secret admirer - cedric diggory x oc

chapter 2 - the notebook

"You're dismissed." Flitwick's croaky voice rang out, and the whole class collectively rustled for their bags. Athena got out of her chair, slinging her schoolbag over her shoulder with a grunt. If she had any more textbooks, she'd feel like a pack mule. She put her head down, moving her hair so that it was slightly over her face. Adjusting her robes, she walked out of class, thankfully going unnoticed.

Athena was shy. She liked being around people sometimes, like her friends Penelope and Marietta. But most of the time, in her six years at Hogwarts, she flew under the radar. She focused on her studies, like a true Ravenclaw would, or at least that's what she told herself. She just didn't want to get let down. So, no one payed any mind, although she was outgoing when she wanted to be. She mainly just talked when she had something to say.

As she walked to her next period, which was Transfiguration, her brain whirred with thoughts as usual. Her head was always in the clouds, and daydreaming took up all of her time when she wasn't fiercely studying a book about Herbology or some other studies.

"Miss Quinn." McGonagall's high voice startled the girl, and she looked up. Her teacher stood before her, a smile on her face and a hand extended towards the classroom. Athena smiled back, realizing she'd been too deep in thought to remember where her class was. She walked into the classroom, setting down her bag near the front. She took out her textbook, scanning the pages quickly as McGonagall recited their plans for the day.

After about half an hour of class, Athena realized she hadn't gone to the loo in more than six hours. She suddenly raised her hand, asking to be excused. She quickly hurried through the halls to the girl's bathroom.

"Hi, Myrtle." She said as she entered. Moaning Myrtle had taken a liking to her since first year.

"Oh, hello, Athena. Would you believe what happened today? Someone threw a shoe at me! A shoe!" She wailed, throwing her ghostly arms up in exasperation. Athena listened contently as she aired her troubles. She didn't quite know why she put up with Myrtle. Perhaps it was because she was the only one that ever called her by her first name. She could've sworn half her year didn't even know her name, only ever called her Quinn. She supposed it wasn't too bad, just got annoying at times.

She nodded along as Moaning Myrtle spoke, or more adequately cried. She hovered around the bathroom, sobbing, but not really. If she wasn't a ghost there would be actual tears coming out. Athena waved goodbye as she hurried back to class, Myrtle still complaining as she left. She sat back in her chair when she got back to Transfiguration, just as the class was ending. McGonagall dismissed the group, and Athena reached for her bag.

A small leather-bound notebook fell out of the bag, landing on the floor with a small thud. Athena looked at it skeptically. It definitely wasn't her usual textbook; someone must've put theirs in the wrong bag while she was out. She picked it up, hesitant to open it. If it was someone else's, she didn't want to snoop. But she was curious, too. Why would someone put their book in her bag, even on accident?

She tucked it back into her bag, figuring she'd open it at lunch when she could talk to Penelope and Marietta about it. She hurried to the great hall, sitting down at the Ravenclaw table and setting the book down. She spotted Marietta's head of fluffy ginger hair and Penelope's pale figure across the hall, and she beckoned for them to come over. They sat down at the end of the table as food filled the hall, and Athena snatched a sandwich, eating it quickly as her friends settled in.

"What's up, Quinn?" Marietta asked, grabbing herself a sandwich as well. Penelope did the same.

"Alright, so. I went to Transfiguration, right? And halfway through, I went to the bathroom."

"Paid Myrtle a visit?" Penelope giggled.

"Yeah! Anyways, when I came back, look what was in my bag. I've never seen this thing before. And it could just be an accident, but why would someone put their book in my bag, even not on purpose?" Athena said, tying her hair up.

"I say open it. If someone's stupid enough to put their book in your bag, snooping is an adequate consequence, you know?" Marietta said.

"I'm with Marietta." Penelope responded.

"Okay, let's open it then." Athena said, peeling back the leather cover. The pages were dark cream colored, and the lines were faded. There was writing in it already. The person's handwriting was swoopy and tall, but definitely looked like it was written with care, not just scribbled out. She started to read it out.

Hi, Athena. I'm hoping this got to you correctly. Now that I'm writing this it seems a little odd, but here we are. I've charmed this journal so that I have the same one. Whatever you write back will transfer to my identical one. Anyways, I've taken an interest in you. That sounds even creepier. Oops. I've seen you in the halls, but never gotten the courage to talk to you. It's out of the ordinary for me. Usually I'd be just fine talking to someone I fancy, but not you. I wanted to see if you're as nice as I think you are, although that sounds condescending. So, write back to me if you want. Sorry if it's too creepy that you don't know who I am, but I think it's better this way. x

"Oh my god." Athena said under her breath. Her eyes were wide.

"YOU HAVE A SECRET ADMIRER!" Penelope screeched.

"Shh, everyone will hear you." Athena slapped her arm lightly.

"Fine. But oh. My. God. A secret admirer. That's the stuff dreams are made of." Penelope said.

"Is there any signing?" Marietta asked

"No, just the 'x'"

"Who could it possibly be?" Penelope said.

"I have no clue." Athena said, shaking her head. "What do I say, is the real question?"

"You're going to respond?" Penelope asked, eyes wide. "What if he's creepy or something? Or a stalker?"

"Eh, I doubt he is. He sounded pretty worried about coming off as creepy, so I'd assume he's not." Athena said.

"Wait, how do we know it's a he?"

"You're right. I don't mind either way, but I have a feeling it's a guy." Athena said. She pulled out a quill, dipping it in ink as she started to write. Her handwriting was slanted and short, and all the letters were the same height. They all connected together, like faux-cursive.

Hi, whoever you are. I don't think it's too creepy, more... thoughtful? Anyways. I hope I live up to your expectations. Is there anything you can tell me about yourself? Gender? House? Random fact? Just curious, I'd like to get to know you as well. x

She finished writing, looking up from the journal. "Okay, so that transfers to theirs. Alright. Why am I nervous?" Athena said, shaking out her hands. Marietta put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Ahh, this is so exciting! Quinn finally getting some romance. An unseen sight." Penelope joked. Athena rolled her eyes, laughing.

As lunch ended, the trio got up from their table and continued the rest of their classes. Athena felt an anticipation and excitement she'd never felt before. It bubbled in her core, like the adrenaline from standing on a cliff.

She loved it.