The Boy I Love -HEDRIC (2)

61.(HC) it can(not) wait

HARRY

CXVIII

"Hufflepuffs are more fun than I expected. Most of them wanted candy, and the organizers thought it was an great idea! I was telling Fred that they wouldn't accept... and I had to eat my words,” was what Ron told Harry the next day, sitting in the armchairs in the common room. "And one candy."

In an individual seat, Hermione kept focused on her reading.

Harry imagined she would be curious about the story, just like him.

"Who did you choose?" 

"A girl," he admitted simply, even though he blushed, "who didn't choose me. But it was fine," Ron hurried to clarify before Harry let out a sympathetic apology, "because in reality the boy she chose didn't either, and I was left talking to someone else who suffered the same fate. Susan, she was called. From our year, in fact. A redhead. She reminded me of my little sister. Only nicer." 

CXIX

They exchanged Valentine's Day anecdotes under a privacy spell.

However, Hermione didn't want to share anything about hers.

She closed his book and went to her room.

"Do you think we should go talk to Krum?" Ron asked, looking up the stairs she just left. "It must not have been a good date."

Harry doubted that was the issue.

"Maybe we should talk to her first."

Judging by Ron's grimace, he didn't consider it to be a better alternative.  

CXX

They saw Hermione again during dinner.

She was taking notes on a parchment, crossing out lines.

On the way back, Harry decided to open up the topic of conversation.

All he got was Hermione reassuring that she was fine, just stressed out about classes and no, Ron, you shouldn't go harassing Krum, he's a perfect gentleman. 

At least Harry noticed how Ron rolled his eyes at that. 

CXXI

He passed Cedric in the halls, and attended one of his study meetings. That was all. Harry couldn't really complain, because they had spent a lot of time together these past two weeks. He knew that Cedric gave importance to his academic grades and even if they had gotten rid of the final exams, there was homework and regular tests.

He couldn't complain, because on Friday Cedric accompanied him to class.

"Just one week away from the second task," he commented, and Harry debated whether to say that sucks or be optimistic, coming to no conclusion as Cedric continued, "I was thinking if…"

Harry sensed that he would like whatever he was meditating on. 

"Yeah…?" He bit back a smile, taking his arm to walk.

The fact that Cedric took so long to finish the sentence intrigued him more. 

Three days had passed since their date and Harry was wondering what their weekend plans were, because Ron would be busy, Hermione said she wasn't going and it had been three days without seeing him in private, which wasn't long, right?

Except it was for him.

"If you'd like to go flying tomorrow. I know there is an outing to Hogsmeade…"