NOTES: I own nothing and make no money. This is not beta'd. I'm going to TRY not to bash Ron to badly in this fic. I said, TRY.

I have update Hermione Dagworth-Granger today as well as this one. I hope to be able to do the same with the next chapter of Something About Hermione.

As always, thanks for the support and love!

Of Research and Ron

Hermione watched with barely concealed awe as Cedric charmed the normally sour-faced Madame Pince into allowing Hermione to accompany him to the Restricted Area of the library. While Cedric's station as Prefect allowed him unlimited access to that area, the same could not be said for younger years, even those 'helping' an older student with research as Cedric claimed as the reason as to why Hermione was with him.

The minute he'd mentioned the Third Task and looking for advanced spells that could safely see him through whatever the Task might be, Pince melted. Clearly, her choice for Hogwarts champion was standing before her flashing a dashing grin, one elbow on the desk as he leaned in closer to the pink-cheeked older witch.

Conceding with a rare smile of her own, Pince said, "Well, I suppose under the unusual circumstances, I can let Miss Granger assist you. Please remember that anything you take out, be put back into its proper place."

"Of course, Madame Pince," Cedric agreed with a slight nod of his sun-burnished head. "I have the highest regard for the fine tomes housed in this remarkable establishment which, by the way, I notice you keep in remarkable shape."

"Well," Pince simpered slightly, "I do my best on that front." Turning a slightly cooler gaze to Hermione, she added, "I feel more comfortable knowing it's Miss Granger here who is helping you. She, at least, has always shown true respect for the written word unlike the majority of students who visit my domain."

Taking the proffered pass, Pince waved her wand over it, marking it as being used. "There you are," she handed it back with a flourish. "Happy hunting, and if I can be of any help in your search, I shall be right here."

Sparing the woman another breath-taking grin, Cedric assured her, "I'm sure we'll be fine, but thank you for the offer. It's greatly appreciated."

Taking Hermione's elbow in the light grasp. Cedric began to steer her toward the Restricted Section. Having been here before, she knew where most of the books she needed were housed, but gave the impression of ignorance since doing otherwise would mean divulging the knowledge of Harry's invisibility cloak. She doubted very much that Cedric would broadcast its presence if she had told him. Still, it wasn't her secret to tell, and with him being a Prefect, she worried that in knowing, Cedric might be more on the look-out while doing his rounds.

"This way," Cedric whispered, coasting quickly through the aisles. "I wasn't lying to Pince. I have been looking for advanced spells for the Tournament, and I did come across some interesting books while perusing. A few I've looked at had even bordered on the brink of Dark Magic, but truly fascinating reads for sure."

Interested, Hermione asked, "How could you tell that they were Dark?"

"Well, their contents notwithstanding, there's a feel about them, an almost tangible presence. For me, it was like this disturbing buzzing when I held them, and this sort of need to wash my hands afterward. Like trying to get something disgustingly filthy off of me as soon as possible."

Hermione imagined that the closest thing she'd be able to associate with what Cedric was describing was being in the same room as that foul Peter Pettigrew. The rat had literally exuded the stench of evil along with the eye-stinging stench of body odor mixed with whatever else the loathsome rodent had been sprawling around in. Moldering garbage came to mind.

Wrinkling her small nose in distaste, Hermione asked, "Were there any after-effects?" She was thinking of the diary and its malevolent magic and how it had violated Ginny with each and every entry.

Cedric stopped, turning to her with a furrowed brow. After a moment he said, "I don't think so." Shrugging broad shoulders he added, "I didn't handle them for long, so I doubt anything dark – if its intention was to invade and twist my magic – would have had a chance to latch onto me or my magical core."

Chewing on her lip, an action that Cedric found both endearing and tantalizing, Hermione remarked reflectively, "I guess so. Still, we best steer clear of them anyway. "

"No worries," Cedric proclaimed with certainty. "Those are in a much smaller section of restricted books and further from where we will be going."

