A/N: I based the first scene off of the movie. I rather prefer the courtyard to the deserted hallway… after that the plot-involved bits should be focused more on the book, but if I make a few mistakes I apologize in advance. I've lost my copy at the moment, and I'm working from memory.
Warnings: Nothing yet. Mention of m/m. Slight angst.
Pairings: Harry/Cedric Diggory
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. (I wish I did!) Don't sue me! I'm only babbling on in sappy smut. I am making no profit from this work; the characters belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers studios, I have only borrowed them for a test drive.
... ... ... Chapter 1 ... ... ...
"Dragons. The first task is dragons." said Harry Potter solemnly, to the boy in front of him.
"What?" said Cedric, the slightly amused smile sliding from his face.
"I've seen them, and by now Fleur and Krum will know as well. The first task is getting past a dragon, there's one for each of us." said Harry.
"You're sure?" confirmed Cedric.
"I've seen them, and so did Karkaroff and Madame Maxime."
The students were standing in a lush, green courtyard, under the shade of a wide tree's branches. Harry had been walking through on break when he saw the prefect, and his feet had led him to the older boy before his brain caught up with him. They stood apart from the others, the Gryffindor worried about some semblance of privacy – he didn't know what kind of trouble he'd get in if he got caught… or reported.
Panicking, Harry's mind whirled and flashed in alarm. What if he turns me in?
Indicating his friends behind them after a pause, Cedric said "I've asked them not to wear the badges, you know…" He turned back and gave Harry an apologetic smile.
"No problem. Don't worry about it." said Harry, noncommittally. He felt his heart leap at the words though, and he smiled slightly at Cedric's worried face. Leave it to a Hufflepuff to be concerned for his opponent's emotional welfare…
Well, we are both Hogwarts champions, right? Best not to think too much of it. Nothing for him to gain, turning me in… not yet… thought Harry.
Cedric turned and looked at his friends, then back to Harry. "Well, I'd… I'd better go– Thanks, Harry." he said. He smiled at Harry again and waved.
Harry watched the retreating back of the 7th year, wondering if he'd done the right thing. He ran a hand through his tousled hair and sighed. He'd done better than he thought he would've, he didn't blush or stutter or anything as he'd feared. His eyes lingered for a moment longer on Diggory, watching until he heard someone walk up behind him.
I have to concentrate on the task. he told himself.
The thump that accompanied the walk told Harry before he even turned around that it was Professor Moody. The Gryffindor looked around, to see a slightly smiling Moody, who clapped him on the shoulder genially.
"That was a fine thing you did, lad…"
Harry was vaguely aware of the ex-auror talking to him, the grizzled and disfigured face babbling away. He received an invitation to tea, but he was deep in thought as he joined the professor. He talked to Harry about his strengths, and all Harry could think of was flying. His match last year against Cedric Diggory… if only the Gryffindor could fly that well. After some suggestion and some chatting, he realized that he wasn't allowed his broom, but he would have his wand; and Harry decided to master the summoning charm to prepare for the task.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
After tea with Moody, Harry started working on the summoning charm fervently in empty classrooms whenever he had a chance. His lunches and breaks all went to improving the spell, and focusing became less of a problem each time he tried. Sometimes students happened upon him where he was practicing, and when this happened he usually lost concentration out of nervousness.
It was now the day before the task, and he found himself yet again in an abandoned classroom. He pointed his wand at the stack of books he was using today during lunch, and spoke the incantation.
"Accio!"
He watched as the book soared through the air, and he caught it before it hit the ground with his free hand. He patted himself on the back mentally, hoping he would be as successful with a full-grown dragon staring at him. He wondered why they had requested nesting mothers for the task, guessing that they would be particularly nasty.
He heard a bit of applause from over by the door, and turned to see Cedric Diggory leaning in the classroom doorway, watching him politely.
"Good one, Harry. When I was a fourth year, I couldn't so much as summon a tea cozy." he smiled.
"Cedric, er, hi. Why are you – I mean, that is, er, what are you…?" Harry stumbled over the words.
"I heard you were using this classroom to practice, and I wanted to see if I could help. You know, pay you back, kind of." said Cedric, a little shyly. "It doesn't look like you need it, really."
Harry blushed at the compliment. "Thanks." he said. "You could stay, anyways – I do need help, probably..." started Harry. He blushed more deeply as he looked at Cedric, who grinned.
