Yesterday, I received an owl from Cedric, which was most unexpected. He invited me over to his house for a New Years Eve party, he said his father would be out at some friends party and that he had invited some other friends as well. Cedric didn't name everyone who would be in attendance, however he did assure me that Luna would be there.

I haven't spoken much to any of my friends since Draco lashed out at Harry. I've been maximizing my time with Draco ever since to ensure that nothing like that will ever happen again. But I do miss my friends and it's clear that they miss me too. I think it's time for things to go back to normal. I need to be back in Hufflepuff where I've been instructed to stay. Spending so much time with Draco can be awfully suffocating, but I'd never tell him that, he would take it the wrong way. I'd feel that way about anyone if i were to be spending this much time with them.

Draco's suppose to come over this morning and celebrate New Years here with me and my mum, but I'm sure he'll understand if I want to go hangout with my friends. Well, even if he doesn't I'd go regardless, I miss them so much.

"Y/n! You have company!" Mum shouts from downstairs.

I quickly fold the letter Cedric sent to me and shove it into my top desk drawer. I keep all the letters he sends me.

"Hey y/n" Draco greets, with a kiss.

"Hi."

Draco plops onto my bed laying on his back looking up at the ceiling as I take a seat at my desk.

"So I know we made plans for New Years today, but last night I got invited to a party where all my friends will be in attendance. All the friends whom I haven't spoken to in months."

Draco slightly brings himself up on his elbows. "Who invited you?"

"Cedric" I answer.

Draco scoffs, "Who else will be there?"

"Not sure, he didn't explain much, but I know Luna will be there."

Silence.

I exhale approaching my bed as I take a seat next to Draco, reaching for his hand. "You can come if you want" I say with a small smile.

"I'd rather not waste my holiday with them" he sneers.

I let go of his hand and place mine back in my lap, "So? Don't you want to spend New Years with me, it shouldn't matter where we spend it as long as we spend it together Draco."

Draco huffs, "I think I'll sit this one out."

Draco gets out of my bed as soon as this is said and walks out of my room.

I fall back onto my pillow rubbing my temples. If Draco can't handle this one little solo outing, how is he going to handle the new semester at Hogwarts?

---

Later that night about an hour before the party I start to get ready.

I didn't really care if Draco disapproved of me going, I'm my own person and can do what I want. I won't be guilt tripped.

Once I'm done getting ready for the party I head down the stairs into the kitchen where I knew I'd find my mom.

"Are you sure you'll be all right tonight mom? I feel bad leaving you alone on New Years." I announce to her as I take a seat at the breakfast bar.

"No no, don't fret sweetie, your aunts are coming to keep me company." Mum smiles. "So go and have fun with your friends, I know it's been awhile since you've seen them."

I hop out of the stool and give my mom a peck on the cheek before apperating to Cedrics house.

---

I knock on the door three times and halfway through the third knock Cedric opens up the door.

"y/n! I'm so glad you could make it" Cedric says, inviting me into his home.

"Thanks for inviting me."

"Of course, now come on. Everyone's waiting for you outside" he says, leading me through the house to his backyard.

As we walk out the sliding glass door I notice the familiar faces of my friends: Luna of course, Hannah Abbott, Anthony Rickett, Harry, Ron and Hermione. At the sight of seeing all my friends in one place together a large smile starts to spread across my lips. "Everyones here?" I whisper excitedly to Cedric.

"Why wouldn't they? We're all friends after all" Cedric whispers back cheerfully.

We walk across the grass passing the pool to a large wooden table with benches on either side of it, where all our friends are seated.

I greet everyone with a wide smile, so happy to be in their presence after so long. I make sure to give everyone a big hug even including Cedrics friends, because I didn't want them to feel left out.

Before any of the fun festivities start I feel that I should apologize to them for being so absent. Especially to Harry, I hadn't apologized yet for the incident that occurred the night of Cedrics birthday.

"Hannah, Anthony, could you give us a minute please" I announce to them.

They nod their heads and wander off into Mr. Diggorys garden.

I take a seat at the table and let out a loud exhale preparing for my formal apology. "I would just like to apologize to each of you guys for not being around these past months, not being a friend. Frankly, I was quite surprised when Cedric invited me to this New years party, I though I would have to bribe you all back into being my friends."

The lot of them chuckle, I join in as well.

"I've been so absent because I had other things going on that I can't share. But I just really needed to be elsewhere for awhile, I hope you all can forgive me" I announce with a small hopeful smile as I look around the table.

They all exchange looks at each other before answering. "Y/n, of course we forgive you" Cedric replies pulling me into his side as he places a kiss on the top of my head.

I look around the table for any objects, but there weren't any. I would've apologized to Harry about the incident here and now, but I know that he didn't tell anyone what happened between him and Draco. So I'll just wait until I can get Harry alone to apologize, if he didn't tell our friends it's for good reason.

"We all missed you very much y/n" Luna speaks sweetly.

"Are you back for good now mate?" Ron blurts.

"Yes." I respond with a cheeky smile.

