January blended into February without issue, except for the weather. Scotland was hardly paradise, but winter in the Highlands had been exceptionally dreary the last few weeks. Clouds covered the sky in a thick grey blanket most days, refusing to rain or snow. It didn't help that N.E.W.T. workloads seemingly doubled over night. At least the terrible weather and mountains of work meant one good thing: more time with Cedric. She, Cedric, Amelia, and Martin had formed a de facto study group, convening most afternoons in the library. Athena would rather be alone with Cedric, doing literally anything else, but she'd take what she could get.
On a particularly dark Wednesday afternoon, Athena and Cedric found themselves deep within the stacks of the library. Amelia and Martin had just taken their fourth study break (read: snog break) of the hour, leaving Cedric and Athena alone again. Athena put the final flourishes on her Transfiguration essay for McGonagall on the ethics of human transfiguration - no doubt inspired by the unusual discipline Mad Eye Moody issued to Draco Malfoy by turning him into a ferret earlier that year.
As funny as it was in the moment, human transfiguration could have serious consequences, as Athena's research revealed. Prolonged transfigurations could cause the subject to retain characteristics of the animal they'd been turned into or worse the original caster could choose not to un-transfigure someone, leaving them trapped in another form.
"If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?" she asked. Cedric paused what he was working on and looked up at Athena. He looked perplexed for a moment, as if she asked the question in Ancient Greek.
"I see you've finished McGonagall's essay," he nodded at Athena's papers. "Haven't really given it much thought, what about you?"
"I always used to say if re-incarnation was real, I'd love to come back as a house cat, "she mused. Cedric raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue explaining. " "They are well fed, get cuddles and attention when they want it, can piss off to do their own thing when they've had enough, and aren't loved less for it."
Cedric gave her a brilliant smile. "I think you'd make an adorable cat."
"Gee, thanks. Now your turn." she admired his thinking face - eyebrows slightly furrowed in concentration, lips parted... looking very kissable. 'Focus' she thought. " 'I think I'd like to be some type of bird, "he said thoughtfully. "No agenda, no expectations, just fly wherever, whenever. "He had a pained expression that only lasted for a moment before meeting Athena's eyes again. She noticed it, but she. got the feeling that now wasn't the time to push the topic.
"You're already a brilliant flier from what I hear," Athena had heard Cedric was a good seeker - even beating Harry the previous year in quidditch. He gave her a little grin. Something in his eyes suggested he had something else on his mind.
"Everything alright, Ced?" He looked worried, which made Athena nervous too.
"Yeah, I just -" "he brought a hand to the back of his neck and his face flushed " "-will you come with me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
The butterfly that lived in her chest did a happy dance. "I'd love that."
He let out a deep sigh of relief and the color in his cheeks returned to normal. "Brilliant. It's a date." The pair would've continued chatting, but for the aggressive shushing the librarian, Madam Pince, directed at them. They resumed working with new motivation and nervous excitement at the prospect of their very first date.
As much as Athena wanted to look cute for her date with Cedric, the fluffy snow that decided to fall on Saturday morning determined it would be a function over fashion type of day. She paired her dark-wash skinny jeans with a hoodie depicting Ilvermorny's crest -two of the only articles of clothing from her previous life. She threw her unruly hair into a low bun and tugged on the hat Mrs. Diggory made her. This was about as good as it was going to get. She was running late, and she told Cedric she'd meet him by 11 in The Entrance Hall. Her watch read 10:51 - she still had nine minutes before she was actually late.
Deciding not to chance it, Athena jogged down the several flights of stairs separating Gryffindor Tower from the Entrance Hall making it with two minutes to spare. It didn't change the fact Cedric was already there waiting for her.
