A/N: None of this is mine.

Ravenclaw HOH.

Short Story: "It's always a competition with you, isn't it?

W/C: 1090

Her long hair flowed evenly down her back, like a shimmering waterfall of the most perfect black satin. God she was beautiful. She was so full of fire and smiles and all the things he didn't know he needed so much. There were so many things to be scared of in this world and she had given him a reason to fight through it all. How could he have let everything get to this point?

All because he couldn't get it out of his head that maybe he wasn't the one she wanted to be with. There were loads of wizards out there, and he'd noticed how she'd caught Harry's eye.

He opened his mouth to say something and then shut it again, not sure what to say anyway. Her small nose, pert and soft, wrinkled gently when she looked at him and disappointment was plain on her face. He frowned.

"Cho, I—"

"Don't." One small hand flew up as if she could physically stop the apology he was trying so hard to get out. "Don't even try it, Cedric."

The way his name sat in her mouth felt dangerous. It had so often been gentle and sweet, like she was holding him in her arms when she spoke his name. But now it was sharp and harsh, anger tainting her voice.

His head was filled with all the things he wanted to say, but he couldn't think of anything that seemed right. He knew he had hurt her and wanted to fix it, but didn't know how. "I really am sorry…."

She scoffed loudly and put her arms in the air, begging for some sort of reparation. "You're sorry? Do you even know what you're sorry for?"

"For—well because I—you're hurt and I—"

"You don't even know!" She frowned and put her arms across her chest, crossing them sadly. "Cedric, you thought I was cheating on you. You couldn't even just trust me?"

Ah, there it was. The pain in her voice was palpable but Cedric was just so happy to know what to apologize for that he almost didn't care. He thought of all the reasons he thought she'd maybe been cheating and was surprised to realize there weren't very many. Any, really. But it certainly wasn't Cedric Diggory making a show of himself on the front of the Daily Prophet, and he doubted whether he could really compete with the boy wonder. It didn't strike him as too important that Harry was 14 years old.

"Of course, I can trust you," he urged, leaning forward and running one hand through his honey-colored hair, a small smile begging a little forgiveness. He hoped to be charming but her reaction proved quite otherwise.

"I know you can trust me!" She shouted, leaping to her feet and glaring down at him. He wanted to stand so that he was taller again. His height was something he was proud of, particularly since he was taller than Harry….

There it was again! Ugh. And he could see she was mad. She was so mad. And she was so beautiful when she was mad. Why couldn't he get this through his head?

"I know I can! That's not—no. It's just…you're always with Harry and—"

"Always with Harry?!"

Uh-oh. He hadn't meant to say it. He hadn't meant to admit to his jealousy, especially now that he was realizing how unfounded it was. Cho's voice rose even higher, turning into a shriek as she seemed to swell with anger and indignation.

She continued: "I hardly see Harry! It's always a competition with you, isn't it?!"

He closed his eyes and thought desperately for something to say. Something to make this right. The worst, of course, was that he knew she was right. Her anger was thick but her sadness was worse.

"Cedric, if I liked Harry, I wouldn't have gone to the Ball with you, would I? And I wouldn't have been your prize in the lake, would I? And I wouldn't be preparing right now a list of spells to help you practice for the final next week, would I?" He flinched, feeling the sting of each question as it hurled a pointed accusation.

"I'm sorry for hurting you, and I'm sorry I didn't trust you," he finally whispered, reaching up to clasp her hands together in his.

She sighed settling back into her seat and fixing him with a searching gaze. Those beautiful eyes…damn those beautiful eyes. Warmth flooded his body and he settled forward, kneeling against her legs.

"Can we make this work, Cedric? I—I just—" Her voice was heavy, but full of hope. He could tell she was still mad- of course she was still mad- but she was ready to forgive him if he was ready to commit.

Having cut herself off, she remained quiet, a small blush creeping across her cheeks.

Cedric smiled, pushing himself into a crouch and kissing her firmly on the lips. She smirked softly against his mouth, still stiff with reluctance, and he pulled back enough to speak, their noses still touching. He locked eyes with her until she couldn't help smiling back.

"I love you," he whispered, grinning still.

"Cedric!" She jumped, pulling back sharply. His smile remained in place and he laughed gently.

"I had to tell you, I couldn't keep it to myself anymore."

She chewed on her bottom lip nervously and her eyebrows came together. "But what if—"

He hushed her gently and pulled her onto his lap, taking her seat from her. "No 'ifs'. Nothing's going to go wrong. We still have a week to prepare for this silly thing! And I have you to help me. What could happen?" He nuzzled gently against her shoulder, rubbing his nose on her and making soft kissing sounds.

"I'll tell you what," she said, turning to face him and planting another firm kiss on his lips. "If you win this thing, I'll say it back."

He opened his mouth in feigned—alright mostly feigned—shock. "And what if I don't win?"

"Well, then we'll have to break up. I'm only in this for the money." She nodded confidently.

"Oh, right, I forgot." Cho smiled and he kissed her again. "Well I guess we should get back to work then, my love. I expect to get quite the award when we win this thing!"

"Geez," she commented, settling back into her chair as he stood. "It's always a competition with you, isn't it?"