Twenty-Five:
Cedric really isn't sure why he was surprised to return to a packed common room after walking Harry to his own. Obviously him being picked as the Hogwarts champion was worth celebrating, but it was a very disorienting environment to return to after the rather somber moment he'd just shared with Harry.
The second he made his way down the sloping passage that led to his house's common room he was greeted with multiple shouts. People stood from where they'd been sitting to walk up and usher him inside.
"What took you so long?" said someone to his right.
"They tell you what the First Task is yet?" said someone to his left.
"How's it feel to be a champion?" said someone behind him.
He picked the question that required the least explanation as he allowed himself to be jostled around, everyone seeming to want to get a hand on him for some reason. "The First Task is a test of courage, so we're not allowed to know what actually happens until the day of."
A collection of disappointed groans was his reply. Someone shoved a glass of Firewhiskey into his hand.
He took a moment to survey his surroundings; taking in the many brightly colored banners and streamers decorating the room. The most prominent feature was the banner spread just above the fireplace that said in bold, black letters 'CONGRATULATIONS, PUFF-PRINCE!' beneath it was a somewhat cartoonish, but overall flattering drawing of his bust, where he was adorned in ornate-looking yellow and black robes, a tiny gold crown sat atop his head.
"When did you all have time to prepare this?" he asked, before taking a sip of his firewhiskey.
"We all knew you'd be picked." said the boy who settled himself to his left, Zachary Smith or something like that.
"Though, we had a contingency plan if you weren't." explained one girl who was standing or rather, swaying a few feet away, she seemed to already be rather deep in her cups. "The houselves promised to help clear up before you made it back here if someone else ended up as the Hogwarts champion."
"Someone else did!" roared one boy that Cedric didn't recognize. A few people piped up in agreement sounding unnecessarily offended on Cedric's behalf.
Cedric smiled diplomatically. "I'm just grateful to have been picked at all. I don't mind sharing the glory with Harry."
"Hasn't he glory enough?!" exclaimed the drunken girl from before, there were more yells of agreement from the crowded room.
"He has enough to deal with right now." Cedric stated, his voice a bit harder than it's previous polite tone. "Let's lay off him, alright?"
There were a few grumbles, but no one seemed willing to outright argue with him.
He felt someone shove their way in between Zaruis (or whatever his name is) and him and he glanced over, expecting to see Jona, he was surprised to find Cho Chang of all people instead.
"Chang!" he blurted out in his surprise, fighting off a retch at the horrible sight of her. "What brings you here?"
"What do you think, silly?" she giggled behind her claw-like fingers. "I wanted the chance to congratulate you!"
He smiled wanly. "Oh. How kind of you."
She didn't seem to catch onto his disdain, and he realized why as she leaned forward, giving him a whiff of the alcohol on her breath. "You know, you're really too kind." she slurred.
He couldn't help but agree, if he were any less kind he'd have surely jinxed her by now.
"What makes you say that?"
She listed closer, and Cedric leaned back, entirely unwilling to make physical contact with the hag. "The whole situation with Harry, y'know? I get that you're friends, but you've a right to be angry. He knew how important the Triwizard Tournament was to you."
"Exactly." he responded in the calmest voice he could muster. What did this stupid bitch know? What did she know of Harry's motivations? His relationship with Cedric? She didn't know anything. And if it was up to Cedric, she never would. "That's why I'm certain he was not the one to put his name in the goblet. He knew what it meant to me. I know he'd never try to take something like that from me."
She grinned horribly, and reached out one awful finger, tapping it on the tip of his nose. He had to fight down the visceral urge to bite it off her hand, assuring himself he'd never want anything so tainted in his mouth.
"That's why you're too kind, Ceddy."
One of her groupies dragged her off before she could embarrass herself further (thank fucking Merlin) and the celebration was relatively normal after that. Eventually everyone dragged their inebriated forms to bed, though not before congratulating Cedric a few more times each.
Before the room was entirely cleared of people Cedric made his way up to his dorm, smiling when he found Jona settled in bed, curled up with a book.
