DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter.

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Chapter 29: So Slow

"'Harry, I've just found out who Ravenclaw are playing as Seeker. It's Cho Chang. She's a fourth-year, and she's pretty good... I really hoped she wouldn't be fit, she had some problems with injuries..." Wood scowled his displeasure that Cho Chang had made a full recovery, then said, 'On the other hand, she rides a Comet Two Sixty, which is going to look like a joke next to the Firebolt.' He gave Harry's broom a look of fervent admiration, the said, 'OK, everyone, let's go -'"

-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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1993

(Cedric and Hermione's past)

Christmas break at the Diggory residence was quiet but pleasant. Hermione would always help around. Most of the time, Ced would find her in the kitchen with his mum. He would sometimes go out with his father - usually, they would fly or go to a pub with some male friends. When not helping around, Hermione could be found in the family library, reading about magical beasts to help Professor Hagrid with Buckbeak's case. Crookshanks went to chase the gnomes in the garden every day, and Harley - Ced's owl - were either delivering a letter or sleeping in the shed.

Hermione was in touch with her parents and friends. Her mum and dad liked knowing more about her stay at the Diggory residence. They even promised to invite the Diggorys on Easter or next Christmas.

Hermione was also comfortable in the guest room. The walls were painted yellow, very similar to the Hufflepuff common room. The bed was enough for one person, and there was a small study table near the window. She liked studying there while sometimes seeing Ced and Mr. Diggory flying around the mini Quidditch pitch.

Ced never visited her room. She guessed he wasn't allowed, and neither did he invite her to see his room. They seemed to have this unspoken rule in the house. They just all gathered downstairs - in the sitting area, the dining room, the kitchen, and the library. And of course, outside. Sometimes Ced would play with her hair even in front of his parents while they sat next to each other in the living room, either having tea or just resting. At the dinner table, Ced would sometimes rest his free hand on her knee. Mr. and Mrs. Diggory never said anything about her and Ced's current status, but they really seem to be happy watching the two of them.

One morning, Hermione woke up a bit early. She was just walking downstairs when she overheard Mr. Diggory and Ced's conversation accidentally.

"That's something you can tell your children and grandchildren, Ced - you won the heart of the girl Harry Potter wanted."

"Dad..." There was Ced's modesty again.

"And you beat him in Quidditch!" Mr. Diggory sounded genuinely happy.

"Because he saw the Dementors and he fell off his broom..."

"And you can cast the Patronus Charm! Oh, my boy! You are such a great young wizard! Brilliant, my Ced!"

"Amos, that's enough," chuckled Mrs. Diggory. "Your son's ears are pink."

"Mum!" Ced protested. "I'm going to check on Crookshanks in the garden."

Hermione waited for a few moments before showing up in the living room.

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On the evening before Christmas Day, Hermione and the Diggory family were invited at the O'Brien Manor for a small gathering - for close friends and other relatives only. Hermione had nothing formal to wear - not expecting that she would attend a formal dinner.

But Mrs. Diggory was in rescue. She transfigured one of her old clothes (it didn't look old, Hermione thought) for Hermione. It was a long-sleeved A-line knee-length dress that was made of lace and with a Peter Pan collar. Hermione fell in love with the dress the first time she saw it. Mrs. Diggory just adjusted the hem, sleeves, and waist to fit her, but didn't alter the design nor the material of the dress. Mrs. Diggory also lent her a pair of red suede stilettos. With just one wand-wave, her hair was in a single French-fishtail braid.

When she and Mrs. Diggory went downstairs, she found the two wizards waiting. Mr. Diggory was wearing black and white formal wizard's robes and shiny shoes. Ced wore something similar, but Hermione could not help herself from staring at him in awe. His soft hair - a bit longer now - was parted in the middle, but still, a few were falling above his eyebrows. Perhaps it was just Hermione's imagination, but his grey eyes twinkled when he saw her.

"You look dashing," she said with a smile as she approached him.

"You're beautiful," he said, not taking his eyes off her. He raised a hand to brush her plait gently.

For a moment, they were lost in their own world. Hermione could feel the butterflies in her stomach and could not help herself from beaming. They only realized again that they weren't alone when Mr. Diggory called their names gently and announced that they were leaving.

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July 2020

(the present)

"Ced? What're you looking for?"

He looked up and smiled at his wife who found him in the study. He was sitting behind the study desk, scanning some photo albums. He was searching for a particular old photo.

"Our picture on 1993 Christmas Eve," he replied and scanned the album again.

Hermione approached him and stood on his left, placing a hand on his back. "Why?"

"I was telling Al our Hogwarts days. Not everything, of course... and then I suddenly remembered the white dress."

She chuckled and bent down to kiss his cheek and whisper to his ear. "You mean, the dress that made you realize I'm the one?"

Ced grinned, waved his wand towards the door, and swiftly pulled her to his lap, claiming her lips. It wasn't a chaste kiss, but a very eager one, so it awakened Hermione's senses. She was wearing denim trousers, therefore it was easy for him to straddle her husband. She did and rubbed herself against him. Ced groaned in between their kisses. His hands traveled inside her shirt, caressing her stomach. She jerked, feeling ticklish, but her husband didn't stop his ministrations. His hands even went further; his fingers caressed her sensitive nipples, making her yearn for more.

"More," she gasped when she broke the kiss.

"Where are the children?" he asked against her throat. She looked up at the ceiling and outstretched her neck to give him more access, allowing her husband to lick her skin.

"I'm asking you," he pinched her down her denim-covered crotch, making her moan and jerk. "Where are they?"

