious. But even then, fear never fully left. And after the war fell apart, life became a careful act of survival. The movement was broken—but never gone.

Now, your parents sit across from you, the storm in the air thick and electric. Their expectations hang unspoken but understood. Your heart beats faster.

Your father breaks the silence first. “You must understand the importance of what’s happening. Our family has always been loyal to the Dark Lord. It’s our duty to support him.”

Your mother adds, “This is what we’ve prepared you for. You must be ready to take your place.”

You nod slowly. Inside, you’re a swirl of emotions—duty, fear, confusion. The path is laid before you. You don’t get to choose it. You only get to walk it.

Still, you ask, “What about you? You both fought in the first war. How did you get through it?”

Your parents exchange a glance. Then your father answers. “It wasn’t easy. We made sacrifices. We questioned everything. Especially when the costs started to rise. We were raised in these beliefs, but the war… the war reshaped everything.”

Your mother reaches across the table and takes your hand. Her grip is firm, her expression soft. “We know this is hard for you. Our decisions were born from loyalty—and necessity. We believed in the Dark Lord’s vision, and we still do.”

Your father nods. “Loyalty defines us. But we know how much it can take from you. You’ll face hardship. But you must push through it—for our family, for your brother. When you do, you’re protecting not just a cause, but a legacy.”

You feel a strange flicker of warmth through the cold weight of expectation. It’s rare—your parents letting you see their wounds. You catch your mother flinch when your brother is mentioned. The war scarred them. It left cracks in their armor. But their convictions haven’t wavered.

Before he leaves the room, your father embraces you—brief, almost formal—and whispers, “Puritas Sanguinis et Victoria, Triumphus Aeternus.” Purity of Blood and Success, Eternal Triumph. The family motto. They’ve made sure it’s burned into you.

Later, when the house falls into silence and shadows stretch across the walls, you lie awake. The future feels like a precipice. You're standing right at the edge. The path ahead is dangerous, uncertain. But it’s yours to take—there’s no turning back.

So, once more, you stand in the corridor. You take a deep breath. You square your shoulders. The eyes of your ancestors follow you still, but now you meet their gaze with a strange mix of fear and resolve. The darkness surrounds you. But you are determined to move through it—and find your place inside it.

When you reach your bedroom, you're drawn to the mirror. You study your reflection. Hazel eyes from your grandmother. Your mother has them, too. Dark chestnut hair from your father's side. Your great-aunt’s round chin. Nothing about your face feels uniquely your own.

You climb into bed and turn to your side. Your eyes land on the final portrait of the night—a magical photo, framed in silver. You and Theodore Aeacus Nott, laughing together in a sun-drenched field in the countryside. It makes you smile, the first real one you’ve had all day. You plan to write to him tomorrow.

And as you drift to sleep, his name slips from your lips like a whispered prayer. Theodore. Theo. Teddy.

...

Next chapter

Hope you enjoy, reblogs, likes, and comments are very appreciated my loves,

XOXO B

[the-colourful-witch]

Triwizard Champions

From Hogwarts... CEDRIC DIGGORY! I can just imagine these portraits published in the Daily Prophet, in all the excitement leading up to the Tournament. This was another really fun one to do. I try to give all the Champions their own little characteristic border. I wanted Cedric's to be very noble and warm. So, I used wood texture for most of it. And of course, it had to be Hufflepuff all the way! Yeah... I like this one :)

Fleur and Harry are up next :)

[caradecema]

Too Little, Too Late

Part 9

SUMMARY: years of one sided love when it comes to Isabela, she finally begins to move on from George.

But once George realizes that he did have feelings for her, it's too late -

(Isabela X Cedric, Isabela X Minor George)

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Isabella made her way back to the Gryffindor dormitory, the warmth of the castle doing little to cool the heat rising in her face. She just knew Angelina and Katie were going to be waiting for her, grinning like a pair of cats who had just caught a particularly juicy mouse.

And, of course, she was right.

The moment she stepped through the portrait hole, both girls snapped their heads toward her, wide smirks already in place.

"So," Angelina drawled, crossing her arms.

"How was your walk?" Katie added, wiggling her eyebrows.

Fred, George, and Lee, who had been lounging by the fire, exchanged confused glances.

"Alright, what's going on?" Fred asked, narrowing his eyes at the three girls.

"Yeah, why do you lot look like you're about to start giggling like first-years?" George added.

Isabella rolled her eyes, determined to act unfazed, but the small smile on her lips betrayed her. She ignored the boys completely, striding toward the staircase leading to the girls' dormitory.

"Oi!" Lee called after them. "Is anyone going to tell us what's happening?"

But Angelina and Katie simply burst into laughter, grabbing Isabella by the arms and practically dragging her up the stairs.

"Absolutely not," Angelina called over her shoulder.

The boys sat in baffled silence as the girls disappeared, their laughter echoing through the stairwell.

The moment the dormitory door shut behind them, Angelina and Katie pounced.

"Alright, spill," Katie demanded, flopping onto her bed and bouncing slightly.

"How did it happen?" Angelina added, sitting cross-legged on her own bed, grinning expectantly. "One moment you're just pining over George, and the next, you're out there kissing Cedric Diggory?"

Isabella sighed, running a hand through her hair before sitting down on her bed. "It wasn't exactly like that," she muttered, her face still warm.

Katie leaned forward. "Then what was it like?"

Isabella hesitated for a moment before groaning. "Alright, fine! So... last night, Cedric and I almost kissed."

Both girls gasped, eyes widening.

"You what?" Angelina practically shouted.

"You didn't tell us that!" Katie accused, throwing a pillow at her.

Isabella caught it and held it in her lap, staring down at it. "Yeah, well... it didn't happen," she admitted, voice softer now. "I panicked. I—I ran off before he could kiss me."

Katie and Angelina exchanged looks, their smirks fading into something more serious. "Why?" Katie asked.

Isabella sighed, hugging the pillow to her chest. "Because of George," she admitted. "I was afraid I wasn't ready. That it wasn't fair to Cedric." She paused, gripping the pillow tighter. "But... I want to be ready. I want to move on. And if I'm ever going to get over George, I need to at least try to give someone else a chance."

Angelina and Katie were quiet for a moment before Angelina nodded approvingly. "That's actually really mature of you."

"Yeah," Katie agreed, smiling. "And from the looks of it, Cedric's more than happy to help you with that."

Isabella let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "Yeah... he really is."

The Great Hall buzzed with its usual evening chatter as students piled in for dinner, the long tables laden with steaming dishes. Isabella, still reeling from her conversation with Katie and Angelina, did her best to keep her expression neutral as they made their way to the Gryffindor table.

She had barely taken her seat when Cedric appeared beside her, an easy smile on his face.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, already sitting down across from her.

Isabella blinked, taken aback by his sudden presence. "Uh—no, of course not."

Katie and Angelina exchanged a quick glance before turning their attention back to their food, pretending not to be eavesdropping.

Cedric, completely unfazed, leaned slightly toward Isabella. "So," he started, casually reaching for a roll, "Hogsmeade weekend is tomorrow."

Isabella felt her stomach flip.

"Oh?" she said, trying for nonchalance as she focused intently on spooning mashed potatoes onto her plate.

Cedric smirked, clearly amused. "Yeah. And I was wondering..." He paused, as if for dramatic effect, before locking eyes with her. "Would you like to go with me?"

Angelina choked on her pumpkin juice.

Katie nearly dropped her fork.

Fred, Lee, and George, who had just arrived and were sliding into the seats across from them, all turned their heads at once.

Isabella, feeling heat rise to her face, tried to keep her composure. "Go with you?" she repeated, carefully.

"Hogsmeade," Cedric clarified, still smiling. "Tomorrow. You and me."

Fred raised an eyebrow, his expression alight with interest. "Oi, what's this? Is Diggory trying to steal one of ours?"

Lee snickered, nudging George. "You hearing this?"

But George wasn't laughing. His jaw had gone tight, and he was staring at Cedric like he'd just suggested something utterly ridiculous.

"Yeah, I'm hearing it," he muttered.

Isabella, ignoring them all, focused on Cedric. Her heart was hammering, but she forced herself to nod, a small smile curling her lips.

"I'd like that," she said softly.

Cedric's grin widened. "Great. Meet me at the entrance hall at ten?"

She nodded again, ignoring the way her fingers tightened around her goblet.

The conversation should have ended there, but the silence that followed was thick—too thick. Isabella could feel the weight of George's gaze, though she refused to meet it.

It was Fred who finally broke the tension, clapping his hands together.

"Well, isn't this interesting?" he mused, glancing between Isabella and Cedric with barely contained amusement.

Lee smirked. "Never thought I'd see the day. Our Bella, going to Hogsmeade with a proper gentleman."

"Proper gentleman," Fred repeated, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "What's the world coming to?"

Cedric, entirely unbothered, chuckled. "What can I say? I like good company."

Isabella rolled her eyes, but she couldn't fight the small smile tugging at her lips.

George, however, had gone unusually quiet.

And though he didn't say a word, Isabella didn't miss the way his grip tightened around his fork.

Or the way he stabbed his roasted potato with far more force than necessary.

That night, as Isabella lay in her bed, the flickering light from the candle beside her seemed to mock her growing panic. Her thoughts were racing, spinning in a whirlwind of nervous excitement and dread. She stared up at the ceiling, trying to push aside the knot forming in her stomach, but it wouldn't go away.

Hogsmeade. With Cedric Diggory. This would be the second time with him... well the first wasn't a date.

She groaned and buried her face in her pillow, muffling her voice as she let out a long, drawn-out whine. "I have nothing to wear." Why did she cared now?

Katie, who had been lying on her stomach, reading a magazine, glanced up from her page, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "What's this? Bella having a crisis over what to wear?"

