Unreal

Chp 100.5 Through the Pages

As I stepped outside, the air felt cooler, the sky a pale wash of blue with a few lazy clouds drifting by. I spotted a tall, dark silhouette leaning against the far wall of the courtyard, head down, clearly not noticing me. The sunlight behind him cast everything in shadow, but as I got closer, the familiar outline of Cedric came into view.

Perfect opportunity.

I crept forward, careful not to let my footsteps echo too loudly, then popped up right beside him with a sudden, "Boo!"

Cedric jolted like I'd just hexed him, hand flying to his chest. "Merlin's—Aeris!" His shoulders relaxed when he saw me, though the glare was half-hearted at best. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"That's one of my better qualities," I said sweetly.

He straightened, brushing a hand through his hair. "Did you bring your wand?"

I gave him a look. "Nope. Thought we could just glare at the targets until they combust."

He smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. "Sounds like a solid strategy, but let's stick to magic for now."

We stepped onto the grass, the scent of earth and flowers stronger here. Cedric already looked like he was in professor mode, while I was still in please-don't-make-me-run-around mode.

We headed toward the grassy stretch of the courtyard, our steps falling in sync. The breeze teased at my hair, tugging it into my face until I huffed it away.

"So," I asked, feigning casual curiosity, "how's Cho?"

Cedric's mouth twitched, the corner of his lips curving in that infuriating, knowing way. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

I rolled my eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. "Forget I asked."

He chuckled softly but didn't elaborate, which was exactly the reaction I'd been expecting.

By the time we reached the center, Cedric stopped and tapped his wand against his palm. "Alright, lesson time. We'll start with something simple but useful. Impedimenta. Slows down an opponent, buys you time. Could mean everything in a maze."

He demonstrated the wand movement—sharp but fluid—and said the incantation, a spark of light firing toward a loose pebble that skidded to a halt mid-bounce. "See? Precise, not forceful. You're trying to trip up, not destroy."

I nodded along, trying not to look like a student pretending to understand.

"Now you try," he said.

"I'll have to read more about it first," I muttered.

"You've got this." He stepped closer, gently adjusting my hand so my wrist angled just right. His fingers were warm against mine, steady and certain. "Like this. Breathe. Don't overthink it."

I exhaled and tried. My spell fizzled, which earned me a patient smile.

"Again."

This time, the spell zipped forward—and nailed Cedric square in the side. He froze for a beat, then gave me a look that was half amusement, half challenge.

"Oh, so that's how it is?" he said, and before I could answer, he fired back.

We ended up in an impromptu duel, trading spells and banter.

"Is this what you call teaching?" I laughed, ducking behind a stone bench.

"It's called hands-on learning!" he called back, circling to flush me out.

"More like giving me a heart attack!"

At one point, my Expelliarmus came out far too strong. The rebound from his wand sent me flying forward—straight into him.

"Woah—!"

We hit the ground hard, me landing on top of him in a graceless heap. His eyes were wide, his breath catching as our faces hovered dangerously close. And for one stupid, suspended second, all I could think about was how unfairly gorgeous he was in the fading light.

Then his hand brushed my back—accidental, I was sure—and I scrambled upright like I'd just been set on fire.

Cedric just lay there, laughing, hands folded behind his head as he looked up at the sky.

I hesitated, then flopped down beside him. The grass was cool against my skin, the wind sweeping gently over us.

For a while, we just lay there, pointing out clouds and half-made constellations.

"Don't get to the Goblet first, okay?" I said eventually, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I don't want to lose yo—"

He laughed softly, as if I'd been joking, but didn't answer.

I stayed quiet, breathing in the moment, letting it settle over me like the warmth of the sun still clinging to the air. Maybe I didn't know how things would end. Maybe I didn't want to. Right now, Cedric was here, and that was enough.