Darling - Cedric Diggory

22

"You came face to face with a dragon Cedric, you can meet a girls dad," Justin's voice sounds as I approach Cedric's dorm, having snuck into the Hufflepuff common room to fetch him

"But it's not just a girl," Cedric's groan comes back "it's Emily," he adds, I blush at the fact I can hear his smile

"She loves you mate, that's not going to change, just be polite and nice to her dad and you'll be fine," Justin reassures. I grin raising my hand to knock on the door that's open a jar, probably unintentionally.

"Come in!" Justin's voice calls

"Hey boys," I grin entering the room. Cedric is quick to pull me to him, placing me on his lap and wrapping his arms round my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder

"I'll give you guys a minute, enjoy your meal Em," Justin smiles

"See you," I grin back as he leaves.

"Is it really time already?" Cedric questions

"You don't have to do this, I can make an excuse up for you," I remind

"Cause that'll make a great impression,"

"He really will like you," I reassure "and hey, it's going to be like 5 minutes tops, if it gets awkward I'll rush us to dinner, it's just a quick hello," I smile, turning my head on to press a kiss to the side of his.

"Let's go," he sighs "I don't wanna be late," he adds, tapping my leg with anxious fingers.

He's mumbling to himself as we walk, his hand sweaty against mine.

"Hey gorgeous," a familiar voice calls as I round the corner, waiting with Minnie by his side by the entrance to Hogwarts.

"Dad!" I shout, pulling my hand from Cedric to jog to him and collapse into his open arms.

"How's my girl?" He asks, stroking the back of my hair as he talks

"I'm good, how are you?"

"I'm good too," he assures pulling away. I turn to watch as he bids Minnie who has a fond and touched smile on her face goodbye.

"And here's the man of the hour," Dad smiles, I'm thankful, I know Auntie Lil has definitely forced him to be nice to Cedric.

"Hello sir," Cedric smiles

"Please, Sirius is just fine," dad assures "I head from Minnie you are doing well in the tri-wizard tournament,"

"I'm certainly trying my hardest," Cedric nods

"Don't be so modest Ced," I groan, taking his hand in hopes of calming his nerves, smiling when he visibly relaxes "he's in the lead by a mile," I inform my dad

"Well congratulations, I can only imagine how intelligent you must be for your age,"

"Nothing on Emily, she's truly the smartest of our age," Cedric smiles warmly

"That my girl," Dad grins back "Speaking of, I'm sure you're aware if you hurt her again I will not refrain from personally ripping your head from your neck. That's my little girl,"

"Oh of course, she deserves so much more than me, I know that, but I would never ever want to hurt her," Cedric is quick to reassure. I watch as dads scowl turns to a light smile

"And you play quidditch?" He questions

"Yeah, I'm a seeker,"

"He's Hufflepuff team captain," I add

"I remember. Your father mentioned it at the World Cup,"

"That's right,"

"Nice man your father," My dad comments

"Oh he's great," Cedric smiles

"And what do you want to do? After Hogwarts I mean,"

"I haven't really decided, perhaps an Auror," he informs

"Dangerous work,"

"But brave," Cedric bolsters, aware my dad takes pride in his high ranking as an auror

"Yes that's true,"

"And when this ones a healer I'll have nothing to be nervous about," he grins making my dad smile as I blush

"Well we best get going right princess?" My dad asks.

"Yeah," I smile

"I'll be seeing you around though son, perhaps you could come and stay over the summer," he suggests, I can't help the way my heart swells at his clear approval

"I would love to, it was a pleasure to see you," Cedric smiles

"And you, good luck with the final task by the way," Dad grins back, Cedric quick to thank him

"I'll see you later?" I question as I turn to look at Ced

"Yeah, I'll be in the library when you get back,"

"I'll come find you," I assure pressing a kiss to his cheek.

**

"- and then he has the nerve to say it was my fault," Dad laughs as we sit in the three broomsticks. Plates of pub food in front of us and a butter beer in both our hands.

"I'm sure auntie Lil loved that," I comment, making my dad smirk

"Ah she did, now what have those twins been up to?"

"The same as ever, they're having a field day with me seeing someone,"

"As they should,"

"And they managed to jinx every mirror in the school to insult anyone who looks in them," I add making my dad chuckle "I actually wanted to speak to you about Draco,"

"As in your cousin?"

"How many Draco's do we know?"

"What's the little prick done, I'll storm his parents house if he's caused you any problems,"

"No the opposite. He's actually been a really good friend recently, he's going through it if I'm honest,"

"In what way?" Dad asks, visible concern in his eyes

"Wants to be different, starting to realise his father isn't gods gift and maybe he's got it all wrong,"

"That's good,"

"He could be a really nice boy,"

"I don't doubt you," I can tell he knows where this is going

"I think speaking to you could really help him,"

"And why's that?"

"Cause youve been through all this,"

"I don't know kid,"

"What happened to family is all we've got so we do whatever the other needs,"

"That's me and you not some nephew whose been unkind in the past,"

"Dad," I sigh. He looks at me and eyebrow raised in question

"You really think he wants to change?"

"I do,"

"Tell him should he want to talk he can write to me anytime," he submits easier than expected.

"Thanks," i grin back up at him "now what's your news?"

"It's about your mother," he admits, his eyes trained to my face for my reaction. I can feel my eyes practically pop out of my head, my mouth drop, unable to form a response.