Hey Darling,
I hope you're well and enjoyed Italy. To answer your previous question summer is dragging and I can't wait to be back at Hogwarts and too see you of course. I miss our evenings together. Still working in the village and playing quidditch with my neighbours most days. Ben came to visit which was nice but Justin is travelling around Europe with his girlfriend so it definitely felt weird without him with us. Still haven't made my mind up about his girlfriend, you'll probably know her she's a Gryffindor, she's the year above us but me and Ben think she's in love with Wood (they used to date). Her names Penny if you know her. I suppose being on the quidditch team with Wood you guys are friends so you probably will. I'm good by the way, forgot to mention that. I'll be honest this is the third time I've written this letter cause I keep messing up and the amount of stuff crossed out it was getting hard to read. I ran into Ginny Weasley as she was in town the other day. They live around 45 minutes from mine (if you're walking) but the town I live in is a lot bigger than their village so she was probably shopping. She was with Hermione Granger and they were both very giggly when asking how you are. I suppose you've spoken to them and they're just taking the piss which seems to be a theme with people in your life. Dad is trying to get Quidditch World Cup tickets to celebrate me making captain again, oh I made captain by the way. I was thinking about our spot the other day. We should go on the first night back, after the feast of course, I would be daft to think you would abandon those Profiteroles after you made up a song about them last term. Mum mentioned going to get my stuff from Diagon Alley next week, I'll probably meet some friends to do that which will be nice. Maybe we will be there on the same day and I'll even run into you. I really do miss you Black. I can't quite come to terms with the fact I only met you properly in June. It feels wrong. Like you've been in my life forever. Anyway. I hope everything is still good with you. Tell me all about Italy, I should think by the time you get this you'll have just got back yesterday. You're visiting the twins soon right? Will Lee and the girls be there too? Did your dad ever actually turn the pool to jelly? There best be a picture if he did. I've also been thinking about what you said on the platform a lot Emily. I want you to know that I am not going to give up on the idea of us. I don't think I've ever liked someone as much as I do you; I am taking what you said as an indicator you feel at least a little similar. I hope to see you soon Emily. Sending a big hug
- Cedric x
"He calls you darling?" My dad questions leaning over my shoulder to peak at the letter.
"Leave her alone Sirius," Lily reprimands from the kitchen table.
"Yeah dad listen to Aunty Lily," I smile to her throwing him a jokey dirty look before heading upstairs to write a response.
"IF THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BOY YOU DATE HE BEST AT LEAST LIKE YOU HALF AS MUCH AS JAMES LIKED LILY AT YOUR AGE!" Dad calls up the stairs making Harry who is also in our kitchen laugh
"Piss off dad!" I shout back making his loud laugh sound through the house.
***
The burrow has been like a second (well third if you count mine and dads house to be separate from the potters) home from me whilst away from Hogwarts.
The first time I came I was 11, it was christmas of first year and the twins invited me, Lee and Angelina to stay for a few days. Katie and Alice were yet to become part of our friend group favouring hanging out with three girls from Ravenclaw.
It's warm, you can always smell home made food, it's loud and ultimately it's one of my homes.
"Cmon up you get," Hermione's voice demands as she gently shakes me. I'm sleeping in the twins room on a mattress that's on the floor.
"Urgh, piss of 'Mionie it's like 6am," I groan
"Everybody shut up!" Fred groans tossing a pillow from his bed at us
"Don't go back to sleep Fred your mum wants you up to help de gnome the garden," Hermione comments "it's 9:30 by the way" she adds for me
"Yeah way too early," George adds
"Emily, it's girls day, get your ass out of bed," Ginny states coming in and ripping my blanket off me. "That goes for you two as well," she demands before leaving the room.
I groan but climb off my mattress throwing the pillow back at Fred and stretching before going downstairs.
"Good morning Deary," Molly smiles warmly as I enter the kitchen. I've already been here for five days so I've become accustomed to her large portions, today seemingly no different as a stack of pancakes big enough for three sits on the plate next to the seat Ginny is currently occupying, my usual seat at the table.
"Morning Mrs Weasley," I grin back "did you sleep well?" I question sitting down and reaching for the syrup.
"Yes Thankyou, did you? The twins didn't keep you up?"
"Im as much at fault for the late night," I assure her making her chuckle
"So what's the plan for today?" Hermione questions. It's a tradition. Once a holiday when all three of us are at the Burrow we have a day designated for the girls. It's always fun and filled with giggles and talks of boys.
