Author's Notes: Thank you to those of you who are still with me. I appreciate your patience immensely. I'm such a bad author for keeping you guys in suspense. But, in my defense, I have been rather busy.

Special thanks to Edrose, FaithCullen4U, and ValueMyHeart for reviewing. Plenty more Cedric/Eloise kissing scenes where that came from, I assure you, Edrose. Just stay tuned. FaithCullen4U, don't worry. No bad deed goes unpunished. Cho will receive her just desserts. ValueMyHeart, thank you so much! I'm really glad that you are enjoying my story! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Everything (except for OC's) belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 11

Eloise's POV

"Are you sure that I look okay?" I asked, tentatively.

"You look stunning," replied Irene, placing a hand on my shoulder and grinning at me.

"Are you positive?" I asked, biting my lip.

I heard Ophelia, Helen, and Irene let out identical disgruntled sighs. I felt Irene's spidery hand grip my shoulder tighter. She pushed me in front of the mirror, and I was forced to gaze at my reflection.

"Do you see anything wrong with your reflection, Eloise?" she questioned, standing right behind me.

I took a look at my reflection. I was wearing cerulean blue dress robes that fit my body magnificently. The bit of tulle at the end of the dress robes added a nice, feminine touch to the outfit. Instead of my usual sneakers, I was wearing silver ballet flats. Ophelia had attempted to make me wear heels, but I had refused. I was already tall enough anyway. I didn't need to tower over everyone else, including Cedric. That would just be awkward.

My makeup was very well done. My eyes were lined with a chocolate eyeliner, and dusted with a light pink shade on the lids of my eyes. My eyelashes were thickly coated with dark mascara to bring out my hazel eyes even more. A thin layer of lip gloss had been applied to my lips. I had never looked so good before. I felt beautiful. I smiled. Cedric would be quite pleased.

"See what we mean?" Irene stated. It was not really a question. More of a statement. "You look amazing."

"Yeah, but I can't dance," I replied, sounding annoyed. "The Yule Ball is a dance, and I've got two left feet. Cedric won't care that I look this good if I can't dance."

"Why don't you try those shoes that you received from Cho, then?" suggested Helen, who was wearing a pair of splendid mauve robes.

"Yeah," chimed in Ophelia, who was dressed in orange robes. "It couldn't hurt. I have heard of shoes that help to enhance dancing skills before. Hell, I bet some of the girls tonight will probably be wearing a pair tonight."

"I don't know," I said, warily. I still had my doubts about the shoes. I didn't think that I could trust Cho to have not messed with them. I had a feeling that she was trying to embarrass me.

"If you are so worried about dancing, Eloise, you should at least try the shoes out," reasoned Irene. "If they don't work, stop using them."

Once again, Irene made me come to my senses. I was being an idiot. Cho was probably over Cedric already anyhow. I'm doubtful that she was trying to sabotage me in front of everyone. All she wanted was to give me some friendly advice, and I could use that right about now.

"Okay, I'm going to try out the shoes," I told them, sitting on the edge of my bed. "If they don't work, they are coming off."

"Good attitude," beamed Irene, while the others nodded fervently.

Cedric's POV

I paced in circles around the Hufflepuff Common Room. Eric and Henry were watching me in amusement. Eric's date, Whitney Kensington, the female Prefect for Hufflepuff, kept clucking her tongue and shaking her head. After about ten minutes of this, Henry placed both hands on my shoulders and stopped me in my tracks.

"Will you stop that, Ced?" he questioned in a slight hiss. "You're going to wear a hole in the carpet."

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I've never been this nervous about anything before."

"Even fighting off the dragon in the first task?" inquired Whitney, her dandelion brows raised in surprise.

"Even that," I admitted, grimacing.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm sure Eloise is just as anxious as you are," said Whitney. Then, she turned to Henry. "Speaking of dates, where is yours?"

Eric, Henry, and I exchanged looks. Whitney didn't know that Henry was gay. Henry had only come out to Eric and me last year. He didn't want everyone in Hogwarts to know about his preference. Which was understandable considering all of the ignorant bastards in Slytherin would most likely give him hell for it. Adrian Pucey would be the worst. It was no secret that Henry and Adrian were sworn enemies. Ever since the incident in first year during flying lessons, Adrian and Henry had not been on friendly terms. Adrian was constantly trying to get revenge on Henry for something or other, and vice versa. Finding out that Henry was gay would provide plenty of opportunities for Adrian to harass him. So, Henry kept it a secret to avoid unnecessary complications.

