It was odd, after hours of sitting in silence with Cedric, to walk into the noisy Gryffindor common room, kind of disconcerting. Lexi went straight to her room, knowing that she would pay for procrastinating on studying for finals. She bundled up in her sheets and was about to fall asleep when Bree sauntered in and sat on the edge of her bed.

"Lex? You awake?"

"Yeah."

"I've been thinking."

"About what?" Lexi sat up and looked curiously at her friend.

"Well, I was thinking if you were going to have a baby -"

Lexi cut her off with a groan.

"If." Bree emphasized. "Don't you think Hogwarts would be the best place possible?"

Lexi looked at her like she was insane. "Except all the pointing fingers and taunting words from everyone here."

"No. They'll all be jealous that Diggory is completely off the market." both girls laughed because it was probably true, sadly enough. "But think about it. You have Cedric, who would do anything for you. And then Hogwarts will be so accommodating. You'll have Madame Pomfrey, all the house elves down in the kitchen, and I'll bet they set up a room just for you, Cedric, and the baby so you two can finish your studies. Not to mention you have me, Tricia, and the rest of our little group for support. You can't get much better than that."

Lexi leaned back against her head board, deep in thought. Bree patted her foot before getting up. "Just think about it, and know I'll support you no matter what."

She left the room, and the silence was welcome. Lexi laid back down and covered her head with the sheets; pitch blackness was much easier to think in. She knew Bree was right, Hogwarts was probably the best place to bring a child into this world, and Cedric would probably be the best father.

Something in her heart eased. Cedric would be a great father.

It was easy to pretend that she was happy and that nothing was wrong because as every day passed Lexi started feeling happiness and started thinking that nothing was wrong. She had always wanted her own family, maybe not at the age of seventeen. It was certainly unexpected, but with each passing day she became more sure that she could be a mother even at this young age. She wasn't even positive that she was pregnant, she knew she would not be able to lie to Cedric. He would see that she was either heart broken or in a state of complete bliss, he would want to know why, and she would have to tell him. Disregarding the uncertainty, every part of her yearned for the child. Her child. His child. Their child.

Their child. Then Cedric nudged her with his. They were sitting in their last Arithmancy class before the final exam. "Are you paying attention? This could be on the exam." his voice was mocking. Stupid Triwizard Champion.

Her eyes became slits. "Shh. You ruined my dream."

"What dream? Tell me about it." he squeezed her hand underneath the desk.

"No." she shook her head. "If I tell you, it won't come true."… and she wanted this dream so much.

"Please." he was begging with his eyes. It was impossible to resist.

Her mouth opened unconsciously, but another voice rang above it.

"Mr. Diggory, Ms. Beckham, is this class interrupting your conversation?" Professor Vector was standing in front of their desk. Behind her, in the desk immediately in front of theirs, Kenneth Towler peaked around her arm. Sitting next to him, peaking around Professor Vector's other arm, was a petite figured Ravenclaw girl by the name of Jean Christie. Kenneth usually sat alone, but Jean had started sitting with him at the end of May. They were perfect for each other; Jean was just as full of herself. But despite both of their flaws, Lexi was glad they were happy. Everyone deserved happiness.

"Ms. Beckham?!" Professor Vector called her name for the third time. Cedric squeezed her hand underneath the desk, bringing her out of her reverie. "This is the last time I'm warning you."

Lexi nodded, even though she had no idea what Professor Vector was warning her about and what the punishment would be if she ignored the warning.

"Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Cedric asked her after they left the classroom.

"No. There's nothing to tell." except that she kept having dreams about him bouncing a gray eyed baby on his hip.

"You have been acting very… odd lately."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is something wrong? You know you can tell me anything."

"Nothings wrong, Cedric. Just drop it. Please." she hated having to hide this from him.

"I don't believe you at all." but he dropped the subject. He should have believed her; nothing was wrong, everything was wonderful.

Lexi noticed then that he was leading her to the library. She stopped walking.

"Lex?"

"Cedric, I don't want to go to the library."

"Okay. Where do you want to go?"

"Nowhere. I don't want to study."

"Lexi." he sighed, trying to control the frown that was wanting to appear in his expression.

"Cedric, I've studied enough. I'm not worried about the exams at all."

"You should still do some last minute cramming."

She knew she should, but she couldn't. It wasn't something she could explain to him; it wasn't something she could explain to herself. She knew she wasn't nearly as prepared for the exams as she should be, with the exception of Charms because of all the practice she had been doing with him, but she couldn't bring herself to think about anything but him and her together. She didn't even want to think about that; she didn't want to think at all. She just wanted it to be him and her together.

"No. Let's do something tonight."

"What?"

"Come on. Let's forget about the exams and the tournament and let's do something. You and me."

He sighed again, and she thought he was going to argue, but then he smiled his sly smile. "How can I say no to that."

