i should have held your hand || cedric diggory

astronomy tower

eleanor gave ophelia verbal instructions to the astronomy tower. out the great hall, past some moving staircases, 'round moaning myrtle's bathroom (who she had just met the other day), and it was to the right. ophelia knew from then on, never ask eleanor cram for directions. she failed to mention it was right by some classrooms. she guessed it couldn't have helped much because she didn't know what those classrooms were for. lessons started tomorrow. she wouldn't know the difference between the transfiguration and charms rooms.

"oh hello!" ophelia waved down a few students, seemingly younger than her. "would you mind pointing me in the direction of the astronomy tower? my friend tried telling me where but she is honestly quite shit with directions." ophelia looked down at the three students. one red headed bloke, one brunette and the other student a rather brushy headed girl. all four of them stood for a second before the girl spoke.

"right, it's just up here to the left. climb the stairs and you will be on the landing," the girl gave a quick smile before holding her hand out, "i'm hermione granger. third year. here if you ever need anymore help." ophelia took her hand and shook it. hermione nudged the red headed boy, who had done nothing but stare at ophelia. he pulled an annoyed face at hermione before turning red at the face.

"oi!" he snapped at hermione, then holding his hand out, "ron weasley. pleasure." she recognized him and the last name. her father worked at the ministry with a man called arthur weasley. her father told her lots of stories of him, amos, and arthur. he had yet to meet him. ophelia took his hand and it was sweaty. when she took her hand away, she looked at it, his sweat glistening in the light of the morning sun. she quickly wiped it on her skirt and looked at the last boy. his hand was already out of meet her.

"harry potter." he said flatly before shaking her hand. ophelia's eyes got big. she had heard all about the young man. how he defeated the dark lord as an infant.

"right you are! pleasure mr. potter," she looked at all three students before realizing she hadn't introduced herself, "oh where are my manners um... i'm ophelia ambrose. fifth year. transfer of course, or else i'd know where the bloody astronomy tower was." all four of them let out some small giggles before ophelia decided to leave these children alone.

"right you lot, don't want to miss breakfast. best be on your way." ophelia told them, trying not to sound too rude. they all said their goodbyes and ophelia turned to continue walking. she almost forgot she had been looking for cedric. right when she was on her way, she heard the red headed one talking to his friends in a whisper.

"blimey! pretty that one is. reckon i've got a chance?" but before ophelia heard his friends responses, she had already turned the corner, shaking her head and stiflingly a little laugh.
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stairs. more stairs. and even more stairs. that's all hogwarts seemed to be made up of. the astronomy tower was no different. ophelia clumsily climbed up the steps, tripping up them every few steps. once she got to the top, it smelled of cigarette smoke. she let the smog fill her lungs. it was familiar. she knew he was there. the nostalgia took over her body of the summer before fourth year. she and cedric in their favorite spot at the field under the intertwining tree. him trying to convince her smoking was cool. they smoked the whole pack that day.

"carrying on the bad habit aren't we diggory?" ophelia joked, still standing behind him. he jumped slightly then forced out a small laugh.

"you can't get on me for bad habits miss 'smoked half the pack' don't tell me you don't remember that day in the field?" ophelia walked closer to where he was sitting, against the stone walls but just close enough to the end of the tower to let the smoke run free. it warmed her heart to know he remembered that day. she thought it was just her remembering all the silly things she and cedric had done. she slid down so she could be level with him. their elbows touching when she finally sat next to cedric.

"thank you"

"please don't thank me," cedric said exhaling smoke, "you shouldn't have to thank me for doing the bare minimum. bruno was being an arse. protecting you was important." he stubbed his cigarette out on the ground and looked at ophelia. their eyes met and his twinkled in the light of the sun. he looked down at her lips and took in a sharp breath. the nerves got to him and he pulled out his pack of cigarettes. he took out a white tube that was filled with tobacco and light it with a snap of his fingers.

"fancy one?" he held the pack out for her to take one. ophelia thought about it for a second. after a bit of thought, she drew one out of the carton and put it between her lips. she was about to light it with her wand but cedric grabbed her chin, pushing her to look at him. he snapped his fingers and lit the cigarette for her. she blushed and inhaled the smoke. it swirled in her lungs and it felt like fire. she felt light. like she could jump onto the clouds.

"other than bruno, i had lots of fun with you last night, lia."

"which part?"

"the dancing. i really liked it. that and taking you back to your room. making sure you were okay." cedric's heart was pounding in his chest. the pair were looking in each other's eyes, faces only centimeters apart.

"yeah i had lots of fun too, ced." ophelia told him in a hushed voice. she stubbed out her cigarette, not taking her eyes off cedric, taking in a sharp breath. he flicked his away and glanced down at ophelia's lips. he couldn't take it anymore. he placed his hand on the side of her face, pulling her in. he kissed her full on the lips. ophelia was taken by surprise but immediately kissed him back. her hands found their way to his hair while the one that was on her face snaked down to her waist. it was as if their lips fit perfectly together. everything within both of them tingled and it was as if it were meant to happen. they got lost in one another and it felt right.

once they stopped, they rested their foreheads together, eyes still closed.

"i hope that was okay."

"hmm?"

"kissing you. i hope it was alright with you. i've been waiting for ages to do that." cedric opened his eyes after saying this and they both giggled like children. he took her hand and locked their fingers together. they sat for a few moments in silence, a bird sang every so often.

"i will talk to bruno. i will talk to professor sprout. fuck it, i will even talk to dumbledore. if you don't feel safe here, please let me know." ophelia nodded and placed her head on his shoulders. she took in his scent and instantly fell apart.

"i will tell you cedric. thank you," she looked at up at him mischievously, "as look as you don't tell your so called girl back home that we just snogged." cedric's face turned red and they both laughed until their ribs hurt.

"i can't believe cram told you about that."
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(a/n) ahhh some first moments between cedric and ophelia!!!

hope you enjoyed <3

-padfoot