A/N: This is my first Harry and Hermione shipper fanfic. I hope you guys like it. Just to let you know I will start every chapter with a song and end it with a quote that can relate to the chapter. If you are familiar with the song on top and have it somewhere I'd advice you to listen to it while you read the chapter. It really makes it so much more touching and it allows you to put yourself in the position of the character. Just something to help make your reading more enjoyable!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, anything at all. Not the Harry Potter or all the brand names or any popular events, issues and what not. I only want to disclaim once in this story so I really totally own nothing except the plot! In the latter schools might be named I have no affiliations with them either. This is my disclaimer.

Summary: She loves him, he doesn't know but he loves someone else, and she loves this guy—you just can't win. What if love doesn't have to be written in the stars but in your eyes and the only people that can see it are the people around you? Let the third war begin.

How can I tell if you mean what you say

You say it so loud but you sound far away

Maybe I've had just a glimpse of your soul

Or was that your shadow I saw on the wall?

I'm watching you disappear

But you, you were never here

Its only your shadow, never yourself

Its only your shadow, nobody else

Its only your shadow, here in the room

Arriving too late, leaving too soon

(Shadow, In the Zone, Britney Spears)

(Cho's Point of View)

Who would've thought that seventh year would start out so strange?

I look at my boyfriend who is a few tables from me and seems to be in a rather heavy conversation with his friend. I believe he feels my eyes on him because he looks my way and smiles at me. I, of course, return the smile but notice the expression on his face.

His scar is bothering him again. He's worried and I know why.

No, it's not for the good of the entire magic community.

And it is most definitely not for the school.

He's worried about her, again. And he won't stop worrying about her, because with her not by his side he cannot protect her.

And I know that his red haired friend is worried as well. Whenever I am with them, they always seem to be talking about her. It is a shock to them because it is so unlike her not to start the school year behind the rest of us.

"She'd go to school earlier than the rest of us if Dumbledore allowed it." Ron would put in.

But after their jokes have been told, both Luna and I can see that they're really worried about her. It was already October and she still had not arrived.

Why would these things be invading my thoughts? Probably because they are all I think about. You can't blame me though, it's not everyday that your boyfriend's best mate is actually a female. And with bushy hair or not she was still a little attractive.

But Harry has assured me that he's just worried about her. 'Practically siblings', he says. Often times that settles me but lately she seems to be our topic of discussion. Most of his stories are about how she is so intelligent and just won't stop reading. And even when we talked about Ron's parents she managed to be the topic we ended with.

It's Hermione or nothing. He's made it perfectly clear that he needed her in his life, they both did.

And Luna seemed to be fine with it. In fact, she was quite close to Hermione as well and there were days that I just want to scream and tell them all to stop talking about her because it's quite sickening really. I've never seen a group of people talk about just one person every day.

Luna Lovegood, she is a lovely girl really. A little messy on the edges but she and Ron were practically made for each other. The people in our year seem to think they are quite the couple. Sometimes, I kind of wish that they would say things like that about Harry and me. But they never do. And Luna was happy with Ron and Ron was completely smitten with her, I have to admit they are cute together. And she doesn't seem to mind the fact that one of Ron's best mates is a girl.

But Harry's relationship with Hermione is so much deeper than Ron's. Hermione knew practically everything about him. Most of us thought that she knew Harry better than he knew himself.

And with or without Luna and I the boys needed Hermione in their lives. Luna accepted that, I wasn't sure. We were "the" girlfriends. And she? Well, she was Hermione. And that simply said everything.

"You alright, Cho?" Luna's soft voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and the first thing I saw was her big eyes practically boring a hole into me.

"I'm fine Luna, just thinking." I nodded.

"You sure? You just seem a little preoccupied at the moment." She said carefully. I think she didn't want me to think she was prying, which she wasn't. It was in Luna's character to care regardless of how different she seemed to be.

"Just thinking." I said again and looked back at the Gryffindor table. The two boys seemed to be constantly looking at the door. And I had a gut feeling I knew why.

She's arriving.

"Let's get out of here." My friend Marietta stands up with the rest of our group. I finally get the strength to push Harry from my thoughts.

I begin to look around to see that about four people from my year have stood up from their seat heading for the exit. I assume that they are all headed for Hogsmeade since we were old enough to go every weekend, now. And because it was Saturday a lot of the male students were rushing to the joke shop to see and purchase the Weasley Wheezes Wingbats. I'm not too sure on what it is exactly but I remember Harry trying to explain it to me.

"You coming?" Marietta places her hand on my shoulder. I looked up at my best friend.

