The Boys Who Lived

Rating: R
A/N: I am so happy with myself; I am popping these babies out, one after another! Thanks to all my readers… I hope you enjoy! Remember folks, reviews although not a requirement, keep me happy and make me want to write all the more… so review your little hearts out!

Chapter 5: A Birthday to Remember


“Where exactly are we?” questioned Cedric as he looked around.

They had apparated to a central London location and Harry was now leading him down a heavy traffic street, wide grin on his face.

“Are you going to tell me or not?”

“Ummm… not. I told you, it’s a surpise!” Harry replied with that, now apparent, mischievous grin.

Cedric looked at Harry giving him big sad grey puppy eyes, a perfectly formed pout on his lips.

Chuckling, Harry shook his head and said, “That’s not going to work on me. How many times do I have to say surprise?”

Cedric huffed in mock anger and decided to give in for now. Besides, he was currently walking down the street, holding Harry’s hand and enjoying their time together. For the last two weeks, Harry and he had spent every day together. Cedric would come over early in the day and usually take Harry out; whether it was shopping or to a restaurant, or a museum. They had even gone to a muggle zoo. Cedric had been mesmerized by the varying types of animals at the zoo; they were very different than the magical creatures in a wizard’s zoo.

Since the day spent at Camden Market, the two boys had quickly moved into this new aspect of their relationship. Though they had not gone past a few heated snogging sessions with a little light petting, they often found themselves finding comfort in just a simple touch. Often, choosing to just hold hands or wrap an arm around the others waist; simple but, natural nonetheless.

Finally, Harry stopped them in front of a building that had an aged quality to it. A long vertical sign read THEATRE in large letters. Below it stood a small booth with a young teenage girl behind the clear glass.

“Wait a minute, this is a theatre? My aunt told me about muggle movies… I have wanted to go see one for a long time but, my father never wanted to go when our family vacationed in the muggle world.” Cedric leaned down and pecked Harry on the lips smiling broadly and said. “This is brilliant! Thank you!”

Harry smiled and pulled the older boy up to the booth and said “Two for the 12:00 showing of Casablanca, please.”

The girl in the booth smiled wantonly as she printed out two tickets for the movie. Taking the money, she leaned across the counter; pressing her nearly exposed breasts against the glass two give the tickets as she eyed Cedric. Batting her eyes, she flipped her hair and ran her tongue across her bottom lip, trying her best to entice the older boy. Cedric, oblivious to her display, looked around taking in everything about the muggle theatre.

Harry, not so oblivious, glared at the twit as he lifted up on tip toes and pulled Cedric’s head down for a full on kiss. He nipped Cedric’s lips playfully, carding his fingers through the hair at the nape of Cedric’s neck and then drew back lifting an eyebrow in challenge to the girl. Snickering at the girls glower, he reached for Cedric hand and they walked into the theatre.

Sitting down in their seats, they waited for the movie to start.

“Have fun back there?” Cedric said with a knowing smirk.

“Wha” Harry started and then after seeing Cedric’s smirk huffed “The cheeky little twit was making eyes at you!”

“So you felt the need to what? Make your claim?” The smirk turned into an all out grin at that.

Cedric laughed at the glare Harry sent him and then wrapped an arm around Harry’s shoulder, pulling Harry against his side. Lifting a hand to cup a cheek, Cedric let his thumb run across Harry bottom lip and just looked at the younger boy. He was beautiful and he was Cedric’s…

“I don’t mind, I actually liked that you did that. I would have done that as well, whether boy or girl… nobody can have you but me, you’re mine.” Cedric said huskily as he brushed his lips against Harry’s, persuading them to open for him.

Sliding his tongue into the warm mouth, Cedric tasted marmalade and tea from the breakfast he had bought them earlier in the day. Their tongues caressed each other, sliding erotically across the other, weaving together. Making his way from the sweet Cupid’s bow lips, Cedric kissed his way from the corner of that mouth, down the strong jaw and just behind the left earlobe. The day after their first kiss, Cedric had found out that Harry was especially sensitive in that spot. Suckling, he occasionally nipped the skin and then licked it, soothing the burn with his tongue.

