Perfectly Imperfect || C. Diggory

chapter one: introductions

You took a tall step onto the Hogwarts Express for the sixth year in a row since you were eleven. Making your way to the furthest end of the train, you passed all your classmates getting settled into the cozy compartments. With your head down, you observed the bustling students putting their luggage on the overhead racks. The door screeched as you slid it open, claiming the furthest available booth. Usually, you ended up sitting alone - not because you were disliked, you just kept to yourself.

Your body bounced when you plopped down on the cushion of the seat as you carelessly threw your things on the spot across from yourself. Peering into the aisle, you saw the booths filling up with students eager to begin the year. Your heart fell to your stomach when your eyes caught the sight of Cedric Diggory making his way down the lane. Surrounded by his friends, he laughed that effortless laugh that made his admirers swoon.

It was funny, you'd never seen him alone before, in all those years of school together. He always seemed to be surrounded by friends, or girls chasing him like lost puppies. Your thoughts were interrupted by your gaze meeting those familiar silvery eyes. Startled, you tucked back into the safety of the compartment. You prayed that he didn't see you, although you knew he had. You closed your eyes and sighed with embarrassment. Before you could process what was happening, you heard a soft knock from outside the glass door.

"Excuse me, are you saving this spot for anyone? I usually sit with my friends back there, but I offered my spot up to someone else. D'you mind if I sit?" His words were smooth like honey, and your eyes dragged down his figure just the same. Him. Cedric Diggory was staring down at you, awaiting your reply. You could feel heat rushing to your face, knowing it was getting pinker by the second, you looked down before he could see his effect on you.

"You can sit, yeah! Sorry, um, l- let me move my stuff," you stuttered, quickly grabbing your bags from the opposing spot, and cramming it beside you, in the corner. Cedric smiled and placed his bags in the overhead rack before sitting down across from you. 

"I'm Cedric," he said, smiling with a hand out. As you shook his hand, you swallowed up his form, admiring his beauty. He wore a black sweater with the strings hanging down unevenly on his chest, and blue jeans that bunched around his sneakers. When your eyes lifted back up to his inviting smile, you realized you were still shaking his hand. Dropping it, you looked down, embarrassment flooding your cheeks. Cedric's warm smile shifted into a soft smirk.

"I'm y/n." There was an awkward pause following your reply; that kind of thing always seemed to happen when you met new people. You sighed, and leaned your head up against the window, watching as the train took off from Kings Cross Station. Cedric sat quietly, and cleared his throat before speaking up again.

"Are you a Hufflepuff?" he asked, his hands hidden inside his pocket. You saw under the fabric that he was twiddling with his fingers which made your heart ache with endearment.

"Yep, for the past five years." You looked at Cedric, hoping you seemed collected, but the gentle tone of his voice made you dizzy.

"Right, you seemed familiar," he rubbed the back of his neck as if embarrassed, "I should know you, I'm sorry we're just now meeting." Cedric shook his head in self-critique. You looked away at the countryside view outside the window.

"No, no, I don't blame you; I know how it is for you, being followed around by a crowd all the time. You're a busy guy - and weren't you prefect last year too?" Cedric nodded. "It's also my fault, I kind of keep away from crowds."

"I respect that. Sometimes, I wish I could get away for a little, spend some time alone, you know?"

I nodded, "Well, if you ever wanted somewhere to escape to, I could give you some of my hiding spots,"