Chapter 4 The Yule Ball

Crystal sighed in anticipation as she adjusted her dress. She was in the common room getting ready with Cho. Harry had asked Cho to go with him Cho had chosen a black, floor length, black halter top dress. The dress had a slit on the side and black elbow length gloves. She had on black sandals and her hair was straightened. Crystal had chosen a floor length black strapless dress. It had a pink sash around the waist and over the shoulder. She had on black sandals and her hair was also straightened.

"I'm so glad Harry asked me, even though Cedric dumped me. Who are you going with, Crystal?"

"Cho, I'm going with Cedric," Cho's eyes widened.

"Oh, that's cool," She said slowly.

"Cho, please, don't let him come between us," Cho smiled.

"Alright, to having our own champions!" Crystal laughed and hugged Cho. They walked down the stairs, Cho in front. Harry took Cho's hand and smiled at her. Crystal looked around for Cedric, but couldn't find him. Pansy Parkinson came by with Draco.

"Maybe he stood you up, Huffley Puff," Draco said.

"Draco, you're not suggesting I would stand up my girlfriend, are you?" Cedric asked, coming out of nowhere. Draco glared at him. "Come on, Crystal, we have to dance the first dance," Crystal smiled and took his arm.

"What was that for? Making me sweat like that," Cedric smiled.

"Just a little prank," He kissed her cheek and put his arm around her waist. She took a deep breath as the doors opened. Fleur was first with her date, then Krum with Hermione, then Crystal and Cedric, and last were Harry and Cho. Cedric put his arm around her waist as they started to dance. Crystal could not stop smiling throughout the entire dance. The music soon sped up and everyone else started dancing. Cedric led her to a table and they sat down with some punch. Crystal smiled at him and he squeezed her hand.

"Ced, thanks for taking me,"

"You look beautiful, Crystal. I wouldn't want to be here with anybody else. I know it's kind of a touch subject, but I wanted to know about your parents," Crystal took his hand and led him outside. She sat him down on the edge of the fountain. Crystal sighed and said. "My parents died at the hand of Death Eaters. What really bugs me is that the last thing they told me is that they promised me they wouldn't leave me. I remember being really freaked out when I heard the screams outside. They then went to try and stop the Death Eaters, but they ended up killing each other. It's hard for me to believe another promise after that," By the time she'd finished, tears had welled in her eyes. She quickly shook away the tears. Cedric held her hand and put his arm around her waist.

"Here's a promise you can believe. I will never leave you, and I love you with all my heart," Crystal wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. They broke apart and Crystal wiped her eyes of the tears.

"Thanks, Ced," He smiled that smile of his, which made Crystal smile. Moths flew around the lights and the stars twinkled in the sky. Crystal leaned up against him and he stroked her hair. Suddenly, tow water balloons fell on to them. Crystal screamed as she saw the Weasly twins. She burst out laughing and ran after them. She kicked off her heels and chased them across the grounds. She grabbed one of the twins waits and dragged them down. Of course, it was the middle of winter, so the blow was softened by the snow. She laughed and pinned him down.

"Which one are you?" She asked playfully.

"I may be Fred, or I maybe be George," She pushed down his collar, and found no scar.

"George!"

"Oh, damn, you got me!"

"I'll get you back for this, George," He laughed and she let him up. Cedric came over to them.

"So, you get him back for soaking us?"

"He'll get it soon enough," George smirked at her and playfully punched her.

"I shall ever fear the wrath of Crystal," Crystal then realized how cold it was and started to shiver.

"George, I'll get you, but right now I'm freezing," Cedric picked her up and said. "I'll warm you up," She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. He set her down on a couch next to the fire in the Huffelpuff common room. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. They fell asleep in each others arms. They woke up the next day late in the afternoon. Crystal stretched her legs and got up. Cedric was still sleeping. Crystal smiled as she looked down on him. His cheeks were red and his mouth was set in a small pout. His hair was messed up and she could hear his deep breathing. She went up to her room and changed into jeans and a hoodie. She went back and Cedric was still sleeping. He moaned in his sleep as her sneakers echoed off the walls. He slowly opened his eyes and sat up.

"What time is it?" He mumbled.

"Lunch time," She replied. He smiled that smile and went to change. He came downstairs and saw her sitting on the window sill. The light from the falling snow illuminated her eyes, making them sparkle and shine.

"Ready?" He asked, breaking the silence. He saw her jump at his voice and turn towards him. She nodded and jumped from the window sill. He put his arm around her as they walked into the Great Hall. They sat down at the table and Cedric grabbed the paper. Crystal was drinking her coffee when Cedric slammed the paper down.

"What's up, Ced?"

"Look at this," She took the paper.

"Barty Crouch is missing, yeah, I know," He flipped it to the next page. She saw a picture of her and Cedric with the headline Champions Find Romance. In a smaller title near their picture it said, Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory, Has Found A Troubled Love. Crystal read out loud. "Crystal Vatios confides in us that her parents died years ago. Seconds before their death, they'd promised her they wouldn't die. The poor dear has been heartbroken ever since. Can Diggory love a girl who's lost everything close to her? Cedric will compete in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament in February. When questioned about Crystal, a young Slytherin had this to say. 'Crystal is always depressed about her parents. It's really sad, Cedric could do better. And she's so self-couscous about erh extreme weight, I find myself feeling sorry for her'. Will Cedric take his classmate's advice and trade up? We'll keep you posted. This is the lovely Rita Skeeter, signing off," Crystal threw the paper down and shook her head

"What does she mean extreme weight? I am not fat!" Cedric smiled at her and shook his head. "What's that smile for?" Cedric smiled, showing his teeth.

"You're so cute when you freak out," She rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed her forehead. He fiddled with her hair and she kissed him. A blonde girl sat down across from them. She cleared her throat and said in a high pitched voice. "Cedric,"

"Can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the next Hogsmeade trip with me?"

"Sorry, I'm going with Crystal," She glared at Crystal, a disgusted look on her face.

"Wouldn't you want to go with someone who doesn't have such an extreme weight problem?" Crystal eyes widened.

"Oh, you did not just call me fat!" She went to climb over the table, but Cedric grabbed her waist.

"Down girl," The girl cringed.

"And she's got anger problems, too! Well, call me when you change your mind," She then got up and left. Crystal glared at her back and said. "You should've let me tear that bitch a new one,"

"Easy Crystal, we'll get her back," She pouted and crossed her arms. He kissed her and she smiled. "Don't worry, I'd never dump you for that bimbo," She leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around her.

A/N: There, finished! First day of school, I'm really tired!