บท 32: Chapter 32: Blood Moon (1)
The following day, Catherine woke up early in the morning. It was still dark outside when she left the castle, dressed in muggle leggings, a snug long-sleeved shirt, and sleek black trainers. She walked leisurely towards the Black Lake, attempting to warm up her joints in the process.
The first silver light of dawn appeared on the horizon when the young witch reached her destination. Ensuring the coast was clear with a swift glance around, she broke into a run, the rhythmic pounding of her footsteps resonating with the solitude around her.
In approximately fifteen minutes, Catherine's face was all flushed. She was heavily panting, and a sharp pain in her abdomen, beneath the ribs, made her stop to catch her breath.
"You should continue moving, or it's gonna get worse." – she heard a voice behind her. Jumping in surprise, the girl slipped on the wet grass and fell on her bum. Fighting the tears of pain and humiliation, she looked up and saw James, who was wearing track pants and a t-shirt, his face frozen in a weird grimace.
"Come on, laugh if you must." – sighed Catherine.
"Hah…no, I…" – James said extending his hand toward his friend – "You didn't hurt yourself, did you? But, Merlin, you fell in a spectacular way."
"I'm happy that my pain brings you so much joy." – mumbled the young witch, getting to her feet – "You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing here?"
"The first Quidditch match is in two days. I'm training." – shrugged the boy.
"Alone?" – asked Catherine, brushing grass off her leggings.
"Yeah, I always go for a jog around this time. But physical training like this is not really popular among wizards, so I'm the only one who actually does it." – smiled James.
"I guess it's not popular indeed." – said Catherine contemplatively – "Although it's a core activity for Muggle athletes."
"I know, right!" – exclaimed James eagerly – "My father also says that the power and quality of one's magic depends on their physical condition. The stronger your body is, the more powerful you are."
"Really?" – asked the girl in disbelief – "This is an interesting theory. I'm surprised you didn't manage to get Sirius to come with you."
"Are you kidding?" – chuckled the young wizard – "There's no way in hell you can wake Sirius Black up this early in the morning, let alone for going out and running. I, on the other hand, actually enjoy it quite a lot. It helps me clear my mind."
"Do you need to clear your mind?" – asked Catherine while they walked around the lake.
"Kind of… with everything that happened in the last weeks." – answered James seriously – "I don't regret what we did to the Slytherins because they deserved it, but I do regret innocent people getting hurt and that we disappointed Dumbledore."
"Indeed. It got way out of hand, and too many other people were involved. I feel particularly bad for Hagrid. He poured his heart and soul into this pumpkin for it to be destroyed." – added Catherine gloomily.
"This was very low of them. Although I suppose the writing Malfoy mentioned, if it really exists, was pretty threatening." – said James, glancing at his friend.
"It wasn't me!" – she snapped, catching his glance – "Why would I leave such an obvious message? Do you think I'm that stupid?"
"No, sorry, you're right, of course. Then, I guess someone really wanted this to continue." – quickly apologised the boy.
"Or their goal was to put a target on my back, seeing how everyone believed it was my doing." – growled Catherine.
"Don't worry, Flame! I'll figure it out, and nobody's going to lay a finger on you." – promised James.
"Please, James, I don't need you to play detectives or be my bodyguard. I told Sirius the same, just let it be. I got this." – protested the witch.
"You're really unfair, Catherine." – said the boy angrily – "I don't know about Sirius, but for me it's a mission in life to protect my friends. If you take this away from me…"
Catherine looked at James, confused. He had stopped, and his hazel eyes were burning with determination, staring at the girl.
"James," – the young witch started, carefully choosing her words – "is everything alright? I mean, it's not that I do not appreciate your care, but I don't really need it at the moment. It feels like you're stressed that you need to protect us by all means, even though we're not in any danger. Why do you do it?"
"I'm not sure." – the boy responded – "I suppose…I feel like I don't have anything to fight for or proof in life. I'm pure-blood; my family has a lot of gold; I don't have any issues with lessons and I'm popular. What's there to do but just enjoy everyone's attention. It's just that I'm not even sure they like me for who I am. They merely see all these superficial things."
"So, you feel you lack purpose in life, thus you make your friends your purpose?" – asked the girl, deeply in thought.
"I guess you can say that." – nodded James.
"This is quite a heavy burden for us, James." – she finally said – "We can't be your purpose, but you can still rely on us to help you find it, you know?"
"So, I can't help my friends?" – the boy inquired angrily.
"No, silly!" – Catherine smiled, throwing her arm around James' shoulders – "Just relax a bit. The purpose will come to you. We're only twelve for Merlin's sake! Stop insisting we don't understand you and chill!"
The young Gryffindor smiled back at his friend.
"You're certainly not a person who appears to be the understanding type, Flame. But I do believe you, that you'll try for me."
"I'll take this as a compliment." – laughed Catherine – "And also, I do need your help with this running thing. Apparently, I'm lacking some knowledge in the field."
"Oh! Sure, we can run together. You'll get on my level in no time!' – exclaimed James – 'But why did you decide to pick up running?"
"After what Volumnia and Tullia did to me, I promised myself I would become stronger, and this would never happen to me again." – answered the girl with a cold voice – "Considering what you've told me, I'm convinced this is the best way. It would probably also help my magic work even if my body is in distress like in that damn bathroom."
"Absolutely!" – agreed the young wizard – "Let's go for it then! I'll time you and make sure you have a healthy pace. Ready? Go!"
"Wait!" – shouted Catherine, running after James as quickly as she could.
Half an hour later, the young witch lay sprawled on the grass, trying to find the mental and physical strength to get up and go to breakfast.
"Come on, Flame! You're going to catch a cold like this. Stand up!" – insisted James, grabbing his friend's hand and pulling her up.
"Just let me die here, James!" – moaned the witch.
"I can't! If you don't survive for Sirius' birthday, he's going to kill me." – chuckled the Gryffindor boy.
"When's that?" – asked the girl, finally standing up and picking a few yellow autumn hawkbits from the ground.
"This Saturday." – answered James – "Why do you constantly pick up plants?"
"Not any plants, I pick up flowers." – explained the girl – "They have certain symbolic meaning, which under the right circumstances allows them to be used for magic."
"What kind of magic?" – curiously inquired the boy.
"Mostly ancient magic, but there is also another type. However, you kind of need to be born with that ability. Then you can use them as a source of power in a way." – clarified the witch, playing with the flowers in her hand.
"What's the meaning of these flowers then?" – asked James as they slowly walked towards the castle.
"Autumn hawkbit represents hope where's no hope left." – said Catherine.
"This is very interesting. What about roses?" – James continued asking.
"Depends on the colour. They can represent a number of things."
"I see." – nodded James – "What about lilies?"
"A lily symbolises purity and innocence." – answered the girl, smiling slyly – "Is there a particular reason you're interested in lilies?"
"No, just being curious." – quickly stuttered the boy – "You can teach me about these meanings, right?"
"Yeah, if you want." – shrugged Catherine – "When I have some spare time. I have a lot of things to take care of."
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