Poison | Cedric Diggory

1: smitten

{ 1: smitten }

dedicated to panda_asymmetrical for being supportive and awesome

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Oleander was getting sick of school. While she adored being adored, she did not like classes...and the way that her professors never believed her excuses for being late.

"I mean, McGonagall didn't even look up from those essays she was grading!" Oleander was saying to Fred Weasley, running her fingers up and down his arm. She leaned in closer. "I told her I was on a very important date. That my whole relationship was at stake. But no! She didn't care! And Alec left me anyways. Because he says I don't have the right priorities." Oleander rolled her eyes.

"Uh huh. Yeah. I get it," Fred said rather sarcastically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other...priorities to attend to. See you." He dropped Oleander's arm and hurried away.

The girl's face fell. Would nothing go right for her today? Life was so unfair. It was always the most cruel to the people who least deserved it. "Ah! Potter!" she said to the green-eyed boy who passed. He turned his head to face her. "McGonagall likes you, right? Would you mind putting a good word for me with her?" Oleander sidled up to him, her breath ruffling his messy black hair.

"What? Yeah, sure." He walked away rather quickly, glancing back at her a few times. "Thank you!" Oleander called after him, but he was too far away. Why was everyone acting so odd? Was something wrong with her? What had happened to her charm?

She joined the other Slytherins at their table for lunch. A few of the first years she sat near scooted down the bench, away from her. "Seriously, what is wrong?" Oleander huffed.

"Excuse me," said a soft male voice behind her. There was a light tap on her shoulder, and the blonde turned. She was met with a charming crooked smile. "I think there's something you ought to know..."

"And what is that, Diggory?" Oleander purred, snapping out of her slight trance. "Just...come with me," the Hufflepuff said, heading out of the Great Hall. Oleander followed like an obedient dog.

In the hallway, Cedric cleared his throat, looking down into the girl's blue-grey eyes. "Um...have you, by any chance, spent time with one of the Weasley twins?"

"Yes. Why? Are you jealous?" She cocked her eyebrows in questioning and clicked her tongue. "Oh, Diggory. I thought you were better than this."

He laughed softly. "No, what I mean is...I think you should have a look at your face."

"Why? What's wrong with my face?" Oleander said, alarmed. Her voice rang down the hallway, and Cedric held a finger to his lips. Oleander pulled a mirror out of her pocket and gasped. Her normally smooth and flawless skin was marred by multiple bright red welts. She cried out. "What happened?"

The corner of Cedric's mouth turned up, though he tried to hide it. "Weasley happened. Now..." He waved his wand and the slight throbbing Oleander had felt in her face went away. "It's gone." He slid his wand back into his robe.

"Thank you," Oleander breathed sincerely. Cedric nodded and walked back into the Great Hall, the girl's eyes following him all the way. Once he was out of sight, Oleander sighed and slid her back down the wall until she was seated on the ground. There was no doubt about it: she was completely and utterly smitten.

And she didn't like it one bit.