Deathly Scream

Deathly Scream
Flora Winters
I do not own anything Harry Potter.
Summary: Harry snaps and his screams can be quite deadly. This fiction will contain slash, language, and violence.
Chapter Twenty

There you are, in a darkened room
And you're all alone, looking out the window
Your heart is cold and lost the will to love
Like a broken arrow
Here I stand in the shadows
In the shadows
Come to come, come to me
Can't you see that

--Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin

It was the day before the first task and Harry was a nervous wreck. He had sent Cedric an owl, telling him to meet with him after breakfast in the Greenhouse. Classes had been cancelled for the day and it would be the perfect place to speak with him where nobody but the plants would overhear…and he did not think that any of them could talk.

He hurried down the pebble path, wind causing his black robes to flutter all around his lithe frame. His hair was blowing wildly around his face and he almost lost his glasses. That would have been terrible. He did not want to have to ask Hermione to fix them for him again. He could tell that she was getting tired of him not learning how to do it himself. It wasn’t really his fault. He just didn’t want to make them explode into a bazillion pieces.

The door was open and he made his way inside. It was all warm and misty.

Professor Sprout was probably in her office. It was all the way in the back, so he and Cedric would have plenty of privacy.

It was simply too risky to tell him in the castle. There was no telling who could be listening in and that could cause some serious problems for them. How could Harry Potter know what the first task holds? Oh, it’s Harry Potter, never mind then.

There were pots filled with purple flowers on all the work tables. The blossoms were very pretty but there was something strange about them. They looked very familiar to him in a way.

He just hoped they weren’t what he thought they were. Mandrakes freaked the hell out of him. They were not the nicest of plants and their screams were a killer. Just thinking about the little monsters brought back chills he had felt during his second year when he had to help repot them.

He walked over to a table that only had one of the potted plants on it. He very carefully scooted it as far away from where he was going to sit as possible.

It would be kind of funny if he could put all of them in Malfoy’s room. That way they could all wake him up dead with their delightful little screams of doom.

The thought of that had him laughing as he raked some fallen leaves off the table with his hand. He could see poor Professor Sprout looking around in confusion, asking where all her pretty little flowers of death had gotten off to.

“Harry!” Cedric called from the door, walking inside. “I got your letter.”

He walked over to where Harry was sitting, taking a seat beside him. “What is it? Has something happened? Tell me, Harry.”

Harry nodded his head and leaned against him. His hands were resting on the tabletop and they looked as if they were slightly shaking.

“Dragons,” Harry whispered when Cedric put a comforting arm around his slender shoulders. “The first task is dragons, Cedric.”

Smoky gray eyes blinked. “How do you know that, Harry? We’re not supposed to know.”

Harry shrugged off Cedric’s comforting arm, getting to his feet to pace back and forth like some caged animal. He was a nervous fucking wreck and he was scared as hell. How the bloody hell was they supposed to fight dragons? Magic had practically no effect on the overgrown lizards at all.

“I saw them last night,” Harry told him. “Madam Maxime knows and I’m sure that Professor Karkaroff knows, too.”

Cedric’s smoky gray eyes followed Harry as the smaller teen paced around the table. It was almost comedic in the way Harry was pacing. He was going to burn a ring around the table if he kept that up.

“So, Fleur and Krum know about the dragons,” Cedric said, looking up at the glass ceiling. “Why tell me and ruin your advantage, Harry?”

Harry almost tripped and fell flat on his face. He staggered upright and just looked at the older teen in shock. How could he not tell him about the dragons?

“What do you mean?” Harry roared, nearly forgetting that Professor Sprout could be in the back, so he quieted down. “What do you mean, why tell you?”

Cedric just looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. He did not ask that stupid question just so he could see Harry rant all cute like.

“Of course I would tell you!” Harry hissed, back to his pacing, robes snapping at his ankles like angry dogs. “How could I not tell you?”

He suddenly stopped and Cedric gulped when he saw how those emerald orbs were burning into him. Had Harry found him out?

Harry cocked his head to the side. “Why did you ask me that? Are you afraid I’m going to leave you behind and be all blinded by the stupid prospect of obtaining eternal glory?”

Cedric quickly shook his head, holding out his hands to fend off any blows that might come his way. Perhaps it was not such a good idea to joke around like this, especially on the day before the first task.

“Would you not come and tell me?” Harry asked with big eyes, tears of anger and hurt gathering in them.

Cedric was on his feet in an instant, pulling an unrelenting Harry into his embrace. He hugged him close, telling him that it was a joke and that of course he would have told him.

“Really?” Harry asked, looking up at him with a wicked smile.

Cedric suddenly realized that he had been had and told Harry that it had not been very nice at all. The two of them only looked at each other and laughed as they continued to hold each other.

“So, what do we do?” Harry asked after a little bit of silence passed. “How are we supposed to get past nesting dragons?”