Harry mewed quietly, pulling Cedric closer, while wrapping his arms around the older boy’s neck. Nearly sitting in Cedric’s lap, Harry gasped as he felt the tongue on his skin suck his earlobe into that warm wet cavern.

Hearts beating a mile a minute, they were startled out of the erotic fog as the previews started. Pulling back, Cedric looked into the heat filled emerald eyes and smiled. Leaning down for one last kiss, he put his arm back around Harry shoulders and pulled Harry in. Harry sighed peacefully, resting his head against the muscular chest beneath it and smiled as the movie began.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

It was July 31st; Harry’s birthday. He found himself sitting on the bed waiting patiently for Cedric to arrive. He hadn’t told Harry what they were doing but, said he would like it, whatever IT was… He had been sitting there for nearly an hour, a nervous feeling enveloping him. This was his first birthday where he would be spending it with someone. The last thirteen birthdays he had been alone on the day, either locked inside the cupboard under the stairs or here in Dudley’s second bedroom.

The loneliness he had felt on every birthday before was replaced by happiness now have someone to spend it with. However, he was a little fearful that he would say or do anything wrong, to ruin the day. He tried not to dwell on that fear but, hold onto the happiness and make the day special; a memory to keep the loneliness at bay.

A loud crack filled the bare room and Harry looked up at the smiling face of Cedric.

“Hey, beautiful” Cedric said as he wrapped an arm around Harry’s waist, pulled the smaller boy against him and leaned down for a kiss.

Briefly, their lips pressed as the tongues flicked together, tasting each other. Sucking Harry’s bottom lip into his mouth for a moment he, then biting it lightly and ran his
tongue over the bite to sooth it. Taking a half step back, Cedric looked at Harry’s face.
Harry had his eyes closed with his lips parted slightly, his tongue glancing over the recently bit lip. His face was flushed as a rapturous look adorned it. He looked seductive, like a siren’s call pulling in passing ships, taking them to their doom. Cedric used every ounce of willpower he had in him to not listen to the call, at least for now. They had somewhere to be and if they didn’t leave soon, they would be late.

“Are you ready to go?” Cedric asked.

Harry blinked his eyes, focusing onto the source of his earlier pleasure and then blushed in embarrassment. “Er, yeah.”

Cedric, having wrapped his other arm around Harry’s waist as the younger boy did the same, closed his eyes and took them to their destination.

When they arrived Harry looked away from Cedric’s face and saw they were near a small pond in the country. Frowning, he thought the landscape was familiar but couldn’t place it and then swept his eyes in the other direction and gasped.

Fifty yards away stood the Burrow in all its glory. The home looked as perfect as it had been the first time he had seen it. What once was probably a barn, now had many extra floors piled precariously atop the others, looking as if the only reason it did not fall was magic. The garden that surrounded the home was filled with all kinds of wild flowers, sprouting everywhere the seeds had carried. Several short pudgy faced gnomes ran in the garden laughing as Hermione’s cat Crookshanks gave his best effort to catch them. He saw several geese squawking as they waddled about, getting in the way of the people moving around the garden. The Weasley’s were busy setting up tables and bringing out tons of food, talking and laughing as they did so.

Harry felt his heart nearly stop at this; they were throwing him a birthday party. His first one! Looking up at Cedric, tears threatening to spill, he pulled him in a fierce hug.

“Thank you!” Harry whispered as he pressed his face into the crook of Cedric neck, smelling the familiar scent of fresh cut grass and leather.

“I know you said Professor Dumbledore said you had to stay at your relatives until after your birthday but, I think it will be fine for you to visit the Burrow for a few hours to let us celebrate your birthday.” Placing his palm against Harry’s cheek he spoke softly. “You will never spend your birthday alone again, I won’t allow it. This day is special and it is meant to be celebrated with friends and family.”

