Chapter 8

"Can you make anything out?" asked Hermione, a little loudly, after Harry shut the egg for the fifth time.

"Still nothing. It doesn't sound like words at all." He stuffed it into his bag in frustration. He was beginning to panic as the second task was a mere two weeks away and he still had no way of preparing for it without his clue.

"We wouldn't have to rush if you had been focusing more on the egg over the holidays."

"You can spend all day saying I should have, but that's not going to help me figure it out now is it?" He left the empty classroom.

Hermione stood there with a surprised look for a moment before running after him.

"I'm sorry, Harry, I'm, just worried."

"You're not the only one." Harry sighed.

Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment. "Have you spent any time with Colin this week?"

"Shhhh!" Harry looked around to make sure no one heard her. Luckily everyone else in the hall was too busy heading to the next class to notice. "Can we be just a bit more discreet?"

"You're not ashamed are you?" Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Of course I'm not. I just don't want word getting around. I don't want to put him through that."

Hermione nodded in understanding. "People can be cruel."

"It's not just that," Harry looked around once more, "If anyone found out, he would have every reporter the Daily Prophet could throw at us breathing down his neck. Worst of all, that Skeeter cow…"

"Have you discussed it with him?"

"Yeah, he says that he doesn't care." He sounded unsure of himself, which didn't escape Hermione's notice.

"How do you feel about it?"

"I- I just think it's a bad situation all around. We have to sneak around to spend time together, that is if we can find time. We have to be careful to make sure no one sees us together. He deserves to be with someone who can give him all their time without all the secrecy."

"He deserves you. You're good for eachother."

"You really think so?" Harry looked at her, a slight blush tinting his cheeks.

"Of course."

Before he could think of a reply, "Hey, Harry!"

Harry looked around and saw Cedric running toward him.

"Hi, Ced."

"Hello, Cedric."

"Hi," he replied to them both. "I was wondering if I might have a word."

"Oh, erm," Harry looked at Hermione.

"I'll see you in class." She headed off.

"Thanks!" He turned back to Cedric. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you'd figured your egg out."

"No," Harry looked away, embarrassed. "It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have this little hearing issue."

Cedric chuckled slightly at his joke. "Well I figured mine out. Just take a bath."

"What?" Harry thought he misheard.

"Yeah, that sounded more stupid than I thought it would. Just take your egg and mull things over in the hot water. You could even use the prefects' bathroom for some privacy. The password is pinefresh."

"Okay, I'll do that. Thanks Ced," Harry smiled and shook the older boy's hand.

"Don't mention it. This tournament wouldn't be much fun without another competitor to put up a good fight." They both laughed and parted ways.

Colin's POV

I was lying on my bed doing homework; well I was trying to. I was really thinking back on the past few weeks with Harry. I get a pleasant tingling feeling in my stomach every time I do.

Sure we have to sneak around a lot, but it's worth it to spend time with him. He's made me happier than I've been in a long time.

"Colin," I looked up to see Harry standing at my door. He's avoiding eye contact and shuffling his feet. He's so cute in a non-mushy way.

"Hi, Harry." I closed my book and sat up.

"I was just wondering if you- well if you have the time, I just thought since everyone's in the common room and it being a Friday night- would you like to h-hang out for a while."

I couldn't help the grin tugging at my mouth. "Sure, what do you want to do?"

"Well," his throat sounded dry, "I was thinking we could go for a walk."

"Won't we get caught?" I asked, confused.

"Well, no, because- well, I brought this." He pulled a silvery cloak out of his pocket.

"What's that?"

"It's and Invisibility Cloak. What do you say?"

I was fascinated by the thin piece of cloth. But right then Harry was more interesting to me. "Sure, let's go." I hopped off the bed and walked up to him.

"Alright, but there's one thing I wanted to do first." He took a deep breath as though trying to steady himself before a big jump off a diving board. Then he leaned down and put his lips to mine. "Okay, let's go," he said in a cracked voice.

My cheeks felt warm, and I felt light-headed. How I enjoyed the feeling.