CHAPTER 7

                                    

                                          
The day of the first task was nearing and along with it, the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. I was very excited about exploring one of the few all-wizarding villages in the country. Besides, I had promised Cedric that he could show me around.
                          
I woke up on a chilly Saturday morning and practically ran to the showers. After showering, I put on a black turtleneck and a pair of thick black leggings to keep me warm (I got cold quite easily). Not knowing what to do with my short hair, I brushed it out and let it hang down in waves till my shoulders, it had grown slightly since I got to Hogwarts. I grabbed my grey trench coat incase I needed it and dashed to the Common Room, hoping to find Cedric there.
                          
I saw him sitting on an armchair, his head buried in a pile of books.
                          
"Good morning, Ced, what're you doing?"
                          
"Huh? Oh-Hi, why are you all dressed up?" He asked, his eyes were red and his usual pink cheeks looked quite pale.
                          
"Hogsmeade, remember? Did you not get any sleep last night?"
                          
"I'm such an idiot, I completely forgot! I've  been so busy trying to figure out how to tackle the first task" He put his face in palms, rubbing his eyes with the tips of his fingers.
                          
"Don't worry about it Ced, I'll go with Hermione" I offered, not wanting him to stress himself out.
                          
"Tell you what Alice, I'll meet you at The Three Broomsticks at 12 PM?" He looked up at me hopefully.
                          
"Are you sure?"
                          
"I'm sure"
                          
I nodded and waved at him before leaving the common room for The Great Hall.
                          
I saw Amelie and Ginny sitting together on the Gryffindor table, talking to each other.
                          
"Hey, when do we leave for Hogsmeade?"
                          
"How about now? They should've gotten the carriages out already" Ginny said, getting up from her seat, Amelie followed.
                          
The three of us walked towards the entrance where we met Hermione and Ron who looked as if they were having a deep conversation.
                          
"Ron, you have to stop being such a baby about it, he's your best friend, if you don't believe him who will?"
                          
"Do you believe him?"
                          
"Don't you drag me into this!" The look on Hermione's face told us that she was not in a good mood, I settled on waving at her instead of going to talk to her.
                          
At Hogsmeade, I had the most amazing time ever. 
                          
My favourite one was Scrivenshaft's quill shop which had the most amazing quills and parchments on display.
                          
Amelie had accidentally squirted ink all over her face from a trick quill, making it the highlight of the day.
                          
Jumping from shop to shop, I was absolutely delighted to see what each place had to offer. I was walking arm in arm with Amelie when I noticed a shop called 'Zonko's'.
                          
"What's that?" I pointed to it, asking Ginny.
                          
"Fred and George's idea of heaven, it's a joke shop"
                          
I entered it along with Ginny and Amelie and sure enough, Fred, George and Lee were stood in a corner, inspecting a product that George held in his hand. When they saw us enter, George immediately placed it in his back pocket.
                          
"Hey, what are you guys doing in a shop like this?" Fred asked, walking up to us.
                          
"Just, exploring" Ginny said, looking around at the shelves.
                          
"This is fantastic! Ginny do you see that potion over there? Let's go have a look" Amelie said in awe of everything around her, the both of them walking away, leaving me alone with Fred.
                          
"By the way Al, we perfected the fever fudge a few nights ago, all thanks to you" He said, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned on to a shelf.
                          
"You're welcome"
                          
"Would you like to be the first one to try it?" He grinned.
                          
"Don't be ridiculous, the last thing I want is a fever" I said.
                          
Suddenly, I remembered that I was supposed to meet Ced.
                          
"Fred what's the time?" I asked hurriedly.
                          
"12:20 PM"
                          
"Oh shit, tell Amelie and Ginny that I have to go, I'm meeting someone, see you later"
                          
"Al, wai-" But before he could say anything, I ran out of the shop and towards The Three Broomsticks. I hated being late.
                          
When I entered the pub, Cedric was seated on a small table in the corner which had two mugs of butterbeer placed on it.
                          
"I'm so sorry Cedric, I completely lost track of time" I said, seating myself on the creaky wooden chair.
                          
"That always happens at Hogsmeade, I hope it's okay I ordered a butterbeer for you" 
                          
"I love butterbeer" I said, picking up the warm mug and drinking from it. I immediately felt my insides warm up as the hot liquid ran down my throat.
                          
"So, tell me about your day"
                          
I told Cedric about everything I had seen and done: Zonko's, Dervish and Banges,  Honeydukes. Cedric in turn told me about how he had spent all night trying to figure out how to tackle the first task. He had found a suitable method only an hour ago.
                          
"But how did you know what the first task was?" I asked.
                          
"I-I may have had a little help" He shrugged. I didn't push it any further.
                          
Our butterbeer mugs were now almost empty, the foam stuck to the bottom. We sat in comfortable silence for a while, which was suddenly broken by Cedric.
                          
"A-Alice I have to tell you something" He looked nervous.
                          
I placed my hands on the table and pulled myself up from my leaning position.
                          
"Yeah what's up?"
                          
"I-I've been wanting to say this for a long time but I just didn't know how"
                          
"What's the matter Ced?" I asked, beginning to feel worried.
                          
He awkwardly placed his hands on mine. What was Cedric doing?  I heard the bell of the door jingle, indicating that someone else had entered the pub but I didn't turn to look.
                          
"I-I like you" He finally breathed out.
                          
My heart started beating faster, what was I supposed to say to that? I did not expect him to say that to me.
                          
"Cedric I-I don't think this is a good idea" I said, removing my hands from underneath his. He looked as if I had just punched him in the face.
                          
"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking" He muttered, looking down at his shoes.
                          
"No, I'm glad you told me Cedric but I just-" I hated having to be blunt but I needed to clear the air.
                          
"I just don't know if I feel the same way, you're the most amazing friend I could ever ask for and I wouldn't want anything to ruin the relationship we have right now. But this doesn't have to change anything between us"
                          
"Really?" He asked looking up.
                          
"Really" I smiled "Now let's get back, I've got some homework to finish".
                          
The both of us got up from our seats and as we headed towards the door, I noticed Fred, George and Lee sitting on a table that was right across from ours. When did they get here? 
                          
George and Lee were busy conversing with each other. Fred glanced at me, then at Cedric and then back at me. He had an indecipherable expression on his face. I quickly looked away, feeling as if I was caught doing something wrong. I shook it off and walked back to Hogwarts with Cedric.