To Dance

Chapter 16: To Refuse


Harry wouldn't have minded that it was Monday. He'd experienced Mondays since his first week of life and had to face the end of the weekend in his first week of preschool when he was with the Dursley's, before he's been told he was a wizard. The day had never really caused much trouble for him in the past. So why it suddenly decided to make things difficult was beyond him.

This Monday had been particularly difficult. He had overslept that morning and woken around the same time as the rest of the Slytherin dormitory, meaning he had rolled rather quickly dragging his bed things under Malfoy's bed to avoid detection. To say that the underneath of Malfoy's bed was unpleasant would be shirking the truth. However, rolling straight into Malfoy's trunk was extremely unpleasant and had the blond starting awake with a yell that, had the other boys in the room not already been rousing, definitely had them alert afterwards. On the guise of searching for a sock, Malfoy had poked his head under his bed to briefly tell Harry to stay put until the others had left or he might risk disembowelment. Of course, by the time all the other boys had left, Blaise hanging back for a bit to wait for Malfoy before being shoved out the door by said blond, Harry only had fifteen minutes of breakfast left before his first class. He had hastily dressed (after arguing with Malfoy about privacy), grabbed his bag and almost made it to the door when Malfoy had shouted at him for 'still being Potter.' By the time Harry, disguised as Davis Greenwood, sprinted out of the Slytherin common room with Malfoy at his heals, he had missed breakfast and was five minutes late to Transfiguration.

Hermione's lecture all the way to Herbology wasn't exactly pleasant and after asking Ron why he hadn't woken Harry up, dissolved into a fit at hearing that he hadn't been in the dormitory all weekend.

Huffing, Hermione crossed her arms as she staring imperiously across the waving vines of the plant they were supposed to be pruning. "Well if you weren't in Gryffindor where were you?" she demanded in hushed tones. "We barely see you anymore, what with you hanging out with Cedric so mu-" She broke off and stared at Harry in complete shock.

Harry, realizing what she had thought, jumped in quickly before the wrong conclusions could be drawn. "I wasn't with Cedric," he said hurriedly. "I didn't see him all weekend actually."

Hermione gave him a disbelieving look. "Well where were you then?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. Sure, he had spent the whole weekend in the Slytherin dorms but that didn't mean he liked being hammered about it. "I had to stay in the Slytherin dormitories." Hermione stared at him in shock. "Malfoy was hit with the Twist of the Heart and I ended up being the one he had to stick with."

Hermione's look of shock was beginning to fade into deep thought as Harry explained quickly. "It's not like I wanted to stay in the Slytherin rooms," Harry pressed, trying to defend himself. "I just didn't have much of choice." Hemione continued to say nothing and simply look at her pruners in deep concentration.

Ron scoffed beside him. "I've got to hand it to you," he said, a scathing tone in his voice. "I can't imagine staying there for more than ten minutes, let alone for a weekend." He glanced over at Harry. "I'm surprised you didn't hex him or lock him in that broom closet."

Harry let a small smile creep over his face at Ron's words. It seemed the red head had gotten over their argument from the weekend. A situation which Harry was extremely happy for. He'd had enough of fighting Ron this year to last him a lifetime. The rest of the lesson proceeded normally, Ron and Harry joking as they worked with their plant while Hermione watched Harry carefully, saying nothing.

That evening, Ron and Harry found themselves being pulled determinately by Hermione down to the Great Hall. It was the second night of the dancing lessons and, unlike the first lesson, this one was a combined class, with the girls joining. Harry felt himself go cold when Hermione told him and Ron and the boys had exchanged looks of varying shades of green and white. Hermione had scoffed and said "Honestly" before throwing Harry's edited History of Magic essay back at him.

Harry's view on the dancing lessons was less than enthusiastic. "Hermione, can't I just sit this one out?" he asked for the seventh time. "I don't need to dance with a girl to know I can do it."

"Would you stop your whining?" she snapped, as they descended the steps to the Great Hall. "You're a champion. You're supposed to be here."

"She's got a point," Ron said and Harry glared at him.

"Well, aren't you helpful," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"Just get inside already," Hermione said exasperatedly, pushing the two boys into the hall.

