Set in stone

It was set in stone… wasn't it?

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It was the pressure that had finally set Hermione Granger off; the worry over her best friend, the anger at her two friends stupid fighting and the overwhelming need for her to be strong and not show anything just because it might upset someone.

It had all happened so quickly that she didn't catch on to the fact that she was crying until one large tear drop fell on to her hand.

She had been looking for something to take her mind off of the fact that in less then two days her best friend would facing his second task and looked ready to drop. In the library was the best place to just hide away from everyone, of course Harry and Ron were talking again and acting as though nothing happened but she could see that Ron still wasn't happy about the fact that Harry had managed once again to gain attention all of which was unwanted by Harry.

So when she heard some second year girls whispering she couldn't stop the tears rolling down, those girls said with an air of wisdom that the golden Trio's life was all set in stone.

Harry would of course fall in love with Ginny Weasley because she was a red head and they were to be the next generations James and Lilly. Despite the fact that Ginny was nothing like Lilly and Harry could barely hope to think about the next day then try and think of what the future could hold for him.

Then they had said that Hermione would no doubt end up with Ron and have a whole tribe of kids just because Hermione was a Weasley.

Hermione knew they only meant that the three of them would end up as one big happy family just like they acted in school.

The sobs were barely covered at the back of the Library away from prying eyes and the general body of students who were forced to venture into the library to finish their work.

She didn't know what had really set off the tears nor the horrid idea that her future no matter how happy it was meant to be was going to be set in stone.

Was all her hard work going to be for nothing once Ronald popped the question and she had child after child, was she expected to become the next Molly Weasley endlessly worrying over her families well being while Ron and Harry went off to work each day.

Was she meant just to sit at home being some how congratulated on marrying Ron just because they were the side kicks to Harry.

More tears burned and everyone she wiped away two more sprung forward, she didn't hate the idea all together; of course she loved Ron despite his some time failings as a best friend to both her and Harry. Even after he yelled at her for going to the ball with Krum she felt the slightest flicker at the thought he was unhappy because he didn't ask her first.

But could she love him that way and would she be enough to have him love her like that for the rest of their lives. Who was to say that even after they got married that they would ever stop fighting; could she lose a best friend just because their supposed future was some how written in stone that only second years knew of.

"ahem" a voice startled her out of her musing only to find two grey eyes staring at her with concern, the older Hufflepuff held his bag loosely in one hand almost as though he was going to ask something before he found the tears running down her face.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to stop your studying" She offered as he flushed before shaking his head, a quick bit of his lip then he took a seat beside her concern outweighing his need to be polite.

"You didn't… I was going to ask if I could join you because the other tables are crowded with students who either giggle or just gape at me" he admitted no trace of smugness in his voice just embarrassment.

"Oh" she muttered looking back to her book wiping the tears away feeling stupid for crying now she was no longer alone.

"Why are you crying" he asked studying her still red face while Hermione shook her head offer a humourless laugh.

"It's stupid really… I'm being stupid" she offered in a hush toned tugging at her fingers cursing the tears still wanting to prove she was stupid.

"I doubt very much that Hermione Granger could be stupid" he stated firmly with a grin on his face as Hermione snapped around to stare at him. Cedric Diggory not only doubted she could be stupid but he knew her name.

"I… well that… the point is I am stupid because I'm crying over something some second years had said" she declared looking away feeling her cheeks heat up.

"Well how about you tell me what they said and I'll decide if it was worthy of tears" he ordered as Hermione shook her head vigorously not daring to look up at him.

"Oh come on it really can't hurt… I mean of course if you don't want to talk about it I understand it's not my place but I don't like seeing girls cry and I did sort of promise my father that I would never simply sit by while one cried" he stated making her heart sink, he was just being polite, sweet and a perfect.

"Please" he pleaded before taking her smaller hand in both of his and looked at her with probing eyes causing Hermione to swallow the lump in her throat before nodding.

She explained what she had heard to which she didn't gain a snort nor blank look just acceptance before she explained that due to the stress her mind went into over drive, a term she explained to the pureblood wizard, before admitting that it got her so in a flurry that the tears just poured out.

After all that her tears had stopped and dried on her cheeks while Cedric held her hand with just one hand using his thumb to rub soothing circles on the back.

"So as you can clearly see I was crying over something as stupid as second years trying to make predictions of my life" Hermione declared catching her forehead with her free hand but no tears willing to escape.

"And you think that makes it set in stone" he questioned as she nodded her cheeks tingeing a soft shade of pinks while Cedric nodded.

"I don't believe in any of that… at least I didn't think I did, but… well it make sense" she declared as he snapped his eyes back to hers and frowned.

"It does" he asked confused as Hermione took a deep breath nodding taking on her lecture stance.

"Of course… yes it has always been me, Harry and Ron. But once Harry finally survives all this" with a wave of her free hand she didn't want to explain that it was more then just Hogwarts she was talking about "he will want to settle down and neither me nor Ron will want to ruin his time alone with his wife and family. When that happens it will just be me and Ron; hence it making sense that we will get married and basically live out what has already been written in stone" Hermione finished with a deflation of her shoulders.

She looked up when there was a tug on her hand and she saw Cedric had a thoughtful look on his face as he chose his next words carefully.

"Well for some having the future set out for them is what they could always hope for but you… well don't get me wrong but you like a challenge and thinking that you won't get a chance of that scares you. It isn't stupid to afraid… in fact it's rather normal" he assured as a small smile brighten her lips.

"So what if they think it's all set out for them… I say where's the fun in that, knowing each step, each choice each word has been mapped out for you. Life isn't about following preset footsteps but creating your own" Cedric told her as Hermione nodded and sighed, she was beginning to understand why all the girls around her fell from him.

Most of them just thought him a pretty boy but if they had the chance they would no doubt be won over by his mind too.

"Just like you" she questioned as he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck lowering his eyes, flushing at the implication of his entry to the Tri Wizard.

"Well… partly but partly everyone wanted me too so I thought why not you only live once" he offered lifting his eyes to look at her through his eyelashes.

Nodding Hermione smile for the first time all day, she liked his way better then her own. Her life was not going to be set in stone and she was not going to live out someone else's idea of her future.

"Thank you" she whispered as she felt him squeeze her hand before standing up, looking up to him she couldn't help but blush once more.

"Look Granger if I'm wrong and everything is already set out then you just have to hope that it isn't what you think it is. Because I can't really see it, you settling down with Weasley" Cedric declared as he moved around her while Hermione stared at him.

"Well who do you see me with" Hermione questioned watching with interest as he blushed looking down for a moment catching his lip between his teeth again.

With a cheeky grin he looked her in the eyes and winked.

"Now like I said I don't believe this whole set in stone stuff so I'm not going to ruin the surprise and tell you who I think you should end up with" he declared causing her to laugh a little before he turned and walked out whistling to himself.

Why ruin the surprise when he would hopefully been rewarded by her adorable face when he kissed her.