A Fluke of Sorts

Of Robes & Stars

"Granger!" Hermione looked up at the familiar male voice. She found it odd to have his voice easily memorized when she had barely registered Harry's and Ron's during the first month she had knew them. Cedric Diggory however, had his voice imbued in her mind within a two week's worth. 'And to think we've haven't talked as much either.' Hermione mused with a small smile as she watched Cedric appearing at the top of the stairs. Her eyes widened when instead of putting his foot on the tread of the stairs, he adeptly mounted the barrister, slid down and landed perfectly on his feet right in front of her with a wide grin plastered on his face. "Sorry, was a little excited to see you." Cedric quickly said when he noticed her somewhat agape look.

"You could have knocked me down at the rapid pace you were sliding down. Not to mention breaking my bones and yours in the process." Hermione reproved. "You really are intent on murdering me aren't you? First that inane launch and now this."

"I solemnly swear that all murderous intent within me is absolutely not directed at you." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Anyhow, I wanted to ask if you'd like to drop by our house Quidditch practice today."

"Why?"

"Then it would allow me some time to talk to you once practice ends." Cedric simply said.

"I hope you know Quidditch isn't my favorite past time."

"I figured just as much with the amount of time you spend in the library, but being in the outdoors once in a while would do you good Granger. Fresh air, whizzing Bludgers, flitting Snitch," Cedric stated before another one of his disarming smile appeared as he added, "Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain and Seeker."

Hermione laughed. "Right. Well, I suppose the last one wouldn't be too bad."

Cedric beamed, "Brilliant. Shall I walk you to class?" He held out his hand.

"Male chivalry again?"

"A little help wouldn't hurt." He smiled as she handed half the books in her hands to him. "I see you've progressed to two books," he teased. "Where are you heading to?"

"Transfiguration."

"Hermione!" Both Hermione and Cedric stopped in their tracks at the call of her name. Harry and Ron walked up to her, both with slightly suspicious looks at Cedric.

"I guess it's my cue to leave now." Cedric said, his tone of voice sounded slightly resigned but he smiled at the younger wizards before returning Hermione her books with an apologetic look.

"Why was Diggory with you?" Ron asked as soon as both he and Harry reached Hermione's side.

"We were just talking. Come on, Professor McGonagall's awaiting us." Hermione said without looking at both boys in the eye and briskly walked down the hallway. Harry and Ron exchanged a curious look before following her. Hermione's classes for the day passed by as it typically would, where Ron transfigured his frog into an ugly teapot with it's snout curiously shaped with what looked like a frog's webbed feet, and Neville causing a small explosion in Potions. Hermione had attempted to reach for the bottle of slug blood from Neville's hand but she was a split second too late as the latter tipped the entire bottle's content into the cauldron. She watched in horror as the brew turned black and purple and black again with a horribly foul stench emanating from it while thick white smoke quickly appeared. Hermione had hastily grabbed Neville by the arm of his robes and pulled him away before it could explode in the shocked boy's face. By the time she walked to the Quidditch field, the Hufflepuff Quidditch team was already in the air, and her robes distinctly smelled of the disastrous brew. She hoped Cedric wouldn't get too close to her to catch whiff of the smell. Hermione considered retreating back to the castle when Cedric called out to her from the sky. She knew he wouldn't allow her to leave without a reason which would lead to him coming within the stench's vicinity, so she reluctantly dragged herself to the raised stands while making sure she sat to a far off corner – 'Not that it would actually hinder him from coming near but at least better than to be out in the open.' She planned to leave as soon as the practice ended and she had at least uttered a polite hello with a safe distance away from the Hufflepuff Seeker.