Author's Note: the text in (this) is a flashback. Also, some foul language will be used in this chapter.

The Wake

Harry rested face down on a soft bed in the frigid Hospital Wing. Tears soaked the pillow, and he quietly moaned. Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Ron, and Hermione were sitting in chairs by his bed. Sirius, as a dog, settled on the floor. Madam Pomfrey had given Harry a goblet containing the Dreamless Sleep Potion, but he just pretended to drink some. His arms dangled from the edge of the bed, and one time Sirius licked his hand, but then Harry drew it back. He thought of Cedric and about what had happened in the graveyard, but he mostly reflected on what occurred when he returned to Hogwarts.

(Harry and Cedric reappeared in the edge of the maze; and Dumbledore was first to really witness the sad scene. Harry lay on top of the body, with eyes closed, holding the Triwizard Cup in one hand and grasping Cedric's stiff limb with the other. Harry couldn't hear the cries of the people in the stands; only the beating of his lonely heart. The lovers' mouths were still connected, and Harry continued to weep. Dumbledore touched Harry's shoulder, so he abruptly looked to the old wizard. He seemed concerned, and understanding.

"Let go Harry," he said. Then Harry dropped the cup and wiped the wetness from his eyes. "I meant; let go of Cedric." Harry shook his head and then buried it in his love's neck. "I know what kind of pain you're in…"

'No you don't,' thought Harry.

"…And I believe that it's for the best if you let go." Harry remained motionless as other professors ran to them. Professor McGonagall gasped; Snape gaped; and Moody leered.

"Are they both dead," McGonagall shrieked.

"No, only Mr. Diggory," Dumbledore replied.

"How? What ha…"

"Amos is approaching quite rapidly," Snape uttered.

"Hold him back! Don't let him see…"

"Where's my son?" Cedric's father rushed to the sight, and then he became petrified. "Get that bastard off my son!" Harry could see rage in his eyes. Amos clenched his fists and started to charge at Harry, but Snape and Dumbledore quickly grabbed his arms to stop him. "That son of a bitch killed Cedric!"

"Calm down Amos," Dumbledore started. "We don't know what happened…"

"He seduced Cedric and killed him because he's finished with him!"

As Amos fought to get free Harry was separated from his lover, by Moody, and then led to the castle.)

More tears of sorrow gushed from Harry's eyes as he reminisced. While sobbing he heard voices nearby discussing what Barty Crouch Jr., who was incognito as Moody, had confessed. He listened to them, but Harry couldn't care less about what would happen to him or what Voldemort was planning. When Harry closed his eyes he visioned grey eyes, wavy hair, luscious lips, and comforting arms. Soon exhaustion overtook him and he drifted away.

---

An hour later Harry abruptly opened his eyes and sat up. Ron and Hermione were still there, and Sirius snored on the floor. Soon Hermione stirred and saw that Harry was awake. Then she went to sit next to him on the bed, and Harry embraced her. Hermione hugged back and patted Harry while he cried on her shoulder.

"He's gone," Harry uttered. "He's really gone!"

"It's ok Harry. Everything will be alright."

"He never did anything… I'm the one who should be dead!"

"Don't say that! If it were the other way around Cedric would be just like you are right now."

"I saw him Hermione… I saw his ghost… And he wants me to be happy… But I can't… I'll never be happy again..."

"You will be. Soon, you will be."

"I just want the pain to go away."

"With time it'll ease Harry."

Before long Madam Pomfrey noticed them, and then she forced Harry to drink the potion. Hermione went to her chair while Harry lay down and wiped his eyes. Within minutes he slept, this time without seeing Cedric's smiling face.

-----

A few days after the incident Cedric's parents decided to have a private funeral for their son. His mother invited Harry to join them despite her husband's disapproval. It was held in the chamber by the Great Hall, and the entire Hogwarts staff, even the real Moody, had attended. Everyone dressed in dark robes; and Harry wore two gold rings on his finger. Cedric's body was placed on a table and covered in a black blanket up to his neck. The corpse held an emotionless face with eyes shut. Harry sat behind the others and wept through the service. When Dumbledore stood in front of the people they became quiet and looked at him.

