Counting Stars || Poppy Snape

CHAPTER 21

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When I reached the door at the top of the astronomy tower I spent a couple of minutes trying to get my breath back. I had after all just sprinted all the way from the Gryffindor common room. And that wasn't exactly close.

I opened the door slowly and I couldn't help the smile that was making its way on my face. There was a blanket spread out on the floor and on top of it there was a picnic basket with what looked like a lot of food. The roof of the tower was open so that the moon and stars were shining brightly.

And right in the middle of it all, was Cedric. Standing with a bouquet of flowers, poppies to be precise. Wearing a white button up shirt and a black blazer.

Wow.

"Well now I feel really underdressed" I stated, looking down at my jumper and jeans.

"I think you look beautiful"

It took everything in me to not say "I never said I didn't" but he looked so genuine and so... stunning. I didn't want to ruin the moment with sarcasm.

"Thank you. You too" I said. "I mean you look beautif- handsome too"

He laughed and I couldn't help laughing too even though nothing was funny. It's just seeing him happy made me happy.

Oh no. I can't possibly be catching feelings already. Can I?
We sat down and talked for most of the night. First about school and quidditch, then he told me about his home life and how his father sometimes put a lot of pressure on him to excel in everything. I sympathized with him, as that's what Father wanted from me. To be the best potioneer and Slytherin. Too bad I was a Gryffindor.

After he was done ranting I gave him a hug and he asked me about my home life. I told him about Dad, about my bestfriend at home and where we lived and how I only just met Father last year. I told him everything. Except for one thing I was trying to avoid.

"What about your mum?"

There it was. The inevitable question.

I think Cedric saw my sudden change in appearance because he quickly said "hey its okay if you don't want to talk about it"

But maybe I did? I don't even know anymore. What I did know was that Cedric was trustworthy and kind.

"My biological mother is dead" There. "And I was- I mean, am a mistake"

I felt a single tear slide down my cheek, but I couldn't help it, I felt so vulnerable. I had only told Oli this, and even then it had been hard to do.

I felt his hand lift my chin up to face him. "Poppy Snape. You are not a mistake." He looked at me with so much care and love in his eyes, I believed every word he said. He cupped my face with his warm hands and brushed away the tears with his thumb. "And I'm sure your mother would be very proud of who you have become"

I smiled a little and closed the space between us. The fact that this was our second kiss didn't make the moment any less special. I still felt butterflies and an electric shock where our lips collided. All the sadness washed away and the only thing I could focus on was his lips on mine, and the comfort they brought to me.

I pulled back reluctantly, "I'm sorry for bringing up such a downer on our first date"

"It's fine, you can talk to me about anything. I'll always listen" He said, pulling a strand of hair behind my ear.

I smiled and decided that since this had already become a therapy session I might as well make the most of it.
"It's just I never had a mother figure growing up. I remember small memories of another person in our house but I can't remember who it was. Dad always said I shouldn't worry, that it was just a neighbour who loved taking care of babies, but I'm not so convinced."

"Well, who do you think it was?"

I took a deep breath "this is going to sound stupid. But I think it was my mother"

Cedric stared at me with a small hint of disbelief. "Could that be possible?" Cedric looked interested in helping me, for some reason that made me feel happy. He cared about me.
"To an extent. I checked the dates and she died when I was three. So she could've been around"

"Did your dad ever mention her?" He asked.

"No. I tried asking him over the summer but he kept brushing it off."

"Oh"

"Yeah"
We sat there in a comfortable silence until I started talking again, "I just wish she could see me right now,"

"She can."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

He laid down on the blanket and I did the same, our heads next to each other while we both looked up at the night sky.

"Just look at the stars. And I mean really look at them. Each of them have a meaning, a reason behind why they are there, just like us."

I let what he said sink in. He was right.

"I am 100% certain that one of those stars is your mum, looking out for you and watching you grow up."

I let my eyes scan the sky, and tried to picture her smiling at me, even though I didn't know what she looked like.

As if reading my thoughts Cedric said "But trying to find her would be too hard and it would take a long time. So, this is one of those moments when you just have to have some faith. You can't be certain that she's there unless you believe it yourself first."

I turned my head slightly so I could see him. I meant what I had said before, he was beautiful. But not just on the outside, on the inside too.

"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."