Angelina, who had been sitting cross-legged on the floor, immediately joined in. "The girl who's always wearing trousers and oversized jumpers is suddenly having a wardrobe meltdown? How cute."

Isabella groaned louder, turning her head to give them a pleading look. "It's not funny! I don't even know what to wear for a date."

Katie and Angelina exchanged a knowing glance, both raising their eyebrows.

"You're the one who always dresses like a boy, Bella," Katie teased. "What were you expecting? A skirt and heels?"

Isabella's face scrunched up in frustration, her hands tugging at her hair. "I don't know what I'm expecting! But not this. Not a date with Cedric Diggory."

Angelina laughed softly. "Well, we can't have you going out there in your usual uniform, now can we?"

Isabella flopped back onto the bed, arms splayed out. "I don't know how to dress for this! I don't even want to know how to dress for this!"

Katie, ever the instigator, leaned forward, a grin spreading across her face. "So, what's it gonna be? Are you going as you, or are you actually going to look like you're on a date?"

Isabella shot Katie a withering look, but it didn't have the desired effect. Katie's grin only widened.

"Seriously, Bella," she continued. "This is your chance to, I don't know, make an effort. Wear something other than your usual 'I don't care how I look like since my best friend doesn't see me the way I see him' outfit."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "You know what, maybe I'll just wear nothing. That would be a great look." She pulled the covers over her head, trying to hide from their teasing.

Katie crossed her arms and tilted her head. "So it's a date or no date then?"

Isabella shot her a sideways glance from under the blanket, her expression torn between exasperation and laughter. "Is that what we're calling this now? A date?"

Angelina raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't sound like a no to me."

Bella stared at them both for a moment, her face flushing as the weight of it all settled on her. She sighed, half in defeat, half in resignation.

"Fine," she mumbled, dragging herself back into a sitting position. "But I still have no idea what I'm supposed to wear."

Katie and Angelina shared a smug look before bursting into laughter.

"Well, guess we'll just have to help you, won't we?" Katie said, winking.

Isabella couldn't help but laugh too, despite her nerves. "You're both impossible."

Angelina grinned. "But you love us anyway."

Isabella sighed, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "I'll never hear the end of this, will I?"

"Not a chance," Katie answered, pulling out a couple of magazines from her bag. "But first, let's figure out how to make you look less like a walking boy."

Isabella groaned, but this time, there was a spark of amusement in her eyes. "Great. Let's get to work then."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

[dhr-ao3]

Try This

Try This https://ift.tt/eo2yW4n by Howlingwolf27 After months of getting to know his new family Harry is on his way back to Hogwarts ready for a fresh start but Harry needs to face his past before doing that and some people are determined to keep Harry from having a good life.   Come and read to find out how the story unfolds. Words: 2606, Chapters: 1/15, Language: English Series: Part 1 of Family Portrait Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: F/M, M/M Characters: Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, Amos Diggory, Cedric Diggory's Mother, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Pomona Sprout, Filius Flitwick, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge, Amelia Bones, Slytherin Students, Ravenclaw Students, Ron Weasley, Fred Weasley, George Weasley Relationships: Cedric Diggory/Harry Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Arthur Weasley/Molly Weasley, Harry Potter & Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter, Hermione Granger & Harry Potter, Narcissa Black Malfoy & Harry Potter, Lucius Malfoy & Harry Potter, Minerva McGonagall & Harry Potter, Filius Flitwick & Harry Potter, Harry Potter & Pomona Sprout, Harry Potter & Arthur Weasley & Molly Weasley Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Harry Potter Setting, Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Not Canon Compliant - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hurt Harry Potter, Angry Harry Potter, Harry Potter Needs a Hug, Protective Narcissa Black Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black Malfoy Adopt Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory Lives, Protective Cedric Diggory, Protective Severus Snape, Good Severus Snape, Good Narcissa Black Malfoy, Good Lucius Malfoy, Good Malfoy Family (Harry Potter), Ron Weasley Bashing, Remus Lupin Bashing, Sirius Black Bashing, Slytherin Harry Potter, Ravenclaw Hermione Granger via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/KnqYh3W March 28, 2025 at 01:13AM

[cinnamoodles]

heyy can I get a 🍓[strawberry dream] from the hp fandom: golden trio/lightning era (no poly stuff please)

I am a straight female Slytherin. I'm kinda mean but like to my really close friends and it can be considered banter (by them anyway) I am like really nice to strangers. I love drawing I take my sketchbook with me everywhere.

I am 167.5 cm (5'6 approx) tall xx

Trauma Dumping is a guilty pleasure of mine. I often make bad decisions like choosing friends but I have a usually positive influence on people around me and often tend to change them for the better.

I excel in maths and english and currently am working on getting a degree in maths and or computer science.

I am an infp-t. I'm introverted around almost everyone except like my really really really close friends. my super close friends are usually the negative influence type but I still love them because they understand me the best xx

I'm a pretty well behaved student but my friends most definitely aren't. My friends got told off like all the time in school whereas the teacher never had to give me any warnings.

I am loyal to my friends. I will fight for them. One example of that is both me and my (now ex) bff liked the same person and I gave them up for her xx

I get along with more males than females despite being a female myself.

I'm kind of an idiot sometimes and end up giving stuff up for people that would never do that to me. In fact my bff that I gave up my crush for actually sided with someone else. One thing you outta know about me is that I digress a lot so like you can ignore this paragraph lmao.

I feel bad for people easily and believe everyone deserves a second chance even b*tchy people (excuse my French)

I love art and music and am really good at drawing portraits if I do say so myself. I've been doing music since I was 6.

As for my appearance, I have a sandy/tan skin colour. I have naturally curly dark brunette (almost black but not really) hair.

My clothing style varies. For formal occasions I wear vintage ish clothes. I wear checked dresses with puffy sleeves and white collars (really specific because it's one of my fave dresses and I own one). I wear "cute" outfits like skirts and sweatshirts. I also wear jeans (apple bottom high waisted jeans own my heart) and I wear cargo pants with cropped tops far too often.

I wrote a lot absvsccsav

Sorry if that's too much xx

thanks for checking out the cozy cafe event !

i ship you with…

cedric diggory !

— the both of you are definitely enemies to friends to lovers coded, probably only becoming enemies because of something your friends pulled on his friends.

— you’re very loyal and caring, which he respects, and how you’re always willing to give people a second chance, no matter what they’ve done.

— i get the vibes that you’re better at supporting other people then standing up for yourself, so he’s your personal bodyguard (even if that isn’t true).

— he would listen to your rambles with literal STARS in his eyes and whenever you apologize for trauma dumping, he has to take a minute and be like ‘why are you apologizing? go on, keep talking’.

— MATCHING OUTFITS OH MY GOD they’ll be so cute because you dress so pretty and formal and he’s such a rich prep boy so your dress styles go along great.

— you trying to teach him art is so funny because he has no idea what he’s doing (its canon he told me) and he just wants to impress you so much.

— the banter is great because he’s a pretty flirty person, but he BLUSHES every time you make fun of him and his friends totally rag on him for being so whipped.

anyway, i hope you liked your 🍓 — [ strawberry dream ] and please apply again! this was super fun to do!

[carewyncromwell]

Duncan 🤝 Carewyn

After the death of Rowan Khanna, quite a few members of the sixth-year class rallied around her best friend, Carewyn Cromwell, in the pursuit of some justice for their fallen classmate. This led to the creation of the Circle of Khanna, the purpose of which was solely to avenge Rowan by bringing her murderer, Patricia Rakepick, to justice and stop the criminal syndicate Rakepick was a part of, R, from causing any more harm to anyone else. Before long this organization also gained members outside of Rowan's class -- the already-graduated Bill Weasley was one of the group's founding members and arguably its second-in-command after Carewyn, of course, but the group also gained much younger students such as Penny's second year sister Beatrice Haywood, Bill and Charlie's first-year twin brothers Fred and George Weasley, and first-year Hufflepuff magical prodigy Cedric Diggory.

The Circle's most unusual member, however, was the ghost who most commonly occupied the Prefect's Bathroom on the fifth floor -- Duncan Ashe.

In life, Duncan had been friends with Carewyn's older brother, Jacob. When she first met him, Duncan acted very hostile toward the mere mention of Jacob, to the point that she wondered how they ever could've been friends, but over time, as she got to know him better, Carewyn came to see that a lot of Duncan's harsh words toward Jacob were a defense mechanism more than anything, and that he'd truly been very fond of Jacob, even if he had a hard time expressing it. Duncan would even sing with Carewyn sometimes, not just songs she liked, but ones Jacob liked too! And once Jacob was freed from the Portrait Vault and he finally got the opportunity to see Duncan again, even just as a ghost, all remnants of the bitter attitude Carewyn encountered when she first met Duncan had seemingly dissipated. There were even days when Duncan acted legitimately cheerful -- like when he decided to "check in" on Carewyn by poking his head through her Potions textbook while she was studying in the empty Slytherin commonroom.

"You're up well past your curfew, young lady," Duncan's head smirked mischievously at her through the book.

When Carewyn subconsciously dropped it, Duncan laughed, swirling as a translucent shade up into the air over her even as she glared up at him.

"Duncan!" she scolded, clutching her heart. "That's not funny! You scared me half to death!"

Duncan's smirk only broadened as he crossed his arms over his transparent, robed chest. "Hey, it's not my fault you were way too focused on what you were doing to notice your surroundings. Honestly -- you and Jacob really are two of a pair..."

"I was focused because I have a test next week," Carewyn said coolly, leaning over to pick up her book. "I doubt whatever Jacob was focused on was test answers."

Duncan gave a short, bark-like laugh. "Ha! Of course not! More likely he was obsessively comparing illustrations of various dragon breeds, trying to assess the aerodynamics of their respective wing-spans or some nonsense..."

Even while saying this, something oddly fond flickered through Duncan's eyes. It made Carewyn smile a bit more sincerely despite herself.