“Nesting?” Cedric asked, suddenly feeling sick to his stomach.

Nothing on earth was more vicious than a nesting mother dragon. He was starting to feel as if he were turning a little green.

Harry nodded his head, telling him that was what he had overheard last night. The four champions were supposed to get past a dragon. He just had no idea how they were going to be able to do that.

“How could the Headmaster even allow this?” Cedric asked, leading Harry back to the table. “You’re only fourteen.”

Harry rolled his eyes. He had actually kicked a full grown mountain troll’s ass his first year with Hermione and Ron’s help. He had killed a fully grown basilisk during his second year with the help of a phoenix, and did lots of crazy shit during his third year as well.

He did not tell Cedric any of this, of course. Well, maybe he would sometime down the road. Maybe he already knew and just wasn’t saying anything about it. There were a crap load of rumors zipping around.

Cedric was a nervous wreck and he was fighting real hard not to let it show. What the hell was he supposed to do?

How could he allow his boyfriend to face a fully grown, nesting, mother dragons? This was crazy!

He would go to the Headmaster. That’s what he would do. Surely the Headmaster would not allow this to take place. But, wouldn’t they get into trouble for knowing? He shook his head. He didn’t give a fuck. Harry’s safety came first.

There was no way in hell that Harry could be allowed to go up against fully grown dragons. He didn’t care how safe the tournament was supposed to be. Anything can happen when a dragon is involved.

They were huge, had sharp teeth, massive claws, and they can spit fire on a whim. This was madness!

“Cedric?” Harry asked, putting a concerned hand on his broad chest. “You look kind of scary. What’s wrong?”

Cedric shook his head and was on his feet in an instant. He was practically dragging Harry along with him as he made his way out of the greenhouse.

“Cedric!” Harry yelled, running along beside him. “Where are we going in such a hurry?”

Professor Sprout poked her head out of some pink looking plants and she had a smile on her face. She had never seen Cedric move that fast in all her years teaching him. That young man was really moving and she could still hear Harry’s questioning shouts.

She began to water her babies, humming a little tune. If something did happen, the world was going to be short one dragon. Yep, the two of them would be fine.

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Cedric redirected his curse with a flick of his wrist and Harry dodged it again. The two of them had been practicing like this for the past two hours. He was going to make sure that Harry could be as quick on his feet as possible.

Professor Dumbledore had not been in his office. He would be at the ministry until real late. Why was he always conveniently gone when you really needed him?

That had really pissed Cedric off. He did not want Harry to have to do this. It was far too dangerous for someone who was not trained as he was.

“All we have to do is get past them, right?” Cedric asked, pointing his wand at Harry. “What are you really good at, Harry?”

Harry swished his wrist, sending Cedric’s spell into a wall with a slight bang. That one actually looked like it would have stung a little. He cocked an amused brow at the older teen.

Cedric put his hands on his hips, waiting for an answer to his question. Why was it taking him so long? He knew all the things that Harry was good at. Why didn’t he know?

Harry thought for a moment and Smiled at him. “I’m really good at flying.”

Cedric nodded his head. “Okay, summon your broom.”

Harry just looked at him. “I don’t know how and I can’t use my broom. We’re only allowed our wands, remember?’

Cedric rolled his eyes. “We’re allowed our wands, yes. We can use them to aid us. We can use them to summon whatever we like to us.”

Cedric showed him how easy it looked and then watched the young man fail for twenty minutes straight. He was not doing it right.

“Command the glove to come to you, Harry.” Cedric told him. “Make it do your wicked bidding.”

Harry snorted and said the spell. The glove suddenly flew at him, smacking him across the face with a sharp slap, causing him to stagger back in shock.

Cedric bit his bottom lip in order to keep from laughing at him. “That was a little better than it just lying there.”

Harry glared at him and kept doing it until the glove was in his hand. It took him an hour, but he finally did it. He was so much better at just blowing shit up.

Cedric hugged him and kissed him on his pink cheek. Maybe he would apply for that teaching position that Flitwick offered him. He so had the patience of a god.

“How are you going to fend off the dragon?” Harry asked in concern, realizing that Cedric was spending all this time helping him.

Cedric grinned. “I have two plans and the third is to run like hell.”

That did not make Harry feel any better. Dragons loved a good chase.

Cedric told him that he was going to use transfiguration to confuse the dragon and slip by it. It was such genius.

Harry did not trust his skills in transfiguration. He might fuck it up and blow the dragon to bits. He was sure that would get him into lots of trouble. Charlie would probably cry and not speak to him for at least a week.

“Come on,” Cedric said, looking at him. “Summon your broom to you.”

Harry pointed his wand and said the spell. The two of them looked around and waited a couple of seconds. Not a damn thing was happening.

Harry lowered his wand and sighed. The glove had been easier. It was right here in his sights. His Firebolt was all the way up in Gryffindor Tower.

