all you need is love - Cedric Diggory

Chapter 7

A soft tapping comes from the other side of your bedroom door, interrupting your thoughts. Slowly, you walk towards it, "who is it?" you ask.

"It's me."

You smile at the voice, recognizing it immediately to be Draco, "Hi," you say to the tall blonde boy in front of you. He walks past you without saying a word, walking straight to your bed. Confused, you go sit down next to him, "Dray?"

His attention finally shifts to you, "Hi, sorry, lost in my thoughts..."

"You alright?"

"Yeah, are you? Where were you at dinner tonight?"

"Talking to Cedric."

"Oh, how was that?" To your surprise, he asks without making any rude remarks about Cedric.

"I told him that my parents saw the picture in the paper and that they don't want me to be with someone outside of Slytherin. But how it didn't matter much because we're only friends, then went on to say how I don't think we should be friends at all."

Draco looks at you like you were mad, "Aubs, I know I make fun of you for it all the time, but I can tell you fancy this bloke. Like actually fancy him, which we both know is rare for you."

"Well, yes but, it's not worth it," you tell him, but you could tell he wasn't convinced.

"Is that what you truly think, Aubree? That it's not worth it?"

"No...but that's what I'll keep telling myself until I believe it."

––––

You wake up the next day, not remembering ever falling asleep. Draco was sleeping peacefully on your floor, so quietly, you make your way to the bathroom to get ready. He was gone once you came back.

Your first period class went by slowly—more than usual. But you didn't particularly mind, it's not like you wanted to go to your next class. You didn't want to see one specific Hufflepuff. Regardless, you walk into the classroom, your eyes instantly landing on him. Cedric was talking to some girl, and you could tell she was throwing at him. 'That was quick,' you think to yourself, following you attempting to assure yourself that you didn't care. He was just a boy—nothing to get upset over.

Cedric looks over at you as you take your seat and excuses himself from the girl, making his way towards you, "could I sit here?" He asks, already sitting down.

"Why aren't you sitting with her?" You question him, glancing over to the girl he was chatting with.

"Who? Lucy?" He asks, looking over at the girl who was staring angrily at the two of you.

"Obviously."

"Oh...because I want to sit with you, not her," he responds and turns his gaze back to you, "I know you don't want to be friends with me, but we do work well with each other in class."

"We do," you admit.

"So can we still sit together?"

"I suppose," you say, looking at the smiling boy next to you, and you couldn't help but smile back. His smile was so contagious. That is one of your favorite things about him.

"Alright, now, what potion does this ingredient belong in?" Moody asks, showing the class Valerian Sprigs.

The class was over shortly, and as you go to leave, Cedric grabs your arm. You look at him with a confused expression, "what is it?"

"Can we talk later? At lunch?" He asks.

"Sure, I guess," you say, but you know you should've said 'no,' for the second time today. But you didn't entirely regret your answer.

––––

"So, Malfoy, are you going to ask anyone to the Yule Ball?" Dawn asks as the three of you sit down for lunch.

He makes a disgusted face before opening his mouth to respond, but Cedric comes up to your table, interrupting him, "I'm sorry, could I borrow Aubree really quickly?"

"But I haven't finished eating," you pout, and Cedric chuckles.

"Pattinson, the food will still be there when you return," Draco snickers causing you to roll your eyes.

"Alright, then, let's go," Cedric takes your hand and walks you out into the empty hallway. He stares at you for a minute, building up the courage to say what he wants to say, "...Aubree, I know you don't want anything to do with me, but I couldn't imagine going with anybody else..."

"Cedric, don't."

"Aubree Pattinson, would you go to the Yule Ball with me," he asks softly, not with his usual confident tone.

"No, Cedric."

"Did someone else ask you already? I knew I should've asked you sooner, but you weren't talking to me. Of course, someone already asked you, look at you...who wouldn't want you as their date," he begins rambling, and you place your hand on his shoulder, making him stop.

"No one asked me yet...but I still can't go with you. What I said last night, I meant it, Diggory."

"I just thought, maybe. Well, I guess it was stupid to still ask after what you told me," he says, and you could tell Cedric was disappointed.

In reality, you really did want to go with him, and other guys did ask you, but you said no to them. Without even giving it a thought, you said no.

"Sorry," you mutter before leaving him alone in the hallway.

___________________________________

another short chapter