INVOLUNTARY mortal ecstacy
This is a true fanfiction to its fullest folks! This story contains an original character of my own creation (although if you read carefully enough he sounds like a spitting image of myself) and CONTAINS MASSIVELY EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SLASH! If you don't like it, don't read it. And although I do highly appreciate constructive criticism please please no reviews that say such things as; "OMFG! Your writings are a travesty and a mockery of this brillant piece of literature, you should go to hell! BLAH BLAH BLAH!" I beg you, none of those. So please read, enjoy and do review . . . nicely! DISCLAIMER; Although Cedric (Robert Pattinson) equals sex I do not own him, nor Harry, nor anything JK Rowling related.
CHAPTER two; INSPIRE
As the Hogwarts Express rolled into Hogsmeade station the train doors opened and a rumble of thunder was heard overhead. When the students flew from the train all merging into a violent collage of random insignias drenched in a black sea Cedric and I were separated. Heads bent and eyes narrowed against the downpour and I advanced without warning to the hundred horseless carriages that stood waiting for us outside the station. The door creaked shut and the rain fell harder, throwing itself against the windows. Moments later with a great lurch the carriages proceeded up to the castle. Throughout the rumbling and splashing I could hardly make out the faces of my company but it mattered not to me for they did not speak. Pressing my cheek against the glass I tried losing myself in the heavy gaze of the moonlight as I felt a hand caress my knee. Cedric sat smiling at me so brightly his priceless grin shown through the obscurity.
"I thought I'd lost you for a moment." I whispered into his ear as I took a firm grasp of his hand and stroked it gently with my thumb as we hid ourselves in the shadows.
"You'll never lose me."
Through the gate, edged with magnificent sculptures and up the sweeping drive the carriages trundled, swaying dangerously in what was fast becoming a gale. Behind that of which was seen of Cedric's delicately placed soaking hair I could see the school looming in around us, its many lighted windows blurred and shimmering behind the thick curtain of rain. Lightning flashed across the sky as our carriage came to a halt before the great oak front doors. People who had occupied the carriages in front were already hurrying up the stone steps into the castle. And as Cedric and I made our own way I stopped and he looked back as I released his hand. My look read it was for the best and he nodded at me in understanding agreement. Still as I looked back upon his racing to take shelter he stopped when I noticed I was not jogging up at his side. He stopped turned back and pulled me by the scarf up the flight of steps.
"Ced, look out!" I shouted as we jumped out of range of the falling water bomb. Looking up we saw Peeves looming overhead bombarding the student with red balloons. We were lucky enough to not get any more sodden then we already had been and made our way into the Great Hall just as McGonagall had stormed out and slipped in a puddle.
Now as casual as we were walking in together, without touching, we could not contain our bursting smiles and spurts of laughter as we proceeded towards the Hufflepuff table. The Great Hall was Greatly adorned with the finest décor for the welcoming feast, and I of course could not get over the aroma of the brightly burning candles that hovered above. Amused as we were we took our seats across from each other as no welcoming was heard. The laughter ceased and I had to confront the glower of Cedric's adoring fans.
"Ced, who the hell is this ruddy bloke?" interrogated his right hand man.
"Who, Harvey, don't you recognize him, he's in our house?"
"We know who he is!" shouted one of the fangirls.
"But what the hell is he doing sitting so close to us?" chimed in another aghast looking girl. And maybe here is where I should inform you that I am not one of the most beloved members of Hufflepuff. No one likes an art freak for some reason, and I'm just bursting with ingenuity therefore; rejected. I paint and sew and sing and write and play several instruments, and I thought fame and praise was devoted to those strictly born of the arts, my bad. In this school it's not about how well you can croon and audience to their knees or spread vibrant colors across an image that sends an endless sum of tears streaming from your aspiring admiration. It's about the sport, Quidditch, that's what matters to them, who snagged the snitch the swiftest.
"He's a friend, a close friend at that. We practically spent the entire summer together get over it." he chastised in a tone that sounded so livid that I thought the table would crack straight down the middle. Though fury brimmed his peak winking he turned from me as the table grew silent and Dumbledore stood to address the students. Lucky for you only half of this torment has been recorded for plot development reasons, the entire festival of absurdity carried on throughout the entire Sorting.
"I have but two words to say to you," Dumbledore announced to the apprentices who were eagerly awaiting his solemn words of ancient wisdom only to be greeted with; Tuck in! And with a wave of his arms the tables filled with a feast to engorge ourselves upon for the time being until the next 'unexpected' announcement. coughsTriwizard Tournament!cough, cough
When the students had their share and the dishes were cleared Dumbledore stood once more to speak. "So, now that we're all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices." He continued on reminding us about the forbidden objects, the forbidden forest, and the forbidden Hogsmeade to all those under third year, basically everything forbidden. Until . . .
"It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Qudditch Cup will not take place this year." Several voices moaned and Cedric shook his head in disbelief. He began aimlessly gaping at me, too shocked to speak and then as a fiery rage burst into flame from deep within those grey eyes he turned to face Dumbledore in fury. I however sat back and took in the details since I already knew of the event about to unfold before us.
"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teacher's time and energy – but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely, I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months. An event that has not been held for over a century. It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."
