"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
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Father stormed into his office and marched behind the desk before spinning around to face us. "Explain!"
"I was taking a walk-"
"Past curfew!"
"It was still an hour to curfew when I left the common room! I'm sorry, but I lost track of time." I defended.
"Doing what exactly?" At this, he sneered at Draco.
"We were talking." Draco answered quietly and I looked at him in surprise. He was silent until now.
"Talking?" Father repeated in suspicion.
"I saw her leaving the common room an hour before curfew and I needed to talk to Ci-Potter, but we didn't realize how late it was. I was walking her to Gryffindor tower when we were caught. It was an honest mistake, Sir." He stated calmly and both father and I looked at him as if he had grown another head.
Father appeared to compose himself after several moments and grumbled. "Ten points from Gryffindor and Slytherin. Now go back to your common room at once."
"Yes, Sir." We began to leave when father called me back.
"Miss Potter, stay behind." Draco gave me a look of worry for a mere moment before his face went blank again. He quickly hurried out of the office and I sighed and walked back in.
"I'm sorry." I apologized before Father could start. "I swear I lost track of time. We were just talk-"
"Where is Malfoy and who have you replaced him with?"
"Excuse me?" My jaw dropped.
"That boy just took the blame for you and didn't try to make excuses or anything." Father stayed in a flat voice. "The same boy who tortured you for two years and made you cry on multiple occasions last year."
I shrugged. "I haven't done a thing to him. I've hardly spoken to him this year."
We were both silent for a good minute before he spoke in a controlled tone, and it was the absolute last thing that I expected to come out of his mouth. "He really likes you. Perhaps you should give him a chance."
I stared at him in stunned shock before finally remembering to reply. "I can only offer him friendship and I've told him that. I don't like him in that way."
Father's voice softened. "Because of his family?"
"Because of his own choices." I corrected. "While I understand that his family's allegiance makes the situation difficult, the choice is ultimately his." I looked away and added. "And like you've said, he's tormented me for four years."
Father spoke in a quiet, almost unrecognizable voice and refused to meet my gaze. "Do you believe that people deserve second chances?"
I frowned in utter confusion as I still failed to understand why I was having this conversation with him of all people. "Perhaps, but through all this time that he's been tormenting me, Cedric has been by my side. I love him. And by offering friendship, I am giving Draco a second chance. I can't force myself to be with him if he's not the one who I love."
When father spoke again, his tone was one of resignation. "Very well."
I couldn't hold my confusion back any longer. "I thought you always told me to stay away from Draco Malfoy and that he was bad news. I thought you approved of Cedric?" I shouted. "Why are you suddenly saying these things to me? Why are you on his side?"
"I am not on his side." Father avoided my eyes.
"But-"
"Please return to your dormitory."
"Father-"
"Go." His tone made me jump to comply. Before I left his office, I saw his expression and it scared me. He looked distraught and I had no idea what his issue was. I sighed and forced myself to push it out of my mind as I hurried to the common room before anyone else could stop me.
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I hadn't spoken to Father again for the rest of the week. Every time I visited his office to try to speak to him, he wasn't there. It was almost like he was avoiding me, but I didn't allow myself to overthink the situation, as I had other issues on my mind. It seemed like everyone had released a breath of relief when winter break began, and I was eager to go to Hogsmeade to meet Uncle Remus today. I just hoped that he would have some insight on recent events.
Harry, to my annoyance, seemed to have completely given up on the egg for the time being. The second task was approaching fast, and I was more concerned than ever. Not that Ced had any idea either, but at least he was actively trying.
As I entered the snowy village again, I was reminded of the first winter that I had at Hogwarts and smiled to myself. "Cindy sweetheart!" I turned around to see Uncle Remus running towards me and I was immediately pulled into a bear hug.
He looked quite well, as well as he could be after a transformation anyway. We agreed to go to the Hog's Head Inn so that we could have our conversation in private. Once we arrived, the owner greeted us. He was silent for a moment as he stared at me. I couldn't shake the feeling that he looked familiar but I didn't ask. When I inquired his name, he simply said "Aberforth", and walked away quickly.
We ordered some butterbeer and found a table in the corner to sit down at. Uncle Remus began the conversation. "So how have you been in light of recent events?"
"I've been fine. Unlike Harry, I've managed to escape involvement, well mostly anyway."
"The article-"
I scoffed. "Rita Skeeter is a lying lunatic. I can't do anything about it so I don't care."
"Your letter mentioned that you've noticed some strange things..."
I hesitated. "Our defense against the dark arts professor gives me a bad feeling."
"Alastor Moody?" Uncle Remus questioned in a surprised tone.
"I...can't explain it, but he-he's been teaching us things like how to fight off the imperius curse by using it on us."
"What?" Uncle Remus narrowed his eyes.
"And he's just-he gives me this feeling that I can't shake." I tried to explain. Uncle Remus was speechless.
"There's something else. I erm-had a talk with Draco Malfoy." I muttered in quiet tone. "He told me that his father's dark mark has gotten darker."
"Draco Malfoy told you that?" His tone was unrecognizable. I nodded in confirmation. "But why..." I mumbled incoherently under my breath. "I'm sorry?"
"He said he was worried for me. Basically for the last year he'd been crazy jealous about Cedric and I ignored him and told him not to talk to me until he could stop badmouthing us and be a friend so he had a change of heart I guess." I involuntarily sighed in frustration as I was reminded of my conversation with father.
Uncle Remus noticed of course. "Something the matter?"
I hesitated before responding. "I think father wants me to date Draco Malfoy."
Uncle Remus' eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry?"
I sighed. "He asked me if I thought that people deserved a second chance the other night and has been avoiding me ever since. I don't know why he cares whether I give Draco a chance or not. I agreed to be friends, but I love Cedric."
Uncle Remus' mouth twitched slightly as if he wanted to smile, but he didn't. After a moment, he spoke again. "I highly doubt that Severus is upset because you don't want to date Draco Malfoy."
I glanced at him in suspicion. "What do you know?"
"I haven't a clue what you mean, sweetheart. How's Harry coping after the first task?" He changed the topic in what seemed like amusement.
We continued to discuss the tournament until I began to feel a steady pain in my head. I brushed it off as a minor headache until I realized that the pain was mainly concentrated in the centre of my forehead, where my scar was. I tried to ignored the dull pain until it turned into sharp pains.
Uncle Remus definitely noticed when I began to clutch my head. He insisted on escorting me back to the castle. I knew that he noticed that I was in pain, but he was likely unaware that my scar was the source of the pain.
As we walked back to the courtyard of the castle, Neville ran out of the castle, heading straight for us and nearly knocking me over. He immediately began to apologize profusely. Between trying to catch his breath, he began to speak. "Cindy, I don't know what's up, but Cedric's looking for you."
I hurriedly bid goodbye to Uncle Remus as I began to rush towards the kitchens, my concern growing by the second. He had to be okay. It couldn't have to do with my scar hurting. It just couldn't.
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Hey everyone,
I know this is late, and I'm sorry. I've been working crazy hours.
Lots of love,
-Lily