ONCE UPON A TIME.

16. attentes

     "I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE HAD THE GALL to call you the ' other ' Hogwarts champion!" Maxine sneers, slamming the issue of the Daily Prophet down on to the table. "If anything, Harry Potter is the ' other ' champion."

     As Cedric attempts to appease Maxine, the rest of his friend group snicker among themselves. "That's very un-Hufflepuff of you, Max." Zacharias says in mock disappointment. "Really, you ought to be careful of who overhears . . . might ruin our whole stereotype."

     "You haff stereotypes? How odd."

     Zacharias' reaction is borderline laughable. Cedric offers a half-smile up at Antioch, slightly rattled at the sudden presence of the Bulgarian at the Hufflepuff long table; the feeling seems to be mutual, however, as students pretend to eat their dinners but shoot side-glances at Antioch nonetheless. The D'Amore seems to notice this. He shifts uneasily, scanning the Hufflepuffs trying to act like his appearance is not a big deal.

     "Do you haff a minute, Cedric?" Antioch asks. "I vas hoping I could speak to you in private about something, but if you are still dining, I could - "

     "No, it's okay." Cedric says hastily as he stands to Antioch's side. "We should step out of the hall, if you want something . . . private." Antioch grants him nothing but a nod before spinning on his heel and beginning to make his way out of the hall. Cedric follows him out, and the two of them find themselves in pregnant silence until they get to the Courtyard.

    "Ve have a castle, too. Not as warm as Hogwarts, though." Antioch says as he observes the torches lighting their way. "Your school does have a history of being very . . . disciplinarian." Cedric says diplomatically, not wanting to offend.

    Antioch nods thoughtfully, pressing his hands behind his back. "There is no use . . . vot is that saying?" he pauses, smiling humorlessly before going on. " 'Beating around the bush', or however it goes."

     "I vould like to know your relationship with my sister."

     "Amata?" Cedric says dumbly. This makes Antioch crack a grin. "Vell, Merin forbid it be Altheda. That girl is a force to be reckoned vith." he jokes briefly. He seems to catch himself, though; the hilarity dies out and is replaced with seriousness. "But, yes. Amata."

     If there's even a relationship to begin with . . . "We're not really . . . anything." Cedric admits lamely. Antioch looks extremely underwhelmed by this, compelling Cedric to explain. "We met at the Quidditch Cup, over the summer. We don't talk often. I don't think she even considers me a friend."

    "Then vot is this Rita Skeeter babbling on about?"

    At Antioch's question, Cedric finds a chuckle rising up out of him. "Rita Skeeter writes tabloids. Her article is nothing but a scandal sheet, if anything." the latter explains. All Antioch responds with is a quiet grunt; Cedric is bursting at the seams to ask about Antioch's apparent disappointment, though he chooses not to in the silence that follows. 

    "I just thought . . ." Antioch trails off and falls silent for a few moments. "I suppose I do not know vot I thought."

    "Did Viktor make you ask me?" Cedric blurts out, no longer able to contain his curiosity. Antioch inhales sharply. The disbelieving laugh that he lets out doesn't settle well in Cedric's stomach. "Vill it change anything if I say yes?" Antioch asks, eyes twinkling with amusement. When Cedric says nothing, the Bulgarian raises his shoulders in a comical shrug.

     "I thought so." Antioch says with a heavy sigh as he begins to stride away from Cedric. "It vas nice speaking vith you." A few steps away, Antioch falters, turning to look back at the Hufflepuff with only half of his mouth smiling.

     "Good luck vith tomorrow, by the vay," Antioch calls out. "I'll be vatching with Amata in the stands. Though I cannot tell you who she will be cheering for . . . "