This story is a result of my intense emotions that I haven't let out for quite a long time now. So, if per chance you happen to enjoy it, well, then I assume we've both won.
A/N: Spoilers, book five
XxX
Cho sat unmoving in the tranquil house. Her parents were already fast asleep, along with most of the world. But not she. How could she sleep on such a night? Not only was in simply impossible for her to fathom, but she felt it would disrespect Cedric's memory entirely.
She felt hollow and numb as the aging grandfather clock struck twelve. It was precisely at this time, on this day, one year ago, that the news of Cedric's death had finally registered within her mind. Up until then she had been in utter denial and disbelief. It was precisely one year ago that she had at last broken down in a fit of hysteria. She remembered it quite well. The pain had been alarmingly welcoming to her, possibly because she could finally feel something. Ever since that night, or rather, morning, something odd had stirred within her, and she had never quite returned to the person she was before. And she never would. She couldn't revert back to a person she no longer recognized as herself.
The past school year had been a blur of confusion to her. She was undeniably less sociable than she had ever been, and clung desperately to her one, true friend, Marietta, for support. Unfortunately, the one person she felt she could trust, didn't seem to care too much about her, and later on, had actually betrayed her. So, she turned to another, the only fitting person who she felt could possibly empathize with her pain. However, even the great Harry Potter was unable to tolerate her, and she was forced to bear her cross in secret, for no one wanted to help her. Then again, she couldn't truly blame them. People are always afraid of what they do not understand, and her situation produced an ache that no one could be expected to understand. She had already lost Cedric, but now the rest of the world had isolated themselves from her as well. She was alone and miserable.
Oh, of course her mother and father had tried their best to make her move on, but their efforts derived from their need for normalcy, not Cho's need for closure. Her father grew extremely impatient after two weeks of Cho's endless moping and declared that if she couldn't really be happy, that she pretend to be, at least in his presence. Sometimes Cho wondered how such a hateful man could be of any relation to her; had he no feelings at all? Cho's mother's behavior shocked Cho the most. She withdrew from her daughter and remained distant at all times. Of all people, Cho craved for her understanding the most, yet she completely refused to speak of Cedric's death, no matter the number of protests from her daughter. Cho eventually gave up on that seemingly futile fight, and reluctantly settled into her new life of loneliness. Her only escape was through the world of literature.
From an early age, Cho had been an avid reader, but as she grew older, reading was no longer just a fun hobby, but rather the only rational thing in her life. Books were more than just silly stories; they captured feelings and emotions, unshamefully, and were as open as the people in her life were closed. They had been her only comfort this past year, and the only consolation she had left to turn to. She was particularly captivated by female writers such as Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and Sylvia Plath. Although these writers were mere Muggles, their feelings and words were real, perhaps the only truths Cho had left to grasp to. Her particularly favorite novel, Gone With the Wind, touched her soul profoundly, and left her teary-eyed. She finally felt she knew someone who could relate to her grief, although Scarlet O'Hara was simply a fictional character. Scarlet knew exactly what it was like to lose someone she loved, and she knew what it was like to be mocked publicly. Scarlet was thought of to be emotionless and insensitive, the exact same words students at school had now connected to her own behavior. Was she the only one who could grasp the irony of this situation? Here she was being called heartless and detached, when the overwhelming amount of feelings in her heart were what had caused her impassive behavior in the first place!
A chill raced down Cho's back, causing her to shiver involuntarily. She rubbed her hands over her arms, and then noticed that the once blazing fire in her fireplace was starting to die down. With a swish of her wand, she set it roaring and cracking once more. No longer able to wallow over her loss, Cho slid out of her chair and climbed to her feet. Tonight was very different from last years horrors. Tonight she felt renewed, almost reborn. Not a tear escaped from her eye, not a sob permeated her lips. An incredible sense of calm washed over her, and for the first time in a year, she felt that she was going to be okay. The ache that pained her was still there, but she had learned so much from her loss. It was now time to move on. It was now okay to move on. She wasn't certain how she had achieved such knowledge, but it was as if she had known all along. She needed to grieve to get over Cedric, and now she hadn't a cry left to grieve. For the first time, she felt tired, emotionally drained. A small smile spread across her lips. She wasn't particularly happy, but it was a start. Every story needed its beginning.
As Cho crept upstairs to her bedroom, she noticed the slender, silver bracelet upon her list. Cedric had given it to her as a birthday gift when she turned fifteen. He would always play with it whenever he spoke to her, especially if he grew nervous. She would always laugh and tell him that that bracelet was the very essence of him. It was beautiful to look at, but there was just something awkward about it. Now, as Cho entered her bedroom, she slipped it off her hand and palmed it, her index finger tracing the impeccable craftsmanship of its diamond designs.
Cho turned to the moon, shining brightly through her window, burning a permanent scar onto her soul. A new moon, she thought, a new beginning. With one last glance at the bracelet, Cho opened a small satin trinket box and placed the bracelet inside. She shut the lid immediately, a wave of relief spreading through her small body. Cedric was gone, and with him went her love. It was time for her to move on and start anew.
As she crawled into her bed that night, no sense of guilt haunted her, no sadness enveloped her, no nightmares plagued her. In fact, she couldn't recall ever sleeping more soundly in her life.
XxX
Please r/r and be honest.
This chapter was more or less a prologue, a mere introduction. The next chapter will be much better and contain much more action and dialogue. In fact, in the next chapter, Cho and her mother flee to safety from a rather unexpected source. Cho also discovers the reasoning behind her mother's distant behavior, well, at least, part of it.