The Golden Mare - Cedric Diggory

The Weight of Words

Aurora could barely sleep that night. She was restless, her mind racing with images of a boy she had felt like she had betrayed. 

She knew Draco had his issues. He was a prejudice, privileged boy from a rich family. She knew that she should stop, that she shouldn't have accepted his invitation. He harbored beliefs that went against her values, that put some of her closest friends at risk. 

If only his jaw wasn't so sharp, if his eyes weren't so blue or his hands so perfect. 

And then she thought of light. Of a boy with eyes that sparkled even without sun beams hitting them. A smile that could spread so wide that would fill up an entire room. A laugh so contagious that Aurora could never keep a straight face. A boy that she was supposed to meet with for an Animagus lesson the following night.

Of course Cedric would ask her to the dance. They had kissed. She had enjoyed it. She looked forward to the lessons every week, not because she wanted to become an animagus, but so she could spend time with him

He would be upset. Aurora just hoped that this wouldn't cause her to lose him.  

Aurora blinked her eyes open sleepily as sunlight began to come through the windows of Gryffindor tower. She had barely gotten any sleep the night before, but Hermione's bed was already empty.

Aurora stretched and let out a loud yawn before Hermione burst through the bathroom door. 

"Your not up yet? We have class today! We're gonna be late!" She exclaimed, quickly gathering her things. 

Aurora blinked at her in alarm, quickly scrambling from her bed. "What time is it?"

Hermione checked the watch on her wrist. "7:30!"

Aurora rolled her eyes and let out a laugh, rubbing her forehead in annoyance. "Seriously, Hermione? Class doesn't start for an hour. I barely got any sleep last night."

Hermione shrugged, seeming to not care at all about interrupting Aurora's slumber. "You know I like to get up early." She paused and narrowed her eyes at Aurora. "Why couldn't you sleep last night?"

Aurora tried to look nonchalant as she shrugged and crossed her arms. "No reason."

Hermione grinned and began to make her way toward the door. "That's a lie. Your gonna tell me all about it later!" She called as she made her way down the stairs.

Aurora let out a puff of breath as she began to dress for the day. The thought of seeing Cedric, or Harry, or Draco... especially Draco... made her want to vomit. 

Most kids were already eating breakfast by the time Aurora had arrived in the great hall, but she definitely wasn't as late as Hermione had acted. She sat down on the bench next to Hermione and across from Harry and Ron, who were both preoccupied with their meals. 

"Why do you look like your about to pass out?" Ron commented between mouthfuls of porridge. Aurora rolled her eyes and tried to cover her face in embarrassment as Hermione let out a giggle.

"I just didn't sleep well, okay?" She objected.

"After your study session in the library with Draco?" Hermione commented, raising her eyebrows and giving her a nudge. 

Harry immediately perked up at the mention of Draco's name. 

"Shut up", Aurora grumbled, looking down at her untouched plate of eggs and toast. 

"Ah, look. Here he comes now", Hermione commented, humor in her tone.

"What?" Aurora exclaimed, looking around panicked as she saw Draco walking toward her from the Slytherin table. Aurora shook her head and tried to shrink away as if to hide herself from him. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful.