𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒, cedric diggory ³

𝐎𝐍𝐄

HARLOW POTTER STOOD SILENTLY in the living room of the dursley residence. her eyes were fixated on the window, watching as the rain pounded the glass as if it was asking to be invited in. her daze was broken by the snapping fingers of her aunt petunia. harlow looked at her aunt who gave her a displeased look.

"i told you to look presentable." said aunt petunia, "our guests will be here any minute, fix yourself."

harlow tugged at the ends of her dress, which barely met her knees. the dress had been brought for her by aunt petunia on her eleventh birthday, it was the only thing that aunt petunia had ever bought for her. for special occasions she said, which for aunt petunia meant, 'wear this as not to embarrass us.' now, the dress was about two sizes small. harlow tried to adjust the top of the dress, the armhole dug into her underarms and the bodice was so tight that she could barely breathe.

it was at this moment that harlow wished she was more like daphne, who had less curves and a flat chest. daphne would wear this dress just fine, she thought to herself. she found her mind wandering back to hogwarts, her friends, and cedric. cedric. she thought to herself with a smile.

she walked over to the door and picked up the mail from the morning. she looked through the envelopes and pulled out one that was addressed to her. harlow studied the familiar messy handwriting and opened it. before she could read the letter it was plucked out of her hands, she looked up to see dudley waving it around above his head.

"give it back!" she shouted, "give it back, you stupid wanker!"

"who's been sending you letters?" he teased and ran into the living area.

"give it back or i swear i will-" she began.

"do what?!" dudley scoffed, "i'd like to see you do something, freak"

dudley tossed the letter into the fireplace and walked away. harlow ran over and tried to take it out of the burning fire. she withdrew her hands quickly once she felt the smoldering heat of the flames. there was no use now, she stared at her soot covered fingers then at the letter that was now nothing but embers.

aunt petunia placed a bowl of bread on the table, she turned to harlow in disgust, "i told you to fix yourself."

"yes, aunt petunia." she said, rolling her eyes once her aunt turned around. she wiped her fingers on the couch and approached harry, "i hate it here."

"they get more insufferable every year." agreed harry.

harlow jumped when she heard the doorbell ring, she heard banging on the door. "harry! harry! harry! open the door."

harry reached for the doorknob, harlow stopped him with her hand, "give her a few more seconds out there."

harry laughed then opened the door a moment later. harlow saw the unpleasant face of her aunt marge grimacing at her. she watched as her aunt closed the umbrella that she was using to shield her from the rain and shoved it to harry. she walked into the living room.