Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with JK Rowling in any way. Anything similar to her works is hers. I own Maria and what little plot I had added to the story.
Between classes and her new study group, Maria was swamped. She had made fast friends with Padma Patil. They were often in the library together, discussing their electives together. Maria now took her breakfasts at the Hufflepuff table. She could be seen swapping marmalade with Brendon Halkirk near the other first-year Hufflepuffs. She held a tutoring session every morning before classes started for any first or second year Hufflepuffs who needed help. Classes were amazing for Maria. She quickly became tied for first in class rank with Hermione (which caused an argument between the two girls).
Her electives were going well, besides Care of Magical Creatures and Divination. They were stuck taking care of flobberworms, creatures that faired best when left to their own devices, in Hagrid's class. Divination was a rather dull class for Maria. Professor Trelawney had taken to Maria, unfortunately. The professor expected predictions from her almost daily and had gotten rather annoying when it came to asking her opinion on Harry's pending death.
Muggle Studies was a fun class for Maria, they were learning about electricity, a necessity for muggles. She wasn't as fascinated with the concept as the rest of the class, but rather the conflict it had with magic. Arithmancy was rather interesting, even though they wouldn't be doing full charts until the end of the term, learning everything was still exciting for Maria.
Ancient Runes was truly where Maria flourished. She loved having private sessions with Professor Babbling. Picking the professor's brain was always fun. By October, she was already working on next term's work. But Maria knew her pace would slow down with the beginning of the Quidditch Season.
Oliver Wood was a ruthless Quidditch captain. He required the team to meet three times a week for at least two hours a day. Maria found he was quite motivational, however. He often talked long and hard about it being his last season to win the Quidditch Cup. The Keeper would complement the team in these speeches, before bringing them down a peg in practiced.
By the time it was October 4th, Maria had lost track of the days. The only reason she remembered, was through a letter from her mother.
The letter reminded her birthday the next day, and as per Veela tradition, would normally be spent at home with family. However, it would be a Tuesday that year, so she would have to spend the day at school. Maria was finally fourteen when veela aged into their beauty. Half-veelas did not have all the powers that come with being a full-blooded veela. Maria was glad for this because she did not want to turn part bird and launch fire from her hands whenever she got angry.
Maria addressed her concerns to Professor Dumbledore about "aging into her beauty" as it was called in the veela culture.
"Professor," Maria said, "is it all right if I am excused from classes tomorrow?"
"You may, Miss LeCleu," he responded, "however only if you are chased so utterly much, that you can't pay attention in your classes. You can't avoid the problem forever, and the sooner the male population gets used to you, the better."
Maria knew he was right, and dressed for bed as she normally did. When she awoke the next morning, she didn't feel any different. She didn't look any different in her opinion either. Perhaps her skin was glowing a tad more than normal, but nothing obscure.
Maria went down to sit at the Hufflepuff table like she normally did. She did look around suspiciously as she started spreading her marmalade on her toast. Brendon came by and sat down next to her, like normal.
Maria let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding and relaxed a bit. At least until more people started walking into the Great Hall. Any time the door opened, Maria would freeze and immediately hear whispers from the male population of Hogwarts. While groaning, she took her bag and told Brendon she'd be in the Hufflepuff common room. As she made her way to the door she heard many, "she's leaving!" from any guy who seemed age 13 and above.
The Hufflepuff common room seemed farther than normal today. Maria almost sprinted on the way there. She entered the room quickly. Setting her books down at a table in the empty common room, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her relief was naught because out walked some fourth-year boys from their dorms.
They were groggy, so they didn't notice Maria at first. She shrank down back into her chair. That was the wrong move. Like a tyrannosaurus rex, the four boys whipped their heads to her. They had always thought Maria was pretty but today she was glowing. Her flawless skin was radiating perfection, and her blonde hair was flowing in golden waves. They swarmed her. Soon a couple fifth and sixth-year boys joined them. Maria was helpless.
