Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter, only Ms. Rowling does. Enough said.

Chapter 10

The great hall was set magically in a winter wonderland scene as we walked in. Everyone started to applause as we were walking in. I tried to keep my eyes to the floor, but I knew that failed epically. I saw Hannah and Mara giving me the thumbs up and I returned the gesture with a worried smile. We made it towards the middle of the room where there was enough space to dance. Cedric held my waist and my left hand, as we were positioned to wait for the music to start playing.

"Ready?" he asked.

"As I'll ever be" I muttered. Breathe Nikki, just breathe.

The music started to play a waltz and that made me jumped a little and we started dancing to it along with Fleur, Harry and Viktor and their dates. I felt like I was on ice as I was led from one step to the next. My nerves calmed down for a bit. When in the part of the dance that I was lifted in the air but not too high, I had a look of fright in my eyes. Cedric saw that and smiled and I returned it. Thank god after awhile, everyone started to come out onto the dance floor. That made me a whole lot better.

"Holy crap Nikki, you weren't half bad out there" Hannah said excitedly as soon as the waltz was over.

"Gee thanks and to think I would fall and humiliate myself" I said sarcastically as we headed towards where Mara and our dates was standing. Cedric wrapped his arm around my waist and I felt like an electric surge going through my body which is a good thing I guess. We were just talking when out of nowhere music started to play and Mara and Hannah dragged me to dance with them.

Throughout the ball, we had dinner, also we had the Weird Sisters performing also. Then after that, we were all standing around chatting. Beforehand, we all had a few dances here and there. Even Cedric got me to dance with him. I got to say, it felt like magic. Only at this point, remember how I said I wanted a night of zero drama whatsoever? Well, that kind of backfired.

"Well, well, well, look who decided to come with a date after all." said a voice I know way to well. I turned around and sure enough Pansy was standing right behind me with a few of her friends. My stare got cold- and mean hearted as Mara and Hannah turned and gave death glares at them, while Cedric held on to me tightly as Bryan and Ernie had no expression on their faces.

"I should say the same to you, except, why are you here?" I asked. "And by here I meant, where me and my friends are?"

"I know what you meant, I just thought why not strike up a chat" she said. Yeah sure.

"Look, not to be rude or anything, we're having a good time, we don't need you to ruin it for us" Mara said.

"I totally understand, but Nicole, let me cut to the chase, I know your secret." Pansy said. I looked like I saw deer with headlights.

"What did she mean by that" Cedric asked. I couldn't answer anything. My voice wanted to say all. But it felt nothing as I stood there feeling like I wanted to cry.

"Um, like hell you do, you see why would she want to say anything to your face?" Hannah said back fiercely.

"Hannah, you promise.." I mumbled.

"No she's right, you did try and promise to have a night when we don't have these types of confrontations but obviously, that was a bust. I mean, your lucky enough Diggory here took you tonight" she said with an evil grin. That was drawing the line.

"You know something, Pansy, you've been nothing but a bitch ever since the beginning of this year. Sadly, you're a fourth year. I'm a sixth year, so what secret do you know about me? Huh? Thought so. Also, if I was desperate to get a date for tonight with Cedric, which I wasn't he asked me like any normal guy would here, would I be able to do this?" I said. Man, I wish I'd taken back the last question because, next thing I knew, I grabbed Cedric by his shirt and my lips crashed his with force. Mara, Hannah, Ernie, Bryan, and Pansy and her friend stood there in shock. When me and Cedric pulled apart, he had a look of shock and confusion on his face. What the hell have I done?

I felt tears to my eyes as I choked out "I'm sorry Ced," and I pushed past him and ran out of the hall towards the flight of stairs wherever it led me to.

*******************

How could I have been such an ass? What was I thinking? I bet Cedric hates me now. I sat outside the library on the floor since it was closed. I didn't care of my dress got dirty from the centuries old dust. I cried what it felt like hours. I kept my head down and my knees curled up to my chin. I heard footsteps coming closer but I really didn't care who it was. Then the footsteps stood in front of me. I sighed heavily.

"I don't really want to hear how I was an ass tonight? I bet you're thinking why did I do that? Well, long story short, Pansy got on my nerves since the beginning of this year and I hate it all the time, now, I just proved to her that a plain Jane like me, kissed the most attractable guy on the earth. I know Cedric won't talk to me ever again after tonight" I said softly.

"Why would I want to never talk to you again?" said the all to familiar voice. I looked up, my eyes red and puffy from crying and there was Cedric, standing right in front of me with concern written all over his face. He held out his hand and I took it and stood up.

" I didn't think you find me here" I said softly.

"Well, after you left, Hannah and Mara told me what was going on?" he said. Oh god, I thought I trusted them! "Why did you never tell me?"

"I didn't want you to make it a big deal out of it. I mean besides the fact you needed to be focused on the tournament, I really didn't want to add the stress to it " I admitted it while we were walking back.

"You're right on that part, but still…" he said.

"But, you don't have to worry about it and if you want you can forget about that stupid kiss I kind of forced on to you. I deeply do apologize for that" I said. As I led the way I felt my arm tug a little and I looked back and saw Cedric having a look of seriousness on his face. He turned me to face him, his body getting closer to mine.

"What the…" before I said anything, his lips pressed softly on to mine. I had my eyes closed. It felt toxicating. Way better than the first time. Our lips parted for awhile and I looked at him and smiled.

"Wow" I breathed out. "This was way better than the first time I believe."

He smiled and put my hands into his. "Way better, oh Nikki, I need to tell you something." Crap. What now? "What I'm trying to say is when I first saw you on the train, I knew that I couldn't hide my feelings for you any longer, even when I saw you that dreadful day when you busted your knee. I was wondering if you want to, um, well that is if you wanted to take our relationship to the next level because, I really like you a lot, more than friends type." he said.

I didn't know what to say. I jumped on him hugging him tightly. I couldn't be any happier.

"So I take that as a yes?" he asked. I nodded into his shoulder and we headed back into the dance hand in hand.

***************

"Well well, how did it go?" Hannah asked as I stepped into the common room. She and Mara was sitting around the fireplace, in their pajamas ready for bed.

"He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes?" I said which came out into a question.

Hannah was the only one that squealed and practically jumped on me. Mara smiled and hugged me.

"That's great I knew he liked you!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah I'm happy myself" I grinned. "Now what?"

"Well, I just had one question, what's going to happen when it comes time for you to get back into your world? He's going to take it really hard" Mara mentioned.

"Great I haven't even thought about that. I say during the holidays we work on a plan. To get me home. I'll plan on telling Cedric everything beforehand like I said, but too many distractions happening so fast I've lost count. So, what do you guys say?" I asked as I put my hand in the middle, meaning a definite promise.

"Agreed." Mara said putting her hand over mine.

Hannah nodded and did the same thing. "We'll be friends after this right?"

"Of course" I said with a smile.

Aha… now that Nikki and Cedric are together, what other adventures await for them and will Nikki finally get the courage and tell him her dark secret? Will the girls have a finalized plan on how to get Nikki home? So many questions, the answers will come out slowly as this story progresses trust me.

Review, criticize, some helpful tips anything. It'll make me update a bit faster, once I plan everything out.