That night, Harry laid in bed, his curtains drawn, remembering the sounds of Cedric's moans as he was cumming, grinding against Harry. Harry felt himself getting excited all over again, and without thinking or worrying about the other inhabitants of his dormitory, he relived the moments from earlier in the changing room, his hand down his trousers.

The next morning Harry couldn't meet Ron or the other boys' eyes. He couldn't believe he'd masturbated in the shared dormitory he was pretty sure they hadn't heard him as he had made sure to not make a sound and they were all acting normally. He showered and dressed without making much conversation.

"What's wrong with you this morning?" Ron asked as they made their way down to the common room to meet Hermione, for breakfast.

"erm- me? Nothing," Harry replied lost in thought. "Just tired."

"Yeh, I bet. You weren't back by the time I went to bed, Umbridge kept you in detention all evening?" Ron asked, "I know she's a bitch but that's just cruel,"

"Morning, "Hermione said, as they had reached the common room, "What are we talking about?"

"Umbridge kept Harry in detention all evening," Ron explained, "I was fast asleep when he got back and we didn't leave the common room till after ten,"

"Really?" Said Hermione, looking curiously at Harry. "What time did you detention start? Straight after dinner wasn't it? That's far too long for any detention, you should report her, what time did it finish?"

Harry sighed, "It doesn't matter, I'm not reporting it,"

"But what time did she let you leave? There are rules around appropriate punishments you know,"

"I- I dunno, "Harry shrugged looking at the floor, "I didn't check the time,"

Hermione frowned "Really?"

"Yes- look can we just go down to breakfast?" Harry gestured to the portrait hole. "I'm hungry,"

Whether Hermione knew he was diverting the conversation or not, she didn't show it. The trio made their way down to the great hall for breakfast. Although hungry Harry was more excited to get down to the Great Hall to see Cedric. It was a Saturday and he was hoping they could spend sometime together.

When they entered the great Hall Harry automatically scanned the Hufflepuff table for his boyfriend but was disappointed to find he was not there. Harry sat with the others and began to eat a bowl of porridge, his mind wandering as Hermione and Ron discussed their plan for the weekend.

"Excuse me?" Said the soft, charming voice of Cedric Diggory from behind them. Harry's head jerked upwards.

"Cedric?" He grinned, turning on the bench to look at him.

"Hey," He smiled, his eyes twinkling. He glanced at the other two, "Morning guys,"

"Morning Cedric," Hermione smiled, Ron mouth full of sausage bap nodded.

"I was wondering what you three had planned for today?"

"You were?" Harry said surprised.

Cedric nodded, "The Weasley Twins and I, are going to have a game of quidditch if you guys wanted to join. We were going to invite Cho and a few others too?"

Harry beamed and agreed instantly, Ron surprised "Yeah sure, I have a new broom so would be good to get some practice in,"

Cedric nodded, "1030 then? What do you say Hermione?" He smiled at her.

She smiled, "Ill come along but I doubt Ill fly, Ill probably bring something to read."

Cedric's eyes flicked to Harry; his mouth curled into a smile. "Great," He looked back at Hermione. "Well I'll see you three later."

He turned and left. Harry's heart hammered as he watched him walk away, Cedric had offered an opportunity for them to be together but with their friends. No, they couldn't act as a couple but spending time together was enough. Harry smiled to himself as he finished his breakfast; he was sure Cedric had planned this on purpose and felt affection swell inside of him. He was shocked that someone had taken such a measure simply to spend time with him.

He blushed into his porridge bowl as these thoughts raced through his mind. Hermione, on the other side of Ron leaned round and said "Everything okay Harry? You look a bit red,"

"I'm okay," Harry blushed harder, "Just looking forward to playing some Quidditch,"

"Mmhm…" Hermione noted, her tone showing she was not entirely convinced.

After breakfast, Harry and Ron rushed back up to the dormitory to get their brooms and robes. Hermione went to library to find a new book then met them in the entrance hall. The trio made their way down towards the quidditch pitch. Harry could see Cedric walking ahead with Cho and Lukas. He sped up his pace to join them, Ron and Hermione rushing to keep up.

