Hot Chocolate - Fred Weasley

Across the Lake

Boredom was filling Adelaide to the brim. It's barely been a month since Nymphadora left for Hogwarts and Adelaide was already feeling so alone. Yes, she could be spending time with her parents, but it's not the same. At this point, all she's been doing is reading and looking out the window. She decided that she was going to venture. Adelaide jumped off the nook, put on her shoes, and headed to the front door. She heard her mom humming a tune while washing dishes as she walked outside.

"Where are you going, darling?" Her mom asked through the window screen.

"I'm going to play outside"

"Okay, don't go out too far! Be back soon please."

"Okay, mom!"

Their home was right next to a lake with large trees around it, something Adelaide loved since her sister and her would always play in the lake or cool off in the shade. She walked to the shore of the lake and started to build a sand castle. While building the sand castle, she wished that she had someone here to play with her. She looked across the water to see a boy and his father on the dock. She stopped building her sand castle and walked around the lake to the dock. There she saw the two with long fishing rods with the ends already in the water.

"Hello! And who might you be darling?"

Adelaide jumped up, not realizing that the older man noticed her presence.

"Hello! I'm Adelaide Tonks, I'm five years old!" she said, presenting the number five to the man.

"What a beautiful name Adelaide. I'm Amos Diggory and this-" motioning to the boy behind him "is Cedric, my son. You guys are the same age!"

Adelaide waved at Cedric while smiling at him before he did the same.

"Where are your parents?"

"Over there." She pointed across the lake before speaking up again. "I wanted to play outside, but I don't have anyone to play with."

"Dad, can I play with her?" Cedric asked

"Why, of course, you can, son! Go ahead, but stay by the dock okay?"

Cedric nodded and started walking closer to Adelaide.

"What do you want to play?"

"Um. I don't know. Do you know how to play tag?"

"Yeah. I think so. So who's it?"

"Hmm. You can do it!" Adelaide exclaimed.

Cedric started to count down from 10 to give Adelaide a head start before he chased after her. She ran as fast as she could trying to beat the little boy. Cedric was close behind her and kept saying things like "I'm gonna get you." Adelaide kept running until she, unfortunately, fell over a rock and hurt her knee badly. Cedric finally reached her and started to worry.

"Can you walk?" Adelaide was too busy crying to even answer him, so Cedric took it as a "no." Although the boy was as young as her, he took it upon himself to try and carry her. He attempted the bridal carry but was not successful. Ultimately, he bent down with his back facing her.

"Get on."

Adelaide obliged and hopped on Cedric's back. As he stood up, he wavered a bit but proceeded to steady himself and walk to his dad.

"Dad! She got hurt!"

Amos turned to Cedric to see the girl's bleeding knee. He bent down and thanked Cedric before pulling out his wand and magically healing the wound. Still teary-eyed, Adelaide thanked the man for treating her kindly before he picked her up.

"Alrighty, I think it's time we go home. Come on Cedric, let's go drop her off."

Amos carried Adelaide with Cedric by his side until they reached the Tonks' residence. Almost like clockwork, as soon as they arrived, Andromeda was stepping out the door. She looked worried sick.

"Oh, my Merlin! Thank you for bringing her home!" She exclaimed while reaching for Adelaide from Amos's grasp.

"It's no worry, miss. Let me formally introduce my son and I."

Amos and Cedric introduced themselves to Andromeda and explained what happened. Andromeda thanked them numerous times and Amos suggested that they keep in touch since it seemed that Cedric and Adelaide got along quite well, almost instantly. Andromeda smiled and told them that they were more than welcome to have them over for dinner. The two accepted and told Evelyn, Cedric's mom, to join them as well. The two families got along with one another.

After dinner, the adults continued to have their separate conversation, while the two kids were in the living room.

"Thank you."

"No problem, but you should watch where you're going next time"

"I know, usually my sister protects me from anything."

"Really! It sounds like you have a good sister."

"I do!" Adelaide seemed a bit sad when she started to talk about her sister but proceeded on.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

Cedric looked at the floor and said "no" in a quiet voice.

"Well, how about I be your sister?"

Cedric looked up happily and nodded quickly.

"Really!" Adelaide nodded in response.

From then on, Cedric was either with Adelaide at the lake, at her house, or at his house. They genuinely had fun in each other's company. They talked about all types of things going on from their families, magic, animals, their biggest fears, and so on. They were truly best friends from that point on and couldn't wait to see where the future would take them.