Again, Hermione had to feign ignorance of the lay-out as Cedric muttered to himself in confusion, trying to remember where the books that would help them were located. Taking her hand, he began to move in a familiar direction. Now that he'd gotten his bearings, he moved with assured grace to where the books on hexes and less than friendly spells were located.

Reaching the often scrutinized section, at least often to Hermione, Cedric dropped her hand in favor of using his forefinger to glide it across the spines of all neatly lined up books. She took a moment to admire the length of his fingers and their elegant contours. Piano fingers is what her Mum would have called them, and it made Hermione wonder if Cedric did play the piano. In all the time she'd been at Hogwarts, she hadn't ever seen an instrument other than the magical kind and they weren't played by actual people.

"Ah," Cedric exclaimed, triumphant. "Here's one that could be useful."

Pulling it from the shelf, he handed it to her and then proceeded to look for more. It was as if he'd forgotten her presence while in pursuit of the needed material, striding to and fro, weaving in and out of aisles with Hermione trailing his footsteps. Hermione didn't mind. She was the same when totally immersed in educating herself, tuning out the rest of her surroundings. In fact, she felt her admiration of him flourish even more.

For the next fifteen or so minutes, Cedric moved with the skill of person who had roamed these aisles countless times. Hermione still following dutifully behind, accepted book after book until the pile in her arms was chin high. A bit of dust wafted up from the latest addition, tickling her nose and making it twitch. She tried but she couldn't hold back a small sneeze, a sound that that finally caught Cedric's attention.

He did a double take when he realized just how much she had been carrying. Whisking several tomes from the top, Cedric remarked with a teasing glint in his eye, "Sorry about that. I tend to get a bit carried away, but you sure did look adorable practically nose-deep in parchment and paper."

"I'm sure," Hermione agreed, sounding skeptical, hitching the remainder of her books into a more comfortable position.

"No, really. The cuteness level was off the charts." Reaching out with a lean finger, he gave a gentle swipe to the side of her nose. "There, that's better. I had to get rid of that because that smudge of dirt was turning cuteness into dead sexy."

Blushing, Hermione stuttered, "Don't be ridiculous."

"No, seriously, it was tempting me with all sorts of inappropriate thoughts and actions," he assured her solemnly, humor deepening his grey eyes.

Taking a chance, Hermione tilted her chin up, demanding quietly, "Such as?"

Those lovely eyes blinked once, then twice in shocked surprise. Hermione took smug satisfaction at catching him off guard and was delighted when a crimson hue beat a path all the way up from the base of his throat to finally settle onto the sharp angle of his cheekbones. It was nice to know that she could get that kind of reaction out of him because Godric knew he succeeded in doing it to her often enough.

Clearing his throat once, then twice, he managed to say, "Well, um… nothing too untoward. I mean yeah, I get these thoughts and all. Uh, like yeah, when I saw that bit of dust and I thought – but only for a split second mind you – that maybe instead of wiping it off with my finger, I might um… kiss it off with my lips." Hermione's pulse began to race. "Then, then I thought maybe instead of kissing it, I might just lean down and run my nose up the side instead."

Confidence returned, maintaining strict, direct eye-contact with Hermione's widening orbs, Cedric bent closer as he whispered, "Just. Like. This."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat with an audible hitch. Cedric smirked in response, softly running the tip of his nose over the suddenly super-sensitive skin near the slope of her own. It was such a simple thing. Hardly worth mentioning, but Hermione felt its affect all over her body none-the-less. Eyes falling shut, she let out of soft sigh and when the brush of slightly chapped lips traced the same path, Hermione tilted her face higher in invitation.

Not wanting to push his luck, like he'd done in the Prefects bath, Cedric pressed an almost chaste-like kiss on her waiting mouth. When he didn't proceed to kiss her more thoroughly, Hermione opened her eyes, unable to hide the disappointment in their honey-brown depths.

With a forced chuckle, Cedric stated, "This isn't getting any research done, so how about we get back to it, yeah?"

