The chattering of fellow Ravenclaws around me didn't advert my attention to them as I bent over my Transfiguration homework. It had been like this ever since classes had finished today. Sixth year at Hogwarts was so much to deal with, mainly because of the work given. All the previous years seemed so easy compared to sixth year. I didn't see why I was worrying though, I was a Ravenclaw, and the majority of Ravenclaws I knew were very studious, like me. They were chosen for their brains, that's why I was placed into the House. The Sorting Hat has never been wrong, and it certainly wasn't with me.

I sat in a plush lounge chair near the crackling fire, parchment on top of a book perched in my lap, my quill tickling the side of my head as I read the problems and tried to think of the solutions. My glasses slid down my nose, I pushed them back up. If only I was a Hufflepuff, I'd find the answer. Many people joked that Hufflepuffs were particularly good finders and that they could find just about anything.

It was about nine o'clock tonight, and tomorrow was the final task in the Triwizard Tournament. That vile tournament. I was so glad I didn't put my name in to be chosen in the Goblet of Fire. I wasn't one for risking my life.

"Diana," Sarah said, making me poke my head up. Sarah was in my year, a very sweet girl, with her innocent brown eyes and her bouncy red curls. She contrasted me easily, being that I had the wavy chocolate hair and ocean blue eyes. Sarah didn't wear glasses, which was another huge difference. "You better get going before you're late."

"Late?" My brows knitted in confusion. "Late for what?"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what, Sarah?"

"You're supposed to meet Cedric right now!" she chirped lowly.

"Umm...no, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. I told you that he wanted to see you tonight."

"No, you hadn't," I corrected her. Sometimes Sarah had short-term memory loss. I knew this from the first time I met her. I've learned to deal with it all these years.

"I didn't? Oh...not again!" she moaned as she smacked her forehead.

I giggled and rose from my chair. "It'll go away maybe soon," I said reassuringly as I handed her my things. "Did he say why he wanted to see me?"

"Not that I can remember...I just know he wants to talk to you." She shrugged.

"I feel kind of bad though, sneaking off to talk to Cho's boyfriend." Cho Chang, another fellow Ravenclaw, was currently dating Cedric.

I was never jealous, because honestly, Cedric and I were best friends. True, he was really handsome, but I never felt that spark that made me think I wanted to be more than just friends with him. Besides, the way I was raised, education came first. People thought I was crazy, but I knew I wasn't the only one who thought that way. Of course, I had yet to find a person who shared that same priority list.

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her," Sarah sang. "Besides, you both are best friends."

"Cho could mistake it as something else though."

"If she knows you two are close, I doubt she'll suspect anything. If not, like I said, if nobody sees it or tells her, she'll never know."

I rolled my eyes and snuck out of the Ravenclaw common room.

I was blinded by darkness. My eyes had to adjust and seek out moonlight to help guide me in the right direction. This was so risky, sneaking out at night. I was no prefect, so I had no excuse to be out past curfew. I was a goody-two-shoe, and sadly, this was breaking the habit—but it would be officially breaking it if I was caught.

I navigated the Hogwarts halls stealthily. Once my eyes were well adjusted, I was able to master the maze of the castle's hallways and burst out into the warm June night. There was no breeze, there were plenty stars staring down at me from the sky, though the moon was covered by clouds. I saw fireflies click on their little beacon butts—that's what I called them anyway. People laughed when I said that, because it sounded silly.

I carefully made my way down the small slope. Cedric had to be around here somewhere. I never took him to be a prankster, so he probably wouldn't try to jump out and scare me. Then again, I saw no reason for him to unless he wanted us to get caught.

"I was beginning to wonder if Sarah ever did give you the message," his voice echoed. Cedric sounded close.

I turned in a full circle, searching for him. When I was back right where I started, I nearly jumped back. Cedric was definitely sneaky, unlike me.

The clouds dispersed from the moon, shining its light on us—what dramatic timing. I could see Cedric's features easily: his brown hair that always looked so untamed, and his grey eyes that could make a girl melt with one look. Though he was charming, I was immune. That's how it wasn't awkward between him and me.

"She just told me it a few minutes ago. If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't be here. Her and her short-term memory. So...why did you need to talk to me out here? You could've approached me any other time today."

"That would've lessened our chances at talking privately."

"Oh. Right." I blushed under the moonlight. "So...what did you want to talk about?"

"I'm honestly dead nervous about tomorrow."

Well, that was definitely a way to address the issue.

I sat down on the grass, patting a spot next to me so Cedric could join me. He did, crunching the grass under him.

"I don't see why you are, you've gotten through the other two tasks just fine," I reminded him.

