A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Duets Chapter 2
"Ced, hey Ced! Wake up!" Someone was prodding him in the shoulder.
"Ugh…" Cedric groggily opened his eyes to see one of his roommates standing over him with a goofy smile on his face.
"Don't think I missed you leaving in the middle of the night," William said slyly, narrowing his eyes at his friend. "You woke me up quarter past three when you came back in…dripping wet in all your clothes."
The rest of the boys in the room hollered and made a few cat calls at this as Cedric pushed himself up out of bed. He was beyond tired and no amount of rubbing his eyes made him anymore awake. He began playing with his hair nervously as they all gathered around him.
"Why don't you tell us what exactly you were doing last night," Will prodded him again. "Or who you were with?"
"Yeah Ced, tell us about your celebrations last night," another boy chipped in.
"If you didn't want us along with you, there must have been someone else!"
"Someone pretty special, eh Ced?"
"Or someone just pretty."
I'd say so, Cedric thought. Merlin, I wonder if he'll ever be able to look at me again. Oh well, maybe this way it'll be easier to compete against him. Oh who am I kidding? They'll be able to feel the sexual tension all the way up in the top row…Well I suppose he'd have to be attracted to me first, before there'd be any sexual tension. I could have sworn he was checking me out the whole time though. I didn't think my gay-dar was that bad, even though there was that one wizard this summer at the Quidditch Cup. That was definitely one mistake. Oh the look on his face.
Cedric Diggory, a handsome boy of seventeen, had for the past couple of years struggled with coming to terms with his sexuality. He knew his parents would never accept it, so for so long he tried to push the urges away. This summer had been it for him though, and he decided it was time to try something. Unfortunately, every time he snagged a guy, something happened and it was over already for him. This caused even more confusion at first, doubting again his homosexuality.
Nothing's ever enough for you, Diggory. Nick was really nice. Smart, good looking, funny, kind. Nothing was wrong with him. Not to mention Chris. He was a good guy too. Maybe I am just a man-eater. It's like as soon as the chase is over, I'm not interested. And what about Harry? That kid really is just too cute. I can't believe I never noticed him before yesterday. When he walked into the room, looking so confused and lost…Merlin he looked cute. I wanted to tell those foreigners to back off when they all jumped on him, but of course I stood there and did nothing. The story of my life; all plan and no action. I'm just poor, shy, quiet Cedric –
"Diggory!" William shouted, cutting off his stream of thought. "What's with you? Ever since the start of term you've been so…I don't know! Just different!"
"Sorry guys, it's this tournament," Cedric quickly replied. He hadn't told any of his schoolmates yet. While he knew many of them would shun him for it, he also knew quite a few would have no problem with it at all, but something still kept him from telling anyone yet. He had never been involved with anyone at his own school, instead opting to find boys in his area during the summer at quidditch games or local shops. Right now it was relatively easy to keep it a secret and go on with a smile at school, but once he found someone he was happy with he wanted to let the world know it.
"Like you've got anything to worry about, you're going to win for sure!" the little brother of one of his roommate's said. He had meandered in the room, asking his brother for something. Cedric often found him gaping at him with an open mouth whenever he was around.
"Trent, get out of here!" his brother yelled, finally taking notice of him. The first year pouted slight before stalking out of the room mumbling something about a letter from their mother.
"Looks like you've got one fan, even if Potter has the rest of the lot, eh Ced?" Blake said slyly.
"Of course he's got fans, he's got us doesn't he?" Will berated him. "He hardly needs anyone else, though I think you've got most the school on your side on this one, Ced."
Cedric had to say Will was one of his best friends, but he was also a major ladies' man and one of the people who wouldn't understand if he told them.
Not if I tell them, when I tell them, Cedric told himself firmly. If only I knew my best friend would understand.
"Well, we're heading off to breakfast," Will declared again. "Just thought I'd wake you up before we left. See you down there mate!"
"Yeah, see you later," Cedric replied softly, rubbing his eyes again. He took one big breath in, let it out, and then climbed out of bed. He could hear his friends' voices echoing down the stairs into the common room, and as he walked into their bathroom for a quick shower he started to lazily strip his pajamas.
Maybe I should bother to walk all the way to the Prefect's bathroom, Cedric smiled to himself. Harry may have decided to show up, after all. Uh, who am I kidding? That poor kid looked terrified. Terrified, but absolutely adorable. I really got the feeling he was into me, but I suppose at that age he might not be sure what he wants. He is young after all, and of course I have to like the one who's not sure. It's not like he sounded completely perturbed at me hitting on him, just unsure. In fact, I think it's worth another shot. Just after breakfast, I just might have to bump into him. Or should I leave him some space? That might be better for now.
But that just wasn't the case. At breakfast, Cedric found that Mr. Potter was the most interesting thing to look at. He adverted his eyes only to insure that suspicion wouldn't arise from his table. He noticed that Harry was rather distanced from the rest of his table, especially from his two friends he seemed to always be with. Harry also seemed extremely fidgety and had am almost angered look on his face.
Cedric had to quickly look away when Leah, a girl from his Charms class, asked him a question about their assignment. After he had answered her and she was immersed in writing down what he said, he looked slowly across the hall just in time to see Harry shake his head and jump up. He was striding very quickly down the aisles of the tables before he disappeared out into the corridor.
Alright, this is it. How many times will you be able to find the great Boy Who Lived by himself? This is the time to strike. Cedric thought as he excused himself from the rest of the table. Merlin, I thought you were going to give him some space Diggory.
Either way, the Hufflepuff was now making his way out of the Great Hall in hot pursuit of the younger seeker.
A/N: Sorry, this one is shorter with not a lot of Harry. Next chapter obviously there will be more interaction between the two boys. Tell me what you think should happen!