What If? Year 1

Chapter 60

The end of summer was edging closer, which meant that my exams were too. My anxiety has also gotten worse with the date closing in. Every time my parents tried to get me to 'destress' it ended in a melt down. Now the only time I was not studying was when I was sleeping.

Two days before my test, Cedric came over to help me study. As soon as he opened the door, he looks very concerned.
"When was the last time you ate, Golds?" he asks, softly. My eyes rake through the full plates of food all over my floor. I wince and look at the floor.
"Sometime this week," I answer, dismissively. He kneels in front of me and takes my notes from my weak grip.
"Why don't we go eat?" I look at him and his eyes immediately make me surrender.
"Will you quiz me while we eat?" I ask, trying to get a little bit of a compromise.
"If it will get you to eat." I nod and shoot up from my chair. My vision goes dark and I wobble into Cedric's arms.
"Woah," he says, "you alright?"
"Yeah," I whisper, "just a little lightheaded.. and do not even say 'I told you so'." He chuckles and picks me up. He softly kicks open the door and carries me down the stairs.
"Look whose getting the real princess treatment," Ara teases as we make it into the kitchen.
"Shut up."
"Hello, Ara... how has your summer been?" Cedric helps me into a seat at the island.
"Very nice, actually.. Goldie's been in her room all summer though, so I've had to spend time with Harry and Evie." Cedric chuckles and I lay my head on the counter.
"Had to?" Evie asks, popping out of nowhere, "Oh, hi, Cedric!"
"Hello, Evie. Goldie, what do you want to eat?"
"I don't know.. just some cereal?"
"I'll get it!" Evie shouts, rushing out. Ara sits across from me and Cedric sits besides her.
"You look horrible, Goldie." Ara whispers, "I'm not gonna lie.." I nod as I hear Evie run back into the kitchen.
"Reese's Puffs or Cheerios?"
"Which one of those don't you like at the moment?"
"Cheerios."
"I'll have those then, Eves." I hear the box open and lift my head. Ara is helping Evie get milk and pour it on my cereal. Cedric push the bowl in front of me and smiles.
"Each bite equals a question.. if you finish the bowl, we'll continue." I nod and wave to Evie and Ara as they leave.
"Okay.. that's fine." I take a spoonful of Cheerios and my stomach grumbles.
"I might need another bowl."

A knock on the open office door behind me startles me.
"Hey, Golds?" Mum asks, "do you and your study buddy want to come eat dinner?"
"We'd love you," Cedric says, not letting me speak.
"Okay, I'll set two extra plates." She walks off and Cedric smiles.
"My dad's going to kill you if he realizes that you're here."
"He's the one who let me in, actually." He pats my knee and sets the notes we had been going over down.
"One more round," I beg as he gets up.
"Marigold.. if we do one more round you'll just get more stressed. We should go help your parents make dinner." I pick up my notes and start reading them again.
"You can do that, if you'd like."
"Love," Cedric whines, "please. It will be good to for you to walk around a little." He takes my notes and sets them up, on the top shelf.
"Hey!"
"We're taking a break, love.. we'll do another round after dinner."
"Fine," I answer, "I'll be down in a minute."
"No, you're waiting for me to leave so you can get your notes down. I'm not stupid, Golds." I pout but follow Cedric downstairs. Harry and Evie are setting the table, while Ara and Dad are getting sauces and drinks from the refrigeration.
"Looks whose alive!" Harry shouts from the dining room, "you've come back to society." I snarl at him and Cedric laughs.
"Hello, Harry."
"Oh, hi, Cedric.. you're still here." Dad mumbles, "hello, Goldie." He hugs me and kisses my forehead. My cheeks turn pink as I look at Cedric.
"Is there anything I can help with, Mr. Potter?" he asks.
"Why don't you and Harry go get an extra chair from the attic?" Dad asks.
"Sure!" Him and Harry walk back up the stairs and I look at Dad.
"Have you been studying all day?" he asks, glaring at Cedric as we walks out of my view.
"Yes," I answer, "What else.. oh my word, Dad! The door was open all day." I walk into the kitchen and get hit with the smell of meat sauce.
"Merlin's bloody pants," I curse, as my stomach lurches. I cover my mouth and rush out of the kitchen. My stomach calms down and I sit on the floor.
"Goldie? Are you alright, sweetheart?" Mum asks. I nod.
"Do you not want pasta?"
"No, that's fine.. just no sauce, please?"
"Of course.. are you sure you're okay?"
"Yep!" She runs her fingers through my hair and kisses my forehead.
"LILY, THE PASTA'S BOILING OVER!" Dad shouts. Mum rushes back to the kitchen and I can hear her telling Dad off for not just fixing it himself. I laugh and go to my seat at the table. My stomach still feels a little queasy as Mum brings out the food. I put a little food onto my plate, but a look from Cedric makes me put more on my plate.
"How is your studying going?" Mum asks.
"Mmh.. I still need to study quite a bit more." Dad and Mum nod but look to Cedric.
"How is she actually doing?"
"She's doing great.. she got every single answer right to the word." Dad nods and chuckles.
"That mean you'll be able to sleep tonight, right?" he asks, softly.
"Have you not been sleeping?" Dad asks, frustration raising in his voice.
"I have been sleeping... more than I should be probably." Dad shakes his head. Mum turns the conversation to Evie and Harry as I start into my pasta.

"Bye, Goldie." Cedric says, hugging me softly, "Please get some sleep." I nod.
"You do know that you still have not gotten my notes down right?"
"Yes," he replies, patting my head, "your dad will get them down once you've slept." I sigh and he smiles slyly at me.
"Bye, Ced."