Black's Phoenix: Thanks for the review, and critique. Well Dumbledore is indeed the greatest Wizard in the World, but he's not omnipotent, I know in this story HBP never happened, but I point out in that that Snape was able to keep his intentions hidden from him, and Marietta is in this story, very cleaver. She's not exactly working alone, but her ability to cover thins up… well I really have thought about that from the beginning. But I can't say anything about it yet. But trust me, I have already thought of it, and it will come out eventually. Also I was under the impression that the occulemency

Lessons were a complete failure at the end of OOTP, as Voldermort was able to fool Harry, and Dumbledore said it was mistakes to have Snape train him. So I'm going with that premise.

Tiyuri: Good eye about the Filch thing. My little sister didn't get that. But you didn't like the chapter? I wasn't sure how well I could write from Marietta's perspective. I'll try to improve.

Chaos666: Thanks for the review. I hope I can keep it lively for you.

Um… well this isn't the greatest chapter, but I think that Friday will be a few chapters. I know it will not be anyone's favorite, perhaps its more filler.

Take care all.

Chapter 21: Fridays Breakfast.

Cho and Luna sat at the Ravenclaw table together at breakfast trying to keep each other awake. Their little adventure the night before had cost them valuable rest, and now they were both paying for it. They had been at the table for about fifteen minutes when the owls came flying in from the roof with the student's mail. One Brown barn owl dropped three letters, and a package, in front of Cho, and a gray one dropped a letter and an article of the Quibbler in front of Luna. Luna opened the letter to her and read it carefully. Cho looked at her blurry eyed, and asked what the letter said in a sleepy monotone voice. Luna looked at her happily.

"It's from dad! He asks what we thought of the Crumple Horned Snorack. Today is our first care of magical creature's class. I'll be able to right him back tonight. I can't wait! Luna said. Cho's stomach churned. Could she really go through with this? Maybe she should tell Luna the truth. Maybe she should not make herself look bad in front of everyone else, and make an excuse that she was feeling sick, and not show up. No! How could you even think like that Cho told herself. It's your duty to back Luna up. Who cares what other people think of you. You can't disappoint Luna, everyone's going to be laughing at her, and you have to be there for her and tell everyone you see it too. Cho looked at her book for Care of Magical Creatures class, and read the title "Walking with Giants." There was nothing she could do but dread the coming of the class. Cho looked for Harry at the Gryffindor table, and spotted Marietta speaking to a Gryffindor girl with black hair, and olive skin. She gave Luna a poke in the ribs to get her attention.

"Luna, is that that Lori something or other that is with Marietta?" Cho asked. Luna looked in the direction that Cho was pointing, and nodded.

"Yea that's her, she's got four days detention from Professor…Yawn!... Sprout." Luna said, weakly. Luna than looked at Cho. "Um hey Cho, aren't you going to open your letters?" she asked anxious to hear from Cho's cousins. Luna didn't know a lot about the Muggle world, and Cho had shared her letters with her cousin lately with Luna. Cho opened the first one, read it and showed it to Luna. It was from Cho's cousins.

Dear Cho,

What's up with keeping us in the dark about you and Potter, was their really something going on between the two of you last year? You just have to tell us, or else well write your friend Beverly Jones. She seemed really anxious to tell anyone who would listen about it. I can't believe you would keep something this important from your own family. Shame on you! Did you and Potter do any snogging last year? Did he really cheat on you on your first date! I thought he was a great guy; you always spoke so highly of him. We both know that you still like him, and we hope that you two can work things out. There is not much going on here, now, but dad says we may take a trip across the channel to Europe one weekend. Not to France I hope though, those people are so stuck up! I would much rather go to Spain and see the running of the bulls, from a safe distance of coarse ;) or some traditional Spanish Dancing like we saw on the telly this summer. We went to see Aunt Chi yesterday, and she's talking now. She says she's in a lot of pain from the chemo, but I think it's best if your dad writes you about that. We both know that she's going to get better Cho. It's just a matter of time. Keep your chin up. Well write us back soon, and if you could possible… get Harry Potter's autograph for us.