One of the Weasley children chimed in at this point in time with some dimwitted remark that caused the entire hall to riot. Oh and do note I left out Mad Eye's dully dramatic entrance which had previously caused the student body to tense up and go quiet BECAUSE this story is not focused upon the minor and insignificant characters. Now back to me!
Dumbledore went on to explain the history and purpose of the tournament as it drew to a close Cedric seemed to brighten up. When the overly dramatic headmaster retired to his chair, the students filed out to bed. Cedric, could not stop grinning, wide-eyed and mesmerized by the very idea of such a thing he began to express his feelings for the thrills that lie ahead for the new term when his unforgiving posse bum-rushed him, shoving me out of the picture literally. We were standing right in front of the portrait hole when they slammed it shut before I could even stick my foot in the door. Glumly, I recited the recited the password for the irritated canvas once more and when I finally found my way into the busy common room it began to flood with whispering pupils. Professor Sprout, Head of House, stood with a clipboard in front of the stairways leading to the boys and girls dormitories.
"Now listen up kiddies," she began as the conversation died down. "Due to the forthcoming arrivals of our guest schools, I have volunteered to house some of the girls from Beauxbatons. Therefore there in lies a flaw in the housing system. So after I moved some people around it turns out some of the girls will have to bunk with the boys." All the girls squealed and beamed in Cedric's direction. Those closest to him tried to cut off the circulation in all his limbs as they tried to contain themselves while he flashed a courtesy smile.
"However," Professor Sprout sounded stern. "You will be kept under an ever watchful surveillance system, so no funny business! Anyway because of this I had to move some people around and there's an empty dorm where I can house to willing young gentlemen, any takers?" She gazed around the room hopefully and not a single being moved an inch, it was like gazing into a mausoleum. They all longed to bask in the boast-worthy glory that is the entire concept of co-ed dorms.
Yet no one seemed to notice this until I looked over and found Cedric at my side. He must have moved during the time I took my eyes off him which had been since the groupies had shoved me from the receiving line. But yah, there was Cedric smiling as ever slowly raising his hand in the air and coughing politely to grab Sprout's attention.
"Mr. Diggory?" she exclaimed. "Are you certain? I mean you of all people!"
Cedric rolled his eyes at this and continued with; "Professor, I get enough of the fangirls during the day . . . a man's gotta sleep now and again." He winked at her. Again! Him with the winking! Was this a continuous twitch or just a friendly gesture?
"Very well, I suppose you're right." stated whilst jotting something down on her clip board. "Anyone else?" And before I could scan the room for that one desperate hopeful who might have the chance to spend the term alone with Cedric Diggory himself, he blew in my ear causing me to mumble something which caused. . .
"Ah, Mr. Edun, how very considerate of you! I'm most certain Mr. Diggory will appreciate the company. Now you two follow me, everyone else off to your dormitories."
OMFG, what the hell just happened? I screamed in my head as my jaw slowly fell to the floor. And as Cedric stood and began to walk past he took his hand and gently shut my mouth. Standing me up, he pulled me once more by more scarf to now our dormitory. Approaching a lone tapestry of a fallen unicorn in the far corner of the common room behind the stairwell to the girl's dormitories, Professor Sprout gazed awkwardly at us as Cedric stayed persistent in pulling me along. Shaking it off she began to explain our predicament.
"You two have a very special housing situation. You might not think much of it cut it could be quite envied if discovered so do try to contain your enthusiasm and speak of it to no one, not a soul!" Looking at us expectantly for our confirmed reassurance we nodded violently and she continued on.
"To get through," she indicated the wall. "Just imagine the one thing that inspires you most and you're in! Follow me." Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply and stepped up to the hanging textile which pulled gracefully away like a stage curtain to reveal the plain stone wall. Then in an instant she was gone.
Stepping forward into the thick blackness the roar of flame ignited a warm glow throughout the homely dorm. A fireplace, almost identical to the one in the common room, burned steadfast, emitting a soothing odor into the inviting atmosphere. Two brilliantly embroidered armchairs sat facing each other in front of the conflagration only to be separated by the restful sofa blocking the flares which cast soft shadows over the medieval area rug that covered the floor space. On one side of the almost circular room, stood a large L-shaped desk next to massive shelves that lined the walls, flowing with books. But the piece de resistance was the bed. One word; massively elegant. The bed was the size of a small walk-in closet and was adorned with the most luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets that were a pale yellow in color with great black pillows that looked like they were going to burst but collapsed to the touch. Overhead lie the ancient Hufflepuff insignia and in awe we turned to face Sprout, looking at her like we had stepped into heaven and been knighted.
"This very dorm," she began softly as she walked in front of the fire. "belonged to Helga Hufflepuff herself, when the founding fathers of this school still resided on campus that is. Dumbledore has permitted me to open it up for this term only; due to the current circumstances I had no other choice. Do take good care of it." She addressed us solemnly. "I trust you will. Behind that tapestry to the right of the bed is a direct link to Prefects bathroom, like I said; speak of this to no one."
I took one final sweep of my surroundings as Sprout summoned our belongings to the foot of the bed. And taking it all in I realized something that I thought was odd and I unfortunately I waited too long to discuss it with Sprout for she began to exit the room.
"It's all quite lovely, Professor, but there seems to be a mistake there's-" but she had already gone. "Only one bed. . ."