The Hogsmeade weekend proved very busy this year-or at least Cedric thought so. His gang of fan girls had doubled as he'd got older apparently because 'he'd got hotter' or at least that was what Queenie told him, and her friend Chang had explained that to her (but Queenie said she agreed). This gaggle of giddy girls was sat directly diagonal him and and Queenie as they sat in the three broomsticks enjoying a butter beer and a few ginger snaps. Cedric sat clad in black slouchy skinny jeans-they were his staple wardrobe essential, like high waisted jeans were for Queenie-, white American style jersey top with navy sleeves and some muddy green Wellingtons.
The winter had brought out Queenie's warmer wardrobe. She was wearing a clingy pale pink long sleeve, grey high waisted skinny jeans and mint green Wellington boots as she sat sipping her butter beer, lowing the half full tankard on to the table Cedric reached over the table and swiped his thumb over her upper lip, whispering:
"Moustache" while his fan club giggled, screamed and … fainted.
"Thank" Queenie smiled blushing
"And you're cute when you blush" Cedric said and his some of fan girls 'awed' where as others spat venomous words in Queenie's direction.
"So what you think of Lupin?" Cedric enquired, taking a bite out of a ginger snap
"I like him he's … nice" Queenie replied and he raised an eyebrow at the hesitation in her response
"Well he's a DADA teacher, he's as nice as one of those can be" she expanded, starting to drink her butter beer again while occasionally nibbling at a ginger snap.
"Especially one at Hogwarts, you know where previous Defence Against the Dark Arts professors have been self consumed, vain, compulsive liars or two faced, megalomaniacs with psychotic trendies and a desire to house the most evil wizard on the back of their' skull" Cedric chuckled and Queenie bit her lip and began to giggle
"I wonder if Quirell charged rent?" Queenie said after a minute and the two burst in to laughter.
After another butter beer each and good conversation, the couple left the pub both now wearing their coats: Queenie's a red duffle with togs and Cedric a grey Parker. They wandered over to Honey Dukes, Cedric's arms around her shoulder pulling her into his side, where she rested her head (which had a mint green beret stylishly placed on it) on his shoulder. Both Queenie's arms were wrapped around the front and back of Cedric's waist and were clasped together on his far side.
Cedric and Queenie were miling around inside Honeydukes, Queenie's hands already holding 3 boxes of Bertie Bott's beans, crystallised pineapple and treacle fudge when they reached the counter. Mr Flume's wife served them with a smile and comment on how cuter couple they were.
After putting the sweets in Queenie's tan leather shoulder strapped fashion bag the walked to Gladrags Wizardwear as Cedric wanted to purchase his father a new tweed jacket with special wand pocket for his birthday.
As they left the shop (Cedric holding a large brown paper package under one arm-his dad's jacket), they saw Crete sprinting up to them, his friends: Herbert and Caspar with him.
"C-Cedr-ric!" Crete gasped when he reached them as he doubled over, his hands on his knees trying to regain his breath.
"Oh well, that's charming! You greet your sister's other half but completely blank your sister … I see how it is" Queenie replied sassily with a tut and flick of her hair before letting a smile slide across her faith and the group laughed lightly, the 3 third years having just about regained their breath.
"Cedric, the castle you've got to get back … the fat lady, she's gone!" Cedric glanced at Queenie just as she turned to look at him and then the two and the three younger boys dashed back up to the castle.
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Peeves was floating around McGonagall's office as the teachers, Dumbledore, the head boy and girl, the prefects and Queenie, Crete, Caspar and Herbert.
"I'm telling you I saw her fleeing from Sirius Black through another portrait, the one with the pigs or was the old lords? One of those any way!" Peeves cried in exasperation.
"Well seeing your reputation as a trouble maker and the vague nature of your answer surely you can see why we would be reluctant to believe you" McGonagall countered and Peeves flew over to Queenie, shrugging his shoulders and sighing:
"What a tragic state of affairs Queenie, they don't even believe me! Me! Honest, king and loyal Peeves!"
"We do believe you Peeves" Dumbledore began
"Prefects search the ground and first floor, reaching staff the second and third, Minerva and I forth and fifth and the Argus and the ghosts can cover the rest" Dumbledore informed before glancing at the smug Peeves and the four awkward students he was sat with.
"Miss and Mr Askoy, Mr Benson and Mr Wayne you are free to leave" Dumbledore waved his hand to symbolise off and the students hurried out, Queenie glancing at Cedric one last time only to find him already watching her. The two smiled coyly at each other before Queenie scampered off
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Later that night the whole school were sleeping in the great hall while the teachers conducted their' second in depth search of the castle, the first having proved inconclusive.
Queenie and Cedric's make shift beds (which was just essentially bedding and a pillow) were as close as they could be without Snape snapping at them for going to sleeping together. Queenie tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable, her night shirt (which was really one she'd pinched from Cedric) had rode up from her mid thighs to her waist, a sure sign of her insomnia. However Queenie made sure not wake Cedric who was so close to her yet to far away for own liking and not being able to roll into his chest and pinch some of his well built body's heat like she normally would was tormenting and a real test on her resilience.
She heard the sheets beside her rustling, glancing over she saw Cedric's grey eyes gazing at her sleepily to which Queenie responded with a faint smile.
"Ced, why are you up? Sleep." She commanded in a soft whisper. Cedric wiggled and shifting around in his 'bed' so that it was next to Queenie's
"I can't when I know you're awake, little one. Why are you at such an godly hour?" Cedric yawned and she just shook her head feeling horrible that she'd woken him.
"Just all this Sirius Black stuff us playing on my mind, its nothing serious" She assured, reaching across under the blankets to pat his leg. He responded by tucking her into his chest gently and cradling her there, his arms around her back and one hand holding her head to his shoulder.
"The things that play on your mind, play on mine, little one." He said murmured, kissing the crown of head head.
"It's just … remember what I told you a good few years ago now, about how my mum thought things would change here once Harry Potter and how my dad wanted me leave before he did? Well I suppose in way my mum was right … I mean- Oh I don't know! I pity him, he dealt with Quirell in his first year, Lockheart and that bloody snake last year, I'm still not sure what was worse and now this! He's only 13 Ced!" Queenie confessed in a hushed tone, nuzzling into his chest.
Cedric sighed gently, knowing exactly where she were coming from, and giving her a tight squeeze of reassurance
"Tell me what you like" He mumbled into her ear, still holding her in a vice grip.
"You know what I like, Ced" Queenie whispered into his shoulder.
"Tell me all the things you like and love. It'll warm the cockles of your heart and make you smile" He explained, tangling their' legs together.
"Hum, well … I like Bertie Bott's beans, Hypogriffs, hot cups of tea …" Queenie began in a hushed tone
"Carry on" Cedric encouraged.
"I like my cat and my owl and my siblings … sometimes-" the two laughed slightly, conscious not to wake the others in the hall.
"-Oh and their's one thing I ab-so-lutely love. He's tall and muscular with bronze hair and grey eyes. Can you guess who it is?" she continued
"Hum, that's tricky little one. Give me a clue" he teased and Queenie rolled her eyes, leaning in and placing a lingering kiss on his lips
"You" she smiled, pulling away
Queenie then rested her head his chest as her soft breath fell across his cotton shirt clad skin. Cedric smiled, giving her one final squeeze and kiss to her temple knowing it would lull her into a peaceful slumber filled with dreams (most likely of him).