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10: Tangled Ties
I sat up in bed, the realization hitting me that today was Friday. The rest of the week had flown by, and it suddenly dawned on me that Cedric had invited me to the Hufflepuff common room tonight. But then, of course, there was the Slytherin party - the annual event to kick off the first week back.
I couldn't decide. Obviously, I was eager to spend time with my friends, but on the other hand, I really didn't want to fuck things up with Cedric. After everything that's happened, I needed to make sure we were solid.
I rubbed my eyes and glanced over at Pansy, who was bent over, gathering laundry from the floor.
"Hey Pans?" I called out. She looked up eyebrows raised.
"Yeah, what's up?"
I swung my legs off the side of the bed, immediately feeling the chill of the stone floor seep through my feet, sending a shiver up my spine.
"I was wondering if I could bring Cedric to the party tonight?"
Pansy paused, her hand frozen mid-air, and then shot me a look as though i'd just mentioned something unpalatable.
"Cedric? Really?" she asked, sounding skeptical.
I nodded, trying to keep my voice light. "He asked me to hang out, and I don't want to blow him off. We just made up after... well, everything."
She sighed, carefully placing the laundry back down on her bed and folding her arms. "I mean, I guess so. But don't be surprised if the guys aren't thrilled about it." She snorted softly. "Not exactly a typical move, inviting a Hufflepuff to the party."
I knew my friends would never truly accept Cedric, but that didn't matter. He wasn't dating them - he was dating me. And that was all that counted.
I made my way to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, though my mind was elsewhere. It drifted back to last nights banquet - the tension between me and Theodore. He had been so close, closer than we'd ever been before. The light touch of his fingers on the strap of my dress - it sent a jolt of euphoria through me.
Before I even realized it, I was staring at my reflection, a stray droplet of saliva running down my chin. I quickly spat and rinsed my toothbrush.
I grabbed my uniform from the wardrobe and pulled the skirt on, I swear it gets shorter with each passing day.
"Hurry up, you're lucky I'm even waiting for you," Pansy called from the doorway, her voice tinged with impatience. Breakfast had already started, and I'd lost track of time.
