Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter thirty four-at least i'll die hot

"Lestrange"
"Malfoy"

I inserted my second diamond earring in with shaking hands as I turned away from the hallway mirror, my dazzling gown swaying with grandeur. I had never seen Draco Malfoy in dress robes, and he seemed more matured, like a proper gentleman. his eyes flicking up and down, coyly observing me in a way that made me feel extremely self-conscious

"What a pity such an expensive gown has to be wasted clinging onto such filth"
"You're spending a lot of time admiring this filth"
"Not admiration, Lestrange. More like...pity"
"Have a good night, Malfoy" I said, trying to descend the staircase but he called out from behind me
"Where's pretty boy? Ditched you before the ball's even begun?"

I instantly pressed my nails into my skins, before flinching slightly as I realized my previous scars hadn't healed. His eyes darted to my hands, lingering there before I hid them behind my back

"He's downstairs, waiting for me. Not that it's any of your business" I breathed, walking down the stairs, my delicate heels clicking against the stone. When I made it down, I smiled at the sight of Cedric in black dress robes over a white dress shirt, his styled hair already slightly messed up. He was chatting with his friends, his face glowing as his friend pointed me out from afar.

"Hey there stranger" I said, but he just stared at me, completely stunned, "what's wrong, do I have something in my tee-"
He cut me off with a swift kiss, one hand firmly on my waist and the other caressing my cheek, when he pulled away to look at me, he finally said
"You...you're perfect"

I would've given anything to let the night last forever. The hall was a glitteringly decorated wonderland of silver and white, the music never ending and the drinks ever flowing.I danced until my feet were soar, then I tossed my heels aside and danced some more. When the music has quieted Cedric led me down the hall into a hidden garden, fairy lights glittering above from the trees. I tripped slightly over a fallen branch, and Cedric scooped me up into him arms in one swift motion, carrying me bridal style through the garden as we laughed about pointless conversation. Coming upon a fountain with a steady flow of water streaming from a sculpture of a goddess. Sitting me down carefully on a stone bench, I set my head down onto his lap, looking at up the twinkling lights as he stroked my hair

"Did you work on the golden egg like I told you to?"
"I'm really close, (y/n)"
"You're just gonna keep saying that until it's the day of the task and you have no bloody idea what's in the egg, Ced" I lectured, swatting away a giant beetle that was perched on my leg
"I love it when you call me that" he said
"Is that the only thing you got from that?" I said rolling my eyes
"Call me that again, please"
"No, Mr. Diggory" I teased him
"Oh that's even better. Good thinking, getting familiar with my last name"
"Why is that?" I asked, gazing up at him
"It'll be yours one day"

And just like that, my lips were on his, sitting up to better face him, and he instinctively wrapped his strong arms around my small figure. I had never felt more at home anywhere else. Not at the Lestrange mansion, not at hogwarts, not at the burrow

But here. With a boy who had managed to figure me out in the blink of an eye.

My hand came in contact with Ron's face with a deafening crack, the impact of my force making him stumble back before regaining his balance, holding his red face and staring at me in shock while I screamed

"You bloody idiot, Ronal Bilius Weasley! What in merlin's name is wrong with you!?" I said scathingly, infuriated at the fight between him and Hermione, who had just run up the stairs in tears, "why do you always have to be so fucking stubborn,Ronald, why couldn't you just admit you were jealous?"
"Should we..." Cedric asked Harry uncertainly as they stood watching from the sidelines, and Harry shook his head, replying
"Better to just let her get it all out, besides, she's making some valid points"
"You just can't deal with the fact that you have been in love with her for years, but were too much of a pussy to just ask her to the ball. What, did you expect for her to sit around and wait for you to grow a pair of balls? No! She doesn't owe you anything! Either man up and apologise for being a dick, or pretty soon, you won't have one!"

Our entire friend group came to the unspoken conclusion that not a word was to be mentioned of last night. Though Hermione and Ron were behaving rather formally to each other, I had heavier weights to bear.