Hermione began to chew on her lip, a frown marring her forehead, and Cedric almost changed his mind about backing her into one of the bookcases and snogging her silly. She had to know what that little quirk of hers did to him. Didn't she? Maybe not because she didn't seem the sort to be deliberately provocative. Still, there was definitely unplumbed passion in this little witch. Her previous responses had proved that fact all too clearly. No, better to back off as he remembered her previous flight from the bath. Slow and easy so as not to have her running off from him again was the way to go in his mind.

"Okay," she mumbled, turning and heading toward the tables in the Restricted Section.

Now, it was Cedric's turn to frown. Was she angry? At him? For being a gentleman? She was sure giving the impression of it as she all but stomped her way out of the aisle, skirt swishing enticingly around her hips and bottom. Geesh, sometimes he didn't understand girls at all and he'd had plenty of experience in regard to their unfathomable ways.

By the time he'd reached her, she was already settling herself at the table furthest in the back of the library. It was a very secluded spot and would have been dim and gloomy except there was a small window high up that shed enough light to be able to comfortably read their books and parchments. Hermione didn't look up from her reading when he sat next to her, scooting close enough to look at the contents of the page. Sighing, Cedric thought that yes, she was indeed mad at him.

"That looks like a great place to start." He ventured to say. No response. Well, bollocks to that! "Hermione," his strident tone finally got her attention, she turned her head in his direction, eyes downcast. "If you don't want my help all you have to do is say so. I got you into the Restricted Section, so I suppose my part in this is done?"

Hermione immediately felt like a heel. Of course she still wanted Cedric's help. It was her that was being a dimwit about the entire thing by turning a day of research into awkward discomfiture because she was disappointed. Disappointed that Cedric's slight peck on her mouth hadn't led to a more intense interlude. Sure, he'd been flirting with her a bit, and boy, Hermione had liked it! Very much so! But, he hadn't declared his undying love or anything, so why was she being such a cow about the incident? Because, she was disappointed! In her head, she threw her hands up in the air, crying in exasperation… life had been so much less complicated when boys hadn't even been on her radar in a romantic sense!

"I do need your help, Cedric," she assured him, giving him a slight smile. "You aren't just a means to an end." Besides, she could have gotten into the forbidden area via Harry's cloak at any point in time. "I know everyone thinks I can handle stuff like this on my own, but I'm not prideful enough to admit that some extra assistance wouldn't be welcome."

Seeing the sincerity in her small, beseeching features, Cedric felt a sense of relief flood him. He hadn't realized, up until just then, how tense he had been. It would have demoralized him utterly if Hermione had been using him to get into the Restricted Section. The majority of his life had been spent dealing with people who had attempted to use his good looks or prowess on a broom to their own ends. Cedric had suspected, and now had solid proof, that Hermione was indeed a different cauldron of flobberworms from those selfish twits.

"Okay," he allowed his own small smile to escape, noting that Hermione let out her own relieved breath. "Shall we get to it?"

After that, they got down to it with a narrowed-vision on their joint task. Hermione marveled at Cedric's ability to point out, and then break apart certain aspects of spells or hexes that might prove beneficial to what was to be the end result of making Cormac McLaggen suffer big time. Hufflepuffs' Hottie was turning out to be so much more than a pretty face. Of course, Hermione knew this was the case on some level due to their conversation the night of the Yule Ball, but to have it made certain… Well, that was about as fantastic as it got!

"See this right here," Cedric exclaimed, pointing out a section about a paragraph long. "I believe I saw something similar in Hexes for the Heartbroken. If we can unravel some components of both, we can really put it to him. How good are you at Athrimancy? I must admit that it's not my greatest subject although I'm more than competent in Ancient Runes, which we will also need to utilize."

Cedric was being modest. Hermione knew for a fact that he excelled in the area of Runes. She'd heard Cedric's friend Scott, was it? Congratulate him on being top of his Year in that particular class and she'd seen him tutoring classmates in the library too. Runes was a difficult task to master, she knew this firsthand having pulled many books on the subject prior to her second year in preparation. As for Athrimacy? Not only was it her favorite class, but also one where she surpassed.

"I can handle the Athrimacy part and I'm also pretty good with Runes, so if we put our heads together we can probably rip apart some of these spells and twist them up into new ones that could pack quite a good punch."

