Cho Chang Dursley was really glad to meet her former schoolmate Hermione Granger on Diagon Alley. Cho had a little but prosperous tea shop on Diagon Alley whose second floor acted as the Dursley residence. She was just opening up when she spotted Hermione. She had even invited Hermione to her cafe for tea and some catching up.
They were now seated in the tastefully decorated tea room, Blue Porcelain. Cho asked, "So Hermione, still at the Ministry?"
"Where else," Hermione replied with mock despair and a dramatic eye roll, "But I have to admit, Kingsley Shacklebott is a much better boss."
The two women sniggered. Cho softly asked, "And umm how's the thing with Ron? I read it in the Daily Prophet. I couldn't believe it."
Hermione's shoulders sagged a little. The "thing" with Ron was still a fresh wound and people's sympathy was like salt to that wound. She said, still wincing inside, "No good. We are getting a divorce."
Cho sighs sadly,"And the kids? It must be so difficult for them."
"Well I am taking Rose while Ron is taking custody of Hugo. It's taking a toll on all of us. How is Lana?" Lana Yin Dursley is Cho's eleven years old daughter.
Cho laughs a little," Sleeping off last night's sugar rush!"
I know that one!" Hermione joins in her laughter, "She starts Hogwarts this year, right?"
"Yes,I hope she gets into Ravenclaw!" Cho beams like the proud mommy she feels like.
Hermione clears her throat, "What about your in-laws?"
"Well my mother-in-law looked pleased and my father-in-law looked defeated,"she grins at that memory, "and Dudley accepted it gradually. It was a good thing that letter."
Hermione gives her a knowing look. The Hogwarts acceptance letter is the thing that managed to finally bridge the gap between Dudley Dursley and his wizard cousin, Harry Potter.
Cho continues, "You know Dudley-"
As if on cue her husband enters her little tea shop, looking flustered and agitated. Cho rises from her seat. Hermione turns around, frowning as she stands up too.
"Cho-", he mumbles.
Cho directs him to a seat and summons a vial. Hermione reckons it is a calming draught. She gently coaxes Dudley to gulp the liquid. He does so.
Cho sits beside him and asks, "What's wrong?"
"There was a dead body at our new construction site," he says as the two women gasp out loud, "and they found a wand, or I think-"
Hermione speaks out for the first time since his appearance, "A wand?"
Dudley looks at her bewildered. She is Harry's friend right? "You-"
Hermione reaches out her right hand, "Hermione Granger, Harry's friend. You met me once." She gives him a bright smile, "You were talking about some wand?"
Dudley throws a questioning look at Cho. She nods her head, "She works at the Ministry of Magic. You can trust her."
Dudley takes a deep breath, "They found a wand at the crime scene. The police took it."
Hermione nods her head determinedly. She asks Cho, "Do you mind if I use your Floo network?"
