Chapter 25: Wedding of Grandeur

"Hey Cedric," Ron said shyly. He was peeping through the door that was barely cracked open.

Cedric frowned slightly. "Don't you know it's bad luck for the groom to see the other groom before the wedding?"

Ron laughed. "I am not one for tradition. I mean, it's not exactly traditional to have taken time off of school to find horcruxes-then magically graduate when the school hasn't even been rebuilt."

Cedric's eyes widened. "Excuse me? You did what?"

It only provoked Ron to laugh more. "You were thrown in hiding for too long, love."

"Well, they filled me in on the simplistic pieces. I mean, Harry killed Voldemort. The happily ever after occurred. The school was replenished. The wizarding world all good. Because, I had the common decency to hide away all that time."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Harry could've done it with the knowledge you were alive. Hell, you could've even helped us. And, saved me from a blasted first marriage."

Cedric smiled. "I hadn't any idea I held your fancy, that long ago."

Ron raised his eyebrow. "I didn't either. It's funny, I can't believe it took me so long to realize." Ron sat beside Cedric on the guest bed. It was the only place Ron wouldn't have had to interrupt him.

"It could've been so obvious. I mean, our fathers were close. They always tried to push our families together somewhat." They both laughed gently.

Ron nodded in hysteria. "Yes. Except, my father had started by trying to set you up with Ginny. And, had tried to have you play together with Fred and George."

Cedric just let a loose laugh erupt. "I wouldn't have it. I made Amos let me play with you instead. We were as close as two blokes could be."

Ron bowed his head. "Until you got popular enough to poster Hufflepuff, and I became Harry's henchman. I mean, the obstacles we had. It was obvious how we didn't realize."

Cedric bit his lip. "There was one point we should've known." Ron raised his eyebrow, then his face flushed as he remembered.

It was fourth year. There was a victory party being held after Harry had defeated the dragon. Cedric had been invited to the party by Harry himself, as gratitude for being kind before the year's start.

Ron was sulking in a corner. He hadn't known whether to be happy, or angered by his victorious friend. Cedric sat in the chair beside him. They both had been drinking.

"What's wrong?" Cedric asked instantly. Ron didn't have to say a thing for Cedric to know something was up. It had been like that since they were young.

"Nothing you'd like to hear about." Ron snuffed.

Cedric wore a heavy frown. "I'm insulted by that insinuation. I'd always be open to listen." Cedric rises from his chair. "Come on, you. Let's go get some fresh air. Then, maybe you'll be open too."

Ron shook his head. "Not likely, mate."

Cedric laughed. "Come on, it's just getting some fresh air."

"I suppose." Ron reached out his hand, finally. Cedric attempted to pull Ron up, but they both were unsteady on their feet. Ron ended up falling over Cedric.

Cedric lost his breath. He watched Ron above him, and something different sparked. He swore to himself that he was losing it. That, he couldn't possibly be feeling attraction to his closest friend. He quickly squirmed to get up.

Luckily, the chairs had been out of the mainstream of the party. It would have been quite the game changer to the party, if people had seen Ron's next move. Ron moved to grasp Cedric's shoulder. He froze to be as still at stone by Ron's touch.

Ron and Cedric searched each other's faces, desperate to know what the other could be thinking. They were wondering if the other felt the same. Ron held a grimace of worry on his face, and it made Cedric grin.. He suspected Ron was more nervous than he was.

See, Cedric had already come to terms with being attracted to other men. The only reason that others didn't know, was because Cho had agreed to be his beard. She was a very nice friend for doing so, even though Cedric could tell she had a thing for Harry.

He zoned back into the moment. Cedric hesitated, before nodding. Seeing if it would ease Ron's conscious. It did.

Ron leaned down, and positively smashed his lips to Cedric's. Ron felt as if he was smiling into the kiss. Cedric, however, was too busy moaning into it. It felt of all he had ever wanted.

It ended too quickly. When Ron pulled away, he muttered one simple word: "Cho?"

Cedric laughed, and shook them both. "Fake."

Ron then laughed too. "Bloody hell. Good act, mate."

"Thanks."

Cedric moved to sit up, and Ron ended up straddling him. Cedric held his hands on Ron's waist, in hopes Ron would stay steady. It wasn't like he believed this was happening enough to let go.

"Hermione?" Cedric asked carefully.

"Believe I haven't got a shot in hell with. Which, is fine. I don't need to ruin that friendship. Would ruin two-in-one. I think her and Harry are a packaged deal." Cedric laughed at Ron's inquiry.

Ron raised his eyebrow. "That is the one pair that will never happen. I just, have a feeling she is not his type."

It was funny. Cedric had a very keen eye. He had known, even that far back, that Harry was meant to be with Draco. It may have even been before the two knew it themselves. Cedric just had a stinging feeling.

