Twenty-Eight:

"You should really do something about that Sneakoscope." Cedric groused over the high-pitched whistling the gadget was making as he entered Moody's office.

Moody rolled his one good eye and flicked his wand in the direction of the thing, silencing it in a fell swoop. "Barge into my office and then whine about my decor? You brats have no respect these days."

He ignored the professor's complaints and instead chose to get straight to the point. "I don't know how to protect Harry."

It was painful to admit, but he had no other choice. He was willing to set aside his pride if it meant preserving Harry's life. "Dragons are too steep a task for a fourth year. I've no idea how he's meant to survive this."

"He isn't." growled Moody harshly. "We've established that the whole reason he was entered into this tournament is because someone has it out for him. But, we'll think of something."

"He's not advanced enough!" Cedric exclaimed. "He quite literally does not know a single spell powerful enough to even penetrate a dragon's exterior. His transfiguration is fine, but certainly not advanced enough to create a proper distraction for a dragon. I don't know what to do!"

"You're thinking about this all wrong, boy."

Cedric gritted his teeth so hard they creaked and resisted the urge to do something violent. He wasn't wrong, what the fuck did Moody know? The useless old git clearly had not been giving Harry's safety much thought. How dare he claim that Cedric wa-

"Don't focus on what Potter can't do, but rather what he can. What are his skills? What could he use?"

He snapped back the moment the last syllable left Moody's mouth. "Harry is wonderful. He has many skills."

The Professor just stared, his expression definitively deadpan. "Okay. Like?"

"Like what? What sort of question is that?! Do you want me in your office until this evening?! He's got too many skills to name!"

Moody sighed, pinching the space between his eyes. "Honestly, I wanted you to come to this conclusion organically. But, we're talking in circles." He let out another sigh and then straightened his posture. "He's a very skilled flyer, yes? W-"

"Of course he is! He's likely the best Seeker Hogwarts has ever seen!"

"...Right, well perhaps he could fly then, hmm? I imagine someone as small and speedy as Potter would have little issue out-flying a creature as bulky as a dragon."

Cedric's knee-jerk reaction was to argue; it was a ridiculously dangerous idea. But, mulling it over for a moment, he could see some merit. The average individual would surely not have any chance in attempting to out-fly a Dragon, but if there was anyone who could it was certainly Harry Potter. Weirdly, Cedric could easily envision it; Harry zipping around the Dragon like a mischievous little pixie, too fast for the beast to even keep him in it's line of sight.

"Perhaps..." Cedric admitted eventually. "It would be quite dangerous, but... Harry is honestly probably safer in the air than he is on the ground."

"No matter what we decide it will be dangerous." Pressed Moody, crossing his arms. "This is his best option."

"Fine." Cedric gritted out after a moment of silence. He stood, making his way towards the door. "Would you mind passing on the message that I'd like to meet with him this evening, then?"

"Gladly."

The entire meeting with Moody left a bad taste in Cedric's mouth. He did not like this feeling of having so little control. He could prepare Harry all he wanted to, but there was simply no guarantee that the boy would get out of this alive and unharmed.

As he stepped through the entrance way to one of Hogwarts' many courtyards he found the perfect outlet for his frustration.

"Ah, Malfoy!"

The blonde in question looked up from where he was situated with a gaggle of other surly-looking Slytherins surrounding him. There was an initial cautious expression on the boy's face at the sight of Cedric, he was clearly rather confused, but it quickly transformed into his usual smarmy mask.

"Oh hello, Cedric." drawled the boy in a tone that was far too familiar. "How are you?"

The little rodent was obviously trying to cash in on Cedric's recent spike in popularity, it would look good to be friends with the kind and handsome Triwizard Champion.

"I'm well..." Cedric said as he approached the group, watching Malfoy's sycophants scatter like roaches to make way for him. He feigned confusion when he spoke again. "You're in an awfully friendly mood, aren't you? You're never usually so polite."

Malfoy laughed, or rather tittered in the most obnoxiously pureblood manner imaginable. "I've no idea what you mean." He stood from where he was situated next to the heinously ugly Slytherin girl who had been fawning over him. "Anyway, is there something you needed?"
"Yes, actually." Cedric replied evenly. "I actually had a question about those little pins you've been distributing."

