A/N: More book influence in this chapter, they left out details in the movie and it is details I am working on! Bear with me, I'll get better, I promise. I know, this is not quite how the first task happened in either the book OR the movie. This is how I chose to write it. This is fanfiction; after all, there is a large amount of interpretation. Personally, I preferred the book's account, because I doubt that the spectators would just sit and watch while a full grown dragon was loose in their vicinity. They never do mention that it gets recaptured… we can only assume. But overall I loved the movie! Don't get me wrong! A few problems with it, but I love it! Can I marry it! Well, it or Cedric Diggory. (Mmm…drool)
Warnings: m/m hints, slight angst again.
Pairings: Harry/Cedric Diggory
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. (I wish I did!) Don't sue me! I'm only babbling on in sappy smut. I am making no profit from this work; the characters belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers studios, I have only borrowed them for a test drive. I don't even write them very well! I'm sorry!
... ... ... Chapter 2 ... ... ...
Harry, Cedric, Hermione and Ron all made their way to the entrance hall, waiting for further instruction. Hermione and Ron waved, and Hermione wished them both 'good luck' as Ludo Bagman led the four champions out through the front doors, heading toward the dark forest.
A path had appeared overnight, leading to where Harry remembered seeing the dragons that night with Hagrid. He walked closely to the side of Cedric, nervous and anxious for the upcoming task. Mr. Bagman walked in silence, until they reached the end of the path. Seating was arranged around what looked like an amphitheatre, and the center was deep; filled with jagged stones. Instead of heading down into the middle, however, Mr. Bagman motioned them into a tent on the side of the path, where Mr. Crouch was waiting.
He arranged them in a circle and had them pull something from the bag in his hands one by one. The contents turned out to be animated models of four different types of dragons, each with a number around its neck. Mr. Crouch explained that they would each be facing a dragon – the life-sized version of the model in their hands – and that they were to retrieve a golden egg. He said that this golden egg would be necessary for the next task, and that they could not proceed without it.
Cedric was set to go first, he had pulled the dragon with a tiny tag around its neck saying "1." Harry looked down at his own tag, noticing he had the Hungarian Horntail – the one Hagrid had expressed nervousness about, saying it was especially nasty. It had weapons on both ends, and Harry was slightly relieved to see that it had the number "4" on its tag. He looked up and met Cedric's eyes, clearly they were both nervous.
"Er – good luck, Cedric." said Harry.
"You too. Guess this is it, eh?" replied the Hufflepuff. He leaned in and whispered in Harry's ear, "You'll do fine, just concentrate like in practice, okay?"
Nodding, Harry moved to sit down and calm himself – vomiting was unfortunately a likely option at the moment. From outside the tent he heard many voices, and moving feet- he guessed that the students must be taking their seats in the arena. A few minutes later he heard Bagman wish them all luck and shuffle out of the tent with Mr. Crouch, and then his magically magnified voice echoed around the stadium. A whistle blew, and Cedric left the tent as per instruction, with a last smile and a wink at Harry.
All Harry knew about what was happening outside were loud roars, rushes of what he assumed were flame, and the crowd's cheers and boo's. After about ten or twelve minutes, the sounds died down and Harry heard applause outside the tent.
He must've made it, then. he thought. He mentally congratulated Cedric on his completion of the task.
The whistle blew again and it was Fleur's turn to perform in the tournament. The crowd jeered and applauded, and after another 15 minutes or so the roaring subsided – she had retrieved her egg as well. The whistle sounded for Viktor Krum and he left the tent to thunderous applause. It took him just under ten minutes to complete the task.
The whistle blew once more, and Harry lifted the tent's flap and stepped outside into the stony arena. He looked around at the crowd, many of them booing and flashing "POTTER STINKS" badges at him. He glanced at the area around him, and before he had even taken to the center of the stadium, a tail about as thick as a tree trunk and covered in huge spikes crashed down beside him. He dodged out of the way just in time, falling onto the rocky ground. He saw the Horntail on a large rock to the side, looking down at him malevolently. Her head drew back, and then rocked forward as it released a stream of flame that Harry narrowly avoided by leaping behind a large, craggy boulder. The crowd was jeering, and he knew he had to act soon or he'd be fried.
