lies || cedric diggory - under heavy editing

chapter xiv

The weekend after the second task was spent indoors. A storm brewed from the east, enveloping the hills in a terrifying symphony of rain and thunder, lightning battling in the heavens like a thousand cannon shots. Camellia’s afternoons were spent inside her dorm, littered with junk food and magazines of any kind. Lilia had been updated on her plan and despite the sign of internal debate, the brunette was thankful her friend understood the circumstance of her decisions. While Lilia spent her afternoons socializing, Camellia began working through her plan. Her chambers gave her the privacy she needed, letting her choice sink in during her momentary solitude. Curtis wasn’t allowed inside if she didn’t want him to, so she basked in the cold nights, the peace and the worlds that lingered in ink and paper.

Sunday afternoon, a few hours before the sun was about to set, Camellia pushed her weight off of her bed. The heavy dose of sugar and fat gripped tightly at her system, fogging her mind and reflexes and Camellia hated the sensation. She needed a run, she thought, pulling out a set of tank tops and leggings to accompany her. In the span of five minutes, the brunette descended down to the common room where several students were sprawled across the floor, a book or two lay open. Lilia was in the middle of them, giggling mostly rather than working. When the blonde’s eyes landed on her friends, she automatically sprung up, making her way towards her.

“The boys are outside, I’ll come with you.” Lilia whispered to her, earning a nod from Camellia.

“I’ll see you outside the common room.” She smiled, pushing her brown curls into a high ponytail.

After a few minutes, both girls’ breathing were calculated and measured, their strides quick and agile against the concrete path, avoiding puddles of rainwater swiftly. They moved in sync, their arms swinging beside them while sweat snaked down their back and faces. Brisk runs were much more favored than slow jogs, even through the burning muscles and screaming lungs. Soles hit concrete with precise aim, rising within milliseconds to take larger and quicker strides. No music played between them but Camellia’s voice rose through their paces. Endorphins rushed through her system, clearing the mind, easing her body from any form of discomfort from earlier. Wind rushed through their faces, petrichor welcoming them as they made their way out of the viaduct and towards the courtyard. A few students from the three schools littered the enclosure, their eyes focused on their books or magazines as the two sprinted pass. When they passed the tree where Draco Malfoy had been turned into a ferret (quite a memorable event really), both women slowed down, finally retreating into a jog.

“- gently set the cherry blossoms on top of the liquid while it is setting-“ Camellia’s voice lowered from what used to be a half yell into a whisper, shaking her hands to disperse the numbness from her fingers.

“I take it Snape’s next lesson is Amortentia?” Lilia asked, regulating her breathing, both hands gripping her hips.

“Our next practicum actually and I’m not waiting around for Wednesday to creep in and bite me in the arse.” Camellia responded, raising her right leg behind her to stretch her muscles.

Lilia gasped for air, lowering herself on the damp grass with a thud. One thing the brunette was used to was that despite Lilia’s fondness for the heavy running they went through, she never did it without her. The blonde could handle the twenty minute sprint but afterwards, it was a collapsing event for her. Camellia grinned, finally focusing on her breathing while she mumbled the procedure to herself, her voice low that only she could hear, but Lilia could make out exactly what she was saying.

“Dear lords, how are you still reciting Amortentia’s brewing methods?” the blonde grumbled, pushing her damp hair off of her face.

“It helps me count the seconds that pass, and let’s get you back to the common room. You look like you’re about to collapse.”