𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐏 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 𝐄 𝐕 𝐄 𝐍
warning: profanities ahead.
T H I R D P E R S O N
A soft, chilly breeze blew through the open halls of Hogwarts, drifting through the small number of students that walked about the halls in thick coats and knitted scarves. It travelled across the trees in the open space in the middle, leaving sounds of rustling leaves and occasional steps to be the only sounds that filled the campus during the fine, Saturday afternoon.
The wind danced around freely, carrying specs of dust and debris everywhere it went. Along with that, it brought a particular scent to Clementia—delivering an Autumn-like smell directly to her nose.
A warm mix of firewood and grass. Autumn.
Even in a cold day, he smelt like a bundle of warmth. To Clementia, this was not a foreign experience at all. If anything, she was more than used to this—having been through it more than a hundred times or more; she never really felt the need to count.
She never really felt the need to count how many times he arrived like Autumn—walking into her life like a season filled with comfort, crackling fire, and a warm cup of pumpkin spice latte.
But there was a downside to this season. Like any other maple leaf on a tree, she fell, slowly and slowly to the rock hard ground, having no defiance of gravity whenever he came around.
But in her case, Autumn was a person—not a cozy season.
And this person seemed to lack admiration for the fallen leaf—instead, he found joy in stepping on it and hearing it crunch below his foot.
"What do you want?" Clementia let out a huff, looking bluntly at the person in front of her. The wind rushed through the sandy strands of her newly-cut hair, resting right above her shoulder.
"You deserve an explanation." Cedric said, his hands buried in the pockets of his brown coat.
"Oh, you think so?" She scoffed, looking at him in disbelief.
There they were, standing at the open space in between the corridors. Cedric approached Clementia earlier and invited her to talk, thinking it would be best to end their relationship on good terms. In the hurt girl's perspective, however, there was nothing left to talk about.
Maple leaves never really ask for justification after being crushed.
But Cedric Diggory—Autumn in human form—begged to differ.
Cedric looked at her tired eyes, still captivating enough for him to get lost in them, but they weren't as gleeful as they were before. They didn't glimmer at the sight of him, not even a single spark.
She was noticeably thinner, and the bags underneath her eyes had gotten darker. Not to mention her hair, Cedric loved the beige hair that stopped exactly below her chest, above her waist. He was surprised that she decided to get it cut.
But there was more to the physical characteristics that was displayed for Cedric to see. What he didn't know, was that the Slytherin girl in front of him had spent the past week trying not to bawl her eyes out every 5 seconds—keeping herself distracted with the most stupid things. She had lost the motivation to get dressed, making hoodies and sweatpants her daily attire.
Peculiarly, she had actually started to listen during the lessons, and accompanying Danielle during her Quidditch practices she had always found boring. During the weekends, firewhiskey helped to numb all the remaining pain that night had left.
But right now, she was dressed as expensive as ever. A pure black wool coat, leather skinny jeans, and a cream sweater. Typical Clementia, dressed in all designer even for a trip to Hogsmeade. She had decided to get out of her sweats for a day and get a haircut alone. But even if she looked much more presentable than she had been the other days, the sadness in her eyes had never left.
In Clementia's point of view, Cedric looked as attractive as the first day she met him. Memories immediately flashed inside her head.
"Go on Diggory, ask her out!" A Hufflepuff boy pushed Cedric towards the bench where Clementia and Danielle were seated. Clementia was facing her best friend, telling her a story about an encounter she had with a muggle. Danielle, on the other hand, couldn't help but get distracted over the group of Hufflepuffs trying to encourage this boy to approach Clementia, who he had been eyeing for a long time.
"Quiet mate, she's probably not interested." The brunette shook his head as they were still trying to push him.
"We don't know about that until we ask, do we now?" Nagged another boy from the group.
He laughed, gnawing on his bottom lip while staring at the Slytherin girl. "Alright, quit it." He straightened his robe, walking over to the two as the group cheered him on.
"And then I- are you even listening, Dani?" Clementia raised an eyebrow at Danielle, a questioning look on her face. Danielle held back her laughter as she pointed to the boy who was right behind Clementia.
She turned around, instantly meeting the mesmerizing eyes of the boy. She had never actually taken interest in men, considering her age and how she thinks they're a waste of time. But at that moment, she couldn't help but admire the handsome man standing in front of her. Nevertheless, she kept her cold front and shot him a stern look. "Can I help you?"
