Chapter XVIII. Gossip.

Arturia couldn't believe what she was reading in The Prophet, how could anyone have the nerve to write something like that?

Arturia Pendragon, the imposter who claims to be goddaughter of Albus Dumbledore, romantically involved with Cedric Diggory in a relationship composed of lies. It's very certain that Miss Pendragon seeks to get involved with the Hogwarts champion in order to get the attention that her supposed godfather cannot give her. She denies in front of her own father-in-law not being in a relationship with the boy because of the shame she feels about her boyfriend being overshadowed by the 12-year-old Harry Potter.

A loud thump sounded at the Gryffindor table, while Arturia rolled that newspaper.

"How dare that gossip woman to say that about me?! I am an honest and sincere woman!" She snapped with annoyance clenching her fists.

"Nobody believes in these gossip, only people as gossips as she. First of all, what is it based on to say that you aren't Dumbledore's goddaughter?" Ron said quietly while eating some chicken.

"It's because they haven't written about you, that's why you're so calm." Hermione said annoyed, since they also made an article about her.

A heavy sigh came from Arturia's lips as she calmly got up from the table. She knew that everything was a lie, but it angered her to say blasphemies about her.

"Ugh, seriously I would like to be fired for something like that, although there is nothing I can do." She thought as she walked through the corridors.

She was so deep in her thoughts that she came back to reality only when she hit someone, causing her to lose her balance and almost fall, but that person took her by the hip, preventing her from falling.

"Pendragon."

"P-Professor Snape." She murmured while her cheeks flushed. "I am really sorry, professor. I am always causing you discomfort." She moved away from him a little.

"It seems that it has become a routine." He commented sarcastically. "You should give me the title of 'professional savior' "

Arturia released a slight laugh for the comment and understanding Snape's mood then. Her bright blue-green eyes then faded a little as she remembered the odious article.

"It seems you have been bothered by the article that came out in The Prophet. The fact that she meddles in you relationship with Mr. Diggory and blaspheming it is sure to frustrate you."

"He and I are not a couple." She said quickly denying with her hands.

"Then you shouldn't lend yourself to misunderstandings." Suggested the master before leaving the girl alone.

Arturia continued her way through the corridors. She wanted to talk to Cedric before going to training with her godfather, which would be in the next hour.

The girl decided to look in the garden, after all it was common to see the Hufflepuff boy there talking and hanging out with his friends. Strangely he wasn't there, which put her in doubt where he could be.

Someone stood behind her and covered her eyes.

"Guess who it is?" Whispered that person behind her back.

Arturia smiled.

"Hummm, I do not know. I need a clue." She said following the game.

"It's your best and first friend."

"Harry?"

"Hey!"

"I'm kidding, Cedric." She laughed taking those hands away from her eyes to turn to see him.

She didn't expect him to be so close that their faces were too close. Arturia's eyes widened in surprise as her cheeks tinted a faint pink.

"I'm sorry, I did not think you'd be that close." The king apologized taking a step back.

"D-Don't worry. " Said the boy notoriously nervous and blushing. "You know, you're pretty when you blush." He smiled while looking at her

"Oh thanks." She said timidly."How do you feel about the article?" She asked this time more serious and with concern.

"Well, it really bothers me, how dare she speak blasphemy of you as if she knew you?" Cedric mentioned with annoyance. "The good thing is that my father doesn't believe in what The Prophet says, they are very sensationalist." He took her by the shoulder. "I hope it doesn't affect you, you know who you are and what you really worth. No person like Rita Skeeter should make you angry with her lies."

Arturia smiled at the words of her friend, no doubt it was a great moral support for her in her moments of doubt.

"Thanks Cedric, you really are amazing." Placed her own hand on his hand. "I'm sorry I got you involved in this." She sighed.

"It's not your fault. Is Rita Skeeter and there is nothing that can be done." Cedric said sympathetically. "I know we're just friends and that we could never be anything else." His tone of voice showed that in a certain way it hurt.

"Oh, Cedric. It would not really bother me to become your girlfriend, but all that takes time. We are very good friends and for now I want it to stay that way." said Aturia. She was honest with what she thought; besides, she wasn't sure what she really felt for him. "I do not know what I feel for you, you know? I still love a person from my past and I am not sure to erase these feelings for him so quickly."

The girl's words gave him hope. The brown haired boy smiled before hugging her tightly.

"I also don't want things to change for now, but what I'm sure of is that I'm in love with you." Finally he confessed. "And I understand that you still love someone else, I'm not going to force you."

Both separated from the hug. She wasn't upset, in fact she was quite happy to know.

"I'm glad to have talked well with you about this, Cedric." Said the blonde haired girl. "I have to go, my godfather is waiting for me. See you later." She said goodbye to go to the Room of Requirement.

Arturia arrived at the meeting point with Dumbledore to continue training.

"That irritating woman!" Exclaimed Arturia before the new article published by Rita Skeeter the following morning.

"What does it say now?" Cedric asked at her side.

"Arturia Pendragon, the greedy woman who seeks to obtain benefits from Professor Severus Snape while still has her relationship with the young Cedric Diggory. No doubt her has managed to charm every man who seeks something to get what she want. She hides with Albus Dumbledore to plan their conspiracies." She read tightly pressing the paper."What she could knows? Me and my godfather trained, the teacher just kept me from falling and you and I clarified things, what is wrong with her?

"Calm down, Arturia. I already told you, don't let it affect you. She needs lies for people to read. Only people like her believe her." Cedric consoled patting her back.

" What I hate is that I involved you three. Sure Professor Snape will have reasons to hate me." She said, covering her head with the newspaper.

"Not you, but Rita." Said the chestnut looking towards the sky.

"I just hope she leaves all this gossip. It seems she has something against me." She crumpled the newspaper.

"Just don't take it for granted."