rose-colored boy

“I have a feeling” Fleur said, her kisses going from his neck to his collarbone, “that it is going to be really hard to actually choose our favourites. We are going to have to test them over-” teeth against skin, and yet another mark for him to cover in the morning “and over again.” She wasn’t so blind to the facts to deny that this was going to be complicated at best. It was obvious that at least for now, Cho was still very much on the picture and then there was their involvement in the tournament. It could only damage their reputations if people knew they were together. Even teachers or judges could believe there was some sort of alliance going on that provided them both with an advantage, and that could harm their future scores. Perhaps it was a trivial thing to worry about in the face of love. This was something she had never thought she was going to find, something she didn’t even believe in in the first place - and yet here she was, her heart filled with joy, butterflies in her stomach every time they kissed, no matter how often that happened. This kind of feeling was one people probably searched for during a lifetime. However, Fleur was nothing but persistent, and incredibly driven. She wanted Cedric, and she wanted the cup; and she was going to have both. 

His words provoked a wave of heat to was over her body, and she inhaled sharply. How was it possible he knew exactly what to say to drive her this crazy for him? It was almost as if he somehow had known her forever, every soft spot, every weakness. “I want that, too.”, she almost purred, grinding her hips forward against him. “I want you to touch me, I want you to taste me, I want to moan your name and tell you how much I love you as you make me come.” Her words alone, combined with the way her body was now moving against his, was making everything worse. She wasn’t really sure how much longer either of them were going to be able to control themselves. This was desire like she had never felt before. It was soft, tender, and full of love; but that didn’t mean it was less urgent or hungry. Quite the contrary, the hurricane of emotions she was experiencing only intensified her craving for him. She had never wanted him more than she did now; and something told her this was just the beginning. 

“I think I can do that.”, she replied, whispering against his lips. The wisest thing right now was to leave, obviously. Even with the muffling charm on, there was going to be some sound, there was going to be inevitable movement; and they couldn’t risk people seeing them. But the whole experience was turning her on so much she just couldn’t bring herself to move. Just a little longer, a bit of teasing, a head start; and then she was going to ask him to take her somewhere else. Without any real trouble she undid his trousers and her hand finally slipped in, quickly bypassing his underwear as well. He had asked her to touch him like she did herself, so she took her time, making sure he could both enjoy every single sensation, and build up his heat slowly. At first her fingers teased, moving slowly, in circles, over the sensitive spots. The feeling alone made a little whimper escape her lips, and she had to kiss him to prevent more sounds from coming out. She spent a few more moments like that, teasing him, kissing him, enjoying his reaction as she explored with her fingertips. However, she was impatient as well, so it wasn’t that long before she slipped a finger inside him, moving lazily at first, then picking up the pace a little bit, trying to give him as much pleasure as she could. 

A hum of assent escaped his lips as she kissed his neck and collarbone between words, leaving more marks on his skin, sending pleasant chill after chill down his spine. He knew that in the morning he would either have to heal them or cover them, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to have the reminder that he was hers with him, even if tomorrow morning they would have to start figuring out how to navigate this all while dealing with the real world too. It wasn’t going to be easy, but then again, Cedric had always believed that things that were more difficult were more rewarding. And the reward for this challenge was too great to give up just because they were both worried about everything they would have to face to be together. It was all worth it, to know a love so intensely strong and immediate. To find something so beautiful and real, without even searching, a lucky turn of something that felt like fate was absolutely mind-blowing, and there was no way that Cedric was going to lose his chance at it. He planned to fight for this love, no matter what it meant they had to do in the meantime, and he knew, just from the way she kissed him, that Fleur was determined to do the same.

As she started moving against him, giving delicious friction that he needed more of already, his hands wandered over her body, exploring her even through her clothes as she spoke. He trailed a line of kisses across her jaw, down her neck, one hand finding its way to her chest, teasing lightly as her words coaxed a gentle moan, caught between lips and skin, from him. He barely even pulled back as they kept going. “I can’t wait for all of that. I can’t to memorize every inch of your body. memorize your sounds, your taste,” he muttered against her skin. The need was only growing by the second, and he was well aware that the smart choice would have been to move now, but he couldn’t even imagine taking his hands off of her for a moment, having to stop listening to her beautiful words. Cedric pulled back for a split second just to look at her, admire her, eyes full of love and desire, a strong combination that he had never felt before, something more intense than anything he could’ve imagined having. He couldn’t wait before bringing their lips together again in a passionate open-mouthed kiss. 

“I can see why.”, Fleur laughed, giving it a second look before putting it back in the chest. “I am willing to try it, though. If you want to. Not today obviously but eventually. You know me, I am not easily scared.” The fact that she was even using the word eventually implied a lot more than she was actually saying. It meant that she was willing to give this a chance, that she was ready to fight for this despite every challenge and every complication. Fleur wasn’t someone to take risks, even less when it came to something as supposedly unreal as love. However, Cedric had changed all that in the last couple of weeks and it terrified her how willing she was to sacrifice everything that had seemed important to her, just to have this. Then again, maybe that was exactly what love was supposed to feel like - as if she was standing on the edge of a cliff and she was eager to jump, knowing that no matter how dangerous it looked, she was going to end up flying. That was how she felt like, like flying. 

She nuzzled his neck as he spoke, lips pressing heated kisses on his skin that grew more and more passionate by the second. “I can’t wait to try them all. In fact, I think we could even make a list, see which ones we like best, sort them out.” She sucked in on his pulse point, surely leaving another mark. “You know I’m nothing but organised.” A little chuckled followed, as she kept kissing his neck, moving down to his collarbone. Her hands travelled up and down his thighs in the meantime, coming closer and closer to the place between his legs each time. “Tell me, mon chéri. What else you want to do with me?”, she asked, her voice almost a purr in his ear. 

Fleur giggled as he suddenly turned around to face her, pulling her closer. It was then when she focused on the toy he was showing her now, noticing what he was saying. Her smile widened at the sight. “Merlin! I love that one!”, she laughed, her gaze now on him. “I’m glad it’s one of your favourites because it’s exactly the one I would have chosen.” Fleur leaned in to kiss him again, this time her body was pressed flushed against his. She should probably tell him to stop, to take her somewhere else now before things started getting really heated and her sounds woke up half the dormitory. However, she simply couldn’t. Her kisses deepened with renewed hunger, one of her hands going to his hair, and the other sneaking between them, travelling down his stomach to his waist, tugging briefly from his waistband. “Cedric,”she whispered against his lips, voice already borderline breathless. “Tell me how you want me to touch you.”

He couldn’t help but let his grin widen at her words. There was more to them than just the idea that they were going to be trying out all of his equipment together. It was the implication that this was something that she was willing to try for. In the span of a few weeks, this intense and unreal love had become so strong that even she was willing to risk everything they were both fighting for for a chance at it. That thought made his heart swell with joy. Her own confession of love, then prompting his own, had been enough to make him feel like he could overcome anything that they world could throw at them, but knowing that she was here for just beyond the night, that they were both silently agreeing to try for this, this strange, intense, magical thing, made him so ecstatic he could hardly hold the feelings in. He wasn’t easily scared either, in this or anything else; he wasn’t going to let his fear of failure hold him back in this regard. It was something too beautiful, too perfect in every little way, something that made him feel whole in a way he never really had. He wouldn’t lose this for anything. And he had a feeling she felt the same way.

Her kisses sent waves of heat through his body, making him want her more and more, as he titled his head slightly to give her better access to his neck. A little hum of pleasure escaped his lips as she sucked in, marking him. How thrilling it was to have a physical reminder that she was his. He was well aware that he would need to heal it, or at least cover it the next morning, but the knowledge that it was there, a mark of proof, was exciting in a way he hadn’t really felt before. “Mm, that’s perfect, we’ll make a list, rank all of them, find our favorite together. I appreciate the organization,” he hummed, letting his eyes close for a second, as her hands moved up and down his thighs, teasing, so close to where he wanted to feel her. “I want to show you just how much I love you, body and soul. I want to taste you, all of you.”

