Cedric rapped his knuckles against the door for the third time and awaited its opening. Moments later it opened and Cedric was greeted by Draco Malfoy. The fourth year peered up at him, his top lip curled into a snarl. Just as he opened his mouth - no doubt to make some snide remark to the elder boy - Melanie waltzed past and cleared her throat. "Thank you for opening the door Draco. I will take it from here."

Draco whirled round to face the girl and nodded silently. "Of course Melanie." He smiled and immediately left, ignoring Cedric's existence as he left. Melanie placed her hands on Cedric's chest and pushed him backwards, slamming the door behind her. "Do you have a death wish Mr Diggory?" She hissed, her back pressed against the door. Cedric snorted, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well at least now you know the lengths I have to go to get your attention Miss Hallows." He retorted, sluggishly rolling his shoulders. Melanie mumbled expletives under her breath as she pushed herself off the door.

"Is that any way to treat the Hogwarts champion?" Cedric pouted, snaking his arm around Melanie's waist and the girl willing herself not to blush. "Oh my apologies good sir, would you prefer and got to my knees and praised your existence?" She taunted and as Cedric laughed, her smile grew. "I'm not fussy at how you show your support and appreciation." He cooed as they rounded the corner. "But I do have one request, and of course you are not obliged to do it."

"Merlin you're speaking so formal it's unnerving." Melanie laughed and eyed the changes in his mannerisms. Cedric's cheeks were scarlet as he unhooked his arm from Melanie's waist and turned to face her. "Cedric?"

"Melanie will you go on a date with me?" He spluttered out, his eyes wide with panic. Melanie froze in utter bewilderment. The idea that Cedric wanted to go on a date with her was utterly perplexing. He was the absolute golden boy, the apple of everyone's eye. And she - well she was the kid your parents told you to stay away from. She knew she should say no. She should tell him it's dangerous, he deserved someone better, someone that didn't come with so much baggage. But she couldn't help herself. Not when she say him smiling down at her, his hands shaking rather violently as he awaited her answer.

"Yes." She breathed, meaning it with every fibre of her being. "I would love to."

—

Melanie had felt on cloud nine the moment she had seen Cedric's face light up with joy when she said she would go out with him. He stumbled over his words as he tried to speak, but Melanie managed to decipher that he was saying he would organise an evening for them the next evening and that he would pick her up from the common room at seven. And so that was where she stood now, nervously smoothing down her blouse. Angelia had helped her pick out her outfit, it was simple. Melanie had never been too much into fashion - something which saddened her very much. She yearned to have the adoration for it that Angelia did but she just couldn't seem to latch on to it.

And so she had gone to Angelia for help in choosing her outfit for that evening. Angelia had shrieked more than a banshee when she discovered her friend was going on a date and began fussing over every part of her appearance until Melanie had told her simply to pick an outfit and leave, telling the girl she would speak to her about it later. Graciously, Angelia had agreed, knowing well enough not to annoy Melanie when she was already so nervous. Those nerves had not eased at all. Melanie's palms were sweaty as she adjusted the back on her shoulder and checked her hair one final time.

"You look lovely Melanie." Came a familiar voice from behind her and Melanie turned to see Draco Malfoy eyeing her from across the common room. Draco was a pretentious boy, obsessed with money and status, but Melanie often felt that there was more to it than that. Oddly, the younger boy reminded her of herself and she hoped that one day they would both be free of their cages. Draco had always been nice to Melanie, if not a little nervous around her. He was always polite, and paid her many compliments but never to the point where it was creepy or annoying. Melanie wondered how he found that balance of being nice to her while being horrid to the rest of the school. She supposed it was merely what his parents wanted and that Draco had no choice but to obey his parents and create that harsh, slimy personality just the same way as her brother had to.

"Thank you Draco." She smiled, nodding her head. The silver haired boy plopped himself down on one of the many armchairs, kicking his feet up onto the oak table, all while never losing sight of her. Silence filled the room - with the exception of the crackling fire. There were never many in the common room at this time, most of the students usually still remained in the great hall. "So are you going out with that Diggory boy then or what?" He inquired, tilting his head to the side.

"Draco I can assure you that is none of your business." Melanie huffed as she turned for the door, deciding it would be a better idea to wait in the hall rather than be interrogated by a fourth year. As she gripped the door handle, Draco's voice reached her ears again, but this time he spoke quietly, fear lacing his voice. "Just be careful Melanie. Things are different for us now."

Melanie didn't reply as she opened the door and stepped out of the common room, allowing the door to close behind her. She ignored the gnawing feeling in her stomach caused by Draco's words and pasted a smile on her face as she spotted Cedric striding down the hall, a bunch of flowers in his hand. He looked so handsome in his white button down shirt that was so crisp Melanie doubted he had ironed it itself - no doubt a quick flick of his wand had sorted the problem. He was staring at the floor as Melanie closed the door behind her, his eyes finally dragging upwards at the sound.

