nine game on, diggory

♡

"Don't stress about it, girly," said Fleur. The blonde best friends were currently sitting in Transfiguration, and were supposed to be revising the Incarcerous Spell - but, they had gone over this last year, and both knew it off by heart, leaving them basically a free lesson of chatting whilst those who found the charm difficult practiced. Lucy had just finished a long rant about the previous encounter with Verity, and Fleur wasn't happy. "We all know what she's like - and anyway, I bet Diggory was more weirded out, than anything. He's not stupid, he is the Hogwarts Champion,"

"Yeah, I know he's not stupid, but still," Lucy replied glumly. "Verity's charm works on everyone, we know that. I'm not trying to be jealous, or anything, but it's annoying. It's like we're the only ones who see what she's really like,"

"Ah, I bet we're not, though," said Fleur. "Everyone usually reacts the same, and as harsh as it sounds, the majority are often two faced. I mean, look at us - we're quite fake, in all fairness, but that's only to keep the peace because it's our last year. Nobody wants to fight their friends what with our exams, and you now being a Champion on top of it,"

"We wouldn't catch a break," Lucy nodded, her lips curving upwards as a sheepish expression fell over her face.

"Exactly!" Fleur said brightly, glad to get even the smallest smile out of her best friend. "And yet, to everyone else, we're a tightly knit four. Nobody knows the full story, do they? So it's the same with anyone else. And I can guarantee, one conversation with Verity isn't going to make Cedric stop being friends with you,"

Lucy nodded her head again, however she did not speak the current thoughts running through her mind - because, to her, it was still shitty. Call her a pessimist, she won't care, but it is. She knew Cedric wasn't a toy, or anything, but it was nice having someone she'd managed to form a friendship with, without the involvement of Verity. It was nice having something to herself. And, if that makes her selfish, then fuck it, she'll be selfish.

She lost her old boyfriend to her 'friend', and Lucy was well past being tired of having everyone and everything else go the same way.

On the bright side, Christmas was nearing, and a mention of a Ball had everyone in higher spirits. Apparently, it was called the Yule Ball, and was held on Christmas Day. Suddenly, the reason as to why Lucy had to bring a fancy dress with her to Hogwarts was becoming clear, and everyone was absolutely buzzing - even Misty, although she was stressing about finding a date just as badly. That girl always had something to stress about.

"You're mental, Misty, if you think you won't pull anyone," Lucy had told her. "There's literally three schools here - I bet there's been loads of people secretly fighting over you - they're just trying to build up the courage to ask you, first,"

"Oh, yeah," Misty had pulled a face. "Because that's always been known to happen, I'm such a men's lady,"

"The best men's lady," Lucy corrected, giving her a wink. Misty had broken into a small smile at this.

Lucy herself wasn't sure if she was really bothered about finding a date. Did it really matter whether or not she showed up with someone? She could always go stag with her girls, or at least, whoever else didn't end up with a partner. Either way, she'd be happy.

That was what she thought, anyway, until she was informed the champions would be opening the ball with their partners. Brilliant.

"But I don't really want to go with just anyone," Lucy had expressed to her friends one day, whilst the ball was the main topic of conversation. The girls were making use of the Hogwarts library to do some revision for some trial exams they were currently facing - although, not much was being done due to the fact that they were much too distracted by the idea of the ball and Christmas. "Imagine how awkward it would be going with someone you don't know... I dunno..."

"I don't think it would be too bad," said Misty. "As long as they're a good talker. And funny, I guess, you need a good laugh,"

"Oh, yeah, definitely," Lucy nodded with agreement, before turning to the blonde on her right. "Have you got a partner yet, Ver?"

Verity shook her head. "Not yet,"

"Fleur does," Lucy said, giving Fleur a mischievous grin and knowing fully well she was the only one to know of her best friend's date. Fleur gave her a small glare, before her own expression warmed, and her lips curved upwards.

Misty and Verity exchanged surprised glances.

"Who?!" they said with hushed voices.

"Well-"

"Er- hi," A boy's voice sounded, and Lucy's eyes flicked from the blonde Veela sitting next to her to a dark skinned boy hovering behind Misty - of whom was still hung up on finding out who Fleur was going with.