The laugh she let out upon seeing the toy he had chosen for them was more beautiful than any bird’s song, and he wished he could bottle that noise to hear whenever he needed his spirits lifted. “Great minds think alike,” he laughed, hand moving to run through her hair, as lips met lips again. The kiss grew with passion quickly, and the desire did the same. If he had thought that moment alone in the closet he had wanted her, it was nothing compared to now, after having admitted their feelings for each other, and agreeing to try for something, no matter what challenges they would face. One hand found his hair, the other snaking between them, pulling at the waistband of trousers. He smiled into the kiss as she did so, before she pulled back slightly, breathing his name. And the only thing more attractive than the way she said his name was the question that followed. Even more proof that she was the one he hadn’t realized he had been missing all of this time. Her willingness, her understanding, all wrapped up in desire, made it all the better. “Touch me like you touch yourself. Show me how you do it by doing it on me. And I’ll return the favor,” he breathed, smile clear in his voice.

The way back to the castle was as wonderful as it was dangerous. The forest was one thing, where they could easily hide from prying eyes; but open ground was different. Despite knowing that, Fleur’s mind was somewhere else. All she could think about was Cedric, and the fact that he loved her, and that she loved him back. She could already imagine how his sink was going to feel underneath her fingertips, how it would be to have one night for themselves, without worrying about what was going to happen in the morning when both of them had to go back to reality. “My petal.”, she repeated, the difference between their accents becoming somehow more evident. “I like it when you call me that.” Fleur realised all of a sudden that she wouldn’t mind hearing him say that for the rest of her life if she could; but perhaps thinking about a lifetime was a little bit too much considering the situation they were in and its complications. It was difficult not to do that with Cedric, just imagine a future together without contemplating the consequences. Maybe that was exactly what love meant, to trust that whatever happened, they would be able to conquer it together. 

When they finally managed to enter the castle, the danger multiplied. There were teachers patrolling, prefects, head students; and that awful gatekeeper with his cat. However, Cedric had told the truth when he had told her he knew how to sneak in. They walked at a slow pace, mostly not to get caught, but also because they couldn’t seem to keep their hands off each other. Every time they needed to hide they would end up kissing, bodies pressed flushed against each other, Cedric’s hand slipping slightly under her dress, running up her thigh while hers sneaked under his shirt. After what felt like a small eternity, they arrived to Hufflepuff common room. Fleur was as quiet as she could, but gave him a little nod of approval when he pulled out his wand to cast a muffling charm around them. She was aware that there was no way they could do anything here, but the sight of his bed was way too tempting. 

Still, she sat on the mattress without too much hesitation, and waited for him. When the chest on his lap opened, Fleur’s eyes widened like two platters. There was a lot to choose from, and even though she was excited about this, it was an area she wasn’t really experienced in. With a sly smile on her face, she picked one of the options - a really big one, with a strange shape that was mildly scary. “Merde. Have you really used this one?”, she chuckled, not even looking at him but at all the others, a borderline fascinated expression on her features. “Cedric this is fantastic. I am not going to lie, a little overwhelming, but spectacular.” Then she turned to him, her lips curving into a smirk. “Tell you what-”, she started, shifting further into the bed, moving until she was on her knees behind him, her torso pressed to his back. Her hands massaged his shoulders softly, before moving down to his chest, undoing the last couple of buttons of his shirt. “Why don’t you recommend me some? Let’s try your favourite one.” Her hands were on his stomach now, lips trailing kisses along his jaw. “And after we do that, we can start trying all the rest.” Her teeth grazed his earlobe, hands on his lower thighs, teasing. “Do you like the sound of that?”

“Good, because ah don’t think I’ll be able tae stop,” he said with a grin. It was the truth, after all. Now that they had both confessed their feelings, now that they had made the decision to let this happen, no matter what it might mean or how they had to do it, he didn’t think he could ever stop the fond names from leaving his lips, the love from overflowing from his heart. That much was evident as they travelled the halls, unable to keep their hands and lips from one another, already so in need of feeling more. Cedric felt light and free in a way he couldn’t remember feeling, and the night felt a lot like the first night of the rest of his life. That life was going to be with Fleur. Perhaps it was a foolish thing to think so soon after meeting, so soon after confessing their love, but he knew it in his very soul that he was meant for Fleur and she was meant for him. There was no way around it, and he felt hopeful that with their love they would be able to come through any challenge they faced, including the ones directly ahead of them. Tonight, though, was about being together, just the two of them, living in a world where they were all that mattered and existed. And he was glad to indulge in that fantasy.

He watched her maybe a little too closely, a big grin on his lips waiting to see what she thought of all of the hidden treasures he was showing her. A little laugh escaped his lips as she immediately picked up one of the more fantastical ones that he owned, large and intimidating, definitely not a first time situation. “I’ve used all of them, even that one. Never actually used that one on anyone but myself, though. It scares people,” he laughed lightly, trying to keep his voice down despite the charm he had cast. Watching her take everything in, the overwhelmed awe on her face was just as beautiful as everything else, and it made him want her even more, if that was possible. It was no surprise that she was just as excited about all of it as he was, but he was still infinitely grateful that he had fallen for someone who accepted and was ready to dive into every little part of this. “Mm, ah love the sound of all of that. We’ll try them all, and we can figure out which ones ye like the best,” he hummed as she moved behind him, hands massaging his shoulders. He leaned back into her touch, letting his eyes close as her hands moved down his chest, finally unbuttoning his shirt. Warm hands on his bare stomach made the familiar heat start building in the pit of his stomach, the desire growing with every second.

There was no way that they could have their fun here, as much as he wanted to be together in his own bed, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t get started there before heading to somewhere much more private, without the worry of being disturbed. As her hands moved to his thighs, he smirked to himself, tilting his head to give her more access. “So we start with one of my favorites, then. And ah think ye’ll enjoy this one just as much as ah do,” he hummed reaching into the chest and pulling out one that was a little more manageable looking. It was a much more normal shape, still a bit bigger than average, but his favorite part of it was that it was light pink and glittery, something he hoped Fleur would appreciate as much as he did. He closed the chest and put it out of the way, before shifting to turn and face Fleur, holding it up in one hand, the other moving to her waist to pull her closer. His lips trailed along her jaw for a second, whispering words against her skin, “Ah have a feeling we’ll both enjoy this one,” before finally kissing her again, tongue dancing around hers, enjoying the taste, the love.

Fleur nodded at his words, though she still looked like she was in disbelief. Everything was happening so fast her brain had barely any time to process it. The dragons, her confession, his confession, the kissing, the glowing; it was like standing in the middle of the sweetest hurricane and she didn’t know what to do. Something inside her told her this was for the better, though. All her life, she had carefully thought about everything, every single step she wanted to take was calculated, either by her parents, or herself. This wasn’t, though - being with Cedric, falling for him, showing him every bit of her soul was pure impulse; it was her finally deciding to be free. Maybe that was the point for both of them. When they were together, they were themselves. They weren’t the champions, the brightest star of Beauxbatons and the golden boy of Hogwarts, she wasn’t a pretty face to be paraded around, and he wasn’t whatever his father wanted him to be. They were just Cedric and Fleur, two people that somehow had made the concept of love at first sight possible, against all odds. Something about that, about the whole realisation of tonight, was freeing in a way she had never felt before. 

