12 Can You Hear What I Hear?

Crimson woke up late that morning but realized that it was the day of the ball. No classes means no reason to rush. She went to the prefects bathroom on the fifth floor so she could relax and prepare for a long night. She turned on the water and began to take off her robe.

"Crim?"

"Oh merlins beard Cedric!"

She quickly put her robe back on and turned around to look at the man.

"Im sorry I didn't know you were in her Ill just go shower in the common room."

"No by all means stay I was just leaving anyway."

Crimson nodded and went back to her business when she slipped on a puddle of water.

"Crimson!"

"Cedric!..."

It was too late Cedric had slipped on the same puddle and landed on top of Crimson. The tension quickly built up in the bathroom.

"Im sorry I should've watched where I was going."

Crimson tried to speak but was afraid that she would say something wrong so she just stared. Cedric looked into her eyes trying to see a flicker of something anything and then his eyes flickered to her lips, her mulberry red lips, have they always been that way? Crimson then closed her eyes noticing he was studying her face, she was terrified. She then felt a soft kiss placed onto her lips. She opened her eyes to see Cedric still staring at her but searching for something. She had no idea what came over her or why she did what she did but, she kissed him again and he began to kiss her back. Cedric slipped the robe off of one shoulder but Crimson stopped him.

"Ced we can't. You're with Cho."

"Them yes, you're... you're right."

Cedric got up off of the floor and then helped Crimson up.

"Well, I better get going, Ill see you at the ball."

"See you soon."

Cedric left, taking a part of Crimsons heart with him. She stood there dumfound at what just happened. She couldn't believe it, they actually kissed. Something she has been waiting for, for so long but, it ended too quickly. She wished they could've taken it farther but she knew they couldn't no matter how much she despises Cho. She got into the bath and let the warmth and scent of lavender and rose surround her.

"You know they digger boy loves you"

"I don't think so Murtle. If he did.."

"What, hm? He kissed you didn't he? That shows that he loves you. At least to me."

"Look I have a long night ahead do you mind if I get some alone time."

"Very well, I expect a thank you when you figure it out."

"Sure thing"

Murtle left Crimson to her own thoughts and doubts. An hour later Crimson left the bathroom and went back to her room. She met Hermione and Ginny at the port hole and let them in. Three and a half hours later all the girls were dressed and ready except for Crimson. All she needed to do was put her dress and heels on. She went over to her trunk and pulled out the dress she bought right before term started and her silver heels.

"Crimson that gown is gorgeous. Where did you get it?"

"Oh hush Ginny its probably a one of a kind you know how Crimson loves her fashion."

"No, no its alright. I got it in Diagon Alley at that new dress botique. It only cost about one hundred and something galleons. Not a bad price for such a gorgeous dress."

"Well then go put in on lets see it!"

"Alright, alright."

Crimson went to her closet and put the dress on along with the shoes. The dress fit her very nicely she looked in the mirror hanging on the wall. She briefly smiled to herself before leaving the closet. The two girls gasped at the sight infant of them.

"Cedric's gonna faint when he sees this Hermione."

"Ginny! I thought we all agreed to shut our mouths."

"Oh, Im sorry."

"Wait, Hermione... Ginny... what are you hiding."

Hermione sighed briefly before looking Crimson dead in the eyes.

"Promise you won't tell him we told you?"

"I promise on my mother."

"Good, well... Cedric is going to break up with Cho and ask you out. He said he'd be stupid not to. If he didn't do it now Krum would take you from him."

"Merlins beard, that explains the kiss, that explains everything."

"What kiss?!"

"When I went to the prefects bathroom to take a bath, he was there, and we both slipped and he landed on me and kissed me and then I kissed him. We almost went farther but I stopped him because of Chang."

"Holy dragon balls"

"Ginny!"

"Sorry but thats some really juicy stuff."

Crimson looked at the clock on her wall and realized it was almost twenty past six and she needed to get going.

"Well girls are we ready?"

"Yes"

"Oh wait I forgot about my necklace and earrings."

Crimson rushed over to her vanity where she laid her necklace and earrings and put them on.

"There, now Im ready lets go."