He tried to concentrate, and lifted his wand. "Accio, Firebolt! Accio, Firebolt!" he yelled, trying to concentrate firmly on his broomstick as he dodged the dragon's tail again. He was attempting to move away from it, but it covered ground quickly, charging Harry and issuing another column of flame.
He scrambled over the rocks, and looked back at the castle, trying to discern some hint that his broom was on its way. He ducked another swipe from the dragon's tail, and then he saw it, his Firebolt was speeding towards him over the trees. Elated, he ran to the side of the arena and hopped on just as the dragon breathed fire at him once more. It singed the stone he had been standing on just previously, but he was unharmed.
He circled the dragon, trying to draw its guard up. He saw the egg underneath the beast's belly, and swerved hard to the side as it reared back onto its hind legs. Harry circled higher above the Horntail, glancing around the arena for a moment. He made out a second tent from up here, which must be where the others had gone after they had finished. He saw a few figures watching him from the entrance to the tent. He swooped lower over the crowd and around the front of the tent to buy time; Harry could tell that the dragon was getting annoyed with him as though he was a pesky fly. As he passed the tent, he made out Cedric Diggory, who waved at him. The other champions were behind him looking out, but made no sign of greeting. The side of Cedric's face was covered in green goo, as was his arm. His robes were torn and dirty, and he had a nasty looking gash on his other arm- but he just grinned at Harry as he flew by.
Harry gained altitude again, luring the dragon onto its back legs. A stream of fire blew towards him from below, catching on the bristles in his broom. He turned and beat at them with his gloved hand, putting them out as he steadily rose higher over the stadium spiraling.
Just a little more… he told himself. Then, he saw his opening. Making his move quickly, he dove straight toward the ground, pulling up just in time – grabbing the egg and swooping off just as the dragon crashed back down onto all four legs.
He was distantly aware that he had just almost performed a Wronski Feint. He was vaguely aware of dragon-handlers stunning the Hungarian Horntail back into submission, then landing in front of the second tent, where he was ushered inside by an excited Ludo Bagman.
He seemed to hear him say, "Astounding, Harry! I've never seen anyone fly quite like that before!"
He thought he noticed Krum waddling over with his strange little walk to admire his skill on a broomstick, followed by Fleur.
But all he really perceived was Cedric walking over and congratulating him, after the others had left him to be treated by Madame Pomfrey for his minor injuries.
"Harry, wow. Really – they're right, I've never seen anyone fly like you did, that was amazing! Congratulations, you've made it through the first task!" he said, beaming at the 4th year.
He tried to grin back, but it turned into a wince as the nurse-witch applied a bit of the same green salve Cedric had on his arm and face to his own scratches and minor burns. It stung badly, and she must've noticed his reaction.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter, it should only last a moment and then you can peel it off this evening. I'm sure you won't want it on for the celebrations."
She was right, the sensation faded quickly and then he had a chance to smile properly.
"We made it! I'm alive!" he cheered. "What happened to you?" he asked Cedric.
"I took a bit of flame to the face when the dragon lost interest in my distraction, the fire caught my robes. My side and back are burned, and my arm got a bit roasted as well. Should be fine tomorrow, though. No scars or anything with this stuff, I've heard."
"What did she mean 'celebrations'?" asked Harry after Madame Pomfrey had bustled out to clear her things.
Cedric looked disbelievingly at the Gryffindor for a moment. "You're not kidding, are you? You've just completed the first task! The whole house will probably want to throw a party in the common room!"
Harry shrugged. "Oh, I hadn't thought about it really." he blushed.
Cedric chuckled. "Have fun. Perhaps we'll be able to help each other with the clue for the second task? You know, work on it together? Well, I suppose I'll be seeing you around, we don't want to keep our housemates waiting right?"
Nodding, Harry stood up and reached to shake Cedric's good hand. "Thanks again, Cedric."