The girl turned around to face the boy, obviously taking a few seconds for her brain to process that he was looking directly towards her, and not her friends.

"Oh," she spluttered, blinking with surprise. "Hello,"

"I've seen you around, you know, and well - I think you're pretty - that sounds a bit stalker-ish, now that I've said that, actually,"

Misty let out a soft laugh. Lucy and Fleur exchanged glances.

"Okay, well, I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go to the ball with me?"

Lucy and Fleur both awed, causing the boy to glance at them for a split second - out of uncomfortableness, perhaps, or maybe it was because he found being amongst four French girls rather intimidating. Especially when he was trying to ask one out. Fair play to him.

Maybe it was because English was not her first language and she was processing what the boy was saying, or maybe it was the disbelief washing over the girl that he was asking her to the ball, and not her friends, but Misty paused for a split second, her face completely frozen.

The boy blinked and tensed up for a moment, assuming her silence to be a bad thing, just as the girl finally came to her senses, and smiled.

"Really?" she said, happily. "I mean - yes! I'd love to... that was good English, wasn't it? I didn't just say something completely wrong?" Her cheeks began to warm and flush slightly pink.

"No, not at all," the boy said, breaking into a wide grin. "I'd say it's perfect - and, well, you just agreed to being my date, so even if it wasn't intended, there's no going back, now," he added, jokingly. Misty's grin widened.

"I'm Misty," she introduced herself.

"Lee," the boy replied, looking as equally pleased as she was. "I should probably get going, really, my mates are waiting - but we should definitely meet up and talk more sometime, yeah?"

Misty nodded. "Yeah," was all she could manage to say. Her face was bright red, at this point.

The boy - Lee - nodded. "Cute accent, by the way," he added with a wink, before giving her a small wave and disappearing back behind the bookshelves.

The sound of cheers from two other boys a few moments later signified his return to his friends.

"That was fucking adorable!" Lucy gushed, grinning at Misty who had all of a sudden become much more shy.

"It was," Verity added with a smile.

Fleur clasped her hands together excitedly and awed.

"That's two of us with dates already!" she beamed. Misty blinked, before frowning slightly.

"Oh yeah - who're you even going with?"

"He's called... Roger, Roger Davies? He is a Hogwarts boy,"

"Oh, not you both fraternising with the enemy," Lucy said teasingly. Misty stuck her tongue out at her.

"Shit, Luce, who're we gonna go with?" Verity said, and Lucy was a tiny bit surprised to see her look worried. The blonde shrugged.

"Fuck knows,"

Fleur and Misty exchanged knowing glances.

Snow was falling thickly upon the castle and its grounds now. The pale blue Beauxbatons carriage looked like a large, chilly, frosted pumpkin next to the iced gingerbread house that was assumedly the gamekeeper's cabin, while the Durmstrang ship's portholes were glazed with ice, the rigging white with frost. Lucy had no idea Scotland could get anymore cold, but apparently it could.

The blonde'd had a day of humour, for she had been present when the same red headed boy from the Welcoming Feast had practically screamed at Fleur, asking her to the ball. He'd ran off before she could even muster a reply. Lucy had laughed so much she'd worked herself up a stitch in her stomach and her mascara had run slightly due to the tears that had emerged in her eye. But, hey, it wasn't anything a quick trip to the bathroom wouldn't fix. Plus, Lucy still needed a date, and she was sure nobody was going to ask her if she had a large smudge of makeup rolling down her cheek.

As she quickly dabbed her cheeks and under her eyes with some water, Lucy couldn't help but daydream and wonder who the mystery boy she'd end up going to this bloody ball was. Would she even go with anyone at all? That'd be a bit embarrassing, the Beauxbatons champion not accompanying the rest in the first dance because she doesn't have a date. Oh dear... she ought to get a move on and try and find someone.

Lucy was so deep in thought as she left the girls' bathroom in the Hogwarts castle, she did not realise she was heading straight into a boy heading the opposite way to her.

"Oh, shit, sorry-" she spoke in French, forgetting for a split second that she was currently in a British school where people speak English. Oops.

"I dunno what you said there, but I hope it wasn't too vicious," the boy said, and Lucy looked up into the familiar face of Cedric Diggory. She smiled.