It looked like every student fourth year and above was swarming in the hall. The four house tables had been pushed to the side. The boys had all drifted towards the wall while the girls seemed to have developed a pack mentality, keeping in groups of ten or more, watching the boys and talking excitedly. A few of the boys had taken the initiative and asked some of the girls already, standing protectively beside their partners. Harry heard Ron groan beside him.

At the soft feeling of a hand against his back, Harry turned quickly. Cedric stood behind him, smiling softly down at him. Harry felt his face flush as he remembered the last time he had been with the Hufflepuff. He smiled up at the Hufflepuff. "Hey," he said, opting for a neutral greeting.

"I missed you this weekend," Cedric said, moving slightly closer to Harry and smiling softly down at Harry. Harry felt his face heat slightly and saw Ron and Hermione being to drift away, bickering slightly.

"Oh," Harry said, feeling extremely foolish that it was the only thing he could manage to say. He swallowed. "Did you have a good weekend then?"

Cedric's smile widened slightly and his eyes glinted. "Relatively," he replied as he shifted slightly closer to Harry. "Excited for dancing lessons?"

Harry rolled his eyes, internally bubbling that they had landed on a normal topic. "Are you kidding? I'd rather face the Horntail again than have to approach one of those packs." He gestured to a nearby group of giggling girls.

Cedric laughed, the group of girls turning to watch him with bright eyes and hidden giggles. Grinning, he looked back down at Harry and lowered his voice slightly, giving it a huskier tone. "You don't have to ask one of them, you know." Harry felt his cheeks begin to heat up again. "Why not be my partner again? I'd love to show you off."

Harry was pretty sure that his face was rather red and fought to turn his flaming cheeks down a notch or so. "But, there are so many-"

"They'll see us at the ball anyway," Cedric pointed out, cutting Harry of and smiling down at him. "It can't hurt them to see us now."

"Yeah, but-" Harry struggled to find words. "I mean, it's just-"

"Hello." Harry was saved from trying to explain that he didn't exactly think about other people's presence at the Ball when he had last danced with Cedric and that now it was all becoming much more real. Cho Chang had walked up to the pair of them, smiling shyly.

"Hi," Harry said, turning to the girl and smiling back, noticing again the lack of a stomach jerk. Cedric nodded to her in respect.

"Er," Cho began, fidgeting slightly. Harry noticed her group of friends a slight ways away giggling and watching excitedly. Both he and Cedric watched her expectantly. "I was just wondering," Cho looked up at Cedric, blushing slightly "if you would like to dance with me tonight."

Cedric's eyes widened a fraction before he glanced at Harry, who was looking at Cho in slight surprise and suddenly feeling incredibly awkward. He caught Cedric's eye and smiled, arranging his face into what he hoped was a giving expression. He mouthed 'go ahead' and waved slightly before backing off slightly, preparing to walk away and try to find Ron. Cedric seemed slightly disappointed but nodded and turned back to Cho. Harry quickly turned around and scurried over to Ron just as Professor McGonnegal strode to the center of the room.

The lessons proceeded much like they had the previous time, only instead of being led gracefully about the floor by Cedric, Harry found himself struggling to lead Hannah Abbot around the swirling couples without making a complete fool of himself. After a few minutes though, he seemed to be getting the hang of it and he smiled at Hannah, who returned the grin.

"You dance quite well," she commented when the first song ended and they separated.

Harry grinned broadly at her. "Thanks," he said. "You're not bad yourself."

She laughed and Harry noticed Hermione out of the corner of his eye walking determinately towards him. Hannah seemed to have noticed too as she smiled and waved at Harry to go find another partner.

"What's up?" Harry asked when Hermione stopped in front of him, looking slightly ruffled.

She shot him and look. "You would think," she began in a tense voice. "That people ought to show more tact than simply using others as a last resort, wouldn't you?" Harry stared at her, slightly shocked and didn't question when she moved to partner with him as the next song began. "What right has he to think that I'm just going to drop everything and go with him?"

"With who?" Harry asked, trying to decode her rant as he carefully guided the two of them through the crowd. He noticed Cho and Cedric a short distance away dancing near Roger Davies and Fleur. Roger was scowling and Cedric seemed distracted.

"Just trust him to wait until the last minute to ask someone to the ball," Hermione continued on her rant, not paying any attention to Harry's question. "The nerve of him! Calling me a liar just because I've already got a date."

