What If? Year 1

Chapter 32

The dinner was wonderful, but my eyes kept wandering to Cedric across the hall.  Every so often, we would make eye contact.  Every time, without fail, his eyes would make my face red and my heart skip a beat.  
This is how Dad describes looking at Mum. Oh, Merlin... Have I already fallen for him?
Ara and Harry were talking to each other as I continued to stare at Cedric. 
"I think she's in love," Ara tells Harry, pulling me out of my trance.  
"I.. I'm to young to be in love," I reply, making Harry turn his attention to me. 
"Dad was in love during his first year," he reminds me, "Mum didn't fell the same at the time, but.. she did after a while."  I stare at my food. 
"I don't know, Harry," I mumble, "I like Cedric, I just don't think that I'm ready for a serious anything... I need to focus on school." 
"Take things slow, then," Ara says, "from the short times that I've talked to Cedric. I think he'll understand." I nod, and look back at Cedric.  He was staring at me and he smiles.  My legs feel weak, and I smile back.  Ara giggles.  
"Go talk to him," she says, "after dinner, I guess.." 

"Cedric!" I shout, running after the tall boy I had been staring at during dinner.  He turns around and greets me with a big smile. 
"Couldn't keep his eyes off you," one of his friends says, "he's worse about you then he was about Cho." Cedric punches him. 
"Shove off, guys," he says, making the group of boys laugh, "I'll meet you in the common room." They walk off and Cedric pulls me aside to a different corridor. 
"I need to talk to you," she tells him, "It's nothing bad, I'm just wondering about our date." Cedric nods. 
"I thought we could do it Saturday afternoon," he answers calmly, "I thought I would surprise you on what we're doing." He winks at me. 
"I was wondering something else, as well," I mumble, "well not wondering.. more like asking or.. I don't know." 
"What is it?" he asks, setting his hand on my shoulder. 
"If.. if we are going to really date," I whisper, "I want to take this slow.  Really slow.  I need to focus on school and you have O.W.L.S. next year if we even get that far and.." 
"Hey, hey, relax," he comforts, "Goldie, I will give you as much time as you need.. Of course we can take it slow and lets not think to far a head about it either. Not yet." 
"Thank you for understand, Ced," I mumble, "I don't know why I was so nervous about talking to you about it. "  Cedric wraps me in a hug. 
"The one thing about this relationship is that I want you to feel comfortable about talking to me about anything."  My face heats and he kisses my forehead. 
"The date still on then?"  Cedric chuckles. 
"As long as you're alright with it." I smile and giggle. 
"See you Saturday, Cedric." 
"If I can wait that long." My heard skipped a beat and my hands shake. My face was flushed as I walk back to the common room.  

Ara, Ginny, and Heather are all waiting for me in the dorm room.  They all stare at me as I lay down on my bed.  
"How did he take it?"  Ara asks, "Was I right, or was I right?"  I shake my head and exhale.  
"He took it fine," I tell them, "I'll be busy Saturday afternoon." 
"OoOoOhhhhh," They all say.  I grip my pillow and shove my face into it.  We all giggle. 
"I can't believe we have Potions tomorrow though," Heather says, "I don't want my joy to be ruined by Snape."  
"I'd rather have him then Lockhart," Ara response, "I can't deal with his pride... it's like living with Lucius again."  The room goes quiet and Ara stares at her hands. 
"That was meant as a joke," she mumbles, "Sorry."  I giggle, after not being able to keep it in. Ara smiles at me, and her hair turns bright red.   They entire room breaks into laughter.   
"You guys are amazing," Ara giggles, "I can't wait for the summer, we can walk around the muggle cities together.. and oh Merlin.."
"We can go shopping!" Heather shouts, "I know all the good malls and shops. And all the great cafes and restaurants.." 
"This is one of the many reasons that everyone needs a muggle-born friend."  Ginny says, "I mean, I don't understand how the pureblooded idiots do it, the one that refuse to be with muggle-borns, I mean."  Ara and Heather laugh.  
"Are we going to sleep at all?" I ask,  "I mean, I don't care... but we do have class." 
"Okay, Mum," Heather snickers.  I roll my eyes and get out my pajamas from my trunk.  I change quickly and brush my hair.   
"I think Ron packed my brush in his trunk," Ginny grunts, "I'll be back in a moment."  Ara giggles as Ginny shuts the door harshly.  
"He's about to get a talking to," Heather giggles, "She's a bit of a hot-head, don't you think?" I nod, smiling.  
"What do we have besides Potions tomorrow?" 
"Transfiguration, Herbology, and Charms, I think," Heather replies, "There are more, those are just the ones I saw." 
"We have McGonagall first, right?" Ara asks. 
"Why don't you look at your bloody schedule that you also got during dinner?" Heather teases, "I would presume we have McGonagall, since that's who we had for homeroom last semester." Ara nods and pulls out her schedule. 
"Yep, then Potions second.. ugh." I laugh. 
"I don't actually mind Potions," I tell them both. Ara hits me with her pillow. 
"That because your little miss potions expert," she hisses, "Snape has a soft spot for you because of it."  I roll my eyes, but laugh. 
"Yeah, sure. Its not because I actually listen in class and don't call him stupid names or throw things at the Slytherins?" 
"That was one time, Goldie.. and Heather was in on it too." Heather throws her pillow at Ara. 
"Well, shame on you both then," I tease, receiving two pillows throw at me. 
I have miss you, my slave.  I was not able to be as busy with out you. Time to kill.
My heart hits my stomach, and I feel sick. 
"Are you alright, Goldie?" Ara asks. I nod, running to the bathroom. 
Someone is listening... my pretty will find them, though, my pretty will do whatever I command.
I try not to cover my ears as I start into the mirror.  I could hear Dad's words mixed in with the hissing of the others. 
Don't disappoint me.. Find it. 
And Regulus. 
It got him dead..
I cover my mouth and sink to the floor. I give into the temptation of covering my ears, and barely hear the knock on the door.  
"Goldie? Are you sick?" 
"I'm alright, Ara," I choke out, trying my hardest not to sob, "I just... well.." 
"I got you," Ara replies, "You have everything?"
"Yep!" 
"Alright.. I just thought I would check up on y-"
The Gryffin girl... the little Gryffin girl.. She's so helpless... my pretty you shall have her soon.  
"Thanks, Ara," I whimper, "I'll be there in a minute." 
"Okay, just call if you need something."  I just grunt an okay.  
So scared, my little pretty has feeling for this one.. a pity it would be. 
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.  My mind feels numb as I sit in silence for a moment. The voice did not return.