Chapter 12- between rivalries and revelries

As they walked through the castle toward the Great Hall, Veronica glanced sideways at Cedric, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "So… speaking of making new friends," she started, her tone casual but teasing, "I may or may not have been invited to a Gryffindor party tonight."

Cedric raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "A Gryffindor party?" he repeated, amused. "You've barely been here a day, and you're already getting invited to the Gryffindor common room?"

Veronica shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "What can I say? They seem to like me." She paused for a moment, letting the playful air settle before continuing. "But here's the thing—they said I could bring someone along. You know, as my plus-one. And since you're the only person I really know around here…" She trailed off, giving him a sly smile.

Cedric's grin widened, clearly enjoying her playful invitation. "Ah, so I get to be your 'Gryffindor party companion'? Sounds like an honor," he teased, tilting his head slightly, his tone warm.

Veronica smirked, raising an eyebrow. "It is, actually. Plus, you might need to protect me from all the house rivalry drama. I'm still learning the ropes, remember?"

Cedric chuckled, pretending to think it over. "Well, I suppose I could accompany you, for safety reasons of course," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Then, leaning just a little closer, he added in a lower voice, "But only if you promise to save me a dance… you know, just in case."

Veronica felt her pulse quicken at his words, but she kept her cool, meeting his gaze with a playful smirk of her own. "Deal. But don't forget, Diggory—you're in Gryffindor territory tonight. Try not to cause too much trouble."

Cedric grinned, his gaze lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary. "I'll be on my best behavior," he promised, though the glint in his eyes suggested otherwise.

They ascended through the entire Central Hall, their footsteps echoing softly off the towering stone walls. Passing through a grand set of wooden doors, Veronica was greeted with a sight that made her breath catch.

Beyond the doors lay a scene straight out of a dream. The midday sun cast a warm, golden light over the landscape, illuminating the majestic mountains that surrounded the southern valley of Hogwarts. Vast waterfalls cascaded down from the cliffs, their mist shimmering in the sunlight as they flowed beneath the ancient stone bridge where they now stood. The sky above was a perfect stretch of blue, and the crisp breeze carried with it the faint scent of pine and wildflowers. Veronica instinctively closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the wind as it danced through her hair, a serene smile playing on her lips.

Cedric, leaning casually against the bridge's stone railing, watched her with a soft smile. There was a certain magic in the way her eyes lit up, the way she seemed to lose herself in the beauty of it all.

"Not bad, huh?" he asked, his voice warm with amusement as he gestured toward the landscape.

Veronica opened her eyes, glancing at him with a knowing smile, her cheeks still slightly flushed from the awe she'd felt. "Not bad at all," she said quietly, her tone sincere as she took in the scenery once more.

Her gaze traveled further, beyond the waterfalls and the valley, until something in the distance caught her eye. In the direction Cedric had pointed, nestled at the edge of the horizon, was a small cluster of buildings—quaint, almost hidden by the trees, yet distinctly alive with activity.

"What's that?" Veronica asked, her curiosity piqued as she gestured toward the village.

Cedric followed her line of sight and smiled, leaning a bit closer as if to share the moment. "That," he said, his voice taking on a more playful edge, "is Hogsmeade. The only all-wizarding village in Britain. It's where all the best butterbeer and sweets are. Every now and then, we get to sneak away from the castle and have some fun there."

Veronica's eyes lit up even more. "Sounds like my kind of place."

Cedric chuckled, his gaze still on her. "I thought you might say that."

For a moment, they stood there in comfortable silence, the wind gently ruffling their clothes as they both took in the view. Veronica couldn't help but think that if Hogwarts were a fairy tale, this scene would be one of its finest chapters. And standing here with Cedric? It felt like the start of something… special.

Cedric shifted closer to Veronica, leaning slightly against the stone bridge. His gaze flickered between the breathtaking landscape and her face, watching the way the light breeze toyed with her hair. There was a quiet moment between them, where the sound of the distant waterfalls filled the air, but it wasn't awkward—it felt... right.

"You know," he said softly, his voice barely louder than the wind, "it's not just the view that's breathtaking."

Veronica turned her head towards him, catching his eyes with a hint of surprise. Her heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words sinking in. There was something about the way he was looking at her—something deeper, more focused, as if he was trying to memorize the moment.

