Author's Note: Here's Chapter 2 of Closure.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series.


Chapter 2: The Awkward Short Conversation

Returning to the familiar welcoming castle of Hogwarts with Marietta, I exited out of Charms class by her side. I think heard her chatting animatingly to me, but her voice seemed distanced from my own thoughts. What was I thinking, you ask? The answer: Christmas break. How was my Christmas break, you question? Well…

Christmas break wasn't cheery as usual for me. My father couldn't come home from an international business trip because he has to work during the holidays. From what my mother told me, he couldn't get off of work when he asked his boss. When my mother announced this, I mostly spend my time in room, trying to hide back the tears that my father didn't come in seven years.

You see, the last time I've seen my father was when I was nine years old. Back then, we used to be a whole family. We were happy back then from what my mother told me. But one day, when my parents had an argument and called for a divorce, they believed that their relationship is over between them. So, ever since then, nothing has been the same since he departed to go on that international business trip. The saddest part is he never says goodbye to me or my mother.

At first, I kept hoping that father would return and we'll be whole again someday. My mother only just gave me sad look, pointing out that a relationship is not easy to mend. But I never wanted to give up hope.

And so every year, I was hoping that he'll come home over the holidays and spend time like we used to. I waited in the spring… waited in the summer… waited in the fall… and waited in the winter. But there was no sign of my father coming home on my family's doorstep. No ring of a doorknob, no father calling to greet us a Merry Christmas. So, in the end, I gave up hope and realize my mother was right. I realize my family will never become one again.

"Hey, Cho, are you listening to me?"

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face Marietta. "What?"

Marietta frowned at me. "You mean you weren't listening to me all this time?"

I bit my lip. God, what am I supposed to say? Tell her the truth? Yes, I didn't listen to you. No, that's a terrible answer. I don't want really want to hurt her feelings. So, maybe I should try this instead…

"Yeah, I was listening to you. It's just that I was thinking about…"

I froze and grew silent when I saw him. Marietta was waving her hand in my face, but I didn't pay the slightest attention to her. I started pacing toward the three Gryffindor students, waving to the boy in glasses. Marietta was crying out something about me moving too fast, but her voice seemed to be too far away to hear.

"Hi, Harry," I greeted with a shy smile.

Harry turned around to face me. He had that nervous (or is it awkward?) look on his face when he saw me. His features seem to puzzle me because sometimes I wonder why Harry acts like this every time we meet face to face. Really, sometimes I wish I know what he thinks about me.

"Oh, hi," he replied in a whisper.

Somehow, hearing him whisper to me causes my heart to skip a beat. It just sends chills down my spine. I don't understand why, but I just only know have that strange feeling every time he does something. Whether he speaks or does something he always does every day, I just feel amused (or is it admired?) at… well, whatever he does. I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe after what happened last time in the Room of Requirement, my emotions about Harry seemed to change in a new perspective… a new light.

In the distance, I believed I heard the girl named Hermione Granger spoke something to Harry about her and her probably her boyfriend going to the library. But that didn't matter to me. What matters is that Harry and I are alone in this deserted corridor. Not even if there are some students passing by and chatting with their friends, we would only see each other. I gaze into his bright green eyes, waiting for him to speak. Then, realizing that he must be thinking the same thing, I decided to break the silence. I spoke the first question that seem to surface from my mind.

"Had a good Christmas?" I asked politely.

I bit my lip after the words escaped from me. Oh, I can't believe what just said. Did I just ask if he had good Christmas? Oh, I hope I wasn't too rude or impolite! Maybe I shouldn't have asked him that question. It just instantly slips out from my mouth, that's all. Maybe… What if he didn't have a good Christmas? Of course, that could be obvious.

From what I heard, Harry has to suffer living with his Muggle relatives. I gripped my textbook tightly in my hands. Oh, I feel so ashamed of myself! I should probably apologize to him for my disrespect. It's supposed to be the right thing to do, after all. Just as I was about to open up again, surprisingly, Harry decided to answer back.

"Yeah, not bad," he replied with that familiar warm smile on his face.

I felt a twisted knot forming inside my heart. There he goes again, attracting me with that smile of his. I felt my lips twitched, forming a smile in return to reflect his. Wow, maybe his smile seemed to be contagious or something, but in a good naturally way.

