The Most Precious Snitch

Chapter 5

That afternoon, as Harry was escorted to Charms by Ron, –who was fuming when he saw Cedric kissed Harry in FRONT of the whole school- Hermione, Seamus, Dean and Neville, he couldn't help but to imagine 'certain' things that might happen later that night in the library, where he had promised to meet Cedric. He was nervous, without a doubt. He knew for a fact that Cedric had wanted to meet him there not just for a simple make-out session. Oh no, Cedric definitely wanted something more.

Harry debated with himself that Cedric wouldn't make him do things he wasn't ready for yet. But a small side of him was overjoyed at the thought of taking their 'relationship' to a whole new level. Harry Potter is definitely confused.

In fact, he was so deep in his thought that Hermione had to guide him into the classroom, before he walks right pass it.

The Gryffindors have Charms with the Hufflepuffs, who were staring at Harry with different emotions flickering across their faces. Some looked –strangely- pleased, some gave him looks of approval, some even started giggling as he walked pass them. Some however, were shooting him dark looks and scowling at him discretely. All this went pass Harry unseen, being as oblivious as he is.

Harry took his seat beside Ron and behind Hermione, not noticing that he was seated in front of a horrid-looking Hufflepuff. Ron, who unlike Harry, actually noticed this, eyed the boy in yellow tie suspiciously. Lesson resumed as per normal; with occasional magical slips here and there and with Ron, more often than not, shooting the suspicious-looking boy an 'I'm-watching-you' look.

Towards the end of the lesson however, something unexpected happens. As Harry busied himself trying to accomplish the day's Charms task, the boy behind Harry stood up and pointed his wand at Ron.

Ron, alarmed, yelled, "What?"

The boy's eyes narrowed before he replied venomously, "I should be asking you the same thing! You've been staring horribly at me throughout the whole period!"

Ron, with the last ounce of dignity, shot back, "Only because you kept staring at Harry the same way!"

At the mention of his name, Harry's head snapped up and took in the scene before him. He could hear Professor Flitwick squealed somewhere in the background; possibly because of Ron and the boy, or maybe because Seamus' sudden fire-outburst. Harry's hand immediately reached out and tugged at Ron's sleeves while shaking his head, signaling him to 'let-it-go'. Ron, unfortunately, either ignored Harry or was to mad to notice.

The boy's expression suddenly changed into a dark scowl.

"Hmph! Harry Potter; The boy who lived to seduce Cedric." He practically spat out.

Harry frowned before noticing that Ron had pulled out his own wand. Somewhere in the background, Harry, once again, heard another commotion as Seamus' previous outburst developed into a full magical fire that apparently refused to be extinguished.

"For your information, Harry didn't SEDUCE Cedric, more like the other way round!" Ron replied heatedly, determined to defend his best mate.

Harry, awed by the gesture, was dumbstrucked for a few seconds. The class scene became totally chaotic with Professor Flitwick squeaking in despair as Seamus' fire started to chew on the table and chairs while half the class –who weren't threatened by the fire- watched the heated argument between Ron and the boy.

"You know, you're right, the little tramp wouldn't know how to seduce anyone for his life! Innocent little Potter; never kissed a soul 'till Cedric! I would LOVE to know how a KID like him would be able to please someone like Cedric!" the boy mocked.

This, apparently, struck Harry pretty sharply. He was harshly pulled into his unconscious mind; it was amazing he didn't faint.

'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! He's right! He's absolutely right! I've never even kissed anyone beside Cedric! How am I going to… Going to… Er, well, Merlin! I can't even SAY it in my own mind!' Harry thought desperately, his face crunched up in confusion.

Ron and the boy had, by then, exchanged another couple of insults. The boy, who was glowering dangerously by now, aimed his wand directly at Ron and started muttering a hex.

Hermione's eyebrows knitted together before instinctively pulling out her own wand and clumsily, in her hurry, attempted to hex the boy before he could do anything to Ron.

Much to everyone's –well, ALMOST everyone- horror, Harry chose that moment to snap out of his trance, not noticing the glowing wands of both the boy's and Hermione's, stalked over to where Ron was and pried his wands out of his grip.

