A . Diggory

For as good as Davey usually was with parents, he found he didn’t have a single thing to say to when Mrs. Diggory opened the door. Fortunately, it didn’t seem like he needed to find any. There were a few seconds of understanding, a brief silence before she gave him a small smile and told him, “Go.”

The moment he got the call, he knew he was coming. He hadn’t spelled out for his parents what exactly happened; he couldn’t fully find the words in his own shock. There must have been something in his words, something in his expression that told them that it was important. Amos needed him, and it wasn’t just an excuse for his friend. If he was at this level, only nodding appreciatively at his mum, then he could only imagine what his friend was feeling.

He set off, grateful for the lack of pleasantries, not really needing more information than what had been given on the phone.

Amos was going to be a dad. Davey needed to be there.

The latter was a given as much as a request. She barely needed to ask before he headed out the door, but he hesitated when he faced with the one to Amos’s bedroom. He’d rarely been here, all things considered. He spent so much of his summers with his family or at camp that he usually preferred to meet people to do things. The rest of the time was at school where, at most, they only ever had a curtain separating them.

Was he supposed to knock?

He raised his hand halfway and decided to just turn the knob. Even if Amos didn’t know he was coming, he had to know he was coming. It was hardly a surprise in all of this.

Davey didn’t wait for acknowledgment to cross the room. He didn’t waste another second in giving his shoulder a nudge to get him to move over. He dropped right down on Amos’s bed next to him and looked down, not lying there. Not this time. He knew fully well what he had to do looking at him. A thoroughly unconventional approach, and he was pretty sure he was going to hate every second of it.

“What’s gotten into you?” he asked. Amos might know that he’d been brought up before he came here, but he still wanted to hear him say it because he was surprised but not floored. He’d seen him like this too often this year; he was well aware it could be like pulling teeth to get him to share. When he was looking this wrecked, though, over something so important, well. Davey was glad he was called.

He’d never wanted kids. It wasn’t something he’d ever really voiced, but it was true. When he thought about his future, he was free and happy, never settling down, never falling into that cliché family life. Amos was determined to never put himself in a situation where he may end up like his father, never committing to anything serious in fear of boredom. He’d never expected anything like this to happen to him, whether that was his ego or false sense of security, he wasn’t sure. But it was happening, whether he liked it or not. Robyn was carrying his kid, and there was no turning back the clock now.

Amos had been cold to his mother, a feeling of betrayal sweeping over him. He knew why she didn’t tell him straight away, knew she wanted to shield him from the reality and have him enjoy a life without responsibilities a little longer. But it was the wrong choice in his eyes. It had been thrown at him, all at once, with no hint. And it was more than he could deal with. Edith didn’t even look surprised when Amos called for Davey Gudgeon rather than her when it came to wanting company. But he didn’t expect his fellow Hufflepuff to arrive as soon as he did.

He had his back to the door when it opened, keeping himself firmly underneath his covers with no intention of moving, but Amos knew immediately that it was his friend who had entered the room. Intuition, maybe familiarity. There was something different about the steps towards him that put him more at ease than he’d felt since returning home. When he felt a nudge, he moved without complaint. If it were anyone else, he’d tell them to leave him alone, to let him mope in peace. But Davey had seem him, in all his theatrical states. They all seemed small and ridiculous now.

Amos still did not turn, even as he felt the bed sink down next to him and heard Davey speak. He knew – there was no way his mother wouldn’t at least fill his friend in before he arrived. It was only natural, everyone knew Amos kept nothing from his friend since the first day of meeting him. Still, the question made him scoff. He didn’t realise how hoarse his voice sounded until he spoke, “Don’t suppose you’d fall for the ‘I missed you so much, I made up an excuse to get you to come over’ line, would you?”

“Amos, I–” Lucinda stopped herself, right on the edge of offering another albeit tireder apology for knocking into him. She hadn’t spilled anything on him; she was having a great night despite not having played. She was a little chilly and more than happy to have her feet on the ground for this match, but overall, she was incredibly happy. The alcohol only helped that, buzzing pleasantly when she realized he wasn’t here with a bone to pick.

