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THE DAY FOLLOWING CLOVER'S ARRIVAL HAD BEEN one of the best days she'd experienced this summer so far. Cedric had woken her up the break of dawn and after little to no deliberation, the two decided to spend the day out. Cedric had always told the girl about the beaches his parents used to bring him to as a child and considering the fact that the two had a day to waste, the beach seemed like an amazing option. The two set out at noon with a small picnic, (courtesy of Mrs. Diggory), and took the muggle bus to a nearby beach.

Clover couldn't even begin to describe the beauty of the beach. From the glittering water reflecting and shimmering like a diamond in the sun to the multicoloured houses lining the beachside, the sights were truly incredible. Cedric and Clover had split their time between swimming in the crystal waters-which were littered with the odd cluster of seaweed, and out of the water on the pebbly shore.

The sun was now setting over the town of Ottery St. Catchpole as Clover and Cedric trekked their way through the town, each clutching an ice-cream from a local shop.

"This is definitely on par with Fortescue's." Clover argued while Cedric shook his head in complete disagreement.

"No, no, no, absolutely not!" Cedric protested, "Fortescue's ice cream is unmatched and you know it."

"You're unbelievably stubborn, Mr. Diggory!" Clover laughed, rolling her eyes at her friend.

"I'm not stubborn," Cedric replied, his voice low as a smirk crept across his face. "I'm a Hufflepuff...I value LOYALTY!"

Clover shoved the boy lightly, "Yeah, Yeah, Ced." She drawled, "Loyalty my arse! You tried to ditch us last year on the train to sit with Cho!"

"You're still on that?" 

"Yes, yes I am!"

"At least I never ditched our friends to date the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain," Cedric poked while he finished his ice cream causing the girl to shake her head. "Even though you knew I didn't like him!"

"You didn't like him because Hufflepuffs had playoffs against him." Clover pointed out, "Besides, it wasn't like that lasted long, it was over after, like, what? A month?"

"Still..." The boy grumbled while the girl placed a lazy arm over his shoulder. "You snogged the enemy."

"I did and he was very good at it," Clover remarked, earning her a scoff from Cedric. "Now stop groaning, we're almost back at yours." Cedric chuckled slightly and the two continued to walk the remainder of the path back to the Diggory household.

The evening seemed to slip by quickly, and before the two could even process it, they'd eaten dinner and gotten changed into pyjamas. Clover, now, sat on the couch flipping idly through a book she'd grabbed off of the shelf in the living room, while Cedric laid across her with his head in her lap as he threw a small ball up before catching it. Their two cups, which were previously filled with tea, were now drained as the two relaxed in a comfortable silence.

"Cedric? Clover?" A voice called out, causing both of them to sit up straighter to face the living room door where Mrs. Diggory stood with a small smile.

"Yeah, mum?" Cedric asked, tilting his head to look up at the woman.

"It's time for both of you to go to bed," she replied, walking towards the two. "You've got an early start tomorrow and you need to be ready and rested!"

"Okay," Clover nodded, "Also, thank you for dinner and everything tonight."

"Clover, how many times have I told you that you're practically family, there's no need to thank me at all!" Mrs. Diggory exclaimed, placing a warm hand on the girl's cheek. "Now, off you pop, both of you!"

The two nodded and bid the women a short goodbye as Clover and Cedric tiredly trudged their way upstairs to the boy's bedroom. Clover collapsed onto her makeshift bed while Cedric flopped onto his. The two didn't even have a chance to say goodnight to one another before they'd passed out in exhaustion from their adventures that day.

☆

"WAKE UP YOU SLEEPY GITS!"

Clover peeled open her eyes, feeling as if she hadn't slept a wink. The voice was familiar but as she looked towards a sleepy Cedric, the girl realised that it couldn't have been him. Dismissing the yell, the girl closed her eyes once more and snuggled back underneath the toasty sheets. Clover was just about to re-enter her slumber when a singular drop of water landed on her cheek, the girl groaned and hastily wiped it off but the drop of water was soon followed by an entire glass of water. Clover shot up out of the makeshift bed, turning around angrily to face the culprit. The girl's eyes widened significantly at the sight of the person holding the now, empty glass.

"Hugo, you son of a bitch!" She exclaimed, jumping towards him and engulfing the boy in a hug. "How-what-when?!" Hugo laughed wholeheartedly as Cedric slowly awakened from Clover's loudness, his eyes wide as he spotted the unexpected guest but he was soon on his feet, joining Clover as she hugged the other boy tightly.

"You said you weren't coming!" Cedric said accusingly, pulling away and prodding the boy in the shoulder. "You refused!"