Pulling him close, she chuckled at his attempt to replicate the French words. If he had been anyone else, she would have rolled her eyes. However, right now that declaration was the most beautiful sound in the world, and she could have heard that ridiculous Scottish accent of his forever if it was up to her. Fleur stood on her toes, rubbing her nose against his gently. “I can teach you French, oui. But you have to promise you won’t stop telling me how strong and intelligent and beautiful I am with that stupid accent. I think I am even beginning to understand it.” She pecked his lips, beaming still. “Je suis fou de toi.”, she whispered against his lips. “Tu me rends heureuse.” Then she kissed him again, apparently unable to stop doing that for more than a couple of seconds. When she pulled back, she stayed close. “That means that I am crazy about you, and that you make me happy.” They were words she had never told anyone, and the fact that Cedric was the first made it thrilling. She remembered how many times she had thought about telling Marcus how much she cared, and avoided it because she knew he was going to laugh at her. Now she knew that wasn’t love, not even close. 

“Please. I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and realise I can’t have you. Not right now. We can steal time, can’t we?” It was almost like a desperate plea, even though Fleur knew the illusion couldn’t last forever. Right now, however, she couldn’t bring herself to care. The way to the castle was painfully long. The fact that they couldn’t stop touching, and kissing, didn’t help at all. By the time they reached the gates, Fleur had practically devoured his neck and unbuttoned the first three buttons of his shirt. She had always thought herself to be quite an expert when it came to desire; but she couldn’t have anticipated how intense it would be when mixed with love. His words took her by surprise at first, and a second went by before she was able to actually understand what he was referring to when he said he needed to prepare. “You mean - oh.” Her previously confused expression lit up all of a sudden, and her lips slowly curved into a little smirk, giving him a seductive look at the prospect before them. “I can choose? That sounds promising.” She leaned forward once more, trailing kissed down his neck and his collarbone. “We better hurry then, because once I am alone with you, you are not going to know what hit you - Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff.”

It was a whirlwind of emotions overcoming him, so much in such a small span of time, that he could hardly process all he was feeling besides just happiness. This was what love was, truth and acceptance and freedom, knowing that he could be completely honest, and she could do the same; that whatever they said to each other it would be greeted with a smile, a fond kiss. It was amazing to think that they were taking this step, accepting their feelings, no matter what the consequences. There would be a time to figure out what they were going to do––because there was certainly no going back to trying to move past each other now––but tonight was not that night. Tonight was a time to be together, to celebrate the fact that somehow, against all odds, they had found each other, and that now they were together. Even if it was in the still of night, in the privacy of their own worlds, they were together, and tonight was for all of that.“Ah don’t think I’m capable of stopping, tae be honest. In English or French... I’m crazy about ye, too. You make me happier than I’ve felt in a long, long time,” he said softly, brushing a hand through her hair. The words were honest, a terrifying thing to admit out loud, the suggestion that he had been unhappy before finding her. But now his heart was bursting with joy, the feeling of her arms around him, her lips against his making him feel more than he had in so long.

The way back to the castle was full of kisses, Fleur already working on unbuttoning his shirt, half undone by the time they were at the gates. “The night is all ours, my petal. We’ll steal all of the time we can,” he reassured her, before leaning into the kiss, indulging for a moment before they kept going. Seeing her confusion turn into something beautifully seductive was one of the best things he had ever witnessed. Most people he had been with were nervous about the whole situation, not knowing how to handle it with grace and tact, yet alone excitement. He never minded, being more than happy to educate while getting off, but of course Fleur would so easily defy expectations. She was open and adventurous and willing to take risks, all of that had been proven with how she had brought him her, how she had confessed her feelings. “Yeah, ye can choose whatever ye want; and there are a lot tae choose from. Hopefully it won’t overwhelm ye,” he said with a little laugh, titling his head to the side to let her kiss his neck better. “Guess it’s only fair, if you’re plannin’ tae hit me so hard, Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons.”

Her words did nothing, but encourage him, and he grabbed her hand, hurriedly pulling her back into the castle. It was slow work, so as not to get caught, with a lot of stops to lean back and kiss her, trail his fingers over her skin, but when they finally came to the Hufflepuff common room, they were able to make it in without much problem. A few sixth years were fast asleep in the common room, obviously fallen victim to their tiredness over studying, and Cedric pulled out his wand as they went towards the dormitory. Luckily, his housemates were sound sleepers, but even so, he muttered a quick muffling charm as they came inside, and he led her to his bed. Reluctantly letting go of her hand, he bent down and pulled out a small chest. He waved his wand over it silently, and the top opened itself, revealing a wide array of toys. He looked back over his shoulder at Fleur with a smirk on his lips. “Let me introduce ye tae mah friends,” he whispered, with a laugh. “If ye need recommendations, I’m happy tae provide. Different dicks for different moods, after all. Realistic, fantasy, other-worldly, big, small, everything in between, all fantastic for different reasons. Pick your poison.”

All of a sudden the dragons were the last thing in her mind, and so was the tournament, Madame Maxime, the first task, even Cho. All she could think of was him, and his lips on her, and the way he looked at her. Her brain just screamed Cedric, and Fleur realised this was it. She wasn’t going to be able to ignore her feelings any longer after tonight, to avoid him so her emotions wouldn’t get the best of her. This was real, and it was happening, and she couldn’t stop it now; she didn’t really want to. The deal had changed, for sure. Whatever happened tonight, they were going to have to figure out how to make this work without risking their places in the tournament because she didn’t want to stay away anymore. He had been the best thing that had happened to her in years, and she wasn’t going to give up on that just like that. Fleur had always prided herself to be someone who didn’t care about what the others thought. She had built her walls, the image she presented to the world, despite what everyone had said - and this was the same. Maybe now it was time to be selfish, to think of what she wanted; and she wanted Cedric, to be with him. 

The first time they had met, she had told him that she was capable of love, despite of what others believed of her. She had confessed that sometimes she felt so much it was as if her chest was about to explode. That was exactly what she was feeling right now. Only it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t overwhelming, whatever love poured out of her right now, she wanted to give to him. And he seemed to think the same way, by the look in his eyes, and the way he smiled at her like she had just turned him into the happiest man in the world. She laughed when he pulled back, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. It was inevitable, as if happiness was radiating from her as much as her actual veela glow was. “Merde-”, she said, still giggling. “I love you so much too. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know you! I- how did this happen in a couple of weeks. I have never felt something like this before.” Fleur couldn’t find the words to describe it, neither in English nor in French. She only knew it was exhilarating, and she wished she could bottle this feeling, and carry it with her forever. She pressed a fond kiss on his cheek, the on the other, then on his nose, and finally on his lips; her hands touching his face, wiping off the tears of happiness rolling down his cheeks. “Je t’aime, Cedric.”, she repeated. 

It was his turn to kiss her now, and immediately Fleur felt how different this was. The confession of love had intensified everything they felt for each other, even their desire. She hadn’t forgotten about the last time they had been together, how badly she had wanted him. With her bodies still pressed tightly together, she took a couple of steps back until her back hit the main tree, so they could be completely covered by it. Then she deepened the kiss even more, arching her back to place her breasts right against his chest, brushing her thigh slightly between his legs. “Take me somewhere, anywhere.”, she whispered against his lips. “I don’t care where we are, I don’t want this night to end. I just want to be alone with you.” Again, without really waiting for his answer, she kissed him one more time, urgently, full of the love she had just revealed to him and to herself, but also tainted with desire. 

It was amazing the way things changed so quickly. He had been so certain that tonight would be the night she told him it wasn’t worth it to try for this, that no matter what they had felt so suddenly, it couldn’t be. He had been preparing himself for heartbreak. But her she was, making him feel as if his heart might burst from all the love he felt when he looked into her eyes, and hearing that she felt the same, seeing that she felt the same, as her glow radiated around them both. Her love matched his. She had spoken of the walls she had built up, the protective layers she had, but also how she was bursting full of so much love it felt dangerous. And he could see exactly what she meant now. Her love was just as strong as his was, both so powerful and real, that he could hardly comprehend how beautiful. It felt a lot like he was glowing too. “You do know me, even in those twenty minutes in the closet. It’s what ah was talkin’ about; love makin’ us capable of so much more than we believed. Je t’aime,” he repeated with a grin, words butchered in his thick accent, but full of fondness nonetheless “You’re going tae have tae teach me some French. Ah want tae be able tae tell ye how beautiful and strong and intelligent you are in two languages. Ah want tae tell ye how much ah love ye.”

