Houses competition. Ravenclaw, HoH, Additional, Prompt: Hermione and Cedric, WC: 700
AU, in which Cedric is alive because Voldy-pants doesn't exist.
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I was always one of the sensible children. I was the front-desk kid in school, always listening. I answered the teacher's questions, and I understood my classes. I didn't get along with those who didn't understand. Instead, I hung around with those of similar vein - the bookworms, the awkwardly friendless, and the intelligents. There wasn't much conversation outside of that concerning school work, and there wasn't much conversation.
Hogwarts was very different from that quiet life. Especially in Gryffindor.
I only had one friendless month at Hogwarts. In October, Ron and Harry saved me from the troll. This incident was the catalyst for our riotous childhood. This friendship has resulted in my slight crush (read: hateful infatuation) on our ginger friend.
I shouldn't have a crush on Ron. It's not like me. I should like someone sensible. Someone who doesn't gulp down their meals like it's their last. Someone who doesn't infuriate me over competitiveness, irresponsbility, and complete lack of dedication to anything other than Quidditch.
Alas, here we are.
Here, more specifically, is five years after Hogwarts, huddled around a too-small table in The Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Ginny make a sweet couple, their arms wrapped around each other. It's a nice enough existence, being twenty-three and out drinking with friends.
"Your round, Hermione," Ron laughs, breathing in sharply and belching. "Another pint for me."
Harry and Ginny confirm their orders too.
His manners aren't even his only problem. Yet, he's always been this way. Maybe my wishes for him to be better prove that I should give up on anything other than friendly companionship.
"Hermione?" a voice asks from beside me at the bar, in amongst a throng of clamouring customers. He calls again, holding out a hand in greeting, and I instantly recognise him.
Cedric Diggory.
"Hi," I reply, halfway to laughing. I certainly wouldn't expect him to greet me, let alone notice me. He gestures, ushering me over in his direction. From his eyes, I can tell that the world is a little blurry to him. He's buzzed, halfway to drunk like the rest of us. "Nice to see you, Cedric. Is everything okay?"
"Wonderful, thank you."
He smiles invitingly, his pretty face only slightly aged. He was always good looking, and hasn't changed much since I last saw him about eight years ago. "Do you want to join me for a drink? I know you're with the others, but take a break, maybe?"
Perplexing, but okay.
"Sure," I nod.
This is odd, this so odd, my mind chants to itself, and I know that perhaps I should be more intrigued and perhaps I should even be pleased that the beautiful, brilliant, bold Cedric Diggory is taking an interest in me. I'm not, though. "What's up?"
"Oh you know, usual stuff - work, my father, all of life's intricacies. But that's not what I wanted to say."
He takes a swig of his beer. I notice it's craft beer, not that it should matter. "I actually wanted to talk to you about your most recent research paper, the one on our changing perceptions of Human Nature, in spite of Richardson's evidence. It's very interesting how you don't compare the two, yet you…"
At this point, I start to drift off. He's asking about work.
Hogwarts champion. Good looking. Sensible. In my periphery, I see Ron picking a crisp from his jumper and eating it. Maybe talking to Cedric wouldn't be a bad thing. It's a shame he's so dull.
"To be honest," I find myself saying, "I wrote the paper based on an article I read which contradicted what Richardson was saying. The article gave me the idea, so it's difficult to ascertain exactly at which point I had the epiphany, you know?"
Cedric smiles back at me, stuck halfway between agreeing and probing further.
He's being diplomatic, which is the problem. I hate it.
On one hand it seems like a good thing for someone to let me talk, for someone to actually not always say the exact things on their mind.
I think I want someone to challenge me.
I think I want Ron. No. I know I want Ron.
Damn. Back to square one.
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Thanks for reading!