Ever the idiot, Malfoy puffed out his chest, drawing even more attention to the garishly colored button fastened to the front of his cloak. "Oh, these?" His pointy little smirk widened even further. "I just wanted to show my support for you as the true Hogwarts Champion. It would be unfair to allow certain people to steal the spotlight from you."

"Mmm..." Cedric's presence had caught the attention of many of the courtyard's occupants, however, Malfoy's guffawing drew even more looks. Cedric could even see a few people sticking their faces out some of the windows to catch a look at the spectacle.

"About that... Do you mind keeping me out of your petty pigtail pulling?"

Malfoy's expression rapidly blanked, his eyes wide and gobsmacked. "W- what? Pigtail pulling?"

"Yes, your whole fascination with Potter is er... cute and all... but, I just don't want any involvement in it."

Malfoy's face went from it's usually pasty white to a bright, sweltering red.

Oh. Cedric blinked.

Apparently his lies had more merit than he'd thought. He'd really just intended to embarrass Malfoy with baseless claims, but this was even better.

"F- f- fascination!?" Malfoy sputtered, glancing at the many gleeful bystanders who were observing his embarrassment. "I'm not fascinated with Potter! I- I- just... We're enemies!"

Cedric stepped even closer, and placed a hand on one of the boy's stiff shoulders. He had to suppress a grin. This was just too rich.

"Look... I get it, you want his attention even if it's negative. But, honestly, don't you think you're a bit too old for this sort of thing now? You're not going to win the boy over by bullying him."

He had to bite his lip at the sight of the tears of frustration gathering at the edge of the boy's clear, blue eyes. How wonderful, how cathartic. This is just what Cedric needed to alleviate his stress. What a stupid, sniveling brat. He deserves this for all the Hell he's put Harry through.

He laid another pat on the boy's shoulder. "Anyway, if I were you I'd just stop distributing those badges all together. Everyone's kinda cottoned onto the fact that it's another of your futile efforts to get Potter to notice you. You're honestly just embarrassing yourself at this point."

The pitiful wide-eyed expression on Malfoy's face narrowed into a visceral anger. Cedric wanted to preen at the sight of it.

"Fuck you, Diggory." snapped the boy, reaching into his robes to draw his wand. The few people who were still close by backed up, preparing for an altercation. "You don't know anything!"

Cedric raised his hands in a placating manner. "There's no need for violence, Malfoy. I'm sorry if you were hurt by anything I said. But, you deserved to know before you embarrassed yourself further. And I'm tired of being associated with your shenanigans. Harry is a nice person, he doesn't deserve to be harrassed like this, even if it is just some misguided attempt to gain his affection."

Malfoy twitched and Cedric unholstered his wand from his arm strap with a flick of his wrist, just in time to dissipate the noxious purple hex that Draco fired off.

"Alright, that's enough." said Cedric calmly, though inwardly he was rejoicing at the chorus of whispers from the onlookers around them. Malfoy was digging this hole deeper and deeper. "10 points from Slytherin. And if you try that again I'll throw in a detention."

Malfoy just stood there for a moment, glaring daggers at Cedric, his grip so tight on his wand that Cedric was a bit amazed it didn't snap. Then, shaking with anger he twirled around and stomped off, bowing his head against the avid gazes of the other students.

Cedric sighed before putting on his most charming grin. "Sorry about that." he chuckled as he turned to the masses, scratching sheepishly at the back of his neck. "I really didn't mean to make such a scene."

A few people laughed, and Cedric could see the adoration reflected in the majority of the students' faces.

This was a better start to his day than he'd anticipated.

-0v0-

Cedric wrapped his hand around Harry's delicate wrist, correcting his wand grip ever so slightly. His chest just barely pressed against the boy's back.

"Try again. Make sure to keep your forearm anchored."

Harry tilted his head inquiringly, and a raven curl just barely brushed against Cedric's cheek.

'Merlin.' was all Cedric could think, taking a shaky inhale. 'Fucking Merlin.'

"Anchored how?"

