PROLOUGE: Present Day
It was the last day before school ended of Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwarts. He was very happy, dating his long time crush Cho Chang. She had gotten over Cedric and both had helped each other heal from his death. The end-of-term feast had begun and the House Cup and Quidditch Cup we're being announced.
Dumbledore arose and adjusted his half moon spectacles.
"Ahhh. I am sad to see you all go. Some of you will return next year, and others of you will move into the real magical world out there." He grinned at the students who hardly seemed sad about leaving at all. All except Harry of course. Harry would have preferred dealing with Snape and Trelawney for another three months to returning to the Dursley's un- welcoming, need I say, muggle home.
"Well then. There is no more time to waste, unless you all wish to go on the Hogwarts Express with empty bellies." Draco Malfoy sniggered quite loudly at Dumbledore's comment. Harry was not surprised at all that Snape did not take any action against him. Dumbledore merely ignored the slimy git, and continued speaking.
"Well without further ado, I will announce the lucky recipients of this year's Quidditch cup. Gryffindor!"
The students sitting at the table draped in scarlet and gold jumped up and cheered. Harry was beaming with pride, especially when he saw his girlfriend Cho Chang, from the Ravenclaw team, cheering for him. Ron apparently noticed too because he nudged Harry in the side and said. "That girl's got it bad for you mate. She is an opposing seeker, and she is cheering for you."
"I would cheer for her too if she won," Harry hissed back at Ron, who didn't know much about mature relationships. Harry smiled and waved at Cho who blew him a kiss.
"Well then. I see the lions over here are pleased," Dumbledore announced. And he turned to the Professor's table, noting the looks of disappointment from two Heads of House, and a look of pure disgust from Snape.
Then there was a dramatic pause as Dumbledore prepared himself to announce the House Cup winner of the term. "As you all know, or have heard." he winked at Fred and George who were the mischievous boys who spread important rumors like that throughout the school like wildfire, "that this year we had to have a tie breaker between two of the houses. These two houses were Gryffindor and Ravenclaw." Harry, along with every member of either of these houses, was on the edge of his seat in an instant. "After much consideration, and retallying of points, I am proud to announce that this year's winner of the House Cup is Ravenclaw!" Dumbledore shouted.
Applause rang out through the Great Hall. Many of the Slytherins were too rude to even politely clap for the winners, but everyone else was somewhat happy for the Ravenclaws. Some were pleased because finally Gryffindor hadn't won the award. Harry saw Cho being hugged by a bunch of house mates, and he suddenly longed to be in Ravenclaw celebrating with her. Ron and Hermione seemed to have read his thoughts, as they had learned to do throughout their five year friendship.
"Hey mate. I am sure you can go give Cho some congratulations kisses later," Ron winked at Harry, who blushed a bit.
"Yeah. And you can still be in Gryffindor to do so Harry dear," Hermione squeezed his shoulder. "Oh are we embarrassing you Harry?"
"Oh. You guys are getting on my nerves." Harry turned around, and beckoned to Cho. She grinned and tried to sneak out of the Ravenclaw crowd to see Harry. "I'll see you guys on the train." Harry waved to his two best friends as he went over to meet Cho. They went into the main corridor. They didn't care that it was full of upset Slytherins though.
"Hey Cho. Good job." Harry took her by the arm and pulled her close.
"You too, my Quidditch boy," she ran her hand through his messy hair.
"Ugh. It will never lay flat," Harry complained.
"But that is what I love about it," Cho leaned in closer to kiss him, but Harry stopped her.
"What?" Cho asked, confused.
"You do know that I would be just as proud of you if you had won the Quidditch cup, don't you Cho?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Of course I do Harry. Now do you want that kiss or not?" she teased him.
Harry grinned seductively and lifted her chin so that her lips were closer to his. "How could I say no, Chang?"
Cho pressed her mouth against Harry's and they kissed playfully for a minute, then she pulled away. "Chang? My name is Cho. Potter!"
Harry leaned in for another kiss, but the door to the Great Hall swung open suddenly and almost knocked him and Cho over.
"What the?!"
"Sorry 'arry. Cho." It was Hagrid. Harry sighed with relief.
"Hey Hagrid. Scared me a bit." Harry wrapped his arm around Cho's shoulders. "What's up?"