“I’d say that’s a right tragedy, Diggory,” she said, catching up quickly. She rested one wrist on his shoulder and smiled up at him. It was considerably further than she would have liked with being stuck in flats, but it was nice to know he didn’t mind. She knew how she looked, but it was nice to be noticed, to be reassured that even stuck on the ground, she had what she thought she did.

She leaned into his touch for a second, closed some of the distance between them. “Where do you have in mind?” she asked, a short list already playing through hers. She trailed her fingers down his arm until they caught, grabbing a bottle off a nearby table and shooting him a grin, daring him to tell her to slow down.

The intention, originally, had been to use an excuse to get away from Mary. Even for a couple of seconds, he had been ignoring Lucinda in favour of making sure the Gryffindor had retreated after their disagreement and he could breathe again. Then he’d go back to whatever he was doing and – then there was a light touch on his shoulder and he glanced back at the Slytherin. His thought process was lost for a second. What was he doing?

She leaned into his touch, the closeness between them suddenly evident. But in his intoxicated mind, it hardly seemed inappropriate. Neither did the question. Perhaps with more sober thoughts, he’d understand what she thought his reasoning for approaching her was, and he’d realize what she was implying. But he knew he needed to be away from Mary – needed to seem as though he was having a wonderful time away from her. Getting out of the party seemed like a good idea to solidify his lack of care facade.

Regardless of the reason why, Lucinda was still ridiculously attractive. The predicament he was in was not unpleasant and he returned her grin, snatching the bottle from her and running his free hand down her arm. “It’s a little too loud in here.” He said, his hand reaching the end of Lucinda’s arm where he held it lightly. “Not where I like to get to know people. I’m sure we can find somewhere far more private. I don’t think any of the Professors wouldn’t mind us using their classrooms, they always go on about bringing houses together.”

He just needed to leave the party – and get as far away as possible from the pesky Gryffindor already invading his thoughts.

There was no denying the fact Davey was having a great night. His smile was unshakable, brought out by his birthday and the sheer number of people who’d come out to celebrate and welcome him back. He was shining under the attention, so damn happy to be out of the hospital, and regularly back around Dorcas again. The only thing missing all night was Amos who only ever seemed to be around to see if he needed anything and disappearing even if he said no.

Unacceptable. Appalling. They should be side by side; he’d put all this together after all, and he was much too stressed. It might take considerably less to get him to this level, but his pal should have at least one drink. Ideally, three, and as suspected by the very closed firewhiskey in his hand, that wasn’t remotely the case.

“Amos!” he said, thrown by the complete lack of response. “Amos?” Davey waved his hand in front of his face to no avail and searched for a second before finding a basket to bang on the table next to him, finally startling him into paying attention to him. “There y’are. Help me up, won’t you? Stupid lung holes makin’ everything harder.” He put one hand on the counter and held out the other. “If you’re gonna be weird, I’m gonna be with you.”

For a moment, Amos blinked a couple of times in confusion. He could have sworn he’d been watching Davey a moment ago, but he must have been lost in his thoughts as the boy in question was now standing next to him. It didn’t take long for Amos to compose himself, of course. The Hufflepuff, all things considered, was having a wonderful time at the party. But it was mostly because of the smile that had barely left his friends expression all evening.

“That your excuse now, mate?” He asked with a chuckle, wrapping his hand around his and giving a gentle but firm pull to help him onto the counter next to him. “I don’t know, what’s next? ‘Can’t walk to lesson. Lung holes. Gonna have to carry me.’ Anything for you, Captain.” It was a joke, naturally. There was still concern Amos had about Davey’s health, but he decided not to voice it, nor let it show. Especially on a night meant for happiness.

“I’m not being weird.” Amos counteracted, his voice genuine. “I’m fine, I swear. I’m just making sure everything is to your liking, y’know? Birthday boy and all. You just gotta be dramatic and come back after a near death experience, overshadow everything, don’t you?” Amos brought his hand round, offering the unopened Firewhiskey with a raised eyebrow.

bold flaws your character has / italicise ones they used to have, or have partially. feel free to add more.

