Dear Thea // Cedric Diggory

06

TW: Mention of blood and slight mention of sexual content

Althea;

"And you just believed him?"

Jade's jaw was wide open in shock as she threw a pillow at my face in frustration. Thankfully, the cushion's plushness broke the force of the blow.

"Hey!" I shriek and throw the pillow back at her.

"You totally let Quinn gaslight you! Someone who isn't in the wrong would not get all defensive like that."

I'm sitting against my bed's headboard while Jade lays at the end. My hands have snaked themselves around my legs, my knees pulled up tight against my chest, providing me a sense of comfort and safety. I had finally gotten the opportunity to tell her about what Quinn said to me yesterday, which she was not pleased with. The more I told her, the more my chest started to ache, like it was being stretched and twisted by some invisible force, a tight knot that was similar to the one I felt while confronting Quinn.

A small part of me knows that Jade is most likely right; the smart and realistic part that always thinks from a logistical standpoint, the part of me I use most often. It's not like I haven't been through something like this before, so I don't know why I'm struggling so much with it. I learned long ago that people can turn on you at any second, that nothing in life is ever guaranteed. In that aspect, I've become a little cold, sure. But I'd rather set my expectations low from the start than have my high hopes crushed later on.

Even with all of this in mind, I still want to believe him. I don't want Jade to be right. It's like I saw Quinn in some holy light, as if there was a glow surrounding him, preventing him from doing any wrong. Maybe it's because we've been friends for so long, or because I could feel myself beginning to like him.

That part is what hurts the most; I think I was starting to fall for him.

Just as my walls were coming down, I can feel them already being rebuilt, the brick broken but still getting glued together.

I hated thinking about the whole situation, it made me sick. I needed a distraction.

"Do you wanna go to the Great Hall? I need something to eat."

"Sure, but this conversation is not over" Jade lets me know.

I push off the bed and offer my hand out to Jade, she takes it as I pull her up. We head out of the dorm and make our way through the Slytherin common room, a place I've always loved.

Though the lighting can be dim and the room freezing sometimes, the tint of forest green and scents of pine and peppermint throughout it always calms my nerves. I find peace in the rippling effects of the lake, the sleek leather sofas, and the low-hanging emerald lights. The common room's collection of old books and articles contributed to its intrigue, while its dark earthy tones provided a feeling of eeriness.

As we make our way out of the dungeons and through the hallways, I start to hear the faint sound of cheering. At first, I assumed the Weasley twins had probably just cooked up some new prank, for they were infamous for their jokes and gizmos. That no longer seemed the case, though, as the shouts became increasingly aggressive. Puzzled, I look to Jade to see if she hears it too. Her face is just as confused as mine, indicating that she is also aware of the sound.

While we get closer to the Great Hall, the noise continuously gets louder and louder. I'm intrigued, my curiosity causing me to quicken my pace as Jade and I both hurry to see what the hell is happening. As we turn the corner, the sides of my mouth slowly start to sink, and I'm met with a massive crowd circling outside the hall.