"You sure," Cedric asked. "It isn't that I don't want to absolutely teach that blasted bugger a lesson, but I'm not aiming to do something that will maim him for the rest of his natural existence, or get us exiled to Azkaban."

Looking affronted, Hermione replied primly, "I know what I'm doing. If it makes you feel better, I can tell you that Professor Vector wanted me to tutor some older years but I have a full school load. Besides," she added ruefully, "I'm kept busy with trying to keep Harry in the land of the living and Ron on task with his own schoolwork."

She wasn't going to mention that two years ago, she'd managed to brew Polyjuice Potion all her own. A potion which most adult witches and wizards wouldn't feel confident of producing. While it was true that potions was different in various aspect to runes and spell-casting, she was still relatively confident in her ability to get this right. Now, with Cedric's offer to aid her, Hermione's sense of relatively confident, had gone up several notches. She was certain that together, they would have no problem in pulling this off.

Ignoring her prissy attitude, Cedric propped his chin on one hand saying, "I wasn't implying that you're not capable." Hermione shot him a skeptical look. "Honestly. I just want to throw it out there that unraveling and re-inventing spells and hexes is arduous and meticulous work, along with being dangerous. If either of us causes something to go awry, we will be sharing matching cells in Azkaban, or worse."

Through slightly pursed lips, Hermione muttered, "I see your point."

She well-remembered the state of Sirius Black when she'd first seen him after his escape from the prison, and it had not been a pretty sight. Later, after safely ensconced at Grimmauld, he'd given them the barest of facts on his imprisonment but from the bits and pieces she'd put together for herself, it was not the sort of place one wanted to be sentenced to.

"You know what that means, don't you? Cedric asked, amusement once again dancing in his eyes. "We'll have to be spending a lot of quality time with each other if we want to get this right."

Pretending to toss the notion around in her head for a bit, Hermione finally allowed with a faux exasperated sigh, "Well, it does stand to reason that we'd have to. Of course, I do have other responsibilities too, which means we'll have to block out our schedules in order to fit everything in."

Nodding, he murmured congenially, "True." Quirking his head slightly to the side, Cedric added, "Can I ask you something?" For a second Hermione eyed him with suspicion. Laughing, he said, "Not anything embarrassing or such. I promise."

"Okay. As long as it's not too personal either," Hermione answered, still wary.

Cedric hesitated, unsure if he should broach the subject, sensing that this had the capacity of being a touchy issue. "I've been wondering why you put up with Weasley and all of his shite?"

Hermione looked a combination of surprised and indignant. Perhaps this wasn't something she was keen on discussing, and maybe he should just back-off and get out quickly. Still, he felt compelled to plow on anyway. Cedric might not be a brashly brave Gryffindor – given the murderous glare his companion was sending his way was making him highly nervous – he did lay claim to being a proud Hufflepuff! Meaning, he was loyal to the core and expected others to be of the same caliber, and as far as he could see, Weasley didn't even know how to be a true friend let alone a loyal one.

Pushing forward, Cedric said as non-judgmentally as possible, "As far as I can tell, he's not exactly deserving of the amount of time and effort that you put into him. The way he treated you at the Yule Ball is a prime example."

Hermione opened her mouth to do what Cedric was sure, was to defend the other bloke, but holding up his hand to forestall her, saying, "Just give me a moment here to say my piece, all right?"

Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed out a belligerent, "Fine."

"Now don't go getting your knickers in a twist," Cedric shot back quietly, hoping to mollify her with a placating smile. "I'm only trying to figure this 'friendship' out because I truly don't get it. From what I've witnessed, he treats you poorly, doesn't appreciate your encouragement in regard to his studies, and says some of the most hurtful things to your face and behind your back." Again Hermione went to interrupt. "Will you please hear me out?" Cedric was beginning to get annoyed and it showed.

"Now who's getting their knickers in a twist," Hermione asked petulantly, turning away.