Lucinda loved hanging out in the Quidditch locker rooms for the sole purpose that very few people would come looking for her here. She knew the practice schedule, had a sense for who liked to throw in extra hours when. She also knew that she typically had a little bit of time alone here to do whatever it was she wanted. Today, that was very much proving to be laying back on a bench and reveling in how good it felt on her spine; nothing more, nothing less.

She had to hold back a groan when her peace was intruded on. She was just about to start going through some stretches, she told herself. The same lie she’d been saying for a good fifteen minutes if not more. She propped herself up on one hand, ready for an excuse but grinned when she saw Amos instead. “Amos Diggory, as I live and breathe,” she said dramatically. “What are you doing right now, this second? Keep in mind the only correct answer is ‘nothing’.”

Walking in, he didn’t expect to see anyone, but he grinned nonetheless as he heard the familiar voice of Lucinda Talkalot. “This second?” He pretended to think, brushing his hand through his hair and pursing his lips. “I was going to take a shower. You are more than welcome to join me, of course.” The proposal wasn’t genuine, of course. While Amos usually had no shame in flirting or following through with his suggestions, he could tell by her body language that she didn’t have that on her mind. And honestly, neither did he.

“Why are you hanging around a locker room, anyway?”

Gladys had been circling around Amos all night. She felt weird, avoiding him, but she also felt weird not talking to him. It was a double edged sword, really, one that was aimed directly at her heart, it seemed. More than anything, Gladys wanted to talk to him, to tell him that he had done a great job with the party and that Davey was so happy. But most importantly, she wanted things to not be weird. He had promised that things wouldn’t be weird that day that she had confessed her feelings to him, and when she ran into him at the hospital, things had been decidedly not weird. But that had been different. Because Davey was hurt, and their combined worry made things not weird. But now Davey was back, and he was okay, and there was no more excuses.

But finally, at the goading of Davina, Gladys found herself making her way across the kitchen and towards where Amos was perched on the kitchen counter. She took him in for a moment, from the distracted look on his face to the unopened bottle of firewhiskey. Was something the matter? She couldn’t tell. But what could possibly be bothering him, when he was in the middle of a party, and Davey was home? 

She carefully hopped up onto the counter, glad that it was more graceful than she had thought that it would be (not that it mattered, Amos was completely distracted). “Everything looks great, you did a really good job,” she complimented. At his words, she raised an eyebrow and nudged him, laughing slightly. “So…you’re agreeing that you did a good job on everything? I knew you had an ego Amos, but sheesh, you could dial it back a little,” she teased.

His eyes came into focus and he realised it was Gladys who had sat next to him, and immediately a smile crossed his features. After Dorcas, Gladys had been the first person Amos had thought to invite. Partly because, of course, Davey’s little sister should be around for his birthday party, but also to prove a point. It wasn’t weird. After her confession that she liked him, he’d been determined to show her that nothing would change. Their encounter at Mungo’s had led to them being closer than was appropriate, especially when he didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. But it was an exception, and Amos was sure Gladys knew that too.

He’d spotted her around the party when she first arrived, but she either had no interest in talking to him or she was intentionally avoiding him. Either way, Amos was too busy making sure his best friend was having a good time to think too much about what the youngest Gudgeon was up to. Still, seeing her next to him was welcome and he knocked his knee into hers as a sign of apology for not initially listening to her. A small laugh accompanied it, “But would I truly be Amos Diggory if I didn’t have a God Complex?”

“Hey, come here,” Davey said, pulling him in closer. It wasn’t the first hug he’d given today despite Healer’s orders, and it certainly wasn’t going to be the last. They could keep him in bed, encourage him to sleep when he needed it, and insist he spend as little time upright as possible. They could poke and prod, insist he stay still to not reaggravate his injuries, and regulate everything medical about him. He would be a charming, model patient, but they would not take hugs from him.

