What If? Year 2

Chapter 50

After two longs weeks of awkwardness, I am more than ready to go home. Cedric started making it our morning routine to hang out alone together in our spot. To say it was my favorite part of the day was an understatement.
On the day we were set to leave for home, my head is in Cedric's lap. Cedric plays with my hair as I tell him all about what were could do when he's over during break. He simply nods and hums, slightly distracted by his fingers in my hair.
"Are you listening to me, love?" I ask, softly, trying not to giggle.
"Of course, dear," he replies, letting my hair fall from his hand and into my face, "ice skating sounds amazing. Do your skates still fit?"
"Yes, they do. What should we eat? My mom will ask me when I get home?"
"I'll eat whatever you want."
"Give me some ideas." He chuckles and brushes the hair he dropped out of my face. My face heats as he stares down at me with a smirk.
"I'd be okay with starving if that meant I could be with you." I finally break my quietness and laugh at him.
"I love your laugh," he whispers, "it's especially beautiful when I'm the one who made you laugh." I sit up and shake my head. His hand finds my hair again and it makes me melt into him.
"How about pasta of some kind?" he finally answers my question, "with strawberries?"
"Sure... I'll make sure to remember it."
"If it's anything else, I'm going home." I shake my head at him again and he looks down at his watch.
"Speaking of eating,  it's time for breakfast."
"Come on," I say, getting up. He pouts at me and grabs my leg.
"I don't wanna go."
"You're the one that brought it up," I tell him, "now come on." He smiles and pulls himself up by my waist. I feel the redness of my face before he's even up all the way.
"Do I make you nervous?" he asks, leaning over me on the wall.
"Yes, you do... and you know that. Now knock it off and let's go eat." He smiles and sneaks a kiss onto my forehead.
"Okay... sadly, I'm not full satisfied, but we can go to breakfast now." I sigh and shake my head before lifting myself up to kiss him.

The train ride was an even mix of too long and not long enough. The excitement of going home was radiating from others and from me at times, but the dread of getting scolded ached in my chest and burdened my shoulders.
While the others girls laughed and talked about plans to meet up, I contemplate if I should try to make a run from my dad, or Uncle Sirius. Ara notices my silence and slowly strokes my leg with her fingers. Once the yelling was over, everything would go back to normal.
Hopefully
Cedric would be over the day after Christmas, so there was that to look forward to. We'd be eating spaghetti and strawberries. His original plan today was to sit with me on the way to the station, but I was able to convince him to sit with his friends.
I wouldn't have talked after a while anyways... maybe he could have kept your mind off it... he's already done enough.
I hope Mum keeps her word about not wanting to know what Harry said. I had already gotten him in trouble, which is why this whole thing happened.
I seem to be at the root of a lot of problems.
I feel the train start to slow down and my head snaps to the window. I see the large crowd of people at King's Cross and tense, feeling something I had not felt in a long time.
All those people know who you are. They all know what happened. They're all gonna stare.
My breath hitches and tears collect in the corners of my eyes.
If you hadn't been so stupid, this would not have happened... If you had just stayed where you belonged.
I feel a paw tap my leg. I pick Midnight up in her carrier. She reaches her paws out to me and I smile. Ara leans into me and whispers.
"They aren't gonna be that mad. You made a mistake, all be it, an almost fatal one. But didn't Harry do that his first, second, and now third year too?"
"Yeah, but one of those times, he was saving me cause I did something stupid."
"No, you did something heroic."
"Same difference." The train stops and a knock startles us all. Heather opens the door and Cedric's smile falters when he sees me.
"I was going to walk with Goldie, help her carry her stuff."
"Okay, Gold's your boy is here." I nod and get up with Midnight in my hands.
"I'll see you all later." Cedric shuts the door behind me and takes my hand.
"What's up?"
"There are a lot of people out there."
"Same as it was last year."
"I... I hadn't almost died twice last year."
"I doubt any of them know."
"Gossip travels fast at Hogwarts. All we can hope is that I am not a topic of their weekly letters."
"I think you might be overthinking this a little." I give him a look, but he just smiles.
"Come on, love. I'll protect you." He squeezes my hand. I press close to him as everyone rushes into the corridor. Cedric pulls me with him until we find an exit. We get out of one crowd, just to get into another. As I start to get overwhelmed, Cedric's grip tightens on my hand. He guides me to our luggage and gives me mine.
"Let's find our parents." I nod, swallowing slowly to get rid of my nerves. Thankfully, we find his parents first.
"Why hello, Miss Potter," Mr. Diggory says, taking Cedric's luggage.
"Hi, Mr. Diggory," I reply, "I can find my parents by myself, if  you want, Ced."
"No, no," Mrs. Diggory says, "Cedric, we'll be out at the car. Help Goldie with her bag." Cedric nods and takes my bag.
"T-thank you." I say goodbye to the Diggorys.
"Deep breaths, love. It's all alright." He squeezes my hand tightly, as we both spot Evie in the crowd.
"Cedric!" Evie shouts, running towards us. She runs straight into Cedric causing his hand to leave mine.
"Hey, Evie," he says, chuckling as she lets go, "How have you been?"
"Okay... it's been so boring. I'm not allowed to go do anything!" Cedric nods and finds my hand again.
"It shouldn't be as boring since your sister and brother are home."
"Yeah! Mum said we're gonna go out tomorrow. With Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus and Dad." I sigh.
"Are we all going?"
"I think so... you probably don't have to."
"Okay, where's Mum?" Evie points to the very anxious figure pacing by a column. I let Evie take my hand and pull us to Mum. Mum's eyes meet mine and they calm. She pulls me from Cedric and into her arms.
"I'm so glad you're safe," she says before whispering, "we will be having a conversation later. Just you and me." I nod and hug her back, trying to contain my shaking arms. She lets go of me and smiles to Cedric.
"Hello, Cedric, how are you?"
"Ready for break, Mrs. Potter. Thank you for inviting me over later this week."
"Of course, I thought we could have a friend's Christmas. I'm afraid we'll have to stay on our property."
"We'll have stuff to do. The pond is frozen!" Evie says, as I look up at him, "we can go skating!" Cedric nods to her, but keep his eyes on mine.
"I should get back to my parents. I'll see you later." He hugs me and whispers, "I love you."
"I love you too," I whisper back, letting him go. He walks off and I roll my luggage to stand by Mum.
"Are you alright, darling?" Mum asks, as I lean against the column.
"Y-yeah... just a little overwhelmed. Lots of people." Mum looks at me, her eyes tracing my face.
"I'm not angry with you, Marigold," she says after a moment, "I just want you to understand the seriousness of what happened." I softy rub my collarbone, where I know there is still a faint pink line. I look out to where Harry and Ron are.
"Harry told you that Ron and Hermione are stay with us for Christmas didn't he?" I look back at her.
"Sounds like we're gonna have a crowded house," I reply, "I think Hermione might have mentioned it."
"We've got more than enough room. Hermione's staying with you and Ara." I nod and adjust Midnight's carrier in my hand.
"Hi, Midnight... how was your time at Hogwarts?" Midnight meows and bats at Mum's hand.
"She spent the whole time hunting mice," I reply, "she's been out and about. I barely saw her." Mum smiles.
"Just like a cat someone had during my time at Hogwarts." I smile as Harry and Ron walk up to us.
"Hello, Harry, Ron. How was school?"
"Meh," Ron replies.
"Boring, since I can't go to Hogsmeade."
"Don't start."