Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except Chloe and anything else you don't recognize.
Alright, chapter 21 now. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 21:
A Night by the Lake
News of Cedric and I spread quickly throughout the school. Everyone knew about us and that included Cho. It was very amusing actually. She was always throwing me death glares whenever possible. I just smiled smugly in return. That resulted in ticking her off some more. I could see hexing in my future. Good luck with that Cho. Of course Filip knew to and he wished us the best. That made Cedric relax about him and he began to accept him. That made me feel relaxed, to know that my boyfriend-that's right I said boyfriend-is starting to accept my friend. Filip started to hang out with us some more and we moved our study parties back to the library, like old times except instead of Cho-she hated me too much to even be within a thirty foot radius of me-it was Emma and I couldn't help but notice how close she and Filip were getting. It had peeked my interest and I paid close attention to them. Of course, Cedric usually ended up claiming most of it. Not that I minded giving him my full and undivided attention. I loved him so, so much. It felt so good to have those feelings out in the open, like a burden had been lifted of my shoulders. Cedric and I had been practically inseparable, joined at the hip, I guess you could say. It was the most wonderful time of my life and it made me really anxious when the last period of the day rolled around, like now.
I looked around the classroom, looking for something that would tell me when this class would be over. I really wanted to get out of here, to be with my Ceddy. I was nearly bouncing out of my seat!
"Hey Chloe," Anthony whispered, from beside me. I looked at him. Did I forget to mention that Anthony is starting to accept me? It's probably only because I am now Cedric's girlfriend and he doesn't want to do anything that will anger Cedric. I could tell he didn't enjoy acting friendly with me. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine, just a little anxious." Anthony forced a chuckle and turned back to the assignment. Come on, anytime now, I thought. Finally, the class ended and the teacher dismissed us. I gathered my things and rushed out of the classroom. It was one period everyday which was at least just an hour. Why was it so hard to be away from him for an hour? Maybe it was because I was so madly in love with him! When you love someone, you feel a need to always be around them, I guess. I don't know, it was just hard to be away and it made me anxious.
I started heading towards his class. He would meet me half way, that's how it always was. I pushed past people trying to find their friends, get to their common rooms, whatever. I kept my eyes peeled for that familiar handsome face. I felt an arm wind around my waist, frightening me a little and making me all tingly again. I hated it when he snuck up on me like that!
"Looking for me?" He whispered in my ear, making me shudder. I turned to look at him.
"You know I hate it when you do that," I said.
"I know," he replied, leaning down and our lips met. The magic never left, no matter how many times we kissed.
"I think we better get to the library," I said, once we had broken apart.
"Alright," he sighed, draping his arm around my shoulders. I grabbed his hand and we headed to the library. Ah yes, the most wonderful time of my life, so far, anyways. Either way, this would the time that would stick out the most in my mind of my whole Hogwarts experience.
We walked into the library and went to our table in the corner. Filip and Emma were already there, laughing.
"It was so funny," Emma was saying.
"It sounds like it was," Filip replied.
"What's so funny?" I asked as Cedric and I sat across from them. I unwound Cedric's arm from my shoulders and switched hands.
"I'll tell you later," Emma replied. I shrugged it off. I attempted to grab my books with one hand. It didn't work too well.
"Uh, Cedric," I said.
"Yes?" He sounded amused when he said it.
"I kinda need my other hand now," he groaned but let go. I smiled and grabbed all my books and put them on the table. Cedric snatched my hand as soon as it was free. I laughed and laced our fingers together.
"You guys are too cute!" Emma squealed. She had been very enthusiastic about this whole relationship thing. I could feel myself blushing.
"Let's just get this homework done," I said, pulling out my parchment, quill and ink.
"Fine," Emma sighed. We sat doing our homework quietly. The only sound was the sound of quills writing on parchment. Cedric's hand never let go of mine and vice versa. I snuck a peek at Cedric's homework.
"That's wrong," I said, pointing at number two.
"Oh, so you're correcting my homework now," he replied.
"Yup," I said. "Do you wanna fail?"
"No," he replied, chuckling.
"So change your answer,"
"Will you tell me the answer?" He begged, pulling off his best puppy dog face. Didn't work.
"No, I'm not cheating for you,"
"Please,"
"N-" I wasn't able to finish because his lips crashed onto mine. It caught me off guard at first but I ended up kissing back. It was magical, as always. My arms wound around his neck and his wrapped around me.
"Please?" He asked once we had finished kissing.
