Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

55

Professor Slughorn stands at the head of a table, a goblet raised to the students seated before him, which in addition to Cayden, Harry and Hermione include Marcus Belby, Blaise Zabini, Marcus Sawyer, Neville Longbottom and the twins. A distinctive crystal hourglass sits in the center of the table.

"To Hogwarts' best and brightest!" Professor Slughorn said, smiling.

"Here, here!" Cormac said, winking at Cayden with a small smirk, not losing his smirk when Cayden only rolls his eyes at him. If he can't get with Cayden, then he can playfully flirt with him. No harm in that, right?

Hermione exchanges a wry glance with Harry, who notices that one setting is empty. The twins make-- and drink-- their toast in perfect unison.

Neville stares hopelessly at the vast array of forks, knives and spoons placed beside his plate. "Which one do I use for the soup?" He questioned, smiling gratefully at his boyfriend as he explained what all of the cutlery is for.

Cayden grins at the boyfriends, looks up, and gets another wink from Cormac. He shakes his head, getting a smile from Cormac who notices the faint smile on his face.

"So tell me, Cormac. See much of your Uncle Tiberius these days?" Professor Slughorn asked some time later.

"Yes, sir. In fact, I'm meant to go hunting with him and the Minister for Magic over holiday." Cormac answered.

"Well, be sure to give them both my best. What about your uncle, Belby? Working on anything new?" Professor Slughorn looks to the others. "For those of you who don't know, Marcus' uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion."

As he speaks, Belby never once looks up from his plate. "Dunno. He and me dad don't get on. Probably because Dad thinks potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff one at the end of the day."

"And you, Miss Granger? What is it your family does in the Muggle world?" Professor Slughorn asked, looking at Hermione.

"My parents are dentists. They tend to people's teeth." Hermione answered, seeing Cayden smile at the corner of her vision, confused but not confused at the same time.

"Fascinating. And is that considered a dangerous profession?" Professor Slughorn asked.

"No. Though, a boy named Robbie Fenwick did bite my father once. Needed ten stitches." Hermione said, not jumping when Cayden leans towards her and whispers something into her ear. Her eyes widened, and with a small blush, pulled back from Cayden who is giggling uncontrollably, obviously proud at what he had whispered to her.

Harry was confused, but there's still a smile on his face as Cayden slowly calmed himself down, wiping the tears in his eyes.

The door suddenly groans open, and everyone turns.

"Miss Weasley! Come in, come in." Professor Slughorn said.

"Sorry, I'm not ordinarily late--" Ginny falters, eyes red, uncharacteristically flustered.

"No matter. You'll be just in time for dessert. That is -- if Belby leaves you any." Professor Slughorn said.

As Ginny moves to her seat, Hermione whispers to Harry, knowing that Cayden can hear her. "Look at her eyes. They've been fighting again. Her and Dean."

Harry nods, then stands as Ginny reaches the table-- the only one. Cayden and Hermione notice him, and while Hermione eyes him with amusement, Cayden is looking at him with a small smile as Harry sits back down.

"What?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione.

Hermione shakes her head with a small smile. "Nothing."

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