Cerulean - Fred Weasley

Chapter 6 - Cedric

Simone was roused by an odd sensation. It was as if her insides had been doused in ice water. Sitting upright in bed, she spotted the Ravenclaw ghost, known as the grey lady, hovering over the foot of her bed. "What was that for?" She asked in annoyance.

The grey lady smiled. "One must seize the day early, resisting the temptations of slumber." She disappeared through the tower wall.

"A fitful way to wake on Halloween" she muttered, climbing out of bed. She drew back the blue embroidered curtains. The sun hadn't even risen! Sighing, she headed to the water basin to rinse her face. She plaited her hair and dressed in jeans and a cashmere sweater.

Grabbing her book, she trudged down the spiral staircase to the desolate Ravenclaw common room. It was decided, she would watch the sunrise. She stopped at the great hall only to brew a mug of earl grey tea. The goblet of fire was visible from the entrance hall, blue flames casting light against the cold walls. She hesitated. No. She thought to herself. I'll submit my name later with my friends. 

The air was crisp and cold, Simone's breath came out in puffs of steam. The Durmstrang ship and Beauxbatons carriage lay still. She plopped down underneath a magnificent yew tree on the west shore of the great lake. A pink tint had overtaken the east side of the sky, slowly turning night into day. She cracked open her book, an ornate leather-bound copy of Jane Eyre. Sophie had given it to her for Christmas. She sipped her tea, feeling more at peace than she had in a long time. 

"Morning!" Startled, Simone knocked over her mug of tea. She looked up, spotting a sweaty Cedric Diggory.

"You made me spill my tea," she said crossly.

"Sorry about that. What are you doing at this hour?"

"A ghost woke me if you can believe that. What about you?"

He grinned sheepishly. "I was going for a run. Gotta keep in shape for next quidditch season, right?"

"I admire your dedication."

"I'd rather sit here with you though." Cedric plopped down next to her. "This is some tree." He gazed at the intertwining branches.

Simone grinned mischievously "Race you to the top?" Setting down her book, she began to climb the low hanging branches. Five, ten, twenty feet up. 

"Don't go any higher... I think the tree might snap." Cedric said, gasping for breath from below her. He climbed until they were sitting on adjacent branches. 

"Look!" Simone exclaimed. From this angle they could see the sun, like a drop of gold, turning the surrounding mountains orange.

"It's beautiful." Cedric breathed. The two of them sat in comfortable silence. Finally, Cedric spoke. "Are you excited for today?"

She smiled to herself, gazing at Cedric. The golden light coated his chiselled features, he was the spitting image of Apollo, the god of the sun. "Of course, Halloween is my favourite holiday."

He smirked. "Not what I meant." There was a large crack. "let's not test the structural integrity of this tree."

The two began to climb down, Cedric jumping from ten feet above the ground. "Do it!" He grinned wildly "I'll catch you!"

"This seems like a bad idea!" Shakily, Simone crouched, springing from the branches like a gymnast and landing right beside Cedric.

"Ouch!" She lay on her back, staring up at the sky.

"Don't be a baby, it didn't hurt that bad." Cedric rolled over to face Simone. His eyes were like pools of honey. 

"You have a bug in your hair." Cedric reached over to pluck it from her dark tendrils, his fingers lingering a moment too long. 

She blushed, shakily getting to her feet. "We ought to get going..." She extended her arm to help Cedric up. His hand was strong and warm, sending a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the autumn breeze. 

They walked to the castle together. Cedric stopped at the entrance hall. "Let's submit our names now before everyone wakes up!" He pulled a sheet of parchment and a quill from his satchel. Sitting down in the corridor, he scrawled his name on a corner of the parchment and tore it off. Simone did the same.  

She walked into the dimly lit entrance hall. The usual chandeliers had been extinguished, the only light source being the eerie flames. Hesitating slightly, she stepped over the age line and thrusted her parchment into the goblet. She watched in satisfaction as the flames devoured it. Cedric went next, grinning broadly. By this time, the hall was starting to fill and a crowd of gleeful Hufflepuffs were cheering. 

"Fancy some breakfast?" He asked, smiling down at Simone.

"I could do for some toast."

They grabbed an array of food, choosing to eat in the stone courtyard instead of at separate house tables. They chatted animatedly, Simone learned that Cedric had several American cousins and a grey tabby cat. 

"There's a Hogsmeade trip in two weeks' time," he remarked.

"Awesome! I'm nearly out of sugar quills."

"Err" He paused awkwardly. "I was wondering if you would want to go with me? We could grab a butterbeer or two."

For the second time that day, Simone blushed. "I'm in." 

Cedric stood, grinning. "awesome! I've got some work to catch up on. I had a lot of fun today." He disappeared back into the school.

Simone spent the rest of the morning reading. she felt a sense of comradery towards Jane Eyre, although Cedric Diggory was hardly a Mr. Rochester. eventually, she returned to the raven claw common room to get some work done. 

For once in her life, Simone wasn't looking forward to a Hogwarts feast. Maybe it was because her nerves had devoured her appetite, or because of the sizable breakfast shed had with Cedric. Maybe she was still recovering from last night's feast. Needless to say, she hardly touched her food. By the time pudding had ended, the hall was buzzing in nervous anticipation. Fleur was muttering in french beside her. 

Dumbledore rose from his seat, and silence filled the hall. "Bring forth the goblet." He instructed. Filch heaved it in from the entrance hall. "Once your name is called, you are to walk to the chamber outside the hall." The blue flames suddenly grew, changing to a deep red. A piece of paper flew out. Dumbledore snatched it.  "The champion of Beauxbatons is"

Fleur squeezed Simone's hand as Dumbledore read the parchment. "Fleur Delacour." There was a smattering of applause. Fleur flashed her a brilliant smile and walked out of sight. 

"The Durmstrang champion is... Victor Krum!" The applause was louder this time. Hogwarts will be announced next, Simone was suddenly filled with anxiety.

"The Hogwarts champion is... Cedric Diggory!" The hall irrupted in applause. Simone joined in. although disappointed she wasn't selected, she knew that Cedric is a fantastic person who truly deserved this. He would be a good champion. besides, Hufflepuff rarely got any glory. 

"Well, now that that has concluded-" Dumbledore paused in awe. The flames from the goblet once again rose, releasing a fourth slip of paper. The hall filled with a suffocating silence as dumbledore examined the slip. "Harry Potter" he murmured. "Harry Potter" he repeated, louder this time. "Well, come down here." The scrawny black-haired boy followed Dumbledore outside the hall.

"My God!" Ruth exclaimed. "How could this have happened?"

"He probably fixed the cup. Never enough glory, am I right?" replied Sophie.

"that's not fair." Simone defended. Her blood was boiling slightly. Couldn't Gryffindor remain out of the spotlight for one second and let Cedric have his moment? Of course, it was Harry Potter. That boy attracts trouble like a magnet attracts metal. The hall was filled with angry buzzing, like an enraged swarm of bees. The usually peaceful Hufflepuff's looked murderous. 

"There's one plus to this whole thing," Roger said in a low voice. 

"What's that?" 

He broke into a broad grin. "Two parties tonight!"