Charlotte spends most of her time at Hogwarts with our favorite side characters. Wonder what they were doing during those anything but normal 7 years? Lottie is Cedric Diggory's best friend, a Gryffindor ally and an all around adventure driven, snea...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The day Anna, Cedric and I board the train is one of the best days I've had in weeks. I see that Slytherin kid around the castle all the time now. Every time I see him, I spend the following hour wondering what he'll do to me.
I never had the courage to tell Cedric or Anna what happened. And even though Anna knew about the closet, the truth seemed to end there for them. Besides, it felt too hurtful to even attempt to tell Anna what they said about her. But as long as it's just me that gets picked on, I won't say anything. But luckily, Seamus never asked me again. And leaving school and knowing I'll have a month off, feels like someone just threw me a lifesaver when I was drowning.
"You should probably tell Anna about..." Cedric whispers, trailing off. I nod fiercely. "I will. Now go sit with your meathead friends." Cedric gives me a sad smile. "Thanks Charlie."
Anna and I have settled into our own carriage. The other girls were on their own. "I have to tell you something." Anna looks up from her copy of 'The Quibbler.'
"On the morning of the 25th, they'll be an extra seat at the table. It belongs...belonged to Cedric's brother Christian. He, uh, was really sick and died a couple years ago. So just don't be surprised if you see that. I'll point out which one it is, you don't sit there."
Anna nods somberly. "Gosh, I never would have known." I look out the window. "You wouldn't. Cedric never talks about him."
I know it kills him. He adored Christian. And when Christian died, Cedric cried these painful sobs every night. I used to think he would suffocate. It was the only time I saw Cedric's charisma disappear.
"It's snowing." Anna says. I look out the window. "It's not Christmas, without snow." I say excitedly.
When we get to Platform 9 3/4. I see my mom and Mr. Diggory. Cedric runs into his dad's arms. "Oh my boy." Amos says while picking him up and swinging him. My mom engulfs me in a hug. "Oh Lottie. I've missed you." She holds me there for a minute close to her shirt. Just her smell of cherry and vanilla makes me want to confess to her how much I fear school. And I've got so many doubts that being kind and smart will be enough to help me survive.
But she lets go and goes over to Anna. "Hi sweetie, it's so nice to meet you. Lottie has told me so much about you." Anna smiles. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Sigler." My mom chuckles. "You call me Savannah."
My mom puts her hands on the back of both our heads. "You have everything?" We nod. "Okay, let's go home and have some hot chocolate." Mr. Diggory and Cedric are walking ahead of us. Cedric is telling him about his friends and favorite teachers in an excited voice. Cedric always made Hogwarts sound like a luxury vacation when he came home.
Now that I'm experiencing it, I'm not sure it's that picture perfect.
The drive home is quick. Cedric's mom and my dad have set up a big welcome home banner at my house.
"There's my girl!" My dad cheers as we walk through the front door. I practically leap into his arms. It's crazy how your parents are there everyday of your life until they send you to boarding school. All 7 of us sit in the living room with hot chocolate, talking about school and friends and classes and everything in between.
My parents even ask Anna if she likes Hufflepuff, which seems to impress Cedric's parents but they don't say anything.
"Do you girls have a favorite class?" Mrs. Diggory asks us. "I really like Herbology." Anna says. I smile. "Charms is probably my favorite but I did love the few flying lessons we got, but with the weather being what it is in Scotland it's a seasonal thing."
"Well, I already taught you to fly." Cedric insists. My parents chuckle. "Well I'm the one who's good at it soooo..." I tease him.
Cedric blushes and then to change the subject, insists we go outside and make snow angels. So that's what the three of us do. Until we've laughed so hard it hurts. My fingers are numb when we finally go back inside.
Around 10 pm, the Diggory's finally leave. "See you back here tomorrow for Christmas Eve!" my dad says excitedly. Anna and I both take hot showers. Then we change into our pajamas and brush our teeth. "Okay girls. Time for bed." my mom says as she shuffles us to my room. I have a second twin bed in my room for guests anyway so we don't have to do much to make Anna comfortable.
We climb into our beds. The whole day seems to have taken a toll on both of us, because Anna falls asleep almost the second her head hits the pillow and I follow suit.
For the first time in a while I feel safe.
****************************************
There's nothing like coming home! Do you think Lottie should tell her parents what happened? Make sure to comment your thoughts! I love to hear what you think! :)
