beloved | h.p.

chapter two

"I need you to kiss me."

Did I really just say that?

"Like in front of my ex.", I add fast, as if it makes the weird request any better.

I suck on my lips while I wait for an answer, heat creeping up my arms and face. His lips curl into a grin, and after what seems like an eternity—it's less than four seconds—he finally answers.

"Sure."

I blink at him. Well, that was easy. To easy, right? Is there a catch? Why did I actually ask him?

Fuck my life. But I am desperate.

"Okay, um, thanks, I guess.", I start and look away.

The wind picks up, and I feel the cold again, which I had forgotten about for a short moment. A group of five comes our way. They seem drunk, and I can hear one of them vomit. I wonder if Cedric has noticed me. I shake my head and turn back to Edmund, who has followed my gaze to the drunk students.

"Listen, my request—it was more the alcohol speaking, really. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable."

He looks at me for a second with a puzzled expression.

"Did you miss the part where I agreed?", he chuckles and continues before I can speak again.

"Look, if you decide you don't want to make your ex jealous, that is fine. However, if you still want to kiss me, I would love to help you out.", he ends, leans back against the tree, and winks at me.

He winks at me.

Oh, Merlin's beard, is he actually flirting with me?

My ears are getting hot, and when I try to take a sip, I realise my cup is empty. Edmund notices it as well and stands tall.

"Let's get you a refill, and then we make your ex jealous.", he says, and his eyes sparkle in excitement.

We both walk in silence on the way back. A blonde girl comes our way, and I need a minute to realise it is my sister Hannah.

"Merlin, Caroline, I have been looking for you for the past thirty minutes. I saw Cedric and Cho and wanted to make sure you were alright. Is everything okay?", she asks, and as soon as she is in front of me, she takes my hands and searches my face.

Unable to say a word, I just nod, and that is when she notices the tall figure next to me. She gives me a confused side eye before turning to him.

"Edmund, right?", she says, smiles at him, and offers him her hand.

"Yes, Ma'am.", he replies, taking her hand.

She lets go of his hand and gives him a confused look before she faces me again.

"Is there anything I can do for you? If you feel unconformable because of—well, you know, please let me know.", she says, and waits for an answer while her eyes are filled with worry.

"Don't worry, Hannah, I am fine. There is nothing you have to be worried about.", I promise her. Hannah's eyes soften a bit; she is not convinced, but still, she doesn't press any further and just nods. She walks with us the rest of the way to the glasshouse before her best friend runs towards us, takes her hand, and she is off.

"You guys don't look alike," Edmund says, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, we get this a lot. We are not biological sisters. I was adopted when I was three.", I reply.

We enter the glasshouse, and my eyes immediately search for Cedric. They find him in the corner, talking to his friends. Cho hangs on to his arms, and my stomach does another flip. A hand appears on the small of my back, and when I look up, Edmund grins at me.

The people around us stop and look at us. They start talking.

Good.

No, or never. I turn to Edmund and grab his hand before I drag him with me to the table filled with food and drinks.

Now we are in Cedric's line of sight. While grabbing a cup, I slightly pull on Edmund's arm, and he leans down to me.

"What now, captain? What do you want me to do?", he asks, and I panic a bit because that is exactly what I wanted to ask. Luckily, he picks up my worried expression and just brushes a curl from my forehead, which had loosened from my bun because of the wind.

Some girls gasp next to us and start whispering, and I take a little chocolate cupcake with green frosting, a marzipan grave, and a marzipan zombie hand on top. It looks delicious, and I take a bite before holding it up to Edmund, and he grins before taking a bite as well. He licks his lips. All while holding eye contact with me, and I shudder. He smirks.

More talking behind us. After finishing the cupcake, we take new drinks and walk to a corner with fewer people. I can feel the eyes of multiple people on my back. But especially his eyes. And sure enough, when I turn my head to the side, laughing at something Edmund says, I catch Cedric's gaze. His jaw is locked, and he looks pissed.

Good.

While smoothing a hand down my short dress, I keep my eyes on him, and he follows my hand, his face turning red. Edmund says something, and I giggle, still locking eyes with Cedric.

Suddenly, a hand touches my chin, and with a little force, Edmund turns my head to him, leaning closer to mine.

"Eyes on me, Sunshine.", he whispers, and my eyes drop to his lips. He starts grinning again before his lips touch mine.

He pulls me closer with one hand as he deepens the kiss. His other hand takes the cup out of my hand and places it next to us on a table. My hands snake up his chest, to his neck, and into his hair.

His hand grabs my ass, and I slightly moan into the kiss. My hands are in his hair, and I try to pull him even closer. I want more. I need him closer.

Someone coughs behind us, and startled, we let go of each other.

Cedric looks like he is going to break Edmunds's neck, and Cho seems almost jealous.

Mission completed, I guess.

"How can I help you, Diggory? Is there something you want to say?", Edmund asks with a grin on his lips. He sounds out of breath, and his hair looks messy. He looks so good, and I want to kiss him again.

My ex opens his mouth and closes it again. People are starting to stare in our direction, and Cho is pulling on his arm.

"No? Then excuse me, but Caroline and I have some plans."

Edmund's arm snakes around my waist and pulls me close before he winks at Cho and Cedric, and tugs me with him to the nearest exit.

I am leaving again.

Only this time, when I step into the cold night, I am not alone, and I feel much better. I am filled with excitement about Edmund's promise for our plans.

That is going to be a long night.