Love your cousins,

The notorious Sally and Ling:D

Luna's eyes went wide. You know I think I remember something about you and Harry and a date last year, but I can't bring it to mind. Did he really dump you fifteen minutes into the date to go see another girl? That doesn't sound like him at all Cho." Luna said in a tired voice. Cho lowered her head.

"It… doesn't matter. I… he likes me now, and maybe we can salvage what we might have had. Besides, I… I probably was boring him. He probably has been with a lot of girls, and I'm not very special. But than again he was looking for me at every meal. Oh Luna I hope he likes me. I'm worried I'm going to do something wrong." Cho stated. Luna gave her a comforting look.

"Cho… I told you, just be yourself. Harry will like you for who you are, because you're a really good person, and so is he." Luna said. She than looked at Cho's package. "Who's that one from?" She asked. Cho looked down at the package, and tore open it open. It was a large leather bound book, with a letter attached. Cho read the title, "Ancient Goblin to English." Cho opened the book; it was very hard for her to read even a little, with strange symbols, and drawings on one side and the English translation on the other. Her father had learned how to read and write ancient Goblin because a few of his clients preferred that to the more traditional simplified form that was most popular. Cho had learned a little herself, but was nowhere near as good as her father. She read the note that was attached.

Miss Chang,

Since the useless facility of your school hasn't had the foresight to teach ancient Goblin or even simplified Goblin to you and your fellow students, I have sent you this book to start you on your way to better learning the most civilized language in the world. I hope you will get some use out of it. It certainly cost me enough, and as your father has been doing an adequate job here, I thought that you might consider a position with Gringots as well. But don't think I'm making any kind of offer. I'm just saying that if you learn Goblin you might possibly be barely qualified for a job. I hope you don't waste your time at school this year. I'm sure that you don't want to disappoint you father by wasting his money from his overpaid salary. Study the book if you want to get ahead in life.

Good day Miss Chang.

Luna gave a disgusted grunt at reading the letter. "What rude people these goblins are! I've never heard a more hateful letter in my life." She said. Cho gave a weak smile, and turned to Luna.

"Well actually Luna, it was kind of complimentary. It's in the nature of Goblins to be rude, even when they mean to be nice. By saying that dad is doing an adequate job, he's actually saying that dad is doing a great job, and by suggesting that I might be barely qualified, he's saying that I would probably be good. You'll never hear a direct kind word from a goblin Luna. Luna gave a nod of understanding.

"That's weird Cho. But I guess it's their culture. Who's the last letter from?" She asked.

"Cho opened the last letter and read it to herself, and tears started to stream down her face as she reached the end.

Dearest Cho,

How have you been doing at school? I hope that your marks are improving over last year, and that you're able to concentrate this year. Remember your mother and I are counting on you to do well. You're the first Chang to go to Hogwarts, and I want you to bring honor to the family. It would make us look very bad If we had a daughter that had to take a summer course to make up, and miss walking down the isle at graduation. Also it would be worse to have to tell the other Wizards, and Witches in Motherwell that our daughter had her wand broken because she couldn't pass school, and didn't even make high enough marks to finish school in a summer course. Look, I'm not trying to bring you down, just to remind you that school is important, and that the family saving face is important. I know that it's the most important thing to your mother that you graduate this year.

Works been very hard and the hours long, but I'm doing a good job if I do say so myself, and I think that the Goblins are noticing. Maybe I will get a raise, or promotion, but to be honest, I would rather have a couple of days off as opposed to either one. Still, it's rewarding enough to know I'm making a difference at work.

Now, I have some bad news for you Cho. I wish we had phones in the Wizarding world, because than I could tell you in real time, and express the emotion that I need to convey to you. Dr. Gardiah has run some more test and found that your mother has some small tumors on her left breast that will require more chemo, and radiation, and a longer stay in hospital. I had hoped to bring her back to the flat this month, but I know that the doctor knows best. Cho I wish that we could go back to the way that things were before. I wish that we could visit China again next year. Do you remember the last time we went? You were only thirteen, and we all had a great time. I've never seen you so excited, wanting to see every part of the country, and watching listening to you and your mum talking about seeing the Water Dragons with such excitement. I've never seen you two so happy. I think that was your best day together.

