Chapter 12

Run away with Cedric

After a moment's hesitation, Hermione sprinted passed the startled woman and out of the door. She saw Cedric in a nearby bush, waving his arms at her.

Laughing at the amazing sense of relief she felt, Hermione chased after him for at least five minutes. Finally, they slowed to a stop and she bent over with her hands on her knees.

"Didn't know you were so fast," Cedric said, chuckling.

"Neither did I," she panted.

"We should separate here." He patted her back and trotted away. "See you soon," he called back with a smile.

Still breathing a bit rough, Hermione set off in search of her next destination.

Hermione sighed, looking around for the next place to search. Her eyes fell on Cedric entering a small building. A pound store, why not? Silently, she slipped inside, annoyed at the bell that chimed above her head, announcing her presence.

"Hey Granger," Cedric called from the far wall. "Adding sneaky to the resume?"

She rolled her eyes and joined him. She only had a couple of things left on her list; she needed to hurry. She smiled when Cedric gestured to a row of light bulbs.

"I already have one," Hermione said, enjoying his disappointment. "Oooh, but I will take one of these." She grabbed a double pack of mouse traps off of the bottom rack of a nearby shelf."

"What's that?"

"Mouse trap."

"But…" He dug in his pocket, enlarging a paper game entitled Mouse Trap. "Then what's this?"

"Er…a very cheap game."

"Oh." His face fell and he tossed it onto a random shelf.

"I'll share mine with you. Come on, I still need to find a rubber duck."

"I've already got one," Cedric announced proudly.

"What are you missing?"

"Nothing except that trap in your hand, which I find quite grotesque, by the way."

"There are worse ones, trust me."

They reached the bath aisle and she grabbed the first duck she saw.

"Done. Let's go." She headed for the cashier. "Um, Cedric, we pay over here."

"Right, sorry," he apologized and followed her.

Outside the store, she handed him the trap and looked towards the direction of the Burrow.

"Race you," Cedric grinned and jogged backwards.

Laughing, Hermione chased after him.

Go to the Burrow, chapter 10