“With passion, Harry,” Cedric told him, face full of life. “You have to feel it, want it.”

Harry fought not to roll his eyes at Cedric’s dorky enthusiasm. He really would make a wonderful teacher.

He pointed his wand, crying out. “ACCIO FIREBOLT!”

A golden spark twinkled at the end of his wand and Cedric suddenly jumped aside. Harry spun around only to be hit in the gut by the handle of his broom.

He fell to his knees, wind knocked from his lungs. That had brought tears to his eyes.

Cedric was by his side, making sure that he was okay. That had been so awesome.

“Just make sure you don’t do that tomorrow.” Cedric told him, rubbing his tummy.

Sudden warmth rushed to Harry’s groin and he nodded. Cedric’s hands were so soothing. He smiled into worried gray eyes.

“I’m fine,” Harry told him, getting to his feet with his help. “I just want you to be fine, too.”

Cedric winked at him and led him over to sit down against the cool wall. He spread his legs so Harry could sit down in front of him, between them.

Harry leaned his head back, resting it against Cedric’s broad chest as Cedric wrapped his powerful arms around his narrow waist. The two of them sat like that for some time. They so needed a break.

Cedric had his head resting back against the wall with his eyes closed. He could feel Harry’s heart beating against him. The rhythm of its song was soothing.

Harry turned his head to the side so that his ear was over Cedric’s heart. He closed his eyes, listening to the strong notes being sung inside. It made him smile as the scent of jasmine filled his senses.

“Everything will be okay.” Cedric told him, trying to calm his own nerves as well. He was scared to death for Harry. Now he knew how the younger teen must feel. He wanted to cry, stomp his feet, and demand that Harry be taken out of the tournament.

“I know,” Harry whispered, putting his smaller hands on top of Cedric’s. “We’ll be okay.”

Cedric lightly squeezed him and Harry frowned. He was really scared. He wanted to pull Cedric up with him and run away from the castle. It would be easy. There were so many places they could hide.

The clock bell began to ring and neither of them knew that it had gotten so late. It was going on five o’clock.

The two of them quickly grabbed up their things and Cedric told Harry to keep practicing. He had to be ready for anything. There was no telling what kind of twist could be thrown at them.

“I love you.” Cedric said, kissing his cheek. “Practice and get lots of rest, Harry.”

Harry nodded his head, telling him that he loved him, too. He watched Cedric race off and just stood their on the steps.

He was squeezing his broom handle for dear life. The staircases began to move behind him and he began to make his way back to his tower. Maybe Ron and Hermione would be hungry.

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“Harry!” Ron yelled, jumping up off his bed. “Where the hell have you been all day?”

Harry blinked. What the hell? Had something happened?

Ron gripped him by the arms, telling him that the first task was dragons. He had been with Krum in the library and the older boy finally told him what the task was.

Ron was no idiot. He had thought something was up when he noticed that all the books on the table had been all about dragons.

Harry could not help but to beam on the inside. Ron was so awesome.

He bet that Krum had asked him not to say anything to anyone about it, too. That was when he suddenly remembered Sirius’ warning.

Karkaroff was no good and Krum might be just as rotten. How was he going to break this to Ron? He would be so pissed.

“Krum wanted me to tell you right away.” Ron said, letting him go. “I just couldn’t find you.”

Well, that blew that about Krum out of the water. He really was a good guy.

“Well,” Ron asked, pushing Harry to his desk. “Hurry up and send Cedric a letter.”

Harry finally just told him the whole story and Ron just gawked at him. He told the redhead all about what he saw last night and what he had been doing with Cedric all day.

“And here I’ve been worried sick.” Ron snapped, showing Harry how badly he had been chewing on his fingernails. “So, everybody knows?”

Harry nodded. “Everyone cheated but Cedric.”

“You didn’t cheat.” Ron snapped. “You didn’t know what Hagrid was going to do.”

Harry bit his bottom lip. He loved Ron so much.

“Krum and Fleur didn’t cheat either.” Ron told him. “Giant Lady and Slimy did.”

Harry suddenly threw his arms around Ron, hugging him tight. He was such a wonderful friend.

“Can’t breathe,” Ron gasped. “Dark…it’s so dark…”

Harry let him go, smiling. “Where is everyone?”

“Probably at dinner,” Ron said, going to throw on his robe. “Are you hungry?’

Harry’s stomach rumbled and he nodded his head. The two of them made their way down from their room and out the portrait hole.

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Harry had a warm fire burning in the fireplace as he lit soft gold and red candles all around the marble bathtub. The warm water was running and he added the soothing scent of lavender oil.

The tub began to fill with lavender color and scented bubbles. The relaxing aroma began to fill the room.

Harry turned off the water and stepped into the bath. He laid back and the bubble filled water was up to his neck.

