CHAPTER EIGHT

'Hey harry' Cedric says grinning, 'could I please talk to Zayaah for a second'

'Yeah no problem' once Cedric's back is turned he sends me a wink.

'Clear off' I mouth.

'What did you want to talk about?' I ask Cedric.

'As you know Hogsmeade is coming up'

'Really I hadn't noticed' I lie.

'I was thinking we could spend it together' he says nervously.

'Like a date' I say wiggling my eyebrows.

'Yes a date' he says flustered, 'I think it is about time we went on a real one' he says.

'Is our forbidden romance no longer enough' I say jokingly.

'I just want to be with you. I want to talk about you with my friends. Hold your hand or at least acknowledge your existence in public' Cedric says.

That is so sweet. This is a one in a lifetime guy you have to take the plunge Zee. Screw your brothers they're not perfect God knows that they've had girlfriends and I can bet money on the fact that they have active sex lives. Why should they be able to gate keep my life and my body.

'Hello Zayaah' Cedric says waving a hand in my face.

'Sorry I got a bit lost in thought. But yeah let's do it. Let's go on a date' I say smiling.

'Are you being serious?' he asks excitedly, 'I promise you won't regret it I already have the perfect spot.'

He leans down to kiss my cheek, 'See you later'

'Bye'

Hogsmeade

11:30am

'You know the rules don't embarrass me' Snape chastises.

He looks at Noah, Lee and I, 'especially you three I will be keeping an eye on you'

'I need you to promise me you'll be on your best behaviour' he says.

'The thing is sir I promised some other people I'd be on my worst behaviour' I say.

Snape reddens but ignores me.

Anaya giggles.

'So when is your date?' Noah asks.

'Around one so I am all yours until then' I say.

'Great because I saw the hottest lingerie store last time I was here that you have to see' Lee says.

'I think I speak for both of us when I say we would love to see that' Noah says.

'No boys allowed' Anaya says, 'find something else to do'

'As much as I would love that I feel like it's been a while since all of us have been together and I want us to do something as a group' Noah says

'Why can't we check out lingerie as a group?' Edem asks.

'You guys would really be in to that' I say.

'Very' Edem says nodding.

'I hope you know you're not going to see us in lingerie' Anaya says.

'I am slightly less interested but will still come' Noah says.

Edem nods.

'Yay' Lee says, 'because I have a discount'

Lee forgot to mention this was a lot more than a lingerie shop there were a lot of questionable items and toys inside. Lee and Noah look like they are in heaven.

'Lee you're back' an employee says greeting us, 'she is our most loyal customer'

'How many times have you been here? Why have you never brought me along?' Noah asks.

'We do cater to males too your section is upstairs' the employee says helpfully.

He looks at Edem, 'you want to go check it out'

Edem shrugs, 'Why not?'

'Your size will probably be in the back' Lee says dragging us to a section near the changing rooms.

'Nothing too sexy he probably won't even see what's underneath.' I say.

'It's not for him it is for you to feel sexy' Lee says picking out a very risqué black number.

'I hope that's for you' I say scared.

'Seeing as I have no boobs it is obviously either for you or Anaya'

'That's way too much for me' Anaya says.

I nod, 'me too'

'I am going to see if they have this in my size' Lee says leaving the changing room.

Anaya and I go in search of something more modest.

We all meet in the changing room to try on our various outfits together.

'You should definitely get the green one' I say to Anaya.

Lee nods, 'it is hot'

'Plus you really pull off that colour' I say.

'Yeah I think I'll get it' she says.

'Are you sure you're not going to get anything?' Anaya asks me.

'No' I say.

They buy their things and we wait outside. Noah and Edem come out a couple minutes later. Noah looks traumatised but Edem comes out carrying a few bags.

'What happened in there?' I ask worried.

'I don't want to talk about it' Noah says gruffly.

We all look at Edem, 'an older guy was hitting on him he asked Noah if he wanted to be his submissive. He asked really nicely I don't really know why Noah is so freaked out' Edem says.

Lee, Anaya and I laugh

'Were you traumatised because you wanted to say yes?' Lee asks.

Noah ignores her.

I check my watch 12:30 pm.

'I have to go guys if I don't leave now I am going to be late' I say.

They wave me off and I take the long way to the Hogshead and admire the view. The wind starts to blow and I wrap my coat tightly around myself.

I check my watch 12:57. I even have time to spare that's new I am always late.

Hands cover my eyes a smile appears on my face as I remove them.

'Have you been waiting long?' he asks concerned.

'Fifteen minutes' I say annoyed.

His face falls.

'Cedric I am just kidding' I admit, 'I literally just got here'

He smiles, 'I am really excited to show you this place. I think you're really going to like it'

He puts his arm around my shoulder, 'Is this okay?'

'More than' I say.

He makes casual conversation as we walk to the restaurant.

Tevin's Teppanyaki Place

1:15pm

'Your reservation is under what name?' the hostess asks.

'Diggory' Cedric says.

'Oh two seats with a view. Let me take you to your table' she says leading us to a backroom.

'This place is very exclusive you are very lucky you booked it so early'

Early? When did he make the reservation was it when he had a thing with Cho? Did it matter? Yes.

'This is your table' she says placing menus down it. It is one of only two tables in the room. Pretty gold lights hang from the ceiling illuminating the place. But the most spectacular thing about the room is the aquarium wall; neon fish swim peacefully in their tank. There is a little river that serves as a koi pond which divides the room in two.

'This place is beautiful. I really like it' I say.

'That's great I picked it with you in mind' he smiles.

Well that answers the Cho question.

The hostess comes back with a bouquet of flowers.

'I assume these are for you' she says to me.

I look at Cedric confused.

'Yeah I was the one who ordered them' he says signing for them

'You're a very lucky lady' she says.

'You really didn't have to' I say when the hostess leaves

'I know but this is our first date and your first date ever I wanted to make it special' he says.

'They are gorgeous and smell lovely too' I compliment.

'I didn't know what your favourite flower is so I just got one of everything. Sorry if it looks like such a mess' he apologises

'It's perfect' I reassure him

I take off my jacket and place it on the chair behind me.

'You look beautiful by the way. I can't believe I forgot to tell you. I really like what you did with your hair'

'I just tied it up nothing special' I say shyly. He was the only one who had this effect on me I thrived on compliments.

'I like it like this I can see more of your face' he says sweetly.

My cheeks heat up and I quickly dive my head into the menu.

A waitress comes back with bread.

'Please ring this bell when you are ready to order. Your chefs will appear at their stations and cook your meals'

The hostess re-enters the room and places menus on the other table. I wonder who it is.

'My father says that this is the best restaurant in the wizard world right now' a voice brags.

No. No. No.