"You've already got a date?" Harry asked, slightly shocked. "Who are you going with?"

Hermione looked up at him sharply before her expression softened slightly. "It's not important," she said, her eyes trailing away from him. "Where's Cedric?" she asked suddenly, seemed to have just realized the absence of the Hufflepuff.

"Dancing with Cho," Harry replied, nodding his head in their direction.

Hermione stared at him. "Why aren't you dancing with him? I thought you two were doing well."

Harry shrugged and twirled her. "Cho asked him," he explained and then blushed slightly. "Besides, I don't want to exhibit myself to the school quite yet. I'm not exactly hot to trot on jumping on the spot light again."

Hermione looked at him, lips firmly shut and contemplative. The song began to wind down and the two of them separated. Harry felt someone's hand on his back for the second time that night and turned to face Cedric.

Or not face Cedric.

"Malfoy?" Harry said, curious at the other boy's appearance and quickly took in the uncomfortable expression he wore and the worried face of Pansy behind him. As Harry looked at the blond he noticed Cedric and Cho separate from each other and the Hufflepuff pause in his walk toward Harry, watching the Slytherin.

"Potter," Malfoy said, still looking uncomfortable. "Can I have a word after?"

Harry, though still surprised, shrugged. "Sure."

Malfoy said nothing but just nodded and turned back to Pansy. Harry frowned as he watched the Slytherin walk away from him. Something about the blond seemed off, as if he was on edge judging from the stiffness of his back and shoulders. Cedric was also frowning as he walked up to Harry, glaring at Malfoy as he passed the blond. Harry felt a fleeting moment of surprise as he caught Malfoy glaring back at Cedric.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked from beside him, also watching the Slytherin depart.

"Exactly what I was about to ask," Cedric said darkly as he came to stand next to Harry, glancing back at the blond. Malfoy seemed to be talking to Pansy, who was looking at the blond concernedly and patting him on the shoulder. Cedric narrowed his eyes and lightly placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, guiding him to the center of the floor.

"Wha-?" Harry began to ask but was quieted by a swift soft look from Cedric. He looked back at Hermione, who was watching him leave. I can't do anything this time her face read and Harry nodded, turning back to look up at Cedric.

"Cedric, I-"

"Just one dance, Harry," Cedric said, turning him so they were facing each other and grinning down at the Gryffindor. "One dance and I'll let you go." Harry creased his eyebrows slightly. "People aren't going to judge from one dance," he said, and gently took Harry's hand in his while placing the other on Harry's waist.

Harry hesitated a moment before setting his free hand on Cedric's shoulder just as the music began. Much like the previous lesson, Cedric elegantly swept Harry about the dance floor in a flurry of movement and comforting guidance. Harry couldn't help but smile up at the Hufflepuff. He had to admit this was much more fun than trying to lead Hannah Abbot around the dance floor. This felt like flying in a strange sort of way. Cedric smiled back down at him.

Suddenly, someone bumped harshly into Cedric, making him jerk slightly and Harry nearly lost his balance. Turning sharply, Cedric came face to face with Roger Davies, who was sneering. Harry found the expression fit his face much better than it did Malfoy. He quickly brought his mind back to matters as the two older boys glared at each other.

"Best not get too distracted, Diggory," Davies said, gratingly. Fleur, who was dancing with him, seemed to be getting disgruntled. "Never know who might upset your plans."

Cedric scowled deeply. "I'd watch my own steps if I were you, Davies," he ground out, glaring at the other boy angrily. "It wont look good to be going against the school champion, you know."

Davies growled and Fleur tossed her hair angrily. "Onestlee," she said, huffing. "Would youu tooo stop eet? Ze practeece eez almost finineeshed!" She gave Davies a displeased pouting look and he turned drew back from Cedric slightly.

"Of course, dear," he said, grinning sickly at Fleur, as he drew away from Cedric.

Cedric glared after him, jaw tight and grip somewhat harsh on Harry's wrist. Harry shifted uncomfortably, trying to move away and not offend Cedric at the same time. Cedric, noticing Harry's twisting, turned back to him swiftly, eyes slightly widened in surprised and he immediately released Harry's wrist.

"Oh!" he said surprised. "Harry, I'm sorry!"