Poor Brendon Halkirk was outside of the swarm, trying to get to his tutor. He kept tugging at the robes of the boys fawning over her. He just wanted help with his charms essay. The other first and second years trying to get in to study. Maria was helpless in trying to get to them.
"What's going on?" a male voice asked. Maria recognized the voice as Cedric, and it was rather good that he couldn't see her.
"I don't know," Brendon whined. "They were crowded around her when I came down. They won't let us through, and I need help on my charms essay!" The other first and second years nodded in agreement.
"Maria, is there any reason that this would happen?" Cedric called over the mob.
She responded, "Yes, it's my birthday,"
She was cut off by a chorus of "happy birthdays."
"Oh would you all be quiet," Maria scowled at them. They all immediately stopped talking. "Due to my veela heritage, I've 'aged into my beauty.' Basically, it means that I now have the powers of "beauty and seduction" that all veelas have. And I don't have the fire throwing powers. Which would be rather useful right now."
"So there's nothing you can do," Cedric said. "Have you tried telling them to go away?"
"Clearly you've never met a veela," Maria glowered. "The only way to get any admirer to go away is going full bird-fire mode."
Brendon Halkirk was normally a very patient boy. He was in Hufflepuff after all. But after unsuccessfully trying to get to his tutor for nearly thirty minutes he snapped.
"Okay you people over there!" he shouted at the group of boys around Maria. "You better move now, or I'll tell Maria that you hurt me in the hallways. And you do not want to see her when she's angry. She will definitely not want to go out on a date with any of you."
He didn't honestly think it would work, but surprisingly the boys backed down.
"Now if you would kindly leave us alone," he tried again while glaring at the boys. Both Maria and Cedric looked amused at the first year. The boys that were surrounding Maria left the common room.
"Brendon, you are a genius," Maria laughed at the young boy who had started unpacking his things in a seat near Maria. The other first and second years sat down next to them.
Maria was about to start her tutoring when she looked up at Cedric. Cedric had been watching her mighty defender quite entertained, and she watched as he slid over to Maria. His eyes went a little wider when he took in her face. He knew the reason why, so he had more control over himself when he said,
"Maria... you look... wow."
"Shut up, Cedric," Maria said while blushing. She did have a small crush on him, after all. "It's the attraction to Veela pheromones or something like that."
Cedric did have the decency to look ashamed. Maria could've sworn he murmured something. He sat down at a table nearby and pulled out his things. The rest of the time before classes was spent with Maria helping the first and second years with their homework.
Maria was nervous, though. She and Cedric were good friends and she didn't want her new "beauty" to ruin that. The study group was too soon finished, and Maria knew she would have to face the rest of the castle. Cedric would normally walk with her part of the way to each of her classes, but she wasn't so sure that it would happen today.
"Don't worry, Maria," Brendon said, misreading her worried look. "Any boys will have to get through me first."
Maria let out a laugh at that. It was a melodious sound that made anyone nearby smile themselves, today more than ever. The group exited the common room and Cedric took up his spot next to Maria, just like every day. Except for this time they were led by a certain Hufflepuff first year now, who glared at any boy who dared to even make a second glance at Maria.
Cedric and Brendon left Maria near the Great Hall as they made their way to their own classes. The nerves set in again, but she was ready to face the Gryffindor and Slytherin third year boys.
"Happy birthday Maria!" Hermione chirped when Maria made her way down to the rest of the class. "How's your day been so far?"
"Bref, funny and terrible," Maria told Hermione about everything that had happened as they waited for the class to start.
The majority of the class had started to come down the stairs towards Hagrid's hut. The boys from both houses openly gaped at Maria. She was trying, unsuccessfully, to hide behind Hermione's bushy hair.
"Blimey!" Ron said when he saw her. Maria glared at him. "I mean... wow... you look nice. Did you do something different with your hair? There's no shot of me going out with you right?"