"Probably..."

Duncan cocked his eyebrows at her expression, and Carewyn had to cover her mouth with her hand to hold in a giggle.

"Sorry, it's just -- when you used to talk about my brother before, it always sounded like you hated him. Even if I know you didn't, really. But now...well, I can't read your emotions as well, with you being a ghost...but I still feel like you're not holding back as much. Like you're being more honest than before."

Carewyn smiled encouragingly at him.

"It's really cool to hear. And to hear about Jacob from you too...I can tell you were really close."

Duncan was so taken aback by this that he actually seemed to flush, his transparent cheeks darkening with gray. He looked away quickly, flustered.

"Oh, don't cod me! I'm not acting in any particular way all of a sudden -- just...just not quite so mad at him anymore, now that we've talked everything out..."

Carewyn smiled a bit more wryly. "I'm glad you did that too. Jacob's never been good with people -- I reckon he was only going to know how you felt when you were finally honest with him -- "

"Oh, eff off, will you?" grumbled Duncan halfheartedly, flushing more gray than ever.

Rather than teasing Duncan further, Carewyn smiled a bit more kindly again.

"I'm serious, Duncan," she said. "I'm glad you and Jacob talked things out. And I'm glad you're happier...after everything you've been through, you deserve it."

Her eyes softened.

"...I'm happy my brother had someone like you. That he still does."

Duncan looked up at Carewyn, that gray flush still clinging to his cheeks. There was something almost unsure about his expression, before it broke into something a little more grounded: a smile touched with a cynical edge.

"...Hm...well, it's not like I could just let your brother throw himself back into danger without any back-up, could I? Or you, for that matter -- you're such a self-sacrificing little thing, I reckon you'd push Jacob right out of the way and chuck yourself in front of the Knight Bus itself, if it came to it -- "

"Shove off," said Carewyn, and Duncan cackled.

"Now then," said the ghost, and he became a bit more serious as he floated down as if to "sit" on the chair closest to her, pretending to prop his arms up on the back of the chair, "what you and Jae Kim were talking about the other day, about infiltrating one of R's meetings. I did some 'investigation' of my own, and I think your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor might have an allegiance you'll want to know about."

Carewyn raised her eyebrows. "Professor Meyers?"

"Yeah. Turns out that old Huxley thought being a professor at such an illustrious school would have a higher salary. Upon discovering, no, in fact, it doesn't, I reckon it was easy for R to sucker him in with the promise of a little extra scratch on the side, in exchange for information. I caught him using the Floo Network talking to someone who sounded suspiciously like that one R dosser who ordered Jacob come to Knockturn Alley, right before I died...asking how long he'd have to wait for his deposit, in exchange for intel on Dumbledore's most recent outing."

Carewyn's eyes flashed with righteous anger. "So that's how R has been able to keep such close watch on us."

"At least partially," agreed Duncan. "Remember, you've only had this bloke for a year...and probably will have him no more than that, if that myth about the Dark Arts job being cursed is true..."

Carewyn crossed her arms. "Well then, we'll definitely have to keep a close eye on Meyers in the future, so that he doesn't overhear anything he shouldn't..."

Her eyes then lit up with a bit of mischief.

"...Duncan, does Meyers have any inkling that we're onto him?"

"Nope," said Duncan with a smug smirk. "He knows who's your friend and who isn't, of course -- but I don't think he has any clue that you all have been investigating R. I'd hazard a guess that that thick plonker has no idea the Circle of Khanna even exists."

Carewyn's mouth spread into just as broad of a smirk as Duncan's.

"Then maybe we can use R's mole to help us get some information on them, as well," she said decisively. "Do you think you could keep an ear out, in case he has any more interesting 'fireside chats?'"

Duncan's smirk betrayed white teeth. "Hm, I'm sure I could. It's not like I have any classes to occupy my time. And hell -- what's the use of being able to float through walls and doors and not having to answer to the law or any of the Hogwarts teachers if you don't take advantage of it?"

Friendship Drabble Prompt!

[bookloover35]

Don't Let Go- Cedric Diggory x fem reader.

The flickering firelight cast a warm glow across the dimly lit Hufflepuff common room. The hour was late, and most of your housemates had long since retired to bed. But you couldn't sleep. You hadn't been able to, not since the nightmare that had woken you in a cold sweat.

Your heart was still racing, the images burned into your mind: Cedric lying lifeless on cold, dewy grass, his eyes wide open and empty. The gleam of a wand. A flash of green light.

You shuddered, hugging your knees to your chest. This wasn't just a nightmare—it had felt so vivid, so horribly real. You couldn't shake off the feeling that it was more than just your mind playing tricks on you.

The portrait door creaked open, and you looked up to see Cedric entering the common room, his face lighting up when he spotted you. The sight of him, alive and smiling, was a balm to your frayed nerves.

"There you are," Cedric said softly, walking over and taking a seat beside you. His grey eyes sparkled with warmth as he brushed a stray lock of hair behind your ear. "Couldn't sleep?"

You shook your head, trying to swallow down the fear that threatened to bubble up again. "No... I—" You hesitated, unsure how to even begin explaining the nightmare that haunted you.

Cedric tilted his head, concern clouding his expression. "What's wrong, love?" he asked, his voice gentle. He placed a reassuring hand on your knee, his touch grounding you in the present.

Your heart clenched as you looked into his eyes, the eyes that had been so heartbreakingly lifeless in your dream. You couldn't lose him. Not like that.

"Cedric, please," you blurted out, your voice shaky. "You... you don't have to do this. The Triwizard Tournament—it's too dangerous."

His brows furrowed, clearly taken aback. "What do you mean? I've been preparing for this for months. The tournament is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"I know, but—" You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to steady your breathing. How could you make him understand without sounding irrational? "I had a dream. It was so real... I saw you—" Your voice broke, and tears welled up in your eyes. "I saw you die, Cedric."

For a moment, there was only silence between you. Cedric's hand tightened around yours, his thumb gently stroking the back of it in a soothing gesture. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against your ear.

"It was just a nightmare," he said softly. "I promise, nothing is going to happen to me."

You pulled away slightly, shaking your head. "You don't understand. It didn't feel like just a dream—it felt like... a warning."

Cedric's expression softened, but there was a

[papervenom]

✩ chapter thirteen: champagne lips ✩

summary: your fourth year starts with the return of the triwizard tournament— and a relationship with cedric diggory that should feel steady, but doesn’t. when harry’s name gets pulled from the goblet, everything shifts. the trio starts to crack, and being with cedric only adds to the tension. you’re sure about how you feel , you love him. but someone else is pulling for your attention, and it’s getting harder to ignore. a slow-burn, character-driven take on goblet of fire, told through your perspective

chapter warnings: heavy alcohol & drug use (weed, other fun magical substances), sexual tension, jealousy, possessiveness, first kiss!!!!

word count: 6.7k

inter-house party playlist

INSATIABLE MASTERLIST⋆˙⟡

November 1st, 1994

"Merlin, there's never been an Inter-House party before! I wonder where they're going to fit so many people? Gosh, I do hope we don't get in trouble for attending. I don't know if we should even go, (Y/N), maybe we shouldn't risk it... Oh, are you changing? What will you be wearing?"

I huffed in exasperation as I rummaged through my luggage, trying to find something to wear for the night. 

Hermione had been obnoxiously word-vomiting ever since the twins informed us about the party, and I was trying my best not to get annoyed with her.

"We're going to the party, Hermione. It's a celebration for both Cedric and Harry— there's no way I'm missing it. And I'm looking for this dress that I bought back in the states..." I trailed off, finally spotting it at the bottom of my trunk and quickly stripped off my garments to put it on.

Hermione and I were in our dorm room alone. I assumed that Lavender and Parvati were already at the event— having left us behind since we got the party memo later than most of the school. 

"TWO MORE MINUTES AND WE'RE BOGGERING OFF!" George warned us from downstairs and I groaned in frustration, ripping the price tag from the extremely form-fitting, burgundy mini dress that I purchased from the mall trip that I made with Harry. 

The twins offered to wait for us while we got ready so they could take us to where the celebration was being held.

The dress that I put on was provocative, flattering my body in all the right places. 

It was also a dress that fit the newer style I was exploring— which was sexier than anything I have ever worn last year. 

I put on some boots to casualize the look and fixed the makeup that I put on this morning.

"You're not changing?" I asked Hermione, looking at her through the mirror as I blotted on some lipstick. She was still wearing jeans and the striped sweater top that she wore for the tournament.

"(Y/N), I don't even know if I'm going. You look wonderful! Don't get me wrong! But you're clearly dressed for a party, and if a Professor catches you dressed like that—"

I rolled my eyes, breaking into a grin when hearing how predictable my friend's preoccupations were, and draped my arm around her shoulder—steering her out of the room.

"Relax, M'ione. Let's have some fun," I coaxed her gently. She said nothing else but meekly nodded, taking a deep breath to calm herself down but the worry lines on her forehead never eased.

"Finally! We were about to leave y— Well, look at you," Fred broke into a smirk, his brown eyes raking down my body. 

George was doing the same, with an identical cheeky grin on his face. 

Waiting with them was Ron, who was staring at me in a less perverse manner but still seemed stunned with how I looked. 

In a way, it was worse— he was ogling me like a lovesick puppy.

"Right. Let's go, then," I mumbled, hiding any evidence of my embarrassment on my face by turning my back to them, grabbing Hermione's hand and exiting through the portrait hole quickly.

"Lumos!" whispered one of the twins once we left the Gryffindor Tower and a bright, white light blazed from the tip of their wands to help us navigate through the castle's dark corridors.

"Where's this party, anyway? The only place that could fit all of the students is the Great Hall. It says so in my copy of Hogwarts, A Hist—"

"There's a room that not even your little book knows about, Granger. Freddie and I discovered it last year whilst we were running away from Filch, didn't we Freds?" 

