Harry
"Are you ready?" asked Hermione.
"Yes." I held my arm to her and she took it.
We are going to Neville and Hannah's engagement party at Ernie and Daphne's home. I can't wait to see Astoria. I know she was going to be there too. When we got there Astoria greeted us. She looks so pretty. She hugged Hermione. I opened my arms to receive my hug too but she only shook my hand. What? No hug for Harry?That was discouraging, especially when I thought back to what Draco and Hermione said about her outgrowing her love for me. I don't want to believe that.
"Thanks for coming." said Asotira.
"Wouldn't miss it." said Hermione. She glanced at the people in the room. "There sure are a lot of Gryffindors here."
"Really?" Astoria looked behind her.
I glanced at the faces in the room. Hermione was right. There are a lot of Gryffindors here to congratulate Neville and Hannah. The two are perfect for each other and having been together for a long time. It was about time he proposed.
"Excuse me." Astoria said and left.
I'm secretly glad Ron or Draco weren't here yet. They were supposed to go pick up Neville and Hannah's gift we picked out. They would have been quick to point out Astoria's hand shake and my silliness of thinking she was going to hug me.
"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." said Hermione.
I nodded and went to catch up with friends. I was recently released from being an Auror and hadn't had the time to talk to them.
"Congratulations on becoming an Auror, Harry." said Dean and Seamus
"After all you've experienced, it's the perfect career for you." said Justin.
"Thanks." I said. "Hermione told me you're a writer for the Daily Prophet?" I said to Seamus and then to Dean, "You're an artist." I looked at Justin. "You work in the Ministry with Ernie."
They nodded.
"Daphne and Ernie? How did that happen?" I asked them. I need to gather more information about Astoria like Draco said. I can't ask them directly about her but this would give me an opportunity to move the conversation toward her. Justin would know something useful about Astoria. He was best friends with Ernie.
"Don't get me started with those two." said Justin.
Just as I predicted, he knew a lot.
"Ernie told me once that him, Daphne, and Astoria used to play together before coming to Hogwarts. He said Daphne was a nightmare. Always teasing and taunting him, calling him names like Piggy."
I can understand that. Ernie was a bit heavy during our first year in Hogwarts.
"She kept sending Hannah dirty look like she wants to hex her. Who would have thought, she fancied him and was trying to get his attention?" Justin shook his head. "Women, she couldn't just admitted her feelings. She had to torment him because she's the one with problems sorting out her feelings."
Seamus chuckled. "I remember, during the battle with You-Know-Who, Daphne came running through the corridors screaming for Ernie. Astoria was behind her, clearing Daphne's path by stunning Death Eaters. She was brilliant, guarding Daphne's back like that."
Justin agreed. "Ernie was no different. He was trembling, saying he needed to find Daphne. We heard someone calling Ernie's name and went toward them. When they saw each other, they started kissing. I thought they were going to start shagging right in the middle of the battle. They got married right after that."
"Sounds romantic." said Dean.
I received an invitation but I missed the wedding due to my training.
"Both of them are stubborn. Had to take a near death situation to realize their feelings for one another." said Seamus. "Suppressing your feelings isn't the way to go. You're only hurting yourself. Take the risk and tell the other person how you feel about them."
As I listened to Seamus talk, I wonder what type of writing does he do. Reporting gossip or romantic novels?
"So, Harry. I heard you and Ginny are over?" said Seamus.
Reporter it is.
"No comment." I said. I have to move the conversation back to Astoria. I'm going to have to be straightforward. "Have you heard about the event Astoria is organizing for Hogwarts? I'm participating in it."
Seamus lean closer to me. "Is that so?"
I lean away from him.
"I haven't heard about it but I spoke to her earlier. She seems nice." said Dean.
"She looks good after losing all that weight." added Justin.
"I'm sorry, what?" I asked. What is he talking about? As long as I known Astoria she wasn't large or overly thin.
"Astoria used to be larger." explained Justin. "I think it was..it was around our seventh year that would mean she was in her fifth year. That's right. I remember her face got rounder the year before that and by fifth year I didn't recognize her. She seemed depressed too."
"Did you know the reason she was depressed?" I asked him. I was counting the years too and recalling the events that occurred during that time.
"Probably because of the war." said Seamus.
"Can't blame a girl for getting depressed during those times." said Dean.
"Excuse me." I said and left the group.