Maria just gave him a look that said: "what do you think?"
Poor Neville blushed bright red whenever he looked at her. Dean and Seamus both flirted with her and sat down right behind her. Harry told her she looked nice (although it was in a rather dumb and speechless way). Crabbe and Goyle from Slytherin stared, open-mouthed, at her. Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini both had been raised in pureblood homes and complimented Maria very nicely.
Draco was virtually unaffected. Between time spent with Maria being all bruised and bloody when she was a child, and having to spend time with her mother, he was nonplussed with her sudden apparent transformation.
"Maria," he smiled at her. "Happy birthday. Mother and Father sent this for you," he handed her a package that she placed in her bag. "And this one is from me," he then passed her a smaller package.
"Thank you Draco," she beamed at him. "I'll open these later. Give your parents my gratitude will you?" Before either of them could say anything more, Hagrid started their class on more flobberworm care.
The rest of the day went actually rather smoothly for Maria. Brendon had taken to walking her to every class, which had her smiling at her little protector. Every once in a while, someone would profess their love for her and ask her out. Brendon would soon scold them and stand closer to Maria. After one such incident, Maria caught Cedric's eye and they shared a smile with each other over the young Hufflepuff's protectiveness.
After her birthday, on which Maria received loads of presents, things went back to semi-normal. At her first Quidditch practice as a fourteen-year-old, Oliver took one look at her and told her that maybe they could use her beauty as a distraction against the other team. The Weasley twins were a little overprotective of her in the sky. Any time a bludger came anywhere within 3 meters of her, they were batting it away. This was quickly ended. Maria scolded them severely about not watching Angelina, who was inches away from being hit by a bludger.
The next week, the Gryffindor common was buzzing with excitement. Maria had started going up after practices to study with Hermione.
"What's happened?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione.
"First Hogsmeade weekend," Ron said, pointing at a notice on a bulletin board. "End of October, Halloween."
"Excellent," Fred said, who had walked in with Maria. "I need to visit Zonko's. I'm nearly out of Stink Pellets."
Maria was excited for a trip down to the village. She had adjusted well to her classes, so her mother would allow her a trip down. Harry couldn't go, not only was Sirius Black out and about, the Dursleys hadn't signed his note.
"Black's not fool enough to try anything in Hogsmeade," Ron said. "Ask McGonagall if you can go this time, Harry. The next one might not be for ages-"
"I'm sorry Ron, but Black's not Harry's only issue with going to Hogsmeade," Maria pointed out. "Your aunt and uncle didn't have a chance to sign your note did they?"
Harry nodded solemnly.
"It's not like they understand it anyway," Ron said.
"Neither did Hermione's parents or any other muggleborn's parents," Maria said. "And they have their own forms signed."
Ron scowled at her, "You really don't want Harry to go, do you?"
"Of course I want Harry to go, I'm just being realistic!"
"Realistic? I'm the one being realistic, Black won't attack in Hogsmeade!"
"I've already said that that might be true. But that's not Harry's only reason that he can't go to Hogsmeade," Maria snapped at him. "Sorry Harry."
"You really don't care about your friends, do you? It's a wonder why you have any."
Both Maria and Hermione looked shocked at Ron's words. Hermione glared at the boy, remembering back to her first year. Maria was shocked. She obviously cared about her friends, she was just being practical. It's best not to get one's hopes up.
"Well if you really think that," Maria said coldly, "I guess I can find my own group to go to Hogsmeade with. It's not like there's a shortage for me in any of my houses."
With that, Maria stormed out of the room, sparks angrily shooting out of her wand. She practically ran down the stairs to the tower, she just wanted to be alone. Never had anyone been so rude to her. Growing up she was surrounded by elitist purebloods and Veelas. Both groups valued their own image to say anything so blunt in public. Beauxbatons was a smaller school and they were taught manners.
