Before beginning this chapter, I just wanted to give a quick note for the rest of the story. I love Cho Chang. She does not deserve all the flack she gets, IMO. She was poorly dealing with Cedric's death. That being said, the way I've portrayed her is 10000% not my opinion. Just needed to add a little extra flavor.

The rush of students flowing out of the Great Hall bottlenecked at the doors. First years were trying to cluster together and follow their Prefects, and students in all the other years were trying to catch up with their mates about their summer.

You stuck by Cedric's side and engaged in general small talk. That was until Cedric turned the tables.

"So," he said while exhaling your name. "Fancy me taking you to Hogsmeade this weekend? Buy you a butterbeer for not seeing you at the hospital?"

Was Cedric asking you on a date? You were a bit keen for it, but it came out of nowhere. Not to mention the potential gossip was already ripping through your head.

"Is this a date?" you asked.

Cedric's face turned beet red, and he started to stammer on his words. You wished you hadn't been so assuming, but your excitement and confusion clashed and sung together.

"Do...do you want it to be a date?" asked Cedric. His voice dropped low, and he scanned the area around you to see if anyone heard.

"No, I was just asking..." you answered.

Truthfully, you didn't know if you wanted it to be one or not. Two boys, let alone twins, was more attention than you could wrap your head around. Still, the sense of safety and closeness you shared with Cedric made the prospect very alluring.

It seemed Cedric was a little disappointed, but he hid it well and hid it quickly if that was the case.

"You still never answered," he pointed out.

"Of course I'll go get butterbeers with you."

"Brilliant. Can't wait for butterbeers with you...as mates..." he trailed off.

"Right, mates..." you were mentally slapping your forehead 20 times over. Could your exchange have been more awkward?

Thankfully, Cedric was someone who easily forgave and forgot. After a few moments, things settled back to normal between you. All was well until Cho Chang came jogging over to gain Cedric's attention.

"Cedric!" she yelled. "Mind if I steal you for a minute?"

"Sure," he smiled. "Catch you later, yeah?" he directed towards you.

"Yeah, see you later." You intentionally slowed your pace considerably as so to drift back from the pair. You couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

When you reached the basement, the barrels blocking the entrance to the common room were already moved to the side, as a flow of students were still making their way in.

Home sweet common room.

You were happy to be back in your circular haven. The fern plants hanging from the ceiling greeted you with liveliness, and the crackle of the fireplace extended its welcome. Someone was already nestled into the mustard yellow armchair, and all three wooden chairs by the fireplace were also taken by a group of card players.

You sighed lightly to yourself, as you had wanted to sit in the common and do a little reading before bed. Perhaps it was for the best. You had many days to sit in these stone and copper walls while soaking up some literature.

You slipped through the circular tunnel entryway to go to your dormitory. You collapsed on your four-poster bed that was embellished with a snug quilt. The other girls in your room were chatting away, but you couldn't quite be bothered to talk right now. You started to take off your robes, put a few things away, and you turned off the copper lamp at your bedside. Turning in early was sounding better and better with each passing moment. You closed the curtains at the sides of your bed for privacy, and you drifted off to sleep.

Hogsmeade

The first week passed by without much excitement. You kept your head down and your focus sharp in all your classes. It was so important to you to do well this year. If you didn't pass all your exams with an Outstanding or Exceed Expectations, your path to becoming an auror was done for.

You pulled on your favorite pair of tight jeans and cuffed them at the ankles. Next, was your ever so cozy oversized black, yellow, red, and green striped sweater. You finished it off with a pair of tan ankle booties.

The day of your Hogsmeade trip with Cedric was here. When you finally meandered out into the common room, Cedric was there sitting by the fireplace.

He stood up clumsily when he saw you walk in.

"He-hey. You look great. Ready to go?" he asked.

You dipped you head down slightly and smiled. "Let's do it," you said as you looked back up at him.

When you arrived at The Three Broomsticks, you picked a table, and Cedric ordered your butterbeers and one round of firewhiskey shots.