Oooh's and oh no's were heard from the cluster behind him. "I-" He stuttered, looking around. "Cedric- Cedric Diggory." His face turned into a light shade of pink. He lifted his hand in front of her, gesturing a handshake. "Clementia Bass." She shook his hand, although confused.
"I know," He smiled. Clementia would be lying to herself if she said that she didn't find him attractive compared to any other guy she saw around the school. He was impeccably charming, with a pleasant muscular built.
Clementia gulped, the sudden memory of their first meeting giving her a heavy feeling.
"I should've told you sooner," Cedric muttered, giving her an apologetic look.
Whether she chose to admit it or not, Clementia still had feelings for Cedric.
She still heard the tiny voice inside her head that begged him to come back to her.
She still felt like crying every time she saw him or anything that reminded her of him.
"Took you long enough." She said as emotionless as she could.
"She wanted me to stay away from you." He sighed.
Clementia felt beyond betrayed; like a toy he had grown tired of playing with.
It wasn't that easy. She loved Cedric, more than anything in this world. But she knew deep inside since she saw him for the first time after this summer that it wasn't her that he was longing for.
She wanted him to love her back, like how he used to. She wanted him to be happy with her.
And maybe deep down, she wasn't happy with him anymore as well.
"Do you love her?" Although she remained well-poised, the question left her mouth hoarsely.
He bit his lip, looking down. "I- I love you Clem, I really do."
Tears were once again forming in her eyes as another memory began to unfold inside her head.
"Hey, give me that!" Cedric shouted at Clementia, a playful smile curled on his lips. He was in his Quidditch uniform, preparing for another practice for the third time this week.
"Can't you just skip it today?" Clementia frowned, her back pressed against the door with Cedric's shoes in her hands.
"The game is next week sweetheart," He stood from his bed, walking towards the girl. "And there's a possibility we might compete against Slytherin."
"So?" Clementia hid his shoes behind her back.
"So that means I should practice because that little seeker of your house is much better than me." He answered in a singsong voice. "They're counting on me, Clem." He continued, chuckling.
"No way you're going to lose against Malfoy," She laughed, looking at him. "That coward seems to miss the snitch every time Potter is around."
"Ends up in the ward, eh?" Cedric laughed along. "Aren't you supposed to support him, love?"
"Supposed to. Not wanting to." Clementia stated in a correcting manner. "Plus, my boyfriend's a waaay better seeker." She looked at him, finally handing him his shoes. "He's hot too."
Cedric let out a howl. And just like that—the butterflies were freed from their cage again, fluttering rapidly inside Clementia's stomach.
"Well i'd like to meet him sometime."
Clementia smiled softly, a red stain evident on her cheeks. Cedric came closer and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, muttering a meaningful phrase to Clementia that made everything around her come to a halt. The world stopped—but it didn't matter, nothing else mattered after she heard the words that rolled off his tongue ever so smoothly,
"I love you, Clementia Bass."
"But with her, it's different," He faced her with shame. "It's easier,"
Clementia's mouth went dry.
He opened his mouth once more to continue, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to say the words he had in mind. It looked like he was trying to use every last bit of leniency inside him to avoid crushing the girl even more.
"Happier?" She filled in for him, tears now uncontrollably rolling down her face.
"Yeah." He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry."
All he could do was watch as she wiped her own tears with the back of her hand. "I hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me, Clem."
"I never meant for it to happen. I never meant for any of this to happen." He added.
"But it did," Clementia sniffled. "Clearly."
She looked at him one last time, taking in the astounding appearance of the man that was once hers.
It was over, and there was nothing more she could do.
Tears brimmed her eyes as she spoke to him for the last time,
"Goodbye, Cedric."
It was over.
Turning away, she noticed a familiar cat observing the two, although she couldn't exactly point her finger on who's it was.
It was too much for her to gather, or even pick herself up before anyone could see her.
She took a sharp breath before entering the Slytherin common room, the students immediately turning to look at her. Everyone was between bewildered and curious of her state. She scanned her eyes through the room, searching for a particular someone who can make her feel loads better.
"Fuck this." She went up to her dorm room, thanking Merlin that Danielle wasn't around. Taking a piece of parchment along with some quill and ink, she quickly scribbled a note on her bedside table. She then turned to her eagle owl, handing it a treat before the letter.
"Boys' dormitory, Draco's window. Keep discrete."