Chapter 3: Blood and Glory

The days passed, and Cho just sank into a deeper hole of depression. Her friends though because it was closer to the day the Cedric had died but she hardly though about Cedric anymore. Cho had tried to talk to her but was completely ignored and it hurt.

Hermione spent more time wandering the halls and library, were Cho would come pester her to talk to her again but Hermione was not willing to forgive her that easily. Classes were on track, Ron was dating Luna and she spent more time with Harry.

Quidditch season was coming close and Cho was nowhere near ready, she was just off, and they needed her in this next match against Slytherin. They didn't have another seeker. And Slytherin wasn't the nicest team when it came to Quidditch. She had to focus.

Hermione was sitting in the Gryffindor section as the match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin began. Slytherin got an early start and scored first, but Ravenclaw came right back with their own, the score was tied.

The athletes guided their broomsticks as they begun the game, Cho circled the field a few times keeping an eye out for the little golden ball and avoiding bludgers that were being aimed at her, her team was on the lead it was time to move. She spotted the other seeker taking off in a single direction but noticed a flash pass by the other direction he was going in

The fake had no affect on Cho, Hermione smiled as Cho refused to take the bait, and headed toward the glitter in the sky. The Slytherin seeker charged after Cho at a breakneck speed he pushed her but Cho dodged and continued forward.

Cho and the other seeker were shoulder to shoulder, he grabbed on to her jersey and pulled her roughly Cho tried her best to stay on track as the got closer to the snitch. In one desperate attempt she reached her arm out and made a grab, this was her only chance; she had to get it right.

Both seekers hurled down ward, Cho came falling down as she was thrown off her broom. Cho hit the ground hard, everyone watched as she lay on the ground, slowly Cho got to her feet and raised her prize in the air, while she clung to her now bleeding shoulder.

Cho was sent to the nurse's office to get her shoulder repaired no one was allowed to see her the rest of the day. Hermione was really worried about her; she had freaked out when Cho hit the ground. But was relieved when she stood up and held up her prize then passed out.

The shoulder had been repaired but she was sore and still dizzy from blood loss. She had to wait till the nurse released her. Cho lay in the bed bored to death, she was so ready to leave and maybe take a long shower.

Everyone had left the nurses office except for Hermione; she had been pestering the nurse on Cho's condition. Finally the nurse had enough and let Hermione in but only for a few minutes, her patient needed her rest.

Cho was getting restless just lying on the bed but the nurse refused to let her do anything. Hermione came in just as she was about to jump out of the bed. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Hermione took a seat next to Cho. "You scared me out there."

As she adjusted her injury, Cho leaned against the wall the bed was against, "Sorry, I wasn't sure what was going through my head, all I knew was that I had it and I had to hang on to it." There was an awkward silence between them. "Does this mean you forgive me?" Hermione took the raven into her arms and hugged her, "Yes, you are forgiven."

"Good now I don't have to badger you anymore." Cho stayed in her warm embrace. "Cho you can let go now." The raven released her friend. "Sorry spaced out," Hermione laughed. "Okay time to leave, the girl needs her rest." Hermione waved goodbye as Cho laid on her bed.

The nurse released Cho the next day, she wanted to go find Hermione but had to get to her classes, she would find her during lunch when classes were done. Cho got thousands of greeting and how are you feeling, it was giving her a headache.

Hermione watched the sunset as the lake glisten under its orange rays, she never got tired of the view, and "I thought I would find you here." Hermione turned around and greeted her visitor, as Cho took a seat next to the window.

"That was pretty stupid." Cho turned toward her companion, "You mean the fall right?" Hermione nodded wrapping her arms around herself. "Hermione, It just something you have to feel, people do stupid things for the love of the sport."

"Is it really that great?" Cho looked over to her from her seat a small smile appeared on her face, "Yeah it really is, and hey you want to help me study for my next test, kind of need all the help I can get."

As Hermione got out of her class, she spotted brooms zooming at the field, she decided to head towards the stadium and wait for Cho there after practice. She watched all the players warm up.

"Hey, what's with the Gryffindor?" Cho looked over at the stadium and spotted a lone brunette figure taking a seat, "chill guys she's with me." All of her teammates looked at her with a perverted smile. "You guys are idiots."

Cho felt all her motions fall into place; she was pushing herself to do everything right like she was trying to impress someone, particularly her audience. By the time practice was over Cho was exhausted, never had she felt so tired after practice.

Outside the locker room, Hermione had a smile plastered on her face since the practice began; Cho was such an amazing athlete. She was natural in the air. Cho finally came out changed and ready to go. "You did awesome today." Cho blushed and shuffled her feet "Thanks."