Chapter Text
Cedric never understood why his mother kept everything she ever got. She had muggle candy wrappers and little pins and bobs with words of encouragement. She even had the deformed birthday card he made her last year, which did comfort Cedric that she at least cared about him, but even he would admit that the card was absolute rubbish. Currently, six-year-old Cedric was hiding in his parent's wardrobe. He could hear his Aunt Rose calling out his name and he giggled into his little palm.
"Come out, come out wherever you are Ced! You know your Aunt Posie will find you," he voice echoed down the hallway. Cedric peaked out the tiny gap in the door. His Aunt had passed the bedroom. The golden warmth of the late July sun crept through the open window, yellow rays creeping up the walls and crawling down the floor.
Satisfied with his hiding spot and his victory of his aunt not finding him, Cedric continued rummaging through his mother's belongings. He found a few pressed roses and lilies in a tiny envelope with her name in swooping, swirling cursives he recognized as his father's. He also found a bead necklace his mother got from Aunt Rose last year. When he finally reached the bottom of the box, all there was left was a cream coloured envelope. His mother's name in the swooping cursives belonging to someone else's pen. His father wrote cursives straight as a line, this person's letters were angled to a certain tilt.
To- Lori Diggory
From- Amalee Diggory
Cedric's nose scrunched up. He had never heard of an 'Amalee' in his entire six years of living. He traced the name over and over. He felt the warmth of two hands cupping his cheeks and a bright smile when he read the name, as if he knew this person from somewhere. Which Cedric didn't count on. He couldn't remember the face, only the familiarity of a human. Cedric moved to open the old envelope, but it was glued shut by someone after its first opening. The flap of the envelope was ripped yet taped together again. Cedric went to break the seal and then, the closet creaked open.
"Got you Ced!" his aunt grabbed his midsection as he scrunched the letter in his hand and squealed as his aunt and him spun around and around, until the both of them were dizzy. Cedric's aunt finally kept him on the ground and playfully placed her hands on her hips.
"What on Earth were you doing in your mum and dad's closet? Snooping through her stuff aren't we?" she raised her eyebrow as Cedric gave her grin. His aunt fondly looked at him as she held out her arm, telling him to come downstairs with her.
The house was a shrine of their entire family. There were muggle photos (courtesy of his mother) and the magical photos as well. As the aunt and nephew descended the stairs, they passed a four year old Cedric on a broom , swiping his mother's hat off her head as she laughed and ran after her son. There was another one of his mum and dad on their wedding day, drinking butterbeer and gesturing tipsily. Slightly below was a picture of a newborn Cedric and his mother, still and frozen in time together.
By the time they came downstairs, his aunt went in to the kitchen to put the kettle on while Cedric took a seat at the kitchen table. He flattened out the letter on the table surface and traced the name once more. By now, he was itching to open it. His mother wouldn't mind if he took a peek, wouldn't she?. Cedric pulled the glued edge of the envelope and the envelope ripped open.
The kettle whistled in the kitchen as his aunt peered over her spectacles at him. "What are you doing Ced?"
"Nothing," he said casually as he hid the letter under the stack of books his aunt brought over. His aunt's eyes narrowed but she still went back to making afternoon tea.
"Just one question though," he said tentatively. "Who's Amalee Diggory?"
Aunt Rose's eyes widened out of shock and she lost grip of the kettle. It hit the countertop and hot water spewed everywhere. Including Aunt Rose's body.
"Fucking hell!" she shrieked at the top of her lungs.
"Aunt Rosie! No, no, no, no! I didn't mean to do that! I'm sorry!" Cedric could feel tears on his face as he rushed to his aunt's aid. He opened the tap frantically and splashed water on her body. She hissed out of pain and waved a hand at Cedric signalling 'Don't worry, it's alright'. But the guilt was rushing through Cedric's veins, if he hadn't asked that stupid question, his aunt wouldn't even be in this situation.
