Chapter 5: Don't I Know You Better Than The Rest

"Don't get me wrong," Cedric said as they sat together at the library, "I love our spot here. But it would rather be pleasant if we, you know, go outside for a change."

"We have a spot now?" She asked inquiringly.

He smirked. "Obviously, seeing as we don't go somewhere else." He said. "And you're dodging."

"Dodging what?"

"That's not going to work on me, Granger."

She looked at him.

"Where do you prefer to go to?" she asked him after a moment of silence.

His eyebrows contorted as he stayed silent. She was waiting for a suggestion, but what he said was unexpected.

"You don't want us to be seen outside, do you?"

She raised an eyebrow. "We were seen by many people already."

"In here, yeah." he replied. "But not once have we talked in the Great Hall. Or shared a walk on the hallways."

"Do you want us to?"

His lips quirked. "It would expand the definition of friendship, yes, but the question is," He looked at her directly. "Do you?"

As she looked back at Cedric, she can see that he's not pushing her into making a decision, nor is he mad. He honestly wants to know.

"I do." She admitted. "But it worries me a lot."

He nodded in understanding.

...

It was Thursday when he started it.

"I hate Divination." Hermione declared as they went down the staircase.

Ron scoffed at her. "You just dropped the subject, Hermione. We know you hate it."

"And now I hate it more when you just told me about that stupid prediction Trelawney gave to Harry!"

"It's fine, 'Mione." Harry calmly said.

She sighed. "She can't just do that, Just react like that in front of you and the whole class."

"But she did," Harry replied. "And don't worry about it."

Hermione faced Harry one step lower on the staircase. "Promise me you won't believe what she said."

"Herm-"

"Promise me, Harry." Behind her serious demeanor, Ron was nodding to him encouragingly.

Harry sighed. "Alright, I promise."

She smiled and as she turned around, she saw Cedric smiling and making his way to them.

"Hey Granger." He greeted her, his grin far too big for a simple greeting. He gave a polite nod to Harry and Ron. Harry nodded back and Ron just looked confused.

"Cedric." She greeted back, smiling and frowning at the same time. "What are you doing at this part of the castle? I thought Arithmacy-"

"No, I was just called by Professor Sinistra." He explained, cutting her off to to save her the trouble of explaining to the boys how she knew his schedule. He could see that one or both of them didn't know about their (not so) new friendship. Ron was still frowning at them and Harry was listening in, face indifferent.

Hermione nodded, fully smiling now.

"See you at the library?" He asked as he started to climb up slowly.

"Of course." She waved back at him as they continued on their path.

After a few seconds of agitated silence and Hermione's rushed footsteps, Ron finally asked. "What was that about?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," He faced her. "Since when are you two pals? You can't really blame me for saking, 'Mione. He's in fifth year, you're in third. He's a Hufflepuff, You're a Gryffindor. He's a boy you're a girl. I could go on and on but the point is," He said after sighing. This has got to be one of the longest things he said in one breathing. "Those things don't mix."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We've known each other in the library."

"That's the reason you often spend time in the library, then?" Ron asked.

This is what she hates. What she tries to avoid. Judgment. "No." She answered. It's not the entire truth, but it's not a lie, either. "I go to the library to study and read, like what most logical people would go to, Ronald."

He crossed his arms. "So of all the people you could have got acquainted to it just has to be Cedric Diggory, the one who defeated Harty in Quidditch?"

She clenched her jaw. This is one of the reasons why she didn't want anyone, especially Ron, to know about her growing friendship with the Hufflepuff. They wouldn't understand. Or try to even understand.

"Ron, drop it."

Except for Harry, of course.

"Hermione can be friends with anyone she prefers to. No one gets to decide for her." He said continuously. "Besides, It's not Cedric's fault that we lost."

And as they started to argue about Quidditch, Hermione smiled gratefully at Harry. He smiled back.

...

It was a Saturday when she continued it.

They were at Hogsmeade. And since Harry wasn't allowed to come, She's stuck with Ron, the twins, and Lee Jordan at Zonko's.

