You made your way up the stairs to the astronomy tower. You really didn't care if Filch caught you or not. He was too scared of your parents to give you detention.
By the time you made it to the top, you were out of breath. You heard someone chuckle. "It looks like someone forgot to work out over the summer. By the way, you're half an hour late." You shrugged.
"Sorry. My brother wouldn't leave me alone. Your lucky I'm here. Period." He smirked, clearly amused.
"That I am (Y/N/N). That I am." You crossed the room, the wooden floor creaking underneath your weight. Cedric was leaning against the railing, looking at the stars. You stood next to him, shoulders touching.
"So..." You trailed off, not knowing how to finish your sentence.
"You know what I want to talk about. Don't pretend like you don't. Show me." You sighed and rolled up the selves of your robe. Cedric gently moved your forearms into the moonlight. He quickly dropped them, averting his gaze. You hurried to pull down your sleeves. "Where else?"
"My back, legs, and collarbone," you mumbled. Cedric growled in response. He was the only one who knew your father beat you. Matt suffered the same torture. Your father was a well respected pureblood with a substantial income, from his job alongside the Minister of Magic himself. Little did the world know, he was a cruel man at heart. Not only was he a death eater, but he abused his wife and children, solely for the pleasure of it.
               "Why does he do this to you?" Cedric asked as he wrapped you into a hug. You leaned into  his chest, shaking your head. Your body was covered in dark bruises from where you'd been hit, multiple times. "Why don't you tell someone? Why don't you leave?"
               "It's a little more complicated than that Ced. Besides, I can't tell anyone. He threatened us if we ever told. I don't want to make it any worse than it already is." Cedric scowled.
"I'm so sorry (Y/N/N). I really wish I could help you." All you could do was shrug. What were you supposed to say to that? You didn't know, so you just let him hold you tighter. "I saw you with Weasley," he commented suddenly. You laughed.
"Yeah?" He scowled again. His face kept changing from a scowl to a look of hurt, as if he was debating on what to say next. You shook your head in slight annoyance.
"Yeah, what did he want?" You couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter. Cedric pulled away from your embrace. You shivered from the sudden loss of warmth. The look on his face was hilarious. You playfully punched his arm. He scowled. "What? Why are you laughing? What did I say?"
"It's just...Are you jealous?" His frown deepened as he shook his head.
"Just curious. Why?" This time it was your turn to shake your head.
"No reason. Well if we're done, I'd better get to bed." You really didn't want to leave, but you didn't want to make anything awkward. More than it already was, that is. You began to head back towards the stairs.
"Wait! Don't you want to hang out a bit longer. This could be the last time we get to talk for a while." You sighed and turned to face him. He was right, it was hard to find time to spend together. Especially since you were practically forbidden to be friends. You shrugged and sank to the ground where you were. He moved to sit next to you, brows knitted together in deep concern. He nudged you with his elbow. "Hey? You okay? You don't seem right? What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I just feel off. Exhausted. I'm happy to be back, but something feels wrong. Like something bad is going to happen." Cedric nodded slowly.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure your just anxious. Besides, I'm here for you. So you don't have to be scared." You snorted.
"Who said I was scared." His grin fell as you snapped at him.
"I was just saying," he mumbled. You didn't know what was wrong with you. You were normally so much more tolerant.
"I know. I'm sorry. I don't know why I've been so off lately." He sighed.
"I would be acting off too (Y/N/N) of I lived in your situation." You averted your gaze. But nodded anyway. You leaned your head against his shoulder. And for once you didn't talk. You didn't do anything, except sit and enjoy each other's company while it lasted.