The morning of the final Triwizard Task had gone entirely too quickly for Cedric's liking. He was sure when he looked back on today the entire thing would be a blur of anxiety. The silver lining was that because everything was going so rapidly, it would all be over soon. What a huge relief - no more Triwizard Tasks to worry about, ever! He had forgotten what that felt like.
No matter what, it was bound to feel better than he did today. The morning had gotten off to a rocky start when the daily post arrived during breakfast, and with it the latest Daily Prophet. Rita had written yet another scathing piece about Harry. Cedric felt really sorry for him; It was the last thing any of them needed to deal with, especially today.
Of course, he had to admit that he hadn't exactly been thrilled to read the article either - feeling invisible didn't really improve his confidence - and Draco's malicious quotes in it had just been the icing on the cake. For a moment Cedric had felt profoundly disappointed, although he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. He had glanced over to where the Slytherins were eating and noticed Draco was looking over a copy of the paper as well. However, far from the triumphant expression Cedric had expected to see him wearing, given the boy's prominence in the story, Draco was glowering darkly and unconsciously crushing the muffin he'd been holding. It was only when Vincent Crabbe began talking at him and making faces toward Harry that the blonde Slytherin had broken from his reverie and quickly masked his negative emotions, replacing his previous expression with a bitterly mocking sneer. Although he wasn't certain how to interpret the other boy's reaction to the article, for some reason Cedric felt reassured that Draco had been at least somewhat as displeased by it as he had been.
They weren't the only ones who had been less than keen on the article. Cedric's father had taken it really hard, going so far as to be rude to Harry when the champions' families assembled after breakfast. Cedric had tried to smooth things over, but his father's nerves were wound as tightly as his own. It had taken his mother's steady presence to diffuse the situation.
Luckily as soon as Harry left the room, his father calmed down a bit, probably in part because he didn't want to lose face in front of Viktor's family. Cedric's father had been quite excited about meeting the Krums, thanks to their son's impressive Quidditch career. Viktor's parents were nice, if somewhat more emotionally restrained than his own. They chatted pleasantly with his parents about wizarding education and the impending Triwizard Task. Only Viktor's mother spoke English, though, so she and Viktor patiently translated the conversation into Bulgarian for Viktor's father.
Cedric realized with chagrin that even though he'd spent the year competing against the Durmstrang student, he didn't know much at all about him or his family. He really ought to have made more of an effort to become friends with the visiting students, but somehow he hadn't realized how little he knew them until now, when it was almost too late. Well, at least they still had a few days left to correct that.
Cedric suggested they all spend the day together, and everyone agreed with enthusiasm. As much fun as it would be to learn more about the Krums, Cedric was particularly grateful for the opportunity to relax with his parents without agenda. It was comforting to feel their strong support today, both his mother's calm confidence and his father's fierce pride. He just hoped he would be able to live up to their expectations.
They left the Great Hall and Cedric showed them around the Hogwarts castle and grounds, with many colorful anecdotes provided by his father. His cursory tour took much of the morning, so after lunch Viktor brought them all on board the Durmstrang ship. He'd been raised with magic his entire life, but Cedric was still impressed with the spaciousness of the ship's interior. Although nowhere near as large as Hogwarts, the Durmstrang quarters included a snack shop, a first aid center, and an entire level of study rooms and combat practice yards, plus a whole floor of sleeping berths for the students. Toward the prow there was even an ice rink surrounded by snow, where students were practicing some sort of Eastern European winter sport. Viktor had been about to explain it to Cedric and his parents, but Karkaroff had hurried over and interrupted to announce grandly that the celebratory feast would be starting soon. Cedric's stomach immediately tied itself in a knot. He was sure he wouldn't be able to eat a bite, and judging by Viktor's dazed expression, he wouldn't be the only one going hungry.
As they walked back to the castle, Cedric's father had no problem filling the silence left by the two students, animatedly discussing the tournament and his predictions for Cedric's victory, with Viktor's father countering intermittently in Bulgarian. Normally Cedric would have been embarrassed by his father's boasting, but he barely even noticed the conversation taking place around him.
Cedric's mother and Mrs. Krum led the way back to the great hall, deep in conversation, followed by Cedric's father and Mr. Krum, and then the two champions trailing behind in a haze of unspoken shared worry. Most of the adults had just crossed the threshold into the hall and were headed toward the table at the far end, when Cedric noticed Draco just ahead of him. He was waiting near the doorway, scanning the crowd with a tense expression, but his face lit up when he spied Cedric. The knot in Cedric's stomach loosened slightly and he smiled as he strode to meet the other boy.
"Hey," greeted Draco brightly. "I wanted to wish you good luck tonight and..." His features clouded as he glanced away, biting his lip. "... and apologize about the article. That wasn't what I-" He looked back up at Cedric, earnestly, but then suddenly broke off.
