Hogsmeade

For disclaimer see Chapter 1.

A/N: I know it's been forever, but I've moved countries since last I posted. Now that life is *almost* normal, may I present the latest installment of Wizards and Champions. Sorry for the delay, and I hope it's worth it.

Thanks to my betas, Allyness29 and JaneAverage -- you ladies are wonderful.

Chapter 11 ~*~ Hogsmeade ~*~

Cedric felt oddly lighter since his talk with Jamie, and even though the pressures of both school and the Tournament were still exceptionally high, the following few days were some of the best he'd had since becoming champion.

Professor Moody had begun teaching them the Patronus Charm. Everyone was expected to conjure their Patronus and use it both for sending messages and in a mock battle. Markus was particularly amused at the sight of Jamie's silver fox chasing Fred's rabbit (or was it George's?) around, and his big, booming laugh echoed through the classroom as he leaned on Lee Jordan for support.

Professor Moody seemed particularly agitated at what he called the class' 'tomfoolery,' and he had them practicing until they neared exhaustion.

'Again, Mister Diggory! I need something strong from you, something tangible, something REAL!'

Cedric slumped against the wall and groaned at the sheer volume of Moody's voice as he looked at Jamie, who clapped him on the shoulder in a show of encouragement. Cedric had initially used images from his childhood, the day that he got his Hogwarts letter and the joy on his parents' faces, but the joy he had felt that day had been more of a reflected excitement from his mother and father. His Patronus barely held its shape, and he began to realize that the feelings weren't strong enough because they weren't his feelings. No, what truly made Cedric happy was Harry, and he straightened once again to conjure up a memory of his own.

He thought of the younger champion and felt a warmth flow over his body. He recalled an image of Harry after their first task and he felt a surge through his magic. Another image flashed through Cedric's consciousness, an image so clear and so powerful that he almost staggered backwards. He and Harry, surrounded by their auras in the small room, and his feeling of peace, of belonging... Suddenly he felt the power build in his own body as his magic took hold, and he uttered the words almost without thought.

'Expecto Patronum!'

The effect was profound. He felt his magic swirl through him and funnel itself down through his arm and into his wand. The tip of his wand flared with an incredibly bright light, out of which galloped a large African Oryx. Cedric looked in amazement at the fully formed animal, its horns standing up proudly from its head. The shimmering, silvery Oryx ran around the room, causing the other Patronuses in its path to scatter, and as it rounded again on the grouping of Cedric, Professor Moody and Jamie, both Cedric and Jamie held their ground while the Professor leapt out of the way. The Oryx skidded to a halt in front of Cedric and lowered its head, placing its forehead against his chest with its long horns lying on each of Cedric's shoulders for a moment before the beast disappeared.

Markus was the first to speak.

'Well, Diggs, that was something.'

That was something indeed, thought Cedric.

~*~

The end of that week brought with it another trip to Hogsmeade. Cedric couldn't bring himself to ask Cho for fear of rejection. He had been quite reserved and almost unkind to her after the second task, and he felt an uncomfortable distance between them. He deeply regretted his inability to be who she wanted, to live up to everyone's expectations, but in rational moments he knew that he could only truly be himself. He felt that he could no longer be everything to everyone and he would not live his life for others any longer. After the Tournament was over he would explain things to his parents; explain himself and his feelings. He felt that he owed them at least that much.

The sun was at its zenith, and it shimmered like a Patronus as Cedric's group left Hogwarts and headed down towards Hogsmeade. Cedric glanced at his friends as they walked alongside him and he felt oddly disconnected. Jamie and Katie soon pulled ahead of the group, excitedly discussing Quidditch, and Cedric was amused to note that they walked extremely close to each other. He had felt waves of nervousness from Jamie earlier, but now Cedric felt a sense of acceptance emanating from Katie, and he knew that the two of them would be all right.

He glanced sideways at Hannah who was laughing at something Markus had said. Cedric was truly happy for his friends and the corners of his mouth turned up in a private smile. Hannah had proved herself to be more than up to the task of handling Markus, and that was no mean feat.

Cedric's feet made their way down the well-worn path towards Hogsmeade, and he allowed his mind to wander. Predictably, they centred on Cho's face at the lake and later that same week at breakfast. Cedric had tried to talk with her on a couple of occasions, but he realized that nothing he said would make a difference. She had finally realized that her feelings for him weren't being returned ... couldn't be returned ... and that realization had stood between them like a wall. She had still been friendly, but she was distant, and he could see the hurt in her eyes; could feel her loss without even trying to sense it.

His melancholy turned his thoughts to the other problem: Harry Potter. After their performances in the second task, both he and Harry were tied for first place in the competition, and Cedric couldn't deny the fact that their standings further complicated things. He now felt the pressure increase twofold; on the one hand he was champion and would fight to win to the very best of his ability, but on the other hand, he felt an instinctual and very strong loyalty to the young Gryffindor that went against all logic. Cedric believed and trusted in his instincts, and in that regard he realized that he was truly at an impasse.

