Sixth Chapter – Hurtful Recollection

Secrets lie and secrets tell what their keepers cannot do well.

That evening, Harry was resting in the Common Room. He had just figured out the clue and he was only a few hours away from the Second Task. Hermione had given him advice before she went to meet someone, though he had to admit she was a bit unhelpful. How was he supposed to hold his breath for more than a minute? He was still thinking when Neville sat down next to him on the couch. He had a Herbology book on his lap.

"I heard you and Hermione talking a while ago," said Neville to Harry. He flipped through the pages, stopping at a marked one. "I think I can help you with your breathing problem. I read about this plant," He held it up for the other to see. Harry saw an illustration of a weed-like plant on the page. "It's called a gillyweed. If you use it, it can allow you to breathe underwater longer than the normal human capacity,"

"How long will the effect be?" asked Harry. "I need for it to work for at least an hour. That's the time limit for the task, according to the clue,"

Neville closed the book. "I'm not really sure, but I think it'll be able to reach an hour or so. You have to keep it in your mouth for as long as possible, though. You can't accidentally open your mouth or else you'll quickly lose your breath. That's the only requirement,"

"What happens if I swallow it?"

"I have no idea," said Neville. "What I do know is that this plant is safe. I'll give you some tomorrow,"

"Oh. Okay," Harry didn't even bother to ask where Neville was going to get it—it seemed rude. Neville smiled and went upstairs, leaving the champion to contemplate. As Harry stared into the crackling flames, he thought about what Cedric was going to do in the Second Task. He looked ready enough. Harry, on the other hand, had never felt so scared with water.

A platform with two large tower-like structures was built in the middle of the Black Lake. The audience was high up on the several decks of the towers, cheering for their own school champion. The Hogwarts students alternated between Cedric's and Harry's names, so that they chanted "Go Cedric and Harry!" It made the youngest champion blush.

Standing next to Cedric while Dumbledore gave the rules and instructions, Harry felt nervous and joyous at the same time. He had an urge to grab Cedric's hand that was two inches away from his trembling own, but he feared that they would be seen. Cedric kept looking ahead; he didn't seem to notice Harry.

"Cedric," whispered Harry without looking at the Hufflepuff champion. "Are you…scared at all?"

"I know what to do, so not really," replied Cedric calmly. "But I am afraid of one thing,"

"And that is--?"

"To not see you back here on the platform an hour from now,"

Harry looked up at Cedric. The older boy returned his stare with a grin. "It's going to be alright," he added. "I know you won't let yourself drown just like that. I'll meet you after this, okay?"

"Okay…" Harry smiled. His strength and determination was increased. He took a deep breath before placing the gillyweed in his mouth. Mad-Eye Moody, one of Harry's teacher supporters, gave him a hard pat on the back. The gillyweed slid down Harry's throat and was choking him. The "go" signal was given, and unlike the other three champions who dived in the water, Harry fell off the platform.

Underwater, the Boy Who Lived struggled with the pain in his throat. He felt himself changing. He looked at his hands and feet—they were webbed. On his neck he had grown gills. He knew it was the plant taking effect so he didn't waste time and went on with the task. He swam and swam across dark but clear water. He thought he saw something moving in the distance. He ignored it and kept on swimming. Because of his webbed hands and feet, he was able to cover large distances quickly and easily. At last, he came upon a place that was unlike the rest of the bottom of the lake. There were stone edifices to be found, and true to the clue there were the people important to the champions, their ankles tied to chains that were linked to the stone floor.

Harry swam over to them. He tried to get Ron's ankle out of the chain but to no avail. It was too tight. Just then Cedric came, and with a flick of his wand Cho was free. Cedric looked at Harry and pointed to his wrist, warning Harry about the time. Harry nodded and watched Cedric swim to the surface with Cho in his arms. How he wished he were one of the victims instead of being one of the saviors.

Imitating Cedric, Harry hastily freed Ron. He noticed that Fleur's sister was still tied. He was about to set her free as well when angry creatures of the lake rushed to him, threatening him and saying that he could only take one with him. Harry thought he was going to die when without warning the creatures swam away in fear. He looked behind him, and there was a furious-looking shark.

