A/N : Am so- SO sorry everyone, for keeping this story hanging like this... I just got...err... distracted I guess... However, now am back from a rather long hiatus, and here's bringing you another chapter... Hope all of you like it, because it's gotten long, and I hope to keep it that way... as long as I get inspiration - err... reviews, remember ??

And, btw... thanks to all those who reviewed the prologue - cherry328, Tracyj16, Red Roses2 and Faramirlover. This one's for you!

CHAPTER 1

Getting Closer

The sound of the name 'Diggory' snapped Harry back out of his own sweet world. He looked up ahead past his friends to find Mr.Weasley introducing a man who, evidently, worked in the Ministry of Magic with him. "This is Amos Diggory, everyone!"

Harry wondered if he was related to Cedric. As if he'd asked aloud, his query was answered by Mr.Weasley's enthusiastic exclamation - "so this must be your son Cedric!"

As they shook hands, Harry looked at Cedric. Yes - he was still the same way he remembered him. The same handsome face wearing its charming sincere grin, his athletic physique still remained intact. If absolutely anything had changed about him, was the twinkle in his eyes — they seemed no less brighter than the stars on a clear, cloudless sky.

As Harry observed his features, Cedric looked at him and their eyes met for a moment, before Harry hastily looked away, embarrassed at the fact that he'd just been literally "staring" at him!

As they continued to walk towards their promised destination, Ottery Catchpole, the road started getting rather rough, or perhaps it seemed so after having walked such a distance. Harry was rather relieved when they were asked to circle around a Portkey, meaning that their 'not-really-short' walk portion was over for the time being!

Mr.Diggory ordered all to take position-"At the count of 3… 3-2-1" …and they flew through emptiness, with nothing around them, or to do but SCREAM… until Harry came to a flat stop as he fell face forward. Mr.Weasley and the two Diggorys seemed to be the only two who managed smooth landings. Harry only managed a weak smile as Cedric helped him to his feet

All the rest went ahead of them, as Cedric and Harry proceeded comparatively slower, talking. "So, Harry, how have you been spending your holidays?

Harry rolled his eyes with, "Holidays? With the Muggles? You care to ask? My holidays are just beginning!"

Giving him a sympathetic look, he said, "Would you like to bet on who's holidays were worse? Dad left early for work everyday — been very busy with all these World Cup arrangements, and mum works as a Healer — wizards have even more accidents at enthusiastic events… so you can imagine how it was for me all alone!"

"We should be together next time," replied Harry — before he realized what he'd just said, and blushed.

Cedric, on the other hand, merely chuckled at the younger boy's slip of tongue and embarrassment.

"No — I didn't mean it in that way, you know!"

"Which way again?" The older boy teased.

"Off here, Ced," came Mr. Diggory's piercing cry, interrupting the cheerful moment Harry and Cedric were having. "We're off straight."

Looking at Harry, laughter yet not wiped off his eyes, he grinned, "So until you ask me out, Potter!" Putting more of an effort on his last name, teasingly, as they were pretty much on first name terms!

"See ya, Cedric!"

Harry woke up to screaming. He could hear people screaming in terror outside, as well as Mr.Weasley shouting out orders. "Everyone stick together!"

But, though Harry wished to follow Mr.Weasley's instruction, he was separated from everyone in the maddening crowd. And he ran with them… if only he could… for he tripped and fell.

And he lay there, as people carelessly, panicking too much to help him, went past him, over him, and some even stepped on him. He was kicked, cut and bruised, and found no way to stand up again… as his thoughts became like an echo in his own head… there he lay, seemingly lifeless…

Cedric's unconscious body lay several feet away from Harry. He too had collapsed when a huge branch had collapsed on his right shoulder… but he was awoken, then.

He looked around - empty, silent… something in the silence told him that things weren't right, not right at all… He looked up at the sky, and realized the reason why it was as silent as death itself… the Dark Mark illuminated in green in the sky…

He tried to stand up, but then realized that it wasn't just his shoulder that had been injured — his leg had been badly cut, and bleeding. But, Quidditch training had given him more than reputation, as he pulled himself together, only to see Harry lying across him.

He limped towards him, wordlessly hoping he was still alive…when he reached him, his breath already running faster, he saw, much to his relief, that he was still alive, though terribly bruised. Profusely limping, he leaned Harry on a tree bark, as his head rested on his shoulder. He saw that his head was bleeding even worse. Taking out his spotlessly white handkerchief, he tied it like a bandage — at least something to stop the bleeding for the time… until someone found them… for he had spent all his remaining energy looking after Harry… now all he could do was wait until someone found them…

Harry woke up in an absolutely alien environment, to see Hermione with her genuinely concerned expression standing beside the bed where he lay. Beside her, he could see Ron's faded image beside her. As he wore his glasses, things finally took proper shape. His two friends stood there, as he blinked confusedly. "Ron… Hermione… where are we?"

"Harry! You mustn't talk now… rest yourself…" came Hermione's expected reply.

"Harry! You've been sleeping for two days… you know how worried we had been?" said Ron.

"But… where am I?" said Harry looking rather confused.

"Harry, don't speak. I'm telling you everything," said Hermione, absolutely specific of him not stressing himself any further. "We're at St. Mungo's, the wizarding hospital. You and Cedric were found together, both injured. Both of you were brought in here. Cedric woke up the next day… he's at the next bed. He's out right now. He'll be back," she said pointing at an identical bed some three feet away. "He lost a lot of blood…"

Ron took in from here, "evidently, that pretty boy used up all his energy taking care of you when he himself was badly injured."

Hermione looked rather cross, "how can you still call him that? At least he had enough sense to bandage Harry's head in time." She looked over at Harry, "yes, Harry, he tied his handkerchief 'round your head, to stop the bleeding. When you both were found, we heard, that your head been lying on his shoulder." As Harry tried to picture himself, he felt himself blushing…

But, before his best friends could notice this, Cedric, followed by a good-looking Healer, entered the ward. Ron and Hermione were pleasantly shooed away by her, as Cedric came back smiling. "Mother, this is Harry," he said.

"Hello, Harry…" she said, smiling, clearly making it evident from whom Cedric had gotten his smile. "I trust you two will be okay, then! I'll be back in the evening. Okay, honey?" She added to her son.

Cedric nodded, and as she left the room, turned to Harry, who grinned back at him.

"Thanks Cedric… I mean, Hermione told me… How are you?"

He looked at Harry, his expression hard to read, before he went back to his smile, "this much I had to do for my date, right?" He grinned, evidently not having forgotten Harry's 'slip of tongue'!

As they lay parallel to each other, they talked. But soon, their pleasant conversation turned into a violent pillow fight. But they were, rather rudely interrupted by lunch being brought in. After lunch, Cedric and Harry sat beside each other, talking.

Suddenly, they both stopped talking. A mysterious silence crept between them. All of a sudden, Harry noticed how close they were… and Cedric was drawing closer, dangerously close…

But, just then, Hermione burst in (to see if Harry was awake, for Mrs.Weasley had come to meet him). She was rather surprised to find Cedric and Harry at such a critical position. She quickly blushed and walked back outside, only to knock and come back in…

A/N : Now, how about those reviews ?? -sheepish grin-

...and, remember, the more reviews I get, the faster comes the next chapter !

-: Satan'z Myth :-