A/N: Cedric and Harry meet the parents, and Harry has a very special request to make of Amos Diggory. A Moment Of Truth for all concerned. WARNING: honest feelings and ancient wizarding traditions!

Disclaimer: Mr. Chairman, I choose to plead the Fifth Amendment, on the grounds that my testimony might prove to be self-incriminatory.

Chapter 29

Cedric followed Harry into the library and pushed the door closed behind him. He didn't bother locking or silencing the door; figuring at it would be, at best, a waste of effort. He followed Harry to the divan and sat beside him, for once separated from the other boy by several inches.

They sat in silence for several minutes before either of them worked up the courage to speak.

"So." Harry said.

"So." Cedric answered.

Another silent minute passed, then Cedric Diggory suddenly found himself wrapped in the arms of an agitated Gryffindor.

"I don't care, I don't care," Harry kept repeating, his head buried in Cedric's neck.

"I know, love, I know…and I don't care either…it's just…" Cedric couldn't go any further.

"But what?" Harry raised up and eyed his boyfriend dangerously. "You're not ashamed of…us, are you?"

"Merlin, no!" Cedric laughed…and if it sounded a touch hysterical even to him, well then, that's how he was feeling. "It's just…." He shook his head.

"Out with it, prat!" Harry growled, his eyes flashing.

"My parents! All right? I'm terrified to tell my parents!" Cedric yelled, then pulled Harry to him. "It was one thing to face Sirius, and Remus, and even Moody, but…Harry, it's my Mum and Dad!" he half-sobbed.

"Oh, Ced," Harry, instantly mollified, rubbed his boyfriend as he tried to soothe the Hufflepuff. "Love, are you happy with me?" he asked, already knowing what the answer would be.

"What?!? Harry, are you joking? Of course I'm happy with you, being with you…I love you, you stupid git! How can you even ask that?" Cedric was angry and upset that Harry would even ask him that, and showed it by the way he pulled back from Harry's embrace.

Harry resisted Cedric's pull back with all of his new strength. "Good, you great thumping lout, because I'm happy with you, too. Now, I know that my friends…and others…are going to give me all manner of grief when word gets out that I'm dating a Hufflepuff," he grinned cheekily when Cedric scowled at him for that, "but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make."

"Oh, well, I didn't realize that I was such a great sacrifice for a Gryffindor like you," Cedric griped back half-heartedly.

"Overall, I think it's worth it," Harry smiled, then reached out to caress Cedric's face. "So, since Eddie Spindle's probably right, I think we ought to follow his plan."

"But, Harry…I don't want my parents to find out about…us…in the Prophet," Cedric looked close to tears. "I know we can't keep our relationship a secret, but still…."

"Cedric, love, you just leave everything to me," Harry smiled broadly, then gently disengaged from his boyfriend and stood up. "Now, where does Sirius hide the floo powder around here?"

"Harry! No!" Cedric wailed, when he finally realized just what his boyfriend was up to.

Unfortunately, by the time Cedric recovered from his shock enough to stop him, Harry already had the fire going.

***

"Mum Diggory? It's Harry! Are you there?"

"Harry? Is that you? AMOS! HARRY'S ON THE FLOO!"

"Coming, Dear!"

"Mum Diggory, can Cedric and I come through for just a few minutes? We need to talk with you about something important."

"Of course, Harry, dear…Amos told me about what happened earlier today, are you well? Is Cedric all right?" Anna Diggory was already in her nightrobes and slippers, but Harry was practically family, after all.

Harry stepped out of the fireplace and dusted himself off. "Oh, we're both quite well, fortunately. Cedric's right behind me, I think…I'm sorry to floo so late, but, well…we've a bit of a problem, and I wanted to talk to you and Amos about it before you saw it in the Prophet in the morning."

"Oh, pish, dear…it's still early, I just came in from a day with the girls and decided to throw this old thing on. Can I get you tea? Have you two had supper? Oh, hello, Cedric, dear…Harry was just saying you had something you wanted to talk with your father and me about." Anna Diggory hugged her son, then Harry, then snapped her fingers for their house elf. "Wobley! Fritch!"

Wobley, one of the Diggory house elves, arrived with a pop. "Yes, Missy?" he asked.

"Tea for us all, Wobley, please…and some bread, butter and biscuits for the boys, I think."

Nodding, Wobley popped out just as Amos Diggory entered the room. "Cedric…Harry! My, my look at both of you. Heroes again, if half of what I heard today can be believed! And Harry…I swear on Merlin's beard, you've grown another three inches! Be taller than Ced before too long if you don't slow down, you will!"

