Reservation at Madam Puddifoot's
The Valentine's Day Hogsmeade visit was a big deal—everyone knew that. It was the time to let the rest of the school know who you were dating, have a romantic afternoon, and, if you were lucky, become a hot piece of gossip in the Hogwarts grapevine.
Cho couldn't wait to go with Cedric. He'd asked her a few weeks back, and she had of course said yes. Now, she stood at the entrance to the wizarding village, holding Cedric's hand and beaming proudly as other girls shot her envious looks.
"We should get going," Cedric said, consulting his watch. "We've got a reservation at Madam Puddifoot's for 12:30."
A tall, blonde girl who was walking by sighed wistfully when she heard that.
"Aw, you got us a reservation there, Ced?" Cho asked, pretending to be surprised. She'd had Marietta suggest the arrangements to Cedric so that he wouldn't suspect her hand in it.
Cedric smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I thought it'd be, you know, romantic."
Cho practically skipped all the way to the little tea shop.
...
"Aw, this is adorable!" Cho exclaimed, looking around at the Valentine's decor. There were little cherubs floating around, throwing confetti on the occupants below. Every table was covered in a bright scarlet or fuchsia tablecloth and set with crisp white lacy napkins. A female singer crooned a love ballad in the background. It was all so...perfect.
Cedric was looking around too. "Madam Puddifoot really gets into the holiday spirit here, doesn't she?"
"Oh, yes," Cho replied happily, waving at Madam Puddifoot. The kindly witch directed them to a table near the window, much to Cho's delight. Now anyone who walked by would be able to see her sitting there with Cedric.
Could this day get any more wonderful?
...
"I'm so glad I asked you here, Cho," Cedric said softly.
The pair had been at the tea shop for over an hour, their cups of tea finished long ago. They'd gotten lost in conversation—and in each other's eyes—and Cho didn't want the afternoon to ever end.
"I'm glad too," she responded, tucking a strand of glossy black hair behind her ear. "I've had so much fun."
Cedric leaned forward and Cho, sensing what he was about to do, leaned forward too. She let her eyelids flutter shut just as his lips pressed against hers.
She couldn't help but hope that a big group of girls would see them. That would really be the cherry on top of her best Valentine's Day ever.
Word count: 419
