Chapter 9- The Ball Interlude
Cedric heard Harry approach before he saw him. His eyes were glued to the scene in front of him; Hermione and Viktor twirling and galloping in a fiery dance, a seamless choreography as if they had practised it over and over again. They hadn't, of course, there had not been time for that, but it was as if they had danced hundreds of other dances together. So when Harry threatened to interrupt the bliss he was watching, Cedric was reluctant to let him.
"They look great, don't they?" Harry commented, his words stinging Cedric more than he realised they would. It was pure, hard fact that Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum made an exquisite couple and he often worried about where he would fit into that. Their relationship was equal and always had been, but that didn't stop the doubts from entering his mind.
Cedric cleared his throat, nodding. "They really do. I'm so lucky to have them."
Harry perched on the ledge underneath them, hands resting on his knees. "I always wondered who Hermione would find."
Cedric chuckled slightly, eyes flickering away from the beautiful dance. "I always thought it'd be you."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I've heard that before." Shaking his head vehemently, he added, "Hermione's like my sister. She's always been there for me like a sibling would be. Out of anyone, I'm glad she has you and Viktor."
"I thought I'd be receiving the older brother speech," Cedric rebutted coolly.
Harry shook his head, tapping his feet along to the song, as offbeat as he always had been. "Nah. She's ten months older than me, anyway, and she definitely doesn't need me to defend her honour. She does that all by herself."
"She certainly does."
"Hey, is there something wrong?" Harry frowned.
Cedric's lips quirked into a small smile. "I never realised you were this observant."
Harry scoffed, watching the lights dance around the room. Professor Flitwick had conjured some fireflies to swirl into hurricanes outside the space which made the whole occasion so much more enchanting to look at. There was a slight balcony area which was currently occupied by Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. No way was Harry even thinking about going near those two. Individually, they were two of Harry's least favourite people but together they were even worse.
"Observation is inevitable when you grow up on the outside. Before Hogwarts, friends weren't easy for me to come by. So I watched everybody else having fun so maybe I could learn how to make friends of my own at some point. I've gotten very good at it. While I'm on a roll, I'm guessing it has something to do with your partners."
Cedric sipped the last of his pumpkin juice and smiled wryly. "You'd be right. Don't get me wrong, I care about them both very much. It's just my problem. I mean, look at them. Hermione is radiant and Viktor is everybody's walking wet dream."
Harry raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Cedric. You're not exactly ugly. I heard a group of Ravenclaw girls clamouring over the fact that you were taken and that they couldn't have you. Not Viktor, you. Yeah, he's an international celebrity—."
"Way to cheer me up, Harry," Cedric snorted.
"But that doesn't mean that you're not equally as special. Trust me, Hermione wouldn't be with you if you weren't worth it. And besides, fame isn't everything. I've been mentioned in history books and I'm only here because Parvati couldn't find anybody else to go with. Also because going with me meant that Ron would be available to go with her sister."
Cedric chuckled to himself. "I thought you and Ron might have given up the pretence altogether and gone with each other."
"I prefer my dates to not be wearing frilly circus attire," Harry retorted sharply.
"He does look rather ridiculous."
"I reckon only he could pull it off, though."
"Only he would try," Cedric quipped, making Harry laugh freely. The younger boy coughed quietly and breathed in deeply. "You know, when I first realised that my name had come out of the Goblet of Fire, I was terrified. Then I was almost impressed because I'd been chosen. Then I remembered that I didn't actually enter and went back to being terrified."
"I can imagine."
"The main reason I was terrified was because I was up against you. You've been top of your year for six years straight and, if you were doing exams this year, you'd be top again. You're the Hermione of your year."
Cedric laughed. "I wouldn't go that far. Hermione is something else entirely."
"There you go underestimating yourself. You're tied for first place in this tournament. You missed one point and that was because of tournament politics, not because of your performance."
Cedric shrugged. "I guess, but—."
"But nothing," Harry interrupted sternly. "You're a good guy, Cedric. You should remember that."
The conversation was interrupted by an awkwardly positioned Parvati Patil. She hovered over them with her arms folded.
"Harry, I thought part of this arrangement meant that you would at least dance with me every so often."
"We danced before!" Harry countered, confused as to what he had actually signed up for.