Maria felt overwhelming homesickness creep over her. She just wanted to hug her maman and cry. Her breathing became laborious, and she let out a sob. She neared a bathroom and opened the door, just crying out of exhaustion and helplessness. All because of Ronald bloody Weasley told her it's a wonder she has friends. Maybe she hadn't adjusted to Hogwarts and her newfound powers as well as she thought. She was now leaned against a wall crying her heart out.
"Hello," a familiar voice called, "do you need help? I'm a prefect." The voice hesitated before saying, "I'm coming in!"
Maria looked up quickly and saw Cedric Diggory's concerned face looking down at her.
"Maria- what-" he was cut off by Maria launching herself at him and wrapping her arms around him. He tensed briefly before wrapping his own arms around her.
"Shh- it's okay," Cedric consoled her while they embraced for a few minutes. Maria was still sniffling, but not fully sobbing anymore and she pulled away. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"It's stupid really," Maria smiled weakly. "Ron Weasley just told me 'it's a wonder I don't have any friends.' It's really stupid, I know. I have four houses that I have friends in."
"You do realize that he's jealous of you having more friends than him?" Cedric said. "Why did he even tell you that in the first place?"
She explained the whole reason why they got in a fight while walking back to Maria's dorm in the Head tower. He asked her about her classes, her mom, and just about anything to get her mind off of her stress. They finally arrived at the gargoyle.
"I guess this is me," Maria said awkwardly. "Thank you, Cedric. You really helped me feel better."
They both stood there stiffly before Maria said her password. She was heading down the stairs when she was stopped.
"Wait!" Cedric called after her. "Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me? If you're feeling up to it, I mean."
"I would," Maria smiled. "Like to I mean. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Despite her argument with Ron and all the stress she felt, Maria went to bed with a smile on her face.
"You complete arse!" Maria yelled at Cedric. "You didn't tell me it was your birthday today! Now, look at me, all foolish while you're surrounded by gifts!"
"I didn't tell you, so you wouldn't have to worry," Cedric replied.
"I still look foolish."
It was the day after the Hogsmeade announcement, also Cedric's birthday. Maria was overjoyed that he had asked her to Hogsmeade. She had sat where she normally sat at the Hufflepuff table. But instead of being completely surrounded by first and second years, she was joined by Cedric and his friends from his house. The whole house ended up near each other at their table, quite different from the normal day-to-day. And very different from the other three houses. Breakfast was the most spread out meal, and often times houses would spout out into cliques. The Hufflepuff table reflected their house values even better now, kindness and loyalty.
The tutoring group and Maria took up their normally scheduled tutoring session in the Hufflepuff common room. And as usual, Cedric walked her to her History of Magic class with the Slytherins.
Maria loved History of Magic (as she loved most subjects). It was an unpopular opinion, but two years of it with an amazing teacher at Beauxbatons would help. Professor Binns was a dull, boring, and dead teacher. He was a ghost and could barely emote. He couldn't be bothered to remember anyone's names. It was easy to skive off in his classes, but Maria was always trying to take notes.
"Psst Maria," Daphne whispered.
"Notes," Maria glared at her over her quill.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade?" Daphne ignored her. Maria simply nodded. "I would try and get a date before lunch today. I've heard from multiple people that they're going to ask you out today."
Maria groaned. Perfect, absolutely perfect. Although she already had a date she most certainly did not want to be crowded with invitations to Hogsmeade. She knew that Cedric would be asked at lunch as well. Unfortunately for her, that's all she could think about for the rest of History of Magic. And DADA. Which was saying something, because today's lesson had been about kappas, a creature that draws its strength from water on its head.
It was too soon that the class was over and it was time for the dreaded lunch. Maria sat down with Padma at the Ravenclaw table. She took a sandwich and was about to take a bite of it when she heard;
"Are you going to Hogsmeade?" asked Padma. Just what she wanted to avoid.
"Yes, I am," and as soon as she said those words, the table was swarmed.
