Hello everyone! Witness the majestic return of Kenzie, back to writing again!
This story is for the third round of the Diagon Ally II Forum Battle Challenge. For those of you that are not here from the forum, this is my first and probably last Cho/Ced/Harry story, and I apologize for the possible clunkiness due to the challenging prompts (thanks, Shane). I'll also take out the underlining when this is over as it's just plain tacky.
And A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE for the lovely Lady Arturia (ArtOholic), who looked this over at the last minute EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD AN EXAM. Arty, you're the queen of everything.
For those of you that are here from the forum, here are the prompts + points, along with conditions, used in this story as given (all prompts are underlined in the story):
Pairing Prompt: Cho/Cedric/Harry (7 points)
Word Prompts: suave (1), roses (1), chocolate frog (1), grave (1) (used in this order) (4 points total)
Character Prompts: Seamus (6, allows for extra word prompt), Fred (5), Harry (4), Draco (6) (used in this order) (21 points total)
Potion Prompts: Amortentia (4) + symbolism (5) (9 points total)
Spell Prompts: Episkey (4, must be used by a Gryffindor), Silencio (1, allows for the use of extra dialogue prompt) (5 points total)
Dialogue Prompts: What can you do when the one who broke your heart is the only one who can fix it? (3) + If you truly loved me you would let me sleep (3) (6 points total)
Theme Prompt: Valentine's Day (10 points, negates 2 word prompts)
Points in total: 62
Extracts from the diary of Cho Chang.
February 13, 1993
Well, tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Honestly, the number of people that have asked me to be their Valentine since Seamus Finnigan is ridiculous. I wish Seamus hadn't asked first, or I would definitely have said no. Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against Seamus, but he isn't really my type, and anyway, guess who's asked since? Roger freaking Davies, that's who. You know, Roger, the bloke I've fancied since I came to Hogwarts. If there was any way that I could graciously tell Seamus no, I would. Alas for my kind, gentle nature. (Yes, I'm joking).
February 14, 1993
True to premonition, a horrible day. I shan't go into much detail as it really isn't necessary to make myself relive that. Seamus took me to Madam Puddifoot's, which wasn't a good idea in the first place as I don't really like the shop much, but he wanted it to be a surprise and wouldn't tell me where we were going until we were practically there. We sat at the table and made little, if any, conversation. Then in came Seamus' friends, the Thomas fellow and one of those Weasley twins, and what does my considerate date do but get up and greet them in tones to make every head in the room turn! I was outdone.
"Do you even want to be here with me?" I demanded, grabbing Seamus' arm.
"Oh, hasn't he told you?" asked the Weasley—Fred, I believe, from their conversation.
"Told me what?" I demanded, turning to Seamus, who was glaring at Fred.
"It was just a bet," said Fred, unabashed.
I turned to Seamus, who shrugged shamefacedly. I was furious. I left the shop immediately, and he hasn't even tried to apologise since. Git. What a waste of a good holiday.
February 14, 1994
Well, this Valentine's Day has been amazing—much better than last year's, at least. I know I shouldn't compare them, and I've long since forgiven Seamus—what guy doesn't like to show off in front of his friends?—but I can't help it.
I am currently sitting on the floor, with Ced sleeping next to me, and I can smell roses and his freshly washed hair. Cedric is romantic, yes, but he isn't sappy; he's just himself, and he never tries to be sexy or suave.
We didn't go to Madam Puddifoot's. We've been there once before, but although I didn't tell him, he somehow figured out that I hate the place, with all its romantic rubbish. Bless him. People do go there on a Valentine's Day date around here, it's the thing to do. But not us.
I know it sounds like rubbish, but every now and then you find a completely empty, unused room in Hogwarts. Cedric found one, and he also found a way to sneak into the kitchen unnoticed and ordered us dinner. It wasn't much, and it wasn't even strictly romantic, but it was Cedric, and for that reason alone, I love it.
He told me he didn't have a proper gift, so he gave me roses and an old chocolate frog, which made me laugh, because we both know I hate chocolate. It's a gag gift, obviously. We sat on the floor to eat, and he lit a candle as it grew darker.
We talked into the evening, and as time passed, Cedric became drowsy. He has been so tired lately, poor boy, no doubt worried about the tournament. I tried to talk to him a minute or two ago, but he reached up to cover my mouth and muttered, "Cho, if you truly love me, you'll let me sleep."