When they finally made there way to the last set of stairs, Hermione and Ginny both went down first and met with their dates. Crimson was nervous she never really liked attention but thats all these past months have been filled with are attention. She came from behind the wall and the entire hall went silent. Everyone had their eyes on her and only her. Viktor smiled and made his way towards her.

"She looks gorgeous. Don't you think Cedric"

Hermione turned to where Cedric was once standing but he was gone. Cho was in the other corner scolding him. Hermione got furious enough that she went towards the arguing couple.

"What seems to be the problem Chang?"

"Hermione tell Cedric he can't be complementing other girls no matter who they are. He's with me. YOU are with me not that pompous rich whore."

"Whore?!"

"Cho Chang Im done with you. WE are done, over, I want nothing to do with you anymore. I haven't for a while. Hermione please come with me I need a new date and you're my only option."

"Lets go talk to Draco Im sure he won't mind."

Meanwhile Viktor lead Crimson to the front of the group of Champions and they got ready to dance the night away. Viktor leaned over to Crimson and gave her a few words of encouragement which left Crimson smiling and feeling ready for whatever came her way. The time came and all the Champions entered the packed hall and began with traditional waltz they were all taught. After about an hour of dancing Viktor left Crimson to go get them drinks. Hermione then nodded at Cedric and made her way over to Krum to distract him.

"Crimson"

"Cedric, you look absolutely dashing in your dress robes."

"And you, you look stunning like a raven."

"Thank you, wheres Cho?"

"I broke things off with her before the ball. I actually wanted to talk to you."

As soon as he started Viktor came back with their drinks. Crimson thanked him. Hermione quickly came rushing back over.

"Krum there you are I want you to meet... uhm... oh, Draco yes Draco. Sorry its urgent."

Viktor begrudgingly left the two alone.

"As you were saying Cedric."

"Oh yes well Cho and I broke up because.."

"Crimpson let us dance again?"

"Uhm yes sure, sorry Cedric. Ill find you later."

"Of course, have fun."

Cedric went over to Hermione and Draco clearly upset.

"Good job distracting Hermione I barely got two words out and Krum stole her again."

"Sorry Ced, Draco here started to beg for Viktor autograph and scared him away."

"I did not beg, I politely asked and you scared him away not me. You kept wanting to talk to him about something or show him someone."

"I did no such thing."

"Oh darling you did..."

"I did not..."

"Never mind that you two Ive got to make my move now."

Cedric stood there watching Crimson laugh with Viktor and then a slow song came on. This was his chance, Cedric headed over to where Crimson and Krum were.

"Excuse me mate you mind if I grab a dance?"

"Not at all, please."

Cedric thanked Krum and took Crimsons hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor.

"So... hows your night?"

"Its actually been and amazing night but, I haven't gotten the chance to talk to you much."

"Look Ced..."

"Shh just let me talk. Crimson I like you. Ive liked you for a long time. Ive just been scared to tell you and Cho was in the way."

"Cedric would you shut it for a second. I love you. I have loved you since we became friends all those years ago. That kiss we shared today scared me. Im not going to lie. I don't want to lose you. I can't risk our friendship."

"Crimson Rose nothing that could ever happen between us would break our friendship. I will always be here for you. Always."

Cedric took the chance he had and kissed Crimson right in the middle of the dance floor. From that moment on the two souls became connected.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes, what was that?"

"No Crim, its silent."

Crimson looked around, everyone was frozen.

"What happened."

"I have no clue, there seems to be an orb around us that separates us from everyone else."

"What is this, Cedric have you ever seen this."

Before he got to answer the orb retracted and everyone was staring at them. Crimson and Cedric didn't know what to do they just stared back at everyone then Hermione rushed towards them.

"I KNEW IT!"

"Knew what?"

"You two are soulmates. Thats called a flame orb it appears very rarely but it usually appears when either a pair of twin flames or soulmates connect or kiss. They are usually very powerful and are a sign of good luck."

"Holy shit"

"Cedric language."

"Sorry this is just crazy. Who would've known."

Crimson looked over at Krum who was smiling at the pair. She was grateful for the support from Viktor. She looked back over at Cedric who was smiling at her.

"What?"

"Looks like this is where our forever begins."

A lifetime with the love of her life. She couldn't ask for more.