"Oh, Amos, shush! Look, you've made Harry blush. Harry, you and Cedric just sit right down here, Wobley'll be back just any minute with our tea, and then you can tell us all about what happened in the Alley today."

"Now, Anna, at least let the boys sit down and have their tea before you start with the third degree…Cedric, I heard there were at least a dozen Dementors that attacked today, any truth to that?"

Cedric and Harry both smiled at the Diggorys. Clearing his throat, Cedric answered, figuring that it was best to answer their questions before discussing…the other thing. "Dad, we only fought six inside Flourish & Blotts…I don't have any idea about how many more there might have been."

"We were actually in the back of the shop when the attack started," Harry picked up smoothly, making good eye contact with both of the parents Diggory as he told the tale. "Cedric had just agreed to help me with some remedial work in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes…he's so good at them, and until recently I never had much interest in them, you see…" he paused, smiling, waiting just a tic….

"Right you are, Harry, Ced's always been good with the bookwork, almost a Ravenclaw he is," Amos Diggory picked up his cue right on schedule.

"I've always said Cedric reminded me of my own father," Anna Diggory chimed in, just as Harry expected her to. "Papa was a Ravenclaw, and at the top of his class, too," she smiled at both boys.

Wobley popped back in and quietly began distributing tea cups while the other kept talking.

"Anyway," Harry went on, "thank you, Wobley…we were in the back of the shop talking when Mad-Eye Moody—he was in the front of the shop, you see, I'm not allowed out without an escort, security, you understand—he gave the alarm." Harry looked as earnest as he could while Cedric's parents nodded their understanding. They had already had the 'Harry's security' briefing, and seemed to understand that it was to keep Harry away from the Death Eaters. "Well, Mad-Eye put up a ward while Cedric got me to a safe position against the wall—he kept me from being trampled by the other customers—then an auror squad arrived, led by Auror Dawlish." Harry beamed at Cedric again during the 'got me to a safe position' part, making Amos and Anna both preen with pride in their son. Harry could just hear Amos' voice around the water cooler the next day—'my boy, Cedric, protecting the Boy-Who-Lived!'

"Dawlish…Dawlish…" Amos was thinking hard. "Merlin's ghost, wasn't that the idiot auror who arrested you last week? Why on earth did they send him? I thought he had been put on suspension," he said, a confused look on his face.

"No, dear, I think he was only suspended for three days…that's what the Prophet reported," Anna corrected her husband, who nodded.

"I didn't know they had suspended him," Harry said honestly. "Anyway, he thought I was threatening him, so he Accio'd my wand…."

"What?!? He thought you were threatening him? You're the bloody Boy-Who-Lived? Why on earth would he think something…?" Amos Diggory burst out, then paused, thought, and went on in a softer tone. "Well, it's Dawlish." He sighed. "Not the sharpest quill, that one…and can hold a grudge until it gets old and gray. Harry, did you threaten him?"

"No!" Harry insisted. "I was pointing towards the front of the shop with my wand when he summoned it…then, he tried to arrest me for threatening an Auror…."

"And that's when Mad-Eye called all three aurors to the front of the shop, just before the Dementors broke through his wards," Cedric jumped in. The less said about Dawlish's behavior, the better, he thought.

"So…Dawlish and the others went to help Mad-Eye fight off the Dementors? And Dawlish had Harry's wand? But, dears…then, how...?" Anna wanted to know.

"Mad-Eye cast his Patronus at one Dementor, and the others attacked Dawlish," Cedric said. "The other two aurors couldn't manage a Patronus, so…" he shrugged.

"I pulled out my spare wand and cast it, along with Cedric and Remus," Harry finished.

"Spare wand? Well, then…good lad!" Amos laughed. "Might have known you'd have a spare, especially hanging around old 'Constant Vigilance' Moody. Well, that explains it—word in the Ministry is that you cast a Patronus wandlessly, but of course I knew that had to be rubbish."

"But, Harry…you, and my Cedric, and this Remus Lupin…" Anna was clutching her chest anxiously. "If the aurors were down, and Mad-Eye was fighting another Dementor…."

"Mom, Harry's Patronus alone has destroyed a half-dozen Dementors all by itself—with the three of us, the Dementors didn't know what hit them." Cedric smiled.

"But…Dawlish was Kissed, wasn't he?" Cedric's mother was still on the verge of swooning.

"We don't know…they took him to St. Mungo's and we haven't been able to find out anything, yet," Harry said. Of course, they also hadn't bothered to check, but he decided to leave that particular item out of the discussion.

"And this Remus Lupin? Isn't he the werewolf that taught at Hogwarts for a year before being sacked?" Amos demanded.

