Shipping A2 - Cuddling/Snuggling
Fall C4 - Reading/Writing
Setting B3 - Bathroom
Stacked With: SoC, PP, NC, StL, ToS, BAON, FPC, Cluster, MLG, AV, ER, Fence, Star, Shower, SHoE, RoIL, O3, SN, T3, TY, CM, Mea Ship, FaB, Set
Individual Challenges: Long Haul (Y); The Real MC (Y); Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Chef MC; Neurodivergent x3 (Yx3); Rian-Russo Inversion x2 (Yx2); Ethnic & Present x2 (Tx2); Disabled (Y); Tiny Terror (Y); Ship Sails (Y); Hold the Mayo x2 (Yx2); Zed Era (Y); Gryffindor MC; Hufflepuff MC; Magical MC x3 (Yx1); Old Shoes (Y); Culturally Inclined; Tastebuds; Human Companion; Tell My Story (Y); Citrus Sale; Go Fluff Yourself; Adult Activities (Y); Kinder (Y)
Representations: BC Use
Primary & Secondary Challenges: Queen Bee; Second Verse (Dog Star; Deadliest Catch; Car in a Tutu; Spinning Plates; Nontraditional; Teat Juice; Not a Lamp; White Dress; Ladylike); Chorus (Some Beach; Vid Tangent; Unicorn; Tomorrow's Shade; Mouth of Babes; Fizzy Lemonade; Machismo; Pear-Shaped)
Tertiary & Generic Challenges: SHoE (Onus); RoIL (Amelioration; Satisfaction); O3 (Orator; Oust); SN (Ameliorate); T3 (Tether), TY (Enfant); Mea (Bisect)
Warnings: Past Trauma Surfaces; Monsters; Mild Injury
"Cedric? Cedric."
Cedric sniffed and raised his head. Hermione was fast asleep next to him. The insistent tap came at his back again and he rolled over to see Rose standing there with Bun-Bun clutched in her arms, her eyes wide and scared.
"Rose?" He rubbed his face. "What's wrong?"
"There's a monster under my bed," she whispered.
She was shaking so badly and he realized she was crying, too. He swiped her cheek with his thumb.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll check it out."
"Mm?" Hermione lifted her head groggily. "What's wrong?"
"There's a monster under Rose's bed," said Cedric. "I'm going to check it out." He lifted Rose onto the bed. "Stay here with your mum, okay?"
Rose nodded and curled up, hiding her face in Hermione's chest. Cedric got into his chair and grabbed his wand off its stand. Even if it turned out to be a nightmare or a jumper, he didn't want to take that chance. He'd seen plenty of monsters.
Cedric went across the hall to Rose's room and switched on the light. There were no monsters, but there were quite a few toys that needed picking up. He cast the revealing charm, finding nothing, then looked in the closet to find a wrapped snack cake, but no monster.
"No monsters yet!" he called. "Checking under the bed now."
He got out of his chair and looked under the bed. It was a bit cluttered with left shoes and socks. Wait. What was that? Flicking light onto the tip of his wand, he thrust it beneath the bed to see a dark, red-eyed shape screech and recoil.
"Oh, G-D!" Cedric shouted just before the creature lunged at him.
He scrambled back, avoiding sharp, much-too-long fingers. The thing crawled out, changing from the spider-shape that had frightened Rose into a smaller version of the creature that ate his legs. His heart lodged into his throat as its face elongated into a snout and slavering fangs snarled at him.
"Diffindo!"
It shrieked horribly and swiped at him. It looked to be made of smoke until it touched him.
"Cedric!" Hermione ran into the room and inhaled sharply at seeing the creature.
It turned on her and shaped and morphed, but couldn't seem to find something tangible she feared, so it turned on Cedric once more.
"Kikiki! Kakaka!" Hermione shouted, getting between them. She beat a hand against her chest and hissed through her teeth as she widened her stance and stomped her feet. "Kauana kei waniwania/taku tara!"
He'd seen this performed by the local Quidditch team when they saw a game at Kilokilo Stadium. Hermione explained the haka to him. That it was for battle and magical Maori could use it to ward off creatures. It worked. As she chanted, the walls seemed to shake and the bogeyman shrank down to something shapeless.
"Ā, upane! ka upane! / Ā, upane, ka upane, WHITI TE RA!" Hermione contorted her face, stuck her tongue out, and roared.
