It was problematic getting out of the common room unnoticed. Everyone seemed indubitably shocked that Harry simply felt like taking a stroll. Suddenly everyone was so interested in Harry's well being. They were all still dazed from summer. They'd go back to not giving a shit within a few days. Though, gossip was a first priority. Developing lives of their own wasn't an option for teenage Hogwarts students.
He strolled quickly down the corridors, perhaps nervous, perhaps wanting to get it over with. What could this Diggory bloke possibly want with Harry? It had to be a cruel joke. Cedric was in that type of crowd. Staring, leading Harry on…what? Why was he so hung up on that?
He approached a painting of three men sitting in their nightgowns, staring with expressions of horror to the center of the table, where an apple sat. They seemed to be conversing about how to rid the world of the evil that is The Apple. Harry laughed at the painting, but was soon disrupted by the sound of Cedric Diggory's voice.
"Stupid, isn't it?" He said with a crooked smile.
"Just a bit," Harry replied nervously. They stood quietly for a moment, and for some reason the silence only angered Harry. "Cedric…what the hell am I doing here?"
Cedric smiled at him and shook his head, pointing at the painting. He muttered the password so that Harry could not hear.
"Sorry, Dumbledore insists it stays a secret. He thinks I sneak my girlfriends in here."
Something pinged in Harry's stomach. He didn't want to investigate the feeling, just let it pass.
"After you," he said, gesturing toward what he could see of the prefect common room. Harry stepped forward quickly, as to get out of the public eye, even though he was sure everyone was already in their own dorms. Once inside, Cedric shut the front door and pointed his wand toward the fireplace. Instantly, the interior was inflamed and the tension in the room seemed to lift ever so slightly. They stood quietly for a moment until Cedric walked over to another end of the room, picked up a tray, and brought it back the table Harry noticed he had been tapping his shoe against.
Upon the tray lay Chocolate Frogs, Acid Pops, Jelly Slugs, Licorice Wands, and a few bottles of butterbeer.
"Look," Cedric said at last. "It's just to make this a bit less awkward. I know we don't know each other too well, and I didn't want you feeling too…tense."
Harry shifted his weight. At this, Cedric pushed him down onto the couch and handed him a bottle of butterbeer. He then grabbed one for himself and joined Harry on the couch, a reasonable few feet away.
"So how are you, Harry? Ready for a new term?"
Harry rolled his eyes and looked Cedric directly in the eyes. His intentions were to release his anger, but upon eye contact, Harry felt something build up within him. He was suddenly out of breath and speechless, Cedric's eyes catching him off guard. Instead of stammering, Harry looked down at his butterbeer and tried to regain control. He didn't even want to see whatever confused or even disgusted expression could have been on Cedric's face. What the hell was that about? He heard a noise beside him, a slight laugh, it might have been. Or perhaps a scoff…
"I know I've been acting funny," Cedric started. Harry dared a glance in his direction. Cedric was staring at the fire now, his eyes lost. The fire danced upon his skin, and he almost looked frozen, an angelic statue sitting before the fire. Harry stared and waited. "You're never going to forgive me…Arthur Weasley…he's asked me to watch over you."
Harry felt himself fall back a bit, his drink nearly slipping from his hands. Cedric didn't move an inch as Harry fumbled up away from the couch. He obviously expected this reaction.
"So that's what –" Harry stopped himself. He couldn't say anything about the staring. Cedric might not have wanted… or maybe it was all in his head… it didn't matter. Harry felt his anger rising, something he was started to grow accustomed to, and realized his drink was no longer in his hand. He had sent it flying across the room, shattering in the flames of the fire.
"I know you must be…well, mad," Cedric said, obviously uncomfortable. "When the Death Eaters attacked…Arthur realized the danger you're obviously in."
"Me? What about –"
"-and, well, you're like a son to him, so naturally, he wanted to protect you."
"Look, Cedric, that's very sweet and all, but I don't need anyone watching over me as if I'm some sort of child, all right? I can handle things on my own, in fact, I prefer it. I've done it before, I can do it now. I'm Harry Potter. I've…I've got things under control." Harry's hands were clenched into fists, and he was shaking. Control was the farthest thing from his mind.
"Potter... they're concern is kind of… you know… understandable." Cedric looked at Harry a moment before continuing. "You can sometimes be a nutter. You tend to go after things that most people steer clear of. It's as if you go looking for danger, and I'm…well, I'm here to prevent that."
Harry rolled his eyes and laughed coldly. This was the most childish thing he had ever experienced. A complete stranger was now supposed to be watching his every move and for what? Did Arthur not trust Dumbledore enough to be the damn guardian angel? He now had to hire some heartthrob seventh year to baby sit him? This was just…pathetic.
He had spent a few minutes sulking until he realized, yet again, that Cedric was staring at him. There, on the couch, motionless, his eyes stayed fixated on Harry. Harry could feel his muscles tensing, as if before an audience, watching… waiting. Finally, Harry turned and caught Cedric's eye.
"What's the deal with you, Cedric?" He asked suddenly. "Is there something… why are you… I mean, people have stared before, but… it's almost as if…"
Cedric smirked and shook himself away from the stare. Setting down his drink, he rose from the couch. This startled Harry, and he found himself backing away a bit. Cedric caught this, and glanced at him for a minute, with a look of… offense? Then he continued by lifting the tray from the table and returning it to the cupboard in the corner of the room.
"I think it's time you go to bed, young Harry. Tomorrow starts your first full day back at Hogwarts."
Harry gawked at Cedric from where he stood. It made him feel so small, watching the tall boy stand there, a five o' clock shadow tickling his jaw line. He was so much older, and, for some reason, Harry couldn't look away from the soft stare of his new 'watcher.' Suddenly, without thinking, he was headed toward the door. It was strange. All the anger had been swept away like a wave, somehow. He couldn't even argue against the idea of an early bed time. Somehow, he had been turned obedient…and couldn't stop his feet from walking straight through the door. Cedric followed him closely and held it open as he stepped out.
"Wait, you didn't answer my question."
Cedric faked confusion and pulled his neck back a bit. "Technically, Harry, you didn't really ask me one." Harry opened his mouth to speak, but the door was already closing. He heard Cedric laugh a bit from behind the door, and as he turned to walk away, a teasing "goodnight," echoed to him. He muttered curses to himself as he trudged back to his dorm.
Great, he thought. Arthur's gotten a bloody nutter to watch after me.
There we go. Chapter two also edited as of March 26, 2008. I'm working on the third chapter now, so forgive me for leaving. And keep reviewing, keep up the love. x3