Title: Just Like Magic

Summary: Similar heartbreaks have Hermione seek Cedric at the Yule Ball and, after a string of uncertainties, ultimately bring them together. But with Voldermort's return can it truly last? A "what if Cedric lived and fell for Hermione" story.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made from this work.

A/N: Thank you to my amazing mind soulmate and awbffe, LoveBadBoyVamps, for beta reading this chapter. *muah*

Ronald Weasley was such a git.

I watched as him and Harry continued their way up the stairs and towards the Griffandor common room and ultimately to their respective bedrooms. Harry peeked over his shoulder with a sad smile on his face. He was trying to reassure me but it wasn't working.

All Ron had to do was ask me.

Viktor had been nagging me constantly about going to the Yule Ball, but I respectively refused in hopes that Ron would finally set aside his fears and ask me to come with him. Days passed. Weeks. Then finally, I didn't have any other choice and I said yes to Viktor. Biggest mistake of my life.

Viktor was all hands and no talking. I wanted substance. This whole night was a mess and I hated myself for starting to have feelings for my best friend. I knew Harry could tell, he always could. We never talked about it but we just knew these things about each other. Just like I knew it was killing him to see Cho with Cedric.

I wandered down the hall to an empty corridor and sat on the bottom step of the closest stairs. My head went immediately into my hands as frantic sobs escaped me. How could I have been so stupid? I, Hermione Granger, was the most stupid person alive.

I felt several of the tendrils from my hair slip out of their pins but I couldn't care less how I looked at the moment. Ginny helped me get all dolled up in hopes that Ron could see what he was missing, but once again it didn't work.

I must've been so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear someone enter.

"Hermione?" a soft male voice questioned. "Hermione, are you okay?"

The footsteps came closer to where I sat, and I peeked through my fingers and saw black dance shoes. I dropped my hands and looked up to see Cedric Diggory peering down at me with concern on his handsome features.

"I-I'm okay. You should get back to the dance."

Cedric sat beside me on the step and pulled his long legs close to his chest and placed his elbows on them. He was close enough to touch but still giving me my personal space.

"The dance is a bore." He paused. "Are you sure you're okay? Did Viktor do something?"

I heard the edge in his voice as he said this. He probably thought Viktor had overstepped his boundaries and disrespected me.

"No."

"Oh, good." He breathed in relief. "I'd love to defend your honor and all that but I'm afraid I'd get my arse handed to me."

I chuckled weakly. "My honor is still intact. I appreciate the sentiment."

We sat there in silence as I tried to stop the tears from falling. I knew more than anything that I needed to rid myself of any romantic notions towards Ron. He saw me as just a friend and that was all we were going to be. The sooner I realize that the better it will be for the both of us.

"Where's Cho?" I asked.

"Back in her dormitory." He answered in a hard voice.

"Something you want to talk about?"

He shook his head at me. "Conflict of interest. You understand?"

I nodded knowing this meant Cho's disappearance was something he'd rather not have me knowing the reason for. A voice inside of me told me it must have something to do with Harry. Everyone in Hogwarts knew how close we were.

My eyes wandered towards the cobblestone flooring. I was fighting back tears at the moment but rather than being alone in my sorrows I relished in the warmth Cedric's presence was bringing me. It shouldn't be doing it but it was.

"So," I began, "did you come out here for some fresh air?"

"Kinda."

I felt his fingertips on my face as his hand pushed my hair behind my ear. My breathing paused as I looked up at him. Cedric was handsome—anyone could tell you that. He had boyish features and a charm that could swoon any girl. His grayish eyes stared into mine and I felt a heat rise up within me.

Something changed. We weren't two people moping outside a party any longer. We were two people who wanted to take our minds off the trouble our hearts were causing us. The chemistry between us was palpable and I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Cedric…" I whispered unsure if I wanted to this.

His eyes casted down to my lips. "Just… Just let me try something."

Cedric hesitated as his face slowly inched closer to mine. He was gauging my reaction wondering how his actions would be received. At the moment I was dying to know what his mouth would feel like against mine.

His lips met mine softly. He held them there as his hand cupped my face. The moment our lips touched I felt a small spark pass between us and I decided to go with it—kissing him back. My hand, on its own accord, reached over and touched his knee.

With my touch the kiss deepened. He licked his tongue along my lips begging for entrance and I couldn't deny him. His tongue slipped between my lips and met mine in a hot breath. My other hand reached up and ran itself through his soft hair. I briefly wondered how a guy could have such soft locks but his hand around my waist deflected that thought.

