Author's Note:
I know there aren't many Cho/Draco shippers, but something about this pairing makes me so intrigued about the potential that I feel is possible. Anyway, thanks for reading.
Juliet:Thanks for the comment! I really see Draco as a warm-hearted soul with a bad boy façade. Hope to hear from you again!
Review and Comment! (Make my day people :D)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters; they are solely the creation of none other than Ms. Rowling herself.
—
Cho scratched her head defeated while her tiny pygmy owl fluttered around the room. "Bugger…" She muttered with a sigh as she tried to catch the little thing.
"Having problems?" Harry asked chuckling as he successfully caught the little scoundrel. "Here you go…"
Cho smiled as she took a hold of her owl. "Thank you. I haven't seen you all day." She said while writing down the address on the package she was trying to send.
"I've been with Ron and Hermione all day. We just came from Hogsmeade." Harry replied.
Cho's eyes stared blankly at the brown box lying in front of her. She wasn't sad that Harry spent most of his time with his close friends, but she just found it a little irritating that he would usually go out with them instead of going out with her. "Oh…" was all Cho replied.
"So what have you been up to?" Harry asked, not keen on noticing Cho's change of expression.
"Nothing really. I've been hanging out with Marietta mostly." She responded as she sent her owl with her package off. "Well, I'm going to get something to eat, do you want to come with?"
Harry quickly tied the package onto Hedwig's leg before turning to look at Cho. "Ah, I just ate." He answered.
Cho gave out a weak sigh before nodding. "Alright then, I'll see you whenever." Irritated, she quickly set foot to the Ravenclaw commons. "He has time for them, but not for his ow—Owww!" Unexpectedly, Cho quickly felt her bum hit the stone, cold floor. Rubbing the side of her hip, she slowly got up; a flight of apologies came rushing out of her as she did so. Her brown hues quickly set themselves on the familiar face she really wasn't in the mood to see.
Draco was coming from the library carrying a stack of books. It was quite the surprise for those around him to see him checkout books from the library, or better yet to be in the library himself. Needless to say, with the difficulty of juggling a stack of books, it was even more difficult to watch where he was going. Another step further, he found himself running into someone. "Bloody murder!" He hissed to himself as he quickly stacked the fallen books on the floor. Before Cho could even say a word, his eyes quickly fixed on her flustered frame. "Do you not know how to walk? Do you need lessons?" Draco asked a little irritated. Cho wanted to take back her apologies and shove them right back down her throat. She chose to further ignore the prat than to say another word for fear that she could say something that would cost her house to lose more points. Dusting herself off completely, she tried to walk away, but Draco was fast to make her wait. "Where do you think you're going? Aren't you rude."
"I have to go meet up with a professor. I'm already late." Cho lied as she tried to grab her arm away, but failed.
"Well while you're on your way, why don't you carry these for me. After all, it's the least you could for all this." Draco replied as he tightened his grip on her arm. "Well…what are you waiting for?"
Cho sighed to herself as she knelt down to pick up the books, but only to be stopped by a familiar voice. "Malfoy, let her go." Harry exclaimed as he saw what was happening in front of him.
"Ah, why isn't it the boyfriend himself come to save his princess." He spat as he pushed Cho's arm away, causing the girl to be pushed aside. "Trying to be her knight and shining armor huh?"
"Malfoy leave her alone!" Harry responded with fists clenched. Turning his attention to Cho for a split second, making sure she was alright, he quickly said, "Cho, go" before setting his flaming greens back on the slytherin.
Cho, a little bit worried, left quickly walking the opposite direction.
—
"AH!" Draco hissed painfully as he sat patiently, waiting for Pansy to finish treating his cut. "AH! Bloody hell Pansy! Do it slowly!"
Pansy simply raised a brow and pulled her hand back. "Can't believe you allowed Potter to do this to you."
"I didn't have my wand with me" was all Draco said as he hissed in pain. His stone, grey orbs looked at the fiery pith, irritated. "If only I knew what him, that weasel, and that mudblood were up to." He spat. "He'd know better than to be so proud."
"Hold still, will you!" Pansy ordered as she dabbed the cotton ball lightly on the corner of his lip. "Next time, bring your bloody wand."
Blaise, tossing an apple in his hand, had walked down from the dormitory, finding interest with what was going on. "Eww you two need to get a room."
"Zip it Zabini" Draco spat, eyeing Blaise, irritated.
Blaise simply chuckled as he slumped on the couch opposite to them. "What happened to you?" He asked as he studied Draco closely. "Oooh..that's going to hurt when you tongue Pan—"
"Blaise! Shut up or I'll bloody damn well hex you before you could even think about shagging someone." Pansy cut in, slightly annoyed.
Blaise simply shook his head. Biting a piece of the apple, he leaned forward to take a hold of one of the books stacked on the table. "Since when did you speak Chinese?" Blaise asked out of curiosity.
