Sorry for the long wait. Only a few more chapters and year one is done! I can't wait.
Chapter 8
Hermione had decided her silly crush on Cedric would fade with time and tried not to let his dates with Marietta bother her. He didn't seem to enjoy his time with her as much as he should have, so that made Hermione feel better. It wasn't that she didn't want Cedric to be happy. She just didn't really like Marietta that much. She was a bit of a snob and went around telling everyone that would listen about her dates with Cedric.
The weeks went by fast and before they knew it Christmas was just around the corner. Hermione and Cedric would be spending Christmas with their families while Harry and Ron were staying at Hogwarts. The day all the students left for Christmas break Cedric and Hermione exchanged gifts with their friends.
Cedric woke up early that morning eager to give out his gifts. He greeted everyone in his common room and gave his friends their little gifts. He got Tamsin, Maxine, and Herbert bags of candy from Hogsmead. He got Malcolm and Heidi new quaffles, and Anthony a beater club. He received lots of candy and even a magic quill that writes essays for you. That was definitely going to be of use.
After giving his own housemates their gifts he all but ran to Gryffindor tower to get to Hermione before she left her common room.
Hermione woke up that same morning in good spirits. She was down in the common room before Ron and Harry as usual and waited impatiently to give them their presents.
When they finally came out of their room Hermione jumped up.
"Finally: I thought you'd never get up." Hermione said grabbing their gifts.
"Happy Christmas you two." Hermione said handing Ron and Harry their perfectly wrapped presents.
"Ummm Hermione, I think you got the date mixed up or something. Christmas is still a week away." Ron said yawning and rubbing the crust from his eyes.
"I know that Ronald but I won't be here on Christmas and I wanted to give you my gifts in person." Hermione explained.
"Oh well in that case thanks." Ron said grabbing the package and tearing into it excitedly until he saw what it was.
"A book? Great, I always wanted to read The History of the Chudley Cannons." Ron said sarcastically.
Hermione's smile fell.
"Don't listen to him Hermione. I really like this one." Harry said holding up Quiddich Through the Ages . "I'll definitely read it." Harry said kindly.
"You don't have to pretend to like it. I'm sorry I got you the worst presents ever." Hermione said as her voice cracked.
"Don't be upset. Why do you always have to be such a drama queen?" Ron said.
Hermione ignored him.
"Here I got you candy too I'm sure you'll like that. I'll see you later." Hermione said walking away from them.
Hermione left the common room and let her tears fall. She didn't realize Cedric was sitting there waiting for her.
"Well it's about time I was about to give the fat lady a piece of my mind if she didn't open the… what happened?" Cedric said noticing Hermione's tears.
"Nothing I'm just overreacting." Hermione said wiping her eyes.
"It was Weasel wasn't it." Cedric stated angrily. "I swear I'm gonna knock some sense into that thick head of his."
"No. Please don't fight. This is supposed to be a nice gift giving day." Hermione said.
"Speaking of gifts… Happy Christmas Hermione." Cedric said holding out a poorly wrapped gift.
Hermione smiled and took the gift eagerly. She ripped the packaging and was surprised by what she saw. It was a beautifully framed moving photo of Cedric and Hermione flying. Hermione was hugging Cedric from behind and they were both smiling. The caption underneath the photo said: "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it."
"Wow that's from Peter Pan how did you…"
Professor Burbage. I asked her about it because I couldn't find the bloody book anywhere." Cedric complained.
"I love it Cedric. How did you take it?" Hermione asked.
"Well Potter is a good man to have around sometimes. I asked him to take it for me."
"It's great Cedric really thoughtful." Hermione said.
"No problem Granger."
"Um I got you a present too. I mean it's nothing really if you don't like it I could just exchange it for something else. It's stupid really I should have just…"
"Would you quit rambling and give it to me already." Cedric said with a laugh. "I'm sure I'll love it." Cedric finished seriously.
Hermione handed him the package and was nervous he would have a reaction like Ron to her gift.
Cedric tore the paper and a sweet smile came to his face as he saw the cover of Peter Pan revealed itself to him.
"I know it's just a children's book but…"
Cedric put his hand over her mouth.
"I love it. Thank you. I'm gonna read it later." Cedric smiled.
Just then Harry and Ron came out of their common room. They walked over to Cedric and Hermione and Harry elbowed Ron in the side.
"I'm really sorry I reacted the way I did to your gift Hermione. I appreciate that you even got me anything at all." Ron said looking ashamed.
"Here Hermione, these are from us." Harry said handing Hermione a gift.
Ron handed her another one.
"It's okay Ron. Thank you for your presents." Hermione said as she opened her gifts revealing quills and rolls of parchment.
"We know how fast you run out of parchment and your quills are all worn out sooo…" Harry said.
"They're great thanks you guys." Hermione said to each of them.
"Let me go put these in my trunk and then we can go get breakfast." Hermione said as she went back into the common room.
As soon as she was gone Cedric glared at Ron.
"What kind of spoiled brat are you? You can't even accept a gift?" Cedric sneared at Ron.
"Hey I was just teasing her. She's the one that gets over emotional about everything!" Ron yelled back.
"You're such an arse Weasel." Cedric said shaking his head.
"I told you not to call me that!" Ron shouted getting into Cedric's face.
"Come on Ron lets go get breakfast." Harry said grabbing Ron's cloak and tugging him away from Cedric. Giving Cedric an apologetic look as he walked away.
Cedric smirked and yelled after them "Hey Weasel where's my present?"
"Up yours Diggory."
Cedric was still laughing when Hermione came out of her common room. She walked up to Cedric and hit him in the chest.
"I told you not to fight with him."
"I can't help it. You know I can't." Cedric smiled. "Besides he annoys me."
"I know but he's right. I can get over emotional about things."
"No kidding but…wait were you eavesdropping on our entire conversation?"
"Pretty much." Hermione said looking guilty.
Cedric sighed. "Come on nosy we don't want to miss Christmas breakfast. It's by far the best breakfast of the year. You're going to love it. Maybe after breakfast we can fly more so you get the hang of it better."
"That would be nice, but… don't you want to spend time with Marietta before you leave? She probably wouldn't like that anyway."
"Oh… yeah I should probably find her and give her, her gift."
"You gave me my present before you gave your girlfriend hers?"
"Yeah why?" Cedric said with a shrug.
"Nothing, just don't tell her that."
"You know what I better go find her now. You're making me nervous." Cedric said.
"Yeah that's probably a good idea. She'll want to spend time with you before you leave tonight." Hermione said.
"I guess so. If I don't see you later then have a happy Christmas Hermione. Tell your parents all about the awesome Hufflepuff you met this term." Cedric said.
"I will. You have a happy Christmas too Cedric. I'll write to you to keep in touch. You'll write back won't you?"
"Well I don't know... Of course I will you ninny!"
Cedric and Hermione parted ways in the Great Hall. She went over to Harry and Ron and watched Cedric greet Marietta.
Marietta kissed him and looked so happy when Cedric gave her, her gift. Hermione couldn't see what it was from her table, but Marietta showed it to all her friends. They were all squealing and gushing about how great it was. Hermione rolled her eyes at them and turned back to her table and the delicious looking food that was in front of her. Suddenly she didn't have much of an appetite anymore.