"Ron! Violence doesn't solve-"

Unfortunately, the rest of Harry's words never left his mouth as two bright lights hit him simultaneously. The boy's curse, it seems, hits Harry first and before he could be flung of to the other side of the classroom, Hermione's curse accidentally hit him, throwing him TOWARDS the boy.

Everything went black for our dear Harry Potter.

"You are a DISGRACE to our house! If Helga Hufflepuff is still alive right now, she'd have EXPELLED you before you could even apologize!" a furious voice exclaimed.

It sounded extremely familiar to Harry, but right then, his brain just wouldn't focus long enough for him to process anything. He did feel something soft beneath him. A bed then, he thought. Everything started to rush back into his head and he groaned in pain as his brain went into overdrive mode.

"Harry!" exclaimed a voice that sounded like Hermione's.

Harry tried to open his eyes but the sudden brightness hurt him. He squinted instead. He saw a figure with something brown and bushy around where the head should be. Ah, definitely Hermione, he smiled to himself.

"Hermione," he greeted as he felt around for his glasses.

"Here you go, mate" came another voice, which he hesitantly identified as Ron's. He felt his glasses being shoved into his hands and he groggily threw them on.

His vision cleared as he brought his hands up to adjust his glasses. Strangely, his left hand felt heavier than the right one. In fact, it felt abnormally heavy. He hastily looked down on his hand and frowned at the sight.

'That can't be right there's another hand attached to my…' he thought as his gaze wandered up to the owner of the extra arm.

His frown quickly turned into an undignified squeak when he saw who the hand belonged to. The boy. From Charms. Who was fighting with Ron. His eyes widen in realization as he tried to snatch his arms away; only to find the boy's arm getting carried along with his movement. He gaped at this.

The boy raised an eyebrow and gave him a look that clearly said 'been-there-done-that'. Harry quickly turned his head around to face the other occupants of the room. Hermione's face was filled with concern while Ron was glaring at the boy heatedly. But those weren't the look Harry was looking for. Harry was looking for a tinge, a hint even, of surprise. He didn't like how they looked so resigned.

Harry then noticed five more figures: Professor Lupin, his face etched with worry, Professor Dumbledore, eyes forever twinkling, Professor McGonagall, looking extremely scandalized, Professor Flitwick, expression filled with guilt and last but certainly to least, Cedric Diggory. Looking so angry Professor Flitwick kept glancing at him worriedly every now and then.

Even at his current state that won't let him process things coherently, Harry unconsciously ran his free hand through his hair in a very self-conscious manner. He wouldn't care about his appearance in front of the whole wizarding whole but he would die if Cedric sees him looking like a mess. He blushed at the thought and inwardly scowled himself.

"Er, what's going on?" Harry voiced oh-so intelligently.

Cedric's face softens the minute he heard Harry. He felt himself rushed towards the younger boy and –ignoring everyone else in the room- gathered the boy in his arms before feverishly kissing his forehead and cheeks.

Harry's face burned red with embarrassment. He wasn't ashamed; he was shy at the public display of affection. Especially with another boy attached to his arm.

"It appears Harry, that you were accidentally hexed by both Mr. Grey and Ms. Granger," Professor Dumbledore explained, seemingly undisturbed by Cedric.

"Yes, you see Harry, Grey's hex was meant to seal Ron's lips together… And mine was to freeze his hands so that he won't be able to attack anyone… That's why… er," Hermione continued uncertainly.

"That's why your hand and Mr. Grey's are attached together," finishes the Headmaster, eyes twinkling more than ever, "Temporarily of course."

Harry's breath hitched. His eyes flickering in panic. He turned to look at Cedric, as if needing confirmation. When he nodded sadly, Harry Potter almost fainted.

"How… How long is 'temporarily'?" Harry asked, fearing the answer.

"Two days, Potter," answered Professor McGonagall, who was eyeing the Hufflepuff offender with distaste.

"Two… days…" Harry whispered to himself weakly.

