Here's the beggining of my two/three-shot for three challenges. Fascinating, I know.
Please review! (:
Credits: whispered touches' Pretty Little Liars Challenge; the infamous dollface's I Love You Challenge; and White Ferret's Alliterated Pairings Challenge. Thanks to all three of you! 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Cormac, Cho, or the HP world, no matter how hard I wish I did. It all belongs to JKR, except for the plot, which I came up with myself.
ENJOY!
A/N: This story is in Cormac's POV
This isn't going to work, a little-voice in my brain nagged. Oh god, what was I doing talking to myself? For goodness' sake, I would get compared to Loony Lovegood soon. And that would not be good for my repertoire as Cormac McLaggen.
I spotted her coming out of the library, and decided to act now before I lost control of my brain completely.
"Cho! Hey- CHO!" he called.
The girl turned around, startled. Great first impression I was giving her. Stick to the plan, I reminded myself.
She came closer to me and looked at me questioningly.
"What do you want, McLaggen?"
"Well, you know that Gryffindor Quidditch Tryouts are soon..."
"Yes..."
"I was wondering if you could help me practise."
She looked surprised at my suggestion. I could practically read her mind- she was probably thinking why I asked her, but flattered all the same. I had that effect on ladies. They just love me.
"Erm.. . right. And you're asking me, because?"
Told you she'd ask.
"Well, I've seen you in other games, and although you're a seeker you're good. And to tell you the truth, you're the only one I thought would be up for the job."
Cho blushed. "Well- alright."
I smiled.
"Meet me at the Quidditch pitch at 8 then? It's going to be so crowded in the evening that I thought maybe later would be clearer, and better practise thus."
"Okay. Bye Cormac!" she agreed, and headed off to her next class.
I wasn't just McLaggen anymore.
Later that evening, at dinner.
"What's up, Cormac?" asked Katie Bell.
"Nothing. I just can't believe she declined my offer to Hogsmeade."
Katie looked confused. "Who?"
"Hermione Granger."
Katie rolled her eyes, as if she knew I was upset about just being dumped, not by whom.
"What do you expect? She's liked Ron Weasley for practically all of her Hogwarts life. And done start on how wonderfully handsome and irresistible you are. I'm done with those speeches."
"But she doesn't talk to me... and I can't pretend like she doesn't exist, Katie. It's a small school."
"Not small enough," she replied, smugly.
So it was Ron she liked, was it? Well, he was also going to try out, probably... right then, he'd get his share of trouble. That half-brained nitwit was going to pay for ruining my image.
At the Quidditch Pitch, quarter to eight.
Cho was nowhere to be seen when I got the pitch, and I looked at my watch. Great, fifteen minutes early. This was really weird. I was always fifteen minutes late to any date. Even if it wasn't an official one.
That was rule number one. Every occasion when you plan to go somewhere with a person of the opposite sex was a date. No exceptions.
Then I suddenly realized that I didn't have my broom. Okay, now I was going to look real stupid, but before I could accio it to me, Cho appeared.
"Hi," she said smiling. One point pour moi.
"Hello. I kind of forgot my broom," I explained, feeling extremely ridiculous.
Rule number two. Never ever make a fool of yourself in front of a girl on said date.
So that was one broken.
To my surprise, Cho just chuckled, summoned it herself and gave it to me. I thanked her, and looked at her properly for the first time. She was wearing her Ravenclaw Quidditch robes (which looked extremely good on her), mild make-up, just some eyeliner and blush (hey- I'm a guy, but I am a date expert, I have to know about make-up to evaluate the day afterwards). Her black hair was pulled up in a high but messy bun on her head, and some crazy strands had already fought their way out of the hair band.
So basically, she looked irresistible.
"Right. Should we start with you just sort of throwing the Quaffle at me?" I suggested. She agreed, so I opened the case Madam Hooch had kindly lent to me containing the Quidditch balls, and took out the Quaffle.
We practiced that for about an hour, and it soon got dark.
"I guess that's enough for today. Tomorrow at the same time?" I suggested, knowing that she had Quidditch practice herself that day, but hoping she'd be the one to reschedule.
"I have Quidditch practice," Damn! I'm better than Trelawney, "but I can make it... at 9."
I raised an eyebrow.
So this girl was trying to challenge me, huh? That was fine, fine, fine. Curfew was at 10, but hey- no one in my room was going to start looking for me if I wasn't up. They're used to my midnight –how to put it- dates.
During breakfast the next day, I couldn't help but look across at the Ravenclaw table, in hope for spotting Cho. Quite frankly, she was extremely attractive, worthy of at least a few dates from the Gryffindor Sex God. Not that anyone actually called me that... but there was no need to. Let's face it, any normal student in their right minds would kill to have the looks and charm I have.
She was eating a piece of toast, with orange marmalade spread all over, almost spilling from the excess of it. Cho realized that I was looking at her, and locked my gaze as she took another bite.
God, she was so damn hot.
I must confess that I never get too fond of who I go out with. My reputation is extremely "just a fling", and that's the way I like it. One of my ex-girlfriends used to say that I was scared of commitment. That wasn't true.
I just haven't found the one girl that I can hang out with for more than a few weeks and still be interested in. And does it hurt to break a few hearts in the meantime?
Take that foolish Hermione Granger for example. Likes her best friend for years. Turns down the hottest guy in school for a half-witted carrot, and still hasn't told him her feelings. You have to live life, for goodness' sake. Ok, probably that weasel is perfect for Granger, but would it hurt her to go out with me a few times, have some fun and make him jealous in the process? In fact, it might even help her.