"Oh - haha, hi," she said. "Haven't seen you for a while - how come you didn't warn me Hogwarts in winter is colder than the Arctic?"

"I'd say it's more like Antartica," Cedric said.

"What's the difference?"

"Antartica is colder,"

"Oh - well then, I'd have to agree with you on that, Diggory,"

Cedric smiled. "How are you, anyway? You're right, we haven't spoken in a while,"

"Yeah, good, thanks," Lucy said. "Kind of just waiting for the Christmas holidays, now. You know about the ball, I expect?"

"Yeah," Cedric nodded. Wherever it was he was heading, it was suddenly not so important, anymore, because he'd turned around and was now walking alongside Lucy. "Dumbledore's booked The Weird Sisters, apparently. Do you listen to the Weird Sisters in France?"

"It's France, not Mars," said Lucy. Cedric laughed. "But yeah, plus my Mum plays them around the house all day when I'm home, so I pretty much know their songs whether I want to, or not,"

"But you like them?"

"Yeah, of course," said Lucy.

"That's good then," said Cedric. "Bit of a bummer if you didn't, having to deal with them all night. You heard about the champions opening the ball?"

"Yeah," Lucy nodded with a dreaded tone. "Oh god, I can't even think about it without cringing. I haven't even got a bloody date yet, at this point, I'll be dancing with myself,"

Cedric grinned. "Me too," he said. "But hey, at least our last couple of weeks of school before Christmas are relaxing, though, since the second task isn't for a few months. Especially considering the way the year started, what with you coming to a new school and having to fight a dragon,"

"Relaxing? I wish," said Lucy. "They're making us all do trial exams, since we've got our proper exams at the end of the year,"

"I forget you're in the school year above me," said Cedric, smiling. "When's your birthday?"

"August twenty-fifth," said Lucy.

"That's so weird. My birthday's literally a couple weeks after yours and yet we're a full school year apart," Cedric said, before grinning. "Awe, that makes you one of the babies in your school year,"

"Doesn't that make you one of the elderly in your year, then?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.

Cedric scoffed. "Watch it, you, you're still older than me. That means you're ancient,"

"Oh, yeah," Lucy rolled her eyes. "We'll be retired, and everything, soon, if this tournament doesn't kill us first,"

Cedric laughed. "Our last chance of being young," he mocked. "So, since you're leaving this year, any idea what you're gonna do, career-wise?"

Lucy shrugged. "In all honesty, I have no idea," she said. "Literally not a clue. My teachers hate me for it,"

"I bet they do," said Cedric. "An old lady who still doesn't know what job she wants? At this rate she'll die before making a decision,"

Lucy cackled. "Shut up!" she said, giving him a slight shove. "At least I'm making those choices. You're an old man and you're in the year below, you've probably done so much as a single trial exam. You'll be dead before you can even decide that you don't know what you want to do,"

Cedric playfully rolled his eyes. "Alright, Lunette, I say we call it a draw,"

"As long as I beat you in this tournament, I'll draw with you on anything else," Lucy said, giving him a cocky smile.

Cedric sighed, unable to wipe the wide grin off his own face.

"Did you say you didn't have a date to this Yule Ball?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lucy paused, wondering where this was going. "...Yes?"

"Well then, how about, to make things easier," he said. "We can just go together and then I can beat you at being best dancer,"

"Pfft. Fat chance. I'm the best dancer there is," said Lucy. "But, yeah, go on then. It'll be fun to watch you lose,"

Cedric nodded. "Cool. May the best champion win," he added.

"Game on, Diggory,"

♡

"What did I tell you?!" Fleur said excitedly, now sitting with Lucy in their dormitory dressed in very unsuitable silk pyjamas for the temperature outside. Thank Merlin for magic to keep the carriage warm. "I said Cedric wouldn't stop talking to you, didn't I? And now look! He wants to take you to the ball, not Verity, and not anyone else,"

"Oh shut up, you," Lucy grinned, not looking Fleur in the eye and instead deciding to fiddle with her little boombox she'd brought to put in her shared dormitory. "It's only because we both don't have dates, we're just doing each other a favour,"

"Who's doing who favours?" Verity's voice said, as she entered the dormitory having clearly just returned from... wherever it was she'd been with Misty.