"Yes, but we were given no clues to this one. It could be anything." He sighed. "Sometimes I regret putting my name in the Goblet of Fire."

"I wouldn't," I mumbled. "I mean, that's a cool thing—being chosen to be in the Triwizard Tournament. I'd take the time to appreciate it." I pulled on the grass in front of me. "I get the feeling that's just one of the many reasons you wanted me out here. You can't want me out here just to vent to me all night."

"I think you know me too well," he chuckled.

My eyes flickered to the beacon butt of a firefly. He was close to me, so the moment he flashed again, I caught him. I opened my palm to see him investigating the foreign surface he stood on.

"I bet I can get one," Cedric said.

He launched for one, but missed and fell on his stomach. I giggled, covering my mouth so my laughter didn't spread throughout Hogwarts. My little firefly friend flew away, but I didn't bother to go after him. Watching Cedric try to catch one was priceless.

After about five minutes, Cedric managed to trap one. Triumphant, he sat on his knees and put his little friend on my nose. I went pretty cross-eyed just to see the firefly. I grinned as he perched on my nose, flashing his butt in my eyes.

"I think it likes you," Cedric teased.

I felt a little tickling sensation on my nose as the firefly crept along it. I wrinkled my nose, causing the bug to fly away. "It's beautiful out here," I murmured, looking around as there were constant flashes of light from the fireflies. "I've never really been out late like this."

"Well, we can't. It's against school rules, remember? You of all people should know that, the rules are like your philosophies."

"You have no room to talk, you're just as good as I am," I retorted playfully. I looked at Cedric. "Listen, don't worry about tomorrow. Whatever happens, you'll get through it. You've faced two tasks so far, one more won't hurt."

"You always seem to try and cheer me up." He grinned.

There was an awkward silence between us. I decided to diffuse the silence: "So...you and Cho...how's that coming along?"

"Oh." Cedric sounded off. "Well..."

"Did something happen?" This sparked my curiosity. "Who's at fault?" This was where what I liked to call my "gossip girl" side came into play.

"Whoa, slow down, Diana," he stopped me. "Nobody's really at fault. We just...didn't feel it anymore."

"You mean she didn't, or you didn't?"

"First it was me who wasn't feeling it, and then she caught the same thing. We're still on good terms."

"How come nobody's known about this?"

"We decided to keep it hushed up. We didn't want anybody to fuss over it. But my reason for not feeling the spark anymore was understandable."

"Oh?"

"I've always liked someone else."

"Hmm...I see. Did you use Cho to make this girl jealous?"

"Oh goodness, no. You know I wouldn't do that."

"True. So, who's the lucky girl?"

"I want to keep it a surprise." He smirked.

I slapped his arm playfully. "That is no fair!" I whined. "I tell you everything, but you won't tell me who your crush is? Come on, Cedric, we've been friends for years! You tell me practically everything!"

"You'd probably freak if I told you."

"No, I wouldn't. I'm supportive of everything you do." I put a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you choose, and no matter what it's for, I'll always be happy for you."

"You know...I don't think I hear that sort of thing from a lot of people," he mused.

"Really? Why is that?"

"Because the people I know aren't as close to me as you are, Diana."

"Well I'm guessing that's because we met in first year compared to your other friends."

"I've got something I want to show you."

"Oh. What is it?"

"Close your eyes."

"What?" I snorted a laugh.

"I want to keep it a surprise."

"Whatever you say."

I obediently shut my eyes and waited. What could Cedric possibly have to show me? Unless he could make fireflies flock to him like birds to crumbs, I didn't see what there was to show me.

I nearly jumped back and opened my eyes when I felt Cedric's lips over mine. I really didn't know what to think or do. My limbs locked, my mind was in a dizzying swirl. Mechanically, I grabbed his face and held it. I kissed him back, though I was pretty sure I wasn't doing it right. If there was one thing I wasn't an expert on, it was definitely kissing.

"Surprise," Cedric crooned once our lips parted.

"Cedric," I whispered, still holding his face. I looked into his eyes, one hundred percent serious. "Are you sure this isn't because you want to forget about Cho? I don't want to take part in it if this is."

"No, it's not. Remember how I said I liked another girl? I'm looking at her." A grin spread across his face.

"W-what? Me?"

"Yes, you, Diana. Who else did you think I was talking about?"

"Someone other than me," I confessed sheepishly. "I mean, let's be real here. You're one of the best-looking guys in this school right now; you can have any girl you want. Why me?"

"Why not you?" he retorted. "Dia," that was his little pet name for me, he was the one who came up with it and was the only one who called me it, "I've been in love with you for years."

"R-really?" I sputtered. "You barely seemed to show it."

"I'm quite an actor." He smirked.