Cedric felt a low burning in his stomach as he tried to stop the tears. His fists were clenched and he was mad at himself. He looked at the running tap water. The afternoon sun creeping through the window hit the water and into sparkles of rainbow colour around the kitchen. Cedric's gaze however, was on the water pressure. His aunt had taken off her blouse and hissing very loudly, leaving her in a cream coloured tank top. However, he didn't break focus. He wanted the water pressure to burst. He wanted to right his wrong. He wanted to help.
Then, the water tap burst. A geezer of water shot up in the air and it directly hit his aunt's body with such a large amount of pressure that she fell on to her back. Laying there motionless for a few seconds, she let out a breath of relief. Her chestnut hair was plastered to the sides of her face and the kitchen was slowly flooding up. She sat up and leaned against the cabinet behind her and she slowly took off her glasses. Cedric slowly trudged towards his aunt. What if she was furious? What if she never showed up to their house again? By the time, he reached her, she was wiping her spectacles with her fingers. There were slight red blotches on her arms and her tummy. Cedric's lips instantly turned into a pout.
"Aunt Rosie?" Cedric asked quietly. "Are you mad at me? I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd get scared."
"Aw, buddy, it's fine," she gave him a strained smile. She reached out and grabbed Cedric's hand into hers. She gripped it tight. Cedric was just like his mother, Rose's older sister. And Lori Diggory was a person who'd start spiralling even if she glared at the wrong person. Rose Lennon would know, she lived with Lori Lennon (now Diggory, of course) for the first 8 years of her life after all. And Rose could see Cedric was spiraling too. "I was just... caught unguarded with your question, that's all," she paused and she looked Cedric in those same eyes of the woman that had vanished all those years ago.
Cedric contemplated his answer when the door hinges creaked open, signalling his arrival. Both the aunt and nephew went white, stared at the door, and back at each other.
"Ced? Rose? Where are you two- OH MY DAYS! MY KITCHEN! What happened here?" Lori's voice rang out the foyer. Cedric gulped. Would be furious when she saw the state of the kitchen? His father definitely would be. Was his father here?
His mother entered the kitchen. Right where the pool of water had ended its travel.
"What on Earth happened here?" her hands bunched up at the hips of her healer uniform. Lori Diggory stared down at her very, very drenched sister and her son who looked on the verge of tears. Lori's silver eyes softened at the sight of her son's terrified expression, however she didn't take her hands off her hips. Amos had told her yesterday she was coddling Cedric too much, and she was trying to be a bit more stern. Though, she knew in a few seconds she'd have failed the attempt of being strict.
But, before Cedric could even muster a syllable of a poorly made excuse, it was his aunt who opened her mouth.
"Aw c'mon Lo, it's not a big thing to make a deal out of," Rose grinned at her sister. "Ceddy boy here just did his second round of accidental magic! Didn't you Ced?"
Cedric nodded his head vigorously. "Yeah mummy! I made the tap burst!"
Lori realized that she had already failed her attempt at being stern. She was weak. Which was an ironic thing for one of Hogwarts' most talented witches to admit out loud. However, she didn't dwell on that fact too much
"Well, there's nothing magic can't fix anyway," Lori took out her ebony wand. And with a charm Professor Flitwick taught a seventh-year Lori, the water was cleaned up. Another swoosh, Rose was dry. And with a final flick of her wrist, the tap was fixed.
"See, nothing to worry about Ced," his aunt stood up and ruffled his hair. Cedric giggled and went to hug his mother's feet. He was now tall up to her stomach. Lori swore he was just tall up to her knees just yesterday
"Where's dad?" Cedric's voice was muffled by his mother's robes.
"Still at the Ministry."
"Will he be much later?"
"I believe so," Lori kissed her son's head.
Rose looked pointedly at Lori. And Lori, understanding that Rose wanted a word, pat Cedric on the back. "Ced," Lori began. "Why don't you head on to the sitting room. There was a mess and I'm quite sure your aunt wouldn't have made a mess with building blocks."
