Chapter Text
Harry Potter sat in a cafe, not too far from his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia’s home, reading a newspaper. This was a typical event for him at this point, with his Aunt and Uncle refusing to let him watch the news anymore. He had tried to fight it, but all he earned was a choking from his uncle. Feeling the marks on the side of his throat, he had decided this was the safer option.
During this daily trip, he had gotten to know one of the waitresses quite well. Her name was Sarah, and she would give him any newspaper she had available. He had grown to like her quite a bit, and would be happy to talk with her, if the cafe wasn’t too busy.
Harry had been desperately looking for news since he got home from Hogwarts. He wanted to know what Voldemort was up to, and if there were any deaths, but from what he saw, nothing could be found. It was ‘business as usual’ for the muggle and wizarding world.
This was the most infuriating part of the summer for Harry. There was nothing going on. He saw no news in the papers, or on television, and letters from his friends stopped being important entirely. They all carried the same, hollow words.
“We can’t say much about you-know-what, obviously.” “We’ve been told not to say anything important in case our letters go astray.” “We’re quite busy but I can’t give you details here.” “There’s a fair amount going on, we’ll tell you everything when we see you.”
What infuriated Harry to an even deeper level was that Cedric Diggory , Harry’s boyfriend, who had also lived through what he went through, had apparently been with Ron and Hermione as well.
“Harry, I miss you so much.” “Ron and Hermione wish they could tell you more.” “We’re all waiting for you, love.” “I can’t wait to see you again.” “I love you, Harry.”
He felt it wasn’t right that Cedric got to be with them while he had to stay at the Dursleys, and suffer for much longer.
And suffer, he did. Harry awoke most nights from nightmares, some waking his relatives and earning Harry a beating. They always went the same, and yet Harry couldn’t get away from them.
Cedric always died in the graveyard. Voldemort always taunted him for being a fag . It was horrible to relive, every time he slept.
When he woke, he felt alone. He needed his boyfriend. He needed comfort. He needed Cedric. He had made a habit to sleep in Cedric’s canary-yellow sweater, it calmed Harry down. It smelled like him . He remembered when he wore it.
Harry heard the bell of the cafe open, but he didn’t bother checking. He hadn’t interacted much with the customers, unless he was addressed. Harry merely kept looking in the newspaper.
2nd August, 1995
Harry was reminded that his birthday passed, and though he had gotten gifts from his friend, and another batch of photos from Cedric, he felt disappointed. He wished he could have a proper celebration. He was fifteen now, and felt like he deserved a party, for all the things he went through.
Stop thinking about that.
Harry heard walking, and hoped the customer would leave him be. He put the newspaper in front of his face, so they couldn’t see him. He didn’t want to be addressed. To his surprise, though, whoever they were pulled up a seat across from him, and cleared their throat. Harry lowered his newspaper to see a boy with chestnut-brown hair looking across from him, and gray eyes that Harry had craved seeing for two months. Cedric Diggory smirked at his gaped mouth, and reached across to touch his hands.
“Hey, love.”
Living at Grimmauld Place was not where Cedric would have chosen to spend his summer. In fact, it wouldn’t even be close to where he wanted to be.
After ‘suspicious activity’ was seen near his home, Dumbledore insisted Cedric and his family move into Grimmauld Place, which was apparently Sirius’s old home, and after living there for a few months, Cedric understood why Sirius hated it so much.
The building had a downright evil aura, and Cedric was confident before the summer ended he would have been hexed from something inside the house. So that’s why Mrs. Weasley insisted that they spend every day cleaning it, much to the dismay of everyone else. Doxies had taken residence in most of the rooms, and required effort to clean them out.
Cedric had also not told his friends much, although there wasn’t much to tell. The Daily Prophet had devoted a considerable amount of their efforts to discrediting him and Harry, and he wasn’t sure if they would talk to him. He was framed as ‘attention seeking’, and in their latest issues, seemed to imply that from the start of the Tournament, Cedric and Harry just wanted publicity.
Cedric wanted to speak out so badly, wanted to respond to their articles. But he was told it would only make things worse.
Cedric had found himself at odds on multiple occasions with the Order of the Phoenix, the group that had formed to fight Voldemort, and had taken him into protection. Most of the time, it was Mrs. Weasley herself. He had begged to give Harry a shred of information, or a visit, but she shut it down immediately, always.