She scoffed. "Because it was mandatory. Seriously, do you know anything about how to treat a girl?"
Cedric's eyes widened infinitesimally. "Harry would love to dance with you. Wouldn't you, Harry?" Cedric nudged his friend pointedly.
Harry nodded uncertainly. "Sure, I like this song anyway."
Cedric suddenly wondered whether Harry even knew this song, never mind actively enjoyed it. There wasn't much time to think at the Yule Ball, as things were quite fast paced. Dances were ending and drinks were being had and Cedric relished the few seconds he had to take it all in. He was at a grand ball with a boyfriend and girlfriend he deeply cared about with the opportunity presenting itself for him to finally make something of himself. The Triwizard Tournament was his time to show everyone that he was more than what they thought him to be. And he was going to do exactly that.
"Hermione?"
When the girl turned around, she was surprised at what she saw.
"Fleur? Hi, uh, did you need something?"
Fleur smiled that radiant smile and Hermione understood why everybody was so enchanted by her. Not that it had the same particular effect on her, but she could definitely see the appeal and why every single boy and quite a substantial number of the girls at Hogwarts and Durmstrang had wanted to ask her to the Yule Ball.
"I just wanted to talk," Fleur replied smoothly, taking a seat next to the girl as Cedric and Viktor danced slowly, merely rocking back and forth to the slow song being conducted by a magical orchestra. "I thought now might be a good time, while you're not being stolen away by your boyfriends."
Hermione eyed her cautiously. "You don't disapprove."
"Of your relationship? Heavens, no! Love is love and the three of you make a very good trio. The beauty is hard to miss."
Hermione's eyes twinkled brightly. "They're quite something, aren't they?"
Fleur tutted. "I was actually talking about you. Sure, the boys are very eye-catching, but you've stolen the night. You're very beautiful."
Hermione blushed. "I'm not you," she mumbled automatically.
Fleur understood immediately. She guessed that people had made fun of Hermione for some amount of time because of various things and she had been conditioned to believe them. The world wasn't fair in its treatment of anybody, but from what she had heard, Hermione Granger was exceptional in just about every way. "No, you're not. You're you and it's important that you realise that, Hermione. Look, I don't know you personally besides this conversation, but from what I can tell, you're a lot more than you think you are."
Hermione grinned. "Thanks, Fleur. Are you having fun with Roger?"
Fleur shrugged passively. "He's not bad company, but we're here as friends. I have a beautiful girl waiting for me back in France who wouldn't be happy if I hooked up with Roger Davies."
Hermione's eyes widened.
Fleur smirked and pointed at herself. "Bisexual and proud. Don't worry, I'm not looking for entrance into your triangle of hot teenagers."
At that point, the music ended and Cedric and Viktor took a moment to kiss each other chastely on the cheek and wander back towards Hermione.
Fleur winked. "I guess that's my cue to leave. It was nice talking to you, Hermione."
Hermione smiled warmly. "You too, Fleur. You look gorgeous. But you know that already."
Fleur rolled her eyes fondly and resumed dancing with her Beauxbatons friends. Hermione tried to take in things that Fleur had said, but the Yule Ball was hardly the place for introspection. Her handsome boyfriends were quickly approaching. Hermione decided that there was nothing on her mind that she couldn't postpone until the morning. For now, her boyfriends needed her attention. And she was happy to give it.
"You know, it's hard to find a stolen corner of this castle. Despite its size, there always seems to be somebody everywhere," Hermione commented as the trio took a moment for themselves. Viktor perched on a bench leaning against the wall. Hermione took the middle spot and Cedric sat opposite the Quidditch player. It was a comfortable dynamic, effortless and without discussion. Each party had their own place to fit in the puzzle and each of them knew exactly where that was.
"In my first year," Cedric smiled, "I found this abandoned classroom on the second floor where nobody ever went. Seriously, I spent a lot of time there and nobody bothered me. It's a little like your corner of the library, Hermione. A place where you would go to get yourself together and collect your thoughts. You got a place like that back home, Vik?"
