Disclaimer: I still do not own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: Hey everyone, I hope you're all doing okay. I'm so sorry I haven't updated this in so long, and I hope you understand the reason for it.

Like I'm sure you all were, I was thoroughly shaken by the events of January 6. I live in the United States, but I know that whether I lived here or not, I would have been horrified by what I saw. We're living through extremely difficult times right now, and I wish all my readers hope and healing through all of this.

Then, when I decided I felt okay enough to return to fanfiction, the site kept giving me problems. When I posted a chapter to one of my other stories, none of my followers received the notification that it had been posted. Finally, on Thursday, I reuploaded the chapter and it worked. Then, two days later when I hadn't even touched it, everyone got the notification again. This site acts so finicky sometimes, either not sending the notification at all or sending it multiple times. It's been driving me insane.

Anyway, I hope everything is back on track now, and that you enjoy this chapter. Thank you, Yellow 14, for the review. I'm glad you liked the way Cho and Cedric were discussing Harry. There'll be some more of that throughout this part of the story.

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As the First Task drew closer, the excitement in the school only became more prominent. Cho observed it all as she tried the best she could to balance her schoolwork, Cedric, Marietta, and trying to avoid Amanda and Meghan, who were holding onto their petty jealousy of her friendship with Cedric. Cho still couldn't quite believe the looks they were giving her, as though she were the enemy instead of the best friend they had known ever since their first year at Hogwarts.

But through it all, Cho truly cherished her time with Cedric, and he honestly seemed to be cherishing his time with her just as much. He often confided in her, telling her about all the unwanted attention he was receiving now. "I barely spend time in the common room anymore," he told her about a week before the task. "I'm apparently some kind of celebrity now, and I hate it."

Cho smiled softly at him, attempting to lighten the mood. "I suppose professional Quidditch isn't your thing, then?" she teased.

"Oh, hell no," Cedric said emphatically. "I kinda had dreams about that when I was younger, but I don't think I'd like to do that anymore."

"I understand," Cho said quietly, and she sobered as she continued, "I'm sorry about all of this. It's awful that you can't even be comfortable in your own house's common room. It should never be like that."

Cedric gave her a small smile, and squeezed her shoulder. "Well, I know who I can go to if I need an ear," he said, and Cho's heart picked up as Cedric's gray eyes shone. "I wanted to ask you a question," he continued, and Cho could tell he was nervous.

"What is it?" she asked, wondering what kind of question could elicit such nerves in him.

"Uh, Hogsmeade weekend's coming up," he said, his face flushing. "I usually go with my friends, but I don't feel like doing that right now. I was wondering if you'd like to go with me. We could have lunch in the Three Broomsticks, and maybe wander around the stores a bit."

Cho's heart felt like it was ready to burst out of her chest. Cedric was asking her to go to Hogsmeade with him? She couldn't believe her eyes.

Thoughts raced through her mind. It's not a date, she told herself sternly, and then she wondered why she'd felt the need to remind herself of that. Marietta's words from that never-forgotten conversation echoed through her mind: You're falling for Cedric, aren't you?

Stop overanalyzing and answer the question, Cho told herself as she looked into the gray eyes that were filled with the same uncertainty and doubt that often flowed through her. She smiled at him, and her answer was straight from the heart. "Of course I'll go with you," she said. "I'd love to."

The doubt promptly disappeared from Cedric's eyes, and they lit up in a way that only made Cho's heart beat faster. "That's great," he said, his enthusiasm obvious. "I'll meet you in the entrance hall. What time would you like to go?"

"Is eleven o'clock Saturday morning okay with you?" Cho asked. This was usually the time she had headed to Hogsmeade in the past, her three best friends in tow.

"That sounds perfect," Cedric agreed. "We'll have a good time. What shops do you like going to?"

"Honeydukes," Cho said without hesitation. "I've got to fill up on chocolate, you know. What my parents don't know won't hurt them."