"Mine was pretty quiet." It was true that my holiday break was quiet, but I can't believe that I told him parts the truth. Wow, definitely Harry isreally affecting me big time for every second we're taking to each other. I felt my cheeks turning pink. Oh, that's two things that instantly slipped from my mouth. Not only that, it happened in just one day! Oh, god! This is so ranked as one of my most top ten lists of embarrassing moments! Hmm… Maybe I'll try clearing up my embarrassment if I mentioned about the upcoming Hogsmeade trip.

"Erm… there's another Hogsmeade trip next month, did you see the notice?"

There, that should drain the color of my embarrassment away. When my face returned to its calm state, I noticed that Harry seemed to be a dazed dreamy trance. I still wonder why he kept looking at me like that. It's starting to scare me a little with him remaining silent. Then, I gave a little cough to awaken his trance. Harry must have heard me because he blinked twice and then searched to find me standing patiently.

"What? Oh no, I haven't checked the notice board since I got back…"

"Yes, it's on a Valentine's Day…"

I gasped and hid my face underneath my curtain of my black silky straight hair. Oh, no! Not again! I just blurted out again for the third time! Oh, why did I just mention that out loud? Oh, probably Harry must have thought I feel so stupid standing there acting awkward in a corridor with him. I don't even understand why this keeps happening to me. I must have set a world record of embarrassing myself. This is so low.

"Right…" I raise my head up and brought my hair tucked behind my ears. When I looked up, I notice Harry was gripping the sleeve of his sweater nervously. My eyes widened. Is he really saying what I think he's saying? "Well, I suppose you want to -?"

"Only if you do," I said, my voice bubbling with excitement. Wow, am I over reacting? God, I feel like a child getting the gift that I wanted and pleaded for so long. Definitely I feel like I total fool of myself. I mean, what kind of teenager am I exactly?

Harry stared at me, frowning like he's trying to figure out what he just said. I felt guilt in my stomach. Maybe it's that breakfast I had this morning. That or maybe…

Maybe I must be jumping into conclusions. Harry could possibly be saying anything that can fill his incomplete sentence. What if he's was actually only mentioning if I want to know the next DA meeting? Well, that could make sense. Oh god, well nice going, Cho. You just had to twist his words up to something you want to expect. That's it! I got to remind myself never to do that again the next time we meet! I waited with abated breath as I heard Harry's reply.

"I – er -"

God damn it! I knew it! Now that I blabbed about the Hogsmeade trip subject, I made him speechless. Great, that's just great! Now I really blew it! He might as well say no or something.

"Oh, it's okay if you don't," I heard my voice controlling over me. Yeah, I may say its okay, but it seriously hurts to be rejected even if I did twist his words a bit. Well, I might as well carry on my way and end this conversation now. "Don't worry. I-I'll see you around," I muttered.

I turned and started walking away from him. Maybe it's better if some things are better to be not spoken about. I can understand that well. I might as well find Marietta again. She's probably wondering where I am.

"Cho! Hey – CHO!"

"What?"

I turned around and stopped in my tracks to see Harry trying to keep his pace up to me. I rubbed my neck, wondering what Harry wants now. What it could it be this time? If he only followed me to waste my time, then I'm not even going to bother listening. Well, this better be good.

"Er – d'you want to come into Hogsmeade with me on Valentine's Day?"

I opened my mouth a little. Wow, so Harry did take the hint. I guess it must have taken all his courage and slowly piece out the puzzle. Maybe he it just takes time for him to process what I said. I replied with a friendly grin, feeling myself blush hard on my cheeks (or maybe it's my entire face? Oh, please! I just hope it's not!)

"Oooh, yes!" I squealed with delight. Great, now I really sound like when I was a little girl getting her sweets! This is just too much for me!

"Right… well… that's settled then," Harry grinned weakly. "So, where exactly do you want me to meet you when we go to Hogsmeade?"

"Well," I spoke softly. "Maybe you should meet me in front of the castle doors. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, great… Well… I guess I'll see you," he waved as he headed to the direction of the far side of the halls.

"Bye," I whispered, waving my hand slightly.

As I lowered my arm down to the side, I felt both a sudden joy and a mixture of confusion. Okay, what just happened there? Did Harry just say he'll come to the Hogsmeade trip with me? Does that mean we're going out on a date? I let my textbook slide from my grasp. Oh my god! Harry just asked me out!