Chapter 2
After his lessons the next day,Harry was planning to tell Ron about Hermione. But Ron had to go see Professor McGonagall concerning something. So Harry made for the quidditch field quickly,hoping to clear his mind there instead.
On his way, Harry ran into Cho,who was standing impatiently with her best friend Jia Liushien, who was flirting with Draco Malfoy. "Oh! Sorry,Cho," Harry stopped to help her pick the books she dropped. "What's the hurry?" she asked. Harry used to be in love with Cho. She was a beautiful,Chinese girl, in Ravenclaw house,and was seeker for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. She had her hair up in a loose bun that day. Harry and she were just good friends now. "Cho, could i speak to you? In private?" he asked. "Sure. Hold on a bit. Jia, Harry and I are going to have a chat so...oh forget it," Cho rolled her eyes. Jia ( a very strikingly pretty girl. She had deep black hair,it looked almost purple) was too busy talking with Draco to listen.
Harry led Cho to the quidditch field, Firebolt in hand. Cho just borrowed a school broom. As Harry let out the practice golden snitch, he started stating his problem to Cho. Cho listened as they flew thru the air,looking around for the snitch. Cho spotted it first,and caught it. "So, you are in love with Mione?" she asked, throwing the snitch towards him. Harry caught it,let it go again,and replied, "Yeah, you could say that..How do i tell her?" Cho shrugged as they both raced around the field looking for the snitch. "Simple. You tell her," she said,manner-of-factly. Harry sighed as he caught the snitch. "Easier said than done,Cho," he said, throwing the snitch to her. Cho caught it. "Harry, what's a snitch?" she asked, hovering in the air beside him. "It's the thing most sought after in a Quidditch game,which gives to 150 points for catching it,therefore raising the chances of your team to win?" he grumbled. "Cho,you know this," he said. "I also know it's very valuable to a game," she said, showing him the ball. "When you see it,you go for it at once,wanting it to be yours, so you could win...but when you see it,just stare,not doing anything,not even attempting to catch it...it goes away..." she said, letting go of the snitch. The snitch buzzed out of sight. "So is your love for Hermione. When you see it, reach for it at once,don't avoid it. Or it will disappear,leaving you with nothing," Cho said. Harry just sat on his broom in the air thinking about what Cho had said,as she went in search of the snitch. She was right. he had to tell Hermione now or never, But he had to tell Ron first. "Hey Harry! Are you playing or not?" Cho's voice rang across the field. Harry snapped out of his thoughts. He flew over to Cho,who had caught the snitch again. "Thanks,Cho," he said. "No problem," she said, letting go of the snitch. The two of them raced to find it first.
-Library-
"WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA--" Harry raised a hand and clamped Ron's mouth shut. "Shut up!" he hissed, as Madame Pince,the librarian, gave them a dark look. "What do you mean you're in love with Hermione?" Ron loudly whispered back. "I'm planning to tell her soon. But i wanted to let you know first. Is it all right with you?" Harry asked. "Well...yes,it's alright,but what about Cho?" Ron whispered back. "Cho knows, Ron,she was the first one to know. And what about her? I don't have a crush on her anymore,remember?" Harry whispered back. Ron blushed. "Well,see i just wanted to know,because..um...I wanted to ask her for the Valentine's Ball next month," Ron quietly said. Harry grinned. "Roooonnie! I didn't know--" "Oh,put a lid on it,Harry! I don't have a crush on her,it's jus,wel..i cant find anyone else to go to the ball with,they all have partners already,or they just plain reject me..and..well..Cho's nice enough,i guess.." Ron replied. Harry stifled a laugh. "Why don't you ask her now,before someone else does?" he said, pulling Ron from his seat. "B-but.." Ron protested. As Ron stuttered,Harry pulled him out of the library and into the corridors,where Cho and Jia were talking with Lavender and Parvati. As Lavendar and Parvati were leaving, Harry and Ron walked up to Cho.
