9 Only If

The next two weeks consisted of proposals, gossiping girls, uncoordinated men, and stressed out champions. They were given no hints towards what the last was would be once they got back from Christmas break. Crimson herself was especially stressed because she still hadn't heard from her parents. What have they been doing this entire time, surely they would be back by now.

Crimson had woke up in a bad mood this morning and she was not dealing with any body. She threw on her uniform and fixed herself to look presentable, she also threw on some make up to hide how tired she was. Walking into the great hall for breakfast Crimson made to carry herself like it was another normal day. A few people smiled and waved as she made her way to the head of the Ravenclaw table.

"Crimson wait!"

"Oh Lucas, uhm hello, can I help you?"

"I actually was wondering and I know we haven't spoken much, actually not at all, you know what never mind. Ill uhm see you around good luck and congrats."

That was weird, Lucas was never one to chicken out on a question. What if he was going to ask her to the ball. Dear Merlin! That would just stir the pot. Crimson took her seat and began to put some bacon on her plate when the mail started to be dropped off. To her surprise she received a rather large package and a letter, from her parents! She tore into the letter, her parents said they would be coming to Hogwarts to pay her a visit today and tell her where they have been. Finally! No more hiding things from her. She did feel conflicted, what if this has nothing to do with her family, should she continue to keep her secret or tell her parents? She decided she would decide on that when the time came. She set the letter down and stared at the large package in front of her. Other people from the other houses as well as the two other schools were curious to see what she had received. She undid the blue bow wrapped around it and opened it to see Viktors broom, his unreleased model. There was a note that came with it, the hand writing was surprisingly very elegant.

Crimson,

Although we have only know each other for a fe short months we have grown quite close and I enjoy the time I spend with you daily. Please do me the honor and join me at the Ball?

Much appreciation

-VK

To say she was shocked was an understatement. She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Viktor.

"So, you want to go?"

"Only if you can get me one of these brooms."

Viktor laughed and pointed at the broom.

"That, that is your broom, unused actually."

Crimson jumped up and hugged Viktor repeatedly say thank you. Once she calmed down she sat back down smiling.

"Then yes I will go with you."

The was applause everywhere. Crimson looked around smiling to onclybarely catch an upset Lucas storming out of the hall. She gave Viktor another thank you and rushed out of the hall after him.

"Lucas! Luke! wait please!"

"No, no Im done. I don't want to speak to you nor be anywhere near you."

"Lucas he is just a friend."

"Oh really, I have never seen a friend purchase an UNRELEASED nimbus for someone else. Even if it is a proposal."

"If you're so upset why didn't you ask me yourself?"

"Because I thought you'd say no but, I tried to before the show plus its just a stupid dance. I didn't even want to go."

"You, Lucas Black, not go to a dance? Where is Luke and what have you done with him?"

The two chuckled at the comment before Lucas spoke again.

"Also I thought Diggory had already asked you but then I remember her had Chang."

Cedric, oh merlin she forgot.

"Lucas Im gonna ask you a question and I won't be mad as long as you tell the truth, okay?"

"Okay, whats going on?"

"During the summer did you write a letter to Cedric at my manor saying that I was busy and that I didn't want to be friends with him, Hermione, or Draco any more?"

"Uh, no"

"Lucas"

"I swear I didn't."

Crimson started to reach for her wand and Lucas saw this.

"Fine, fine, I did because I was scared they were going to take you from me."

"Well guess what Black you just lost me. I understand but you had no right, NO right to do that. I lost my best friends and now Im alone besides Viktor. He won't be here forever. I can't forgive you for this. You have lost my friendship and my trust."

Lucas hung his head and left for the dungeons.

"Why didn't you yell at him?"

Crimson looked up to see Cedric leaning against the wall smirking.

"What you did was much worse and I know his mother would never forgive me if I yelled at him. Thats her job. Also you can handle my yelling he can't."

"So are we friends again?"

"Really? You think just because I tell Lucas off that means were friends again? Sorry to twist your wand but that is not the case. Its gonna take a lot more and a subtraction of a certain girl to be my friend again Diggory."

"Oh don't you worry that gorgeous head of yours, Ill get you back one way or another even if it kills me. Just wait and see."

"I have nothing better to do so entertain me."

"Okay how about this, you and me, flying around like we used to and then... oh! hot cocoa in the astronomy tower?"

"Good start but you know my terms."

Cedric smiled at the brunette, he knew she could never truly hate him. He nodded his head and turned back toward the great hall.

"Crim by the way, I love you."

Crimson stood there and watched the boy she loved walk away from her again. Looking at her watch she realized that her parents would be her soon so she headed to Dumbledores office. Once she got there she knocked three times and went inside after the headmaster replied. She was surprised to see her parents were already there.

"Mom, Dad, hello!"

She greeted both parents with a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Please sit Im sure you all have a lot of catching up to do."

The family of three took their seats and Crimson began to speak.

"How was your trip?"

"It was successful, now we see that you have already found out by the look of the necklace, you are not our daughter. We did find your parents but, unfortunately they have passed. Your mother was a pureblood as well as your father. Their last name was tricky to find but they are a quite prestigious family. An Italian wizarding family with the name Vacelli."

Crimson stared at her parents in shock. She knew that wasn't actually her family but she was still shocked.

"How did you find all of this out?"

"The necklace actually, there are only two, one belonging to the Vacelli family and the other the Gaunt family but there was no way you are the lost Gaunt. The pieces just didn't add up."

"Darling your father and I hope this doesn't change the fact we are a family. We still love you as our own and wouldn't trade you for anything."

"Mother of course not. I still love you both very much."

The family continued to converse back and forth. Crimson revealed that her and Lucas were no longer together nor friends and she also told them every detail about the Triwizard tournament and the upcoming ball. Her mother was absolutely thrilled with how well she was doing but sad about the end of her relationship with Lucas. After about three hours of talking Dumbledore returned and her parents took that as their cue to leave. Hugging her parents good bye she thought about her secret only Dumbledore knew about. She watched her parents flew home which then left her alone with the headmaster.

"I supposed you didn't tell them that they had received the wrong information?"

"No sir, I couldn't"

"Its for the best, the times ahead of us are dark so keep your secrets hidden as long as possible."

"Yes professor, may I be excused."

"Please, have a lovely rest of your afternoon."

Crimson quickly left the headmasters office. She need help and she knew just the person to go to.

"Hermione"