A/N: I changed the Yule Ball scene and well, everything. I hope you still like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. If I did, Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Pattinson, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton would have graced my home on Christmas. A girl can only dream from so far away.

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Ch.1

He looks across the dance floor at the object of his thoughts. How can someone look so graceful and clumsy at the same time? If it wasn't for the look on his face, he would have thought Cedric Diggory was born to dance. The soft look on his face; the gentle sway of his body; the sure way his arms and legs work at dancing. Cedric Diggory is, in one word, beautiful.

He didn't know how he came to the conclusion that he was gay. Maybe because of a pair of mesmerizing grey eyes; or that windblown tuft of brown hair; or that strong, lithe body that could give Adonis a run for his money. Damn, he was thinking of Ced-Diggory again. Maybe he was only gay for the Hufflepuff hottie? Hmm, that would explain it, then. He never seemed to gravitate toward the male species before he met Diggory.

Before he could speculate any further, the object of his unknown affections was making his way towards him. He ignored him. It's not like it was him specifically whom Ced-diggory was walking to. It could be anybody. Besides, there's no reason why the Hogwarts Champion would talk to him. Well, one of the Hogwarts Champions anyway, he thought grudgingly. He was so into his musings that he didn't notice that Cedric (he'll just call him Cedric, just to save me time) had settled in the chair that was once occupied by Parvati Patil, which was just right beside him.

He turned to Cedric, a look of bewilderment gracing his handsome features. He then proceeded to move his chair closer to Ron's and far away from Cedric. Okay, so he was being rude. But just because he is infatuated or possibly in love with Cedric-Bloody-Diggory doesn't mean he is to be excused from beating him to asking out his one-time crush.

"Harry James Potter!" A voice squawked in indignation and disbelief.

The Boy-Who-Lived jerked his head towards the storm of fury that was Hermione Granger, barely seeing the look of shame on Cedric's face. He would have been concerned with his unrequited love's feelings if he wasn't more concerned with what Hermione is capable of doing to him for whatever he has done now.

He tried for the innocent look. "Yes, Hermione?"

She snapped at him. "Oh, don't you be innocent with me, young man. You were extremely rude to Cedric here, who was kind enough to come here to talk to you and you treat him like this! I am very disappointed in you, Harry."

Cedric hurriedly stood up to placate the girl whom he heard was mild-mannered but obviously not, judging from her expression. He certainly didn't want to be the one to come between the Golden Trio. "No, Hermione, it's ok. Potter doesn't-" Poor guy didn't even finish.

Hermione glared at him. "Don't you contradict me, Mr. Diggory. We don't know each other well enough." She turned to Harry, who was practically sliding off his seat. It was a blessing no one had noticed the commotion due to the loud music and the dancing. Otherwise, everyone would stare at him being reprimanded by one of his best friends.

Hermione went on, ignoring Harry's distressed look and Cedric's stunned one. "I can't believe you, Harry. Diggory, of his own volition, wanted to come here to talk and you ignore him. I am properly ashamed of your manners, or lack thereof, Harry Potter."

Ron Weasley decided he had heard enough. It was nice that someone was on the other end of Hermione's wrath but her voice was grating on his ears. Besides, he was still mad from their earlier argument on her being with Viktor Krum. He sniped at her angrily, "Sod off, Hermione. You're not the boss of Harry."

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron. Cedric thought if it was narrowed any more, they would be closed already. He glanced at Harry's red face while Hermione now turned her newfound anger on Ron. He guessed the rumors were true, then. They really were an interesting bunch. He caught the end of Hermione's speech.

"…But someone need to look after you two buffoons here at school."

Ron jumped up, his chair falling to the floor. "Now you stop insulting us, Hermione. And we already have mum fussing over us. We don't need another one."

Hermione huffed like an angry wolf. "Fine! See if I care. You two are the most ignorant fools I have ever have the misfortune of being friends with!" With that, she stomped off, her heels clicking on the marble floors. She bypassed Krum who was finally returning with their drinks. He looked puzzled when his date blew pas him, followed by Ron.

Harry and Cedric could hear Ron yelling.

"Now wait just a bloody…"

Cedric slumped into the chair he had claimed for himself and Harry buried his face in his hands, groaning. This night could not have gone any worse.

"Ver is Herm-own-ninny going?" Krum asked of his fellow Champions. Cedric shrugged, still shocked from the turn of events.

Harry grumbled to himself. "Probably looking for a place where there are no witnesses for when she kills Ron."

Viktor gave a startled "Vat?"

Cedric uttered a nervous chuckle. After all he had heard about the infamous trio, he wasn't surprised. Still, "You're not joking, are you, Potter?"

Harry glared at him. After all, this was his entire fault. Before he could give the bloody Hufflepuff a piece of his mind, his love for him be damned, he was interrupted by Hermione again. She stalked up to the three of them, Ron nowhere around her. She was sending daggers at him.

Viktor took a cautious step behind Harry and Cedric, who had stood up when the furious girl stomped up to them. Now he can handle bad weather for when he flies in Quidditch, dragons, and whatever this tournament will throw at him next but he does not know how to deal with angry women. He asked, warily, "Ver is Ron Weasley, Herm-own-ninny? Did you hex him, no?"

Hermione angrily snap at her date, "No, I didn't hex him, the git. I sent him up to bed." She glared at Harry as if he should know what she wants him to do. She stomped her foot and said, "Well? What are you still doing here? Get up to bed; it's late!" Tears were running down her face but she didn't care.

Harry jumped and looking apologetically at Cedric and Krum, he hurriedly took off towards the entrance, where Ron was peeking from around the doors. Harry guessed he wasn't walking fast enough for Hermione's taste because she called out, yes, angrily (Hermione's very angry tonight, isn't she?), "To bed, both of you!"

Harry gave a questioning look at Ron, who shrugged, and looked back once again at Hermione before fleeing for the safety of their dormitory. Harry thought Cedric looked like he was dying of holding in his laughter but feared the wrath of Hermione Granger should he let it out.

Bloody hell, why did he have to go and love a guy who finds Hermione bossing them around funny as hell?