Being done with Pansy's non-delicate touch and Blaise's assholyness coming alive like always, Draco stood up, pushed Pansy's hand away and walked over to where Blaise sat and snatched the book back. "None of your business." He simply retorted as he took the rest of the books and made his way to the dormitory.
"Geeze, what's wrong with your boyfriend Pans." Blaise asked as he bit into his apple.
Pansy simply sighed, irritated and stood up. "He's not my boyfriend." She replied through gritted teeth, before making her way towards the girl's dormitory.
Blaise shook his head, amused with the fact that he could really push people's buttons. "Fine! Whatever..Geeze..just trying to make decent conversation." He muttered to himself before exiting the commons.
Draco, on the other hand, sat himself comfortably on his silky sheets. Sitting up against the wall, he quickly brought the books close and opened the notebook to the page he was working on. He had been in the library all day trying to translate the first page of the notebook. "Zhia..no..wait, is that even supposed to be a 'Z'? Ah!" He mumbled as he flipped through pages and switched books from time to time. "Ok, I think I got it!" He added a little bit excited as he scribbled down the rest of the words. Proud of his achievement, he closed the notebook and all the books shut, before leaning back to read the translated version of the first page of the notebook.
To my beautiful Qiu,
The moment that you came into the life of papa, I could never find the words to explain how blessed and thankful I am. Who would've thought that the fates would bestow me such a wonderful gift. Your eyes shine bright like your mother's and your smile like hers in the summer morning. And as I hold you in my arms, I could tell how special you would be when you grow up.
Qiu, my darling Qiu, I write to you not because I want you to remember me, but I want you to remember how much I love you, even from the moment you have been given to us in this world. Perhaps you will understand as you read my story—our story. And I promise, we will one day go and chase butterflies in the field.
You and me.
Forever loving,
Z.L.
Draco blinked after finishing. He did not have any clue as to who this Qiu was nor did he have a clear idea about Cho's relationship to this Z.L. Is this Z.L Cho's father? Or is it just a coincidence? It wasn't a big deal but the mystery behind the notebook piqued his interest. He wanted to find out what the notebook has to say. He was determined to decode the messages. Perhaps it would be a useless case, but Draco was simply curious. Translating the messages would probably help him find out if the notebook belongs to someone he knew—perhaps to Cho. Hearing footsteps populate the room, Draco immediately pushed his things aside and got ready for bed.
—
"Green or Blue? Maybe Blue, huh?" Marietta asked as she indulged herself with the dresses her mother sent her. "Cho. Cho. Cho!" She called out to her friend, noticing the blank stare in her eyes.
Cho blinked and nodded. "Ah..yeah…what? Oh the dress, right. Blue." She replied, having no interest in what was going on.
Setting her things aside, Marietta sat close to her friend. "Cho, something's bothering you. Don't even pretend. Is it Harry?"
"No, goodness, no. I've just been thinking about certain things lately…" she paused, hesitating for a little before continuing her train of thought. "About Cedric." Cho softly added; her voice quivered a little as she spoke.
Marietta frowned slightly and laced both arms around her friend. "Come here…" She simply whispered as she cradled her best friend. "Cedric's in a better place. He wouldn't want to see you like this."
Cho remained quiet as she looked out the window. It's during times like this that she needed Cedric. She needed his assurance. It was Cedric who brought her closer to the very person she didn't expect she'd ever meet, but now, he was also gone and the only thing that linked them was lost—was out there somewhere. Tears silently streamed down her cheeks as she leaned on Marietta. "Thank you…" She whispered solemnly.
The next day proved to be a sunny day. Cho squinted through her sheets as the sun shone brightly through the window. "Rise and shine princess!" Marietta greeted while trying to pull the girl out of her bed. "Come on! Let's go!"
"Give me one more minute!" Cho groaned as she tucked her blanket closer to her body. "Or you can go."
"Let's go before the three broomsticks is filled to the brim again! Come on Cho Chang!" Marietta replied. Without another word, she quickly grabbed a hold of Cho's sheets and pulled them towards her.
Cho was pulled in with the sheets and found herself falling off the bed. "Hey! What was that for?" She asked slightly annoyed. "Alright! Give me a few!" She added, before marching herself to the bathroom.
"Aren't you looking cute!" Marietta complimented as Cho stepped out of the bathroom wearing a tight-waist floral dress that fell down to about three inches above the knee. She wore black tights to tie the outfit together and polished it down with a pair of yellow Mary Jane pumps. Her hair was tied up into a high ponytail. With that, she also wore a thin yellow headband to finish the whole look.
"Thanks." Cho replied smiling as she followed Marietta out.
The trip to Hogsmeade took less than an hour. As the rest of the students went their separate ways, so did Marietta and Cho. "Where's Harry?" Marietta asked as she snacked on her pastils.