Cedric looked behind him to see what had distracted the younger boy, and noticed his father had approached and was watching them intently. Cedric beamed and beckoned him over. "Dad, I'd like you to meet my friend Draco. He's been helping me practice for the tournament."
His smile faltered when his father furrowed his brow and looked accusingly at the Slytherin boy. "Draco Malfoy?"
Draco nodded uncertainly. "Pleased to meet you."
"Mhm," Cedric's father inclined his head perfunctorily, with a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Excuse me a moment. I have something I need to discuss with my son." Draco frowned slightly but nodded again in acquiescence. Cedric's father guided him a few paces away, turning their backs to the other boy.
"Cedric, what is the meaning of this?"
"Of what?"
"Your mother and I didn't raise you to be friends with that kind of person."
"What?" Cedric was shocked. His father had always had an exaggerated sense of family pride, but he'd never been judgmental or cruel before. He glanced behind him, but Draco was adjusting the strap of his bag and appeared not to have heard. Cedric lowered his voice. "I can't believe you're saying that. You don't even know him!"
"Do you know who his father is? I know him far better than I would like to and -"
"He is not his father!"
"I understand you're under a lot of stress right now, but I just don't want to see you get hurt by a boy like him. I'm trying to look out for you."
"Well I don't need you to! Not like this anyway." Cedric inhaled deeply to try to steady himself. He couldn't believe this was happening, especially today of all days. "… Look, we can talk about this later. Why don't you go let Mum know I'll join you all at the table in a bit?" His father opened his mouth as if to argue further, but Cedric cut him off. "Dad, please."
His father gave a curt nod. "Don't be long. You wouldn't want to miss your feast." He turned and strode resolutely toward the table for champions and their families. Cedric sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He turned toward Draco, who was still looking at the ground, and forced himself to assume an air of nonchalance.
"Sorry, my dad wanted to talk to me about something," Cedric apologized lightly as he walked back to the other boy.
Draco looked up and gave a cheerless smile. "It's fine. I know."
"Right-" Cedric was about to casually thank him for his well-wishes, when he realized what the other boy had actually said. He frowned, concerned. "Wait, what do you mean you know?" Draco looked away hurriedly. "Did you hear what- what we were talking about?" The other boy remained silent and refused to meet Cedric's gaze. Heat rushed to Cedric's face. "Oh Draco. I'm so sorry!"
"It's not a big deal," Draco muttered, looking darkly at the floor.
"Yes it is! I swear he's not a bad person he just-"
"Just doesn't want me to hurt you. It's fine, really. I get it."
Cedric searched desperately for a way to get through to the other boy, to set things right. "No, it's not fine. He shouldn't have-"
"Yes, he should!" Draco interjected. He paused and took a deep breath, continuing self-consciously. "He's right... I mean, I wouldn't want to hurt you, but I'm sure inevitably somehow I'd-"
"Draco stop." The Slytherin boy looked up sharply at the force behind Cedric's words. "I'm not going to get hurt. And even if I did, it wouldn't be anything we couldn't figure out together. Ok? Yeah maybe we got into some minor quarrels before, but I'm glad I've gotten to know you over the past semester and -" Draco snorted and looked away again.
"No, listen!" Cedric grabbed Draco's arm and his bright blue eyes snapped up to meet Cedric's grey ones in surprise. Cedric gazed at him intently, willing Draco to believe him. "I'm really glad you're my friend... You know that, right?"
Draco's eyes remained locked on his. After several moments the fear and uncertainty that had filled the younger boy's gaze melted away. He smiled tentatively and gave a barely perceptible nod. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."
Cedric sighed in relief. "Ok, good..." He stood a few seconds in thought.
"Are you planning to bring my arm with you into that maze?" Draco asked, smirking wryly.
Cedric laughed and released his grip on the other boy. "I don't know. Does it come with its own wand? Because then it could be pretty handy. Literally"
Draco rolled his eyes, grinning. "I'm not exactly in the habit of loaning out limbs; I don't trust Madame Pomfrey's medical skills that much. Besides, you'll be excellent without it."
"Thanks." Cedric's smile faded and he inhaled deeply and glanced away, the familiar coil in his stomach beginning to tighten once more. This time it was Draco who placed his hand on Cedric's arm. The motion was awkward and seemed foreign to the younger boy, but he shot Cedric a rueful half-smile in a clear effort at being reassuring.
"Really, Cedric, you are. You're going to be brilliant."
Cedric smiled gratefully. "Right. Well, I should head in. I'll catch you after the tournament."
"You'd better, because I plan to drink butterbeer out of your Triwizard cup at the awards banquet."
Cedric grinned. He gave Draco a small wave and turned to join his family at the champions' table. Even though he was still worried about the upcoming task, the mental image of the Slytherin boy using the enormous trophy as a drinking mug lightened his mood considerably. Cedric figured getting a chance to see Draco try that might just be a good enough incentive to win.