Cedric's grateful in his own way. It's in his nature to be on top of everything, be in control, excel...so the relative lack of other work to be done had to get suspicious at some point. Some days, even before he became aware of his feelings, he's just wanted to give Howard a big old hug.

Maybe someday he will. That it's even a future possibility now, no matter how far off, means more to Cedric than it probably should. They'll never express affection the same way he had with Cho, but this little bit is enough.

"I'd love to," Cedric answers, clearly just a little excited. "We can jog if you'd like to. Or walk. Or some of both. I want to see it all. You have that sharp eye for the best spots."