Cedric's grin widened. "Rebellious, are we?" he teased. "I like that. And I love Honeydukes, too."

"Other than that, I'm not much of a shopper," Cho admitted. "I used to be when I was younger, but wandering around the shops is kind of boring. I guess the only other thing is clothes."

"That's cool," Cedric said, still smiling. "I can't say I'm much of a shopper either. There are no other stores I'm really that interested in. Does the Three Broomsticks for lunch sound good to you?"

"Absolutely," Cho agreed. "Their fish and chips are the best."

"I couldn't agree more. Well, let's do those things, and we'll play the rest by ear," Cedric said.

"Sounds great. Are you sure you want to wander around a clothing shop, though?" Cho asked, blushing. "You might regret it."

"Nonsense," Cedric said, laughing easily. "No one can be as bad as my mum. The amount of times I've had to traipse around clothing shops with her ... I'm sure you pale in comparison."

Cho laughed along with him, her insides warming once again at the easy banter between them. "Okay, then. Just as long as you know what you're in for."

Cedric smiled at her, looking happier than she had seen him in days. "Believe me, I think I can handle it."

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Later that evening, Cho and Marietta were hanging out in their dormitory. Thankfully, Amanda and Meghan were in the library, finishing their assignments that were to be turned in tomorrow.

"So, how have you been?" asked Marietta quietly as she sat at the edge of Cho's bed. "I haven't really gotten the chance to talk to you much lately."

"I'm sorry, Marie," said Cho, truly feeling apologetic. "I didn't mean to neglect you."

Marietta only smiled. "No apology necessary," she said softly. "I'm just glad to see you happy. Being friends with Cedric is definitely changing you for the better."

Cho couldn't help but blush at the comment, even though she could sense that Marietta honestly wasn't trying to imply anything. She decided to come clean and tell her best friend what would be happening in several days. "He asked me to Hogsmeade today," she admitted. "I said yes."

Marietta beamed. "He did? Wow, that's fantastic, Cho," she said sincerely.

"You really don't mind?" asked Cho, suddenly unsure of whether Marietta was just trying to be happy for Cho's sake. "I know we normally go together, with Amanda and Meghan."

"Cho, I know things haven't been the best with either of those two lately, and I can see that Cedric makes you happy," Marietta replied with a reassuring smile. "And you make him happy too, Cho. I know you have a hard time believing that, but you do. I've seen the way he looks whenever he sees you. Go and have a good time with him, and none of this means we're not still best friends."

Cho looked at Marietta with deep gratitude. "Thanks, Marie," she said quietly. "And you're right. He does make me happy."

"And you make him happy, too," Marietta repeated, desperately wanting to drive the point home. She cleared her throat, and Cho knew she was about to say something else, and she had a feeling she knew just what. This conversation hadn't been had in a while, and Cho braced herself for it.

"Cho, I know you won't want to hear this, but you're my best friend," Marietta said. "You're really falling for Cedric. I'm not about to go about this the way Amanda and Meg do, with the constant insinuations and the teasing. That doesn't help anybody." She sighed, placing an arm around Cho. "But I have to tell you, you're the most stubborn person I've ever met, and so is Cedric. You're falling for each other, and neither of you will admit it."

"Marie ..." Cho started, all her doubts and insecurities coming to the forefront of her mind again, along with the constant barrage of comments her father always spewed about rubbish fairy tales and romance.

"I know, I know." Marietta patted her friend's shoulder and got up from the bed. "One of these days, you'll realize it, and so will he. And eventually, those insecurities won't matter anymore, and all you'll want is to be happy. Trust me."

And with that, Marietta walked out of the dormitory and down to the common room, leaving Cho with a mind and heart that was processing all her friend had said.

And as she pulled the curtains around her bed that night, she knew she couldn't just dismiss what Marietta had said. No, it wasn't something that she could just block out of her mind and pretend wasn't there.

No, this evening's conversation definitely gave her plenty to think about. She only hoped she would come to the right conclusion.