"I suppose so. What are you going to be summoning during the task? Certainly not a book?" asked Cedric. Harry looked reluctant for a moment, and Cedric finished, "No, never mind, we don't want to confuse our strategies, right?"
Harry nodded quietly, walking over and placing the book back on the pile. Cedric came and took a seat near Harry, watching as he got back into position. The seats were all arranged around the center of the classroom like a doughnut, where the fourth year stood at the edge of open space. A single desk stood in the very center, a stack of moldy looking tomes stacked precariously high.
"Accio, book!" shouted Harry, and the book soared into his arms once more.
"Have you tried summoning with distractions?" asked Cedric as Harry replaced the book. (Dirty! We're not that far yet!)
Harry shook his head. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you're going to have to concentrate tomorrow while there's a dragon breathing fire at you. Perhaps you should try it with distractions to practice." offered Cedric.
"Sure." agreed Harry, albeit an amount of reluctance.
Cedric stood up and moved closer behind Harry, then waved his wand towards the books. The whole stack of tomes fluttered up into the air and started circling the middle one in a random manner, obscuring the space over the desk with flapping covers and wings.
"Try now. The one in the middle. It's harder when you can't see it directly." said Cedric.
Harry concentrated for a moment. "Accio, book!" he said, and the book in the middle started to move towards him, but one of the circling books bashed into it in its orbit and knocked it to the ground.
"Nice try," offered Cedric. He pointed his wand at the fallen book (saying "Wingardium Leviosa!"),which floated back into the center of the ball of flying papers. "Have another go, then."
Harry closed his eyes, pointed his wand, and spoke the incantation again. He concentrated firmly on the book in the center, envisioning it soaring through the others to land in his arms. He heard Cedric say, "Good! Good!" and Cedric laid a hand on Harry's back lightly. "Harry, open your eyes and catch it, or duck!"
His eyes snapped open and he ducked as Cedric's hand on his back pushed him down towards the ground; the book flew over where his head had been a few moments before.
"Harry," started Cedric, "Good work, but I'd advise against closing your eyes in front of the dragon." he chuckled, and flicked his wand. The books stopped circling and landed in a neat pile on the desk once more. He picked up the volume from behind them, and walked over to replace it again. "You look tired. One more try?" he asked.
Harry nodded. "Thanks," he said. He was blushing slightly; when Cedric had bent over to pick up the book his eyes had wandered to the Hufflepuff's backside, before he looked away quickly.
What am I thinking? No! For so many reasons, NO!
Cedric grinned at him, "Not a problem, Harry." He didn't seem to notice that Harry's cheeks had coloured a bit. He signaled Harry to utter the spell, and after he did he flicked his wand at the air. All of a sudden the room fell dark, and Harry could feel spiders crawling over his body. That was nothing particularly new or unpleasant, apart from reminding him of the Dursleys. A hiss from around his feet might have been a snake, and he could hear bats fluttering past his head. He still wasn't shaken, although the change in perception had been unexpected. A pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged from behind the outline of the desk, and started advancing upon Harry. A large, hairy beast was stalking him in the shadows.
His concentration slipped and the book fell to the ground halfway towards him with a THUNK!
"Almost, Harry." said Cedric, quite calm sounding. He waved his wand and the images and sensations vanished, the room was brightly lit by the midday sun once again.
"What – what was that?" said Harry. He hadn't been so much afraid as surprised, although he was shaking a bit - the sight had reminded him of the first time he had seen Sirius Black, his godfather.
"An illusion spell. It's N.E.W.T. level, so you won't have started on those yet. You haven't even taken your O.W.L.s yet, have you?" he asked. "Are you alright?" added Cedric, looking at Harry again with concern.
"I'm – I'm fine. It was just, unexpected?" said Harry, sitting down. He hadn't heard the screaming, like when dementors approached him, but he had been slightly reminded of the feeling they gave him. He really wanted some chocolate.
Cedric continued to watch him, looking unconvinced. "Sorry, I should have warned you. I didn't think there would be much of a distraction if you knew what was coming…" he started.
Shaking his head, Harry said, "Really, it's no problem. I'm fine. I think I'm done for right now, though."
Looking a little downcast, Cedric said, "Yeah, good work. I'm sure you'll have it mastered in time for the competition." he looked hesitant for a moment, as though making up his mind, before speaking slowly, "Would you mind if I – er, came again? You know, I don't have to help but to see how you get along? We're both Hogwarts champions, and if there's anything I can do to help… just ask." he finished rather lamely.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, thanks. I'd like that. Professor McGonagall is going to let me use her classroom tonight and tomorrow to practice."