"No fair," she wheezed, "friggin' stairs." He chuckled at Athena who was still breathing heavily. He waited for her to catch her breath before taking her by the hand and leading her out of the castle. The snow crunched pleasantly beneath their feet as they walked down the path leading to the village. It was quite picturesque as the fluffy snow fell slowly, but steadily around them. Athena was glad she stayed casual, noting that Cedric had also opted for blue jeans and a thick cable knit sweater.
If possible, the village's charm only improved with the snow. Its clusters of shops and cottages looked like something out of a Christmas film, with people bustling in and out of stores and huddling close to stay warm. It was all very romantic. Athena recognized some of the shops on the main road from her last visit, but let Cedric continue reading her through town and down a side street.
One storefront stuck out to Athena. The window trimmings were a powdery pink and a door of the same color swung open unleashing a sickly-sweet perfume that Athena and Cedric could smell from 50ft away. A sign in the shape of a teapot swung in the wind. Athena read the teal script on the sign, "Madam Puddifoot's Tea shop." The door swung open again as a couple left the café, once again releasing a wave of a highly concentrated perfume. Athena looked at Cedric, who wrinkled his nose at the offending odor. There's no way they'd last five minutes in there. "Three Broomsticks?" Athena suggested. Cedric looked relieved at the words.
"Thank Godric, I knew I liked you." she smirked and squeezed his hand in acknowledgment as they walked back to the main road.
The Three Broomsticks was busy, but not so busy that
Cedric and Athena couldn't find a table. The owner, Rosmerta, opened a tab for them and brought over two glasses of butter beer.
"Well, it's not exactly what I had planned," Cedric said, breaking their silence.
"It's perfect, "Athena responded extending a hand to him across the table. He took it gladly, intertwining his fingers with hers. The butterfly fluttered in her chest.
"Is it weird that I'm nervous, even though we see each other every day?"
He laughed and the sparkle in his eyes she'd grown fond of returned. "I'm honestly glad it's not just me.'
Athena melted a bit at the revelation. "It's just me, Ced." "Just you?" he
"Just me."
"You say that like you aren't the most intimidating witch in our year."
she wasn't sure if she should be flattered or insulted. "Uh, thanks?"
Cedric half rolled his eyes." Okay, that didn't come out quite right, but I'm not wrong. Ever since I first saw you, I could tell something was different about you - not because you're American- because you're strong and incredibly smart, you're fierce and caring, and to top it off you're beautiful." That butterfly in Athena's chest multiplied into hundreds ecstatically flapping their wings. It was flattering, but Athena didn't feel like any of those things even on her best days.
"Says the Triwizard Champion," she responded with a smirk. "Sorry, the quidditch hottie, Prefect, Triwizard Champion."
"Are you suggesting that I'm intimidating? "He raised a brow. Athena held up her hands defensively. "Your words, not mine."
At least their banter allowed some of their nerves to dissipate.
"So, now that we've established, we both find the other attractive, accomplished, and ever so slightly intimidating - what's next?"
Cedric played along. "I had scheduled some minor small talk about the weather, but I think we can skip that in favor of another topic of the lady's choosing."
What a ham. she smiled at him, appreciating his willingness to indulge her.
"Hmm. Perhaps the gentleman would like to play a game? A fact for a fact? A secret for a secret?"
He brought a hand to his chin, pondering the request openly. "Methinks, yes. Ladies first."
She wanted to start off with something good. A- fact. A fact about her. "I once played a Quidditch match with three broken fingers."
He winced. "Ouch. What happened?"
"Bludger caught me mid-save." she shrugged.
He closed his eyes and thought of a fact to share with Athena. When his eyes opened, he gave her a look that screamed 'I'm going to regret this, aren't I?' "Okay. When I was about six and a half my cousin Geraldine dressed me up like a girl and called me Cedrella for a week."
she laughed out loud at that. "AW, I bet you looked so cute in your little outfit. I bet your mum has photos." His face went white. "You wouldn't." "Oh, I think you'll find that I would, "she said giving him a cheeky wink.
