someone like you

{ seventeen }

Cedric grinned as he approached the Black Lake, he was feeling confident, excited even

He'd spent the last several days perfecting the bubble head charm, studying it tirelessly until it was as second nature to him as the simple levitation charm. He was proud to admit that the charm had become something which he now felt completely confident with

"Nervous?" Matthew asked, eyeing his friend with a small grin

Cedric shook his head, "No, I'm not too nervous at all"

Matthew nodded but remained silent. Cedric had the feeling that he wanted to say something but was amidst an internal conflict. Matthew had been acting this way ever since the news blew up around the school that Harry and Cedric were dating

"So uh Ced, you and Potty..." Matthew's voice was almost pitifully hesitant. Cedric had been expecting this question however the suddenness of it all threw him ever so slight off guard

"Don't call him that" he quipped quickly, clearing his throat and regaining his emotions before speaking again, "and yes, Harry and I are dating...you already know this Matthew"

"You don't think he's just trying to uh...get information out of you?"

Cedric let out an audible sigh, "No Matthew, now please, can we focus on the task at hand?"

Matthew nodded slowly though appeared to still be pondering something deeply. Matthew would never trust Harry, he was still under the impression that the younger boy had gotten someone to put his name into the goblet for him, something which angered Cedric immensely

They walked the rest of the journey in silence, stopping only when they reached the edge of the forest. Cedric stood at the lip of the shore, taking in the brisk morning around him. The air was sharp and fresh, a soothing sensation which eased the bubbling sensations of his wild emotions

A cluster of students were swarming the boats, all anxiously awaiting their transport out to the large podiums in the centre of the lake

Cedric craned his head above the large crowd, feeling sudden excitement at the thought of glimpsing Harry. He hadn't seen the younger boy for far too long. He was beginning to feel guilty and desperate for something as simple as a view of the perfectly disheveled younger boy

Though as he searched for Harry, he realized the younger boy was nowhere to be found. He supposed it was possible that due to Harry's short stature he was hiding, or that he'd already gotten on a boat...whatever it was Cedric concluded that he'd be seeing the younger boy soon enough anyway...

* * *

Cedric watched half amused and half concerned as Harry hastily scrambled up to the podium beside him. The boy looked far more disheveled than usual, as if he hadn't slept in days. Cedric felt a sting of guilt, perhaps it had been his fault as he hadn't offered any help to the younger Gryffindor ...

Cedric glanced to his side, unable to take his eyes off Harry. It seemed the longer he studied him the more he discovered about his appearance. Harry was now trembling ever so slightly, the cold air was bitter in proper clothes but in the small shorts and tanked tops they were wearing it was near cruel

In dating Harry, Cedric had discovered that the Gryffindor was not a fan of the cold, though he always seemed to struggle to find warmth...that was until Cedric would give him a cuddle, a hug, or any general form of affection