AN: Hey everybody, posting chapter two! i know i just posted one the other day, but i had the time, so why not? Just to clear a few things up, in this Cedric never died. He lived through the Goblet of Fire, and he and Hermione fell in love. I realized that the italics didn't carry over to the mobile version, so the two paragraphs in chapter one that didn't seem to fit were flashbacks. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Two

Two Years Ago

"Hermione! Come here please," Cedric called across the tables. I had just walked into the Great Hall for lunch when he motioned me over. He stood when I reached their table, and wrapped me into a tight hug.

"Happy Birthday," he whispered into my hair, squeezing me close to him. I was thrilled; this was by far the most affectionate Cedric had ever been with me out in public. It's not that he was embarrassed or anything, he just chose to keep our "relationship", if you could call it that, on the down low.

I felt him slip something into the pocket of my robes, then he released me from the hug and grinned. He sat down and I turned to join my friends at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Ron scooted down so I could sit between them, and then they began bombarding me with birthday wishes. I tried, I really had, to keep my birthday a quite thing. I was turning fifteen, it really wasn't a big deal. How word got out, I have no idea, but I did know I would have to pay for my secrecy ten fold in birthday wishes.

"Happy Birthday, Mione!" Harry exclaimed, gently elbowing me and smiling. Harry really was sweet, he looked so genuinely excited for me that I couldn't help but to smile back.

"Bloody hell, I cant believe it, Mione! You're older than me!" Ron exclaimed. He, the youngest of our trio, wouldn't be turning fifteen for another two months. I grinned, and jokingly smacked him.

"Don't worry Ron. We'll still let you tag along with Harry and I when we go do grown up things," I mocked. He turned red and narrowed his eyes, and Harry and I burst out laughing. The look on his face was truly priceless. After a little while, Harry and Ron excused themselves to finish an assignment due later that day, and I sat in peace for a moment, before reaching into my pocket to examine whatever it was Cedric had given me.

Inside my pocket was a small piece of parchment, folded in half. I unfolded in, my hands trembling in nervous excitement. Written across the middle of the paper were five words, scripted elegantly in his distinctive hand.

"Meet me outside. 10:30 tonight."

-C

I grinned and tucked the note back into my pocket, saving it for later examination, and as a keepsake, of course. I collected my books and things, then grabbed my bag and headed off to a day of classes. My schedule was easy enough today, which would give me plenty of time to prepare for tonight. Thoughts of what Cedric had planned for me swam in the forefront of my brain all day, and I swear if anyone asked me what had happened in any of my classes, I wouldn't have any clue.

"Ms. Ganger!" I looked up sharply, to see Professor Snape glaring at me. I quickly looked around, and to my dismay, saw most of my classmates staring in my direction, glad that Snape's attention was directed somewhere other than themselves.

"Yes, Sir?" I asked innocently, as though I was paying utmost attention the entire time. He wasn't going for it though. Luckily, he didn't seem to feel up to pursuing the matter, however, because he swept away and continued his lesson on god only knows what. I sighed in relief and slumped back against my chair, returning to my fantasies and what Cedric had planned tonight. A romantic dinner, perhaps? Or dancing, under the stars? I broke my revere, and shuddered. Harry was right, I was clearly becoming way to involved in the muggle romance novels my mum kept sending.

When my classes for the day were over, I raced back to the Gryffindor common room as quickly as I could, dodging people who I knew would stop me to talk. It was already 4:30, and with dinner, I only had a few hours to get ready. I decided that around five I could probably get supper without seeming too suspicious, and if I excused myself from the festivities that are sure to ensure by eight, I would have just enough to get ready. Even though I had no idea what was planned, I knew that I had to look good, and that was enough for me.

Dinner was successful, and sure enough, Harry and Ron, with the help of Fred and George had a party in full swing by the time we returned to the common room. I grinned at the amount of effort that they had clearly put into this; I may not like parties, by there was no denying the sweetness of the gesture. I laughed and talked with everyone for a few hours, and when the clock struck seven thirty, I began to excuse myself. I knew from experience that it would take some time to extricate myself from this.

I was, eventually, successful, and by a few minutes before eight I was in the safety of my room. I decided I would not wear robes, but a muggle dress I had brought with me just in case. It was beautiful, a soft sage green dress that touched the top of my knees. Its halter-top showed of enough of my chest to create some semblance of cleavage, and its full, floaty skirt made my every motion seem graceful. With a pair of sandals and my favorite cardigan I had brought from home, I thought this would be the perfect outfit.

I hopped in the shower, washing my body thoroughly with rose scented body wash. My shampoo and conditioner both smelled like vanilla, so I smelt wonderful by the time I departed from the shower. I dried my hair magically, then began my work. I used a hair serum that I had recently purchased in Hogsmeade; it claimed to smooth unruly curls and eliminate flyaway hair, which would be perfect for tonight. I decided basic makeup would be appropriate for the night, although any makeup at all was a rarity for me.

After about an hour and a half of primping, I was ready. It was just about ten, and I stood in front of the full body mirror, examining the result from every angle. Not too bad, not too bad at all. The dress fit me flawlessly, and paired with the sweater and sandals, my outfit was perfect. My hair fell in smooth ringlets around my face, and the small amount of makeup I had used made my cheeks look rosy and my brown eyes look huge and soft. A success, if I do say so myself.

At ten fifteen, I ventured quietly through the deserted corridors. Everyone was either in bed, or in their common room, and in just under an hour, the halls would be banned from student use. I slowly made my way to the outdoors, looking around for any sign of Cedric. It was still early, only twenty passed ten, and I wondered if I had arrived before him. Looking around, there were no signs of anyone, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flickering light.

I walked over toward it and saw, suspended in mid air near a tree, a candle. Barely ten feet away was another, and another following it. I slowly followed the trail, the white votives leading me down towards the dark, still night. It was warm out, and a gentle breeze tossed my curls and made the candle flames flicker mystically in the dark. After a few minutes, I reached the shore of the lake. It was here that the candles ended, and I looked around, curious to see what would be next.

"Hermione, come here," I heard him call from behind me. His voice was soft and gentle, and I felt shivers trace my spine as I spun around to see him. He was sitting on a large, flat rock underneath the protection of a tree, just a few feet behind me. I cant believe I hadn't noticed him! I looked around, taking in my surroundings. What I saw nearly made me faint, I didn't understand how he had possibly done this on his own, for me.

The trees were strung with Chinese lanterns, each one filled with a flickering white votive, the same kind that had led me down to the lake. They cast a warm, dancing light across the rock, a warm bright sanctuary in the dark summery night. He grinned, and gestured to me to come closer. The rock was covered with a soft, red and white checkered cloth, and there were two more candles there, and a vase with one long stemmed red rose in it. I gasped, and Cedric's smile grew exponentially larger. I walked toward him and sat down next to him on the rock. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, then pulled out a container from behind him.

"Close your eyes, please," he requested, and I complied. I heard him shuffling things around. After a few moments, he granted me permission to reopen my eyes, and I did. The rock was now covered with a platter of chocolate covered strawberries, and in two beautiful goblets was a clear, sparkling water. Cedric turned at looked at me, his smile replaced with a nervous look. Was he… waiting for my approval? I threw my arms around him.

"Thank you! Oh my gosh, Cedric, this is incredible! Thank you so much," I gushed, holding him tightly. He smiled, his cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione." I looked into his eyes, and there was something there I had never seen before. I opened my mouth to say something, but he shushed me. I looked at him, confused, and he took a deep breath.

"Hermione… I love you.""