Cedric wandered the corridors alone. Roger had been in the hospital wing for 3 days already. Apparently his injuries had been worse than they'd originally thought. His back was swollen and didn't look like going down any time soon, despite the many anti-inflammatory potions. Madam Pomfrey herself had admitted she didn't know what was wrong. There had even been mention of St.Mungos.
Of course Cedric wasn't supposed to know all of this. But he'd overheard a hushed conversation on the second day, during his lunchtime visit. He'd spent every spare moment with his friend, often sitting at his bedside long after Roger had fallen asleep. As such, he barely had time for eating, and when he did remember, lunch, dinner and even breakfast was over. Which was why he found himself in the kitchens that particular evening.
A specialist had arrived from St. Mungos and he'd been ushered out of the Hospital wing. He'd made his way to the Great Hall, only to find that dinner had finished, so he'd decided to beg some of whatever was left from the House-elves before it was disposed of. He was halfway through his sticky-toffee pudding when the door opened. He looked up, alarmed at first, wondering if he was about to be found by a teacher. He swallowed his mouthful when he saw who it was.
'What do you want? If you've come to have another go at me you might as well clear off. I've had enough.' He jabbed angrily at his pudding.
The House-elves seemed to know Wood and eagerly brought him a Butterbeer.
'Thanks.' Oliver smiled at the elves, who beamed back, bowing slightly.
Cedric looked the other way, staring into the fire. He felt Oliver sit next to him at the wooden bench.
'You're at the Hufflepuff table.'
He could hear the amusement in Oliver's voice and turned to look at him. Oliver smiled and Cedric's heart jumped. He loved that smile.
'I… didn't realise.' He broke eye contact.
'Look.' Oliver's tone was business-like, emotionless. 'I came to see how Roger is. They wouldn't let me in to see him. Said there was some sort of specialist…' he broke off.
Cedric choked back his emotion. 'He's not doing so well. His back is swollen and it won't go down. They think he might have to go to St. Mungos. They don't have the facilities here.' He heard his voice shaking. 'Oliver I don't know what's going to happen to him. I'm so worried. What if he's really badly hurt? What if his back is broken or something? They have to keep him dosed up, and if it wears off he just… he's in so much pain.' He felt tears slip down his cheeks and he tried to brush them away, only his hands shook too badly.
'Ced I…'
He felt arms go around him, pulling him tight against a warm, comforting, familiar body. Fingers ran through his hair, soothing him gently.
'Sssh. It's okay. He'll be okay. He has the best people looking out for him. Please try not to worry.'
Oliver sounded so sure; Cedric couldn't help but believe him. He inched closer, holding Oliver back. Not wanting to lose the embrace.
'I just don't know what's going to happen. I can't handle this. I have to be strong for him, but I feel like a fraud, because inside I'm terrified.'
Oliver's arms tightened, holding him against his own body protectively. His heart beat faster, having Cedric so near again felt so right. 'It'll be okay. You're not expected to be strong all the time. It wouldn't be natural if you weren't worried.' He leant his head against Cedric's, breathing in the familiar smell that was him.
'Oliver…'
'Yes?'
'I…' Cedric moved to look him in the eye. 'Thank-you.'
'You're welcome.' Oliver smiled softly, pushing Cedric's hair back from his face. 'You look tired. Maybe you should go and get some sleep.'
'Maybe.' Cedric leant closer, body doing something his mind couldn't control. His lips brushed against Oliver's and for a moment Oliver was kissing him back. Then he felt the Gryffindor push him away, a little roughly. He held back a sob as Oliver stood, glaring down at him.
'I came here because of Roger.' He said quietly, his voice emotionless again. 'I held you because you needed a friend I did none of this because I want you back. Its over. How can I make you understand?'
'I love you!' Cedric's voice was shaking and it was louder than necessary. But he didn't care. 'You know I love you. And you love me; otherwise you wouldn't have held me that way. You wouldn't have kissed me back.'
