Strawberry and Vanilla (Cedric Diggory AU)

Chapter Fifteen: Kissed Her

He slid his hand under her jaw, pressing his lips firmly to hers. His lips were slightly chapped, but his kiss was gentle and he tasted a bit like an apple. Hermione's heart sped and she was sure he could hear it pounding. She kissed him back, resting a hand on his chest and sitting up so she was slightly above him. Cedric tucked her hair behind her ear with his opposite hand. It was more than perfect. She smelled like strawberries, as usual. She was sweet.

        The kiss lasted fourteen seconds, before he pulled away, sliding his hand out from under her jaw. He bit his lip, waiting for a reaction from her. His heart beat faster than it ever had. It was impulsive. His brain short-circuited and he kissed her. He ran a hand through his hair, studying her perfect face. Hermione didn't know what to say or do. Cedric remained confused.

        "You kissed me."

        "I'm sorry."

        They said at the same time. Cedric began to feel the dread creep up on him. She didn't want to kiss him? Or she was going to regret it... Or he now ruined everything he had with her? She kissed him back, though. Was it out of pity? So she wouldn't have to shove him away and embarrass him?

        "I'm sorry, Hermione. It won't happen again." Cedric said solemnly. He felt his heart being tugged down to his stomach again as he struggled to stand up. He couldn't face her.

        "No, Cedric, stay," Hermione said, grabbing his sleeve. She was flustered, more so than she'd ever been. Her cheeks were a brilliant magenta and the blush spread up to her nose, making her face hot with the rising blood.

        He stopped trying to escape her and sat down in the grass. "I like you, Hermione. A lot, actually. It was obvious, I thought? Your friends detected it, so did mine. I've liked you for a while now... I've wanted to do that for a while now and I apologize if it was too soon or you didn't like it. What I won't apologize for is liking you."

        "I like you too... only recently discovered," Hermione breathed, smiling hard. It was harder to confess in her mind, but once it was announced she felt elated. It was simple. "No, don't apologize for anything that was... perfect!"

                Cedric laughed breathily, "I was so scared there for a moment.

        "It's okay. More than okay," Hermione grinned.

        Cedric spread out on the grass again, thrilled. "Do you want to go out with me? On a date? A proper date? To tell you the truth I didn't plan on confessing today. Or kissing you."

        Hermione blushed deeper with each one of the boy's words, before moving herself next to him again. "Yes, I would want to go out with you. More than anything." She paused to think for a moment, "I have to ask, though, why me? I'm well, not Daphne Greengrass..."

        "Daphne Greengrass isn't you," Cedric looked at her, moving a bit closer.  "I keep telling you that you're beautiful. That's not all I like, though it is what I've said. You're incredibly smart and have a very attractive personality. There's nobody like you. There's a million Daphne Greengrass'."

        "I'm very bookish," Hermione objected, "You really like that?"

        "I do, very much so," Cedric nodded excessively, "Everything. Everything about you."

         "Then it's a settled yes. I will go out with you," Hermione's breath trembled, her smile not falling and not to fall for hours. She fancied him and he fancied her and he had kissed her. He wasn't her first kiss, as Viktor Krum had pecked her lips before leaving for Bulgaria once more. But this was a more immeasurable kiss. It meant more, it lasted longer. Cedric was sweet and gentle, though extemporaneous, while Krum had hesitated to only peck her.