When spring melted the snow on the ground, the first thing I wanted to do was run. Running was like therapy to me: it cleared my mind and calmed my sometimes rabid emotions. And so I strapped on my running shoes, changed into shorts and a t-shirt, and sought company for my first run of the year. Kelly and Kim regularly turned me down for runs, so I knew better than to ask them.
"Are you mad? It's bloody cold out there," Fred shivered just looking at me.
"You'd warm up. And it's not that cold," I tried.
"Please woman, I don't care that much for exercise," Fred grimaced.
"Yeah, I don't think I like you that much," George teased, and I rolled my eyes.
"Only when my hand is in your pants, right?"
George turned bright red, which caused Fred to laugh so hard he spit out his pumpkin juice.
"Right. I'll just run all alone. Woe is me," I simpered. When neither boy changed his mind, I walked out of the Great Hall.
Being back on the Quidditch pitch made me miss the sport very dearly. I had gotten onto the team when I was a second year, as a reserve chaser. Kelly followed during our third year, and together we became the team's newest chasers. Part of having Cedric as both a boyfriend and a captain meant that I wielded a large amount of power on the Hufflepuff team. But even I knew Cedric would be receiving the captain's badge again for our seventh year.
I started out at a slow pace, allowing my legs to get used to exercise again. After months of being dormant, my legs quickly ached, but I pushed through the pain.
I heard the pounding of footsteps behind me—the soft squish of grass beneath their feet. There was someone running close behind me. I wondered who it was, but let the thought pass just as quickly.
Time slid beneath my feet. I didn't know how long I ran for, or how long. Only that it was getting dark, my limbs ached, and I was tired.
"Good run," my frantic eyes met Cedric's, who was panting just as hard as I was. Sweat was pouring down his temple, wetting his hair. My stomach knotted.
"Yeah," I said, indifferent. Despite my weakening body, I pushed myself into the changing room and closed the door.
My senses often provoked buried memories. Even though my mind was now revolting against my feelings for Cedric, I couldn't help but be persuaded by his body. And being alone in the changing room only reminded me of long, hot showers with my ex-boyfriend.
When I walked out of the changing room and back into the castle, bundled up in warm winter robes, I saw no sign of Cedric.
I went running six days a week, at the same time every day. And every day that I went running, Cedric was also there. I had forgotten that Cedric also enjoyed running; this was one of the many activities that originally brought us together. Cedric and I never spoke when we ran together—but I couldn't deny that it was nice to have company. Every day, we pushed ourselves a little farther, a little harder, a little faster. And every day, at the end of each run, Cedric would say, "Good run."
Running with Cedric was like living in another world. I began to crave his company; I even waited for him to arrive before I began. Having him panting next to me, striving for the same goal, made my heart race like I was keeping a dirty secret. Part of me felt like there wasn't any reason to tell George, Kelly or Kim that I was spending time with Cedric, however limited our words. But every time they asked how my run was—and I didn't offer this information—my stomach felt sick with guilt. Running with Cedric made me resent him less—made me resent our relationship less.
I was stretching in the May sunshine, six weeks after Cedric and I had established our routine. Since it was getting warmer, I was wearing only a sports bra and shorts. I tried to convince myself that this was not because I was trying to impress Cedric; although part of me wanted to catch him checking out my body.
Our words were growing with each passing week. We never spoke inside the castle, but it seemed like the Quidditch pitch was our safe haven—where neither George nor Cho existed.
"I was thinking about running around the grounds today," I told Cedric as soon as he arrived. Cedric was shirtless, and despite my will power, I couldn't help but stare. "Do you want to come?"
"Sounds good." I pushed myself off of the ground, when Cedric offered his hand. I ignored the fluttering in my chest. "Lead the way?"
I loved Hogwarts in spring: the grounds were radiant and teeming with energy. Students flooded outside, eager to enjoy the newfound sunshine. It was only then that George crept back into my mind, and I worried that he would see us.
"So how's Cho?" I asked. Cedric and I had "safe" subjects to discuss: class, professors, Kelly and Kim, and minor details in our relationships. We pretended that we liked each other's partners. This was a standard starter question.
"Good. She has O.W.L.s soon, so she's been a bit stressed," Cedric divulged. "How's George been?"
"Oh, fine," I mused, vague. My mind drifted back to the Gryffindor common room, a goofy smile exploding on my lips; but I had to stop myself before I ran into a stump.
"That's good."
"Definitely. I'm really happy. I love him a lot. I didn't think I would, but I do. He's much different than you." It came up like word vomit—I just kept talking. "Which has its good and bad things."
"I know what you mean," Cedric divulged, "Cho is great. I love her. But it was hard to let go of you."
I laughed, uncomfortable. "You broke up with me."