With a beleaguered sigh, Cedric reached out and pulled on the sleeve of her robes. Hermione swiped at his hand, which he caught in a tight grip, pulling on it until she faced him again. "Why are you getting so defensive," he asked, exasperation written all over his fine features. "I care about you and it riles me when I see someone who is supposed to be one of your best friends treating you horribly. It really gripes my ass!"

Lifting hurt-filled eyes, Hermione murmured, "You don't understand."

"I am all ears," Cedric said. "Enlighten me."

Licking her lips, Hermione cleared her throat and began by saying, "Ron doesn't mean to be inconsiderate." Cedric quirked a disbelieving brow. "You said you would listen," she cried angrily.

"Okay, okay, sorry." Cedric waved his hand, "Continue."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione did. "You know that Ron comes from an inordinately large family by Wizarding World standards. Well, Ron's the youngest boy and I think he feels as if he has a lot to try and live up to. Bill's a well-known and accomplished Curse-breaker. Charlie lives in Romania wrangling dragons for a living. Percy's a bit of a self-important berk, but he's got ambition and he works hard to reach his goals. Then, you have the Twins…" Cedric snorted. "I know they can be a bit much what with the pranks and all, but come on… even you have to admit that they're geniuses in their own unique way."

Rolling his eyes, Cedric muttered, "I suppose."

"Anyway, then there's Ginny. Not only is she the baby but she's the long-awaited girl." Tucking a swath of curls behind her ear, Hermione continued, "So, is it any wonder that Ron feels a bit lost in the shuffle? Add that to the fact that the Weasley's constantly struggle with money which leaves Ron with nothing of his own. Nothing new, that is. His robes, his wand, even that… that horrid rat was a hand-me-down."

And ewwwww! That awful creature had been gross when it was just a rat, but to discover that the Weasley's long time family pet had actually been an odious Death-eater… That had taken ewwwww to a whole new level. Ron had been inconsolable when it had finally hit home that for years he had shared his bed with that detestable blighter! Of course, after the shock of discovery had worn off, the Twins had ridiculed Ron endlessly on that topic.

"While, unfortunate," Cedric interjected quickly, "Those are not viable reasons to be a total dick toward you. And it isn't just you. The entire castle took notice that after Potter's name came out of the Cup, Weasley turned on him faster than a Blast-ended Skrewt."

How in the world could Hermione defend Ron on that score when she was still trying to reconcile Ron's actions toward Harry? Hermione generally gave Ron some lee-way on how he treated her, claiming his ignorance of Muggle ways as a reason for some of his less than kind actions and words. Even as she had vindicated Ron's alternating attitude, Hermione knew that his intolerance of her was not totally based solely on his lack of knowledge, but on his mercurial moods and – as Cedric had formerly stated – jealousy.

Harry had done nothing to deserve Ron's ostracism or venom-tongued accusations. Hermione had never doubted Harry for a moment when he'd claimed that he had not put his name in the Goblet. If Ron had used his brain in the first place, he would have come to the same conclusion because why in the world would Harry have done such a thing? Harry as a glory-hound? Ridiculous! He just wanted get through one year of school where is life wasn't being threatened, be in mortal jeopardy, or have the entire school population eyeing him with either disgust or trepidation.

How could Ron not get it through his thick skull that life as Harry Potter was no bed of roses! Sure Harry had wealth, but what Harry wanted most was a family. People who would love and understand him. People who would raise their hands with gentle comfort and hugs and not the beastly anger he was subjected to by the Dursleys. For years his home was a damned cupboard under the stairs for God's sake! How could Ron find it in himself to envy that?! It defied all sensible reason. But, then again, how often had Ron used his reasoning skills?

"Look," Hermione replied, "Ron's a bit of a berk at the best of times, but truly in many, many ways his heart is in the right place even when his head is firmly ensconced up his arse."

Shaking his head, Cedric said softly, "You've got blinders on, Hermione. Has he ever apologized for his unconscionable behavior?"

"Weeeell," Hermione hedged.

Solemnly, and with a tinge of sorrow for her, Cedric prophesied, "Someday, he's going to go too far for even your gracious ability to forgive. Best to have him answer for his bad treatment now instead of always looking the other way or making up excuses for him. It does neither of you any good. Please try to see the truth of that."