"Where's Misty?" Lucy asked.

"I left her talking to that Lee bloke, he'd caught us up," Verity said. "I wasn't third wheeling, no way,"

"Funny, that," Lucy muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing,"

"Guess who asked Luce to the ball," Fleur said with a mischievous grin, as Lucy began playing 'Driving Home For Christmas' on her boombox.

"What?" Verity asked, looking surprised. "You're telling me I'm last? Fuck!" she said. "Anyway, who was it, Luce?"

"Cedric Diggory!" Fleur said, giving Verity a cocky grin, before Lucy could even open her mouth. Verity's face flashed with pure shock.

"Really?" she said, turning to the blonde. Lucy smiled, awkwardly. "Oh!" Verity said. "That's so cute! I wasn't sure if you were his type, or not, or if he was being friendly since he's like, you know, the enemy. You know, getting clues from you, and all that, aha,"

"Yeah," was all Lucy said, with a very clear tone of boredom in her voice. Fleur shifted uncomfortably.

"Yeah, I was talking to him the other day, whilst you were in a lesson, I didn't realise how tall he was? Like you're quite tall for a girl, I suppose, so I guess you wouldn't have noticed, but he was so tall up against me, it was so funny!"

"Yep, he's a giant," said Lucy, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice. Verity, in the nicest possible way, fuck off, please.

"That's so weird, haha, but loads of boys were saying they were going to ask me, anyway, so you can have him, like I honestly don't mind,"

Lucy pulled a face and didn't say anything.

"So, has he said he likes you, then?" Verity continued.

"No," Lucy said, with a much more grumpier tone to her voice than when she was chatting with just Fleur. "We're just helping each other out, since neither of us has dates. We didn't really fancy opening the ball with nobody to dance with."

"Oh, interesting..."

"Oh, lush! I love Chris Rea!" A cheery voice said, and Lucy couldn't have been happier to see Misty bouncing through the door.

"Hey, lovely!" Lucy said, putting her more jolly voice on. "How's that Lee you were chatting to?"

"He's sweet!" Misty grinned. "His friends were taking the piss a bit - they seem funny though, the three of them, together,"

"Awe," Lucy grinned. "Cute. I can't wait for when he sees you in your dress, he'll go mental,"

"Anyways, guess which hypocrite is going with, not only a Hogwarts boy, but Diggory, the champion himself?" Fleur grinned, giving Lucy a wink.

"Luce," Misty grinned, immediately. "I knew it, you're always chatting to each other, any chance you get,"

"No we're not!" Lucy said.

"You are," Fleur said. "Anyways, what shoes did you all bring? I've got heels and flats, I'm not sure which to go with,"

"I'm wearing flats," Misty said. "You've all seen me try and walk in heels, it's a disaster,"

Lucy laughed. "I still can't get the image of you falling over out of my head - oh, that night was so funny. That's what I miss about not having Christmas holidays - we don't get to have any parties this year,"

"That one last year was brill," Misty nodded in agreement. "Even if I do still have a scar on my knee. But yeah, I'm wearing flats,"

"I'm wearing heels," Lucy said. "They're a similar colour to my dress, actually, I love them-!"

"You're wearing heels?" Verity said, looking at Lucy with surprise. "Girl, you're already so tall! Haha, you'll be one of the boys! See, I'm literally such a midget, I'm so short, so I'm gonna wear heels otherwise I'll look so weird in front of the boys,"

Lucy yawned.

"I think I'll go for heels," said Fleur. "Mine match my dress, too, Luce."

"Yeah, you'll look good," Lucy nodded, before zoning out of the conversation and continuing to look through all the Christmas music she could had for her boombox.

Thinking about it, only task she needed to complete now was finishing her trial exams, and then the girl would be free for Christmas.

She couldn't wait.

A/N: The fact that I'm writing Christmas scenes in December makes me SO HAPPY idk I just love it when I'm writing and it turns out the time of year in the book matches what it is currently haha it's definitely a lot easier

Anyways, Ced and Luce 🥰

I hope you enjoyed! Let me know what you thought!