To Dance

Chapter 3: To Discover


“What the Hell was that?” Ron asked in complete surprise as he walked along side Harry, face turned completely to the dark haired boy.

“I didn’t want a full out brawl, alright,” Harry snapped, not looking at Ron as he continued to stomp to Charms.

“Yea, but-”

“Shut up!” Harry yelled, whirling on him, green eyes glowing furiously. He still felt all his pent up anger and frustration from seeing Malfoy coursing through him and Ron’s comments weren’t helping his mood.

Ron shrank away from Harry and Hermione gasped in surprise. A few other students around them stopped and stared at the fuming champion. A few of the girls whispered behind their hands, eyes fixed on Harry as he practically radiated anger.

“Harry, what’s wrong?” a familiar deep voice said from behind Harry and he whipped around to face the speaker, his anger fading slightly, though still pulsing strong. Cedric Diggory stood in front of him, looking perfect as usual. He smiled down at Harry, who felt his anger recede from him slowly. When he was finally under control of himself again, Harry sighed and smiled weakly at his fellow champion. Cedric’s smile widened. “I wonder if I might have a word,” the older boy asked, and took Harry’s arm gently.

Slightly shocked by Cedric’s gesture, Harry glanced at his arm in shock for a second before he was led away by the Hufflepuff toward an empty corridor. Whispers followed him and Ron and Hermione stared in disbelief as their best friend was taken from them by the seventh year.

Harry followed Cedric in silence for a while before he was pulled into an empty classroom. As the door slammed shut Harry became aware that Cedric was still holding onto his arm. Looking down at Cedric’s gripping hand and back up to Cedric, Harry tried to silently convey the fact to the other student. Cedric smiled, seeming to understand, but didn’t let go, instead pulling Harry towards him. Completely startled by this and being somewhat awkward with his arm being wrenched away, Harry yelped and, tripping over his own feet in haste, stumbled into Cedric. He heard Cedric laugh softly as he felt the strong vibrations in the chest his head was now pressed against. He gave another startled squeak when his arms was released, only to find that two arms were wrapping around his small frame possessively.

“Cedric! Wha-” Harry started to say in complete shock.

“Will you go to the ball with me, Harry?” Cedric murmured, bending his head low to Harry’s ear and Harry felt Cedric’s chest hum as he spoke. Shivering slightly from the close contact.

“I- what! You want- what?” Harry spluttered, trying to draw politely away from the seventh year holding him protectively.

Cedric laughed softly again and brought his head lower so that his mouth was right next to Harry’s ear, which made the younger boy shiver slightly. “I want you to go to the Yule Ball with me, Harry,” Cedric purred, his lips brushing against the shell of Harry's ear. “I want you to be my date.”

Harry managed to push himself away from Cedric’s chest slightly and looked up to find his face inches from the other boy’s. He blushed deeply, feeling his face flare in heat at the lack of space between them. “Why?” he asked, completely at a loss of what to say.

Cedric smiled and rested his forehead against Harry’s so that their noses nearly brushed. He closed his eyes and sighed, arms pulling Harry toward him again. “Because I love you. When I met you in Quidditch last year, I knew immediately I liked you. And since we have been in this tournament, I just fell, completely head over heels, for you. You’re perfect,” he whispered, opening his stormy gray eyes to gaze into Harry’s emerald orbs. A light smile played about his lips as he continued to pull Harry to him.

Harry felt like his face was on fire due to excessive blushing. “Cedric, I-” Harry tried to speak but was stopped in midsentence when the other boy lightly brushed his lips against Harry’s, making the Gryffindor freeze, eyes wide, and completely at a loss of words.

“Was that a yes?” Cedric cooed at the boy in his arms, smiling kindly down into Harry’s eyes. “You’ll go with me? I had hoped so.” Without allowing Harry to respond, the brunet kissed Harry again, more passionately this time.

Harry’s mind was fogged, his eyes glazed over slightly as he continued to stare at the boy currently kissing him. He wanted to push Cedric away and ask him what he was doing? Harry felt his body grow warm and his eyes fluttered shut as he melted into Cedric’s mouth. When Cedric finally pulled away and the feeling from the kiss slowly receded, Harry’s mind slowly came back to him, his body still hot and face flushed from the contact. He looked up at the boy holding him and felt a slight tug in his stomach, and he knew this wasn’t right. Cedric’s smile faltered when he saw the look on Harry’s face.

“What’s wrong? Too fast?” asked Cedric, pulling back slightly to look questioningly into Harry’s face, his gray eyes searching for the cause of Harry’s discomfort.

Harry shook his head and pushed at Cedric’s chest, the brunet finally letting him go somewhat, though still keeping his hands on Harry’s arms. “I’m really sorry,” Harry breathed, lowering his eyes and he felt Cedric’s hands stiffen on his arms. “I’m really sorry Cedric, it’s just that, I dunno.” He paused and looked up at Cedric, whose face, which had been glowing in happiness moments before, had fallen and he was looking at Harry in apprehension. Harry had no idea how to explain what he felt.

“You-” Cedric steadied his voice by swallowing and taking a deep breath. “You don’t want to... That wasn’t a yes?”

Without a word, Cedric shook his head and swiftly pushed past Harry, swiftly leaving the classroom. Harry watched him go, his stomach twisting horribly at seeing someone so hurt, because of him. Another person hurt because of him. Harry sighed and shuffled from the room.

Suddenly Harry's thoughts caught up with him and began to race around his head, as if playing an ultimate game of tag. He had just been asked to the ball, and said no. On top of that he has just has his first kiss. Wait. He had just been kissed. By Cedric Diggory. Cedric Diggory was a boy. Harry was a boy. Harry stood frozen. He had just been asked to the Yule Ball and been kissed. By a boy. And, Harry thought for a moment, it hadn't been all that weird.

Harry's mouth opened slightly. What did this mean? What had just happened? Then Cedric's face floated back into Harry's mind, his words ringing in Harry's ears. 'That wasn't a yes?'

Harry groaned. Great, he thought. I've managed to hurt another person. What is wrong with me. He sighed and hung his head. And on top of that, he's a boy! Harry's mind was still having difficulty adjusting to this new concept.

Shaking his head vigorously and groaning, Harry hurried from the empty classroom feeling confused and agitated.