“Cedric, I know you miss him, but Dumbledore has clear orders!” “Dumbledore has said no order members can contact him!” “Dumbledore said-”
With the help of Remus and Sirius, Cedric had finally arranged a day where he could visit Harry. August 2nd. Cedric wasn’t a member of the Order, after all, and Cedric fully exploited this loophole.
The day had finally come, and Cedric suddenly felt incredibly nervous.
His heart missed the boy so much, and the distance was unbearable. In Cedric's past relationships, Cedric would have never been ‘clingy’, but given what they experienced together, it made being apart hard.
Cedric constantly worried for the boy. Despite Dumbledore’s insistence when he saw him over the summer that Harry was safe, he still worried.
Cedric was given a safe place to apparate, courtesy of the members of the Order who were watching over Harry. He would travel there with Remus, and then be left alone for the day, until he would return to Grimmauld Place later that night. It wasn’t much time, but any time he could find with Harry would be worth it.
Before he left, Ron and Hermione walked into the room he had taken up living in for the last two months, and stood near the door, watching him as he finished putting on muggle clothes.
“You’re going today, then?” Hermione asked. She held Crookshanks in her arms, as he purred.
“Yeah. Today’s the day.” Cedric responded, unable to keep the grin off his face. “I hope he can come back here soon, though.”
“Have fun, Cedric. Tell Harry we miss him.” Ron said, leading Hermione out of the room, just as another person entered.
“Ready, Cedric? Now, you’ve apparated before, correct?” Lupin said, fetching his wand from his robes.
“Yes, I have.”
“Great, then this will be quick then.” Cedric turned to his out-stretched hand, and the moment he took it, the world instantly turned an array of different colors, as it swirled together.
When he let go, he found himself in an alleyway, in between a very organized row of houses. All of them looked the exact same, and the lack of uniqueness of them was especially shown as they walked out of the alleyway, onto the street. Lupin pulled on Cedric’s shirt, stopping him before he could walk further.
“Right, listen to me. Mundungus is on guard today. Should anything happen, you go to him. He won’t be far.” Lupin whispered, looking around at the street for any passerbys. For the middle of the day, the street was empty, probably attributed to the heat that Cedric started to feel the moment he emerged from the alley.
“You think something will happen?” Cedric asked. On instinct, he motioned to grab his wand, but Lupin stopped him.
“No, but given the circumstances, it never fails to be prepared.” Lupin looked once more for any people, and then when he didn’t see any, pat Cedric on the shoulder, smiling at him. “Enjoy the day. It’s important that you get to have days like these, with everything so uncertain now.” Without another word, he backed up, and apparated with a crack! , leaving Cedric alone in the street.
In his pockets, he had a small box, wrapped in paper, and a small, cold, ball that would become a golden snitch. The box had been Harry’s present for his birthday, since Cedric pledged he would deliver it in person. He pulled out the golden snitch, the same snitch that Harry had given him for his birthday last year. It whirred, hovering above his hand. Taking his wand, he held it to the snitch.
“Right, take me to where Harry is.” He instructed. The snitch hovered for a moment, and then set off down the street.
Harry’s gift from last year proved to not only be absolutely adorable, but incredibly useful. It had the ability to find things very easily, as well as carry things. It was also charmed to look like a normal bird to muggles, so Cedric had no issue following it as he walked down the street.
As he walked, he started getting more and more nervous. He hadn’t seen Harry since June, and the prospect of seeing him again was making his heart pound. The snitch led him to a cafe not far from where he apparated from. He peered into the glass window in front of the store, and knew he was in the right place. The place was mostly deserted, save for a few people. His eyes scanned, until he saw him. He was sitting at a table, reading a newspaper. His hair was a mess, as usual, and Cedric knew it was his boyfriend.
He walked in, a chime sounding as he walked in. His pace went faster as he walked towards him.
He sat in the chair opposite him, and it seemed like the boy didn’t notice Cedric yet. Cedric cleared his throat, trying to get his attention, and when Harry lowered the newspaper, Cedric couldn’t help but smiling as he saw him.
Time had clearly passed, and in two months, Harry had grown. He looked older, his features narrower. Cedric had guessed he was taller, and he looked thinner.