"That just adds on to the list of things you're good at. You could have enough to write a book."

"I wanted to take the practical approach and get to know you inside and out before I even considered trying to risk our friendship for something more."

"What a gentleman."

"I know this sounds real sappy, but ever since I knew I loved you...I've felt like you're my soul mate."

"Wow, that does sound a little sappy." I ran a hand through his soft hair. "But coming from you, it doesn't sound pathetic. It sounds sweet and from the heart."

"That's how it was intended to be." He grinned.

"Well, this is a cliché love story."

"How so?" His brows furrowed.

"Two best friends, one falls in love with the other. Come on, almost every romance novel I've read either involves that premise or two strangers meeting by fate who soon fall in love."

"I thought both were supposed to fall in love in order for that to happen. It's not cliché unless you feel the same way." I allowed his arms to go around me. It felt foreign, but that didn't mean I didn't like it. "Do you?"

Honestly, I had never thought much about it. Before this time, I never thought of Cedric that way. But knowing he was in love with me for so many years...and now confessing it to me—that was so sweet. And honestly, after him kissing me, how could I not feel some kind of spark?

"See...I didn't expect this to happen," I went off nervously. "Guys like you go for the popular girls, the girls who don't wear glasses. You know...the non-bookworms."

"So what if you're a bookworm? It's one of the things I love about you!" I felt him rub my back. He gently pried off my glasses and tucked them in his uniform. I could still see his face clearly; being near-sighted had its perks. "Although, I do enjoy the non-glasses look on you better. It makes you look...beautiful—but I'm not saying with glasses doesn't. With those on, you look adorable."

"Flattery is getting you a lot of places, Cedric Diggory," I purred as he pulled me onto his lap.

"So I'm guessing this means you're in love with me?"

I kissed him. "Does that answer your question? Wait—wait, does Cho know it's me?"

"Oh, yeah. She knew I loved you, because she saw the way I looked at you. She was jealous in the beginning, but she understood later on."

I had to make a note to give Cho a boost in her morale. Maybe I could get her a new boyfriend, someone who was a kind and gentleman-like as Cedric.

Wait...maybe that wouldn't be a good idea.

"So...what do we do now?"

"Well, we still have some time out here alone..."

Cedric kissed me softly, pulling me close to him. My body was pressed up against his, my arms locked around his neck. I didn't want to be parted from him, not now, not ever.

He never got intense with the kissing, he got very passionate though—and that was something that aroused lust inside of me. Blame the hormones of a seventeen-year-old girl for that.

Cedric gently pushed me down onto the grass, hovering above me. My hands nestled into his hair as we kissed a little heavier now. He lowered his body onto mine, his hands brushed my face and neck—those areas heated up from his touch.

I somehow managed to wheel Cedric onto the ground and straddle him. A hand of his gently knotted into my hair, trapping my head near his. As I came up for air, Cedric nibbled on my neck. I let out a shaky breath and leaned into him.

"I've never seen you so...submissive before, Dia," Cedric panted as he sucked and licked sore areas of my neck. "You really want this."

"I do," I gasped, shivering.

Cedric kissed me deeply, but slowly. I slithered my hands craftily under his shirt. I flinched when he grabbed my arms. I broke apart from him, panting and slightly trembling.

"Let's not get too adventurous, Diana," he said. "I know you feel something strong, but let's take this slow. I'm in no rush."

"Sorry," I whimpered as I sat up.

Cedric sat up and ran a hand through my hair. "This is something we could never do during classes. We'd get caught easily."

"Big time."

"So...beautiful," he crooned as he held my face. "I love you, Diana."

"I love you, Ced."

"You haven't said that nickname in quite some time.".

"It kind of slipped." I blushed.

"You look adorable when you're embarrassed." He gave me an Eskimo kiss. Cedric put my glasses back on me. "Still adorable. My little bookworm."

"Great, another pet name," I grumbled.

Ced chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Oh...how rude of me. I didn't realize I forgot to ask you an important question. Diana Ramsey, will you do me the great honor of being my girlfriend?"

I kissed his cheek. "You don't have to go all gentleman-like with your words, Cedric. But, yes, I will."

His face looked as if it couldn't contain his smile. "We better get back to the castle before someone does happen to notice our absence."

I clambered off Cedric and we both got to our feet. We took our time ambling back up to the school, our fingers interlocked. I knew for a fact Sarah would definitely want details. She'd be ready with a quill and parchment, ready to remember details of tonight because of her memory problems. If I was lucky, she would be asleep, and I would have to give her details tomorrow.

For now, Cedric and I basked in the new start of our relationship, the moon, stars, and fireflies the witnesses of our confessions.