Everything felt a million times more intense than they had before now that they had both confessed their love, and that was clear in the kisses they shared. It was like they could finally pick up where they had left off, but without the melancholy. This would be a celebration of what they had found in each other. He couldn’t help but let out a little gasp as she arched her back, breast pressing against his chest, her thigh brushing between his legs. Even before she spoke, he knew what was going to happen, because he could think of little else besides showing her exactly how much he loved her. Already the desire was building between them; he needed her, more than he could describe. His hands moved to her hips, pulling her close. “We’ll make the night last forever. Just you and me,” Cedric smiled, before falling back into her kiss, the desire coming through in the kiss. The kiss was full of love, but also full of want, the lust clear, the next step just as obvious in his mind.

He savored her taste, the way she felt beneath his fingertips for a minute before pulling back again, and nodding vaguely back towards the castle. “Ah know just the place where no one will be able to find us,” he said, unable to hide the excitement from his voice. Part of him wanted to pick her up, carry her all the way there, but he knew that he couldn’t, just in case. Getting caught would be enough trouble. That didn’t stop him from grabbing her hand and pulling her back towards the castle, though, stopping periodically to kiss her cheek, her lips, her neck, everywhere he could reach. There was the matter of preparations, though, something he wasn’t actually sure she’d dealt with before. He knew that she would accept him completely, she already had, after all, she already knew more of him than anyone else and had proven that. But it was a funny thing to have to mention. The thought of showing her everything, though, was just as exciting as knowing what would come after. “We’re going tae have tae stop back in mah dormitory, though... ah didn’t come prepared for all of this. It means you can choose what you like, though, so worth it, ah think,” Cedric said, voice lowering to something a little suggestive, raising an eyebrow as he looked back at her.

Cedric pulled her closer and she could feel the silvery glow surrounded her all of a sudden, turning her into a faint beacon of light, all too recognisable in the dark of the forest. “Merde.”, she muttered, a small laugh following, and ducked a little more behind the cluster of trees and bushes. The last thing both of them needed was for people to see them there, together, close to each other like this. Not only it would damage their reputation regarding the tournament, but it would also raise suspicion as to why they were together so late at night. And that wasn’t even considering the punishment they were going to get for sneaking out of the castle and going into the forbidden forest. “I should stop glowing when I am around you. You are going to get me in trouble.”, she commented, knowing fully well this wasn’t something she could control, and it wasn’t his fault either. The only thing he was doing, was making her inevitable and undeniable happy; and that was the way her body used to express that. It was almost ironic, for someone so guarded like she was, that her true veela nature made her so transparent to people who knew her and knew how to make her feel good and hopeful. 

His reaction to seeing the dragons was, as expected, just plain beautiful. Fleur could see the fascination, the fear, but also the respect in his eyes. “Yes, that too. I know I should be worried, but I am just excited. Can you imagine? We are going to see them up close!” She just couldn’t stop smiling. “Besides, I doubt they are going to make us face them just like that. I know the task is supposed to be dangerous and challenging, but that would be a certain death.” The thrill in her voice was way too obvious, even though she was talking about death and facing a creature that could surely eat her in one bite. None of that mattered right now, not when she was there, sharing this with Cedric of all people. Not when he was looking at her again as if she was a goddess, and he could do nothing but adore her. She loved how he made her feel when she looked at her like that. Actually she loved everything about him, and how he made her feel about herself. It was hard to admit, or it had been, after she had found out about his relationship with Cho. However, now that they were there, watching the dragons, so purely excited; suddenly she realised she wasn’t afraid anymore. 

“Oh, so you already knew.”, Fleur shrugged. “Them I am glad I showed you. And thank you, for wanting to tell me and make sure I wasn’t the only one in the dark.” She leaned into his touch, letting him wipe off her tears, looking into his eyes. Suddenly everything that had happened between them seemed so clear in her mind, and it made her heart beat impossibly fast. In that moment, she didn’t care about the tournament, she didn’t care about the complications, about the fact that he couldn’t be hers right now, perhaps he was never going to be - she just wanted him, and she wanted to tell him how she felt, even if it terrified her; she needed him to know. With a fond smile on her lips, she leaned forward to kiss him. Her lips on his were brief, but tender, pouring everything inside her into the kiss. When she pulled back, she stayed close, the silver glow now surrounding both of them somehow. “I love you.”, she whispered, looking straight at him. “I love you.”, she repeated. This time her tone was firm, much more confident. The smile had never left her while she said it, the excitement bubbling up after her confession. Without really waiting for an answer, she leaned in, kissing him once more. 

The glow emanating from her was just as beautiful as ever, and he couldn’t help but grin, knowing that he was able to make her feel so much, feel something so honest and uninhibited. He hoped he would be able to help her feel such happiness over and over again for however long she would let him. “Ah think it’s beautiful. If ah get ye into trouble, I’m goin’ down with ye,” he whispered fondly, looking at her in awe. Cedric gave her arm a fond squeeze as he ducked further behind the trees with her, back to looking out at the dragons. “It’ll be bloody brilliant. Ah can’t believe these are what we’re going tae face. They’re glorious,” he said, grinning still, as he looked between her and the dragons. Her excitement and fascination at the dragons was more glorious, though, to him, not that he was going to say that aloud, when they were already so close, crossing the line they had been trying to keep until he fixed things properly. Everything about this moment, though, was just so pure and beautiful, sharing something only they could truly appreciate, being in such similar positions, knowing this was what they were going to face, and feeling so much about that. He could hardly describe how grateful he was that she had chosen to bring him there tonight, to share this all with him.

He grinned at her thank you, was all ready to tell her it wasn’t necessary, that she had obviously done the same for him, so it only made sense, but he stopped short, mouth opening and then closing again as he saw the way she was looking up at him. It had to have something to do with the way it was so easy for them both to see through the facades they put up for other people, because he could see the realization in her eyes, and he felt it in their soul as if it was his own. This was what he had meant when he had promised her that there was more, that she was capable of feeling all of that, no matter what the world wanted of her, and he could see her realizing it as she looked back at him. It wasn’t a surprise when she smiled up at him, and then brought their lips together in a kiss. Every emotion she felt was clear in the brief kiss, but she pulled back too soon, and he looked at her with a mix of amazement and need. Even before she spoke, he could feel the warmth of her glow surrounding him, as if enveloping him too, with all that her look could say. 

Her words, though, were a surprise. His heart started beating frantically against his chest, his grip on her tightening, as he looked back with surprise, a wave of emotion washing over him. Because he felt the same, he had felt it from the very moment they had locked themselves in the broom closet, and it had only grown since then. He hadn’t been expecting her to say it, though, not now, perhaps not even ever all things considered. And hearing it fall from her lips, first a little tentatively, then again with more confidence, gave him a feeling he could hardly describe. He could feel her excitement at the confession, the truth behind the words, and it was contagious. It was such a surprise, he hadn’t had time to think before she was kissing him again, passionate, deep, full of love, and he responded again, hands gripping her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies were flush together. A moment of enjoying the kiss, smiling into it the whole time, before he pulled back slightly, realizing that there were tears of happiness in his eyes as he looked down at her. “Ah love you, too. God, ah love you so much, Fleur,” he grinned, one hand moving to her cheek, then to her haU ir, unable to get enough of touching her. “Ah can’t believe ye beat me tae it. Unfair.” Cedric laughed, a little giggle bubbling up despite himself, even as a tear rolled down his cheek. He brought her lips to hers again, this time kissing her harder, putting all of his own feelings into it, hoping she could feel just how he meant all of it, how much she meant to him.

