Food for Thought

Disclaimer: I own nothing famous.

A/N: Beaucoup thanks to my betas, charmed3 and JaneAverage for all your help with this chapter.

Chap 15 - Food for Thought

Cedric was mentally exhausted after his talk with his friends and went into the Prefect's bathroom to unwind and take a bath. Every time he sat in the large tub, immersed himself in the warm water and stared up at the mermaid, he was reminded of the night when Harry walked in on him. Predictably, his face would burn with embarrassment, but he would still get hard at the memory of Harry's bare chest, his tented pyjama bottoms, and the perfect O made by his mouth. The expression of surprise was what always got to Cedric; it wasn't that Harry was shocked or even disgusted, but rather that he was aroused, and the knowledge of that arousal fuelled Cedric's desire every time he thought about it. Tonight was no different, but tonight he took things slowly, gradually stroking himself into full hardness and then rocking his hips forwards and backwards as the water swirled around him until eventually he crested joyfully and powerfully into his hand, hissing his pleasure through clenched teeth.

They had all missed dinner, but Cedric wasn't hungry yet; he was still contemplating the motive behind Rita Skeeter's article. He had repeatedly ignored her owls requesting an interview, thinking that the other champions had been treated in the same manner. Perhaps he had been wrong, but now that he thought about it, he knew that Harry had always been hounded by that woman. He remembered the incident at the weighing of the wands and how rattled Harry had been. His stomach twisted at the memory of Harry's face then too, how nervous he had appeared – and with good reason. It seemed as though Rita Skeeter's sole ambition was to print half-truths and innuendoes about any public figure in an effort to further her own career. Cedric would be damned if he would let that happen to him or to Harry.

On his way back to the common room, Cedric met up with many of his housemates, who were making their way down from dinner. He caught sight of Jamie with his arm around Katie and smiled contentedly to himself as he sank wearily into his favourite armchair, letting his head fall back against the backrest. Even closing his eyes didn't help, as the thoughts inside his mind proved too much to block out. He wondered whether he should broach the subject of Rita with Harry, reasoning that the boy had a right to know, but he was concerned that it might simply add to the stress they both already felt. He decided to keep the information to himself, at least for the time being.

He must have fallen asleep on the chair because he awoke to the sound of his stomach growling. The common room was virtually deserted, but Markus was stretched out on the chair, reading a magazine. As Cedric stirred, his friend's eyes crinkled in amusement.

'Hey, mate, we wondered whether you'd sleep all night.'

'What time is it?'

'Just past eleven. You sound hungry.'

Cedric laughed as his stomach chose that moment to growl loudly once more, and he remembered that he hadn't eaten anything since lunch.

'Sure am. Where's Jamie?'

'He just left to walk Katie back to her dorm. He should be back any time now. Want to get something from the kitchens?'

Cedric's mouth began to water at the thought of food, and he nodded quickly as he rose, stretching and bending his long limbs into some semblance of order. Clad only in jeans and a T-shirt, he followed Markus through the door and walked carefully out into the hall where they saw Jamie making his way back. Markus tickled the pear in the painting, and the door to the kitchens swung open. Flickering torches dimly lit the short corridor that opened out onto the large kitchen, and the friends made their way over to the food preparation area. There were tables and benches arranged in a long row that roughly mirrored the dining arrangements in the great hall on the floor above.

'Ahh, it's been a while, hasn't it, lads.' Markus' jovial mood and huge grin was infectious as he walked over to the large cupboards in the pantry.

'I doubt that anything's changed, 'Kus.' Jamie was right behind him, closely followed by Cedric.

A few minutes later, the three friends sat at the end of a long wooden table with a veritable bounty of food between them. Cedric's plate was piled high with lamb chops and thick slices of roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes still piping hot with pats of butter melting in the middle, sprouts and roasted tomatoes. Jamie had a large helping of steak and kidney pudding while Markus concentrated on roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, together with some tomatoes and slices of steamed pumpkin. They tucked into the delicious food with the reckless abandon of their youth, only pausing occasionally to wash everything down with some pumpkin juice.

Once the urgent bite of his hunger had been relieved, Cedric sat back and ate at a more moderate pace, noticing that his friends had done the same.

'Y'know, you're damn lucky not to have exams this year, Diggs. History of Magic alone is a real pill.' Markus gestured offhandedly with his fork, something that always annoyed Jamie, and Cedric chuckled quietly at the irritated look that flashed across Jamie's face.

'Oh, and the possibility of grievous bodily harm compensates for that, does it?' Cedric replied with amusement in his voice.

'Nah, mate, but the possibility of being Triwizard Champion sure does!'

'Katie says that the Gryffs are torn between supporting you and Harry,' Jamie added.

Markus swallowed a forkful of steamed pumpkin and looked at Cedric cautiously.