It was impossible to ignore how weakly he was pulling on Amos’s arm, but the intent was clear. When he was satisfied with the distance, he wrapped an arm around him–still careful of his left side considering the how tender it was–and refused to let him go. He wasn’t sure if Amos would know the rules or care; a Healer could walk right in, and would have an easier time separating them if they were being held together by a permanent sticking charm. 

This was Amos, after all. His friend who he’d been longing to see and surely watched him go down. He heard he had come, but he didn’t believe it until he was standing right in front of him. Or hunched next to him, but semantics. What mattered was that he was here, already having Davey smiling through the pain and painkillers that made sleep so much harder to shake. It was a remarkably familiar position. Holding his loved ones close and offering them comfort, promises that he was okay, was his go to. Davey had little interest in the concerned fawning. He knew he was alright; well, he knew he would be alright with a bit of time. He had Healers and a whole support staff of those close to him to ensure that. Of course, he wanted to be there for them in return. He never wanted to worry anyone, and this time, he hadn’t even set out for this. Not really. Not in the way he once had.

“I’m okay,” he said quietly, running a hand up and down his back. He wished he could hug him properly–both arms, holding him tightly, one to spare for this–but the twisting motion proved awful time and time again. Some of what they said was true. He’d fight through a lot of pain to have this moment, and he was, but he didn’t want to worry anyone by putting pressure on his heart. The true concern here. “I swear, I’m alright. I don’t know how much they told you, but that much is true.”

“I take it you saw?” he said, trying to lighten things ever so slightly. “I knew it was coming. I didn’t know this was coming, but I hope you’re not letting them say off guard.” He let him go then, not pulling away far. He was tired, he wanted to see his face while he was here. He wanted to just be Amos and Davey, carefree and easy, without blowing over his feelings. It was a line he was too familiar with treading. “Did we win?” He knew they hadn’t. He’d been told; not much, granted, but he heard. 

There was nothing unusual about their version of comfort. Physical affection hadn’t always been the first thing Amos turned to, and in most situations, he would flirt his way out of it. When it came to Davey, he got used to the platonic nature of his touches pretty quickly. And when Davey reached out to embrace him in a hug, Amos’ first reaction was to lean into it. But he drew back for a moment, only to look over his shoulder to see if there was Healer nearby. He knew strenuous movements would not be recommended, and the last thing he wanted was to be kicked out by one of the medical staff for breaking rules.

However, when it looked reasonably safe, Amos moved into his arms as much as he could as to not put any pressure on Davey. His friends grip was weak, but that was to be expected. He only wrapped one of his arms around him, and his hold wasn’t as tight as he would like, but he at least wanted to try and not make it any worse. The whole situation was unfamiliar to him. Sure, he knew his best friend was accident prone, and yes, he’d been in the Hospital Wing a couple of times to keep him company. But this seemed serious.

If there was any other reason they were cautious, Amos didn’t ask. He didn’t want to know how badly his friend was suffering, especially when there was nothing he could do except sit and keep him company until he was forced to return to Hogwarts. Carefully, he pressed his head into his shoulder. “Damn idiots stopped me from getting here sooner.” The Hufflepuff informed him in a murmur. “They only gave in because I didn’t shut up. I mean, I really didn’t shut up.”

It was true. Amos badgered everyone he could about letting him leave to go to Mungo’s. His only solace in the end was Emma Vanity. But after their drink, he had returned to his continuous pestering at any authority to let him into Mungo’s. Because if his best friend was lying in a hospital bed, there was no way in hell that Amos wasn’t practically lying on it with him.

While Amos could have continued to hug him for hours, just to prove that Davey was, at the very least, alive, he didn’t protest as Davey pulled away from him. Even as he fell backwards onto his visitors chair, he still reached out to place a hand on his arm, mostly to prove the warmth was real. “They didn’t tell me anything.” Amos said with a grumble, glaring in the direction of the hallway. “Not family, not your partner. Not yet anyway.” The last sentence holding some humour. If Davey was going to attempt to lighten the conversation, so would he.

