Disclaimer: The Harry Potter series and all its characters are copyrighted and belong to J.K. Rowling. I am simply playing in her sandbox and receive no financial gain from this.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Cedric had been sitting in one of the couches inside Pansy's sitting room for almost an hour now. Madam Malkin and her assistants and her assistants started working on her wedding robes as soon as they entered Pansy's bedroom, and he was left alone, staring at the fireplace.

They haven't gone out yet, and he wondered how long it would take. He started to keep himself busy by writing on a piece of parchment when the door opened behind him, followed by the sound of giggling from Madam Malkin's assistants.

He stood up and turned around just in time to see Pansy walk out of her bedroom, wearing a white gown. She was stunning. Narcissa Malfoy was walking beside her, a manicured hand placed on her shoulder.

He kept looking at her in awe even when Madam Malkin and her assistants were escorted by a few house elves out of the room. He had always pictured her in a wedding dress, but now he realized that his imagination did not give her justice.

"Isn't she wonderful, Mr. Diggory?" Narcissa asked, catching his attention. "Certainly a bride fit for a Malfoy."

He gulped and just fuddled on the camera before taking a picture of the two women in front of him. He couldn't help but notice how at ease Narcissa was while Pansy was ill at ease.

"Is… Is that the wedding robe she will be wearing, Madam Malfoy?" he asked quizzically, not daring to address Pansy.

"Not exactly, we would want something grander than this. After all, you only get married once. Am I right, Pansy?" Narcissa noted.

Pansy replied, "I agree, Madam Narcissa."

Cedric watched as the older woman raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unhappy with her response. "Err – Mother," Pansy corrected herself.

"That's better," Narcissa Malfoy said, as she looked at her gold watch. She clapped her hands together and turned to look at the two of them. "I better get going. Your mother and I have a function to attend for the opening of our new venture together."

She stepped closer and kissed Pansy on both cheeks, "You give Mr. Diggory a short interview about your wedding gown, yes?"

Pansy shook her head, a look of distress evident on her face. "I don't think my wedding gown is worth an interview, Madam Nar – err, Mother."

"Of course it is," the older woman said firmly. "It will be the most coveted gown of the decade. I have to go." And with that, Narcissa Malfoy walked out the door, led by one of the manor's house elves.

The door closed behind them and Cedric shifted from foot to foot, still not letting his eyes leave Pansy's face.

Her eyes finally found the courage to meet his, and he tried his best not to see her. When he really looked at her, it was too much. It hurt. Every time he was with her, her eyes, and her mouth, and her smile, and her voice; it made him vulnerable. Every time he was around her, he had to fight it, so he tried not to see her with anything other than his eyes this time.

He said to himself that he was here for work, nothing more, but that was not why he was here, and he knew it. He was here because he was still in love with her, even though he was trying hard not to. He was here because he still had hope that he can win her back.

"I think you should go, Mr. Diggory," Pansy said using the clipped and formal tone he was not used to hearing. "We really don't need that ridiculous interview about my gown."

He sighed. It was now or never. He must talk to her, or he might not have the chance again.

"You heard Madam Malfoy," he said as he took a seat on the couch closest to her. "She will be expecting that in the papers."

He heard Pansy grumble under her breath. "Fine," she finally said as she took a seat directly in front of him. "Let's just keep it short and simple."

He smiled and took some parchments and a quill from his bag. He cleared his throat and asked, "How did you imagine your wedding to be like?"

She raised an eyebrow and commented quite sharply, "I thought we are going to talk about my wedding dress?"

He shrugged. "Yes, but of course, the readers would like to know more about the bride herself."

She sighed, realizing that Cedric had a point. "I wanted…" She shook her head and avoided his gaze. "I wanted something this grand. And big."

"I do know that's not the truth," he said, his eyes studying her.

"And what do you know?" she challenged. "We've never seen each other in years. So many things have changed."

"You haven't…" he said quietly as he lowered his gaze on the stack of parchments on his lap. It felt like she slapped him hard on the face. He looked up, only to find her glaring at him.

"Let's get this over and done with, Mr. Diggory," Pansy said in an urgent tone. "The wedding robe will be designed by Madam Malkin, and as far as I know there will be around fifty seamstresses who will work on it. If you have any questions about it, you can reach out to her directly."

She stood up and started walking towards her bedroom. "The interview is over. Sparkle will show you the way out."

The door opened and in came the house elf that opened the door for him earlier. She bowed graciously in front of Pansy, and then turned to face him. "Sparkle is here to show you out, sir."

He sighed and stood up. He blew it. How can he be so stupid?

Pansy was about to enter her bedroom when he muttered, "Wait."

She stilled and turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Do you love him? Malfoy?"

Her face was blank as she looked at him. "I do," she stated with a finality that shattered his heart to pieces.

He nodded, and replied, "Very well. Good day, Miss Parkinson."

With that, he followed the house elf out of the room. He didn't even look back. He was too focused on each step he was taking to hear her next words as he closed the door.

"I love him as much as I can."