Chapter 6 Let You Down

Crystal brushed her quill against her forehead, she had no idea what the answer was. She had Astronomy homework, and she hadn't paid any attention to what the professor had been saying. She looked around the common room, it was so late the fire was even dying. She glanced at her watch, it was five in the morning! She laid her head against the chair and moaned. She'd spent every waking moment with Cedric all week, and now she was paying for it. This chart was due the next day, she had about a third of it filled. She glanced in her book for the name of the stars in the third quadrant. She looked out the window, the sky was slowly turning a pale grey. She shook her head, she had to focus on her homework! After labeling three stars, her mind began to wander. Spring Break was coming up in a few days (A/N: Yes, I'm saying they have Spring Break, so quiet!). She didn't plan on going home, maybe she'd do something with Cho. She filled another third of the chart, taking her a half an hour. Her eyelids began to droop as she began to fill the last part. She'd rest for just a minute, then she'd get back to work. The second her eyes closed, she was out.

She jolted awake from the sound of voices. She looked at her watch. "Shit!" She had ten minutes until Astronomy! She gathered up her stuff and brushed her hair while climbing out of the portrait hole. Maybe she could finish her chart before the Professor collected them. She unrolled the parchment, checking to see what she had left. She found all of the chart filled in. She shook her head and smiled, it was Cedric's handwriting. She dropped off her chart and took her seat. She took notes during this class and actually paid attention. She crept up behind Cedric and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you for helping me with my homework. You're awesome," He smiled and blushed.

"Looked like you needed some help," He smiled again and asked. "So, what are your plans for Spring Break?" Crystal shrugged. "Would you want to spend it with me?" Crystal smiled.

"Sure, what do you have planned?"

"I was hoping we could stay at my house and you could meet my parents. They should get to know you,"

"Sounds good," The next week, they got on the train back to Kings's Cross.

"Ready?" Cedric asked. Crystal nodded and grabbed Cedric's hand. They apparated to a small house in the country.

"I'm nervous," Crystal whispered. Cedric smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Don't be, they'll love you,"Cedric opened up the door and welcomed his parents. Crystal hung back, not wanting to ruin Cedric's happy moment. "Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Crystal," Crystal smiled and went to shake their hands, when they held back.

"Yes, we read about you," They said bitterly. Throughout the months since the ball, more articles about her and Cedric had come out. Each one more hurtful and untrue than the last.

"You guys don't really believe that stuff, do you?"

"Not about you, honey. But how do we know what's true about her?" His mother asked.

"Mom, this is ridiculous. Crystal is a smart, beautiful girl. You have to believe me,"

"I don't think so. She'll have to prove to us that Rita Skeeter is wrong," Cedric sighed and went up to his old room. Crystal shifted uncomfortably and said. "I'll go and check on Cedric," She climbed up the stairs to his room. Cedric was standing in front of his window, a hand combing through his hair. "Ced?" He turned back, his mouth set in a tight line.

"I'm sorry about my parents. I didn't think they'd be so close minded," Crystal sighed and laid her head on Cedric's shoulder.

"It can't get much worse," He smiled and kissed her.

"I suppose we should go with my parents to dinner. We're going to a really nice restaurant, so did you bring the dress?"

"Yes, and I think you're gonna look great in it," He smiled and playfully punched her. She then went and searched in her trunk for a floor length, dark brown halter top dress. It had light blue around the waist and she had brought brown sandals. She stepped from Cedric's room, and down the stairs, Cedric already had on his black tux. He smiled as he saw her.

"You look great," He said and held her hand. Them and Cedric's parents apparated to La Cocoa restaurant. They took their seats and ordered.

"Crystal, how many O.W.L.'s did you get?" Cedric's dad asked.

"Dad!"Cedric said and glared at his father. "Please, give Crystal a chance. She is smart, funny, beautiful and I love her. You have to get used to it, because it's not going to change,"

"Couldn't you have picked anyone else? Like a girl without such an extreme weight problem?" Crystal bit back her words by squeezing Cedric's hand under the table.

"Babe, let go before I need to saw my own hand off," He whispered. She released her grip, her eyes hardening. "I love this song, Crystal, let's dance," He said, grabbing her hand and leading her away.

"You know that article sets me off," She whispered in his ear.

"I know, I'd hoped that they wouldn't bring that up," She laced her fingers with is.

"Why do your parents hate me?"

"They don't hate you, they just don't know the real you. Once they find out who you really are, they'll love you," She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "It'll be alright," She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes and kissed him. "No matter what my parents think, I'll always love you," Cedric said. He looked over her shoulder towards his parents. They'd been watching them, like Crystal was some diseased rodent. Cedric placed his hands on her waist and kissed her. He the led her from the dance floor, and back to the table. A few minutes later, their food arrived. They ate in silence, neither couple daring to break the silence.

"Why do you guys hate me?" Crystal asked, ending the quiet meal.

"Crystal!" Cedric said.

"No, I want to know,"

"St least wait until we get home. It wouldn't be proper to have a fight in the middle of a crowded restaurant," His mom said.

"Fine," Crystal said, crossing her arms. After paying for their meals, they apparated home. Crystal sat down on the couch and repeated her earlier question.

"We don't hate you, we just think you're not good enough for our son,"

"Give me a reason why,"

"You have no parents, you're not that bright, you're fat, ugly and you have a nasty temper," Crystal's mouth hung open. She stood up, facing Cedric's parents. She locked eyes with them, their eyes were lazy and uncaring. Their insults had just rolled out, they hadn't had to think about it at all.

"My parents are dead, that is not my fault. I am one of the top Huffelpuff's in my year. I have a temper because people like you piss me off. I am not fat or ugly, and Cedric doesn't think so ,either. I love your son, and he loves me. You're going to have to accept that, or this is going to be a very unpleasant relationship," She took a deep breath, letting her words sink in.

"How can you be sure Cedric loves you?" Cedric got up and put his arm around her waist. "She can be sure. I love her, and always will,"

"Even if our son is delusional now, he'll soon come to his senses," Crystal sighed in annoyance and went out the door. She walked down the driveway, not caring where she went.

"You guys are jerks. There is nothing wrong with her, it's you guys that have the problem," He said. Cedric shook his head and left. He slammed the door on his way out. "Crystal!" He saw her outline in the darkness down the driveway. She was sitting next to a tree, looking upwards. "Hey, Baby," He said, sitting down next to her.

"Hey," She said, in between sobs.

"You alright?"

"No, I'm not alright. You heard what they said about me," She wiper her eyes, she hated anyone seeing her cry.

"I know, they're assess. I'm really sorry," Cedric kissed her neck. "Come on, let's get out of here,"

"Where? Then train back doesn't come for another couple of days,"Cedric shrugged, but then his face lit up.

"I've got an old friend we can hang with. It'll be awesome, I'll send them a note tomorrow,"

"Alright, sounds good," She said with a sigh. He wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep.

A/N: There, a long chapter done! Been real busy with school, 10th grade sucks! Least I'm not a stupid little freshman any more. My principal is a bitch with a capital B, she switched my lunch so now I'm in a lunch with nobody I know. Every single one of my friends is in lunch A, and I'm stuck in lunch C. But enough of my rambling, I'm sure it's not quite that interesting. Anyway...ummm...thanks for reading!