"I have got a present here for ya."
Hagrid handed Harry an old, musty book. He wondered what on earth it could be. He hoped it wasn't a dangerous book for the class Hagrid taught.
"Well. Dumbledore told me that you were asking someone special to you about your parents." his voice trailed off. Harry could tell that Hagrid knew about Sirius. "And well, Lily and James were expecting an attack by you-know-who."
"Say his name," Harry interrupted.
"All right. Vold-em-ort," Hagrid gulped. "And then, er, Lily entrusted this to Dumbledore's care, you know, in case something happened to her and James. Well it was her diary 'arry. We thought it might help answer some of your questions about your parents 'arry."
"Thanks Hagrid," Harry hugged his older friend. "You're the best."
Hagrid's face burned red beneath his beard. "Well I guess I am okay 'arry. Hope you like it."
Harry smiled.
"Oh. You have got to go to the station now!" Hagrid said alarmed. "Blimey, I need to keep better track of time."
Harry laughed, and guided Cho out the door.
"Harry, are you okay? I mean, about your parents?" Cho asked anxiously.
"Yeah," Harry kissed her chastely on the cheek. "Thanks for being concerned though."
Harry and Cho found Ron and Hermione in a compartment near the back of the train, and they joined them. Harry took out his mum's diary to show to Ron and Hermione. "It was my mum's," He said proudly.
"Where did you get it?" Ron asked, interestedly.
"Hagrid gave it to me. My mum left it in Dumbledore's care."
"Harry." Cho tugged on his arm, trying to get him to notice her.
"What Cho?" he asked.
"Well Hagrid said that you were asking some special person about your parents' history. And who would that be? I know it isn't the Dursleys, because you told me all about them. Do you have some kind of surrogate parent?"
Harry looked alarmed, and so did Ron and Hermione. They shook their heads adamantly at Harry. It was quite obvious that they didn't want him to tell her about Sirius. Harry was stuck in a jumble now. What to do? He really, really liked Cho, and he trusted her, but he was disappointed to find that his friends did not.
"Harry. I have a feeling you are not telling me something," Cho raised her eyebrows at him.
Harry was put on the spot now. Hermione was mouthing, "No," at him, and Cho was glaring at her. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Cho had had enough.
"Harry I'm leaving. Obviously you have something important to tell me, but you don't trust me with the knowledge of it." She was on the brink of tears. Harry stood up and tried to intercept her at the compartment door, but she was too quick for him.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted in exasperation.
"How could you screw things up for them like that Hermione?" Ron glared at her.
"Oh, as if you weren't shaking your head at him too, trying to get him not to tell her." Hermione stood up in a huff. Ron tried to grasp her arm and pull her back, but she slapped his wrist. "I am leaving too!"
Harry and Ron stared at each other. "God, women can be so touchy." Ron finally said to clear the uncomfortable silence.
"Erm, Ron. I think they are right, not us. We men are just incredibly tactless." Harry sighed, accepting the truth.
"Well go after her mate! You should tell her. We're sorry. We did put you on the spot. If she's still mad after you tell her, blame us, after all it was our fault."
"Well, it was my fault too," Harry grabbed his mother's diary. "I am going to go find her Ron."
"Good luck mate," Ron said. Harry opened the compartment door and was about to leave when Ron stopped him. "Hey will you tell Herm that I'm sorry?"
The short, bushy-haired girl stepped into the compartment with her hands on her hips and turned to Ron. "Why don't you tell her so yourself?"
Ron looked extremely flustered, and stood up to face Hermione. "I'm really sorry, about what I said. I just didn't want Harry to be mad at me. I shouldn't have just blamed you though."
"Okay. That works for now Ron." Hermione sat down beside him, and patted his knee. "Wait. I have a wonderful idea. Why don't you read a bit of this, for punishment!" and she pulled a worn and tattered copy of a book bearing the name "Hogwarts: A History" out of her bag.
"No!" Ron begged, "I'll do anything Herm."
She grinned evilly, and Harry snickered at his friend's predicament. Suddenly he became sober and frowned. He was almost sure that it wouldn't be that easy to get Cho to forgive him, but he had to try. He sighed, afraid to face his girlfriend as he set off to find her.
