Cedric,
I hate how things have been between us. You haven't responded to my letters, I don't even know if you even have received them.
We need to talk, before school if that is possible.
We start in one week and this is urgent.
Just show up one day and we'll have a quick chat. I promise no one will be mad at you or anything.
Don't be frightened when you see me, I'm alright.
———
"Draco" I whispered and tried to wake him from where he was sleeping on his mattress. "Draco wake up something is going on downstairs".
I roughly shook Draco's body until his eyelids opened,
"The fuck, Goldstein. Leave me be". He turned around and tried to fall back asleep.
I gripped his shoulders and once again, shook his body roughly.
"What the fuck you want, Aria?!", He questioned and sat up. "Get some other looser to do whatever you're trying to get me to do".
I burst out in a laughter but quickly covered my mouth with my hands, "So you're a looser?". I could see that he frowned at me, for marking his words. But it was funny. "Just get up and listen to whatever is going on downstairs between our mothers".
Draco and I quietly opened my bedroom door and sneaked out of it. We reached the staircase and I flopped down to the floor bringing Draco with me.
"Listen" I whispered,
"Clara, you can't deny that there is something between them". Said Narcissa and let out a giggle. "Draco has told me how they almost had something, last year".
Clara gasped, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. "Narcissa, it must be a mistake. Aria is dating Cedric Diggory. And my daughter is very happy, that I tell you".
"I don't doubt you, Clara. They might be happy but he did after all attack Dered".
Draco looked my way, "Did Cedric really attack Mr. Goldstein?".
I nodded and we looked back at the two ladies.
"Narcissa. My husband deserved that. I can't stand what he is doing to my lovely daughter. I'm afraid the bruises on her body won't disappear until they go back to school".
Narcissa cleared her throat and thought for a minute. Then she was lit up with a smile and looked at Clara.
"I have a great idea! Draco can take care of her! As friends, naturally".
As I heard Narcissa saying that I snapped, "What the actual fuck?". I shouted and ran down the stairs. The two woman looked at me surprised and Clara looked up, glimpsing Draco.
"Aria! Did I never learn you that evesdropping is completely wrong!". My mother shouted and walked up to me so that we stood face to face. "Young girl you are in trouble!".
I let out a sight, loud and clear for everyone to hear. "Then punish me! Punish me like father does, just curcio me. It's not like you care anyways!", I shouted and waved my hands around me to try and express my rage.
I was so damn upset with my mother that I couldn't even think clearly. Not just that she was about to set me up with Malfoy, but that every goddam time my father hurt me. She just stood by and watched, without telling him off or help me.
Clara put her hands on my shoulder, trying to calm me down. "Aria, honey, that is not true! You know damn well that I have told Dered off for his behaviour. Several times!!".
That wasn't right, mother hadn't talked to Dered about this. Still she hadn't left him. And that hurt. Though I knew Dered hit her as well.
"Mom". I sighted and gave her a hug, as our heads rested against each other I looked down at her back. "I just wish you had left him".
———
"Aria. Maybe it isn't a bad idea. I mean, I don't have to spend time with you. But, you know, just tell me where you're going. Who you're spending time with.." Draco finished his sentence with a sight, sending shivers up my spine causing me to whimper.
I shook my head and looked at him, "It won't work, Draco. People, or, Cedric, will think that you and me, you know —"
"— people won't fucking think I fuck you, Goldstein. Don't be so full of yourself". Malfoy growled and left the room.
———
Everything in my head spun. Nothing felt usual. The one thing I had done this whole afternoon was waiting for a letter from Cedric to arrive. But nothing, it had been hours. Hours had passed and not one sign of a letter had shown.
Maybe I should let Draco take care of me during school.. As friends, of course.
But really, he, he—
"Aria"
My thoughts was interrupted by someone calling my name. Someone with a rather common voice. It was Cedric.
"Cedric!" I a answered and ran down the stair meeting him in the kitchen where we bumped into one another.
"Hi". I said quietly, avoiding that people would hear what we said. "How are you?". I cleared my throat. It was pretty tense between us right now. Cedric probably thought the worse ever possible after reading my letter..
