Work Text:
February 2002
Cedric noticed it first when Harry was cleaning up after their hearty lunch. Sure, he was slightly surprised that Harry was manually washing their dishes rather than using his magic to do so, but his attention was drawn to his hair.
His jet-black hair looked less disheveled than they should be. Instead of threads of hair prickling out and almost resembling a porcupine, they were waved down to his chin. Last time he remembered, that mess used to be matted, rough and split, but now it looked smoother. And it seems like Harry refused to slick it back as he hunched over to do his chore. Cedric could've sworn that he looked similar to that one girl from that scary muggle movie they had watched a few months ago.
What was her name again? Samantha? Samara? He doesn't remember. He was too busy burying his face on the shoulder of Harry who looked displeased whenever a “tacky” jumpscare would come on. (Harry's words, not his. Cedric was scared to his wits.)
But unlike that girl, Harry's curls cascaded from his head like dark, sheen-graced waterfalls. Was he using a new conditioner? He didn't know. All he knew was that those silky threads probably blocked his vision and dreamy face. So Cedric decided to fix that.
He soundlessly made his way behind his husband. But that was no use. Harry was a top-notch auror who always seemed to know whenever there was a shift of movement from anywhere. But it didn't hurt to try.
Harry hummed when a pair of hands came from behind to pull away his obstructing hair. He hadn't realized how dark it was with his hair in his face. At least now he could see where to scrub the sponge.
“Your hair’s in the way, duck, don't you have a tie somewhere?” Cedric murmured and bundled all of Harry's hair behind his head with a soft clench of his fist.
“I don't need it, I'm almost done anyways,” Harry said while placing another rinsed plate among the others.
Cedric didn't say anything. He continued to hold Harry's hair for him and acted as a temporary remedy. Sometimes he even snuck some kisses on his neck and shoulder, reveling in his small shivers.
They stayed close together while Harry finished his chore. The kitchen’s window shone a soft noon light on them. But even with its natural glow, it was still warmer between them. They never once minded how random their after-lunch mushiness came to be. Anyways, this is what they expected — and wanted — to be married into.
June 2006
“Merlin's fuck, Harry…” Cedric groaned.
“Hold bloody still, will you?” Harry said with more cheekiness than annoyance in his voice.
The married couple were up in their shared office. It was a lax day at the Ministry so you can't exactly blame them for straying away from their professionalism. Then again, straying away might be an understatement when Harry was on his knees and in between Cedric's legs.
Cedric teetered over moaning out poor attempts at saying Harry's name or keeping his mouth shut. Eventually, he let go and didn't care how loud he was, remembering that their office was practically overcharmed with fifty variations of Muffliato.
He gripped the edge of the seat for his dear life. He sighed soundly, even as simple as breathing made it harder not to melt under the touch. His other hand instinctively went to Harry's head with fingers threading through the soft locks that combed them back.
As he kept on playing with it, he realized how much his husband's hair has grown ever since he noticed last time. His hair now reached slightly beyond his shoulders. The tips curled in different directions. Cedric thought it looked gorgeous.
A hair band on the desk caught his eye and he leaned forward to snatch it. Harry grunted at the disturbance but Cedric shushed him. He bunched up the hair behind Harry's head and wrapped the band around it.
Harry paused his ministrations as Cedric tied his hair for him. It was a simple, trivial act yet he found it endearing — and a bit corny, of course.
“You should tie this up more. Especially when you're doing things like this,” Cedric murmured while he caressed his husband's cheek.
Harry didn't say anything (and it's not like he could) so he exhaled through his nose and continued before any more interruptions could occur.
February 2008
Eventually, Harry did get around to tying his hair more often. It took him about a few instances of it getting into knots sprinkled in with some bad hair days, but he got there. Yet, even if he kept it neat with a hair band, some… unexpected forces would still breach through his shallow solution. Cedric had to find that out while making dinner one night.
He was mixing the stew to make sure the vegetables wouldn't burn on the bottom. Harry was in the drawing room with their child, Jamie, just in front of the kitchen. From what Cedric could remember, his husband was playing with the toddler with some toys. But the peacefulness was interrupted with a cry that was definitely not from a child.
