Just Like Magic (Cedric Diggory and Hermione Granger Fan fiction)

Chapter 4: Infatuation

I felt the heaviness begin to dissipate. Suddenly I became very aware that I was wet. Wait, not wet, but completely surrounded by water. The pressure of the water began to lessen when I was met with cold air as my eyes jolted open. I reached the surface. Not only, did I reach the surface but I was not alone.

Viktor Krum held me tight in his massive arms. I looked on as his face morphed from that of a shark. If I wasn't aware of his arms around me I might have thought a shark had saved my life from the murky depth below me.

"You're okay, Hermy." Viktor soothed.

Hermy. He knew I hated when he called me that. I scowled at him briefly as he paddled us to the structure that supported most of Hogwarts and the visiting schools. Igor—Viktor's Headmaster—and Dumbledore were there to lift us out of the water. Viktor kissed my cheek briefly before running off to be congratulated by his "comrades." My body began shaking with the need for warmth. Not only was I wet but I was cold. I looked around for a towel.

I felt a cloth wrap around me. "Thanks," I breathed.

When I turned around I was met with the grey irises of Cedric. His hair was wet and matted to his forehead but he was smiling down at me as he wrapped me tightly in the towel. He looked quickly over my head and scowled before looking back at me with another smile.

"I'm so glad you're okay. But he," Cedric nodded towards Viktor, "should've made sure you were warm before running off and being congratulated."

I smiled. "But, then you would have no excuse to be here."

"Very true."

His hands rubbed at my shoulders sending warmth throughout my body. I longed to lean into his touch to take full advantage of his warmth even though we were both wet. But studies show that the best way to get warm is remove all clothing and use body heat. I was certainly not opposed to that but the thousands of people around us might.

"So, what happened? Did you win?"

He nodded. "Cho and I were out of the water seconds before Krum and you showed up. Those few seconds were excruciating."

"Why?" My eyebrows knitted together.

"When we arrived here they had us line up at the edge and they told us we had an hour to look for something they took from us. Never would I imagine they would take persons we care about!"

His hands were still rubbing my shoulders and arms and I didn't know if he was aware of it since he was so lost in his story. "How did you stay under?"

"The Bubble-Head Charm."

I slapped my forehead. "Why didn't I think of that for Harry!"

Cedric shook his head. "It's well beyond the talents of a fourth year even one as quick witted as you. He managed though. When I went to collect Cho he was down there trying to save everyone." He chuckled. "I was about to save you and Cho before Krum came along."

"What about Fleur?" I asked.

"She never got passed the Grindylows." He pointed over to the edge of the structure. There was Fleur wrapped in a blue robe with her friends peering over the water no doubt looking for her sister.

As I watched after her I saw two figures coming from the water. They surfaced and I watched as Ron and Fleur's sister, Gabrielle, appeared and swam their way to the structure. Fleur gripped her sister immediately as Dean and Neville helped pull Ron out of the water. They wrapped him in towels trying to get him warm and I watched as Fleur walked over and kissed his cheeks. Ron blushed and watched as she walked away.

I turned and saw Cedric leaning over into a cupboard. He grabbed a grey robe for me and wrapped it around my body. I tied the sash around my waist and looked up at him. It wasn't sensible how badly I wanted him. If it was possible he might be even hotter wet. Add on the fact that he is standing here trying everything to get me warm and that he stated he cared about me and you have one hot Hufflepuff standing in front of me.