Lovebirds [Hedric]

I Believe In You

"So, did you really put your name in?"

Harry sighed for the umpteenth time for the night. The halls were empty and the silence that followed after the question was agonizingly long. Harry shuffled his feet and turned away, grasping his arm and tapping his foot impatiently. The taller boy remained silent, and the two stayed still, not daring to make even a single move. Tonight has been a tiresome night and Harry knew that for a fact. He even hated it. Harry finally answered.

"No," he said, rather curtly.

It was a very simple answer, yet Cedric found that hard to believe. The brunette raised his eyebrow and eyed Harry in suspicion. The boy didn't seem to notice, which made him glad because he didn't want Harry to think he didn't like him. He deeply admired the boy, yes, being the chosen one who vanished He Who Must Not Be Named at such a young age of one month. But now, it was hard to believe the boy. Harry bid him good night and both went to their dorms. While Cedric managed to fall asleep peacefully after a bit of celebration, it was quite the opposite for Harry.

Harry's name had come out from the Goblet of Fire just last night. Coming down for breakfast really didn't sound appealing to him. His best friend had turned against him and so did the whole school, calling him a cheater. The sun was shining so bright that it started to make him feel worse. Harry hopped out of bed and slipped his school uniform on. He stood in front of a mirror and hastily tied his tie. The red and yellow stripes used to be so vibrant, but the dullness seemed to fit Harry's current mood. His roommates were out of bed and most likely downstairs. Harry wished he had a watch.

Going down was like a suicide mission. The moment he set foot in the Great Hall, snickers, insults, and shouts continuously bombarded him. He passed by the Ravenclaw table, feeling everyone's glare and whispers piercing through his body. Then, he walked across the Hufflepuff table, which was a bad idea. Every eye was on fire whenever they turned to him, words aimed at him like bullets, calling him things like attention-seeker, cheater, and all those things. The Gryffindors supported him a lot and even looked down on the other champion, Cedric, which provoked the other houses even more. Harry wished they didn't do so and just left him alone because he didn't fancy the idea of being everyone's target.

Harry sat beside Hermione, whose nose was in a book as always. It took a bit of a minute and three hellos for her to notice him. She smiled widely at him and greeted good morning, but that lowered Harry's spirits for unknown reasons. Hermione reassured him he was fine by patting his back, saying nice words, and making snarky comments about how childish and blind everyone was. While Harry appreciated the support, he needed a lot of courage to ask Hermione that he wanted to be alone for now. Thankfully, the girl understood, gave him some space - quite literally - and reminded him that she's on his side. Harry grinned and ate breakfast peacefully.

Potions made him feel even more rotten. Snape was attacking him as well. It certainly didn't help that the Slytherins were there too. Draco was making him miserable with his crew and even made some stupid badges, which in Harry's opinion, was highly immature. Harry managed to get away from all the trouble and ended up in the library. He gave a small pout.

I'm starting to become like Hermione.

After a bit of wandering, he found a nice, secluded place, somewhere that no one will find him other than Madam Pince. Harry skimmed through the books and read a few nice pieces, hopefully something that will help him with the tournament. He was so focused on the books he had piled up that he didn't notice Cedric sitting beside him. The brunette didn't dare open his mouth, and simply eyed the boy. Cedric took a small piece of parchment and passed it to Harry.

The Gryffindor looked at the paper. Are you okay? You seemed awful during breakfast.

An awkward smile spread on his lips. Harry passed the paper back after writing a bit on it.

Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you.

Are you sure?

Yeah. How are you?

I'm feeling okay.

"Wait, why are we passing papers?" Harry giggled softly.

"I'm not sure, you started the train," Cedric replied.

"No, you did," Harry shot back. His smile faded away. "So, um, thanks for the concern."

"No problem," Cedric whispered back. "I'm sorry about last night."

"It's fine." Harry grinned. "You're so nice. No wonder why everyone really looks up to you."

Cedric frowned. "I'm sorry about the badges."

"It's okay."

"Um, I believe you," Cedric said. "About the goblet."

Harry was nonplussed and embarrassed. "Really?"

"Really."

"And I'm sure you can do it," Cedric added. "I believe in you."

Harry blushed. "You're such a flirt."

Cedric chuckled and so did Harry. Another awkward silence followed the two. Cedric sooted nearer to Harry, and the boy didn't move, thankfully. The two spent some time together after that chat; reading, joking around, learning together, tutoring together (which often ends with Cedric scolding Harry about procrastinating).

Days went by and it was Friday, a week before the first task. Their schedules were different since Harry was a fourth year and Cedric wasn't. For Cedric, it took quite a while to get away from the crowds. Usually, they found each other in the library on the same spot. Today, Cedric was there first so Harry took the opportunity to sneak up on him. He grabbed his shoulders and hugged him tight from behind. The Hufflepuff flinched, but he turned and kissed Harry's cheek. Then Harry turned to kiss him lovingly on the lips. He sat down beside him.

"Are you nervous?" Harry asked, taking out some essays and books from his bag.

Cedric shrugged. "Very. You?"

"Very," Harry repeated, grinning. "Very nervous."

Cedric wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder and pulled him closer. The boy rested his head on his shoulder. They stayed still like that for a while. Cedric held a book while they both read it. Harry shuffled and closed his eyes. It made him look so innocent, as though he was sleeping in a snug bed. The Hufflepuff couldn't help, but place a kiss on his fluffy hair.

"Have you got a strategy?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Mhm," Cedric confirmed. "I'm gonna transfigure a rock into a dog or an animal that can distract the dragon."

Harry smiled, his eyes still closed. "That's smart."

"How about you, love? Do you have a strategy?"

Harry's eyes snapped open. "I'm not sure."

"But, you do have a plan, right?" Cedric asked, a queasy feeling at the pit of his stomach. Harry straightened up and pulled him for a reassuring kiss.

"I do," Harry said, hugging his lover. "I'm just not sure if it'll work."

Cedric chuckled. "It's okay, you can do it. I know you can."

Harry giggled. "You think?"

"I know." He kissed him on the cheeks. Then on the forehead. Then on the lips. He kissed him again ... and again ... and again. Then, he whispered into Harry's ear.

"I believe in you."

No, I'm not dead. Just had a bit of writer's block, that's all. Is this part cheesy or fluffy? Let me know :D