Listen Cho, Chi will get better, and we will go back to China and see the Water Dragons again. She told me to tell you that she wants to do that with you as soon as she is better. We will go there for your graduation this summer, so study hard.

Love,

Dad

P.S. Remember not to talk about this to anyone, as it's a private family affaire.

Luna looked at the tears, which Cho tried to wipe away from her face with great concern. "What's wrong Cho?" What does the letter say?" Cho looked at Luna, and tried to speak.

"It says… it says..." Cho stammered out, but couldn't finish. She lowered her head, and put it in her folded arms. "I'll tell… you later Luna." She finished. Luna guessed that it was about Cho's mother, but knew that Cho wanted to wait and talk about it later. It made her sad to see her good friend so distraught about something, but Cho had always been so emotionally fragile. Life never seemed to give Cho a break, and Luna knew that she desperately needed one.

Further down the table Marietta had just returned to her seat, next to Danielle and Eric Stanton, a seventh year Ravenclaw boy who had helped pass out leaflets the other day and was annoyed at not being able to wear his arm band. Danielle was holding his hand under table. Marietta was leaning her head to look at Cho. She smiled as she saw Cho with tears in her eyes. "I wonder what she's crying about now." She said. Danielle rolled her eyes.

"Hump! Who knows, she cries about everything. Probably about that dead half-blood boyfriend of hers. Or maybe because she still misses Potter or maybe because she's breathing." Danielle laughed.

"She always was emotionally weak, even before Diggory died. That's why she befriends so many mud-bloods, because she can't do anything right, like chose the right friends. Weak!" Marietta said, her smile widening even more.

"What do you want us to do about Potter? I mean when do you want us to get him alone." Eric asked quietly. Marietta looked around to make sure that they were surrounded by like minded people, and leaned forward.

"Pansy Parkinson is going to skip class next period. I checked and Potter has Defense Against Dark Arts with the Hufflepuffs then. It's taught by my favorite, and his least favorite teacher, Professor Snape. She will wait in the hall for a short time, and go inside and tell Professor Snape that Potter's presents is requested by Filch. Pansy has a note to make it official. Potter and Professor Snape don't like each other, so they will happy to be rid of each others company. She will convince him to go down to the third floor girl's lavatory, the one that's out of order. Oliver Skint and you and I will be waiting for him. We don't need to keep him there but for a minute to do what we have to, but since it will be during class no one should be in the halls. I asked Pansy to avoid going by Filche's office because it's now a "haunt" quite literally for the ghost. Once were done with him in the bathroom just go back to class and make up a lame excuse as to your absence, or go to your dorm rooms and say that you weren't feeling well. But don't tell anyone what happened, even another member of the society. We have to keep secretes even from ourselves if all is to go to plan. But I mean it when I say forget about everything you did today after you do it.

"Moaning Myrtle, the ghost that haunts the girls bathroom will rat us out when she sees what were up to." Danielle said concerned. Marietta tossed her head.

"Leave that to me. I have also anticipated that little detail in advance. Just do your job, when he gets there, and we'll have Potter out of this school and in Irons in Azkaban in good time." Marietta smiled.

Meanwhile over at the Gryffindor table Ron and Harry were eating at the end of the table closest to the Masters, without Hermione, who was at the end closest to the exit to the Great Hall. Harry looked at Ron with a worried expression on his face.

"Err… look Ron can't you two talk this out? It feels really awkward. We've all been friends since we got here, and now… well it just doesn't feel right." Harry finished. Ron gave a sigh.