"We sure did, George. And good thing, that! We've been waiting for the perfect excuse to throw a party and Harry scoring first place after defeating a bloody dragon is a good enough reason for me," 

"And Cedric scoring second. This celebration is for both of them," I reminded him, shamelessly boasting Ced since I was so proud of him.

"Riight. How could I forget your boyfriend? You gonna give him a congratulatory shag later or what?"  Fred peered down at me and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"FRED!" Hermione exclaimed at his raunchy comment, resulting in the twins shushing her harshly to prevent us from getting caught in the middle of the hallway. 

I glanced over to Ron who was walking beside me and he seemed more aggravated with his brother's remark than I was.

The conversation, fortunately, steered to the twins telling us about all the goodies they rummaged up for the party. They got ahold of Butterbeer, pot, and more alcohol and elixirs for the attendees to have fun on. 

I was surprised when they told us that even the Slytherins showed up, finding it difficult to envision Malfoy and his crowd celebrating Harry or Cedric's triumphs.

We ended up on the seventh floor of the castle when the twins suddenly stopped— leaving Ron, Hermione, and I confused since there were no doors or entryways surrounding us.

"Don't you hear it?" Fred asked, snickering at our puzzled faces.

"Hear what?" snapped Ron, still irate with him. 

We stood in the corridor in silence, and it was then when I heard the low muffling of people talking and the steady beat of the music's bass thumping. 

It seemed to come from inside the walls. 

I reached out, and as soon as my fingertips grazed the wallpaper, a doorway appeared. I gasped in bewilderment— turning to look at my friends to make sure they saw what just happened. 

"Bright little witch... C'mon, let's go in," murmured George. He put both of his hands on my waist and moved me aside as he reached out for the doorknob to open it. 

My jaw dropped the moment I walked into the room, avidly taking in the scene in front of me.

There were about four hundred students in the large room that was impressively decorated with colorful banners, moving posters of both Cedric and Harry, and yellow and red party lights representing the Hogwarts champions' House colors.

I was surprised to recognize that the song that was playing so loudly was one that was currently in the Muggle's Top Charts. I watched as my peers danced to the upbeat song, grinding against each other on the dance floor— the lot of them clearly under the influence of something. 

The air had a heavy aroma of pot mixed with the smell of liquor and sweat. 

It was truly the perfect party environment.

"How did you two put this together so fast!?" I yelled over the music, turning to face the twins to show them my pure admiration.

"Funny you ask, love. We were walking down this hall, yeah? Just doing our heads in over planning a party with so little time... completely forgetting this absolutely treasure of a room and then— voilá!" Fred grinned, extending his hand out towards the expanse.

"Everything was already decorated and ready to go," George continued, staring around the space adoringly.

"Like magic," Fred quipped, winking at me.

"And where are the guests of honor?" Hermione asked, stretching her neck as she looked over the hundreds of heads in an attempt to spot Harry or Cedric.

"They'll be here any moment, I s'pose. Be right back," George retorted absentmindedly, and he and his identical brother walked off towards Lee Jordan who was hitting the biggest bong I've ever seen in my life.

I giggled and turned towards Ron and Hermione with a massive grin on my face.

"Let's go get drinks!"

༻✦༺

"No, man. I'm telling you. It's WAY different over there! The girls put out more! That's common knowledge," Lee Jordan informed the group animatedly about how easy American girls were.

I wasn't paying attention to the conversation, as I took a long drag from the joint that had been passed to me.

The party was still at its peak, even though Cedric nor Harry had arrived yet. 

Apparently, they were kept late by Crouch, who gave them all the necessary information for the second task. 

Last we heard, they were both just now taking a shower and getting ready to join us.

So while we waited— Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Lee, Neville, Seamus, and I were all sitting in a circle and chatting. 

We were all drinking, smoking, or doing both with the exception of Hermione who merely had the tiniest sip of Butterbeer before claiming that it was enough for the night.

My eyes scanned the room and I laughed softly as I watched Dean spin Ginny around on the dance floor, making her giggle erratically. 

Lavender, Padma and Parvati were a few feet away from them, sandwiching Cormac McLaggen who looked pleased with himself for having three girls dance so closely to him. 

What caught my attention, though, was the far right corner of the room where the Slytherins were.

In what seemed to be some sort of lounging area— sat Draco with the rest of his group. 

He was manspreaded on the sofa with Pansy Parkinson perched on his lap while his friends snorted what seemed to be powdered Alihotsy from the table.

Draco looked too dressed up compared to the rest of the students. He was wearing an elegant black dress-suit that looked immaculately tailored for him. 

His pale, blue eyes would meet mine every now and then— having the perfect view of each other from where we were sitting. I would stare at him blankly whilst he'd give me his infamous smirk.

"Earth to (Y/N)?" George waved his enormous hand in front of my face.

"Hm?" I replied, shifting my gaze away from Draco to pay attention to George.

"We're talking 'bout America. Seamus asked you a question. C'mon lass, how much did'ya smoke?" 

"What was your question, Seamus?" I asked, reaching towards Ron to grab his bottle of Butterbeer from him, taking a sip from it.

"Oh, I was just wondering about your school experience in America? Before studying here, I mean," Seamus asked, his eyes widened in excitement as he waited for my answer.

I swallowed the sweet, foamy liquid down— handing the bottle back to a very flushed Ron, and mulled my response before speaking.

"Um, well I went to a Muggle-school for a few months as a kid before having to drop-out since I couldn't contain my magic... Then I was homeschooled— got my High-School diploma and studied some Wizardry classes... History of Magic, and how to control my powers, mainly. Then I was debating going to Muggle college but Dumbledore asked me to attend Hogwarts so... here I am,"

"Aren't we lucky," murmured Fred from beside me, draping his arm lazily over my shoulder.

"How's Muggle school like? What did you learn?" Hermione asked in fascination. 

I scrunched my nose in distaste before answering.

"It's alright... We learn the basics— Maths, History, Language Arts, Science. I didn't get to do Physical Education since I was homeschooled but I did get Sex Ed. It's all pretty boring," 

"Wait—" 

"Sex Ed!?"

"What on Merlin's bloody earth is that?" 

The twins and Lee Jordan's interest piqued and I rolled my eyes at their dirty-minded absurdity.

"It's not what you think it is. We just get taught how to practice safe sex and about... diseases and shit," I shrugged, looking around the circle and became heavily aware that we were out of drinks.

"So they don't teach you how to fuck?" Lee Jordan asked dumbly which made me giggle and shake my head at the absurdity.

"No, not at all," 

"Gods. American Muggles are so strange," complained Seamus.

"Is it true you haven't heard about He-who-must-not be-named before arriving here?" Neville asked tentatively, wiping Butterbeer foam from the corner of his mouth.

"No, I've heard about him before. Always knew him as Voldemort, though. Not that silly nickname you all have for him, sorry," I apologized to the group as they flinched at my use of the Dark Lord's name before continuing, "But yeah... He was never a big threat to the states so I guess that's why we've never refrained from using his name as the British do... We're out of drinks, I'll be back,"

I excused myself, letting Fred's arm drop limply from my shoulder as I stood up from my seat, swaying slightly as I felt the alcohol and weed get the best of me right then.

"Woah," I muttered, balancing myself before heading to the table where all the liquor and Elixirs were piled on. 

I hummed as I inspected the different colored bottles, reading their labels hastily until I spotted one that looked desiderating. 

It was an unopened, expensive-looking bottle of Firewhiskey and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I grabbed it and began unscrewing the cork.

"Need any help with that, angel?" an unknown voice murmured from behind me. 

I jumped as I felt them place their hand on the small of my back and I turned around to find one of Draco's friends towering over me. 

It was the attractive, blue-eyed Slytherin boy who was indiscreetly looking at me during our Care of Magical Creatures lesson. 

He had the same, Old-Hollywood charm that Cedric had, only that the Slytherin had somewhat of a bad-boy thing going on for him. There was a natural glimmer of mischief in his eyes which was enough of a reason to convince me to stay away from him.

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied in monotone as I started to step around him with the bottle of liquor tucked under my arm. 

To my frustration, he stepped right in front of me— blocking me from going anywhere. He seemed amused at my blatant annoyance with him.

"Can you move?" I snapped at him, deciding right then that all Slytherins were dickheads.

"I don't think I can. You've got my bottle of Firewhiskey. The least you can do is share some of it, don't you think, love?" the boy smirked, his blue eyes flickering from the liquor bottle to my face.

"Oh! Shit, sorry," I apologized and immediately held the bottle out for him to take. He shook his head, though— grabbing two plastic cups from the table and gestured for me to pour the liquor in.

"Cheers," the boys said after I poured us both a drink and set the bottle back on the table where it belonged. He gave me a handsome, crooked smile as we raised our cups towards each other and downed the alcohol.

I immediately noticed the rich quality of the Firewhiskey as the pure liquid burned down my throat deliciously. I have never tasted high-calibre liquor before and it showed.

"Fuck, that's good," I marveled, wincing at how strong the drink was. The Slytherin chuckled, ostensibly entertained by my reactions, and stuck out his hand to introduce himself to me. 

"I'm Theo Nott, we share some classes together," he said after swallowing down the potent liquid without even a flinch. 

"(Y/N) (Y/L/N), nice to meet you," I took the hand he was offering and shook it.

"I finally get to meet you one-on-one. You're quite the talk of this school, you know?" Theo smirked.

"So I've 'eard," I groaned, slurring slightly. I scowled down at my cup as I pondered the ridiculous gossip that surrounded me and took another swig to drown my irritation.

"What's the pout for? You're the sexiest girl in Hogwarts. Boys would leave their girlfriends in a heartbeat to be with you... It's not the worst reputation to have, you know," Theo said matter-of-factly.

