A Fluke of Sorts

A Sunshine Fixation

When Hermione Granger woke up that morning, she wasn't expecting anything different for her morning save for the fact that Ron may stuffed more than two sausages in his mouth at the same time. So when she took her seat at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, opposite Harry and Ron and with her back to the Hufflepuff table, all that she did expect was a warm, hearty breakfast to start off her day while busily ignoring Ron's gluttony. She certainly didn't expect Cedric Diggory to suddenly appear behind her with a cheerful, and loud, greeting, or in his very words, "Good morning sunshine!" – which resulted to her almost choke on her piece of toast.

She whirled around in fright. "Cedric Diggory!" She croaked.

He grinned, "The one and only."

"You gave me a fright." Hermione retorted as soon as she dislodge the piece in her throat with orange juice.

"Well, you see, my plan was botched yesterday so I thought I would try again today." He casually answered. "Morning Harry," Cedric lifted his gaze to the puzzled young wizard with a grin before nodding at a disorientated Ron, "Ronald."

"Uh – morning Cedric." Harry replied with a faint smile, still surprised at Cedric's sudden verbal ambush on Hermione. Ron said nothing but gaped at the seventh year Hufflepuff. Their fellow Gryffindors curiously looked at the quartet, the girls in particular, began to whisper and giggle among one another at the sight of the good-looking boy by their table.

"Diggory, I would appreciate it if you try to frighten me when I'm not trying to swallow my breakfast." Hermione spoke up with a slight crease in her forehead, indicating her annoyance though her tone was light.

"Sorry Granger. I will catch you at lunch the next time." Hermione's eyes widened. "I'll see you later." Cedric gave her a quick wink before turning around to join his friends and left Hermione staring after him. He didn't bother to turn around at all and after a few seconds, Hermione realized she was being watched by the other Gryffindors so she quickly shifted her gaze away.

"I didn't know you knew Cedric." Harry curiously pointed out.

"I didn't, until yesterday. I mistook his book for my own and one thing led to another and then we got acquainted."

"How did that happened?" Ron suddenly blurted aloud. Everyone with two meters of their vicinity stopped at their conversations to focus on the trio. Hermione glared at Ron while Harry gave him a quick jab in the sides.

"Draw attention, will you?" Hermione hissed.

"Sorry." Ron sheepishly replied.

They waited until everyone resumed their talking, although snooping glances were frequently thrown at their direction. Hermione sighed and leaned forward to quickly explain the previous day's events in a rushed whisper to avoid the prying ears of the others.

"But why sunshine?" Ron asked.

"What do you mean sunshine?"

"The greeting, 'good morning – '"

"Shush Ron. You don't have to repeat his exact words in the exact tone of voice." Hermione quickly interjected exasperatedly. Harry chuckled at Ron's obliviousness to his surroundings. "Anyway, he better not try the same thing at lunch. Merlin knows if I'll survive the next scare." She gathered her things as she stood up, "I'll see you both in class." Harry nodded with a smile while Ron merely waved his hand, too preoccupied to answer with all the food in his mouth.

She had just reached the double doors when Cedric caught sight of her leaving and hurriedly excused himself from his friends to catch up with her. "Granger!" he called out as he reached the Entrance Hall and caught her about to walk up the stairs. Hermione turned around in surprise but when she saw it was him, her surprise turned into a frown.