I couldn't believe what I just did.
As I hugged her and told her I loved her for what may be the last time, I left without another word. I couldn't bear to leave her, but then, what choice did I have? I resisted the urge to turn back and look at her for the last time, and broke into a run.
I'm so, so sorry, Cho. If you were in my shoes, you would understand.
I ran until I came onto the Quidditch pitch. I wasn't headed here, but I guess my feet just brought me to where my heart wanted to go. I looked at the hoops which I used to defend, the seats which were always occupied during Quiddtch matches. Quidditch was my life. I never understood why I chose to give it up to be an Auror. Up till now, I still don't. All I know is that, when I was younger, besides wishing to be a successful Quidditch player, I wanted to be an Auror...so that I could protect the innocents against Lord Voldemort, and defend the peaceful magical society we lived in.
Everyone had assumed I had joined the Ministry of Magical Sports and Games because I loved Quidditch so much. I had encouraged that assumption, because my identity was to be a secret. It would be better that way.
Looking into the sky, I felt the overpowering urge to fly...but no, today wasn't a good day. My job had just cost me the girl I loved. Cho needed me, but I had left her...alone. I had simply told her that I was angry she kept thinking of Cedric. That wasn't true. It wasn't true at all. I didn't mind her grieving over him...it was just a stupid excuse to leave her. Cedric was my friend too. I have experienced the sadness she felt.
I've seen what Cedric's death had done to you. It won't be fair if you have to grieve for me too. If I told you the truth, would you understand, Cho? Would you be willing to see me die trying to destroy Voldemort?
Of course, I had lied to everyone about the reason why I was here in Hogwarts. I told them I was investigating Ludo Bagman's disappearance. I was actually here to make sure Voldemort didn't come for Harry Potter, and even if he did, Harry would have someone to protect him.
"Wood? Oliver Wood?" The voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Yes, Professor Hooch?"
"What are you doing back here in Hogwarts?" She frowned, looking at me.
"I'm just investigating Ludo Bagman's disappearance. He was a judge at the Triwizards Tournament," I said. The lie rolled so fluently off my tongue I almost believed it was true myself.
"Oh. I see. So you are working for the Ministry of Magical Sports and Games now?" she said, smiling.
"Yes." Another lie.
"I always knew you had the potential, Wood. Keep up the good work." She nodded approvingly, and gave me an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you. I better get going now...I still have, erm, some things to do." 'Some things' meaning checking around for traces of Lord Voldemort, if there were any.
"All right. I wish you success in your job," she said, turning to walk away.
Success in my job? Success in this job of mine meant that I had helped to destroy Voldemort.
And of course, if I had died trying.
As I hugged her and told her I loved her for what may be the last time, I left without another word. I couldn't bear to leave her, but then, what choice did I have? I resisted the urge to turn back and look at her for the last time, and broke into a run.
I'm so, so sorry, Cho. If you were in my shoes, you would understand.
I ran until I came onto the Quidditch pitch. I wasn't headed here, but I guess my feet just brought me to where my heart wanted to go. I looked at the hoops which I used to defend, the seats which were always occupied during Quiddtch matches. Quidditch was my life. I never understood why I chose to give it up to be an Auror. Up till now, I still don't. All I know is that, when I was younger, besides wishing to be a successful Quidditch player, I wanted to be an Auror...so that I could protect the innocents against Lord Voldemort, and defend the peaceful magical society we lived in.
Everyone had assumed I had joined the Ministry of Magical Sports and Games because I loved Quidditch so much. I had encouraged that assumption, because my identity was to be a secret. It would be better that way.
Looking into the sky, I felt the overpowering urge to fly...but no, today wasn't a good day. My job had just cost me the girl I loved. Cho needed me, but I had left her...alone. I had simply told her that I was angry she kept thinking of Cedric. That wasn't true. It wasn't true at all. I didn't mind her grieving over him...it was just a stupid excuse to leave her. Cedric was my friend too. I have experienced the sadness she felt.
I've seen what Cedric's death had done to you. It won't be fair if you have to grieve for me too. If I told you the truth, would you understand, Cho? Would you be willing to see me die trying to destroy Voldemort?
Of course, I had lied to everyone about the reason why I was here in Hogwarts. I told them I was investigating Ludo Bagman's disappearance. I was actually here to make sure Voldemort didn't come for Harry Potter, and even if he did, Harry would have someone to protect him.
"Wood? Oliver Wood?" The voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Yes, Professor Hooch?"
"What are you doing back here in Hogwarts?" She frowned, looking at me.
"I'm just investigating Ludo Bagman's disappearance. He was a judge at the Triwizards Tournament," I said. The lie rolled so fluently off my tongue I almost believed it was true myself.
"Oh. I see. So you are working for the Ministry of Magical Sports and Games now?" she said, smiling.
"Yes." Another lie.
"I always knew you had the potential, Wood. Keep up the good work." She nodded approvingly, and gave me an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Thank you. I better get going now...I still have, erm, some things to do." 'Some things' meaning checking around for traces of Lord Voldemort, if there were any.
"All right. I wish you success in your job," she said, turning to walk away.
Success in my job? Success in this job of mine meant that I had helped to destroy Voldemort.
And of course, if I had died trying.