"I know, but then I un-refused," Hugo shrugged, "I still had the ticket so I owled your parents and they told me I could come surprise you guys."

"-and, the first thing you decided to do is call us gits and throw water over me?" Clover huffed, folding her arms as she tried to hide the happy smile her face was possessing.

"Exactly!" Hugo grinned, "Nothing like a good ol' wake up call. Now, get your butts ready and come downstairs, Your dad told me we're leaving in like, forty minutes." Both Clover and Cedric scrambled to get ready as they pulled on proper clothes, grabbed their backpacks, and rushed downstairs where Hugo was sitting and talking animatedly to Mrs. Diggory.

"Took you both long enough," Hugo remarked as the two stood across the table from him. "Started to think you guys had died."

"We weren't that long." Cedric protested, going to take a seat before his mother shooed him off.

"No, there's not enough time!" The older woman declared, "Your father is already out waiting, take a slice of toast and a water bottle and eat on your way."

"Yes, mum." Cedric grumbled, picking up a slice of toast and water bottle that his mum had prepared.

"Mrs. Diggory, mind if I just take an apple, instead of toast? I'm not that hungry..." Clover began, earning a soft smile from the woman.

"Of course, pet, here," Mrs. Diggory smiled, handing the girl a red apple and water, "Now, enjoy the game and stay safe, that goes for you boys as well!"

"I'll make sure they stay in line." Hugo grinned, wrapping his arm around Clover and Cedric's shoulders. The girl shook her head at the boy as a mischievous glint crossed his eyes.

"-and I'll make sure that Hugo and Cedric don't get themselves killed." Clover said, causing both the boys to look at her in horror.

"Killed?!" Hugo echoed as Cedric seemed to mouth the same thing in feign disbelief, a hand ghosting over his mouth in 'shock'.

"Killed?!" They both yelled earning a reprimanding look from Mrs. Diggory.

"No, no, no!" Hugo sniffed, "You think so low of us Clover, it hurts!"

"Truly, I'm wounded!" Cedric wailed, collapsing onto Hugo's shoulder in 'tears'.

"Like I said," Clover sighed, "I'll make sure they don't get themselves killed, Mrs. Diggory."

"I don't know how you and Juliette put up with them both." Mrs. Diggory spoke, as she leaned closer to the girl, trying to be heard over the incessant crying. "Boys, save your crying for the match."

"Got it, mum," Cedric replied, his face now straight and void of any sadness. "See you in a few days!" Clover and Hugo watched as the boy was brought into a smothering hug from his mother, causing the boy to grumble and pull away.

"Alright, come on then!" Amos cried out happily, peeking his head around the front door. "We've got a bit of a hike to do!" Hugo instantly paled and turned to face Clover.

"We have to walk?!"

☆

"I WAS HERE FIRST AND YOU KNOW IT!"

"LIES!"

Clover and Hugo bickered back and forth as they perched on the tree branches above Amos, while Cedric pulled himself up next to the other boy. The three teens had decided to climb a tree as Amos kept an eye out for the Weasley's, who were apparently joining them in taking a portkey to the World Cup.

"So...are we betting on the match?" Hugo piped up, drumming his hands on his knees causing Clover to roll her eyes at the boy. "C'mon... four sickles says that Bulgaria catches the snitch."

"Fine." Cedric grinned smugly, shaking Hugo's outstretched hand. "Four sickles that Ireland catches the snitch, but if Ireland win and I win the bet, you have to go on a date with Marietta Edgecomb."

Hugo let out a loud shriek in surprise, clutching his arms as Clover broke into laughter. "B-but Marietta is...no, Absolutely not, no way." The boy protested, shaking his head vigorously.

"Fine, then we don't have a bet." Cedric shrugged, "Cho's been nagging me to get you to ask out Marietta so we can go on double dates."

"Double dates?!" Clover scoffed, "Rubbish! She only wants Hugo to ask out Marietta because Marietta fancies him."

"I-"

"Arthur!" Amos called out, signalling that the Weasley's had finally located them. "It's about time son."

"Sorry, Amos. Some of us had a bit of a sleepy start. This is Amos Diggory, everyone, he works with me at the ministry." Arthur began, while Cedric, Clover, and Hugo began to slowly descend the tree. With a small smile, Hugo stretched out his leg and kicked Cedric lightly, causing him to stumble and suddenly jump down from the tree. The boy landed on his feet but sent a harsh glare up at Hugo.

"And this strapping young lad must be Cedric, am I right?" Arthur asked, pointing to Cedric as Hugo climbed down, followed by Clover.