The bogeyman shrieked and skittered past Cedric. Hermione ran after it and he heard the front door open.
Realizing how badly he was sweating, Cedric shivered and tried to haul himself back into his chair, but couldn't seem to find the strength. Hermione came back to him and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Y-Y-Yeah," he said. "Just a scratch."
"Come on, let's clean that up," she said and stooped to support him. Once he was settled, he gave her permission to push him to the bathroom.
"Is it gone?" Rose asked.
"Yes, love, it's gone," said Cedric. "Your mum scared it away."
Rose smiled. "Mama's really scary."
"That she is."
"Can I still sleep in here tonight?"
"Of course, chuleta," said Hermione, kissing her on the head. "I just need to clean this scratch Cedric got. It didn't grab you, did it?"
"Uh-uh, I ran when it tried."
Cedric locked his wheels and removed his bloodied shirt. There were three long scratches running down his arm that stung horribly. Hermione opened her emergency kit and cleaned the injury before placing a large plaster on it that nearly wrapped around his entire forearm. She kissed it lightly and paused.
"God, I'm such a mum," she muttered.
Cedric brought her hand to his cheek and nuzzled it. "I adore you."
She smiled and stroked his cheek with her thumb. "Let's try and get some sleep. We have work tomorrow."
He nodded and put on a fresh shirt before climbing into bed. The soft fireflies in the enchanted window kept them from being in total darkness.
Rose was on Hermione's other side, leaving Cedric free to pull his girlfriend into his arms. He buried his face into her hair and sighed heavily. He hadn't wanted to think about that day ever again.
Still, when he had nightmares before he didn't have a family to comfort him. And now he did. He found he wasn't as scared. Hermione had certainly taken care of that creature. It was just a boogeyman. They popped up sometimes in households. Usually magical ones. Though unlike boggarts, they could inflict physical harm if they felt threatened.
He managed to doze for a few hours until the alarm went off. He smacked it off and groaned softly.
"Why don't you rest for a while longer?" Hermione suggested, rubbing his back. "I can do Rose's hair this morning."
"You sure?" he asked.
"Yeah." She kissed his temple and got up. "Come on, Cielita Rosa. Time to get to school."
"Five more minutes Mama?" Rose whined.
"You can have five more minutes after you get dressed."
Rose sighed heavily and shuffled to her room to get dressed.
"Don't go back to bed!" Hermione warned and got her work uniform out. "And where were you in all this?"
Cedric wondered who she was talking to when Etta jumped onto the bed and cuddled up to him.
"Some guard dog you are," he muttered as she licked his ear.
He wasn't getting back to sleep, so he sat up and dragged his hands down his face. Two gentle hands rested on his shoulders. He looked up at Hermione.
"I know it still hurts you," she said. "I hear you when you have your nightmares. If you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen."
"I'd rather forget," he said, embracing her and pressing his cheek against her chest. Her heartbeat was strong and steady and he basked in the love he felt.
She held him and kissed the top of his head. They stayed like that as long as they dared before parting to get ready for the day.
Cedric decided to do Rose's hair after all, which she was thrilled about. She was really falling into the witchy princess thing, which he found utterly adorable. She had wanted to wear her witch hat to school but he and Hermione insisted she follow the dress code, which said no hats.
A silly rule, but they let her wear it everywhere else to make up for it. Hermione wore the witch hat he bought her for Hanukkah fairly often.
"Things have been so crazy," said Hermione as she placed a bowl of cereal in front of Rose. "Maybe we should plan a beach day. Go and relax by the water. I mean, I still have to study for exams and I test for my certificate soon as well, but at least we'll be somewhere else, yeah?"
"That sounds brilliant," said Cedric.
~o0o~
The place Cedric and Hermione had their first date wasn't all that crowded, most people went to the sand bars off of Kilokilo for their surfing and partying. This cove had mostly families.
Thanks to almost six months of steady paychecks and a good healthcare program in the magical area, he was able to buy prosthetic legs that could withstand a day at the beach. They were just made of acrylic sheets. He was happy to be able to spend a day at the beach with his family.
His family. He really believed it now. It was nearly May, he had only been here seven months, but he had a place where he felt like he belonged.
They found a place to sit down and set up the umbrella and blanket. Rose was eagerly looking out at the water.
"I'll be President of the Picnic Blanket," said Hermione, taking out her study guide.
