-June 30th, 1994; Night of the Leaving Feast-

(Cedric's P.O.V.)

I laughed softly as Harry tugged me gently, "What's the rush, love?". Harry grinned impishly at me, "What, could a boyfriend like you would want some time alone, hmm?".

I chuckled lightly with a sigh, "Good point as the feast's about done...I can't still believe how much the place has changed...". Harry smiled, "I know, but you have to admit that She's very happy now.". I nodded in agreement, realizing that the changes that Hogwarts asked for, and more, has truly changed the castle, the inhabitants, the classes around, and for good too.

It's hard to believe that once upon a time, the castle has been dark-colored and so cold, but now it's bright and comfortable. The exterior of the castle has been painted all over to a light gray shade with cream trim over the windows, and that there's quite a number of gardens in the few courtyards now, thanks to some Herblogy lovers including Sprout and Neville.

Every day since Neville gave Harry a surprise of a certain garden, Harry never fails to visit there as it has lilies, roses; his mother's favorites. Professor Severus visits the garden too, remembering Lily Potter-Evans just like Harry.

The interior of the castle is very different here and there. The most outer layer of the interior is the bricks, of course, and someone suggested shiplap to cover the gaps that had cold air go through. After a buy and a experiment, everybody approved it, and so, the walls of the outer layer of the interior has been covered with cedar shiplap all over.

And then came paint colors; the dungeons including the Slytherin common room/dormitories and Severus's quarters took Fresh Lime which is simply green with a shine of brightness. And then the kitchens including the Hufflepuff common room/dormitories took Nickel which is marbled gray. The ground floor including the Great Hall and Entrance Hall took Moon which is gray with hints of moonlight and pale blue.

The 1st/2nd floors including the Hospital Wing, DADA, and a few other classrooms took Raspberry and Magenta. The 3rd floor including the Trophy Room, the Armory Gallery, and the Charms Corridor took Sky, the lightest blue color. The 4th floor including the Hogwarts Library took Timber which is a earthy, woodsy tone.

The 5th floor including the Prefects' Bathroom and the Entrance to the Ravenclaw Tower took Admiral which is a medium blue with a hint of navy. The 6th floor including a few bathrooms for breaks between classes, took Cashmere which is a softer cousin to Timber.

The 7th floor including the Gryffindor common room, Flitwick's office, the Room of Requirement, and the entrance to the Headmaster/Headmistress's office/rooms took Citrine which is a bright lemon tone. The towers including Gryffindor/Ravenclaw dormitories took Armor which is a heather gray.

Since there's so few portraits scattered, not counting the portraits in numbers in the chamber of the moving stairs all over, several muggleborns took inspiration to put up their artwork/puzzle pictures everywhere they could with Flitwick's assistance of Charms. And as for the floors, several rugs/carpets were put down, sticking strongly thanks to charm-work, with no worries of a foot flicking the edge over or whatever.

And after a look in the Muggle World, we found wall mounted oil lamps as we need more light on dark nights, even when we have fireplaces, torches, candles, and lanterns already...Oh, the Lumos spell works usually, but they annoy the portraits badly, and makes them cranky. It was so easy to buy a hundred of wall mounted oil lamps, indeed.

And of course, much to Rolanda Hooch's joy, we updated the school brooms, the rest of Gryffindor team's brooms, Hufflepuff team's brooms, and Ravenclaw team's brooms as well. And for the new classes and to decrease the workload off the Heads from the 1st to 3rd years, we got new professors. Altogether, Hogwarts is quite becoming the best school of Wizarding UK.

"Where are we going, Ry?", I asked curiously. Harry grinned lightly, "Requirement.". It took a second before I blinked in realization, knowing that it has been a while since we last visited the room, and I smiled warmly, telling him that I got the hint.

We walked up to the stairs, taking time to digest our dinners on the way, and once I saw the familiar tapestry in the distance, Harry let go of my hand with a grin, going back and forward three times, and then a warm brown door appeared as Harry grabbed my hand again, "Close your eyes, Ced. You're going to love it.".

I smiled as I then closed my eyes, hearing the creak of the hinges, and as Harry pulled me in, I heard the sound of water and the distinct sound of fire crackling over wood, feeling a soft breeze, and smelling the scent of smoke. "You open them now, my love.", Harry spoke warmly.

I then opened my eyes, blinking a couple of times before I then gasped, taking in the features that the Room has provided tonight. I saw a firepit, grass all around at the base, and such. There's a blanket nearby, with a whispering brook in the distance, the walls and roof acting as the night sky and stars, with the blacked out windows slightly open.

I breathed softly, "Luv, this is amazing...". Harry laughed softly, "I figure we'd have a night out, figuratively speaking...". I grinned at his response, knowing that tonight is cloudy outside the castle. Harry then pulled me gently, "Come on, Ced.", heading to the blanket, and I laid down next to Harry, looking up at the makeshift stars.

I then laughed warmly, "They are easier to make out here...I see a fish...". Harry chuckled, "I see a monkey! See the tail?". We enjoyed our little game, laughing and smiling until Harry spoke, "You know, we should make a tradition of this...".

I nodded softly, "Yeah, our future kids would like that...". Harry made a sound of surprise, and I looked over to see a thoughtful look on his face, "I'd really like that...You really would be with me forever, aren't ya?". I reached a hand out to touch his chin, smiling warmly.

"Harry, I said that I am never imagining a life without you ever again. A family with you as my husband, that'd be wonderful, but that's in the future right now. We've all the time to spend time together, love.", I spoke firmly yet softly.

Harry blinked at me, smiling widely, "I believe you, Ced. I...Could you kiss me?". I felt his emotions then, feeling excitement, happiness, curiosity, and love. I smiled warmly, and I leaned over, kissing him on the lips, and I moved a bit more to hold him in my arms as we kissed deeper before I gasped softly, feeling his slender hands move under my shirt, the cool touch sensitive to the skin.

Pulling back for fresh air, I looked at Harry, "Ry?". Harry blushed red, peeking at me shyly with a sheepish smile, "I want to do the next step...". I blinked softly at the comment. I knew we had subtle/deep kisses of affection, tugging at the hair, sucking at sensitive spots near the ears or on the neck, and helped out with handjobs occasionally, but with clothes on.

I exhaled slowly, "Just underwear on, then?". Harry nodded ever so softly with a nervous smile, and I then thought of a idea. "Harry, tell you what, I'll be first, and you do whatever you want to me, okay?". Harry widened his eyes in surprise, then smiled warmly, realizing that I want him to grow into his confidence with this.

Harry spoke lightly, "I love you, my soulmate.". I smiled brightly, "I love you too, my soulmate.", slowly removing my clothes piece by piece, leaving my boxers on. I then looked at my soulmate with all the love I could muster up in my heart, grabbing his hand and kissing the top as I nodded as a gesture of permission upon his look of inquiry.