Fleur had never seen a dragon, but she considered them one of the most noble creatures that existed. They were incredibly dangerous, she knew; and she had to admit when Madame Maxime had first revealed what the first task was going to be about, she had felt half terrified half excited. She didn’t think they were going to make them fight a dragon head straight, that would probably be suicide, but there was going to be some sort of confrontation at some point and even though she was aware it was going to be extremely difficult, she couldn’t wait. As she pulled Cedric by the hand towards the forest, her heart started beating faster and faster. It wasn’t just about the dragons, it was about sharing this moment with him, about the anticipation she was feeling, the way she imagined he was going to react. Was he going to be shocked? Maybe scared? Excited, like she was? They had shared so much, in so little time, that the fact that she got to show him this only helped making her feelings even stronger.  Feelings she needed to bury, of course, or at least that was what she had been telling herself ever since their last conversation. 

She couldn’t, though. It was something about the way he looked at her, how he was holding her hand right now, how he had immediately taken off his scarf and gave it to her. It was simply impossible not to keep falling for him now that she had started, no matter how hard she tried. Smiling to herself, Fleur nuzzled her nose against the black and yellow fabric. It smelled like him, and it brought memories of the last time they had been together, how quickly his kisses had sent her into frenzy, how badly she had wanted him right outside that broom closet. It was a good thing it was dark, or he would have seen her blush just thinking about it. Her mind wandered to his girlfriend. Did he kiss her like he had kissed her whenever they were alone? So passionately and intensely. Did he touch her like that? According to Cedric, she only loved Cho as a best friend, but could she even believe that? All of a sudden it was painful to think about that. 

Fortunately, his voice interrupted her train of thought and she realised they were getting closer and closer to the indicated place. “Shh! We are here.”, she whispered, spotting some flickers of light right ahead. She squeezed his hand and then ducked slightly, walking towards one of the cluster of trees to hide behind it. From that spot, they had a perfect view of the clearing in front of them, and there they were; a group of people coming and going, wands up - and two enormous dragons, seemingly half asleep. Fleur let go of Cedric’s hand, just to entwine their arms, looking at the creatures in complete fascination. “Cedric! Do you see them? Dragons!” A couple of tears rolled down her cheeks, but she didn’t really bother hiding them. “They are beautiful.”, she continued, almost breathlessly, as she clang onto his arm giving it an affectionate squeeze. The image was mesmerising, and she felt like hypnotised. Still, she managed to snap out of it for a second, just to look up into his eyes. “What do you think?”

As curious as he was to see what she had to show him, so much of his excitement came from how excited she was. The chance to be with her again, alone, even just for a few minutes even, made his heart beat against his chest. Nothing had changed about the way he felt for her since their last conversation, if anything the time apart had made the feelings even more intense now that they were back together again. He wished that he had figured out how to have the conversation with Cho already, he wished that tonight could be the night that they both finally came together, that they could decide it was worth it to try to be with each other, despite everything else. And maybe there was a part of him that was still hoping for that tonight. A chance to explain everything with Cho to her, why it was so hard to leave her out in the dust, when the facade of their relationship kept her safe from her parents’ judgement and expectations. And maybe there would be that chance, but for now he wanted to savor this moment, however long it lasted. 

He followed her lead, ducking down and heading towards the flickering lights ahead, trying to figure out what she was about to show him. His heart was speeding just, just from her own obvious excitement, but that was nothing compared to what he felt when they finally made it closer, right behind a cluster of trees. There in the clearing were a group of wizards, wands drawn, taking care of two dragons. Harry had told him about the dragons, had said that he had seen them himself, and he had been thinking about it vaguely, with no real direction that seemed concrete. In his head, they had still been something far off, the way the idea of the ocean felt before actually seeing it with your own eyes, and then suddenly being confronted with the terrifying and beautiful vastness of it. That’s what seeing the dragons in person felt like. He started at them wide-eyed, mouth hanging open slightly, heart pounding loud enough to hear it in his eardrums. As her arm entwined with his, he couldn’t help but pull her a little closer, the look on his face as he stared at them a combination of amazement, fear, wonder, and shock. They were even bigger and more majestic than he could’ve imagined. And they were going to have to face them. Somehow, though, the best part of this moment was that he was there with Fleur.

“They are beautiful. And terrifying,” he whispered, with a breathe of amazed laughter. Finally he tore his eyes away from the dragons and looked at Fleur, only to be even more amazed at her, the fascination in her eyes, the tears streaming down her cheeks, the way she squeezed his arm in excitement. It made him want to do nothing more than to kiss her on the spot. As he looked at her, it also made him realize the implication behind what she was showing him. She knew about the dragons, which meant Krum probably knew too, and they must’ve known Harry did as well. She thought that Cedric would be the only one not to know what the challenge was, and despite everything between them, she had gone out of her way to show him. The thought made a wave of fondness rush over him. His free hand moved to her cheek, caressing lightly, brushing away the happy tears. “Ah was going tae tell ye about them; Harry mentioned them tae me the other day, and ah wanted tae make sure ye knew. But seeing them...you showing me...” he shook his head slightly, unable to keep the smile from his lips. “They’re amazing. You’re amazing. Thank you.”

Ever since she had sent that quick owl - one of the castle ones, so no one would suspect - she had been trying to mentally prepare to see him again. Last time it had gone horribly wrong; or horribly right, depending on how she decided to see it, but she couldn’t allow that to happen again. It was too risky, especially considering what she was about to show them. She had asked him for space, she needed him to fix things, and now she couldn’t possibly risk people thinking she was helping him with the tournament - though that was exactly what she was doing. The plan was simple; they were going to see the dragons, she would make sure he knew what they were going to have to face, and the night would be over. They would be back to being champions, at least until things changed between them, if they ever did. 

Nonetheless, when Fleur saw him approach, her heart started beating so fast she was actually afraid he was going to hear it. She didn’t know if it was because of the cold, or the fact that he was looking at her with those eyes filled with adoration, but she could feel her knees go weak. It was pointless. It didn’t matter how much she tried to hide it, to repress it; the effect he had on her was undeniable - and the worst part was that she loved every single second of it. Whenever Cedric was around, she felt stronger, she felt free. She wanted to kiss him so bad, to forget about everything and just wrap her arms around him. However, she pulled herself together and smiled, perhaps more affectionately than she should have. 

“You do. But not now. You are going to have to see it with your own eyes. Don’t worry, it won’t get us in trouble, but we need to be quiet because no one can know we were there.” Her voice was low, even though they were outside and there wasn’t anyone near them. She was about to turn around and ask him to follow when he spoke again. Fleur felt her cheeks go warm. It was ridiculous that a gesture so small as that could make her feel that way, but that was how things were with him. With a little nod, she grabbed the scarf and wrapped it around her. “Merci. Are you sure you are not cold without it? Don’t worry anyway, I promise you will warm up when you see what I am going to show you.” Without even thinking about it, she took his hand and pulled him in direction of the forbidden forest. 

It was dark outside, only a sliver of the moon in the sky casting its light down on them both, but her smile as he approached was more than enough to light up the whole night. If he had somehow forgotten the intensity of what she was able to make him feel in the time they hadn’t spoken, he was now reminded tenfold just how beautiful it was, all because of that smile. The way she looked at him with such affection despite herself, the tenderness mirrored on his own face. No matter what they did or said, there was no way to hide something as pure as that joy. He only wished he could wrap his arms around her and pick her up, swing her around and around and never let go, to kiss her. But instead he just smiled. “I’m not worried about gettin’ into trouble. I’m a prefect, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a prefect, it’s how to sneak around without gettin’ caught. We’ll be as quiet as mice,” he whispered, to demonstrate. In all honesty he wasn’t very good at being quiet, but for Fleur he could do anything, especially given the curiosity he had now. 