"Cedric," I said, "it's Valentine's Day. It's special. We should be talking, not sleeping."
"Hush, or I'll Silencio you."
So I hushed, and pulled out this journal, which I now carry with me, for every moment is precious these days and I never know when the fit of writing will take me. And here I am. Is this what love is, when everything a person does or says is dear to you? When their presence makes things tolerable and lovely? When everywhere you go the world is colored Cedric? If so, then I think I may be in love.
February 14, 1995
Well. I thought my worst valentine was Seamus, but it turns out I was wrong. Today was, by far, the worst Valentine's I've ever had or dreamed I'd have.
Here's how it went: I had decided long before the actual day that I wanted to go out with Harry. You know, Harry Potter, the boy wonder. I practically had to make him ask me, but that's what I expected. Harry's clueless and can be very shy.
Things went wrong from the very first. I've no idea why I suggested Madam Puddifoots'. I had a vague idea that it might make things less awkward, but it only made them worse. Harry refused to look me in the eye and talk, and Roger—you know, my ex-boyfriend Roger—was only a few tables away with his new girlfriend, a sassy Gryffindor. No, let me rephrase that, a large-chested sassy Gryffindor. Roger asked me out a couple of weeks ago, but as I said, I was determined to ask Harry.
Why go to all this to get Harry to go out with me, you ask? Well, I know Harry likes me. And I've fancied him since before Ced and I got close, and well, he's the only person that can understand how I feel about Cedric. At least, that was my reasoning. For some reason I didn't take into account the thing that I should have known all along—Harry's a boy, and we all know that they hate talking about feelings.
Anyway, I spoke very harshly to him, and I feel bad about it, I really do, but it was never going to work out with the two of us, I think. I miss Cedric too much, and every time I see Harry I think of him. It's not poor Harry's fault, but still, he was a horrible Valentine.
I wish that that were the end of this rather unpleasant day, but alas, it isn't. I've the worst luck.
On my way back to school, I heard running feet behind me and turned to see Roger Davies running to catch up with me. I wasn't at all in the mood to talk, and there's a reason that I broke up with Roger (he's a drama queen).
"Not right now, Roger," I said, turning away from him.
"Are you okay?" he asked insistently.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Go back to your girlfriend."
He looked hurt. "Cho, you're the first person I asked out."
"Yeah, Roger. Whatever. Just leave me be."
I heard a taunting whistle from behind me and turned to look. And my day got worse. Who should be coming up behind but the infamous Draco Malfoy and his faithful followers.
"Looks like the lady doesn't want your company," Malfoy said, taunting as always. "Maybe you should let her be."
I don't know what else Malfoy might have said; he didn't get the chance. My wonderfully chivalrous ex-boyfriend went to my defense. But instead of using his wand, like any normal person (or wizard, I suppose) the idiot went for him with his bare hands.
The end result of that little confrontation was that Roger ended up with a broken finger. Malfoy did have Crabbe and Goyle, after all. I think Roger's girlfriend may have tried to perform the Episkey spell on him. I don't know, I don't care. All I wanted was to come back here to my room, and cry.
I can't help thinking about the fact that at one point in time, all I wanted was a date with Harry Potter. Now all I want is Cedric back.
February 14, 1996
The most popular sentiment on Valentine's Day is, "I don't have a Valentine." The second most popular sentiment on Valentine's Day is, "Quit whining because you don't have a Valentine."
Valentine's Day is just another one of those holidays Muggles created so they could make money off of cards and flowers. It's just another day in the year. You can do romantic things any other day, not just that day. At least that's my take on it.
Today, I don't have a Valentine. And that's okay. I can have a Valentine tomorrow, or next month, and it will be just as special. And anyways, my last three Valentine's Days are days that I don't really like to look back on, and I had a Valentine on each and every one of them.
I have made an Amortentia potion once, last year in potions class. And in it I smelled the scent of roses, of chocolate, and of freshly washed hair. I guess I know who my Valentine is this year. What can you do when the one who broke your heart is the only one who can fix it? Especially when he is gone and there's no chance of return. Just a little bit of my heart lies in Cedric's grave.
I still love you, Cedric. This is for you.
Thanks for reading, lovelies. Please review.
-Kenzie