“Ow, ow, I'm being attacked!” exclaimed Harry's voice that was accompanied with childish giggling and incoming footsteps.
Cedric whipped around and snorted at the amusing sight. Jamie was hiked up on Harry's hip while having a mini fistful of his father's ponytail. Harry, on the other hand, was smiling yet his face contorted in slight pain.
“Let me help.” Cedric didn't fight the chucklesome grin that formed on his face while he enchanted the spoon to stir by itself.
He walked over to them and tried to pry off Jamie's tiny yet strong fist. The toddler was already slobbering at the tips of Harry's hair. It took a few more minutes than it should've trying to even loosen his grip, but Cedric managed to get his attention by bribing him with a teether cracker.
“Well, at least we know he's got the proper grip to be a seeker,” Cedric joked as he carried the nibbling and babbling toddler to his hip this time while Harry rinsed off the slobber on his hair.
“You think?” Harry chuckled while he finger combed his locks, tying it up once more.
Cedric looked mesmerised as he watched. His eyes traced over the dark threads that practically glowed in the light. And it definitely did not help that Harry's heavy stubble complimented the look. He listened with half an ear when Harry had said something and took Jamie from his arms. It was only when the two had gone back to the drawing room and a change of scent in the air did he realize that he had left the stew with just his magic to stir it.
“Shit,” He cursed before scrambling to the bubbling pot.
January 2011
Cedric came down the stairs to look for a nice afternoon snack. Both he and Harry were on a day-off and only one of them had gone out for the day. Harry, Jamie and their youngest, Lily, were going for lunch with a few of the Weasleys. Namely Ron, Hermione, Bill, Fleur and all of their children for a playdate.
As for Cedric, he stayed behind. He wanted to be alone and have some “me-time” where he'll probably spend most of it on napping. But realizing it now, he felt like he preferred spending his “me-time” with his husband. (Specifically in bed, but not sleeping at all.) He needn't fret though since he knew they should be back by around this time.
Cedric scavenged through the cabinets in the kitchen. He found a box of muffins from Mrs. Weasley and decided he could go for something sweet. When he popped the lid off it had sounded in sync with the fireplace flaring up. He walked into the drawing room with a muffin in hand when he saw three familiar figures emerge from the green flames.
Jamie hopped onto the carpeted floor first and scrambled out of the way for Harry, who was carrying Lily, to walk out of the flames.
“Hi Daddy!” Jamie trotted up to Cedric.
Cedric chuckled and crouched down to kiss his son's head. “Hello, duck.”
The child’s nose caught a familiar scent and he noticed the muffin in his father's hand.
“Can I have a bite?” He asked before remembering to politely add— “Please?”
Cedric fondly laughed again. “Sure, buddy.”
Cedric stood back up while the kid scuttled away and munched on the pastry. A familiar whine that came from Lily made Cedric look over to Harry and notice something different.
“Hullo, love” Cedric greeted easily and walked over to Harry to peck his lips. “What happened to your… Wow…”
Cedric had looked behind Harry's head to be met with a beautifully messy braid that reached the middle of his back and was littered in tiny flowers.
“Rose and Victoire did it,” Harry sheepishly said while he distractedly patted a grouchy Lily’s back. “I wanted to take it off since it was starting to itch but I didn't do it. Didn't want to make the girls sad after all their hard work to make me look like Rapunzel.”
If Cedric was gonna be honest, he would also be as sad as them if Harry did unravel the braid. He just looked so stunning with it. Like an ethereal god of harvest. The flowers tangled in it only made it even more convincing.
“Well, I think you look quite gorgeous with it.” Cedric smiled softly while he tucked strands of hair behind Harry's ear. His actions were not at all reflecting his internal smitten feelings for his husband.
“You think so?” Harry tried to have a joking tone while he said it, but it sounded like he was really asking.
Their eyes locked in on each other at that moment. Harry's patting movements slowed down when both their pupils dilate in unison. In a silent agreement they instinctively leaned closer for a kiss, one that was hopefully quick and chaste.
Almost like sensing the impending romance in the air, Lily's small whines turned into full wails that startled both parents. Automatically, Cedric cooed and tried to give a comforting caress to her back and head while Harry checked everywhere on her that could've caused her discomfort.