“Harry dear, you’re here!” Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as she rushed over and hugged him. “I am so glad you are here. Come on dear, I made all your favorite foods and a nice chocolate cake for dessert! You are so thin; we need to fatten you up a bit!”
Mrs. Weasley led him towards the table as everyone else began to notice the two boys’ arrival.

“Harry, happy birthday!” Hermione exclaimed as she ran to him,hugging him tightly. Then murmuring in his ear, “I’m so glad we are with you today; I hated every year when you had to be alone for your birthday!”

“Mate,you finally made it… I’ve been going barmy with just mum, Ginny and Hermione to keep me company. Fred and George keep themselves holed in their room all day” leaning into Harry, he quietly said “I think it has to do with their business. Since you gave them your Tri-Wizard Tournament winnings, they have been working nonstop creating and testing their merchandise. “

“What do you mean by that?!” Hermione cried out as she registered his comment about going barmy. “Are you saying I’m boring, Ronald Weasley?”
Hermione stood fuming, her hands resting on her hips as she glared Ron down.

“Course not ‘Mione, it just your girls, is all. You’re always talking about boys and make up, or cooking and cleaning. You know what girls do.”
Hermione’s eyes narrowed and her lips pursed together tightly, it was obvious Ron had said another stupid thing; he never knew when to shut it.

“Oh, that’s all we do is it? We little women, sitting and gossiping in the kitchen while we clean and cook for the menfolk?!”

“er, course not ‘Mione… you do other things, ‘sides that…” Ron replied digging himself in deeper. “Women are allowed to do a lot more now…”
Ron seeing that Hermione was on the verge of pulling out her wand and hexing him to oblivion, not caring about underage magic, he ran behind Harry and pleaded, “Mate, help me out, please!”

Laughing Harry stepped to the side and said “You’re on your own, this time. You got yourself in this mess, get yourself out.”

As his cover stepped away, Ron gave a fake hurt look at Harry and said “See if I stand up for you again!” and then high tailed it into the house, Hermione hot on his trail.

Laughing, Harry and Cedric said hello to everyone else there. All of the Weasley children had made it, of course Mr. Weasley as well, Remus, Hagrid and Dumbledore. They all wished him happy birthday and hugging him, Hagrid’s hug nearly made him pass out; it had been so tight.

Harry was so happy they had all thrown him the party. The only thing that would have made it better was for Sirius to be there as well but, being on the run, Harry was sure he would be able to risk coming. Then as if to prove his thought wrong, a loud crack could be heard a distance away and then Harry saw his godfather walk into view.

“Sirius?!” Harry yelled as he ran and vaulted himself into Sirius’ open arms. “You made it! I didn’t think you would be able to come?”

“How could I miss my godson’s birthday?” Sirius hugged Harry tight, and then drew him back and said “Besides, I had to meet the boy who rivals me in your affections.”
Harry blushed, ducking his head down and said “Okay but, we haven’t made anything official so, be nice and don’t say anything!”

Sirius gave Harry an innocent look that said ‘what, who me?’ Snorting in disbelief, Harry grabbed Sirius’ hand and pulled him towards Cedric, who had his back turned while talking to Mr. Weasley. Just as Cedric turned around, Harry realized that this was going to be a shock for Cedric; his godfather was an escaped convicted murderer after all.
Cedric, taking a glance at the man behind Harry, gasped and quickly pulled out his wand and tried to push harry out of the way. He didn’t know why or how Sirius Black was there but, he wasn’t going to let him hurt Harry.

Harry’s eyes got wide and he swiftly placed himself in front of Black, holding his hands up in alarm.

“Cedric, wait! He’s not what you think he is!” Harry exclaimed as he blocked Cedric from hexing the man.

“He’s Sirius Black, Harry and he’s dangerous. He could hurt you!” Cedric replied. “Now move!”