I don't know if it was the fact that he called me sexy or just the drunken buzz that was catching up to me but I felt my face and neck heat up when he said that. I decided to derive the conversation and defend my point.

"Well, I feel object... objectified. People don' even know me and they'refucking treating me like 'm a piece of meat. 'S gross," 

I struggled to get my words out but I knew that Theo understood. 

He tried suppressing his amusement behind a tight-lipped smile but failed miserably.

"That's not all, though... I've heard you're fucking brilliant. That you can do wandless magic. Although, I'm not all that surprised because you were supposed to end up in Slytherin, weren't you? Isn't that what the hat said at your Sorting?" 

"Mhm. Slytherin o-or Hufflepuff but I got Gryffindor. Thank fuck," I scoffed into my cup.

"Yeah? Why's that?" Theo asked as he cocked his head to the side. I was distracted for a brief moment by his baby blue eyes that were staring so intently down at my face. He seemed to notice because a cheeky grin started spreading on his lips and I had to clear my throat to snap out of my libidinal daze.

"Not the biggest fan of your House, sorry," I responded, scrunching my nose in distaste and glanced over to where Draco Malfoy was sitting. 

To my surprise, he was staring right back at Theo and me, and I let out a small gasp when I saw how incomprehensibly furious he looked.

"Do you see why? Blonde fucking bitch," I seethed and Theo broke into fits of laughter.

I felt strange gratification in knowing that he found me funny. I grinned broadly as I watched him shake his head, still chuckling whilst finishing the last of his drink.

"Yeah, I've heard about the... aversion you have for Malfoy. But we're not all like him, y'know?"

"Yeah, I suppose you're not..." I trailed off, smiling at Theo slyly and for the first time during our conversation— his suave demeanor was gone.

His lips parted slightly and I audibly heard his breath hitch as his eyes appeared transfixed as he stared down at me.

"Can't imagine how different things would've been if you were in Slytherin, though..." Theo murmured lowly, swiping his tongue on his bottom lip.

"So you won't socialize with me because I'm a Gryffindor?" I challenged him, raising an eyebrow.

The blue-eyed brunette then leaned down almost a whole foot so his lips were close to my ear.

"Well, I'm here, aren't I?" he spoke gently.

He pulled away, seizing me up with sultry eyes.

I stared back at him, stunned, for a few passing moments— not knowing what to say. 

There was no denying that he was flirting with me. 

And it was possible that— with the alcoholic influence, I might've given the impression that I wanted to be pursuited. 

Though that wasn't the case.

And I needed to clear that up.

"Theo, I think yo—"

"(Y/N), can I talk to you?" Draco interrupted, striding towards us so hastily that it caused me to back up against the liquor table, making  the bottles rattle loudly against each other.

"N-no, I'm talking to Theo," 

If looks could kill.

My answer was clearly one that Draco didn't want to hear. He stared at me lividly, his nostrils flared and his jaw clenched so tightly that it had to be painful.

Draco then fixed his furious glare to Theo who, to my surprise, didn't seem bothered at all. 

Theodore Nott bore his callous, ocean-blue eyes back at the blonde in silent resilience.

I half expected for him to cower under Malfoy's ice-cold stare like the rest of his friends, but Theo did the exact opposite.

"Come on," Draco growled through gritted teeth and wrapped his ring-clad hand around my arm and yanked it, dragging me towards the far side of the room which was vacant from anybody's prying eyes and ears.

"Fucking let go of me!" I complained, struggling to release myself from his iron grip but he ignored me. 

I tried writhing away and hit his back repeatedly to no success until Draco finally released me only to back me into a wall.

"What is fucking wrong with you!?" he yelled, making my jaw drop at his absurdity.

"What's wrong with ME!? YOU are the one who just hauled my ass like a rag-doll and YOU'RE ASKING ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!?" 

I was shaking with fury.

All effects of the alcohol and pot left my system as I felt myself sobering up solely with how livid I was.

"You flirting with my friends now?" Draco replied harshly, squinting his eyes at me accusingly, however not screaming anymore.

"Flirting? Are you insane?" 

"I can tell when Theo is grafting when I see it and he wouldn't graft if he didn't think he had the slightest chance. Don't play fucking stupid," Draco's words spilled past his lips vigorously.

"Fucks sake, Malfoy. Just 'cause I met a decent Slytherin with more class and manners than you could ever have hardly means I'm flirting with him. You're being irrational," I pushed past him and started walking away— feeling his eyes boring onto my back as I did. 

"You're right, (Y/L/N). Maybe I'm wrong. 'Cause you clearly have a penchant for Seekers, and Theodore's just a lousy Chaser, right? Silly me..."

I froze in my step and turned around to find a shit-eating smirk on his face as Draco indolently leaned against the wall with crossed arms. 

This was the first time I've been so close to him ever since the Courtyard last year and I hated to admit it, but he looked good. 

Just like Ron and Harry, Draco had gotten taller this year. He had also let his hair grow longer but it wasn't untidy and disheveled like Ron or Harry's, but perfectly styled. 

There was also something very commanding about his presence. His jet-black dress suit definitely influenced this but there was something else to it. He wasn't a boyish Slytherin anymore. Or at least he didn't look it.

Draco Malfoy might've been an annoying son of bitch but something that he wasn't was unattractive. 

But my god, was he fucking annoying.

 "What do you mean a penchant for Seekers?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes.

"It's quite obvious isn't it, dollface? Potter, me, now Diggory..." 

A burst of laughter escaped my lips. I was giggling uncontrollably as his expression became less cocky by the second and was quickly replaced by insecure irritation. 

"You are DELUSIONAL, Malfoy," I spoke through my cackling.

He was glowering at me silently, and my bewilderment set in like I was just drenched in ice-cold water. 

Why did he even care?

I didn't understand what the fuck this boy even wanted from me. 

We stared at each other blankly for several seconds before I decided to question him.

"What's up with you? Why are you even bothering me? Now you want to talk to me again? Be my friend? Because I tried. I tried last year and at the World Cup but you decided to be an absolute dipshit like you always end up being. The way that you disrespected the Weasleys? You really think I want anything to do with you after that!? Give me a fucking break!" 

My temper returned and I didn't have any control over my words, as they came streaming out in hopes to hit a nerve so amply that Draco Malfoy would leave me alone for good. 

All he did was confuse me.

He was a head-fuck.

"Don't twist my words, (Y/L/N). I do not want to be your friend," he spoke tranquilly. Eerily calm after I just spewed at him.

"Then what do you want from me?" I groaned in exasperation, my eyebrows knitting together with the perplexed knots he was tangling in my brain.

"I don't want to be your friend. I don't want to greet you in the hallways. I don't want to smile at you from across the fucking room. I don't want any of that shit. You know this," he repeated darkly, his voice just above a whisper.

Then we were on the same page. 

He wanted nothing to do with me either.

No, that didn't make sense. 

He didn't sound like he was fucking me off. In fact, he was talking to me like he was confessing a terrible secret.

The last time he spoke to me with such raw genuineness was when he was proclaiming that he had feelings for me.

I then recalled how angry he looked when seeing Cedric and me at Hogsmeade and then again at the World Cup and I instantly understood.

He didn't want to be my friend. He wanted more. 

"I haven't talked to you since the Courtyard, Malfoy. I enjoyed talking to you that night but it was just that one time and then you never spoke to me again. I don't know you. You do nothing but torment the people I care about, which is why I found it difficult to even consider that you felt any way about me. I still don't think you even fancy me! It's just my Veela—" 

Draco took one swift step to get closer to me. I was so ridiculously short under his tall frame, he cupped my face in both of his pale hands to make sure I was looking him in the eyes. 

His touch was forceful— enough to prevent me from squirming away but not enough to hurt me. 

For the first time, I felt intimidated. 

He backed me onto the wall he was leaning against— my hands wrapped around his wrists to keep my equilibrium as he steered me.

"That's not true and you know it, dollface..." he murmured softly, his minty breathe tickling my skin, "I'm not affected by Veelas. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you in that Top Box. I know you noticed. You were looking at me too," 

It was hopeless trying to hide my embarrassment. He probably felt the blood pooling into my heated cheeks as his thumb stroked it softly.

The best I could do was flicker my eyes to the dim-lit ceiling behind him and try to control my ragged breath.

He picked up on all of this, though. When I looked back at him— he was smiling smugly. 

"You say you don't know me, princess? Then get to know me..." he hummed as he took another dangerously close step towards me.

His fingertips left a trail of goosebumps on my skin as they skimmed down my arms, hips, and finally reached my waist.

"Stop," I breathed out, trying to maintain my composure.

"What? You dating Diggory now?" he smirked, pulling away far enough to look at me but his hands didn't budge.

I thought about lying. 

Cedric and I haven't as much as kissed yet but there was an unspoken adherence between the both of us.

Or at least I'd like to think there was.

But then again, if word got out that I said that Cedric and I were dating, Cedric might feel like I trapped him into a relationship and the thought of that was mortifying to me. 

"No..." I replied back hesitantly, my eyes raising to meet Draco's blue ones who looked darker than they usually did. 

"Then we're doing nothing wrong," he mumbled, raising a hand to move my hair away from my neck before he leaned down to brush his lips against my collarbone. The feeling made me sigh, as I fluttered my eyes close.

I didn't know what I was doing. 

It had to be the alcohol that was still coursing through my  veins.

I couldn't think in my drunken haze. 

I couldn't think about anything other than Draco's hands on me.

They were roaming around my body, touching me tentatively— as if I were easily breakable.

I watched in admiration as his long, ring-covered digits flexed. 

He had the most attractive hands I've ever seen.

His thumb grazed my bottom lip, pulling it down slightly and looked at them as if my lips were the most entrancing thing he'd ever laid eyes on.

I knew that at any moment, he might kiss me and I didn't know if I had the willpower to stop him.

