Title: Possessed
Pairings: Cedric/Hermione
Summary: It was cold and windy... and did she mention it was cold?
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I can only dream it's mine but we all know it belongs to JK Rowling.
Warning: AU :P Went over by a minute :(

Hermione Granger scowled as an image flashed across her mind. Not that she minded it so much but really this was getting ridiculous even for her. Every second, minute, and hour of the day she had free, her thoughts would automatically be occupied by a certain graduate. Who she would see on the occasion that she ventured into Hogsmeade with Harry and Ron working at Honeydukes. Who would throw her a bright smile whenever he saw her... but then again he did that for every customer. Besides it wasn't as if she had any reason to think she was special right? Other than having a close sisterly bond with Harry and Ron, what other guy would even throw a second glance at her.

Staring at her unfinished parchment, Hermione calculated that she would need at least another three inches before her work was even considered done. Picking her quill up again, she flipped the book open to page 215 and started to finish in silence without another thought to the Cheshire-like bo- no man... well young man. Yes, Cheshire-like young man in Hogsmeade.

It was cold and windy... and did she mention it was cold? Trudging through the half feet of snow, Hermione found it hard to keep up with the tall boys before her. Tightening the scarf around her neck, Hermione scanned the crowd to see where they had gone. Spotting a glimpse of red, she was about to follow when she tripped over something.

"Sorry," she called through her scarf and hair.

Trying to get up, she slipped once more before two yellow arms helped her up. Dusting the snow from her body, Hermione turned around to say 'thanks' but stopped before she could even finished.

"You alright there Hermione?"

Cedric Diggory. Cheshire-like young man that had currently occupied her mind was standing before her. The only thing that was keeping her from her books and works on the chance that her working mind slipped. His dark sandy hair was slightly damp from the snow as he had no hat and his grey eyes were twinkling as brightly as Professor Dumbledore's. His canary yellow jumper with black lining without a doubt was paying homage to his Hogwarts house like the scarf adorning his neck.

"Hermione?" Cedric asked with concern.

"Huh?"

Finding herself without words, she was glad for the protection of her scarf before nodding her head a quick 'yes'. Muttering a 'sorry' she turned around but found herself slipping again. Instead of the damp ground though, she felt a warm, nurturing body supporting her weight. Berating herself, she steadied herself with Cedric's help.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

He frowned at her answer before brushing the snow off her shoulders with mutterings that sounded close to a mother hen. Without another thought, she started to snicker before it turned into giggles. Seeing him stare at her with confusion, Hermione calmed herself enough to get out a few words.

"Yellow... mother hen..." she said before bursting into a fresh round of laughter.

"Did you eat one of the twins' special candy?" Cedric inquired curiously still trying to figure out as to why she was laughing.

"Eh... haha... ahem. No, it was just a train of thought. Sorry."

"Oh good. For a minute there I thought you were laughing at m- you were, weren't you?"

Feeling embarrassed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that you were acting like a mother hen and you are wearing yellow, so I couldn't help myself..."

"Oh. Hmm, well I can't really say I blame you... I think."

"I'm sorry Cedric but thank you for helping me. I think I should get going now..." she trailed, looking for any signs of Ron or Harry.

"Oh... well alright."

Hermione's ears perked up at the slight hint of disappointment and turned around in time to see him blush. He mumbled a 'goodbye' before walking towards Honeydukes. She didn't know what possessed her to do such a thing but before she knew it, she had grabbed his hand. She felt him tense for a moment and hoped to Merlin that she hadn't thought wrong. Seeing him turn around questioningly, she once again lost her voice.

"Yes?" he ventured.

Gathering her courage, she held her head high, "Do you mind if I come with you to Honeydukes?"

For a second she thought he would laugh but upon seeing his shy smile, they walked towards the shop never once letting go of their conjoined hands.