Cedric plopped down onto his own bed with a sigh. "Wasn't feeling up to the festivities?"
Jona took a moment to reach over to his nightstand and grab his bookmark before closing his book. He did not, however, respond. Instead he stared into his lap with a conflicted expression.
"I'm not offended." Cedric amended after a moment. "I know large gatherings like that aren't your thing. Hell, they're not mine either. I don't blame you at all for not coming..."
He went quiet again, waiting for some sort of response from his friend. Just as he began to consider just closing off his curtains and falling asleep, Jona spoke.
"Did you do it?"
A spike of suspicion jolted through Cedric's system. Surely Jona couldn't possibly be asking what Cedric thought he was. "Did I do what?"
"Did you put Potter's name in the Goblet of Fire."
He was on his feet before he had even fully processed the question, crossing the space between thier beds and grabbing the front of Jona's pyjamas in an iron grip. "How dare you suggest that." He hissed, eyes wild, shaking with anger. "I'd never do something that would endanger him like that!"
Jona remained eerily calm throughout his tirade, his face completely expressionless despite Cedric's threatening stance. "Not even if he asked you to?"
The taller boy paused at this question, his eyes fogging as the thought over the scenario. Would he have done it if Harry had asked him to? The answer came to him fairly quickly.
"No." he replied firmly. "Not even if he had asked me to."
Jona stared, clearly analyzing him, looking for any hint of dishonesty. He was apparently satisfied with whatever he found, as his expression eventually slacked into a sorrowful, apologetic look after a bit.
"I'm sorry, Cedric. But, I had to ask, you know I did."
Despite still being angry, Cedric snatched his hand away and moved back to his bed, crossing his arms. "No, you didn't. I would never do that. I care about him too much." He paused, before adding reluctantly. "It was very hurtful that you would even suggest something like that."
"I know." Jona agreed, sounding deeply regretful. "I'm sorry that I didn't trust you enough to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I had to be sure. You get so irrational about him sometimes, Ced.' You have to admit it."
Cedric did not in fact have to admit such a thing and he wouldn't. Everything he did for Harry was done in the boy's best interest. Nothing irrational about it. Still, he did not wish to argue the subject any further.
"So... you don't think Harry put his name in the goblet?"
Jona seemed appalled at the very concept. "No way! I suppose you weren't in the hall when his name was announced so, you didn't see how terrified he looked. There was no way he put his name in that cup." he paused before adding incredulously. "You don't think he did, do you?"
"Of course not!" Cedric hissed back, ignoring the small spike of guilt.
Jona nodded, expression becoming a combination thoughtful and concerned. It was clear he'd come to the same realization as to what this all probably meant.
"Have you spoken to him yet? About the tournament, I mean."
Cedric felt a bit of excitement well up despite himself and he had to fight down a little smile. "Y- yeah... we talked."
Jona waited a moment before he prompted in a patient tone, "Well?"
Cedric could feel himself blushing as he ducked his head, staring into his lap. "I told him I'd protect him..." His heart-rate picked up and he squirmed a bit, grinning. "Y'know what he did?" he asked in a shaky tone.
"What's that?"
"He hugged me." He knew he probably looked like a misty-eyed fool, but he was beyond caring, lost in the memory of it all. "His face was right here." He placed his hand on the inner part of his shoulder where Harry had settled his head during their embrace. "I could feel his breath against my neck..."
Without even realizing it, his eyes had shifted closed, too lost in revisiting the sensation of having Harry in his arms. When he opened them back up, Jona was staring at him with a rather indulgent expression.
"He said he was glad that we're friends... he said 'I'm so glad to call you my friend, Cedric.' He said it just like that. And... he was crying a little, but he had this little smile too. And it was- it- it was really great."
Jona just nodded, listening to him rant patiently, a distant looking smile on his face. When Cedric finally quieted, Jona leaned forward, settling his elbows on his knees, expression stiffening into something serious.
"So what do you want now, Cedric?"