Cedric grinned sheepishly. "I'll clean it up mum, don't worry." Cedric went off to the sitting room without any other excuses.
Once Cedric got out of hearing shot, Rose began her inquiry.
"When was the last time you talked to Amalee?" Rose knew she was being quite blunt but, she needed answers. Preferably, right now. And if answers were needed about Amalee, they were needed immediately.
The other sister's face went white. "What happened?"
"Answer my question."
"Put on your blouse first, Rose, bloody hell."
A tiny curse escaped her mouth but nevertheless, Rose's magically dried floral blouse was taken off the floor and put on. "Happy? Will you answer my question now?"
Lori sighed and recalled about it for a bit. "I think," Lori slowly began, "it was when me and Pandora went for a walk in the grounds in my seventh year. Pandora saw Amalee walk by and waved to her. She just said hello and went off. "
"Did you have any contact after that?
"We exchanged two letters nearing Cedric's third birthday. My letter was sent first. She sent her final letter a day after the birthday. Remember that baby blue jumper with little golden snitches embroidered into it? Well, it came alongside her last letter with the toy broom and the chocolate bag. "
"Cedric found that letter.
Lori tensed up. That wasn't possible, she had hidden that letter in the bottom of a box, which was then hid in her wardrobe. "How the hell-"
"Cedric and I were playing hide and seek, and he may have, or may have not hid in your wardrobe. Not that it really matters now, but how do we tell him? Amos really wouldn't like Amalee being brought up."
Lori rubbed the space between her eyes very frustratingly. "I'll explain to Cedric the situation later," Lori told her sister. She glanced at the clock and turned back to her sister. "Don't you have to return to Barnstaple Rosie?, it's already six." Before Lori left Rose to babysit Cedric in the morning, her younger sister had mentioned going on a date with some random bloke.
"Well shit," Rose deadpanned. "Only if I had a sister who was coincidentally a witch and could teleport.."
"For the last time it's apparition."
"Fine, apparate me to Barnstaple," Rose looked expectantly at her sister. "Please."
Letting out an annoyed groan, Lori held out her arm to her sister. "Ced?"
"Yeah mum?"
"I'm going to apparate your aunt to Barnstaple and come back. It will barely take three minutes. Come say bye to your aunt"
Cedric came running over and grabbed ahold of his aunt's waist. "Bye aunt Rose! I love you!"
"Love you too bud, make sure to do your homework when you come to school next Monday," she pressed a kiss to his temple.
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Later, much later, the sun had fully set in the sky. The clock chimed nine o' clock in the night as the residents in Ottery St. Catchpole got ready for a good nights sleep. Amos Diggory still hadn’t returned from the Ministry. A patronus was sent to his wife informing of his delay. So, the mother-son duo got ready for bed. Cedric was already in his pajamas. His mother was still taking a shower, so he took out the letter. He finally ripped open the envelope and took out the letter.
The letter was dated to the thirteenth of November, 1980. Cedric's birthday was on the twelfth. The parchment had slightly darkened into a pale yellow and was thin on Cedric's fingers. The candle on his bedside illuminated the letter and made the letters seem to dance. began to read the letter.
Dear Lori,
I know sending this letter is not ideal, considering the time we are currently in. And with my 'relationship' with my dear twin brother, things aren't getting any easier either. Speaking of Amos, I hope he's doing alright. On a brighter note, happy birthday to Ced! I wish so, so, so badly I can come visit him. To make up for my absence for his last three birthdays, I sent this broom, a bag of chocolates and a jumper too. By the way, the jumper is hand knitted.
It was quite risky sending this letter, but I trust Wayne to deliver it without any difficulty. Also, if it is no trouble, would you be able to give him a few treats before sending him back. It's quite a long fly and Wayne is an old owl. He's not a picky eater anyway, so I hope it won't be too big of a problem for you.