Chatting with the older students, they made their way down to the quidditch pitch. Harry walked alongside Cedric, his arm swinging at his side, his free hand falling close to Cedric's the back of their hands touching slightly as they walked. Cedric grinned at Harry as the group chatted.

"Where are Fred and George?" Ron wondered from behind them.

"They went ahead to get the equipment." Cedric explained, "So there's… Me… Harry, Cho, Lukas, you Ron, and the twins." He counted on his fingers so that's 7, Hermione-," He flashed her his signature smile "Are you sure you don't want to join in? So we can have equal teams?" Hermione blushed under his gaze:

"I'm not great on a broom," She admitted sheepishly.

"Cho can help you, if you fancied it? Cant you Cho?" He gave his friend a broad grin.

Cho smiled kindly at Hermione, "Of course, if you want,"

Ron nudged Hermione, "Go on 'Mione, you might enjoy it."

Hermione mused, "I don't have a broom,"

"Borrow a school one?" Cho and Cedric suggested at the same time.

Hermione looked at the group and then at Ron's eager face, "Okay maybe a quick try…"

Hermione was not a natural flier, but Cho was patient and after half an hour, Hermione was able to comfortably mount and rise to a fair height, both hands gripping the broom handle, her knuckles white as she held on anxiously.

Whilst Cho was training Hermione, the others threw the quaffle around between them, Ron took on the position of keeper and practiced a few saves. Harry although an amazing seeker was only an adequate chaser, he fumbled and dropped the quaffle on a few occasions, Cedric smirked as the quaffle slipped through Harrys fingers "Better with smaller balls hey Potter?" He winked.

Harry blushed, his cheeks flushing red, "Yeah, something like that." He mumbled.

When Hermione felt ready, they spilt into two teams, four on four. Harry, Fred, Lukas and Ron against Cedric, Cho, George and Hermione. Ron and Cho took up the keeper positions; Harry and Cedric seekers, the twins' beaters, and Lukas and Hermione chasers. They decided seekers could use the quaffle too and the game began.

Harry and Hermione could not keep up with Cedric and Lukas as they tried to get the quaffle, but Ron performed well, saving several of Lukas's well aimed shots. Just as Harry was trying to persuade Hermione to fly higher, he noticed a glimmer of gold behind her. He grinned and put on a burst of speed, unfortunately Cedric had seen it too and had dived from a few feet above chasing the snitch.

Cedric's broad shoulders knocked against Harry's as the sped towards the snitch. Harry urged his broom forwards and glanced sideways at his boyfriend, determined to win. Harry let go of his broom with his right hand and leaned for, a few inches ahead of Cedric, his hand wrapped around the snitch. He felt the cold melt against his sweaty skin, he grinned, turning to look at Cedric. "Tough luck Diggory," He grinned, pulling his broom to up short to hover in mid-air.

Cedric stopped too, sweat pearling on his brow, he grinned "You know winner gets a kiss, right?" He glanced over his shoulder, their friends were still passing the snitch around, Ron was helping Hermione fly down to the ground. Harry's gaze followed his, he gulped nervously. "A kiss? Here?"

Cedric nodded, "Yes," He flew closer, leaned in and pecked Harry on the cheek, "Risky," He smirked, leaning back, settling back on his broom. Harry's cheeks burned, he shot a look around at his friends, no one was looking their way. He sighed, relieved.

They played for an hour longer, then trooped up to the castle, muddy and tired, for lunch. As they entered the Great Hall as a group, chatting, Harry turned automatically to walk towards the Gryffindor table and was surprised to see Cedric and Lukas moving away… "Ced?" He asked confused, looking round. Cedric gave him a half smile and pouted "Sorry, Potter, my table is this way,"

"Oh yeh," Harry mused, "I kind of forgot," He laughed. Cedric chortled at this and winked as he walked away. Harry sat down beside Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, his eyes following Cedric as he sat beside Lukas and chatted with the other Hufflepuffs. Hermione peered at Harry, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah-," Harry pulled his gaze away and down to his empty plate.

"You haven't got any food," Hermione frowned.