"Will you go with me?"
"Because you're a third year, I could show you around."
"Would you want to go get tea with me at Madam Puddifoot's?"
"The Three Broomsticks is a great place to get butterbeer, would you like to go with me?"
Maria looked helplessly at Padma, who laughed. She glanced over to Cedric, and saw girls walk by him multiple times. As if they were hoping he'd catch the hint and ask them out.
Maria cleared her throat. The boys stopped talking immediately. "I hate to inform you, but I already have a date to Hogsmeade."
The boys immediately looked downcast.
"Well, who is it?" a Slytherin asked.
"Cedric Diggory," Maria smiled. The boys all groaned, there's no way they compete with him. There were quite a few girls who gasped as well. "Now, if that was all, I'd like to get back to my lunch."
The crowd left and she was promptly smacked on the arm by Padma with a book.
"Ow, that hurt!" Maria said while rubbing her arm. "What was that for?"
"You didn't tell me you were going to Hogsmeade with the Cedric Diggory," Padma scolded. "I thought we were friends!"
"We are friends, but when was I going to tell you? In DADA when we were in the front row?" Maria asked, bewildered.
"So it's a recent development?"
"Yes! It happened last night."
Padma shrieked excitedly and asked her all about it. Maria smiled at her friend's actions and indulged her questioning. When Maria told Padma about what Ron said Padma was very angry at the ginger.
"That utter prat!" she raged. "You of all people having no friends, ha! You have four houses full of friends. He's the one that was lucky enough to have Harry Potter as a friend. All of his friends are because of Harry..."
"Padma!" Maria exclaimed. "I know that Ron was just sticking up for Harry. And well, he is a Gryffindor, so he doesn't exactly have the best temper. Anyways how could I be angry at him for very long? He is one of the reasons Cedric asked me to Hogsmeade anyways."
Padma sighed and nodded her head. Despite doing this, she still glared at Ron on their way to Charms. And for the first time this semester, class was actually interesting. They were learning about the Lumos Duo Charm. This charm is like the Lumos spell, but it creates a focused beam of light. Much like the Muggle torches, they were learning about in Muggle Studies.
The next class Maria had was Herbology, where they were reviewing Puffapods. Again. Apparently, Professor Sprout had grown too many of the pods and they needed picking. Ron and Hermione had obviously gotten in an argument because Maria watched Ron blow up at Hermione. The lesson quickly finished and the Gryffindors and Maria made their way to Transfiguration.
Maria walked alongside Hermione as she normally did. She saw Harry nudge Ron and look at him pointedly. Ron sighed before turning around to face Maria.
"Look Maria..." Ron started. "I'm really sorry about last night, my temper got out of control and..."
"Ron," Maria stopped him. "It's fine. I was very stressed last night and overreacted. But anyways I'd like to thank you. Also, Harry, you never know what Professor McGonagall might say. I was just playing the devil's advocate last night."
Ron looked shocked. "Wait, what?"
"If you hadn't made me so emotional, I wouldn't have a date to Hogsmeade currently!"
"Wait, what?!" Ron exclaimed very loudly. By this time they were around the rest of the Gryffindors. Maria was about to respond when she suddenly was cut off by a sob from Lavender.
Lavender had gotten the unfortunate news that her baby rabbit had been killed by a fox.
"Oh, Lavender!" Maria said. "I'm so, so sorry."
"I should have known," Lavender let out another sob. "It's the sixteenth of October! 'That thing you're dreading, it will happen on the sixteenth of October!' Remember? She was right, she was right!"
"You were dreading Binky being killed by a fox?" Hermione asked.
"Well, not necessarily by a fox," Lavender said, looking up at Hermione with streaming eyes, "but I was obviously dreading him dying, wasn't I?"
"Oh," Hermione said. "Was Binky an old rabbit?"
"N-no!" sobbed Lavender. "H-he was only a baby!"