It was the last day before school ended of Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwarts. He was very happy, dating his long time crush Cho Chang. She had gotten over Cedric and both had helped each other heal from his death. The end-of-term feast had begun and the House Cup and Quidditch Cup we're being announced.
Dumbledore arose and adjusted his half moon spectacles.
"Ahhh. I am sad to see you all go. Some of you will return next year, and others of you will move into the real magical world out there." He grinned at the students who hardly seemed sad about leaving at all. All except Harry of course. Harry would have preferred dealing with Snape and Trelawney for another three months to returning to the Dursley's un- welcoming, need I say, muggle home.
"Well then. There is no more time to waste, unless you all wish to go on the Hogwarts Express with empty bellies." Draco Malfoy sniggered quite loudly at Dumbledore's comment. Harry was not surprised at all that Snape did not take any action against him. Dumbledore merely ignored the slimy git, and continued speaking.
"Well without further ado, I will announce the lucky recipients of this year's Quidditch cup. Gryffindor!"
The students sitting at the table draped in scarlet and gold jumped up and cheered. Harry was beaming with pride, especially when he saw his girlfriend Cho Chang, from the Ravenclaw team, cheering for him. Ron apparently noticed too because he nudged Harry in the side and said. "That girl's got it bad for you mate. She is an opposing seeker, and she is cheering for you."
"I would cheer for her too if she won," Harry hissed back at Ron, who didn't know much about mature relationships. Harry smiled and waved at Cho who blew him a kiss.
"Well then. I see the lions over here are pleased," Dumbledore announced. And he turned to the Professor's table, noting the looks of disappointment from two Heads of House, and a look of pure disgust from Snape.
Then there was a dramatic pause as Dumbledore prepared himself to announce the House Cup winner of the term. "As you all know, or have heard." he winked at Fred and George who were the mischievous boys who spread important rumors like that throughout the school like wildfire, "that this year we had to have a tie breaker between two of the houses. These two houses were Gryffindor and Ravenclaw." Harry, along with every member of either of these houses, was on the edge of his seat in an instant. "After much consideration, and retallying of points, I am proud to announce that this year's winner of the House Cup is Ravenclaw!" Dumbledore shouted.
Applause rang out through the Great Hall. Many of the Slytherins were too rude to even politely clap for the winners, but everyone else was somewhat happy for the Ravenclaws. Some were pleased because finally Gryffindor hadn't won the award. Harry saw Cho being hugged by a bunch of house mates, and he suddenly longed to be in Ravenclaw celebrating with her. Ron and Hermione seemed to have read his thoughts, as they had learned to do throughout their five year friendship.
"Hey mate. I am sure you can go give Cho some congratulations kisses later," Ron winked at Harry, who blushed a bit.
"Yeah. And you can still be in Gryffindor to do so Harry dear," Hermione squeezed his shoulder. "Oh are we embarrassing you Harry?"
"Oh. You guys are getting on my nerves." Harry turned around, and beckoned to Cho. She grinned and tried to sneak out of the Ravenclaw crowd to see Harry. "I'll see you guys on the train." Harry waved to his two best friends as he went over to meet Cho. They went into the main corridor. They didn't care that it was full of upset Slytherins though.
"Hey Cho. Good job." Harry took her by the arm and pulled her close.
"You too, my Quidditch boy," she ran her hand through his messy hair.
"Ugh. It will never lay flat," Harry complained.
"But that is what I love about it," Cho leaned in closer to kiss him, but Harry stopped her.
"What?" Cho asked, confused.
"You do know that I would be just as proud of you if you had won the Quidditch cup, don't you Cho?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Of course I do Harry. Now do you want that kiss or not?" she teased him.
Harry grinned seductively and lifted her chin so that her lips were closer to his. "How could I say no, Chang?"
Cho pressed her mouth against Harry's and they kissed playfully for a minute, then she pulled away. "Chang? My name is Cho. Potter!"
Harry leaned in for another kiss, but the door to the Great Hall swung open suddenly and almost knocked him and Cho over.
"What the?!"
"Sorry 'arry. Cho." It was Hagrid. Harry sighed with relief.
"Hey Hagrid. Scared me a bit." Harry wrapped his arm around Cho's shoulders. "What's up?"
