A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know. I took forever. Besides, it's not like it's a popular story, anyway. Well, with that out of my system, let's get on with it.

It was two days after the incident in the Astronomy tower that Harry finally took heed of Cedric's advice. To say that things between the two were tense was an understatement. Sure they weren't friends let alone friendly acquaintances so there were no telling of the nature of things. But even Professor Snape would admit to noticing the cold atmosphere between the two Hogwarts champions. Hermione and Ron noticed. Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore noticed. Heck, even Hagrid noticed and that is saying much.

Harry wasn't sure of the reason behind Cedric's old reception. And who can blame him? Whenever Cedric caught sight of him, he would walk away. Cedric himself wasn't sure why he was reacting the way he was. All he knows was that he needs to distance himself before he gets hurt. Who would have thunk it? Cedric Diggory, Hufflepuff quidditch captain and seeker, the pride and joy of Amos Diggory, was "in like" with the Boy-Who-Lived. As far as he was concerned, they were a recipe for disaster.

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It was two minutes before the task was to begin and Harry Potter still hasn't arrived. Cedric knew that they would start without their young champion and was hoping Harry would make it before it does. He sought Dumbledore out in the crowd but found that the old man was already making his way towards him.

"Mr. Diggory, would you happen to know the whereabouts of Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked, the ever present twinkle in his eyes. Cedric would have been concerned with that if he wasn't already worried about the absence of Harry.

He rushed out, eyes still roving over the crowd, "I don't know, Professor. I haven't seen Hermione and Ron, either." His whole attention focused immediately on Dumbledore at the realization. "Professor, Hermione and Ron aren't here! What if they're in trouble of some sort? What if Harry's with them?"

Dumbledore smiled at the anxious boy in front of him. He settled a hand on Cedric's shoulder and murmured softly, "Hermione and Ron are safe, I promise you that. As for Harry," he stopped, concern creeping in his voice, "I do not know. I—"

"The Potter boy is here, Albus," interrupted Professor Moody.

Cedric and Dumbledore turned to the sight of Harry running over, taking his shoes off at the same time. Dumbledore chuckled and Cedric gave a sigh of relief before facing the sea again. His demeanor didn't give off any evidence of his earlier "breakdown" and Dumbledore, not for the first time, thought that Fate sure has a cruel sense of humor.

A few hours and another celebration later, Harry made his way to the boys' dorm for a few moments of solitude. He hadn't been in the room for more than a few minutes when he was joined by Hermione and Ron. They both settled on Harry's bed while Harry himself maintained his seat on the windowsill.

The silence was broken by Ron's proud and cheeky question.

"So I'm the thing you'll miss most?"

Hermione shook her head but smiled tenderly at the boy beside her. Harry laughed. "Of course, Ron. We've been through a lot of things together. You're my honorary brother and without you in my life, it is a very dull existence, Voldemort after me notwithstanding."

Catching Hermione's hurt look, he hurried to placate her. "I'm not saying I wouldn't miss you too, Hermione, or that you're dull or anything. I mean, you are a very awesome best friend and I love you but well, you're not Ron." He ceased his rambling at the impassive look on her face. He tentatively ask, "You're not mad or offended, are you, 'Mione? If you are, I'm sorry. I still love you though."

Hermione couldn't help it. She roared with laughter. It was rare to see Harry fumble his way through his words and she count herself lucky that she have him as one of the most important men in her life. Ron and Harry exchanged a look of pure mirth. Even though they had known Hermione for years, it was still rare to see her let herself go like she is now.

Hermione finally settled down enough to just talk quietly with her boys. They talked about anything and everything; their sanctuary was occasionally broken by one of the boys' dorm mates but otherwise, they enjoyed their time together. Hermione was starting to fall asleep, her head sheltered on Ron's shoulder when Harry started talking.

"Would you guys hate me if I tell you something unexpected?"

Hermione started, wide awake now. She chanced a look at Ron to find him looking back at her. She whispered, "What are you talking about, Harry?"

Harry gazed at the stars. He really wasn't expecting to tell his friends about his feelings for Cedric but since he was always in danger, he thought he might as well spill everything for who knows? Today, tomorrow, next week; the battle might happen any time and he didn't want to go without coming clean to his friends.

"I don't know this feeling. It's something that I don't understand entirely. Believe me when I say that I spend every waking hour trying to comprehend this emotion. Oh I know the feeling. I feel it with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and you two. But when this person is near me, when I think about them, when I see them, this feeling gets so intense that I just don't know how I can survive it. I don't think I ever will," he explained. He was still looking outside, not deigned to look at Ron and Hermione.

Ron glanced at his friend. He knew the feeling that Harry was talking about. He himself had felt it when Hermione showed up at the Yule Ball with that Krum. Of course he didn't know it at the time but that's Ron Weasley for you.

Hermione, however, smiled so wide that it almost threatens to rip her face. She made her way over to Harry and sat down in front of him. She took his hands in one hand and used her other hand to turn his face towards her. He looked into her big brown eyes and saw only understanding and compassion. She asked, "Harry, are you in love?"

"I don't know, 'Mione. I ache to see this person every day but they keep avoiding me. Even today, he won't even look at me! I don't know what I did, 'Mione. All I know now is that I don't think there will ever be a chance that we will be together. Not that many people will approve, I'm sure."

Hermione's mind was on wheels. She went through everyone almost immediately but…wait…did Harry say "he?" Oh my heavens! Harry was in love with a guy! She stared wide eyed at her best friend, who hadn't even noticed his slip of the tongue. She glanced at Ron to find him staring at Harry also, looking rather like a fish. Hmm…seems like Ron wasn't exactly hopeless as she thought. She went through a list of guys who had been avoiding him for the past few days and came up with only one. And that lucky person would be…Cedric Diggory.

She flicked Harry's forehead--"Ow! Hermione!"—and exclaimed, "You're in love with Diggory, aren't you, Harry?"

Harry was stricken with panic. "How-how did—I didn't say anything...Why would you assume such a thing, 'Mione?"

"Because, dear, you just gave it away."