The Great Hall buzzed with the usual morning chatter, the clinking of goblets, and the rustle of owl wings as the morning post arrived. You sat at your house table, scanning a letter when a shadow loomed over you.

—"Hey," came the smooth, warm voice of the Hufflepuff seeker. You glanced up to find Cedric D standing there, holding a book in one hand and looking every bit as composed as usual, though his easy smile carried a hint of nervousness. "Mind if I join you?"

Without waiting for an answer, Cedric sat down beside you, placing the book carefully on the table.

—"I was hoping to run into you," he admitted, his gray eyes searching yours. "Professor Flitwick mentioned you might be the person to help me with this."

He gestured toward the book—a thick tome on advanced charms.

—"You’re brilliant at this kind of stuff, and, well... I could use a bit of brilliance right now," Cedric added with a sheepish chuckle, scratching the back of his neck.

As you opened the book, Cedric’s attention lingered on you longer than necessary. He caught himself and quickly glanced down at the page, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.