His eyes passed over his neck, and Cedric saw marks. It looked bruised, and Cedric made a mental note to ask him later. Harry opened his mouth in surprise, making Cedric smirk at his face. He reached over the table and grabbed Harry’s hands.
“Hey, love.”
“Cedric? How are you here…?” Harry whispered, his eyes never looking away from Cedric’s.
“Just apparated in a few minutes ago.” Cedric said. “Figured you could use some company, after your birthday.”
“Do they know you’re here?”
“Yeah. Fought quite a fight to get here, if i’m honest.” Cedric said, truthfully. He didn’t miss how Harry’s eyes seemed disappointed. “Well, care to take me on a tour? I have something to give you too, but we should probably wait until we aren’t around… them. ”
The sadness in Harry’s eyes quickly dissipated, and he nodded. Harry paid for his things, and led Cedric out the door, smiling all the way.
The surprise of Cedric suddenly arriving in Little Whinging still frazzled Harry’s mind. He had missed him so much, and for him to turn up in the cafe with him made Harry feel fantastic. It was like all other worries drained out of him.
“So, where should we go?” Cedric asked. Harry thought about somewhere private, and then remembered a children’s playground not too far. He started walking, Cedric trailing behind.
“How have Ron and Hermione been? I know you’ve been with them.” Harry asked, bitterly. Cedric caught his tone, and looked back at Harry, confused.
“They’re fine. Harry, you know I wanted you there with me…” He started.
“I know. I don’t blame you, Cedric, it’s just frustrating. Not one thing has been told to me. Sirius just keeps telling me to stay out of trouble! It’s driving me mad.” He muttered. “And where is there ? The Weasley’s?”
Cedric shifted uncomfortably, and reached his arm to the back of his neck, nervous.
“I…can’t really say. It’s sort of a secret.” Harry scoffed.
“Not even me? Can’t you whisper it, or something?” Harry asked. Cedric’s eyes held sympathy, but he just shook his head.
“We’re being watched, Harry. I can’t.” Cedric whispered into his ear, leaning over. “Soon, though.”
“We’re being watched?”
Cedric looked at him again, genuinely confused as they stopped walking.
“You didn’t know? Bloody… Harry, they have been watching you all summer. They didn’t tell you this?” Harry shook his head, anger rising again.
“No one has told me anything, Cedric!” Harry said, irritated.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, as Harry processed what Cedric told him. He was being watched? The entire summer? And no one told him?
He walked into an empty playground with Cedric. There, he sat on the swings, angry. Cedric took a seat next to him.
“Please don’t be mad, love. I want to see you happy today.” Cedric said softly. Harry saw his boyfriend looking at him, concerned.
For the sake of enjoying today with Cedric, he put down his emotions, and irritation with those who left him behind. He smiled at Cedric, and that cheered him up.
“I brought you something for your birthday. I know i’m a little late, but…” Cedric reached into his pocket, pulling out a tiny box which was wrapped in green paper that matched his eyes.
“Cedric, you being here was enough.” Harry said, humbly.
“You deserve it, Harry. I think you’ll like it…”
Harry opened the box, and found two black, beaded bracelets inside, along with a note. On each, there was two flat circular silver faces on each. One had a small dove etched in it, the other had a stag. Harry looked at the note, which was written on a small piece of parchment.
Harry,
I had these custom made for us. One of our first memories was practicing the Patronus Charm in Lupin’s old office, and I thought of nothing better to represent how far we’ve come than our own Patronus. You’ll always be my happiest memory. Happy birthday, love.
Yours, Cedric
Harry pulled the bracelets out, and Cedric took the one with the stag one, and put it on. Harry put on the one with a dove, marveling at it. Both were too distracted to see the figure approaching them.
“Cedric, this is amazing! I love it!” Harry said, excitedly.
“That’s not all! Given everything that’s going on, I thought this was important to add.”
Cedric touched the silver plate, and said “Loquere!” , causing it to light up the stag etching on it. Then he turned to Harry, smiling.
“I love you.” He said, and the stag stopped glowing.
Clearly, as if he said it out loud, Harry heard Cedric’s voice in his head.
I love you.
“It took quite a bit of work to get right, but if you just say that incantation while touching it, and then say what you’d like to say, the other will hear it clear as day.” Cedric grinned at his work.