Cedric beamed at him, offering a hand. "Sure thing, Harry. See you after dinner, then?"
Harry nodded, reaching to shake Cedric's hand. "Thanks again. I don't want to seem like I don't know what I'm doing, but really I don't know if I do…"
Cedric shook Harry's hand firmly, and looked serious for a moment. "I believe you didn't put your name in the Goblet of Fire – there's no way you could've – but do you know who did?"
Surprised, Harry shook his head. "Not a clue. At least you believe me, that's more than I can say for some of my best friends…" he said, meaning Ron.
Raising his eyebrows, Cedric looked at Harry in astonishment. "Really? Let me tell you – I of all people can empathize. I'm sorry. Well, if you need to talk or anything, like I said- just ask."
Harry gave him a baffled smile. "Thanks, Cedric. Well, see you later, then?"
Waving and smiling, Cedric left the room. Harry headed off down the corridor the other way, waving back at the 7th year.
What does he mean he can 'empathize'? He's one of the most popular seventh years in the school…
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
His afternoon passed quickly and uneventfully, and before he knew it Harry found himself seated beside Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall.
"I can't believe Sprout gave us another essay... all this homework is making my head spin," groaned Ron, helping himself to potatoes from the tray in front of him.
"Well, if you'd do them when they are assigned, as opposed to the night before..." Hermione started, but she let it go at the look on Ron's face, sighing. She turned to Harry instead, "How did your practicing go this afternoon? How are you improving?"
Harry told her about Cedric dropping in to help (Ron was pointedly not listening), and Hermione's expression shifted slowly to one of concern.
"Harry, don't you think it's a bit suspicious?" she said quietly and slowly. At the confused look on his face, she went on in a low voice, "I mean, you don't think – he might have – you know, put your name in the Goblet of Fire, do you?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Hermione. Dumbledore said it would take a really strong Confundus Charm to fool such an ancient magical artifact. Only a really powerful wizard could have done that." said Harry.
Hermione didn't look convinced. "I'm just thinking. He's actually helping, right? Or is he just confusing you? You don't think he's – trying to, well, to affect your chances or your strategy, do you? The task is tomorrow…"
Harry shook his head, glancing over at the Hufflepuff table. He found Cedric and noticed he was looking back at him. He smiled at Harry, and then turned back to his friends.
"No, Hermione, I don't. And besides, he was right. I will need to be able to concentrate with distractions." he said, turning back to Hermione. "He's a Hufflepuff, remember? I think he's trying to be friendly. We are both Hogwarts champions, and he said he'd help me if I needed it. I just don't think there's any subtle malicious sabotage going on here. You both must admit, I need help."
Hermione nodded reluctantly, shrugging. Ron ignored him. He was still giving Harry the cold shoulder, convinced Harry had entered his own name without telling Ron how.
Hermione turned to look at the Hufflepuff table as well now, and Harry followed her gaze to Cedric Diggory, who was chatting animatedly with his friends and looking frustrated. When he noticed their attention he smiled at Harry again, and returned to his conversation. A few of his friends noticed the smile and turned to glare at Harry, making sure to flash their "POTTER STINKS" badges at him. Cedric appeared to notice this and sighed; now apparently telling them off.
Harry smiled to himself quietly, and then turned back to his dinner. Hermione watched them for a little longer and also turned, peering at Harry from below her eyebrows.
"Just – be careful." she said, at last.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
Harry decided he was done eating a little after that, excusing himself and heading towards the vast entrance hall. He was heading for the stairs when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Harry, you ready?" it was Cedric, looking a little flushed.
Nodding, Harry answered, "Yeah." and they started towards the Transfiguration classroom. They walked in silence for a few moments, before Harry spoke.
"You looked a little upset at dinner, everything alright?" he said, peering at Cedric.
He shrugged, and replied, "They were being rude. I was trying to get them to stop wearing those badges again, I really don't like them. I'm sure you don't appreciate them much, either, huh?"
Harry grinned a little, "Well, I'm kind of used to it – I mean, they certainly don't make me feel any less nervous, but I just kind of ignore them. As much as I can, anyway… After the ordeal with the Heir of Slytherin… well, I try not to care."
Cedric nodded. "I just don't like the sentiment behind them, splitting the Hogwarts supporters onto two sides. We're both Hogwarts champions, and we both represent the school. If you won I'd be as happy as though I had won. It's a victory for the school either way."
