lies || cedric diggory - under heavy editing

chapter xii

Classes were back to the familiar adrenaline inducing rush for the sixth years for the upcoming requirements - while some saw the return of the lessons as the continuation of the tournament. Both Donovan siblings seemed to worry about them in unison, although the woman among them more visibly. Since the classes started, she had to juggle maintaining her grades, keeping her mind in a one way path and making sure Cedric doesn't kill himself in the next task. Hermione Granger seemed to be in a worse state than her, she thought as she stepped into the Great Hall, watching her groan and scratch her head while reading a book. She couldn't blame the poor girl, the snow was melting and the month of the second task was inching closer as seconds ticked to minutes.

Finding a seat beside an already babbling Lilia, Camellia retrieved a textbook and her notes from her bag. Her blonde friend took it upon herself to fill her bowl with cereal and milk, leaning back to converse with her own friends while the brunette ate in silence.

"Cam!"

Well, almost in silence. Nearly choking on the spoonful of cereal, Camellia elbowed her brother in the groin as she twisted in her seat to face him. He convulsed for a few minutes, clutching his crotch and trying to control his breathing.

"That wasn't necessary." He gasped, crashing on the seat beside her.

"And so was surprising me into choking. What do you need?" Nonchalantly, she returned to her early meal, shoving the parchment and books back in her bag.

Using Curtis' recovery to finish her cereal, Camellia finally turned back when her brother only hissed when he moved. Lilia edged towards her, waiting for the older male to speak while they both retouched their curls.

"Cedric needs help with the next task. I could ask Granger - as she's more brilliant than you - but," Curtis paused while her eyes narrowed, gesturing towards an annoyed Hermione retreating out of the Great Hall with a huffing Weasley across her former seat. "She has enough on her plate. Will you come?"

Cedric again, she cursed at herself, pinning the last fringe off her face while Lilia swatted her hand away from her makeup bag. Camellia took her time to straighten her clothing, the gears in her head churning and painting possibilities of their next encounter. Lilia was more than eager to help but by the look on her best friend's face, things were still a bit undecided on her front. Okay, a bit undecided was an understatement.

"He must be truly desperate to come to me for help." She whispered, pushing her weight off of the seat with her bag already on her shoulder. "I reckon you can wait until the end of the day?"

With Curtis grinning and promising all sorts of pastries and ribbons, Camellia smiled, Lilia following her as she retreated out of the Great Hall. From her peripheral vision, the brunette caught sight of Elias pushing himself up from his seat and making his way towards her.

"I did not see you during the holidays, Donster." Camellia grinned, not even taking her time to look towards him.

The said blonde followed in steps with her, ignoring Lilia's teasing about shooing him away. He straightened his robes when McGonagall passed them in the stairs, sticking his tongue out when their blonde companion proceeded to kick him away.

"Always so hostile, Ember, can't we at least be civil around Camellia?" Elias questioned, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

"This is civil." She countered, pushing her hair off her face after he pushed her head down to run pass her.

"Don't hurt yourself, children." Still grinning, Camellia pulled them apart, standing in between them. "But let's not change the topic; I didn't see you after Christmas Eve."