Thanks again Cyan for doing the Lord's work and betaing/brit-picking.
Chapter Text
Harry's first Christmas present arrives a day early via one of the school barn owls. Two sugar quills and a chocolate truffle wrapped in gold foil fashioned to resemble a snitch, along with a silvery envelope with his name printed in blue ink. Across the hall at the Hufflepuff table, another owl drops a similar-looking parcel on Cedric's plate. Harry glances over to the Ravenclaw table where Cho gives him a tiny wave and mouths the words "open it".
A letter wishes him a happy holidays, and asks that the three of them meet up ten minutes before the Ball under the enormous Christmas tree in the entrance hall. It's a fitting location, as it's the same place they had their awkward-turned-fortunate encounter a few weeks prior.
"What are you smiling at?" Hermione asks.
"Nothing," Harry says quickly. He tries to pull his face together, but his goofy grin comes back full force when he reads the line "Lots of Love, Cho"
After breakfast Harry stashes the letter in his trunk for safekeeping, next to Cedric's rose, which despite being about two weeks old still blooms vibrant red. The next evening when he gets ready for the ball, he considers pinning the flower to his dress robes, but decides against it. He's not sure he wants to admit to Ron, Hermione, or worse- Cedric , that he's held onto it all this time.
Harry's dressed and ready to go with a half hour to spare. He paces in circles around his dormitory to work his nervous energy. He puts his hands into his pockets, takes them out, adjusts his glasses, has a momentary freak-out he's lost his watch- only to find it's still snug on his wrist.
"Harry, no offence, but your pre-date jitters are kind of distracting," Ron says, looking at him out of the corner of his eye as he severs the lace ruffles off his dress robes.
Harry takes this as his cue to leave. When he can't Hermione in the common room he heads down alone. The entrance hall is full to bursting with people. He's never seen so many brightly colored robes outside of Madame Malkin's display window. He can't hear anything over the hundreds of voices. Puffs of hazy, purple smoke shoot off around him as his classmates snap pictures with their wizard cameras. Harry squeezes his way through the throngs of people to get to their meeting place.
"Hi Harry!" Cedric grins and extends his hand. Harry's never noticed before, but he has dimples. When their palms meet, He gets this flustered feeling in his stomach that's eerily similar to the one he gets when he looks at Cho.
"Hey Cedric. Have you seen Cho yet?"
"Not yet, but it's only quarter to eight. I didn't want to be late again, so I got here a bit early."
He and Cedric instinctively look over at the main staircase, only to find Filch in a musty set of dress robes carrying Mrs. Norris in his arms.
Harry's not sure where to go from here. He didn't plan on spending time alone with Cedric. He's not sure what the proper protocol is for their situation. Are they supposed to ignore each other? Avoid eye contact at all costs? Pretend Cedric is a peculiar accessory Cho brought with her to the ball? Maybe if Cedric were some horrible Slytherin he'd do that, but- well- Cedric's grown on him. Maybe they could attempt something similar to his relationship with Ron and Hermione. Three friends, two happen to be boys, and one happens to be a girl. It could work- if it weren't for all the confusing, romantic feelings between them. He likes Cho, and he assumes since Cedric does too since he asked her to the Ball. And Cho likes… both of them?
"So… had any luck with your egg?" Cedric asks.
"Uh… yeah. I reckon I'm close to solving it." Harry shoots him his most convincing smile. He and Cedric are supposed to be rivals. He'd rather not let him in on how much this egg has him scratching his head.
"Really?" Cedric raises an eyebrow. Harry gets the sense he's not fully convinced. "You sure you don't want a bit of advice?"
"Oh, well, if you feel like sharing."
"Try taking a bath," Cedric says in such a low voice Harry's sure he didn't hear him right.
"Uh… excuse me?"
"Just… take a bath. With your egg. Mull things over in the hot water, it'll help you think and stuff."
Harry stares at him with furrowed brows. Is Cedric trying to help him, mess with him, or tell him he smells bad? His hint is only more helpful than the egg's wailing in that his voice doesn't give him a migraine. Before he can press him for more information, a pair of arms wrap around him from behind and squeeze his middle.
"Merry Christmas, Harry," Cho sing-songs, her voice very near his right ear. Obliviated from his mind are all thoughts of golden eggs, triwizard tasks, and everything except Cho's chin resting on his shoulder and Cedric laughing at the pair of them.
