Title: Just Like Magic

Summary: Similar heartbreaks have Hermione seek Cedric at the Yule Ball and, after a string of uncertainties, ultimately bring them together. But with Voldermort's return can it truly last? A "what if Cedric lived and fell for Hermione" story.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.

A/N: I noticed in the last chapter reviews that many of you thought the story was over—I assure it isn't. I'm not quite finished with these two yet. They did just get together. Not exactly the "lovey dovey" HEA I was going for. When the story is nearing completion I shall let you know up here or down below in an author's note. Enjoy back to the story.

Dear Cedric,

I can't believe I miss you this much already. It must have something to do with the fact that I spent every moment with you since we started. (You snore no matter what you think!). Honestly, I'm finding it hard to sleep without having your arms wrapped around me. I felt so secure those last few nights in the hospital. I talked to my Mum and Dad and you can visit whenever you'd like. They can't wait to meet you! Mum is practically in a cleaning frenzy, setting up for your arrival. I told them both all about the tournament (Even though they didn't understand it) and they respect you even more for overcoming those obstacles. We can make this work. I truly believe it. Just a look from you and all my doubts go away. You changed me, Cedric, I hope you know that.

Anxiously awaiting your reply,

Hermione xx

Dear Anxiously Awaiting (I mean my Hermione),

Words cannot express the depth to which I miss you. My actions on our last meeting alone should prove it. I simply needed to kiss you, and my parents being in our presence in the hospital put a damper on that plan. Then I was struck with the idea to come to the courtyard where I knew you'd be saying goodbye to your friends. Just the thought of that kiss and it's as if I can feel your lips on mine again. I am going to do this the right way. We began our relationship a bit out of sorts really, but now that I know my feelings are requited we're going old school. It will be hard (pun intended) but I want to truly know you the next time our bodies join. Contrary to what you believe, you evil minx, I do not snore. You, however, reach out to me in your sleep and it is adorable as hell. I shall make plans to visit sometime next month though I hope not much of you has changed since I'm completely taken by you just as you are.

Besotted as ever,

Cedric.

Miss Granger,

It is in Harry's best interest that you do not attempt to contact him this holiday. I have asked Mr. Weasley to do the same and I hope you both will honor my wishes. I shall be in contact soon.

Albus Dumbledore

I reread the letter for the hundredth time this summer. I'd received it with my owl just as I was about to write my first letter to Harry. Now, a month later, the words hurt me. Harry was certainly alone when he was at the Dursley's. He needed the companionship of his friends until he could see us, and now we were being forced to not contact him. I understood why, of course—it was a way to protect Harry as well as ourselves- but what hurt me was the coldness in Dumbledore's words. No greeting. No kind words. Just a request and promise of further details.

It was the letter I was staring at when I heard the soft sound of tires pulling up in front of my small house. My eyes shot up just in time to take in his figure exiting the cab. He was dressed in casual slacks and a sweater vest with a burgundy tie. He looked adorable.

I watched as he paid the cab driver after removing his suitcase from the trunk. The second he turned to me I was halfway to his arms. He gripped me and lifted my body above him and spinning us around in circles. He pulled my body down slightly so our mouths could join and my hands gripped his hair.

Letter forgotten. My boyfriend was here.

His tongue licked along my bottom lip and I opened up to him as he placed my feet softly on the ground. Cedric's hand gripped around my waist flushing my body against his. A light moan escaped my lips as I felt his muscles retract against my body and I felt his hardness at my stomach.

Cedric pulled away. "Hello, flower. I missed you."

"I missed you, too." My hands were massaging the base of his neck as his hands still gripped my waist.

"It seemed to take ages to get here. I almost ran all the way to feel like I was doing something."

I giggled. "You all sweaty would definitely be a sight to see but then you'd be too tired for kissing."

"I'd never," he looked me squarely in the eye, "and I repeat, never would be too tired for kissing you."

"I'll hold you to that."

After giving him a peck on his cheek, Cedric released my waist and bent down to grab hold of his suitcase and my hand as I led him into my house. We lived in a modest house near London. The entire building is covered with brick and I have a balcony window that looks onto the street. The door is a dark green and my mother spent the better of her time planting flowers all along the front of the house. It's rather darling and quaint and it was home.

"My parents aren't home yet. They went out to get dinner for tonight."

He nodded as he crossed the threshold. My mother decorated the whole house with deep colors and floral accents. Plush furniture took up most of the room and pictures of us as a family were all over the walls. I took Cedric's suitcase and placed it near the staircase before leading him to the couch facing the television, which was set to some uninteresting channel since Cedric was here.

His arm went around my shoulder and I leaned into his embrace. "What were you reading outside? You looked upset."

"Just a letter from Dumbledore." I paused and chewed on my lip. "He sent it when I arrived home. It's a letter saying I shouldn't contact Harry."

"Have you?"

I shook my head. "No. Does that make me a horrible friend?"

"No." His hand was rubbing soothing circles on my arm. "You're doing what you have to in order to protect him. It's one of the things I admire about you—your fierce need to protect those you love."

"You're one of those people you know." I looked up to him and he was staring down at me. "I'd protect you."

He kissed my forehead. "I'd protect you, too."

It was a silent promise to each other that no matter what awaited us these coming years we'd get through it together. This would be a difficult year at Hogwarts and I'm not sure I'd be able to get through it without Cedric.

The kiss he placed on my forehead was lingering down the side of my face, over to my nose, and down to my lips. When our lips met the fire that existed between us burned and it wasn't long before I opened my mouth to him. He tasted of heaven and mint and my body moved over to straddle his and push him to lie on the couch.