"Why are you so dreamy this morning, Cormac?" sniggered Katie Bell.
I was starting to think that she might like me, considering the number of times she'd purposely pissed me off. But I wasn't going to go out with her yet, not if a breakup could jeopardize my chances of getting on the team. With Potter as captain, well, break his friend's heart and I'd be kicked to where You-Know-Who lives.
"I was just thinking."
She looked even more shocked.
"THINKING? Cor-mac-Mac-Lag-gen... THINKING? Either a) you're under the Imperius curse, or b) I'm in a seriousely messed up dream."
Trust her to piss me off again.
"I am perfectly capable of thinking, thank you. I would like to add that it's not just looks that I have," I replied, smirking.
Katie rolled her eyes. Wasn't she doing that a lot lately?
"Whatever. Just don't infect me with whatever personality disorder you've gotten."
"Oi! McLaggen!" called one of the Weasley twins as I headed off to my dormitory.
What the hell did they want with me? Maybe to stay away from their brother... they know how I can be sometimes.
"What d'ya want, Weasley?"
"Less of the attitude, and Mr. Weasley to you," he snapped, grabbing my shoulders.
This was getting really awkward. I shoved his hand off my shoulders, and glared at him.
"Fine. Master Fred, would you kindly explain the purpose of you addressing me?" I said, sarcastically.
He fumed. And yet another point for my amazing self. I should seriousely get my own house- I'd win the Cup alone.
"I'm George. And leave-Katie-alone. I don't know what you want to do with her, and I don't even care, but you I am not going to let you hurt her. So back off."
Right, let me get this straight. George Weasley was telling me to back off a girl? That wouldn't do. He had no power over me whatsoever... but this was serious gossip. Why was he so upset? It could have been Johnson or Spinnet-but no, it was Weasley. George Weasley. And then I knew. I knew a bit of information that was going to kill him if someone found out. Ah, destiny favoured me today.
"You like her, don't you? No, don't answer that. I know you do. Now look here, carrot-hair, you can have your chaser. I have no intention of hurting her –to put it as you did- and I never probably will. However, if she likes me, I can do nothing about it. And I don't like to disappoint. So why don't you just get a grip, ask her out, and forget this conversation because it wouldn't have been happening if you told her your feelings?"
Redhead looked shocked. Well, it was about time someone pulled him back to earth. Hello? There was no way he could just dream like that.
"Just... keep away from her."
I sighed, and left to my dormitory.
I decided to look especially dashing for Cho and my second date. I put on a khaki shirt, with a pair of jeans and a pair of black muggle shoes called Converse that my mother had found on her many trips to the muggle shops. Of course, I was against anything muggle publicly, but frankly I hadn't been able to resist smuggling them in to school. They were really comfortable, looked extremely cool, and just hilarious.
Then I chose to mess up my hair into that not-really-a-hairdo that the girls seemed to swoon over so much.
She'd be drooling.
Once part one of the get-ready-for-date phase was finished, I went on to phase two: attentions to the girl. I opened the dorm window and summoned a bunch of roses, which, surprisingly, came into my hands in a nice and elegant bouquet. Then, I sprayed on No.666 by Chanel, which was an imitation of the muggle cologne that my father had made while having one of his potions moments. It didn't smell like anything, but to all the girls around, it smelled of whatever they wanted to. Say someone really liked grapefruit. Well, it would spell like grapefruit to them. It was to make you extra-irresistible. And was my secret weapon.
Phase three: arrange the catering
I went down to the kitchens through one of the secret passageways, and asked the house elves there if I could have some strawberries, chocolate, two butterbeers and a bottle of firewhisky. They happily obliged, although one of them looked doubtful of giving me the alcohol, but when I told him that I might be recommending him to my uncle, who was a friend of the minister, because he needed a house-elf, he was all smiles.
I shrunk the foods, and put them into my pocket.
By the time I reached the Quidditch Pitch at nine, Cho was waiting, flying on her broom in the rain. It had started to do so on my way out, which was another stroke of luck for me because I could just use the precipitation as an excuse to go to the Room of Requirement instead, on our date.
When she saw me, she smiled from ear to ear, and flew to where I was.
"You don't have your broom," she observed surprised.
I laughed.
"It started to rain, so I changed my robes and brought an umbrella instead."
She grinned. "So... we're not flying then?"
I smiled wickedly. "No. I thought you might like a proper date."
Cho frowned, considering. I didn't remind her, but our last practice was date, so she didn't have to be that uncomfortable. But somehow, I thought that it wouldn't optimize her too much.
"So- a date? Would I be your," she paused, "girlfriend then?"
Shit, this wasn't going the way I planned.
"If you want to be," I said, just on the safe side.
Cho smiled suddenly.
"That would be nice."
Phew. Another wait off my shoulders. I was sure that my reputation wasn't going to bear another dump. I smiled back at her to show her that I was glad about her choice, and took her hand.
"Then, let's go see the fantastic Caribbean sunset."
Cho stopped. "Huh?"
I smirked. "Just follow me."
We reached the seventh floor and I walked in front of the entrance three times thinking to myself, I need to reach the sunset at a Caribbean island with a place for me and Cho.
A magnificent door made of coconut tree wood appeared.
"After you, m'lady," I bowed, holding the door open to her.
She giggled, and went inside.
As soon as I saw how the inside was, I was breathtaken.
Chapter 2 is on its way! Please review, I'd love to hear some tips or if it's any good. (:
