I feel like I say this way too much, but I am so sorry I haven't updated this story recently! Life and school have been particularly crazy lately. I have also been working on a couple other fics that you guys should check out! But, as always, I would appreciate if you bookmarked, commented, and left kudos on this work!

It must've been a week after our date, a week after Severus kissed me in a pub, and I week after he just dropped me off at the entrance of the dormitory. He said that I need a real, teenage date. One where it ended in a kiss on the cheek and a promise for more.

I protested that, claiming I have never lived any part of the normal teenage experience. I mean, I am pregnant and ready for some action for god's sake. But Severus said that only proved his point. I needed to feel normal.

I didn't believe him at first, but when I was laying in my bed that night I realized Severus was right. He left me feeling giddy and optimistic, something I hadn't felt before.

But it didn't last, because with each passing day it grew closer to the third task. After classes, everyday Cedric, Cho, and I would go to the library. We would scour the shelves in search of anything that would be of help. But it felt that for every spell Cedric learned there were 4 books with nothing but useless information. It was pointless.

Sometimes I would see the other Champions doing the same thing, researching the shelves of Hogwarts. But their faces said the same thing as ours, there was nothing but frustration. Yet we all kept trying anyway.

Cedric seemed to think it would all be okay like he always had. But when the eve of the third task rolled around I was a mess. Because, despite popular opinion, everything was not okay.

—-

I woke up the morning of the task in a panic, a cold sweat covering my entire body. Instinctively my hand went to my large stomach, but it only took a small tap to feel a distant movement, signaling to me that the twins were all right. The only thing was I wasn't.

I got dressed hastily, putting on the first outfit that caught my eye and hurrying down the dormitory steps. But, when I reached the entryway there stood the man of the hour, Cedric himself, waiting for me.

"What are you doing here?" I said with panic in my voice, immediately trying to assess if anything was wrong.

"Today is a wonderful, special day, and I just wanted to surprise you. You know, walk down to breakfast."

I laughed, my worry fading away for a mere moment. "You know," he began again as he grabbed my hand, "you need to relax. Have a little more fun."

He then proceeded to break into a skip, still with my hand in his. My head threw back with even more laughter. "Stop that! You know I can't move like that with the twins!"

"Well, how can you move?!" Cedric exclaimed comically.

"I can do a little trot, maybe. It depends on if they decide to behave today."

"How can they not, today is too important! So trot with me Evelyn Victoria Owen, trot with me too breakfast."

I just squeezed his hand, beaming when he met my eyes. And with that one small glance, we burst out down the hall, laughter surrounding us.

—

"You seem in a good mood today Evelyn," Cho said when Cedric and I sat down.

"Well how can't we be having a fabulous time, we 'troted' all the way here from the Gryffindor common room. Because, if you haven't heard, today is the day of the third task." Cedric said cheekily, flashing his girlfriend a charming smile.

"I guess I did hear a little about that, and I must say I am so excited to see you win," Cho replied as she leaned across the table and pecked Cedric on the lips. Both of their faces plastered with a huge smile. I thought about doing something stupid and childish, like gagging, but I decided not to. They needed their moment, even if it was something as childish as kissing across the breakfast table.

All of a sudden a voice came up from behind us, McGonagall's voice, making everyone jump. "Mr. Diggory, Ms. Cho, Ms. Owen," She said in acknowledgment with a small nod before continuing, this time with her gaze focused solely on Cedric. "Mr. Diggory, since it is the day of the third and final task we wanted to surprise you and your fellow Champions."

"What is it, Professor?!" Cedric questioned excitedly, glancing back at me with wide eyes.

"Well, it's currently residing in the Headmaster's office. So, please, by all means, head that way and check it out."

I had expected him to go without a second thought, hopelessly following McGonagall's steps. But he didn't.

He stayed by my side, even when she was almost on the other side of the room. "What are you doing?" I whispered fiercely to him without even really looking his way.

"Waiting until she lets you go too." He whispered back.

"But why?"

"Are you kidding me, Evelyn," he said with a small chuckle, "you are basically my sister. Of course, I want you to come."

I didn't say anything, stunned at his response. But I don't really know why. Throughout the year he has time and time again proved to me his kindness and loyalty. Sticking by me and including me even when it wasn't easy. So it was only probable he would want to include me in on every aspect of his special day.

Before the deputy Headmistress disappeared out of the Great Hall she looked back to see Cedric standing united next to me, both of us meeting her eyes. She simply gave us a warm, small smile before nodding her head in agreement.

Then, without any warning, Cedric grabbed my hand and started tugging me towards the exit. I took one look and seeing Cho had quickly rejoined her Ravenclaw friends, I was free to follow Cedric without worry.

So we left breakfast the same we arrived, trying to move as fast as possible and laughing all the way. But this time we were both anticipating the possible joy waited for us just a couple of rooms over.