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As soon as Gwen and her friends reached the common room, they sprinted into their dormitories for them to change into their uniforms.
Gwen made sure that she was wearing enough clothing to keep herself warm and cosy. She was wearing an undershirt, a polo neck and her quidditch sweater. She grabbed her Nimbus 2000 and descended the stairs and waited for the rest of the team to enter the common room.
Oliver Wood was already there, of course, and when he saw Gwen arrive first he gave her a nod of approval. The Gryffindor team made their way towards the common room one by one, the last being Harry.
Gwen noticed that the Gryffindor seeker was rubbing his red eyes. Harry caught Gwen's stare and glanced at her before looking away shyly. Gwen smiled at him, trying to make him feel better but it didn't seem to work.
And just like that the Gryffindor Quidditch team made their way towards the pitch, one after the other, in front being Oliver and Harry in the back.
With their brooms hoisted upon each of the player's shoulder, except for Harry who had no choice but to use the cheap brooms supplied by the school.
Oliver was working his teammates hard as if his life depended on it. The captain didn't let them take a break. Even when George was feeling as if he was going to throw up after his brother accidentally shot a bludger at his stomach.
It only took two more minutes of practice before George had to pull aside to throw up.
By the end of practice, Gwen wanted to hop into bed and sleep except she still had to go on the date that Cedric was planning.
Thank God, that the practice was called off an hour earlier when Oliver got too frustrated with the good for nothing Quidditch broom that Harry had to use. He ended up breaking it in half with his foot and used one end of it to beat the ground.
Gwen had her date in two hours, so she simply showered and chose the clothes that she would be wearing. She told Alicia to wake her up half an hour before she had to leave.
When she was awoken an hour and a half later, she was immediately splashed in the face with water by Angelina, who simply stated that she wanted Gwen to be 'awake' and 'alert' during her date.
Gwen quickly changed and looked at herself in the mirror, making sure that she looked good. She had another fight with Angelina and Alicia about what she should do with her hair. Gwen was dodging their hands and thank god she was successful, she just went to grab her wand and sneaked out of the dorm with a small goodbye.
Gwen pushed her long hair behind her shoulder which she had decided to just let down. "You look nice." Gwen turned her attention to the group of Weasleys in front of the fireplace. Percy, the twins, Ron and Ginny. Gwen smiled at Ginny who was the one who gave the compliment.
"Thanks. What are you five doing?" Gwen asked out of curiosity. She knew Percy was never fond of his siblings, especially Fred and George, who had once told the girl that Percy had called them 'useless, wastes of space and loud mouth breathers.'
So to find him sitting next to them for the rest of the Gryffindors to see was very unusual for him.
"We're discussing what to get our mum for Christmas and trying to convince Fred and George that giving her fireworks is a bad idea," Ron explained and Gwen nodded her trying to let it sink all in. "I agree with Ron. Not a good idea."
"You're right, I get it," George said. Everyone looked at him, it takes a lot of persuasion to change the twins' mind. Fred nodded, going on along with his brother. "I think she would appreciate the dungbombs more."
"God no," Ginny replied with a cringy face. "Maybe, we should leave these two out of the conversation," suggested Ron as he looked at his sister. Ginny nodded yes. "I vote for Ron's idea," added Gwen.
"Anyway, I gotta go. Love you all!" Gwen left the Common Room as she heard murmurs of 'Love you too', 'Get lost' and 'She loves me more'.
Gwen slowly made her way to the Hufflepuff Common Room entrance where Cedric had told her to meet him via owl.
Luckily the Hufflepuff Entrance wasn't so hard to find as the other houses as Gwen had passed multiple times when she was on her way to the kitchens.
When Gwen saw that she was nearing the destination, she made sure that she was looking fine by checking her reflection in the shiny suit of Armour. It didn't take long until she arrived when she heard him call her by her usual nickname.
Cedric stood there, as handsome as usual, with his hair perfectly tousled and a bright smile which seems to be tattooed permanently on his face.
"Hey, Lyn!" greeted Cedric as he walked closer to the girl. Gwen returned a smile which happened often since his beautiful smile was very contagious. "Cedric," Gwen greeted back, not sure what to say back. She had never dated anyone who wasn't Cedric. Cedric took out his arm and Gwen quickly slid her arm through his.