Harry got out of the way and saw that the shark had a human body. It gnawed at Hermione's bounds and took off with her. Krum, thought Harry. He was still determined to help Fleur's sister. Seeing that the lake creatures were swimming a bit far from him, he went ahead and freed the girl. He then pushed her and Ron upwards to the surface. The creatures were alarmed and started to attack Harry. Horrible, small octopus-like things pulled him back down to the depths of the lake. The gillyweed stopped working. Harry needed air badly. With one last great effort he cried, "Ascencio!" He flew out of the lake and landed on the platform.

"Harry!" Hermione went to her friend at once. Harry's eyes were closed. Mad-Eye Moody checked his breathing. "How is he, professor?"

"He's not breathing!" said Moody. "Where's Madam Pomfrey?"

"Harry? Oh my god—Harry!" Cedric got out of the crowd just as Hermione went for help. Harry was turning pale. Without hesitation, Cedric opened Harry's mouth slightly, pinched his nose, and gave him CPR. Everyone around them waited. After three attempts, Harry came to and coughed up lots of water. The students rejoiced, and Madam Pomfrey had just arrived then.

"Good job, Mr. Diggory," said Moody. "I think not even Mr. Weasley would've done that for his friend,"

He's more than a friend now, thought Cedric to himself. Harry was tightly holding on to him. He embraced the young Gryffindor back. Dumbledore announced that they were tied in first place. "Did you hear that, Harry? We're both the best,"

Harry smiled weakly. "I couldn't be happier being tied with someone else," he said. He buried his head in Cedric's neck before drifting off to sleep.

Waking up late in the afternoon, Harry reached for his glasses so he could get up and have lunch. He was surprised to feel a hand on top of his. It took his glasses and put it on him. Harry blinked, and saw that it was Cedric lying next to him.

"Hi Harry," greeted the Hufflepuff. He was positioned sideways with his head resting on one palm. He looked like some swimsuit model posing for a shoot. Harry had never noticed how curvy the boy's body was. "What are you looking at, Harry?" asked Cedric seductively. "Do you want to have sex? I won't decline, I swear,"

Harry reddened. "I-I don't want that right now," he answered. "We've been doing that too many times,"

"Once, and I just touched you yesterday," said Cedric as though it was no big deal. "I really wanted to taste you. I was yearning for my Harry…" He licked his lips, causing Harry to shift a bit. "Kidding, love. But are you never sexually frustrated? Don't you have urges or something? Have you never felt like you could do it with someone for an entire day nonstop just because you were so driven?"

Harry sat up. "D-don't ask those things! They're too personal, and they're sexual in nature…"

"So? Err, are you uncomfortable talking about these things, Harry? Tell me and I won't ask you ever again,"

"I'm just not used to hearing them from someone, but it's okay if you keep on asking. I don't know what my answer's supposed to be, though,"

"Your honesty is all I need," said Cedric. "And don't worry. I won't tell anyone. It's between you and me. This is one thing that only lovers can share, so you can tell me every intimate detail,"

"Well, um, I've had certain urges before, but they were all for you and stuff…" Harry's voice softened at every word of the sentence. He couldn't help but feel awkward. It was like confessing all over again. "Sorry,"

"What for? I think it's great that someone as gorgeous as you are actually wants me," Cedric crawled towards the younger boy to give him a gentle kiss. "I want you to know, Harry, that this is only the second sexual relationship I've had, and believe me the first one was nothing. It was a three-night stand the more I think about it…" He paused for a moment before looking into Harry's eyes. "But anyway, I wouldn't want you to think that all we're going to do while we're together is to have sex. No, no. I love you, and love isn't about making it all the time," He combed through Harry's hair with his fingers. "It's about communication, getting to know each other better, and basically romance. It's also the acceptance of oneself and your partner. With regard to that," He smiled. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"

"Huh?" Harry didn't expect the question at all. "A date? As in, a romantic date?" He began to color.

Cedric nodded. Harry's reaction was so cute that it amused him. "You're going to Hogsmeade tomorrow, aren't you? I'll follow a bit after you've gone so that it's hardly obvious. We can meet up somewhere crowded. You can make up an excuse and leave your friends. If you want, we can go undercover and wear different clothes so they won't be able to recognize us. If you're feeling daring, though, we can dress normally and run and hide as much as we need to. So how about it?"