“I don't think she's soiled herself… but I'm not taking any chances,” Harry said before hurrying away upstairs. They had already experienced their first baby blowout with Jamie years before and they plan to make that the last.
Cedric was left there, standing dumbly in the middle of the drawing room while still kept on the edge for a kiss. He felt something being pushed onto his hand and he looked down to find Jamie.
“I finished it…” Jamie quietly said as he put the muffin’s wrapper in his father’s palm.
The boy looked around like how an awkward dog would before mumbling a “Sorry” and booking it upstairs.
Cedric was left bewildered once again, but this time with a muffin liner in his hand. He blinked a few times more before looking back and forth from the wrapper to where his son had disappeared to. Why couldn't he have thrown it away himself?
June 2029
Cedric plopped himself down on the slanted grassy hill. Harry did the same but right in the space between Cedric's legs with his back resting on his chest.
The Potter-Diggory family were currently having a bonding time during the early summer. They had just had lunch right before this so both fathers advised their children not to play too rough. But that seemed useless since the twins, Max and Jasper, had started tackling each other to the ground with the youngest daughter of the family, Cerise, cheering both wannabe wrestlers on.
Their third born, Phil, had just graduated so he didn't feel the need to soak up the summer vacation in a hurry. He sat beside them while fully enraptured in his games on his mobile phone that has since been bewitched to handle the magical world’s atmosphere.
As for the two oldest of their children, Jamie and Lily were both away in their respective training programs. But they reassured their fathers that they would drop by for dinner.
Cedric sighed, hands coming up to thread through Harry's hair which was a subconscious habit of his. He needed time to think. Especially after being so busy these past few days. The kids were growing up too fast. Jamie, the oldest, was already twenty-two and Cerise, the youngest, was six. He could just blink once and all their children would've gotten a decade older.
He shook that thought away and focused on the strands of his husband's hair instead. Cedric always liked to keep himself busy with some handwork.
Maybe he should do a braid. No, he always did a braid. What about a twist? No, that's too simple. Fishtail braid? Where does he even start?
Cedric huffed lightly, absentmindedly drifting his fingertips on Harry's scalp with the latter not minding the free massage. Cedric's attention alternated between his husband and their rowdy twins just a few feet in front of them. It was only when he spotted a glint at the corner of his eye did he focus on Harry's hair.
Cedric began finding the mysterious glimmer seeing as he had nothing else better to do. His fingers threaded through the soft mass, untying loose knots and combing back stray hairs. Naturally, Harry noticed Cedric's searching movements.
“Do I have some sort of dandruff that I dunno about? What're you looking for?” Harry asked as he tilted his head up to look at Cedric. He put a hand to Cedric's palm that cupped his cheek, tracing the gold band on his ring finger.
Cedric hummed while his eyes traced over Harry's dreamy features as if it was his first time to do so. He leaned down and caught Harry's lips in a soft kiss that was happily accepted. It was slow and chaste. Nevermind how Phil gave a disapproving groan at the state of his lovey-dovey parents.
“That doesn't answer my question,” Harry said when they pulled away.
Cedric brushed Harry's bangs away and said— “I just saw something shiny in your hair. Thought I could get it.”
“Something shiny?” Harry repeated and raised a brow. He thought about it for a moment before tilting his head back down. “Probably just a grey hair.”
Cedric stood still at that. He didn't know why. He knows the children have been growing up fast, it's only logical that he and Harry were also growing old. Why hasn't he thought of that?
Looking back down, the mysterious shimmer finally revealed itself. It was, in fact, a grey hair. It looked out of place with the rest of the dark locks. But he knew it was only one out of the many in the future.
Cedric wrapped his arms around Harry, burying his face on the back of his head like it was instinctual. And Harry asked again.
“What're you doing now?”
“Loving you.”
The younger Harry back then would've rolled his eyes and hid the blush that would color his face, but now, he just leaned back against Cedric's embrace. Soft kisses were placed on the back of his head. The feeling seeped through his skull and soothing his mind.
