Author's Note: Hehehe…I bet you all still hate me. I know that my responses are slow and irregular, and I assure you it's not because I'm bored with this story, in fact I am determined to get to the end even if it kills me. I've just been busy, as I said last time it's exam period and I don't know if you'll get another update for about three weeks…Just to warn you this time. =3 I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The Lordly Lion
Harry heard nothing more from Cedric since their brief, and if Harry was honest the slightly frightening, encounter in the Seventh floor bathroom. The Hufflepuff had claimed to being busy when they'd 'accidentally' bumped into each other in the corridor one day, and with Cho once again beating the bronze-haired boy as they walked off, Harry was led to the same conclusion as he had been on the train, Cedric was avoiding him. In a way, Harry could understand, it hadn't been the most romantic first kiss and he had, in his opinion, cocked it up good and proper with the whole innocent school boy, first kiss and petrified personality. He couldn't blame Cedric for being put out and told him so one lunch.
"Don't be stupid, Potter," Cedric hissed scowling exasperatedly at Harry from across the classroom that the younger raven head had dragged him into.
"Then why are you avoiding me? If you don't want me any more I get it, but you could at least – " Harry started to retort only to be silenced by a chaste kiss as Cedric strode determinedly towards him.
Harry found his head delightfully lighten and closed his eyes slowly when Cedric's hand ran through his hair.
"Like I said, you're being stupid, Potter. I'm busy and you're not the only one with things to figure out," the Hufflepuff said cryptically before adjusting the strap on his bag. Now Harry thought about it, said bag looked a little scruffy and worse-for-wear.
Must be old… he thought absently and it wasn't until Cedric chuckled slightly after following his gaze that he looked up.
"That reminds me. You owe me another bag you little minx," the older boy said playfully, winking as he strolled towards the door, then resting his hand against the wood he turned back. "Try not to beat yourself up or do anything else stupid, Harry. See you around."
That meeting had only solidified two facts in Harry's mind, one, that he was the luckiest boy in the world, and two, that he was probably going to have his heart broken, though he couldn't bring himself to care. It definitely wasn't that the Gryffindor Champion didn't want the relationship with Cedric, it was the feeling that things were going too far and that fate was dragging him unceremoniously towards the finish line. It made him feel…uneasy. He planned on going kicking and screaming if fate wanted him to go any quicker than he was willing to. Cedric had been understanding, if not slightly distant, and he couldn't help but worry that he had ruined any chances with the older boy, despite his reassurances. It was really something, since when did The-Boy-Who-Lived worry over fate?
Harry had to agree, usually, he and fate plodded along well together; sure he hadn't always been too happy with facing Voldemort all those times…Okay so he was being foolish and under-exaggerating, he had been terrified, but just like the good little saviour he was meant to be, he never complained. This time however, there was no way he was going to be rushed into a relationship just because fate wanted him to. Screw fate. Fate could go straight to hell for all he cared.
And it seemed fate had the same idea for him…
"Potter! Weasley! Will you please pay attention!?"
Professor McGonagall's irritated voice cracked ominously through the class, sending the Guinea-Pigs they had turned the guinea-fowls into squeaking fearfully and retreating to the back of their cage. Neville's guinea-pig, which still had feathers due to his poor transfiguration skills, gave a strange strangled squawk like squeak and rustled it's feathery fur in disapproval, sending the class into a fit of giggles and heightening McGonagall's wrath.
Harry and Ron looked up from their sword fight, compliments of Fred and George's fake wands, wondering what they were interrupting. It was three minutes to the bell and they'd copied their homework from the board, Ron grumbling under his breath something along the lines of 'Hermione will help me later'.
"What does she want to talk to us about?" Ron hissed, hiding his tin parrot under the desk as Harry slipped his rubber haddock into his rucksack.
"Well now the pair of you have been kind enough to act your age, Weasley, I'll tell you," said Professor McGonagall with an angry look at the pair of them.
"Bloody hell. How does she do that?" Ron muttered, sinking into his seat as the woman's dagger gaze rested on him.
"Language, Weasley, I would prefer not taking house points from my house," McGonagall said quickly, "Now…The Yule Ball is approaching, to those of you who don't know it is a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. The ball will be open to only fourth-years and above, although you may invite a younger student if you wish – "
McGonagall was forced to stop when Lavender Brown let out a shrill giggle, and Pavarti Patil nudged her in the ribs, her face showing her own struggle not to follow suit. The pair turned to look at Harry, and with nothing but a stern look at them, McGonagall continued.