A lot has happened in three years, hasn't it? I'm sorry for not sending anything when Cedric was born. I thought it would be unwelcomed. I know you asked me about my whereabouts in your letter. But, I can't tell you Lori. I am safe though. So, I hope that reassures you in a way. But, you should also know that you can't send me letters after this. It will be very dangerous and I don't want anything bad happening. You-Know-Who's forces are getting stronger and we're going on more dangerous and longer 'missions'.
Maybe one day, I'll be able to meet Cedric. And you're right, he has my eyes. Pop was actually the one who I shared an eye shape with, so maybe Cedric got it from him. Cedric looks just like Amos when he was young, but he has your face cut. He looks adorable in that photo you sent me. It's taped to my journal so it doesn't get lost. I don't know if that means anything but, I just want to let you know.
I hope mum is doing well. Pop's death must be affecting everyone. I went to his grave recently. Some hydrangeas were left there, so I supposed mum payed him a visit. And if you had gone a few days after, you might have noticed the daisies left there too.
Tell my mum I'm alright, word from Pandora (and, Evan before he died), was that she was really worried. I doubt Amos cares about me. I mean, having a death eater as a twin sister? Preposterous! I bet he and Sirius Black can talk about that topic for hours. Death did manage to get ahold of dear Reggie, unfortunately.
I hope you're doing good as well Lori. I don't know much about children, but if it's my twin brother's child, then he must be a handful. Being a healer and being a mother are very difficult, as far as I believe. Let's hope this war ends quick enough so we can catch up. With Regulus dying, our plan has been making slow progress. But, I'm trying my best to carry it on solo.
With all my love,
Amalee.
P.S, I saw Peter Pettigrew near one of our hide outs. And no, I wasn't mistaken, it was genuinely Peter Pettigrew! I wasn't involved with Potter and his gang a lot, but I know for a fact Pettigrew was part of their tight-knit, little clan. I found it a bit strange that he would be there, but I reckon you passed on the message to Lily. It just doesn't sit right with me.
"Had a good read?"
The letter dropped onto the duvet as Cedric yelped and fell on the ground. He clutched his heart, which was beating erratically. He gaped at his mum. Her blonde curls moving back and forth with the rhythmic way she dried them with her towel. "Sweet Merlin Mum! Why would you do that?" Cedric was never jumpy. But, he felt as if hiding some great secret. Like he was the one hiding a secret of him having an aunt. A death eater aunt, but still! Family was family. (Plus, she seemed nice enough in the letter)
"Why jumpy all of a sudden Ced?" His mother pulled him up to the bed and sat down beside him. Her expectant gaze didn't waver as she gently took the letter and envelope to her hand. "Are you wondering why we didn't tell you about your aunt Amalee?"
Cedric nodded.
"She's your father's twin sister, you might've gathered it from her letter," his mother gestured to the letter in her palm. "While your father was sorted into Hufflepuff, your aunt got sorted into Slytherin. Your grandparents didn't mind it that much, considering your grandma's side of the family was in Slytherin as well. Your father however, he felt... betrayed, I supposed. She then joined You-Know-Who. And well, the entire family shunned her after that."
Cedric didn't know what to really say after that. His memories shuffled to his father's words one quiet afternoon. "Bad people are always shunned Ced, they can never be good again." But, that didn't seem right. His aunt seemed nice.
"Do you think she deserved it mum?" Cedric asked.
"I believe everyone deserves a second chance Ced," his mother kissed the crown of his hair and tucked him in. She took the letter and her towel to hand. "You should always give someone a second chance. So, no. I don't think your aunt deserved it. She at least deserved to give an explanation." She paused. "But don't worry about it too much. You go to sleep now love. Good night Cedric."
"Good night mum."
His mother smiled at him softly and blew out the candle on his bedside. He heard the front door open and the sound of his mother welcoming his father. Cedric tossed and turned, eventually just opting to stare at the ceiling. With sleep beginning to take over him, he felt the warm phantom touch of a hand weaving through the strands of his hair. He was sure it was a woman. A woman with kind brown eyes and a face similar to his father. He fell asleep with a faint smile.