Chapter 19: You're Not Alone

*This one will be a bit rushed so sorry about that but enjoy!*

(Cecelia's Pov)

After yesterday I actually had a fun time hangin out with my friends and boyfriend at Hogsmeade...I haven't smiled nor laughed like that in such a long time, I honestly thought I wasn't goin to be the same ever again...but everyone proved me wrong and has made me feel so much better and while my life will be shitty for the longest of time, I know I'm not alone.

The next day, I fluttered my eyes open to the sun shinin through Ced's bedroom window. Me and Ollie have been sleepin in here which is great and honestly just gives us more privacy and time to ourselves...Thankfully I've been sleepin a little better so that's good.

I blinked a few times and sighed as I felt arms wrapped around my waist which made me blush and smile softly. I turned around seein Oliver always awake before me which made me smile softly "Mornin Love" he said as he brushed a stand of my messy hair out of my face.

I blushed and smiled shyly "mornin Ollie" I whispered, he smiled softly "How'd ya sleep?" He asked, I smiled and snuggled against his chest "Great with you by my side" I whispered, he chuckled and kissed my head "Good. I'm glad" he said, I just nodded "Are ya excited for the ball tonight?" He asked, I blushed shyly and nodded which made him chuckle as he kissed my forehead "I can't wait" he said, I blushed and giggled "shall we get breakfast?" He asked,

I just nodded as we hopped out of bed stretchin and yawnin. Me and Ollie headed out of the room and down to the Great Hall for breakfast which it's been quite a while since I been to the Great Hall anyways but I've been feelin better stomach wise so I had the strength to go back there and get food and hang out with my friends.

When we got there, we saw the others and smiled as we walked up to them and sat down "Mornin everyone" I said, they smiled and greeted me back "How are ya Cece?" Harry asked, I smiled softly and let a small sigh "I'm okay how are you guys?" I asked,

They all said they were doin good which made me smile softly and nod "How are ya feelin, anxiety wise?" Ron asked, I smiled and put my hand ontop of his "I'm good Ron. Thanks for askin" I said, he smiled softly and rubbed my hand which made me smile as I grabbed some breakfast and coffee and started to eat.

I took a deep breath and sighed "Are you excited for the ball tonight?" Hermione asked, I blushed and nodded "Very" I said, the girls giggled "we are too. Do you have a dress?" Ginny asked, I thought for a moment "maybe, I'm not sure" I said, the girls nodded "well we'll check and if you don't we'll go shoppin, deal?" Ginny asked, I just smiled and nodded which the made girls giggle as we finished up breakfast.

After breakfast, Ollie wanted to practice Quidditch which I told him was okay because I would be hangin with the girls today. He gave a quick but meaningful kiss to my lips and always said 'I love you' and headed off to do the thing he loves the most.

Me and the girls headed up to my dorm as they tore through my dresser "Hmm I don't see anything that pop's out so we are gonna go shoppin and make sure to buy you something that'll make Oliver flip" Hermione said, I blushed and smiled softly as I got dressed and we headed out to Hogsmeade.

When we got there, I just let the girls drag me to wherever they wanted as they shoved clothes in my hands and forced me to try on many dresses and let me just say I felt extremely uncomfortable because most showed A LOT of skin and even though my leotards do that I was comfortable in those but I hardly wear dresses so I wasn't really comfortable in most they picked out for me but I was havin fun nonetheless.

The girls already had their dresses picked out so they were all focused on me and figurin out what's sexy for me to wear that'll make Oliver faint which I don't think I'm that pretty enough for him to do so but I guess it was a nice gesture.

After a while of tryin on millions of dresses. I put on this pink poofy one that was laced around my chest and was poofy all the way down to my feet which I'm hopin I don't trip and fall cause that'll be embarrassin but I looked in the mirror and smiled softly because I really liked this one, "come on Cece!" "Show us" They said, I smiled and shook my head as I headed out of the changing room and walked out shyly.

(HER DRESS)

The girls gasped as their eyes widen with love. I giggled and held my arm shyly "Oh my Godric" Ginny said, "it's perfect" Hermione said, I blushed shyly "Not gonna lie...I really like this one" I said, the girls smiled and nodded "Perfect. We'll get it" They said, I giggled and nodded as I changed back into my regular clothes and walked out with the dress in my arms.

The girls offered to pay which they really didn't have to but they insisted since they've been draggin me place to place and makin me try on millions of dresses so sweet of them I guess. After that, I was already worn out so we decided to head to someplace else for lunch since it was already 3pm and the ball started at 6pm meanin we had 3 hours...