"Erhem!!" Harry cleared his throat. Cho and Jia turned to them. "Cho, Ron has something to ask you," Harry said,pulling Ron in front of him. Cho looked at him expectantly. "Uh...Cho?" Ron started,his face blushing red. "Yes?" Cho asked,smiling. "Would you,um,go,um,with,um m-" Ron's proposal came out in jerks. Harry finally had to clap him hard on the back,and Ron's sentence came out in one breath unexpectedly. "..comewithmetothevalentine'sballnextmonth," he said,then glared at Harry. Jia giggled,whereas Cho smiled kindly. "Why thank you for asking me,Ron. I'd be delighted," she said. Ron grinned. "Ahem,now that he's asked you, we need um talk about...Operation Hermione," Harry quietly said. Jia perked up. "Operation Hermione? What's that?" she asked. "Could we tell her?" Cho asked,looking uncertainly at Harry. After much thought and hesitation,Harry agreed, " Only if she'd keep her mouth shut and not say a word to anyone,especially MALFOY." Jia blushed,and agreed to the deal. "So when do i tell her?" Harry asked, after they had explained everything to Jia. Jia and Cho answered simultaneously, "At the ball." "But when at the b-" Harry started. "Harry,you think of HOW to tell her,not WHEN. You'll know when the moment comes. And don't worry, Jia, Ron,and I have EVERYTHING under control.." Cho assured him,a mischievious glint in her eye. "What are you--" Harry asked,doubtful. But Jia cut him off, "Cho's right Harry. We've got everything under control. And guess what Cho?" Jia turned to her friend. "Oh this better not be about Draco again," Cho pleaded. "Actually,it is. He asked me to the ball!" Jia squealed. Cho groaned, "Of course you said no?" "Said no? I said yes, of course!! He has got to be the most hottest..." Jia rambled on. Ron and Harry said goodbye,and left before they started to puke. They could hear Cho groaning as Jia rattled on about how cute,how unselfish,how extremely FINE Draco was. ....
-Gryffindor Common Room-
As Ron and Harry entered the common room,they noticed Hermione already there. "Act calm," Ron whispered. Harry nodded. "Where have you two been?" she demanded,getting up from the table. "Just from our lessons,why?" Ron asked. Hermione sighed. "Nothing. It's just that both of you,especially Harry, have been acting pretty distrated lately.." she said. "Just because you're head girl doesn't mean you have to know our every move. And plus,i have been distracted. I've got a date to the baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal," Ron sang. "Who?" Hermione demanded sharply, daring to believe. "Cho," Ron said, taking a seat on the couch. "Noooo,really?" Hermione stared at him and Harry. Harry nodded solemnly. "Oh,Harry,i'm so sorry," she started. "Why?" he asked. "Well,you liking Cho and everything..." she replied,looking down. "Oh! No,Mione, i don't like Cho anymore. I'm mean,we're good friends, but i don't have a crush on her," he explained. Hermione brightened. "Well,that's good. Have you found a date yet,Harry?" she asked, taking her books and putting them into her bag. "Uh...no," Harry started. Ron,who was sitting on the couch behind Hermione, made signs telling him to ask her. Hermione turned around, and Ron pretended to fall asleep. "Uh,Hermione? Have you been asked yet?" Harry asked. "No,and i don't expect to," she laughed. "Why's that?" Harry asked. "Well, i'm not pretty as the other girls are,and well,no boys like me," she said, closing her ink bottle. "That's not true," Harry said quietly,but loud enough for Hermione to hear. She laughed, "Oh, i know you and Ron like me,but that's because we're best friends," she said, taking her quills and shoving them inside her bag. Once again, Ron got up and made desperate signs to Harry to ask her. "What would you say...if...if...I,uh,asked you?" Harry said. Ron made a slight groan,and dropped on the couch in exasperation. Hermione looked up and shrugged. "Yes,i guess," she said, closing her bag,and gathering her other books together. Ron got up from the couch,grinning. "Well, would you go with me then?" Harry asked. Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "As friends,of course," Harry added. Hermione smiled, "Well,then,that's a yes." Ron got up. "You agreed? You're going?" he asked excitedly. "I thought you were asleep," Hermione said. "But you're going,aren;t you? With Harry? To the Valentine's Ball?" he prodded. "I said yes didn't i?" Hermione sighed. "Well, got to be going. The head girls and boys of the houses are having a meeting with Professor McGonagall today. I'll be seeing you two," she said goodbye,and stepped out the door. Ron have a loud whoop. "That wasn't as hard as you thought,wasn't it Harry,old chum?" he asked, clapping Harry on the back. "But she thinks we're going as friends," he sighed sadly,taking a seat on the couch. "Aw,come on,Harry. You'll tell her at the ball,anyways. So lighten up! Cho said she would take care of everything,didn't she?" Ron tried to cheer him up.
