For once in her life Hermione didn't wish to sit in a library on her day off. She was sick of being stalked by Viktor Krum as well. She wanted to see the sun. It was like the rays of light reached out to her, longing for her company. Her body trembled as she put her hand on the cold stone wall. Her mind was made up. Hermione would go watch the Gryffindor Quidditch practice with Ginny. As long as they didn't sit anywhere near Ron it'd be a nice day. Hermione smiled as she looked out the window and saw the form of Neville Longbottom running along the grounds after his pet toad Trevor. Hermione walked quickly through the abandoned halls of Hogwarts most of its inhabitants were outside soaking up the sun after what felt like a months worth of rain and storms. Hermione found the lawns to be full of life. New animals looked on at the children from the forest and a particularly annoying lady beetle flew about the grounds getting in everyone's faces. Hermione took a deep breath. It smelled so good to her after being cooped up in a dingy castle for about a month. The smell of the library hung in the back of her mind. The library smelt distinctly of mouldy old books, damp carpet, the occasional stink bomb and Madam Pince who smelt like strong herbs that gave Hermione a headache.
Ginny sat in the upmost part of the grandstand with Neville who had managed to get control of Trevor. Hermione thought to buy Neville a leash for Trevor when she returned to the muggle world. Hermione trudged up the stands avoiding Ron's persistent gaze as she made her way to Ginny's side. She did not wish to listen to Ron's endless talk of Quidditch or the triwizard tournament that started in roughly a week now. She took her place next to Ginny and caught on to the conversation quickly.
"Hey Hermione," Ginny added at the end of her sentence. Ginny could talk underwater.
"Hey guys, it's such a nice day out that I couldn't stay in the library." Hermione said stretching and soaking in the sun.
"It's gonna be a good game too." Neville added.
"Game? What game? I thought this was just practice." Hermione asked not really caring about anything but the fresh new scents and the sun.
"It was practice but seeing as it's such a good day Diggory the Hufflepuff captain asked Wood for a friendly match when they finished their practice. And Wood's in such a good mood he agreed so yeah. You remember Diggory don't you?" Ginny both answered and asked.
"Oh yeah the cute one from the Quidditch cup." Hermione replied.
"Yeah he's staring at you. He's just over to your right standing along side Harry." Ginny said and Hermione turned her head to meet the gaze of Cedric Diggory. He smiled up at her and gave her a nod.
"Wave or something, to see if he is looking at you." Ginny squeaked. Hermione did as the girl demanded. She made a small wave at the golden haired seeker and he promptly waved back. Hermione turned back to Ginny with a look of confusion on her face.
"I think he likes you." Neville added from the other side of Ginny.
"Let's hope so. Oh my gosh Mione I think he's flying up here." Ginny said making Hermione's head turn. "No don't look." Too late Hermione's whole head had turned to face Cedric on his broom. Hermione's mind went blurry. She wanted to shake her head snap herself out of this daze. She wasn't the kind of girl to daydream about boys or blush when they stared at her. But he was so cute and gentlemanly and he could actually keep up an intelligent conversation. She couldn't understand why he had waved like they were good friends. They had only ever really talked at the quidditch cup about quidditch, school, politics and life. They had talked by the fire for the better part of two hours. Once back at Hogwarts they briefly spoke. Sometimes he would talk to her in the library when he was searching for a book or a quick nod in the hall like the one before. Cedric hadn't really paid attention to her lately they hadn't been in the same place at the same time really, until now. Her heart seemed to hammer as he headed towards her and then the whistle sounded. Cedric smiled and took to the skies watching Harry. Ginny waved her hand infront of Hermione's face.
"Well that wasn't one of Hermione Granger's finest moments." Ginny laughed.
"Shut up Gin. What do you think he was coming up here for? Hermione scolded.
"We'll find out later I'm sure." Ginny replied.
"What do you mean Gin?" the girl asked eyes glued on the golden haired seeker.
"Isn't it obvious he's been staring at you since he saw you again at platform 9 and ¾'s. I think he wants to ask you out," Ginny replied. And just like it had been so obvious, Neville simply agreed.