The Hufflepuff just smiled as they made their way to the tent's exit.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
Cedric had been right; the whole of Gryffindor tower was waiting for him when he returned after the task. No sooner had the Fat Lady granted him access then he was dragged inside by several pairs of arms. The noise was almost deafening as the celebrating students passed around bottles of butterbeer and snacks. Crimson and gold streamers decorated the common room, and Harry was hoisted onto someone's shoulders as they all applauded him. He was still carrying his broom and the egg, and before too long someone had asked him to open the egg to see what kind of a clue it was.
Harry complied, opening the egg during the celebration. The whole room was filled with a horrid screeching sound, and many people covered their ears or ducked to the floor. It was painful, like nails on chalkboard amplified until it was extremely loud and unbearable. Harry shut the egg again quickly, looking horrified and confused.
Dean Thomas turned to him and whispered, "Did you break it?" The whole common room was now looking at Harry expectantly.
What did that mean? Was the next task to do with a classroom? He didn't know what the shrieking meant. A banshee? He shrugged to avoid answering their questions, and said, "I need time to work it out…"
They looked a little downcast, but recovered quickly and the celebration was soon back in full-swing. Harry, however, was now extremely puzzled. His mind was still on the egg when Ron moved towards him, tailed by Hermione. The twins noticed, and turned to those around them.
"Shove off!" they said in unison. "This is going to be awkward enough without you lot all listening in!"
Ron shuffled his feet, looking at the floor for a moment, then up to Harry. His ears were extremely red, and he muttered "Harry, I'm – I'm sorry. I believe you didn't put your name in that Goblet, you'd have had to be completely mental to do something like that- and, er – congratulations." he finished lamely.
"Took you long enough." Harry had made his face as blank as he could, but when the redhead finished his face split into a grin.
Hermione stood on the sideline, and muttered, "Boys…" under her breath while rolling her eyes.
Harry made his way up to his room before too long, exhausted after the long day. That night Harry put the egg on his bedside table, mulling the matter over in his sleep. He knew he had to figure out what the clue meant, but he had no idea how to do it. Obviously he couldn't open it often – he wasn't that cruel to his housemates. Maybe it would contain something different on a full moon? At a certain time of day? Under a certain set of conditions?
Still thinking about it, Harry fell asleep on his bed, still fully clothed.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
The next morning was the weekend, and he couldn't have been more relieved to not have classes. He was sore from the first task, although his injuries were gone without a trace. He changed into fresh clothes, and then headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
He was elated that he had made it through the first task – obviously if someone had only put his name in the Goblet so he'd be injured, or killed, their plan didn't seem to be working so far.
As he chewed on his toast, he made a mental note to go to the library to find a book or two about banshees, to be safe. The shrieking was most unsettling, and the knowledge that he didn't have a clue what it meant didn't help matters either. He finished his breakfast alone, neither Ron nor Hermione coming down to eat this early in the morning.
Harry stood and left the Great Hall, making his way through the crowds of students groggily heading down for breakfast on his way to the library. When he arrived there Harry started to browse a few aisles in search of tomes that might be of assistance. He selected a likely looking volume, "Magickal Spectres of Northern Europe," and sat himself down at a table in the far corner of the library to read. After turning to the page indicated by the index, Harry flipped the pages slowly as he looked over the descriptions of various ghouls and spirits and how to identify them. After reading a few pages of gruesome detail on the effects of the banshee's scream, he looked up as someone took the seat across from him.
"Hi, Harry," it was Cedric, his arms full of books on magical beasts and spirits. "Mind if I join you?" he whispered quietly.
Harry motioned, and replied in a similar whisper, "No, have a seat. I see I wasn't the only one who thought of a banshee. Every time I open it all I get is this loud shrieking sound… I have no idea what it means if I'm completely off on this. I don't have a clue yet."
"Well, I get the shrieking too. I'm buggered if I have any more hints than you do – I wondered if yours did anything different. I thought maybe it'll give the hint at a certain time or something…" started Cedric quietly, spreading his books out on the table between them.
"Me too, maybe under the right conditions or time it'll give us something we can work with." said Harry in a low voice, smiling slightly.
