Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Plan
"I've got it!" Cassandra exclaimed.
"Got what?" Hermione asked bewildered at Cassandra's sudden outburst in the middle of the hall on Monday before they were going to Doubles Potions.
"Oh nothing, nothing..." Cassandra trailed off.
She finally had the perfect plan to make a fool out of Cho and her little friends but also – just maybe get Hermione and Harry back together. Of course she didn't want Hermione to know about it. That would completely spoil everything! Cassandra grinned to herself and slid into her desk happily in Potions. "WHAT has got you so happy today Cassi?" Hermione asked, even more bewildered than before.
"Oh nothing, nothing..." Cassandra said again.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and then opened up her bag to bring out her books and parchment.
Snape was at the front of the room wearing his usual frown, and once again taking making sure that his hair was extra greasy. Cassandra was chewing her gum again, same as usual. She watched Snape's beady black eyes turn towards her and ignored them.
"Miss Taylor! If that is gum then I want it to be spit out this instant! If I haven't told you once I've told you a hundred – no – thousand times not to have gum in my dungeons or anywhere else in this castle! Do I make myself clear?" Snape shouted.
"Crystal," Cassandra replied with a smirk.
"Well then, what are you waiting for? Spit it out!" Snape commanded as Cassandra stayed perfectly still in her seat.
"I've already swallowed it," Cassandra replied with a bored look.
Snape's beady eyes narrowed quickly.
"Very well then," he said shortly.
Through the rest of Potions Cassandra barely raised a hand. She was thinking about her perfect plan so much that she was almost becoming obsessed.
"Come on Cassi! Something has you up and jumping. When will you tell me what it is?" Hermione said as they walked out of the room.
"I don't know what you're talking about Hermione! I'm not 'up and jumping'. I'm walking and talking," Cassandra replied sweetly.
"Well, you're always talking, that's for sure," Hermione replied.
"Oh, gee, thanks so much," Cassandra said with a fake pout.
"Any time babe," Hermione replied laughing.
Wednesday night Cassandra had gone to bed early. She was 'working' on something, so she told Hermione so that she could find some quiet time to sneak upstairs and 'work' on what she had to do. Just as she slipped under her warm covers of her four poster, Hermione came into the room with her face slightly pink.
"Have fun?" Cassandra asked.
"Oh, Ron and I were playing Exploding Snap. It was a riot!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, that's cool," Cassandra replied.
"Are you ever going to tell me about your little secret?"
"What secret girl? I HAVE no secret!"
"Yeah right. Come on Cassandra Nicole. It's written all over your face and don't even try to hide it."
"Okay, fine. If I do have a secret, then I'm not about to spill it. Anyway, the way I look at it, this little secret of mine is going to benefit you, so just keep your mouth shut."
"Gotcha. All right, I hear you."
"That's better."
"Well, goodnight Cassi. I'm long due for a hot shower. I think I still smell like an Acne Growing Potion."
Cassandra laughed.
"Good night Hermione."
Then as Hermione slipped into the showers, Cassandra fell into a long, dreamless sleep.
~*~
Cho Chang stroked Harry's cheek softly right after Astronomy. She pushed her purse up on her shoulder and smiled a very satisfying smile to herself.
Harry's just got to ask me to the Spring Fling! And when he does, I'll be the most popular girl in school!
Cho chuckled to herself.
Hey, even Rita Skeeter will get something out of this. Harry Potter and Cho Chang, Together at Last! Oooh, sounds too much fun! Well, that's the way it should be. It's about time Harry realized that that good for nothing Hermione Granger was just an all books girl. I've got Quidditch talent, grace, beauty, intelligence – and so much more! Harry doesn't know what he's been missing, but that's all about to change. He just has to ask me to that dance! I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't!
Cho sat down at a table, waiting for Lydia and Shiree to show up when she saw something sticking out of her purse. It was a letter!
I wonder who it's from...
Cho impatiently ripped open the letter and saw a message that made her squeal with delight. It said:
Dear Cho, You were right. How could I have been so stupid? Hermione was completely wrong for me and now that I know that, I want you to go the Spring Fling with me. You're completely perfect. I love everything about you. Please meet me before the Spring Fling starts. I need you to meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Don't forget. I need to tell you something there. So, please come. Don't tell a soul. I want it to be kept a total secret. Do it for me. When we're ready, we'll tell the world! So come. And don't be late. I want us to make a grand entrance at the Yule Ball. Love Forever, Harry Potter
Cho grinned a huge grin. She put her hands to her face, not daring to believe what just happened. She was breathless and her face was pink with excitement. But she knew that Lydia and Shiree would be arriving any moment, together, following her around. Cho put on a frown. Did those two have nothing better to do than follow Cho all the time.
Must be where they get such good taste for robes...
That thought made Cho feel a lot better and she put the letter in her purse and took out her Herbology equipment. Just as she finished, Lydia sat down breathlessly at the table.
Cho look up with a bewildered glance.
"Hey. What's up with you? Where's Shiree? You guys are like totally always together, and you even go to the bathroom together, like all the time. Where the freak is she?"
"Shiree? Oh, heaven knows. I was just very busy and time flew away," Lydia said very mystically.
Cho arched an eyebrow and quickly rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," she impatiently said. "I had a real romantic goodbye with Harry in Astronomy. I'm positive that he will be asking me to the Spring Fling."
Lydia looked at Cho quickly with a bit of hatred and amusement. Then the expression vanished.
"Oh yes. I'm quite sure he'll ask the most perfect girl. I mean, we all know he has good taste," she quickly said.
"He didn't before! Could you believe that he actually like that freak, Hermione Granger? I mean, seriously. She's okay enough, but why would he like her, when he knew me?"
"He liked you in our 4th year, but you had to go to the Yule Ball with Cedric Diggory, remember?"
"Who cares about Cedric?"
"You were crying when you found out he died though!"
"Uh, look! I don't care about Cedric, got that? Cedric was just a pretty face. Now that I've got Harry, Cedric means squat!" Cho shouted.
"Okay, whatever," Lydia said bored.
"And what was that supposed to mean?" Cho asked with her eyes narrowing.
"Nothing, nothing..." Lydia trailed off. She looked up quickly and then said, "Hey! Shiree's here!"
Shiree ran into the Greenhouse and dropped her stuff with a thud.
"Why is everyone rushing around today?" Cho asked, again bewildered.
"No idea," Lydia said looking at Shiree.
"Am I late?" Shiree asked breathlessly.
"No. Class was just about to start. What took you so long?" Cho asked.
"I had to go somewhere," Shiree replied without missing a beat.
"Yeah, okay, whatever," Cho replied as they sunk into their Herbology notes.
~*~
"Cho is so cool! I loved her idea for my nails! Look at them now," Lavender exclaimed to Parvati in the Great Hall at lunch.
She showed Parvati nails the color of the ocean with sparkles dazzling on.
"Yeah," Parvati said flashing a bright smile.
Nothing could stop her good mood. Cho thought she was so great, but Parvati knew better.
"They'll be perfect for the Yule Ball!" Lavender said enthusiastically.
"Oh yes, the Yule Ball. Has anyone asked you yet?" Parvati asked.
"Oh!" Lavender exclaimed.
"Oh, what?" Parvati asked with a strange glance.
"Oh... nothing. Nope. No one has asked me yet, but we've still got a few more days," Lavender replied.
Parvati's expression quickly vanished.
"Oh yeah. That's cool. So, what color robe are you wearing?" she asked.
"I think I'm going to wear my Magenta one. It looks really good on me," Lavender said.
"I think it suits you," Parvati replied.
She didn't mean it in a good – or bad way.
"What about you?" Lavender asked, brushing away the comment.
"I'm not sure. I've got a super cute turquoise one and I'm going to put my bangles on with it to match. If I don't want to wear that, then I'll wear my shocking pink robe," Parvati said.
"Sounds super!" Lavender squealed.
Parvati gave Lavender a hard glance.
Something has gotten her happy, and I wonder what it is... she thought.
Parvati gazed down at her Caesar Salad. She ate a bit of it and then sat up straight.
"What have we got next?" she asked.
Lavender put down her Goblet after taking a sip of Pumpkin Juice.
"I think it's Defense Against Dark Arts with Slytherin," Lavender said.
Parvati stood up.
"Then let's go," she said.
"Okay," Lavender replied.
She grabbed her bag and followed Parvati out the Great Hall.