"Dress robes will be worn and the ball will start at eight o'clock Christmas Day, finishing at midnight, in the Great Hall. Now then – "
Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.
"The Yule Ball is of course a chance for all of us to – ahem – let our hair down," she said in a disproving voice. "But, that does NOT mean that I will be relaxing the standards of behaviour that we expect from our students. I will be seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrassed the school in any way. Do you understand?"
A few mumbled responses from the girls and uncommitted grunts from the boys was the only answer as the school bell ring. There was the usual scuttle of activity as everyone picked up their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.
"Oh yes! There will be dance classes in classroom 4B this evening, and as my house I will be expecting all of you to attend!" McGonagall shouted over the noise and nearly everyone fell silent and still. The girls looked excited and started whispering to themselves, the boys had a look of horror on their faces, and Harry heard Dean start whispering excuses and plans of falling down the Grand Staircase on the way to dinner to Seamus.
"D-D-Dance Classes?" Ron stuttered but no one answered as the group filed out of the room.
"Potter – A word, if you please."
Assuming this had something to do with his headless rubber haddock, Harry proceeded gloomily to her desk.
Professor McGonagall waited until the rest of the class had left the room, and then said, "Potter, the Champions and their partners – "
"What partners," Harry interrupted with another look of horror at his Transfiguration teacher.
Professor McGonagall looked at him suspiciously, as if she suspected that he was trying to be funny.
"Your partner for the Yule Ball, Potter," she said coldly, "Your dance partner."
Harry felt his insides lurch unpleasantly; perhaps he needed to see Madame Pomfrey about his hearing. He must have something wrong with his ears because Professor McGonagall had just said something that sounded a lot like…
"Dance partners?" he muttered, gulping as he felt his face redden. "I don't dance," he added quickly.
"Oh yes you do," said McGonagall irritably. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. Traditionally the Champions and their dance partners open the ball."
Harry had a sudden mental image of himself dancing in a top hat and tails with a girl wearing the sort of frilly dress that Aunt Petunia would always wear to Uncle Vernon's work parties. He was doing very well. Until he fell over his feet and landed on his face.
No way. There was no way in hell.
"I'm not dancing."
"It's traditional," Professor McGonagall firmly. "You are a Hogwarts Champion, and you will do what is expected of you. So make sure you get yourself a partner, Potter. Oh, and I'll be expecting you at the class tonight, I won't have you making a mockery of his House."
"But – I don't – "
"You heard me, Potter. You're dancing even if I have to drag you there myself." McGonagall said in a final sort of way, leaving Harry with the image of him kicking a screaming in a top hat and tails being dragged onto the dance floor by a severe looking Professor McGonagall. She dumped him into some girls arms and proceeded to glare at him menacingly as he danced, smirking to herself when he fell flat on his face and dragging him back as he tried to crawl away.
Absolutely no way I'm doing this. I'll break my leg…I'll fake my death…Anything…
But somehow he found himself saying: "Yes ma'am," and looking down, he sulked from the room.
Harry was in hell. It seemed that fate had got to him first and he was not happy, however one good thing came from the dance class in question. It was tall, had bronze hair and answered to the name of Cedric, and it was a very good thing indeed.
"Silence!" Professor McGonagall called over the loud buzz that filled the classroom. As it wasn't big enough, they had decided to split the school in half, Gryffindors with the Hufflepuffs, and Slytherins with the Ravenclaws. The division of Gryffindors and Slytherins had been a unanimous decision with the teachers; after all, if they were put in a room with each other to dance, half of the school population would end up in the Hospital Wing.
The students turned to McGonagall, who was standing in the middle of the room, glancing at a group of girls who were giggling loudly from their positions on the desks that had been pushed up against the wall. Harry looked around the assembled teenagers from his own point standing with the Wealsey Twins, almost directly across the room from him, and staring intently in his direction, was Cedric Diggory. Harry was thankful that his teacher had called their attention when she did.
"The houses of Godric Gryffindor…and Helga Hufflepuff have commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you in the course of a single night besmirch that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of Baboons."