"It's okay," Harry said, rubbing his wrist lightly and smiling slightly up at Cedric. He looked around the room, noticing the couples separating and Moody beginning to disassemble the phonograph. "Besides, we're done dancing anyway."

Cedric nodded slowly but didn't release his hold on Harry's waist, causing the smaller boy to blush slightly and avert his eyes briefly. Cedric smiled, seeming to know the cause and leaned down to him. "Want me to walk you to Gryffindor tower again?"

Harry looked back at Cedric quickly, the blush burning just a bit more. He swallowed, trying to keep his voice normal as he looked up at Cedric's smoldering storm eyes, the older boys face smiling down at him in an extremely enticing manner. "N-no," he stuttered out, cursing himself for stuttering internally. "I'm fine. Besides, with the whole castle here, I just-"

"It's alright," Cedric said, straightening and releasing his hold on Harry's waist. He smiled down at Harry as he stepped back. "Will I see you tomorrow then?" Harry looked at him for a moment, thinking when and why he would see Cedric the next day. Cedric laughed slightly. "How about we play a quick round of Quidditch or something. Take our minds off of things for a while."

Harry grinned widely. "That sounds excellent," he replied and nodded to Cedric, who grinned back happily. Harry teetered for a moment on how to say goodbye before Cedric placed a hand on his shoulder briefly but intentionally and walked away from him.

Smiling softly to himself, Harry went in search of Ron and Hermione only to come face to face with Malfoy. The blond looked drawn, paler than usual and definitely had an air of stiffness about him. Harry's eyed widened a fraction.

"C'mon," Malfoy said, without a word of explanation, and grabbed Harry's arm, dragging him through the crowd of bustling and chattering students out of the hall and down a side passage. Although usually Harry would have protested to such behavior from Malfoy, after living with him for a whole weekend, Harry remained silent and simply rolled his eyes as the blond finally released his arm and turned to him. Harry waited semi-patiently as Malfoy looked uncomfortable and maintained the unusual stiffness.

"So," Harry prompted. "What's up?"

Malfoy's eyes darted up to Harry's before he sighed, his shoulders finally falling and relaxing slightly. "The curse is still active," he said tiredly. "I've been hoping all day that it had worn off but judging from the pains it hasn't." He shifted and turned to study the wall next to him. "It was somewhat better just now but..." he trailed off, his eyes remaining determinedly on the wall and not on Harry.

"What?" By now Harry should have been used to Malfoy being inconsistent and not always answering him completely. "What's wrong now?"

Malfoy flinched and glared at the wall. "The curse seems to dislike your direct association with people other than me," he said, plainly and in the tone that Harry had come to recognize as Malfoy's 'I-have-to-tell-the-truth-because-of-this-stupid-curse' voice.

Harry's eyes widened a fraction before he laughed slightly to himself. Malfoy's head whipped around and he stared angrily at Harry. Waving a hand, Harry quickly cleared his throat. "So," Harry coughed again. "You're telling me the curse doesn't want me hanging out with other people?"

"Not exactly," Malfoy said, his eyes darting to anywhere but Harry. "Just when you're, well," he shifted uncomfortably. "Intimate."

Harry stared. Then stared some more, and, for good measure, stared a bit extra just to make sure. "Are you telling me the curse was acting wonky during the dancing lessons?"

Malfoy seemed to be getting extremely uncomfortable and was shifting his weight much more than any normal person without severe bladder problems shifted. He also seemed to have a slight tinge to his face that Harry was sure wasn't due to the temperature of the corridor. Harry snorted. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Well why else would it be bothering me so much when you danced with the others!" Malfoy snapped, finally looking at Harry, anger and frustration and a sort of strange desperation flashing through his eyes.

Harry shrugged, beginning to get used to Malfoy's outbursts. He'd spent a whole weekend of them. A sudden idea flashed through his mind. "Maybe you were jealous."

That tinge Harry had noticed earlier was definitely more prominent now as Malfoy stared at Harry in shock and incredulity. It was a rare sight to see Draco Malfoy sputter at someone's words. Harry happened to be lucky enough to witness such a rare occurrence as Malfoy attempted to make his mind transmit the correct electric signals to his mouth to form proper words. Finally, he seemed to have succeeded.