“No.”

“No, what do you mean, no? Harry, he’s in league with You-Know-Who, he’s a danger to you.”

“No, he’s not. He’s my godfather… He was framed by Peter Pettigrew; he was the one that
killed all those people, not Sirius. Once we find that little traitor, Sirius will be exonerated and he won’t have to hide from the Ministry.”

Cedric looked at Harry like he was mad and then looked the Black behind him. Black had a grin on his face and stepped around Harry, putting his hand out to Cedric and said “Sirus Black, Harry’s godfather. A pleasure to meet you!”

Cedric frowned at the offered hand looking from the grinning man to Harry, who was smiling and nodding, and then back to Black again. Blowing out a puff of air, Cedric put away his wand and shook the hand offered.

“Cedric Diggory… Harry’s boyfriend.” Cedric moved from looking at Harry’s godfather to Harry, after speaking, gauging his reaction to the title. Harry had a wide grin on his face and was practically bouncing on his feet.

Sirius laughed and looked back at Harry, saying “I like him, Harry. I’d keep him, if I were you!”

Harry, still grinning, walked over to Cedric and hugged him quickly. “I think I will keep him.”

The rest of the people outside breathed a sigh of relief at the laughs. Though they hadn’t heard the exchange of words, they had felt the tension in the meeting and saw Cedric’s wand drawn on Sirius. Now, with the air cleared, the party could begin.

The group soon ate the delicious food prepared by Mrs. Weasley, having out done herself
yet again. Once the meal had ended, they had brought out a large chocolate cake with fifteen candles on it. They sang happy birthday to him and, after the candles were blown out, Harry made a wish. They sat enjoying the cake for a few minutes, a comfortable lull in the conversation.

“I think it is time for Harry to open his presents.” Mrs. Weasley said as she flicked
his wand and cleared the table, a pile of presents appeared on the table afterwards.

Harry, blushing at the attention and took a present offered to him from the twins. Opening it he found a large variety of pranks gifts and something called Skiving Snackboxes.

“We thought that you might…” began Fred.

“…like to try our new inventions.” Finshed George.

“Fully tested…”

“… of course!”

From across the table Ron could be heard grumbling “yeah, tested on me!”

Fred and George gave their dear brother matching evil grins as everyone at the table laughed.

“Thanks, Fred, George. I’ll put it to good use!” Harry said with a grin.

Harry quickly opened the rest of the presents. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had given him a new jumper in a dark forest green. Hagrid had given him a furry cloak that he said was made of acromantula hairs and would absorb most light to medium spells. Hermione, without fail, gave Harry a book on quidditch. Remus gave him a book on DADA spells and some Honkeyduke’s chocolate bars. Dumbledore had given him a book on Occlumency.

Sirius passed Harry a long package that was unmistakably a broom and said “I know the Firebolt I gave you was destroyed in your third year so, I thought I would get you a new and even better one.”

Harry grinned and ripped the brown wrapping from the broom and looked at the sleek black handle with red twigs and red lettering along the handle that said “WindMaker.

“It’s a Windmaker. They haven’t even been released yet but, I pulled a few favors and got you one. It is the top of the line, it has a protection shield for both the broom and the rider, goes zero to 70 kilometers in point two seconds and has an identification charm that only allows you or those you designate to handle it. So it can’t be tampered with.”

Harry looked at the broom in awe and then launched himself in Sirius’ arms again and hugged him. “Thanks Sirius! This is perfect.”

“Welcome, kiddo.” Sirius replied as he returned the hug.

Harry sat back in his and then looked at Cedric, his being the last present left.
Cedric passed him a small box wrapped in brown paper and a rope of twine around it. Unwrapping the box, he opened it and stared. It was the necklace his hand looked at while they were in Camden Market; he had been so disappointed when he hadn’t been able to buy it. Cedric had bought it for him, even though it had cost a bit more than a birthday present usually cost. Save Sirius, that is.