However, both Eric and I knew who Henry was taking to the ball: Kenneth Towler. Kenneth was Henry's secret boyfriend. No one knew that Henry and Kenneth were even dating, let alone friends. In public, the two boys acted like they didn't even know each other. In private sections of Hogwarts, on the other hand, Henry and Kenneth were quite friendly.

"By going stag, I'll increase my chances of having a good time," answered Henry, shooting a significant look at Eric and me. "Besides, I don't buy into the whole I have to come with a date or else I'm a loser rubbish. It's so lame to follow something like that. I can have fun either way."

Whitney seemed satisfied with that answer and did not say anything else. Which was okay because a second later, I was too mystified to ponder what Whitney would say if she knew who Henry was meeting at the Yule Ball.

Eloise looked like an angel. She was, dare I say it, drop dead gorgeous. I'd never witnessed anyone look that good. My mouth was gaping open in shock. My heart was racing rapidly. It felt as though it was going to burst out of my chest, and splatter on the yellow carpeted floor.

Upon meeting my gaze, Eloise's cheeks flushed to a dark primrose. As she descended the last two steps, I took her hand and led her over to me. Wrapping my arms around her, I held her very close to my body.

"You look spectacular," I whispered into her ear.

"Thank you," she said, softly.

Eloise placed her hand in mine and we walked out of the Common Room. Eric, Whitney, and Henry followed shortly after. As we passed the couples that were headed towards the Great Hall, they gaped at Eloise. I found myself immensely annoyed at this. I mean, it wasn't as if she had never dressed decently before. They should be used to seeing her like this by now. Why was it such a huge surprise that Eloise looked fantastic? She always looked fantastic.

Did I just think that? I asked myself.

A voice inside of my head told me that I did. I wanted to argue with it and say that I did not mean it, but I could not. It was true. I really did think that she was fantastic. I wish that I had realized this sooner. Instead, it took a stupid bet to make me discover what I had been missing. And now my goody-goody inner self was in turmoil. I knew that I could not go on like this. I had to tell Eloise the truth. I was hoping that once I explained everything, Eloise would not hate me.

"Eloise, I need to tell you something," I said, trying to keep my cool.

Eloise and I were standing right outside of the Great Hall. She was just about to push open the door, but paused when I had spoken to her. Her hazel eyes were trained upon mine. She looked curious. A slight frown was lining her face.

"What is it, Cedric?" she asked, still searching my eyes.

The way that she was looking at me made my heart melt. I was a terrible person. I was truly sickened with myself. How could I have led her on for so long? All for a ridiculous bet? What kind of person was I?

That's why I had to end things now. Before anyone else got hurt. It was the right thing to do. Only problem was that I'm too chicken to do it.

Inside the Great Hall, I could hear the announcement for the champions to take the dance floor. My lucky break had arrived. But I wasn't happy about it. Not at all.

"Never mind," I muttered. "Let's go inside, shall we? It's our turn to take the dance floor."

Eloise did not press the subject. She wove her hand in between mine as I led her inside the Great Hall. Magical snow fell from the ceiling leaving a thin blanket of snow on the floor of the Great Hall. Numerous Christmas trees lined the Great Hall decorated liberally with silver ornaments. Massive ice sculptures of angels, fairies, and phoenixes were on each of the tables surrounding the dance floor.

Eloise's mouth was gaped open, forming an oval. Her eyes were the size of dinner plates. I could tell that she adored the decorations, and I must say, I was impressed as well. The Great Hall had never looked better. But, dare I say it, it still couldn't hold a candle to Eloise. Which was why I regretted what I had to do. I could not go on with this lie. Eloise deserved the truth. She deserved to know about the bet.

I draped my arms around Eloise's waist and pulled her closer to my body. Eloise had her arms wrapped loosely around my neck as we swayed to the music. I wasn't a very good dancer, and I knew that Eloise wasn't either. So, I decided that this was the best way for us to slow dance together without embarrassing ourselves. Which was the last thing either one of us wanted to do. Not only for our own sakes, but for Hogwarts' school as well. How would it look if one of the champions didn't know how to dance?

The song ended and another, faster song started up. I looked up at the stage to see that it was the Weird Sisters who were performing. A fit of glee overtook me. I've been a huge fan of the Weird Sisters ever since I was a small child. Around six years old to be exact. Their music is the absolute best! Hands down, no contest! But it was even better that I was here with Eloise. I could tell that she was quite fond of the Weird Sisters' music. She seemed to be enjoying herself and having a good time. She was bobbing her head in time to the beat and swaying slightly from side to side. But I was being distracted by my inner thoughts.

