11| invites only
It was a new pace in Snape's class today. They were still told be with their table mates but this time around they were in the Great Hall admiring the new decorations placed for Christmas. They were doing a bit of independent study as Snape paced around like he usually did. The group was sat the same as usual, Cedric to her left and across was Lennon and William. Lennon was a chatty person, so it did not come as a surprise to see her attempting to lead the group into a conversation about the hall and not their schoolwork.
"Cedric," she called to him just above a whisper, "Is it true Fleur has asked you to the Ball?" That caught Amara and William's attention. Cedric's entire face turned a light shade of red as they all looked to him waiting for an answer. He nodded his head looking down to his parchment, "Yes, but... I said no."
A gasp came from William who seemed utterly shocked at the mere thought of telling the Beauxbatons girl no. Lennon's eyes widened slightly, "Really? Do you already have a date then?" He shook his head licking his lips quickly, "No but I have someone in mind."
"And what of you Amara?" William asked including her in the group conversation. "Do you have a date?"
"Yes," she answered simply, "I'll be going with Thomas." The other three looked to her, Lennon scoffing, "Well that's a given, honestly William, why even bother asking when you should already know the answer. They've been dating for years now and—"
"Wait what?" Amara's brows furrowed, "We're not dating." Lennon rolled her eyes, "Oh please. Why try and lie when it's so obvious."
"What's obvious to me is that you know nothing Lennon," Amara's voice picked up a sarcastic tone, "But I guess that's a topic for another day, if you'll excuse me, I've finished my work." William nudged Lennon's arm in disapproval as she watched after Amara. Cedric had wished he hadn't been thinking of his chances. He had just wasted time in thinking it'd be different but now he sat disappointed by what Amara had said hoping he could've done something differently.
"Well that was a bit rude," Lennon said looking to Cedric and William for agreement but they both stayed quiet. Truth be told, Cedric had a feeling Lennon wanted to ask him to the Ball. He wasn't very observant but he knew a flirtatious tone when he heard it. That is why it was so easy to turn down Fleur, and even Florence, he had been too focused on a certain person to even be the smallest amount affected by them.
He wondered who'd possibly be a good person to ask. He had really hoped he could ask Amara, and that she would magically say yes. He told himself it was just mere curiosity or surface level interest in her that drew him in. But he found himself thinking about her quite often. He basked in the small moments they shared alone even if it was just small and polite chatter, he allowed it to consume his mind. During the first task, he searched for her in the stands, a sense of misery had filled him for a moment to see her comfortable clutching Thomas Nott's arm. But then she came to see him after and he couldn't be more happy. He was nervous, his hands felt clammy, and he was sure it was all because of her. She didn't even seem at all affected by him, so he wasn't sure why he had seriously been so hopeful to be attending the Ball with him. Even if she says her and Thomas weren't in a relationship, he made her unreachable. The pair always being together and Cedric never really had a good chance to try and speak to her.
He wondered who'd be a good second match. Cho Chang, a fifth year Ravenclaw, wouldn't be too bad. She was underrated in the looks department, not many student fawning over her like they did with others but nevertheless she was just as pretty as them and an amazing Quidditch player. To be Frank, the only reason she even came to mind was because she tutors with Amara so it was easy for him to notice her if she was next to someone he distracted himself with to keep Lennon at a distance during their tutoring. He's not sure he'd be able to go with Lennon, she was too aggressive with her choices, basically forcing her words down his throat uncomfortably that he just never felt at ease with her.
He let out a sigh, deciding that maybe Cho would be the best bet, even though he'd 100% prefer to attend with Amara. He had to find a date before all the good ones were taken. He wondered where Amara had run off to. Thomas had still been seated in class so she couldn't have possibly gone with him somewhere. He was growing to dislike Thomas, just the mere thought of him making something unpleasant bubble up inside of Cedric.
When he finished his work, he let himself out of the Great Hall walking aimlessly for somewhere to go. He paused in his step, finding Cho talking with her friends. With a small huff, he took long strides toward her. There was constant giggle coming from her friends as he approached, "Cho, can I speak to you for a second?"
The giggle grew louder but Cho was silent, barely nodding her head noticeable as her cheeks tinted a deep shade of pink. "I was wondering," Cedric sighed, "If it was possible. If you are without a date to the Ball... Would you like to go with me? As my date, I mean?" Her eyes widened for a moment, "Really? Well... I-I'd love to."
"Great." He smiled warmly, "Well then... um...er... see you around?"
"Oh, okay."
He wondered if she had accepted because maybe nobody else had asked her. They'd never really spoken before and she's never shown interest in him so it was weird for him to think she'd accept him so easily. He wondered if it was Amara, if she would've just told him no upfront in the crass way she had spoken to Lennon. Or would she tell him politely, a simple... "Oh Cedric, I'm so sorry I've already agreed to go with Thomas. I really am sorry though."
Or if she would've just shook her head and walked away. He passed by Harry Potter not thinking too much on the boy. He had a look of determination on his face as he walked toward the direction Cedric had just spoken to Cho in moments ago. He wondered if the young champion had a date yet. He couldn't see why not. Harry was nice, or from what Cedric had seen. Sure, he was a bit awkward and clumsy but surely that could be overlooked, like his magnetic connection with bad luck.
With the Ball around the corner, he could only be happy he secured a date with someone who saw fit. Though, now he regretted turning Fleur down or even Florence. If he would've been smarter and noticed sooner that Amara would be attending with Thomas, maybe he wouldn't have been so quick to turn them down.
::.