She smiled, a bit softer now, as if she understood the unspoken. "You really have a way with words, Diggory," she said, her voice equally soft, though her usual teasing was absent this time. Instead, there was a warmth there, a shared understanding in the quiet between them.

Cedric let out a quiet chuckle, but it didn't break the moment. His hand rested on the edge of the stone wall, fingers just inches from hers, almost as if he was debating whether to close the distance. "It's easy when the moment feels... like this," he admitted, his eyes never leaving hers.

Veronica could feel the pull between them, something tender but powerful, a quiet intensity that didn't need grand gestures. She glanced down at his hand near hers, feeling the warmth of his presence, and without thinking, she let her fingers brush lightly against his, the brief touch sending a spark of something between them.

Cedric looked down at their hands, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he shifted ever so slightly, his pinky gently hooking around hers, a small, almost tentative gesture—but one that felt loaded with meaning.

For a few seconds, they just stood there, the soft touch between them, the view forgotten as they both got lost in the moment. Cedric spoke again, his voice quieter this time, almost as if he was letting himself be vulnerable. "I'm glad you're here, Veronica."

Veronica's heart swelled at his words. She met his eyes again, the connection between them deepening in that quiet, simple moment. "Me too, Cedric," she whispered back, the sincerity in her voice making the words feel weighty.

Neither of them needed to say anything more. The look they shared said everything, and as the breeze from the valley below washed over them, they stood there, just... together.

For a moment, they stood there in silence, both aware that it was too early to define what they were feeling. Even though the chemistry between them felt undeniable, they didn't want to rush anything; after all, they were good friends—or at least, that's how they should be for now. They didn't want to ruin the incredible connection that had formed between them, unsure if those feelings were mutual. The tension hung in the air, a mix of confusion and excitement, until it was abruptly interrupted by giant tentacles emerging from the depths of the lake, accompanied by colossal grunts.

"What the…" Veronica gasped, momentarily paralyzed, her breath caught in her throat.

Cedric chuckled, his earlier seriousness replaced by amusement. "Oh yeah, the giant squid. Did I forget to mention that?" he teased.

"Don't tell me!" She exclaimed, wide-eyed, finally catching her breath. "Well, I would definitely remember a colossal squid living in the lake."

"Scared, France?" Cedric asked, stepping closer, clearly enjoying her reaction.

"Oh, absolutely," she admitted with a nervous laugh. "Just please remind me to never, ever go into that lake. I can't handle the depths!"

Cedric and Veronica finally made their way to the Great Hall, where most students were gathered for lunch. As they took their seats across from each other at the Hufflepuff table, their eyes were immediately drawn to the giant goblet emanating a mesmerizing blue flame at the front of the hall. They exchanged impressed glances, both thinking the same thing: That's the Goblet of Fire.

After a delicious meal, the two of them exchanged playful looks, as if silently conversing with every comment they overheard. When they stood up, they moved in the same direction, sharing smiles and a comfortable silence. It wasn't until they stepped out of the Great Hall and into the quieter corridors that Cedric finally broke the stillness.

"So…" he began casually, trying to ease into the conversation. "My friends have been convincing me to put my name in the Goblet of Fire. You know, glory and honor for the Hufflepuff house and all that," he said, feigning concentration as he held back a smile. "And who knows, maybe gain the attention of a certain Hufflepuff."

Veronica raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You and this talk of impress me again, can't you help but love attention? And besides, I didn't know I had such power over the famed Cedric Diggory."

Cedric chuckled, leaning in a little closer, the warmth of his gaze making her heart flutter. "Well, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a motivating factor. But can you blame me? There's something about a brave Hufflepuff who's willing to face a giant squid that's pretty inspiring."

"Is that your way of saying I should cheer you on?" she replied, her voice playful, masking the thrill that coursed through her at his words. "Because I'm not sure how much I can handle the dangers of the tournament—especially if it involves lake monsters."

"Ah, come on! What's the worst that could happen? You'd just have to watch me save the day, right?" he said, grinning, the twinkle in his eyes undeniable. "And having a brave companion like you would make it all the more fun."