Blushing, Harry opened the door to the classroom. "I really hadn't thought about it – I mean, I don't know what my chances are, really. I don't know if someone put my name in the Goblet of Fire so I'd end up hurt… it's a really dangerous tournament. If you win I'd cheer for you all the same; a win for Hogwarts either way, like you said." He smiled, and Cedric smiled back at him. Harry held the door for Cedric and closed it behind them.
"What are you summoning tonight?" asked Cedric.
"Well," started Harry, "When we're in the task whatever I summon will have to come from the castle, so I thought I should try summoning things from my dormitory tonight."
Cedric nodded. "Good idea. Let's see how well you manage that before I start with my spell-work, okay?"
"Yeah, sounds good." responded Harry. He thought hard and concentrated on his jumper from last Christmas, upstairs in his dorm. He held out his wand, and said "Accio, sweater!"
At first, nothing seemed to be happening. He remained firmly concentrated on his pullover, wondering if anything was happening. Cedric watched him quietly, then after a few minutes they both turned to look at the door, the Hufflepuff moving to open it. There was a thumping coming from the other side, and when he opened it the sweater flew through the portal and into Harry's arms.
With a look of shock, he examined it. "It worked!" he said excitedly.
"On your first try? Congratulations! Should you try a few more things before I have a go?"
Harry nodded. "Two more successful summons first."
Cedric nodded. Harry tossed him the sweater and held his wand ready again. He could see why Cedric was in Hufflepuff, he was very likeable and friendly. Harry hesitated for a moment, then concentrated, and said "Accio, quill!"
He sat down next to Cedric, realizing there was no need to stay standing. They waited a few moments, and then a loud scream came from somewhere down the hallway outside the room.
"PEEVES!"
The voice was undoubtedly that of the Hogwarts caretaker, Argus Filch, looking for troublemaking students.
"PEEVES, I'LL HAVE YOU FOR THIS! STABBING PEOPLE WITH QUILLS!" he fumed loudly. "I'LL TELL THE HEADMASTER ABOUT THIS! MARK MY WORDS!"
Harry looked disconcerted for a moment, and then he and Cedric met eyes and he could see they were both restraining their laughter with great difficulty.
"Nice one, it must've jabbed him. Try for it again, it must be just out in the hall." said Cedric quietly. They weren't breaking any rules, but it was always safer to be unnoticed by Filch and his cat.
Harry pointed his wand toward the door and said "Accio, quill." and caught the quill as it whizzed through the air at his face.
"Does that count as a pass or a fail?" he asked Cedric.
Chuckling, the 7th year said, "Pass, definitely. If you jab him again it'll count as extra-credit."
A pair of gleaming pale eyes peered in the door at them, Mrs. Norris on patrol. She looked disapprovingly at both of them and hurried back out into the hallway.
"Here, Cedric, get under here, quick!" whispered Harry, getting his invisibility cloak out of his pack. He pulled it over them both, and ducked. He grabbed the older student's arm and led Cedric into the corner quietly.
"Wow! I never knew you had one of these!" whispered Cedric into his ear.
Harry blushed thoroughly at the close proximity, hoping Cedric didn't notice. "It belonged to my father," he whispered softly. He realized he was still holding onto the Hufflepuff's arm, and he let go of it quietly.
They had only been stooping in the corner for a few moments before Filch hobbled into the classroom followed by his feline lookout. Her lamp-like yellow eyes looked straight at them; Harry had always wondered if the cloak worked on cats. Filch peered carefully around the room, muttering and rubbing his shoulder, before heading back out into the hallway. His cat stayed behind for a few seconds, staring unblinkingly at Harry and Cedric, before turning and following her master.
Harry pulled the cloak off of them, sighing with relief. "That was close," he said.
Cedric nodded in agreement, stretching with his arms over his head. "Go on, then. One more time and then we'll start making things hard."
Harry's eyes skimmed over Cedric's stretching body before he turned his head to look firmly at the door, now closed. Keeping his gaze fixed on the closed portal, he said, "Shall I try and get Filch again, then?" They both laughed. Harry raised his wand and thought firmly, before summoning his Charms book after he had opened the door again. He set it by the quill and the sweater as they both stood up now, Harry preparing to summon his Transfiguration book next. He nodded at the Hufflepuff to let him know he was ready for complications, then spoke the incantation.
Cedric raised his wand and sent a simple hex at Harry, who realized the new tactic and dove to escape its path. There was a thump outside the door. Harry went to look and the book was sitting outside on the floor.
