Moon Dust | Mattheo Riddle

Chapter 28: Stupid dance

Cedric laughed as he was lifted into the air, yellow streamers and flying confetti flowing as the Hufflepuff common room erupted with cheers.

Magnolia, despite her small figure, didn't seem to have any issue propelling the boy in the air, letting him sit on her shoulders as she whacked away anyone that tried to help. Her arms strained a little, trying to keep him upright as people high fived him left and right, though with a flick from Nova's wand he remained in place, resting his hands on the pink-haired girl's shoulders as he chuckled at her to let him down.

He'd got through the first round of the tournament, and so, there was a party in his honour, rounds of fire whiskey and suspicious looking plants from the greenhouses were being passed around, though Nova politely declined when someone tried to pass one to her.

As Magnolia finally let the golden-haired boy down, he gripped her shoulder with a toothy grin, then turned toward Nova, placing a hand on her back to turn her away from the overbearing crowd.

She smiled thankfully, letting him guide her to a quiet corner as everyone clinked their goblets together behind them in celebration.

"You did really well, Ced. You should be proud," Nova said as he stepped behind her, pulling a curtain closed. Cedric shrugged and pulled his glass to his lips. "Yeah... I suppose so, I mean. I hope I did you proud at least," he said, twirling the drink around his glass a little shyly. It was his third one as soon as he'd stepped into the common room everyone had been pouring him glass after glass. Nova ought to tell him to slow down, but she didn't want to diminish the accomplished look on his face.

"Of course I am," she said, reaching out to grip his arm. "We're all very proud of you."

Cedric smiled clumsily, setting his beaker on the side and taking a step closer. "That's nice and all... but I only really care if you're proud."

Unintentionally, Nova scrunched up her lip, looking up at him sheepishly before letting out a coy giggle. "I think you need to slow down a little," she whispered, reaching for his glass.

He hovered over it for a second, debating before handing it to her. "Yeah... suppose." As their fingers connected, Cedric held her gaze, looking down on her with that sweet smile he always had. Nova felt her breath catch in her throat. She blinked at him, holding onto that same breath as he reached up and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're so beautiful, Nova."

She swallowed, glancing down a little awkwardly, before peering back up and clearing her throat. "Thank you... I should... go." His eyes dropped immediately as the words left her mouth and she reached out to grip his arm again, giving him a look of reassurance.

"It's just I... I told Harry I'd drop by for a bit before curfew ends... shouldn't be too long, I'll come find you," she exhaled, smiling sheepishly. He tilted his head to the side, brushing off his frown with another grin as he let his hand travel down to the one on her arm and intertwined their fingers together.

"I could walk you to Gryffindor tower? Keep you company?" He offered, swaying a little. Nova shook her head politely, unlocking their fingers and tapping her hand on top of his.

"No, stay here. This is your party, you can't miss it. I won't be long," she said, smiling again before gripping the edge of the tapestry and moving outside.

A few students stepped past her as she did so, no doubt on their way to kidnap Cedric into doing a couple more shots. Nova moved through the common room, trying not to focus on the loud, rambunctious noise as she moved for the wheel barrow shaped exit.

The second she closed the door behind herself, the silence hit her like a ton of bricks and she lay her head back against the door, breathing it in with a sigh of relief. Though it was short-lived as a creak echoed from the other end of the corridor.