"Look Harry, I don't have a problem here. This is all Hermione. She was the one who chose not to sit next to us, and she's the one who chooses not to speak to me. She' being a baby, and I'm not going to reward her bad behavior by caving in. Now she's quite welcome to come and sit next to us if she bloody well pleases, but I'm not going to give her any invitation while she's acting like this. I want to date other girls, and I have plenty of time to date her. I don't think that I'm doing anything wrong. If were truly meant to be together, and I believe that we are, than this will all pass. I just want to have some fun and not feel weighed down. Like I said… we have all the time in the world. Ron finished casually. Harry nodded.

"I guess your right. It's just that… I don't know. I thought that since you two had never really dated that you might give it a try. But I understand about wanting to taste the spices of life first. So I thought about making plans to reserve the pitch at four on Saturday, what do you think Ron?" Harry asked.

"Err… do you think that you can make it at five Harry? I'm on the Yule Ball committee tomorrow, and we won't be out until four thirty." He said. Harry gave a raised eyebrow.

"What… why are you on that?" He asked more than a little surprised. Ron turned a little red.

"Well… Luna is on the committee, and she thought that it would be a great way to spend time together. Also there will be no teachers, so you know, maybe we could find a quite place, and kiss. I've never been kissed before, I mean except for Padma on the train platform, and that was on the cheek. Harry smiled.

"Okay Ron. I see your point. Just remember that Quiddich comes first, don't let the Yule Ball get in the way of it. But I don't know how you're going to stand all that girly stuff." Harry joked. Ron gave a cheerful shrug. "Look, I'm going to invite Hermione over here. I'm sure she's just waiting for a friendly invitation that's all." Harry said. "Hey Hermione." Harry shouted. "Hermione!" Harry waved franticly at her, until he got her attention. She looked at him with a blank expression on her face, and Harry motioned for her to sit with him. She looked over at Ron, sitting next to Harry and then back to Harry himself shook her head, and motioned for him to come and sit by her. Harry looked at Ron. "I'll be right back. Maybe I can get her to join us." Harry said. Ron frowned.

"Well don't tell her that I'm sorry or anything. But yea I want her to join us." Ron said. Harry nodded, and went over to where Hermione was sitting with Katie Bell, and Brad Beck. Harry sat next to Hermione.

"Look Hermione, why don't you come and sit with Ron and I. We both want your company." Harry said. Hermione gave him a quizzical look. Is Ron ready to apologize and commit to me?" she asked.

"Err… well no, but he wants you to sit next to us as well." Harry stated.

"Well you can tell him that until he is ready to apologize that I have no desirer to be near him. How can he do this to me?" Hermione asked. Harry shrugged.

"Look Hermione, I don't think that he's trying to do anything to you. He just wants to take it slow for a while. Why don't you agree to go to the first Hogsmead weekend with him, he really wants to go with you." Harry said hopeful that the two of them would make up. Hermione shook her head.

"No Harry, Ron doesn't care about my feelings, and I'm not going to be his sometimes girlfriend. When he grows up, and decides to be with me exclusively than I'll forgive him." She finished.

"Okay, I tried." Harry capitulated. He started to get up.

"Harry! This doesn't affect us. I mean you and me, were still cool. So if you need any help with your Defense Against Dark Arts homework just let me know." Hermione said. Harry turned back to her.

"Well I think Ron could use some help. He was up with it all last night. Maybe you could…"

"It's to late now Harry. It's due last period. I would have to write it during lunch. He should have come to me before now. Maybe this will teach him a lesson and he will come back to me." Hermione interrupted him. Harry nodded.

"Okay Hermione. I'll see you in class. I hope that you two will work this out." Harry said and returned to his spot next to Ron. Ron looked at him.

"Well? What did she say?" He asked anxious.

"She wants you to apologize, and commit to her exclusively, and than she will talk to you." Harry said. Ron gave a discussed look.

"Hump. Well she'll have a long wait. I haven't done anything wrong." He said. Harry heard a loud clinging as Dumbledore at the masters table hit a spoon against his glass, cleared his throat, and stood up ready to give a speech.

"Attention everyone! Your attention please!" He started.