He looked up at the painted ceiling and slightly shivered. It was not from cold but from fear. He was afraid of what tomorrow might bring.

The soft glow from all the candles had shadows dancing all round the room. He ran his hands down his chest, feeling how smooth his skin was.

The bathroom was filled with blissful warmth and he closed his eyes. He began to pray for Cedric’s safety. He didn’t know who or what he was praying to, he just hoped that whatever or whoever it was, was listening.

Deep down in the Badger hole, Cedric was praying for Harry.

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Cedric was pacing back and forth in front of Harry, looking a little green. He had his plan down, and he was just scared to death that Harry would be hurt.

Fleur was sitting in a chair and she actually looked kind of bored. Harry wanted whatever she was on, and not the chair.

Harry glanced over to see that Krum was looking a little nervous as well. He kept playing with his wand for some reason. It was like he was afraid it would leave him or something.

Krum noticed that he was being stared at and he gave Harry a nervous smile. He did not speak because he was afraid it might destroy what calm he had left.

“Cedric,” Harry said, holding out his hand to him. “You look like a crazy person.”

Cedric nodded his head and jumped in front of Harry with his arms spread when a bright flash went off. He spun around, wand pointed, curse ready, expecting an escaped dragon to come charging in.

No, it was something worse. It was Rita Skeeter. The bitch was dressed to kill, too.

Harry actually snarled at her when she took Cedric by the arm. He was not happy with her at all.

They had read the article she had published on the front page this morning at breakfast. Oh, it had sat his blood to boiling. Hell, it was still boiling.

It had the picture of him and Cedric in Gladrags, holding each other. The article had been all about intimate attire for bed. Apparently he had bought a pair of sleep pants with lighting on the crotch and Cedric had bought a pair with a flame down under as well.

People wonder if the two are simply explosive…

“So,” Rita smiled, giving Cedric’s muscular arm a squeeze. “Who is nervous?’

All of them just looked at her and Cedric really wished she was a man. He wanted to knock her out.

Fleur yawned and Krum looked away. They did not want to be her targets.

“Harry,” Rita said, pulling Cedric over to a wall. “Come stand by your man for me.”

Harry just looked at her, metaphorical fangs dripping with venom. He wanted to blast her out of the tent and cackle madly as he did so. It would be so much fun. That would teach her to touch his Cedric.

Cedric made a slight coughing sound and motioned for Harry to do as she asked. They did not want her writings about them to get nastier.

“What will this picture be for?” Harry asked. His voice held an edge so sharp you could lose a finger. He got to his feet and went to stand beside Cedric.

“Your victory, of course,” Rita told him, positioning them perfectly. “All I have to add is what your victory will be over later.”

Harry looked up at Cedric, green eyes asking why he couldn’t maim just a little. He would make it look very tasteful.

FLASH!

“Floor!” Rita called out, snapping her fingers. “I need you and Crumb for a shot as well.”

Fleur looked at Krum and they both looked back at Rita. The two of them did not look happy at all.

Cedric began to step in front of a grinning Harry because Fleur was raising her wand. The girl did not look like she wanted her picture to be taken. He secretly hoped that she would hex Rita good…bad…not nice.

“Good evening to you all,” a voice said from the tent flap.

It was Professor Dumbledore, followed by Madam Maxime, and Professor Karkaroff. All three of them were dressed to perfection.

“Thank you all for the wonderful photo.” Rita said, quickly making her way out.

Moody came clunking in, and took a sip from his silver flask. The man sure did love his liquor.

Harry listened as Professor Dumbledore told them their task. They each were going to draw a dragon from the bag he was holding. Their goal was to get past the dragon and obtain the golden egg from its nest.

Points would be given on how fast and creative their tactics were. Pointes would be deducted for things he did not pay attention to.

All he had to do was get by the dragon and grab the egg. He just wanted to get this over with.

Dumbledore held out the bag and asked Fleur if she would like to go first. She stepped forward, and stuck her hand inside. A few seconds later she withdrew her and, pulling out the Welsh Green. It had a number two around its neck. The little dragon was dancing in her palm.

He held out the bag for Krum and he drew the Chinese Fireball. It had a number three around its neck and it was coiling around his wrist like a scarlet bracelet.

Cedric looked at Harry and Harry told him to go for it. He stepped up to Dumbledore and put his hand into the bag. He closed his eyes and pulled out the blue-gray Swedish Short Snout. It had the number one around its neck.

Harry’s heart soared. Cedric had gotten the smallest of the four dragons. Then he realized that he was stuck with the grouchy Hungarian Horntail.

He held the dragon in his palm and looked at the number four hanging around its neck. The little dragon snarled and swung its tail. It did not look happy at all.

Madam Maxime told Fleur to do her best and Karkaroff told Krum that all eyes were on him. The two of them soon left to go take their seats in the main box.