Their ring-wearing hands ended up intertwining together. Both fathers basked in the affable silence. If you could even call it silence when it was occasionally interrupted by the low sounds coming from Phil’s phone. Cedric was the one to peer over at him.
“Phil, love, why don't you put that down for a bit and rest your eyes?” Cedric suggested as he ignored Harry's sigh who knew it was a lost cause to rip Phil’s eyes away from that screen. “I'm sure there's enough time for that back home.”
“Why? You rather I be like them?” Phil asked bluntly while he nodded his head towards his younger brothers.
As if on cue, when all three of them had their eyes on the twins, Jasper forcefully rammed his shoulder against Max’s chest and made him fall to the ground. Harry and Cedric were only slightly concerned as they leaned forward to take a look at Max who had, as expected, instantly gotten up and took his revenge on his guffawing twin.
“Max fell! Did you see that?” Cerise squealed as she climbed up the steep hill with her hands.
Harry sighed. “Yes, we both saw, love.”
“Cerise, please, don't wipe your hands on your dress.” Cedric looked miserable as she was doing exactly that.
The little girl froze before hiding her dirty hands behind her back. Her face was red with a sheepish smile. “Sorry, Daddy.”
Harry chuckled into his fist despite himself, only stopping and clearing his throat when Cedric gave him a look.
July 2045
“We shouldn't be doing this.”
“Why not?”
“We're in our sixties, Cedric.”
Cedric blinked and his hands stopped massaging Harry's soapy scalp.
“I'm washing your hair, duck, not drinking another Potion of Sprightliness so we can shag.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “I know that, it's just that we're old, aren't we? Shouldn't you be treating me on my birthday by taking a nap with me instead?”
“Well, you took off your clothes and got into the bath I drew for you. There was ample time to tell me you wanted to nap instead.” Cedric resumed dragging his fingers against Harry's scalp and eyed the way the latter was very much enjoying the warm bubbly water he was in.
Harry sighed and accepted his relaxing fate. Cedric smiled lightly as he could somehow feel Harry ease into his touch through the roots of his hair. Maybe this was a learned talent of his from always having his hands in his locks every other day. He couldn't help it, not when he was so astonished by the slow change of Harry's dark hair compared to his own hair which seemed to stay the same honey-gold color with a few strands turning blonde.
Cedric was suddenly pulled from his thoughts when Harry adjusted his head on the bath pillow so he could get a better look at him.
“I just think, maybe your back might be tired after slouching on that stool so you can wash my hair.” Harry tried to say.
“Don't lie to me, Harry.” Cedric murmured yet sounding unbothered. “I’ve been married to you for about forty years plus five more years of dating, I think I know when you're really thinking about something else.”
Harry stayed silent this time. Cedric didn't push him to say anything. Nothing could be heard besides the bath water lapping from time to time.
“I just, don't like this.” Harry started after a long pause. “We're growing older and weaker. I don't want to burden you with doing these things for me— and don't tell me that I do the same for you when I definitely don't wash your hair during your birthday.”
Cedric stayed silent in case Harry wanted to say anything more. But really, he was just taking in the reality of his words.
“I definitely can't deny what you said, love,” Cedric stopped massaging Harry's head again. “We are getting older, and weaker, but that's just life.”
Cedric felt Harry tense on his fingertips. He didn't like his choice of words and Cedric knew that. But both knew it was true.
“Just because we are something doesn't mean we have to be that something.” Cedric continued. “I mean, you know that very well already. You're good at being an auror, but you eventually quit to be a professor at Hogwarts.”
“That's different.”
“How so?”
Harry didn't know how to reply once again. He sat up and the water lapped against his body.
“It’s just obvious— it's— oh, I don't know.” Harry put his face in his wet hands like it'll help him speak.
Cedric’s brows furrowed. He placed a supporting hand on Harry's shoulder, making him lie back down.
“I just feel like everything's going too fast.” Harry lifted his hands to look at them. He sighed in relief when Cedric started finger combing his hair. “One day we're getting married and then the other our kids are having kids of their own. It’s too much. I feel like I just want to…”
“—Take a nap?” Cedric offered with a sincere smile.
Harry looked back up at him and a small smile formed on his face. “... Take a nap.”