"Thank you, Madam President," said Cedric. "I will be in charge of the youngling."
"Ah-ah!" Hermione pulled Rose back. "Sun screen."
"Do I have to, Mama?"
"Brown skin can still burn," she said, taking out the body screen and the face screen. It was a Japanese brand that didn't leave behind a white residue.
Once Rose was covered, Hermione beckoned Cedric over so she could get his back. She massaged his shoulders when she found a knot he didn't realize he had and kissed his temple.
"Have fun you two," she said, sitting in her beach chair. "Don't go past those rocks, the current is really strong due to the magic."
"We'll be alright," he said.
"I want to fly the kite," said Rose.
"We can definitely manage that."
While Hermione studied, Cedric and Rose flew the butterfly kite, built a sand castle, and swam in the cool ocean water. He couldn't really swim, but it was shallow enough for him to wade in and keep Rose within reach. The beach was buzzing with activity. A wizard was blowing massive bubble rings for people to run through and another was making rainbows. The day was sunny and lovely without a hint of a storm.
Rose got invited to play a game with some other little kids. Kai was one of the supervising parents.
"You can go keep Mama company," said Rose, running over to Lila.
"I know when I'm not wanted," he teased. "Have fun, Rosie. Just make sure you tell us if you're going to do something else."
"I will."
He walked over to the blanket and sat down next to Hermione's chair. It was mostly a piece of furniture to keep her back supported. She told him she bought it when she was pregnant and couldn't lie flat. Her legs were stretched out in front of her. She looked lovely in her strawberry two-piece and had paired it with the hat he gave her and large framed sunglasses.
At first he thought she was keeping an eye on everything, until her head jerked sharply and she snorted.
He chuckled. "Have a nice nap?"
"I was just resting my eyes," she said. "Where's Rose?"
"Playing with those other kids," he said, pointing her out.
"Ah, good."
Cedric gazed at her.
"You know you look like a model like this?" he said.
"Oh, come on," she said, brown cheeks flushing with red.
"I'm serious!" He stroked her thigh and kissed her. "You're gorgeous. I mean it."
She smiled and brushed his hair back. "I adore you."
He got in a few more kisses before settling next to her to eat his lunch. Hermione had made them both cheese, tomato, lettuce, and avocado sandwiches. His had mayo and hers had ranch dressing. Rose had a simple peanut butter and jelly.
"What is it about days in nature that make sandwiches taste so much better?" Cedric asked.
"I dunno."
When he finished, he settled down with his head on her lap. He couldn't gaze up at her adoringly like he would have liked to, she needed to keep studying and he knew she got nervous when neither of them were keeping an eye on Rose, so he looked out where the children played and spotted Rose's fiery hair amongst the rest of the kids.
About an hour later, Rose came over and tumbled onto the blanket.
"I'm gonna take a nap right here," she said.
"Ah-ah, eat your lunch first," said Hermione. "We don't want to be hangry."
Rose scarfed down her sandwich and toppled over, falling fast asleep.
"Should we head home?" asked Cedric, sitting up.
"Just a moment. I want to sink."
"Yeah, sure, I'll stick with Rose and pack up here."
Hermione kissed him lightly and walked down to the water. She stood on the surf and let the waves wash over her feet until she was sinking into the sand.
Cedric took his time packing up to give her some time to herself. When he was done, he picked Rose up and funneled the blanket into the bag with a quick spell. Rose clung to him and buried her face into his neck.
He walked down to the water. Hermione let her hat hang by the ribbon down her back and had tipped her face to the sun. She looked so serene. He realized in that moment how much he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah. We'll have a proper family day soon."
"You're working hard," said Cedric. "Rose and I understand that."
"I know and I appreciate both of you being so patient." She stretched on her toes and kissed him.
When they got home, Hermione woke Rose up so she could bathe. The young girl was still tuckered out and went down for a nap in her own room after.
Cedric and Hermione showered together to get a little quality time in. They still had their weekly date, but most of the time they would come home to relieve her father of babysitting duty and make it an early night.
Hermione hummed a song he couldn't recognize as she washed his hair.
"Love?" he said.
"Yes?"
"I was thinking of writing Luna and Fleur," he said. "Telling them about us."
"Why haven't you already?" she asked, massaging his temples.
He closed his eyes and tipped his head back. "Lots of reasons. I think mostly I've been on the move so long that it all felt temporary. Like I'd wake up and you'd decide you'd had enough of me."