At that moment, Madam Pomfrey appeared and brought the four professors off with her, muttering something that sounded like 'Seamus' and 'fire wouldn't stop'. The three professors went off, followed by Professor Lupin who only left after nodding to Harry.

"If you, so much as to touch a hair on his head, Grey, you WILL wish you've never been born," Cedric hissed, once the professors were out of sight.

Ron, who previously disliked Cedric, nodded in agreement, much to Harry's surprise.

Harry saw a look of pain flicker on the boy's face before his expression stoned again.

"Who are you?" Harry asked, bluntly.

The boy snorted before replying, "Trust you to not know your own classmate of three years Potter. But of course, we would expect nothing less would we, famous Harry Potter-"

Harry's eyes narrowed a little, "You're not related to Malfoy are you?"

The boy looked oddly surprised before looking annoyed, "Of course not! I'm a Hufflepuff!"

"Not for long," Cedric snapped as he slipped an arm around Harry's waist protectively.

Harry discretely blushed at the gesture.

"For your information, I'm Dorian Grey, you know, of the Grey Estates?" the boy, Dorian, replied.

Harry's eyes reflected utter confusion before Ron spoke up, "Pureblood family. Rich. Been in Hufflepuff for centuries."

"Oh," Harry said.

Hermione glared at Dorian, "Pureblood or not, you got Harry into this mess."

Dorian rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes, although I believe I wasn't the only one who caused all of this, I WILL take responsibility. For the coming two days we're, 'attached', I will seat in the Gryffindor table, attend all your class and help you in areas where you usually use your left hand."

Harry stared at him, "Thank you."

Cedric, Ron and Hermione stared at Harry in shock. Harry is way too courteous for his own good.

Dorian too, found the action bewildering and raised an eyebrow.

Harry blushed, for what, he doesn't know. The moment simply calls for it and Harry relents. Suddenly though, he felt a certain sensation in his lower abdomen, he chewed his lips unconsciously.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Erm, I haven't really though about this…" Harry answered awkwardly in a squeaky kind of voice.

That evening, after a quick discharge, Harry found himself trying to use the washroom with Dorian stuck to him, looking away. Cedric, Ron and Hermione were waiting outside, not entirely ready to leave Harry by himself with the boy.

"Erm, I'm done," Harry informed.

"Well, wash your hands, I'm attached to you, you know," replied Dorian.

Harry bit his lips and did as he was told, "You… Like Cedric don't you?"

Dorian whipped around in response, he narrowed his eyes, "Well, Potter, this is big. I cannot express how surprised I am that you actually notice anything with that blunt brain of yours."

Harry frowned and chewed his lips even more furiously. He doesn't like the fact that Dorian likes Cedric. But he couldn't help feeling sorry for him. The look of pure hurt he had seen in the hospital earlier was unmistakable. Unfortunately, as selfish as it may sound, Harry doesn't find the prospect of sharing Cedric very entertaining.

"Well, you can't have him," Harry snapped unconsciously. His eyes widen the minute the words flew out of his mouth and his hands instinctively moved to cover his mouth. Unfortunately, this only brought Dorian's arm along.

Dorian raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Oh? But why would I want HIM now when I can have the Boy-Who-Lived? … The innocent Boy-Who-Lived."

He brought up his attached hand and removed Harry's hand from clamping his mouth. Then, ever so slowly, he used a finger to trace Harry's lips.

"Oh!" Harry gasped, "But you like Cedric!"

Dorian laughed out loud and pulled back his arm, pulling Harry along with him. He maneuvered Harry and pinned the smaller boy against the wall, a smirk fixed on his face. Harry's eyes widen. He didn't panic; he's a Gryffindor and he took pride in the fact. He did, however, blush furiously. The distance between him and Dorian was practically null. He could literally feel his breath against his cheeks.

"I did. But seeing you in the hospital wing just now sort of… Enlightened me… Cedric's the type of person who plays around here and there… The fact that he would actually SETTLE DOWN for you just took the whole fun out of the chase," he smirked, tilting his head in a seductive way; although to our ever oblivious Harry he simply looked like he was trying to see the wall behind him.