Cho lets go of him to properly wish Cedric a Merry Christmas. When they hug the top of her head just barely touches his chin. Harry waits for a spark of jealousy him, an urge to pry Cedric off of her and keep them an arm's length apart the entire evening. Instead he's instead struck by a peculiar thought- Cho and Cedric look good together. All he can do is stare at them, and wonder for the hundredth time what either of these two popular, talented, good-looking, quidditch players want to do with him.
"Well don't you two clean up nicely," Cho says, eyeing them both. "I love your dress robes, Harry. They match your eyes."
"Thanks, you look really pretty too," Harry says.
Cho's silver dress robes are dotted with hundreds of gemstones that sparkle like stars. Her shiny, black hair is done up in a complicated top knot except for a few loose curls framing her face. Cho always looks pretty. Harry's seen her leaving quidditch practice sweaty and mud-spattered and had to catch his breath. He didn't think it was possible she could get any prettier, but tonight she's proved him wrong in the best possible way.
"Yeah, you look stunning Cho," Cedric says. He can't seem to take his eyes off her, and Harry can't blame him.
"Oh- well thank you," Cho says. She stands on tiptoe to ruffle Cedric's hair before turning to him. "So, I saw you and the Weasley brothers having a snowball fight this afternoon. Who won?"
Harry spares no detail in his retelling of the afternoon's battle. As he recounts his attempt to bewitch a giant snowball to attack Fred and George from behind, Professor McGonagall approaches them.
"Potter, Diggory, the champions are lining up outside the main doors in ten minutes. I suggest you group up with your partners and make your way over."
"Professor, my partner is-" Harry is about to say, "she's right here", but he stops cold. When Cho agreed to be his date to the Ball, he was so overjoyed and relieved that one important detail slipped from his mind. The opening dance. He and Cedric will need to have their own, separate partners.
Professor McGonagall him over with concern. "Yes Potter, your partner. You did tell me you found a partner, right?"
"Yes. Of course, Professor," He smiles, trying his hardest to look sincere, but Professor McGonagall has a talent of seeing through bullshit. Her lips form a hard, thin frown, but she says nothing else before stalking off towards Krum and his date- a girl he doesn't recognize.
The three of them share a panic-stricken look. Cedric and Cho both look as though a bludger is streaking towards them and they don't have time to dodge it.
"Damn, how did I forget about the opening dance?" Harry says, "Professor McGonagall nagged me about it for weeks, and I still forgot."
"It's not your fault. It totally slipped my mind too," Cedric says.
"What about- I can ask my friend Marietta to dance with one of you," Cho says.
"Great idea! I've got a couple friends I can ask too," Cedric says.
"And I suppose I could ask Hermione," Harry says, "Let's meet up at the doors in five minutes. Bring whoever you can get to say yes and we'll work it out from there."
Hermione's date is a touchy subject, to put it nicely. Whenever Ron badgered her about it she'd get cross with him and stalk off. But Harry couldn't care less how or with whom she spends her time at the ball. He just needs to borrow her for a few minutes to avoid looking like an absolute idiot. He'll promise to pay attention in History of Magic or take on a more active role in SPEW if that's what it takes. He'll take an exasperated sigh from Hermione over an irate Professor McGonagall any day of the week.
But Hermione must be wearing his invisibility cloak. He searches the entire entrance hall and can't find her anywhere. He's got less than five minutes left. He's not sure which is louder, his watch ticking down the seconds or his frantic heartbeat.
Ron proves less difficult to find. Despite his best efforts, his old-fashioned dress robes stick out. The only one dressed more outlandish than him is his date- a third year Ravenclaw Ginny set him up with- who chose to don a wreath of enormous poinsettias on her head and dress robes of muggle traffic cone orange.
"Ron, have you seen Hermione?" Harry asks.
"Yeah, she's over there. With her date ." Ron spits out the last word as if it's poison, and makes a vague hand gesture towards the doors.
At first glance he wants to tell Ron to be more specific because, he doesn't see her. Then he takes another look at the girl in periwinkle robes next to Viktor Krum. She looks familiar somehow. No- could it be?
Hermione's unrecognizable. Harry can't say for certain, but this might be the first time he's seen her in something other than her school robes. Her grin is nervous, but unwavering. Krum can't take his eyes off her. It's sweet how happy they both look. So much so, he almost doesn't mind Hermione's unavailable for the opening dance and he's back to square one with finding a partner.
