Just when I had released a long sigh and was resting my face on my palm while waiting for Professor McGonagall to make the start of term announcements, a chill ran up my spine. A slight shiver escaped me as I spun around in my seat only to find myself looking directly into the gray pools of Cedric Diggory’s eyes.

“It’s three minutes after three,” Theo said, his voice rugged as if he had only just woken up himself, “You’re officially eighteen.” My mouth fell open, but nothing came out. It was really sweet of him. So sweet, in fact, that I had to bite my lip to withhold tears as I thought back to other mornings like this one. “Sorry to wake you up,” he continued, “I just figured it was important that you cherished the moment. I didn’t want you to think that you were that easily forgotten. You’re not.”

His hand released its vice-like grip on my wrist and hesitantly moved to join his other hand which was pressed flat against the floor to the side of my waist. My breath was coming in soft pants as I felt his shift from my neck to my lips. The sweetness of it made my mouth water and a shiver run up my spine. Cedric moved just slightly, lifting the weight of his body off of mine and causing me to open my eyes. Then, he inched forward just the slightest of bits so that now we were face to face.

“Are you alright?” he asked, the concern etched in his tone making me cringe to myself.

“No, I’m not,” I sighed, running a quivering hand over my forehead to push back my hair. “Not at all. I’m so sorry.”

“Hermione, whatever it is-”

“It won’t be okay, Ron,” I interrupted, fixing him with a stare full with sorrow and regret.