"WHAT!"

Harry shrugged again. "I was within 100 feet of you most of the time, I gather, so I can't see why the curse would have been going tragic." Malfoy was scowling at him. "I just suggested another explanation, ridiculous as it seems." Harry laughed harshly. "Why would you be jealous of me in the first place?"

Malfoy seemed to be beginning to have one of his fits again. The fits where he would try to keep himself from answering on of Harry's questions that Harry may or may not have actually intended to ask. Harry almost cancelled his request when he stopped himself, realizing that he was actually curious as to why Malfoy would be jealous of him. It wasn't like he had anything the blond didn't.

Malfoy seemed to be about to break and a moment later he opened his mouth. "Because-"

"HARRY!"

Both boys turned sharply, Malfoy clamping a hand over his mouth, eyes slightly widened and Harry shocked and watching Cedric in shock as the older boy stormed towards them.

"Cedric," Harry said, surprised and somewhat confused. "What are you doing here?"

Cedric firmly gripped Harry about the waist and dragged him back from Malfoy, who was looking surprised and angry. Harry stared up at Cedric, wondering what on earth had been getting into the Hufflepuff lately for him to be acting so unlike himself. "I was just going to ask when you wanted to play Quidditch tomorrow but now I find you here." He glared at Malfoy. Before Harry or Malfoy could say anything, Cedric was dragging Harry back towards the Entrance Hall.

"Cedric, wait," Harry began, but Cedric apparently was too intent on getting him away from Malfoy. Malfoy, it seemed, thought it best for his own physical well being to keep his distance and simply followed a ways behind them. Cedric growled and quickly dived into the swarm of girls and boys outside in the Entrance Hall, effectively disorienting Harry and losing sight of Malfoy. The next moment, Harry found himself being dragged behind a tapestry and facing the worried and annoyed face of Cedric Diggory.

"Cedric, what-" Harry began but was cut off.

"Harry, I don't want you hanging around Malfoy," Cedric said, staring determinately at Harry, his voice authoritative and Harry understood why he was a prefect.

Harry stared at him for a moment, his face surprised and bewildered. Had he really been with Malfoy that much? "Why?"

Cedric sighed somewhat exasperatedly as his shoulders slumped. "Because I don't trust him around you." Harry gaped and Cedric's mouth quirked. "He's been getting too close for my comfort." Was Cedric saying what Harry thought he was? Cedric smiled awkwardly. "I seem to be getting more and more jealous of people lately."

Harry stared, and then suddenly burst out laughing. Cedric frowned down at him, displeasure written all over his face. "Oh come on," Harry said as his laughter quieted. "You can't honestly think Malfoy is a threat."

Cedric took ahold of Harry shoulders firmly, his eyes hard. "I can and I do," he said firmly and Harry's eyes widened at his tone. "He's been hanging around you too much for it to be normal and the way he acts, well," he huffed out a breath. "I just don't like the idea of losing you."

"You think you'd lose me to Malfoy?" Harry was incredulous. This was Malfoy they were arguing about. Malfoy, who had bullied him since day one. Malfoy who had taken every opportunity to get him in trouble. Malfoy, who had practically stated his approval of the Dark side at the Quidditch World Cup. Malfoy, who-

-had been letting Harry sleep in his dorm for the past three days. Harry's mind began to spin. Malfoy, who had been bearing all his secrets to Harry as of late. Malfoy, who had been romping in the snow just the other day. Malfoy, who had admitted he didn't hate Harry. Malfoy. Who was afraid of rejection.

Harry was brought back from his racing thoughts by Cedric's voice. "Yes, the thought has crossed my mind," Cedric was snapping, his face twisted in dislike of the thought. "It's not like I'd put it past a snake."

Harry felt ice spread through his stomach. "What makes you think he'd even want me in the first place?" He said slowly. Much as he didn't want to see it, Cedric's words were making sense, but the idea that Malfoy would be drawn to him for that reason was just.... Well, not something Harry was sure he was prepared to accept just yet.

Cedric rolled his eyes. "Oh, I don't know," Cedric drawled. "Maybe the fact that he hasn't left you alone since you became unavailable."

"He was hit with 'the Twist of the Heart'!" Harry half-yelled. Why was he defending Malfoy, again? "It's not like he had any choice!"

