Chapter Two
The first couple of weeks of term went by slow for Gwen. She had a tough exterior, but inside her heart was constantly being beaten to a pulp. She saw her brother everywhere. Umbridge didn't make things any easier. That toad constantly brought up how the Ministry claimed her brother died. She kept her head down; she couldn't bear the look on everyone's face when they looked at her. Gwen tried her hardest to keep to herself and succeeded during the week, but weekends Fred and George were a constant presence. They made her forget her grief and she was able to actually smile.
It was a crisp Saturday morning when Gwen woke up. She had tossed and turned all night. She was thoroughly exhausted, but she knew she would get no rest. How could she when her heart was shattered? She got out of bed, wrapped herself in a blanket and went to the common room. It was probably close to 4:30am; she knew that the space would be empty. She was wrong. Two fourth years had snuggled in front of the fireplace and slept there all night. It was actually very cute. Gwen had a thought that made her smile. She tiptoed back to her dorm and rummaged through her trunk. When she found what she was looking for she rushed back down stairs. Cedric had always told her to follow her heart and with her camera in her hand, she did just that. Maybe I'll just try and capture this year. She thought as she captured the couple snuggled on the floor.
Since it was still early, but not too late, Gwen decided to walk around the castle. Filch couldn't tell her to go back to her dorm because curfew had passed; it was morning. She transfigured the blanket to a hoodie and her slippers to tennis shoes and walked into the hallway with her camera around her neck.
Gwen walked for an hour, taking pictures at her leisure, and she actually enjoyed herself. As she walked, she came to the door for the Room of Requirement. It was very unusual because it was already formed and she had just arrived. Still she walked into find a small cozy room with a comfy looking bed, rather large for just her, and an area to develop her photos. Maybe she could get some sleep, after all she did feel a little better.
She climbed onto the bed to rest and suddenly felt extremely guilty. How can she feel better when her brother is dead? For a moment she tried to keep the tears at bay, but she had been so strong for so long already. She couldn't go another second; she began to truly mourn the death of her beloved brother, Cedric Amos Diggory.
She cried and cried and felt as though she could cry forever. She missed him so much. She was crying so much and so hard she didn't hear the door open or footsteps come towards the bed. She didn't know anyone was there until she felt a hand on her back. She looked up and saw Fred and George. She tried to wipe her eyes and calm her breathe, but she could not. She was too far gone in her grief to put on her mask.
She expected them to say something or leave, but they did neither. They merely toed off their shoes, climbed on the bed with her and placed her between them. They let her cry and just held her. Before long her crying had subsided and the risked a glance at her to find her in a peaceful sleep.
Fred placed a locking spell on the room and George summoned a blanket. They both held her a little tighter and drifted off to sleep. Between the twins, Gwen had the best sleep she had had since Cedric died and she felt utterly protected and safe in their arms.
A/N: I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed and favorite this story. It has really helped me keep this going. I have the full story stuck in my head minus the little parts and with each review and alert I receive it unlocks another part to be typed up and shared. I hope you all will continue to enjoy my imagination.
Arken
