Too Shy To Tell You (Cedric Diggory x Reader)

Thin Ice

             The ride back to the manor was silent. It was no surprise that your father had sent a house elf to pick you up, seeing that he was too "busy" to do it himself. You dreaded the thought of returning home, and seeing your family. The Holidays were never fun, not in your house. The Holidays were torture.
              As the black limousine rolled into your long driveway, your heart stopped. Matt, who had been quiet the entire ride, scooted closer to you. He reached for your hand and you gripped it tightly. You could feel him shaking as you squeezed his palm. You stared out the window. Your father had never liked Muggle things, but he made an exception when it came to the limo. You weren't sure why, but you never argued with him. Never.
               The manor came into view, it looked exactly the same. The stone walls towered over you as you got out of the car. You sighed. To most it looked like a castle. To most it looked like you lived a life of luxury. But no one knew what went on inside. No one knew about the endless nights your father got drunk. No one knew about the screams that echoed through the halls as your father beat you. No one knew any of it. No one but...Cedric.
               You pushed any lingering thoughts of Cedric away. You couldn't think about him now, not when you had Matt to worry about. You looked down at your little brother, fear evident on his face. You rubbed his back and whispered, "Don't let him see your fear. It will only make things worse. Keep your expression blank. Don't show any emotion."
                "How? I don't think I can (Y/N)! I'm terrified of him!" You nodded as a stray tear fell from your brother's eyes. You ducked down, so that you were on his level. You wiped his tears away and pulled him into an embrace.
               "Matt, listen to me. I know you're scared. So am I. But you have to be brave. We have to stick together. We can't let him win. Two weeks. Try and stay strong for two weeks and then we get to go back to Hogwarts. Then we get to go home." Matt nodded, as he clutched at your back fearfully. You pried his hands off of you, and held one in your own. You pulled him towards the front door, and sucked in a breath. Here we go again.
               You forced the door open, the hinges creaking as you did so. Your mother was standing in the foyer before you had even stepped inside. She gave you a timid smile and Matt rushed into her arms. She let out a light laugh, as she caressed his hair. You moved toward her, cautiously. She looked up, her eyes glassy with tears. She wrapped you in a warm embrace, as you held onto her, tightly.
               Your mother was just as afraid of your father as you were. When you weren't home, he took all of his frustration out on her. She hated it. She hated him. But she was too scared to leave. You all were. You scanned her arms, they were almost black from all the bruises.  You shivered, thinking of all the horrible things she had to endure while you were gone.
               Before you had time to process anything, a crash shook the foyer. Matt jumped, as he grabbed a hold of your waist. You stroked his hair gently, but you couldn't stop yourself from shaking. Your father walked out of the kitchen, a scowl evident on his face. Your brother tensed next to you and you could almost sense your mother shaking behind you. As he walked past, your father sent you a maniacal glare. You shivered, watching him disappear into the next room. You hadn't even been home 10 minutes and you were already floating on thin ice.