Veronica paused, her heart racing a little faster. "A brave companion? So, you're saying I'd be your cheerleader? she asks half intrigued and half amused. "I don't know Diggory, it seems like you already have more than enough cheerleader fans"

Cedric laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, those fans? They're just a distraction. None of them can compare to the excitement of having you around. You bring a different kind of energy, Veronica." Cedric paused and for a moment he felt a nervousness in his words shaking his confidence, as if he was letting his honesty shine through them, despite the jokes he deeply hoped she would be there if he was selected.

Her cheeks warmed at his compliment, and she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "Well, if I'm such a distraction, maybe I should charge a fee for my services."

Cedric's grin widened. "I'd gladly pay whatever you ask. What do you have in mind? Snacks for our adventures? Or maybe a good luck charm to ensure I survive the tournament?"

"Hmm," Veronica pondered, tapping her chin playfully. "How about a promise that you won't get into too much trouble? That you won't get hurt just for the honor and glory of your house? That might be worth my time."

Cedric's expression turned serious for a moment, and he leaned in closer, his voice low. "I can't promise I won't get into trouble. But I can promise to be careful. I wouldn't want to worry my brave cheerleader."

Veronica felt a flutter in her stomach at his words. "You better keep that promise, or I might just have to come to the rescue myself," she teased, a playful glint in her eye. "Imagine the headlines: 'Veronica France, Fearless Heroine, Saves Cedric Diggory from His Own Foolishness!'" she pauses softening her smile getting more serious, and she looked away for a moment, enjoying the thrill of the moment. "But if you're going to be a hero, you'd better start training hard. The tournament is no joke."

"Don't worry, I'll train hard. For you," he replied, the sincerity in his voice making her heart skip. "And for the honor of Hufflepuff, of course."

"Of course," she echoed, a soft smile on her lips. "Just remember, I'll be watching you. No pressure, right?"

"None at all," Cedric said, his gaze steady on her. "Just the fate of my house in your hands."

They both chuckled softly, the air between them charged with unspoken feelings. As they walked, the conversation flowed effortlessly, each teasing remark drawing them closer and igniting the spark of something special in the air.

Before they could make their way toward the Hufflepuff common room, a boy in the distance shouted Cedric's name, dressed in Quidditch gear and brandishing his broom. Veronica felt the air shift as Cedric's focus snapped away from her.

Cedric chuckled, turning to the student. "Yeah, of course! I'll be right there."

Veronica smirked, trying to keep things light despite the sudden shift. "Ah, the responsibilities of a legendary Quidditch captain," she teased, crossing her arms playfully. "Guess I'll have to fend for myself while you save the day."

Cedric flashed her a quick, apologetic smile, his eyes still gleaming with that familiar spark. "Well, if I'm going to enter this competition to impress you," he paused with an amused smile, "I mean, for honor and glory, then I'd better start getting in shape, don't you think?"

"Fair enough," she confessed, her tone still amused. "Perhaps I'll seek out some new fun or adventure in the library or the greenhouse, you know, while you train for the glory and honor of your house."

Cedric chuckled, his brow raised in mock surprise. "The library? You're planning to explore the depths of dusty old tomes instead of cheering me on?"

"Hey, every hero needs a strategist," she shot back playfully. "And what better way to gather knowledge than in the library? Besides, if I'm going to support my legendary captain, I might need a few tricks up my sleeve."

"I see how it is," Cedric replied, grinning. "You're just trying to get all the secrets while I'm out there risking it all. Clever move, France."

"Just call me the Hufflepuff strategist," she said with a wink. "But don't take too long, or I might just get lost in all those old scrolls and forget about you entirely."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Cedric said, still leaving a small silence in the air, holding his gaze, hesitating to head to the Quidditch pitch.

Veronica then broke the silence, shaking her head and laughing lightly. "Take a shower and get yourself a decent outfit for the Gryffindor party, okay? After curfew, wait for me in the Hufflepuff common room."

Cedric chuckled, feigning shock. "A decent outfit? You think I need a makeover before a party?"

"Just a suggestion, Captain," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself in front of the Gryffindors."

"I'll make sure to look my best for you, then," he said with a teasing grin. "Can't let you down, can I?"

"Definitely not," she said, her smile warm. "See you later, Diggory."

"See you, France," he replied, both lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if neither wanted to part just yet.

As they finally turned away from each other, a subtle smile remained on both their faces, a silent promise of more moments like this to come.