"Well, I still think he would kill me for breaking her." Cedric smiled at Ron's endearment.

Then, Cedric asked a last question uneasily: "Me?"

Ron smirked incorrigibly. "I can't see a reason that wouldn't work. Other than, if you died in this tournament. It doesn't look it, mate-but I am too fragile to handle something like that."

Cedric smiled gently. "I've known you long enough to know that to be true. So, I have a proposition. If I make it through this alive, and we remember this conversation by morning hangover…we will try this."

Ron leaned to kiss Cedric again. It was tender, and full of acceptance.

There was months of quarry. They did remember intently. It was difficult to make it through the months without acting on their feelings. The only behaviour relative that was allowed were endearing looks. It was a sad state of affairs.

When Cedric was whipped onto the field, thought dead-it ripped Ron away from himself for awhile. He went through a silent summer. He avoided his family and friends. Even though Harry had felt sorrow from the same deceased. It just wasn't okay. It wasn't until the next year that Ron pulled himself together again.

"Didn't want to know I wanted a boy I couldn't have." Ron said in a small voice.

Cedric put his head on Ron's neck, and looked up sweetly. "You can have me now."

Ron put his arms around Cedric's waist, and growled gently. He kissed Cedric heatedly, and pulled away to the discovery that he had pushed the brunette on his back. Ron laughed as he lay over his love. "Now?"

Cedric laughed exuberantly. Ron took it as a yes. He started to kiss down from Cedric's lips, to his neck. Ron wasn't exuberant that they had to wear monkey suits for this occasion. It gave him very limited access. "You know, our fathers will be up soon. To walk us each down the aisle."

Ron groaned. "But, can't we just postpone them?"

The door creaked. "I'm afraid not, weasel."

Both the men laughed at the familiarity of the voice ringing through. Another voice rang clearer, "Is it safe in there?"

It was already recognized as the voices of Draco and Harry. Cedric called them inside, and lifted up. The action made it so they were more appropriately posed. Ron simply appeared to be sitting astride Cedric's lap, at this point.

So, Draco and Harry walked in. "Funny. Reminds me of the morning." Harry flushed at Draco's remark.

"I was right. Ron, I knew they wouldn't be able to get out of bed until today."

Ron raised his eyebrow. "How? No food? No outdoors? How?"

Cedric laughed. "It's a shame you seem outlandish to the idea of being in bed that long. What a sore honeymoon."

Ron playfully shoved Cedric. "I didn't say no. Just, wanted some survival tips."

All four men had a good laugh. They were completely shocked as the door opened again. A tiny brunette face peeked in. "Are we welcome in here? The ex, and the brother?"

Ron laughed gently. "Hermione? Fred? You made it past mum, you can come in here."

They did go in. All of them had a greatly short, and awkward, chat about the proceedings. It wasn't until Amos and Arthur showed up that the crowd was disintegrated.

"Time to go, boys. Now, which is going first?" Ron laughed at Arthur's eager tone, and pointed towards Cedric.

"You sure, Ron?" Ron nodded. Cedric leaned in for one last kiss, before getting up to take his father's arm. As the door opened, Ron could hear the music going.

Arthur wrapped his arm around his son, and pulled him up. "Everything alright?"

"Never better."

As Ron walked up the aisle, he spotted the faces of his family and friends. He could've sworn that it was the first time they had looked this…happy for him. It was absolutely amazing.

Ron's mother was already shedding happy tears in the front row, and Ron had to try not to laugh. It was good that his next sight took his breath away. His father let go of his arm, and Ron all but ran to stand astride his love.

Cedric smiled so brightly, that Ron feared his face could break. It didn't occur to him that his face bore the same reflected mannerism.

The wedding went quickly. It was a blur, really. It was the kiss at the end that Ron was most grateful for. Finally. They got a tad carried away, but it only took George's shorthanded commentary to lift them back to reality. Cedric leaned his head on Ron's shoulder as they faced the crowd. "We're married."

"You're mine now." Ron said smugly. Cedric wrapped his arm around Ron tightly, and went simply through the rounds of congratulation like that.

It wasn't until dinner was over, that Cedric finally had the ability to let Ron loose. "So, honeymoon?"

"Where to?" Ron asked eagerly, laughing at the magic bag that Hermione had graciously packed them as a wedding gift. They were lucky she'd forgotten to bring something else.

"Anywhere, together." Cedric kissed Ron once lightly, before gently announcing their departure. Ron grasped his wand, and quickly apparated themselves out of there.

Molly turned in panic to Harry. "They'll be back, right?"

Harry just laughed wildly. "Yes, Mrs. Weasley. In a short time. Just, this is their time first."

Draco nudged Harry. "Speaking of…I believe I owe you one as well."

Harry smirked. "Where to for us?"

"I've got a plan." Draco said smugly, as he apparated them away.