"I'll give you a hint. You can't."

"You are acting so strange." he mused, but he slung his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "Where do you want to go? Mind you, I still have my prefect duties until dinner."

"Cedric," Lexi groaned, "Dumbledore said you didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I want to. Now, where do you want me to meet you?"

"Umm… meet me in the entrance hall after you're finished dinner."

"I'll be there." he kissed the top of her head and strode off down the hall.

Lexi had no idea what to do between now and the time she would meet Cedric. She wandered the halls aimlessly, hoping something to do would jump out at her. It did, in the form of Bree and Patricia.

"Guess what we found out!" Bree and Patricia sang together.

"What?"

"Well, we have it from a very reliable source that tomorrow, since it is the final event in the tournament, the school is hosting all the families of the champions, which means -"

"What?!" Lexi nearly shouted.

"Apparently you already know what it means." Bree shrugged.

"I can't meet his parents now!"

"Why not?"

"Bree, remember that little thing I have to tell Cedric after the third task?"

"What thing?" Patricia looked between Lexi and Bree, hating that she was out of the loop.

But realization quickly dawned on Bree and her excited face turned down. "Oh. That."

"What's that?" Patricia shook Bree.

"Lexi might be up the duff."

"Bree!" Lexi slapped her arm.

"What? She won't tell." she waved her hand at Patricia.

"Lexi! I thought you were being safe!" Patricia scolded. "What were you thinking? How could you let this happen?!"

"That is why I didn't want to tell anyone else!" Lexi hissed at Bree.

"Sorry. She was going to find out eventually."

"I'm sorry to blow up on you, Lex, but really."

"I know, Tricia! Do you think I haven't thought about it?"

"Tricia, calm down. She'll be fine." Bree tried to sooth her worries.

Patricia turned on Bree. "Do you think this is some kind of joke?!"

With that, Patricia marched away, scowling under her breath. Lexi stood, watching after her, hardly able to breath. She wanted so badly to find Cedric so he could wrap his arms around her and make everything go away. It was Bree, though, who hugged her and helped keep the tears in.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told her."

"It's okay. But I just want to find Cedric now." Lexi whimpered and broke away from their hug.

She knew where she would find him. His patrol spot was on the fifth floor, one down from where she was. Lexi jumped down the stairs and hurried through the corridors until she saw the tall sandy haired boy she was looking for. He spotted her when she was still half a hall away. He noticed her red eyes and was soon running to catch her. She practically flew into his arms and he held her tight against his chest. He didn't say anything, knowing full well that it was a vain hope to get her to talk before she wanted to. Instead, he abandoned his post and took her out onto the grounds, by the lake.

It wasn't until they were situated by the waters edge, his chin resting on top of her head, that she was able to realize the importance of his reaction. He really would do anything for her. He would always be there to protect and care for her. Patricia was entirely wrong to freak out the way she did. Lexi let out a sigh of relief and nuzzled closer to him.

"Do you want to talk about this?" Cedric asked her, feeling her relaxation.

"No. It was just a little spat I had with Patricia. That's all."

"Do you need to go work it out with her?"

"It's fine, Cedric. I found you for a reason."

"And what is that reason?"

"I needed a hug."

His arms constricted around her as he folded her closer into his body. "There." he told her, not letting go.

"Thank you."

"Anything else?"

"Yes." her tone was suddenly sharp. It took him by surprise. "When were you going to tell me your parents were coming?"

"Oh. How did you find out?"

"Bree. And I'm still waiting for an answer."

"Lex, I didn't want you to freak out, like you're doing now." he took her hands and smoothed them out. She hadn't realized they were clenched into fists.

"I have a right to freak out. What if they don't like me?"

"They'll love you, Lex. Just like I do." then he added with a hint of tease. "Well, maybe not just like I do." He always knew how to make her relax and laugh.

"What are they like? Tell me about them."

"Okay. Then you tell me about yours. I'll have to meet them soon too."

They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing their parents. Cedric's father was over the top enthusiastic about his son's quidditch career, and his mother was a really good cook who loved to be outdoors. On summer holidays, their family would frequently go camping all over England, as well as the rest of Europe. Lexi told him her father was a big muggle sports fanatic; the two of them would have a lot to talk about. Her mother was constantly busy with her two little brothers, Jake and Russell, and baby sister, Ruby.

"Jake and Russell are both quidditch pros. They'll love you." Lexi told him. He chuckled in her ear.

It was late. The sun had set an hour earlier. Lexi moved to stand up. "Come on." she held out her hand to help him up.

"Where are you taking me?"

"You'll see." she lead him towards the quidditch pitch.

"Lex., I thought you said you didn't want me thinking about the tournament. Bringing me here isn't going to help."

"Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then trust me when I say you won't be thinking about the tournament."

She lead him up the path to the colossal stadium.