"I've got it!" Cassandra exclaimed.
"Got what?" Hermione asked bewildered at Cassandra's sudden outburst in the middle of the hall on Monday before they were going to Doubles Potions.
"Oh nothing, nothing..." Cassandra trailed off.
She finally had the perfect plan to make a fool out of Cho and her little friends but also – just maybe get Hermione and Harry back together. Of course she didn't want Hermione to know about it. That would completely spoil everything! Cassandra grinned to herself and slid into her desk happily in Potions. "WHAT has got you so happy today Cassi?" Hermione asked, even more bewildered than before.
"Oh nothing, nothing..." Cassandra said again.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and then opened up her bag to bring out her books and parchment.
Snape was at the front of the room wearing his usual frown, and once again taking making sure that his hair was extra greasy. Cassandra was chewing her gum again, same as usual. She watched Snape's beady black eyes turn towards her and ignored them.
"Miss Taylor! If that is gum then I want it to be spit out this instant! If I haven't told you once I've told you a hundred – no – thousand times not to have gum in my dungeons or anywhere else in this castle! Do I make myself clear?" Snape shouted.
"Crystal," Cassandra replied with a smirk.
"Well then, what are you waiting for? Spit it out!" Snape commanded as Cassandra stayed perfectly still in her seat.
"I've already swallowed it," Cassandra replied with a bored look.
Snape's beady eyes narrowed quickly.
"Very well then," he said shortly.
Through the rest of Potions Cassandra barely raised a hand. She was thinking about her perfect plan so much that she was almost becoming obsessed.
"Come on Cassi! Something has you up and jumping. When will you tell me what it is?" Hermione said as they walked out of the room.
"I don't know what you're talking about Hermione! I'm not 'up and jumping'. I'm walking and talking," Cassandra replied sweetly.
"Well, you're always talking, that's for sure," Hermione replied.
"Oh, gee, thanks so much," Cassandra said with a fake pout.
"Any time babe," Hermione replied laughing.
Wednesday night Cassandra had gone to bed early. She was 'working' on something, so she told Hermione so that she could find some quiet time to sneak upstairs and 'work' on what she had to do. Just as she slipped under her warm covers of her four poster, Hermione came into the room with her face slightly pink.
"Have fun?" Cassandra asked.
"Oh, Ron and I were playing Exploding Snap. It was a riot!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, that's cool," Cassandra replied.
"Are you ever going to tell me about your little secret?"
"What secret girl? I HAVE no secret!"
"Yeah right. Come on Cassandra Nicole. It's written all over your face and don't even try to hide it."
"Okay, fine. If I do have a secret, then I'm not about to spill it. Anyway, the way I look at it, this little secret of mine is going to benefit you, so just keep your mouth shut."
"Gotcha. All right, I hear you."
"That's better."
"Well, goodnight Cassi. I'm long due for a hot shower. I think I still smell like an Acne Growing Potion."
Cassandra laughed.
"Good night Hermione."
Then as Hermione slipped into the showers, Cassandra fell into a long, dreamless sleep.
~*~
Cho Chang stroked Harry's cheek softly right after Astronomy. She pushed her purse up on her shoulder and smiled a very satisfying smile to herself.
Harry's just got to ask me to the Spring Fling! And when he does, I'll be the most popular girl in school!
Cho chuckled to herself.
Hey, even Rita Skeeter will get something out of this. Harry Potter and Cho Chang, Together at Last! Oooh, sounds too much fun! Well, that's the way it should be. It's about time Harry realized that that good for nothing Hermione Granger was just an all books girl. I've got Quidditch talent, grace, beauty, intelligence – and so much more! Harry doesn't know what he's been missing, but that's all about to change. He just has to ask me to that dance! I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't!
Cho sat down at a table, waiting for Lydia and Shiree to show up when she saw something sticking out of her purse. It was a letter!
I wonder who it's from...