It's really too bad Ginny isn't allowed to go to Hogsmeade.

Hermione tried to tell Ron she's going to that bookstore they passed by, but he's too busy playing around with Fred, George and Lee to hear her. So she just went out. She spotted him walking along the road with two other fifth year Hufflepuffs and she knows that this is just the perfect time.

"Hey Cedric!" She called from the other side of the street. All three of them stopped and turned to look at the source of sound. As soon as he saw her, Cedric broke into a huge grin in which Hermione reflected, slightly blushing. Why does he have to go around here with his face all... and hair all... She thought unintentionally. Never mind. She dismissed it immediately and scolded herself for thinking (feeling) that way.

He walked to her with the other two following behind him slowly. She met him halfway. "Granger." He greeted cheerfully. "It's nice to see you outside the library, and Hogwarts, for a change. You're alone?"

"No, actually I was going to visit that bookstore I saw earlier." She explained. "Ronald was at Zonko's and Harry wasn't permitted to go."

"Too bad for him." He said sympathetically. "I was going to tell you about that bookstore, actually. I believe you will enjoy the books in there. They're quite," She saw the mirth in his eyes. "Interesting."

She narrowed her eyes. "Really?"

"Oh yes. Look at the last aisle once you get there. You need to experience it."

"And why would I do what you say? You look conniving." She observed his smirk and blushed a little more. What is wrong with her?

It's the snow. She thought. The white makes everything look better.

"It''s harmless I promise." His smirk turned into a half-smile. "Don't you trust me, Granger?"

He was staring at her. He was smiling playfully, but she can see how deep that stare is. She's been seeing it for a while now, most of it just recently. She didn't want to make an utter embarrassment out of herself so instead of opening her mouth, she shrugged.

He looked at her a little while longer until he pouted. "That's mean. You know you trust me." He put his hand on his chest. "You hurt my feelings."

She hit his arm. He ducked on the side, only to see his two friends looked questioningly at him. Oh. He forgot he had company.

"Oh! I failed to remember introducing you to my friends," He patted the one on the left. "This is Scott, and," On his right, "This is Peter."

Hermione smiled at them, feeling sheepish that she forgot his companions while they get a little bit lost in their world. So after the introduction, she excused herself and told them to enjoy their Hogsmeade weekend, and that it was nice meeting them. She waved to Cedric and when he told her he'd see her in the library, she nodded at him, grinning back.

...

"Now I understand." Scott said from his bed.

"Understand what?" Cedric asked, looking up from his book. The two smirked at him.

"Why you and Hermione Granger clicked."

"Clicked?" Peter asked Scott sarcastically.

Scott raised his hands in defense. "You got a better word, mate?"

"There are so-"

"Hey, focus." Cedric interrupted.

"Right." Scott cleared his throat. "You and Granger. It makes sense now."

Cedric raised his eyebrows. "Didn't it make sense before?"

"No." Peter answered.

"So how come they made sense for you now?" He asked intently.

"Because you both have a love for books."

"Yeah, mate." Peter agreed. "We forgot how much of a bookworm you really are."

Cedric's brows were contorted. "So you think the reason behind my friendship with her is because of books entirely?"

"Well, isn't it?" Scott answered with a question.

"No."

Peter and Scott looked at one another. "Then what esle is there?" Peter asked.

Cedric thought about his answer for a moment.

"Do you mean to say that Hermione Granger's love for books is the only thing that she can offer?"

The two just shrugged.

"I see." He nodded to himself. "Well I think that if people would hold an interest to really get to know her, they would find her life - changing." With that, Cedric closed his book and puts it in the desk, covered himself with his blanket and slept.

Almost a minute later, Scott whispered. "See, I told you."

"He likes her. Yeah, I know that." Peter whispered back.

The other sighed. "No, you idiot! He likes her. As in... falling for her - likes her."

The room remained silent.

"Didn't you see his face when he saw who greeted him?" Scott continued. "Mate, he completely forgot we were there."

Peter chuckled softly. "Poor bastard."

...

I'm sorry for the grammatical errors and the late post! I hope you like this even though it's simple.