Cerulean - Fred Weasley

Chapter 10 - Madame Puddifoot's tea shop

"You sure you don't want to come with us to honeydukes?"

"Sorry, what?" Simone blinked, looking up from her plate of eggs. Sophie was glaring daggers at her. "What's wrong Soph?"

"You, Ruth and I always go to Hogsmeade together. Now you're going to blow us off for a date?"

"It's not a date, I'm just going with Cedric."

"Come off it." Roger snorted from behind his newspaper. "He's the Hogwarts champion."

"The dashingly handsome Hogwarts champion," Ruth added, eyes glinting.

Simone felt herself blush, grateful that her darker skin masked her embarrassment. "He says we're going to tea. and Soph, I'll ditch him later and hang out with you guys at the three broomsticks as usual." She patted the blonde on the back.

"Have fun at this tea." Roger snicked again.

Simone glared at him. "Is there something you'd like to share with the class Davies?"

"Trust me, you'll understand later."

Scarfing down the last few bites of scrambled eggs, Simone dusted herself off. She was to meet Cedric by the gate in a few minutes. Stop acting so nervous. you've never been this flustered girl before. Simone paced up and down the courtyard. 

"Trés a la mode," Fleur commented, surveying Simone's outfit as she walked through the gates. Simone had spent a while deciding what to wear, eventually settling on jeans, a white turtleneck, topped with a black peacoat and a cashmere scarf.  Just as she began to worry, she spotted Cedric's neatly combed blond hair.

"Hey. You like nice" He smiled at her.

"Thanks," She said rather breathlessly. 

They stared at each other for a moment. "Er, should we get going?" 

After quickly signing out with filch, they began the long trudge towards Hogsmeade. It was a windy sort of day. Fall had truly set in, the November breeze pulling the last shrivelled leaves from the trees. 

"Have you been missing the quidditch season?" Cedric finally said.

"Definitely. My weeks feel pretty empty without practice to distract me."

"I was supposed to be captain this year, fat load it does me now."

"Wow. captain, prefect, and Hogwarts champion? you're quite the catch."

The subject of prefects and quidditch carried them right to the gates of Hogsmeade. The pair stopped at Dervish and Bangs for eagle feather quills, then at honey dukes for crystallized pineapple. 

"Shall we head on up to the shrieking shack?" Simone asked. They had been shopping for just over an hour. Cedric was his normal charming self.

"Nah, it's too much of a hike. Besides, I haven't been there since third year."

"Oh" she replied, slightly deflated. A strong wind nearly knocked her over, as cold as frozen iron. "How about we get something to drink instead?"

"I know just the place!" Cedric led her off of the main street to a little shop painted a garish shade of pink. "this is Puddifoot's." 

The inside was even more frivolous than the outside. The small space was crammed full of pink pouffy chairs and spindly tables adorned with lace doilies and silk ribbons. "Would you like a table my dears?" asked a rosy-cheeked woman.

"Yes please" replied Simone.

"Excellent. I will seat you two love birds by the window."

"Thank you madame Puddifoot." Cedric said warmly.

Simone gazed out the fogged-up window, doing her best to ignore the snogging couples that surrounded them. 

"Is your tea any good?"

"Yes. Yes, it's fine. Earl grey, just how I like it. How's your coffee?"

"It's okay. How have your classes been?"

"Pretty good, transfiguration is tough..." She trailed off. It was too much, the kissing couples, the gaudy decorations, madame Puddifoot's lingering gaze...

"Are you alright?" She snapped back, meeting Cedric's concerned eyes.

"Could we leave?' She slammed down a few sickles and tore out of the shop, Cedric hot on her heels. She took a few deep breaths of the cold, fresh air. "Sorry it was too hot in there, I felt quite claustrophobic"

"No need to apologize. I feel like that at family gatherings, all those aunts trying to kiss me."

She laughed. "You should meet some of my African cousins"

They talked the whole way back. By the time they reached the Hogwarts courtyard, Simone was feeling completely relaxed. 

"I had a great time today." she smiled at Cedric. "Truly."

"Me too." She looked into his honeyed eyes and suddenly felt his lips on hers. The kiss was soft and gentle, whether it lasted for minutes or seconds she couldn't tell. She heard a snicker from behind her and they broke apart quickly.

Harry and Hermione were staring at them. Harry trying to suppress his giggles. 

"Er, sorry about that Simone," Hermione said awkwardly. "But some people" she glared at harry "have the maturity of a three-year-old."

"Not to worry." Cedric grinned, wiping his lips. "Hello, Harry" Harry smirked. "Well, I should be getting back to my common room. Bye Simone." His lips brushed her cheek and he was off.

"I can't believe you're dating a Hogwarts champion!" Hermione squealed once Cedric was out of earshot.

"Quiet" Simone hissed. "and we aren't dating." 

"Then why were you making out?" Harry asked. 

"Ok, first of all, I've talked to you like three times Harry, you don't have a say." Harry smirked at her. "Secondly, he's the one who kissed me!" 

"Ugh, Cedric Diggory. All the girls in my year are going to murder you!" Hermione exclaimed.

Simone laughed. "Yeah, his fan club is not going to be pleased." She looked at them. "Hey, isn't there usually three of you? Where's the Weasley kid?" 

"He's off being a prat," Harry said darkly.

"He's upset that Harry was chosen for the goblet of fire," Hermione explained. 

"I see. well, I better get going. Nice seeing you guys." Simone waved goodbye and trudged up to the common room. The dorm was empty, everyone was still at Hogsmeade. She sighed, drawing the curtains around her bed. "Astromoanta" she whispered. A miniature milky way shot out of her wand, adorning the air with glittering constellations. Her date wasn't what she expected. Had she built her hopes up too high? Cedric had been a perfect gentleman. But still, something was missing.

Sighing, she opened her textbook and began her homework.