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Fifth year at Hogwarts began with the usual excitement and intrigue. After the events of the Three Wizard Tournament, in which both Harry and Cedric had survived, the atmosphere at the school was tense.
Nor did the appearance of the Ministerial toad Dolores Umbridge add any joy to the atmosphere, which only worsened the mood at Hogwarts. Neither did her appointment of Slytherins to her personal guard of trackers. Harry found himself more and more immersed in his own thoughts, and his focus on Malfoy became more and more noticeable.
- He's definitely up to something, Ron,- Harry whispered at dinner. - Did you see the way he looked at Snape in Potions again? I'm sure it's something dark.
- Harry, are you serious? He was just looking at the cauldron. How could he be up to something with so many people around? - I tried to reassure him, but his paranoia was starting to worry me. First with the appearance of the pink fool, and then with the appointment of the slugs to the inspection squad, I quickly took this version at face value. But each time, I just wanted to get away from the constant conspiracies of dark forces as soon as possible. Though he felt sorry for Harry and didn't want to look like a bastard who couldn't support his brother, he realised that he was having a hard time, but he was getting tired of listening to Harry's thousand versions of Ferret's various crimes.
Harry talked about Malfoy constantly: before bed, during meals, even while doing his homework. Once, when he woke up in the middle of the night, he claimed that he "saw him in a strange robe with a Snape-like hat in his hand."
Meanwhile, Malfoy wasn't staying away either. His sarcastic remarks became even more barbed and subtle, and they were especially more prominent towards me.
- Weasley, how's your robes coming along? Have you got more holes in it? Or did you decide to steal something from Potter so you wouldn't look so poor against him? - He said mockingly as he walked past me.
I struggled to keep from punching the white-haired shithead between the eyes.
Once at lunch in the Great Hall, when Harry had gone off to follow Malfoy's 'villainous plans' again, I turned to Hermione and exhaled:
- You know, Hermie, I even felt kind of sorry for Malfoy. Harry and his obsessions are driving not only him crazy, but me as well.
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
- 'Are you serious? You feel sorry for Malfoy?
- Well, maybe not entirely sorry," I admitted. - But if they'd both stop messing with my head and focus on each other, life would be a lot easier. I was thinking... what if I brought them together?
Hermione frowned.
- What are you up to, Ron?
- I mean, it's Christmas soon, right? Why don't I take them both under the magic mistletoe? There's a custom in the magical world that a couple under the mistletoe must kiss to get out of the circle. Or organise for them to sort of "chance" encounters. Maybe then they'll get distracted by each other and leave me alone.
- That's crazy, - Hermione shook her head. - And it's not fair to either of them.
- And is it fair to me? They're both driving me crazy, on both sides! I haven't had a decent night's sleep in a month! Imagine how much free time I'll have! - I exclaimed. - More sleep, less drama. I'll even have time to go to Hogsmeade with my boyfriend. And it's been so long since we've spent time together.
- And I even know who can help me, you and Sed. Simply put, I'm going to do something good.
Hermione sighed.
- Ron, I don't think it's a good idea....
But I was already enthusiastic. A plan began to form in my head, and I was sure that, with Cedric's help, it would work out.
Over the next few days, I fished Cedric out, and we were able to be alone with him for a while.
- You know, this year has only just begun, but it already seems stressful. But sitting here with you like this, it doesn't seem as bad as I thought it would be, - I said, snuggling closer to him, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne.
Cedric smiled and hugged me tighter.
- I'm glad I can be your comfort, - he said softly - And I'd like to hear what's troubling you. Maybe I can help
I told him about my idea to get Harry and Draco together, about their constant tension and frequent glances at tables in the Great Hall, and so I came up with a plan to get them distracted by each other and leave me alone.
- It sounds risky, - Cedric said. - But if you're sure it will help, I'm willing to help you.
We began to work out a plan.
Cedric, with his charm and connections among the students, was to take it upon himself to organise 'chance' meetings between Harry and Draco. Which would encourage them to have a more peaceful relationship with each other.
He was to arrange with his friends from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw to unobtrusively guide Harry and Draco to the same places at the same time.
