Deleted Scene from Trials of a Champion (Takes place during Chapter 12)

Common Ground

Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived and currently leader in the TriWizard Tournament, was back in the library going through book after book on languages just like he had been all week. He had quickly worked out a schedule allowing him to spend as much time in the library as possible. Harry knew he was probably overdoing it but at the moment the second task wouldn't leave him alone. It was hovering over him, consuming his thoughts and making it impossible to sleep at night.

Ever since the first task had ended, Harry's social standing had taken a complete turnaround. Gryffindors had declared him a hero, Ravenclaws admired him, Hufflepuffs respected him and the Slytherins…well…the Slytherins still teased him but that was normal. The matter of whether Harry entered himself in the tournament or not was no longer up for debate, at least not in public. To the majority of the student body, seeing a fourteen-year-old take on a dragon was enough for them to feel relieved that they weren't in Harry's or even Cedric's place. After all, if the first task was dragons, no one wanted to know what the remaining two tasks would bring.

Of course there were still some Hufflepuffs who believed that Harry was stealing some of the glory that belonged to Cedric and their house but no one actually confronted Harry about it. Harry normally heard about it from someone who had overheard someone talking then decided to pass on the information to Fred and George Weasley who had secretly declared themselves as Harry's personal revenge squad. Anyone who said anything bad about Harry found themselves pranked by strange products that no one (outside of the Gryffindor House of course) had ever seen before.

Harry didn't agree with this course of action but Fred and George insisted that it was all in good fun. They also claimed that it had something to do with family loyalty which made Harry feel extremely uncomfortable. He loved the Weasleys but he didn't want them to get in trouble because a few people couldn't keep their opinions to themselves. No matter what, there was always going to be someone that didn't believe him. What was important was that his friends and guardians did. Their faith in him was all Harry needed.

Flipping the page, Harry was so deep in thought that he didn't notice someone had sat down across from him until the sound of someone clearing their throat made Harry quickly look up and jump in surprise to see Cedric sitting there with a concerned look on his face. "Er—hi Cedric," Harry said uncomfortably. "I—er—didn't—well—sorry. I was sort of deep in thought."

Cedric gently pried the book out of Harry's hands and closed it. "I noticed," he said. "You do realize that the second task isn't until February, right?"

Harry nodded as he took the book back and opened it to try to find the page he had been reading. "I know," he said softly. "I just don't want to wait until the last minute."

Cedric nodded thoughtfully. "So this has nothing to do with trying to live up to the expectations that the entire Gryffindor Tower has on you?" he asked. "Harry, if it's anywhere near as bad as it is for me in the Hufflepuff Tower then please tell me how you've kept your wits about you. Everyone wants to know everything. A lot of people want to know why I didn't think to fly like you did." Cedric shook his head and let out a sigh. "How do you do it? How do you handle all this pressure?"

Harry tiredly rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. "You're asking the wrong person," he said truthfully. "I don't think I'll ever be able to handle it. After all this time, I still don't understand it. I don't understand how people could find the things I do so interesting when I'm just trying to be like everyone else."

"Probably because at the moment their lives are too boring," Cedric muttered as he rubbed his neck. "You have to admit that everything here revolves around the Tournament, especially with the first task over. Everyone's seen what we have to face and that there isn't a predetermined leader. You're the youngest of us all, Harry, and you're in the lead. No one was expecting that."

Least of all me, Harry thought bitterly. In a way, he wished that he was in last place so there would be no pressure. Sitting back in his chair, Harry looked at his co-champion for a moment before looking away. This wasn't right, none of this was. He shouldn't be forced into tasks like this. He shouldn't be in first place when all he was trying to do was survive. Unfortunately this was the hand that was dealt and there was nothing he could do to change it.

Cedric glanced around for a brief moment before leaning forward in his chair. "Look, Harry, I guess I just want to say that I sort of understand what you've been going through now so if you ever want to talk…well…I'll listen," he said softly. "I can tell that you don't believe that you deserve to be in first place but from what I've seen you are probably the one of us who deserves to be there. You went out of your way to make the first task fair for all of the champions. Not many people would do that. You helped me calm down before the first task. Not many would do that either. I don't know whether that comes from being forced into this thing or not but all I can say is that I'm glad you're my opponent."

Harry looked at Cedric and smiled uncomfortably. He didn't think helping Cedric out was a big deal but apparently Cedric did. "I'm just glad that you trusted me," Harry said with a shrug. "I know it probably sounded a bit odd—"

"—you have no idea," Cedric muttered.

Harry bit back a smile. He could only imagine what had been going through Cedric's mind that morning. "But…I honestly think you give me too much credit," Harry insisted. "I only did what I felt was right. You would have done the same had you been in my place."

Cedric's gaze fell before he nodded and sat back in his chair. "I hope you're right," he said more to himself than anything. "You've given me a lot to think about since the first task, Harry. There is a lot more to this Tournament than who wins. Friendship and fairness are definitely more important. No matter what happens or who wins, you have my friendship." Cedric stood up and gave Harry a smile. "Try and get some rest. The books will still be here tomorrow."

Harry rolled his eyes as a smile appeared on his face. It seemed like the list of people trying to look out for him was growing by the day. "If sleep comes, I'll welcome it," he said then looked at Cedric seriously. "Thanks. I guess I needed to hear that there's finally someone who agrees that being a celebrity isn't all it's cracked up to be."

Cedric let out a chuckle. "That's putting it mildly," he said then nodded at Harry. "Catch you around."

Harry nodded and watched Cedric leave the library. Suddenly everything didn't seem so bad. Yes, Harry was still forced to participate in this Tournament but he had made a good friend in the process. Cedric may be three years older but it certainly didn't feel that way. Harry didn't know what it was and he really didn't care. All that mattered was that they were in this together, no matter what the conclusion may be. Cedric was right. Friendship and fairness were more important. Harry was determined to keep it that way.

Maybe I will be able to get some rest now.

Closing his book, Harry stood up and stretched out his sore back. He returned the books to their rightful places before leaving the library. He wasn't going to give up his research but a few hours of rest wouldn't hurt. Perhaps then he could attack the second task with a fresh pair of eyes that could catch something he may have missed. At the moment it was all he could do so it would have to be enough.

A/N: Short I know. Coming up next, the Gryffindor Tower reacts to Harry's return from the graveyard.