Parvati tightened her arm around Lavender's shoulders.
"But then, why would you dread him dying?" Hermione said. "Well, look at it logically. I mean, Binky didn't even die today, did he? Lavender just got the news today-" Lavender wailed loudly. "-and she can't have been dreading it, because it's come as a real shock —"
"You know that feeling that you can't do much about a situation?" Maria asked Hermione, surprised by her lack of tact. "I always dread Nyx being hurt in flight. Even though it's highly unlikely. I just love my pets so much, that I dread anything remotely harmful happening to them. Lavender I'm really sorry what happened. If there's anything I can do, let me know."
Professor McGonagall opened the classroom door before Hermione had the chance to argue with Maria. Hermione and Ron were seated opposite on opposite sides of Harry the entire class, while Maria sat near Parvarti and Lavender. Even though she wasn't as close with Parvarti as she was with Padma, she still liked her friend's twin. Maria wasn't paying attention to most of the lesson. Unfortunately, Decoris had made her way into her bag again and was being quite noisy.
"Hush Decoris," Maria hissed in parseltongue. "I'm in a class if you haven't noticed." Decoris stopped, luckily. Maria continued the lesson half-listening to McGonagall on the properties of object to animal transfigurations.
The bell rang signaling the end of class. Maria packed her things to leave with the rest of the class.
"One moment, please!" Professor McGonagall called. "Miss LeCleu as you have already turned in your Hogsmeade form to Professor Dumbledore, you are free to go. The rest of you-"
Maria didn't hear the rest, she was already out the door. Knowing that Professor McGonagall would hear no excuses from Harry and not allow him to visit the village, she walked off, not wanting to upset him or Ron further.
Harry was miserable, that much was obvious. Whenever someone would talk about Hogsmeade he would go quiet. Despite this, Maria could barely contain her excitement for the trip down to the village.
Cedric was still walking her to her first class after her study group with the first and second years. The pair could be seen reading in the library together or walking around the hallways together. Maria couldn't wait until October 31st.
When the day of the first Hogsmeade trip came around, Maria was actually up at a reasonable hour. She had gotten ready early and ate breakfast like normal. But instead of going to the Hufflepuff Common Room, she went to visit Padma in Ravenclaw.
"Maria!" Padma chirped excitedly. "You look so pretty! Cedric is going to be floored!"
"I'm literally wearing jeans and combat boots," Maria said. "I mean the top is a bit different than normal but it's not like a ball gown or anything like that."
"Hush you, now let's go to the great hall. Parvarti and Susan are probably there waiting."
The pair of girls set off to their destination. When they met the other two they oohed at Maria.
"Stop that," Maria scowled at them. "I didn't even dress up."
The four of them talked animatedly about their Hogsmeade plans. Maria promised to meet them at Honeydukes to pick out sweets. The four of them gossiped as they waited for Cedric to get Maria. She was starting to get anxious about the date. It would be her first date after all.
All of a sudden her three friends started giggling. Maria eyed them carefully before looking around. She saw Cedric looking at her and smiling.
"Hey," Maria and Cedric said at the same time. Maria's friends burst into fits of giggles. She eyed them warily before smiling at Cedric.
"Ready to go?" Cedric asked her. Maria nodded and the pair took off for the carriages. The initial uncomfortableness between the pair waned quickly and started joking around with each other.
"So Madam Puddifoot's definitely?" Maria beamed at him.
"I might have troubles with this date if you make me go there," Cedric pulled a disgusted look.
"Thank goodness. Spintwitches sound good?" Maria laughed. Cedric looked relieved and showed her the way.
Cedric looked in awe of the Firebolt in front of him. Maria meanwhile was looking at Chaser's gloves. She glanced over at Cedric and smiled at him.
"You do realize I have a Firebolt right? You can take it for a spin sometime as long as you don't crash it."
Cedric hugged her happily. "You're the best you know that?"