"Well, almost, there." he said. He sighed, and looked at his watch to check the time. "We've still got time, how about a few more goes?"
When Cedric nodded he summoned his Potions book without a problem, while Cedric tried to put the Jelly-Legs curse on him. On the next try, he attempted to use another spell while summoning his dress-robes, and they landed halfway down the corridor. He went to retrieve them and brush them off before trying again.
"You're making quite a bit of progress, Harry!" said Cedric. "But it's getting late; we should both be back in our dormitories by now… we should get back soon. We need our sleep for tomorrow!"
Harry nodded, and said, "Yeah, I think we've done a lot in one night. If you help me carry my things to Gryffindor tower, I'll put them away and then take you to your dorms under my cloak."
Grinning, Cedric said "You're really used to getting around with that thing, aren't you?"
Harry smiled at Cedric and nodded again. "It's useful." he added vaguely.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
They both moved forward to collect the various things that Harry had succeeded in summoning, before Harry threw the cloak over them again. They met few students on the way to the Gryffindor common room, and when they arrived Harry pulled the cloak off of himself and gave the Fat Lady the password. She commented on the lateness of the hour before swinging open to admit them.
Harry led Cedric up to his dormitory under the cloak, and dumped the things he was carrying into his trunk. It had flown open when he had summoned things from inside it. He hung his dress robes up in the wardrobe neatly.
"So this is the Gryffindor dormitories, huh?" Cedric mused. He poked around a bit after adding the things he had carried to the pile started by Harry, who blushed and nodded in the direction of the older student's voice.
"Nothing fancy, but cozy I guess. Better than the Slytherins'. They're all the way down in the dungeons." said Harry, a little defensively. "Here, let me back under the cloak to go out again," he offered. A few of the Gryffindor students in the common room had noticed Harry talking to himself, and several of them had given him odd looks.
Cedric threw the cloak over them both again, and they made their way down and across the almost-empty common room. Harry pushed the portal open and they both passed through before it shut behind them, the Fat Lady muttering sleepily again.
They made their way down through the corridors, meeting only a lost looking first year and the Bloody Baron, who was floating randomly around the castle.
When they finally turned down the passage that led to the kitchens and the Hufflepuff House rooms, Harry yawned.
"Well," he stammered, "Here we are."
"Thanks, Harry." said Cedric. "Last thing I need is to be caught out after-hours." he grinned broadly at Harry. "Tomorrow morning, then? Before the task?"
Harry smiled and nodded. "See you then."
"Goodnight! Sleep well." said the Hufflepuff, ducking out from under the cloak and slipping through to his dorms. The Hufflepuff dormitories, unlike the others, were always open and required no password. Cedric turned and waved as Harry started to walk down the hall unseen.
Harry waved, and then realized his arm was covered in the cloak. Blushing deeply, he uncovered his arm and waved back again. He was glad his face was covered by the cloak; his felt his face burn scarlet.
He made his way back up through the halls once more through a different route and met Peeves on the stairs to the fifth floor. The poltergeist was resolutely unscrewing the hinges on a door with what looked suspiciously like the arm from one of the school trophies. Harry ducked around him and continued on his way, waking the Fat Lady and slipping inside again before she could tell him off. He pulled off his cloak once safely in his dormitory, changing into his pajamas and sliding into his warm bed, closing the curtains around himself and drifting off to sleep.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
The next morning, Harry woke early and headed down to breakfast alone. He sat at the Gryffindor table and munched on some toast and porridge, thinking about the upcoming task.
What if he wasn't able to pull off the Summoning Charm later? Shouldn't he have a backup plan? He decided to talk to Cedric about it, because telling Ron and Hermione would only unsettle and worry them. The fact that he was actually going to be facing a dragon today had started to sink in, filling him with a sense of dread. He'd only have Cedric to talk to about that, too.
He was suddenly very glad the Hufflepuff had walked into his practice room the previous day. As with most of the others in Hufflepuff house, Harry already considered Cedric a friend. It wasn't a hard thing to get his mind around; they were on the most part kind, sincere and loyal.
And handsome. he thought.
No!
…Well, he is. But not in a fancy-able way. he told himself. I have to concentrate on the task. There's going to be a very real, very dangerous dragon that I will have to get past, or something. And not very long from now, either.