Harry looked at Fred who had leant over to his twin with a grin on his face. "Hey George, try saying it five times faster," he whispered and the raven haired boy couldn't help but laugh softly as the pair burst into fast muttering. The two boys looked at him before tackling him into a one armed hug of sorts while ruffling his already ruffled hair. He could practically feel the heat of the Hufflepuff's stare on his neck when the pair released him and when he looked over, there was nothing but anger etched onto that perfect face, the glare targeted on Fred and George who were now jabbing Ron hard in the back with their index fingers.
That look on Cedric's face looked decidedly…jealous? No…He was being stupid. Cedric had nothing to be jealous about. But then Harry remembered what the older boy had said in the bathroom the other night.
I'm glad. I'm rather selfish; I'm relieved I don't have to share you with someone else.
Smiling smugly, Harry turned back to his teacher who had been speaking about the technicalities of dancing. Crap…He probably should have been listening to that instead of thinking about his…What exactly was Cedric? He wasn't his boyfriend, but Harry felt that the older boy had claimed him in some way. Close friend? Nope…Close friend who he liked to kiss and have the other ravage him. Yep, that was about right.
"Now, to dance is to let the body breathe," Professor McGonagall continued, "Inside every girl a secret swan slumbers longing to burst forth and take flight."
"Something's about to burst out of Hannah Abbot, but I don't think it's a swan…" Ron sniggered, earning a few choice glares from the Hufflepuffs and poor Hannah looking like she was about to cry. Making sure that McGonagall wasn't looking, Harry cuffed his friend round the head, smiling apologetically at the tearful girl. The blonde gave him a watery smile and Harry ignored Ron's angry hisses.
"Inside every boy, a lordly lion or honourable badger is prepared to prance," McGonagall said, glaring at Ron. "Mr Weasley, will you join me?"
Not waiting for an answer, she swept down on Ron like a falcon and pulled him to his feet, pulling a few mocking laughs from the Hufflepuffs, and Harry had to join them. Ron shot a 'just-you-wait' look in his direction as McGonagall gestured to his side.
"Now, place your hand on my waist."
"Where?!" Ron asked with a look between bewilderment and horror.
"My waist," she said impatiently and took his hand, resting it on her hip ignoring the wolf whistle sent their way by his mischievous brothers.
"Now bend your arm like so…Mr Filch?"
The music started as the old caretaker wound the handle of the old Gramophone. McGonagall started counting and led Ron through the steps, twisting them elegantly, if it wasn't for Ron's muttered curses and stumbling steps it would have been a wonderful dance routine. Grinning Harry leant back against the wall and turned towards the equally gleeful twins.
"You're never gonna let him forget this, are you?"
"Never," the pair chorused and turned back to the dancing couple.
"Everyone come together," McGonagall commanded, and the girls instantly walked forward, smiling and giggling at each other.
Cedric and Neville were the first boys to the move and feeling that he should make up for Ron's rude comment, Harry strode across the room to Hannah, trying to exude as much confidence as possible as he smiled and held out his hand in a way he'd seen the men do it in old movies. Apparently the girls thought it was very romantic because the entire room was watching, Harry forced himself not to go red and the girl smiled with a blush of her own, nodded her head in thanks and took the extended appendage.
Cedric in turn walked towards Hermione, offering his hand much like Harry had, glancing towards the raven haired boy who was already struggling with the steps. Smiling fondly he turned his attention to a very knowing look from Hermione and found himself blushing. How much did this girl know? She quirked a eyebrow and he quickly placed his hand on her waist spinning her expertly round the room before she could blink.
As the couples finally met, Ron glared at Hermione and Cedric at every opportunity he could get from over McGonagall's shoulder, his only enjoyment watching Harry repeatedly fall over while Hannah Abbot tugged him to his feet.
"That was horrible," Harry moaned to Hermione, raising his hand in goodbye as Hannah waved to him as she walked down the corridor with her friends. "Absolute torture."
"Well I thought it was fun," Hermione said brightly, looking over at Ron who was being spoken to by an animated Professor McGonagall, apparently she wanted him to be dancing properly by the time the Ball took place and expected him to practice.
"You would," the Gryffindor Champion griped, folding his arms and scowling. Hermione was looking over his shoulder with that knowing look once again and a ghost of a smile on her lips.
"What?" he snapped, but froze mid glare when a hand touched his shoulder.
"I think I'll go save Ronald," Hermione said with a stern, but motherly, yes, motherly, warning glance at the person behind Harry before turning to the increasingly reddening boy trying to escape McGonagall's clutches. "See you later Harry!"