"It shouldn't still be active!" Cedric retorted. "C'mon Harry, you can't blame me for being suspicious."

"I don't," Harry snapped. "I just think maybe you should trust me a bit. I'm not stupid!"

"You're fourteen!" Cedric was obviously getting frustrated with where this conversation was going. He wasn't the only one. "I'm trying to protect you from what you can't see!"

"I don't need someone to protect me," Harry reared up, pride flaring. "I've taken care of myself plenty of times!"

"This is different," Cedric said, as if he were telling a first year the rules. He moved closer to Harry. "Look," he sighed. "I'm just worried. Is it such a bad thing to care so much about you?"

Harry blushed slightly, feeling his stomach clench at Cedric's words. It was extremely strange to have someone care about him so openly. "No," he said shyly, watching as Cedric moved closer, feeling the cold stone of the wall against his back.

Next moment, Cedric was kissing him. Gently at first, and then deeper, harsher, faster. Harry, tilted his head, opening his mouth slightly as Cedric's tongue probed his lips. Cedric moaned as he took Harry's mouth, sliding his arms around the smaller boys frame. Harry whimpered softly, his hands clutching in the front of Cedric's robes unconsciously. They drew back for breath briefly, Harry's lips pink and bruising and Cedric's eyes dark before they came back crashing together.

Harry gasped softly as he felt Cedric's hands travel across his back and tightened his grip in the older boys shirt. Cedric trailed his mouth from his lips along his jaw, nipping lightly along the skin, making Harry shudder. His skin seemed to be burning as he felt Cedric push up closer against him, the cold stone at his back making his flesh prickle in goosebumps, though that might have been Cedric's hand slowly drifting up under his shirt.

Cedric chuckled lowly as Harry gasped and arched, one hand deftly rolling the Gryffindor's errect nipple while the other slid along his back tantalizingly. Harry opened his eyes slightly, panting, and stared up at the ceiling. Heat was coursing through his frame, wracking his small body with tremors and he moaned as Cedric's tongue lapped against his throat. It was hot. It was amazing. It was dizzying. It was-

Too much. Harry was gasping, his hands almost white as they clenched Cedric's shirt. He felt the hand stroking his back begin to smooth lower, fingers dragging along the edge of his pants, drifting to the front of his garment. "Wait," he said, as he felt Cedric's fingers ghost against his belt, the other boys breath hot against his skin.

"Harry," Cedric breathed, his lips against skin, brushing, biting, soft and dangerous. Harry clenched his eyes shut, face flushed and legs weak. The fingers at Harry's waist band were tugging now, running just under the fabric.

"Please," Harry gasped. Cedric grinned against his collarbone, nipping the skin lightly. "Please wait." It was too hot. It was too dizzying. It was going too fast and too far and Harry suddenly wanted to stop. Cedric seemed to be on a completely different page though, in his hands were any evidence of his intentions. "Wait, please," Harry was gasping in a completely unconvincing manner that I he cursed himself for. "Stop."

Cedric couldn't hear him. Or wouldn't, Harry didn't know. And suddenly, his belt was undone, Cedric had latched onto his throat, biting and sucking, and a hand had traveled somewhere that Harry had only just discovered in the past few months. Panic flooded him and his eyes widened as he jerked back from Cedric, pushing against his chest.

Eyes wide and staring down at his feet, Harry shook all over, panting in panic and arousal. Cedric had stopped moving, frozen with his head still bent where it had been latched onto Harry's neck, one hand still under his shirt and the other still half down the Gryffindor's pants. His surprised face melted slowly and he smiled gently down at Harry, who, glancing up, still noticed the lust swimming just beyond the edge in the 7th years orbs.

"Harry," murmured Cedric, moving closer to him again, his voice sweetly soft, coaxing, and seductive. Harry clenched his eyes shut.

"Please, I'm not ready," Harry pleaded softly, expecting Cedric to step away, put his arms around Harry reassuringly, to tell him it was okay.

Cedric chuckled and slid his hand to Harry's partly undone collar and popped another button loose. His other hand remained in Harry's pants, slowly moving deeper and places Harry didn't want it yet. Harry tightened his grip in Cedric's shirt, trying to lock his arms to keep Cedric back. He didn't want this. he wasn't ready. Words fell over each other in his head, confusing and contradictory. "Stop!" Harry tried to yell, but his voice came out ragged, breathy. Weak.