My hands gripped his arms, his strong, muscular arms and I clung myself to him and he continued assaulting my mouth with his. His hand traveled over my neck before moving down my shoulders and back to gripping my waist. With an effortless lift he placed me on his lap drawing himself closer to me. Pressing himself against my body.

He pulled back and whispered low and husky, "Do you want to go somewhere?"

"I thought we already were." I chided.

His look became lustful as he stared down at me with hooded eyes. He came at me again, crashing his lips to mine without warning and I felt a surge of electricity once again pass between us as he gripped me tighter.

I had kissed boys before. Well, only Viktor. But, his kisses were rough and his calloused hands groped my body without giving me the soft caresses I needed. Cedric was much different. His long, precious fingers played themselves along my body and while his kiss was urgent it was full of passion and want not vulgar thoughts.

I pulled back needing oxygen. "I think you're right."

"About?" he said breathlessly.

"We should move. I don't want someone catching us. Plus, I don't think this will work on a stone stairwell."

Cedric's eyes lit up and hunger darkened his grey irises. "No. That wouldn't do at all."

He stood, taking me with him, and placed my feet solidly on the ground. When I had my footing I smoothed down my pink dress and pushed back my hair. I was most certain my hair was in a state of disarray even with all the bobby pins and hairspray.

Cedric looked at me with humorous eyes. "Do you mind?" he asked as he gestured to my hair.

"No, it's beyond repair."

He pulled out all of the bobby pins and placed them in his pocket then with his fingers he ruffled up my hair and let it cascade over my shoulders. He gave me a once over and smiled with approval. "Perfect."

I ran my hand through my hair nervously and bit my lip. "Where to?"

"I know just the place."

He reached out taking my hand in his and I let him lead me down the winding hallways. I didn't pay attention to where we were going, just the feeling of my hand in his and swelling of my lips from our kiss. He stopped at the end of a corridor where a deep oak wood door stood. He turned me so my back was against the door and placed his hands on either side of me. I felt trapped, his captive. And I'd be foolish to deny that I wasn't excited about every second of it. His mouth dropped to mine and our tongue mixed together immediately. His body was so close I could feel every part of him. Every single part.

I was dazed from our kiss I barely register him mumbling "cantante" and the door unlocking. Cedric's hands gripped my waist and lifted my body up. My legs immediately wrapped around him wanting to be as close to him as possible. I didn't know how long we walked until he finally set me down.

Curiosity got the better of me and I reluctantly broke the kiss to look around.

"Where are we?"

He smirked. "The Prefects Bathroom."

I looked around at the marble tub he had placed me on and the stain glass window of a mermaid above it. Candles were lit around the room in sconces creating a romantic lighting to the room. But the last thing I needed to do was to get caught in the romanticism of it all. I had to set ground rules and I had to do it now.

"It's wonderful," I breathed in awe.

He smiled.

"We need to set up ground rules before this happens," I quipped knowing that if I continued to focus on how perfect this was I'd be in a world of hurt.

"Ground rules?"

I nodded. "This is a one time thing." His face fell so I edited my statement. "A one time thing that may continue if or when I want it to. I don't want you to treat me like you're in love with me because you're not let's take this for what it is – two people trying to get over the hurt that was brought to them."

Cedric studied my face no doubt searching for the uncertainty that was lurking deep inside me. I knew he wouldn't find it; I had perfected my poker face around Ron and Harry when I didn't want them knowing something.

"If that's what you want." He finally stated.

"It's what I want."

He searched my eyes and seemed to be debating over something. "Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Have you…" he stuttered, "have you done this before?"

I looked down, afraid to meet his gaze. The truth was I had never done anything remotely like this. I wasn't the kind of girl who kissed random boys and let them bring them up to luxurious bathrooms to have sex in.

Cedric tenderly gripped my chin and forced me to look at him. "Hermione?"

I stared into his eyes debating whether or not to lie to him but I decided I couldn't. I shook my head no and then looked away from his gaze.

"I see," he said and sighed. "Well neither have I."

Quickly, I looked back at his face with a shocked expression. "How is that even possible?"

He chuckled. "What? Just because I'm popular, that has to mean I'm a man-whore? I just do other stuff."

"No, it's just… have you seen you?"

He looked at me amused. "Let's just say I haven't found the right girl."

Crossing my arms, I looked at him in disbelief. "Cedric, I just said…"

He gripped my elbows. "Wait, wait. I'm not trying to play at anything. I'm telling you the truth. I don't know if you're the right girl, per say, but this feels… right."

"It does."

Cedric reached down and lifted me off the edge of the bath to bring us to a couch and placing me on his lap. When we were still I felt something poking against my core and I knew it was Cedric's erection hard and ready for me. I felt suddenly nervous but didn't let it show. This would be a first for both of us. Cedric gripped my hips holding me down.