The Bulgarian boy grinned widely as he thought of his sanctuary. "Absolutely. Durmstrang isn't known for its grand turrets and forests, but it knows its way around a dungeon. There was one particular one I used to frequent after hours. I'd sneak out of bed with either a book or just my thoughts and just be for a while. When things got too much, that's where I'd go. If I had an especially cruel Quidditch practise, that's where I'd go."
"You must miss Bulgaria," Hermione said, wrapping an arm around Viktor's waist.
The man shrugged. "It's not so bad. Not when I have such good company around me."
"Smooth," Cedric commented, loosening his tie a little. The Great Hall was still visible from their point of view and Cedric was mesmerised, even still, by the artificial snowflakes that drizzled down from the ceiling (which had been enchanted to look like a wintery sky, the pale grey hues swirling amongst each other.
"I try," Viktor shrugged. "You know, we haven't talked about what's going to happen after the Tournament is over."
Cedric shook his head. "We're not having this discussion until we absolutely need to. We all knew from the beginning that our time together was finite, we're not going to shorten it in our minds by running down the clock."
Hermione blinked passively. "I wish we had more time."
"There's always summer," Viktor suggested. "Needless to say we'll still be in contact, but I could come over for a few weeks before term starts again."
"I've always wanted to see Bulgaria," Hermione thought aloud. "No, Cedric's right. We can talk about this after the Third Task, can't we?"
Viktor nodded. "Right."
A sudden cough interrupted their discussion.
"Oh, Professor McGonagall," Cedric smiled politely. "Is something wrong?"
The woman shook her head. "I'm afraid the Yule Ball is coming to a conclusion now. You three should exchange goodnights and disperse to your dormitories. I hope you enjoyed the evening."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione beamed. "It was a lovely event."
With that, Professor McGonagall returned to the Great Hall to finish sending students back to their Towers.
Hermione turned back to her boyfriends. "Thank you both for a really lovely night, I had a wonderful time."
The boys shared similar opinions and Viktor sighed softly.
"What is it?"
"I just…really hate the Slytherin Common Room."
Cedric chuckled. "I don't imagine it's particularly well lit."
"That's an understatement if I ever heard one," Viktor replied swiftly. "Oh, are we doing a strategy meeting tomorrow?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Professor Snape shortened the deadline for our Potions essays, so I have to get that done but I'll be free to strategise after that."
Cedric shook her head. "Don't let yourself fall behind, Mione. We said that from the start, remember? If it was interfering with your schoolwork, you weren't obligated to help. Viktor and I can run one tomorrow and fill you in when you're available."
Hermione nodded. "Okay. I expect detailed briefings though."
"Always," Viktor agreed. "I'd better head down. If I leave it any longer, the Slytherins won't leave me alone until I sign things for them." He kissed both Hermione and Cedric on the lips, longing to spend a little longer feeling their warmth. He pulled away reluctantly, squeezing their hands and wishing them a restful night of sleep.
Hermione turned to Cedric. "And then there were two."
"Are you coming?" Cedric offered his arm.
Hermione shook her head. "I said I'd find Harry and Ron before we left. They're probably still waiting in the Great Hall for me."
Cedric nodded. "I had a lovely night with you both. Thank you for making this so special."
"Thank you for being a wonderful dance partner," Hermione leaned up and kissed his mouth deeply. "See you tomorrow?"
"Of course," Cedric replied, before leaving her to herself. Hermione watched him turn the corner and released a breath.
She really had had the most perfect night she could have imagined for herself. Two amazing companions who wanted her for her. Hermione never would have dreamed that she would have found one person like Cedric or Viktor, but to find them both in the same place? The odds of that happening were extremely slim, Hermione thought. She knew that she couldn't take it for granted and she was thankful for every second that she got to spend with them.
Even though the Second Task was still just under two months away, the thought of it made Hermione feel sick. If a dragon wasn't bad enough, the mystery of the Egg was even more daunting. It relied heavily on their skill and the boys had only returned from their late night bath with a riddle that they had intended to analyse in detail but were prevented from doing so by the announcement of the Yule Ball. That had left no time for preparation.
In the end, preparation was what was going to get them through the next two challenges that lay ahead. The Triwizard Tournament was infamous for being unpredictable and fatal to some. Even with the new safety rule, anything could happen in these next two tasks. Hermione just prayed that she still had her boyfriends and her best friend alive after the Tournament ended.