“I saw you looking at that while we were in Camden Market and thought it would look perfect on you. It has a strong protection spell on it, so don’t take it off.” Cedric stated as he took the necklace from the box and moved behind Harry and put the necklace on him.

Fingering the necklace, Harry’s eyes teared up and he smiled up at Cedric. “Thank you… I wanted it but, I didn’t have enough on me at the time. I was sad that I couldn’t get it.”

“You’re welcome, Harry.” Cedric said as he sat back in his seat and smiled at Harry.
Hermione and Ginny quickly got up to look at the necklace and oohed and awed over the gift.

For the next few hours, they all talked, as the sun set in the sky. Mrs. Weasley used her wand to light a few torches set around the tables, allowing the group to sit a while longer and enjoy the cool breeze. Before long, it was past 11 at night and they began tearing down the tables. Soon everyone said goodbye and headed home for the night.

Harry thanked Mrs. Weasley for the food and told her he couldn’t wait to come back tomorrow for the rest of the summer. Choosing to leave his presents here until he returned, Harry waved goodbye to everyone, wrapped his arms around Cedric and they apparated away.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Appearing in Harry’s bedroom, light shinning in from the nearly full moon, Harry looked up at Cedric and said. “Thank you for tonight, it was the best birthday I’ve ever had!”

“It was worth it, just to see you smile so much, Harry.” Cedric replied as he wrapped his arms around Harry again and leaned in for a kiss.

Harry placed his arms around Cedric’s neck and opened his mouth to Cedric’s invading tongue. Cedric brushed his tongue against Harry’s, dueling it for dominance, Harry in the end let Cedric take the lead. Cedric then slid it across Harry’s teeth, eliciting a shiver from the younger boy. Letting his hands glide down Harry’s body, gripping the taunt bottom beneath his hands.

Harry gave a low groan and pulled Cedric’s body closer to his, not wanting any space between them. Backing Harry up, Cedric walked them to the bed behind Harry, until his calves hit the bed. The two fell on the together, not letting go of the tight hold on each other.

Harry felt the weight of Cedric’s body on top of him, the feel of his body pressed into the bed below him, gave him a thrill as the kiss deepened. Parting his legs, Harry gasped as Cedric’s body laid in-between his parted thighs, their erections rubbing together. Cedric moved from Harry’s lips down to his neck licking and nipping the skin as he went, then wandering up to below the earlobe, paying extra attention at his sweet spot.

Lifting his legs, Harry wrapped them around Cedric waist as he cried out in pleasure when Cedric thrust against Harry, sending sparks of pleasure throughout his body. Threading his right hand through Cedric’s hair, he allowed the left to roam down Cedric’s body. Following the length of the spine and then cupping the gorgeous ass within his reach. He heard Cedric groan in pleasure, trembling as those large rough hands of his tucked under Harry’s ass, holding his hips in place as Cedric pounded his cock against Harry’s.

Harry began a low moan as his orgasm began to build. He gripped the ass in his hand, while pulling the hair in his other as Cedric’s tongue assaulted his mouth, mimicking the thrusts of their hips. With a breathless cry, Harry came, spurting his cum in ropes inside his pants. Cedric, upon hearing Harry’s orgasm, came with a groan as he thrusted wildly against the smaller boy.

The two lay there, reveling in the post orgasmic bliss for a few minutes. Then as Cedric moved to lay beside Harry on the bed, Harry tightened his grip around Cedric and said “No, don’t move. Stay for a little while.”

“I wasn’t leaving; I just wanted to get off of you. You can’t be very comfortable with my weight pressing you into the bed.” Cedric replied looking down at Harry.

“I like your weight on me, it feels good; safe. Stay for a second…” Harry whispered as he pressed his face into Cedric’s neck and in hailed.

“Okay.” Cedric said and kissed the top of Harry’s head and closed his eyes.

They stayed there for a little while and then Harry got up saying he would be right back, leaving the room. When he returned a few minutes later, he came back with a warm wet towel for each of them.