I was so nervous but then so excited because I've never been to a ball before and bein with Oliver just made me feel so much better and I feel like tonight will be the night for ya know...I just loved him so much and he's made me feel so much better over the past weeks...and I feel ready...

Me and the girls literally talked about our boys which was pretty cliché but it was sweet when we talked about the boys we loved. Ron and Hermione, Ginny and Harry, Me and Oliver...oh what wizard boys can do to us witches. After lunch, we finally headed back to the Castle to relax for a while until the ball.

(A Few Hours Later)

Well...it was finally time for the ball. Everyone wanted to see me in my dress so everyone came to the Hufflepuff house to wait for me. The girls came up already in their dresses which were cute. Hermione had a lovely purple dress and Ginny had a pink and mint color dressed.

I quickly hopped out of my clothes and in my dress and shoes. The girls squealed once they saw me in the dress again which made me blush shyly "Oliver is goin to flip" Ginny said, I giggled as they curled my hair and put on light makeup, "kay now stay here until we call you down" Hermione said,

I just nodded as my heart raced and stomach churned anxiously. I waited by the door hearin the girls giggle and talkin with the boys "Where's Cece?" Oliver asked, "Oh she'll be down in a moment" Hermione said which I could practically hear the smirk in her voice "You all ready?" Ginny asked, everyone said yes which made me bite my lip anxiously "Oh Cece!" the girls called out.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked down the stairs. My hands trembled slightly as I made my way down and saw all the boys in nice suits and tuxes and of course once I saw Oliver in the most handsomest black tux every I honestly could've fainted...even lookin at him made my knees weak.

Our eyes widen as our breathes were taken away. Everyone smirked "So whadda think Ollie?" The twins teased, Oliver eyed me up and down and walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist "Holy shit" He said, I giggled a bit "You are so fuckin gorgeous" He said, I blushed and smiled shyly "really?" I asked,

He just nodded "Oh yea, definitely" He said, I giggled and smiled shyly as I wrapped my arms around his neck "you look pretty fuckin handsome yourself" I said, he smirked "Do I now?" he asked, I giggled and nodded which made him chuckle and press his lips against mine which made me smile and kiss back.

Everyone groaned which made us pull away and laugh a bit "Save that shite for later can we go now before the foods all gone?" Ron complained, we all laughed and shook our heads as we headed out of the Hufflepuff house and to the Great Hall.

My eyes widen as it looked A LOT bigger without the tables bein in the way. Crystal balls were in the sky along with just projectors of light, colors and sparkles. I looked around seein everyone in dresses or suits and dancing or by the 2 tables of food and drinks. Ron immediately went to the food table which made me giggle "Got yourself a keeper Moine" I said with a wink.

She smiled with embarrassment and shook her head "yup...that I do" she said and rolled her eyes and headed over to him and smacked him. We just laughed as Ginny and Harry went to dance as did the Twins who still pulled pranks along the way which was funny. I took a deep breath "Wanna dance love?" Oliver asked, I blushed and nodded as Oliver grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor. Dancin was basically ice skatin just without the skates.

Upbeat songs played as me and Oliver just laughed and danced. I still spun around and did my moves like I would do on ice. Oliver would spin me, dip me and even pick me up which was always so romantic.

After that song, I was already wiped out and so was Oliver so we headed over to the food table where the others were "Where'd you learn to dance like that Cece?" Ginny asked, I just giggled "It's basically just ice skatin just without the ice. Not too difficult" I said with a shrug as I grabbed some water and downed that down and ate some pasties,

Everyone smiled "Well that was brilliant. I mean you and Oliver literally made everyone's jaw drop" Harry said, me and Oliver chuckled as we looked around seein some people just stare at us with awe "I guess we do make a pretty good dancing team huh?" I asked, he chuckled and kissed my head "That we do love. That we do" he said, I blushed and smiled as a slow song came on "Oohh I promised the twins I'd save them a dance, Harry, Ron that goes for you as well" I said,

They chuckled and nodded "Don't get too Jealous Ollie" I teased and pat his chest. He chuckled and grabbed my chin with his fingers "Then don't do anythin you're not supposed ta" He said, I scrunched my nose up at him which made him chuckle and kiss my nose "Have fun" I said, he nodded as I went searchin for the Twins which they were sittin on a set of steps lookin bored.

They looked at me and smiled "Weasels? Care to dance?" I asked, they looked at each other and nodded as they figured out who would be dancing with me first which Fred was first. He grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around my lower back as I wrapped mine around his neck which was quite hard cause I was so short and he was so tall but I managed.

