I reached my fingers up to mouth but stopped when I realised there wasn't any nail left to bite. I shivered in disgust. It isn't an attractive habit but one that I relied on.
I lifted my wand up and tapped on barrels in the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff. As the entrance tunnel was revealed I could hear the intense sound of 'This Is The Night' echoing towards me. Once I made it through the tunnel entryway, the Hufflepuff dormitory is a quite cosy and welcoming place. The common room was a large, earthy, round room with low ceilings.
However, on this occasion it was filled with sweaty teenage bodies dancing ferociously. Most people were clutching plastic cups filled with what looked like it had once been pumpkin juice, but was now definitely a different concoction. I peered around the crowd, seeking out Diggory, the only reason I was here instead of in my own red and gold common room.
Then suddenly a shout was carried towards me. 'RENN!' The familiar face skipped up to me. 'You made it!' He wrapped his lean arms around me tightly. I took a deep breath as I repressed my discomfort at his closeness. When he pulled back I noticed the red cup in his left hand and the reason for his strange behaviour became clear.
I laughed and said, 'I'm glad you're having a good time, Cedric.' He laughed a little too loudly and dragged me into the heaving mass of teenagers. We danced together, badly I might add, to a variety of wrock songs. Shouting along with the lyrics until our voices were hoarse. The alcohol made me forget my troubles and allowed me to be myself completely. Once my legs started to ache I felt it time to take a break.
I gestured towards the yellow sofa which had been pushed into the corner of the room. I collapsed onto it and took another gulp of my 'pumpkin juice', burning my throat as it went down. The soft sofa dipped next to me as a heavy body sat down and then promptly rolled onto the floor with a thump, eliciting an ugly cackle from me. I slapped my hand over my mouth as Diggory mirrored my laughter.
After a few minutes of non-stop hysteria he climbed back onto the sofa and placed an arm around my shoulders. Unlike usual my muscles remained relaxed and I didn't fight the intrusion into my personal space. Instead I leaned into it.
Our conversation dimmed as our faces inched closer to each other. I felt his warm breath fan my face, it smelt strongly of pumpkin juice with a touch of peppermint. An age passed before our lips finally met. He tasted sweet and his lips were soft and I welcomed their embrace. His subtle movements were in harmony with mine. He was a better kisser than most and imagined it was from an ample amount of practice.
I felt safe with Cedric, with him there was nothing to fear. But with me he had everything to fear. I didn't want him to get hurt by being involved with me.
I pulled back breathless and snuggled into Cedric's warm embrace. He kissed my forehead gently. 'Do you want to go up to my dorm?' I laughed in shock of his forwardness. Redness enveloped his face as he realised the meaning of his words. 'No, no, no. I only meant to talk, nothing more.'
I laughed again and nodded shyly. He took my hand and led me down a wooden staircase to a yellow door. He muttered a few words and the door swung open revealing a room not dissimilar from my own however, all that is red in mine was yellow in his.
'It would be unfortunate if you hated yellow.' I murmured.
He laughed loudly and sat down on one of the beds. I followed him and sat next to him, lying on my back beside him, staring up at the bed canopy. He lay back and silence fell.
'It's suffocating sometimes.' Cedric broke the silence with his thoughts, 'So many people, pretending they know you so well, when...' He trailed off mid-sentence.

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☤ Pseudonym ☤
Fanfictionpseudonym /ˈsjuːdənɪm/ noun a fictitious name used when performing a particular role Florence Wilde was a pseudonym. Her whole school career she played the role of a sweet girl who would never hurt a fly. The truth couldn't have been more contradict...