“Nah, I’m all good. I’m always warm. And if you’re right about whatever it is you’re going tae show me, all the better,” he said, unable to temper the grin from his lips as he watched her warp his scarf around herself. She looked good in the Hufflepuff colors. Hell, she looked good in anything, but it felt special to see her wearing something of his. Enough so that he was tempted to tell her she could keep it if she wanted, knowing it might smell like his cologne, might be another think to keep him in her thoughts. Was he in her thoughts already? He had to guess the answer was yes, given what she did next. It was a surprise that she grabbed his hand, and started pulling him towards the Forbidden Forest, and he couldn’t help but hold on tightly, savoring the warmth her hand brought. It was amazing just how much a simple gesture made him feel, like he had been in the darkness and only now that he was able to touch Fleur again was he able to feel the warmth of the sun. She was the sun. 

He had no clue why she had asked him to meet, what it was that she was going to show him that was so important, but he was grateful to have this moment with her, whether it lasted a few more minutes or the rest of the night. He knew that he shouldn’t have been getting his hopes up––he hadn’t managed to have the conversation he needed to with Cho yet––but he couldn’t help but think the fact that Fleur had been the one to reach out to him had to be a good sign, in some small way, even if not for now, but the future. And the feeling of her hand in his just confirmed that. It made him feel more like himself than he had since last being with her, full of life and joy and potential. He followed her gladly, keeping his grip on her hand firm, as if he was afraid she might disappear again at any moment. “You know, I think I’m already starting to feel warmer, are you about to show me a massive magical fire?” he asked, half teasing, knowing full well the warmth he felt from the inside out was because of her.

She smiles at him, at peace after seemingly holding her breath after hearing Cedric speak those words of support towards the younger wizard. It wasn’t that Katie doubted him - but there was something about competition that seemed to change people; she should know. But she was rather worried some sort of distance would build between Cedric and her once his name was called; he’d be worried, of course, and focused on his competition, but with Harry on the game as well, Katie couldn’t help but try to protect him from anyone, including her closer friends. “I’ll let him know, Ced, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it, in his own way.” Grabbing a book from the stance, she glances at it before placing it on the growing pile on her arms. “Although it might be better if you approach him - you know, you’re older, and in the same situation, and well…I don’t know, if I was in his situation, I’d feel intimidated by you to be honest. You’re are pretty much an amazing wizard, and clearly the preferred champion…” 

The return of a smile to her face makes him grin right back at her, hoping that it means he was helping a little bit, no matter how small it might’ve been. He only wishes there was something more that he could do to make sure Harry would come out of all of it alright, and that the people who cared for him most knew that, but it felt like all he could do was look out for him and offer the little advice he could, being just as blind as the younger wizard was to what was to come. He frowns slightly at her next words, though. “You think so? Ah hope he’s not, I’d hate anyone tae be too intimidated tae talk tae me. I’d like tae think we’ve both got plenty of support, no matter what. Maybe that’s naive, though. Ah know a lot of people aren’t keen on the whole situation. But I’m trying to keep folks from being outright mean,” he sighs lightly. “I’ll have a chat with him next time ah see him, make sure he knows he’s got an ally, no matter what happens. If there are going tae be two of us, after all, we should be supporting each other.”

It was almost funny, that the one comment Cedric chose to let out between kisses what that he had missed Herbology. She even let a little giggle escape at his words. As if that was something Fleur could care about now. Not that she didn’t with the best for him academically, but this was definitely not the time to discuss that. In fact, this wasn’t the time to be doing this at all. Fleur hadn’t really grown used to the way Hogwarts worked, but she was sure classes were going to end soon and they would be discovered. She couldn’t even begin to imagine the scandal that would provoke. That awful journalist that followed the champions around, writing about them; the people in her dorm room casting her aside, Madame Maxime, completely disappointed. She couldn’t risk it, not when there was so much to lose. Maybe she couldn’t bring herself to stop kissing him, but at least she could ask him to take her somewhere else, somewhere they wouldn’t be seen. It wasn’t the wisest move, she knew that; but at the moment it was the only way she had to force both her mind and her heart to agree on something. 

Fortunately, Cedric seemed to have had the same thought as she did. “I don’t really care about clichès right this second.”, she managed to say, voice still shaky, before he swiftly grabbed her ass and picked her up as if she weighed nothing. She didn’t waste any time and wrapped her legs around his torso, making the way a little easier. Fleur made sure not to kiss him, since he obviously needed to watch where they were going, but this didn’t stop her lips from travelling down his jaw, and his neck; and her hands from wandering over his shoulders, or her fingers from tangling in his hair as she once again grazed his sensitive skin with her teeth. There was something about leaving a mark on him that felt empowering, utterly and completely selfish. They stopped at an old wooden door, covered by a tapestry. Before going in, her lips were devouring his once again; her back hitting the wall, her body completely pinned against the wall. Their new position made her painfully aware of every shift of his body, and the sudden friction made her pretty much desperate to finally go inside. Sadly, before they could even open the door, the bell rang; and Fleur pulled back completely. “Quickly, set me down.”

Even as he picked her up, her legs wrapping around him tightly, clinging onto him, Cedric knew exactly what was going to happen. There was no other thought in his mind at this point. He probably should’ve tried to be stronger, reminded her of everything they had just spoken about, but he couldn’t bring himself to ruin the moment with that reality when he wanted her so badly, when he needed her. Already he was thinking logistics, how he was going to make this happen in a broom closet, when he was ill-prepared to say the least. And already, as her lips travelled down his jaw, to his neck, her hands moving over his shoulders, through his hair, he was thinking about all the ways he could make this better than anything she had ever experienced before even without being prepared. The desire was building in his stomach, and it only grew as she marked him again, teeth claiming him as hers. And he was, whether they were both going to acknowledge that now or later. It was already true. In that moment he wanted to prove it with his actions, just as she had asked, show her all the ways that he was already falling for her, already held so much love in his heart next to her name.

They paused before going into the hidden closet, lips crushing together again in hungry desire, her back hitting the wall, as he pressed his body against hers, the friction maddening, making his hips want to jerk forward, to find as much contact with her as they could. Before he had had much more time to deepen the kiss, though, the bell rang out signaling the end of class, and he nearly dropped her all at once from the shock of being so rudely called out of their world. She didn’t need to tell him twice, he set her down, and took a step back, wide-eyed, lost as to what to do. It felt a lot like the end, even if he was going to do everything in his power to make sure it wasn’t. But the sudden bell, the connection interrupted, made him feel like he had no choice at the moment but to let the conversation be over. “Shite. I’ll... I’ll figure things out, Fleur. This isn’t it. I’ve still got so much tae show you, so much tae share with you, so much of you tae see. Ah... just remember how much ah care for you in the meantime. I’ll be thinkin’ of you, always, but especially tonight,” he said, voice half a whisper as the classrooms started emptying out, a little frantically. All he wanted to do was lean forward and kiss her again, one last kiss before he had to go without for who knew how long. But he couldn’t, all he could do was offer her a soft, almost sad smile, a small touch of her arm, and accept it.

“How are you even….” She frowns. A Hufflepuff failing Herbology sounds impossible to her, Sprout is way too nice for anyone to fail her classes, and on top of that they basically live among plants or whatever. Shouldn’t he be good at it as their golden child? Ugh, there’s no way that Goblet picked the best champion out of this school. No way. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. I’ll find someone to help you with Herbology so you don’t have to worry about failing anymore,” Daphne smiles and nods, “and that’s still a very good second choice. But I still think you should try Pompfrey first, it’d be pointless going to Flitwick if he knows nothing, you know?” She shrugs and then looks at Cedric trying to think of a plan. This entire thing is much more complicated than it should be, it really is. “Would you prefer it if I, like, I don’t know… break one of your arms or something? I mean, that sounds incredibly dramatic for no reason, but if you really can’t lie, I can make the sacrifice. Say it was an accident or something. I’ll take you to the hospital wing myself even.”

