Perfectly Imperfect || C. Diggory

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨 || 𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰

I climbed into my soft covers and put my head on my fluffy pillow. I stared up at the roof of my bed, making pictures in the wood pattern above. The mattress was comfortable and the pillow wasn't lumpy at all, but for some reason I just couldn't fall asleep.

It was around one thirty in the morning when I decided to sneak down to the Hufflepuff Common Room. I quietly creeped out of my bed and tiptoed to the door. I slowly opened it, making sure it made as little creak sounds as possible.

I walked down the small hallway, and sat entered the common room. It was dark, and warm, not the uncomfortable kind, though. The room had a yellow-orange tint, due to the torches' flames. I found a book on one of the side tables and picked it up. I read the spine of the book and it was only a potions textbook. I didn't see anything else that brought much interest to me, so I decided to read a few pages anyway.

"Hey." A familiar voice whispered. I flinched and looked up to see Cedric. He continued down the hallway, and a happy glow shone on his face when he stepped into the light.

"Cedric? What are you doing awake?" I whisper-shouted. He walked over to me and sat on the available cushion on the couch.

"I could ask you the same thing." He smiled. "I heard some footsteps and wanted to investigate."

"I take it you couldn't fall asleep either?" I sighed. Somehow, I felt comfortable around him. Like we really were friends. I lifted his legs, and rested them on the wooden table, yawning. It was like he felt exactly how I felt. I was tired, but couldn't sleep.

"Yeah, I can never sleep on the first night. What are you reading?" Cedric asked.

"Just some potions textbook. It's kind of boring." I answered, placing the book back on the table.

"Oh." There was a silence for a moment and Cedric broke it. "I like your necklace." He scooted himself closer to me, lifted his hand towards my neck, and touched my silver necklace. His hand was warm, and the thought of him being that close to me gave me butterflies.

"Thanks, my mother gave it to me." I replied. Cedric studied the cross pendant for a moment, and then let go. My heart was racing, and I slowly took a breath in, hoping Cedric wouldn't notice my anxiousness. Though, I didn't think he would, considering how oblivious he had already shown himself to be.

"It's beautiful." He said. I smiled, and he smiled back warmly. "I'm sorry." I made a confused face, and scoffed softly, looking up at him.

"W-what? Why the hell would you be sorry, I only met you today." I exclaimed, bewildered.

"I'm just sorry I've never talked to you before. We're in the same year, same house, yet I haven't spoken to you once." Cedric shook his head. I smiled, realizing how funny this actually was. He genuinely felt bad for not having talked to me before.

"Cedric, that's really no big deal. You're always surrounded by people, being busy, and such. I don't even know how you make time for yourself." I explained.

"All I'm saying, is I wish we became friends sooner, because you're really nice. I'm glad we met." He smiled, and the butterflies appeared again. He exhaled deeply, staring out into nothing. I was too nervous to say anything back, and even if I tried, it would probably come out in garbled sounds anyway. "I should probably get going."

"Okay, um, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow." I replied. Cedric nodded, and walked back to his dorm. I sighed. I couldn't help it.

Nothing had felt more perfect. Cedric and I were friends, I was at Hogwarts, I was away from my evil step father, and I had two incredible roommates. After sitting in the common room for a while, aimlessly picking around at things, and observing the dust particles on the mantelpiece, I finally got tired enough to sleep, and silently walked back to my dorm.

"Y/n! What are you doing? We heard you down in the common room with someone. Care to explain?" Jenn whispered, as I opened the door. I jumped, startled. I climbed back into my bed, and felt myself get even more tired when I felt the cool sheets on my four-poster.

"Oh, um, sorry to wake you guys. I was just with a friend. Neither of us could sleep." I explained, getting under my covers.

"Which friend?" Olivia asked, sitting up. I looked down, and tried to hide a smile. I hardly knew these girls. I didn't even know if I should trust them. I mean, what kind of person tells another person one of their biggest secrets after knowing each other for approximately six hours? No one. Jenn and Olivia grinned.

"Do you happen to have a crush on this friend?" Jenn asked. I guess my attempt at hiding my blush didn't work out as planned. You know what? Who gives a shit? I'll tell them, who cares?

"Maybe a little bit." I replied, with a giggle.

"So who's the lucky guy?" Olivia laughed.

"...Cedric Diggory." I replied, quietly.

"You're kidding." Olivia said, trying to contain her excitement. "He's totally popular. I think you guys would be so cute!"

"Yeah! Aw, y/n and Cedric. It even sounds cute!" Jenn exclaimed. I smiled and fell back onto my bed.

"Thanks guys, but I'm going to bed now. So, if you'll excuse me," I said, before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, I rolled out of bed and changed into my robes.

I walked down to the Great Hall with Jenn, Olivia, and the rest of the Hufflepuffs. Olivia sat across from me, and Jenn sat on my right. I was about to begin eating, when Cedric came behind me. He covered my eyes and said, "Guess who?"

"Um, Snape?" I joked. "I'm kidding. Cedric, I hope. If it's not, please get your hands off my face." Cedric laughed.

"It's me." Cedric replied, sitting to the left of me.

"Well, good morning, Cedric." I smiled. Jenn looked at me, and winked. Cedric looked confused. Hopefully, he didn't know what was going on.

"So, are you excited for class this morning?" Cedric asked.

"Yeah, but I know I'll be dreading classes by the end of the week. I always love the first couple days of school, but after that, life goes downhill." I laughed. Cedric smiled, and I awkwardly took a bite of my buttered toast.

"What class do you have this morning, y/n?" Olivia asked me.

"Oh, Herbology I think." I replied, taking another bite.

"I do too! I can't believe our luck." Cedric replied, happily. Jenn gave me a wide-eyed smile and I tried not to laugh. I talked with Cedric, Jenn, and Olivia for the rest of breakfast and then headed off to Herbology.

"Hey, y/n!" Neville called to me. He was in his fourth year, but being so witty in Herbology, he got moved up to the advanced, sixth year class. Neville had liked me since his second year, but we remained only friends.

"Good morning, everyone!" Professor Sprout cheered. I smiled at her, and Neville got excited as usual.

"Please take out your One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi textbook, as well as some parchment and a quill." Sprout continued.

"Getting work already? Just splendid." Cedric whispered to me. I giggled a little bit and caught the professor's attention.

"Mr. Diggory, and Ms. l/n, would you like to share your whispers with the class?" Professor Sprout asked, tilting her head.

"Sorry, Professor." Cedric and I said, in unison. She nodded and continued to teach. At the end of class I walked out with Cedric, but his friends snatched him away from me once again.

"Of course. I forgot all about how popular he was." I muttered to myself. I made my way back up to the dormitories to get my potions textbooks.

"Hey, how was class?" Olivia asked.

"It was great! Cedric and I got in trouble for talking though." I chuckled.

"Aw, you were talking to Cedric again? Tell me more!" Olivia exclaimed.

"Forget about me! You didn't tell me who you like! It's not fair. " I replied.

"Fine, I like Oliver Wood." Olivia gushed. "Happy now?"

"Very. Now, we'll talk about all this tonight, but I've got to head to potions. See you later!"