Chapter 10
J. Finch Fletchley begins his third year nervous- but nervous seems to be the default for him nowadays. The headmaster looks a bit different, but Justin is more focused on other things. He’s a real teenager, with real responsibilities and real wishes and real wants, and oh, how Justin wants.
In fact, it seems that everyone has new things they want. Megan seems to be getting on with the Braves, especially a boy named Neville. (who J. Finch notes looks shockingly like him) Leanne is throwing a sleepover party, which he politely declines his invitation to. Oliver and Wayne seem to want Sally Perks very much, which for what reason Justin cannot decipher.
Maybe it has to do with the way Cedric looks. He’s growing up- they all are, really- and the summer has been kind to him. His hair is blonder from the sun, skin slightly tanned, a few inches taller.
When they bump into each other on the first day, Cedric puts his hand on Justin’s arm and tells him that he looks different.
Justin isn’t sure what that means, but he thinks about it every night for a week, staring at the ceiling, cheeks burning.
Whatever it is, it makes him nervous.
Nervous, and wanting. He doesn’t like to be scared. He doesn’t like to be nervous. But he isn’t sure about the wanting.
Oh, how he wants.
He gets to pick his electives this year- exciting! After much debating with Ernie Mac that he does have good taste in classes, he lands on Care of Magical Creatures. Lucky for him, Cedric is in the course as well.
Upon entering on his first day of that class, he notices immediately that Cedric is tucked against a tree, doodling something with his quill. When the older boy locks eyes with him, he smiles, and the hairs on the back of Justin’s neck stand up.
“Justin!” There he is again- always calling him Justin, never J. Finch like everyone else. Even he calls himself J. Finch. But never Cedric.
“H- Hey! Hi!” He kicks himself mentally for stumbling over his words.
“I’m glad you’re here!” Cedric throws an arm around his shoulders, tugging him close. “It’s a really cool class, you can take it multiple times and always learn something new.”
“I heard.”
Oh Merlin’s saggy left nut, say something intelligent.
“I’m a fan of the crumple-horned snorlax.”
Bloody fucking hell.
Cedric gives him a sort of quizzical look- half crooked smile, half side eye. “Coulda sworn those were a myth. Looney’s up and about it all the time. Didn’t take you for a fan for the Quibbler.”
“No. No I’m not. I uh- Joking! I’m joking!”
Justin beams at Cedric.
The older boy pauses for a moment before breaking out in a laugh, shaking his head.
“You’re funny, Justin. Now-” He nudges J. Finch playfully, pulling him back to him- to earth- with his hand.
And maybe it’s because he’s a Puff, or because he’s naturally naive and trusting, or because he’s just a child, but Cedric’s smiling in the sunlight, and the birds are chirping, and he really believes that in that moment, everything is perfect.