What If? Year 1

Chapter 33

The voice from the beginning of the week was still burnt into the back of my head.  I think Ara is starting to notice something, but she hasn't brought it up. She's just trying to get me to give her more information about my date with Cedric.
"He wants it to be a surprise, Ara," I tell her, "I don't know anymore than what I've told you." 
"So I should ask him?" Ara asks, her hair turning pink.  I shake my head and open our dorm room. 
"If you're going to, you better do it quick," I snicker, "Cause, the dates this afternoon... you know, the date I'm getting ready for right now?" 
"No, no," Ara says, "I want to help you get ready.. that would take up to much time."  I laugh and she pulls out one of her dresses. 
"I think you should wear this!" she exclaims. 
"Is this what you've been doing while I do homework?"  Ara only nods and shoves the dress into my arms.  The dress was a greying turquoise, with long sleeves and a knee length skirt. 
"I'll freeze," I complain, just before she throws a pair of tights at me. 
"I packed them for you," she tells me, "I presumed you'd tell me that." 
"Well, I can't wear your dress.." 
"Goldie.. you're family has taken me in.. this is the least I can do." I shake my head. 
"Alright," I give, "I won't argue with you."  Ara smiles and pulls out her wand. 
"Can I curl your hair?" 
"With your wand?" 
"Of course!  Muggle curling irons don't work here, silly goose." 
"Do you know how to?" 
"Your mom taught me how to." 
"Oh.. okay then."  I change into the dress and Ara zips it up for me. 
"I knew this was your color!" she shouts, proud of herself. 
"Thanks, Ara.. should I sit on the floor?"  Ara nods and sit on her trunk.  I sit as still as possible as she curls my hair.  
"I think I'm done, Golds," she says after a while, "I put some moose on them too." 
"Thank you, Ara," I say, hugging her, "I promise I'll tell you everything." 
"Won't spare a detail?" 
"Not a detail," I exclaim, slipping on my heeled boots, "You will be the first to know, Ara." She laughs and gives my another hug. 
"Go, shouldn't be late!" I laugh at her and turn to the common room.  Fred and George catch my arms before I can leave. 
"Where are you going dressed up so nice?" Fred asks. 
"Got a date, Goldie?" 
"Yes, and it's none of your business," I tell them, "both of you.. now please let me go, or you'll make me late!"  
"Late for who?" 
"Your friend, Cedric?" My face turns red.
"Not just a friend then?" 
"Oh shut up the both of you," I scold. 
"Will we get to know the juicy details?" 
"Nothing you don't need to know," I tell them, pulling my arms from them and rushing from the common room. 

"Goldie!" Cedric shouts from the bottom of the stairs.  He meets me in the middle of the stairs. He grabs my hand and kisses it. 
"You look lovely," he flirts, "I am thankful you dressed warmly.. Or else I may have had to give you my coat." 
"Do I get to know what we're doing now?" Cedric only chuckles as we walk down the rest of the stairs. 
"You'll figure it would rather quickly... I got you a late Christmas present.. that you'll get to use." He grabs a box that he set at the bottom of the stairs.  
"Cedric," I mumble, "you already got  me something.."
"I know," he says, "but I had this date idea, and I didn't know if you had these.. and well, I hope you like them."  He hands me the box.  I open the lid and it shows a pair of ice skates.  They were light gold with flowers embroidered around the heel.  
"They're beautiful, Cedric," I confess, "I haven't gone ice skating since I was I child." Cedric smiles. 
"I'm happy you like them." He leads me outside close to the lake. We both tie up out skates and he leads me out on the ice.  
"I'm surprised no one else is out here," I tell him and he smiles. 
"My friends are hosting a party on the other side of the school, so no one would bother us." Cedric replies, "I didn't want you to feel awkward.  
"Thanks, Ced," I whisper, "You're amazing." We skate around normally for a while before he starts spinning me around.  He dips me every so often smiling from ear to ear. 
"How had your first week back been?" he asks, as we both spin. 
"Alright," I respond, pushing the voices into the back of my head, "How about yours?" 
"Great, especially now with you."  I look down at my skates. 
"These skate are beautiful.. where did you get them?" 
"Can't give away all my secrets can I?" He teases, "if you really like them, perhaps I'll get you more." I shake my head. 
"I feel like my gift isn't as good now," I whisper.  Cedric lifts my chin and smiles at me. 
"I love you gift," he says, "and the biggest gift you could have gotten me was agreeing to go on this date, so.. " I shake my head at his cuteness. 
"Are you always so charming? Or have I just not noticed?" I ask, making him blush. He spins me again and lifts me in the air.
"I can't believe you maybe mine," he whispers, "You're the first girl I've dated that hasn't immediately swooned over me." We both chuckle. 
"I guess I didn't realize you've dated that much," I say, staring at my skates.
"I'm not the best at saying no to people, especially girls," he tells me, "I don't like upsetting people." I nod. 
"I understand that," I reply, skating a little faster, "Are you sure that you're really okay with keeping our relationship private?" I turn to face him and he was stopped a few feet from me. 
"Of course," he answers, skating up to me. 
"But you just said that you don't like saying no to people," I take back, staring at him, "I don't want to make you do something you don't want to do. If you want to have it be public... you can." Cedric shakes his head and reaches for my hands. 
"Do you remember how we met?" he asks, "you were panicking, about a howler that you father sent you. You weren't even in trouble, you were just embarrassed.  I saw you rush from the Great Hall and my heart felt for you. I went after you, hoping that you hadn't gone somewhere I couldn't get to.  You were curled into a ball when I found you with tear stains on your cheeks. I felt like I needed to.. protect? I guess.  I want you to feel comfortable, Goldie.. if you would be more comfortable with having this be private, we can do that.." 
"I didn't realize you were in the Great Hall," I whisper, "I thought you were just walking around and had found me." 
"I didn't want to tell you that I heard it, because you seemed so embarrassed about it." I smile. 
"I don't think I would have gone to any of my classes if you hadn't calmed me down," I confess, "I.. thank you." 
"It is absolutely no problem," he tells me, "If you ever feel like that, just come talk to be about it, okay?" I nod and he hugs me. We both shake over to our shoes. 
"Would you like to join me at the party?" 
"I've got homework."
"Then let me accompany you to your common room." 
"Of course." We talk about his next quidditch game, and how I needed to come and watch so I could cheer for him.  I only laugh and nod. When we get to the Fat Lady, Cedric pulls me into a hug. 
"We'll have to schedule another one," he says, "I'll see you at dinner?"
"Yes," I reply, going onto my tiptoes and kissing his check.