After his lessons the next day,Harry was planning to tell Ron about Hermione. But Ron had to go see Professor McGonagall concerning something. So Harry made for the quidditch field quickly,hoping to clear his mind there instead.
On his way, Harry ran into Cho,who was standing impatiently with her best friend Jia Liushien, who was flirting with Draco Malfoy. "Oh! Sorry,Cho," Harry stopped to help her pick the books she dropped. "What's the hurry?" she asked. Harry used to be in love with Cho. She was a beautiful,Chinese girl, in Ravenclaw house,and was seeker for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. She had her hair up in a loose bun that day. Harry and she were just good friends now. "Cho, could i speak to you? In private?" he asked. "Sure. Hold on a bit. Jia, Harry and I are going to have a chat so...oh forget it," Cho rolled her eyes. Jia ( a very strikingly pretty girl. She had deep black hair,it looked almost purple) was too busy talking with Draco to listen.
Harry led Cho to the quidditch field, Firebolt in hand. Cho just borrowed a school broom. As Harry let out the practice golden snitch, he started stating his problem to Cho. Cho listened as they flew thru the air,looking around for the snitch. Cho spotted it first,and caught it. "So, you are in love with Mione?" she asked, throwing the snitch towards him. Harry caught it,let it go again,and replied, "Yeah, you could say that..How do i tell her?" Cho shrugged as they both raced around the field looking for the snitch. "Simple. You tell her," she said,manner-of-factly. Harry sighed as he caught the snitch. "Easier said than done,Cho," he said, throwing the snitch to her. Cho caught it. "Harry, what's a snitch?" she asked, hovering in the air beside him. "It's the thing most sought after in a Quidditch game,which gives to 150 points for catching it,therefore raising the chances of your team to win?" he grumbled. "Cho,you know this," he said. "I also know it's very valuable to a game," she said, showing him the ball. "When you see it,you go for it at once,wanting it to be yours, so you could win...but when you see it,just stare,not doing anything,not even attempting to catch it...it goes away..." she said, letting go of the snitch. The snitch buzzed out of sight. "So is your love for Hermione. When you see it, reach for it at once,don't avoid it. Or it will disappear,leaving you with nothing," Cho said. Harry just sat on his broom in the air thinking about what Cho had said,as she went in search of the snitch. She was right. he had to tell Hermione now or never, But he had to tell Ron first. "Hey Harry! Are you playing or not?" Cho's voice rang across the field. Harry snapped out of his thoughts. He flew over to Cho,who had caught the snitch again. "Thanks,Cho," he said. "No problem," she said, letting go of the snitch. The two of them raced to find it first.
-Library-
"WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA--" Harry raised a hand and clamped Ron's mouth shut. "Shut up!" he hissed, as Madame Pince,the librarian, gave them a dark look. "What do you mean you're in love with Hermione?" Ron loudly whispered back. "I'm planning to tell her soon. But i wanted to let you know first. Is it all right with you?" Harry asked. "Well...yes,it's alright,but what about Cho?" Ron whispered back. "Cho knows, Ron,she was the first one to know. And what about her? I don't have a crush on her anymore,remember?" Harry whispered back. Ron blushed. "Well,see i just wanted to know,because..um...I wanted to ask her for the Valentine's Ball next month," Ron quietly said. Harry grinned. "Roooonnie! I didn't know--" "Oh,put a lid on it,Harry! I don't have a crush on her,it's jus,wel..i cant find anyone else to go to the ball with,they all have partners already,or they just plain reject me..and..well..Cho's nice enough,i guess.." Ron replied. Harry stifled a laugh. "Why don't you ask her now,before someone else does?" he said, pulling Ron from his seat. "B-but.." Ron protested. As Ron stuttered,Harry pulled him out of the library and into the corridors,where Cho and Jia were talking with Lavender and Parvati. As Lavendar and Parvati were leaving, Harry and Ron walked up to Cho.