My breath hitched when he leaned forward. I expected right then for his lips to meet mine, but instead, he pressed them against my ear.

"Tell me I'm better than him. Tell me I'm better than that Half-Blood Hufflefuck and I'll give you what you want," 

And that was enough to snap me out of the moment.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I scoffed in disbelief. I shoved him away from me, the ire resurfacing on my chest

"I feel sorry for you, Malfoy. I've never imagined that I would meet someone my age that could be such an ethnonationalist prick— yet here you are! Excusing your shitty behavior by saying mommy and daddy didn't teach you better," I spoke the last sentence in a mock-baby voice, taunting him for what he told me last year at the Courtyard. I knew I sounded cruel but I didn't care.

"Shut up," he spat, but I kept going.

"Strolling around campus like you're hot fucking shit, calling everyone Mudbloods, Half-Bloods and Blood-Traitors? Who do you think you are!?" I laugh ruthlessly, making him visibly angrier the more I spoke.

"Shut the fuck up, (Y/L/N), I'm warning you," he repeated again.

"Or what? You're gonna insult my friends again? Gonna throw another Knockback Jinx at me? Or how about you call your darling mom and dad to put on their Death Eater masks and make every student with an 'impure' bloodline float up in the air and spin like a goddamn rotisserie chicken, just like they did at the World-Cup! You're all talk, Malfoy. You waste your time being a little angsty shit, pathetically jealous as shit over Harry who—" 

"Don't. Mention. Bloody. Potter," he spoke through his teeth, menacingly taking a step closer to me. He looked more livid than ever at the mention of Harry's name. 

It surprised me that after dragging his parents through the mud, it's Harry Potter who managed to hit a nerve.

"Aww, what's wrong? You intimidated by him?" I pouted in fake sympathy, "You scared your daddy will think his only son is nothing but a complete disappointment compared to—" 

He grabbed my shoulder and pressed me flush against the wall. 

I knew I crossed a line. 

I was doing it on purpose, but I wasn't scared of him. 

I just wished that we weren't so secluded because I wanted some backup incase I needed to knock him on his ass if he tried anything.

"Listen to me, (Y/L/N). You have no idea what you're talking about. Harry is nothing but a disgusting Half-Blood, equally as pathetic as that pretty boy you're seeing. Now understand this... you will never, ever speak about my father again—"

"Don't talk about my friends, then. Don't talk about Cedric," I hissed back, narrowing my eyes at him.

It didn't surprise me that he was smirking again. 

His mood swings were giving me a whiplash.

"The Golden Boy. Cedric Diggory is just too good to be true, isn't he? A total Prince Charming..." he drawled out his words, taking his turn in mocking me now. He closed the gap between the both of us again and looked down at me in a predatory way, "Too bad he's not your type." 

I considered going off on him again but simply stared at him blankly for a few passing moments before taking him aback by wrapping my arm around his torso, pulling him closer to me and tilting my mouth so it was beside his ear.

"That's where your wrong, Malfoy..." I whispered, playing the same, wicked game he did.

He tensed under me as my lips brushed against his earlobe and it was compelling to know that I could put him in the same acquiescent position he put me in earlier with ease.

"I think... you're not used to someone being better than you..." I giggled softly, running my fingers through his hair, tousling his blonde locks.

"I'm right, aren't I? Jealous of Cedric and Harry because they're worthy of being the school's champions and you weren't even a thought—?"

"What did I fucking tell you about mentioning—" 

Draco's hand clasped itself over my mouth to stop me from talking. 

He was about to retaliate something snarky but was cut short when the room exploded in cheering and chanting of the Champions' names.

I caught glimpses of both Cedric and Harry in the middle of the crowded circle, being handed glasses of champagne as everyone praised them. 

Draco looked startled. 

Almost as if he were just now remembering that we were at a party. 

I took advantage of his distraction to rip his hand away from my face.

"Oh look. My Prince Charming," I taunted and shoved Draco away harshly.

"I wanted to get to know you, Malfoy. I tried to be cordial with you... but one conversation doesn't change shit. Half-blood or not, Cedric is adored by many and is the man that you could never be. Leave me alone from now on. I want nothing to do with you," 

"Yeah, you didn't seem to think all of that a few minutes ago, did you darling?" he replied back cockily and I felt a pang of guilt.

Draco and I didn't even do anything but I didn't prevent anything from happening, either. 

All I knew is that it wouldn't be happening again.

I flipped him my middle finger and walked away to join the crowd surrounding the Champions.

Cedric was standing right next to Harry, both of them amongst their group of friends, laughing and talking eagerly about the tournament. 

Cedric looked so good. 

He already seemed slightly buzzed— his dark, curly locks falling over his grey irises that were half closed and twinkling brightly.

My eyes trailed up his chest, taking in his toned shoulders and strong arms under the grey, form-fitting sweatshirt that he wore. 

He wore a lazy smile on his face, and every-time that he let out a throaty laugh because his friends had said something funny— the dozens of girls that surrounding him let out an airy sigh.

I found this amusing because I felt the same way. 

Every time I was around Cedric, I reveled in how gorgeous he was. Saying he was extremely attractive was an understatement.

But a privilege that I had that the fawning girls didn't was that Cedric only had eyes for me.

He raised his pearly greys and the moment they locked with mine, alleviation washed over his face which made me feel exceptionally lucky because I was the girl he was smiling to. 

"There you are," Cedric approached me and pulled me into a hug, "Where were you? Hermione said you've been gone for a while," 

I didn't know what to say as the feeling of guilt rose in my chest again. Now that I was in Cedric's arms, I didn't know why I even allowed Draco to lay a finger on me. 

This was enough. 

This was all I needed. 

I couldn't imagine ever wanting anything more.

"Hey, you okay?" Cedric cupped my cheeks in his hands, frowning when he noticed the tears prickling in my eyes. 

"Better now," I replied honestly, laughing as I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck, kissing the warm, soft skin. 

"OI! Lovebirds!" Zacharias Smith called for our attention, a humongous camera at hand. 

The flash went off, Cedric and I both grinned at the lens and then Cedric looked down at me dotingly moments after, causing a whirlwind of butterflies in my tummy as I prayed that the moving photo caught it so I'd have photographic evidence of the way he looked at me. 

Zacharias handed Cedric and me our champagne glasses which we clinked together before downing all of the drink, our eyes never leaving each other for a moment.

"This dress should be a crime..." he murmured, his hands caressing up and down the fabric around my hips.

I grinned coyly, stepping closer to him and pressing a kiss right beside his lips softly. 

I've missed him so terribly. 

We've only been away from each other for about a few hours, and it was important to believe that it was only this morning that he was scared shitless to confront his dragon.

I still felt horrible for abandoning him the week before the task and I swore to myself that I would never leave him on his own regarding the Tournament's tasks again. 

Harry had Hermione's brains to help him. 

Cedric needed me.

Cedric grabbed an unopened bottle of champagne and guided me to the sofa where the rest of our friends were seated.

I smiled at him silently as he unscrewed the cork, popping it loudly which caused everyone in our proximity to cheer. 

Cedric grinned handsomely and refilled our glasses.

"You're really quiet tonight, what's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Cedric whispered in my ear and looped his arm around me securely.

"I'm thinking about how much I've missed you," I began, shifting closer to him so I was almost sitting on his lap,"and how proud I am of you... I really hated being away from you the last few days, so I hope you're not sick of me just yet because you're not getting rid of me anytime soon,"

I kept my tone was light but I wasn't really joking. 

I had no intentions in straying from Cedric and after Draco put me in the spot earlier, I had to know if Cedric had the same idea for us.

To my relief, Cedric smiled warmly. 

He took my glass of champagne from my hands, placing it on the coffee table in front of us alongside his.

"(Y/N), I don't think I could never get sick of you...," Cedric sighed, his forehead pressing onto mine and my face in his large palms. 

The energy between us was static electric. 

I was breathless, staring into his cloudy, grey eyes and my heart pounded so loudly that the background noise of music and chattering was nonexistent.

Nothing else existed at that moment other than Cedric Diggory.

I could feel his breath against my lips and I knew it was inevitable now.

I couldn't control myself any longer and I knew he couldn't either by the way he was clinging onto my hips.

And then it happened.

I don't know who initiated it but Cedric's lips were finally on mine.

Gliding over each other smoothly, as if we've done this a dozen times before. 

Cedric and I were kissing each other greedily, not being able to stop once we started.

We barely gave each other a chance to breathe, only sparing a few fleeting seconds when my bottom lip was captured between his soft, warm ones again.

I felt more intoxicated than I have been the whole night, but now I was purely drunk on the taste of champagne and Cedric's sandalwood and vanilla smell.

I was almost glad that we waited this long to share a kiss because there was no possible way that it would've been as ardent and intense as it was now in any other occasion.

He pulled my legs up on his lap, his hands returning to my face and cradling it amorously to prevent me from breaking the kiss— something I wouldn't dream of doing.

He kissed me like it was his oxygen. 

As if he wouldn't survive if my lips ever left his.

"GO ON CEDRIC!" 

"GOOD LAD!" 

We finally broke apart and saw that the better most of the party's attention were on us.

Cedric's friend were praising him with enthusiasm.

Many, many girls were staring at me as if they wanted me dead.

Harry and Hermione were grinning at me cheekily.

Ron— envious.

The twins were muttering "Lucky bastard," 

And from the far back of the room I spotted a pair of covetous, pale blue eyes boring into me.

His pale hands tight-gripping the arms of the leather sofa he sat on.

I smirked at Draco Malfoy, kissing up Cedric's neck without breaking eye-contact, and showed him that if he thought he had me wrapped around his finger...

He was fucking wrong.

