In the Melancholy Moonlight

Chapter LV: Leaps of Faith

"Living rationally and authentically means understanding that life centrally involves making leaps of faith, both small and large, and that the value of living is to a large extent the value of experiencing your life, whatever that experience is."

L.A. Paul

CEDRIC:

The morning of October 30, I walked into the Great Hall to see that it had been transformed overnight to welcome the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. I smiled at the sight of it, then scanned the room to find Cho. She was sitting by herself at the Ravenclaw table, nose buried in her Transfiguration textbook.

"Good morning, beautiful," I said, pressing my lips to her cheek in a swift kiss. "How are you this morning? Did the potion I gave you for your headache help?"

"Good morning," she replied, blushing as she set her book down. "It did, thank you. I feel alright, but I bet I'll feel even better once today's Transfiguration exam is behind me."

"I know you'll do brilliantly, darling, but is there anything I can do to help?"

She shook her head, black hair swishing around her face. "Just my typical pre-exam nerves. What about you? Are you nervous at all for tonight?"

"For once in my life... not really." I smiled. "On one condition, that is."

"Oh? What might that condition be, may I ask?"

"Will you come with me, when I enter?"

"Of course," she replied, smiling back at me. "I'm offended you even had to ask."

"I didn't have to ask, but I wanted to. It feels more official that way."

Cho laughed. "Always the gentleman, aren't you?"

"I try to be." I kissed her cheek once more. "Best of luck on your test, darling. See you at lunch?"

"Mhm," she murmured, already reading again. I smiled to myself. That's my girl.

I looked up at the doors just as Lucy was walking in, by herself, oddly enough. A quick glance at the Gryffindor table confirmed that the twins were already there, heads bowed together as they spoke in low voices. I crossed the room quickly and greeted her with a smile.

"You're looking rather cheerful," she commented, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "What's up?"

"I wanted to ask you if you'd come with me when I enter my name, whenever and however that happens," I said. "I want you and Cho and Henry to be there, since I wouldn't be doing this without you."

Lucy smiled. "Of course, Ced. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Great, thanks. Now I just need to ask Henry."

"I can't imagine he'd say no," she giggled, "but good luck regardless, I suppose." Her eyes wandered to the Gryffindor table, and she pursed her lips when she spotted the twins. "Oh, this can't be good. I better go see what's wrong."

"Any guesses?" I inquired, curiosity gnawing at me. The twins were so rarely serious, it was a bit disconcerting.

She nodded, rolling her eyes. "Oh yeah, I know exactly who this is about. I just don't know what went wrong this time. I'll see you tonight at the feast if not before!" With that, Lucy firmly planted herself between the twins and looked back and forth between the two of them, not even needing to verbally ask what was going on before they began to explain in hushed, serious tones.