He tried to put thoughts of Cedric from his mind, spooning some hot porridge into his mouth. He wasn't very successful, however, because a few moments later the 7th year himself walked into the Great Hall. He walked up between the Gryffindor table and the Hufflepuff table, sitting close behind Harry.
"Morning, Harry. Only a few hours to go- how are you feeling?" asked a widely grinning Cedric Diggory.
Harry flushed, looking down a bit. "Nervous." he said softly. He looked up and saw Cedric's grin start to fall.
"Sinking in, huh?" suggested the Hufflepuff.
"Something like that, yeah…" said Harry. "What if it doesn't work? What if something happens to my broom?" he added in a low voice. "I'm afraid I haven't prepared a backup plan."
Cedric looked puzzled for a moment, and then said in a little over a whisper, "You're going to summon your broom? That's brilliant Harry! You're a really great flyer!"
Harry realized what he'd said and blushed deep scarlet, kicking himself beneath the table. His expression must've changed, because Cedric looked worriedly at him.
"Don't worry; I've already got my strategy worked out. I suppose I'll tell you mine, it's only fair."
"You don't have to…" Harry began.
"I want to." said Cedric succinctly. "A dragon's weak spot is its eyes, right? So I'm going to use the Conjunctivitis Curse. Or conjure a distraction. Not sure which just yet. I heard Fleur has been practicing her conjuring skills."
Examining Cedric, he nodded. "Those sound like good ideas. Good luck…"
"You too, of course." said Cedric.
"And, thanks," added Harry.
"Thanks? What for?" puzzled the older student.
"You said I was a great flyer. I'm not really used to people complimenting me, I guess. And for helping me. I think I'm going to do well. Well, I hope I'm going to do well, anyways…"
It was Cedric's turn to blush a little. "I'm sorry we don't have Quidditch this year, I looked forward to playing against you again. I mean it, you are a great flyer. I heard your father was too. My dad knew him, in passing."
Harry shuffled his feet under the table. He took another bite out of his toast and chewed slowly. Not sure what to say, he turned away a little bit as Cedric piled up his plate with eggs and bacon, chewing disconsolately. Ron and Hermione came into the Great Hall a few minutes later, sitting on either side of Harry and looking worried.
"How you feeling, mate?" asked Ron, speaking to him for the first time in days.
Harry shrugged, his mouth full. Hermione examined his expression for a moment, then turned and looked around the Great Hall.
"Have you practiced yet today?" asked Hermione. "You've still got some time."
Swallowing, Harry said "Not yet, I was going to wait until Cedric had gotten some breakfast before heading to McGonagall's room." He nodded over his shoulder surreptitiously. Hermione turned the other way and then saw Cedric, smiling at him a little.
"Harry said you'd been a great help. It's very nice of you to offer to assist him." she said politely.
"Not a problem," replied Cedric, turning to face her. "It's the least I can do."
Hoping that he wasn't blushing again, Harry took another large bite of toast and started to chew it thoroughly. Hermione peered at him, and then looked at Cedric strangely.
"Good luck," she offered.
Smiling, Cedric said, "Thanks. I think we need all we can get, right Harry?"
When Harry nodded and swallowed, Cedric put his napkin on his plate.
"Hard to get food down when your stomach is doing back-flips, isn't it?" he asked Harry, who nodded. "Shall we go and practice?"
Harry nodded, and started to excuse himself from the table.
"Can we come, Harry?" asked Ron, indicating himself and Hermione.
"Of course you can! Did you think I'd refuse? I'm nervous enough, maybe having you two around will help a little," answered Harry. "Does this mean you believe me now? I didn't put my name in the Goblet?" he asked Ron.
Ron paled a bit. "I hadn't thought about it. I dunno."
Harry shrugged, not sure what that meant. At least Ron was talking to him again, for now.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
Harry led the way to the Transfiguration Room again, closing the door behind them. "Cedric, you should get some last minute practice too," he said.
Nodding, Cedric waved his wand transformed a book into an iguana on one of the desks. He muttered something and jabbed his wand at it. The lizard flattened back out with a popping sound, a book once more.
"What was that?" asked Hermione.
"I'm going to be transfiguring something during the task; it's always a handy skill for whatever reason," explained Cedric.
Harry looked nervously around the room, and then started summoning the books from the bookshelf on the wall one by one; as Cedric transfigured them into progressively larger animals. They worked in silence for a while, with Ron and Hermione watching them both quietly. As time passed the first task crept nearer, until Hermione broke the silence at last:
"It's time," she announced quietly.
... ... ... End ... ... ...
