11- French Boy

                                    

                                          

Celia wasn't a big fan of having her face poked and prodded by Fleur, but she was pleased with the outcome, as she looked very pretty with makeup on her face and a flower in her hair.
The Veela girl then gave Celia a whole bunch of tips for ensnareing men, and Celia tried to make a mental note of all Fleur's suggestions.
Fleur then escourted her to the Beauxbatons carriage, so that they could find Benjamin.
Walking side by side with the prettiest girl in the building was rather daunting for Celia. And it wasn't an experience she wanted to repeat again, as everyones eyes were on her, wondering what Fleur was doing hanging out with someone like her.
                          
Eventually they arrived at the carriage and Celia spotted Benjamin sitting by himself, reading a book by the fire.
She wanted to turn and run, as her nerves began to overwhelm her, but Fleur pushed her forward towards Benjamin.
"Um. Hi" Celia said awkwardly.
Benjamin closed his book and looked up at her.
"Can we talk?" Asked Celia, lowering her eyelids and voice, like Fleur had taught her to do.
                          
"Of course" said Benjamin as he stood to his feet.
"I'll leave you two alone" whispered Fleur, before heading inside the warm carriage.
"Do you want to talk here, or somewhere else?" Questioned Benjamin.
"Somewhere more private" answered Celia.
"Then lead the way. This is your school after all".
                          
Celia led the way through the grounds, until they arrived at a more secluded spot.
She had tried to walk with poise and perfect posture, instead of slouching like normal, but she had ended up tripping over her own feet.
"So, how are you finding things at Hogwarts?" Quizzed Celia.
"It's very nice here. Although it's vastly different to Beauxbatons" admitted Benjamin.
"Did your father consider sending you here?" Asked Celia.
"He did. But mother wanted me to go to Beauxbatons, which makes sense since we are a lot closer to it than Hogwarts"
"I guess that does make sense... Are you in your final year there?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I'm just trying to figure out how old you are. My brother is 17, so you could have been in your 6th year, like he is".
                          
"My sources tell me that you and your brother don't get along" informed Benjamin.
"What makes them say that?" Questioned Celia.
"You and him are never seen together" explained Benjamin.
"We are just two different people, that's all, which is why we don't hang out at school"
"How do you feel about him being Hogwarts champion?"
"I'm nervous for him... And if I'm being honest, I was angry at him when he was first chosen"
"Angry, why?".
                          
Celia sighed, allowing her facade to slip, "Because he brought our family to the light, therefore placing attention on me. I used to be invisible, and now people whisper about me when I pass them. So I was angry at him for putting me in that situation".
"Your classmates bully you?" Frowned Benjamin.
"Not to my face, not yet anyway. I used to go through life unseen. But now everyone notices me as I pass, and they don't exactly look at me with adoration" admitted Celia.
"Surely that's better though, than being ignored"
"They don't see the real me. They see Cedric's sister, the weird solitary Ravenclaw. I want to be seen as my own person, and not an extension of my brother".
                          
"I saw you, before I even knew who you were" reminded Benjamin.
"Yes, I know... That's sort of why I wanted to talk to you" replied Celia.
"Well, go on" encouraged Benjamin.
"Um, O.K, here goes... There's this dance thing coming up in a few days. And I was wondering if you would be interested in going with me, provided you hadn't already got a date"
"You mean the Yule Ball?"
"Yes. If you don't want to go with me, that's totally fine, because I know that I'm not exactly the most desirable person ever-"
"I'll go with you" interrupted Benjamin.
                          
"Wait, you will? Are you sure?" Asked Celia.
"Of course. I said yes, didn't I. I would be honoured to go with you to the Yule Ball. And I mean the real you, not the person you are pretending to be right now" admitted Benjamin.
"Fleur gave me some flirting tips" revealed Celia.
"But I didn't fall for Fleur, I fell for you. I didn't decide to talk to you at the feast because you were the prettiest girl there. I spoke to you because I was interested in the unusual girl who was reading at dinner"
"Thanks very much"
"Don't get me wrong, I still think you are very pretty, but that's not what initially attracted me to you. Your determination to read, shows that you have a keen mind and a fire within you".
                          
"You really think so?" Asked Celia quietly.
"I do" reassured Benjamin.
"So, you're definitely not agreeing to dance with me, because my brother is a Hogwarts champion, and being with me will make you more popular?" Questioned Celia.
"No"
"Sorry. It's just that at the moment, when someone comes up to me in the corridor, it's because they want to talk to me about Cedric. I'm not used to someone wanting me".
                          
Benjamin placed his hands either side of Celia's face and kissed her quickly on the lips, before withdrawing.
"Did that convince you that I'm in this for you and not your brother?" Quizzed Benjamin.
Celia's cheeks turned red as she blushed harder than ever before.
"I think I might believe you now" she mumbled.
"Good... So, I guess I'll see you at the dance" replied Benjamin.
"Yep. I'll be there, wearing one of Fleur's dresses"
"You don't have to be Fleur, for me to like you"
"I know, but it's not just you I will be dressing up for. Everyone at the dance expects big things from the Diggory family now. And I don't want to be the one who lets the side down".
                          
"You could never let anyone down, by being yourself" insisted Benjamin.
"You don't know my father. He thinks the sun rises and sets on Cedric. He barely even notices me, no matter how hard I try" revealed Celia.
"Perhaps you should stop trying to please people and just allow yourself to be happy" suggested Benjamin.
"I'm not sure I know what happy is"
"Then I will be sure to make the Yule Ball the best night of your life"
"Well then, I look forward to it".