"What is she even doing with him?" Ron asks no one in particular. "She doesn't- they haven't- I mean, she said he wasn't even that good looking!"
"Right, can we talk about it later?" Harry says, not bothering to mask his impatience. He has more pressing matters than whatever tangent Ron's on. He turns his attention to his date. "Err… Luna, right?"
Ron's date- Luna- nods.
"Would you like to dance with me?"
"No, not really," she says, with such an air of nonchalance he's taken aback.
"Yeah mate, what gives? You've already got two dates, what do you need mine for?" Ron says, trying to frown but the corners of his mouth curl upward.
"That's right, you're going with Cho Chang," Luna says, "I heard her talking about it this morning. Although, I thought she said last week she was going with Cedric Diggory."
"She is. She's going with both of us, and uh…" Keeping an eye on the clock, Harry explains his current predicament in as few words as possible. When he's finished Ron bursts into a bout of hysterics which he tries- and fails- to mask as a series of loud coughs.
"Sorry Harry- I know it's not funny but…"
"Well, I think you're all missing the obvious solution," Luna says, "Harry, if Cedric's also your date then you should dance with him."
"No! It's not- we're not-" Harry stammers, feeling his face heat up.
"I really don't think Cho will mind, Harry. She's quite open-minded you know."
Ron shrugs, "Cedric did give you a very nice flower."
"Oh nevermind," Harry stalks off. Here's hoping Cho and Cedric's skills at persuasion are better than his. They both have large circles of friends. It shouldn't be too difficult for them, right? But
He finds Cho friendless and distressed at the main door, and there's a sinking feeling in his stomach. It's amazing how just a few weeks ago he wanted desperately one moment alone with her.
"Sorry Harry, I tried my hardest, but Marietta said no. She said she was too nervous to dance in front of the whole school."
"It's all right. Maybe Cedric will turn up with one of his friends." No sooner does he say it when Cedric approaches them with nothing but a frown.
"Well, I take it neither of you had any luck finding a partner then?" He says.
"What about a duplication spell?" Cho says, "Do either of you know how to cast one?"
He shakes his head, as does Cedric. "That's really advanced magic. Professor Flitwick says we won't cover it until next year."
The three of them jump as the clock bells clammer for eight o'clock. Professor McGonagall stands ten feet away talking to Fleur and Roger. At any moment she could look their way and know something is awry. She knows how to count after all. They've exhausted their time and all their options.
Well, there is one option.
Harry looks over at Cedric, opens his mouth to speak, and- he can't find the words. His brain feels fuzzy, like he's been confunded. And he realizes- he's nervous. The same kind of heart-racing, stomach-churning nervous he got when he asked Cho to the ball. Which doesn't make sense. This isn't the time for his nerves to get skittish, nor is it the person he should be skittish of.
"Err… Harry," Cedric smiles softly and scratches the back of his neck, "this is sort of an unconventional idea, but what would you think if you and I... uh..."
"If you and I danced together?"
Cedric nods, looking bashful."I'd absolutely understand if you didn't want to but-"
"No, I'll do it!" He says, with more enthusiasm than he meant. "I mean- as long as you're fine with it, Cho."
Cho shrugs. "Why would I have a problem with you two dancing together?"
"Great! Then it's settled." Cedric grins and lets out a breath of relief.
They come to their decision not a moment too soon. Professor McGonagall is bustling over to them, no doubt about to question their odd number situation. Before she can get a word out, they launch into an explanation of their arrangement. Professor McGonagall listens, her expression growing more and more puzzled, until she holds up her index finger for them to stop.
"Potter, Diggory, as long as you've both found a dance partner, I don't need to know all the details of your personal lives."
The champions stand by the doors as everyone enters the Great Hall. They wait until everyone is settled before they make their grand entrance. Harry takes Cho's right arm, Cedric takes her left, and they lead the procession inside. His classmates smile and applaud as they progress towards the top table- where sit four of the triwizard judges and one smugly smiling Percy Weasley.
When they choose their seats Harry again takes the spot at Cho's right, and Cedric to her left. Harry picks up the menu on his plate. He's not sure what to do with it- where are the waiters? Then he watches Dumbledore place his order of pork chops and he gets the idea.
"Goulash," he says into his plate, enunciating his syllables so he doesn't wind up with a plate of mush. He hears a soft pop, and his plate is filled with a hot, delicious smelling stew.
