DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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A/N: Thank you for your positive feedback. Sorry for the delay. Weekly typhoon in our country, so sometimes there's a power outage and internet problems.

I will try to update as soon as I can.

Thanks again!

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Chapter 33: The Best Seeker

"'I don't believe it!' Ron said, in a stunned voice, as the Hogwarts students filed back up the steps behind the party from Durmstrang. 'Krum, Harry! Viktor Krum!'

'For heaven's sake, Ron, he's only a Quidditch player,' said Hermione.

'Only a Quidditch player?' Ron said, looking at her as though he couldn't believe his ears. Hermione - he's one of the best Seekers in the world! I had no idea he was still at school!'"

-J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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1994

(Cedric and Hermione's past)

"Professor Snape tutored Cedric first, more than two years ago, in preparation for his O.W.L.s, and then the following year, he learned that I was experimenting potions in an abandoned basement room. He encouraged me to brew in his lab," Hermione explained to the full-fledged witch.

"And he didn't do anything untoward to you?" she asked sternly.

Hermione shook her head, not breaking their eye contact. "He's very professional, Madam Bones. There's always a respectable distance between us, and we didn't meet beyond his office hours," she assured her. Well, there was one time when she sneaked up to the dungeons because she wanted to tell Professor Snape about what really happened, about her time-turner, but she could not tell Madam Bones that. Otherwise, she, the headmaster, Harry Potter, and even Professors Sprout and Snape would all be in trouble.

Madam Bones nodded and smiled in relief. "That's good." She also patted her shoulder. "Well, I am glad that Severus is treating you well and he's a good teacher. I hope he is doing the same for everyone... I must be going. You and Sue have fun but always stick with the Diggorys, all right?"

She nodded politely. "Yes, Madam Bones."

The two of them walked back to the front of the tent. Cedric and Susan were nowhere to be seen, but Mr. and Mrs. Diggory were outside the tent, speaking to some people she didn't recognize.

"Susan, I'm leaving," called Madam Bones.

The flap of the tent opened and Susan came out to bid her aunt goodbye.

Frowning, Hermione knelt and ducked her head under the tent flap, and gaped at the sight.

She was seeing a three-bedroom flat with a kitchen, a sitting room, and a bathroom!

"Wow," she said in awe.

Cedric was sitting in one of the sitting room chairs, drinking tea, and smirking at her. "This is why I love magic."

The sight of him brought images to Hermione's mind. She suddenly pictured him in a house of his own, waiting for her; and then she could feel her cheeks warmed.

She tried to brush away the thought and stepped inside to look around. It was fully-furnished and it seemed to have everything they needed. "This is brilliant!"

"I know!" he agreed.

She turned to him. "Do you think they would allow me to rent a magical tent for the next summer? My parents and I are planning to go camping in the Forest of Dean."

He shrugged. "That, I am not sure. We can ask Mum later... Wanna go for a walk? Let's find Ian and Terrence." He stood up and approached her.

Hermione inhaled his calming scent. "Sure!"

Five minutes later, Hermione, Cedric, and Susan walked around rows and rows of tents. They met some fellow students like Gryffindor Seamus Finnegan with his Irish family (they were supporting Ireland, of course); Cho Chang - who waved at Cedric with a wide smile and Ced waved back, flashing his crooked smile but holding Hermione's hand; their fellow Hufflepuffs: Justin and Ernie with the latter's family.

In the other corner of the field was a water tap, and Hermione saw Harry Potter and the two Weasleys, Ronald and Ginny on the queue to fetch water.

Hermione's and Harry's eyes met as she and her friends were nearing them to make it to the other row of tents, but they bumped into Oliver Wood.

"Harry!" But the Hogwarts alumnus spotted them. "Oh, Diggory." His smile faded a bit.

"Hello, Wood," Ced greeted back. "Heard you made it to Puddlemere United," he said conversationally. "Congratulations!"

"You did?" Harry Potter exclaimed.

