Dear Simon,

It is nearly midnight and I am sitting on the steps of the courtyard. I tried sleeping but did nothing but toss and turn and stare at the ceiling in anticipation. I am trembling with excitement, knowing that you will be here in just a few short hours.

Mum has promised that she will let us sneak away for a little time alone, she'll distract Da with a visit to the greenhouses. Yes, I know you must be blushing at the thought of me asking her to help us out, but won't it be worth a little embarrassment to be able to sneak into my room? I thought so.

What I am not looking forward to is the third task, although it will be a relief to have it over with, finally. There is no more preparation I can do - I am as fit as I can be. The exercises and running have seen to that. I've practiced the spells and charms so many times, I can do them in my sleep.

The entire third year Hufflepuff class volunteered to help me train - they were my willing victims for the spell casting. Do me a favor and bring two galleons worth of Honeydukes best candies when you come, to give as a thank you. Hopefully, I'll win the Triwizard and can pay you back from the prize money, otherwise I shall have to find another way to fulfill my debt to you. Hmmm. Maybe it would better if I don't win, I would love to be your indebted servant, attending to your every need and desire.

This has been such a difficult year, I'd never realized how much I had taken for granted the privilege of being able to see you every day. I miss that so much. My favorite times were when we used to sneak off to be alone.

Do you remember when we got caught by Dumbledore in the alcove behind the charms classroom? The look on his face! I think that is when I first realized I loved you, watching as you casually tucked in your shirt and said 'Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, fancy bumping into you here,' as if he hadn't just caught us completely in flagrante. Merlin, remember how hard we laughed after he walked away saying - "Don't let me interrupt, it is a lovely night for exercising."

My favorite memory, though, is the night we spent up in the Astronomy tower. I don't have to tell you why that's my favorite.

It is foolish, I suppose, writing you such a long letter, when you will be here in the morning. You'll hardly have a chance to read it before you have disapparate to Hogsmeade.

he sky is full of stars, and it is so still I can hear the ripple of water as the Giant Squid moves across the lake. I wish I could sleep, but I haven't been able to shake the feeling of-I don't know what- dread maybe. I've had it ever since we were shown the maze. And isn't just the horrible things they did to our Quidditch pitch. I don't know how mere hedges can be so threatening but these are - they are twenty feet tall and the growth so thick light can't penetrate them. It is something more, though, that is setting me on edge.

If it weren't for how much I am looking forward to seeing you, I would be wishing that tomorrow doesn't come.

It isn't fear - I learned to fight and conquer that during the first task. Facing a dragon is rather effective way to force oneself to summon inner courage. And that day I learned that courage is more exhilarating than fear. I need to remember this as I step up to the maze entrance, knowing that you will be here, watching, helps.

Have no fear, I am resolved to shrug off this shroud of unease. Win or lose, tomorrow's task will help me prepare for a far greater threat: the Death Eaters. The strange events that started at the World Cup have been increasing and Da is sure that there are worse things yet to come. He says that Dumbledore sent warnings out to the members of the old Order. I'm sure your grandfather has already received his owl. There is no doubt it happening again, and this time we will not be children sent to the country to hide, we can be part of the fight.

This is our time. We can do our part to defeat the bastards when they come.

I'm not under any delusions - we will not be heroes. We will not become victors overnight. The victory will be in every step we take: facing the unfeasible, seeing and not running. We will discover the strength to battle on.

I am waxing poetic, and making little sense, but know this - I love you, and miss you, Simon. I am counting the minutes until you are here. I am going to go back to my bed, and hopefully dream of when we once again be one.

Yours - tonight, tomorrow, forever.

Cedric