Cho impatiently ripped open the letter and saw a message that made her squeal with delight. It said:
Dear Cho, You were right. How could I have been so stupid? Hermione was completely wrong for me and now that I know that, I want you to go the Spring Fling with me. You're completely perfect. I love everything about you. Please meet me before the Spring Fling starts. I need you to meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Don't forget. I need to tell you something there. So, please come. Don't tell a soul. I want it to be kept a total secret. Do it for me. When we're ready, we'll tell the world! So come. And don't be late. I want us to make a grand entrance at the Yule Ball. Love Forever, Harry Potter
Cho grinned a huge grin. She put her hands to her face, not daring to believe what just happened. She was breathless and her face was pink with excitement. But she knew that Lydia and Shiree would be arriving any moment, together, following her around. Cho put on a frown. Did those two have nothing better to do than follow Cho all the time.
Must be where they get such good taste for robes...
That thought made Cho feel a lot better and she put the letter in her purse and took out her Herbology equipment. Just as she finished, Lydia sat down breathlessly at the table.
Cho look up with a bewildered glance.
"Hey. What's up with you? Where's Shiree? You guys are like totally always together, and you even go to the bathroom together, like all the time. Where the freak is she?"
"Shiree? Oh, heaven knows. I was just very busy and time flew away," Lydia said very mystically.
Cho arched an eyebrow and quickly rolled her eyes.
"Whatever," she impatiently said. "I had a real romantic goodbye with Harry in Astronomy. I'm positive that he will be asking me to the Spring Fling."
Lydia looked at Cho quickly with a bit of hatred and amusement. Then the expression vanished.
"Oh yes. I'm quite sure he'll ask the most perfect girl. I mean, we all know he has good taste," she quickly said.
"He didn't before! Could you believe that he actually like that freak, Hermione Granger? I mean, seriously. She's okay enough, but why would he like her, when he knew me?"
"He liked you in our 4th year, but you had to go to the Yule Ball with Cedric Diggory, remember?"
"Who cares about Cedric?"
"You were crying when you found out he died though!"
"Uh, look! I don't care about Cedric, got that? Cedric was just a pretty face. Now that I've got Harry, Cedric means squat!" Cho shouted.
"Okay, whatever," Lydia said bored.
"And what was that supposed to mean?" Cho asked with her eyes narrowing.
"Nothing, nothing..." Lydia trailed off. She looked up quickly and then said, "Hey! Shiree's here!"
Shiree ran into the Greenhouse and dropped her stuff with a thud.
"Why is everyone rushing around today?" Cho asked, again bewildered.
"No idea," Lydia said looking at Shiree.
"Am I late?" Shiree asked breathlessly.
"No. Class was just about to start. What took you so long?" Cho asked.
"I had to go somewhere," Shiree replied without missing a beat.
"Yeah, okay, whatever," Cho replied as they sunk into their Herbology notes.
~*~
"Cho is so cool! I loved her idea for my nails! Look at them now," Lavender exclaimed to Parvati in the Great Hall at lunch.
She showed Parvati nails the color of the ocean with sparkles dazzling on.
"Yeah," Parvati said flashing a bright smile.
Nothing could stop her good mood. Cho thought she was so great, but Parvati knew better.
"They'll be perfect for the Yule Ball!" Lavender said enthusiastically.
"Oh yes, the Yule Ball. Has anyone asked you yet?" Parvati asked.
"Oh!" Lavender exclaimed.
"Oh, what?" Parvati asked with a strange glance.
"Oh... nothing. Nope. No one has asked me yet, but we've still got a few more days," Lavender replied.
Parvati's expression quickly vanished.
"Oh yeah. That's cool. So, what color robe are you wearing?" she asked.
"I think I'm going to wear my Magenta one. It looks really good on me," Lavender said.
"I think it suits you," Parvati replied.
She didn't mean it in a good – or bad way.
"What about you?" Lavender asked, brushing away the comment.
"I'm not sure. I've got a super cute turquoise one and I'm going to put my bangles on with it to match. If I don't want to wear that, then I'll wear my shocking pink robe," Parvati said.
"Sounds super!" Lavender squealed.
Parvati gave Lavender a hard glance.
Something has gotten her happy, and I wonder what it is... she thought.
Parvati gazed down at her Caesar Salad. She ate a bit of it and then sat up straight.
"What have we got next?" she asked.
Lavender put down her Goblet after taking a sip of Pumpkin Juice.
"I think it's Defense Against Dark Arts with Slytherin," Lavender said.
Parvati stood up.
"Then let's go," she said.
"Okay," Lavender replied.
She grabbed her bag and followed Parvati out the Great Hall.