"So, do I have the privilege to know what we'll be doing, or what?" asked Gwen out of curiosity as she bit down on her lower lip. Cedric hadn't told her anything about their date except where they should meet.
Cedric looked at Gwen from the side, his smile never leaving his face. "You'll get to know in just a few seconds. Just you wait." Gwen responded with a pout which just made Cedric want to stop and kiss her, which was exactly what he did as he gave her a sweet, long kiss on her lips.
That only made Gwen blush and decided not to say anything as she knew she would simply stutter.
Cedric grinned at her and then slipped his hand and intertwined his fingers with Gwen's and went into a running start which made Gwen yelp in surprise.
"Slow down!" Gwen called out to the excited Hufflepuff in front of her as she laughed lightly. "You're the one who wanted to know what we'll be doing!" remarked Cedric as he slowed his pace slightly but still kept running.
Gwen nodded her head. "True. But usually, when I run, I tend to fall, which happens very often."
"I would like it if it happens," Cedric said which made Gwen stop in her tracks and gain the attention of the boy. "Really?!" Gwen said as she raised her eyebrows at Cedric.
"I'm just saying it would be nice to see you falling for me." Cedric tried his best at staying serious but he quickly cracked a grin which made Gwen laugh heartily.
"Seriously? You're going to be one of those guys with the cliche, romantic puns?" asked Gwen as she playfully rolled her eyes. Cedric shrugged.
"If it makes me hear your laugh more often, then I shall never stop." Gwen placed her arm back in his. "Come on, if we keep on going like this, I don't think this date will ever start."
"It's okay, we just have to go outside and take a walk around the castle," Cedric commented as he ushered Gwen out of the warmth of the castle.
The two were immediately met with the shivering cold winter weather. Gwen quickly place her hands into her coat's pocket and buried her face into her scarf.
"Merlin's beard, it's cold," Gwen said. Cedric, who was a few steps in front of her, turned back to look at Gwen.
Gwen watched in confusion as Cedric stepped closer to Gwen and closed Gwen's coat for her. "Thanks," Gwen said as she smiled.
The two teens walked together around the castle, which somehow looked more magnificent now that it was all covered in snow. They passed students and even teachers as they were on their stroll.
Those people, unlike Gwen, didn't have to leave Hogsmeade because they had to go to Quidditch practice.
When they finally arrived in front of the Black Lake, Gwen instantly made her way under the big tree and stared at the beautiful lake in front of her which was currently frozen.
Gwen felt Cedric coming over to her and sat there by her side. Gwen glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she scooted closer to him and placed her head on the crook of his neck.
"Will you be staying for Christmas?" asked Cedric. Gwen giggled as she felt his voice vibrate through her.
"I'll be going home actually. Try to keep my brother company." Cedric huffed a bit. "Well that's disappointing, I'll have to stay here. My parents are going on holiday. Don't know what I would do, two weeks without you."
"It's only two weeks, not a year. I'll be back before you know it and you would be praying for more time without me." Gwen joked as she played with the snow.
"Well, would I be lying if I say that you are what I like most about this school?" Cedric asked.
Gwen groaned and get out of her position to look at the handsome Hufflepuff boy. "That was so cheesy. Please stop." Gwen begged as she grabbed at his hand. Cedric pouted.
"Well, you don't have to be so mean about it." "Can I ask something? Just out of curiosity?" Gwen asked as she straightened herself up to look into Cedric's grey eyes.
"Since when do you ask permission to do something? Come on, just spit it out."
Gwen cleared her throat, "As much as the idea of sitting here, lying with you and doing nothing. It's getting dark and if any of the professors find us they will surely tell us to get inside, out of the cold before we catch pneumonia and die." Cedric grinned.
"Bored with me already?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow and his grin grew wider. Gwen snorted. "You and I both know that I sure as hell, didn't say that."
"I'm only kidding," Cedric stated as he ran his thumb gently across her lips which made Gwen shiver slightly.
Both of them leaned in and gently kissed one another. It was Cedric who broke the kiss first to look at the landscape in front of them.