'Y'know, that Skeeter woman may have some insight that we don't know about. I mean, how else could she know about you and Harry?'

Startled by the abrupt and meaningful change in topic and mood, Cedric tried to quieten the increasing nervousness in his gut – the ominous fluttering of fate. Jamie abruptly stopped chewing, and they both regarded their dark-haired friend's serious expression.

'What's there to know, Markus? We're not colluding in the Tournament, and I sure as hell didn't put his name in the bloody cup. I think she's grasping at straws.'

'Maybe, but some of those straws come mighty close to home, mate,' Markus said sagely as he sipped his juice.

Cedric pondered that as he took another bite of a lamb chop, closing his eyes and savouring the delicious taste with pure pleasure.

'Speaking of straws...' Jamie remarked under his breath, and Cedric eyes snapped open, following his friend's gaze to the open door where Harry and Ron stood, their eyes darting nervously at the three older boys. The sight of the young Gryffindor in his pyjamas brought back the memory of Cedric's episode in the bath earlier that night, and he swallowed heavily, almost choking on his half-chewed piece of meat. He quickly masked his discomfort by taking a long draught of juice and hoped that he didn't look as nervous as he now felt. He felt the weight of Harry's eyes on him even before he placed his cup back on the table, and he had the sudden urge to touch him, but thankfully Jamie broke the silence.

'Hi. You here for some food?'

Ron and Harry smiled and chuckled nervously, obviously concerned about getting caught by a prefect, but Cedric quickly recovered and threw them both a broad smile as he gestured to the table.

'Come on, then, lads, get in here and help yourselves to some nosh. There's plenty, believe me, and that's saying something, the way Markus eats.'

'Oi,' Markus threw back indignantly. 'You'd eat like that too if you had siblings to contend with all your life.'

Ron laughed out loud at that remark as he piled roast beef and pork chops onto a plate, accompanied by Yorkshire pudding. 'He's not joking. There are seven of us, and you've got to get in quick before all the good stuff's gone, 'specially with Fred and George. It must be brilliant being an only child.'

Cedric observed the immediate good-natured bantering that was taking place between Ron and Markus, and then he allowed his craving gaze to rest on Harry, who grinned as he sat at the table and put a few slices of roast beef into his plate, together with a small serving of mashed potatoes. Cedric waited until the younger boy was settled, and then he stretched his legs discreetly, smiling privately at Harry's surprised reaction across the table from him as their feet touched. He crossed his ankles, capturing one of Harry's between his own, and the faint blush that feathered up the Gryffindor's neck and onto his cheeks only made him look that much more vibrant and alive. A silent growl of pleasure rumbled deep within Cedric, and he sighed gently in contentment.

'Well, I don't know,' Jamie was saying. 'Children without siblings miss out on a lot of things, don't we? There's the fighting – naturally – but also the companionship, the growing up with someone, holidays and vacations, sharing a bedroom, having someone else with the same parents, you know, things like that.'

They were all laughing at the end of Jamie's speech, and Cedric couldn't help feel that his friend was right. He'd never had someone close to his own age with whom he felt comfortable enough to consider a good friend until he came to Hogwarts. After their first weekend as roommates and classmates, he, Markus and Jamie had bonded closer than he'd ever thought possible, and he knew the value of friends and of family.

He stole a glance at Harry, who seemed to be enjoying the banter as well, yet Cedric sensed an underlying wistfulness, almost as though the boy felt a loss that he couldn't recover from, and in a blaze of dizzying clarity, Cedric knew. Harry never had his parents around him. He rubbed his ankle against Harry's lower leg, hoping that the simple gesture of comfort would be understood. A flickering gaze and subtle nod told him that it was.

Ron put down his fork and took a long gulp of pumpkin juice.

'Take our friend, Hermione. She's an only child, but she has the idea that she must save the world from itself.'

'How very Gryffindor,' laughed Jamie. 'I'm not like that.'

'But Harry is!' Ron's face was bright red from holding back a laugh as Harry punched him on the arm indignantly, but his friend was grinning too, and Cedric's stomach fluttered at another gentle blush on Harry's face.

'Not brave, then, Jamie?' Harry teased.

'I'm Hufflepuff brave. Not foolishly brave!'

'Hey!' Both Harry and Ron chorused in mock indignation, and Cedric smiled as he looked around the table at their impromptu dining companions.

Harry's here, we're all here, just hanging out together, being friends, although I don't think Ron knows anything. Perhaps it's better this way; fewer complications right now. Harry probably doesn't want to make things any more awkward than they already have been. This is good, yes, this is better than good.

'Well, I have two older sisters, so I know all about bravery, my friends, and that's also why I know so much about women,' Markus stated confidently, and there was a moment of absolute and incredulous silence before Jamie and Cedric dissolved into laughter.

'You don't know shite about women, 'Kus. You've just got the face and the form to bluff your way through!'