He didn't get a chance to say bye before he was pulled round a corner and pressed against a wall. Harry barely saw the tousled bronze hair and gorgeous face before his lips were being attacked by Cedric's. The kiss was more urgent than the other few they had shared, and the way Harry was boxed against the stone was possessive. Perhaps he had been right in thinking that Cedric had been jealous of the twin's easy behaviour with him. As the older boy tilted Harry's head back into a submissive position, he couldn't help but moan his approval as his own hands moved to his shirt and hair.
Having laid claim to the now flushed raven haired boy in front of him, Cedric stepped back, or stepped back as far as Harry's clutching hands would allow him to. The younger Champion was smiling with a dazed expression and the Hufflepuff couldn't help but chuckle at how…adorable he looked.
"Well hello to you too," Harry said gently, his smile widening. "What? I don't see you for days and you don't even have the chance to say hello?"
"Kiss first ask questions later," Cedric replied, nuzzling Harry's neck affectionately as the boy relinquished his hold, "that's my motto."
"Well you're very good at it…Now why have I been honoured with your presence, oh mighty busy one?" Harry teased and gave a muffled moan as his lips were one again engaged in one of Cedric's reprimanding kisses.
"Don't be cheeky, you. I have been busy. But I also saw you beating yourself black and blue in that onerous and pointless class…Seriously Harry I was amazed at your inability to stay upright, I thought you were down for good at one point…" Cedric teased back, nipping the smaller male's chin.
Having heard the double meaning in Cedric's words, Harry blushed lightly and took advantage of the slip up with the hope that he could make the older boy blush as well.
"Perhaps all I need is the right person to keep me…upright."
Much to his delight, Cedric did blush, but the boy was far more experienced than Harry was and expertly turned the tables on him. Grinning, the Hufflepuff Champion pressed his hips to Harry's, rolling sensuously before placing his lips to the boy's ear.
"Oh?" he purred, "I'd be glad to be of…assistance…"
Harry moaned softly, closing his eyes at the delicious sensations, gently biting Cedric's ear. The reaction he was given was unexpected but by no means unwanted, the bronze haired boy gave a shuddering gasp and jerked his hips a little harder into Harry's which in turn earned another soft moan.
"Hermione I really don't need to see it! Hearing its bad enough, can't we just leave them?"
"No! If he's caught out of curfew he'll be in big trouble."
Harry whined slightly and opened his eyes as Cedric pulled away quickly, silently cursing his friends for ruining a perfectly good moment. Straightening his clothes, he tried willing the, no doubt unsightly bulge that was making its presence painfully known, away but to no avail. Thanking the wizards that decided robes were fashionable, he sighed.
"You can come round guys, we're not doing anything," Harry called and Hermione and Ron's head peered round the corner. Ron scowled and shoved his hands into his pockets, skulking into view.
"But you were."
"Not any more…" Harry muttered, his embarrassment dealing with the problem in no time, and his face reddened to a humiliated blush instead of an impassioned one.
"Ron just walked in on you, he'll be fine," Hermione said tactfully and smiled slightly. "We just thought we'd come and get you so you're not late…"
Cedric seemed to gain some semblance of control and smiled back before turning to Harry.
"Like I was saying Harry, maybe I could give you dance lessons. That way you're not going to have to borrow Cho's make-up to cover up those bruises at the Ball."
Harry nodded, "I'd like that, Cedric, thanks."
"Alright then…You should get going. Night, Harry," the Hufflepuff said quietly, kissing Harry's cheek out of respect for his friends and nodding to the pair of Gryffindors, he started walking down the corridor.
Hermione was the first to break the silence and took both boys by the hand and started dragging them up the staircase, Cedric having left Harry to stare after him with a dazed look on his face and Ron to stare after him with a look of horror and intrigue. When both of them came out of their reverie, they tore their hands from Hermione's and Ron cleared his throat in an embarrassed sort of way.
"So…Dance lessons?" he said curiously.
"Yup," Harry replied, eying his friend carefully at the look on his face.
"Is that what everyone is calling it now?"
"RON!" Hermione shrieked, slapping the red-head on the arm.
Harry blushed slightly but looked straight at his friend with a smirk on his face. He might as well play this out a bit.
"Yeah it is, actually," he said and left the pair to gawp after him as he scaled the stairs.