Madam Pince, the librarian, turned a heavy glare in their general direction, putting a stop to their whispered conversation for the moment. Cedric smiled back at Harry, cracking open one of the books he had brought with him, peering down at the page.
"Anything interesting?" he whispered, after the strict librarian had trundled off to another section of the library.
"Not particularly. Gruesome and painful, but not interesting really." replied Cedric.
A few minutes later as they were browsing the tomes on the table quietly, Harry felt a strong burst of pain from his scar. He clutched at his forehead with his hand, grimacing as it stopped hurting. Cedric looked up at him from the book he was perusing as the Gryffindor used his free hand to grip the table for stability.
"Are you alright?" whispered the Hufflepuff urgently.
Harry nodded quietly; his head was still throbbing from the attack. "It happens once in a while," he explained in an undertone.
Cedric watched him for a moment. "Do you need to see Madame Pomfrey about it?" he asked concernedly.
"No, I'm fine now." he said, but his mind was on the jolt from his scar.
When his scar hurt it usually meant Voldemort was growing in power or nearby. He doubted that one of the most famous wizards of the century, not to mention the most evil, was anywhere nearby. Harry guessed that he must've been strengthening somehow, one step closer to returning. He looked up at Cedric again, who was still watching him as though he might collapse.
"You're really pale, maybe you should go lay down or get something to eat?" suggested Cedric.
Harry appreciated the sentiment, but was a little annoyed at the treatment. "I'll be fine. I just need a few seconds." he said, a bit more sharply than he'd intended.
Cedric sat back, burying his face back in his book with a subtle hint of a scowl playing around his lips. Harry was struck now by remorse- he hadn't meant to upset the older boy, who had been such a help with the first task.
And handsome. he thought again, his mind ever the traitor.
The clue. Think about the egg, not Cedric. he told himself sternly.
He blushed, and opened his mouth to apologize, but he couldn't think of what to say. He sat there for a moment looking apologetic at Cedric, who didn't notice, apparently enthralled by the page he was on.
"Cedric, sorry, I just…" started Harry.
The seventh year interrupted him though, "Don't worry about it. I shouldn't pry." he said shortly without looking up.
"It wasn't – you didn't –" he started again, confused. "I just get, well, frustrated; and my head starts to hurt – it wasn't your fault."
The older student smiled slightly at Harry. "Right, don't worry about it. It isn't a big deal." he said, and then turned the page and continued to read.
The fourth year sat confusedly for a few seconds before turning the page in his own volume, sighing. He was getting used to seeing Cedric around, and Harry didn't like the feeling that he had pushed him away like that.
He came to the conclusion that the screech that the egg emitted was most likely not that of a banshee, which according to the book he was reading caused any human in the vicinity physical harm. The tome also mentioned that they were extremely rare. Harry couldn't imagine that the Ministry of Magic would obtain an uncommon creature that had such negative effects just for the competitors to abuse with spells and such. Also, he doubted that there would be able to be any spectators, at least not without a ridiculously large and complicated amount of spell-work. He turned up from his page to watch Cedric for a moment. Was he finding the same thing? A scowl still loitered on the Hufflepuff's lips, which commented in an undertone every once in a while as he read. His grey eyes scanned the page, but then noticed Harry's attention and he looked up at the fourth year.
"I don't think it's anything to do with banshees after all." said Harry in a low voice. "What do you think?"
"I don't know. My book says they are a 'rare and magically protected creature,' so I'm enticed to agree with you." answered Cedric. He sighed.
Harry whispered, "I wish I had another lead, but I don't have a clue." He looked apologetically at Cedric, and closed his book. He peered at his watch, and realized that it was late in the afternoon. They'd spent hours looking up useless information. "Well, I don't think there's anything else we'll be able to decipher about it in here." he said.
"Yeah, and my legs are falling asleep, I think I'll go for a walk around the lake." stated Cedric. "Want to walk with me?" he offered.
"Sure." agreed Harry, stretching his arms.
