The Other Potter

Mother Dearest

I'm walking with Talia to the library when my arm gets caught. I turn to punch, but my fist is caught before it makes contact.

"Easy, tiger." Cedric says with a laugh.

"You can't just grab me like that." I say, relaxing.

"Or anyone for that matter." Talia says, standing behind me. Cedric nods.

"Sorry. Won't happen again. Can I still talk to you for a second, Mya?" Cedric asks.

"I'll see you in the library, Mya." Talia says, answering for me and walking away.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I ask Cedric. He pulls me down the hall by the hand he still has yet to let go of. Eventually he stops in front of a door I had never seen before. "What is this place?"

"No idea. The elves told me about it." Cedric says with a laugh, opening the door for me. Inside is set like a small cottage living room, the living room I somehow remember from when my parents were still alive. I look at Cedric in shock.

"How do you know this room?"

"I asked it to take us to where you're most comfortable." He says with a shrug, watching as I walk further in. I look over the walls to see baby pictures of my brother and me, the Marauders, and members of our little family together in an odd array. I stop at the mantel and pick up a moving picture of a fiery red head dancing with a man with extremely messy hair; the woman is in a white dress and the man is in dress robes-mom and dad on their wedding day. In the background I could see Sirius, Remus, and even Peter laughing and dancing; actually Sirius is forcing Remus to dance with him once one of mom's friends turned him down-that was a funny story for Remus to tell.

"This was our home in Godric's Hallow. Pre Voldemort obviously." I say, finishing absentmindedly.

"How do you remember this place?"

"I have no idea." I say looking at the Christmas tree in the window and the seven stockings on the mantle. "My memory for my patronus is this: my first Christmas."

"Prongs?" Cedric asks, reading the stockings and holding one.

"Dad's nickname."

"Prongslette and Lil' Evans?"

"Harry and me, in that order. My mom's name was Lily Potter nee Evans."

"Do I want to know about the others?" He asks and I chuckle.

"Family friends. Mostly. Moony, Remus Lupin. Padfoot, Sirius Black. Wormtail, Peter Pettigrew."

"Hence the 'mostly'."

"Hence the mostly." I agree, looking away from the mantle and around the room. "I could stay in here forever. Easily."

"This was your first home." Cedric says, putting his hands on my shoulders and kissing the back of my head.

"Is this what you wanted to talk to me about? That you found my new room?"

"You're moving in here?" He asks with a laugh.

"I'll be here more often than not." I say with a shrug as I turn to face him.

"No, actually, I wanted to talk to you alone where we can't be interrupted and where you're most comfortable."

"Okay." I say slowly, sinking into the couch.

"Are you aware that the Triwizard Tournament comes with a ball?"

"It does what now?" I ask in shock.

"And the champions open it."

"Well fuck." I say, sitting back against the cushions.