✩ next chapter: S.P.E.W ✩

[kurojiri]

Their echoed shadows

Fandom: Harry Potter Pairing:Tom Riddle/ Cedric Diggory Gen: Tom Riddle & Teddy Lupin, Cedric Diggory & Teddy Lupin Summary: Teddy Lupin always had a big heart. It came to no one’s surprise when he wanted to befriend the portraits of Tom Riddle and Cedric Diggory. A/N: Next Gen AU, Young Portrait Tom Riddle/ Portrait Cedric Diggory, with commentary of Teddy Lupin. Word Count: 4,291

“I find the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, to help them reveal the greatest version of himself.”— Steve Maraboli

Or read on ao3

Strangely, it had been Teddy that had started the communication. He had been a young boy, small but still filled with big dreams. Before he had been eleven and a student, Teddy had been given permission to wander Hogwarts when he and his godfather, Harry walked in the hallways and while they've talked with some of the professors. In those occasions, Teddy had watched and chatted with the portraits that had welcomed him. He loved it. They all each had their own stories, with all the different colors and palettes awing him when he visited each time. They all had their landscapes and moods. It made the wizarding world always fascinating for him. For Teddy, it had been fun to interact with them. The conversations almost perfectly mimicked real people. And that had been why he wanted to talk to them. Tom and Cedric. They were both two interesting people. One with dark hair and fair skin that hardly conversed with others. He somehow always had to sport a borderline sneer close to his lips when anyone tried to actively talk to him. (It somehow reminded him when his cousin Draco and godfather were in the middle of a passionate argument. Like for quidditch games or when Uncle Harry wore the jumpers that made cousin Draco feel disgusted to be seen next to him.) He could be friendly enough, and for Teddy, he liked Tom well enough. He just needed help in having friendly conversations.

Which, reminded him of Cedric. He, who was bright and cheerful at first glance, he had that type of aura around him. Cedric had been a great person when he had been alive too apparently. Although, Teddy would never get a straight answer from anyone that had known him no matter how many times he politely asked or overheard, he just knew the bare minimal that he knew that Cedric was the perfect first portrait friend for Tom to have. They were two opposite personalities that Teddy wanted to interact. And Cedric had humored him too in that day when he asked him if he would help Tom loosen his walls and shields, he kept since his portrait had been discovered and allowed to be put inside Hogwarts. The older Hufflepuff had liked the idea more when he had finished asking him. And, it had kicked it off when Teddy spirited through the summer hallways. Hogwarts had been a little quiet but, it still had made Cedric smile as he followed Teddy. His godfather Harry, in the background had looked confused but allowed Teddy to wander around. Nine years old was old enough to have some freedom, especially when there were house elves and other thousands of portraits to watch over him. When he first saw him, Teddy had remembered how pretty the background had been. A sleek couch, a wide library with sunlight that only spring could have had made the room cozy and refined. Tom had been painted wearing a nice relaxed white shirt with ironed slacks and polished shoes. His hair had been sleek too, and when he looked at Teddy his face had been pretty. (Even if it morphed into a scowl and hesitant nod when Teddy lingered in front of him.) He had been able to see how lonely he had been too, as other portraits watched Teddy smile at Tom. At that time, Teddy had given his name, but he had not known Tom’s name. No. It hadn’t been simple back then, Teddy had tried his best but it had been Uncle Harry that answered it when he called him out. He had been about to call him out again, but when he noticed who he was introducing himself to Uncle Harry had automatically reached over to firmly pull Teddy away. “Tom?” His godfather’s voice had been deadly calm. He had questions, of course, and as tense as he had been back then, Teddy knew his godfather would find whatever answers he wanted soon enough. “I never figured you’d be the type to have portraits of yourself back then. Not until—” He stopped himself when felt Teddy’s glaze. “Never mind that, how are you?” He still looked both output for having to run into someone he knew before. The same kind of look reserved for when Teddy knew that meant Tom had been something related to his godfather’s past. Either for the war he fought or school related. Tom, who had been carefully analyzing them didn’t look surprised of how protective his godfather had been. “I am fine. However, I do not know you.” His body still had resembled like a caged animal. “I was created during the very beginning of my fifth year in Hogwarts back in 1942.” It had been a big deal. For Uncle Harry at least, but he never did find out when Teddy had still been a young boy. Yet, Teddy understood that Tom, and Uncle Harry had a history with each other, just not the portrait that they both found in Hogwarts. But it still had been the beginning when Teddy knew what he wanted to do with Tom and his lonely corner where his portrait had been displayed.

One well-known fact about Teddy Lupin, is that once he wanted to be friends with someone, he would do his damn best to achieve that. Whether they were animals, portraits, or people, Teddy had known his role in the world. His own heart had been shaped for that kind of love and empathy. It had been why it had been easy to persuade a kindred spirit like Cedric to join his cause. They both, Teddy and Cedric were willing to be friends with him.

There were no hidden agendas.

Even if at first Tom had been hesitated and very standoffish when Teddy had announced his and Cedric’s arrival. With Cedric being a portrait person, it had given Tom more subtle reactions as Teddy coaxed Tom to allow Cedric to get closer. That day Cedric didn’t step inside Tom’s domain, but he had been able to introduce himself.

It had been a taxing and slow afternoon that day, but Teddy had been happy that Tom did not outright banish them. Or the next day or the day after that. But he had been jealous that Cedric had more time and opportunities to greet Tom than Teddy could. The nine-year-old didn’t deny it, but he had also been very happy to hear that Tom had slowly been nodding off to Cedric’s babbles. (It still had been a little rude that Tom read his books when Teddy and Cedric talked to him, but Teddy had also been stubborn and practically punctual with his greetings.)

Those first days had turned to weeks. Before he knew it, Teddy had to say goodbye. It had been sad that there had not been a portrait he could take for Tom and Cedric to visit him back at home, but with Hogwarts starting again Teddy had managed to have some hours dedicated to Hogwarts during the holidays, provided that a professor or other adult with permission to be in campus would be there to monitor him.

But that had been good enough for him as he noticed Tom getting used to their company.

Just as much as Teddy loved seeing Cedric’s youthful face smiling bigger each time Teddy waved at him. Or when he found out who his parents were.

“Your mom was Tonks? She was a brilliant Hufflepuff.”

Cedric had been a little shocked when he saw Teddy’s hair spontaneously switch colors. But he had also been quick to smile and reassure him too. He could see why Cedric had been made a prefect.

“And also, Professor Lupin too? Incredible. He was of the best Defense teachers I ever had the pleasure of having. You have both their best qualities. (They would be proud of you, and the person you are becoming.)”

With his smile and kind eyes seeing him, and taking in his features Teddy had always felt comfortable when he visited Cedric. He was like the perfect big brother and sort of uncle that a portrait could be. And companion when he checked on Tom. The winter season had been kind, with the layers he wore and not the multiple ones that he would need later on as December roared. Since summer, Tom had still been stony in some topics.

But it hadn’t been that bad. Unlike his godfather, his cousins Draco and Ginny had accepted his bundling friendship with Tom. They had also memories with other versions of Tom. One with an old dairy, and one of an older man. They never told him the whole stories, but they had also seemed to understand what Teddy wanted. As well, they had in turn visited Tom in Hogwarts during the Winter Holidays.

It had been awkward.

When it concerned cousin Draco, Teddy had caught his skin turn pale and somewhat stiff when Tom looked at them both. Cedric had not been there, but Teddy’s warm smiles had done a decent job for Tom to get a feel of his future (and very dead) version’s outcome. His mood had been sullen and reluctant, but Teddy had also been careful when his cousin Ginny’s turn had been a little more talkative. In her end, at least with her red hair pulled into a tight bun and Luna by her side.

Tom had answered their questions, but they all knew his replies would never mean much. She had known Dairy Tom, and Portrait Tom was similar, but not the exact shade she was looking for. Just like how cousin Draco found the youthful face of Tom Riddle to be an alien moment for himself. It had all been accumulated to both his cousins Ginny and Draco to finding their separate perceptions of peace for themselves. They never fully did explain what they saw or needed, but Tom and Teddy welcomed the lazy days when Cedric came into the frame.

Nobody would ever fully know what would have happened if Cedric and Tom were alive at the same as teenagers; but it had been something else entirely that occupied Teddy’s own musings. Each time he saw them both he could see the walls getting lower. Spring came, and Cedric greeted him first when Teddy went to the same corner with Cedric sitting next to Tom. The window had been opened and the curtains were pulled apart. The distance was still palpable, but he had known that Tom was the type to slowly bring others into his circle.

Something that the other Tom versions were capable too, but for other reasons and missions. (He had heard the subplot to that when his godfather thought Teddy couldn’t catch his words.) That spring holiday came and went faster but when he reached ten that summer it had opened another set of memories of watching Cedric work his magic.

“Must you two always be so jolly loud this early in the day?”

Cedric and Teddy would always reply with loud chuckling and giggling respectively as they continued making horrible jokes. Tom would look annoyed, but never too much that it would hurt Teddy’s feelings. They each all knew by then that Tom had a soft side, a rare shade that Teddy wished the other Tom had been comfortable to see and feel with ease that his portrait did.

“Honestly, why I bother with you two, I’ll never know.”

Portraits were not like ghosts. He had been told that. Multiple of times as he grew up. And he knew. Teddy knew.

But it still didn’t stop him from wondering.

He may have been young, but Teddy loved to socialize and see every day as a new beginning and chapter he couldn't wait to start. It had been why Uncle Harry liked taking him to Hogwarts. They both shared a lot, and at the same time, were different in constitution. Magic, and Hogwarts were special to both of them, and it showed when his godfather eventually gained the job as professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts, it had been rightfully earned and Teddy had been proud of him. His grandmother had said the same when he had been shown the room his godfather would use in September.

“Uncle Harry, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, Teddy. What do you need?”

“Tom.”

“Potter.”

