Fic: Change of Heart [Force of Will sequel]
Title: Change of Heart, Part I
Rating: PG (this part)
Pairing: Harry/Cedric
Warnings: AU, some OOTP-appropriate angst, talk of Quidditch
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and friends did not come from my head.
Summary: Cedric is in the Order and Harry is not. They struggle with their relationship and the return of Voldemort.
Author’s Note: Hooray, the sequel to “Force of Will” finally (suddenly) came together! This work will also have three sections in total, probably posted about a week apart. Reading the prequel isn’t necessary for this first part, but it will be later on (unless you don’t mind being mildly confused.) Thanks to those who encouraged me to write more of this story, and I hope you enjoy!
Force of Will
Change of Heart
Part I
Harry was no idiot. He knew Cedric wanted to talk to him, and he knew Cedric could recognize when he was being avoided. At this point, Harry just didn’t care. It was a shock seeing him that first night in Grimmauld Place, but then everything about that night had been a shock, and he didn’t need to add to it by having a nice, quiet chat with a bloke he had kissed. Hermione had hastily explained the reasons for Cedric’s membership in the Order of the Pheonix: his mettle as a Champion, the fact that his parents actually allowed it, and what Dumbledore called his “demonstrated loyalties.” The idea that Diggory could be in the Order while Harry could not made him angry enough as it was. The rest… well, the rest was last year, and he really didn’t need to be thinking about last year.
So he was annoyed, but not surprised, when a voice from the doorway said, “Hey, Harry!” with all the forced charm the most popular boy in Hogwarts could muster.
Harry didn’t turn around, and didn’t pause in packing his trunk. “What do you want, Cedric?” It came out a little ruder than he had intended, but he wasn’t going to feel bad about it.
“Um, is this a bad time?”
Harry rolled his eyes, which of course Cedric couldn’t see, and said, “No, it’s fine. What did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to, well, congratulate you on your trial… I know it was a while ago.” His faltering smile was audible. “And, um, see if you need any help packing. I’m already done.”
Harry finally spun around. “Why are you really here?”
Cedric was no longer smiling as he ran a nervous hand through his hair. “Look. I know you’ve been avoiding me all summer.”
The slight pang of guilt in Harry’s chest was unexpected. “I’ve just had a lot going on. And I haven’t exactly been a fun person to be around lately… just ask Ron and Hermione.”
“Believe me, I already have.” Cedric gave a hesitant grin, which just made Harry scowl. He should have known his best mates were talking about him behind his back. Cedric saw the look and sobered. “When I first heard you were coming here, I was really hoping I’d get to see a bit more of you before school started.”
“Cedric, I’m not-“
“You’re not gay, I know, I got it. But I thought we could still be friends at least.”
“You still want to be friends?”
Cedric laughed nervously. “Yeah, of course!”
Harry turned back to his trunk. “I don’t see why. I’m a nutter, right? Desperate for attention?”
“You don’t actually think I believe that rubbish?”
Harry glanced over his shoulder. “You can come in, you know.” Looking relieved, Cedric entered the room and sat down on the bed. “Pass me that book?”
He read the title before handing it to Harry. “Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland.”
“One of Hermione’s better gifts,” Harry explained.
“So what team do you follow?”
Shoving the book into his already bursting trunk, Harry shrugged. “None, really. That’s more Ron’s thing. I haven’t been following long enough.”
“Have you ever been to a game?”
Harry paused and gave him an odd look. “Once. The World Cup, remember? We saw you there?”
“Oh right, of course, sorry - being stupid.” Cedric was obviously on edge, and it was really irritating. “So what did you think?”
“Of what? Oh, the game… yeah, it was pretty brilliant. I’d never seen flying like that before.”
“Especially Krum,” Cedric offered.
“Especially Krum,” Harry agreed. “Though to be honest, I think I prefer playing Quidditch to watching it.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It mostly just makes me itchy to get on a broom myself.”
Harry nodded. “Exactly. Besides, who can tell what’s happening at that speed anyway?”
“Oh, but that’s the best part. Following the teams’ strategies and plays and all that.”
“How? The play changes every two seconds!” Harry squeezed in a last pair of socks and sat down next to him.
“Well, it definitely takes practice. But there are only a handful of key formations, and everything else is more or less variation. Once you can recognize the basics, it becomes a lot easier to follow. Didn’t Wood teach you all that?”
Harry laughed derisively. “I never understood a single thing that came out of Wood’s mouth!”
