Belle of the Year, Chapter 3
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait. I've been busy with school and being grounded over Christmas break. It kinda sucks. I have to stay in my room and study non-stop for my stupid Chemistry final. But, on a lighter note, here's chapter 3! Thanks to my reviewers:
Just so you know, some of the people who were sorted are actual friends of mine. I sorted myself, too.
Chapter 3: Ancient Runes and Making Plans
Hermione woke up the next day after having a truly wonderful dream about Cedric. She couldn't help wondering, though, why she couldn't stop thinking about him. But, she pushed the thought from her head as she went down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
As breakfast appeared, Harry said, "Oh, yeah. What did you have to talk to McGonagall about, Hermione?" She laughed and said, "Oh, that. It's not important." "So," Ron said, "What class do you have first, 'Mione?" "oh..." she looked at her schedule. "Ancient Runes. Why?" Ron just shrugged and went back to eating.
As Hermione looked over at the Hufflepuff table at Cedric, she sighed. Suddenly, Cedric looked over at her and smiled. She was surprised, to say the least, but she shyly smiled back at him. Ron noticed this and said, "Why are you smiling at Diggory? Why is he smiling at you? You two aren't...I mean...you're not...going out!" Hermione laughed at Ron and said, "Of course not, Ronald! We're...just friends." Ron seemed to accept this, and started talking to Harry about Quidditch.
Over at the Hufflepuff table, Cedric noticed that HErmione was looking at him. He smiled at her, and he saw her smile shyly back at him. Suddenly, Ernie McMillan said, "So, Cedric. What class do you have first today?" "Ancient Runes." he replied. "Why?" "Just wondering." Ernie said. Cedric hoped that there would be at least someone he knew in his class, since none of his Hufflepuff friends were interested in Ancient Runes. He decided that he would just have to wait and see. He turned to his friends and started talking about the Triwizard Tournament. "Are you going to enter?" Hannah Abbott asked him. Cedric shrugged. "I don't know. I might." "You should enter, Ced." Ernie said. "You would be the perfect Hogwarts champion." Cedric couldn't help smiling. "Thanks, Ernie."
Suddenly, Dumbledore stood up. "Before you all go to your first class," he said, "I must say again that if you sign up for the Tournament, and your name is drawn, you are committed for all three tasks. Just thought that you would want to think about that. You may go."
"Well, see you guys later." Cedric said, walking away.
5 minutes later, Cedric walked into the Ancient Runes classroom and immediately say that he didn't know anyone in his class. He sighed. This is going to be a long year, he thought, as he took a seat by himself in the front.
Hermione walked into the Ancient Runes classroom and gasped. "Cedric, what are you doing here?" she asked. "Um...taking a class." Cedric replied. Hermione took a quick look around. I don't know anyone here but Cedric! she thought. "I take it you don't know anyone else here, either." Cedric said. Hermione looked at him. "What makes you say that?" She asked casually. "Oh, nothing. The look on your face helped a bit, though." Cedric replied. "Listen, why don't you sit by me?" She looked surprised. "Are you sure it wouldn't bother you?" He laughed and said, "Hey, I'd rather sit with someone I know than by myself." "Oh, all right, then." Hermione said, relenting. "I'm glad I know at least one person in this class." Cedric said. Hermione laughed and sat down.
At the end of the class, as Hermione started to walk out, Cedric said, "Hermione, wait!" She stopped and looked at him questioningly. "Yes, Cedric? What is it?" He walked over to her and said, "Well, even though this is my 3rd year of taking this class, I didn't understand half of what Professor Kay said. So, I was wondering..." "Yes, Cedric?" Hermione said, her heart thumping wildly. Could he be asking her what she thought he was asking her? "Um...do you think that we could meet in the library sometime this week, and you could help me with it, as it seems you understood it more than I did. So...what do you think?" Cedric said. "Oh...sure." Hermione said, feeling down. She didn't know why she had thought that he was going to ask her out! "Hey, what's wrong?" Cedric said, lifting her chin up slightly so he could see more of her face. "Oh...it's nothing. I just thought that you were going to ask me something different. But, don't worry, I'm fine now!" she said, even as her breath caught in her throat just from him touching her chin. Cedric laughed and said, "Oh, all right then. If that's it...I'm sorry if I made you feel insecure for a moment."
Hermione couldn't help laughing at this. "Oh, no! It wasn't you! So what about the library?" Cedric looked really happy as he said, "Oh yeah! Um...is Wednesday at 7 all right with you?" Hermione nodded. "Wednesday at 7 is great." They shook on it, and started walking to their next class.
"So, Cedric." Hermione said, as they were walking. "Are you going to enter the Triwizard Tournament?" "Oh, huh? Sorry, what did you say?" Cedric said, as if he had just come out of a trance. Hermione laughed. "I just asked if you were going to enter the tournament or not." "Oh. Sorry. Um...probably. I mean, I did just turn 17 last week." They both laughed. "Well, Cedric, I have to turn here." Hermione said as they approached the Transfiguration hallway. "Oh." Cedric said, unhappily. "Well, see you Wednesday. Um...would it be all right if I stopped by the Gryffindor table during lunch today for a few minutes, so I can ask you about something?" "Huh? Oh, yeah. That'd be great. Come anytime. Well, see you." Hermione said, waving.
As she walked away, Cedric couldn't help looking at Hermione for a few seconds. He couldn't help wondering why he coudln't stop thinking about her all last night. Man! I'm really glad that she didn't see me watching her that whole time. But...why was I looking at her? Do I have a crush on her? I wonder...does she like me, too? Nah, she couldn't. She's got Potter and Weasley for that!
TBC...
Review! Review! Review! I don't have writer's block anymore, as you can see. At least for the time being. So, tell me what you think! NO FLAMES, UNLESS THEY ARE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM! No saying, "Your story sucks!" or anything like that. Thanks again!
chrispaigelover
