Fifth Chapter – Romantic Endorsement

Poison acts as wine so pure and your venom kiss is my only cure.

Hermione was the first one to notice. Ever since the day after he got his first letter from Cedric, Harry was always in a good mood. Not that it was an awful thing—happiness was what friends should be wishing each other—but it was odd, especially for Harry who always had something to worry about. And he had plenty enough, Hermione knew, what with the Triwizard Tournament still going on and the tons of homework the professors simply enjoyed giving them.

"He must still be rejoicing about that letter," said Ron when Hermione told him her concerns. "It's no big deal. Girls aren't the only ones who have hangovers of mushy matters, you know. Us guys can sometimes absorb something too much and end up acting crazy," For once Hermione thought Ron was making a lot of sense, but she didn't know why she had so many questions in her mind still.

The strangeness continued. During Herbology, while everyone else was planting Hornbill flowers just as Professor Sprout had instructed, Harry was busy sneaking in rose seeds in one of the empty pots. Hermione tried to stop him from saying a growth spell but it was too late. An entire bush of beautiful blue roses suddenly grew out of the pot, surprising everyone and causing Neville to faint. Professor Sprout was taken aback but was mesmerized by the magnificence of the plant that she awarded Gryffindor five points for showing one of the best flowers that could be found in the Muggle world. Harry beamed at everyone.

Not only was Harry going against the rules because of his happiness, he was also doing the wrong things at the wrong time. Right after Herbology was Defense Against The Dark Arts. Professor Moody introduced them to a low-level protection spell against magical headaches, which could cause death when they remain untreated. Everybody was so serious as the professor explained how they were supposed to do it when Harry's hand shot up.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" asked Moody with his rough voice. "A question regarding the Headache Spell?"

"Not exactly," replied Harry, who was smiling widely. "But um, I was wondering if there's a spell for other types of aches,"

"What do you mean? Like bodily pains caused by magic as well?"

"Not that," said Harry in a very girly manner. All eyes were on him, including Moody's bionic eye. "I meant, like heartaches after a breakup. Or perhaps lip aches from too much kissing. Or aches you feel after having se—"

"I'm afraid there are no spells for those kinds of…aches…" Moody said quickly before Harry could say anything censored for the class to hear. "But thank you, Mr. Potter, for, um, asking…Back to the Heartache, err, Headache Spell. You never say the spell itself unless you've recognized the cause of the pain…"

Until lunchtime, pretty much every person in the classroom with Harry was distracted.

"Just look at him, Ron!" said Hermione as softly as she could, although she was sure Harry couldn't hear them even if he was less than two feet across the table because he was playing with his food. "He's not the usual Harry. And…and what is he going to do with those olives? He doesn't eat olives!"

"I think he's making a happy face," answered Ron who turned out to be right. "He's gotten very artistic lately. Did you know? He painted rainbows all over the posts on his bed this morning. The arches were amazingly perfect. You should see it sometime,"

"I do not want to see Harry's rainbows," spat Hermione, glaring at Ron. "How can you ignore his behavior? Something tells me all this has something to do with Cedric,"

"Maybe," said Ron, munching on a tuna sandwich. "Harry confessed to him, after all,"

Hermione looked at Harry. He was smiling at the face on his plate, which had two olives with a large dot of chocolate each at the center for eyes, a small french-fry for a nose, strawberries for cheeks, pink licorice for lips, and chocolate-covered bread sticks for hair. He called it Yummy Cedric.

Classes were done and Harry excused himself to go to the restroom. Hermione and Ron would be waiting for him in the Common Room so they could finish all their homework before the weekend began. Harry wasn't saying anything but he had been feeling groggy and weird since last night. He tried to recall as much of what he did yesterday so that he could figure out the reason; he only ended up blushing at every memory.

When he got to the bathroom he hurriedly went to the sink and splashed water on his face. The coolness of the clear liquid woke him up slightly though he could still feel the tingling in his body. He had his eyes closed when two arms went around his chest. He was going to pull away when he heard his lover's sweet voice.

"Hello, Harry," cooed Cedric. "Never thought I'd run into you here," He made Harry tilt his head back so he could give him a backward kiss. "You taste wonderful. Let me guess. Did you eat strawberries for lunch?"

"I used them to make your cheeks," replied Harry with a smile, his head remaining that way and his hands touching Cedric's cheeks. "Ron thought it was really cute, but I think the real thing is so much more sexier…Ah what am I saying?" His head went back to its original position. "Oh God…I don't know what's happening to me anymore. Tell me, is this another normal post-sex thing?"

"I don't think so," replied Cedric coolly. "How do you feel? Do you feel, hmm, happy perhaps?"

