The news about a certain badger having a crush on a pretty girl and planning to confess his feelings before Christmas spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts Castle in an unstoppable manner. The unnamed badger, who lived in dormitory six, was neither Robert nor Stebbins, nor the rarely-seen Summers.
Cedric: "..."
The badger in question was described as handsome, with a charming smile, jet-black curly hair, and mesmerizing gray eyes—a heartthrob for the ladies.
Cedric: "..."
The confession was rumored to take place at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop in Hogsmeade.
"..." Cedric shouted, "Stebbins!"
The honey badger, startled, immediately stood at attention.
"Wait, it can't be you," Cedric rubbed his temples, puzzled. "Could it be the guys in the common room?"
He then shook his head. "No, definitely not them. The rumor spread too fast. Summers, weren't you at the library? How did you hear about this?"
Summers looked at Cedric blankly and said, "Well... Truman announced it in the library. He got chased out by Madam Pince with a feather duster for it."
"It can't be him. He's not on the Quidditch team!" Cedric retorted immediately. "Only the team would know about this! After all, I only mentioned it at the training grounds..."
Stebbins and Summers covered their mouths in surprise. "So... so you really go to the training grounds every day because of a girl?"
"No! That's not it!" Cedric denied vehemently. "How could I be going there just to see a girl? I'm there to train! To improve my flying skills! A Seeker isn't just about spotting the Golden Snitch. If you fly too slow..."
"Speaking of which, I heard the next match is Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin. Do you think the new Ravenclaw Seeker will play?" Robert asked casually.
"She won't! She told me the Ravenclaw captain plans to have her play next year. This year, she needs to focus on practice..." Cedric trailed off, realizing something was off, and then noticed the knowing looks on his friends' faces. His expression darkened.
He knew he'd been set up again!
"There's nothing between us! Really!" Cedric weakly defended himself. "Don't you think I'd tell you if there was?"
Robert waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, it's clear now. Our handsome lad isn't dating the young and beautiful lady."
Cedric nodded immediately, his eyes watering with gratitude. This was the feeling of being trusted!
"But!" Robert declared firmly, "As good roommates and friends, how can we let Cedric suffer from unrequited love?"
Cedric froze, sensing trouble.
"Let's go! We'll go ask Miss Cho Chang if she's interested in our Cedric!" Robert gestured grandly, about to lead Stebbins and Summers out. Cedric, on the verge of tears, pulled them back with all his might.
"Enough already! I just want to quietly pursue a relationship!!!" Cedric was nearly losing his mind. These three—no, Robert, this jerk! Was he determined to ruin him?
Now, going to ask Cho? She probably doesn't even know who I am!
Stare~
A sharp gaze fell on Cedric, making him shiver involuntarily. What was going on?
"He didn't deny it," Stebbins said with a dumbfounded expression.
Summers' eyes lit up. "So, Cedric really has a crush on that Ravenclaw girl, and the Christmas confession is true?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, judging by your reaction, does Miss Chang not even know you? So, it's just one-sided love?" Robert smirked wickedly. "This is getting interesting!"
"It's not interesting at all, you jerk!" Cedric finally snapped and lunged at Robert.
As it turned out, proper physical training was a very effective method of self-improvement.
This fact was now being attested to by Cedric, who was tied up on the bed, shivering.
Damn it! We're supposed to be elegant wizards! Why would anyone want to improve their physique like a troll?!
And even if you do, why is your hand-to-hand disarming more skilled than your spellcasting?! Do you practice on street thugs every day?!
Cedric, writhing on the bed, realized with despair that freeing himself would be simple—just grab his wand and cast a Transfiguration spell.
But!
Robert, the jerk, had placed his wand right in front of him. All he had to do was stretch out his mouth to reach it, followed by a series of awkward body contortions, and he could grab it.
Of course, if he actually did that, he'd lose all dignity.
Cedric glanced at Robert, imagining the faint glint of a camera under his robes.
Damn this guy who's always running around with a camera!
"Uh, Robert," Cedric swallowed nervously, "what's the meaning of tying me up like this?"
"Oh, that," Robert said leisurely as he neatly folded clean clothes on the bed. "Guess."
Thanks to Mrs. Weasley, Robert had learned how to use Cleaning Charms to wash, dry, and even add a hint of lavender scent to his clothes.
As Robert took his sweet time tidying up, Cedric began to feel uneasy.
He glanced at Robert, then at his two roommates standing idly by...
Well, the bed curtains could hide him, and the room was dim. They probably couldn't see him, right?
Perhaps under the influence of the Imperius Curse, Cedric leaned forward abruptly, his neck jerking unnaturally. His ash wand, pressed against his forehead, rolled down to his mouth.
He hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth and bit the handle of the wand.
I got it!
Cedric was thrilled, as if he'd taken a dose of Felix Felicis. But then, a "click" sound froze him in place.
"I told you he'd try to grab his wand," Robert raised an eyebrow. "Was I right?"
Stebbins and Summers nodded in unison, their faces lit with excitement.
At that moment, Cedric wished he could smash his head against the bedpost.
(End of Chapter)