The One With The Yule Ball

4

Amos left well before Cedric and Edan. They were seated in the back corner of The Leaky Cauldron drinking their butterbeers. "It's maddening to think I'd be finished with school but I'm stuck for another two years." Edan said begrudgingly.

"I couldn't imagine being held back. I'm sorry we fell out by the way. Once you and your family went into hiding and you became good friends with The Weasley twins when you came back, it was harder to find time together." Cedric apologized which Edan found to be unnecessary. 

"To be perfectly honest Cedric I pushed you away after my parents died. I would probably have isolated myself entirely if I didn't move in with Molly and Arthur." Edan admitted. It was hard to carry on with her old life since it had been two years before she returned to Hogwarts. A lot had changed when she did. Cedric was popular amongst the peers in their class. Edan wanted to become invisible to them considering they all gave her looks of pity. At least with Fred and George they didn't give her that same treatment right off the bat. 

Cedric nodded understanding perfectly. "We both played a part in it. Now, are you and George an Item?" 

This made Edan laugh uncontrollably. Apparently she was the only one blind to George's feelings, aside from Fred. "No, absolutely not. Although I am currently seeing someone. We're keeping it private while I'm still in school. What about you, anyone you fancy?"

Cedric's cheeks turned red. He choked on the sip of butterbeer he'd just taken. "As a matter of fact, yes. I'll keep your secret if you keep mine." Cedric proceeded to tell Edan about how he fancied Cho Chang, a year younger than him. It was clear from the way he talked about her that he was smitten. He planned to ask her out this year seeing as it was his last chance before finishing school this year. "Now that I've bared my heart to you. It's your turn."

Edan hesitated slightly. The Weasley family had accepted her relationship to Remus, Arthur excluded but it wasn't something she imagined most people would. It was nice to be talking to Cedric again though. She wanted to show him having his friendship back meant a lot to her. There was a time in her life where they shared everything with each other. "Well... he is a bit older than me." Edan chuckled nervously. "I don't know how well you'll take the news.

"You don't actually have to tell me Edy." He said patting her shoulder reassuringly. 

"It's alright, I trust you. After all, it isn't illegal or anything. You remember Professor Lupin of course." Edan said tapping her butterbeer glass nervously. 

A look of disbelief spread across Cedric's face. Edan couldn't tell if it was a look of disgust or shock. "Bloody hell, a bit? He's what 33?" Edan nodded her head slowly. Cedric sat silent for a moment mulling over her confession. "Not going to lie Edy, it's odd. That's quite an age difference." His reaction was a fair one. In fact, it surprised Edan how few people didn't share his reaction. Perhaps they did but weren't comfortable expressing it.

"It is yes.. but I am not being taken advantage of or anything Cedric. Arthur isn't thrilled about it but knows he can't put a stop to it given I am of age."

He exhaled loudly. "I don't really have any choice but to believe you. It makes sense why he's been staring at us since he got here." Cedric pointed openly across the pub. Remus was seated a few tables away, mostly hidden by some pillars. He noticed Cedric pointing and waved with a guilty look on his face, clearly embarrassed to have been discovered. "I won't be offended if you leave to spend time with him."

Edan was fuming, she couldn't believe Remus had been spying on her. How could he possibly of known she was in The Leaky Cauldron. If he wasn't such a recluse Edan would think it a coincidence. "I don't want to but I would like to have a quick word with him." She excused herself promising to be back shortly.