Slytherins Golden Girl

Chapter 19

Her heart was beating so hard against her ribs  she thought it was going to burst out of her chest, not to mention her hands were now clammy from her holding them so tight against her jeans. Eleanor breathed out slowly, after holding onto the same breath fo which felt like an eternity before pushing her feelings aside as she stepped through the opening of the champions tent.

A forced smile spread wide across her lips.

There stood Cedric and his father Amos, both seemingly in the middle of a deep and very serious conversation, as neither of them turned to her or even noticed as she walked in and stood silently by their side.

Minutes had passed before Amos turned his head slightly to noticed her stood beside him as a seemingly forced smile flashed across his face. "Ah my dear Eleanor, it's so good to see you." Mr diggory chirped although his voice was edged with worry as he pulled her in for a quick hug.

Eleanor was overcome by his familiar scent of cheddar and pine, "You too Mr Diggory." She replied.

"No Mr Diggory nonsense, how many times have I told you. My dear call me Amos please, we've known each other long enough." He insisted taking ahold of her shoulders.

"Dad, could you give us a minute alone please?" Cedric asked, although it was more of a demand.

"Alright, but after that you're pointing out which one of these girls is your girlfriend. I'd love to meet the poor girl." He teased pinching one of Cedrics cheeks with his fingers before disappearing into the array of Professors. There was something off about him, something that Eleanor couldn't quite pinpoint.

As soon as Cedric looked down at Eleanor she could tell he was incredibly nervous, despite his best act to play cool and cover his feelings. His grey eyes were full of worry and doubt as he yet again bit down on the side of his thumb.

All he wanted to do was make his father proud and all Amos wanted was for him to be safe.

"Cut it out." Eleanor snapped pulling on his thumb and placing his hand between her hands, "You can do this, it's one more task then you're done."

Cedric ran his free hand through his thick hair revealing the beads of sweat already forming along his hairline, "I know, I'm just under a lot of pressure to succeed."

Eleanor looked deep into his eyes, she'd never noticed before how much they resembled Dracos. Why had she never noticed that before?

"You'll do great, I know it." Eleanor said, pulling him into a hug.

Cedric wrapped his arms tight around her shoulders, Eleanor could feel his heart rapidly beat against her head like a ticking time bomb . "I love you Ella." He whispers in her ear.

Eleanor could help but laughed softly in his arms, "Whats brought this on?"

Cedric shrugged, "I don't know seemed right. Love the jumper by the way." He smiled brightly, looking at his quidditch jumper resting loosely upon her shoulders.

"Definitely looks better on me." She teased, squeezing slightly tighter around his waist. "I love you too."

Eleanor let go of Cedrics waist and peered towards the entryway.  "I should go and find the others but I'll be wishing you luck from the stands."

"I'll come find you after!" She heard him shout back as she left the tent.

Rounding the steps to the stands she could hear the band blasting, Eleanor cringed internally at the sound of their music. She was never one who enjoyed their weekly displays before the Friday feast.

She searched the packed stadium high and low for her friends, they weren't sat with the Durmstrang students or other Slytherins. She shrugged deciding it would be easier to sit with the Gryffindors, although by the looks of it she'd struggle to find a free seat.