It was the day before the final task and Ginny was becoming increasingly nervous. It was the fear of the unknown that had herself, Harry and Cedric worried. Cedric had organised another picnic with for that evening because he wanted to take his mind off the tournament and celebrate the end of exams with her, Sophie, Justin and Stephen. He had invited Cho but she had said she didn't want to come. Now that exams were finally over, Ginny felt like she could breathe again. Potions had been her last exam and she thought that she may have scraped a pass-you never knew with Snape.

Now she was waiting for Cedric outside Hermione who was busy saying, "Viktor's been acting strange recently. I think it's because he's leaving soon and he's not sure what to do about it." Ginny turned to face her as they reached the entrance hall and said, "Do you think you'd be able to do long distance or not?" Hermione sighed and shook her head, "No. Not when he's Bulgaria. We might owl though. He's given me his home address." Ginny couldn't help but giggle, "Ah, remember the days when we used to fawn over him and question whether or not we'd ever meet him? And now you have his freaking home address?!" Hermione blushed and whispered, "Ssssshh! Don't say that so loudly! I don't want everyone to know-especially not Ron!" Ginny nodded in understanding. Her brother had never liked the idea of Hermione with Viktor and she could not for the life of her figure out why.

Suddenly they heard laughter from behind them and Ginny turned to see Ced walking towards her with Sophie, Justin and Stephen at his side, a picnic basket in his hands. He was grinning from ear to ear as he reached her and he said happily, "Hey Gin! Hey Hermione! Would you like to join us?" Hermione smiled and replied, "Thanks Cedric, but I'm quite exhausted from all the studying so after dinner I'm going to turn in. Enjoy it though and good luck for tomorrow!" He thanked her as Hermione turned to the dining hall.

The others greeted Ginny and they proceeded down to the lake with their goods. Ginny was quiet most of the way and when they reached their spot and settled down Cedric whispered in her ear and asked, "What's wrong? You seem down." She shook her head and said softly, "I...I'm just worried about tomorrow that's all. I don't think I can eat." Cedric smiled slightly before Ginny asked suddenly, "Why are you so happy? I thought you were nervous?" He chuckled and told her quietly, "Cho finally decided that we should break up." Ginny felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders that she'd been carrying around for so long before she asked, "Why?" almost breathlessly.

Cedric shrugged his shoulders and whispered, "She decided it was for the best because she finally saw that my heart wasn't in it." Ginny raised her eyebrows in disbelief and shook her head in wonder, "How long did it take for her to figure that out?" she grumbled a little irritably. He laughed at her expression and said lightly, "You're cute when you're cross." Ginny couldn't help but giggle and replied, "So I've been told."

Stephen interrupted them from Cedric's right, "Hey! You two love birds! Stop being anti-social!" He pulled out a bottle of firewhisky and poured a glass for each of them. Ginny declined because she didn't feel like eating, let alone alcohol and instead she poured a glass of water. They sat in a circle and Stephen said proudly, "To our good friend Cedric, who will undoubtedly dominate in tomorrow's task! We guarantee that you will win and make the school proud!" At this point Ginny felt a little guilty because she was supporting both Harry and Cedric. To her, it didn't really matter who won because she would be proud of both of them no matter what the outcome. However, they all clinked their glasses together and Stephen added, "Cheers!"

Sophie giggled and told them, "Ced you better win! I bet fifty bucks on you at Fred and George's betting pole, so if I lose my money I expect a refund," she winked at him teasingly and Cedric chuckled, "Gee, thanks guys! No pressure!" He took a sip of his wine before placing it beside him and grabbing an apple. Cedric laughed, "If I won, I promise to take all you guys out for lunch in Hogsmeade with the winnings! Is that alright with you, Stephen?" Stephen chuckled and raised his glass, "Cheers to that!"

They laughed and joked until the sun went down and then they began heading back upstairs. Ginny was feeling rather tired herself after exams and the castle was deserted. Once they reached the fourth floor, the other's all said goodbye to her but Cedric turned and said, "I'll walk you up." Ginny shook her head and replied, "There's no need. Good luck for tomorrow. You'll do amazingly. I have so much faith in that!" He smiled happily- the same old Cedric smile that she hadn't seen in a long time. It made her feel warm inside and Ginny realised there and then that she felt safe when she was with him.

Cedric must have sensed it because suddenly he was pulling her hips towards him and her breathing quickened rapidly. She stared into his golden eyes and then he surprised her by tugging at her arm and kissing her passionately in the middle of the corridor where anyone could have seen them! Ginny didn't protest though. She was gasping as he pushed his lips against hers.

Ginny pulled him towards the hallway and she swished her wand at a portrait behind which she knew was a secret room. She pulled him inside and the portrait closed after her. She didn't pay attention to her surroundings as Ginny felt Cedric's lips slam against hers again and he emitted a soft groan. Her heartbeat sped up and she pushed herself closer to him. His tongue was warm in her mouth and she whimpered as she felt his hands roaming up and down her curves. She inhaled sharply, only for him to move his lips to her neck.

Ginny whispered contentedly, "Ced..." before he pulled away and she leant her ear against his chest, listening to his accelerated heart beat. She felt him kiss the top of her head and he murmured, "You're so beautiful. I've been wanting to do that since our last one." Ginny looked up at him and she could see the warmth reflecting from his eyes. She couldn't help but giggle, "You're so moral and so right. I guess that's the Hufflepuff in you." He shrugged his shoulders, his arms still wrapped around her waist as he whispered, "It wouldn't have been fair to lead you on when I was with her. But keeping my distance was harder than you can imagine." Ginny giggled as she reached up and kissed his neck before whispering, "Really? You made it look so easy." He shook his head and sighed, "No...no it wasn't easy at all. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done."

Ginny took a step away from him, keeping his strong hand in hers before asking, "So...now what?" He brushed a hand through her hair and replied, "I want to be with you. That's what," he replied with a wink that sent her heart racing. She whispered back, "I want to be with you too. But when do we make it official?" He grimaced and thought before replying, "How about tomorrow after the tournament?" Ginny hadn't expected such a sudden answer and she asked, "So soon? What about Cho? Shouldn't we put some time in between? I don't want her to think you were cheating or anything." Cedric nodded in agreement, "That's actually a good idea. A month after the tournament we can make it official then?" Ginny smiled, "That sounds perfect! I'm so glad we can be together finally!" Cedric beamed and leaned down to kiss her neck again, "So am I, Ginny. So am I."

Cedric walked her up to Gryffindor tower after a little bit more making out and he kissed her again outside before saying, "I'll look for you tomorrow in the stands." She grinned and whispered, "I'll be wearing Hufflepuff colours," she teased as he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her close. He rested his head on hers before she heard the Fat Lady saying, "Excuse me...but would you two love birds take this elsewhere? I've seen it more than enough in my time!" Cedric laughed and turned, "Sorry ma'am." She looked astounded and then back tracked, "Ah! You must be the famous Cedric Diggory! Best of luck tomorrow young man! You're going to need it!" Cedric laughed and Ginny shook his her head, "You're not going to need it, Ced. You've got this." She stretched on her tip toe's to give him a kiss and then she turned to the portrait hole, said, "Gilly weed," and turned back to see him wink at her before she headed for bed.