"Erhem!!" Harry cleared his throat. Cho and Jia turned to them. "Cho, Ron has something to ask you," Harry said,pulling Ron in front of him. Cho looked at him expectantly. "Uh...Cho?" Ron started,his face blushing red. "Yes?" Cho asked,smiling. "Would you,um,go,um,with,um m-" Ron's proposal came out in jerks. Harry finally had to clap him hard on the back,and Ron's sentence came out in one breath unexpectedly. "..comewithmetothevalentine'sballnextmonth," he said,then glared at Harry. Jia giggled,whereas Cho smiled kindly. "Why thank you for asking me,Ron. I'd be delighted," she said. Ron grinned. "Ahem,now that he's asked you, we need um talk about...Operation Hermione," Harry quietly said. Jia perked up. "Operation Hermione? What's that?" she asked. "Could we tell her?" Cho asked,looking uncertainly at Harry. After much thought and hesitation,Harry agreed, " Only if she'd keep her mouth shut and not say a word to anyone,especially MALFOY." Jia blushed,and agreed to the deal. "So when do i tell her?" Harry asked, after they had explained everything to Jia. Jia and Cho answered simultaneously, "At the ball." "But when at the b-" Harry started. "Harry,you think of HOW to tell her,not WHEN. You'll know when the moment comes. And don't worry, Jia, Ron,and I have EVERYTHING under control.." Cho assured him,a mischievious glint in her eye. "What are you--" Harry asked,doubtful. But Jia cut him off, "Cho's right Harry. We've got everything under control. And guess what Cho?" Jia turned to her friend. "Oh this better not be about Draco again," Cho pleaded. "Actually,it is. He asked me to the ball!" Jia squealed. Cho groaned, "Of course you said no?" "Said no? I said yes, of course!! He has got to be the most hottest..." Jia rambled on. Ron and Harry said goodbye,and left before they started to puke. They could hear Cho groaning as Jia rattled on about how cute,how unselfish,how extremely FINE Draco was. ....
-Gryffindor Common Room-
As Ron and Harry entered the common room,they noticed Hermione already there. "Act calm," Ron whispered. Harry nodded. "Where have you two been?" she demanded,getting up from the table. "Just from our lessons,why?" Ron asked. Hermione sighed. "Nothing. It's just that both of you,especially Harry, have been acting pretty distrated lately.." she said. "Just because you're head girl doesn't mean you have to know our every move. And plus,i have been distracted. I've got a date to the baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal," Ron sang. "Who?" Hermione demanded sharply, daring to believe. "Cho," Ron said, taking a seat on the couch. "Noooo,really?" Hermione stared at him and Harry. Harry nodded solemnly. "Oh,Harry,i'm so sorry," she started. "Why?" he asked. "Well,you liking Cho and everything..." she replied,looking down. "Oh! No,Mione, i don't like Cho anymore. I'm mean,we're good friends, but i don't have a crush on her," he explained. Hermione brightened. "Well,that's good. Have you found a date yet,Harry?" she asked, taking her books and putting them into her bag. "Uh...no," Harry started. Ron,who was sitting on the couch behind Hermione, made signs telling him to ask her. Hermione turned around, and Ron pretended to fall asleep. "Uh,Hermione? Have you been asked yet?" Harry asked. "No,and i don't expect to," she laughed. "Why's that?" Harry asked. "Well, i'm not pretty as the other girls are,and well,no boys like me," she said, closing her ink bottle. "That's not true," Harry said quietly,but loud enough for Hermione to hear. She laughed, "Oh, i know you and Ron like me,but that's because we're best friends," she said, taking her quills and shoving them inside her bag. Once again, Ron got up and made desperate signs to Harry to ask her. "What would you say...if...if...I,uh,asked you?" Harry said. Ron made a slight groan,and dropped on the couch in exasperation. Hermione looked up and shrugged. "Yes,i guess," she said, closing her bag,and gathering her other books together. Ron got up from the couch,grinning. "Well, would you go with me then?" Harry asked. Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "As friends,of course," Harry added. Hermione smiled, "Well,then,that's a yes." Ron got up. "You agreed? You're going?" he asked excitedly. "I thought you were asleep," Hermione said. "But you're going,aren;t you? With Harry? To the Valentine's Ball?" he prodded. "I said yes didn't i?" Hermione sighed. "Well, got to be going. The head girls and boys of the houses are having a meeting with Professor McGonagall today. I'll be seeing you two," she said goodbye,and stepped out the door. Ron have a loud whoop. "That wasn't as hard as you thought,wasn't it Harry,old chum?" he asked, clapping Harry on the back. "But she thinks we're going as friends," he sighed sadly,taking a seat on the couch. "Aw,come on,Harry. You'll tell her at the ball,anyways. So lighten up! Cho said she would take care of everything,didn't she?" Ron tried to cheer him up.