"I-" he blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
A smile curled across his friend's face, but something about it was decidedly cruel. "Last year I asked you what you would want once you got Harry to notice you. You told me then that you didn't know what you wanted. Do you know now? Have you figured it out, Cedric?"
He felt his mind blank. This was not something he'd ever considered. There was nothing beyond this, was there? He wanted Harry to notice him, to like him, and now that he has...
Now that he has...
Laughter tore him from his thoughts, and Jona was now lying back on his bed as if the force of his laughter had knocked him over.
Cedric couldn't bring himself to ask what was so funny, but he ended up not having to anyway.
"You're such a dumbass sometimes, Cedric. You plan every single thing in your life down to the color of your socks, or the amount of seconds spent chewing per bite, yet you still haven't thought about what it is you really want from Harry?"
He tensed at the last sentence, finally speaking up. "It's not a matter of what I want from him, Jona."
The shorter boy sat up and sneered, fixing Cedric with a dark glare. "Don't be stupid, of course it is. We all want something from one another."
This was a side of Jona Cedric had never seen before. Where was the boy who preached altruism and fawned over sappy, impossible romances? Since when did Jona sound so Slytherin?
At Cedric's pause he seemed to lose a bit of steam. "Look, I don't mean to say that you're using him." he amended. "But every relationship is based on some sort of benefit to both individuals. I like you because you're patient with me and listen to me natter on without complaining and don't get mad when I steal food off your plate. And you like me because... well I dunno, but I'm sure you have a reason."
They sat in silence as Cedric considered those words. Jona was not wrong, even if his original point was phrased poorly, every good relationship was symbiotic in some manner.
"I like you cause you're funny." he offered eventually. "And supportive."
Jona looked pleased at this revelation and he gave a little nod of approval. "Thank you. Now, you don't have to answer me now, but take some time to think about Harry like this. What do you want from him? What makes you like him?"
"Okay." Cedric said in a small voice, feeling weirdly chastened. "I- I'll think about it..."
He fell asleep wondering what exactly it was that Harry meant to him.
-0v0-
The next few days were a bit of a whirlwind as Cedric was perpetually bombarded with people coming up to him in the halls and grounds, even during class to congratulate him; many of them complete strangers. He wondered if this was what Harry's world was like. Did random people often hang around Harry as if they were close friends? Treating him as if they'd known each other for years?
It was a bit disorienting, but Cedric acclimated quickly, easily assuming a friendly mask that kept people eating out of his hands and coming back for more.
"Gross, stop smiling like that." complained Cesaria as two fifth-year girls flounced away, giggling merrily after talking to him. "They'll take it as an invitation to come back you know."
"That's fine." Cedric replied airily. "I'm always happy to make new friends."
There was a snort and they both looked down at Jona, who was reclined back on the picnic blanket they had conjured up. It had been Cesaria's idea to study outside, and Cedric agreed that it would be nice to go out and get some fresh air. He maybe would have reconsidered if he'd given any thought to the fact that many people would use it as an opportunity to approach him.
"Do you disagree?" Cedric questioned, staring at the boy who was still lying down, eyes closed.
The only response he received was a loud and rather fake snore. He rolled his eyes.
"I think it's good that you're trying to make more friends." commented Cesaria. "You're setting a great example for the younger years, forging inter-house relationships and what-not. A lot of people were impressed with how well you handled Malfoy butting into that pickup game of your's."
"I'm glad that people feel that way." he replied graciously.
They turned back to their respective homework assignments, and Cedric was interrupted a few more times by random well-wishers, before he eventually heard the sound of limping, uneven footsteps behind him and turned around.
"Professor Moody." he greeted politely as the grizzled DADA professor made his way towards them. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The man responded with a gruff "Yes," before yanking him to his feet and dragging him back towards the castle. "Need a word with you, Diggory."
"Yes, alright." Cedric replied after he managed to extract his arm from Moody's grasp.
He eventually found himself seated across from the man in Moody's office, surrounded by a multitude of Anti-Dark Arts related gadgets and nicknacks.