"Y-yes…a bit…" answered Harry. "It's like…I'm satisfied or something…"

"I see. Tell me…do you like it when I'm doing this?" Cedric slipped a hand inside Harry's shirt and started to massage his flat stomach. Harry rested his head on Cedric's shoulder and nodded in reply. The gentle contact was already sending shivers up his spine for some shallow reason. "How about this?" Cedric licked the side of Harry's neck. The Gryffindor moaned. He wasn't sure why he was reacting so much to such small actions. "Harry, do you remember a certain pellet I gave you last night?"

Harry recalled feeling pain a few minutes after their lovemaking, and Cedric had placed a tiny white pellet in his mouth, saying it was a painkiller. It was tasteless but rather effective. The pain went away just like that. Harry replied a soft, "Mm-hmm,"

"What was it again? I'm afraid I've forgotten," said Cedric convincingly.

"P-pain…killer…" Harry was fighting Cedric's overwhelming touch. "Is…is that r-right…?"

"Did I say it was a painkiller?" Cedric sounded a bit shocked. "Oh dear. I'm so sorry Harry. That wasn't a painkiller. I'm so stupid. Do you want to know what it really was?" Harry just nodded. The older boy leaned closer to his ear and whispered, "It was an aphrodisiac,"

"What's a…an…aphrodisiac? Ah…" Cedric had just placed his hands in Harry's pants. "Cedric…no…"

"It's a drug, love. It heightens your sexual desire," explained the taller boy, who wasn't going to stop teasing Harry anytime soon as he began to stroke him. "People use it when they want to satisfy their lover even if they're not up to the idea. It's a sort of…push," He emphasized the last word and suddenly quickened his pace. Harry had reddened thrice as much as usual and was taking in short but fast breaths. The intensity of the pleasure was beyond description. It was earth shattering. It was, it was…

Cedric stopped. Harry's eyes flew open and he looked at the Hufflepuff sideways. He was smirking. "W-why did you…why, Cedric?" asked Harry breathlessly, turning around to face his lover.

"You don't want this," answered Cedric all-knowingly. "It's the drug working,"

"It's not only the drug. I want it, too. I do!" protested Harry. He looked like he was about to cry. "How could this be the drug? This, this wanting, this desire even, can't possibly be an effect. It's me. I want this. I want…you,"

"I know you do because I'm the same way about you," Cedric took Harry's hand and kissed it. "Last night was incredible. I was afraid that it would be a one-night stand so I drugged you. But here we are; the tiny spark between us has turned into a raging wildfire. Though, if we're not careful, Harry, someone's going to put us out. No one in the whole school knows about us, and because of that we have to put much effort into keeping this between you and me. Are you up to that, Harry?"

"Can't we just tell our friends or something?" asked Harry. "I can't contain myself unless I'm able to talk to someone about it. I need others who can control me just in case I crack…"

"Do Ron and Hermione know?" asked Cedric in reply.

"All they know is that I've already confessed to you, and I lied and told them we didn't talk further after that,"

Cedric nodded. "I see. My friends know the same thing, except for the confession part. I stopped ranting about you that day. I don't why, though. I think they already suspect us somehow," He chuckled. "I guess I'll have to go back to talking about you over and over again,"

"You did that?" Harry blushed. "Y-you talked about me?"

Cedric's cheeks reddened more. "Well, yeah. I had a crush on you before this, Harry. Is…is that weird?"

"No. Not at all," said Harry, beaming widely. "It's more embarrassing for me—I admitted it first, didn't I?"

"True," Cedric smiled back at him. "So everything was mutual from the beginning. That's nice to know. By the way, have you figured out the egg yet?"

Harry gasped. "No! I completely forgot! I have to go," He ran to the door, stopped, went back to Cedric, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I love you. Bye,"

"I love you, too," Cedric bent down and kissed Harry on the cheek as well. "Bye," And Harry left him.

Alone in the bathroom, Cedric's happy expression faded, replaced by a most passive look. He pulled out his wand and pointed it at the door, which instantly locked itself. The Hufflepuff brought out a small mirror with a rather intricate outline. He touched it with the tip of his wand and waited. The glass turned red. Cedric saw smoke, and a crimson eye appeared.

"Cedric, is that you?"

"Yes, master," replied Cedric monotonously. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to report to you last night. But I'm pleased to inform that I've already planted the seed. All we have to do is wait,"

"Very good, very good," said his master. "I can tolerate delay, but failure cannot be ignored. That's why I gave you this job, Cedric. Everytime you fall in a cliff you still manage to hang on with just one hand. That is what makes you admirable. This matter with Harry is a mountain range, a Grand Canyon. I knew from the very start that you were perfect for this,"

"Thank you for the generous compliments, master,"

"But of course. Recognition should be given to those who deserve it,"

"And the same goes for honor. I shall honor you with my accomplishment of this mission, my lord,"

"To want things to happen is another act someone has to do in order to achieve a certain goal aside from actually doing something. It makes any task less bothersome, less agonizing. Cedric, we have a lot of time before the day we await the most, and yet I can already feel our success. I am counting on you to make sure we remain undetected. You are within Dumbledore's reach, after all,"

"I shall evade as much as I can, master. I will not let anyone get in our way,"

"Right now no one's interfering, and make sure it stays as it is. I was skeptical when you contacted me the yesterday to say that you planned to change your approach, but I can see that it is working quite well. Indeed, manipulation is your specialty,"

Cedric smiled evilly. "Right now Harry seems to be ready to worship me. I can make him do anything. I never thought it would so easy, but when I realized he had particular feelings for me, I knew I finally had the right key to his door. However, I do have a question, master,"

"What is it, Cedric?"

