The First Tasks
Soon a Hogsmeade weekend arrived and the couple decided to go for a rendezvous, but along with Ron so no one would suspect anything. They went into Honeydukes where Harry bought many Chocolate Frogs and Jelly Slugs. Then they went into Zonko's Joke Shop to browse. Later they got thirsty and chose to go into the empty Hog's Head instead of the packed Three Broomsticks. The three ordered butterbeers and sat at a dingy table near a filthy window.
"Are you having a nice time," Cedric asked Harry.
"Yes, so far it's been lovely. I wish that Madam Puddifoot's wasn't crowded though. I would rather be in there."
"Me too babe, but at least we're together."
Cedric and Harry were seated next to one another with Ron across from them. Under the table Cedric's hand gently caressed Harry's thigh, causing him to smile. Harry grabbed Cedric's hand and held it firmly. Then they stared at each other for a long time without talking. Meanwhile Ron was observing the inn and he tried to look through the dirt on the window.
"Good thing no one can see us from outside," said Ron. The love struck boys took sips from their bottles and then reached under the table to lock fingers again.
"We haven't had a chance to be together," Harry started. "This is the only time we've really had a date."
"Well Harry, if you want to keep this a secret, then you'll have to make sacrifices," Ron replied. "Where are there good places to sneak off to anyway?"
"I was thinking about Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, but she'll probably bother us."
"How about the prefects' bathroom," Cedric jumped in.
"There's a separate bathroom for the prefects?"
"Yes Harry, but it's supposed to be a secret. The others rarely use it, so we'd be alone."
"That's brilliant!" Then Cedric stretched his arms in the air and brought one down to rest on Harry's chair, making him and Ron laugh. "Do you know how lame that is?"
"Babe, I wasn't doing anything! My arm landed there on coincidence!"
Harry leaned back and wanted to rest his head on Cedric's shoulder, but then he noticed that the vile bartender was leering at them. Instead, he moved his leg to where it touched his boyfriend's, and they stayed that way until Ron wanted to leave.
-----
A week before the first task Harry and Cedric planned to meet in the prefects' bathroom when everyone else was asleep. Cedric gave him the password and anxiously waited his arrival. When the door sung opened Harry stepped in and surveyed the vast room; he admired the painting of the mermaid, the chandelier, and the swimming pool. Cedric took Harry's hands in his and lead him to the pool. Then they sat on the rim with their legs dangling over the edge. Both were still dressed in their school robes and had droopy eyes.
"It's wonderful," Harry said.
"I knew you would like it. The atmosphere is really romantic."
"But, before anything happens I need to tell you something about the first task. It's dragons."
"Dragons?"
"Yes, we're supposed to face dragons. And, don't ask me how I know; I just accidentally found out the other day."
"I believe you babe, but don't worry about that now."
Cedric grazed a hand across Harry's forehead, moving his shaggy black hair so he could see the lightning bolt scar. He pecked it and then removed Harry's round glasses, placing them aside. He gaped at him and then connected their lips. Harry closed his eyes and pulled Cedric with him to the marble floor. They laid there holding each other and passionate kissing like there was no tomorrow. When they finally ceased Cedric got up and then helped Harry stand as well.
"You look tired," said Cedric. "I don't want you to loose sleep over me."
"I always do." Suddenly Harry embraced him, so they hugged for a few more minutes. "I love you."
"I love you too, but seriously, for your own good, get some sleep!"
-----
On the day of the first task the champions were to report to a tent near the field. Harry was the last to arrive, as usual. Cedric was busy pacing, but when he saw Harry enter he smiled at his love. Then they picked to see which dragon they would face; Harry got the Hungarian Horntail and Cedric got the Swedish Short-Snout. Cedric was to compete first, and Harry could see some fear in his grey eyes.
"Are you ready," Harry asked him.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Good luck." They shook hands, and then Harry watched him leave.
As Harry waited for Cedric to finish his mind raced. 'Is he alright?... I'm sure he is… He's a marvelous wizard.' Before long they heard people cheering and Fleur was told to enter the arena. 'What happened to him?… Did he get hurt?… I shouldn't worry too much, but he is my boyfriend.' Next Viktor left the tent, so Harry braced himself. 'Focus: Accio Firebolt, Accio Firebolt, Accio Firebolt!' Soon the crowd cheered again and Harry was called to take on the dragon. 'Here goes nothing.'
When Harry entered the field Cedric watched him from the first aid tent. 'You can do it Harry,' he thought. 'Wow… I would never have thought of doing that! Go Harry!' After a while he saw Harry holding the golden egg, and he couldn't hold in his excitement. "Yes!" Then Madam Pomrey saw Cedric and forced him back into the tent. Later Harry went in and was treated, but when they were alone he went to Cedric's side. Harry embraced him and then sat next to him on a bench, stroking his wavy hair.
"Oh Cedric, what happened?"
"I had a close call…" Before Cedric could finish Harry had closed the gap between them and kissed him, but soon they were interrupted by Ron.
"Harry," yelled Ron, "don't you want to see your scores?"
After the champions were told the date for the second task, and that they had to solve the clue inside the egg, Harry and Cedric left together. Harry looked battered and the side of Cedric's face was still orange with the treatment that Madam Pomfrey applied for the burns. Hermione and Ron joined them and they walked near the forest together. The two were in front of Harry and Cedric, and there was no one else around, so Cedric reached for Harry's hand and grasped it tight. Then Cedric started telling Harry what he did to get the egg in detail.
"But you were really fantastic," Cedric said to Harry.
"So were you. Does your face still hurt?"
"Not as bad as it did earlier." Harry saw that Ron and Hermione were deep in conversation, so he leaned over and pecked Cedric's injured cheek, which made him smile. "I feel much better now."
"When is the second task Harry," asked Hermione. "Harry?" She suddenly turned around and frightened them. Then Harry and Cedric let go of each other and stared at her suspiciously.
"It's February twenty-fourth."
"What's going on?"
"Nothing's going on."
"Don't lie to me Harry; I can see it in your eyes. Tell me what you were doing!"
Harry looked at Cedric for support, and he responded by nodding. Fretfully Harry linked his and Cedric's fingers together and raised them up for Hermione to see. Then she gaped at them dumbfounded.
"Hermione… Cedric and I are gay… and we're boyfriends." She glanced from Harry to Cedric, and then to Ron.
"You don't look surprised," she said to the redheaded boy.
"I knew what was going on between them."
"How come no one told me?"
"Don't get upset," Harry started. "We weren't going to come out until next year."
"How come Ron knows then?"
"It's a long story. Still… I'm sorry Hermione. I should've told you."
She turned away from them and started to storm off, but Ron had stopped her and explained how he found out they were queer. Then Hermione ran to Harry and wrapped her arms around him. When she buried her head in his neck he felt it become wet, so Harry hugged back and patted her.
"Why don't you tell me everything? I'm your friend too!"
"Don't cry Hermione. I'm sorry…"
"I know… and I'm happy for you both. Really, I am. It's just… I thought you could trust me."
"I do Hermione. Again, I'm sorry for not telling you." The cronies stood there holding each other for a moment while Ron and Cedric watched.
"Hey," called Cedric, "Harry's my boyfriend!"……
Author's Note: I know that I rushed through the first task; and the other two are somewhat the same. Sorry if it upset anyone.