To Harry's shock and relief, Cedric suddenly pulled away, his hands stiffening on Harry's skin. Trying to catch up with his racing heart and breath, Harry looked up. Cedric was no longer looking at him, instead glaring at the tapestry they were hidden behind. Well, the person standing in front of the tapestry, really.

Harry hadn't seen Malfoy look that angry since Slytherin had lost the House Championship the previous year. He was glaring at Cedric, seemingly unaffected by the Hufflepuff glaring daggers at him. Of course, the effect of the glare might be lessened slightly by the fact that Cedric had a hand down Harry's pants and was still breathing heavily.

"I believe Harry told you to stop," Malfoy stated, tight lipped and silver eyes flashing. Harry stared at the blond, his mind finally beating back the fog as he fully grasped the situation. Him and Cedric, behind a tapestry. With Cedric's hands down his pants and up his shirt. Gasping embarrassment, Harry swiftly pushed Cedric away, the older boys appendages withdrawing from him quickly as he stumbled away from the Hufflepuff.

Cedric stared at him a moment before rounding on Malfoy, Harry hastily pulling down his shirt and attempting to cover himself. "Our business is our own, Malfoy," Cedric growled, his fists clenching at his sides as he stared down the Slytherin.

"If your business is ignoring refusal you've got a pretty twisted one," Malfoy sneered, eyes flashing to Harry for a moment. "Are you alright?"

Before Harry could say anything, show surprise at Malfoy's concern, react at all, Cedric had grabbed him, hauling him to his side predatorily, and snarled at Malfoy, "What do you care? Find your own if you're so desperate."

Malfoy seemed shocked for a second before his face shadowed. Harry was gaping up at Cedric. What Cedric had said earlier racing through his mind again. Suddenly seeing Malfoy here, after Cedric had just, well, anyway. It all just seemed much more plausible. Especially by the way Malfoy's eyes kept flashing over to him between glaring at Cedric.

"Find my own what?" the blond snapped, his lip curling at he looked at Cedric. "Rebound?" What? "Is that what you're telling me to do, Diggory?" Rebound?

Cedric was literally fuming with anger. When he spoke his voice was low and dangerous. "That's none of your business."

"Sure," Malfoy spat back, his eyes suddenly trained on Harry. "But it is Harry's, isn't it?" Harry stared between Cedric and Malfoy, shocked, confused, angry, and altogether every emotion except happy. Malfoy seemed to be on a roll with giving information. "I'm pretty sure it's Harry's business that you're just using him to get back at-"

"Shut up!" Cedric yelled, drawing his wand quickly and pointing it at Malfoy, successfully cutting off the blond. "Shut up you no good piece of shit!"

But Harry had found an emotion in his massive confusion, it surfacing quite easily. He was angry, and not just slightly either. "What does he mean, rebound?" he demanded, looking at Cedric determinedly. He hoped slightly that Malfoy was lying. Cedric, the Hogwarts Champion, School prefect, and idol student, couldn't be doing what Malfoy was saying he was.

Cedric glanced over at Harry, opened his mouth briefly as if to say something, and then closed it again, his face flashing between fury and desperation and guilt. "Tell me the truth," Harry yelled, feeling something begin to crack in his gut. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Malfoy look at him with something close to pity and guilt.

"I didnt-" Cedric cut himself off, shifting his grip on his wand. "I didn't mean to-"

"What!" Harry was getting extremely annoyed at the complete lack of explanation from both boys. He turned to Malfoy, hoping for some clarification that Cedric was obviously not able to supply due to his inability to form proper sentences.

Malfoy looked between Cedric and Harry, his eyes shifting between each boy. Anger at Cedric. Pity at Harry.

Harry hated being pitied. "What the Hell is this? Why can't anyone tell me?" "He was using you to get back at Davies," Malfoy said, glaring at Cedric, who looked shocked, guilty and furious. Harry looked back up at Cedric, staring hard, waiting for the older boy to deny it, to say Malfoy was lying, to do something.

Cedric looked back down at him and his eyes said it all.

Without a word, Harry turned and walked deliberately from behind the tapestry.