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
They placed their books in the return bin and headed downstairs, where Cedric made a detour into the kitchens. He and Harry got some snacks to take with them, and they headed out into the chilly autumn afternoon. The sun was bright, but it seemed distant as its rays shone off of the lake. The giant squid was sunning itself in the shallows, its tentacles languidly unfolding in the water. The two boys walked side by side down by the lakeshore, where a breeze played through their robes and hair. The leaves on the trees in the Forbidden Forest were starting to turn with the season- bright golds, deep reds and somber oranges moved in the wind. They walked until they reached a shady tree, and the two students sat against the trunk looking out at the lake.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said Cedric after a while.
Harry nodded, taking in the scenery. "It's amazing, we've been here for years and yet it never really loses its charm, does it?" asked Harry rhetorically.
The Hufflepuff smiled, saying "I don't think it ever will. I'm really going to miss it."
"You could always visit," suggested Harry, who was looking shrewdly at Cedric now.
"Yeah, I suppose I could. I'll always have an excuse so long as I have a friend here."
After a pause, Harry asked, "Are your friends mostly seventh years?"
Cedric looked hesitant to answer. "Well, I don't seem to have as many as I used to anymore." he said, looking at the ground sadly.
Harry reached over and put his hand on the older boy's shoulder on instinct. "What happened?"
"Well, some of them just kind of – grew away from me. And then I had a falling out with my remaining friends twice so far this year…"
"I'm sorry," supplied Harry, and he found that he really meant it. "I don't want to pry, but what –" he began.
"Don't apologize, it's alright. Well, the first time around it was – well, it was something personal, but still rather silly. The second time was about you. Well, the badges and you."
"Me? The badges?" said Harry, surprised. He remembered Cedric telling him about his friends and the badges, but hadn't known that the other boy would fight with his friends over the issue. "I didn't mean to, I mean, you didn't need to…" he started, but again Cedric cut him short.
"It's nothing you did. They're really stupid and rude, those badges – only my friends seemed to decide that wearing badges sporting a message to sponsor me was more important than actually supporting me by helping to stop this ridiculous mockery of a Triwizard champion. It's ironic, really. They still wear the badges even though they don't encourage me, as a way to not support me anymore."
"Wow, Cedric, I didn't know…" said Harry. He squeezed the seventh year's shoulder fondly, wondering what he should do. He felt responsible – no matter whether Cedric blamed him – and wanted to help, or make it up to his friend, or something.
"You know, Harry, I think I'm actually kind of glad your name came out of the Goblet of Fire that night." said Cedric. He paused, then turned and looked apologetically at Harry, who had raised his eyebrows worriedly. "That came out wrong – I mean, it's terribly dangerous and all- don't get me wrong. What I meant was that if it hadn't, we wouldn't have become friends." Cedric clarified.
"Yeah," said Harry ironically, "Life-threatening dangers aside, I actually really enjoy spending time with you."
Cedric grinned at Harry. "Always the cheeky one, aren't you?" he chuckled. "Well, together we can make sure the life-threatening bit stays at a minimum, right?" he added, his face now serious. "I don't think anyone should need to worry about dying in the competition, I heard that they've added all sorts of precautions this time."
Harry sobered, looking out at the lake again. "Yeah, you're right. Especially working together, we'll do just fine."
The Hufflepuff smiled, turning to Harry quietly. "You really are amazing, Harry Potter. You know that, don't you?"
Turning to face Cedric, Harry blushed. "I am?"
Cedric nodded, and turned back to gaze out over the lake again. Harry got the sudden impulse to hug him- and wrapped his arms around the other boy in a friendly embrace.
"Thanks." said Harry.
Blushing a little himself now, the seventh year nodded, "I mean it, you know." he said, hugging Harry back. As they pulled apart, the fourth year blushed more deeply, smiling slightly and looking at the ground.
They stayed sitting quietly together until the sun set, a dazzling amber sunset that tinted everything with a golden glow. As the light started to fade they watched the waters of the lake and the trees of the forest moving in the zephyrs. They stood to leave just as the sun started to sink below the tree-line, heading back to the castle in companionable silence. When they passed through the main doors into the vast entrance hall, Harry and Cedric separated to go their different ways.
"See you, Harry." said Cedric, waving.
Harry waved back, saying, "Yeah, see you tomorrow."
--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x--