"You know, I'm content just holding you and kissing you all night. We don't have to do anything more than that."

I bit my lip and thought about it. I was shocked with the realization about how sure I was that I wanted to do this with Cedric. I wanted him to be my first. This guy, who I barely talked to until this year was here and he was handsome, sexy, and genuinely interested in me. He could've been lying with everything he said but I had the gut feeling that he wasn't.

There was an attraction between us, and while this wasn't rational or smart and completely unlike me, I had never been more sure of anything in my life. There was no use denying it. I quickly weighed the pros and cons in my head before deciding the hell with it and licking my lips to bend down and kiss him.

His hand wound itself into my wild curls as the other pushed on the small of my back begging me to be closer. My hands grabbed his shoulders firmly and his mouth left mine to roam down my neck and across my collarbone. A soft moan escaped my lips as he licked at the area between my neck and shoulder.

He made his way back up my neck to my lips and moved us to a laying position on the couch with him positioned between my legs. His hips ground against mine pushing his erection against where I was aching and I let out a soft whimper. This, of course, only spurred him on and he repeated it again and again.

His mouth traveled down my neck placing hot kisses in its trail. He reached beneath me and unzipped my dress causing it to fall against my arms. He held the material gently as I lifted my body up so he could remove it. He stood placing it over the back of a nearby chair and turned to take in the sight before him.

I laid there sprawled on the couch, legs spread, in a pair of deep pink panties and matching bra. He stalked towards me, returning to his place between my legs as his hands raked up my body. He smirked at me panting and squirming beneath him and reached behind me and unfastened my bra, pulling it off me.

At the sight of my uncovered breast he got a dazed look in his eyes and ogled them. His face was lit up like a child at Christmas as his hands cupped my breast and bounced them in his hands. He smiled and I softly chuckled. He got a look of determination in his eyes as he went towards my right nipple and latched his mouth on it, sucking and pulling. This was the first time anyone had seen my breasts. The first time anyone had touched me like this. I was completely lost in the passion he displayed. I found myself completely consumed by the man worshiping my breasts.

"Cedric…" I released in a breathy moan.

He teased me, flicking my nipple with his tongue. I squirmed and he let his mouth drop towards the flatness of my stomach to the top of my panties. He pulled on them as he dipped his tongue into my bellybutton and then gently pulled them off as he leaned down to inhale the scent of my arousal for him. He pressed his nose close towards where I was ready for him and he ran his tongue between my folds and began concentrating on my clit.

My one hand reached down to cup my breast as the other settled in his hair, pulling him closer to me while his tongue worked me over. I looked down and met his eyes and saw the hunger he felt for me and the need. He pinched and plucked at my nipple with his thumb and forefinger and Cedric slipped a finger inside me, moving it with the rate of my tugs. The dual stimulation was driving me insane with lust as I found myself being brought over the edge and right into my orgasm.

"Amazing," I panted as he lapped up my juices.

He crawled up my body and kissed me hard on the lips dipping his tongue, saturated with my juices into my mouth. I reached between us and boldly took hold of his straining erection, eliciting a grunt of him. If I learned anything from my studies, it was if I wanted this to last I need to make Cedric come by manual or oral stimulation. Since I wasn't sure I was ready for oral, I went with manual.

With the help of Cedric we got him out of his dress robes and my hand quickly latched on to him. I looked down and I saw how big he was and I felt the nervousness creep up on me.

"Don't worry," he whispered. "It'll fit."

With his massive cock in my hand I began to work him. His hips moved with my strokes as his tongue lapped my neck. I felt his body begin to still.

"Hermione, I can't—where do I?"

Without out much option, I shifted so the head of his cock was over my stomach. With a couple more stokes he released in quick spurts on my stomach. He looked down at his seed spread out on me and his eyes darkened. Curious about the taste of semen I reached down with my finger and soaked it in his juices and brought it up to my mouth. Cedric watched every move. I brought it between my lips while staring into his eyes and clamped my mouth around it and finally pulling it out. It tasted tangy and tart.

"God, Hermione. Are you sure you haven't done this before?"

Quickly, he reached over the couch for a towel and cleaned up my stomach. When he finished he pressed his lips to mine as his hands toyed with my breasts. After awhile, I began to feel him harden against my thigh and he pulled back to stare at me.

"Look who's back for a second coming?" I smirked.

Cedric smirked back. "You have to tell me if it hurts you. I'll stop and let you adjust. If it gets too much we'll just stop altogether. Promise you'll tell me."

"I promise."

