My eyes snapped open. I looked around. I was still sitting in the common room.

Thank heavens. It was just a dream.

I sat up in my chair and stretched. "Oh, hey Rose," Penelope Clearwater walked past me. "Cedric Diggory was just here and I told him I'd wake you up, but he said he'd come by and get his scarf tomorrow."

"Oh," my heart sank in both relief and disappointment. "Thanks." She disappeared and I sat pensive for a long while. I felt like an idiot- why would I try to finish #56 within a day of finally getting to know Cedric? It was crazy! It wouldn't be adventurous, it would be whore-ish!

I thanked my lucky stars I had fallen asleep like I had. I could just picture his response:

"What's wrong with you, Rose? I mean, I don't like you enough to do THAT..."

Phew.

I finally headed up to my bed. Ellen, who was sitting on her bed reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, started flipping out as I came in.

"Well, how was it?"

"Didn't happen." I whispered, afraid we would wake up some of the other girls.

"HE REJECTED YOU?"

"NO, SHH!" I whispered frantically. "I fell asleep. Penelope Clearwater sent him off before I could even say hello."

"Oh, you didn't even go anywhere with him?"

"No."

"Well, maybe next time." She said nonchalant.

"No, I don't think so." I plopped down on my bed next to hers and started to take off my shoes and socks. "It seems really crazy the more I think about it."

She heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank GOD!"

I laughed, standing up to take off my sweater. "You're pleased?"

"Yes, of course! I just went along with it because I was being a good friend." She smiled, setting her book down and sliding under the covers.

"No one will blame me for crossing that off my list, will they?"

"Not unless they're right foul gits." She leaned over and put a hand on my shoulder. "But I do still think you should go after him. He's a wonderful guy, far as I've heard from Ernie. He'd be an excellent boyfriend."

Ernie, Ellen's boyfriend, was in Hufflepuff with Cedric, and liked to think they were closer friends than they actually were. Ernie was a very nice guy, but not the coolest of the bunch.

"I think you're right, Ell. And Cedric told Penelope he'd be by tomorrow to see me." I grinned.

"We have tomorrow off as well." She put her hair up for bed.

"Really?" I grinned again.

"Yes, I guess a first year brewed his forgetfulness draft incorrectly, and blew up part of the dungeon! Dumbledore's cancelled classes tomorrow so the teachers can help repair the damage, plus a bunch of first years are in the Hospital Wing with major burns. I guess it was your lucky day 'cause it sure wasn't theirs." She giggled.

"I'm feeling a trip to Hogsmeade is in order."

"We'll ask Flitwick in the morning." She finally blew out the candle next to her bed and turned over.

The next morning we left the faculty lounge area, happier than ever. I just happened to be one of Flitwick's favorite students, so he gave us four passes to leave the school grounds. We started heading back to our dorms to get changed when I heard someone call my name.

"Oi, Rose! Hey!"

I looked up to see Cedric jogging toward me, his face a little flushed.

"Hello, Cedric."

He smiled, breathing quickly. "I went to the Ravenclaw common room, but you weren't there. Someone told me I might find you headed to the faculty room."

Ellen stuck out her hand, being the in-your-face girl I knew and loved. "Hi, Cedric. My name's Ellen. I'm Rose's best friend. Actually, my boyfriend is in Hufflepuff with you."

Cedric shook her hand earnestly. "Oh, really? Who?"

"Ernie MacMillan."

"Oh, yes. Nice lad." He smirked. "Rose, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me? Maybe get a butterbeer and go for a walk?"

"We were just headed there ourselves!" Ellen cheered. "I have to go fetch Ernie, shall we meet you two at the carriages?"

"Sure." I said, pushing her away. "I need to get Cedric his scarf anyway."

Ellen hurried off (probably to go tell Ernie), and I started walking with Cedric back to Ravenclaw Tower. Being a prefect, he was allowed into Ravenclaw Tower, and he even came up the girls dormitory steps without injury- I'd seen a fair few boys attempt that and they all ended up face down on the floor below. We got to my room and he glanced around.

His scarf was lying across my chair (I'd been smart enough to move it off my pillow this morning- I couldn't help but sleep next to it- it smelled just like Cedric. And he smelled wonderful), so I picked it up and wrapped it around his neck. "There. Lovely."

He blushed and turned to leave.

It's too bad I wasn't interested in number 56 right now because this would have been the perfect timing.

"I'll meet you right down there. I need to change into some more weather appropriate clothes." I said. He nodded and left the room. I waited until his footsteps grew fainter, then I shut the door and started throwing my muggle clothes around the room. "What to wear?" I pondered.

Five minutes later I was dressed for chilly weather and ready to go. I ran downstairs and Cedric held out his arm. "Ready?"

I took his arm, happiness building inside me. "I am if you are."

He nodded and smiled, as if he knew everything I was feeling.