“Thank you so much. I love you.” Harry said, adjusting the bracelet. It was one of the most thoughtful things he had ever been given, and he wouldn’t ever take it off. He heard the gravel crunching, and when he turned, Harry saw Dudley Dursley walking towards him. He had a stupid look on his face, as he walked towards them.
“Hey Big D.” Harry said, coolly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cedric, awkwardly look between them.
“You.” Dudley grunted. He pointed a finger at Cedric. “Who’s that? You finally make a friend?” Harry was going to say something, but Cedric said it first.
“Cedric Diggory. A very good friend of Harry’s.” Cedric said, his voice sharp. Dudley suddenly looked thrilled, as his face turned into a sneer.
“ Cedric? This who you scream and moan and cry about every night?” Dudley spat.
“I—you’re lying” said Harry automatically. But his mouth had gone dry. He knew Dudley wasn’t lying—how else would he know about Cedric? When Harry looked at his boyfriend, he saw the same concerned expression on his face.
“What, is he your boyfriend?” Dudley teased, clearly enjoying this. Cedric stood, and approached him, slightly standing in front of Harry.
“So what if I am?” Cedric said, eyes looking down at Dudley. Cedric had a good few inches on him, but Harry did not want Cedric to get hurt. Harry tried to pull him back, but he shook off Harry’s hand.
“I think I have the right to know if i’m livin’ with a queer, don’t you?” Dudley growled, curling his hands into fists. Cedric’s gray eyes were stormy, and it was clear Harry needed to intervene.
“Dudley, don’t.” Harry said, pulling out his wand. One look at it, and Dudley’s eyes widened, and he backed off.
“Get that thing away from me!” Dudley’s voice quivered. “You’re one of them too, aren’t you? A freak like Harry?” He said, looking at Cedric. Cedric crossed his arms, and pulled out his wand.
“If by ‘freak’ you mean capable of magic, then yeah, I am.” He spat. Seeing the two of them, Dudley backed away, nervous. Dudley began to mutter something, but Harry stopped.
The very air around them seemed to chill, and the sunny, hot day that it was, was gone. The sky darkened, and Harry began to be able to see his breath.
“What did you do?” Dudley whimpered.
“I didn’t do this! Hold on…” Harry said, looking around. “Cedric, you don’t think it’s them, do you?”
“Yeah, I do.” Cedric said grimly.
“Let’s go, then.” Harry said quickly. “Dudley, come on!” He hissed over his shoulder. Harry took off, running for the streets.
Cedric ran after Harry, keeping up the pace with them, until they arrived in an alleyway, the same one Cedric apparated into. Having his wand out, Cedric took watch near the entrance, while Harry tried to talk to his cousin.
The feeling in the air was all too familiar. It was the bone chilling cold, the feeling of any happiness he had felt that day draining.
Cedric didn’t see them, but he knew they were there.
How could dementors get to Little Whinging?
Cedric turned the corner once more, and felt a pair of slimy, cold hands grab him. He felt the happiness literally drain out of him as he stood there, unable to do anything. Harry had yelled something to Dudley, but Cedric couldn’t focus on anything but the dementor.
Then, he heard things.
“Kill the spare…Avada Kedavra!”
The thought of dying popped up into Cedric’s head. Never seeing Willow or Eddie again. Never seeing Cho. Never kissing Harry again, or never sneaking away to the Kitchens with him.
Suddenly, Cedric jolted, as the dementor let go of him, giving way to a brilliant white stag, running down the alleyway. Cedric laid on the ground, trying to maintain consciousness, catching his breath. He saw a figure above him, saying something to him.
“..Cedric!...Cedric, come on…Stay with me… Please…” The voice called out. As he recovered, his vision cleared, and Harry was looking over him, worry in his eyes.
“I’m fine, Harry.” Cedric said, coughing slightly. Harry rushed forward and hugged him, Cedric weakly returning it.
“It’s him you need to be worried about, boy!” A high pitched, screechy voice said. Cedric sat up, and saw an older woman pointing at Dudley, as she stared down Harry.
“...Mrs. Figg?” Harry asked, moving to put his wand away.
“Don’t put it away, idiot boy!” she shrieked. “What if there are more of them around? Oh, I’m going to kill Mundungus Fletcher!”
