Legal Disclaimer: I own my stuff, but not the original source material. That belongs to whoever. Also, the opinions and interpretations I use here may not reflect the same in said whoever that owns the source material. Look, I'm just a poor college librarian. Suing me isn't going to get you anything but tears.

Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. Feel free to back out if need be.

Author's Note: I'm losing ground on the sapphic daily I'm doing but I'm only one down on the romantic sets daily.

Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Ministry (Winter Year 1); RAVEN (2023); MC4A (Winter Year 5)
Individual Challenges: Old Shoes (Y); Bucket Listing (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); In a Flash; Setting Sail; Lunar Era
Ministry Challenges: RRD [Day 15] (Cedric/Viktor)
RAVEN Challenges: Settings [87](Library); Items [14](Book); Colors [152](Walnut)
Other Challenges: Zee Monthly [Day 28](Know)
Other MC4A Challenges: Ship (Finders Seekers)[WiMed1 (Not Unrequited)]; Chim [Rick]("Louder than Words" – Tick, Tick, Boom; Life/Death);Fire [x3](Not Cookie Cutter); Hang [Phrase 4] (n/a); Soup [R](Rebel)
Representation(s):
Cedric Diggory/Viktor Krum
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Suddenly Audrey
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: Share (Ameliorate); AC (Mistletoe)
Word Count: 413 words

(^^)
Finding Seekers
(^^)

Cedric and Viktor met in the Hogwarts library. Cedric knew that Viktor was there to represent Durmstrang in the tournament that he himself was thinking of entering. They were both of age in European wixen society, despite how Cedric was just squeaking past that line himself. Viktor was even establishing himself in a career outside school. From two different schools, they destined to be rivals the instant that their names had burst forth from the Goblet's flames, and yet they also shared a few things in common: their love of Quidditch (down to playing the same position), their loyalty to their school, and a surprising love for chocolate covered blackberry jammy dodgers.

It was in the library that they first got to know each other. Sitting side by side in a study nook tucked away towards the very back of the stacks, they were both poring over books bound in leather of rich walnut. Both of them may have been excused from the end of term exams given by their schools, but they would still need to keep up on the coursework, especially Viktor who would still need the specialized tests for any apprenticeships he might want to back up his quidditch career. Though it had been hours since either of them had uttered a single word to the other, it was more than enough time for them to form a silent agreement.

Cedric had been the first to speak of the Yule Ball looming over them both. He had hesitated for a moment, but then he suggested that they use the gala as a way to show their schools the importance of cooperation, as was the stated motive for the entire tournament. (Cedric was starting to suspect that calling it a death match would had been more accurate but less popular. Then again, the wixen world did love their blood sports, so maybe not less popular.) To Cedric's surprise, Viktor had agreed.

And so the secret deal was struck. Much to Cedric's delight, Viktor had added one special condition to their agreement about the gala: Viktor would like to start courting Cedric, and he would like to continue doing so after the gala as well.

Cedric had been taken aback at first, not expecting the romantic gesture, but he agreed without hesitation. Now, they were both looking forward to the tournament, each with their own secret hopes and dreams. The gala was sure to be a wonderful night, full of unexpected surprises.