Cedric took the shower head that he had laid on the ledge and clicked it on.
“Then here's the game plan,” He said as he started rinsing Harry's head. “We get you all nice and washed up and into some clothes. After that, right to sleep, okay?”
“Mhh, but only if you're sleeping with me.” Harry's smile grew wider with a hopeful shimmer in his eyes.
“Of course.” Cedric leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead.
November 2059
Cedric stared them down like they were the only thing that mattered in the universe. It was a horrifying thought, but he knew it would happen inevitably.
Right now, in the unusually quiet place of the Diggory Manor, Cedric's eyes were glued to the open casket of his parents. It didn't feel real. They looked like they were only sleeping. It felt like the many times when he was younger where he would sneak into his parents' room after having a nightmare.
He wanted to do that again. He wanted to subtly squeeze himself in between them and wake them up in the process, just like before. He remembered the sleepy reassurances from Mum, the gruff agreements from Dad, but he doesn't think he'll be hearing those in a long, long time.
He knew this would happen eventually, and they did too. And it hurt Cedric to know that their last wish was to be buried beside each other. To be together.
His vision started to blur with tears again. He didn't know if he should continue being sad about it or even be a little happy for them. Neither of them had to live without the other for long.
Dad had died naturally in his sleep one morning and Mum was the first to find out. It broke her heart and Cedric could painfully tell when he immediately floo’d to the manor after receiving a frantic and teary floo call from her.
It felt so… fake, to look at his father's dead body at that time. Hell, he didn't even think "Dead body" were the right words to describe it. He looked so peaceful, like he was just taking his usual naps; and Cedric had a feeling that he really was but not after his mother started sobbing against his chest.
He remembered holding her tight as if it would keep her from slipping away. And frankly, it looks like he should've held her tighter.
A few days after Dad’s passing, Mum had died too. Cedric found her sitting in a chair next to Dad's casket, their hands ever so intertwined.
There were no signs of struggle or strain when the healers checked her corpse. The only thing they could rule out was that she died from the stress of her husband's death, but Cedric knew it was more than that. He knew that she simply couldn't live without her lover, her Amos. Her magic was sensitive and once it knew that he wasn't there anymore, it just burned out.
It was like that, always like that. Ever since he was young, he always saw his parents as a match made in heaven. And he still believed it, the way they still loved each other until the end only served as more proof.
He put his head in his hands while his legs began to shake. He can cry, he's allowed to, but something feels like it's tugging him away from doing so.
“Cedric?” He heard a familiar voice say, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear him right now.
Naturally, Cedric removed his hands and turned to the voice on his side. It was Harry, ever so handsome as he was with his hair tied in a simple ponytail behind his head. His face was veiled in age with his prominent smile lines and wrinkles. He was dressed in dark robes for the occasion, just like Cedric, just like how everyone else around was.
Harry pulled him into a hug that Cedric didn't reciprocate.
“The kids?” Cedric used his hoarse voice for the first time since last night. He was referring to their grandchildren, and Harry knew instantly.
“With our own,” Harry quietly pulled back and cupped Cedric's cheek. “You don't need to think about them right now.”
Cedric closed his eyes and sighed through his nose. He could feel the tears held between his lashes. But not a single drop fell.
Harry was right. He didn't need to think about them. Not right now. He didn't need to be aware of anyone, or anything else. Not right now.
“Cedric?” Harry called out again when Cedric pulled away from the loose embrace.
Silently, Cedric turned on his heel and walked towards the stairs with Harry following in suit. His eyes started to water a little more. He could hear Harry's footsteps. The spacing between each step sounded hesitant.
After Cedric let his legs take him to what felt right, he ended up at his old bedroom door. It still had the same nameplate where it bore his name. A lump started to form in his throat.
Without a second thought, he turned the knob and stepped in. The whole room looked slightly deserted. His bed looked neatly tucked with his desk still holding some of his possessions. Everything looked the same as he had left it when he moved out.
He walked to his bed, paying no mind to Harry trailing his steps. He plopped himself down on the squishy cushion. The movement finally made his heart start to clench
“Cedric?” Harry said again for the third time, ever so quietly. He was still at the doorway, not knowing whether to comfort or to leave his husband alone.
