Cardigans are Cool

Always

It was the day. Lilah had been having continuous panic attacks for the past few days in the lead up to the announcement. Thankfully, Noah was always there to let her cry and give her her favourite comfort foods. Lilah had been awake since 3am that morning, not able to sleep due to the suspense surrounding her mind. She was sat in the Great Hall with her familiar, Jinx, when Noah burst through the doors, running to her.

"Noah whats wrong?!" Lilah questioned as she watched her sister frantically sprint up to her, hair a frizzy mess and still in her pyjamas. Her question was muffled by Noah throwing herself at her sister engulfing her in a bone crushing hug.

"I could feel your mood and needed to check you were okay." Noah explained, trying to catch her breath, moving back from the hug and sitting on the bench next to her. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly, no. I'm so scared, Noah." Lilah admitted, snuggling her face into Jinx's black fur trying not to cry again.

"Hey, hey I'm here. you don't have to hide your tears around me; you know that." Noah said, smiling warmly at her sister moving her hair away from her face so she could see her better. They stayed there until breakfast just enjoying each other's company, waiting for the rest of the students to file in.

It was almost 6pm. Dumbledore had announced that he would be pulling the three names at that time no earlier or later. As for Lilah, she skipped all of her lessons with Cedric, not wanting to leave his side. They spent most of the day on the field as it was a warm day and Lilah wanted to stretch her legs in the sun (in both human and wolf form). When it hit 4pm they had to make their way towards the Great Hall, reluctantly. They walked slowly, hand in hand, down the corridors, Lilah's hand beginning to sweat out of anticipation and fear. Feeling this, Cedric stopped, causing Lilah to stumble slightly as she was held back.

"Just breathe. I can feel your hand shaking." He whispered as he hugged her. "I'll be fine no matter what happens, I promised didn't I?" He smiled at her before kissing her forehead and grabbing her hand again and going along their journey. Lilah made a mental note of what his eyes looked like in that moment, confidence and ambition. This was important to him, she needed to be selfless.

"If it's any consolation, you look adorable even when you're panicking." Cedric teased.

"Oh, for fuck's sake." Delilah rolled her eyes, grinning at him.

"It's true! I like it when you put your hair in a bun. There's so much of it! And some of it falls out around your face. I don't know, I was thinking about it all day today. Nice hoodie, by the way." He chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.

"I don't know what you mean! I've had this hoodie for years. I'm the Chudley Cannons' biggest fan!" Delilah joked.

"It's fine, you look adorable in it. You can't even see your hands!" Cedric cooed, pinching her cheek. Delilah giggled and slapped his hand away.

"And another thing - you don't have to wear your glasses around me. I've seen your eyes and they're beautiful, Lilah. Just like the rest of you." Delilah gave him an emotional smile, and a couple of tears spilled over. "Aww, come here, love." Ced smiled, putting a hand to her freckled face and swiping a tear away with his thumb. "Everything's gonna be okay."

Delilah managed a smile, and pecked him on the lips. Ced grinned, and kissed her again. They pulled apart after a while, and continued down the hall.

They reached the hall and sat at their assigned tables, Cedric finding a spot between Noah and Hannah Abbott, Hannah immediately clinging to him asking him where he'd been all day. Cedric looked towards Noah desperately trying to get out of Hannah's prying hands.

"Cedric! Can I talk to you?" Noah asked standing up after he nodded slightly walking to the end of the Hufflepuff table.

"Thank you." He breathed, happy to be away from Hannah.

"It's okay." Noah laughed, meeting Cedric's eyes. Her smile dropped quickly, the atmosphere turning serious. "I actually do need to speak to you though."

"What is it?" He questioned, worried for what she was going to say. He always worried about Noah's opinion of him as he new how much she meant to Lilah. He wanted Noah to approve of him.

"Please try for her. You're an amazing wizard Cedric, I know you have it in you to win, but I'm not asking you to win for her. If you get chosen tonight, be prepared for her to cling to you. She's never felt this way for anyone. This shit is real, and I'm worried about her." At the sound of Noah swearing Cedric's eyes widened. Noah never swore unless she meant business. He knew not to question back and to just listen to her.

"I'm worried too, Noah. But I want you to know I will try for her. Always."