Harry landed abruptly, the portkey flying away from he and Cedric. With horror, he realized he was once again in the graveyard. He could smell the wet earth, and see the hooded figure carrying the demon of his nightmares.
Once more, he heard that sibilant voice cry out "Kill the spare!"
There was a great rush of vibrant green light, and Harry awoke with a scream on his lips.
Tears blurred his vision as he stared up at the blue and bronze bed canopy, leaning into the warmth of the person beside him. He took a deep breath before looking at her. Her long black hair was splayed over both of their pillows, her eyelashes fluttering gently in sleep. A breathy sigh escaped her every so often.
His hands shook as he gently stroked first her hair, and then her cheek.
Slowly, she awoke at his touch, a soft smile gracing her lips.
"Harry…?"
"Hello, beautiful," he replied.
"You saw it again, didn't you?"
His shaky breathing was answer enough.
"Oh, Harry." Cho sat up, embracing him tightly. "I'm so sorry you keep reliving that."
He offered no response, choosing instead to relax in her arms.
"He was dead. He was laying there… and his eyes were looking up at me…" Harry gasped for breath, clutching Cho to him desperately. She ran her fingers through his hair, trying to comfort him in his grief.
"I won't tell you it's alright, Harry. You know that it isn't. But one day it will be."
"I loved him. God, I loved him so much."
"He loved you too. He was so happy with you, and so scared for you in the Tournament. He glowed when he spoke about you," Cho whispered.
Harry cried, his sobs shaking them both. Cho mumbled nonsense as she rocked him gently back and forth.
They stayed that way until the sunrise began to filter through the blue drapes surrounding the bed.
Being Head Girl afforded Cho a private room, which allowed Harry to spend nights with her as necessary. Cedric's death had left them both bereft. Harry was adrift in his grief at the loss of his first love, while Cho was brought down to Earth at the death of her closest friend.
Comforting Harry had helped Cho deal with her grief. It had also brought her a new friend – a young man who was close to coming unhinged in his grief. Cho had found solace in Cedric as a young girl with no one to turn to regarding her recently discovered sexuality. He had taken her under his wing, and now she was trying her best to do the same for Harry.
"I know it doesn't feel like it now, Harry, but one day you'll be able to think about him without feeling this way. One day, you'll be able to smile about him without crying."
Cho pulled away and looked at him tenderly, her dark eyes meeting his.
"One day, you'll be able to feel Cedric's love for the blessing that it was."
Harry looked at her, his green eyes glistening. In his gaze were the things he couldn't bring himself to say aloud. His gratefulness to Cho, his affection for her, and the knowledge that he would never be able to repay her for the support that she so was generous in giving.
With Cedric's death, they had become closer – he spoke with Cho about things he could never bring himself to tell Ron or Hermione.
They had found a deep connection in a completely unexpected place – the depths of true grief. Harry knew, even in his sadness, that he would be a fool to ever lose Cho's friendship.
Harry had loved Cedric. So had Cho. Now, with Cedric gone, they did their best to love each other in his absence.