Perfectly Imperfect || C. Diggory

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 || 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 *

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping, and my eyes slowly peered open. I blinked a couple of times, letting my eyes adjust to the light. I turned over and saw that Cedric was still in bed, fast asleep. Steve was gone, and I assumed he was already down at the Great Hall. Steve was always early to things, and I envied him for it. I never understood how people could wake up early in the morning.

I felt a hand on my waist before I could stand up. "Where are you going?" Cedric's deep, raspy morning voice mumbled.

"I was just going to get changed... but now I don't want to." I smiled. I climbed back into the warm bed sheets, and laid my head on Cedric's chest, slowly feeling my eyes wanting to close again, due to the peaceful sound of his heartbeat rhythm.

"Do we need to get up?" He groaned, taking a deep breath in, and out. I unhappily sat myself up and checked the clock on the stone wall. I yawned before answering.

"According to the time, unfortunately yes." I replied, rubbing my eyes, and shaking myself off from my sleepiness. He grumbled something under his breath, then stood up. He reached into his trunk, and pulled out a clean set of his uniform, then began to button up his collared shirt.

I kept my gaze on him for a moment, appreciating how cute he looked in the morning, his messy hair shading his eyes slightly, and pink lips that curled into smile, noticing my staring. I finally headed to his bathroom to change into my robes.

I had almost forgotten about the whole Gabby situation until I saw her smug face stare me down until I was seated. She was sitting beside Jenn and Olivia, Steve across from them, sitting beside Cedric and I. The two of us were still really tired, and I didn't even have the energy to be angry at Gabby yet. That would have to wait until tonight. Woefully, I reminded myself I couldn't sleep in Cedric's dorm every night. Especially because he was a prefect.

I poured myself a bowl of cereal, and ate quietly, listening to the conversations between Jenn, Olivia, and Gabby. I missed them. It felt like we hadn't talked in months, though in reality, it had only been approximately a week. Maybe I would get some time alone with them today.

I saw Gabby staring at me while I sat in silence, and I looked down, not wanting to make eye contact. Why couldn't she just go back to her own school and torture her old roommates, or whatever they had in the Muggle World.

Cedric put hand on my cheek, and I turned to face him. My eyes softened in his gaze, and I smiled, as his happy grin cheered me up. He leaned over to me, and pecked me on the lips, making me giggle momentarily.

"How are you, Steve?" I asked, noticing he was resting his chin on his hands, no one to talk to. "I saw you were up early this morning."

"Hey, I wasn't up early, you two were just up late." He chuckled, sitting tall once again. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, right." I replied. I hushed my voice to a lower tone. "Hey, remember when you said that you'd talk to Jenn for me? Can you? I just really don't have the energy to argue today." Steve nodded.

***

I got my Defense test back, and unfortunately, my predictions were accurate. I practically failed. Thankfully, I've done well for the most part this year, and I think I'll do fine for the end of year exams.

I have been pretty unmotivated lately, and it's because my thoughts are occupied with hateful comments towards Gabby, and anxiety about the Triwizard Tournament. I think Cedric has been putting off talking about it, since we haven't spoken about it in over a month. I didn't know what the third task would be, and I didn't know if Cedric did either.

I knew we were bound to have the dreadful conversation soon. The third task would be held on June twenty-fourth, and that's all I knew. Cedric had around two and a half months to prepare for whatever was to come. I couldn't help but be nervous about it, even though it wasn't me participating. I was just so worried about him. He got so hurt in the first task, and the second one was just as dangerous. The third and final task would obviously be the most difficult and dangerous.