Cedric spent the rest of his break alone for the most part. Jona wasn't quite avoiding him, but Cedric felt as though his company wasn't quite wanted at the time. They rarely spoke.

He thought that it was probably for the best, he needed a bit of time to himself to put the pieces back together. To plan.
Always to plan.

He hid away, consumed with embarrassment over his public display in front of not only Harry, but the entire school staff. But, he put this spare time to good use instead of moping about. He'd made very little progress since Lupin had given him advice on his Patronus, but that hadn't stopped him from practicing.

His parents had finally contacted him the evening before New Years, sending him a rather nice dark blue cotton scarf and a new belt. They requested that he return home for Easter break, which he easily acquiesced. He did feel slightly guilty for, no doubt, embarrassing them when they'd confronted him in person at the beginning of the break.
The rest of the school returned two days after New Years and Jona's not-quite-silent-treatment dissolved upon their arrival. Things went back to normal... what that meant

Cedric wasn't sure anymore. All he knew is that it almost felt like that hellish break had never happened as soon as everyone returned. Like it had all been a dream.
But, it wasn't and it made Cedric hate reality just a little bit more.

He felt like he couldn't quite trust his emotions anymore, like this was some sort of calm before the storm. He didn't know what he'd do when the storm came.

His grades were the same, better even. His peers smiled at him in the halls. Quidditch practice was going well. But, something was wrong. He felt restless, and not the sort of manic energy that would occasionally possess him in moments of passion.

No, he felt like something was missing. He needed something, but he had no idea what.

The solution came in the form of Colin Creevey, or rather, Colin Creevey's pictures.

Creevey had approached him not long after the break, cornering him in an empty corridor, as per usual, grinning winningly as he pulled out a rather official-looking portfolio.

"I spent my break developing these." he began rather abruptly, not even bothering with a greeting. "Been developing with higher-grade potions in hopes of making the motions last longer. I think it was a success for the most part." He opened the folder, pulling out a singular photo from within.

"I've been experimenting with angles. Harry rarely makes it easy for me to snap a photo of him head on (not that I mind! His coquettishness only adds to the charm!) so, I often have to resort to snapping these from odd positions."

Cedric could certainly see what Creevey meant. Based on the picture in his hand, it looked as though Creevey had been awkwardly leaning out a first floor window, clearly catching Harry by surprise, judging by his reaction.

Cedric watched the scene unfold. Harry was conversing with someone just out of view, too focused on his conversation to properly notice the camera until it was centimetres before his face. Cedric could see the camera lens reflected in Harry's glasses as green eyes flitted towards them, widening in surprise. This had to be the closest shot Creevey had ever taken. Cedric could see each ridge in Harry's plump, pink lips. Each long, sooty lash surrounding those bright, enrapturing green eyes. Could count each red and gold stripe on the tie around his perfect, slender neck.

One could see when the surprise settled into realization, Harry's delicate brow furrowed in annoyance. A small hand reached up towards the lens, revealing a patchwork of hard-earned calluses and lines across the Quidditch hardened palm, just before the picture when dark and started up again, an eternal loop.

He could imagine it. How it would feel to press his mouth to that pretty, plush-looking palm. He could envision the shine his saliva would leave after running his tongue across it. The press of Harry's tiny fingers in his mouth.

"Eight galleons for the whole folder." Creevey's voice was almost jarring, snatching Cedric out of his stupor.

"Eight galleons?" parroted Cedric, eyes drawing towards the little green folder in what he hopes was in concealed longing. "And are they all of...?"

"Harry? Of course. I know they're pricier than usual, but they are made better quality and honestly, he's worth far more so-"

"It's fine." he interrupted, far too eager for politeness. "I'll take them."

Cedric practically sprinted back to his dorm after a rushed transaction. He'd originally been planning to use his break to continue practicing the patronus charm, but this took precedence.

By the time he had finished marveling at each photo, carefully pasting each one into his journal. The sound of his roommates voices had begun to fill the room.
He blinked, surprised they were back so early. After glancing at his watch (a gift from his grandfather) he realized with a start, that the last three class periods of the day had passed.

Jona, who had walked in with his other roommate, Thomas, blinked owlishly down at him, confusion written across every corner of his face. "Cedric? Did you skip? You haven't done that since third year!"

Cedric shrugged, not sure how to respond. "Uh... yeah. Wasn't feeling too well."

"Do you need me to walk you to the Hospital Wing?"

