☤ Pseudonym ☤

~Chapter Ten~

It was a Friday morning and Hermione stormed into breakfast and slammed the morning paper onto the table. 

'Look at this.' She hissed, the fury evident in her voice. 'I can't believe it! She's done it again.' 

'What?' I mumble through a mouthful of coco pops. 

Hermione clears her throat and reads the article from the Daily Prophet, 'Miss. Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to be developing a taste for famous wizards. Her latest prey, sources report, is none other than the Bulgarian bonbon, Viktor Krum.'

I burst out laughing at the thought of Krum being described as a 'bonbon'. 

Hermione slaps me on the shoulder with the paper, 'It's not flipping funny, Renn!'

'It so is.' Harry and I both say. 'Jinx!' We say once again in synchronization. Then we both start laughing raucously. 

Our fun is interrupted by the arrival of a small boy handing Ron a parcel. He opens the box to reveal a hideous pink, frilly outfit. 

'Mum sent me a dress!' he says in horror.

I smirk and says 'Well, it does match your eyes.'

Harry laughs and adds 'Is there a bonnet?' We both start laughing again. He reaches into the box and whips out another frilly garment.

The whole Gryffindor table is now in fits of laughter as Ron turns vermillion. 

-----

'Potter! Weasley! Will you pay attention?' McGonagall shouts across the room, disturbing their conversation. It's the end of another lesson of transfiguration, where we were learning how to change guinea fowl into guinea pigs. But the lesson was over and McGonagall had an announcement to make. She had dismissed the other houses and the rest of the Gryffindor years had gathered in the spare seats. 

'The Yule Ball is approaching - a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish - ' The brunette, Lavender Brown, let out a terribly shrill giggle in excitement. But a stern look from McGonagall silenced her.

'As representatives of the host school I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean this literally, because...' McGonagall paused for dramatic effect, 'the Yule Ball is, first and foremost, a dance.' 

At this revelation all the girls started chattering animatedly, while most of the boys had the opposite reaction. 

McGonagall called once more for silence. She then proceeded to lecture us on our behaviour and what was expected from Gryffindor students. Eventually she dismissed us and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their shoulders. 

-----

It was the penultimate weekend of term and also the day I was to go to Hogsmeade with Cedric. I was wracked with nerves as I scanned my bed, clothes covering it in head to toe. I nibbled on my nails as they had managed to grow back after a couple of stress-free weeks. 

Hermione had collapsed onto a nearby chair with a book after half an hour of struggling with outfit decisions. I sighed at her lack of perseverance. 

I don't want to look too nice, it's a casual outing. Also it is getting really cold outside, so I need at least three layers of clothing. 'Fuck!' I swore loudly. And ran my hand through my damp hair. 

Hermione turned another page in her book behind me. 

Finally, after many more swear words, I grabbed a pair of jeans and long-sleeved t-shirt. I put on a woollen jumper and added a thick jacket for extra warmth. I checked my watch and saw it was time to go. 'Shit.' I ran a hairbrush through my air-dried hair and grabbed a beanie and some boots. 

I ran out the door and then ran back in. 'Do I look okay?' I asked Hermione in a state of panic. 

'Yes, you look fine now go!' she shouted. Sick of my flounderings about a boy. 

I took the steps two at a time and ran through the twisting corridors. As I neared the bridge I slowed my pace and regained my composure. 

I caught sight of the blonde boy halfway along and he waved at me. I waved back and when we got close I placed a delicate kiss on his warm lips. 

He smiled and then gestured towards the village, 'Shall we?' 

'We shall.' I replied, giggling at him. God this boy turns me into a sap. 

-----

Inside Madam Puddifoot's Tea shop I shed my outer layers and sat down across from him. I glanced around my room and cringed at all the gooey-eyed couples that surrounded us. Are we one of them? I shuddered at the thought.

'Cold?' Cedric asked.

'Not all, just admiring the scenery.' He chuckled as one couple was doing eskimo kisses. 

'Do you wanna go someplace else? Somewhere a bit more original?' He suggested.

'Yes, please.' I grabbed my jacket once more as we headed back into the snowy wilderness. 

-----

'Creepy, isn't it?' We were standing next to a dilapidated fence about one hundred metres from the Shrieking Shack. Although the shrieking no longer occurred, the name had stuck. 

'I think it's kind of beautiful.' I popped another jellybean into my mouth and winced at the soil flavour.

'Like you then.' Cedric smiled, two small dimples appearing.

'Oh, God.' I burst out laughing. 'Nice one.'

He joined in my laughter. It had been a nice afternoon. We had paid a visit to Honeydukes, the Three Broomsticks and Dominic Maestro's Music Shop, where Cedric had bought me a Weird Sisters CD. 

'Renn?'

'Yeah.' I said, absentmindedly.

'Would it be... do you think... um.' I turned to look at the pink-cheeked boy and smiled at his stuttering. 'Would you like to go out with me?'

'We are out. I mean, I thought this was a date.' 

'No, no. I mean, like be my girlfriend?' 

My breath caught in my throat. A hot, popular, funny, sweet, guy two years older than me, wanted me to be his girlfriend. I open my mouth to say yes, but then I am reminded of my task. Am I putting Cedric in danger if I say yes? Will Barty kill him? Will Voldemort kill him? Dean might. 

'Any thoughts?' Cedric drew me from my worryings. 

'I just... I am not sure if.'

'I get it Renn, you don't like me like that.' He bows his head and I wish I could throw my arms around him.

'It's not that Cedric, it's, it's complicated.' I think of something to say, 'My Dad he's very strict and... dating someone, well he wouldn't like it. At all.' 

'He doesn't have to find out, Rennie. Just don't tell him.' He seems to have found hope in my words.

'It's not that simple.' 

'Yes it is. Come on. Let's just give it a go and if you still aren't sure after Christmas then we can stop.' I let out a long breath. 'Please? I really like you and I think that you like me.'

'I do.' I look into his beautiful eyes and smile. 'Okay.' 

'Yes!' he pumps his fist and I laugh at his antics. He grabs my waist and lifts me off the ground, whirling me around. When he puts me down our lips collide and I just hope they don't still taste of soil.