"You planned this didn't you?" inquired Harry with a frown. In contrast, he sounded quite happy. "And you're stalking me! How did you know we were going to Hogsmeade?"

"A good stalker never tells his secrets," Harry playfully hit him with a pillow at his answer. "Hey!" Cedric moved away and laughed. "Seriously, why would I not know my own boyfriend's schedule, huh?"

Harry felt embarrassed. "But I don't know your schedule. Does that make me…a bad lover?" He put on puppy dog eyes that Cedric simply adored.

"Not at all," answered Cedric. "I'm just more obsessed with you than you are with me. That's all. Or maybe I'm crazier than you," He chuckled. "I would never date crazy guys,"

"So how many guys have you gone out with, Cedric?" asked Harry, one of his eyebrows raised. "Aside from that Three-Night Stand Guy, how many victims have you had in the past, you playboy?"

"I am not a playboy," defended Cedric. "Aside from TNSG, I've only had you and someone older than me,"

"Someone older? How much older was he? Do I know him?"

"You ask too many questions. No wonder you get into a lot of trouble every year,"

"I'm sorry, Mister Apathetic. You were the one who told me to be honest, so spit it out, Diggory,"

"Ooh, I love how you say my last name," Cedric went to Harry, pushing him back onto the sheets. "Are you sure you don't want to have raw, hot, wild—"

"I'm sure," said Harry, giggling. "I know you're stalling, Cedric. C'mon. You can tell me," He touched Cedric's lips gently. "Open your mouth and tell me everything about this older man in your dark, dark past,"

Cedric puckered his lips and kissed Harry's fingers before he rolled over beside him to tell his story. "As far as I can recall, we started going out when I was only in second year. He was in fourth year at that time, and yes, he was studying here in Hogwarts," he said before Harry could say anything. "I was playing for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team—I was instantly a seeker—and that was how we met. He was the captain of their team. The more I saw of him the more I was drawn to him.

"One morning, I suddenly felt that it was the right day to tell him the truth. And so I marched to their Common Room and waited for someone to come out or go inside so I could talk to him. It must've been Fate pushing us together, because he was the one who exited the moment I was about to give up. I looked at him and he looked at me.

"It's…Cedric, isn't it?" he asked.

"Y-yes…" I was so nervous I could barely speak. I wanted to run and disappear but his gaze kept me there in that very spot. I felt the walls closing in on me; it was an unforgettable feeling.

"You're quite fast, Diggory. We could use someone like you on the team. Of course, you'd have to be in our house before that happens," He laughed, and I knew how much he really wanted his team to win. After all, as a captain, that would bring him a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.

"I was wondering…if I could talk to you…in private," I said softly.

"We can talk here, can't we? Nobody's around," He smiled at me, and all my insides melted.

"I wouldn't want anyone to hear us. We produce echoes, you know," I didn't mean to sound like some know-it-all, but I couldn't help rushing him. My nerves were killing me enough.

He nodded and said, "Alright. Where do you propose we take this meeting?"

"I was thinking the library, but outside would be better. I'd prefer if it was only the both of us,"

"Is this really that important?"

"Why? Do you need to go somewhere? We can talk some other time if you're busy…"

"No. I was just asking. I can clear my schedule today if this will take a long time,"

"It'll be really fast, I promise," I held up my shaking right hand and quickly brought it back down.

"Alright," he said, and we went off. We went to the grassy area and talked while walking. People weren't looking at us but I was imagining eyes watching us from behind. I was beyond paranoid then. "So, what did you want to talk about, Diggory? Quidditch, I suppose?"

"Not exactly," The feel of his arm brushing against mine was distracting me way too much. "I wanted to confess something…yeah, I think that's more appropriate. I want to confess," I tried to sound as confident as possible even though inside I was screaming bloody hell.

"Confess? Confess what?" he asked. He stopped walking. My heart skipped a beat. "Were you the one who took my Veela Pin?"

"Veela Pin? O-of course not! Why would I take something from you?"

"That thing was so damn expensive. I bet one of the Weasley twins took it...Ah, I'm so sorry. I thought you were going to confess that you were the perpetrator or something. It's been lost for weeks. Anyhow, let's keep walking shall we?" And that we did.

