Sketchbook ~ George Weasley

Chapter 4 - The Sketchbook

After dropping Fred and George off at the hospital wing, (and having a very long and very one sided conversation about not doing stupid things) I head back to the common room. I had figured Hermione was already there and people finished putting their names in the goblet.

"Hey," a voice from behind me approached, and I mean I assume they're calling out to me, there isn't anyone else in this hallway, I think. So I turned around and low and behold there was Cedric Diggory. Calling out for me. He jogged lightly up to me when he noticed I stopped walking.

"I think you forgot this. I saw you with it down at the Great Hall," he said, holding out a leather bound sketchbook. My leather bound sketchbook. I took it from him.

"Thank you so much. I didn't even realize I left it in the great hall," I said.

"Well, I figured it meant a lot to you since you put a charm on it so no one can open it," He said He stood rocking slightly on his feet with his hands in his robe's pocket.

"So you tried to open it," I said.

His hands flew up in defence, "I was only looking for a name." His smile was laid back and nonchalant, it was contagious.

"It's Paige," I said.

"Nice to meet you," He held out his hand for me to shake and I did.

"Likewise," I said. "But I really should get going because it is late and I don't want to lose any house points, not that they even really mean anything as far as I know. I think professors just say that to scare us." I almost whispered the last part, looking around for any lurking professors.

Cedric laughed, "Well, know that I think about it, you might be right." I laughed too, and it was nice for once to talk and laugh with someone who wasn't the twins. Two new friends in one night? Man, I'm on a roll. But then I remember that Cedric Diggory isn't my friend, he's just here to give me my sketchbook back and then we'll probably never talk again. Besides, it's probably best that I don't get attached.

"Have a good night, and thank you again, really. I would have gone crazy if I lost it," I smiled, starting to walk away to the safety of the common room.

"No problem. I'll see you around," he said and I waved. I could have sworn he just stood there, watching me walk into the common room before I disappear from his sight, but I was too nervous to look back.

Once in the comfort of the common room, I headed to my dorm to find the rest of the girls getting ready for bed.

"Hello, Paige! Did Cedric bring you your book? I said I would take it back to the dorm for you, but he insisted it wasn't a problem," Hermione said.

"Yeah, he just gave it to me in the hallway. I didn't even realize I was missing it. That's strange, though. Why would he go out of his way to bring it to me when you could have easily taken it?" I asked.

"I'm not sure. I let him take it, though, because I knew you had a charm on it so he couldn't open it. Also, Cedric is a good guy so I knew that he'd give it back to you," Hermione said.

"He probably fancies you!" Lavender cut in. She moved from where she was brushing her hair on the bed and jumped onto my bed where I was sitting. Hermione, who was standing near the edge of my bed, moved toward her dresser to grab some pajamas.

"I seriously doubt that, Lavender," I said. "He was just being nice."

"Um, No. Just being nice would be letting Hermione know that your book is there so she can take it back to the dorm for you. He wanted an excuse to talk to you," Lavender said.