"I will start by saying that Cedric was a kind, intelligent, and overall charming person. He put his friends and loved ones before himself, and he knew how to have a good time… I was pleased when he was chosen as a Hogwarts champion, but if I had known this would happen, I would've cancelled the event… He surely won't be forgotten." As Dumbledore sat down next to McGonagall Amos Diggory staggered to the front, and he seemed tipsy.

"Yeah, my son was a fine guy… But, he wasn't the perfect boy everyone thought he was… Cedric was a fucking queer!" The remark made some people gasp, and Harry became tense. "You heard me right; he was a no good fucking faggot! And, I do literally mean 'fucking'!" Harry's face turned red and his fists clamped so tight that it hurt. "That's why he fucking died! His fucking boyfriend got him fucking killed!… And if you haven't guessed already, his boyfriend was Harry fucking Potter!" Everyone turned to Harry and saw his anger. "He's the reason we're fucking here! He's the reason Cedric is fucking dead!... And after thinking about it I realize that it's not really that much of a loss!" Cedric's mother started to cry, and Harry rose. "It's just one less fucking gay in the world…"

"Shut up," Harry screamed, making Amos chuckle.

"Why should I?" Then Harry swiftly pulled out his wand and aimed it at him.

"No one talks that way about my boyfriend and gets away with it!" Again Amos laughed, and he too reached for his wand.

"You're asking for it, you fucking faggot!"

"Silencio!" Before Cedric's father was prepared the spell had hit him. When he opened his mouth to curse at Harry again no words came out.

"I believe we've heard enough out of you," said Dumbledore. Then everyone laughed as Amos fled. "You should've done that long ago Harry." Next Cedric's mother got up to speak.

"I'm truly sorry about my husband's behavior. He had no right to say those things about Cedric and Harry." Harry stood still, and he smiled as tears continued to drip down his cheeks. "I think Harry should come up and say a few words about Cedric." Then Harry slowly walked to the where Cedric's mother was and faced the group. She grasped his hand, and with her by his side Harry had the strength to talk.

"I don't know what to say about Cedric that hasn't already been said, by Dumbledore. I love Cedric more than anyone else… When he died it was like a knife had stabbed my heart… He's in my thoughts all the time… We've only been together for a short time, but it felt like years… We hoped to spend the rest of our lives together. But, as Cedric used to tell me, fate was cruel… He taught me to be strong; he taught me to love; and he taught me to dance… But seriously, I'll never forget him… And I'll never stop loving him… One of his last requests was for me to be happy now that he's gone… And I hope to achieve that goal soon, after I mourn for a while longer… I don't think that the pain will ever heal completely, but knowing that a part of him is within me will help… With that I want to say, for all of us, good-bye Cedric."

Professors Sprout and McGonagall were sobbing after Harry said farewell; and the others were in a state of grief. Harry hugged Cedric's mother, and she pecked his wet cheek. Next he went to Cedric's body and lifted the blanket to reveal a stiff hand. Harry took one of the rings from his finger and slipped it onto Cedric's. Then Harry bent over and kissed his lover's lips for the final time.

-----

On the last day at Hogwarts the Great Hall was draped in black to respect Cedric. Harry took a deep breath before entering the Hall, and he didn't cry once. At the start of the Leaving Feast Dumbledore gave a speech commending Cedric, and announcing Voldemort's return. Then Harry remembered that the Dark Lord caused his world to crumble, and he suddenly felt some rage deep inside him. When Dumbledore finished his address by saying: "Remember Cedric Diggory", the students lifted their cups to drink. Nobody, except Ron and Hermione, noticed that Harry held up a goblet of desire. With the others he uttered: "Cedric Diggory", and then took a gulp of pumpkin juice. It was sweeter than ever.

Fin