Aries LaCroix, a name well know around Hogwarts. People could only relate him to warmth, happiness and safety, something which the hufflepuff boy had in common with his three closest friends.
As You-Know-Who's forces reappear at the Quidditch World...
Cedric and Aries wandered back into the Hufflepuff Common Room, hands intertwined. The LaCroix boy looked up to Cedric, "are you ready for this?", his words made the taller boy look at him, "are you ready for the tournament? These tasks are not going to be easy, and as even though there are new rules to keep champions safe... you could still get hurt, or-", his words were cut off by Cedric pulling him into a hug.
"Don't think about that", with his nose buried in Aries' hair, Cedric spoke softly, hoping to comfort the boy, "don't worry about me, or Harry", he ran his hands up and down Aries' back, before pulling away to smile down at the boy, "why don't you stay in my room tonight, give us both peace of mind", Aries nodded and allowed Cedric to lead him up the stairs and into the 6th year dorm room.
The two boys got undressed, Cedric pulling on some yellow plaid pyjamas, and Aries stealing Cedric's Quidditch jumper, the taller boy smiled as the canary yellow jumper drowned him and then pulled Aries into bed, closing the curtains around them.
"Good night, darling"
Aries grinned, and buried himself in Cedric's chest, "good night, love"
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A few days later, Aries sat with Vienna in their arithmancy lesson, when Professor McGonagall walked in, she stood tall in the door way, eyes scanning the student before they landed on Aries, "ah, Mr. LaCroix, could you come with me please, leave your bas with Miss. Berry", the boy nodded and shared a confused look with Vienna as he followed McGonagall out the classroom, "I need you to take our guests to the trophy room", she gave no more insight instead nodded her head to the two adults stood in the entrance to Hogwarts. Aries scanned the short, blonde woman from head to toe, and just as he went to speak, McGonagall held up a finger, "keep any and all comments until your reunite with Miss. Weasley or Mr. Drayton", she then painted a welcoming smile onto her face, "Ms. Skeeter, I presume?"
The short woman smiled widely, "you presume correct", she then held her manicured hand out, "Rita Skeeter, from the Daily Prophet, pleasure to meet you", both McGonagall and Aries shook her hand, before the Professor gestured to the boy.
"This is Mr. laCroix, he'll be escorting you to the trophy room"
Aries watched as McGonagall nodded and walked away, he the took a breath and smiled, "Rita Skeeter, I've read a few of your columns in the Daily Prophet, they're... enlightening", the womans lips parted into a wide smile as she looped her arm with his.
"Really? I do love hearing from my fans, why don't you tell me all about it as we walk"
Aries smiled at her before looking away to roll his eyes.
Thankfully, the journey was short, but even so, Skeeter had managed to speak the entire way. When they entered the trophy room, Aries looked to Cedric and rolled his eyes heavily, which made the Hufflepuff champion snigger.