"Uh... Ian's place... Al included..." She whimpered when he yanked the neckline of her shirt and bra to claim one of her beasts and his other hand was on her crotch, his thumb running circles on the center.

"Love, please," she begged.

The next thing she knew, Ced Apparated them to their room and laid her on the bed. He was peeling her clothes and she watched him remove his own. He knelt on the bed and held her legs with care, kissing them before bending to lick her clit.

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1993-1994

(Cedric and Hermione's past)

Cedric could not help herself from staring at Hermione who was currently mesmerized by the band performing on the stage. It had been two nights after the dinner at the O'Brien Manor - since he saw her in that beautiful immaculate dress. The moment he saw her, his mind suddenly gave him a vivid imagination: Hermione was wearing a gown version of the dress and a veil covering her face. She was holding a bouquet and walking down the aisle.

They were getting married.

Cedric's heart that time fluttered with joy. At sixteen, he was already sure that Hermione Granger was the one he wanted to be with for the rest of his life.

Ced was pulled from his musings when someone bumped their shoulder to his. He looked at his left: Ian. He was giving him a teasing look. "If you're just going to watch her, you shouldn't have agreed to come to this concert. The ticket price cost an arm and a leg, you know."

He rolled his eyes at his friend. "Terrence wouldn't care," he replied. Their wealthy friend brought them Muggle concert tickets at the request of his girlfriend, Daf - a half-blood. The two lovebirds looked cozy on Ian's other side.

Hermione and Susan seemed to be enjoying the songs of different performers. Turns out, it was a fundraising concert to fight poverty around the world. Their parents Apparated them to Edinburgh where the concert was happening.

He almost didn't want to go to a concert. Not because it was a Muggle concert, but because he wanted to stay at home and use the broomstick servicing kit Hermione got for him as a Christmas present. However, Hermione looked excited about the concert, so he agreed.

And thank Merlin, they went with their friends. Hermione used the small carnation pink beaded bag he gave her for Christmas. He asked his father to cast the extension charm on it. Hermione almost squealed when she learned that she could put there as many books as she can without any trouble. He was rewarded with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Hermione suddenly turned to him with a smile. "Ced, listen carefully to the next song!"

Cedric smiled and nodded. He tried to clear his mind to concentrate on the song the band was singing.

*"I've been with you boy

Three years is quite a while..."

He frowned at the first few lyrics, and his heart fluttered again. What's this song about? Now, he was more curious. Hermione was singing along, not even glancing at him.

*"But getting too sensual, boy

Is really not my style..."

Oh, Hermione, I wouldn't...

*"You know I love you

And I like it just like this

And sometimes, I feel like

Giving you more than just a kiss..."

He had so much respect for her. He wouldn't push her into something she wasn't ready for. He meant every word he told her that night in an abandoned room, under the moonlight.

*Let's take it slow, so slow

Anywhere you wanna go

Baby, for you, I'll lay it all on the line

You oughta know, oughta know

Boy, I ain't got nowhere to go

I'll give it to you, only to you

We gotta take it real slow."

He smiled, staring at the back of Hermione's head. We'll take it slow, Hermione.

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When Hermione returned to the castle for the new term, she quickly made her way to the library to return and borrow some books. Ced wanted to go with her, but she told him that she would be fine. He was catching up with his Quidditch team members, so she didn't want to steal him from them.

When she reached the ground floor, she bumped into Harry Potter. "Hey, Harry!" she greeted casually without stopping, but he ran to catch up with her.

"Hermione, wait!"

She slowed her steps. "What's up? Had a great Christmas?" she asked in a conversational tone.

Harry walked with her. "Yeah. I want to ask you something, by the way."

She glanced at him. she also had to crane her neck because he was taller. "Sure."

"I've got a new broom... a Firebolt."

"Okay..." she replied slowly, wondering where the conversation is going because she was self-confessed ignorant when it came to broomsticks. She only knew Ced's broom: Nimbus 2000.

"Well, there was no card. I don't know who sent it to me."

She stopped in her tracks and gave him a questioning look.

"You said, Sirius Black is my godfather..." he said hesitantly. "Do you think a murderer could enter Gringotts to make a withdrawal?"

"I doubt he would do that - enter Gringotts. But he could send an owl - a letter, maybe. Listen, Harry, if you're thinking that Sirius Black was the one who sent you that gift, I think you should tell Professor McGonagall about it - or ask Professor Flitwick to check it for jinxes..."

Harry nodded and gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Hermione."

Hermione smiled back. "You're welcome, Harry. Anytime."

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January turned into February. Hermione heard that there was another Hogsmeade trip - on the 13th of February, Sunday. Valentine's Day fell on a Monday.

In the last couple of weeks, she was tied up with Potions brewing and studies. Professor Snape required her assistance in brewing antidotes for different types of love potions. She didn't ask why, but when she realized that Valentine's Day was fast approaching, she knew.

Cedric, of course, asked her again to go on a date with him and she happily agreed.

On the first Friday of the month, Harry Potter approached her again and thanked her for the advice. The Firebolt, apparently, was jinx-free and it was safe to use. The following day, a Saturday was the match of Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor. When Harry Potter brought his Firebolt to the Gryffindor table, Ced approached the other Seeker.

"Congratulations for owning the world's best and fastest, broom, Harry!" He grinned.

But Harry Potter's smile didn't reach his eyes. When Ced went back to her side and placed a hand on her back, she saw the longing in his face again.

Maybe he's longing for a friend. A real friend, she decided.

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*"So Slow" by Freestyle