Cho simply shrugged wondering why she and Harry rarely go on these trips together. "He's probably with Hermione." She replied. A little tint of jealousy was obvious in her response.
"Woah. Wait! But you guys are dating! What's he doing with her?" Marietta asked curiously.
Another shrug came from Cho as she led the way inside the three broomsticks. "They're just good friends" was all she replied before quickly making her way to one of the tables in the corner of the room.
"So what are we having la'ies?" The familiar waitress asked.
"Two butterbeers and a basket of lemon pockets please." Marietta asked as she laid her coat neatly behind her. Turning her attention back to Cho, she asked "so what if they're just good friends. He should know better than to put you second. You're the girlfriend for Merlin's sakes!"
"I'm not bothered by it." Cho lied. She wasn't bothered by it a lot, but it did bother her to some extent.
While people of different sizes, ages, and race conversed inside the inn, a few more students entered. Cho and Marietta, engrossed in their own conversations, did not notice the group of students that sat next to their table. "To think that someone who lives in London would know what tacky shoes meant." Pansy commented as she sat to the chair closest to Cho.
Marietta and Cho broke into silence, blinking as they heard Pansy's comment. "Excuse me? And to think that someone who lives in London would know what common courtesy is." Marietta retorted as she looked at Pansy with annoyance. "Oh, wait, never mind, you're the one to be excluded in that pool; I forgot." She added.
Pansy blinked appalled and quickly sat up on her chair. "Why you little bi—"
"Pans come down. They're not worth your time." Blaise interrupted as he waved a waitress over. "Just enjoy your birthday in peace."
"Let's go move to another table. I'm not going to have little miss 'I'm so bloody well perfect' ruin our day." Marietta hissed as she stood up. Cho simply nodded and followed after her.
—
Draco didn't want to go out to Hogsmeade, but Blaise—being the best at pulling out the guilt in people—pulled him into going. Stepping inside the three broomsticks, he quietly sighed to himself as he scanned the room, trying to find his friends. The inn was definitely packed as he maneuvered his way inside. Not paying close attention to anyone or anything, a loud crash suddenly came hurdling his way and sooner than expected the boy was covered in butterbeer. The whole room seemed to stop and stare at the commotion. Draco, embarrassed, grunted to himself as he moved to a table to grab a few napkins to wipe his mess. He heard a few apologies from the waitress, which made him irritated even more. "Watch where you-" he paused upon seeing a familiar face. "You!" He pointed out.
Cho blinked in alarm realizing whom the waitress had bumped into. It was her fault to begin with, not watching where she was going as she bumped into the waitress and alas proceeded with the domino effect, which ended with Draco having a huge butterbeer stain on the front of his shirt. Wanting to get out of there as quick as possible, she tried to pull Marietta towards the door, but instead was quickly stopped by Draco's voice. "Ah..Ah..I'm sorry.." She tried to apologize, but the look on Draco's face showed his fuming irritancy towards the girl. Draco threw the napkin aside and quickly grabbed Cho's arm. Marietta, in a panic, tried to pull her friend away and reason with Draco, but his grip on Cho was far stronger than Marietta's and he simply did not listen to reason. Cho's worried eyes tried to ironically assure Marietta that she'll be fine as she followed Draco for fear that he'd do something far more embarrassing to her than a simple butterbeer stain on her dress. "Where are you—"
"Shut up!" Draco rudely shouted as he pulled Cho towards the secluded area of the village. Once out of sight, he quickly pushed the girl aside. "I've had it with you!"
Cho stumbled a little but quickly caught her footing as she grabbed a hold of a railing. "I said I was sorry. It was –"
"Save it!" He instantly cut in as he looked from Cho to his shirt. "This is an expensive shirt!"
"It's just butterbeer. It'll come off; here let me get my wand! If you also want, I can buy you a new shirt. Now please, I have to go back to Marietta or she'll think you hexed me to oblivion." Cho pleaded.
"I don't mind doing that to you at this rate. Let her think the truth." He so confidently replied. "If you weren't so clumsy and stupid, I wouldn't have a problem." He added.
Before Cho could reply, a familiar voice echoed loudly in the background. "Harry…" She mumbled to herself as she turned around to see if he was close behind.
"Damnit!" Draco muttered as he, himself, heard the familiar voice. Not saying a word, he quickly grabbed Cho's wrist and dragged her onward
"Where are you taking me?" Cho asked in a panic as she tried to pull herself away from Draco.
"I said shut up!" He hissed through gritted teeth; his grip on Cho escalated into a mid-violent one. "I'll really hex you if you don't shut up."
Cho, knowing what's good for her, kept her mouth shut as she allowed Draco to drag her far from the village and into the deep forest. "Do you at least know where you—"
Draco simply gave her an irritated look, making the girl bite her lip and lower her head.
The town's chaos slowly faded as the two walked deeper into the forest. And while the day seemed brighter and apparent, it seemed to get darker for Cho.
