That first week back at school was a whirl wind, Harry had already secured detentions with Umbridge every evening and had quidditch practice starting again soon. He and Cedric shared stolen moments; knowing smiles across the Great Hall, a nod in the corridor, moments when they crossed each other's paths and their hands or shoulders touched, small but significant moments of physical contact. Harry lived for these occasions and he knew that Cedric did do. Harry had not realised the absence of human contact in his life until he had begun dating Cedric and their physical intimacy had come quite naturally; something that both surprised and delighted him. But now only a week into the school term, Harry found himself missing, craving that physical touch; the simple things, hand-holding, hugs, a reassuring arm around his waist. They also swapped notes, scraps of parchment detailing their days, the boring aspects and the daydreams of adventures they could embark on together.

Harry was beginning to feel worn out; it was Friday evening. They had only been back for five days, but it felt like an eternity. It was ironic, Harry had feared the possibility of not returning and now he was back, he couldn't help but notice Hogwarts was changing and he blamed Umbridge for this.

As he left her office and he wondered if he could catch Cedric for a few hours before curfew, so he made his way to the library hoping to find him there. A group of seventh year Hufflepuff's were sat together but Cedric wasn't among them. Harry sighed and was about to turn away when Lukas stood up and called out "Potter,"

"Hi?" Harry said surprised. Luka crossed over to him and smiled.

"It's Lukas, Cedric's friend from the train."

"I remember," Harry smiled, "How are you?" He was surprised because he hadn't expected the older boy to speak to him without Cedric being present.

"I'm good thank you, how are you?" His eyes flickered to the back of Harry's hand which was wrapped in a makeshift bandage, "Everything ok?"

"Oh yeah," Harry waved it off, "Just caught myself, clumsy y'know,"

"Oh okay," He frowned, he glanced over his shoulder then handed Harry a scrap of parchment "Here, Cedric said you might come here looking for him, he asked me to give this to you," He said quietly.

"Thanks," Harry blushed, now sure that Lukas knew about the depth of their relationship as Cedric had trusted him with this task. He unfollowed the parchment.

'Harry,

I hope detention wasn't too bad? I'm down at the pitch, doing some training if you want to join me?

Love, Cedric x'

Pocketing the note, keen to see Cedric and to fly, Harry thanked Lukas again and hurried out to the grounds.

Harry stood on the edge of the Quidditch Pitch, clutching his broom in his left, uninjured hand. He watched the speck of yellow that was Cedric, flying high above in his Hufflepuff Quidditch robes, chasing a snitch backwards and forwards. After a few minutes of admiring his boyfriend's skill, he mounted his broom and kicked off from the ground, flying up to join him.

Harry flew up beside Cedric, racing him to the snitch, he had been chasing for a few minutes. Drawing level, Harry grinned "Evening Diggory,"
"Evening Potter," He smirked, leaning forward pushing his broom to go faster. "Trying to beat me?" He teased.

The two boys raced, Harry finally took an advantage, his firebolt faster than Cedric's latest model clean sweep. His right hand instinctively moving, his fingers wrapping around the golden snitch, the wings fluttering beneath his grasp.

They slowed, hoovering mid-air, Cedric swore disliking being beaten. Harry winced as he registered the pain shooting through his injured hand and arm. This did not go unnoticed by Cedric who moved closer. "You okay?" He said peering at Harry in the dark. The floating flood lights that illuminated the pitch, not quite reaching them. "What's wrong?" His tone concerned, the annoyance at being beaten disappeared from his voice.

"Nothing," Harry shrugged not wanting to explain or cause Cedric any worry. However, Cedric did not believe this, he sighed and pulled his wand from the sleeve of his robe.

"Lumos," He let his wand light fall over Harry's bandaged right hand. "What happened?" He gasped.

"Really, it's nothing," Harry dismissed, not used to having someone care so much.

"Yes, it is, that makeshift bandage is all bloody. We need to get this looked at- Madam Pompfrey could,"

"No," Harry cut in. "I don't want to go to the Hospital Wing,"

"Fine," Cedric heard the determination in his boyfriend's voice and knew there was no use arguing with him. "Can I at least take a look?"

Harry hesitated, "Fine"

Cedric smiled "Okay let's fly down,"

They flew down together and landed on the pitch, Cedric held Harry's injured hand and waved his wand to remove the bandages. "How did you do this?"

Harry flinched, "its nothing… just an accident," Cedric ignored him and peered closer at his hand,

"This- this, Harry this is writing," Mutters " 'I must not tell lies' why is this on your hand?" His worried eyes looked up into Harry's who knew he couldn't keep it from him.

"Umbridge- she has this quill… she's made me use it during detention."

Cedric looked horrified, "That's awful! She can't get away with it Harry that's so wrong! You have to tell someone… Mc Gonagall, Dumbledore…"

"No," Harry cut in firmly. "That's what she wants me to do, I won't give her that satisfaction,"

"But its what you should do… Harry... this is terrible…" He sounded so worried he looked at Harry pleadingly and was meant with a stubborn gaze. "Please?"

"No, Cedric I can't," Harry didn't mention that he didn't think Dumbledore would care, given his lack of interest in speaking to him at the trail.

Cedric studied his face for a moment, "Fine, I'll drop it for now? This was your last detention with her wasn't it? Try not to get anymore,"

"You know, I can't promise you that," He sighed.

"Well, I can help you at least, come on," He took Harry's left hand and they walked to the changing rooms. The changing rooms were dimly light, by the light cast from Cedric's wand and the windows were moonlight was streaming in.

Cedric pushed him gently to sit on one of the benches and began rummaging in his bag. Harry tried to play it off, "Seriously Ced, its…"

"Don't you dare say okay Potter, because its not and you know it." Cedric said firmly, he came over carrying bandages and a medical kit.

"How come you have that?" Harry asked surprise, taking away his stubbornness.

Cedric set down the medical kit next to Harry and then knelt in front of him. He took his bleeding hand and slowly unwrapped the bloodied make shift bandage. He looked up, his hazel eyes meeting Harrys. "Advanced care of magical creatures for seventh years," He smiled, "Plus I've been doing my own private study on medical aspects, don't worry," He flashed a grin, "Its safe for humans,"

"Yes you mentioned before, like a vet," Harry said casually, smiling despitite the pain in his hand, because he liked seeing the ambition in Cedric's eyes.

"A Vet?" Cedric pronounced the strange word carefully, "whats a vet?" He asked as he began cleaning and redressing Harry's wound.

"Oh a muggle healer of animals, like they have doctors, they have vets for animals,"

Cedric pondered this for a moment, "Yes, then like a vet. I do prefer healer though," He grinned. When he had finished dressing Harry's hand, he looked up. "Better?"

"Yes," Harry said surprised how much the pain had reduced already. "Thank you," He touched Cedric lightly with his uninjuried hand.

Cedric still kneeling before Harry, kissed the bandaged hand gently, "You really need to look after yourself Potter," He tone endearing, tender. Harry sighed and rubbed Cedric's shoulder and back of his neck. Cedric planted two more gentle kisses on Harrys hand before moving his mouth up to the inside of Harry's elbow, then bicep. As his lips made contact, Harry felt pleasure and desire shoot through him and his fingers moved from the back of Cedric's neck to the tangle in his hair.

Cedric crouched now, pushing Harrys shirt sleeve higher until he reached his shoulder and then he stood stooping over harry and his lips found Harry's neck. Lightly, Cedric nibbled and sucked there, before bringing his lips to meet Harry's now desperate mouth.

They kissed, their tongues meeting, their lips fast and passionate. Cedric went from standing to straddling Harry in sitting. Harry pulled him closer still as their kiss deepened and both boys grew more excited.

After a few minutes of this, including thrusting against each other's bodies Harry felt him self beginning to climate through his trousers, Cedric must have too as he continued the thrusting and deep kisses until Harry was spent, not moment's after Cedric followed.

There was a long silence, both boys were breathing heavily, worn out. Cedric leaned against Harry, whom held him close.

"Woah," Cedric whispered.

"I was about to say the same thing," Harry whispered, his voice cracking slightly.

"That was…unexpected," Cedric breathed. Harry nodded into his shoulder,

"Yes…sorry?"

"Sorry?" Cedric repeated confused, he moved slightly to look at Harry. "Why are you saying sorry?"

"I- I" Harry stammered, "Got caught up in it…"

"I know," Cedric reassured "but trust me its nothing to apologise about, that was super-hot… wasn't it?" He said suddenly nervous Harry regretted it.

"Yes!" Harry agreed earnestly. "Yes! I just…we said we weren't going to rush," He blushed in the semi- darkness of the changing room.

Cedric shrugged, "These things happen, don't worry, it doesn't mean I expect or need anything more right now," He grinned, "That was bloody amazing,"

Harry blushed "Okay, good," He bit his lip and studied the Hufflepuff sitting a stride him, "Yes it was."

After a few minutes, they stood and each used magic to clean themselves up then Cedric grinned, "How's the hand? Fancy a fly?"