Harry's brows creased in confusion, "What do you mean 'Cedric plays around'?"

Dorian snorted at Harry's response, "It means, Harry, Cedric flirts around with people… You DO know what flirting is, don't you?"

"Of course I do!" Harry snapped, feeling a tad bit insulted.

"Well, then that's just it isn't it? You're the TOTAL opposite of him. You're so pure, so innocent…" Dorian continued, tracing a finger down Harry's cheeks.

Harry shivered involuntarily, his cheeks sporting a brilliant shade of red, "You're confusing me! So do you like Cedric or not?"

Dorian raised an eyebrow before shaking his head in disbelief, "Unbelievable…"

At that moment, three figures stormed in. Harry saw, out of the corner of his eyes, Cedric and Ron holding their wands and aiming it at Dorian. A few seconds later, Harry saw Hermione ran out, realizing it was the boy's washroom.

"Let Harry go, Grey," Cedric spat out rather venomously.

Dorian rolled his eyes and pulled his attached arm up in a dramatic move, "I can't."

Cedric approached them and pulled Dorian's body off Harry's. He circled his hands around Harry's waist and narrowed his eyes at Dorian, "I'd APPRECIATE it if you kindly keep your hands AWAY from my boyfriend."

Harry blinked before blushing faintly. 'BOYFRIEND? Cedric just said I was his boyfriend! He actually said it OUT-LOUD!' He could've jumped with joy if he weren't stuck to Dorian.

Dorian looked bored before replying in a mocking voice, "Ah, yes, of course. The boyfriend."

Sparks of tension passed between Cedric and Dorian. Cedric had been aware of the other's feelings towards him before. They've even gone out on a couple of occasions; then again, he went out with quite a lot of people… Until he got Harry of course. He practically dropped off all his other 'dating friends' to 'pursue' Harry. Harry deserved his utmost attention.

Which was why, he didn't like the way Dorian was looking at Harry. There's an unmistakable predatory glint in his eyes. Cedric, however, Golden Boy of Hufflepuff is NOT going to loose Harry to him. He had put in way too much effort winning Harry in the first place and frankly, he was falling dangerously for the Gryffindor.

Throughout the tension, our Harry was debating in his own mind.

'Does Dorian still like Cedric? Maybe that's why he's staring at Cedric… Oh Merlin! Cedric is staring at him too! Cedric likes him too then? Oh no! But Cedric just said I'm his boyfriend! What is going on?'

Ron raised his wand to intimidate Dorian. Unfortunately, the act was totally overlooked.

Finally, Hermione peeked back in, "If you guys are done… It's nearing curfew…"

Both Cedric and Ron lowered their wands warily, Cedric's arm still protectively around Harry.

"Oh… Right… I guess we better go then Ron," Harry replied, moving for the door.

Then it struck him, "Wait, how are we going to sleep?"

The other four occupants stared at him with disbelief. The same thought went through their heads, 'he can't possibly just realize this now… Wait, wait, this IS Harry after all…'

"We're sleeping together, my dear," Dorian mocked.

Harry's eyes widen in shock, "Together?"

"Not just him… I'm sleeping with you too Harry… I absolutely REFUSE to leave you alone with this menace…" Cedric cut in.

"Yes, Dumbledore said you'd be sleeping at Hufflepuff's tonight…" explained Ron.

Harry stared disbelievingly at Dorian, then at Cedric. He was going to sleep with Ced- his boyfriend AND a boy he don't even know… 'Relax Harry, it's only sleeping, its very much the same as STANDING together, just that we're laying down instead of standing up… Right?'

Wrong.

Absolutely wrong. Harry had no idea how long the night is going to be.

TBC

Yaviel's Notes: Ooh! Cliffie! What's going to happen that night! And don't we all just hate Dorian… His annoying Malfoy traits… But anyway, I promise he'll be out of the way by the next chapter… And then, Harry and Cedric will… Well, I'll leave it to your imagination for now. Only a couple more chapters to go though! Please review!

Thank you so much for the reviews! They keep me going! nods, nods

How unoriginal can I get, huh? Dorian Grey, LOL!