“Every plant ah touch, ah kill. Believe me, everyone asks, everyone’s like aren’t Hufflepuff’s meant to be good at Herbology?! But here ah am, couldn’t even grow a bloody cactus, yet alone a magical plant. Cheers, though, I’ve been meaning to find a tutor,” he says, not really sure if he should be grateful quite yet or not. He had to assume, given everything, that tutor to her might’ve just meant someone to cheat off of. Her smile seems genuine, though, but maybe that was the self-satisfaction. Either way, he smiles back at first, nodding at the suggestion of Pompfrey first. That smile quickly melts into pure panic as she offers to make the sacrifice and break his arm. “No. Please, please don’t break mah arm. Ah broke mah arm when ah fell of mah broom a few years back, it was dreadful. Not worth it. Thank you, though? I’ll... maybe eat too much during dinner, give myself a stomach ache? Or just... try to come up with a lie myself, ah guess. Maybe you could come with me anyway? Just at the start, tae help?”

——- “I’ll get used to it.” No, she wouldn’t, but there was no point in telling Cedric that and make him worry even more, like there was no point in telling him most things on her mind right now. “The excitement is meant to calm at some point I believe. At least until they announce the first task. Besides, we could have it so much worse. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like for the other champions, you know, Krum and Fleur. They’re strangers here and everyone’s looking at them as if they were a freak show.” The mention of Viktoria brought a soft pink colour to her cheeks, but she hoped Cedric wouldn’t notice. This wasn’t exactly the moment to open that particular door. 

She shook her head. “I don’t think he did. I know he’s famous and he’s got all this legend behind him, but why would he do this? Didn’t you see how terrified he looked when he stepped forward? No, I’m sure he didn’t. Someone must have tried to pull a prank and it got out of control. We’ll never know now. I doubt the guilty person comes forward.” His next words made her smile, and she stopped to stand on her tip toes and kiss his cheek. It wasn’t an usual gesture when it came to her, but it felt right at the moment. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you. But please make sure you take care of yourself too, yeah?”

“Ah hope so. Ah dunno how long ah can take all of this madness,” he said shaking his head slightly. He really did hope they let up soon, maybe even more so for Cho’s sake. He knew how much she hated being front and center like that, and the last thing he wanted was to cause her even more trouble than he already was. “That’s true, it’s probably much harder for them. But Krum’s used to the spotlight...seems like Fleur is, too. They’re both strong and confident,” he nodded. There was something to the way she said Krum’s name, the look she had on her face as she did so, just as when he mentioned Fleur. Cho was already something of an open book, as it was, but being so close for her for so long meant that he noticed the little changes, and that was a change. It was strange probably strange to think that that made him feel better in a weird way. Like there were possibilities he hadn’t quite considered.

"You’re right, he looked pure terrified. Ah just don’t get why someone would do that, or how. Poor kid, he doesn’t deserve more pressure,” he sighed. Maybe the kiss on his cheek would’ve made the guilt bubble up, would’ve been a stark reminder of the fact they needed to have a very real talk sooner rather than later, but that little hint of something that had been on her face when talking about Krum, kept it at bay. Instead, he was able to smile down at her gratefully. In a strange way, this felt a lot like the beginning of being able to go back to how things had been before they started dating. That unabashed openness and trust they had had for each other, that had somehow changed once things went from platonic to “romantic.” Still, he wasn’t quite sure how to bring all of that up, he needed to go at his own pace, and now didn’t feel like the time. That didn’t mean he couldn’t try to get a bit more information, though. “Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing some training. Was thinking about maybe asking Krum if they wanted to train together. We had a nice chat a while ago, might be nice to bond over being champions.”

“Well, fret no more! That’s what I was talking about, I’m here to help our school champion bring us the trophy,” Daphne grins and nods, then wraps an arm around his and takes him away from the classroom. Teachers would probably understand missing a few classes anyway, being as busy and as famous as the real Hogwarts champion should be, right? There’s life or death situations that he’s going to be facing, classes might be important but just… not as much. “Let’s see, I don’t think Snape is going to be helpful.” She shakes her head, “He probably wants you to win, but he’s still… you know. So not him, I think your Head of House might help you if she really likes you, but there’s a chance she might not because she doesn’t want to look like she’s playing favorites. McGonagall is definitely not going to help, not because she doesn’t want to but because she’ll care a lot about the rules, and you don’t want to make her angry. Flitwick might be a good choice, but then again between him and Sprout, I’m not really sure.” Daphne sighs and then snaps her fingers on her free hand, “I know what you should do! Pomfrey’s a good source for this, that big gossip. She’s no Rita Skeeter, but I know that woman knows more than she acts like she does. So… you pretend your stomach hurts, or your head, or literally anything I don’t care, then ask her a few questions. Maybe who she thinks knows more about the tournament besides Dumbledore, or which one of the teachers likes you better. But be subtle about it, you just… have to sound like you’re curious about who your supporters are going to be. Does that make sense?” Daphne turns and looks at him.

He has no choice but to let her lead him away from the classrooms, down the hallway a bit. The desire to shrug her arm off of his shoulders is strong, but he can’t bring himself to be that, no matter who she was. After all, she is trying to help him in her own way, even if it is for her own ulterior motives. There’s no way he’d ever feel completely comfortable accepting help of this nature, but he didn’t want to be out of the running immediately just because he wasn’t willing to consider other options as well. Still, it feels like a lot of trouble for someone like her to go through to help him if the only reason was that she didn’t want Potter to win. Then again, he’d seen how petty some of the Slytherins could be, so maybe it did make sense. “I don’t know if Sprout would help, even though she is my Head of House, I’m already basically failing Herbology, but Flitwick does love me, I’m really good at Charms,” Cedric says thoughtfully. Her next suggestion, though, took him off guard. It seemed easier with Sprout or Flitwick, less need to lie. But she was suggesting he lie Madam Pomfrey, and do it skillfully, which was a lot like asking him to grow a temperamental plant without killing it; an impossibility. “Yeah, it makes sense....I’m not very good at lying, Daphne,” he admits, as if anyone who looked at him would think anything but just that. He’s good at lying about certain things, his own private thoughts, his desires, things that could hurt people, but not this sort of lying, that kind that’s so easy for everyone else.

Millicent crossed her arms, obviously defensive, but she didn’t say anything to push him away. She knew she wasn’t the brightest person out there, but it was obvious that she needed help and if Diggory was offering, then she was going to have to take it. Who knew where Edward the Third could be, or if he was in any danger. It was important that they found him as soon as possible. Still, she wasn’t planning on making this a pleasant experience. The last thing she needed was for mr. Sunshine to believe they could be friends after this or something. This was only a momentary alliance so that her cat could be recovered, safe and sound. 

“I don’t know. Edward doesn’t really love too many people, so I doubt he’ll like you. But whatever, you can try.” When he drew her wand, she looked at him a little confused. Was he going to try to summon her cat magically? Not that she hadn’t thought about it, but she had already tried accio and it hadn’t worked. “Yeah, that’s ‘is name. He ran towards those trees over there. I just hope he didn’t go too far into the forest because that place is massive. And it’s also kind of creepy. There are centaurs living there and that kind of shit.” Millicent huffed, starting to move closer to the place where she had last seen Edward. “Well c’mon Diggory. If we’re going to do this, we might as well hurry. He could be in danger!” 

He tried his hardest not to be off put by just how annoyed she seemed he was the one offering to help, but he figured as long as she wasn’t trying to get him to leave, that was a sign she wanted him to stay and help, and that was as good as he was going to get for confirmation. The idea of going into the forest, even the edges, to find a cat wasn’t the most appealing thing he’d ever heard, but he was already committed to helping her find her lost pet, and the desire to prove that he could find Edward was strong enough to brush away any doubts. It would feel like a small victory in a way, showing her that sometimes getting help from someone else, even someone you thought you didn’t like, could be a good thing.

