Chapter 1: Lay the Cards on the Table
Harry sat in his room. It was two days before he would be leaving for Hogwarts again. His mind trailed to all the things he loved about Hogwarts: the Quidditch season, Hogsmeade trips, Cho Chang. Harry cut himself off at this point. Both Quidditch and Hogsmeade brought with them painful memories of Cho Chang. He had first met Cho at Hogwarts in their third year. Cho belonged to the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. They were both Seekers for their teams. He and Cho had had their first date in Hogsmeade, which by the way had turned into a complete and utter fiasco. Harry had hurt Cho's feelings by refusing to talk about her past boyfriend Cedric Diggory. Harry had hated himself ever since. He tried to recall the good things. Harry remembered the first kiss he and Cho had shared. It was at Christmas time. They had both been standing under the mistletoe. Harry decided to try to communicate with Cho and make amends for being such an insensitive jackass. He was about to write her a letter when an owl flew into his room. He removed the letter and sent the owl off. He opened it and read the scrawl. It read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
The Daily Prophet would like an interview with you before the Hogwarts school year begins. We wish to meet with you tomorrow at Diagon Alley at nine in the morning. Please do not be late.
Sincerely,
Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet Reporter
Harry decided he would use the floo powder network at the Weasly's to get there, since that was where he was staying. He said that he would go alone, seeing as he was the one they were interested in. He arrived at Diagon Alley five minutes before hand to grab a drink from the local tavern. When the reporters arrived, they immediately started asking questions. Harry could hardly get a word out. He finally lost his temper.
" SHUT UP!" Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. All the reporters stopped talking. " I understand that you have questions for me, but, please, one-at-a-time!"
The day dragged on and Harry was still not back. The Weasly's were beginning to get worried. At about three o' clock Harry finally materialized inside the fireplace at the Burrow.
" Well, how'd it go mate?" Ron asked eagerly.
" What did you say?" asked Hermione, also wondering as to how the interview had gone.
" You'll have to wait until Monday to find out." Harry said, not wanting to spoil the surprise.
Two hours later found Harry back in his room at the Burrow, his letter to Cho still lying on the desk unfinished. He decided it was time to lay his cards on the table and tell Cho the truth. He picked up his quill and began to write.
My Dearest Cho,
I apologize for my behavior at Hogsmeade last Valentine's Day. I should have known that you probably needed to let out your emotions about Cedric's death and I was too much of a git to understand how you felt. Though, I should understand exactly how it feels to lose a loved one. Both my parents were murdered by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named before I was old enough to remember them. And then Sirius Black, the closest person I've ever had to a father was also murdered in front of my very eyes. I'm sorry. I've experienced the pain of loss more times than one. I should have understood that you needed to express how you felt to someone who would listen. You thought that I might be that one person you could talk to. But I didn't want to talk about it. I must be the biggest asshole in the world and if you never want to speak to me again I'll understand. If you tear up this letter and don't send a message back I won't blame you. But like your feelings about Cedric's death, I too need to get something off my chest. I love you more than life itself. Whenever I've had a bad day, if Snape gave me some homework due the next day that I knew I would never be able to finish, if I'm just plain pissed off at the whole world, one sweet smile from you is enough to demolish those feelings of hatred and anger and replace them with a feeling of absolute peace. I should have told you every day since the moment I laid eyes on you. I love you with all my heart. And even if you don't return it, that won't change a thing. Nothing could change the way I feel about you. No one girl in my life could tear me away from you. No one can take your place in my eyes. You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.
Love always'
Harry Potter
How do you like it? I know it's kinda sappy, but that's the kind of stuff I'm good at. Review please.
Harry sat in his room. It was two days before he would be leaving for Hogwarts again. His mind trailed to all the things he loved about Hogwarts: the Quidditch season, Hogsmeade trips, Cho Chang. Harry cut himself off at this point. Both Quidditch and Hogsmeade brought with them painful memories of Cho Chang. He had first met Cho at Hogwarts in their third year. Cho belonged to the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. They were both Seekers for their teams. He and Cho had had their first date in Hogsmeade, which by the way had turned into a complete and utter fiasco. Harry had hurt Cho's feelings by refusing to talk about her past boyfriend Cedric Diggory. Harry had hated himself ever since. He tried to recall the good things. Harry remembered the first kiss he and Cho had shared. It was at Christmas time. They had both been standing under the mistletoe. Harry decided to try to communicate with Cho and make amends for being such an insensitive jackass. He was about to write her a letter when an owl flew into his room. He removed the letter and sent the owl off. He opened it and read the scrawl. It read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
The Daily Prophet would like an interview with you before the Hogwarts school year begins. We wish to meet with you tomorrow at Diagon Alley at nine in the morning. Please do not be late.
Sincerely,
Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet Reporter
Harry decided he would use the floo powder network at the Weasly's to get there, since that was where he was staying. He said that he would go alone, seeing as he was the one they were interested in. He arrived at Diagon Alley five minutes before hand to grab a drink from the local tavern. When the reporters arrived, they immediately started asking questions. Harry could hardly get a word out. He finally lost his temper.
" SHUT UP!" Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. All the reporters stopped talking. " I understand that you have questions for me, but, please, one-at-a-time!"
The day dragged on and Harry was still not back. The Weasly's were beginning to get worried. At about three o' clock Harry finally materialized inside the fireplace at the Burrow.
" Well, how'd it go mate?" Ron asked eagerly.
" What did you say?" asked Hermione, also wondering as to how the interview had gone.
" You'll have to wait until Monday to find out." Harry said, not wanting to spoil the surprise.
Two hours later found Harry back in his room at the Burrow, his letter to Cho still lying on the desk unfinished. He decided it was time to lay his cards on the table and tell Cho the truth. He picked up his quill and began to write.
My Dearest Cho,
I apologize for my behavior at Hogsmeade last Valentine's Day. I should have known that you probably needed to let out your emotions about Cedric's death and I was too much of a git to understand how you felt. Though, I should understand exactly how it feels to lose a loved one. Both my parents were murdered by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named before I was old enough to remember them. And then Sirius Black, the closest person I've ever had to a father was also murdered in front of my very eyes. I'm sorry. I've experienced the pain of loss more times than one. I should have understood that you needed to express how you felt to someone who would listen. You thought that I might be that one person you could talk to. But I didn't want to talk about it. I must be the biggest asshole in the world and if you never want to speak to me again I'll understand. If you tear up this letter and don't send a message back I won't blame you. But like your feelings about Cedric's death, I too need to get something off my chest. I love you more than life itself. Whenever I've had a bad day, if Snape gave me some homework due the next day that I knew I would never be able to finish, if I'm just plain pissed off at the whole world, one sweet smile from you is enough to demolish those feelings of hatred and anger and replace them with a feeling of absolute peace. I should have told you every day since the moment I laid eyes on you. I love you with all my heart. And even if you don't return it, that won't change a thing. Nothing could change the way I feel about you. No one girl in my life could tear me away from you. No one can take your place in my eyes. You are the most beautiful girl in the world to me, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner.
Love always'
Harry Potter
How do you like it? I know it's kinda sappy, but that's the kind of stuff I'm good at. Review please.