"Mmm," I said, pretending to think about it. "No," I turned back to my homework. Cedric groaned in frustration, turning back to his homework. I laughed as I finished my homework. I was unaware of the glance between Emma and Cedric.
CDCB
I sat up in my bed, reading a book by the wand light. Cedric said that he was tired and needed to go to bed and that I should do the same. Coincidentally, Emma was there to take me to bed yet she yet back down to the common room right after. I had a sneaking suspicion that they were planning something. I didn't let it bug me though. It wouldn't get me anywhere.
Tap, tap, tap
I raised my head and looked at the window. My family's owl sitting outside the window, tapping on it, a letter in its beak. I was confused. I hadn't written any letters to home lately. The owl had stayed in the Olwery. I stood up, put my book on my bed and opened the window. I took the letter from the bird's beak. It took off and I closed the window. I unfolded the paper. Okay, it wasn't really a letter, more of a note.
Meet me by the lake, and wear what you wore to the Yule Ball.
Okay, this was even more confusing but I did it anyways and it was probably from Cedric anyways. I pulled out my dress and got changed. I slipped on the shoes. I didn't even bother doing my hair, it would take too long. The necklace Cedric gave me was sitting on the bedside table. I grabbed it and put it on. It was probably cold out there at this time of night so I grabbed my traveling cloak. I slipped it on before heading out of the dorm. The common room was completely empty and the fire was slowly dying. I walked out of the common room and started towards the exit. I wondered what was going on.
I stepped outside and pulled out my wand.
"Lumos," I whispered holding my wand out in front of me. I was a little paranoid to be out in the dark alone considering what happened last time and that there was murderer on the lose. I made my way over to the black lake. I could see a faint light coming from beside the black surface that reflected the light of the full moon. Except, it wasn't a wand light, it was more of a flame. As I got closer, I realized that it was in fact a flame but there was more the one. I got closer and saw a dark figure standing there, with his back to me. I recognized that figure. I guess Cedric did send me that note. He had really gone all out with this. There were candles, rose petals, a fancy looking blanket, there was music playing and he was even wearing his dress robes.
I flicked the light on my wand off, walked up behind him and cleared my throat. He whirled around. He was holding a red rose. He looked rather handsome in the candle light.
"Chloe, I was beginning to think you weren't coming," he said, walking up to me. I chuckled, walking up to him.
"You don't know me very well then," he chuckled this time as our lips met. We pulled away and smiled at each other. He handed me the rose.
"This is for you," he said. I smiled and took it. I sniffed it. It smelt nice.
"You really didn't have to do this, y'know,"
"I know, but I wanted to," he replied. "Besides, you're worth it," he continued, caressing my face.
"And your cheesy," I said, playfully hitting his shoulder. He laughed as he took me in his arms. The song changed and I recognized it as 'Magic Works' by the Weird Sisters. I smiled up at him.
"May I have this dance?" He asked. I smiled.
"Yes, you may," we started swaying to the music on the spot. "This seems like it was a lot of work," it did. I mean rose petals?! Seriously?!
"It was but Emma helped."
"Ha! I knew you two were up to something," I said. He laughed and I chuckled, resting my head against his chest. This was the second most wonderful moment of my life. The first most wonderful moment of my life was our first kiss. We danced till the end of the song and decided to lie down on the fancy blanket, staring at the stars, his arms tight around me. I thought back, through the past six years, how much I had hated this boy. I never thought I'd be here. So in love with the very boy I used to be barely able to tolerate. I chuckled.
"What?" Cedric asked, looking at me.
"Just never thought I'd be here," I answered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.
"Well," I began. "I used to think that you were, arrogant, immature, cocky and overall annoying."
"You thought I was all those things?" He asked, sounding slightly amused.
"And more," I replied. "And I still think you are all those things," I stroked his check. "But in a good way," he smiled at me as he placed his hand on my face and stroked my check with his thumb.
"I always used to think you were amazing-I still do- the only who didn't treat me like a king." So he didn't like the way other people treated him. "I tried to get to know you but you never let me." So he wasn't just staring at me or trying to talk to me to be annoying, he was trying to get to know me. "Thank you for letting me in this year," he said. "I love you, Chloe Baker, I love you so much." I had to keep myself from crying. It was so good to hear him say that.
"I love you to," I replied and before I knew it, we were kissing each other passionately. Ah yes, I had never been happier.
Alright, there was chapter 21. I felt this one was kind of necessary to show where they stand relationship wise. It was fun to write to. There's only about three or four more chapters left and then sequel time. R&R