There's a chorus of murmurs as everyone places their orders, then pops as the food appears. Hermione nudges Roger Davies- who's staring at Fleur and seems unaware of his surroundings- and he at last notices the menu on his plate. His tablemates dig in to their dinners, all except Cho, who's staring at her menu with a look of concentration.
"Not sure what you want?" Harry asks.
Cho shakes her head and laughs. "I think we've already established that I'm a bit indecisive. Everything sounds delicious."
"Well if you're looking for a recommendation, the goulash is good."
"It does look tasty. Mind if I try a bite?"
Harry nods. Cho reaches over him, taking a small but well proportioned spoonful of his goulash. She grins as she chews. "Oh you're right Harry, this is really good."
"Want to try some of mine?" Cedric asks.
"Sure, I'd- Merlin's beard, Cedric!" Cho lets out a snort of laughter. Harry peers across her, and to his astonishment there's an enormous slab of chocolate cake on Cedric's plate.
"What? It was on the menu."
"The dessert menu, Cedric!" Cho says, still laughing.
"Dinner, dessert, what does it matter? It's Christmas. Have a bite, Cho." Cedric spears a forkful of cake and holds it inches from her lips. Cho, after a moment's hesitation, opens her mouth.
"Mmm… this is so good," Cho says, "Harry, you have got to try some."
"Uh…" Harry starts to politely refuse. After a month this summer spent surviving on progressively staler birthday cake, he can't say he's too keen to try it. Cedric's already reaching over Cho and holds his fork in front of him. The sweet, fudgy scent is overpowering, and Cedric's dimpled smile should be illegal.
After a round of deliberation, Cho decides on the shepherd's pie. Though it hardly matters as they spend their meal swapping their plates around. Harry eats his goulash while Percy prattles on to whoever will listen about his new responsibilities since Mr. Crouch promoted him to his personal assistant. He takes a bite of shepherd's pie while Krum tells Hermione about Durmstrang. He laughs and almost chokes on a forkful of chocolate cake when Dumbledore mentions a secret bathroom on the seventh floor. He washes down all the delicious dishes with a goblet of Pumpkin juice while Cedric and Cho discuss NEWT level classes.
"I think I'll carry on with Astronomy next year. I really like Professor Sinistra," Cho says through a mouthful of goulash. "But I'm not sure about Ancient Runes and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"I never took Ancient Runes, so I couldn't tell you what it's like." Cedric says. "Defense Against the Dark Arts though… honestly, I'm not sure I'd recommend it."
"Oh no, is it difficult? It's always been one of my worst subjects."
"No, it isn't difficult. It's- well the professors have been so hit and miss. I wouldn't want you to waste your time with someone who doesn't have a clue what they're doing."
"Professor Moody's been great though."
Harry reaches over Cho for another bite of shepherd's pie. "Yeah, but he's only here for one year as a favor to Dumbledore. Who knows what we're in for next year?"
The three of them share a look, and for a reason Harry can't place, they all seem to get struck with the same sense of dread.
"What do you want to do after you leave Hogwarts, Cho?" Cedric asks. "That ought to help you decide which classes to take."
"Oh, it's silly." Cho says. She fidgets under the table with her silver bangles.
"Come on, tell us," Harry says.
"Well… I'd like to play seeker on the Tornadoes. Or- any team really, but if I got a choice I'd want it to be the Tornadoes," Cho sighs, "It isn't very realistic though. I'm not talented enough to play professionally."
"Cho, what are you talking about? You're a brilliant seeker," Harry says.
"Yeah, you flew circles around me the last time we played each other," Cedric says.
"Oh, well, thank you," Cho smiles, looking flustered. "But my parents tell me they would prefer I pursue a job in the Ministry. I suppose the Department of Magical Games and Sports wouldn't be so bad."
"If that's what you're interested in, we could introduce you to Ludo Bagman," Cedric says and points his spoon at Ludo, who's at the opposite end of the table chatting with Krum and Professor Karkaroff.
"Oh… maybe some other time," Cho says. "What are you studying, Cedric?"
"I haven't completely decided yet, but think I'd like to be a healer," Cedric says before taking a bite of shepherd's pie.
Cho's eyes widen. "Wow, I hear that's supposed to be really difficult."
Cedric shrugs. "It is a lot of work, but I've always found healing magic really fascinating. Like, last week I was reading an article in The Practical Potioneer about chimera blood and how it might be the key ingredient in a remedy for… sorry I'm rambling."
