warmth - cedric diggory

chapter thirteen

athena rosewood had been radiating for the past few days. although she wasn't able to spend much time with anyone anymore, she was still bouncing with happiness everywhere she went. the year had suddenly become extremely chaotic with all of the work that needed to be done.

every day the students were assigned a new responsibility, or had an exam, or were required to come up with some sort of paper. athena was studying in the library every day or she was in her room writing things down. none of the group had seen much of one another except for class but usually, during this time, the group would spend a few days apart.

the day was friday and athena could finally catch a break. after transfiguration class, the school was finally over. she had plenty of assignments to do but she knew she could wait until later on to do them and she was ecstatic.

"you've aged a few years." athena had never been so relieved to hear edmund's teasing voice before. athena was so happy to be able to feel the warmth that her heart produced when she was around her friends. athena fully loved her friends fiercely.

athena's small arms wrapped around edmunds yellow sweater. she rested her head against his chest and ignored his joke, feeling the warm embrace of her brother like friend. athena was quite affectionate to everyone in the group, so this was not even thought about twice.

"i missed you too, thena." a nickname edmund used every week months, but not super often. edmund wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up. they both laughed and hugged. one thing about athena that was well known, her love language was touch. one thing about edmund that was also well known, so was his.

ivy and belle shook their head while watching the interaction but they were familiar with their mannerisms. ivy and belle did not share that love language so edmund and athena was the limit for them.

the group was happy to be together after a few days and ready to catch up. they sat in the great hall in between meals. a few other students were sitting at tables in groups or by themselves.

one good thing about the great hall when it wasn't being used for meals, students could just hang out with one another. it didn't matter what house you were in or what exactly you were doing, everyone just sat with everyone.

"what has everyone been doing? i've missed my girls!" edmund sat down at the table across from ivy and belle. he grabbed both of their resting hands off the table and squeezed it tightly.

"nothing much, dad." ivy pulled her hand back in a teasing manner, smiling to edmund in her signature slytherin way. everyone had their books pulled out already on the table, belle already had hers opened.

"how is," edmund leaned in closely to reach ivy's face. "you know who, but not the you know who, but you know who." he gestured with his hands as he spoke these confusing words. athena laughed at ivy's furrowed eyebrows, sharing a strong expression of confusion.

"ed means him." belle leaned in, whispering and nodding her head to the main door. the whole group watched as draco walked in with his slytherin friends, they all had no real expressions upon their faces as they walked to a table. ivy had a complete poker face as she glanced towards him.

"he's good." right as ivy said that, draco had suddenly glanced up to see the group staring at him. ivy coughed loudly, causing all of the group to whip their heads back to the table. athena fought hard to hold in laughter that was threatening to spill out. she looked back to draco for a moment and swears she saw him chuckling to himself.

"so athena," ivy was trying to get the attention off of herself and draco. "are you and cedric together now? did he ask you?" she wrapped her black nails around ivy's hands. belle and edmund were both staring with smiles.

"how did you know he was going to ask?" athena was beginning to laugh, her cheeks began to fade into a deep pink shade. usually, she would be shyer about speaking of relationships but she had been dying to tell them all week.

ivy and belle had heard a few small details about athena's new little relationship with cedric, but not everything. edmund had heard a few things from cedric during quidditch practice, but also not everything.

"cedric told edmund he was going to ask you and of course, edmund told us as soon as he left." belle glanced to edmund as she spoke while he just shrugged his shoulders with a smile.

athena happily explained everything that happened at the beginning of the week, smiling widely and giggling every few seconds. ivy asked a lot of questions about the details, trying to make sure not a single thing was left out.

writers note:

this is just a short boring chapter bc i wanted to upload and i just wanted to get this part out of the way but the next chapter will be so much better i promise!! thank u for all the love and support it really motivates me to do this :)