warmth - cedric diggory

chapter nine

athena rosewood had interlocked her fingers within cedric's. her heart was racing a million miles per hour but she felt like she was extremely intoxicated. she was sober, obviously, but being with cedric made her feel light headed and dizzy.

cedric diggory, the golden boy, was holding her hand back. she had just spent an hour and a half leaning against his chest and pulling her face close enough to notice the freckles on his cheeks. every time during the quidditch game she would say something to cedric, she would feel her stomach twist and turn. she purposefully would pull her face close enough to be within kissing reach, hoping and praying he would feel the butterflies she felt.

but maybe he didn't. he probably didn't, athena would tell herself. but she couldn't help but feel like he felt it also because every time they made eye contact, a goofy smile would appear across his adorable face. his stupid, adorable face. the face that athena adored greatly.

everyday, athena began to grow fonder and fonder of cedric diggory. not that she ever hated him before but everyday she noticed how perfect he was. how he carried himself, how he smiled constantly at her, how he laughed at not funny jokes to make his friends feel better.

athena knew that cedric could be quite sheepish. she knew that she had to light the fire between them most days, or athena would like to think there was some sort of connection. cedric diggory, although an amazing and courageous boy, he was terrified. and athena knew this. that is why she grabbed his hand and begun to lead them through the crowd.

the entire game, athena thought about how cedric diggory was hanging out with her friends. he was slowly but surely becoming a guest in their group. ivy, belle, and edmund were not stopping any sort of relationship towards them either.

as athena rosewood held his hand, closely following edmund and the two other girls, she thought about how badly she wanted cedric to be around her more. how badly she wanted cedric to plant a kiss on her cheek in the morning. she quickly reminded herself that cedric probably didn't want the same but if he didn't, why was he holding her hand?

edmund had begun to talk to some random gryffindor's. ivy had broken loose of edmunds protective hand and was lost somewhere in the crowd. probably with draco, athena smiled to herself with this thought. she really hoped ivy and draco were happy together.

cedric diggory was holding her hand tightly as he stood next to her. she was still wearing his coat, which she was awfully grateful for. it kept her warm throughout the game and the lovely gesture from cedric made her want to kiss him immediately.

they didn't let go of each other's hands as they walked through the hall with edmund and belle, they didn't let go until cedric realized he had a prefect meeting hours after the game. belle, edmund. athena, and cedric had hung out in the common room after the game.

they studied for about an hour before cedric realized he had to leave. athena and cedric hadn't even left each other's hands, hiding their hands under cedrics coat that athena wore, until cedric finally had to let go.

athena wanted to kiss his cheek when he left. she wanted to kiss his lips as he said goodbye and she didn't realize how swoon she had been for him.

"are you going to explain the crush you have for cedric diggory?" edmund had begun to tease as soon as cedric left the common room. athena jumped when the round door closed, immediately missing his presence. and then immediately realizing she missed him.

"i have no idea what you are speaking of." athena quickly opened a book that sat beside her and tried to understand what it read as. but as she attempted to read the words, she realized the only thing she could think about was cedric diggory.

the boy with the cutest smile. the hufflepuff prince, she told herself. the boy who could put a cheesy smile on her face with just one glance. the boy who loved unconditionally and fully. the boy she believed she was not worthy of.

"don't be a bloody idiot, athena." belle was having a right grin across her face as she spoke. "we can tell that you guys have something going on." her words made athena feel softer. it made her think, does cedric actually have some sort of crush on me?

she had an idea that maybe he did but then she reminded her self that he probably didn't. after all, he was cedric diggory. every girl in the school basically wanted him. he was absolutely perfect in every way.

"i don't know what you are talking about." athena didn't raise her head from the book even though she had yet to read a single sentence. as much as athena thought and thought, she told herself, he didn't actually like her. and she didn't want false remarks in her mind.

"he's obviously got a crush on you." edmund 's words were low in tone when he spoke.

"really?" athena quickly lashed her head up to meet edmunds eyes. if anyone in this world would tell athena about the truth of another boy, it would be edmund.

"yes, love. i don't think he even tries to hide it anymore." edmund was smiling to her, it was a genuine smile. athena couldn't help but allow a goofy smile form along her pink cheeks. she didn't think cedric would like her but if edmund was telling her this, he meant it.

athena knew that edmund was extremely protective of her and the two other girls. it took a very long time for edmund not to absolutely despise draco malfoy. when ivy first started to speak of him in a more serious manner, edmund would be obviously upset. but after months and months of ivy confessing her true love for him, edmund decided to give him another chance.

athena knew that cedric and her sweet edmund were beginning to get close. she often thought about it edmund knew more than she did, but then she told herself that edmund would tell her things about cedric. possibly.

"athena, i think you should tell edmund about..." belle's words were lost for a moment. "amortentia." belle had a very serious express on her face, her blonde hair had been pushed behind her ears. athena let out a loud sigh.

"when we smelt amortentia the other day in potions, i smelt cedric. i didn't expect this, but i did. i don't know what to do, edmund." athena rested her forehead against the palms of her warm hands. the brown hair she held on her head had begun to fall slowly in front of her face.

she was somewhat embarrassed. even though edmund said that he thought that cedric liked her, she was embarrassed telling edmund that she actually liked him. athena's cheeks begun to burn as she closed her eyes to see the darkness underneath.

a few moments later, the sound of shoes jumping against the hufflepuff common room caused athena to look up. edmund had suddenly stood up and was throwing his hands in the air.

"what are you doing?" athena spoke, a small smiling forming across her cheeks as edmund had started to form some sort of dance. she couldn't help but giggle.

"you know i have potions with cedric, correct?" edmund said, leaning down to athena and placing his hands on her knees. she desperately nodded her head, waiting for his next words. "he smelt your scent, athena."