"Prophet exclusive: (y/n) Lestrange spotted entangled in hogwarts triwizard participant Cedric Diggory
Last night at the traditional Yule ball hosted at hogwarts school for witchcraft and Wizardry, reliable eyewitness state that (y/n) Lestrange was spotted multiple times in the close company of Cedric Diggory. (Y/n) has also managed to keep the unexpected second hogwarts champion wrapped around her finger, Harry Potter was unavailable for comment on how he is handling this recent blow to his heart. With the past events in mind, it seems (y/n) Lestrange has taken a liking to champions, bouncing around from one to the next"

"Reliable eyewitnesses?" I questioned skeptically, tossing aside the paper and continuing with my breakfast, "who was their source-Helen Keller?"
"Yeah, Harry how are you taking this recent blow to your heart?" Ron said mockingly, and we all laughed
"I mean, honestly, bouncing around from one champion to the next?" Hermione said, reading the article with an air of disdain
"Oi, Fleur, wanna make out then?" I called across the room to the blonde sitting next at the Hufflepuff table and she giggled loudly, giving me two thumbs up
"What's this I hear about making out with Fleur?" Cedric said disgruntled, walking me to the library where I was meeting Ron, Hermione, and Harry in an effort to prepare Harry for the next task tomorrow
"Haven't you heard? I've taken a liking to champions" I said, pressing a crumpled up copy of the newspaper to his chest as we reached the doors of the library.
"How did she...we were alone in that garden how did she get that?" He said in disbelief, staring at the animated photo of myself in my billowing gown laying in his arms, our teeth bared as we laughed heartily, no doubt, about something stupid
"I'm just glad they got my good side" I joked, "I'll see you at dinner?"
"'Course you will" he replied, leaning down and pressing his lips softly against mine before I walked into the library

"You three look like shit" I commented, sitting down at their book-littered table and adding a few of my own copies, "ooo making your nose hair grow into ringlets? Sounds invigorating"
"Be a real talking point, wouldn't it" Fred said, emerging from behind w bookshelf with George in tow
"Fred and George Weasley in a library?" I said with mock amazement, "the apocalypse is upon us!"
"Ha ha ha, (y/n)" George said sarcastically
"But really, what're you doing here?" Ron asked
"Looking for you three" George said, pointing at Ron, Hermione, and me, "McGonagall wants you"
"Why?" Hermione asked, looking worried
"Dunno, but she looked real grim" Fred replied.
"Take as many books as possible, we'll meet you back in the common room" I instructed to Harry, who nodded weakly

The walk to McGonagall's office was uneasy. Hermione went on a nervous rants, fretting about every single mistake she's ever made in transfiguration, slowly but surely convincing herself McGonagall was going to fail her. When we entered the classroom, I was surprised to see Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle, sitting meekly in a chair. When she saw me, she smiled and waved a small hand

"Right well, now that you're all hear, I suppose it's time" Professor McGonagall started, accompanied by the triwizard judges
"You are all here, because you are what each champion values the most!" Ludo Bagman announced to confused glances, "tomorrow, the champions will arrive to the lake to retrieve their most prized possessions from the bottom of the lake, guarded by vicious merpeople. Their task will be to come to the rescue of yourselves, and to do it speedily. Of course, this will require your utmost consent, but know, you are completely void of danger throughout the task!" He ended cheerily, looking around at our stunned faces
"So we're like...bait?" Ron said uncertainly
"No no, of course not!" Bagman said, shocked at the suggestion, "you four are simply motivation for our champions to successfully complete their tasks. If you were to participate, you'd be put under a sleeping potion, you wouldn't feels thing until you resurface above the water"
"What if we don't resurface?" Hermione asked
"If your corresponding champion fails at their tasks, you will be magical transported safely back to shore" Professor Dumbledore responded calmly
"I'll do it" I said, to uncertain looks from my friends, "what? If I die at least I die hot"
"Excellent, Mr. Diggory will be delighted" Ludo Bagman said, handing me a small vial of sleeping draught
"That his girlfriend is lying unconscious at the bottom of the lake surrounded by violent armed magical creatures?" I said, popping the cork and raising the glass bottle to my lips, "I'm sure he'll be just elated"

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hands, letting the potion fog my mind and soon, my muscles grew weak and my vision failed.