ONCE UPON A TIME.

20. conseil

     WHEN CEDRIC TELLS MAXINE OVER A MUG OF BUTTERBEER, she reacts in a way he would have never expected.

     "I can't believe I lost ten galleons to Ricket," Maxine groans, slamming a fist down on to the wooden table. When Cedric shoots her a confused look, she takes a swig of her drink before explaining. "I may or may not have placed a bet about two or three rumors . . ."

     "Unbelievable." Cedric sighs. "Oi, it's just with the team," Maxine assures. "Quidditch season was cancelled. It's a bloody bore for all of us."

     The two let Cedric's revelation sit for a while, sipping their drinks and staring out of the windows of the Three Broomsticks. Cedric had requested that Maxine and he 'grab a drink together', which had always ever been code for him needing to tell her something - she was one of his closest friends since their first year, and she'd seen him through a lot.

     "Well?" Cedric asks. "Well . . . " Maxine repeats, wiping the froth off the rim of her mug. Any other person would have fed Cedric the same old lines - but you're Cedric Diggory, just go after her! - but after almost seven years of friendship that involved Maxine's worst hair days and Cedric's snot-covered robes, Cedric could count on something a little more genuine from Maxine.

     "I can't really say anything about her, since I don't know her," Maxine says diplomatically. "But I've always been all for your happiness, Ced. Oi, I'm getting there, won't you? I've always been all for your happiness, so, anything I have to say shouldn't matter - however, I certainly think you can do better."

     It doesn't sting as much as Cedric thought it might have. "You're just saying that because you're on the losing end of ten galleons." Cedric jokes. Maxine cracks a smile and shrugs in response. "Maybe I am." she kids back.

    Curiosity getting the better of him, Cedric leans closer to Maxine. "Who did you bet on, then?" he asks in a low voice, eyes sparkling with humor. "I'll give you five galleons up front if you tell." he offers before she can hesitate. 

     This makes her laugh, visibly softening at Cedric's attempt. "I'd take you up, but you and I both know you don't have five galleons on you right now," she teases before falling serious. "If you really want to know, I had my money on D'Amore."

    "Amata?" Cedric stutters, drawing back in surprise. "That's absurd. Why would I - she's - I don't - " His eyebrows draw together in confusion. The way Maxine is watching him - with increasing amusement - prompts him to take a sip of his drink to try and disguise his nerves.

     "Just a bet, Ced." Maxine says with a smirk. "If you really fancy Chang, then go ask her out. I heard through the grape vine that Potter's taken a liking to her, too."

     "Right." Cedric replies numbly, mind still stuck on why Maxine had been so confident on his affections towards Amata to place a bet worth ten galleons on it. Maxine picks up on this, obviously, and grins giddily to herself as she fishes out four sickles from her purse to pay for their drinks.

     "Looks like Ricket hasn't won my ten galleons just yet." she hums. 

     Cedric shoots Maxine a glare; she merely throws her head back and laughs.