“I know it’s not as good as a shower and a change of clothes but, it’ll work for now.” Harry said as he handed one to Cedric.

Harry set the towel on the desk for a moment and then unzipped his jeans and tugged them off, his boxers along with them. Using the towel to clean himself; he them removed this shirt and grabbed two pairs of pajama bottoms from the dresser. Pulling one of them on, he turned around and found Cedric staring at him.

“What?”

“You have a body that screams ‘fuck me’ and I am trying really hard not to answer it.”
Cedric said with a smirk as he stood up and removed his clothes, then cleaned the cum that had started to dry off of himself.

Harry stood gaping at Cedric, partly because of what he had just said and the other because he felt like Cedric’s body screamed the same thing. The older boy had strong muscular arms, a broad chest sprinkled with dark brown hair, flat toned abs, a trim waist, strong legs and the most marveling, was the long, thick, cock dangling between Cedric’s legs. It was probably eight inches and the wide mushroomed head, looked very lickable. Harry couldn’t believe that he was able to call this Adonis his boyfriend!

“ahhh… i-” Harry clamped his lips together before he embarrassed himself anymore and handed the other pajama bottoms to Cedric. As they were once Dudley’s, they fit Cedric much better than Harry but, were still a bit big around the waist.

“Come on, Harry. Let’s go to bed.” Cedric said as he pulled Harry towards the bed, lay down and then grabbed Harry, making him fall over.

Harry landed against Cedric, laying himself to where he was on his side, one leg thrown over Cedric’s, an arm resting on the firm stomach below and his head nestled into the crook of Cedric’s neck. Cedric wrapped an arm around Harry’s back, rested the other on top of the hand on his stomach and pulled Harry closer.

They laid there quietly for a moment and then Harry said “Good night, Cedric.”
Kissing Harry’s forehead, Cedric replied. “Goodnight, baby.”

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

In the early morning, Harry woke up still wrapped tight in Cedric’s arms and smiled. Last night had been perfect… from the birthday party with all of his friends and family, to having Cedric called himself Harry’s boyfriend for the first time and to end the night, his first mutual orgasm with Cedric. Knew he wasn’t ready to have sex but, what they had done, felt right and bloody good too.

Today, he was able to leave the Dursley’s for another year and go to the Burrow for the next month until it was time to return to Hogwarts. Cedric was going to go with him and spend the day there, playing quidditch with him and the Weasley’s. He couldn’t wait to play against Cedric, the first and only time he played against Cedric was in his third year and it hadn’t gone so well, what with the dementors showing up and all.

“What’s going on in that head of your’s?” Cedric asked, his voice ruff as sleep was still hanging onto him.

“Just thinking about going to the burrow. I am so happy to be leaving here!”

“Oh.” Cedric replied and then flipped Harry over onto his back and hovered over the smaller boy. “Good morning.”

He then leaned down and kissed Harry, sweeping his tongue inside the mouth below his, eager to say good morning in a proper way. Harry groaned as he wrapped his arms around Cedric’s neck and welcomed with the raiding tongue. They laid there kissing for a while, neither feeling the need to take it further at the moment. They just allowed the simple affection of kissing to express their feelings to one another.

After a few minutes, Cedric pulled back, smirking when Harry groaned in protest.

“I need to get going. I have to go home, shower and change before we go over to the Burrow. I can’t be seen where the same clothes I wore last night, what will they think!” Cedric exclaimed in mock horror.

Snorting, Harry leaned up for another kiss and then pushed Cedric away, getting up off the bed.

“I wanted to ask you, if you mind me telling Ron and Hermione about us?” Harry asked, worrying his bottom lip. He wasn’t sure how Cedric felt about people knowing they were together.

Cedric stood up and walked to Harry, placing his hands on the smaller boy’s hips. “That’s fine. I don’t care if your friends and family know about us. I don’t think I am ready to go public quite yet but, I want you to be able to tell those you love about us. I not going to keep you a secret, locked away in the closet.”