"Cedric, can we just drop it?" Her lovely eyes implored him to at least let it go for now if he couldn't find a way to understand why she and Harry were so lenient of Ron.

Giving a hefty sigh, he agreed with a slight inclination of his head. "I suppose she would get back at it."

Smiling in gratitude, Hermione replied, "Yes, lets. I found a hex that looks very promising." Pulling two large, open tomes closer to Cedric, she went on to say, "See this one here? If we take out this rune and replace it with this one and then join it with this hex, it could really do some damage."

Cedric's brows rose as he thoroughly looked over the combination she was suggesting. With genuine respect for her brilliance, Cedric exclaimed, "Hermione Granger, you are a marvel! This looks excellent!"

Pulling a smaller book from beneath several others, Cedric flipped it open, saying, "I also found this too. It's a bit more complicated when used in conjunction with what you've already found." Hermione leaned in closer giving Cedric's nose an up-close and in your face bundle of sweet-smelling curls.

Her eyes quickly scanned the material, face breaking out into a satisfied grin as she read. She really was something special, Cedric thought while inhaling the heady scent of vanilla wafting from her hair. He was tempted to reach out and wrap one of those tresses around his finger to see if they were as soft and springy as they appeared to be. It was practically insane how attracted he was to this tiny witch.

It wasn't just physical either, although their chemistry was undeniable. Hermione was genuinely kind and clearly put her friends' needs before her own. He was quite similar. At least to his true friends and not those who tried to play at being his friend hoping to achieve whatever was on their agenda. Cedric wished that Hermione was capable of telling the difference between the two. He wished that she could see the way Weasley used her and her abilities endlessly without giving a drop back to her. No matter how she attempted to explain it all away, it still smacked strongly of an unequal, one-way street with Weasley steering her in the direction he wanted to her to go. It really pissed him off!

Sadly, Hermione wasn't ready to face that truth. Cedric was going to have to back off, no matter how difficult that was going to be for him, and let it play out until realization finally struck her like a lightning bolt from out of the blue. Sometimes the harshest lessons were needed for true understanding to take place. When it happened, it would be ugly, Cedric didn't doubt this for a minute. He only hoped that he would be around to make sure she got through it in one piece both mentally and physically.

Those depressing thoughts totally flew from his mind, when Hermione turned her beaming face up to him and exclaimed enthusiastically, "This is it, Cedric! These three together will make the perfect pay-back to that sexual predator! McLaggen won't know what hit him!"

With her eyes sparkling brightly with fevered delight, Cedric couldn't help but answer the siren's call. Tipping her chin, he covered her mouth with his own, using sufficient pressure to assuage them both. It wasn't as passionate as in the Prefect's Bath and it wasn't as brief as the one they shared earlier, it was just enough. She responded quickly, smiling against his lips. A few seconds passed before she pulled back with a face so illuminated it would have chased the shadows away from the darkest of corners. Cedric was mesmerized.

"I've gotta go," she informed him with a quick peck to his cheek, scrambling up from the chair. "I want to show these to Lavender and Parvati before we start work on them. Okay?"

"You can't take books from the Restricted Section," Cedric reminded her affectionately.

"Oh, bother!"

"Here," he said, gesturing with grabby hands for the books. "I can use a duplicating spell and then I'll put the originals back on the shelves."

In moments, Hermione had the documents she needed nestled tightly against her chest. "Thanks, Cedric and when we have time, please teach me that spell. Knowing it would save me so much time and energy."

After giving her his word that he would teach her the spell, Hermione thanked him once more, turning and practically skipping down the aisles, exiting the Restricted Section. In her excitement and his, they'd forgotten to schedule a time to get together to re-work the hexes and runes. Cedric decided it wasn't a big deal. They'd work it out later.

Chin propped in his palm, a dreamy smile worked its way across his face as he relived their time together in this very spot, Cedric didn't notice the movement of two sets of feet gliding passed him, completely obscured other than the shoes sticking out from under Harry's cloak.