Disclaimer: No copyright intended, all characters belong to JK Rowling; this is for pure entertainment purposes

Way Out of Your League

Cedric and Hermione

I have been thinking of this story for a few months now, so I finally decided to write it up.

Hope you enjoy it! This is my first fan fic so all reviews (good or bad) would be extremely helpful!

(Note: This chapter was revised on the 11th July 2009.)

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The First Meeting

Cedric Diggory had everything he could have ever wanted. He was fortunate to have good looks, intellect, loyal friends plus a mother and father who loved him. However, he wanted more. He wanted to feel complete in a different way. He would have thrown all that away just to be in love.

He knew that he had a few more years of fun and flirting before he was expected to get into a steady relationship- he was nearly 14 and one of the eldest in the year. But Cedric had already accomplished so much in his short school career, and was expected to do extremely well. That part of his life came easy and natural to him. What was difficult for him was finding a girl he connected with. He had flirted with a few girls, and made friends very easily, but he hadn't been in a relationship yet- contrary to many rumours. That was what he wanted. A relationship with someone who had the same interests as him, who he felt he could spill his secrets to.

Now in his third year at Hogwarts, Cedric sat in a full compartment on the Hogwarts Express looking forward to another year of learning. He was accompanied by his closest friend Tom, and his fellow roommates Edward and Daniel. The lunch trolley had been and gone and, boys being boys, they stocked up on their favourite snacks. They were still talking about their holidays and what they had been up to, Edward was telling them about their trip to Egypt when suddenly they heard the compartment door slide open.

"Excuse me?"

A voice came from the compartment door. They all looked up and saw a small looking first year with coffee brown bushy hair. She stood nervously in the door, stepping from side to side.

Cedric glanced up at her, and felt his heart skip a beat. He stared at her, taking her all in. She was already dressed in her school robes, and they were slightly too big for her. The first year noticed his blatant staring and blushed.

"Yes? Can we help you?" he asked her politely, looking into her eyes.

She faltered, entranced by his speckled grey eyes. They were very striking, and she had never seen anything like it before.

"Umm," the girl paused, and cleared her throat, "I was just wondering if any of you have seen a toad? My friend Neville's lost one." She couldn't take her eyes away from Cedric. Rays of light from the window glittered and shone, making his light brown hair appear streaked with gold. His eyes twinkled. She was entranced.

Cedric's friends noticed the interaction between them and hurriedly started rummaging through the empty cartons of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans which were strewn across the floor.

"Sorry about the mess!" called Daniel from underneath a seat, "Ouch, damn, I've broken my glasses." He got up from his hands and knees, and took off his glasses to inspect them.

Automatically, the first year got out her wand, waved it at Daniels glasses and said, "Occulous Repairo!"

His glasses mended. The four boys stared at her in astonishment. They hadn't seen a first year do that spell before. And the fact she just did it, no hesitation. The girl blushed an even deeper shade of red.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to do that, I need to go now…. his toad isn't in here but thanks for your time!" Without looking back she swept out of the compartment. Daniel was staring at his glasses, Edward and Tom glancing at each other and Cedric……well Cedric didn't take his eyes off the empty space where the curiously beautiful first year had been.

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In the Great Hall, Cedric sat at the Hufflepuff Table beside Tom. He noticed 2nd year Cho Chang sneaking glances at him from the Ravenclaw table. Cho seemed to have developed a crush on him since he helped her with her Potions homework in the library last year. She followed him around like a lost puppy hinting heavily that she liked him. Cedric had found it slightly endearing at first, she was one of the many admirers he had, but she get annoying after a while. The fact she was always there, with a glint in her eye. It made him nervous. He wasn't mean on purpose, he turned her down gently but she hadn't realised. She still thought that Cedric liked her, and was just playing hard to get.

Cedric sighed.

All of a sudden, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall came into view, leading a small group of worried looking first years down towards the stool where the Sorting Hat was placed.

One of the first years, caught Cedric's attention. It's the girl from the train! He would finally be able to learn her name.

One by one, the first years were called apon; Cedric cheered all the new Hufflepuffs including Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot.

"Granger, Hermione!"

Cedric looked up and his face unexpectedly lit up with happiness. The first year from the train stepped up bravely towards the stool, and appeared to be muttering to herself. For no reason Cedric was praying that she would be Hufflepuff but he knew there was no chance. She looked too clever to be in his house, she would fit in well at Ravenclaw. Sure enough, a few minutes later the Sorting Hat called,

"Gryffindor!"

Cedric groaned with disappointment as she jumped off and hurried off to the table cheering the loudest. He watched on as Hermione smiled shyly when she shook the Weasley Twins hands. Then he turned his head, so that he could still see her, but it wouldn't be that obvious.

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Hermione was beaming, she had read about all the houses before she came and was pleased to be in Gryffindor. She sat besides the Weasley twins then looked around at all the faces around her.

She noticed that a certain Hufflepuff kept on glancing in her direction. She recognised him from her embarrassing train journey. She blushed again. Why is that Hufflepuff looking at me? He looked like that on the train…. Have I got something in my hair or something?

"Congratulations Hermione!" one of the twins said. Hermione started as she was pulled out of her thoughts. She smiled at him.

"Thanks."

"I'm Fred Weasley, and this is my brother George."

"Oh, hello." Hermione was already glancing at Cedric again. There was something about his eyes that mesmerized her.

Fred looked at George. George looked at Fred. They both grinned. George followed Hermione's gaze and said,

"His name is Cedric Diggory. He's in 3rd year like us and on the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team. He plays seeker. He is a good guy, quite popular though," George smiled. Fred chuckled. They both agreed that Cedric Diggory was way out of Hermione's league.

Hermione didn't notice their exchange; she was furiously trying not to look over at the Hufflepuff table again. Instead she focused on her friend Neville, who was just about to be sorted. Realising she had to answer; she hastily thanked them then cheered for Neville- the newest Gryffindor.

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Review please if you haven't already : )

New Readers: This story gets better with each chapter, once first year gets out of the way it is the second year- and a lot happens then doesn't it?? "Hint hint"

So if you don't like it, please keep going- I think that my writing style changes as I write more… what do you think?