Megan Potter - A Saga of the Heart - Book 6 - Dark Temptation-

Chapter 45 - Setting an example

A few days after New Year, Megan, Harry, Ron and Ginny were packing their trunks to leave the next morning when Fred came knocking on the girls' door.

"Mum says dinner's ready,"He told Megan and Ginny.

"Okay, thanks, Fred... how's she doing?" Megan asked.

As Ron had predicted, she'd been a little touchy since Percy had marched out on them.

"She's still upset, but she'll be okay." Fred said. "Thanks for asking."

Megan sighed. She loved MrsWeasley and knowing she was upset was not pleasant, especially when she didn't know how to make her feel better. They went downstairs where another splendid spread awaited them. Mrs Weasley did her best not to show her turmoil, which made Megan even sadder for her. Percy had been so unfair to her.

"Oh, there you are, have a seat, everyone, it's ready, eat up while it's hot!"

They sat down and dug in. It was delicious as always.

"So, Mégane, when are you and Cédric planning on marrying?" Fleur asked at one point.

Megan, who had just swallowed some water, coughed slightly.

"Er... well... we, ahem...haven't gotten to that part, yet..." Megan said. "I mean, I'm only sixteen, and Cedric just left school a few months ago..."

"But you're going to, aren't you? You've been together nearly two years!"

Megan hesitated. She wanted to say yes, but as they had never discussed the subject of marriage, she had no idea what Cedric's opinion was, and didn't want to scare him or offend him if she showed uncertainty. Thankfully, he came to her aid.

"We never really thought aboutit," Cedric said. "Things have had a tendency to come up. And we're still young, as Megan said."

"Of course you are." Molly said, glancing coldly at Fleur. "You have plenty of time."

Megan was about to agree, but then, realised it wasn't exactly true. She glanced at Cedric. She definitely knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life, however short, with him. But... as much as she loved him, she didn't want to marry him because she didn't know if they'd live to see the next month or even day. She knew it was not very likely, but she knew that people who did that sometimes regretted it later. And she never wanted to lose Cedric. She knew it was maybe childish to put so much faith in her first love, but she had connected with Cedric so deeply, and they had been through so much together, she couldn't imagine bonding that way with anyone else. After dinner, Megan offered to do the dishes.

"You've done all the cooking, it's the least I can do," she insisted when Mrs Weasley protested.

"I'll help you," Cedric said.

"Such a gentleman," Fleur said.

"You had your chance, Fleur,"Cedric teased.

"I'm taken anyway," Fleur said in a dignified voice, looking fondly at Bill.

Megan couldn't help a small giggle as she followed Cedric.

Megan and Cedric gathered the empty plates and took them to the kitchen.

"I'll wash, you dry," Cedric offered.

Megan smiled, thinking most boys would have preferred to dry.

"Deal." she said and took the cloth.

And so they set to work. They were silent at first, with nothing but the sounds of the water and clinking of crockery. Then, Cedric said: