Author Notes – Harry and Cedric are back everyone! I know it's been nearly a year since the last update (so apologies...) but I hope to be writing more frequently now that my life has settled down a bit. This is a real turning point in the story and it will start to get, among other things, more adult from here on out. I hope you enjoy it. As always, please review and share and feel me to message me with any questions or comments. See you all again soon.

Rating – M.

Note – I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, that privilege belongs to JK Rowling.

CHAPTER NINE

The Phoenix and the Wolf

The next two weeks passed largely uneventfully – unless you counted the sudden reappearance of Professor Dumbledore. Harry and the others had come down to breakfast one Friday morning to find the Headmaster back in his place at the top table, surveying the students happily as they ate breakfast. Harry longed to inquire as to where Dumbledore had been, but knew better than to try and find out in the packed Great Hall. That little mystery would have to wait until later.

Harry was also pleased that Cedric seemed to be back to his old self after his argument with Hermione in the library. He had been good to his word and locked the golden pendant away in his trunk and Harry hadn't seen him with it since then. Cedric seemed a lot happier as a result and he and Harry had enjoyed several fun evenings together away from work and the other students.

But they no longer had to use the Prefects' bathroom as a getaway now. Harry, when he had been visiting Dobby in the kitchens, had casually mentioned to Ron and Hermione that he wished that he could find a new place for him and Cedric to meet privately. Dobby had perked up immediately and excitedly squeaked that there was such a place hidden on the seventh floor: the so-called Room of Requirement, which magically transformed itself into whatever space the user most needed at that time. Harry and Cedric had spent a lot of time in the days after that, during which time it had served as a kitchen for Cedric to cook in, a romantic candle-light living room, and a large garden.

This sudden change in their relationship which meant they could enjoy each other's company in a much more comfortable setting had Harry thinking about the physical part of their relationship. Although they were sexually active, they hadn't yet progressed to anything more than oral sex and Harry was wondering whether it was time to take their relationship further. This occupied a great deal of thoughts and Hermione kept commenting on his dazed expression whenever his attention wandered back to the Room of Requirement.

That Saturday was a Hogsmeade visit – the first one of the year. Harry and Cedric had agreed that they would go down to the village with Ron and Hermione and have lunch before striking out on their own for the afternoon. This had the double advantage of making Ron and Hermione spend time together alone – which both Harry and Cedric agreed was very good for them.

It was a bright September day when the four of them left the castle to walk down the familiar road which led to Hogsmeade. But there was a distinct chill in the air and – whilst Cedric had wisely decided to take his cloak – Harry had not thought ahead and was slightly shivery as they made their way to the village.

"Where shall we go for lunch?" asked Hermione as they stopped in the village square to catch their breath.

"How about there?" suggested Cedric, pointing to a large and inviting looking cafe next to Zonko's joke shop. "I think it's new isn't it?"

"Don't remember seeing it before," agreed Ron. "Come on then, I'm starving."

When they entered, they were greeted by a small, middle-aged witch who smiled cheerily at them. "Hello there dears," she said. "Table for four is it?"

"Yes please," replied Harry and the witch led them to a small, round table in the far corner of the cafe.

Harry looked around. The cafe was filled with beautifully carved oak chairs and tables. At the front there was a counter with a collection of extremely inviting looking cakes on it. There were only a few other customers in there. Harry's gaze fell upon a man sitting alone on the other side of the room, whose face was partly obscured by a long travelling cloak. The stranger turned his head towards him and Harry quickly looked away – pretending to be interested in the menu.

"So," said Ron, after they had ordered their food from the witch. "Dumbledore's back."

"Yes," said Hermione. "Maybe that means he's found out what happened to you in the graveyard."

"Surely he would have said something if he had?" said Cedric, although his tone sounded uncertain.

"You'd think so," agreed Harry. "But he's not exactly been reluctant to withhold information before, has he?" He was thinking back to everything that had happened last year and wondering how much Dumbledore had really known about what Merlin was planning.

Even as he was speaking, his eyes kept wandering over to the stranger in the cloak. The man was now bent low over a piece of parchment and seemed to be drawing something. He paused every now and again and moved his head slightly – as though listening carefully.

Harry forced himself to focus on the three people around him and found that the conversation had now moved to Cedric's plans for when he left Hogwarts at the end of the year. It was clear from what Cedric had told Harry that his father wanted him to join the Ministry of Magic. But Cedric had made it clear to Harry that he wanted to travel for a while – to see more of the wizarding world. The idea of Cedric being so far away while he was still at Hogwarts didn't exactly fill Harry with joy – but they had discussed how they would stay in regular contact and make sure that they saw each other as often as possible. They had even discussed the possibility of Harry joining Cedric abroad during the school holidays and how they might convince Dumbledore to let him go.

When they had finished eating and were about to leave, Harry walked over to the counter and spoke to the witch who owned the cafe. "That man sitting in the corner," he asked in a low voice. "Do you know who he is?"

"Oh yes," she replied. "He's been coming in here often since we opened a few weeks back. He's an empath."

"A what?" Harry whispered.

"He can't see," he explained. "But they find their way around by sensing the energy and emotion of the people around them."

Harry was reminded of the Dementors and felt a slight shiver of unease. "But he's perfectly harmless," the witch continued. "He just sits there and draws. He can do pretty good likenesses of the customers, you know, even though he can't see them. Just through empathy."

Harry nodded – although he still wasn't entirely sure he understood. "Thank you," he said.

After paying for their lunch, the four of them departed. When the door had closed behind them, the witch walked over to the man in the cloak to refill his teapot. "Let's have a look then," she said, and the man pushed the piece of parchment towards her.

"Oh that's very good," she said, looking down at the drawing the man had just completed. "You've got the one with the glasses spot on." Her eyes moved across the page. "Hang on," she continued, a hint of confusion in her voice. "There were only four of them you know. Not five."

"So where shall we go?" asked Harry, after he and Cedric had bade goodbye to Ron and Hermione and started to walk across the village on their own.

"I've had an idea," replied Cedric, and there was a definite gleam in his eye which Harry hadn't seen before. "You'll love it." He bent down, pecked Harry on the lips, then grabbed his hand and started to march in the direction of the Shrieking Shack.

"OK, this is new," Harry said, but decided to go with it as Cedric led him down the beaten path which led to the haunted house. "But I have to warn you. I've got less than fond memories of the Shrieking Shack and –

"Oh we're not going there," interrupted Cedric. "This is much better." Harry had rarely seen him sound so excited. "Trust me."

After several more minutes walking, they passed the Shrieking Shack and made their way to a deserted path of land well away from the busy village and its inhabitants.

"Brilliant," said Harry sarcastically – stopping suddenly. Cedric looked round at him with a wide grin on his face. "You've dragged me all this way to stare at some grass and trees."

"Be patient," replied Cedric. "We're not quite there yet."

"Where are we going?" asked Harry, beginning to lose some of his enthusiasm.

Cedric, however, continued to beam. "You'll see. Not many people know about this." And he set off at a march again – dragging Harry along with him.

After only a couple more minutes, they came to the mouth of a cave. Cedric stopped and started at Harry waiting for his reaction.

"Well this is very...secluded," said Harry, looking at Cedric with confusion. "I know you said you wanted to get away from the castle for a bit, but I didn't know you had this in mind."

"Come on," said Cedric, gesturing towards the cave. "This leads right into one of the mountains. There's something here I want you to see."

And Cedric led him through the mouth of the cave and underground. Harry couldn't help feeling slightly uneasy at whatever it was Cedric was taking him to look at. He trusted his boyfriend, of course, but there was definitely something unusual about the way he was behaving. Not for the first time in the last few weeks, Harry reminded himself.

"Cedric, are you sure you know what you're doing?" he asked lightly as they went even further and deeper into the cave. Harry stopped and pulled out his wand. "Lumos."

He looked at Cedric, who was watching him now wearing a slightly hurt expression. "Don't you want to see it?" he asked.

"See what?" Harry asked. "Cedric – you're worrying me now."

Cedric leaned forward and kissed him. Harry relaxed into the kiss and it deepened. After a few seconds, they broke apart. "I love you," he said. "Trust me."

"I love you too," said Harry. How could he not trust Cedric – after everything they had been through? "Come on then – but this better be good!"

Cedric beamed again and they started to walk. They hadn't gone far before they emerged into a large cavern. Harry couldn't tell how far underground they were but it must be a fair distance judging by the high ceiling of rock above them.

"Here," said Cedric. "Lumos maxima." A ball of light shot from the end of his wand and sped towards the ceiling – illuminating the entire cavern in brilliant white light.

And Harry could now see what Cedric had wanted to show him. His mouth fell open as he looked at the most beautiful sculpture he had ever seen. It was made entirely of ice and stood almost thirty feet high. Harry realised after a moment that the shapes were two animals. One was a magnificent bird and Harry could tell from its large wingspan and enormous ice tail that it was a phoenix. The other animal was a fierce looking winter wolf and the sculptor had effortlessly recreated its strong jaw and sharp teeth as shards of ice. It was positioned on its powerful hind legs, reaching up towards the phoenix which was frozen in position flying slightly above it.

Harry just gaped – lost for words – until Cedric moved over and took him by the hand. They were both transfixed, staring at the masterpiece in front of them.

"I came here," whispered Cedric finally. "A lifetime ago. To shelter from the storms of war."

Harry looked at him – wondering what he meant. "Sorry," said Cedric, smiling at him. "Not really sure why I said that. What do you think?"

Harry couldn't quite find the words. "It's...it's magnificent," he finished finally and leaned his head into Cedric's shoulder. "Thank you for bringing me here."

"You're welcome," said Cedric. "After all, you found us somewhere brilliant where we could be alone. It's only fair that I return the favour."

"How did you find out about this?" asked Harry. His mind was full of questions. He wanted to know everything. "And who made it? And how come it doesn't melt?"

Cedric smiled at the final question and Harry realised. "Magic," Cedric whispered. "It's been here at least a hundred years I think, judging from the debris that's collected around it."

"That must be some powerful magic for it to still be here after all that time," said Harry, his voice full of wonder. There was only one person he can think of who could manage such a thing, and the fact that one of the figures was a phoenix seemed to confirm it. "I wonder..."

"You bet," replied Cedric. "Who knows – one day I might build you something like this."

Harry looked at him. "I don't need a momentum to know how much you love me," he whispered. Cedric leaned down and kissed him deeply.

They stood in silence for a few minutes, just staring at the sculpture. It was incredible the detail of each figure and if Harry hadn't known that there were blocks of ice, he could have sworn that they were alive. Then he remembered what he had been thinking about so much after the last few days and finally found the courage to talk about it. Harry then suddenly felt a chill and shivered visibly.

"Harry - you haven't got your cloak," said Cedric. "Here take mine." He removed the thick cloak which had been fastened around his neck and put it over Harry's shoulders.

"Thanks," said Harry, grateful for the warmth. It was too big for him, of course, but it did the job.

"Always here for you," winked Cedric. And that was certainly true, Harry thought.

"Cedric," he began a little uncertainly. "I've been thinking about us."

"Oh God," replied Cedric, regaining a little bit of his former self and looking at Harry with alarm. "That's a terrible way to start a conversation with your boyfriend."

Harry laughed. "No – not like that!" he said quickly. He paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I think we should take things to the next level."

"Great," replied Cedric. There was a beat and then he said, "I don't know what that means."

Harry laughed again. "OK fine," he said. "I think I'm ready for us to try new things."

"Again – not exactly getting it," said Cedric, though a grin was forming on his face.

"Basically I want you to fuck me," Harry said entirely deadpan.

"Harry Potter!" cried Cedric in mock outrage. "I would never have believed it of you!"

"Oh come off it," said Harry. "Don't tell you haven't been thinking the same. I'm ready."

"Well since you put it like that..."

Cedric leaned in again and kissed him. "Not here though obviously," said Harry. "That floor looks far too uncomfortable and I can do without those ice sculptures watching...watching..."

Harry started to stumble over his words. He looked into Cedric's grey eyes but found that he couldn't focus on them properly. He lost his balance and fell forward. Cedric caught him.

"Harry!" cried Cedric. "Harry – what's wrong?" His voice seemed to be coming from a long way away. "Harry!" But Harry couldn't focus at all anymore. He felt the familiar pull of unconsciousness. He hit the ground and remembered nothing else.