As Harry and Ron, side-by-side, went through the pillar between platforms 9 and 10, they, not very surprisingly, found themselves on Platform 9 ¾. As they stood over there, waiting for the others to follow, Harry soon found his eyes looking through the crowd, as if looking for someone. All of a sudden, his eyes caught the glimpse of brown hair. His heart seemed to skip a beat, as he consciously looked away.
Soon, they were united with the Weasley twins and Hermione. As they boarded the Hogwarts Express, they were given slight hints about that was going to happen that year in Hogwarts, though they couldn't quite get Ron's elder Brothers, Bill and Charlie, and mother to quite tell them what it was. All they could feel was the excitement running through their veins.
As they indulged themselves in deep conversation, time seemed to fly by. It was only when the food trolley was going past that they realized that it was already dusk. Harry sprung to his feet, ready to empty his moneybag as usual, he found Cho Chang purchasing Pumpkin Pasties. As she shyly smiled at him, his heart seemed to flutter. Cho – Cedric's friend, he found his unconscious mind thinking. No, why did I think that?
As evening fell, they could see the Hogwarts castle, glowing with the splendour of its white marble, radiating warmth that seemed so welcoming. Home at last, thought Harry, finally not willing to kick himself at his own thoughts.
Soon, the Great Hall was filled with hungry students excitedly munching onto the warm feast that lay in front them. As the feast started disappearing, and the desserts began replacing them, Harry looked up at the adjacent table. But, soon, he felt his unconscious mind looking for brown hair. As if his search was answered, he saw the tall, athletic boy look up. Their eyes met for a moment, and Cedric smiled at Harry. Returning it with a rather nervous one, he quickly looked away.
For the rest of the feast, he couldn't keep a smile off his lips, as he wondered at the feeling. He couldn't understand why he was feeling so happy, though at the back of his mind, the real reason was pricking him like a guilty conscience. Soon I shall be back in my bed, and tomorrow I shall wake up to find myself grim again, he mentally reminded himself.
Soon he found the entire hall full of well-fed students clothed in black, all yawning, preparing to get back to their dormitories. But, their headmaster interrupted their dreams with rather exciting news. "This year, Hogwarts shall be hosting a very important Triwizard Tournament." They were told. "Students above the age of seventeen will be allowed to submit their names, and the Champion shall be one among them, chosen by an impartial judge."
As excited as everyone else, Harry returned back to his dormitory, quietly wondering at the back of his mind if Cedric was seventeen yet. He also made a mental note along with that to give himself a good kick…
That night, as Harry lay on his bed, with the curtains drawn up, he couldn't sleep.
Though he couldn't understand why…
Why is it so, that every time he looks at me with those grey eyes, I can't help but smile…?
He recalled himself looking at Cedric in the Great Hall when he had looked up.
Every time he comes close to be, I seem to be in a different world.
As he remembered his emotions when he had come to see him in his third year.
He probably doesn't even know I exist… why shall he care…? Why do I care? Am I …? No, I can't be… I like Cho Chang… or do I?
He brought himself back to the memory when they had defeated Ravenclaw, of which's Seeker was Cho. He thought of the happiness he had felt when their Quidditch Captain (then) Oliver Wood had hugged him… could it be?
…But it was different with Cedric…
I don't even know Cedric… I have spoken to him only a few times…
But he remembered the hours they'd spent with each other in St. Mungo's… fighting, talking, laughing… was that nothing?
Besides, he's probably straight, and I am three years younger to him…
Then what about the time they had been at such dangerous proximity?
Fighting a mental battle with himself, Harry soon fell into deep sleep. His mind was tired, and he needed to sleep… even if it was with his newly found orientation pricking him at the back of his mind…
A/N : K, people...long time no see... thanks to all the reviewers... Congo, cuz I've written 6 chapters or so of this story! W00t! -> be kind, review, cuz you love me... and want to read the rest of this... because you love my...their... story!