Dumbledore wished them all luck and told Cedric that he was the first champion up. He could be called momentarily.

Moody, to, wished them luck and clunked away after Dumbledore. His magical eye was rolling around nonstop.

Harry quickly hugged Cedric, telling him to do his best, and to do it safely. He did not want him coming back to him in a matchbox. His name was soon called.

Cedric kissed him on the mouth and looked back once more before leaving the tent. He was going to win this. That silly Short Snout was not going to see him coming.

Harry was a fucking nervous wreck because he could not see or hear what was going on out there. It was against the rules for some reason.

He was pacing back and forth, chewing on a pillow. He must have looked insane because Fleur quickly looked away from him.

“He vill be fine, Harry.” Krum told him with a smile.

Harry gave him a weak grin and jumped when Fleur’s name was called. She got to her feet, fixing her skirt. Cedric hadn’t been gone fifteen minutes.

“Wait!” Harry shouted, looking around. “What about Cedric?”

“Maybe, ‘e was eaten.” She told him, strolling out.

He nearly fainted. How could she be so mean?

Krum shook his head. That had not been very nice.

“Stupid spell!” Harry yelled at the tent. It kept those on the inside from hearing anything on the outside but their names being called. It also kept them from peeking out, too.

Ten minutes later Krum was called out. Harry wished him luck and waved him off.

He looked around the empty tent and lowered his head. He prayed that Cedric was all right.

He took a seat in a chair and sighed. Cedric couldn’t have gotten eaten. Things would be cancelled if he had. He was sure of it.

He began to stare off into space with a blank mind, and fell out of his chair when his name was called. He looked around the empty tent with startled eyes. How long had he been out of it?

HARRY POTTER!

“I’M COMING!” He yelled, sending that tent flap for a spin.

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Six minutes later, Harry was landing with the golden egg in the crook of his arm. Apparently he had been the quickest to capture his egg. People were screaming and cheering their heads off for him.

The angry Horntail was being stunned and Harry was being ushered into the Nurses tent. He had an angry cut on his right shoulder where the dragon’s tail had struck him. He had not even noticed.

“That will need to be looked at, Potter.” Professor McGonagall told him, telling him how well he had performed. “You can go and get your score when Madam Pomfrey has looked you over.”

Harry was not even listening to a word she was saying to him. He looking around, searching for Cedric with frantic eyes.

“How does it feel now, Mr. Diggory?” He heard Madam Pomfrey ask from an open door. “Last year dementors, this year dragons. What are they thinking?”

Harry rushed to the door to see that Cedric was lying on a bed. He was shirtless and he had some kind of red paste in patches on his face and chest.

“Cedric?” Harry asked, stepping into the room. “What happened?”

Cedric sat up with a huge smile on his face, and Harry ran past a fuming Pomfrey to kneel down at his side. He looked as if he had been scorched all over.

“You’re bleeding.” Cedric said in concern, seeing Harry’s bloody shoulder. “Are you all right?”

Harry nodded his head. He had not even really noticed it until now. He was just so relieved that Cedric was okay.

“Come with me, Mr. Potter.” Madam Pomfrey told him. “You will have to remove your shirt.”

Cedric nodded and let go of his hand. He said that they would talk when he got all cleaned up and got his score.

Harry kissed his hand and followed after Pomfrey. She did not look happy at all.

He removed his shirt, revealing his milky white flesh. The blood only seemed to illuminate his skin. It looked like alabaster.

She had him to take a seat and she gently washed the dried blood away with a warm sponge. The magical healing herbs in the water made the cut sting, but he did not make a sound. He was not a little boy.

He watched as the tiny wound began to vanish and he smiled. It looked as if he had never been hurt.

“You can put this on.” She told him, handing him a clean white cotton shirt. It was a little big on him, but it felt nice.

He quickly put it on and raced back out to get his score. Charlie was yelling at him, telling him what a great job he had done. His friends and many others were cheering for him. It made him smile.

He looked up at them and waved. There were so many people cheering and clapping.

Suddenly the arena went wild. He had tied first place with Krum and he couldn’t have cared less. He waved once more, smiled, and raced back into the tent.

Cedric told him that he had turned a rock into a dog and the dragon had gone after it. Then the dragon had changed her mind and decided that she wanted him instead. He was bigger than a silly little dog and the bitch had scorched him good.

Harry gently caressed an unmarked cheek and smiled. He was just happy that he was okay.

“There is a chance that I might be scarred, Harry.” Cedric said, turning his face away from him.

Harry frowned and gently turned Cedric’s face back to him. He looked the salve on his forehead and right cheek. His golden chest was covered in the stuff.

“I love you.” Harry told him, poking him on the nose. “We can both be scarred together. We’ll both be scarred squared…or something.”

He pointed at his lightning bolt scar and smiled.

