"Cedric, dear! Do wake up. It's time for breakfast!" Mrs Diggory called. Amos looked up from the Prophet, towards the staircase which his wife was descending. He sighed, even as she walked in to the room, cheerfully carrying a breakfast tray for her son, containing his favourite bacon and eggs, along with a small vase decorated with amaranths.
"He'll just be coming downstairs, Amos. Poor thing mustn't have gotten enough sleep," she explained, putting her tray down on the table next to his plate. Amos looked at her without replying, his stare almost cold.
She met his gaze and her expression too, changed to one of disdain. "What?" she asked, defensively. He raised an eyebrow in reply, but did not say a word.
"Just because you never treat our son well does not mean I won't either!" she declared her voice rising slightly. Amos turned away from her and sighed again, pinching his nose exasperatedly.
"You always do this! Ignore me whenever I talk about Cedric! He is your son!" she exclaimed, almost going into hysterics now. Her husband still held his tongue, wincing slightly as she screamed at him.
"You don't even care about our family anymore! We have this fight everyday! It's all about work and the Ministry and the Department for you!" she accused. "Cedric is growing up to be a brilliant young man but you are never there for him! He is doing so well at Hogwarts and you never even give him a single word of appreciation!"
Amos turned to her now, eyes blazing in anger. "Enough, woman! Enough with your idolatry of Cedric. For Merlin's sake, stop it!" He had meant to keep his cool, but it had quickly become impossible with her growing insults.
He noticed the tears brimming in her eyes now. "Do you even love me anymore Amos? Do you love us?" she asked, accusingly. He swallowed before replying.
"Jane, dear, I know the last few months have been trying but I do love you. I have just...been through heaven and hell trying to make sure they don't take you away and-"
"Take me away? What do you mean?" she asked, trembling slightly. Amos realised his mistake immediately.
"Nothing! I don't mean anything about taking you away. Nothing at all, darling," he assured, hoping he sounded truthful enough, as he got up and embraced his wife to pacify her.
As he stood there, with his arms wrapped around her, he wondered if she would ever remember she didn't have a son anymore.
Notes: For the British Literature Challenge on the Golden Snitch. Prompts: Idolatry, Amaranth, A troubled marriage, heaven and hell
Also for the Through the Universe Challenge. Prompt: growing up.