CHAPTER TITLE : Early Morning Pleasantness

Rating: K+

A/N: This the place from where the fluff and slash begin..this is just introductory, so don't freak..there'll be more, and..you can expect it from next chapter...!!

Disclaimer : None of the characters are mine..I don't mean to steal the surrounding story, tho' I have..! The ideas, are MINE!!

Harry woke up early the next day, sweating fervently – he had had a nightmare… rubbing out the sleep from his eyes, he decided to go for an early morning walk. He hoped that the fresh morning air would do him some good, and help him to calm his nerves.

He walked, barefooted, on the cool grass as the morning breeze blew across his face. He found great pleasure in being away from the everyday rush and chatter. He smiled quietly to himself, with the thought that everybody else was up in the castle, sleeping in their warm beds… even Cedric…

As he walked in the deafening silence, he found his mind wandering of to Cedric. His eyes… his athletic physique… his smooth voice… his pink lips… Cedric…

"Harry!"

"Cedric!"

Harry fell onto the ground. He'd been so lost in his thoughts; he hadn't noticed where he was going. He looked up to see the person who was now smiling, "Crazy bumping into you Harry!"

Harry found himself, staring bluntly, too short of words, as the older boy smoothly lifted him to his feet. His bright grey eyes gleaming with sheer pleasantness, Cedric asked, "what're you doing up so early, Harry? I assume you'd been rather tired after the rush yesterday. First day of school year… should be getting your good night's sleep!" He smiled that smile that made Harry think about his unbelievable luck.

After a moment's gap, Harry seemed to find his voice that had temporarily given way, again. "I can ask you the same thing," Harry smiled genuinely.

"Ah, very witty, Harry!" chuckled Cedric.

"You must be rubbing on off me!" and immediately repented having said that. Oh no! What will he think?

But, Cedric just smiled. "Okay, wise guy… I give up!" As they walked side by side, he continued, "I've got this habit since age 10. I wake up early and go for a walk in the pleasantness. It helps me stay calm… but till today, you're one of the only people I've bumped into. Now tell me, you're here…?"

"I couldn't sleep," he decided on avoiding the topic of his dream. "And something made me get up, and come here." He silently wondered if that something was Cedric himself.

"Oh, I see…" said Cedric, and waited a moment before continuing, "you know, the school year's so pressurizing, the walks really help me… with everyone expecting so much off me."

Harry looked at the older boy's eyes. They had stopped walking. Harry quietly said, "but, Cedric, you have nothing to worry about. You're so smart, and intelligent, an amazing Quidditch player, and Captain. You're a good student, and a Prefect… you're PERFECT!"

He merely chuckled, "am glad you think all this, Harry… but nobody's perfect. Not even me. I guess it's only when you adore, and admire, someone, you think they are perfect." Cedric paused for a moment. "And Harry, I think you are perfect…"

They were interrupted by the familiar buzz of conversation. The students were up for breakfast. "So, see you around, Harry…" he flashed a wonderful smile at him, and he started walking away, in the direction of the Castle.

Before Harry could realize what he was doing, "Hey Cedric!" Cedric turned around to face him. "Could we… umm… do this again sometime…?"

Cedric face broke into another smile, "any time, mate!" And, he set off.

"Harry! Where have you been? Ron said that he woke up to find your bed empty!"

Harry glanced up at the Hufflepuff table where Cedric looked at him and smiled. And, Harry responded, "no where Hermione… I was there with him."

And, as Harry concentrated on his meal, reverting several glances at the opposite table, he heard Hermione mutter something under his breath which sounded a lot like, "Boys!"

It seemed to have become a bit like a ritual that every morning Harry met up with Cedric, and went for a walk. In general, they used to have pleasant conversations, about life with the Muggles, Quidditch, about the daily chatter, Quidditch, Snape and his prejudice, Quidditch… in general, they spoke of things that just added to the warm relationship that was beginning to form.

But, this particular morning, when Harry walked up to the grounds, he didn't find Cedric's smiling face waiting for him. As Harry glanced around, he saw the outline of an athletic figure, against the dim light of morning sun that would be rising within half an hour. He was leaning against a tree, facing the lake, and as Harry got closer, he could see him pelting small stones into the lake.

When Cedric spotted Harry's arrival, he gave him a weak smile, which, as Harry noticed, wasn't quite the same one that he usually gave him. It still had that familiar warmth but it seemed as if it missed out the part, where his eyes were to meet its emotions. He could understand that everything was not all right. But, knowing not what to do, he gently stepped beside him in a reassuring way. But, when he looked up at his face… he was crying…

Harry didn't know what to do, because it pained him to see Cedric crying. He felt that familiar feeling as if a Dementor was sucking out his soul, as his chest went blank. He wanted to scream out for help… but, "Cedric… is there anything you want to talk about?" was all that he could manage.

Cedric looked at Harry… and…

Hugged him???

"It could be done without Harry Potter, my Lord."


"I have my reasons for using the boy, as I have already explained to you."

The snake…

…and the blinding green light… AVADA KEDAVRA!

A/N : Am evil..I know..I deserve to be hanged !! Sorry for keeping all of you waiting..but you can't say anything..for the action is beginning to start...AND it was my birthday on Friday! So..be good to me and review, and let's hope that I am inspired enough to try and kick my ass to update as soon as possible !!