Cedric gave him a goofy grin and lied back down. His chest was starting to sting again. He bet some of the folks in the stand had gotten some great pictures of him with his head on fire.

He touched his right cheek and slightly cringed at the stinging. He looked at Harry and wanted to get the hell out of there. He must look so pathetic. Was he the only champion told to stay put? This was so embarrassing.

“Okay, Mr. Diggory,” Madam Pomfrey said, suddenly standing at the foot of his bed. “It is time to remove the old and add some more.”

Cedric nodded his head as she sat the little silver bowl and sponge down along with the bottle of salve. He would not moan like a child…at least not in front of Harry.

“Let me do it.” Harry said, looking at her with intense green eyes.

Madam Pomfrey just looked at him and those haunting emerald orbs could tell a thousand stories. She nodded her head and turned it all over to him.

“I’ll be back in ten minutes to check in on you.” She said, heading towards the door. “I’m coming, Mr. Krum.”

Cedric looked up at Harry with smoky gray eyes. “Be gentle?”

Harry grinned down at him. “I’ve always wanted to play doctor, Cedric.”

Fire raced straight to Cedric’s groin. He shifted his body and Harry smirked. There was no hiding that bulge.

Cedric closed his eyes and began to count different colored socks. He loved how gentle Harry’s touch was. It was so soft, cool, and soothing.

He could not help but smile as Harry gently washed the old salve away with the wet sponge. He was so happy that his hair had been spared from the angry dragon’s fire. It would have taken him forever to grow it back to the way he liked it.

“I love you, Harry.” Cedric told him, opening his eyes.

Harry looked at the angry red scorch marks on his golden skin that was slowly becoming a raw pink color. He wiped away the rest of the salve and began to gently add more to his chest and face burns. The stuff smelled of really strong herbs. It was kind of hard to describe. At least it did not smell bad.

He loved the feel of Cedric under his touch. He only wished it was under better circumstances. He knew it stung and he cooed to him.

When he was done, he sat the salve aside, and sat down on the edge of the bed. He held Cedric’s right hand in his own.

Cedric was looking at Harry and he felt so happy. The two of them had made it through the first task.

“How long do you think she will have you stay for?” Harry asked, turning his head to look at the door.

“You could get your cloak,” Cedric grinned.

Harry turned back to smile down into his face. He gently ran his fingers over the salve on his chest to see that it was very quick to dry.

“Does it still sting?” Harry asked him.

Cedric shook his head. “I told you your touch is magical, Harry.”

Harry shook his head and looked back at the door when he heard Madam Pomfrey come walking back in. She was muttering about how everyone had gone mad over this dreadful tournament.

“When the salve has dried, you may put this on, Mr. Diggory.” She told him, handing Harry a large white shirt. It was the same as the one he was now wearing.

“I’m going to give you some salve to take with you,” she said, summoning a small pot of the stuff. “Keep putting it on and you’ll be fine.”

Cedric nodded, telling her thank you. She nodded and swept from the room.

Harry stood up and handed Cedric his shirt. He watched how his muscles rippled as he put it on.

Cedric picked up his wand and egg off the table beside the bed and asked Harry if he was ready to get the hell out of there. Harry grabbed his egg and the two of them walked out of the room and out of the tent.

A bright flash went off before their eyes and Rita descended upon them like a glittering bird of prey. She was asking them questions, lips moving faster than comprehension. That poisonous quill of hers, zooming across the pad.

Cedric tried to answer some the most random questions and kept Harry from blasting her face off, both at the same time. It was very impressive.

“What was it like, Harry?” She asked him. “What did it feel like to almost be swatted like a fly by that massive dragon’s tail?”

“It made me feel thankful that I am a very good flyer, Miss Skeeter.” Harry told her, pulling Cedric along after him. He wanted to get as far away from that bitch as possible.

The answer seemed to delight her and she waved them off. This was going to make a good story.

“I despise her.” Harry hissed, coming to a stop behind an empty stand.

Cedric nodded his head. The wicked witch seemed to know how to get under their skin.

He told Harry not to read what she writes. They knew what the truth was and that’s all that really mattered.

Harry had almost blasted her pancake face off when she had asked if Cedric’s face would be scarred. His vision had gone dark and Cedric’s hand on his shoulder had been the bitches’ only saving grace.

Cedric looked at his egg and Harry looked at his. What the hell were they? Were they some kind of clue to help them in the next task?

Harry suddenly opened his up and their eardrums were assaulted by a horrible shrilling shriek. He nearly dropped the damn thing.

“Close it!” Cedric cried and Harry did so.

Their ears were ringing and Cedric looked at his egg with wary eyes. What the hell were these things?

“What the hell was that?’ Harry asked, setting his egg down. He wanted to kick it.

Cedric shook his head. He didn’t have a clue. That had totally surprised him. It had been something shrieking, but what could it have been?