"Yes, sir." Cedric nodded as his two friends joined his side.

"-and this is Clover and Hugo!" Amos introduced, causing Clover to sheepishly smile at the Weasley's while Hugo wiggled his fingers. The girl shook Mr. Weasley's hand as she took in the sight in front of her. Most of the people ahead of her were returning her smile while others, like the twins, seemed to just whisper to one another, not paying any attention. Clover knew of the twins, well, everyone knew of the twins, so she wasn't special. She shared a few classes with the two and honestly, she found them to be quite funny. The girl snapped out of her little tangent, noticing that the twins were now staring at her with a mischievous smile, she shifted her attention away from them and back onto Cedric and Hugo.

"It's this way," Cedric spoke up, turning his back and walking up the hill with Hugo and Clover following after him.

"That's it, just over there." Arthur yelled, pointing at a small boot located at the top of the hill ahead of them.

"Shall we? We don't want to be late." Amos replied while he hiked up the grassy hill, the rest of them in pursuit. "Now get yourself into a good position!" Everyone immediately began to gather around the boot but Harry lingered off to the side with the twins and Hugo and Clover just finished the small hike up the hill.

"Why are they all standing around that manky old boot?" The boy questioned,

"That isn't just any old manky boot mate." Fred started, as Clover and Hugo stood awkwardly behind them.

"It's a portkey." George finished, wiggling his brows at the confused boy.

"Still an old manky boot!" Clover chimed in, finally walking around the three with Hugo, to reach Cedric, who stood with a knowing smile.

"Cedric...I don't like that look." Clover said warningly, "What's going to happen when we take this boot."

"Don't worry, Clove, I'm sure you'll be fine." Cedric chuckled reassuringly but yet the girl groaned internally. She stretched out her hand and took hold of the boot.

"Time to go. Ready?" Amos questioned, looking around as everyone circled the boot gripping onto it tightly.  "After 3. One... Two..."

"Harry!" Arthur yelled, and as Clover went to look over in confusion, Amos had yelled out 'three'. Suddenly, there was a white flash and they were jolted into the air. Clover swallowed her upcoming vomit as others cheered loudly.

"Let go kids!" Arthur instructed, earning many incredulous looks and confused retorts. "LET! GO!"

Clover glanced at Hugo and with a swift nod, the two squeezed their eyes closed and let their hands slip off the boot. It was only seconds later when Clover felt her body hit the ground with a thump and as she heard many other moans of displeasure, she figured that the rest of them were in a similar state to her. The girl pried open her eyes to see Arthur, Amos, and Cedric come down more gracefully as if they were merely walking down a set of stairs. As soon as the three touched down, Cedric rushed to his friends offering them both a hand up.

"I bet that cleared your sinuses eh?" Arthur remarked with a gleeful grin while Clover and Hugo dusted themselves off.

"I'm going to kill Cedric," Hugo stated with gritted teeth, as he folded his arms and watched Cedric help Harry off of the floor. "He could've at least warned us."

"How about you do the killing and I'll be your alibi?" Clover answered, her lip quirking up at the thought. Hugo stuck out his hand and the two shook on it before turning to Cedric with huge, false smiles.

"Uh, hey...?" Cedric spoke up, scratching his head at his friend's odd behaviours. "We should catch up with them." The boy pointed to The Weasley family and Amos as they walked over the hill. Together, the three lightly jogged after them, but Clover stopped once again with wide eyes as she took in her surroundings. The fields ahead of her were an array of colours as tents littered the grassland and people flocked to and fro as cheers and laughter came from the crowds. The three walked closer to the group as Amos and Arthur talked idly.

"Parting of the waves I think old chap, see you at the match." Amos declared as he spotted Cedric, Clover, and Hugo approaching them. "Come on kids, time to find the tent!" The man walked off ahead with Cedric and Hugo in tow. Clover turned her head and waved goodbye to the Weasley's before walking after her group.

The girl was excited for the coming days but little did she know that her excitement was like a build-up of emotions for what was coming, and what was coming was something that she could never expect.

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[unedited]

Heheheehe new chapterrrrrr alert!!
Not going to lie, I wrote the majority of this in hospital after surgery so that's sort of why it's very choppy. The start of this chapter may also be a bit of a filler but I kind of wanted to show the relationship between Ced and Clover.

Also, so lemme get this straight before I forget, I'm going to have Cho and Cedric date from the summer before goblet of fire up until now. The two keep it sorta lowkey and it's merely for different plot points in this story.

Chile anyways, don't forget to vote and comment (it makes my day),

Love all of you guys!