The portraits were just painting with enchantments that many artists learned how to do. Teddy had loved visiting many, and he had also loved watching the process too when he had been allowed. His cousin Ginny took up painting sometime before he had been born. He saw the rows of landscapes and portraits, some living some not. It all had been lovely, and he knew she loved it dearly.

One time she showed him a portrait of his parents that she made when he had been five. Back then, he had been memorized at the likeness and life she brought to them. But they had not been his parents, they hadn’t met them their living versions, so they had been silent. Left to the imagination of how his cousin Ginny remembered them. Along with their secrets not being shared with them.

(But it had been the start of his quest.

To finding a soul beneath their lines and colors.

To each and every other painting he met since then too.)

Something about painting had become a hobby for him too. He had never been a particularly great artist, but he had fun with it. Abstract shapes had been his expertise, and the freedom to mix his emotions helped him too. It had made his cousins Draco and Ginny to also bond too. Those days when they all went to the painting room his grandmother converted, they all talked about whatever had been in their heads. Silly things, normal boring adult things and funny things.

He loved it when they made animals, or when ocean waves swirled. Each of them had made Teddy see the world they shared with him, it connected him to their hearts. Edward Remus Lupin may have been ten almost eleven but even back then, he realized something profounding. Life was wondrous, dangerous and daring. But with them passing along their wisdoms and experiences Teddy would be fine. He would seek his own adventures and answers. But all at the same time, he knew he would be loved fiercely by both his past, present and future choices and people he’d met on his journey.

Just like how Cedric had and maybe Tom.

(But he couldn’t ever be completely sure. Because, sometimes his gut would fall and his heart felt like it broke. Tom Riddle was a mystery, but he had also been a boy back then. With dreams, aspirations. He couldn’t have been unloved for his whole life.

Because then Teddy—because, then he wouldn’t be able to stop looking at him. And wondering why. Why would the world be so cruel to certain people?)

He ventured out and spent more time seeing his godfather talking to Tom more too. It had been slower than compared to his cousin Ginny, but that had made sense she was a Weasley through and through. She was a wildfire; she always made rounds to figure her emotions and then seek solutions. His cousin Ron had said so too as well his Aunt Hermione when they heard about the times his cousin sought out Tom during the holidays. Compared to them, few people went up to Tom.

Students and faculty alike didn’t pursue Tom like he and Cedric did. But it had come to portrait animals to poke their bodies to Tom’s couch. (Apparently it had been a comfortable couch that many other portrait people wanted to visit.) It had been funny to see Tom shuffle with either being a good host and being anti-social. Teddy could only guess that Tom had few memories and conversations to fully understand and replicate the other Tom from 1942. It explained why sometimes his outbursts came along too.

They were ragged, and uneven when Tom had a row with Cedric. Those rare times had made Teddy sad. As if, he saw the flaws that the other Tom must have faced alone. They hurt him when Tom wouldn’t want to see him too. He was sure it hurt Cedric too when they couldn’t reach a hidden Tom in the castle.

It had been his godfather that spoke to him gently. The summer holiday was looming and with the letter freshly placed on top of the table Teddy couldn’t mask a smile. His hair, deeply dark blue had mirrored him.

“Tom had always had a hard time letting others close to him.” His hair had been tucked behind his ears. His godfather’s hands wrapped him into a hug. “Portrait Tom or other versions of him alike have that same fear to an extent. That doesn’t mean you should take it to heart when he said he didn’t like you. Knowing the git, he must have been scared that you and Cedric are very close friends for him.”

Teddy didn’t let go of his godfather. “But how can someone be scared to be loved?”

The pause had frozen his own heart when he felt one hand brush away the tears from his face. Green vibrant eyes that Teddy always known and loved had that faraway look again. His glasses dropped a bit from his nose, making it easier to see the indents he had for wearing his glasses every day.

“Sometimes, love can be pretty scary. And sometimes people like Tom weren’t always given the same opportunities like the rest to know how it is to be loved or to love others so easily.”

“That’s not fair.”

“No. It’s not.”

Teddy’s heart hurt. Even when his godfather had been close and hugged him tightly. And even though he could guess the correct answer, he still couldn’t help but ask.

His head rested on the crook of his godfather’s neck. “Did anyone ever love him? The one from before?”

His godfather didn’t look at him directly, but he nonetheless answered quietly. “His mother loved him.”

Teddy looked at the portrait of a pack of Crups. “And besides her? Were there any others that were his friends? A second family to watch over him?”

“I don’t know, Teddy. I—never asked the Tom I knew if he did. He had other priorities then.”

The next time he saw Tom, Cedric had already cleaned up most of the mess. It had been cumbersome for Tom to apologize, but Teddy had been the one to understand what Tom couldn’t outright say. He didn’t bring up the outburst, but he had been thankful to see this Tom be loved.

It had been the only thing that helped him when he helped Cedric bring back a smile to Tom’s face.

Teddy preferred that version of him. Smiling and having a light in his eyes. Portrait or not, Teddy knew that they were alive to some extent, which meant that they deserve respect too.

They returned to a relatively fun summer with Teddy catching them up. The stories they all shared were what helped him connect to them, and it showed how much of a big heart he had for anyone and everyone. It also granted him more of a firsthand experience of seeing Tom have the capacity to be free, charming and happy. The stories that he'd been able to learned from them had always been rewarding. And with Tom, it had always felt heavier but meaningful, because he knew how little Tom really revealed outwardly.

Unlike Cedric, who loved to talk, Tom was the type to hide his emotions and lessons in riddles and metaphors. Something, that could have been seen as extra and dramatic. But with Teddy, he liked the challenge. More so when his godfather came along. It had been two years, and with September coming, he hadn’t hidden how much he laughed when Tom and his godfather sassed each other.

It must have been therapeutic for both. Cedric had told him so as he grew older. But when he firsthand witnessed it, Teddy knew too. That and how much everyone else eventually caved to see how much Teddy could make virtually everyone smile at his vicinity. That had been a particular reason why he had been able to keep seeing Tom and Cedric in Hogwarts when he hadn’t been a student before.

(Teddy had noticed how his godfather had laughed at Tom’s face from the very beginning when he saw Teddy’s screaming his name in greeting. And when he chased Tom all around the castle until he acknowledged him. He had been known for being a very persistent kid since he could form sentences as a babe.)

When August came to a close Teddy saw another change to Tom and Cedric. But before he could address it, he had to leave with a brief goodbye. He would return very soon, but before that he would ride to Hogwarts in the infamous train and see what house would fit him for the next seven years.

His godfather would not be in the train ride, but he did have the luxury of having some sweets from his grandmother provided him with. His anxiety didn’t fully stop him from saying hello to other first years, and other older students that recognized him from his time in the holidays in Hogwarts. It made it memorable when he spent most of that day laughing and making acquaintances and friends. It reminded him of how wonderful it felt to be eleven, and ready to learn earnestly to perfect his magic. That and it had been his chance to try out seven years without any super disasters onto his belt.

He had remembered the looks he got when most of his uncles and aunts had asked him to be careful and not follow his father, mother and godfather’s luck to bring too much trouble. Or when they all chuckled when his godfather gave him a playful hug and a certain map somewhat tucked into his pocket.

Once the hat chosen his fate and the name, Hufflepuff had been announced Teddy couldn’t have helped but feel his eyes water by the amount of emotions overwhelming from inside his body. From the faculty table he saw his godfather beam at him. He wobbled out of the chair but as he did that, he couldn’t help but raised a fist out in triumph.

Like mother, like son his hair turned to bubblegum pink in honor of her as he sat down at his House where the other students alike smiled and greeted him. It felt like he arrived to his second home.

The rest of the way into his common room had helped when he saw Cedric greeting other returning students and saying hello to the rest of the first years. He didn’t miss the friendly wink when Teddy smiled at him as he went straight to the dorm room to find his bed. He knew he was proud of him too as he took one last look at his yellow and black tie before he changed for bed.

The early morning brought a smiling Cedric with a Tom that looked both disgruntled but happy to see Teddy. He watched Tom peer at the tie and common room he had been forced to travel away from his domain. His lips twitched to nice smile, the one that made Teddy smile freely and cheekily.

“Not much of a shock really, considering how much you loved to pecked and mothered like a mother hen.”

Tom sat down at a random empty portrait of a kitchen. Cedric did too when he picked up an apple. He admired it before looking at Teddy with a huge grin.

“You’ll make Hufflepuff proud. I can already see it: Future Quidditch Captain and prefect in fifth year.” Cedric had known about Teddy’s wishes to hold up his parent's legacies.

Tom smiled more openly with the common room still empty. “Head Boy in your seventh too.”

Teddy chuckled as they followed him out to the common room. Tom always had the perfect posture when he walked, but over the course of the two years he had Cedric poke at him. He had Cedric put an arm over his shoulder like what friends did all the time. It made him approachable, and human. But what he didn’t expect was the soft and intimate kiss Cedric gave Tom on the forehead and cheek when they reached the entrance to the main hall.

“Ew!! Come on, I’m about to eat you two.” Teddy dramatically said with a fake gag.

They all knew he was happy for them. But it still had been fun to see how far Tom came when he first had arrived to Hogwarts. He rolled his eyes while Cedric amped up the dramatics with loud kissing noises at Teddy’s direction first before he started to aim some raspberries kisses at Tom. Few people didn’t bat an eye at Teddy having fun with two portrait people, but some of the younger generations did.

Cedric gladly greeted some of the other vocal students first while Tom stayed behind him and quietly watched both Teddy and Cedric entertain the rest.

Teddy may have not been able to meet the real Tom Riddle or Cedric Diggory, but he was fine with who he did meet. They were their own versions, with their personalized lives too. Besides, he did after all get to help the Tom he got to meet, and see this Cedric get his own happy ending too.

That was its own victory after all.

[mariahideki]

Complete series of artworks from Triwizard champion 🏆

Who do you like the most?

My favorite is Krum, also, I think that He and Hermione look great together ❤️