"Yes, he is," Harry said, grimly. "He was one of my father's best friends…and my mother's too…while they were at Hogwarts, and he'd be my godfather if not for the Ministry's stupid laws. He's also been the best DADA teacher I've had…and he's the one who taught me the Patronus charm. He's also one of the few people I trust absolutely…other than Cedric, that is."

Amos and Anna Diggory both sat back, surprised. Even at the beginning of the summer, before his growth spurt, Harry had been a force to be reckoned with when angered. Now, larger and more muscular but no less intense, when he gave someone a ringing endorsement, people tended to take notice. Suddenly, both of Cedric's parents found themselves reevaluating what they had heard about one particular werewolf.

"Well, then," Anna began, a little shakily. "All three of you cast the Patronus charm—Cedric, I didn't know you knew it, but I'm glad you do—and then what?"

"Remus and Harry have been working with me, mum, that's how I know it. And, after we cast the charm, it was pretty much all over." He smiled at his mother, trying to reassure her.

"Well, thank you boys…now I'll have the straight dope and not have to rely on whatever gets printed in the Prophet," Amos smiled. "Have you talked to them yet, or were you planning on making a statement? The press will be gagging for something…anything from either one of you, you know."

Harry just nodded. "We know, but thanks, Amos." He smiled at the older man, and Amos beamed back. "Our solicitor is working on a statement right now, so it will probably be in tomorrow morning's paper." He took a deep breath. "That's actually the reason we came over this evening," Harry went on as Cedric stiffened by his side. "On the advice of our solicitor, there's going to be something else mentioned in our statement to the Prophet, and we wanted you to hear it from us first."

"Harry, Cedric…what is it? Are either of you in some kind of trouble?" Anna asked gently.

"Whatever it is, you can count on our support, Harry, you know that," Amos added, thumping the arm of his chair for emphasis.

"We know, Amos, and thank you," Harry said softly. "That's why we…Cedric and I…want to tell you face to fact that…we're together." He sat there, face calm, eyes shining, and looked from one of his boyfriend's parent's faces to the other.

Anna's eyebrows climbed her forehead but she didn't move otherwise. Amos just sat there, looking confused for a moment.

"Together, Harry? Well, of course you're together…you're mates, after all; went on vacation together, training together to fight the Dark Lord…" he trailed off as Harry reached out and took Cedric's hand.

"No, Amos, it's much more than that…your son means more to me than anything, or anyone, and I wanted you to know how I feel about him…and, I hope he feels the same way about me."

"Cedric?" At his mother's whispered question, Cedric raised his face, met her eyes and nodded.

"Yes, Mum…I feel the same way about Harry," he said softly.

"Cedric…you can't mean…not together together, not like that?" Amos Diggory had gone white as a sheet.

Cedric couldn't speak, so he just nodded. Harry, though, straightened up and regarded Amos calmly.

"Amos Diggory, heed me! I, Harry James Potter, Lord and Head of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, do hereby beg and crave of you your permission to formally court and to woo your son, named Cedric Thomas Diggory, whom I would take unto my heart and House as helpmate and spouse. I ask this boon of you as his father, and as head of this House of Diggory."

As Harry's clear, strong baritone rang out, everyone in the room felt his magic swirl around them. The ancient words of his formal request to court—words at least a thousand years old, and most likely never before spoken to the Head of a minor house like Diggory before—both chilled and thrilled Cedric's parents to the very marrow in their bones.

"Harry, I…I don't know…" Amos stuttered, then fell silent, the impact of what he had just heard overwhelming him.

"Know ye this, Amos Diggory, Head of the House Diggory…I offer you alliance between your House and Mine, and more. Your child shall be protected by my sword and shield, his honor shall be mine own; my magic pledged to him and our children so long as life remains in my body, and ever after by mine heirs, vassals, allies and assigns." Again, ancient words rolled off Harry's tongue, the language of pure blood culture that both Amos and Anna had studied but never imagined hearing spoken aloud, much less to them about their son.

"Children, Harry?" Anna said, her voice very small.

"Children, Mum Diggory," Harry smiled, the forbidding Lord and Head of a Most Noble and Ancient House vanished in an instant. "My friends in Paris assure me that Cedric and I can indeed have our own children…and your grandchildren." His smile became blinding. "Of course, I have to defeat a Dark Lord…but after that, I want at least seven."

"Seven! That's an entire bloody Quidditch team!" Amos burst out with a laugh, then immediately became severe again.

"Harry Potter, are you telling me that you've made my son a shirt-lifter?"

"Dad, no!" Cedric gasped. "Harry didn't…I mean…" he stammered, looking down at his feet.

"Amos!" Anna said sharply.

"No, Anna…I want to hear it from Cedric. Son, did Harry…did this boy…?"