You should really tell her now, my inner voice told me. Before things get too out of hand.

But she's having fun, I replied. I don't want to ruin this night for her.

You're such a coward, Cedric. my inner voice chided. You're just afraid that she'll hate you for it.

Well duh! I scorned.

Look, if you have any respect for her at all, you'll tell her what's on your mind, my inner voice replied in a bossy type voice that was reminiscent of my mother.

Okay, fine. I'll do it. I replied, unenthusiastically.

Eloise did a small twirl and I seized her hand at the end of it. I dragged her over to a secluded corner of the room. No one else was around us. We were completely alone, which was what I wanted. I didn't want to cause a commotion. That would be detrimental to my reputation. Not to mention, it would look bad to do so in front of our foreign guests.

"I have something that I need to tell you," I whispered so that she could just barely hear me.

"Me too," Eloise stated, beaming from ear to ear. "Cedric, tonight has been the best night of my life. I have never had so much fun, which is funny considering that I can't dance very well. Anyway, I wanted to thank you for coming with me. I may not be the most beautiful girl in the room, but with you, I feel that way."

Eloise placed a hand behind my head and pulled my face closer to hers. The kiss started off gently but soon progressed to sticking her tongue in my mouth. I tried to stop her, but I melted into her kiss instead. Her soft, pink tongue caressed mine in a slow tango of sorts. Eloise's tongue tasted like mint. It was delicious, and driving me wild. But I knew what I had to do. I could not keep going like this. She deserved the truth.

"Eloise," I said, after the kiss had ended. "I have to tell you something."

"That's what you said before," said Eloise, trying to be cheeky. "Did you forget already?"

I smiled humorlessly. It figures that she would try to humor me at a time like this. At the most inappropriate time.

"No, you distracted me," I stated. "But now I'm ready to tell you what I wanted to say."

"Go on," Eloise urged, looking curious.

I enhaled deeply and exhaled. This was it. Eloise was finally going to discover the truth.

"I made a bet with Eric and Henry that I could turn the ugliest girl in Hogwarts into a pretty one," I confessed.

Eloise's eyebrows contracted and her lips formed a scowl. Her hazel eyes narrowed fiercely.

"You did what!" she shrieked.

Several people looked our way upon hearing Eloise. I felt extremely nervous. Maybe telling her here wasn't such a great idea after all.

"I'm sorry Eloise," I told her, staring into her hazel eyes. "I never thought that anything would come of it."

"And why would you?" Eloise hissed. "You're Cedric Diggory. Golden boy of Hogwarts. Everyone's favorite playboy! So what if a plain girl, whom no one even gives the time of day to, is hurt? At least I was able to get what I wanted out of her first!"

"Eloise, it isn't like that!" I declared. "I really like you. Just the way that you are."

"You can cut the act now, Diggory, because I'm not buying it," Eloise growled.

"But Eloise…."

"Stay the bloody hell away from me!"

I watched as Eloise stormed away through the crowd of onlookers. Some people were giving me the thumbs up sign while others glared at me scathingly. I could see Cho Chang smiling deviously behind some fourth year girls. She looked quite pleased with what had happened. I, however, couldn't have felt worse.

Eloise's POV

As soon as I arrived in my dormitory, I threw myself down onto my bed. I didn't bother changing out of my dress robes. I was too distraught to care.

Tears seared a burning path down my cheeks. I buried my head into my pillow to drown out my screams. Whenever I was upset, it always made me feel better to yell into a pillow. I don't really know why, but it felt really good.

This wasn't one of those times. After exhausting my lungs, I felt even worse.

I cursed Cedric loudly. It was all his fault. What kind of person disregards other people's feelings like that? I'll tell you who. Someone like Cedric who only cares for himself.

Stupid, arrogant, narcisstic, pretty boy! I thought to myself.

What's worse is that I fell for it. Me, little miss I-don't-believe-in-love. I should have been able to see right through him. There's no reason why I should have allowed this game to go on. I should have been able to put a stop to it.

But I didn't.

I allowed this charade to go on. I made it possible for Cedric to become a huge part of my life. I allowed myself to grow attached to someone who didn't love me back. Who was just using me for some idiotic bet. He never really cared for me at all. It was all just a game to him. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Well, no more pretending," I said to the empty room. "I'm going back to the way I used to be. The old Eloise is coming back."

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