Cedric laughed as well. “Can’t say I blame you there. That kid was a piece of work. But look where it got him, yeah?”
“True. Anyway, it never mattered that much because a seeker shouldn’t be paying attention to the other players anyway.”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that. I always try to keep one eye on the game so I know when the timing’s right for the snitch. Plus, if you’re weaving in and out of your teammates, it helps to have an idea where they’re going.”
Harry thought back to his many near-collisions over the years. “I guess you have a point. Is it hard being Captain and seeker at the same time?”
He considered for a moment, then responded, “Yes and no. On the one hand, it’s easier to keep an eye on everything when you’re not busy with a quaffle or bludger. On the other hand, if you let yourself get distracted at the wrong second, it’s all over.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. I’m not sure I’d be able to manage it.”
Cedric nudged him. “Well, you better get sure! Your captaincy’s only a matter of time!”
“What makes you say that?”
“Oh please, Harry, spare me the modesty,” Cedric laughed. “Don’t think anyone’s forgotten about the youngest Hogwarts Quidditch player in a century!”
Harry grinned. “That seems like ages ago. Well if it’s true, I better start actually paying attention to tactics… otherwise we’re sunk! Do you think you could run through the basics with me sometime?”
Cedric looked taken aback, but quickly recovered. “Yeah, of course. No problem.”
“Ron tried teaching me once. He really gets that kind of stuff, but he’s no good at explaining it. To him it just makes sense already.”
“Well, I have been told I’m rather eloquent,” Cedric remarked, inspecting his cuticles.
Harry snorted. “You git! Don’t think I buy the Mr. Perfect routine for a second.”
“That’s good,” Cedric responded with a smirk, “because I can see right through your whole Savior of the World act. We both know you’re just an average student with a streak of good luck.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “And a pathological liar.” Cedric recoiled, but not fast enough to avoid the hard punch to his shoulder. “Ow! What did I say?”
Harry tried hard not to laugh. “Well at least I’m not a pretty swot like some people I know.”
“Jealous of my good looks and natural charm?” Cedric raised an eyebrow, and Harry rolled his eyes.
“Only if looks and charm will get me into the Order as well!”
“What exactly are you implying?” Cedric cried in mock outrage before turning suddenly earnest. “You know, I voted for your inclusion in the Order - I told them they should let you in! No one gives you enough credit for what you can handle. I mean, look what you did last year in the Tournament! I said that if I were qualified, you definitely were. Probably more qualified actually… I still can’t figure out why they let me join in the first place.”
Harry swelled with gratitude and a certain amount of relief. At least someone thought he ought to know what was going on. “They let you in because you deserve it.” Cedric gave a dubious look. “No, really - you would have won the Tournament if it hadn’t been for me. Plus, they know they can trust you, and that’s not easy to come by. If Dumbledore thinks you’re qualified, you’re qualified.”
“Thanks, Harry. That means a lot.”
Cedric looked happier than he had all summer, and Harry saw his opportunity. “So, if you think I should be in the Order…” He hesitated, but if anyone would tell him, Cedric would, and he decided to just come out with it. “What weapon is Voldemort after?”
Cedric flinched, and the smile vanished. “Harry, you know I can’t tell you that.”
“What? Why not?” Harry’s hopes plummeted, and Cedric’s words suddenly sounded like empty flattery. He was so sure Cedric would tell him. But apparently Cedric thought he needed to be sheltered, just like everyone else.
“Because I can’t.” Cedric looked anxious, which made Harry suddenly angry. “Dumbledore instructed us…”
“Oh, did he? That’s convenient. And I suppose model-student Diggory always does what he’s told?”
“You know I’d tell you if I could! But they’d kick me out of the Order if-”
“Well aren’t you just lucky you’re even in the bloody Order! You get to know what’s going on!”
“Harry-“
“Get out Cedric. I need to finish packing.”
“Harry-“
“LEAVE!”
Harry stood up and turned away, fuming. He waited until he heard the footsteps slowly exit the room before slamming his trunk shut. It made sense for the adults to treat him like a child. It wasn’t fair, but he understood. With Cedric, it came as a painful blow. Well, if Cedric really wanted him as a friend, he’d have to treat him like an equal, ruddy Order of the Phoenix or not. In the meantime, he still had Ron and Hermione, and at least they were as clueless as he was.
He kicked his trunk, trying to figure out what it was about that pretty swot he even liked.
