𝘚𝘛𝘈𝘙𝘎𝘐𝘙𝘓, 𝙇𝙊𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙕𝙊 𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙆𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙀

summer wine

strawberries, cherries and
an angel's kiss in spring

CLEODORA SINCLAIR

I ran back to my dorm, the weight of the necklace clutched tightly in my hand, my emotions in turmoil. As I entered the room, I slammed the door shut behind me, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew I had to keep the necklace safe.

I swiftly placed the necklace inside my drawer, where I hoped it would remain hidden and secure. Onyx, who had been waiting in the room, questioned the look on my face.

She arched an eyebrow, her eyes filled with concern. "Cleo, what happened? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Nothing. Nothing happened," I replied, forcing down the surge of mixed emotions that threatened to consume me.

The feelings I had for Lorenzo were gone. I felt nothing for Berkshire. No emotions whatsoever.

Onyx, however, saw through my attempt to conceal my true feelings. She leaned in closer, her expression filled with empathy. "You know you can't lie to me," she said, releasing a resigned sigh. "Tell me what's really going on, Cleo."

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with whether or not to reveal the complicated truth. Finally, I relented, though I kept my explanation vague. "Nothing happened, Onyx. He just gave me the necklace back, that's it."

She regarded me with a knowing look, but decided not to press further. "If you insist," Onyx replied, though her eyes still held a hint of concern.

"I'm going to get some sleep," I announced, beginning to undress and change into my nightclothes.

"So early?" Lucille inquired, entering the room and offering a puzzled expression.

"Yes," I confirmed.

Lucille grinned and teased me
"Well, goodnight, Dora,"

I couldn't help but smile at the playful remark as I climbed into bed, grateful for the distraction from the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped me earlier.

-

I sat alone in the potions classroom, feeling somewhat isolated. Lucille had found a seat next to Onyx, while Blaise and Draco had taken their usual places together. Lorenzo, oddly enough, had chosen a seat all by himself.

The classroom buzzed with the usual chatter and the rustling of textbooks, but my attention was elsewhere. I couldn't help but glance over at the entrance whenever a student walked in, a small flicker of hope that quickly faded.

However, when he entered the room, my heart skipped a beat. My gaze locked onto his figure, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

A mixture of relief and uncertainty washed over me, knowing that, at the very least, I had retrieved his precious necklace.

Riddle strolled into the room and, to my surprise, chose the seat next to me, prompting a puzzled furrow of Lorenzo's brow.

I took a deep breath, determined to get this over with. "I've got your necklace," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I retrieved the gold piece of jewelry from my pocket.