He lightly kissed me and gripped his cock in his hand. He led it to his entrance and I felt his tip at my wet center causing us both to moan in unison. He gently moved forward, stretching my walls.

"Are you okay?" he asked comfortingly.

I nodded and let him continue filling me up. As he pushed further in I had to ask him to stop as I let my body get use to the foreign invader that was his cock. But my body seemed to welcome it.

When he got almost all the way in I looked up into his eyes. "Like a band aid."

"You sure?"

I wasn't, but I agreed. He stroked my cheek with his thumb and pulled out of me slightly before thrusting beck in with one, powerful stroke. My hand flew to the one he had resting on my face and I held onto him as I breathed through the pain.

"I'm okay." I stated lifting my hips to his.

He groaned in pleasure as he began to pull out of me and push back in. The rhythm began slow and sensual before he started angling his hips to brush against my clit with each thrust. My body began to become undone and I could tell by the frantic thrust of Cedric's body that he was close too.

My body coiled up and quickly released itself in one loud moan that was muffled by Cedric's hot mouth on mine. And at the feeling of my walls clenching around him he came, hard inside me moaning my name. His body collapsed on mine, breathing heavily.

I found myself inhaling the sweet scent of our mixed scent with our release and sweat. He sat up eventually and pushed back the hair that had matted on my forehead. He placed a soft kiss there and pulled back to look at me.

"Can you tell me something since were… closer than before?"

I giggled. "Close? You're still inside me."

He laughed and turned our bodies so that I was now laying my head on his chest with my leg hitched over his thigh. I smiled against his chest. My fingers began playing with the tiny amount of chest hair he had matted there.

"What did you want me to tell you?"

His fingers began to play with my hair. "Why were you crying in the hallway?" I went to speak but he interrupted me. "And if you tell me why I'll explain why I left the party."

I sighed unwilling to let my mind wander back to where it was hours earlier. I was in such a blissful state at the moment wrapped up in one of the most beautiful men at Hogwart's whose virginity I just happened to take away. Go me!

"I was crying because boys are clueless."

"That's pretty vague. Do you care to elaborate?"

My hand began to twirl his chest hair. "You have one guy who all he wants is to grope you and doesn't even care to talk about anything of consequence and then another who is too damn stubborn to ask you to a dance and instead uses you as a last resort."

I knew with the last statement I had given away that I was talking about Ron. A lot of people overheard my outburst in the Great Hall where Ron had finally asked me only because he had asked everyone else and thought I wouldn't have a date. That was a great boost to my confidence. It was after that argument that I went right to Viktor and told him I'd "love" to go with him to the ball.

Cedric was quiet for a long while before he finally spoke. "Cho wanted to go with Harry."

"She did?" I perked up.

"I caught her constantly looking over at him sitting down and when I finally asked her what was wrong she told me that Harry had asked to take her but that she had already said yes to me. She didn't want to cancel our plans but she'd rather be there with him."

"I'm sorry."

He kissed my hair. "I'm sorry, too. On behalf of my gender. We're all a bunch of wankers."

"Thanks." I giggled.

"Seriously, though. He's an idiot. He should see what he has in front of him and not let you go. I wouldn't."

I listened to the way he worded that and heard the almost promising tone. It felt that there was more that he was saying. Things he was keeping between the lines. Before I had a chance to ask he spoke.

"We should head back. It's getting late."

I sat up and agreed with him. Walking over to the chair I grabbed my dress and searched for my bra and panties. I found them at the edge of the couch and quickly threw them on. My eyes wondered over to Cedric who was in the process of getting his dress robes back on. I took in the lean taut muscles of his body and the way they flexed with every move he made. Just minutes ago that body had been between my thighs bringing me pleasure my own body never knew.

He quirked an eyebrow at my staring and I blushed and quickly stepped into my dress.

"Can you help me zip it up?" I asked.

He walked over and stood behind me placing a kiss on my neck. "Seems only right since I took it off."

He zipped up my dress and I waited for him to grab the last of his clothes. He grasped my hand once again leading me out of the room. We walked in silence, checking every corner to make sure we wouldn't get caught. He denied my attempt at walking the rest of the way alone saying that he needed to make sure I got inside okay.

When we made it to the Griffandor painting he released my hand and looked both ways before planting a soft kiss on my lips. He pulled my body close to his and groaned before releasing me.

"I had a wonderful time tonight." I whispered.

"Me too." He pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. "I never told you how you beautiful you looked."

I blushed. "Thank you. I'll see you around then."

"Feel free to jump me anytime."

I winked and watched him walk away as I whispered the password I walked into the dormitory. After quickly changing into pajamas I climbed into bed and prayed that I hadn't just made a bigger mess of my life then what I started with.