Harry smiled and put his hands on Cedric chest, rubbing the skin lightly. “Thank you, I don’t want to keep us a secret either. I’m not ready to go public too, my life is already talked about too much and I don’t know what would happen if the wizarding world found out I was gay, as well.”

“Being gay isn’t a horrible stigma for wizards. Some think there is nothing wrong with it, that we love who we love. However, others think it is unnatural and would have a problem with us. It’s not so much that I am worried about everyone’s opinion but, rather my father’s. He has always had a problem with homosexuals. One of my uncles is gay and my father hasn’t spoken to him in years, I am not expecting a welcoming acceptance when he finally finds out.”

Cedric had a sad look on his face, knowing more than likely, that when his father found out he was gay he would probably be disowned.

“I’m sorry; you shouldn’t have to fear your father wont except who you are.” Harry said softly. “I only realized in the last few months I was gay. I understood since I was little that I was different, I was more interested in boys than girls. But, when you came along I knew, it was more and had to except that I was gay.”

Harry gave a small smile and said “It took me a while but, I finally wrote to Sirius about how I felt about you and he said he loved me no matter what. In fact, he told me he and Remus are lovers. I was floored, and happy because I now had someone to talk to.”
Cedric laughed and said “They’re gay? I thought so! They seemed to be very friendly for just friends.”

“I know. They went to Hogwarts together. It was Sirius, Remus, my dad and, well Wormtail but, that’s another long story. They loved each other back then but, were too afraid to say anything. And then Sirius was framed and sent to Azkaban for thirteen years. When he escaped, he and Remus were finally able to say how they felt.”

“Wow, I couldn’t imagine loving someone for that long and not being able to be with them.”

Nodding Harry smiled, “But, now they are together and once we find Wormtail, they can really have a life together without fear of Sirius being killed or going back to Azkaban.”

“I’m glad you have them, it’s obvious you love them both.”

“I do, since Sirius came, I have for the first time in my life felt like I had a father figure. Now with Remus, I have two.”

“I am happy for you.” Cedric said with a smile and then said, “Well, I had better go. I will be back at 11:00 to pick you up. Okay?”

“Okay.” Harry said as he leaned up for one last kiss. Stepping away he smiled as Cedric disaparated.

The next three and a half hours, Harry spent showering and getting dressed to leave. Then cooking the Dursleys breakfast, cleaning up the bedroom, dusting and then packing up what meager items he had not locked away in his trunk in the cupboard. When he had everything done, he told Hedwig to fly to the Burrow and he would be there soon. Grabbing his things, he walked down the stairs to find his uncle.

“What do you want, freak?” Vernon Dursley’s questioned harshly.

“I am leaving in a few minutes until next summer; I just need to get my trunk and wand.” Harry replied, as meek as possible. He didn’t want Cedric to show up amid a big scene.
His uncle groused as he stomped over to the cupboard under the stairs and unlocked it. Roughly pulling out Harry’s things he then walked away saying “Good riddance, freak.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Harry walked over and opened the door, Cedric stood there smiling. “Hey. Just let me get my things and we can go.”

He walked to his trunk with Hedwig’s cage placed on top of it, Cedric following behind him. Grabbing Hedwig’s cage as Cedric took one of the trunk handles, he felt Cedric slide the other arm around his waist. Laying his head on Cedric’s shoulder he looked over it and saw he uncle’s faced contorted in rage just as the disappeared.

When they arrived at the Burrow, Harry started laughing. Cedric looked down at him with a confused smile and said “What?”

“Just before you aparated us, my uncle saw you put your arm around my waist and me resting my head on your shoulder. He was so angry, his face was purple and he looked like he was about to pass out. It was so funny. He hates gays; call us every name under the sun. Now he has one living with him and he’s stuck with me!”Harry laughed out.

