Hey Everyone, I'm so sorry about my lack of updates and activity on ... you see since November I've been sick with every writer's nightmare... writer's block. I tried to sit down and write but everything came out badly, and not the way I wanted it. And then school was so crazy and the stress was really overwhelming so I couldn't find time to write :(. However after taking a month off to relax I find my lovely muse has returned to me, and will be blessing you wit frequent and timely updates (most likesly every other week.) Thank you so much for sticking with me through those hard times, and I will also be updating my other stories this week if you are familiar with them!
Disclaimer: Me own HP? I wish.
Stepping out of the dirty fireplace into Grimmauld Place was always a sobering experience. Cedric didn't know what it was but something about the Noble and Ancient House of Black always sent a shiver down his spine. Maybe it was the gloomy atmosphere. Maybe it was the gruesome heads of beheaded former house elves lining the stair case that set him on edge. Whatever it was Grimmauld Place perpetuated the feeling of gloom, which was never a pleasant atmosphere to confront someone who was upset in.
Ron had been sitting on the couch playing a game of enchanted wizard chess by himself. Ron seemed to perk up at his arrival, his creased frown turning into a sheepish smile.
"Oi mate. Good to see you again," the freckled red head exclaimed, walking over and shaking his hand.
"It is. Where's Harry?" Cedric asked glancing around.
Ron's face immediately turned into a perplexed frown, and the tips of his ears started to take on a rosy hue. "He's upstairs. Threw a bloody fit about fifteen minutes ago during lunch when 'Mione disappeared. Guess she went to get you? She's been upset about the way Harry's been acting. I think he's acting like a bloody wanker myself, but he'll come around. He always does."
"Ronald, language!" Hermione's scolding tone came, as she stepped out of the floo brushing herself off.
Cedric shared a look with Ron and rolled his eyes. "I'm going to try and talk to Harry, and see if I can figure out what's going on with him."
Ron nodded and went back to his game of wizard chess and Hermione gave him a sad smile before settling down next to Ron and asking him questions about his game. Cedric took a deep breath and headed up the rickety stairs of Grimmauld ignoring the creaks and groans that came with each step, and trying his best to ignore the house elf heads. Someone really should try to clean this place up. Or at least remove the heads. He tried to sneak past the screeching portrait of Walburga Black but of course as soon as he passed she erupted into a flurry of insults and expletives regarding blood traitors and the desecration of her family home.
Cedric checked several rooms until he found one that was locked. He muttered "alohamora" and the lock clicked open. He walked in quietly to what appeared to have been a war zone. Clothes were piled everywhere, shamelessly tossed across the two beds in the room. There was an old Chudley cannons poster hanging on the wall in all its bright orange glory. books and school supplies were strewn everywhere mixed into the mess. Amidst the chaos laying across one of the beds and staring at the ceiling was Harry, fiddling with his wand in his hand. Harry didn't look move as Cedric came into the room, sitting on the bed that was obviously Ron's.
"I don't even get a hullo?" Cedric said with an amused tone, but he was actually rather concerned about Harry. He looked rather depressed. However at the sound of his voice Harry snapped up readjusting his circle spectacles and running a hand through his permanently messy hair.
"Oi Cedric, I thought you were Ron or Hermione," Harry said grimacing.
"And why wouldn't you greet Ron or Hermione with a hullo?"
Harry's frown deepened. "I'm not talking to Ron or Hermione at the moment."
"Really?" Cedric asked feigning shock. "And why's that? Aren't they your best mates?"
Harry snorted. "I thought they were."
"And what made you change your mind?"
Harry's forehead creased in thought. "Well, they haven't been... supportive I guess. The cut me off from everything important just like everyone else. Even though I'm going to have to be the one to face Voldemort in the end. I deserve to know what's going on!"
Cedric raised his eyebrows. "Did it occur to you that that isn't necessarily Ron and Hermione's fault? I'm sure Dumbledore and Moody had a say in it. After all they've been nothing less than dependable in the past."
Harry thought for a moment. "Errr... I guess so yea, but if they had really wanted to help they would've, I mean Hermione can do anything!"
Cedric chuckled. "Though Hermione is brilliant, I doubt she can do anything, and even if she could, would you want to put her in danger just so she can tell you that the Order keeps meeting but they don't know what's going on? In case you didn't know, we've been barred from the meetings being under-aged and all. We know only a little more than you."
Harry looked down for minute obviously thinking about his behavior. "Still, you told me what was going on! And they could've at least tried. I didn't know the Order was keeping tabs on me, or the rubbish the ministry was spewing through the prophet about us. It's not like that wasn't something they couldn't tell me. I mean you told me fine."
Cedric sighed. "Even if they had said the same thing as me, would it have made a difference? You got the information, no matter how trivial it was."
Harry laughed. "I guess you're right. But it was the principle of the matter, I guess. But I did yell at them. You think they're mad about that?"
"They may be a little upset. But they're your best mates, they'll get over it."
Harry gave him a small smile. "I guess I should go apologize. But I'm still angry at Dumbledore."
Cedric laughed. "And you can continue being mad at him. He has been acting rather strange since he told you the prophecy I must admit."
Harry grimaced. "I better go and apologize."
Cedric followed Harry back past the portrait screaming profanities and down the staircase to the drawing room where Ron was still playing wizard chess and Hermione had immersed herself in a sixth year charms textbook. Merlin that girl was brilliant. He cleared his throat and Ron and Hermione both looked up, shifting awkwardly in Harry's presence not know exactly what to say.
"Errr... I'm sorry for- you know- yelling about everything," Harry muttered so low that Cedric could barely catch it. But it seemed that Ron and Hermione were satisfied with the apology, as Hermione's face broke into a wide grin, and Ron shrugged.
"Come over here so I can kick your arse in another game of wizard chess," Ron said grinning. Harry immediately smiled and pulled up a chair.
Cedric's work here was done. Glancing at the clock he realized he barely had time to go change for Quidditch Practice. "Oi, I have to go. I'll come visit you all tomorrow."
Harry and Ron nodded absent-minded, obviously very engrossed in their game, but Hermione hugged him and whispered a soft "thank you," that left him standing in the same spot a minute after she had returned to the couch.
Quickly coming back to his thoughts, Cedric flood back home not giving his reaction to Hermione's hug a second thought.
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