"No, I'm feeling much better after laying down, but thanks." He stashed his journal in his trunk before heading towards the door.

"I've been meaning to practice some spell work. I probably won't see you until after dinner."

"Oh well..." Jona still seemed rather concerned. "Make sure you grab something from the kitchens at least."

"Will do." replied Cedric distractedly.

Cedric of course, did nothing of the sort and instead made a beeline to the empty classroom he had been using to practice the Patronus Charm.

Thus far he'd only managed to make a weak mist emerge from his wand when he pictured his face on the front of the Daily Prophet. Even then he could not make that mist consistently. Admittedly he hadn't been in the best of moods lately after the fiasco at Christmas breakfast. But he was feeling pretty nice now, the thought of Harry's photos at the forefront of his mind.

He tried to focus, attempting to envision the sort of thoughts that he'd been using to cast previously, yet when he closed his eyes all he could see were images of Harry's sweet face.

Even still he whispered the incantation, barely remembering to flick his wand the proper way.

Immediately he felt a jolt of magic coarse down his arm and opened his eyes to see a silvery mass erupt from the tip of his wand, slowly beginning to take shape.

He blinked, staring at the figure before him.

It was quite clearly a stag, with large, noble-looking horns and a prideful lift to it's head. He wondered the significance of such a form. From what he recalled Patronus forms were reflective of whatever memories the caster used.

He grinned. He should've realized sooner. Of course memories of Harry would be what sparked his Patronus. Everything good about Cedric stemmed in some way or another from Harry. Harry was everything that made Cedric truly happy.

He looked back at the glowing stag that was still standing calmly in front of him. He did not think there were many similarities between Harry and a stag. He supposed the creature was appropriately noble. And Harry did have rather doe-like eyes. He still probably would've compared Harry to something more innocent-looking. A rabbit or maybe a little bird since he liked to fly so much.

The form had begun to fade with Cedric's distracted thoughts. He flicked his wrist cancelling the spell.

He supposed he'd spend the rest of his evening here. Practicing casting until he had the Patronus fully mastered.

He'd have to become an expert if he wanted any chance of impressing Harry with it.

By the time Easter break arrived Cedric could successfully say that he had mastered the Patronus charm. Even the smallest thought of Harry was enough to allow Cedric to conjure a considerable mist. He had very little issue creating a corporeal and had even gone as far as terrorizing a few of the dementors that the Ministry had assigned to the outskirts of Hogwarts grounds.

Now he just needed a proper opportunity to protect Harry with it.

However, he'd promised his parents that he would return home for Easter, so it would have to wait until after the break.

Luckily the break went by rather quickly. His grandparents had come to stay with them for the occasion and Cedric had always found his own parents to be more bearable when they were around.

Grandpa Eldritch was such a treat.

"Those folks who say people get wiser with age have obviously never met you, Amos. I swear you get dumber with each passing second." The elderly man was leaning leisurely back in his seat at the dining room table. His hand resting atop Cedric's grandmother's, who was paying neither her husband nor son any mind, clearly very used to their antics.

Cedric withheld a grin and looked over at his father, more specifically at the vein ticking on his forehead.

"All I said was that Fudge raised some valid points during his last address." hissed the man through gritted teeth. Cedric's father was usually a bit better at dealing with Eldritch's vitriol, but after a week it seemed his patience was now wearing thin.

"And yet you still wonder why I've yet to hand over my Wizengamot seats to you. At this rate I may just have to wait until you're old enough to take them, Cedric, since you've finally decided to do something with yourself, boy."

There was another thing Cedric always adored about his grandfather. He was always honest. To a fault really as he never offered false platitudes about Cedric's character, unlike his parents.

"Cedric has always been a very bright boy, Father." Declared Amos, upturning his nose rather snobbishly. "You're being quite rude."

Eldritch rolled his eyes, and swallowed whatever he was chewing. "Cedric was little more than a layabout with somewhat decent Quidditch skills up until recently. The fact that he's finally taking some initiative brings me much relief. I'm very proud of the direction you're heading in boy."

Cedric was a bit taken aback. Eldritch was never one to give out undue praise (and rarely gave praise where it was due either) so clearly he was being honest.

"Thank you, grandfather. That means a lot." Cedric felt a genuine smile cross his face as he said this. He felt a light touch against his hand and looked down to see his grandmother patting it gently.

"What a lovely smile, darling." She said with a sweet expression, brown eyes tinkling merrily. "I hope I get to see more of that from you from now on. I was getting so tired of seeing you look so bored all the time."

