You rubbed your eyes in utter exhaustion, slamming your journal shut. You threw your head back in frustration, raking your hands through your long (H/C) hair. You set your head in your hands, trying to stop the storm raging inside your head.

"(Y/N), baby girl, what are you doing up so late?" Cedric whispered as the door to the study creaked open. You opened your eyes and turned around, staring at your fiancé.

"I just...I can't sleep..." You whispered as you stood and walked over to him, standing in front of him. He smiled down at you, setting his hands on your waist. You looked up at him, as he stared into your deep (E/C) eyes. You sighed and leaned into his chest, in utter exhaustion.

"Let me get you some tea," He replied, taking your hand, rubbing soft circles into your smooth knuckles. You shrugged as he brushed a few stray hairs out of your eyes.

"I don't know , Ced..." You sighed as he led you down the stairs, toward your dorms' portrait hole. You yawned sleepily as you nudged closer to your fiancé. He wrapped a strong around your shoulders, holding you close.

"Come on, baby girl. A bit of tea should help calm your nerves," He replied as he pushed open the portrait, and began leading you towards the kitchen.

"I don't think we should be out of our room now," You whispered fearfully. Cedric stopped dead in his track and turned towards you, a deep frown, etched into his facial features.

"What's this really about?" Cedric asked as he pulled you close to him and held your face in his strong hands, caressing your cheeks gently.

"I think you can probably guess," You whispered as you melted into his embrace. He sighed sadly, but nodded. His arms wrapped them around your waist, more tightly.

"I know it's scary. I do. But I'll protect you. We'll protect each other," Cedric replied quietly as he kissed the top of your head.

"This is so far beyond our control, Ced. I don't think we have any say in what happens," You sighed as you pulled back and stared into his pale eyes. He looked away, raking his hands through his soft curls, sweeping them out into strange angles.

"But, how we address this situation, that is in our control," He responded just as a light appeared at the end of the hallway.

"Who's down there!" A girl yelled as she began walking down the hall, quickly. You froze, looking up at Cedric, your nerves plastered clearly on your face. Cedric intertwined your fingers, holding your hand tightly as the girl got closer.

"Don't worry! We're head boy and girl. She can't punish us for being out past curfew," Cedric smirked as he gave your hand a reassuring squeeze.

"What are you doing out past - Cedric? (Y/N)?" The girl asked, a look of shock crossing her delicate features, as she came to a skidding halt. Cedric turned towards her, giving her his infamous 20 watt smile. She stared up at him, her cheeks turning red.

"I - Uh - I - I didn't realize it was you!" She stuttered as she stared at the two of you. You nodded politely as Cedric let out a light chuckle.

"Nice to see you too, Portia? Have we been busted on our midnight escapade?" Cedric asked, lightheartedly as Portia's cheeks once again turned a bright shade of red.

"N-No! O-Of course not! I - Uh - Where are you headed?" Portia asked as she looked you up and down, timidly. You averted your eyes, holding Cedric's hand a bit tighter.

"The kitchen, to get a cup of tea," Cedric replied, as Portia nodded. She readjusted her robes and smiled shyly.

"Well, I'd best let the two of you be on your way. Goodnight, Cedric. You as well, Ms. Middlebrook." She replied as she rushed down the hall, as quickly as she had come.

"Friend of yours?" You asked Cedric turned around and began leading you back down the corridor, towards the kitchen.

"Yeah. She's a 6th year. Hufflepuff. We'd study together on Sundays," Cedric replied as he turned down another darkened hall, heading towards two large doors.

"She seemed scared of me," You commented nonchalantly, as Cedric pulled open one of the large doors, revealing an enormous room, bustling with house elves.

"Who isn't?" Ced teased as you playfully hit his arm, rolling your eyes, as he led your through a narrow path lined with pots and pans. All around you, house elves scrambled to prepare the mornings breakfast feast. You sighed heavily.

"It's not right. They shouldn't be treated like slaves! They do all this hard work and get paid nothing! It's unjust!" You exclaimed as you watched one of the creatures lift cookware, half the size of himself. Cedric nodded as he walked towards a back stove.

"I agree. Something must be done, but, that is an issue for the morning - Hello there!" Cedric stated cheerily, turning his attention to a small elf.

"Mr. Diggory! Oh my! It's certainly been awhile since you've been down here!" The elf squealed as she smiled widely. Cedric returned the smile as he gestured to you.

"Maggie, this is my fiancée, (Y/N)! My love, this is Maggie. I used to sneak down to the kitchens and talk to her during our earlier years," Cedric remembered. You smiled, and held out your hand for Maggie to shake. But all she did, was stare up at you with her enormous eyes.

"(Y/N) Middlebrook!" She exclaimed as she staggered backwards and fell to her knees, in front of you. Biting your lip nervously you sucked in a deep breath. "Ms. Middlebrook! How may I be of service to you!" She exclaimed as you shook your head.

"Please, there's no need for that! I'm just here to get a cup of tea, there's no need for the formality! Please, I insist," You replied kindly, smiling down at the small elf.

Maggie stared at you, with wide eyes, and her mouth agape. She looked from you to Cedric then back to you. Cedric laughed lightly, and helped Maggie off of her knees.

"Let me get that tea for you! Right away! I'll get that! What kind?" Maggie asked, in pure panic, as she hurried to pull a tea kettle out of the cabinet. You hurried to help her, taking the heavy kettle from her small hands, to keep her from falling.

Once again, Maggie stared up at you with wide eyes as you continued to get out a mug and boil the water for your own tea.

"I think that the way you're treated is unfair. You should be paid for your labor, and the way that you're treated is unjust and downright cruel. And I'm making it my goal to do something about this extreme unjust! I will take it straight to the minister if I must," You replied as Maggie wiped a few tears from her large eyes, making you smile weakly.

Cedric smiled widely as he kissed your cheek, as your poured the steaming water into your mug, dropping the tea bag into the cup. You tilted your head back, leaning into the embrace of your fiancé. He grinned into a kiss as you abandoned your cup on the counter and wrapped your arms around his neck.

Cedric kissed your more deeply, just as a large bang, sounded from several floors up. You jumped, staggering backwards as you stared up at the ceiling.

You looked at your fiancé in fear and turned towards the door. Cedric closed his eyes and sucked in a shaking breath before he nodded. Right before you both raced out the door.