Ok, now a secret. "This is my first date." Her face flushed and she stared into what remained of her glass of butter beer, unwilling to see Cedric's reaction.
"I can 't believe that. A gorgeous girl like you?"
"Well... it's true. "She watched bubbles rise and burst in the golden liquid in front of her.
"My turn for a secret then?" He asked, despite knowing the answer. "I think I'm falling in love with you, Athena Mayall." Her head snapped up. He looked sincere, golden eyes hopeful.
"Really?" she asked sounding small. she had basically just told him no one had ever liked her enough to ask her out and his response was to tell her that he was falling in love with her. Did she get that right?
"Really."
She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. Not bad, just... new. It was warm and tingly and the more she focused on it the lighter she felt. Is that what falling in love feels like? She hoped so.
"I'd say I'm falling, but I think I already fell. Hard.'' He was beaming. Both of them moved to each other like magnets pulled them to be together. she was kissing him, and he kissed her back eagerly, neither of them paying attention to anyone else in the room. If Athena could make that moment last
forever she would.
Being with Cedric was like having a personal ray of sunshine. When he was around things just felt... better. Even with N. E. W. T. work and the second Task fast approaching, Athena and Cedric still made time just for them. Whether that was sneaking off to the kitchens to have a meal together or finding an empty classroom to snog, they always made time for each other. Tonight, though, Cedric had rounds as part of his prefect duties, so she was in the common room, reading about spell resistance for DADA.
It was late, Athena was the last Gryffindor in the common room. She watched as the once roaring fire dwindled into a slow burning ember. she jumped at the sound of the portrait hole opening. In walked Harry Potter, hair dripping wet, towel slung over his shoulder, and his golden egg tucked under one arm. He was just as surprised to see Athena, as she was him. This was the first time she had seen him in weeks.
"Alright there, Harry?" she still didn't know what she'd done to upset him, but she wanted to be clear there were no hard feelings on her end.
"Err, yeah," he said sheepishly looking down at the carpet.
"Wanna talk about it?" She asked softly, taking the edge out of her voice.
He looked conflicted at first, but ultimately took a seat on one of the plush red sofas facing Athena. "So?"
"Right, er," He muttered. "I owe you an apology and I'd like to ask for your help."
"You lost me, Potter." Athena was confused." Apologize for what?"
"It was Diggory. I was mad at Diggory and took it out on you. He asked Cho to the Ball, and I wanted to take Cho, then you two just started, and I guess I just snapped y 'know?" The kid looked manic, black hair wildly pointing in multiple directions, green eyes wide.
"Slow down kiddo." Athena closed her book giving her full attention to Harry. "That's why you've been avoiding me?"
she was a little hurt the kid iced her out because of Chang & Cedric. That didn't seem fair.
"I'd been so angry, I was ignoring the hint Cedric gave me about the task, and Hermione told me to get over myself because I'm running out of time -she's right- but I finally took Cedric's suggestion and put the egg in the water and now I need to breathe under water." He was breathing heavily by the time he stopped.
"Huh?"
Harry looked like he might combust.
"Kidding, "Athena said through giggles. "I actually managed to catch most of that. So, how can I help?" "I need to breathe underwater for at least an hour."
She had a few thoughts but didn't know if any would be viable in time for the second Task.
"First idea is a bubble head charm, but you'll need more than two weeks of practice to get it to hold 30 minutes, let alone a full hour." He looked disappointed. "Don't give up on me yet kid."
Transfiguration might work but he could not transfigure himself then change back, right? And he wasn't an animagus, so that ruled out those options.
"You, Ron, and Hermione need to research every potion or plant that could possibly exist ASAP. In the meantime, I will do what I can to teach you the bubble head charm as a last resort."
He nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet, Potter. We've got a lot of work to do. Get some rest." She nodded to the staircases leading to their respective dorms. A yawn escaped her before she could control it. A lot of work to do, indeed.
AN: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?
I think Athena was onto something with the housecat...