"Um, what I'm going to confess isn't related to something bad I've done," I said. "It's something that I feel about something, about someone…about you," I was expecting him to react but he didn't. He kept looking ahead so I continued. My nervousness sort of went away so I was able to speak clearly. "I like you. I'm not sure why, but I do. Kill me now or tell the whole world—I just needed you to know, and now that you do, I have to go," I turned to leave but he grabbed me from behind.

"I like you, too," he whispered.

From that day on, we started dating. It went on for about a year, until our feelings for one another changed and we knew we had to move on.

Cedric turned to Harry. The Gryffindor was blushing furiously. "What the heck--? Why are you all red?"

"It was so romantic," reasoned Harry. "You confessed to him just like I did with you, and he returned your feelings just like you did to me, and, and…It was such a good story!" He embraced Cedric, who was confused. "It's like hearing our story, except I wasn't in it. Tell me, Cedric," He looked up at his lover, his arms still around his neck. "What's his name?"

"Don't you already know?" asked Cedric in disbelief. "Wasn't it obvious? He's captain of a Quidditch team, he's two years older than me, and he studied here in Hogwarts?"

"I have one guess," said Harry. "But it might be wrong so I'd rather have you tell me,"

"I don't care if it's wrong. I'll correct you anyway. C'mon. Guess your lover's ex-lover, Harry,"

"Hmm, alright. But I'm telling you. I'm bad at these things. Don't make me feel embarrassed or whatever,"

"Sure, love," Cedric kissed his forehead. "I won't,"

"He was the one who came to mind when you said he was a captain, so, um…is it Oliver Wood?" Harry waited for Cedric to laugh. However, he didn't hear anything. Instead, Cedric bit his lower lip. "Oh my god…is it Wood? Was your ex-lover Oliver Wood?" Harry let go and sat up.

"Do you…hate me now?" asked Cedric. "I knew I shouldn't have told you…"

"I don't hate you, but," Harry frowned. "Last year…last year it was like nothing ever happened between the two of you. The year before that you were together and then you forget that easily?"

"It wasn't easy to forget!" griped Cedric, sitting up as well. "Mind you, Harry, we were trying not to run into each other for the longest time, and then we realized that we couldn't do that completely because we were both Quidditch players. I didn't want to be captain of our team. I really didn't. It was bad enough that I'd see him in the game and have to fly past him at some point. You have no idea how hard it was, Harry. When I became captain, and we shook hands during our match, memories of us blew me away like some hurricane. I just didn't say anything because I knew it was over and I had to let go of the tiniest bit of feeling I had left for him. Don't assume that breaking up with him was some joyride for me because I really valued what we had. That goes for Oliver as well. If it wasn't for…for…never mind," Cedric stopped talking.

"If it wasn't for what? Why did you break up, Cedric?" asked Harry. "If you truly cared for one another, why did you break up and end up torturing yourselves by pretending it never happened? Who made you change your minds about each other?"

"We were the cause of our breakup so don't take some outside element and bring it into the story. We grew tired of each other. People can feel that way even about the ones they love. We spent too much time together until we no longer had anything to talk about. That's it,"

"That can't be it. You're lying to me, Cedric," Harry held him by the shoulders. "Look at me. I said, look at me," Cedric slowly followed. "Why won't you tell me? It's over. It's gone. You should be able to handle the pain by now, so why are you still keeping things from me? Why, Cedric?"

"Because…" Tears began to well up in Cedric's eyes. It was the first time Harry ever saw him that way. "Because what made us separate…" He removed Harry's hands from his shoulders. "…Was you," He quickly rose and ran down the stairs. Harry was dumbfounded for a second, and then he tried to run after Cedric. When he arrived in the Common Room, though, he found no one.

Harry collapsed on his knees, and cried. He had taken Cedric's happiness before, without even knowing it

Author's Note: Wow! I can't believe I finished this AND the second half of the previous chapter in one day. Neat-o! Woot I'd just like to say that my inspiration happens to be our current wallpaper, which is Cedric talking to Harry in the movie. They are so right for each other XDD! And they're equally hot, my goodness gracious. I think I'm going to faint…Haha! Kidding. So now you know something about Cedric's past love life. Could that be a good enough reason for him to go against Harry in secret? I don't know! Read the next chapter and the next and the next (if it will reach that far lol) to find out! Thank you very much for reading! 'Till the next update, folks!