"Melanie." He breathed in awe as he reached her, taking in her beauty once more as if he had never laid eyes on her before. "You look beautiful." "Thank you." Melanie smiled, praying her cheeks would betray her and turn ruby red. "You look very handsome." She added and Cedric's smile grew further as his heart swelled.

"Are these for me?" Melanie spoke, her eyes darting to the bouquet in his hands. Cedric nodded sheepishly, handing them to her. "Tulips." She noted, making eye contact with him once more. "How did you know?"

"Angelia." Cedric admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "I asked her yesterday after potions." Melanie smiled at the thought of Cedric going to that effort and thanked him for beautiful flowers. "We can nip inside and put them in some water if you'd like?" Cedric suggested, slightly taken aback at Melanie's quick retort of 'no'.

"No." She repeated, her voice relaxed this time. "I refuse to part with such beauties." She teased and Cedric snorted, shaking his head as he offered her his hand. She slid her palm into his, feeling the warmth of his hand radiate on to hers as their fingers interlocked. She knew if she entered that common room once more she would see Draco and have to mull over the words he had spoken to her. And right now she didn't want to do that. She just wanted to be with Cedric.

—
Despite only having twenty four hours, Cedric had created a beautiful evening for the two. Momentarily Melanie wondered if he had possibly been planning before he had even asked her, but she decided to let that question go unanswered - for now. Cedric had led her to the Room of Requirement - how or why Hogwarts had deemed them worthy of needing the room would also go unanswered, Cedric merely said that he had passed the corridor and the door had appeared, thus giving him the perfect setting to create the date.

He had strewn fairy lights along the walls of the room, with small candles lit in the centre of the room. Surrounding them was a small picnic blanket with an array of different treats for them to munch on. "The house elves helped me put it together." He explained, blushing furiously. "They seemed more that happy to help when I told them it was for you." He paused. "You still haven't told me why they love you so."

"Well now Mr Diggory." Melanie mused, plucking a raspberry tart from the nearest plate. "That story is for date number two." Cedric smiled at her words. "Ah so you admit, there will be a second date."

"If you're lucky." Melanie winked, smiling as Cedric's cheeks gained a little colour. "Are you excited for the tournament?" She questioned, hugging her knees, the pastry still in one hand. Cedric nodded enthusiastically, finishing a mouthful of his sandwich. "I can't wait. My Father is going to come and watch." He paused. "I'd actually quite like for you to meet him ... maybe ... if you were okay with that?" He focused his gaze on Melanie, watching the shock register on her face. "Are you serious?" She spoke quietly, unsure if Cedric was playing some joke on her.

The idea of meeting Cedric's Father alluded to the fact that Melanie was important to him and someone he did not intend to let go of any time soon. Cedric knew the implications of asking, knew that it was reveal how he felt about Melanie. But as he saw her smile, he was relieved to realise she felt the same. "I would like that." She nodded, and this time it was her cheeks that were blush kissed. Cedric didn't allow himself to panic as he scooted forward to be closer to Melanie.

"Melanie." He whispered, sending shivers down the girls spine. "You are like no other person I've ever met." He spoke truthfully, winding a lock of her hair around his fingers, savouring the smooth, silk like feel it held. "And I have had a crush on you for a very long time."

Melanie couldn't breathe - wouldn't breathe. She feared that if she moved too much or if she spoke that she would be pulled away from this beautiful dream and she would lose this moment with Cedric. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears and he gazed down at her lips, his eyes swirling with thought. "Melanie." He repeated, as if it were the only word he had left in his vocabulary. He captured his lips in hers, his mind whirling with panic at the thought of her rejecting this advance. But instead Melanie leaned into his, raising her hand up to rest upon the side of his face.

Joy blossomed within Cedric at her reaction, and he wound his arms around her her waist, pulling her onto his lap. Melanie felt like she would combust at the feeling of Cedric's hands on her back, his lips on hers. His kiss reminded her of autumn leaves and hot chocolates and cosy evenings by the fire. "Cedric." She sighed contently as they broke their kiss. He peered up at her with wide eyes and a soft smile as she caressed his cheek. "You could end up in a lot of trouble being with me." She played with his hair as she spoke, avoiding eye contact with him. Cedric gazed at her, seeing the worry in her eyes.

He knew what she meant. Her parents were infamous, and would never approve of a Hufflepuff boy - pure blood or not. "Melanie you're worth any trouble that comes my way." And as Melanie slowly met his gaze, she knew he meant it. He was worth the risk of losing everything. Melanie would give anything for him, even if her parents punished her for it.

Cedric watched as her gaze softened, the worry melting from her face. And this time it was her who captured his lips.