Cedric chuckled as he led them inside the house.

o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

That night, after spending the afternoon playing quidditch, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in Ron’s bedroom talking.

“So, there is something I want to talk to you guys about… and I don’t know how you’re going to react to it.” Harry said quietly, petting Crookshanks as he sat on the spare bed set up for him this summer.

“Mate, you can tell us anything, you know that right?” Ron said reassuringly.

“Yeah, Harry, we’re you’re best friends and we can handle anything you’ve got to tell us.” Hermione encouraged him as she sat down beside Harry and wrapped an arm around him. “Go ahead, we are listening.”

“Well, I have kinda… that is, i…” Sighing, he pulled up the courage to tell them, and murmured “iamgayandiamdatingCedric!”

“What was that, we didn’t catch it?” Ron questioned.

“I am gay and I am dating Cedic.”

Hermione and Ron sat there looking at Harry; both looked as if they still hadn’t understood.

“I have for a long time been attracted to guys but, I never did anything about it, I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that I was gay. But, after Cedric and I became friends, I had a harder time denying it. Once summer began, I finally accepted that I was gay and I had feelings for Cedric.” Harry said, keeping his eyes averted while he spoke, too afraid to look up, wondering if he did if he would see disgust and pity in their eyes.

“I decided to write Sirius to talk to him about it and…” laughing, Harry continued. “As it turns out Sirius is gay as well, he and Remus are together. So, he told me I wasn’t alone and they helped me get used to the idea of being gay.”

“They’re gay? I always wondered about that!” Hermione exclaimed, a smile on her lips. Then, feeling the need to support her friend said, “Harry, I don’t care if you’re gay, actually, I kind of had an inkling that you were for a while.”

“You did? Why didn’t you tell me?!” Ron cried, as he glared at Hermione.

“It wasn’t my secret to tell; besides I wasn’t sure.” Hermione said, her tone of voice making it clear she thought it was obvious.

Ron glared at Hermione for a moment longer and the glanced at Harry. Seeing the sad look on his face, his eyes widen when he realized what Harry thought. “Harry, it doesn’t matter to me if you’re gay! I was just angry with Hermione because she knew something I didn’t.”

Harry looked up, a hopeful gleam in his eyes and said, “Really? It doesn’t matter? I was afraid you guys wouldn’t want to be my friends anymore, once you knew.”

“Mate, I will always be your friend. I may act like a stubborn idiot on occasion-”

“Or everyday…” Hermione cut in.

Ron glared at her, “But, you are still my best mate. Always will be!”

Harry smiled, a feeling of love for his friends taking over. Harry turned and hugged Hermione whispering, “Thank you!”

“Don’t worry about it, Harry.” She said as she hugged him back.
Harry then stood up and walked to where Ron sat on his bed and motioned for him to stand. “It’s time for a hug.”

Ron had a horrified look on his face, “Can’t we just shake on it?”

“No, I want to hug you.”

Grumbling, Ron stood and wrapped his arms around Harry, thumping his back with his hands. Harry laughed and hugged him back. Ron took a backward step and said “You’re not getting another one until next year; one per year is my limit!”

Harry continued to laugh and said, “Okay… but, thanks Ron. It means a lot to me that you accept who I am.”

“Think nothing of it; you accept that I act like a git on occasion-”

“Or everyday…” Hermione cut in again, giggling.

Ron scowled at Hermione and then grinned evilly, “…and we accept that Hermione is an insufferable know-it-all-”

“Hey, that’s rude, Ronald!” Hermione yelled in outrage, throwing Harry’s pillow at Ron, it bounced off of him and onto Crookshanks would laid on the bed. Crookshanks hissed in annoyance and scrambled under the bed, growling from the shadows.

The friends laughed and sat back down.

“Like I said, we’re friends and that won’t change.” Ron said finally.

“So Harry, tell us how you and Cedric got together?” Hermione exclaimed, bouncing on the bed, as a fangirl was created.