Title:
To
Prove
Rating:
G
Pairings:
Harry/Cedric
Warnings:
None
Summary:
And
because it's Harry, and things and Cedric are different with Harry he
doesn't think about his answer. Set
pre-second task?
Notes: A
short I wrote a couple of nights ago for twoseekers, avoiding the
Tenipuri/HP cross-over that is just begging me to write it. Hm.
I wanted to experiment with Cedric a little bit, and try to write
some H/C that kept Harry in-character. Harry actually doesn't do
much. Un-beta'd.
"Why did you enter the tournament?"
Cedric wonders if anyone had asked him that yet, but then decies it doesn't matter. With Harry it's different, everything is different. While they're here, now, at the edge of the lake and not-quite touching there's no one else in the world, or nobody that matters anyway. And because it's Harry, and things and Cedric are different with Harry, he doesn't think about his answer. He simply picks up a chipped rock and throws it off-handedly into the lake, where its ripples fan out and disturb only the surface's peace.
"So there's proof," he answers, and Harry shifts slightly next to him. Cedric wonders if he's uncomfortable; he knows he is, but he also knows neither of them should or could mention it lest they snap out of this wonderful little bubble.
"Proof?" Harry says and Cedric turns to look at him. The colour in Harry's scarf and Harry's eyes seem particularly bold in the not-quite twilight reflecting off of the lake and scattered all around them. Harry looks back, and Cedric wonders if there's any colour so bold in him.
He knows the answer, and is content with it.
"Yes." He replies, but does not continue. He knows Harry wants to understand, to also know, but Cedric wants him to ask first. Harry frowns, and it is obvious that he understands Cedric in the now.
Still.
"Proof of what?"
Cedric smiles and straightens Harry's scarf so the chilly air doesn't bite so easily at his neck. His hands linger, his eyes, for a moment long enough to be considered too long by public standards. Harry is watching him, waiting, and Cedric realizes that public standards fly out the window when one is with Harry Potter.
"Proof of my life," he says, finally, and everything else tumbles out through his eyes as they meet Harry's properly. Cedric puts a careful hand on Harry's cool cheek and can tell from the set of his mouth that he understands.
Cedric realized years ago how his legacy and his father's and grandfather's was doomed if expected to be remembered by any of the traditional means. The Triwizard Tournament became a way for him and his family name to be remembered, and if he won perhaps the guilt would ease away.
Cedric realized months ago that the rest of his life would be about Harry Potter, and he was more than fine with that.