This as much information I could get from them without making them suspicious. I must find others who know about her too.
"Harry?"
I froze, recognizing the voice. Slowly, I turned to face her. "Cho..." I could hear Hermione's voice in my had telling me to act casual. When I saw her it didn't feel as awkward as everyone was making it out to be. We dated. We broke up. Why was everyone making it a big deal?
"Hello." I said.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"Potter," said Draco as he came between us.
"Cho Chang, right? Remember me, Draco Malfoy? Didn't I held you captive and force fed you Veritaserum or was that your friend?" He said casually.
I've known him for all these years and still couldn't believe how shameless he was.
Hermione came up behind me and whispered. "Harry, come here."
"But -"
She tugged my arm. "Now."
"Good seeing you again." I told Cho. I looked to Draco. "Um..." I don't know what to say to him to possibly make him stop saying these inappropriate things to people. It might make matters worse. I'm not going to say anything at all. I reluctantly went with Hermione. She brought me into a room and closed the door.
She studied my face. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. You're being ridiculous."
Ron opened and closed the door behind him. "We are being ridiculous because you are."
"What are you talking about?" I asked them.
Both of them were staring at me like I'm a madman.
Hermione spoke in a slow and careful tone. "Since your break up with um...Ginny you've been a bit...how should we say..."
"Mental." Ron finished for her.
"No! Not mental!" Hermione insisted. "We've noticed you haven't been to the Burrow in a while."
It's true I haven't.
"You're all right with talking to Cho?" asked Hermione.
"I'm genuinely happy to see her."
"That means it's only Ginny you have a problem with." stated Ron.
I signed. I have to tell them. "I don't have a problem with Ginny. She asked me not to go there for a while. I have to respect her wishes."
Hermione and Ron turned to each other. A look of realization crossed between them. Both of them turned back to me.
"Our break up was mutual. There are no ill feelings between us. I have no problems seeing my ex-girlfriends. You can stop worrying about me."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"Let's put this behind us and be happy for Neville and Hannah."
I opened the door to rejoin the party. Hermione and Ron followed me. We went out right in time to see a Neville and Hannah bruised and bandaged, shocking everyone. They were explaining how they got that way. It was hilarious and tragic at the same time. No one dared say a word, fearing it wold offend them.
"At least you match." said Astoria.
I turned to stare at her. She was right they do match in injuries and in equal love for one another.
Neville and Hannah laughed at her comment.
"We do don't we. You never looked more beautiful." said Neville. He kissed her on her cheek that was not bruised and both of their faces turned red.
"And you've never looked more handsome." said Hannah.
Seeing the couple like that helped lighten the mood in the room. The celebration went on. We took turns giving our blessings to the couple. Due to their bandaged hands they couldn't pick up their food to eat or drink. Amiee, Daphne and Ernie's adorable daughter, volunteered to help them. She fed them food with a spoon and fork and put strews in their cups for them to drink. We should have brought Teddy and Victoire with us but they caught a cold and had to stay home.
I sought out Hermione and reminded her about asking Astoria about her diary. While Hermione went to talk to Astoria I stayed with Ron and Draco.
"Found out anything interesting about..." Ron went silent as Daphne walked by. She was eyeing me in particular. We waited until she was far away to speak again.
"We should call Harry's - " Draco coughed, "by something else."
"Glasses?" I said because Astoria's broken glasses was the object that caused us to met.
Hermione rejoined us. "What about glasses?"
"Harry had Asian and English glasses once and wants to try something in-between." explained Draco.
"Yes, Harry mostly fancy those glasses made in Asia." said Ron.
Draco and Ron pressed their lips close to hold back their laughter. Glasses was supposed to be my special name for Astoria not for all of my old girlfriends. I've got to correct that soon.
Hermione looked curious of their behavior but didn't say anything.
"I talked to Astoria-" Hermione stopped talking to glance at Ron and Draco.
They couldn't hold it back anymore and openly laughed.
"Forget them," I told her. "What did you find out?"
"Astoria said she does keep a diary and I think its in Hogwarts with her."
"She might be talking about her currently one." said Draco.
"I think all of them are in Hogwarts with her. A diary is something important you can't leave that at home for someone to discover." said Hermione.
"I bet the other teachers are behind this." said Ron.
When Ron said that one teacher's name or rather an old headmaster's name appeared in all of our minds.
"Even from the grave he's meddling with your life." Draco said to me.