"It is getting dark. Let's go." Cedric stood up slowly which made Gwen feel confused.
"Where are we going?" She asked as she also stood up and started to brush the snow off her clothes.
"To continue our date, or do you prefer to stay out here, catch pneumonia and die?" Gwen smiled at the sarcastic tone in the boy's voice but didn't say anything as she placed her hand in his.
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Why can't you stay here for Christmas?" Alicia sat on Gwen's bed with her legs crossed, a full pout on her lips as she watched Gwen pack her bags.
"We all know that I have to go home. Christmas is a time for family and Seb and I are the only family we both gave." Gwen explained as she placed her brother's gift on top of all the packed items.
"You do know that that's not true. You have all of us, Alicia and I, the Weasleys. We're all your family." Gwen dropped what she was doing to look at Angelina who had just exited the bathroom.
Gwen smiled. "Of course I know that, but Seb would still be alone. Wait a second you guys." Gwen opened her school trunk that she would be leaving behind and passed two boxes wrapped in colourful wrapping paper.
Angelina's and Alicia's faces lit up as soon as their gazes were set on the presents.
"Gimme, gimme, gimme!" Alicia exclaimed as she jumped off of the bed and hugged Gwen which made said girl laugh.
"There's no doubt that I won't be giving you two these." Alicia finally quieted down after being handed the present, she sat only her bead quickly tearing off the paper. Gwen threw the box at Angelina who easily caught it, unlike Alicia, Angelina took her time with it.
"Oh my god!" Gwen turned to look at Alicia who was holding her present tightly against her chest. Gwen gave Alicia a small yellow polaroid which she got from a shop that sold almost everything.
"I remember you telling me that yours broke last Summer because your younger cousin sat on it," stated Gwen as she saw Alicia coming towards her with her arms wide open.
Gwen laughed as she hugged back her friend. "I can't believe you remembered that, I thought that you were too busy staring at Cedric!" Alicia cried.
Gwen slowly removed her friend away from her and turned to look at the other Gryffindor girl. "Do you like it?" Angelina looked down at the box in her hand, which contained a bottle with perfume, with a smile.
"It's great, thank you!" Angelina stated as she took the bottle out of the box and started reading the label. "A million smells in every bottle. Well, that sounds promising."
Gwen bit her lip. "I don't know exactly how it works. You're supposed to say or think of a smell, shake it and then it automatically turns into that exact smell. Try it."
Angelina did what Gwen told her to do and sprayed it on herself, Angelina then motioned for Gwen to come towards her.
Gwen stood next to her and took a whiff of the new perfume. "You smell like.. cinnamon?" Gwen inquired, not quite sure of the smell. Angelina grinned.
"That was exactly what I wanted. Guess it does work, thank you!" Angelina stood up and wrapped her arms around Gwen. "Ohh, you know that I love you, don't you?" Angelina said when she finally let her go. "I love you two too."
"We also have to give you your gifts, quickly before you have to leave." Alicia walked towards Gwen and handed her a parcel wrapped in red. Gwen opened the gift slowly, being very careful to not tear the bow or the wrapping paper.
"Oh my god, this is so cute!" Gwen held in her hand a bracelet with her name, along with Angelina's and Alicia's along with beautiful beads and charms. Gwen quickly slid it on her wrist and smiled at it and then at Alicia.
"I know that the twins and Lee are also a part of our group but the three of us girls have got to stick together and have each other's back. The others may be good to have a good time with but it's with you two that I can open up my heart and talk about my problems. Don't worry Ange, I have one for you too."
Gwen smiled and gave Alicia a quick hug. Angelina then came up to Gwen with a gift of her own.
"Quick! At this rate, the train would be long gone." Gwen rolled her eyes but she still opened up the gift and then smiled as soon as she saw the contents inside. Angelina gave Gwen a picture frame with the girls, the twins and Lee were posing weirdly for the photo.
The silver frame was simple apart from the word 'Friends' written on top. "I made it myself. Now hug me so you can go." Gwen hugged Angelina with a smile and then grabbed her bags, the rest of the gifts along with Athena and Artemis' cages.
She tried her best to wave at her friends but found it quite impossible with all the items in her hands. Still, the girls knew what she was trying to do and waved at them.
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