Oliver's mind raced. Everything Cedric had said was true. He did love him, and the sight of Cedric so lost and vulnerable… he'd just wanted, needed to hold him. To make everything all right. Oliver shook his head moving to the door.
'Maybe you're right. Fool that I am, I do still love you. But I don't trust you. I don't think I ever will again. So you see, I can't ever be with you.' he opened the door. 'Goodbye Ced.' Stepping into the corridor, he was gone.
'Wait! Oliver!' Cedric's shout died as the door swung shut. He knew in that moment, that there was no hope. He leant his head on his arms, sobbing quietly onto the tabletop. He didn't know when exactly he had fallen asleep, only aware of doing so when tiny, but gentle hands shook him awake.
'What?' he blinked, eyes focussing on the worried gaze of the House elf.
'Sir must go to his own bed.' The Elf squeaked, holding a candle high to illuminate the clock. The hands pointed to twelve and three. Cedric groaned.
'Oh no… I should have seen Roger.'
'You is talking about your injured friend, Sir?' The Elf tilted his head to the side, studying him.
'Yes. He's in the Hospital wing. How did you...'
The Elf's eyes seemed to become huge in the dim light. 'I is sorry Sir, but you is too late. He is gone Sir. I is seeing him be taken.'
'What? When?' Cedric jumped to his feet, running his hands through his hair roughly, in a vain attempt to wake himself up.
'Late last night Sir, I is cleaning the Hospital fireplace when they is going.' The Elf carefully took his hand. 'I is taking you back to your room now Sir.'
'You don't have to…' Cedric smiled weakly at the creature.
'But I is wanting to Sir. Hold on to Loki, Sir. We is going now.'
Cedric tightened his hand around the Elf's, he felt a hard tug, followed by blackness and a popping sound, and then he was suddenly in his dorm room. Loki had already turned down the bed and his t-shirt and shorts, which doubled, as pyjamas lay ready.
He smiled gratefully at the Elf. 'Thank-you Loki, but you really didn't have to.'
The Elf ducked his head, smiling. 'But I did Sir. I is being told to, by your friend, Sir.'
'Roger told you to?'
Loki nodded. 'He is asking this as he is leaving.'
Cedric didn't know what to say. How had Roger known he would even be in the kitchens? He opened his mouth to ask, but Loki merely winked, disappearing with a loud crack. Cedric dazedly got ready for bed and was asleep seconds after his head touched the pillow.
The next day news of Roger's departure spread through the school. Cedric found himself being asked questions over and over about his friend. He hadn't seen Oliver all day and had heard nothing new about Roger. The Weasley twins had looked uncomfortable for their part. Avoiding passing any members of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team if they could. Cedric allowed himself to feel for them, after all, it hadn't been their fault really. They were only doing their jobs.
It was after a particularly unpleasant Potions lesson that it happened. The continuous questioning finally getting to him.
'What's happened to your boyfriend then?'
Cedric's insides boiled as he turned to face Leo Winter, a particularly vicious Slytherin player in the seventh year. A boy who also happened to have a hold over him, for something he'd stupidly done in the past.
'He's not my boyfriend.' Cedric said angrily.
'Oh I forgot.' Winter smirked, 'you Scots stick together.'
'Watch your mouth.' Cedric spat, clutching his wand tighter.
'Careful now or you might end up the same way as your precious Roger. Lying on your stomach with a broken back. Only good for one thing.'
Cedric lunged at the older boy, forgetting his wand, wanting only to cause the other pain. He was thrown roughly against the wall, an arm pressing down across his throat.
'Don't ever touch me, you filthy freak of nature. Unless you want the world to know what you really are Hufflepuff. How you used to beg, do anything I suggested.'
All the fight left Cedric's body as soon as it had come. Leo had always been stronger than him. He should have known it would end up like this. He bit his lip, determined not to break down in front of his tormentor.
'Just you remember last time… your little fall…' The Slytherin released him, stalking off to leave him alone and trembling in the shadowy corridor.