Disclaimer: I own nothing that is the Harry Potter canon. J.K. Rowling is an excellent woman to give myself the characters to play with, and will return when done. I only own the plot, and nothing else.
The next day was a lazy Sunday among Hogwarts. Students are in the library finishing up assignments due on Monday, reading and preparing for exams in the near future. Some were walking around the grounds, relaxing and enjoying the nice weather. Cedric was sitting by the lake, lying out and sticking to his thoughts. He was still trying to shake off the tough loss from the day prior. He had his eyes closed, but could feel and see the sun on him from under his eyelids. Suddenly it was dark, as if a cloud covered the sun. He opened his eyes to rest upon a smiling Oliver Wood standing over him.
Oliver was walking around the grounds and decided to make a visit to the lake to do some thinking himself, and saw a figure lying down. He couldn't help but smile when he realized it was Cedric. His was reminded once again of the moment when they were falling towards the pitch only yesterday. He decided he would walk over to the young wizard to see if he was feeling any better since the game. He would also give him an opportunity to make some conversation with the Hufflepuff Seeker. They both already have a couple things in common, playing Quidditch and being the respective captains for their houses, surely this would work out well.
Cedric sat up and looked a bit startled by the recent company. Oliver chuckled, and said, "All right there Diggory?" Indeed, Diggory was startled, his mind has just begun to slip to Wood, thinking of how he felt falling to the ground in the Gryffindor's arms, replaying it in his mind. It surprised him to open his eyes and see said man that was invading his thoughts, standing before him. He finally composed himself and offered a smirk, "Just surprised me that's all, didn't expect anyone to come down here."
Oliver took a seat next to Cedric, keeping a small distance between them and pulled his legs up with his arms draping over his knees. "I wanted to make sure you weren't still beating yourself up for yesterday. It doesn't do one well to continue blaming yourself. I've been there…" Wood commented, looking off towards the lake. Cedric looked at him as he spoke, captivated by his concern of his well-being. "I'm doing much better, thanks. It's just…no offense at all mate, but I wanted that win more than anything. I've been pushing my team to the brink, and it just feels like it didn't pay off in the end, ya know?" Cedric confessed.
Oliver looked over to see Cedric looking towards the ground in front of him, and saw the glum look back in his eyes. Oliver knew all too well the feeling, for his entire Quidditch career at Hogwarts; he worked and pushed his team to earn the Quidditch Cup, each year resulting in disappointment. He reached over to the Hufflepuff and put his hand on his shoulder, "Cedric, I meant what I said after the game. Your team has improved tenfold, and playing Keeper you get a pretty good view of everything. I've never seen Hufflepuff play to that degree. You guys still have a chance this year, and even though we earned the victory, we will still have to look out for you guys in the future. Keep your head up; you have nothing to be ashamed off. Worse incidents have happened during a match, just next time be more aware of your surroundings." Oliver reiterated, and gently gave Cedric a squeeze on his shoulder, and then a pat on his back.
Cedric's breath hitched for many reasons. The way his name sounded falling from the Scottish boy's lips made his stomach suddenly fill with butterflies. Also, when feeling said Gryffindor's hand on his shoulder, and then the gentle pressure made him want to sigh out loud. He had to suppress his urges, and looked up to the boy sitting next to him, and gave him a smile. "Thanks Oliver, I really appreciate it. Especially coming from someone who's famous for his work ethic with his team." It was Oliver's turn to suppress his shock, the way his name sounded falling from the younger wizard sitting next to him sounded…so right. He smiled politely, "Yeah, I have to keep some of the players alive so they can tell the horror stories of my training sessions," he replied with a chuckle.
The boys sat by the lake for a couple hours, talking about Quidditch, school, family, and what they wanted to do after Hogwarts. They both were pleasantly surprised how easily they could converse with each other, and it wasn't awkward…until after another chuckle they both shared. Cedric brought his hand up towards his face while he was laughing, and when he brought back to the space between him and Oliver, it landed on latter's hand. They both shared an immediate spark, and both pulled away quickly, taken aback. At this point they both look at each other, gazing into each other's eyes.
This was when they both looked away, down towards the lake. Cedric chuckled softly, while Oliver's thoughts went into overdrive. "Again! Why does this keep happening?" Suddenly Oliver stood up, and Cedric followed suit, wondering what Oliver was going to do after another electric touch they shared. "I think I ought to go, I have homework to finish up." Oliver said quickly. Cedric smiled, though in his mind disappointed. "All right, take it easy Oliver, I'll see you later then." Oliver turned and walked away, with a lot on his mind. Cedric laid back on the ground, his mind also working in over drive.
"Yet again, I've never had an experience like that with someone." He began thinking of the conversation they shared, and how it was easier than he thought to talk to the Scottish Gryffindor. He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with him, and felt butterflies in his stomach at the prospect of spending more time with Wood. He began to worry about Oliver's reaction to when they touched. He came to the assumption that Oliver never had an experience like that, with the same sex nonetheless. He hoped he could actually talk to him again, and in time bring the subject up. It was obvious they both reacted and noticed the spark that occurred when they touched.
Cedric never heard any gossip of Oliver possibly swinging on the other side of the relationship spectrum. But hopefully he could talk to him about it, after becoming friends though of course. After their conversation today by the lake, he could see them becoming fast friends. He got up and wiped off any grass or dirt from his clothes, and walked back towards the castle with a grin on his face. He enjoyed his time with Oliver, and hoped for more time together in the future to get to know each other.
Oliver was in the library, working on his Herbology essay due on Tuesday, two feet of parchment on the uses for Devil's Snare and how to combat it. He continued writing, but kept getting sidetracked, thinking about what had happened earlier at the lake with Cedric. The way their simple touch, felt so intimate. The spark that occurred between their hands when they touched was undeniable. "But why with a guy? I'm not gay, am I? NO! There's no way, I am attractive to many girls, I play Quidditch and want to do so professionally! I've never even looked at guys before! But…Cedric…" Oliver didn't know what to do.
He finally finished up his essay, packed his bag and headed out of the library, and decided to walk around the castle while he could before curfew. He had a lot on his mind. He had never really known a gay witch or wizard, especially within the Quidditch world. He didn't have any gay relatives. Oliver was beside himself, not knowing what any of this meant. He decided to call it a night and made his way back up to Gryffindor tower to get some sleep.