More gales of laughter reverberated off the ancient walls of the kitchen as the young men collapsed against each other in mirth. Cedric's heart bloomed to see the joy on Harry's face and the abandon with which he was able to converse, here, tonight, with him, and among their friends.

'So, what about you, Harry? What was it like growing up famous?'

The words were out of Markus' mouth and hung in the air for a moment as Cedric, Jamie and Ron held their breath. Harry's eyes clouded over for the briefest of moments, and anyone not looking directly into them would have missed it, but Cedric saw, and he felt the answer long before Harry even opened his mouth.

'Actually, I didn't know anything about myself. I only found out I was a wizard when Hagrid came to deliver my Hogwarts letter.'

'Your letter was hand-delivered by Hagrid?' Jamie sounded impressed, and Cedric settled back to listen to the answers to questions he'd wanted to ask, but never found the opportunity to.

'Yes,' Harry continued, 'but that's a long story. It was very odd that everyone knew about me and knew who I was, but I had no idea.'

'Seriously, he didn't even know about magic. Strange, really, because, you know, you would have thought that... well, being who he was...' Ron's forehead was creased as he remembered their first-ever ride on the Hogwarts Express.

Markus appeared shocked, and Cedric had to admit that this all sounded very unlikely. All the young children of their generation had grown up giving thanks to the bravery of Harry Potter, the infant who defeated Voldemort, the Boy Who Lived, and he sensed Markus' dismay that their hero appeared to be so much less than he'd imagined. Then again, Cedric had seen first-hand what Harry was capable of, and based on that little inkling of his magical prowess, he theorized that Harry was much more than 'just a kid', especially as he'd made it through two tasks and emerged tied for first place with someone much older and vastly more experienced than him. Besides, Cedric had always been able to glean some measure of the level of magical power in people, and Harry's was strong, very strong.

'Didn't anyone tell you anything? I mean, considering who you are, what you'd done...' Markus was incredulous.

'What had I done, Markus? I was a baby, barely more than a year old. My parents were the ones who saved me, died... to protect me. I had nothing to do with that; I was just there.'

Cedric felt Harry's aura begin to change, becoming more haphazard and less defined, and he glanced at Jamie, whose expression told him that he could feel something too. Harry was becoming slightly agitated with all the questions, and they needed to do something to deflect the attention, at least for a little while.

'You two lads seemed surprised to find us here tonight.' Jamie was quick with the change of topic, and Cedric felt Harry's relief as green eyes no longer flashed with fire.

'Yeah, well, we didn't think that prefects broke into the kitchens after hours.'

'Ah, but here's the thing: we've been doing it for years. It's almost a tradition, in many ways.'

Jamie smiled broadly as he raised a glass, nodding his head that they should all do the same. Goblets of pumpkin juice held aloft, he met each of their eyes in turn before proposing his toast.

'Here's to many more traditions.'

'To traditions!' they chorused, and then drained their glasses.

Some time later, after devouring a host of desserts, the friends slumped against the table as they tried to digest their enormous meal. Cedric admitted to having a sweet tooth, and was particularly fond of both chocolate éclairs and treacle tart, but even he was dwarfed by Ron and Markus, who made short work of the apple pies and chocolate gâteaux. As Jamie looked on in amused amazement at the volume of food consumed, Cedric traded heated looks with Harry, who slid his legs further under the table, increasing their contact. Cedric's mouth was dry despite the juice, and he licked his lips reflexively, noting Harry's blush as the boy's gaze flickered over Cedric's face before looking around nervously, but Ron, Jamie and Markus were once more talking about their families.

Conversation slowly tapered off and eventually ceased somewhere around three o'clock when they were roused by the house-elves, who shooed them out so that they could begin breakfast preparations. They all stretched and groaned as their muscles protested, and one by one, they rose and shuffled towards the door. Cedric's bare feet on the cold tile sent shivers through his body, and goose bumps erupted on his skin. He yawned, rubbing his arms briskly to ward off the chill.

Ron was looking a little more awake now, and he eyed the house-elves hopefully.

'Hey, anybody wants some toast to nibble on?' he muttered as he walked towards the kitchens. Shaking his head in disbelief, Cedric watched the redhead's shuffling progress and suppressed a laugh as both Markus and Jamie followed him towards the warm yellow glow of the cooking fires.

'Amazing.'

Harry snickered, a soft, whickering sound that was more endearing than it had any right to be.

'You have no idea, Cedric. Ron is a powerhouse when it comes to food.'

Cedric grinned and turned to finally feast his eyes on the dark-haired boy, whose gentle smile quirked at the corners of his mouth. He lowered his head slightly so that he could speak softly and still be heard.

'About what you said before. You weren't "just there", Harry. The fates conspired for you to be the one, and you are the Boy Who Lived. Don't make that a curse about death; choose to make it about living.'

