Innocence

By Faith Rodgers
(Ok, I am not too keen on facts..so I hope you wont mind. ( )

Chapter One- Hermione and Cedric-
"You said that Harry was out here," Hermione's voice was almost accusing. Her hands on her hips, she glared at Cedric Diggory who was leaning against a tree like he had no care in the world. Cedric had said that Harry was waiting for her out here, wanting to show off his new broom. Cedric had led them to a shady spot, where an oak tree stood over their heads.
Cedric raised light gray eyes to her blue, and shrugged. "I say a lot of things." His mouth broke into a grin.
Hermione scoffed at him. "You lied to me!? Why?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
Cedric pushed from the tree with his shoulder and began walking slowly towards her. "Isn't it obvious? I wanted some time alone with you."
Hermione took a step back, then another. "What about Cho? Does Cho know you're out here?" She furrowed her brows together as she mentally thought up excuses she could use next.
Cedric chuckled. "Cho was exciting for the first couple of weeks, but then I got bored with her. I don't think you can bore me. Which is why I accompanied you to the dance two years back."
Hermione looked affronted. "You only asked me because I wasn't boring!? For god's sakes, Cedric, I read every damn day!"
"I'm aware of that." He had stalked her until she had backed into the stone wall of Hogwarts.
Hermione closed her eyes for a brief second and gasped when she opened them. Cedric had somehow, in that small moment with her eyes closed, managed to stand directly in front of her, his hands placed on either side of her shoulders on the stone wall behind her.
Cedric leaned in and nuzzled her cheek with his nose. Hermione sucked in her breath. She didn't want this, and she was going to let him know. She placed her hands on his shoulders and gave a hard push. Cedric chuckled, but didn't budge. Hermione pushed harder and nothing happened.
"Cedric, get away from me!" Hermione stomped hard on his foot and Cedric yowled in pain. He removed his hands, tending to his foot. Hermione chose that moment to take off running in the direction they had come. Cedric cursed and ran after her, not giving a damn about his throbbing foot. He caught up with her in a matter of seconds and threw himself at her. He got her in her back and wrestled her to the ground. Hermione started shrieking loudly, in hopes that a window was open above them and someone could hear her, and that caused Cedric to slam his hand down over her mouth to quiet her squeals.
"You stupid little bitch!" Cedric slapped her and Hermione's hand flew up to her cheek, tears pricking in her eyes. She made little muffled sounds underneath his hand. Cedric had been running his hand up her leg while Hermione's mind was working fast and she thought of something. Hermione licked Cedric's hand and he yelled in disgust, pulling it away from her. Hermione pushed him off her and scrambled up. Cedric was too busy wiping his hand on his robes to notice that she had started running until he looked up. Again, Cedric swore viciously and got to his feet. Hermione was long gone, having already turned a corner and ran up the steps to Hogwarts. Cedric was seriously hoping that she would not squeal to any of the professors that he had tried to attack her. Sighing, Cedric walked slowly back to the entrance of Hogwarts, smoothing out his clothes along the way.

Harry and Ron looked up in surprise when Hermione barged into the Gryffindor Common Room, crying. Others who had been lounging around looked up in surprise too as Harry and Ron rushed to Hermione's side.
"'Ermione, what's wrong? Are you ok?" Ron asked, taking her arm and leading her back into the hall where the three could chat in privacy. Ron had silently noted the dirt smudges on her face and clothes.
Hermione's blue teary eyes looked up at Ron, her nose a bright red and her cheeks a little colorful. "Oh, Ron, Harry, it was horrible! I-It was Cedric! H-h-he tried to at-attack me outside!" Hermione took a deep breath, counting to five to stop her stammering. "He told me Harry had wanted to show me his skills on a broom, and then lead me to an isolated oak tree on the side of Hogwarts that's covered in s-shade." Hermione sniffled, rubbing her eyes with the palm of her hand.
Ron exchanged an angry glance with Harry. Harry looked ready to explode. Ron stared down at the floor in mute fury. After a few moments, Harry's voice broke the silence. "I'm going to kill him," He whispered fiercely. "Where the hell is he?"
Hermione looked at Harry in horror. "Don't kill him Harry. I know he attacked me, but he isn't worth going to Azkaban over." As an afterthought, she muttered gently, "Plus I don't know where he is. I ran away from him." She had seemed to cease her crying, except for the occasional sniffles.
"Hermione's right, Harry. He isn't worth it. But," Ron looked at Hermione intently, "we intend to teach him a lesson. Harry, come with me. Hermione, you go upstairs to the girl's dorm and take a nap. We'll see you at dinner." Ron grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him down the stairs without looking back up at the dismayed Hermione.
"Well?" Harry hissed when Ron pulled him into an empty room used for storage. "What are we going to do?"
Ron actually grinned back at him. "That, my friend, is the fun part." Ron proceeded to tell Harry his plans in whispers.