"Nah," I shook my head.

"Oh yeah, going to snog the-boy-who-lived are you?" She teased but I couldn't find it in me to laugh at her joke. "Are you alright?" She said her tone completely changing from joking to dead serious. "Would you like me to stay?"

"Of course not." I shook my head furiously. "I'll be fine here." I reassured her. She didn't seem to be convinced. "I'll be fine. Harry and I will probably go there a little later this afternoon."

"Good." She decided not to go any further into the conversation, because she already knew what I was thinking about. "It's not worth you thoughts, Cho."

"I know," I sighed, "I know." I watch my friend leave the table quickening her pace to catch up with the rest. She is right though it is not worth it. I turn back to my table and smile at Luna.

"It's okay to be jealous, Cho. But trust him." She smiled, stood up from the table and walked to the Gryffindor table.

"She's here! She's here!" I hear Ginny Weasley's above the rest of the noise that is the chatter of the rest of the students. "She's finally here!" I look around to see if anyone else is looking at the excited girl. But everyone else seems to be minding their own business and most of them seem to be enthralled in rather interesting conversations.

I look and see that Harry's eyes light up.

"I saw her carriage!" Ginny motioned for them to follow on after her. Both boys stood up and ran to her. Luna followed her boyfriend with a smile on her face. I stood up from my seat and decide to do the same. We're practically running through the entire school land I manage to catch up with them while they were waiting for the stairs to change. I still trailed after because they all seemed to be filled with energy. When I finally made it to the driveway the Minister of Magic had stepped out of the carriage.

"Good day, Mr. Crouch." Ron greeted him. Barty Crouch eyed all five us suspicion evident in his gray eyes. After he had gone in Ron turned to Ginny and the rest of us did as well. "Really, Ginny, getting us all worked up like that." Ron barked at his younger sister.

"Really, Ronald, you shouldn't speak to your sister in such a tone," a sixth voice put in before Ron could finish what he was saying.

I turn around to see the girl that they had all been waiting for. She was still standing at the edge of the carriage, half of her body still inside. Her hair would probably be the first thing anyone would notice. It was straight, and even with it pulled up in a ponytail you could tell. Her hair looked much lighter now. Her smile was shining, literally, with metal. I glanced at Harry who seemed to be completely taken by the new look of his best friend.

"Don't I get a hug?" She said with a small giggle. She got out of the carriage and shut the door.

"Hermione!" The two yelled like children as they threw they're arms around her. The three of them had a group hug while Ginny, Luna and I were standing there just staring at them. When their threesome time was over Hermione's eyes diverted to Ginny

"Hey there, sister. The boys didn't give you a hard time did they?" Hermione smiled at Ginny whose eyes seemed to be welling up.

"Where have you been?" Ginny shook her head. "I have so much to tell you. Do you know how hard it was to have to live with these guys at the burrow?" She sighed and put her arms around the older girl. And as if on cue, Lavander Brown appeared at the top of the steps.

"Hey there bestest friend." Hermione beamed at the blonde girl. She skipped a few steps before finally giving Hermione a hug as well.

I got really confused when they all started talking at the same time. There were a couple of shrieks that actually made me jump, they came from Lavander I assume.

"Where have you been?" Harry repeated the question Ginny asked a little while back. His voice dominant, finally settling everyone down. He still had not acknowledged my presence.

"I'll tell you all about it later." Hermione said with a tired expression. "Aren't you boys going to introduce me to your girlfriends?"

"Hermione, you already know Luna." Ron reasoned, she had hugged her too just a little while ago.

"Harry?" She looked at my boyfriend with questioning eyes.

"She's inside," He began but Hermione cut him off with a fake cough and eyed me.

"Cho, I didn't see you there." Harry smiled sheepishly as blood went up to his cheeks. I smiled hoping to hide the hurt. "Hermione, meet the girl of my dreams, Cho." He smiled. My heart had forgiven him after he had introduced me in such a way.

"Trust me, I've heard so much about you." She smiled at she put out her hand for me to shake.

"You too," I took her hand and returned the smile.

"Harry talks about you all the time." We said at the same time making us both laugh.

Hermione is the first to recover from the little movie moment we both just had. "You are so much prettier up close. I personally think that you should just break up with Har-"

But before she could finish her sentence Harry had placed his fingers on her sides and began to tickle her. She laughed and tried to push his hand away but he easily picked her up. She was one of the smallest girls in Hogwarts, no, not small. She was actually tall, 5'9 to be exact (yes Harry told me that too). But she had such a small bone structure; she seemed to be as light as a feather. She filled up absolutely nowhere.