"I think we go shop in the town, get ice cream and sunbathe this afternoon," Ginny suggests
"Sounds great," I grin
***
"Gin we did all our shopping in the town two minutes from your house why are we being dragged a further 40 minutes for ice cream," I complain, although despite my complaint being valid it's too little too late as we enter the further town I've never been too before
"They have more flavours, trust me you'll like it," she smiles making Hermione burst out in giggles
"There's something up with you two," I laugh which only makes the girls laugh harder.
"So 'Mionie, spill Harry's secrets, last I heard he was crushing on Megan?" I question
"Oh definitely still is, got a letter from her this morning and nearly had a heart attack," Hermione laughs making Ginny scoff
"I hear you and Diggory have been writing," Ginny teases, quickly changing the subject.
"Yeah a bit. But we are just friends. I'd tell you if we were more," I assure them.
"How can you be just friends with a boy like that? He's perfect," Ginny sighs dreamily
"I don't know how compatible we are,"
"Are you kidding? You get on great as friends so you know your personalities are great and look at you both, you're like a poster for a movie," Hermione assures me
"Maybe," I shrug as we finally arrive at the ice cream shop.
It's bustling, full of a range of people sitting at the large tables and tucked away in booths. Easy pop music plays through the speakers and Hermione pulls out muggle money from her pocket letting me know it's a non magic establishment, although I recognise Luna Lovegood sat a table reading. We start towards the till joining the small line whilst the girls whisper. A girl around our age with blonde hair thats neatly secured in a ponytail is serving, looking bored, she's pretty, natural makeup and a very girl next door vibe radiating from her. I scan the flavours my eyes falling on the salted caramel and Honeycomb next to each other ignoring the girls round of giggles and the sound of the door to the back room swinging open as I deliberate in my mind between the two flavours.
"You can take your lunch now," a familiar voice speaks to the girl. I whip my head up to see his eyes already trained on me. He looks good in a t-shirt with a logo on much like the girl, clearly the uniform. His hair is slightly longer than when I last saw him and looks perfectly tousled. A large grin is on his face the second we make eye contact. I smile back listening to the girl.
"Thankyou so much Cedric," the blonde girl giggles lightly brushing his arm with her hand, clearly flirting. I hate the feeling in my stomach a true thought of it.
He smiles politely before turning to the older couple in front of us. I'm taken aback as I look at him he works swiftly with a gentle smile talking politely to the lady. His muscles flexing as he scoops the ice cream.
"One raspberry ripple, one triple chocolate. We will be in that booth Black. Thank me later," Ginny laughs, stuffing some muggle money in my hand as her and Hermione walk towards the empty booth.
The couple pay and leave as I approach the counter.
"Well isn't this a pleasant surprise," he grins cheekily.
"I'm shocked. You'd think they would have let me know I'd be seeing you, I would have put in a little effort," I smile gesturing to my shorts and T-shirt and lack of makeup. My hair thrown up in a messy bun.
"Please, you look beautiful. Just wish you'd come in half an hour ago so I could have sat with you in my break," he smiles warmly, already preparing the ice cream the girls asked me for. So they come a lot.
"What can I get you?" He questions placing them in the stand
"I'll take a salted caramel please," I smile
"Coming right up," he grins
"So any updates on Penny?"
"They were in Rome and she kissed a guy at the youth hostel. They're on the way home. Very awkward flight considering they've broken up," he shrugs casually as I splutter in shock
"Well you said that pretty calmly,"
"Not surprised. So tell me all about Italy,"
"I already did in a letter," I laugh
"Well I want to hear about it in person, your tan looks good," he compliments making me blush
"It was amazing so beautiful and-" I'm cut off by a lady behind me and turn to see a queue has formed behind me. "I should let you get on," I smile making him groan
"I get off work at 5 tomorrow, you wanna meet me?" He questions
"For sure,"
"Great, i will meet you at 6:45 in the park near the burrow?"
"It's a date," I smile back, not really sure what's come over me. Maybe it's the way his kind smile and sparkling eyes make me feel seen for the first time since I last saw him on the platform
"It's a date?" He questions
"A date," I smile back
"A date," he grins happily, a gentle blush on his cheeks as he passes me the cones.
"How much?" I question offering the money Ginny passed me making him roll his eyes
"Seriously darling?" He questions laughing at my confused expression "it's my treat," he grins before the lady pushes past me to order.