"Oh," Harry said, mindlessly reaching for a ladle and pilling food on his plate. "I was just distracted…"

"Distracted?" Hermione raised any eyebrow.

"Yeh- thinking about…erm… about going down to Hagrid's after lunch. What do you think?"

Hermione thought for a moment, "Sure, why not?"

Ron opted to go back to the quidditch pitch with Fred and George to practice. Harry and Hermione walked with him to the pitch then on towards Hagrid's. "Shall we take a walk around the lake first?" Hermione suggested.

"Sure," Harry shrugged wondering why. The walked in silence for a while, taking in the fresh air. "So, you enjoyed quidditch?" Harry asked her.

Hermione laughed, "It wasn't terrible," She conceded, "But couldn't go too high," She explained, "You and Cedric seemed to have fun," She said poignantly.

Harry gulped and looked away, watching the ground as he walked, he took a moment to respond. "Yeah," He said as passively as he could manage, "He's a good laugh," His mind churned, he felt sure Hermione had been hinting, probing for information. He had been thinking about telling her, for awhile now, but just couldn't find the words. "Hermione…" He began but trailed off.

"Yes?" She asked peering at him.

Harry looked up but didn't meet her eyes, "It doesn't matter," He brushed it off and they continued to walk quietly. Hermione went to speak on a few occasions but appeared to change her mind. Thoughts chased themselves around his mind; could he tell Hermione the truth? Would she accept him? From what Harry had heard over the summer, muggles were more accepting, and Harry knew Hermione's parents were reasonable people, he knew her to be an amazingly, loyal, unjudging friend; but there was still fear. Before he knew it, they had walked around the lake and arrived at Hagrid's hut, he dragged his thoughts back to the present and went inside with Hermione for tea with Hagrid.

The thought of someone knowing at Hogwarts, someone he could confined in consumed him from that moment on. He and Cedric continued to manage odd moments between classes and in the library in the evenings, but it wasn't the same. And Harry couldn't help but notice all the other couples, boys and girls walking hand in hand down the corridor, until that was Umbridge appeared and separated them. There was young love everywhere and Harry felt as though he was the only one not able to express it. His heart hurt when he saw Cedric in the corridor and they only exchanged friendly pleasantries. Harry was sure Hermione had noticed how flat he seemed recently but she hadn't pressed him.

One evening, Harry and Hermione were alone in the deserted common room, both in comfy chairs by the dying fire. Harry, who was draped upside down over his armchair, his head hanging off the sofa cushion, had been gazing at the flicking flames, fighting with himself to say the words "I think I'm gay," or "Cedric's my boyfriend," out loud to Hermione, whom was reading a book, but he coudnt see to muster the courage.

Eyes screwed up tightly, hardly daring to breathe, Harry croaked, "Hermione?"

"Hm?" She said not looking up from her book. Harry squinted at her eyes half open, it was easier if she didn't look up.

"I'm… umm… I think I'm…. gay." He gulped, his voice barely louder than a whisper. Hermione had stopped reading, she carefully put her bookmark in place and closed her book. She smiled at Harry, who was still squinting at her, the blood was starting to rush to his head from being upside down, he felt dizzy but wasn't sure if that was down to his coming out or blood rush. He recluntantly sat up. Hermione was still beaming. She got up and walked across to him, she pulled him into a hug, "Thank you for telling me," She whispered as she cuddled him. "I'm proud of you,"

Harry stunned and relived, and a little confused; they didn't hug very often, responded warmly to her affection. "So you still want to be my friend?" He asked dumbfounded.

"Of course," Hermione laughed, her voice full of emotion, she released him, she wiped the corners of her eyes hastily.

"Cedric's my boyfriend," Harry said quietly, feeling the tightness that had been sitting around his chest loosen.

"I know," Hermione smiled, "You two are very sweet together,"

"Is -is it that obvious?" Harry panicked, stammering.

"No," Hermione rushed him, gently caressing his arm, "I just notice things about my best friends," She smiled. Harry sat heavily back in his armchair and Hermione perched on the arm. She leaned over and kissed the top of his head gently.

"I thought you must already know," Harry said finally. Hermione nodded but didn't speak for a moment then she whispered, "I did, and I still love you."