"I have got a present here for ya."
Hagrid handed Harry an old, musty book. He wondered what on earth it could be. He hoped it wasn't a dangerous book for the class Hagrid taught.
"Well. Dumbledore told me that you were asking someone special to you about your parents." his voice trailed off. Harry could tell that Hagrid knew about Sirius. "And well, Lily and James were expecting an attack by you-know-who."
"Say his name," Harry interrupted.
"All right. Vold-em-ort," Hagrid gulped. "And then, er, Lily entrusted this to Dumbledore's care, you know, in case something happened to her and James. Well it was her diary 'arry. We thought it might help answer some of your questions about your parents 'arry."
"Thanks Hagrid," Harry hugged his older friend. "You're the best."
Hagrid's face burned red beneath his beard. "Well I guess I am okay 'arry. Hope you like it."
Harry smiled.
"Oh. You have got to go to the station now!" Hagrid said alarmed. "Blimey, I need to keep better track of time."
Harry laughed, and guided Cho out the door.
"Harry, are you okay? I mean, about your parents?" Cho asked anxiously.
"Yeah," Harry kissed her chastely on the cheek. "Thanks for being concerned though."
Harry and Cho found Ron and Hermione in a compartment near the back of the train, and they joined them. Harry took out his mum's diary to show to Ron and Hermione. "It was my mum's," He said proudly.
"Where did you get it?" Ron asked, interestedly.
"Hagrid gave it to me. My mum left it in Dumbledore's care."
"Harry." Cho tugged on his arm, trying to get him to notice her.
"What Cho?" he asked.
"Well Hagrid said that you were asking some special person about your parents' history. And who would that be? I know it isn't the Dursleys, because you told me all about them. Do you have some kind of surrogate parent?"
Harry looked alarmed, and so did Ron and Hermione. They shook their heads adamantly at Harry. It was quite obvious that they didn't want him to tell her about Sirius. Harry was stuck in a jumble now. What to do? He really, really liked Cho, and he trusted her, but he was disappointed to find that his friends did not.
"Harry. I have a feeling you are not telling me something," Cho raised her eyebrows at him.
Harry was put on the spot now. Hermione was mouthing, "No," at him, and Cho was glaring at her. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Cho had had enough.
"Harry I'm leaving. Obviously you have something important to tell me, but you don't trust me with the knowledge of it." She was on the brink of tears. Harry stood up and tried to intercept her at the compartment door, but she was too quick for him.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted in exasperation.
"How could you screw things up for them like that Hermione?" Ron glared at her.
"Oh, as if you weren't shaking your head at him too, trying to get him not to tell her." Hermione stood up in a huff. Ron tried to grasp her arm and pull her back, but she slapped his wrist. "I am leaving too!"
Harry and Ron stared at each other. "God, women can be so touchy." Ron finally said to clear the uncomfortable silence.
"Erm, Ron. I think they are right, not us. We men are just incredibly tactless." Harry sighed, accepting the truth.
"Well go after her mate! You should tell her. We're sorry. We did put you on the spot. If she's still mad after you tell her, blame us, after all it was our fault."
"Well, it was my fault too," Harry grabbed his mother's diary. "I am going to go find her Ron."
"Good luck mate," Ron said. Harry opened the compartment door and was about to leave when Ron stopped him. "Hey will you tell Herm that I'm sorry?"
The short, bushy-haired girl stepped into the compartment with her hands on her hips and turned to Ron. "Why don't you tell her so yourself?"
Ron looked extremely flustered, and stood up to face Hermione. "I'm really sorry, about what I said. I just didn't want Harry to be mad at me. I shouldn't have just blamed you though."
"Okay. That works for now Ron." Hermione sat down beside him, and patted his knee. "Wait. I have a wonderful idea. Why don't you read a bit of this, for punishment!" and she pulled a worn and tattered copy of a book bearing the name "Hogwarts: A History" out of her bag.
"No!" Ron begged, "I'll do anything Herm."
She grinned evilly, and Harry snickered at his friend's predicament. Suddenly he became sober and frowned. He was almost sure that it wouldn't be that easy to get Cho to forgive him, but he had to try. He sighed, afraid to face his girlfriend as he set off to find her.