"Funny, I keep worrying you'll think the same about me."
"Never," he said.
She filled up a plastic cup and poured it over his hair to rinse out the shampoo. The shower head wasn't very tall and he couldn't lean back like that with these legs. He turned to face her, moving carefully. The prosthetics had grips on the feet but he wouldn't test them.
"The other reason was… well… I wasn't sure if you wanted me telling them where you were."
"I didn't hide where I was going," she said, turning around so he could massage her neck. It wasn't washing day for her hair, so she had it twisted up into a bun and covered with a shower cap. "I said I was going home to my dad. I thought about writing some of my friends: Luna, Neville, Ginny… but it still felt like I was making them choose between me and Ron, so I decided if they wanted to reach out they'd find a way. It's not like it's hard to find someone in the wizard world if they aren't actively hiding. A little to the right."
"True," he conceded, moving his hands and finding the knot that was bothering her. "I just… I didn't want you to be uncomfortable if Luna or Fleur decided to visit. Because you know Luna would bring Ginny and Fleur would bring Bill."
She hummed and leaned against him. He enfolded her in his arms and pressed his cheek against the top of her head.
"Fleur knows, actually," she said. "Viktor asked her why none of the Weasleys knew and she said Ron told them it was all a lie. You know that little rabbit Rose loves so much? Fleur sent it as a baby shower gift along with a note telling me if I ever wanted to talk she'd be there." Her voice broke. "That's when I realized I had it all wrong and I was absolutely terrible to her. She was just trying to work with the hand she was dealt. I wish I had kept up correspondence, been her friend, but I told her I was worried I'd be tempted to crawl back to where I wasn't accepted and she said she understood and wished me well."
"I didn't know that," he said. "She never said."
"I think she figured it wasn't her business to tell," she reasoned. "Look, our relationship would get out sooner or later, and I don't think they'd appreciate you covering up who you're living with. So tell them. Viktor is good friends with Fleur, he's Victoire's godfather. If Jews needed or wanted godparents I would've made him Rose's godfather. He's inviting her to the wedding. Though, he asked me to be his best man since, you know, I introduced him to his soulmate and I was his first real friend and everything."
"When's the wedding?"
"Invitations should arrive any day now," she said. "But it's August after Rose's birthday. They argued about whether to have the wedding in Bulgaria where Viktor grew up or New Zealand where Zaza grew up. So they're compromising and having it here because Kilokilo can declare a wizard wedding, especially for a celebrity, a private event and restrict how many magical people can come on the islands anywhere in Polynesia."
"Ideal," he said.
"Right. So, they'll be having it at the cove." She shivered and quickly turned off the tap, which started running cold. "Just tell them. I told Ron I was pregnant and he told me I was lying to get him on my side. Why would I send baby pictures to people who sided with him? As proof? To make them feel bad for me? No. I won't have my baby be rejected."
He heard the last sentence she didn't dare say. I won't be rejected again.
Cedric pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck. "I'm on your side. Even if everyone else is against you."
She leaned into him, resting her hands on top of his.
After getting dressed, she set up at the kitchen table to write her essay and he penned his letters at the coffee table. They were similar to each other.
I know it's been a while since I've checked in last. I hope you and your families are doing well. Perhaps a visit is in order. As for me, I've been brilliant. I found a place to call home. Kauai, Hawaii. I live in a small town on the beach, I work at Manny's Diner and Karaoke Bar, and I have never been happier in my life. I really think I've found my true love: Hermione. You might be thinking, "Huh, same name as the one we knew way back when." and you'd be right. Same Hermione Granger.
She took me in when I showed up back in September and we started dating in February. She has a wonderful daughter, Rose, whom I absolutely adore, and a giant poodle named Etta.
I was surprised to see her, but she's been wonderful. She's so kind and thoughtful. If you run across my dad and he happens to care about how I'm doing, you can tell him I found a nice Jewish girl to boss me around. Ha, ha.
Hermione's been working on her advanced education so she can provide better for Rose. I'm happy to support her and I really like working at the restaurant her dad owns. Manny says after she quits and moves on to a job better suited to her, he's going to teach me how to take over the restaurant so he can dedicate more time to the community. And Rose! I adore her. She's such a sweetheart. When Hermione needs quiet time to finish homework, I keep Rose out of the house. She's into all things fairy princess, so I've been able to get fairly creative with the activities we do, especially if we can't afford a movie or the arcade. Thankfully I'm never short of games. I know you always loved them. Right?
