The Hogwarts group had been wandering the bustling Muggle town all morning, but Cedric had spotted something that made him grin mischievously: a small arcade tucked between a bakery and a bookshop.

“Come on,” he said, tugging you toward the entrance. “I dare you to a game of… that claw thing. I’m getting that seal plush.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You’re competitive about claw machines?”

“Very,” he said, rolling up his sleeves like it was a serious duel. “And I will win. That seal is mine.”

You both stared at the machine, watching the little plush seals wobble in their pile. Cedric dropped his coins in first and moved the claw with precision, his tongue poking out a little in concentration. You cheered quietly every time it came close but didn’t grab anything.

Then it was your turn. You leaned over, fumbling with the controls, and somehow — miraculously — the claw grabbed a tiny seal plush and dropped it straight into the prize chute.

“YES!” you shouted, holding it up triumphantly.

Cedric laughed, shaking his head, a grin spreading across his face. “Alright… I’m impressed. Beginner’s luck, maybe, but still impressive.”

He leaned over to whisper, playful and competitive: “I’m still getting mine. That seal won’t beat me.”

You rolled your eyes, laughing, and took turns until Cedric finally maneuvered the claw perfectly, grabbing a slightly bigger seal plush. He held it up like a trophy. “Victory is mine,” he said dramatically.

You both collapsed into laughter on the bench outside the arcade, holding your tiny seal army. Cedric nudged you lightly. “I swear, this is the best trip ever. Who knew Muggle arcades could be so fun?”

You nodded, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “Yeah… and the seals make it perfect.”

He looked at you, smile softening. “Only thing that could make it better is… being here with you.”