The following morning, as Ginny was walking down to the Great Hall, Cedric caught up with her. He grinned at her cheerily and said, "Morning! How did you sleep?" She yawned and replied, "Not so good, hey. Yourself?" Cedric smiled and nodded his head, "Ah I'm sorry. Why not?" In truth, Ginny had had a Riddle dream, but this was not something she could easily divulge to Cedric. However, it was the strangest thing because Ginny actually felt like she wanted to talk about it with him. She felt like he would understand. Instead she replied, "Bad dream. You ignored my question." Cedric smiled charmingly as they reached the Great Hall, "Really well, thanks! I just want you to know that I'd really like to hang out soon. Now that the second task is over, I finally have some freedom before the third task. Nobody really knows what to expect, so I can't prepare much."
Ginny smiled kindly and replied, "Okay, sure-but as friends or as more than friends?" Cedric grinned at her and was about to reply when she heard a female voice call from behind them, "Ced!" They both turned to see Cho waving dramatically at him. Ginny grimaced and clenched her fists tightly. The girl got on her nerves so easily. Cedric quickly leaned forward and whispered, "As more than friends. I'll explain when I see you on Saturday?" Ginny nodded and she felt her heart soar.
She nearly skipped to the table and as she was about to sit down, she found Julia and Rebecca placed on either side of Harry, fawning over him as usual. Julia swished her blonde curls and laughed, "Oh Harry, you're so funny!" Ginny felt like she wanted to puke as she walked around the table and sat down on the other side, next to Hermione. Ginny asked snidely, "Mind if I join your fan club, Harry?" He rolled his eyes back at her, "No, thanks. I see Cedric has his own fan club though?" he added with a wink. Ginny giggled as she poured her pumpkin juice and Ron looked up irritably, "Who are you talking about, Harry?"
Ginny glared at Harry and Hermione, who was giggling behind her toast which she was busy chewing. Hermione swallowed and replied, "Oh…I suppose you're referring to Cho aren't you, Harry? She's always hanging onto him!" Ginny nodded and replied, "Oh yeah, and his other friends Stephen, Justin, and Sophie. They're always around him." Ron shot her a curious look, "You know his friends?" Ginny shrugged and replied, "I've seen them around." Ron looked touchy about being out of the loop and so Ginny changed the topic, "So, how's Fleur, Ron? I saw her giving you a good kiss for saving Gabrielle." This caused much laugher from them, except from Ron, who blushed heavily and murmured, "It was just a kiss on the cheeks! For goodness sake Ginny grow up!"
Ginny turned to Ron angrily and pointed her fork at him, "You, dear brother of mine, don't get to tell me to grow up! If I had to tell you I'd kissed say…Draco Malfoy, you would be threatening my life and threatening his too! Don't try and deny it!" Ron looked shocked and Ginny was pleased as she continued, "I can take care of my own life, Ronald! Stop pretending like I'm still your little sister!" Ginny got up from the table and stormed out.
Ginny hadn't realized that she'd caught the attention of most of the Great Hall! All eyes were on her as she strutted irritably out of the hall. She was surprised when she turned to go to Care of Magical Creatures and found Cedric standing behind her. She blushed and sighed, "You heard that, huh?" He chuckled and pushed a strand of hair from her eyes, "I think the entire hall heard that. It was impossible not to hear. Do you want to talk about it?"
Ginny shrugged her shoulders, "I'm actually heading to Care of Magical Creatures, but I'll get there early. Besides, I'm sure you know everything anyway." Cedric smiled kindly as he opened the doors for her and replied, "I'll walk you down," before gesturing for her to lead the way. Ginny smiled gratefully at Cedric as they walked down to the forest and she sighed, "Well…I just thought in my second year I could prove to my brothers I'm not just a little girl anymore. It seemed to work for Fred and George, but not Ron. He's as stubborn as a mule and I feel like he will never let me have a relationship."
Cedric frowned, his cutely thick eyebrows creasing and he replied, "Well…he shouldn't get to decide that for you." Ginny nodded and threw her hands up in the air, "Exactly! Finally someone understands!" Ginny exclaimed. Cedric chuckled, "I don't think it's that hard to understand. I think Ron just doesn't want to accept that you're becoming your own person. Maybe he's also jealous that you're so close with Harry." Ginny halted mid walk and whispered, "I never thought of that. He was Ron's friend first, after all." Cedric nodded and smiled sweetly, "I'm sure if you just talk to Ron about it, you can settle things between you."
Ginny grimaced at that as they continued walking and replied, "I don't know about that. Ron's pretty stubborn." Cedric laughed then and grinned, "Just like you." Ginny giggled, "It's a Weasley trait."
They had arrived at Hagrid's, and they stopped outside the forest. Cedric sighed, "I better get heading back. It's cool that we can pick up so easily from where we left off. It feels so natural." Ginny smiled and nodded in agreement, "It is, isn't it? I like being your friend." Cedric grinned at her, "So are you available on Saturday? I want to explain things with Cho to you." Ginny nodded and replied, "Sounds like a plan. What did you have in mind?" He winked at her, "It's a surprise. Meet me at the entrance hall at 10 a.m alright?" Ginny nodded and rolled her eyes and groaned, "I hate surprises!" she grumbled as he laughed, "Well I will make sure it's extra special then!"
At that moment, Julia and Rebecca were walking down the stairs and they visibly glared at Ginny. Cedric frowned because she hadn't responded, and then he turned to see the two girls Ginny used to call her friends walking towards them. Cedric chuckled, "You're cute when you're irritated." Ginny rolled her eyes, "This isn't even irritated. This is just wishing they didn't have to crop up all the time." Cedric laughed lightly and whispered, "You want to make them jealous?" Ginny raised her eyebrow and whispered, "Wha-?" Before he leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft and tasted like cinnamon-must have been from breakfast. But Ginny sighed happily as she dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him tighter. She felt him smiling against her lips and she heard a gasp issued from one of the other girls. Good.
At that moment, she heard a booming voice chuckle, "Miss Weasley! None of that around here please! Save it for after hours." She jumped away from Cedric to find Hagrid chortling behind her. She blushed in embarrassment and replied, "Sorry Hagrid. Ced started it!" Hagrid shook his furry head, and turned towards the forest, a smile etched on his face. Rebecca looked murderous, and Julia looked uncomfortable. They followed Hagrid into the forest and Ginny grinned at Cedric, whose eyes were warm chocolate and he laughed, "Well…that was something." Ginny giggled and kissed his cheek in goodbye, "Definitely something. See you on Saturday at ten!" He nodded and smiled, "Saturday at ten!"
Author's note: Hey gusy! Sorry for the delay in this chapter! I had a bit of a busy day yesterday and then was too tired to write when I got home. Also still slightly sick and getting headaches a lot so this chapter didn't come as easily as the others! Anyway I apologize profusely and hope you guys enjoy it!