Title: A Little Walk
Pairings: Cedric/Hermione
Summary: This is how it should be, she absently thought.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I can only dream it's mine but we all know it belongs to JK Rowling.
Warning: AU :P
Hermione Granger was one of the smartest girls to grace the halls of Hogwarts since Rowena Ravenclaw. She learned quickly, had a knack for knowing the facts, and read over 55 percent of the books in the library (so she's working on it). Yet she can also be strong with a sharp eye for details and an even sharper mind. However, for the life of her, she couldn't accept the fact that a wonderful gentleman was currently courting her… so she's a bit old-fashioned.
But that wasn't bothering her. No, it was the simple fact that this gentleman was actually Cedric Diggory, seventh-year Head Boy of Hufflepuff, one of the more loveable young men to ever grace Hogwarts and her life. While Harry and Ron frowned at the thought of her dating someone older, they generally supported her and offered their services of protection and manslaughter if 'Diggory so much as laid a wanking hand on you'. Her face reddened at the thought, remembering how Cedric shifted nervously while she had her head in her hands.
Of course after Cedric had left, albeit uncomfortably, Ginny promptly gave Ron and Harry a light hexing that lasted three days before Hermione told her to stop. Nevertheless it gave a lasting impression on the boys and Neville. Poor Neville was so afraid to set her off that following week.
Feeling a bit of a breeze, she pulled her coat tighter before searching the crowds again for the dark sandy haired boy but came face to face with a bunch of daisies. Giving a small sneeze (as it was winter, cold, and a bit of pollen had flown up her nose), she took the flowers before receiving a quick kiss. Looking up a bit, Hermione could see Cedric's broad grin and his warm grey eyes before placing her hand into his slightly large, calloused one.
They didn't get going right away because Cedric made sure that she was covered up properly with her coat, scarf, hat, and a warming charm. Hermione liked it when he took care of her. Not so much that it was clingy, but not so little that he was distant. Sometimes she would see the worry and bits of stubbornness at her involvement with the impending war but like Neville did with Ginny, waited patiently for her until she was ready to talk about it. He always offered a comforting hug with whispers of support, that made her wish they could just forget about everything and runaway.
They walked a bit awkwardly around in the snow before arriving at their destination. It wasn't anything special, just a simple spot below a hill by the lake. Opening the basket that he was carrying, Hermione helped Cedric open the blanket (charmed with another warming charm) onto the damp ground before sitting down on it. Getting out her book, Hermione tried to get comfortable in the lumpy snow when she heard a chuckle beside her. She felt herself being slightly dragged to a warm body as Cedric placed his arms around her and his chin on her shoulder. With a mocking sigh, she leaned back and opened up her book but never got past the first few pages before falling asleep.
She didn't feel Cedric taking the book out of her hand nor felt him pull another blanket out to cover them. Hermione only knew that she was content as they both leaned against a tree and took a small nap.
This is how it should be, she absently thought.
This is how it will be.