"That's cool!" commented Ginny Weasley who sounded genuinely happy.

Oliver Wood smiled and nodded at Harry and the Weasleys. "Yeah, thanks. And Harry, I hope Gryffindor gets the Quidditch Cup this year, yeah?"

Hermione could tell that Oliver Wood was still bitter about the Quidditch final last year. For the second time, Hufflepuff beat Gryffindor, thanks to the fastest brooms from Terrence.

Hermione, Ced, and Susan left the Gryffindors and continued walking to search for Ian and Terrence.

"So, Wood's still not over it," commented Susan on Ced's other side. He had an arm on each of the two girls.

"Tell me about it," she replied.

"He's the most passionate person I know when it comes to Quidditch," Ced told them. There was no bitterness in his tone. That was one of the reasons why she loved Ced. He was always understanding and kind. He didn't talk negatively about other people.

And she suddenly realized something. She loved him... Maybe that was why she imagined him earlier in his own house, waiting for her. Because deep inside her heart, she knew she wanted to be with him for the rest of her life.

He was the one.

But... does he feel the same? Does he love me, too?

He hadn't said it. He just said that he wanted more than friendship.

But he's confessed almost a year ago. He's never dated anyone but me...

"You all right, My-knee?"

She looked up and met his eyes. She forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah."

Ced eyed her intently. "You're not," he said gently.

She smiled again, wider this time, to assure him. "But I will be."

Ced opened his mouth to retort, she was sure, but Susan yelled two names in excitement.

"Ian! Terrence!"

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"Hey, little bookworm."

"Hey, midget. You're still a midget..."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Terrence. "Just because you've grown a spurt! Where's Daf?"

"Oh, her parents wouldn't allow her," Terrence replied in disappointment. "So, if you will be so kind as to avoid holding hands with Ced in front of me to show some respect..."

Ced elbowed his best mate playfully. "Prat!"

"Come on, Ced! I heard Krum's signing autographs," said Ian excitedly.

"Where? Yeah, let's go!" Her boyfriend sounded very excited, too.

"What? Who's Krum?" she asked.

Terrence laughed. "You sure you came here to watch, or just to be with Ced?" he teased.

"Both," she retorted. "And not just with him but with all of you as well. Some best friend you are..."

"All right," chuckled Terrence. "He's the Bulgarian Seeker. He's by far, the best Seeker and captain in the wizarding world."

"Really? How come?" she asked curiously.

"He always wins! He and his team!" exclaimed Ian.

"I heard someone say Ireland's much better," quipped Susan.

"But Krum will catch the Snitch, I bet!" said Ced.

"See? Ced agrees that Krum's the best Seeker," said Ian.

"No, he isn't the best in the world," she countered.

Ian and Terrence turned to her with teasing smiles. "And who's the best Seeker and captain for our resident bookworm and little Potioneer?" asked Ian.

"Let me guess..." Terrence pretended to think. "Cedric Diggory?"

Ced snorted. "Stop it -"

"Well, yeah," she replied promptly.

"Ohhh!" the two boys and Susan teased.

"Have you ever heard of a Quidditch player or captain who won but called for a rematch just because his opponent fell off his broom?" she asked the three.

Ian frowned. "No, I don't think I have."

"See what I mean?" she grinned at them, and when she turned to Ced, he was looking at her with awe.

"Oh, My-knee," he whispered, moving closer to her. His breath fanned her cheeks.

Without minding that they were in a field full of campers, he cupped her face and leaned closer until their foreheads were touching, and kissed her on the lips chastely.

"I love you," he whispered when he pulled away.

Hermione grinned and looked at him in the eyes with love. "I love you, too."

And she felt relieved knowing that he loved her.

He cared a lot about her, she knew. She could feel. She could see. And his care for her was not anything like his care for his cousin, Susan, or the boys. It was different. People could tell he was in love with her. She could also tell. But hearing those words from him was just magical for Hermione. She felt so elated.

It was like she was the luckiest girl in the world.