Cedric felt his eyes start to burn and his ears tuning every sound out. He tried to open his mouth but nothing came out. They held eye contact for so long until it finally clicked.
Harry shut the door behind him before stepping long strides towards his husband. He immediately caught him in another tighter embrace and this time Cedric did reciprocate. That, and his eyes started to flood.
Cedric tried to contain and hide it through coughs but he started sniffling. Before he knew it, he started drenching Harry's robes in tears. Harry didn't shush him. Instead, he sat down beside Cedric as he continued to hold him close.
Cedric's back was slouched while his chin was on Harry's shoulder. Cedric always took pride in having good posture, but he doesn't think he has the strength to keep it up. His hands subconsciously threaded through Harry's hair while pulling out the strands from the hair tie. His silky hair was now an unruly mess but Harry didn't care.
Despite his nose getting stuffy from his continued sobbing, Cedric could smell the scent of Harry's shampoo and he became drawn to it. He pressed his nose against the side of his head, trying to get back some of his senses.
He could smell it. It was the same shampoo Cedric used. Cedric's tear-blurred eyes started to focus again. He could see Harry's ponytail. Many white hairs already started to prickle out of his locks.
He took another whiff of the scent and his heart started to clench again. That wasn't just his and Harry's shampoo, it was his parents’ too. He's been away from home for so long he’d already forgotten. He remembered smelling it so many times whenever Mum or Dad would kiss him on the head.
Cedric's heart started to clench and another lump formed in his throat. Before he could even begin to collect himself, he fell apart again. He held Harry tighter and feared that he was practically suffocating him. But Harry hugged him as tight and Cedric was sure this time nothing would slip from his embrace.
It was a long while until the old couple emerged from the bedroom. Cedric would sniff up his sobs before he started crying again, but Harry didn't mind.
August 2063
Cedric opened the door of his and Harry's bedroom to be met with satisfyingly cool air. He had been outside for a few hours for he was tending to his mini garden, a new hobby he had picked up after being underwhelmed by his reassignment from Head Auror to DMLE advisor.
Frankly, he didn't need to do much as an advisor. It felt like he actually did retire while sometimes being consulted by the Ministry for a few words before being given the “option” to leave. (Which really just means “Please go away, you're too old for any of this anymore.”)
Though, Cedric didn't mind. It just gave him more of an excuse to see his loved ones, especially his beloved husband. And right now, his husband in question, sat up on the bed with a mini table above his lap while he jotted down schedules for the upcoming school year.
Cedric calmly sighed through his nose and shut the door behind him. He went over to cage his husband in another hug for what felt like the thousandth time today and reflexively buried his face in his greying hair. Harry, though, wasn't having it.
“Get off me, you smell like the outside,” Harry grumbled, already annoyed with the overlapping schedules he knew he would have to deal with while he tried and failed to pry his husband off. But Cedric was feeling lovey-dovey today so he did quite the opposite.
His face slid from Harry's head to his neck, placing kisses all over the thin and wrinkled skin. His hands made their way to sift through his magically dried hair and Harry did not like that.
“Did you even wash your hands? I just washed my hair and I do not want to wash it again later,” He growled and this time Cedric let his arms wrap around Harry's waist instead.
He hummed. “Of course I did. Who do you take me for?”
Harry murmured something under his breath that Cedric couldn't catch. He proceeded to rest his head on Harry's shoulder, his hand now combing down the short waterfall made by his hair. His locks were mostly grey now and Cedric could only count a handful of black hairs. While he did love the dark sheen it used to have, Harry's hair being all grey and white also looked gorgeous.
Cedric tucked back a few of Harry's hairs behind his ear and said mostly to himself: “I like this,”
“Like what?”
“Your hair being long,”
“Ah, hm. Well, let's see.” Harry flicked his wrist to unnecessarily look at the time. “That took you about sixty years to come up with that.”
Cedric chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. He didn't speak up about how he had already realized that years and years before. But, he didn't mind seeing his husband bask in mirth after that joke. Instead, he just continued to hold Harry close while burying his face back in his hair.