Title: Chance
Pairings: Cedric/Hermione
Summary: But here was his clear chance to talk to her.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I can only dream it's mine but we all know it belongs to JK Rowling.
Warning: AU and a 15minuteficlets :P

To do or not to do?

At the moment, seventh year and Head Boy, Cedric Diggory was having a bit of a dilemma on his hands. It's not everyday, he gets the chance to talk to her as Potter and Weasley always surrounded her. It wasn't as if he hated them or anything. No, it was just very intimidating how protective they are of her. Quite scary really, especially when he saw that sixth year Ravenclaw give her a suggestive wink from afar last week. Shuddering, Cedric remembered the absent boys and the two black eyes the sixth year sported the next day.

Instinctively, Cedric raised his hand to his eyes glad that it wasn't him they had gone after. But here was his clear chance to talk to her. Cedric had made it a point to keep a track of the two boys' schedule and hers everyday for the past three weeks. Trying to stall for time, he straightened out his robes, made sure his hair was neatly combed not that it did much as he kept running his hand through is hair, checked his book b-

"You'd think with the extra 30 minutes we gave him, he'd had ask her out already."

Jumping Cedric tripped over his own foot before two pair of arms caught and steadied him. Closing his eyes, he started to mentally swear when he realized what they had said. Turning around he saw Potter and Wea- well Harry and Ron standing there with arms crossed over their chest staring at him.

"I don't think we give him enough credit... At least he got within 10 feet of her this time," Ron stated.

"Yeah but he's hiding behind at least two bookshelves and sweating like Duddy on a diet," Harry pointed out.

"He's Duddy now?"

Watching as the two boys start to talk about a 'Duddy', Cedric discreetly tried to sneak away. Key word being 'tried'. He was instantly dragged back behind the two said shelves when he made less than four steps.

"Geez Diggory, you make it seem like we're going to Avada you," Ron said before adding, "Although it's not like we won't if you break her heart."

Cedric stared a bit wide eye at their raised eyebrows and waiting faces. The glint in their eyes didn't make it all that much better either because it looked like the Weasley Twin's look right before a big prank.

"Well are you going to ask her out or what?" Harry inquired.

"Uh..."

"You know you're going to have to be more articulate than that right?" Ron told him.

"Right. Well, how did you know about..." Cedric faltered before making hand gestures between him and Hermione.

Rolling their eyes, Harry just shook his head, "You really don't know how to subtly stalk someone."

"I mean all the stares," Ron added.

"And the 'Oops I didn't see you there' run-ins,"

"And the constant following,"

"And preening-"

"I don't preen!" Cedric interrupted.

"Trust me Diggory, I don't think I've seen someone preen that much for a girl before."

"Yeah not even when Neville finally asked out my sister."

"He was preening?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, poor bloke. All of that and then fainting after Gin said 'yes' too," Ron explained.

"But that's besides the point," Harry continued.

"The point is, if you don't go over there right now we're going to have to beat up Terry Boot," Ron pointed out.

Turning around, Cedric saw Boot giving furtive glances at Hermione and the library entrance door. Feeling a small twinge of jealously, Cedric picked up his things and made his way towards her table.

Harry and Ron watched him shyly ask her about the empty seat before sitting down and starting a small conversation with her. It wasn't until they were outside of the library that Harry stopped and stared at Ron.

"What?"

"Articulate?"

"We were in the library, what else was I suppose to say?"