For a moment, Mary thought it was Rabastan chasing after her. If her head was clearer, she would have known right away that it wasn’t, would have been able to tell the voice wasn’t right. But as she walked away from the all too revealing conversation they just had, she still held onto the hope that he would turn back around, chase her down and apologize and ask how he can be better.

But it wasn’t Rabastan. It was someone who, as of recently, would have been the last person she expected. After all, Amos has made it his newest mission in life to push her as far away as possible. And now he was chasing her down, telling her to wait.

She wanted to be angry. After all, she had given him her ultimatum and he had made his choice. What right did he have now to demand her attention? If she was stronger, or perhaps just more spiteful, she would have told him to fuck off and leave her alone.

But as much as a part of her wanted to do that, it couldn’t stop the sudden wave of relief she felt when she saw him coming her way, concern written all over his face. It was like whatever strange creature had taken over his form was gone and her friend was back, running up to tell her not to worry because it was all over now. It had been a day of disappointments, but maybe it would all be okay if they could just get this, them, right again.

“Are you talking to me again?” There was still a bit of edge to her tone from the lingering stung feeling she wouldn’t be able to shake until she got an actual apology from him. But other than that, it was a genuine question. “Because it’s already been a hell of a day, and if you’re going to be an arsehole again, I just can’t take it.”

The moment Amos approached her, he regretted it. He’d worked so hard to ignore her, to run as far away from his feelings as he could. And when she was angry at him, when she was sad at him, he could deal with it. But someone else had upset her, and seeing the way she was because of someone else broke him inside. Especially when the other person seemed to be someone he absolutely despised.

But Rabastan wasn’t the reason he chased her. It could have been anyone who caused her to storm away and his body would have led him to her even as his brain screamed at him to stop. He wished he’d never seen anything, because as he looked down her, he couldn’t hide the genuine worry on his expression. Mary had been one of his closest friends for years, only falling slightly below Davey and Ted. But she’d always been different.

It took seeing her with someone else to realise just how different.

“I’m not, I’m not.” Amos reassured her quickly. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and reassure her that everything would be okay. Like he used to. The dynamic they used to have was beautiful, it was something he adored about her. But he had to be greedy, he had to push it and he ended up feeling more. Amos knew he’d ruin a good thing, but he wasn’t prepared for how much he would miss her.

“Oookay,” Rabastan smirked, somewhat bemused but moreso deeply tickled by the other boy’s apparent lack of attention at his previous question. What’s with the brooding, Diggory? Eat one too many space cakes and finally realized your life is never gonna reach as high as your hair? He shifted himself on the counter so he could tuck one foot under himself – knocking knees with the other boy, taking literally as much room as he could – and raised the beer he’d been nursing to Amos. “Right, well, cheers to that epiphany then.” 

“Nice party, by the way. Seriously. I’m crushed, of course, that I didn’t get any actual invite – I happen to think Davey is a great guy and should absolutely be celebrated for the day he got those blessed genes and cheekbones – but no worries. Heard about it from a friend of a friend of a friend who also thinks you’re a huge prat.” 

Usually the presence of Rabastan Lestrange would enrage Amos. The nonchalance the Slytherin had would usually fill him with fury and cause him to lash out. And while there was mild annoyance as the blonde looked over at him, there was no temptation to punch him in the face either. That didn’t mean the dislike had vanished, but there were more important things to focus on. He glanced down as Rabastan knocked his knee into his, and Amos got the hint well enough to move up a little on the counter before raising his drink and clinking it against his. Civility, it would do.

“You must have slipped my mind.” Amos told him in a deadpan, moving his Firewhiskey away again and placing it next to him on the counter. At Rabastan’s words, despite his dislike, Amos laughed. “He does have blessed genes and cheekbones. I’m glad we can agree on something.” His chuckle died and he shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t care if you’re here. But it’s his night, so lets pretend we’re friends and not cause a scene.”