Cold Hearted || Remus Lupin *EDITING*

Chapter 4 | new romance and unusual animals

Leo's sudden coldness towards his friends was soon forgotten about by the two Gryffindors, who were more than used to their Slytherin friends' mood swings, having put up with them for over three years. The next morning Jo simply asked if Leo was ok and when he replied with a nod and stated "family stuff," as the reason, the subject was promptly dropped.

Oliver and Jo knew what Leos' home life was like, with each of them knowing more specifics than the other. For example, Oliver knew about the extent of the abuse he received at the hands of his father but didn't know that Leo often found himself missing the close relationship he used to have with his mother as a child. 

Jo knew all about this but didn't know the full extent of the abuse he received, only the surface of it. However, what they both knew to an extreme was that Leo didn't particularly enjoy talking about either of it, so it was left at that and they quickly went back to normal, going back to bickering with each other about trivial things and studying together for the new year of classes.

The next few weeks flew past, the trio being as inseparable as usual, working hard towards their Newts and practicing quidditch (Oliver practiced, and the other two watched with Leo giving his opinion on tactics and strategies when he thought it was needed). However, there had been a shadow of sorts attached to the trio as they began the new term, Cedric Diggory. He was a Hufflepuff Prefect and captain of their quidditch team and for the past two weeks had been finding any excuse to talk to Leo and blatantly flirt with him

"He clearly fancies you! He doesn't even try and hide it! I thought Hufflepuffs were supposed to be shy!" Oliver protested during dinner, stabbing a piece of chicken frustratedly with his fork. Leo just shrugged in response, smirking to himself as he ate his own food.

"Jealous Wood? You know you'll always be my number one," Leo teased, sending him a wink before turning towards where Cedric was making his way over to them. "And what if he does fancy me? I'm not complaining, he's fucking gorgeous," he finished, nodding at Cedric who flashed him a smile, his expression only brightening as Leo gestured for him to join them.

"Hey Leo, how was your day?" He asked curiously, helping himself to some food and Leo just smirked. "Good, but much better now you're here," he flirted shamelessly, Cedric reacting with a slight blush as he chatted back while Oliver and Jo just rolled their eyes. Jo even began pretending to be sick before Leo expertly flicked some of his mashed potatoes into her hair followed by giving her the middle finger.

Once finished with that, Leo turned his full attention to Cedric, listening as the Hufflepuff told him about his day, the two slowly moving closer together throughout the meal until their thighs were pressed together and their ankles were entangled with the others. "Have you got any plans for this evening? Before curfew?" Cedric asked the blonde, flashing another smile that Leo found himself growing more and more attracted to.

Leo simply shrugged. "I was going to go for a smoke, you can join me if you like?" He suggested, Cedric, nodding almost instantly, the two promptly finishing their meals, saying goodbye to Oliver and Jo before leaving the room.

Once they were safely away from the hall, Leo barely had time to get his lighter out of his trouser pocket before lips were on his own, Cedric gripping him firmly by the waist. Leos' eyes widened in response, but he quickly relaxed into it, kissing Cedric back just as firmly as the other had kissed him.

The two seemed to fight each other for dominance over the kiss for a long while, until Leo eventually backed down, letting Cedric take control, opting to tangle his fingers in the Hufflepuffs messy caramel coloured hair.

"Hmm you're definitely eager," Leo choked out breathlessly as Cedric moved to nip and kiss at his jaw and neck, triggering Leo to let out a soft groan of arousal, gripping onto the boy tighter.