stages of denial

ch 4

"so you're actually going to break curfew, on your first night!?" hermione spoke loudly as she tugged at her pajamas.

"hush!" isabel looked around at the other girls that now started to pay attention to them.

"i'm just saying, don't get caught." hermione tucked herself into bed.

"i will do my best ron lover." isabel smirked at her.

"shut up about it!" hermione playfully chucked her pillow her way, earning a laugh from both the girls.

—

"cedric?" isabel spoke in a hushed tone, her heart racing as she walked into the great hall.

"you actually came." his figure made shape in a dark corner, a surprised look resting on his face.

"wait was it a joke, oh god am i about to get egged?" isabel looked around nervously.

"egged?" cedric laughed at her nonsense, shaking his head at her.

"it's something that happens in the real world, they you know, throw eggs at you." isabel shrugged her shoulders.

"and have you been egged?" his head titled curiously

"that is a secret i will never tell." her eyes looked up at him, a small smile forming on her lips.

"oh my, you have been egged." cedric laughed quietly, both of them trying to keep their voices to a minimum.

"shut up." she rolled her eyes playfully, walking past him and looking around in complete admiration of the empty room.

"so you've really never heard of this place?" cedric followed behind her, looking where she looked.

"not until my parents were ready to send me away." she knew they did what they thought was best, but it still hurt.

"i'm sorry." he spoke sincerely, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"for the better, for them." she turned toward him, fully taking in his figure now.

"but not for you?" his eyes wandered her face and her body, her hair was long and brown, her eyes were green, her cheeks had a natural red glow to them, or maybe she was blushing.

"i don't know yet." she looked down at her hands, toying with her robes.

"well, i've known you a half a day, and i enjoy you being here." his voice fell to a gentle whisper, his hands finding hers.

she sat there flustered, her cheeks burning and her hands not knowing how to react to his touch.

"you've ever heard of ballroom dancing?" her eyes looked back up at him.

"heard of it, yes, attempted it, no," his eyes looked questioningly at her, "why?"

"here, give me your hand." at her request he obliged, locking fingers with her with his left hand.

"and then," she gulped before looking back up at him and speaking quietly, "put your hand on my waist."

his eyes studied her, wondering if this was a test of his respect, "are you sure?"

"it's just my waist silly, yes." she guided his hand around her waist and placed her own on his shoulder.

they stood there for a moment, both admiring the other and reminiscing in the touch.

"now, try and follow me." she took one step, cedric following her shortly after.

"this is impossible." cedric spoke with a small laugh, completely missing every step she took.

"just, move with me." she took a step closer to him, causing them both to take in breath.

she glided to the left and he moved with her, soon they became in sync.

"ready?" she spoke softly at him.

"for what?" he looked concerned.

before he could object she raised there hands and began spinning the man that stood before her.

"now correct me if i'm wrong, but i think you're the one that's supposed to be spinning." they both giggled at his comment, still hand in hand.

"voices sir, i heard voices." a loud voice boomed from the hallways, sending both of them to run into a corner, pressed against one another.

"now now, all the students are in bed." dumbledore's voice rang as he opened the doors to the great hall.

cedric's finger raised to isabel's lips, her head nodded slowly. her body faced cedric as they were tightly enclosed. cedric's eyes watched as dumbledore walked into the room.

"see, empty, now leave me to bed." dumbledore huffed before making his way out and closing the door behind him.

in this moment there eyes had met, a wave of relief brushing over both of them.

his arms found their way back around her waist, as his glance fell from her eyes.

steadily her arms wrapped around his neck, her eyes nervously focused on the ground.

"i'm glad you came." he whispered softly, one hand falling from her waist and raising as he brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"me too." she spoke quietly, smiling at the feeling of his touch against her skin.

"can i egg you now?" cedrics gentle smile had turned into a playful grin.

"shut up!" she shook her head, taking her hands away from his neck.

his hands slowly slipped away from her, watching as she began to head to the doors.

"we should get back." her hand grasped the door, looking back at him.

"goodnight isabel." cedric cooed before making his way through the doorway.

"goodnight cedric." she smiled at him before turning her walk into a run and safely making her way into the dorm.