𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 | 𝐜.𝐝 𝐟𝐟

𝙢𝙤𝙢.

I could hear my mother now. She was talking to someone, maybe a nurse, and she sounded tired and upset. I wanted to jump out of the bed and run to her, to calm her, promise that everything was fine. But I wasn't in any sort of shape for jumping, so I waited impatiently.

The door opened a crack, and she peeked through.

"Mom!" I whispered, my voice full of love and relief.

She took in Cedric's still form on the recliner, and tiptoed to my bedside.

"He never leaves, does he?" she mumbled to herself.

"Mom, I'm so glad to see you!"

She bent down to hug me gently, and I felt warm tears falling on my cheeks.

"Zayra, I was so upset!"

"I'm sorry, Mom. But everything's fine now, it's okay," I comforted her.

"I'm just glad to finally see your eyes open." She sat on the edge of my bed.

I suddenly realized I didn't have any idea when it was. "How long have they been closed?"

"It's Friday, hon, you've been out for a while."

"Friday?" I was shocked. I tried to remember what day it had been when... but I didn't want to think about that.

"They had to keep you sedated for a while, honey — you've got a lot of injuries."

"I know." I could feel them.

"You're lucky Dr. Cullen was there. He's such a nice man... very young, though. And he looks more like a model than a doctor..."

"You met Carlisle?"

"And Edward's sister Alice. She's a lovely girl."

"She is," I agreed wholeheartedly, but a bit miffed that she had said his name like that. In a condescending tone.

She glanced over her shoulder at Cedric, lying with his eyes closed in the chair. Then back at me. "You didn't tell me you had such good friends in Forks."

I cringed, and then moaned.

"Mom, don't do that." Edward's eyes flashed to my face.

"You're fine," She assured. "I just have to remember not to punish you when you're okay again." He lapsed back into his phony slumber.

"For what?" I asked for the sake of Cedric. He needed to know that my mom knows.

"For going back to this Cedric boy. I thought you killed him already? Why is he alive?"

"Mom, he doesn't know that part yet." I cringed. How could he face me after this? "You know he's a vampire. Don't bluff. Hogwarts' been restricting certain knowledge from us."

I sneaked a peek to look at Cedric. He was still in his fake slumber, but I could see the discomfort in the frown of his eyebrows.

"Oh! They are going to get a piece of me! I don't care if I was a death eater. I'm a parent and my child should have known how to defend herself. I'm bringing you back as witness to the ministry," she rushed while I stared at her vacantly.

"I was a little bit worried when you hadn't replied to my owls. But I realised they couldn't travel in time. You've missed so much! They've already loosened my parole. I bought this new piano for you. Oh, you'll love it! You still like to play the piano right? And this new broom! Faster than a Firebolt! Equally as fantastic as the Firebolt Supreme! It's the – wait for it – THUNDERBOLT! I know you don't play Quidditch but I've seen you enjoy yourself sometimes. There's plenty of space to test this bad boy out at home. Perhaps that Draco boy would want to join in. Oh, I should have bought another one. Well, it doesn't matter.  —"