Blooming: The Untold Goblet of Fire Story

The hours that had seemed to drag at the start of the night now felt as though they were flying by. A comfortable, familiar silence settled between them, as if they both instinctively wanted to preserve the moment, even without fully grasping the significance of their newfound refuge.

Veronica stifled a yawn, attempting to conceal the weariness from the long day that had brought her here.

Cedric noticed the yawn and chuckled. "Someone's getting tired," he said teasingly, his eyes lingering on her sleepy expression. "Looks like you're not used to staying out past your bedtime, France," he added, his tone laced with mockery.

He pushed off the pillar and stretched, his movements fluid, before settling into the armchair beside hers.

Veronica nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I guess time flies when you're having fun... or getting into mischief."

Cedric chuckled softly, finding the moment both adorable and cozy. Just the two of them, together in that space. He hesitated for a moment, considering whether to let it linger, but he knew it was getting late, and they had a whole year ahead of them. This was just the beginning, he hoped so.

"Okay, fearless leader," Cedric said with a grin, pushing himself off the armchair and standing up. He stretched, his muscles moving fluidly before he looked at her, a playful glint in his eyes. "What do you think about visiting the infamous Hufflepuff common room? Just imagine the adventures that await us in the land of dreams."

Veronica raised an eyebrow, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You know, Cedric, it's so easy to be by your side when you practically Legilimens my mind," she teased, hinting that his suggestion was exactly what she'd been hoping for.

Cedric smirked, leaning slightly closer. "Legilimency? Is that your way of saying I'm just that good at reading you, or are you implying I should become an Auror instead of a Quidditch star?" He let out a soft chuckle, clearly enjoying the playful banter.

"Maybe both," Veronica said, her eyes shining with mischief. "But let's be honest, it's hard to hide my thoughts when you're looking at me like that," she said, clearly driven by sleep, forgetting any filter she had left.

"Looking at you like… what?" he asked, feigning innocence as he straightened up, crossing his arms with a grin.

"You tell me," she shot back quickly. "You're the one reading minds here," returning his flirtatious tone.

Cedric chuckled at her quick response, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, I'm afraid I can't give away all my secrets, now can I?" he replied, leaning back against the pillar with a silly smirk on his face, as though he were getting a little bashful.

"Oh, Diggory," she said, getting up and shaking her head as if she had caught him in the act. "If you're going to play this game, you have to see it through to the end." She teased him a bit more, feeling a mix of sleepiness and the feelings that had blossomed in her that day.

Cedric chuckled at her mock admonishment, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth between them. It felt like a fun game to him, and he loved every moment of it. He stood up as well, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Oh, you're so done. You underestimate me, France," he said with a teasing smirk, feigning slight irritation. "I never back down from a challenge... that's why I'm captain of the Quidditch team."

Veronica continued to make deep eye contact, but she couldn't resist yawning once more, fighting against her sleepiness before letting out a little chuckle. This was definitely not what she expected to let slip in the middle of an intense flirtation like that.

His teasing softened, the playful moment giving way to a more tender concern. As much as he enjoyed their back-and-forth, he couldn't help but feel a quiet responsibility for her. Without thinking, he reached out, gently brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. His touch was light, almost hesitant, as if he didn't want to break the closeness between them but also didn't want to push her past her limits.

"You know, France," he said, his voice softer now, "as much as I'm enjoying this, I think it's time for you to get some rest." He paused, a tender smirk playing at his lips. "Shall we go then? To the infamous Hufflepuff common room?"

Veronica's gaze softened as she looked up at him, feeling the warmth of his hand brushing against her cheek for the briefest moment. There was something unspoken between them, a quiet understanding that made her feel both grounded and lightheaded all at once. It wasn't the banter, nor the flirtation—it was the tenderness beneath it all.

But she wasn't ready to let the moment end just yet.

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Oh, are you finally giving in, Diggory? I thought you said you never back down from a challenge?"

Cedric chuckled, his thumb still resting near her cheek before he slowly pulled his hand away, the absence of his touch leaving a faint, tingling warmth behind. "I never said I was giving up, France. Just... shifting priorities," he teased softly, his voice carrying a gentleness that mirrored the quiet around them.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head as she brushed past him, taking a step toward the door. "Well, I suppose I'll allow it. But don't think for a second that I'm the one backing down."

"Never crossed my mind," Cedric replied, falling into step beside her as they began making their way

The silence that stretched between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it was charged with something more—an awareness of each other that felt different, more real than before. Veronica's tired steps faltered once as she stifled another yawn, but Cedric was there, close beside her, his hand hovering near her back, ready to catch her if she stumbled.

As they descended the winding stairs of the castle, moonlight filtering through the high windows, Cedric glanced at her again, his expression soft, but a teasing glint in his eyes. "You sure you're going to make it back? We could always stop for a nap right here. I'll even stand guard."