He was jolted out of his musings by Hannah's hand wrapping around his arm as she pulled him to join the two of them.

'Come on now, Cedric, it's a Hogsmeade weekend! Let's go into Honeydukes first and then we can head to Dervish and Banges.'

Cedric couldn't help but be caught up in her enthusiasm, and he shook off the darkness of his thoughts as the trio marched as one down High Street and swept into Honeydukes.

~*~

They emerged thirty minutes later, each clutching a bag of treats. Markus had purchased a block of Honeydukes' finest milk chocolate for himself and a small box of flower-shaped fudge for Hannah. Cedric had also purchased a large block of milk chocolate for himself, as well as a variety of several smaller chocolates, each wrapped in shimmering foil. Munching their treats, the trio caught up with Jamie and Katie as the pair came out of Zonko's Joke Shop.

'Hey, Katie needs to stop at Scrivenshaft's so we're heading over that way. Where shall we meet you?'

Katie and Hannah chorused, 'Madame Puddifoot's for a late lunch?'

The men groaned in unison.

'Why does this feel like a setup, lads?' Jamie asked wryly, and ducked as Katie reached out quickly and tapped him on the back of his head. Everyone laughed easily and agreed to meet at the claustrophobic tea shop.

Cedric accompanied Markus and Hannah as they entered the shop and made for a large booth along the side wall. They all ordered Butterbeer from the waitress while they waited for Jamie and Katie to join them. Cedric looked at the patrons, mainly couples, clustered around the small round tables dotted throughout the shop, and he was forcibly reminded of his visit with Cho. He began to feel as though he should be anywhere else but there and shifted in his seat as he prepared to leave, but his departure was forestalled by Jamie and Katie's arrival. Cedric moved aside to let them into the booth and sat down at the end of the bench seat. He engaged them all in animated conversation for a while as he drank his Butterbeer, but the atmosphere was decidedly skewed towards couples, and he became uncomfortable, feeling that he was a fifth wheel.

Finishing his Butterbeer with a flourish, he rose.

'Right, you lot, I've got to make a move. See you back at Hogwarts, yeah?'

The chorus of protests was predictable.

'Cedric, come on, stay with us.'

'C'mon, Diggs, have another Butterbeer.'

'Cedders, mate, don't go.'

Only Hannah was silent, and as her eyes met Cedric's, a silent understanding passed between them. He was surprised that she understood, but he also had to admit that Hannah Abbott was a most unusual character and a truly good person.

'Nah, I have to take care of something, alright? So, later?'

Barely waiting for an answer, Cedric turned and hurried out of the tea shop, dodging fluffy decorations and large enchanted flowers that shed their petals upon the patrons.

With a sigh of relief, Cedric walked out into the street. It was a beautiful day in Hogsmeade and quite warm for March. He started walking along the road towards High Street when he noticed an unmistakable sight. Harry, accompanied by Ron and Hermione, walked past his field of view on their way towards Dervish and Banges. They appeared to be carrying two bags with them, one a lurid green with yellow writing on it that was clearly from Gladrags and another that was slung over Harry's shoulder. Cedric had the distinct impression that they were up to something, and certainly fourth-years weren't allowed out of Hogsmeade unless they were going back to Hogwarts. The trio were clearly walking out of town, and Cedric hurried down his street with an anxious feeling in his gut that he could not explain. He turned the corner and looked to his left, hoping to catch a glimpse of the trio, but he couldn't see anything beyond the bend in the road that led out into the countryside. The mountain commanded the view, and he scowled, disquieted by their obvious disregard for the rules.

Cedric weighed his options. As a prefect, he was obliged to monitor the younger students, and he could easily have followed them and prevented them from leaving, but on the other hand, he didn't want to force too heavy a hand on Harry and his friends. His gut instinct told him that they were reasonably safe, and although he couldn't exactly say why, he resolved to let the matter go for now.

He knew that he should return to Hogwarts, but something in him refused to let him leave without making sure that Harry and his friends returned. He didn't know how long he'd have to wait, so he visited Dervish and Banges, browsing through the supplies and various items while keeping an eye on the street outside. After nearly forty minutes with no sign of the fourth years, Cedric left Dervish and Banges and walked towards Scrivenshaft's. He stood outside the shop for several minutes, smiling at various groups of schoolmates who walked by, laden with purchases. Finally, to avoid questions and prying eyes, Cedric entered the shop and stood next to the window, peering out through the mottled glass while pretending to examine the selection of quills and bottles of magical ink on the shelves. Luckily, the shop was filled with many different types of quills, and as the shopkeeper was busy attending to the four or five customers already in the shop, Cedric felt reasonably certain that he could avoid any confrontation for many minutes.