He patted her hand back and nodded. "I hope so too, grandmother."

His mother's voice rose up at this point. Cedric was fairly certain this was the first time she'd spoken the entire dinner. "I'm proud too, Cedric." She said tentatively.

He felt a jolt of molten hot rage for the barest of moments. Anger overtaking his mind at the thought of this pleasant moment with his grandparents being interrupted by his pathetic, simpering mother.

Before he could calm himself, the words slipped out of his mouth. "Aren't you always?"

She blinked at his cold tone, but nodded all the same. "Of course, sweetheart. I'm your mother."

He knew logically that he would be better off keeping his mouth closed, but he suddenly just couldn't help himself. "What have I done up until my 3rd year to garner any sort of pride?"

She blinked again, face still slack with confusion as she stared at her son. "You've had many achievements, Cedric. And plenty of them were before you even entered Hogwarts, let alone your third year."

For a moment Cedric felt that she was being genuine, both her face and tone reflecting complete honesty. However, he didn't allow himself to be fooled. He knew how truly embarrassed his parents had always been of him.

"Oh yeah? Is that why you haven't taken me to a Ministry Gala since I was a toddler? Because you were too proud of me?"

His father chimed in at this. "You were always so shy! It had nothing to do wi-"

"Is it my shyness that prevents you from introducing me to your coworkers when they see us in public?"

Amos blanched. "Well- ye-"

"Is that why you would always steer the conversation away from me when you had the ladies over for tea, mother?"

"I- I-" she stuttered, eyes glassy with unshed tears, wringing her hands in her lap.

He placed his palms flat against the table and leaned forward. It was only then that he realized he had stood at some point during his interrogation. He stared intently at both of his parents, taking pleasure in the way the shrunk in their seats.

"You've told me over and over and over again how proud you are of me. And for a long time I believed you. I went on my merry way thinking I was going to amount to something just because you told me I would. But, I woke up and saw you for what you were; a pair of liars. Neither of you were proud of me in fact you were embarrassed. I can't say I blame you, I would have been too if I'd seen that I raised my child to be useless.

You nearly ruined me with your endless, false pride. If it hadn't been for that day in third year. If it hadn't been for Har-" He stopped and closed his eyes for a moment, collecting himself.

"And now you're truly proud, hm? Now you're happy to show off your shiny new son. Now that I'm no longer an embarrassment, you're suddenly interested in me again. Well, unfortunately you have no right to be proud of me as your son and you certainly have no right to be proud of yourselves as parents, because you had no involvement in any of my accomplishments. You didn't make me who I am today, I did that myself. I don't want your pride anymore, not when I finally found my own."

He slumped back down into his seat, rattling the table and silverware as he fell back. All the righteous anger and indignation faded away, as if a weight was lifted from his chest. Oddly enough, he really didn't feel any happier. It seemed only a hollowness remained under all that rage.

He looked up and saw both his parents and grandparents looking back at him. His mother looked absolutely devastated, tears streaming down her face and shoulder shaking as she held back her sobs. Usually the sight of his mother's crocodile tears would piss him off, but all he could feel now was a detached sort of interest. As though it was someone else's mother crying before him.

"I had no idea you felt like that, Cedric. I'm sorry that I ever made it feel like you were unwanted or that I didn't love you or-"

"Look." Cedric interrupted awkwardly. "That was... uncalled for. I've been very stressed lately and I was just venting, really. Please just... stop telling me how proud you are. I'm sorry for yelling at you two."

He was of course lying through his teeth, but knew that if he wanted there to be any semblance of normality in his household moving forward he'd have to lie a bit.

He sighed and glanced to his right, only to see his grandparents staring cooly back at him; neither of them seemed the slightest bit surprised.

He blinked a bit confused at their lack of reaction, but still said, "I apologize for my outburst, you should not have had to bear witness to that."

They stared at him a moment longer before his grandmother smiled softly, patting his hand again. "It's quite alright, dearie. You're a growing boy, these things happen. Your grandfather and I understand more than you think."

Something about the way she said the last sentence rang oddly. However, he did not have the energy to question it. Instead he tucked back into his dinner, and prayed for the day to end.

A/N: I'm back.

Hopefully you can see some parallels between Snape's patronus and Cedric's. James was the stag to Lily's doe, because he loved her in a healthy, mature manner. Snape on the other hand was somewhat obsessive, which (I believe) is why he had a copy of Lily's patronus rather than the perfect match.