Chapter 3

She was running, almost running blind it was so dark. She felt Cedric's hand clinched onto herself while they ran and it as her only source of comfort while she stumbled and tripped through the woods. There had been Death Eaters. Real Death Eaters before their eyes with muggles floating above their heads. She didn't hear the screams anymore; she just heard her heart thudding loudly in her head.

Cedric finally stopped running behind a tree so they could catch their breath, "I thought they were all locked up!" Morgan whispered.

"I think we all did," Cedric responded looking out into the dark for movement. "We shouldn't stay here long; we need to get moving soon."

She felt him squeeze her hand before they began to walk silently through the woods. Each kept an eye out for movement and on the other. Morgan suddenly stopped and stared at the sky in horror. Cedric paused when he realized she was no longer moving, "Morgan? What is it?" he asked. She didn't answer, she just stared. Cedric looked in the direction she was staring and froze as well. Up above was you-know-who's mark.

"Ced," she whispered pulling him closer to her. Cedric wrapped his arm around her, searching for the same comfort that she was asking for. "Oh god Ced…"

Cedric looked down at the terrified face of his best friend and nodded his head once. They both jerked apart when Amos Diggory appeared from the shadows, "Oh thank Merlin I found you two. I was so worried. Come on, quickly, we need to get to the port key."

"But dad," Cedric whispered looking back up at the mark in the sky.

Amos nodded his head, "Its being taken care of, come, quickly."

Morgan stared out the train compartment and stared at the necklace in her hands. It really was a pretty necklace, and probably the best thing any guy had ever given her. She placed it back around her neck and sighed again. Cedric was at a prefect meeting so she was stuck alone in her their train compartment. Knowing her luck, that wouldn't last long. Which it didn't. The compartment opened slowly and in the door way stood a smirking Adrian Pucey.

He was the Slytherin Chaser and had been her potions partner the year before. The thought of it made her want to throw up. He wasn't smart, well not in potions, and all he did during that class was stare at her and try and smell her hair. The Weasley twins had found it fun to throw random things at him when she was around just to amuse her.

"What do you want?" she asked looking over at him with irritation clearly apparent in her voice.

"Well… I noticed you were alone and wanted to see if you wanted company."

"I like being alone, go away," she huffed looking back out the window. "Besides…I'm waiting for someone."

"Well how about I just keep you company until this someone shows up," he offered taking the seat next to her. This was too close for comfort.

She made a face and glared out the window. Without even being prompted he began to tell her about his amazing feats during the summer. Morgan chose to ignore everything he said. A flash of red passed the window and her head perked. George Weasley paused at the door and raised an eye brow as Adrian began to maneuver an arm around her shoulders. She gave him a pleading look and quickly jumped away from Adrian when the door opened, "Hey babe," George spoke, and his eyes looked to Adrian. "Sorry it took so long for me to get here. Fred was busy yapping my ears off."

Morgan gave him a smile and kissed him on the cheek, "No problem. Pucey here was just leaving."

"You two dating or something?" Adrian asked when George snuck an arm around Morgan's waist.

"Yep, for about a month now," George gave her an affectionate smile. "So if you don't mind, get."

The moment he left Morgan let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. George chuckled at her, "Thank you so much," she sighed taking a seat. George sat across from her. "If Ced was here he wouldn't have even tried but… Thanks."

"No problem Denton, least I could do," George nodded his head. "Besides, now all we have to do is dodge the rumors that are spreading. Now all the girls will know I'm "taken". It will save me batting them off."

"George…it was really sweet of you to do that…but if someone does ask I'm not gonna lie…"

"Then will you go out with me?"

Morgan froze, "I… Hey Cedric," she smiled at her best friend when he opened the compartment door. "And Cho…" with Cho Chang right next to him, "How was your summer?"

Cedric glanced over at George then back over at Morgan, "It was fine," Cho smiled taking the seat next to her. "I hear you got to go to the World Cup. It sounded exciting, but terrifying with those Death Eaters attacked."

"Yep, twisted my ankle and everything," Morgan smiled. She gave Cedric a questioning look.