"Let me buy these gloves and we can go somewhere else," Maria giggled at his antics.
The pair wandered around Hogsmeade going into Zonko's, Tomes and Scrolls, and Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop.
"Where else should we go?" Maria asked Cedric.
"Definitely the Three Broomsticks. They have the best butterbeer in the country, I swear."
They entered the bar and picked out a table. Cedric went to go get drinks and food while Maria waited for him. She spotted Ron and Hermione together and waved at them.
"How're you two liking Hogsmeade?" Maria asked them.
"It's wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed. "We went to Honeydukes first, have you been yet?"
"No," Maria responded. "Cedric and I are going after we get food. Don't want to get too filled up on sweets. You should go to Tomes and Scrolls, they have a wide selection of books."
"I'm not going there," Ron made a face.
"You could always go to Zonko's while she goes to Tomes and Scrolls. Zonko's has a lot of cool tricks right now. Don't pull any on Percy though, he might have a fit."
The trio of them laughed as Cedric walked up with butterbeers. He openly glared at Ron, to which Maria rolled her eyes at.
"Hermione," Cedric nodded at the bushy-haired girl. Before addressing Ron coldly, "Weasley."
Maria whacked Cedric on the arm. "Hey, I've forgiven Ron already."
"Doesn't mean I have to."
Maria sighed and glanced at Ron apologetically. The ginger in question was standing there awkwardly with Hermione. "It was nice talking with you! See you back at the castle."
The two Gryffindors walked off and Maria sipped her butterbeer contently.
"I always forget how good this stuff is," Maria smiled. "Daisy makes butterbeer hot chocolate for Christmas morning every year, which is good very good. But sometimes the original is the best. Don't tell Daisy."
Cedric laughed. "We always get butterbeer for Christmas Eve feasts in my family. Well those of us who aren't of age yet at least. Although, I did have one Aunt who refuses anything but butterbeer."
The pair continued to talk through their meal before heading to Honeydukes. Maria saw her trio of friends from earlier gossiping between each other and rolled her eyes.
"What are you three ladies up to?" she asked them.
"Maria!" the exclaimed when they saw the blonde.
"How's your date been?"
"Did you go to Madam Puddifoot's?"
"Did he hold your hand?"
"Have you gone to Gladrags at all?"
"Can we save the interrogation for later?" Maria asked her friends. "Cedric's going to be in her at any moment."
"Talking about me?" Cedric peered around a corner of Ice Mice.
"Yes," Maria replied cheekily. "What's your favorite sweets here?"
Cedric pointed her to Sugar Quills and the Honeydukes Chocolate. Maria grabbed some sweets for Harry before they left for Hogwarts. Maria was positively glowing with happiness by the time they reached the Headmaster's tower. The date had been a success, in Maria's opinion.
"Thanks for such a wonderful day, Cedric," Maria told him while blushing a little bit. They glanced at each other before Cedric mumbled something and leaned in and kissed her lightly.
"See you at the feast," he said after he pulled away. Maria was sure her face was flaming red when she mumbled "see you" and turned to give her password.
Because it was a feast, Maria had to sit next to Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape. Maria spoke with Snape about more potions theory. The textbook he elected to use was accurate but was very wasteful with ingredients. It also didn't provide the best solutions possible every time. Maria had noticed Harry glancing up at Snape very warily every once and a while. The feast ended with entertainment from the Hogwarts ghosts. It had been a wonderful feast in Maria's opinion.
Each house headed to their respective dorms after the feast was finished. Maria had gotten almost ready for bed when she heard a knock on her door. She opened the door to see Professor McGonagall looking sternly down at her.
"All students are to go to the Great Hall for the night," she said. "The Fat Lady has been attacked and for your safety, you are to sleep in the Great Hall."
"May I ask why I have to go down there, Professor?" Maria asked hopefully.
"I might as well..." Professor McGonagall murmured. "Sirius Black has been spotted in the castle."