Cedric Diggory took a deep breath and felt his boyfriend—damned Gryffindor, anyway—squeeze his hand in reassurance. Then, he lifted his head, locked his eyes with his father and spoke.

"Dad, Harry didn't…hasn't…done anything to me that I didn't want. And, no, we haven't done anything yet, except snog…" he realized he was about to start rambling, so he took another deep breath. "Harry didn't 'make' me anything, Dad. I love him, and I think he loves me. If that makes me a shirt-lifter, or a poofter, then…well, those are just names." He shuddered, then drew more strength from the hand clasped in his own. "Mum…Dad…I'd very much like it if you'd give Harry the permission he wants. But, if you don't feel that you can…then you need to know that we're going to be together anyway, and as soon as Harry is old enough I plan to ask him to handfast with me."

Amos Diggory just sat there, stunned, thinking furiously. His son…a poof with the Boy-Who-Lived? Children? Well, he'd heard rumors…. And Harry…no, Lord Potter…he'd all but offered to bring the entire family under his protection, and with the Dark Lord returned that was not something to take likely. Then, there was that archaic declaration and request he had made…Merlin, Circe and Morgana! Where had the boy learned that? Of course, he could say no…but when it got out (and it would) that a powerful Lord had invoked the old forms and been rebuffed by him…oh, no, that wouldn't do, not over a matter as trifling and insignificant as them both being men. And just look at them…Harry-sodding-Potter was looking at his son—HIS SON—like Cedric had hung the moon and a good deal of the stars. Was he enough of a fool to face down the boy—no, young man, now—who had fought the Dark Lord to a stand still? Was he?

Amos licked his lips and cleared his throat, playing for time. But, he realized, what choice did he really have? Agree, and gain a Lord for a son-in-law (and he knew full well that his wife already thought of Harry as a second son) or refuse, and still get a Lord for a son-in-law, with an angry wife, upset son and irritated Lord son-in-law to boot!

"Harry…Lord Potter, I mean…As Head of the House Diggory—and as Cedric's father—I give you my leave and blessing to court and to woo my son…on one condition," he said, as smiles broke out all around.

"And that condition is?" Harry asked, his face all seriousness.

Amos just smiled. "I don't mind having my very own Quidditch team of grandchildren, mind you…but I don't want the first one to come along for at least five years!" He turned to his wife, and nodded. "My Anna is much too young to be a grandmother just quite yet."

Later that night, after the boys had gone, Amos Diggory congratulated himself once again on his quick thinking and his silver tongue. All in all, it seemed that he had said the right things to make his entire family happy.

Fancy that!

A/N: Sliverone3 gets the first review Shout Out! (and an ack! back!). Don't worry Lazaros, the boys have a plan. Yes, Darshu, you got a Shout Out!...and now another one. Semper paratis, I'm glad you like schmoopy…here's some more (with more to come, I assure you). Yes, WiCkEdLiTtLeReD, sometimes the typos slip by…these old eyes aren't what they once were. Yes, athenakitty, it'd be funny…but right now, I'm not thinking 'accidental'. Hmm, ElvinMagic, interesting thought, and something like that probably will happen…even though that particular wand won't be Harry's primary one any more. Oh, Midnight Angel of Love, we likeses the story stalkers, we does. Icystorm, I'm glad you liked "Ways to Cheese", hopefully you'll see this Shout Out! Ladywatertiger, glad you like it…and yes, there will be more cliffys in future! And to anybody who reviewed the last chapter and I missed you, sorry sorry sorry.

Yes, I realize that 'formal courtship' requests and announcements aren't in the canon…but considering just how hidebound and tradition-mired pure blood Wizarding culture is, wouldn't you be surprised if there wasn't something like this? I would, so I created my own. Isn't fanfic wonderful? *snicker* If I had to speculate, I'd propose that there would be several different 'levels' of formality; depending on the status and rank levels of the Houses (and persons) involved, advantage of the proposal (up or down), etc. In this fic, Harry used the most formal of the forms between persons and Houses of equal rank, which (considering just how far socially his House is above the Diggorys) could be either extremely insulting or terribly flattering. Since the Diggorys know (and already love) Harry, the insulting possibility never occurred to them. Well, that and he was sitting there holding Ced's hand and giving him the moon-eyes….

One more thing: ABSOLUTELY NOBODY commented on Harry's method of making sure that Cedric had a happy thought. *sigh* *puts back of hand to forehead and swoons* You stay up all night, wracking your brains for JUST the right turn of phrase to use.... *sigh* *clutches pearls* Oh, the plight of the poor author, nobody notices, nobody cares.... *sigh*

Okay, was that pitiful enough? *snicker*

Next Chapter: Confession time for Harry, and the morning paper arrives!