"Lovely decor." he replied with only a minimal amount of disdain as he watched a cracked sneakoscope whistle and spin excitedly.
Moody casted a glance at the thing before silencing it with a wave of his wand. "Don't mind that. Dropped it the other day and it hasn't shut up since."
"Ah."
They sat in silence. Moody levelling Cedric with an unwavering stare. He felt awkward.
"So er..." he eventually managed. "You said you needed a word?"
"What is your opinion on Potter's nomination for the Triwizard Tournament?" Moody questioned quite suddenly.
Cedric hesitated, immediately on guard. What did Moody care what his opinion was? Did he perhaps think that Cedric had some involvement in Harry's selection? Or perhaps he was concerned that Cedric was jealous and would try to hurt Harry.
"I'm not sure what to say." Cedric eventually admitted.
Moody shook his head, looking annoyed. "No, you're not sure what I want you to say. Stop being a people-pleaser and just be honest, Diggory. I'm not accusing you of anything."
He thought back to Moody's vehement insistence that foul play was afoot. He was fairly certain that Harry's safety was a priority to this man. He supposed he could be honest in this instance.
"I think whoever put Potter's name in that cup wants to hurt him."
He seemed to approve of this response, sending him what would presumably be a smile on a normal face, but came out looking more like a gnarled baring of teeth. "Then you've got some sense, thank Merlin. There's not enough of that 'round here."
He leaned back in his chair, seemingly contemplating his next words. Cedric got the impression that it was quite rare for Moody to take the time to try and phrase something eloquently. "As a Hufflepuff you value fairness, correct?"
Not really, but Cedric felt no inclination to correct him. He nodded.
"Then you agree that it would be unfair to Potter if we treated him as if he were just another Triwizard contestant. The boy is only fourteen, it would hardly be reasonable to expect him to be able to keep up with the rest of you."
Cedric was torn between wanting to insist that Harry was, in fact, fully capable of keeping up, being the intelligent and powerful wizard that he was; and agreeing that Harry needed to be protected at all costs. However, he could ultimately see what Moody was getting at, so he chose the latter.
"Yes, this tournament is far too dangerous for someone his age."
"Well, there's no way for him to avoid it, unfortunately." Moody professed. "That's why I'd like to enlist your help in keeping him alive."
He immediately agreed. "Of course. Anything."
The former Auror seemed relieved by his accord, letting out a deep sigh. "Good. I'm glad there's someone round here who actually cares about the boy-"
Cedric resisted the urge to preen at the recognition.
"-the other professors and these so called 'peacekeepers' the Ministry appointed are doing fuck-all. Knowing that there will be someone on the inside looking out for him will be a bit of weight off my shoulders."
"Yes, well- Harry and I are friends. We look out for each other. In fact, I'd been planning to approach him so we could maybe go over some defense spells together. I want him as prepared as possible for the first task." He waited for Moody's nod of approval before he continued. "But, er- I'm not really sure how to approach him. I fear that if we're seen together too often in public we'll be accused of collusion."
"Well, I can help with that." Moody offered. "I plan to pull Potter aside later today to talk about the tournament. I'll set up a meeting for the two of you."
Cedric's voice was a wee-bit higher pitched than usual when he responded. "A meeting? With the two of us? Er, alone I mean?"
"Yes?" Moody replied slowly, raising a patchy brow. "Did you want me to be present?"
"No!" Cedric jumped at the sound of his own shout, before continuing in a quieter voice. "That is- We'll be fine on our own, but thank you."
"That's assuming that I can even manage to convince Potter that he needs your help." the man said with a grimace. "You know Gryffindors. Prideful."
"Harry isn't prideful." Cedric snapped, before he could stop himself.
Moody only stared in response. Eventually he cocked his head towards the door, making it creak open in an impressive display of wandless and wordless magic. "Well, best be on your way, Diggory. I speak to you again later."
"Yessir. Thank you." he replied politely as he made his way towards the door.
He felt a wave of relief as he returned to Hogwarts' grounds. He was just glad to have an adult on his side.
A/N: No Harry this chapter. Sorry.