Could it have been a banshee? No, he knew what they sounded like. He had heard one’s haunting song the night before his uncle had died.

“Well, we have until the twenty-fourth of February to figure it out.” Cedric told him and Harry nodded. That was what Professor McGonagall had told him, but he had not been listening. “That should be plenty of time.”

Dumbledore had not been kidding when he had said that these tasks would be difficult. Harry just wished the Headmaster would dumb it down some.

“Come on,” Cedric said, putting his egg under his arm, holding out his hand. “I’m sure that our houses have a big party planned for each of us.”

Harry rolled his eyes. That was all he needed right now. He picked up his egg and took Cedric’s offered hand in his own. The two of them fit together so perfectly.

It turned out that Cedric had been right. His house had thrown him a party. He had had a blast, even after the twins opened the golden egg.

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PRESENT

Before I start going crazy
Going crazy, Ohh
Run to me
Run to me
Cause I’m dying…

--Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin

Harry held out his glowing hands and Professor Dumbledore gave him Cedric’s golden house ring that was strung on a thin chain of gold. The second it touched Harry’s palm, his hand closed over it.

He could remember it all as if it had taken place last night. He turned away from the old wizard, gliding over to stand in front of the fireplace.

He closed his eyes as he held the ring close to his shattered heart. He could hear Cedric’s voice and it was like he was standing right there with him. He could feel those loving arms wrap around him, holding him ever tight.

“I love you, Harry Potter,” that gentle voice cooed to him. It was so warm and filled with diamond rays of light. “Will you wear my ring?”

Long dark lashes fluttered open like the wings of butterflies as molten green gems gazed at the ring on its golden chain. A gentle finger traced the badger design and a lonely sigh escaped through those garnet red lips.

Sirius was at the window and he could not even look at Harry. The pain that radiated from his Godson was too much for him to take. He could not even get close to the angry young man without feeling like his skin was going to smoke and peel off.

He looked over to see that Moody was standing at the portrait vault, pulling out what must have been Cedric’s house blanket. There was so much that he pretended not to know.

“Harry?” Dumbledore asked, voice soft and gentle. “Would you like to have a warm bath?”

A haunting note escaped from Harry’s mouth and he very slowly turned around to look at the powerful wizard. He looked into those old blue eyes that seemed to mirror his pain. His gazed turned back to his ring.

Dumbledore put a hand to his chest and felt the silver ring that was hanging there under his robes. Even though Harry was covered in the blood of a snake, it only seemed to make his dark beauty even wilder and more terrifying than ever.

His beauty could rival that of the Beansidhe Queen. It looked as if the amber eyed Goddess had been right. Harry was indeed a Child of Sorrow.

“Harry?” Charlie asked, slowing stepping up beside him. “Let’s go and get you cleaned up.”

Harry looked up at him and nodded his head. He felt lost and afraid. He kept expecting to hear Cedric call his name and throw his arms around him.

Dumbledore watched the dragon tamer lead Harry from the room in complete silence. He could not Understand Harry. One minute he is deadlier than a Medusa, and the next he is more docile than a baby unicorn.

“Alaster,” Dumbledore said. “I want you to keep your eye on him.”

Moody nodded and clunked from the room.

Sirius still stood at the window. His heart was aching. He wanted to hold Harry and tell him that everything would be okay in time.

“The students will be arriving tomorrow night, Sirius.” Dumbledore said. “Has Harry a room at Grimwald Place?”

Sirius nodded his head at Dumbledore’s reflection in the window. He had Harry’s room sat up the moment he had returned to his old home. He still hoped they could be a family.

“Harry’s room is ready.” Sirius told him, turning to look at the solemn Headmaster. “It is done in red and gold.”

Dumbledore gave him a gentle smile. He just hoped that Harry could be kept under control in his current state of mind.

“That is good.” Dumbledore said, stroking Fawkes under his beak. “We’ll find a way to get him back, my friend.”

Sirius turned back to look out the window. Could one come back after losing something so precious? He didn’t know.

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Harry and Charlie were on the fifth floor, standing in front of the fourth door to the left of Boris the Bewildered. The poor guy looked even more bewildered than ever. It must have been something he read.

“Are you sure you want to use the Prefect’s bathroom, Harry?” Charlie asked him, afraid that it might cause Harry to snap again.

Harry nodded his head and Charlie asked him what the password was. The question made Harry look away from him. It looked as if he was having trouble remembering it, or that he didn’t want to say it.

Charlie saw a silver tear glide down that flawless white skin. He saw that Harry was holding his ring as if it were a lifeline.

“He would turn my tears into pearls.” Harry whispered, reaching out, touching the wooden door coated in gold. “And then he would give them back to me with love in his heart, surrounding me with his light.”

Charlie could only stand there. What could he say? There was nothing that could make it okay.

“The password,” Harry whispered, a small sob escaping him. “The password is, left alone.”