"Your wrist is really the only thing that should be moving." Cedric somehow managed to respond, through the foggy haze that had overtaken his mind. He couldn't take his eyes off the way the candle light looked against the pale column of Harry's neck. The hollow of his throat looked like the perfect place for Cedric to bury his nose. "Any movement from your forearm will throw the spell off."

"I see." His green eyes turned back in the direction of the book he was attempting to summon. "Accio."
So caught up in the way Harry's tongue curled around the c's in Accio, Cedric only belatedly realized that the boy had successfully casted the spell.

"Wonderful, Harry." He found himself smiling unrepentantly back at the exuberant boy, genuinely impressed with how quickly he'd grasped the spell. "You hardly needed any instruction."

The boy's answering grin was radiant, so much so that it was like staring into the sun. Even so, Cedric refused to break his stare.

"Because I had such a great instructor! You're a very good tutor Cedric!"

"And you are a very good student." he replied earnestly, a joyful feeling welling up from Harry's compliments. "But, we'll need more practice if you want to be able to summon a broom from such a long distance."

The boy ducked his head, worrying at a stray string on the muggle shirt he was wearing beneath his robes. "Um, well..."

"Is something wrong?" Cedric asked patiently, though beneath the surface he felt a bubbling panic. Was something wrong? Had he done something to make Harry uncomfortable? To make Harry angry?

"It's just," He looked up, fixing Cedric with a wide, green stare. "We've focused so much on me. But, what about you? Are you prepared for this task?"

Cedric blinked, happily surprised. He honestly probably shouldn't be though. Harry has always been inordinately considerate of others. Still, Cedric was extremely flattered by Harry's concern.

"Oh, you needn't worry about me, Harry. I've got a plan."

The boy still seemed skeptical, worrying at his soft bottom lip with his teeth. "But, shouldn't you be practicing at least? I'd feel awful if you got hurt during the trial because you were too busy helping me."

Cedric felt himself smiling softly. Harry is so wonderful, so thoughtful. "I promise I'm taking ample time to prepare. But, thank you for your concern. I'm sure you hear this often, but you're very selfless, Harry."

Harry ducked his head again, but Cedric could see the happy little smile on the boy's face. "I'm selfless? You're the one devoting all this time to keeping me alive." He mumbled bashfully. "I'm glad that you've got a plan though..." he trailed off, expression becoming troubled.

"You still seem concerned." commented Cedric. "Have some faith in me, Harry. I'll be alright."

"No, I believe you." Harry nodded. "But, do you think Krum and Delacour will be okay? I'm pretty sure both Karkaroff and Maxime informed them what the task would be but... this just seems so crazy how can they expect students to face a dragon?!"

This was confusing for Cedric. As he'd just stated aloud Harry is a kind and selfless person, but he really couldn't find the logic behind the boy's concern. Harry is a Gryffindor after all. Gryffindors are naturally competitive, why would he care about his competitors? He doesn't know these people personally. Does he not want to win?

Or perhaps Harry was concerned about the possibility that their competitors would outperform them. That would make a bit more sense, but something about this concept seemed unlikely.

"They'll be okay." Cedric assuaged. "Delacour is clearly a very competent witch and... well, Karkaroff will make sure that Krum will be fine. You don't need to worry about them."

Despite his calming tone, Cedric felt himself grinding his teeth. He didn't like this. It was nice when Harry was concerned on Cedric's behalf, but he didn't want to share the boy's concern. Especially not with his own competitors.

Did Harry view Cedric the same as Delacour and Krum? Is he not worth more than them? Surely, he must be. He and Harry had a bond.

"This tournament just seems cruel." Harry concluded.

Cedric wasn't sure if he agreed with that. It is cruel to expect someone as young as Harry to participate in such a deadly competition, but aside from that Cedric found it wonderful. What better way to establish his superiority over his peers?

"I agree." he lied.

He felt his hands, moving unprompted, settling on Harry's small, sloping shoulders. He wanted to ask him. He wanted to know what Harry truly thought of him. Of their competitors. 'Do you want me to win?' He wanted to ask. 'Are you cheering for me?' 'Do you like them as much as you do me?' 'More than you do me?'

He said none of these things.

"We'll be alright. I'll make sure of it."