Though we've only been a couple since January, I feel as if I've known Hermione my entire life. We just… click. She laughs at my jokes, she doesn't make me feel like I'm wrong when I want to wear things considered feminine—you should hear her laugh, it's the cutest thing. Rose's too. And the truth of the matter is; I'm happy. Really, truly happy. Even on the hard days I just… look at the family that let me in and I am home.
Now that I've found my forever home, I should be a bit more consistent with writing. Not sure when I'll have the time for a visit, but I'll keep in touch.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Your Cousin,
Cedric
He found envelopes and stamps and had sealed and addressed the letters when Rose woke up.
"Hey, Rosie," he said. "Up to taking a walk with me?"
"Is Mama still working?"
"Yes," said Hermione. "Don't worry, I'm almost finished."
"I'll walk with you."
They put Etta on her leash and walked down to the post office. Etta still wasn't used to Cedric's wheelchair and trotted as far ahead as she could. Hermione didn't have an owl and honestly, the muggle postal service was so much cheaper than the magical one.
"What's that for?" asked Rose when he put the letters into the blue box.
"Just writing letters to my cousins," he said. "Luna and Fleur."
"Did you tell them about Mama and me?"
"Of course. You're my best girls, why wouldn't I?"
Rose grinned. "Can we meet them?"
"Maybe someday. My cousin Fleur has daughters about your age. Victoire and Dominique."
"Those are fancy names."
"Fleur is a fancy woman."
He realized that Victoire, Dominique, and Rose actually were cousins. He wasn't sure if he should tell her or not. Though Fleur wasn't technically his blood relative, she was as good as, but she married Bill Weasley, Ron's oldest brother. If they all came to visit, they would know right away… maybe he shouldn't have said anything.
But if he did marry Hermione, then he couldn't just… not invite his family out of fear that a Jerry Springer-esque drama would occur. Oh geez, Wizard bloodlines really were a tumbleweed, weren't they? That's what happened when you had to keep your communities contained.
"Penny for your thoughts," said Rose.
"How about two to keep it to myself?"
She gave him a sideways look and he laughed to put her at ease. "Just silly personal stuff. You don't need to worry about it."
"Okay." She found a hopscotch square and hopped along it. "Are you gonna marry Mama?"
"I sure would like to, but I think we're going to wait a little while before making that commitment," he said. "Why do you ask?"
"Because if you marry Mama, then I would have a real Papa," she said matter-of-factly. "And I like you. You play games and you teach me stuff and you look for monsters like a papa should."
"Being your papa would be an honor, princess," he said. "I'll be there for you whether your mama and I get married or not. Pinkie promise."
She threw her arms around his neck.
Cedric took a deep breath, feeling his throat tighten. He would do anything for this kid.
"Let's get home before your mum worries," he said.
"Okay."
"What do you want to do for dinner?"
"I want pancakes."
Breakfast food was her favorite.
"Pancakes sound good," he said. "I like pancakes. How about… pancakes with blueberries?"
"Yes!"
They stopped by the corner store and got a pack of blueberries and some milk before heading home. They had been gone for about half an hour. When they returned, Hermione was sleeping on her textbook. She'd been working so hard lately, she needed good rest. He would be glad when her exams were over.
"Rose, can you get what we need for pancakes out?" Cedric asked.
"Okay."
He went around to Hermione and gently shook her shoulder.
"Mimi, darling," he said. "Wake up."
She lifted her head and looked at him blearily.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you to bed."
She nodded and rubbed her face. Cedric eased her onto his lap. She buried her face in his neck as he carried her to their room.
"You're working too hard," he said.
"I'm almost done," she mumbled. "If I get this certificate, then I just have one more semester."
"Yes, and that is exactly why you should rest. I read that good rest helps you remember things better. That and lemon."
"Mm."
"Rose and I are going to make pancakes," he said. "I'll send her to fetch you when they're ready."
"Mmhm."
Cedric smiled and kissed her shoulder before locking his wheels and lifting her onto the bed. She rolled over and burrowed into her pillow. He rubbed her back and returned to the kitchen to make dinner.
"Alright, princess," he said. "Do you want heart-shaped pancakes or stars?"
"Stars!"