AMATA IS TALKING WITH THAT DURMSTRANG BOY. Cedric had been on the way to meet with friends and, upon rounding a corner, spotted them outside the Great Hall. Amata had her back against the wall while the Durmstrang boy propped himself up with an arm as he spoke to her - for a sliver of a moment, Cedric feels a surge of protectiveness. Was this boy making unwelcome passes at Amata?
"Amata." Cedric says coolly, approaching the two. The Durmstrang boy straightens at Cedric's arrival; Amata gives off no reaction whatsoever. "Diggory." Amata greets back. For a second or two, no one says anything. Amata seems to realize that Cedric has no intentions of leaving; clearing her throat, she glances between the two boys who are seemingly sizing each other up.
"Cedric, this is Antioch. Antioch, Cedric."
Antioch extends his hand, which Cedric meets in a handshake. "A firm handshake," Antioch comments appreciatively. "Ve appreciate that at Durmstrang." Amata rolls her eyes behind Antioch's back, and Cedric merely offers the boy a smile. "It's nice to meet you." the Hufflepuff says politely.
Just as they detach, Cedric feels a slender arm going over his shoulders. "Ooooh," a tinkling voice sing-songs. "No one told me we would be 'aving a réunion. 'Onestly, I'm starting to feel a little left out . . ." The Beauxbatons girl, who had been teasing Antioch and Amata, seems to realize that she's clinging to neither; blinking up at Cedric, she smiles mischievously at him. "Ah, 'oo is zis gentleman?"
"Cedric." Antioch and Amata chorus. "Cedreec." the girl echoes. Pulling away from Cedric, she gives him a small wink. "You will 'ave to forgeeve my accent for butchering your name, Cedreec. I am Altheda."
"That's enough introductions for now," Amata snaps, uncharacteristically edgy. To Cedric's surprise, she takes his arm in her own. "Cedric and I really must be going."
"So soon?" Altheda whines. She turns to pout and bat her eyelids at Cedric; from behind her, Antioch smirks. "I'm sure Al thinks ve haven't gotten vell-acquainted with Cedric yet." Antioch teases. Amata scowls, throwing her chin up in the air. "You know each other's names. That's well-acquainted enough." she says brusquely before dragging Cedric in to the Great Hall.
"Next time, Cedreec!" Altheda calls out just before the doors of the Hall slam close.
YOU ARE READING
ONCE UPON A TIME.
Fanfiction❛ ◜of a girl named after a fairy tale and a boy convinced he needs no saving. › & CEDRIC DIGGORY/OC.