"Cheers," he said while holding up his shot. "To a great start to a great year."

"Cheers," you said as you clinked his glass. You threw back the shot and winced hard. It wasn't easy to conceal your face. "Man, that sucks! Why do we do this to ourselves?" you joked.

"To get proper sloshed, yeah?" he retorted.

A sharp laugh sputtered out of you, and just as fast as it did, you clamped your mouth with your hand to end it. You couldn't keep it in long though, and more laughter seeped through your finger tips.

Cedric began to laugh now too at your horrible coverup, and soon, you were both laughing harder than you had in months. People's attention was now gathering towards the two of you, but you didn't care.

Your laughter volleyed back and forth between you, always raising again just when you thought it had died down. There wasn't anything particular funny about the moment. Your unusual laugh caught you both off guard, as well as your failed attempt to play it cool.

Your laughter started to roll to a stop when you heard the front door blow open and in walked Fred and George.

You averted your gaze instantly. You didn't want Cedric, friend or small crush, to see you paying a large amount of attention to others while you were hanging out. But that didn't mean you couldn't feel the ultra sharp, watchful eyes of the twins on you.

You put on a smile to plow through. Fake it till you make it, right?

"So, I've been meaning to ask. I know you said you didn't want to talk about it, but how are your parents?" asked Cedric.

You blew out a lengthy bit of air before deciding how to answer. "They're fine. They're still not awake."

"Not awake?"

"I don't know all the details about what happened. The Ministry of Magic is keeping very tightly sealed lips on their operation. I worry it had something to do with You-Know-Who," you whispered.

Cedric took a sharp breath in.

"When I was told they were in the hospital, all I was told was that they were alive but in a deep sleep. They've tried countless antidotes and spells, but nothing. It seems like some seriously dark magic, or maybe a botched potion."

"I'm so sorry," he said while taking your hand from across the table. "I can't imagine."

"Thanks, Cedric," you said while squeezing his hand.

"Do you really think it could be about You-Know-Who? He's dead, right?"

"Do we know that for sure? He was the most powerful dark wizard of all time. He probably had a few aces up his sleeve."

"Shovels?" he asked confused.

"You're thinking of a spade. I was making a muggle reference. Aces like the cards?"

"Right."

"Anyway. The ministry has been so mum with me about what my parents were doing, and my parents were too before they left. The level of secrecy doesn't sit right with me."

"At any rate, I hope you get some answers. And I hope your parents wake up soon," comforted Cedric.

You gave him a curt nod and smiled.

You spent the next hour or so chatting about quidditch. Cedric did indeed have a lot of new plans for the year.

"Well, let's hope I make the team again," you laughed nervously.

"Of course, I can't promise you a spot. But come on. You're a shoe-in, and you know it. Besides, you're bloody less annoying than Zacarias."

"Are you calling me annoying?" you teased.

"Only on days that end with y." A coy smile touched the edges of his mouth.

"Wanker."

"Ouch," said Cedric dramatically as he clutched his heart.

More giggles roared from the two of you, and you could feel Fred and George's gaze burning into you. You did your best to pay it no mind. You were having fun with Cedric. Was that such a crime? Even if the twins expressed interest in you, that didn't mean they held a claim.

"Right, this has been amazing. I need to head off to the library though to study," mentioned Cedric.

"I think I'm going to stay in Hogsmeade for a bit. Perhaps grab a tea. I'll walk you out, though." Cedric pushed back his chair to stand, and you scooted out of the booth you were seated in. Together, you walked out the front door, and you kept your eyes averted from Fred and George.

When you walked outside, you threw your arms around Cedric's neck, having to stand on your tip-toes. He embraced the hug immediately, and it almost seemed like he didn't want to let go.

When you parted, he gave you a smile and a wave and headed off towards the castle.

After you sufficiently watched him walk away, you wheeled around to head towards Madam Puddifoots. Unfortunately for you, you were given quite the freight when you turned around.

"Blimey! Do you two just love sneaking up on people with no warning?" you asked.

