You were in the library past curfew, You and Hermione had snuck in for one reason, Ron’s diary. Earlier that evening, you had both overheard Harry and Ron talking in low voices. Ron had forgotten his diary in the library, and the way he spoke about it made it sound important. Too important. Hermione had gone still the moment she heard it. You knew why.

She had liked Ron for so long, quietly, painfully, never saying a word. You were the only one who knew. You had watched her force a smile when Ron dated someone else and after thet broke up maybe he realised he lies her?? A small, fragile, dangerous chance that maybe Ron had written something real in that diary. Something about her. So here you were. Past curfew. Breaking rules. Again.

Hermione hovered near the entrance, her eyes darting nervously. “Be quick,” she whispered urgently fingers gripping her sleeve. “If anyone catches us-” “I know,” you muttered, already scanning the shelves heart racing.

But then-

Footsteps.

Not one. Several. Voices. Older. Sharper.

Your blood ran cold.

Prefects.

Since when did seniors patrol like this? It was never this strict. Never this many. Hermione’s head snapped toward you, panic flashing across her face. She motioned frantically, leave, now. But you shook your head, stubborn, determined. You were so close. You could feel it.

And then-

You turned.

And there he was.

Cedric Diggory.

Standing a few steps away, tall, still, watching you like he had been there the entire time. His expression was unreadable at first, but his eyes- His eyes were sharp. Dark. Locked onto you. “What are you doing here past curfew?” he asked. Behind him, you could hear the other prefects moving through the aisles. Hermione took a step forward, ready to intervene, but you quickly shook your head at her. Go. Now. Please. She hesitated, then slipped away into the shadows. You swallowed, forcing yourself to meet his gaze. “Studying…” The word sounded weak the moment it left your lips.

Cedric raised his one eyebrow, not in anger, but disbelief. He took a step closer. “Studying?” he repeated quietly. “At this hour?”

Your heart pounded. You could feel it in your throat, your ears, everywhere.

“Oh yeah-” You didn’t even know what came over you. Maybe it was panic. Maybe desperation. Maybe the way he was looking at you, like he already knew everything. Before you could think, you leaned forward and pressed a quick, impulsive kiss to his cheek. For a second, time stopped.

Cedric froze.

Completely.

“What the hell?!” he said, his voice breaking through the silence, shock clear on his face, his hand instinctively rising to where you had kissed him.You didn’t wait. “Cedric, please, please don’t tell them!” you blurted out, already backing away. And then you ran. You dashed out of the library, heart racing wildly, finding Hermione waiting just outside like she had been holding her breath the entire time. The moment she saw you, you grabbed her hand and pulled her along, both of you running down the corridor, barely holding in your laughter and panic. Behind you, Cedric was left standing there. Still processising.

Time skip.

You avoided him for two days. Completely. Every time you saw a glimpse of him in the corridors, you turned the other way. In the Great Hall, you kept your head down. In the common room of Hufflepuff, you stayed as far away as possible. Because what were you supposed to do?

You kissed him. You actually kissed him.

On the third night, you slipped out again. You told yourself it was just for the diary. Just one more try. The common room was quiet as you tiptoed toward the exit, carefully opening it just enough to slip through.

“Sneaking again?”

Your entire body went rigid. You turned slowly. Cedric was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, like he had been waiting. His gaze dropped to you immediately, sharp, knowing, and far too focused. You opened your mouth, but nothing came out. And then, like before You panicked. You stepped forward, pressed another quick kiss to his cheek, and ran. Straight back inside. Up the stairs. Into your