"If anyone else aside from Harry and I get unnecessarily involved, may I get rid of them?"

"With much permission, you may," The master's voice became amused. "Are you referring to Harry's little friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley?"

"I trust that Harry will not tell them unless I say it's okay, but precaution should always be taken. You've always said that, master,"

"Ah, yes. Precaution. Do whatever you have to do. Protection shall be given to you at the most crucial time,"

"Master, I am once again grateful. Thank you for your time; I know how precious yours is,"

"Your utmost respect and loyalty is more precious to me, Cedric. You shall hear from me soon,"

"And I will wait patiently, my lord," Cedric touched the mirror with his wand. "Orbus Comunique," The eye faded away, and the mirror returned to normal. Its owner placed it in his pocket, and smiled. "Harry, if love is blind, it is not enough that I take your eyes away. It is the loss of your life that will truly satisfy me," Cedric's gray eyes sparkled with wicked intention.

Harry had just gotten out of the Prefects' bathroom, perfectly clothed and clutching the golden egg under one arm. Although it was unpleasant having Moaning Myrtle in there with him, floating around and constantly trying to seduce him, and all the while he was totally naked, he was glad that he was able to take note of the clue. He hurriedly went to the library. Hermione decided that they could study better without the Weasley twins cracking jokes inside the Common Room, causing a lot of noise, though Ron and everyone else found them hilarious.

"You have to admit that the joke about Krum was pretty good," Harry heard Ron saying when he arrived. "It makes you want to rethink all those muscles he has…"

"Never mind that," said Hermione. "Oh, hi Harry. Thank goodness. Could you please tell Ron that telling jokes about other people behind their backs is very cruel and impolite, especially when they're guests?"

"Ron," began Harry. "It's very cruel and impolite to tell jokes behind other people's backs especially when they're guests," He repeated as best as he could, and as sincere as he could. Ron was holding back a laugh. "Though…are they really that funny?" Ron gave him a high-five and started to tell him.

"Boys," huffed Hermione and opened a book.

Eleven jokes about Krum, six jokes about Cedric, and seven jokes about Fleur later, the trio officially began to study. Hermione kept ignoring Harry and Ron as they constantly giggled once in a while at the recall of one of the jokes, while Ron and Harry made strange gestures with their hands that made them laugh even more. The librarian shushed them twice for making noise and threatened to give them detention if they didn't keep quiet.

"I bet Fred has a joke on the librarian—she always picks on him and George when they're in here," said Ron.

"But they never go here," said Hermione, puzzled. "Do they?"

"They don't, and that's the point," explained Harry. He and Ron laughed softy. Hermione didn't get it.

At the end of their study session, only Hermione felt she had perfected her assignments. Ron and Harry had somehow finished theirs but they didn't understand a lot of what they had done.

"If you had concentrated on the subjects more instead of laughing like lunatics at some useless statements, you wouldn't be like that," lectured Hermione sternly. "Do remember that we have Snape first thing Monday morning, and you have to reread twenty pages, twenty-five if you weren't able to grasp the basics. I'm not underestimating you two but I know how you work. You put things off so easily without thinking about it. Oh, and we're going to go to Hogsmeade on Sunday and before that the Second Task will be held on Saturday, am I right? So how are you supposed to study? I guess at this point…that the joke is on the both of you," She smirked, and walked out of the library.

Ron and Harry watched her leave.

"Do you think the twins can come up with a joke about her?" asked Ron.

Harry thought for a while. "Let's ask them," They got up, grabbed their things, and went to the Common Room laughing. Strangely, Harry felt as though it was his last chance to laugh so heartily.

Author's Note: I'm sorry if the effects of the aphrodisiac aren't right. Drugs really isn't my thing. I'm sorry that not much happened in this chapter, too, but at least it revealed more of Cedric's "other" side. He's not being controlled or anything—it's his own will that he's evil. My apologies to the Cedric fans out there, but can't you imagine him with evil-looking eyes and a sly smile while he's wiping blood off his face with his hand? Wouldn't that be so hot? Haha! Ahem I love my evil Cedric. XD! Ah, and thank you for reading and giving me reviews. I consider each one a wonderful holiday gift. Thank you so much.