"Oh, Cho and I have been talking back and forth a little over the summer. I thought it would be nice to add another person to the conversation," Cedric gave his best friend a nervous smile when a look of hurt seemed to cross her face. "It looks like you had the same idea."

"I was just helping Morgan out," George shrugged while he stood slowly. "I should be returning to my own people. But think on it, okay Morgan? I meant it," he gave her a smile then turned and left the compartment.

"What question?" Cedric asked.

Morgan looked at him very seriously and stood, "I don't see how its any of your business, Cedric. It's personal, and last time we talked about something personal we got into a fight, if you two will excuse me."

Cedric opened his mouth to protest but she slammed the compartment door shut, "Is she okay?" Cho asked.

"Yeah, of course. Probably just needed to talk to George or something," Cedric shrugged. "So, tell me about your summer."

"George, wait up," Morgan called. The red head stopped and looked at her. "Look… I like you…as a friend but… Right now dating someone would just be…well…not bad but…I dunno… I'm just not looking for a relationship yet… Maybe if you took me on a date or two to see if things worked out between us…"

His eyes had darkened slightly when she gently said no, but they lit up at the mention of a date, even two, "You mean, if I asked you out on a date you would go?"

Morgan gave him a slight smile, "Yeah, I would."

"First Hogsmead trip, go with me?"

Her smile grew, "Definitely… Um…could I hang out with you the rest of the train ride? I don't wanna deal with Cedric when he's around Cho."

"Jealous?"

"No…just hurt."

George frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

"Cedric said he hadn't talked to Cho since the end of the year…that is until a few minutes ago when he said they had been talking back and forth," she confessed. "I know its none of my business but I am his best friend…"

"I see what you mean, come on," he grabbed her hand with his. "If Lee or Fred lied to me like that I would be pretty ticked as well. There should be room enough for one more person in our compartment."

Morgan laughed at a joke Fred had just cracked as they climbed out of the black carriages. Cedric spotted his best friend and ran up to her, "Hey, why did you disappear back there?"

She looked over at him and shrugged, "Figured you would want to be alone with her."

"You're not mad I didn't tell you we were chatting over the summer, are you?"

"Mad, no," Morgan shook her head. "I would never get mad that you are making friends outside of me and all your admirers, I'm hurt actually."

"What? Why?"

"Because, Ced, you say I'm your best friend," she insisted. "and you urge me to tell you about everything, yet you won't return the same courtesy."

"Oh…"

"Oh is right mate," Fred smirked putting his arm around her. "This girl here is a right smart cookie. Careful what you do, or you could lose her to my worser half, George."

"Oi!" George called. "Look whose talking!"

Morgan smiled slightly then frowned when she looked at the entrance. It looked like children were cramming to get in, "That's odd," she muttered moving away from the boys and towards the front door. Just as she stepped in she was instantly pelted with a water balloon a fell backwards. A strong set of arms caught her and another balloon was thrown, soaking her and the person who had caught her.

"Oh, no. Peeves is at it again," Cedric groaned while keeping an arm around her waist and helping her toward the Great Hall.

"You can let go now," Morgan chuckled.

Cedric gave her a grin and shook his head, "Don't feel like it."

"You are impossible," she told him in a good natured way.

"And that is why you are the only girl that can truly tolerate me, my dear friend," they finally made into the Great Hall and to the Hufflepuff table.

"So… You and Cho," Morgan spoke looking at him carefully. "What are you right now?"

"Just friends," Cedric shrugged. "I like her well enough… We might meet up at the next Hogsmead trip."

"Oh good," she sighed. "I was worried there for a minute."

"What do you mean?"

"George has asked me to go with him to the first trip, and I said I would," she explained. "I didn't want to feel obligated to keep you entertained the entire time."

"Right," Cedric's eyes darkened slightly. "Do you like him?"

"I dunno… He did ask me out…but I told him I wanted to go on a few dates before I even considered him."

"Oh…" he nodded his head and then suddenly brightened as if his mind was making something up, "That's great. I'm glad you were asked out."

She raised an eye brow, "Are you okay?"

"Yep, I'm fine."

"Hmmm…"

Note: So... Yeah next chapter and stuff. Thanks so much to those who reviewed! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Anyway I'm off to cause mischief. You know...do the review thing!