Fred and George were standing there, grins consuming their faces.

"Just wanted to say hello," said Fred. As always, a plot was brewing in his brain.

"So, cozy date with Diggory, huh?" asked George. His expression looked a little pained.

"It wasn't a date."

"She sure did look cozy, huh Georgie?"

"It wasn't a date," you repeated.

"You sounded all loved up in there together," muttered George.

You crossed your arms and leaned to the side a little. "Is there something you'd like to say, George?"

"I'd just watch out for him if I were you. He's not exactly the best bloke. Got a mean reputation of being a player," he explained.

"I'm sorry, but when have either of you taken the time to get to know Cedric?" you prodded while glancing back and forth between them.

Silence.

"That's what I thought. I've been friends with him since my first year. He really took me under his wing and has been a proper mate." You huffed out all your frustration. "I know you two threw your hats in the ring, but that doesn't mean others are off limits."

George started to speak up, but you cut him off.

"But that also doesn't mean anything is happening with Cedric, and you certainly have no liberty to ask me about it."

George winced a little, and his face fell. You weren't trying to be so harsh, but George wasn't exactly being fair.

"George," you started softly.

"No, just save it. Seems like you said all you needed to," he said while stomping off.

"Not this again," you groaned. "Fred, what is with you two?"

"I think his head's gone all bonkers. He spent all week talking about you. Nonstop. I love talking about you, but it even drove me mad. I reckon he's feeling self conscious. He had a leg up when it was just us at the burrow all summer. And now..."

"Now he feels like there's competition?" you guessed.

"Sure. George always feels things pretty deeply. Can't blame him for getting upset."

"No, of course not. But he could talk to me like a civilized adult. And that still doesn't grant him the right to take it out on me."

"Just give him some space. George doesn't anger very easily, if you hadn't noticed. But once he's angered, it can be quite bad." There was a lengthy pause as you were calculating what to say next. Fred continued on instead. "So...Going to Madam Puddifoots?"

"I think I might just go back to the castle. Take a nap or something."

Fred looked disappointed. "Walk you back?" he offered.

"I'd like that."

"How was your first week?" inquired Fred.

"It was fine. I tried to buckle down really hard. What about you?"

"Oh you know, pranking first years, skipping classes, calling Snape out on his bullshit."

"You're skipping classes in the first week?" you asked incredulously.

"School's never been the most important thing to George and me."

Your expression said it all, and Fred answered the question you hadn't verbally asked.

"George and I always had other dreams. School's great and all, whatever. But not really for us," he admitted.

"So what do you want to do then?"

"Truthfully? We've always talked about opening our own shop. Like Zonko's, but better."

"You'd sell all your skiving snack boxes?" you asked.

"More than that. Different types of potions we've created, gadgets and instruments to carry out the best pranks. We've been experimenting with bruise removal cream, Peruvian instant darkness powder, extendable ears. Stuff like that."

"Wow. It seems like you've both thought a lot about this," you said. "What's stopping you?"

"What?" he asked stunned.

"What's stopping you from opening a shop together?"

Fred sucked a large breath in. "I guess the money aspect. Gotta spend money to make money. It's not cheap starting a business, you know?"

"Well hey, maybe one of you will be chosen for the tournament. And then you can use your galleon prize to start it up."

"That'd be the bloody dream, right?" he chuckled.

By now, you had reached the castle doors. Fred hesitated to go inside.

"What's up?" you asked. You could tell his mind was storming.

"Don't be so hard on George. I know it seems unlike him. You did the same kindness for me, so I ask you give it to him as well? We're both floating down uncharted territory without a life vest. I guess, we both didn't realize how deep into this we would get."

You nodded to yourself, considering his words thoughtfully. "Of course, Fred."

He pulled you in for a long, silent hug. His embrace was hard, but you melted into it. His hands trembled slightly. When he pulled away, your jaw dropped in confusion. Before you could even formulate a thought and string it into words, Fred walked into the castle with nothing more.