Part II
Part III
Rating: PG (this part)
Pairing: Harry/Cedric
Warnings: AU, some OOTP-appropriate angst, talk of Quidditch
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and friends did not come from my head.
Summary: Cedric is in the Order and Harry is not. They struggle with their relationship and the return of Voldemort.
Author’s Note: Hooray, the sequel to “Force of Will” finally (suddenly) came together! This work will also have three sections in total, probably posted about a week apart. Reading the prequel isn’t necessary for this first part, but it will be later on (unless you don’t mind being mildly confused.) Thanks to those who encouraged me to write more of this story, and I hope you enjoy!
Force of Will
Change of Heart
Part I
Harry was no idiot. He knew Cedric wanted to talk to him, and he knew Cedric could recognize when he was being avoided. At this point, Harry just didn’t care. It was a shock seeing him that first night in Grimmauld Place, but then everything about that night had been a shock, and he didn’t need to add to it by having a nice, quiet chat with a bloke he had kissed. Hermione had hastily explained the reasons for Cedric’s membership in the Order of the Pheonix: his mettle as a Champion, the fact that his parents actually allowed it, and what Dumbledore called his “demonstrated loyalties.” The idea that Diggory could be in the Order while Harry could not made him angry enough as it was. The rest… well, the rest was last year, and he really didn’t need to be thinking about last year.
So he was annoyed, but not surprised, when a voice from the doorway said, “Hey, Harry!” with all the forced charm the most popular boy in Hogwarts could muster.
Harry didn’t turn around, and didn’t pause in packing his trunk. “What do you want, Cedric?” It came out a little ruder than he had intended, but he wasn’t going to feel bad about it.
“Um, is this a bad time?”
Harry rolled his eyes, which of course Cedric couldn’t see, and said, “No, it’s fine. What did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to, well, congratulate you on your trial… I know it was a while ago.” His faltering smile was audible. “And, um, see if you need any help packing. I’m already done.”
Harry finally spun around. “Why are you really here?”
Cedric was no longer smiling as he ran a nervous hand through his hair. “Look. I know you’ve been avoiding me all summer.”
The slight pang of guilt in Harry’s chest was unexpected. “I’ve just had a lot going on. And I haven’t exactly been a fun person to be around lately… just ask Ron and Hermione.”
“Believe me, I already have.” Cedric gave a hesitant grin, which just made Harry scowl. He should have known his best mates were talking about him behind his back. Cedric saw the look and sobered. “When I first heard you were coming here, I was really hoping I’d get to see a bit more of you before school started.”
“Cedric, I’m not-“
“You’re not gay, I know, I got it. But I thought we could still be friends at least.”
“You still want to be friends?”
Cedric laughed nervously. “Yeah, of course!”
Harry turned back to his trunk. “I don’t see why. I’m a nutter, right? Desperate for attention?”
“You don’t actually think I believe that rubbish?”
Harry glanced over his shoulder. “You can come in, you know.” Looking relieved, Cedric entered the room and sat down on the bed. “Pass me that book?”
He read the title before handing it to Harry. “Quidditch Teams of Britain and Ireland.”
“One of Hermione’s better gifts,” Harry explained.
“So what team do you follow?”
Shoving the book into his already bursting trunk, Harry shrugged. “None, really. That’s more Ron’s thing. I haven’t been following long enough.”
“Have you ever been to a game?”
Harry paused and gave him an odd look. “Once. The World Cup, remember? We saw you there?”
“Oh right, of course, sorry - being stupid.” Cedric was obviously on edge, and it was really irritating. “So what did you think?”
“Of what? Oh, the game… yeah, it was pretty brilliant. I’d never seen flying like that before.”
“Especially Krum,” Cedric offered.
“Especially Krum,” Harry agreed. “Though to be honest, I think I prefer playing Quidditch to watching it.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It mostly just makes me itchy to get on a broom myself.”
Harry nodded. “Exactly. Besides, who can tell what’s happening at that speed anyway?”
“Oh, but that’s the best part. Following the teams’ strategies and plays and all that.”
“How? The play changes every two seconds!” Harry squeezed in a last pair of socks and sat down next to him.
“Well, it definitely takes practice. But there are only a handful of key formations, and everything else is more or less variation. Once you can recognize the basics, it becomes a lot easier to follow. Didn’t Wood teach you all that?”
Harry laughed derisively. “I never understood a single thing that came out of Wood’s mouth!”