Veronica rolled her eyes and nudged him lightly with her shoulder. "Please. I could make it to the common room and still have enough energy to take you on in Quidditch."

"Is that a challenge, France?" he asked, amusement sparking in his eyes. "Because I'm more than ready to defend my title."

"I'll let you know when I'm serious about it," she replied with a wink, though the exhaustion in her voice was becoming more apparent.

As they neared the final stretch of the corridor leading to the Hufflepuff common room, Cedric slowed his pace slightly, gently catching her arm to stop her. Veronica glanced at him, curious, the soft candlelight casting warm hues on his face.

He didn't say anything at first, just looked at her in that intense, focused way of his. The kind of look that made her feel as though he could see right through her playful facade, straight to the part of her that had started to feel more for him than just friendly banter.

Then he smiled, a quiet, almost shy smile. "Here we are, safe and sound. You know, I wouldn't mind getting caught sneaking back with you. But… I think we'll save that for another time. Tonight, you need sleep."

Veronica's heart skipped a beat at the weight of his words, the way he lingered on the thought of "another time." She held his gaze for a moment longer, the tension between them thick and unspoken.

Finally, she smiled back, soft and genuine. "Alright, Diggory. You win… this time."

Cedric chuckled, stepping back and gesturing toward the entrance to the common room with a small, dramatic bow. "After you, fearless leader."

With one last amused glance, Veronica stepped through the door, Cedric close behind, both aware that whatever had sparked between them tonight was far from over.

The warm glow of the Hufflepuff common room enveloped them as they stepped inside. The room was quiet, bathed in soft, golden light from the hearth, the scent of wood smoke lingering in the air. Cozy armchairs and blankets seemed to invite them to stay a little longer, but the hour was impossibly late.

Cedric entered first, glancing around as if ensuring it remained their secret sanctuary. Veronica followed, her footsteps slow and reluctant, as if she, too, wanted to stretch the night just a little more. They lingered by the hearth, neither in a rush to break the moment. Cedric stood close, just within reach, his gaze soft but attentive. The tension from their earlier banter still lingered, unspoken but unmistakable.

"The infamous Hufflepuff common room," he said, his voice low and teasing, yet laced with something deeper.

He turned to face her, the playful spark still lingering in his eyes. "We survived our first rule-breaking adventure without a single detention. I'd call that a success."

Veronica smiled, letting out a small, tired laugh. "I'll give you that, Diggory. You've made my first day here one for the books." She paused, her eyes drifting around the room before meeting his again. "It's definitely going to be a story worth telling—if I ever decide to share it," she added, a teasing glint in her eyes.

Cedric chuckled, stepping closer, closing the space between them. "Ah, so I'm sworn to secrecy, am I? A story just between us?"

She tilted her head playfully. "Maybe. Depends on how well you keep your promises."

Their eyes locked for a moment, and the playful banter that had carried them through the night shifted into something deeper. Neither seemed in a hurry to break the moment. Veronica leaned against the railing at the base of the staircase, her fingers tracing the smooth wood as she debated whether to say goodnight or let the quiet tension linger a little longer.

Cedric stepped back slightly, his hand brushing the back of his neck as though he was hesitating. "I guess this is where we say goodnight," he said, though the way his voice lingered on the word made it clear that neither of them was quite ready to let go.

Veronica smiled, warmth and mischief dancing in her gaze. "Well, if every day is going to be like this, I might actually start looking forward to my time here."

"Only might?" Cedric teased, raising an eyebrow. His tone was soft, intimate, as if the night had wrapped them in their own little bubble. "I guess I'll just have to make sure your second day is just as memorable."

She laughed quietly, biting back a yawn. "You've set quite the standard, Diggory. Let's see if you can keep up."

He smirked, but there was tenderness in his eyes as he watched her. "Challenge accepted, France."

They stood there, hesitating for just a moment longer, before Veronica finally pushed off from the railing and turned toward the staircase. "Goodnight, Cedric," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance, as if the words were harder to say than she had expected.

"Goodnight, Veronica," Cedric replied, watching her take a few steps up the stairs.

As she ascended, Veronica couldn't resist one final glance over her shoulder. From the second floor, she looked down, catching sight of Cedric still standing there, watching her with that same mix of warmth and quiet intensity. Their eyes locked for a moment, and the air between them felt charged again, like neither one wanted to let go of the night just yet. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then she smiled—a small, knowing smile that held the promise of tomorrow and whatever adventures awaited.

Cedric smiled back, his hand raising in a silent goodnight, and with that, she finally turned and disappeared down the hallway to her dormitory, the echo of her footsteps fading into the quiet.