The door gently swung open and Charlie followed Harry into the large bathroom. It was very nice. It paid to be a school Prefect.

The memories and the silent tears surrounded and slowly assaulted Harry like shadows. He could hear laughter, splashing, and feel all the happiness that still echoed in this space.

The mermaid was looking down at him while combing her lustrous golden locks with a jade comb. She had been witness to all the love that seemed to still fill the large room.

Charlie turned on the water and it began to fill the large tub rather quickly. He turned a few of the brightly jeweled taps to add bubbles as well.

Big blue and violet bubbles filled the tub along with those that looked like streams of pearls. They all smelled really good, too.

“Do you want me to wait outside for you?” Charlie asked, turning from the pretty bubbles to Harry.

Harry shook his head and Charlie watched in awe as the gossamer silk that clothed Harry began to melt off his glowing moon filled skin. It flowed down his flesh like liquid darkness to pool at his now naked feet.

Charlie was trembling. Harry was too beautiful to behold. He had to turn away from him.

The water and bubbles were turned off by invisible hands and Charlie actually watched Harry slowly descend into the pool. The blood on his skin seemed to lift right off of him.

It was his hair that was going to be a problem. It was so long, it nearly dragged the floor.

“Charlie?” Harry asked, voice low and melodious. “Would you help me with my hair?”

The thought of being with a naked Harry down in that pool frightened him. He was terrified that his body would betray him.

“I’m more beautiful than what the word can describe.” Harry told him, turning to look up at him with wet molten jewels, loathing the irony of the words he had spoken to Cedric at The Three Broomsticks on that day. “It’s not your fault that your body desires me so. I won’t hold it against you, Charlie.”

Charlie watched Harry put Cedric’s ring around his smooth neck. He kicked off his dragon hide boots and removed his shirt before getting into the water with him. He was not about to go naked. That was for damn sure.

Harry went under the water and came back up, covered in glittering bubbles. He looked like a statue carved out of jeweled perfection.

Charlie swam over to a tap that told him that it was shampoo and asked Harry to come to him. He watched as the graceful teenager moved through the water as if it did not even exist to him.

Harry turned his back to Charlie, hair flowing on top of the water like strands of night. He closed his eyes while Charlie massaged the sweet smelling shampoo through his impossibly long locks.

The blood just washed right out as Charlie did as Harry asked. The water however did become a little pink with it.

Harry was holding the ring around his neck while he hummed a haunting tune that Charlie did not recognize. It was so sad and lonely sounding.

Charlie gently rinsed Harry’s hair and smiled at how glorious it now looked. It was as black and shiny as the onyx stone in sunlight.

“I love him so much.” Harry whispered, lowering his head. “I’m lost without my compass.”

Charlie gently places his hands on Harry’s slender shoulders, stepping closer to him. He had no idea what to say. All he could do was offer comfort.

Harry shook his hands off and turned to look at him with molten pools of emerald green light. Tears of silver fire streamed from those gemstone pools.

Charlie’s breath was stolen away from him. It felt like he would never breathe again.

Harry stood there, looking tragic, haunted, and terrified. His sharp beauty seemed to magnify. Oh, he was terrible and fail to behold.

Those emerald stars closed as liquid fire dripped like diamonds into the bath. He sobbed and his whole body shook with them.

It was a pain that felt like having all your fingernails pulled out with a set of pliers, and having a blade stab repeatedly into your chest, both at the same time.

“Leave Me!” Harry cried, trembling in agony, heart screaming for vengeance. “I want…”

Charlie moved towards him and Harry leaped away, wet hair snapping at him like deadly whips. He snarled at the older man with a beautiful mouth filled with needle sharp fangs.

“Harry,” Charlie tried, but knew to back away, slowly.

Harry pulled at his own hair with silver talons that glistened death. It had been a mistake to come here. He had thought he could face it. He couldn’t.

“Leave me!” Harry yelled, slashing just millimeters from Charlie’s naked chest. “Before I tear out your heart and eat it!”

Charlie quickly turned and climbed out of the bath. He wanted to look back at his sobbing friend but he was too afraid to. He just ran from the room, not even getting his boots or his shirt.

Harry turned his back to the sound of the closing door. The pain stabbed, twisted, pulled out, and then started all over again.

He was all alone. He had nothing…nothing but his pain…and a thirst to kill all that dared to breathe near him.

He climbed out of the pool, curled up into the fetal position, and wept like a small child. The room was alive with his voice. He could hear every echo.

There had to be a way. He would not stop. He did not care what he had to do.

“Cedric,” he whispered to the empty bath, mermaid frightened away. “I love you more than more.”

I love you more than more than more.

TBC…

I’m so sorry that it took me forever to update. I have been so busy with classes and exams. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. You make my day seem even brighter. HUGS!

The song lyrics above belong to Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin. The song just sounds better with the two of them together.

Flora.