Cedric laughed as well. “Can’t say I blame you there. That kid was a piece of work. But look where it got him, yeah?”
“True. Anyway, it never mattered that much because a seeker shouldn’t be paying attention to the other players anyway.”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that. I always try to keep one eye on the game so I know when the timing’s right for the snitch. Plus, if you’re weaving in and out of your teammates, it helps to have an idea where they’re going.”
Harry thought back to his many near-collisions over the years. “I guess you have a point. Is it hard being Captain and seeker at the same time?”
He considered for a moment, then responded, “Yes and no. On the one hand, it’s easier to keep an eye on everything when you’re not busy with a quaffle or bludger. On the other hand, if you let yourself get distracted at the wrong second, it’s all over.”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. I’m not sure I’d be able to manage it.”
Cedric nudged him. “Well, you better get sure! Your captaincy’s only a matter of time!”
“What makes you say that?”
“Oh please, Harry, spare me the modesty,” Cedric laughed. “Don’t think anyone’s forgotten about the youngest Hogwarts Quidditch player in a century!”
Harry grinned. “That seems like ages ago. Well if it’s true, I better start actually paying attention to tactics… otherwise we’re sunk! Do you think you could run through the basics with me sometime?”
Cedric looked taken aback, but quickly recovered. “Yeah, of course. No problem.”
“Ron tried teaching me once. He really gets that kind of stuff, but he’s no good at explaining it. To him it just makes sense already.”
“Well, I have been told I’m rather eloquent,” Cedric remarked, inspecting his cuticles.
Harry snorted. “You git! Don’t think I buy the Mr. Perfect routine for a second.”
“That’s good,” Cedric responded with a smirk, “because I can see right through your whole Savior of the World act. We both know you’re just an average student with a streak of good luck.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “And a pathological liar.” Cedric recoiled, but not fast enough to avoid the hard punch to his shoulder. “Ow! What did I say?”
Harry tried hard not to laugh. “Well at least I’m not a pretty swot like some people I know.”
“Jealous of my good looks and natural charm?” Cedric raised an eyebrow, and Harry rolled his eyes.
“Only if looks and charm will get me into the Order as well!”
“What exactly are you implying?” Cedric cried in mock outrage before turning suddenly earnest. “You know, I voted for your inclusion in the Order - I told them they should let you in! No one gives you enough credit for what you can handle. I mean, look what you did last year in the Tournament! I said that if I were qualified, you definitely were. Probably more qualified actually… I still can’t figure out why they let me join in the first place.”
Harry swelled with gratitude and a certain amount of relief. At least someone thought he ought to know what was going on. “They let you in because you deserve it.” Cedric gave a dubious look. “No, really - you would have won the Tournament if it hadn’t been for me. Plus, they know they can trust you, and that’s not easy to come by. If Dumbledore thinks you’re qualified, you’re qualified.”
“Thanks, Harry. That means a lot.”
Cedric looked happier than he had all summer, and Harry saw his opportunity. “So, if you think I should be in the Order…” He hesitated, but if anyone would tell him, Cedric would, and he decided to just come out with it. “What weapon is Voldemort after?”
Cedric flinched, and the smile vanished. “Harry, you know I can’t tell you that.”
“What? Why not?” Harry’s hopes plummeted, and Cedric’s words suddenly sounded like empty flattery. He was so sure Cedric would tell him. But apparently Cedric thought he needed to be sheltered, just like everyone else.
“Because I can’t.” Cedric looked anxious, which made Harry suddenly angry. “Dumbledore instructed us…”
“Oh, did he? That’s convenient. And I suppose model-student Diggory always does what he’s told?”
“You know I’d tell you if I could! But they’d kick me out of the Order if-”
“Well aren’t you just lucky you’re even in the bloody Order! You get to know what’s going on!”
“Harry-“
“Get out Cedric. I need to finish packing.”
“Harry-“
“LEAVE!”
Harry stood up and turned away, fuming. He waited until he heard the footsteps slowly exit the room before slamming his trunk shut. It made sense for the adults to treat him like a child. It wasn’t fair, but he understood. With Cedric, it came as a painful blow. Well, if Cedric really wanted him as a friend, he’d have to treat him like an equal, ruddy Order of the Phoenix or not. In the meantime, he still had Ron and Hermione, and at least they were as clueless as he was.
He kicked his trunk, trying to figure out what it was about that pretty swot he even liked.
Part II
Part III