I, on the other hand, was to get busy preparing the magical mistletoe that would appear in the right places at the right time..
Hermione, though she didn't approve of our plan, agreed to help with the spells to make sure everything went smoothly.
However, during the implementation, we revised our plan to make it look more natural. Instead of hanging the magical mistletoe myself, I suggested that Hermione and Luna decorate the castle for the ball. Luna, with her unconventional approach, decided to add magical mistletoe in places where no one expected it, as she put it, "For an unexpected miracle."
The idea seemed harmless, because even if something went wrong, no one would realise that Cedric and I had anything to do with it.
— — — —
The evening of the Christmas Ball was fast approaching, and the Great Hall of Hogwarts was ablaze with lights and decorations. Students in festive outfits twirled and danced to the sound of magical music. Cedric and I, holding hands, watched from the balcony, waiting for the right moment to put our plan into action.
When the ball began, magical mistletoe did appear in the most unexpected places: at the entrance to the Great Hall, near the dining hall, by the stairs to the library. Each mistletoe glowed with a soft golden light, attracting the attention of the students.
- How long do you think it will take for them both to stop glaring at each other? - I whispered to Cedric, keeping my gaze on the stage. I watched as Seamus and Dean tried to sneak out of the party unnoticed, to hide in one of the many couples' shelters. Well, they weren't very good at it, since even the most uninformed Hogwarts student knew about them.
- Maybe it depends on how those two react to our interference, - he replied with a smile, squeezing my hand gently.
Harry was standing against the wall as usual, sullenly watching Malfoy, who seemed to be doing his best to ignore Harry.
- 'Harry, you've been staring at Malfoy all evening,' - I said, walking over to him. - Would you stop?
- I'm just observing, - he retorted.
- Watching? Yeah, sure, - I snorted, -Okay, go over there, at least pretend you're having fun.
I waved towards the small corridor leading to the balcony, knowing that Luna had decorated it with one of her magical mistletoe.
At the same time, Cedric, pretending to be looking for some lost items, gently guided Malfoy in the same direction.
When Harry reached the balcony, he saw Malfoy standing under the glowing mistletoe. Harry froze, but before he could say anything, Luna's voice came from behind him:
- Oh, that's so cute! You're under the mistletoe. You know, magical mistletoe can't be ignored.
- What nonsense is that? - Malfoy muttered, glancing up.
- She's right,- came the voice of Hermione, who appeared to be walking behind him. - Those mistletoe trees are enchanted so that if you're under them, you have to give each other a kiss to get free.
Malfoy turned to Harry, clearly annoyed.
- 'Is this your doing, Potter?
- My handiwork? - Harry said indignantly. - I didn't even know you'd be here!
Hermione sighed.
- Come on, it's just tradition. No one has ever died from a little kiss, at least not yet.
Malfoy glanced at Harry, then at Hermione, and then exhaled quietly:
- Fine. If it'll get rid of your annoying presence , then let's do it Potter.
Harry stepped closer, blushing to the tips of his ears. It happened so fast that even the air around them seemed to freeze. Their kiss was brief, barely noticeable, but the mistletoe immediately flashed with golden light and disappeared.
- There you go, - Malfoy muttered, hiding his embarrassment behind irritation. - Happy now?
He turned abruptly and walked away, but Harry stood as if chained, staring after him.
- What was that? - He finally exhaled
Hermione shrugged:
- Maybe what you needed all along.
She smiled and walked away, leaving Harry alone.
— — — — —
Cedric came up to me in the hall when it was over.
- I think your idea worked, - he whispered, looking at Harry, who had recovered from his confusion and was running in the direction Malfoy had disappeared.
- Well, it's more like Luna and Hermione, - I smirked. - But now you and I have more time to dance and hang out together. I remember someone promised me the most unforgettable night of my life.
- And that 'someone' really intends to give the man with the dazzling blue eyes the most unforgettable evening tonight, - he whispered with a promising smile, drawing me into the dance.
- Well, I'll look forward to it.
I wrapped my arms around Cedric's waist, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne, and let myself relax, savouring this evening and the attention of a man I'd love to share my life with.