Hermione was deep in her thoughts when suddenly a rouge bludger came hurtling through the air Neville pulled Ginny out of the way but Hermione didn't even have time to think before it collided with her left arm and flew off to its next victim. The game paused and people ran or flew to Hermione.
A series of "Hermione? Are you okay?" Rushed at her. Hermione merely smiled faintly at Ginny and said.
"It could be worse It could have been my right arm and then I wouldn't be able to write any of my work." She laughed slightly before wincing at the pain. The girl duly fainted at the sight of blood and a bone that was popping out of her skin.
"That'd be right more worried about school than her broken arm." Ginny laughed faintly.
"She's so silly." Cedric said smiling and folding her arm to her chest delicately and picked her up.
"It's just a broken arm it'll be okay Mione," he said to Hermione as she grogily came to. "We're taking you to the hospital wing."
Ginny followed him along with Harry Ron and Neville.
Hermione awoke to muffled voices she barely knew what had happenedfor her to end up there until she lightly moved her left arm and then she remembered. The blow of the bludger, someone carrying her and saying it'd be okay and the bones in her arm had to be regrown. She finally awoke to the starchy smell of the infirmary and the faces of her three friends who she remembered followed whoever carried her to the infirmary.
"Hey guys," Hermione said gently moving her arm.
"Oh Hermione you're awake, would you like to go to lunch, Madame said you'd be fine to leave once you woke." Neville said quietly.
"I'm not hungry I'm just going to head to the library I think it's safer there." Hermione replied following the other 4 out the door as they laughed a t her attempt at a joke. Hermione kept walking and suddenly bumped into a very solid something. Serves her right for looking at her shoes when she was thinking and walking at the same time.
"Hermione! Are you okay? I didn't hurt your arm again did I? Please nod or something" came a familiar soothing voice. Hermione looked up and nodded into the worried eyes of Cedric Diggory her knight in shinning robes?
"Ah yes Cedric I'm fine. I was hoping I'd run into." Hermione said quickly. Making Cedric laugh heartily at her little joke. "Oh funny, not literally run into you I'm sorry about that I have a tendency of looking at my feet while I think and walk at the same time." She said blushing as he watched her.
"I noticed," He laughed again.
"Anyway I wanted to say thank you for carrying me to the infirmary Ginny said you waited but had a prefect meeting. But yeah thanks."
"No worries I was kinda hoping I'd catch you so I could ask you something." Cedric said. "Hermione I uh- would you ah- could you help me with my transfiguration homework?" Cedric said looking embarrassed. Hermione didn't know if he said what he wanted to say or if he made something up and it was a very good cover up if he was going to ask her out.
"Yeah no worries, Ced" Hermione replied. "It's the least I could do since you carried me. Poor you. When were you thinking?" She asked.
"Now?" he questioned nervously.
"Oh yeah that's easy I'm on my way to the library where it's safe and full of books to help me help you." She smiled and he smiled too.
"Great lets go." Cedric said grabbing Hermione's hand. She winced in pain and he let go.
"Oh I'm so sorry Hermione I totally forgot I was just so happy to er- get some help" He said, "Let me kiss it better." Cedric said raising her arm and brushing her hand with his lips slowly. Hermione almost fainted.
"Thanks that was nice"
"I know its corny," cedric said looking into Hermione's eyes, "but my mother and i believe it really works."
"Well we'll have to test that theory now won't we?" Hermione giggled as Cedric slipped his hand to Hermione's and led her to the transfiguration section. Hermione looked for the right book to help cedric transform an apple into a cat when suddenly someone blew lightly on her ear making her shiver and jump in respone.
"Made you jump Mione" Cedric smirked.
"You scared me." She replied
"I found the book it makes complete sense now, looks like i didn't need your help sorry. But the good news is it is time for dinner and to find out who the 3 triwizard champions you join me? Dumbledore said we could sit anywhere we liked tonight to show school unity." Cedric said smartly.
"I would love to Cedric." Hermione replied as Cedric slipped his hand into hers again.