"Put me down, Harry!" She shrieked as her fists hit him on the back. He finally put her down and took my hand.

"If you don't mind me asking, what are those?" I pointed to the metal things that seemed to be attached to her teeth.

She placed her hand over mouth as she smiled. "My retainers?" She pulled them off and some kind of lime green plastic seemed to be attached to the metal. "It's a muggle thing, to help align my teeth." She said placing the retainer back in her mouth. There was uncomfortable pause. "Look at me, I'm such a fifth wheel. Why don't you couples hang out and I'll talk to the boys tonight." She smiled as she turned around expecting to see something. "Where are my things?"

"The house elves took it." I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I saw Hermione's face change when I said that.

"Don't get her started on spew." Harry pulled me closer.

"Hey," She looked at him. "It's not spew its—"

"S-P-E-W." Ron and Harry finished for her.

"Idiots." She rolled her eyes, her trademark (that's what Harry said). We did talk about her a lot. "See you lot later." She waved as she made her way into the school.

"Don't you want to hang out with us?" Harry asked he was so good at hiding his excitement to spend time with her. Note my sarcasm, please.

"Really, Harry," Hermione shook her head. "You're with your girlfriends. What am I going to do watch you snog?" She laughed giving each of the boys a kiss on the cheek. "Besides I still have to talk to my girl friends and bond with them. Plus, tonight you both will be all mine." She winked.

"Sounds like a plan." Ron agreed but my own boyfriend seemed to think otherwise?

Why?

His grip loosened.

I can see that he wants to follow Hermione back to their common room. And it breaks my heart to watch his eyes watch her and follow her.

"I'm still here." I whisper hoping that it breaks him from his trance. We were the only ones left. He looked at me as if questioning where Luna and Ron had gone. "They left Harry." I struggled with my feelings trying hard to hide it. "Go spend time with her, I know you want to."

"I am with her." He says. I can tell he's lying. I smile trying to protect our relationship. I know he still doesn't realize what I see in his eyes. And if he doesn't realize it then he can't pursue it or should I say her.

I give him a kiss on the cheek to verify that I am happy with what he just said. But before my lips hit his cheek he turns slightly making both our lips meet. "Let's go to Hogsmeade."

It's sad but true. I am jealous of the girl and I want to do everything to keep her away from my boyfriend well at least while I have some control over it. I'm not this demonic but the thought of losing Harry makes me nervous.

When the words register I can tell that he would rather stay and talk to Hermione. He hasn't really spent time with her in about six months. And the latter three he had absolutely no contact with her.

"She looks so different." He said proudly.

"Her hair is shorter." I confirm. Her hair is not only up to her shoulder. I can't believe that he's talking about her. He doesn't say anything again for a few minutes.

I can't take it anymore. "You know what," I say trying my hardest not to sound upset. "Go to her. I mean she is all you're thinking about and talking about."

I pull my hand away from his. Some boyfriend I had.

Some girlfriend I was, though. I was completely and utterly jealous of his best friend. I felt pathetic and shallow. But I walked away with the little pride I had left from this rather degrading day.

"Cho, wait!" Harry called me from behind. "What's the matter with you?"

"Everything." I say bluntly. I try to stop my tears from leaving my eyes because everyone at school seems to see me as some kind of crybaby.

"Lets go to Hogsmeade." He whispers into my hair, as he gets closer.

I knew he was doing this so that we wouldn't fight. I had won this battle. But it made me feel so much better that he was with me rather than with his "best friend."

"It's your call."

"Come on," He tugged my hand. I allowed my self to be dragged. I did have to make an appearance.

I'm constantly lying to myself. Telling myself that there really is nothing between Harry and Hermione. Because I know how they both feel. I can see it in their eyes. Maybe it's just the fact that as of now I can't see myself with anyone but the guy holding my hand. Surprisingly, the boy I chose to be my "rebound" after Cedric's death is now the boy I want to be with more than anyone else.

And that is why I am going to keep lying to myself.

"If one day I realize that I'll never find someone to spend the rest of my life wit, I hope you'll still be there not to be mine again, but just to remind me that once in my life, I came close."

A/N: Thus ends the first chapter of this story. Does it work? What do you guys think? Please take the time to review. The next chapter is already written but I'm hoping to get my number of reviews before putting up the second chapter. Thank you for taking the time to read my fic. There are definitely grammatical errors that I will overlook but I am already apologizing for that. Thanks again!

God Bless.

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