"It's alright," Cho says with something of a dreamy expression similar to the one Roger Davies gets when Fleur is in eyesight.
"Have you thought much about what you want to do, Harry?" Cedric asks.
"Uh… not really." He shrugs. He can't say he's dedicated much time into researching wizarding careers. He can worry about life after Hogwarts once he finished the third task.
"Well you're still in fourth year. There's no rush," Cedric says.
"Yeah, you'll figure out what you want to do eventually," Cho says.
The feasting continues until everyone's stomach is full and plate is cleared. Harry chews his last remaining spoonful of goulash when Dumbledore asks them all to stand. With a wave of his wand, he sends the tables soaring toward the walls to make way for a dance floor. with another flick of his wrist a stage appears in the faculty table's usual spot. Three witches- they must be The Weird Sisters- take the stage to a raucous applause, and begin warming up on their instruments.
"I guess that's our cue," Cedric offers Harry his arm and a sheepish smile. "Shall we?"
Harry gulps. He wishes now he didn't eat so much. His stomach is queasy, though he's not entirely sure it's because of the food.
"Have fun you two!" Cho calls after them as they make their way to the center of the dance floor.
Harry reaches for Cedric's waist- then backtracks. Is that where he's supposed to put his hand? Does he lead or follow in this scenario? The procedure is clear when it's a boy and girl dancing. Boy and boy however… they didn't discuss it in his dance lessons.
The Weird Sisters begin a slow, waltzing tune. Not the music he was expecting based on the band's ripped, black robes. The other champions begin to dance, but he and Cedric stand motionless, looking awkward and out of place.
Harry takes the initiative. He catches Cedric's hand, lacing their fingers together, then places his other hand on his waist. Cedric expression eases into a smile, and he rests his other hand on his shoulder.
"Is this okay?" He asks.
Cedric nods, and they take their first step.
The music can't quite drown out the confused whispers. A few people stare scandalized at the pair of them. Draco and his gang of Slytherins sneer their way, but he wouldn't expect anything different from them. In a weird way it's actually kind of comforting. He notices though, the negative reactions are far and few between. Ron gives him a reassuring smile, with Luna waving next to him. Fred and George each give him a thumbs up, and he swears he spots Dumbledore wink at him. Cho is beaming at them with a smile so bright it could make flowers bloom.
"Sorry about all the extra attention," Harry says once he's got his rhythm down enough to talk.
"It's alright. At least this time if Rita Skeeter writes about your night at the Yule Ball, she can't forget about me again."
Harry's smile falters. "Oh… right. Sorry about that too."
"I was only making a joke." Cedric says quickly, "I really don't mind that she left me out. It's probably for the better because that article was… um..."
"A load of dragon dung," Harry supplies for him.
"Exactly!" Cedric laughs. "But Harry, I just want to make it clear, okay. I don't resent you for being in the tournament. I don't think you've stolen my glory- or whatever people are saying. I think there's room for both of us."
Harry's heart feels light. He's hyper aware of Cedric's calloused fingers linked between his. He resists the urge to look at his feet and instead locks eyes with Cedric. There's only a few inches separating them. He's too close, and yet- Harry doesn't want to pull away.
The music stops. After a short round of applause the Weird Sisters strike up their second song, which if not for the references to quidditch, it would fit right in at a muggle punk rock concert. His classmates cheer and stream onto the dance floor. They all seem to have forgotten their dance lessons and are jumping up and down in time with the beat.
"Well, I'm going to ask Cho to dance," Cedric shouts over the music. "Unless- do you want to ask her first, Harry?"
Harry shakes his head. "You guys go ahead."
Harry looks over at Cho and is once again in awe of how beautiful she is. Her dress robes gleam under the chandelier lights. Cedric grabs her by the wrist and pulls her onto the dance floor. Harry watches with a grin as they hold hands and jump in time with the music.
So I wanted to have this out by Valentine's day but uh... yeah that didn't happen. What was supposed to be one more chapter got ridiculously long, so I've split it into two parts! Expect chapter 3... eventually.
Also... I might continue this on after the Yule Ball? I def don't have it in me to re-write the entire series, but maybe the rest of Goblet of Fire? Just an idea I'm floating ;)
Comments and Kudos are super appreciated! Thanks everyone who left them so far! Also! say hi to me on tumblr (I'm perichat)