"I wasn't sure why, sometimes. I knew I liked Cho. And it wasn't fair to you." Cedric realized what he was saying, and quickly covered his tracks, "Of course, I don't regret it now. I love Cho, and I'm glad her and I worked out."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. It hurt—a lot. But George is…" I couldn't think of a word to summarize my boyfriend, "He's incredible to me."
"He's liked you for a really long time."
I thought back to my conversation with George, but I decided to play dumb. "How do you know?"
"I saw the way he looked at you, even while we were dating," Cedric smiled at me, and it made me feel immensely guilty for even running next to him, "That's why I didn't like you hanging out with him."
"You never told me."
"I didn't want to control you."
This was the most we had ever talked to each other. My lungs were aching for air, and it was getting harder to speak.
"Does Cho know we're running together?" My curiosity got the best of me. We were coming closer to the Black Lake. Students littered the grass, and I wondered if George was among them.
Cedric didn't answer right away. He mustered a weak, "No. Does George?"
I felt less guilty, but a little more dangerous. "No."
We didn't speak after that. We rounded the top of the Black Lake, heading back towards the Quidditch pitch. This made the run longer.
"Do you think he'd be mad, if he knew?" Cedric asked, once we were away from all of the people.
I honestly didn't know. But my gut told me, "Furious, probably. How about Cho?"
"She doesn't like you," he told me pointedly, and I bit my lip in anger.
"She doesn't know me."
"I think it's a new partner rule: they have to hate the ex," Cedric joked, but it only made me wonder what he had told Cho about me.
"Probably."
The further we ran, the hotter the sun seemed to get. Sweat was dripping from my forehead, pouring into my mouth. The salt taste made me gag, but we were so close.
"Are you feeling alright?" I wasn't sure which conversation he was referring to.
"Tired," I quipped, and he snickered.
Together, we crossed the lower part of the Hogwarts grounds, towards the Black Lake. I slowed my pace and stopped on the dock standing over the lake. I collapsed onto the ground, feeling the wood grate against my back. Cedric dropped down next to me, dead weight.
I was inhaling oxygen like I had never taken a breath before. After a few minutes of laying in the sunshine, my lungs resumed a normal pace.
Cedric was standing when I sat up. He offered me his hand, and I accepted. Together, we took the first few steps back towards the Quidditch pitch.
Cedric draped his arm around my shoulder, and his touch made me shiver. "Good run."
"Definitely."
My eyes wandered over to the large willow tree by the lake, and I wondered who was sitting under it.
"I still consider you a good friend, you know. You know more about me than most people do. And I'd hate to give that up," Cedric confessed, his voice low. "I think that is what I was trying to tell you all those months ago. But it came out wrong every time."
My throat confined itself, and it made me feel sick. I felt the same way. But I wasn't sure if I could separate ex-boyfriend Cedric from boyfriend Cedric. Especially when his arm was so lazily strewn across my shoulder.
"You know things about me I'm not sure you should know."
Cedric laughed. "Same."
We passed the large willow tree. Cedric stopped, and pulled me into an embrace. His sweat poured into my nostrils, and I was drawn back to the beginning of the year, when Cedric was mine.
"OY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" George's voice boomed. My veins froze, and I was stuck in that spot, attached to my ex-boyfriend.
George stormed over to us. As soon as he was close enough, he shoved Cedric away from me and drew his wand.
"George, stop it!" I screeched. I grabbed his arm and tried to get him to physically lower his wand. "It's nothing. Really, I can explain."
"Explain how you and Diggory are suddenly so chummy?" George spat.
"Yeah, because we're friends," Cedric said defensively.
"I'm not talking to you," George growled.
Cedric looked taken aback. "It's alright. Nothing is happening between us."
George was furious. His breaths were rapid and his limbs were shaking. My stomach clenched with fear.
"Maybe it's best if we talk later," I suggested, my voice small. I glanced behind George, and noticed Fred, Kelly, and Kim watching our interaction with wide eyes. "You're really upset, and I don't want you overreacting over nothing."
"This isn't nothing," George shook. His eyes met mine, and I watched his irises dance with fury.
"I know. I just…" I trailed off. What was the point of defending myself if he wouldn't listen to reason? "Let's talk later. Okay?"
George lowered his wand, and exhaled deeply. "Fine." And then he walked away, back towards the willow tree.
Cedric and I stood rooted to our spots, unsure of how to react. After a few moments, Cedric started to walk back towards the changing rooms. I followed a few steps behind. Once we were out of sight, Cedric touched my arm, and then drew it away like he had been shocked.
"Everything will be alright. He'll calm down, and you can talk to him," Cedric reassured me. "If not, I can try talking to him."
"He'll love that," I said bitingly.
Cedric shrugged. "It's worth a shot." He squeezed my shoulder, and then disappeared into the changing room.
A/N: I really like complex characters. I try my best to keep everyone away from certain polarizations. Hopefully I succeeded. Continue your lovely reviewing. You all rock.