Many minutes came and went with still no sign of Cedric's quarry. Exasperated and feeling not a little foolish, he left Scrivenshaft's and proceeded to walk slowly up High Street towards Hogwarts. He met the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan coming out of Zonko's Joke Shop, clutching bags and boxes filled with various items. The looks on their faces gave new meaning to the word mischievous, but they all smiled easily as Cedric approached.

'Hey, Cedric, fancy a bit of excitement?' one of the twins started.

'Not that he hasn't had his fair share lately, has he?' The other twin was quick on the uptake.

'Yeah, Cedric, how's about it?' Lee's face was virtually split in two by his wide grin.

'Come on now, guys, can't you see that Cedric's not particularly keen on anything you lot have to offer?'

'Harry!' the group chorused, and Cedric's stomach and heart leapt as he turned and took in the sight before him. Harry and his friends approached Cedric's group, his cheeks pink from the cold and his hair even more unkempt than usual. He was punched playfully by the twins, and Lee grabbed Ron in a headlock. Hermione simply stood a little apart from the brawling men, looking exasperated, but Cedric could feel her eyes on him. He looked up and smiled, meeting her gaze steadily before she blushed and looked away. He ruefully admitted that he had that effect on most girls and wished that his powers extended to the likes of Harry Potter.

'Well, you scoundrels, much as we'd love to stay and play,' began a twin.

'We've got some serious business to attend to,' the other continued.

'And you know how we get when we're serious!' Lee's voice almost cracked from holding back his laughter as the three Gryffindors turned and hastened towards Hogwarts. Cedric chuckled to himself – those three reminded him of his own band of brothers.

Cedric turned his attention back to the younger Gryffindors and noted that Harry stood next to Ron, who was trying not to look uncomfortable. Hermione grabbed Ron's arms and started propelling him towards Hogwarts with a 'Bye, Cedric.' He and Harry watched as the pair walked quickly through Hogsmeade, their heads bent in conversation.

Puzzled, Cedric met Harry's eyes as the younger boy turned back to face him, dragging his hand through his unruly black hair in a way that always sent goose bumps across Cedric's flesh; goose bumps that had nothing to do with the cold. No matter how often he watched Harry do that, he still thought, Oh, do that again! Cedric longed to run his own hand through that wildly tangled hair, to bury his face in Harry's neck and inhale the scent of him.

Cedric pulled himself back with great effort and started walking after Ron and Hermione.

'So, did you enjoy the outing today?' Cedric asked pointedly.

Harry fell in step beside him and his flickering emerald gaze told Cedric everything he needed to know. The trio had indeed left Hogsmeade unaccompanied by an adult or teacher, and if Cedric were ever in a position to get Harry in trouble, this was it. One mention of Harry's infraction of school rules to someone like Professor Snape and Harry would be spending the next month in detention, Triwizard champion or not. That, combined with his already disadvantaged position of being the youngest and most inexperienced champion would virtually seal his defeat.

However, Cedric didn't operate like that and was genuinely surprised that the thought should have entered his mind at all. His main concern was that Harry was safe, that they all were, and since none of them seemed worse for wear he decided to let it pass.

'We're fine, Cedric. It was a very enjoyable trip.'

Cedric stopped walking and looked at Harry intently as the younger boy turned to face him. His heart still fluttered during every moment spent with this boy, and his stomach still turned in delighted turmoil every time he so much as thought of him. Cedric was sure that Harry could feel his nervousness and his conflicted thoughts, because they shouted in his own mind louder than anything he'd experienced before. Harry's face and eyes glowed with intensity as he stared up at Cedric who realized that the younger boy didn't want him to press the point. Cedric could sense Harry's reluctance to explain as clearly as he felt the whirls of colour that signified Harry's aura. No explanation was necessary.

'Okay.'

'Cedric...'

'Harry, really, it's fine.'

'Okay, then.'

Silence.

Cedric fought to remain impassive, to project a calm exterior to shield the world from the maelstrom inside him. Harry broke the gaze first and shuffled his feet nervously, dragging his hand through his hair again. Cedric shivered. Do that again!

'Do you believe me?'

The words were softly spoken, but the weight of the question hung between them. Cedric considered his answer and knew that Harry deserved nothing but honesty.

'Not entirely, but you're safe. That's all that matters.'

Harry paused, seemingly taken aback by Cedric's words, and the prefect saw the young Gryffindor considering his response.

'Oh. Well, I... guess I'll see you later? I have to catch up with Ron and Hermione.'

'Sure, see you.'

The Hufflepuff prefect felt an odd pang at their strained conversation, and a feeling of loss swept through him as Harry turned and hurried after his friends. His shivering body and pounding heart mourned the loss for much longer.

TBC