I turn my attention back to Cedric who still has his arm around my waist, he smiles down at me. I lean into his side, resting my head upon his chest as Hannah and Anthony come back to join the table.

---

We spend most of the night outside playing monopoly and even though it's a muggle game Mr. Diggory was able to snatch one from work. We all decided at the start of the game, that we should partner up so that each pair has a greater chance of winning. The partners were: Hannah and Anthony, Hermione and Harry, Luna and Ron and finally Cedric and I.

Cedric and I were doing fairly well throughout the game that is until Boardwalk happened. I tried my best to convince Cedric that we should buy New York Avenue so that we could have all the orange spaces and begin to add houses, but he insisted that we buy Boardwalk since we'd get a larger sum if someone were to land on it.

The whole table watched as Cedric and I feuded over the fact if we should buy Boardwalk, Cedric was so persistent with his fake pouts that I couldn't say no. Needless no say that shortly after that scandal we went bankrupt. But at least we weren't the first ones out, Harry and Hermione had lost before us, so I guess it wasn't all that bad. Hannah and Anthony ended up winning, something neither of us saw coming.

After monopoly we decide that it's time to go inside since it's beginning to get rather cold out.

"Want to go for a swim y/n?" Anthony teases, nudging Cedrics side.

I roll my eyes, "Yes, there's nothing more I'd like than to swim in this freezing weather" I respond to him sarcastically.

"Oh come on y/n It'll be fun" Cedric chimes as we walk across the grass, nearby the pool.

Cedric sends me a mischievous smile and I immediately register what he's about to do. "Ced don't." But rather than listening, Cedric swoops me up carrying me in his arms as he rushes towards the pool. "Cedric if you do this I will never speak to you again" I say trying to hold back a chuckle.

Our friends behind us start to chant for him to throw me into the freezing water.

Cedric grins down at me as he sways me over the water. I immediately brace myself for the cold water, clutching onto the collar of Cedrics sweater tightly, shutting my eyes closed.

Cedric bursts out laughing, "Y/n, you can open your eyes. I wouldn't drop you in when it's this cold out darling."

"Cedric you're a pain did you know that" I playfully snap at him as he puts me back on the ground. I punch him on his side and arm persistently as we walk back into his house, my punches were too weak to do any damage which just made Cedric laugh. Though of course I wasn't actually trying to hurt him.

We all walk into the warmth of the cozy home and all bundle up in the living room.

"Cedric, maybe we should make some tea to keep us warm" Hermione suggests standing up from the couch.

"Great idea Hermione, follow me." Cedric announces leading the way into the kitchen.

"I'll help too!" Luna announces jogging up to them.

I take this opportunity to try and talk to Harry alone seeing that three people have left, probably the most privacy we're going to get without raising some brows. Ron, Hannah and Anthony engage in a chat over the snow and cold season as I gesture for Harry to follow me to the back of the living room where two arm chairs lie.

"How've you been Harry?" I ask.

"Alright, nothing much has changed since we last spoke." Harry responds.

"About the whole Draco incident" I murmur lowly, so that no one would be able to eavesdrop. "I'm so sorry that happened, so extremely sorry, things could've easily gone south."

Harry sighs, "It's alight I guess" he responds, "and I don't mean to pry y/n, but I'd be careful with Draco." Harry hesitates contemplating on whether he should proceed.

"Go on Harry speak your mind, I want your advice."

"Well, er-um" Harry quickly looks down at his shoes awkwardly, "After the incident you made it a point to stick by his side, making it seem like-" he stops looking back up at me. "Never mind just be careful."

Cedric, Hermione and Luna walk back into the living room with mugs of teas in both hands, placing them on the coffee table in front of where Ron, Hannah and Anthony are at.

Harry and I quickly leave our secluded area and return back to the main group before the three of them could notice we veered off.

We all sit around the coffee table with our tea as we chat. After about what feels like an hour I look down at my watch.

"Merlin! Only 30 seconds left until the new year" I beam looking at their elated faces.

"Alright, so who's going to be my midnight kiss?" Ron asks looking at all of us, "Bit of a stretch?"

We all nod in unison as we laugh.

Midnight kiss. I hadn't even though about that. The first person to come to mind was Draco, Draco my boyfriend who wasn't here with me. Shit.

I stand up from the couch and place my empty tea cup on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry guys but I have to go" I announce to my friends with a weak smile.

There was a loud jumble of complaints claims that it was almost time and that I should just wait a bit longer, Ron even claimed the he would kiss at midnight if it'd get me to stay.

"Thank you so much for having me Ced. I'll see you all back at school."

I dash out the front door and apperate to the manor. I look down at my watch: 10 seconds. I pull out my wand at point it at the iron gate 'alohamora'. I walk through the gates and see the front door of the manor open.

Draco.

And just like this cheesy rom-com movies I dramatically run up to him pulling him into a tight embrace as I kiss him. Draco kisses me back, placing one hand behind my head and the other on my waist.

I gently pull away still keeping Draco close, "Where were you going?" I ask.

"I had the same idea as you" he chuckles.

"Happy New Year love" I smile.

"Happy New Year."