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Harry remembers the day that he championed to be Prince Cedric's knight fondly. The year the Prince turned 21, The King and Queen had sent invitations out to all the villages, asking them to send their strongest men and women to a tournament. The winner would have the great honor of being Prince Cedric's personal knight. When Harry had arrived at court, many dismissed him as easy competition, but Harry proved them wrong time and time again.
The night before the final tournament, Harry met Prince Cedric himself. He had been unable to sleep, so he went to the library to relax, and had been startled to find Prince Cedric already there.
"Apologies, your highness," Harry had said, bowing deeply when the prince looked up at him. "Forgive me, I had thought the library would be unoccupied at this late hour. If I had known-"
"Sir Harry," the prince interrupted, and when Harry glanced up at him, he saw a smile on the prince's face. "No need to bow. Please, come in."
Harry blinked, straightening slowly. "You honor me with the title of Sir, when I have not earned it yet. But thank you, your Highness. I will enter, if you are sure."
"I am positive," Prince Cedric replied.
So Harry had chatted with Prince Cedric all night long, a friendship between the two quickly forming. Before the end of the night, Prince Cedric confessed that he hoped Harry would win the tournament, giving him a brooch to wear under his armor.
"So that you know I am on your side," Prince Cedric had said, pinning it to Harry's nightshirt.
Harry wore it during the final tournament, hidden under his armor so that no one could see. It had been a long, hard fight, but Harry had emerged the champion, and had been serving Cedric these past 5 years as his personal knight. They had become the best of friends over the years, and if Harry had fallen in love with the prince? Well that was no one's business but his own.
Harry knew that Prince Cedric would be awake despite the late hour, so he made his way up to Cedric's rooms, pleased that he didn't cross anyone's path.
It was the night before Christmas, and Harry couldn't wait any longer to give Cedric the gift he had created. It was nothing fancy, but he hoped the Prince would appreciate it all the same. He rapped on the door, suddenly nervous to give it to him. Harry briefly considered leaving it at the threshold and darting away, but Cedric opened up the door before Harry could make good on his plan.
"Harry!" Cedric said, looking pleased to see him. "Come in!"
Harry entered his private rooms, Cedric latching the door behind him as he glanced around. He had been in Cedric's rooms before of course, but he didn't think he could ever get over the lavish décor.
"I apologize for the late hour, Cedric," Harry said, clutching the gift in his left hand. "But I had a gift for you, and I simply couldn't wait any longer."
"A gift?" Cedric asked in surprise. "Hey, you weren't supposed to get me anything!"
"It's nothing fancy," Harry said, holding out the gift. Cedric took it, unwrapping in gingerly to reveal the brooch that Harry had created.
"Harry," Cedric breathed, eyes fixed on the brooch.
"Like I said, nothing fancy," Harry said, feeling a little embarrassed. "It's just, you gave me that brooch with your family's crest on it, and wouldn't take it back after the tournament. It's become my lucky charm of sorts, and I thought...er, you should have one too."
Cedric looked up at Harry, his eyes shining. But he said nothing, just listening raptly to Harry speak.
"I mean, I don't exactly have a family crest, my parents were potters in Godric's Hallow, and I was raised by family in the town of Dursley." Harry said, trying to flatten his messy hair, a nervous habit of his. "But I made it out of clay, for my potter heritage, and the sword is for my knighthood, and-"
Cedric cut him off by pressing their lips together in a heated kiss. Harry froze for a moment, and Cedric leapt off of him in alarm.
"I'm so sorry, Harry!" Cedric apologized, looking horrified. "I don't know what came over me, I-"
"Cedric," Harry interrupted. "Did you mean it?"
"Mean it?" Cedric repeated, his cheeks red.
"Do you..." Harry was unsure how to follow that thought up.
"Harry, you do realize I've been in love with you this whole time, right?" Cedric said. "I thought you knew, but didn't feel the same..."
"You're in love with me?" Harry gaped at him. "No, you've got it backwards, I'm in love with you !"
"You are?!" Cedric looked shocked. "When did this happen?"
"Ages ago!" Harry said, sounding nearly angry. "You chatted with me the night before the final tournament, and I already knew that you were unfairly attractive, but then you had the audacity to be kind as well?"
"Harry," Cedric tried to interrupt, but Harry wasn't having it.
"And then, when I won the tournament, you continued being kind. And your smile . I would do anything to make you smile, it's addicting."
"Harry."
"Don't get me started on your laugh. You-mpf!"
Cedric captured Harry's lips in another kiss, but this time Harry melted into it, wrapping his arms around Cedric to pull him close.
"I love you, Sir Harry." Cedric said as they broke the kiss.
"And I love you, Prince Cedric." Harry replied, before leaning up to capture his lips once more.