I felt his hardness through the thin material of his dress pants and I aligned my center over it. My choice to be dressed in a simple white sundress was now the greatest decision I ever made. Only the thin material of my panties hindered the feeling of his erection straining against his zipper. My body rocked over him and his kisses changed in fierceness. It was funny how just a second ago he was pointing out the fierceness in me when his kisses were driving me insane.

His hands slid up to cup my ass and ground me deeper against him and I whimpered into his mouth as the angle caused him to brush against my clit. Cedric's mouth kissed along my jaw and down my neck as his free hand slithered up my side to stop at my breast. His thumb rolled over the thin material of my dress and my nipple responded and hardened under his touch.

When my throat released a breathy moan he flipped us so that I was on my back and the hand that he had pressed so hard against my butt was sliding up my thigh towards my aching core. His nimble fingers slipped underneath the flimsy material of my panties and pushed deep inside me. My hips rocked against his hand and his thumb rubbed mercilessly on the bundle of nerves.

The heat washed over me spreading from my stomach out to my hands and toes. I clenched around his fingers and just as I was about to release and earth shattering cry, Cedric silenced it with his mouth. My body went slack and as his kiss slowed he removed his fingers from within me.

"Now I remember why I missed you so much." I breathed.

He chuckled against my neck and it sent shivers down my spine. "Is that the only reason?"

"Hmm…" My finger tapped against my chin and I pretended to think about it. "I guess you're kind of good looking. That seems like a reason to miss you."

"Oh, just 'kind of' good looking?"

I nodded vigorously and smirked. His hands slid slowly up my body and he was wearing a mischievous smile. I was so lost in the sensation of his hands caressing me that I wasn't paying attention to their eventual trajectory. They slipped underneath my arms and he began to tickle me.

"Want to change your mind?" He questioned in a velvet voice.

I tried to answer through my laughter. "You're hot! You're hot! Just stop tickling me, please!"

With a light kiss on my nose he released me and we both sat up. Someone in the hallway cleared their throat and we both turned to look at the amused faces of my parents. I stood up and smoothed down my dress and Cedric followed looking ever the gentleman.

"Mum, Dad." I gestured to Cedric who appeared to be blushing. "This is my boyfriend, Cedric."

My father put out his hand and Cedric shook it. "You can call me Henry. It's good to see you've had my daughter's head out of the clouds and her books."

"Not a problem, sir—I mean, Henry."

My father laughed and slapped him lightly on the back before moving over to allow my mother to barrel over and hug him. Cedric appeared to be shocked for a moment before returning the hug. My mother laughed and sent a wink my way.

"He's awfully handsome, young lady." She clicked her tongue against her cheek. "You've been holding out on your descriptions." My mother looked back towards Cedric. "I'm Aimee."

"You have a wonderful home." Cedric responded. "And Hermione leaving out descriptions sounds about right."

My parents faces broke out into smiles and my father laughed. "Was that the reason for the tickling we interrupted?"

I nodded. "It appears Cedric doesn't like to be called 'kind of good looking,' go figure."

Cedric eyes wandered towards the bags my father was carrying as well as the ones aligned on the floor. "Can I help you with the groceries?"

"Thank you, Cedric. Let's leave the women to talk."

Cedric grabbed the remaining groceries and followed my father into the kitchen. My mother and I would be cooking dinner tonight and I felt better knowing they were already getting along so well. My mother wrapped and arm around me.

"You just light up around him." She smiled.

I nodded. "He means a lot to me."

We walked into the kitchen after the men emptied all the bags and sent them into the living room. I sent an assuring smile Cedric's way and he responded beautifully before following my father out. My mother and I started right on dinner.

Dinner went smoothly enough. My parents asked Cedric tons of questions about living in the wizarding world. He was more than happy to answer them and he was very patient when they didn't understand certain parts. Conversation flowed easily around the table and I was amazed at how well Cedric seemed to fit here in my little home.

After dinner we all helped clean off the table and dishes. When that finished, we all retired to the living room and continued our conversations from dinner. Eventually it grew late and my parents bid us goodnight and retired for the evening. Cedric picked up his suitcase by the staircase and I led him upstairs to the guest bedroom that was adjacent to mine.

"Here we are." I sang. "If you need anything I'll be right next door. Bathrooms down the hall."

"Thanks." He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed beckoning me over with his finger.

I sat on his lap and his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. He placed a light kiss on my neck that sent shivers up my spine. Here in this tiny room I began to wonder why we hadn't realized this sooner. Why did we begin our relationship in such a rash and irresponsible manner? Granted that first night was one of my greatest memories with Cedric, but I imagined how it would've been had we courted the way we were doing now.

Would our connection be as strong?

Would I want him this badly?

Even with all the mistakes we made in the beginning, I felt we were finally on the right track. Our relationship was growing stronger, and with each passing day we were learning more about each other. His kiss lingered along my collarbone and he pulled back to smile at me.

"I wish you could sleep here with me."

I pouted. "Me too."

My parents had asked if I wanted to sleep in the same bed as Cedric while he stayed, but I didn't want to be tempted while they were home. If I were in Cedric's bed unsupervised I couldn't be held responsible for my actions. We were attempting to build our relationship with more than just our carnal desires and it was working so far. With a kiss on his mouth I made my way out of his room and into mine. I changed quickly into my tattered shirt and shorts and slipped under the covers. Sleep found me easily as I tucked in on my side.

I woke up with a jolt to loud screaming. Disoriented I held my head and listened for where the sound was coming from. The scream was desperate and full of pain. I couldn't imagine the horror the person was enduring to be the reason for that particular scream. As I removed myself from my room and turned looked around the hall my answers were solved. My heart broke in a million pieces as I found the source of the sound.

Cedric was screaming in his sleep.

A/N: Here is a little GIF I found that shows some HxC pairing in GoF- think pre JLM- http:/twitpic(dot)com/2phfva