I looked at Freddie who gave me a soft smile "Thank you Freddie" I said, he smiled with confusion "for what?" he asked, I smiled "just bein my friend and never givin up on me" I said, He smiled softly and kissed my head "I would never. As much as me and Georgie prank and tease people we both really do love ya and want ya to feel better and be happy" He said,

I giggled and smiled "well consider me happy" I said, he just smiled as the slow song ended and he thanked me for the dance and went to get Georgie who was a little more embarrassed but still danced with me anyways. Of course I said thank you to him as well as we both danced peacefully.

After him was Ron who doesn't really know how to dance and stepped on my feet a few times but I would laugh it off because Ron is Ron but he still did really well. I thanked him as well for everythin and then danced with Harry who was a little nervous but danced well. I thanked him most of all because I know it wasn't easy losin Cedric either and he thought I would hate him and be mad at him but I wasn't or never did and I made sure to let him know that I don't blame Ced's death on Harry...I blame it on the fuckin school and whoever came up with the tournament...

Finally for the final slow dance song I got to dance with the love of my life...Oliver Wood. He sighed in relief as he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close as I wrapped my arms around his neck. The song played softly in the background as everyone was quiet and dancing or eatin snacks.

I lied my head on Oliver's chest and sighed as he lied his head ontop of mine "I'll admit I was getting a bit jealous seein you dance with the others" her whispered, I giggled softly "I figured you would be but don't ya worry. I'm all yours Captain" I said which made his pupils grow larger and darker.

He smirked "Good" he said, I just smiled softly as I wish Ced were here so I could dance with him...he'd always tell him that Hogwarts has special events like dances and talent shows and stuff and how I always doubted myself sayin I'd never get asked and Ced would always say he'd dance with me and show everyone what they're missin...

My bottom lip quivered as tears fell from my face. I just smiled and sniffled which made Oliver stop and gently pry me off him. He saw the tears glistenin in my eyes "How can you still be so adorable while cryin and have sparkles in them?" he asked, I just giggled and shook my head as he smiled softly and wiped them away "What's wrong love?" He asked,

I just giggled "Cedric would talk about all the fun events would go on here everytime he went and I always doubted myself sayin I'd never be asked out to a ball or be brave enough for a talent show...but Cedric would always promise me that if that happened he'd dance with me and I-I just wish he was here so I could dance with him...just this onetime" I whispered as more tears fell...

Oliver smiled sadly and wiped my face of tears and kissed my head "I know Cedric would love ta dance with ya but he'd also love seein ya dance with everyone else because he knows you are so loved by each and everyone of us and he knows that you are not alone" He said,

I blushed and nodded as my heart and stomach fluttered as I felt a yearnin feelin inside me, "I love you so much Ollie" I whispered, he smiled and kissed my head "I love you so much too love" he said and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and wiped my tears away.

The slow song ended as I let out a small sigh "I'm tired" I said, Oliver chuckled "Do you wanna relax in the Gryffindor common room?" he asked, I just nodded as we told the others we were pretty exhausted and headed up to the Gryffindor common room.

It was pretty cold so Oliver started a fire andwent to get us comfy clothes to relax in. I wore one of Ollie's shirts and boxersas he wore a jumper and sweatpants. . It was peacefully quiet as I sighed "I'm worried about my parents" I said, Oliver looked at me with confusion "What do ya mean?" he asked,

I frowned "well I haven't heard from them nor have I wrote to them and I don't know I fear I'll make them upset once this year is over because not only will I be goin home alone...I feel like I'll just be so alone and I know my parents see part of Ced when they look at me so I'm scared to make them upset a-and I don't wanna lose touch with you or the others and I'm just scared" I rambled anxiously as more tears fell from my face.

Oliver cupped my red and tear stained cheeks and pampered my face with kisses which made me giggle and smile as I sniffled sadly. Oliver brushed the fallen tears away and looked at me lovingly "Your parents are still probably processin everything and whenever ya can write to them so they knoe yer okay...I know It'll be hard but you will never be alone ya hear me? You have so much love and support all around ya my love and I promise it's gonna be okay. You will never lose me or the others and send one Owl and I'll be right there with ya" he said,

My bottom lip quivered as I sniffled and nodded, Oliver gently pressed his lips against mine which made me gently kiss back. His lips were so warm and soft against mine. The kiss was salty due to my tears but was still passionate, nonetheless.

Suddenly, I was desperate for more. I wanted Oliver to make me feel better and make me just forget about everything for a moment and in this moment as shitty as the timing is, I don't know what time could be better than this...

(OOP ENJOY!)

(3120 Words)