Harry looked into his eyes and nodded with what Cedric hoped was real understanding. He longed to reach out his hand and caress Harry's cheek softly, but he hesitated; the others were returning, and they both blinked, eyes tired and dulled by lack of sleep.

'Well, it's been fun,' Markus said around a mouthful of toast.

'Yeah, highly entertaining, and don't let Hermione know that we were down here, all right? She'll do her nut because of SPEW.' The last few words were garbled by Ron's expansive yawn.

'Because of what?' Markus rubbed his eyes tiredly as he tried to make sense of Ron's statement.

'S.P.E.W.,' Harry explained. 'Hermione's decided that the elves need saving from enslavement and has formed a society.'

'Anybody ever suggest to her that the elves might prefer it this way?'

'We've tried, but it's no use.' Harry yawned widely, only barely remembering to cover his mouth.

'Well, that's what happens when you try to save the world, eh?'

There was more tired laughter, and they bade each other farewell. Markus and Jamie stumbled ahead as they all made their way back to their common room and dorms, and Cedric remembered the way Harry looked, heavy-eyed from lack of sleep and deliciously rumpled. Smiling, he took that image to bed.

~~

Cedric awoke with a groan. His eyes felt like sandpaper from lack of sleep, and they burned and stung in the bright sunlight. Foolishly, he'd forgotten to pull the curtains around his bed, so the bright light of early morning infiltrated the skin of his eyelids. He muttered a spell, and the curtains swung closed with a definite 'fwump'.

Cedric awoke again to the loud growling of his stomach. Despite the vast quantity of food they'd eaten the previous night, his metabolism was demanding more fuel, and the light filtering around the outside of his curtains suggested that it was sometime around noon. He stretched his back and shoulders, the faint cracks and pops of his joints heralding yet another day as he stumbled off to the bathroom. After standing under the shower for many minutes, trying to wake up properly, his head was still muzzy from inadequate sleep, and he squinted in the bright light as he walked quietly through the dorm. A quick glance around revealed that Markus and Jamie were still passed out behind their curtains, and he tried not to wake them as he quietly made his way to the Great Hall.

Half an hour later, he felt slightly more human after a sumptuous lunch, chased by a copious amount of strong tea, and he looked up with the rest of the students as an owl arrived, flying high against the ceiling. Misty approached at high speed, wings tucked close to her body and the parchment scroll clearly visible on her leg as she dived, and Cedric smiled – their owl flew as though she truly loved it. She came in at an almost impossibly steep angle, then spread her wings at the last moment and flared impressively, alighting on the table mere inches from a large pitcher of pumpkin juice to the gasps and chuckles of surprise from many students in his vicinity.

'Nice one, Mist. Good flare.'

Misty nodded her head in acknowledgement of Cedric's admiration and extended her leg towards him. He untied the scroll gently and scratched the feathers behind her head as she swivelled her head around, tilting it just so to ensure that Cedric found the right spot.

'You must be tired, girl. Go on up to the Owlery – I'll use one of the school's owls to reply.'

Misty hooted gratefully and took the proffered cracker in her beak before she spread her wings once more and flew out of an open window.

Friday, 11th June 1995.

Dad

Cedric sighed. He was now officially awake.

~~

Sunday, 13th June 1995.

Dad

~~

Cedric frowned at the large Ministry owl that had brought this latest missive from his father, his frustration bubbling inside him like an untended cauldron over too high a flame. The bird merely stared back at him balefully, clicking its beak impatiently as it waited for a treat, but Cedric was slow to respond and received a nasty nip on his wrist. Swearing under his breath, he fed the bird a large piece of toast and watched as it held the bread down on the table with its claws while it tore away at the soft part of the inside. For a moment, Cedric imagined himself to be that piece of bread, his insides being ripped apart as the Tournament disembowelled him like a giant bird of prey.

His attention was diverted by peals of laughter from the Gryffindor table, and he turned to see Fred holding Harry in a headlock while the other twin tickled the captive boy. Cedric's eyes narrowed as he focused on the way Harry's arms wrapped around Fred's torso, and how his body undulated as he tried to free his head. Cedric was filled with a rush of blistering jealousy, and the emotion was stronger than he cared to admit. His vision sharpened, and it seemed as though every point of contact between Harry and the Weasleys was a point of contention. His body tightened, coiled, almost as though he was preparing to do battle, but he could only hold himself in check as he watched the spectacle. Eventually, Harry was able to struggle free, and paused for a moment to catch his breath, laughing the entire time. He then quickly attacked George, who had stood aside, feigning innocence, but while most of the Great Hall looked on in amusement, Cedric only glowered as he tried to control the burning inside him and focused his own frustration at the words on the parchment before him.

"Incendio," he thought venomously, and the parchment burst into flames.

TBC

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A/N: Reviews are love.