Learning that Mrs. Figg kept an eye on Harry for the last fourteen years was a confusing thing to wrap his head around. He and Cedric walked, holding up Dudley, as she explained how she had been making sure things had been alright with the Dursleys.
Clearly, she didn’t know everything.
Once she had properly yelled at Mundungus, who had just appeared again, aghast at the fact that they were attacked by dementors, she led them to the Dursleys' door.
“Now, you two take the boy in. Diggory, don’t you dare try to leave yet. Dumbledore’ll straighten this all out, not to worry.” She said, turning around to leave.
“Wait! I have questions!” Harry yelled after her. She ignored him, however, and continued to trot off.
“I didn’t know there was a squib watching you as well. They never told me that.” Cedric admitted, as he lightly buzzed the doorbell.
“They don’t seem to tell us much, do they?” Harry said, bitterly, as he heaved Dudley up. He saw the approaching figure of Aunt Petunia, opening the door. She looked confused at the sight on her doorstep, until her eyes saw Dudley.
“Diddy, what’s the matter with you? Vernon? VERNON!” She yelled, taking the boy from Harry and Cedric. She took him into the kitchen, and sat him in a seat. Cedric and Harry quietly stepped in, standing to the side awkwardly.
“Who did it, son? Give us names. We’ll get them, don’t worry.”
“Shh! He’s trying to say something, Vernon! What is it, Diddy? Tell Mummy!”
“ Him. ” Dudley said, pointing at Harry. Uncle Vernon turned, and had a murderous look in his eyes. He held out his hands, and Harry braced for what was coming next. It never did, however, as Cedric pulled his wand out.
“Don’t you dare touch him.” Cedric said, sharply. For the second time tonight, Cedric had defended him. Uncle Vernon backed up against the counter, fearfully.
“Who are you, and why are you in my house!” He spat.
“Cedric Diggory,” Cedric said, being very cautious. “A friend of his.” Vernon looked at his wand, utter hatred on his face.
“You can’t do magic outside of school! I know that.” He growled. Cedric smirked at Harry, before turning back to him.
“He can’t. I can, though. Harry didn’t do a thing. Touch him, and I won’t back off.”
“That won’t be necessary, Cedric.” A third voice said, coming from the entrance hall. Harry turned, and saw Remus Lupin standing there, wand in his hand.
“Who is letting all these people into my house!” Vernon yelled. Lupin turned to him kindly.
“I apologize, but i’ll be taking Harry and Cedric here straightaway. I just want to confirm something.”
Just as he said that, an owl flew down the chimney, dropping a letter into Lupin’s hands. He opened it, and smiled.
“Great. That settles that. Harry, Cedric, go grab Harry’s trunk, and other things. We’ll be flying back. Brooms are out front. Do not use magic, either of you.” Lupin instructed. Harry nodded, and hurried up the stairs with Cedric. Harry arrived at his door, which was outfitted with locks, and a cat flap, so they didn’t have to let him out.
Harry suddenly felt very exposed, like he had shown a secret part of himself, as he let him and Cedric in the room. Cedric looked around as Harry packed his bags, and let Hedwig out.
Harry felt embarrassed, his room was very empty, nothing but his Hogwarts things. He didn’t have any personal things to put up, or anything that could make the room better.
“Harry… Do you get locked in here?” Cedric asked, quietly.
“Not now, Cedric.” Harry responded, pleading.
“Harry…”
“Not now. Please. Just, help me.”
Cedric said nothing, just helped Harry pack his things silently. Harry purposefully avoided eyesight with Cedric, and he could tell it was hurting him.
They walked downstairs with their things, making Lupin stand and smile when they arrived.
“Ah, good. I’ve just informed your Aunt and Uncle about dementors, and how to treat this… problem.” He motioned to Dudley, who was still shaking in the chair he sat on. Shall we, then?”
“We’re really going?” Harry asked, quietly.
“Yes, Harry. We’re going.” Cedric responded, leading the way out of the house. They all stood in the front yard, where the brooms were. Twilight was here, and Harry suspected no one would be able to see them on brooms.
“Unfortunately, Harry, we’re in a rather large heap of trouble. Dumbledore is doing his best, but the ministry really has it out for you, you know. When we get back, you’ll need to be told about it. Stay by us.” Lupin said, mounting a broom.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”