LUMOS » Cedric Diggory x Reader

003

Chapter three

     Cedric looked towards me confused as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I let out a sigh and and raised my eyebrows at him in return.

     "Earth to Cedric?" I spoke out, continuing to stare into his alluring grey eyes.

     "I saw bruises all over your back and torso when you tossed around in your sleep this morning" he stated with a blank expression. I felt my face grow pale by the second, how was I supposed to get myself out of this one? Cedric is my best friend, I couldn't burden him with this.

     "Y/N, was it Draco? Pansy? Tell me what happened!"

     "It's no big deal Ced, you know me, I can handle anything" I replied.

Cedric shifted in his seat, sat up and made his way over to my bed. I inhaled, taking a deep breath and attempting to hide my nerves. He was far too close now, I could smell his cologne, hints of spice and honey roaming wild. The fresh mint toothpaste on his breathe and the sight of leftover lip balm on his lips. I was blushing now, I knew it.

     "No it was most certainly not Draco or Pansy, I can't tell you who or what happened, it could cause a lot of problems"

He sighed, but it was for the best, how was I supposed to tell him I got physically abused every chance my parents got? They were followers of the Dark Lord, if word got out, there would be much worse that would happen.

     "Is- Is it your parents?" He questioned.

I looked at him in shock, "What makes you say that?"

     "You hate going home, you never return my letters and I've never gotten to meet them, or even see them for that matter"

     "I can't tell you, for your own safety Ced"

     "Your safety is more important to me Y/N, and I wouldn't break your trust, no one would know"

     Minutes of silence passed by, but Cedric and I both knew I couldn't keep a secret from him for long. He was the most important person to me, always by my side, always reliable and always the one who had my heart, although that was the one secret I could and would keep from him.

     "My parents are very... Awful people. Abuse is normal in my household. Ever since I could remember I got punished for things I had never done, now at my age— they don't need a reason, they do as they please. Draco is the one person who knows, he's always been there helping me clean up afterwards if needed. He's a really sweet boy, just raised by the wrong people" I let out.

Cedric let a stray tear fall down his cheek, he hadn't even bothered to wipe his face before embracing me. He was warm, he was home.

     "They're the reason I can't send you letters when I'm home. They check very letter sent and received. It's like a prison, but in my own home. If they ever found out I talked to anyone outside of Slytherin, let alone was best friends with a Hufflepuff, we'd both be dead"

Cedrics face was flushed red with rage by this point, "I wish I could've helped, could help. I can't believe this is what you have to go through, and practically alone! They're vile!" He replied.

     "I love you Ced"

Cedric looked at me questioningly, one eyebrow perched high and his lips curled.

     "Uh- As a friend of course" I scratched my head as I replied with a stutter.

He looked down, disappointed.

     "I love you too, not just as a friend" He stated and left the room.