“It’s okay, I’m sure he’s just on the outskirts, we’ll find him before he gets too far. I’m going!” he said, holding up a hand in defense, before literally jogging off towards the forest where she had been leading him already. He was on a mission now. When he got to the trees, he slowed down slightly, lighting the tip of his wand thinking that the bright, shiny light might attract a cat––if not other creatures as well. He also stuffed his other hand into his pocket, pulling out a napkin-wrapped lump, unfolding it slightly to reveal a pumpkin pasty he had been saving for a snack later. In all honesty, he didn’t really know how to call a cat, but he was bloody well going to try. “Here kitty, kitty! I’ve got a bit of pumpkin pasty we can share! And look a shiny light to play with! Come out, Edward!”

It seems like his second (or technically third) idea seems to go over better with his friend. It was the best option he could think of really, if you didn’t want to hurt two people then why not try to stay with them both and work out the rest later? It seemed foolproof to Cormac. As usual, Ced’s ability to empathize with others outweighs his own though, and points out a rather glaring hole in the plan. Well it was glaring for someone such as Ced who was concerned about fairness, anyway. “None taken,” he smiles around the rim of his cup, “if I weren’t straight, you wouldn’t even be in this mess. You’d be too lovesick over me to even think about anyone else.” Although he was never one for principles he figures Ced does have a point, Cho would definitely get the crap end of that entire scenario. He and Cho may not have been close, but he figures he probably wouldn’t be too happy with that situation if it were him.

“Sounds to me like you already know what you want to do then, mate”, he says, his usually playful expression turning a bit more sympathetic as he looks over at his friend. After everything the two had been through together, all he really wanted for Cedric was for him to be happy. And if doing this, no matter how painful or stupid it sounded, will make him happy, then that’s all that really mattered.  “Just make sure you don’t make a right mess of it, yeah? Having you in a relationship has been the best damn thing that’s happened to my sex appeal since my facial hair grew in. I can’t afford to have you being single and a bloody champion on top of it.” 

Even if the advice isn’t the best in the world, it’s hard not to feel a little better even just being able to talk about it with someone. Maybe if he wasn’t so preoccupied with this whole problem, he would’ve thought that that also meant he should talk to people about his other problems as well, but that’s the last thing he feels like bringing up when he feels a little more like himself than he has in a few days. Cormac makes him feel like maybe there’s a way to figure it out without hurting anyone else, even if it doesn’t involve dating both of them at the same time in some sort of strange deal. “You’re dead right. Guess ah can blame this whole mess on you then, yeah? Could’ve been so preventable if only ye liked blokes,” he sighs dramatically, teasing. The joking expression falls into a frown again, though, realizing this means there’s really no way he can put off talking to Cho about it much longer.

“Yeah, guess ah do know what ah want tae do,” Cedric mutter, looking down at his tea cup. He has no clue how he’s even going to begin to bring any of this up with Cho, but the longer he waits the worse it’s going to be for all of them, and he’s not going to make a mess of this, not like he already did. He takes a sip of his tea, and then looks back at Cormac with a half-smile. “Don’t worry, mate, whatever happens, I’m not going to be single again. You can keep that sex appeal,” he laughs lightly. “Honestly you’re bloody lucky ah can’t manage anymore than a bit of scruff; if ah could grow facial hair, you’d be shite out of luck even if ah was taken. Lucky the baby face runs in the family.”

It was way too dangerous, what she was doing right now. It was exactly what she had been trying to avoid ever since she had found out that he had a girlfriend, and that they were going to compete in the tournament. Yet, she didn’t seem to be able to stop kissing him now that she had started. Fleur was aware of the risks. They were in the middle of a hallway, and even though most people were in class, anyone could walk in and see them. They were also just saying they needed time to rebuild trust, that he needed to fix things and only after that they were going to consider giving themselves a chance. What they were doing right now was pretty much against everything they had just talked about, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull back and leave. That was what she needed to do, to put a hold on this and walk away, to keep going with her day as if nothing had happened, to not get her hopes up that he was going to solve anything; because that would be even a harder fall if he didn’t. She couldn’t, though; not with the way her heart was beating faster, or the butterflies she was feeling flutter inside her stomach as they kept kissing. It was complicated, dangerous, and messy, but she needed to treasure this feeling as much as possible, because this might be the last time she could have it. 

“It is like nothing I have ever felt before either, but it is too much of a risk.”, she said between kisses, voice breathless, not doing any move to pull away. As his hand found her waist, pulling her closer, her fingers moved to his hair, tangling in it, desperately grasping for every part of him she could touch - or at least every part that was appropriate to touch in the middle of a hallway. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”, Fleur whispered, but despite her words her lips seemed to have a life of their own. They traced a path of kisses down his jaw, to his neck, sucking at the sensitive skin, tongue running over the reddish mark that started to appear. In a second she was at it again, lips on his, with renewed intensity. One of her hands grabbed the fabric of his shirt, wrinkling it into a fist. “Someone’s going to see us.”, she muttered, her tone shaky, as she pulled back for a second. “We should stop.” She gave no sign of moving away, one hand still tangled in his hair, fingers still clasping his shirt. Fleur was painfully aware that she was the one desperate for this, and also the one trying to stop it. “Or at least we should get out of there before everyone comes. Class is going to end eventually.”

“Ah know we shouldn’t,” he breathed against her lips. He was well aware of just how out of hand this was getting so easily, both of them wanting each other so badly it was impossible to even think of breaking away from the kiss, to face the reality of things again. Maybe there was a part of him that wanted someone to see them. A little voice in the back of his head that was saying wouldn’t that just make it all easier, even if it hurt at first? To have it all out in the open, all at once, against his will, would force him to figure things out without having the chance to keep worrying over who he might hurt in the process. But she was right, they shouldn’t have been doing it here least of all, they should’ve stopped before someone saw them or they went too far and she regretted ever kissing him again. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to stop, and it seemed that she felt the same by the way one hand was tangled in his hair, the other clutching at his shirt, enough to have pulled it untucked. Her lips moved to his neck, marking him, and he felt a rush of excitement wash over him at that thought. Her next suggestion, her alternative was much more up his alley at the moment, and he hummed lightly, lips against hers still. “Ah missed herbology again,” he muttered, as if that was at all what was on his mind at the moment, instead of being this close to her for as long as he possibly could. She was right, after all, at the very least they needed to move somewhere else, because he was already more than certain they weren’t going to stop this without something else coming between them.

Her touch was just as desperate for contact as his was, the need to stay close clear in every little movement, every breath, every kiss they shared. It was nothing like either of them had felt before indeed, every second they spent together proved that a thousand times over, and it felt a lot like his heart was soaring again being able to kiss her, truly kiss her. Maybe he should’ve been the one to stop it, to give them the time and space they needed to move forward, but he couldn’t, he needed her too badly. The moment she stopped, he wouldn’t push any further, but until then, he had to keep touching her, and he was going to do exactly what she had said. “Is it cliché if ah take ye into a broom closet again?” he asked. Cedric didn’t wait for a reply before his hands moved down from her waist to her ass as he kissed her again, bending down slightly to pick her up, all so that they wouldn’t need to stop kissing or touching for a minute as they went down the hallway towards the first closet he could think of when thinking was so completely hard. There was the very real possibility that someone could catch them like this, much easier than even just standing there kissing, but he didn’t mind quite so much at the moment. The most important thing then was being able to share this moment with her, to savor this as long as they could, knowing that it could be some time before they had it again. He needed her to know that nothing could shake his desire for her, and he was done making promises. From now on, he was going to show her everything he meant.