Nymph Than a Virgin
Mattheo took you to a secluded spot near the lake. Neither of you had any more classes so you sat there in silence for a while. You couldn’t bring yourself to talk. Eventually you said, “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” He asked.
“Putting this on you. You're being so perfect. You're there for me and you're supportive and you believe me. You shouldn’t have to deal with this. We haven’t even known each other that long. We're supposed to hate each other and here you are helping me.” You explained. “I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m here because I want to help you. I am your friend, that doesn’t change because of how long we've known each other or who our parents are. I’m here because I believe you and want to help you.” He replied.
You started crying again. “I’ve never really had a friend. I had Harry but that was pretty much it.”
“I haven’t really either.” Mattheo admitted.
“I don’t want to mess this up, but I feel like I will. I was so happy before this and now I’m a mess again.” You said.
“You think I’m not a mess.” Mattheo said with a soft smile.
You smiled back.
***
The two of you sat together for a long while. It got dark but you stayed. Eventually you picked yourself up and went inside. Mattheo walked you to your dorm and you parted ways. You changed into your pajamas and tried to sleep but you couldn’t. You couldn’t stop feeling Cedric’s hand around your throat. Couldn’t stop feeling the bedpost he backed you into. The one that was attached to the bed you were sleeping in. You sighed and got up.
It was almost midnight, but you pulled on your robe and left your dorm. You decided to walk around for a while. You left the Slytherin rooms and just started walking. You didn’t have a destination but after almost a month of going to this school you could get around well. After a while of walking, you turned a corner and ran straight into someone.
You blinked, surprised to see someone else. Then you realized who it was.
“Oh. Hi, Cho.” You said.
“Hi. Y/n.” She replied. You both stood awkwardly for a moment.
“Couldn’t sleep?” You asked. She nodded. “Me either.”
There was another pause. You decided to break the ice, “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” She said.
“Well I still am. He cheated on you with me and I’m sorry. And I heard he hurt you so I’m sorry.” You replied nervously.
“It’s not your fault. None of it. And I’m sorry he hurt you too.” Cho said, “Not that it really matters but I have to ask, did you actually sleep with him?”
“No.” You answered. “He lied about that.”
Cho sat on the floor and started crying. You froze for a second before joining her on the floor. “I wouldn’t sleep with him.” She said, “I wasn’t ready and I felt guilty because I thought he targeted you because of that. I felt so guilty.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s his.” You replied. “And he’s gone now.”
Cho smiled at that. You two sat and talked for a while after that.
***
Life went on and the next day started. You went to your classes and talked with your friends. People whispered more and more rumors were spread. You heard more people calling you a whore and a slut. You started hanging out with Cho more. It was nice to be around someone with similar experiences as you, despite the circumstances. More days passed. Things stayed the same.
Or they stayed the same until one week after the night Cedric attacked you. Exactly one week after that night, Cedric Diggory walked into the great hall and sat down with his friends.’
Everyone saw him. Within five minutes it got spread that he was back for good. He was also telling people what a whore you were and what a prude Cho was. You didn’t know how to react, so you just didn’t. You just stayed still. Luckily, you didn’t have brooms that day, so you didn’t see him.
That night, as you were leaving dinner, Dumbledore stopped you in the hall. He said, “As I assume you already know, Cedric Diggory is back. We didn’t have proof of either of your statements, so he was temporarily suspended.”
He continued, “He has been moved out of any classes he had with you or Cho Chang. Hopefully there will be no more issues.”
You nodded slowly and walked away. Dumbledore’s words rang in your head. "We didn’t have proof."
You felt sick. You got to your room as fast as you could and almost immediately you ran for the restroom. You puked in a toilet. Emptying your stomach made you feel slightly better. You brushed your teeth, showered, and got into bed. It took you a while but once you fell asleep you dreamed.
You dreamed of a place where you felt safe, with the people who made you feel safe. You dreamed of sharing the closet under the stairs with Harry and you dreamed of sitting with Mattheo at the lake. You dreamt of comfort and stability.
Things you believe you won’t ever feel again.