Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 4- Ch.68

The more days passed, the more Céline saw Cedric and Cho together. It started bothering her, but she didn't want to come off being childish or insecure. It wasn't as if Cho was even doing anything, either. She wasn't being touchy, or flirty with him.

Céline just saw them hanging out more often, or she just saw the way Cho looked at him when he wasn't paying attention. Cedric still acted his usual self with Céline. He still hugged her, still held her hand, or kissed her. He never tried to deepen the kiss or get carried away with it. She supposed that she appreciated it. She felt confused.

She's never been in a relationship before, she didn't know when or if she should say something, she didn't want to come off immature, like it was all in her head.

The weeks passed quickly until there was only one week until the second task. Céline was in the library with Cedric doing their homework.

"How are you feeling about the second task?" Céline asked him, she knew that he figured out the egg back in December, and it wasn't until recently that he actually told her about what it was that he figured out.

"I think I'm good, if it has to do with being underwater, then I have a charm I could use to help me breathe. I'm just not sure what the we've taken what you'll sorely miss part could be, though. But I suppose I'll just have to find that out." He said leaning his head one of his hands that was propped up against the table, while he played with Céline's fingers with his other hand.

Céline nodded, deep in thought of what that part of the clue could mean, it would be an item, but they both were sure what item. Her free hand fiddled with her sunflower necklace that Cedric had given her for Christmas.

Cedric looked at his watch and then started packing his things.

"I've got to get going," he said looking at her with an apologetic smile, "I had offered Cho help on her  Herbology homework that she had been struggling with."

Céline's fiddling hand stilled. "Cho?" She asked, failing to hide the fact that she's bothered by this. "She... couldn't have asked someone else to help her?" She hesitated, "we've barely been spending time together... and I" she paused, "recently, I've noticed you two spending a lot of time with each other..."

He stopped to look at her, but she wouldn't meet his eyes, too worried that her eyes would say it all. He sat back down in the chair and faced her, he grabbed her hand with his.

"I'm sorry... you know I don't really like going back on my word. But if it makes you feel better... how about we eat dinner together everyday from now on?" He suggested.

"... sure." She agreed. She felt unsatisfied with this outcome, she had hoped he would notice how bothered she was and cancel meeting up with Cho. But she couldn't say anything. He kissed her on the lips quickly before he finished putting his things away.

"Let's go then? I'll walk you to wherever you want to go." He said, holding his hand out for her. She got up and packed her things as well, before taking his hand.

He walked her down to the stairs of the Slytherin dungeons, gave her one last kiss before leaving her there. She stood there until she could no longer see him, then she walked away from the dungeon staircase, towards the clock tower.

Once she got there, she walked along the long bridge, tucking herself into her robes for warmth, the wind was icy against her face. She stopped in the middle to look out towards the Black Lake. She let out a deep sigh as she leaned against the aperture.

"Why the long face?" a sickingly sweet voice came from the end of the bridge. Céline groaned in annoyance.

"I'm really not in the mood for your nonsense. If you would please--" Céline stopped talking when she turned to face Hannah, seeing she had company with her. Her cousin Marie Ann Dupont was standing next to her with a wicked grin. Céline felt her heart begin to race, immediately regretting ever taking a walk by herself.