Chapter Eight~ Afraid To Tell
***
Last day... Harry thought. Of all the times to be awkward to Cho... why now? He thought as he stared up at his four-poster.
Harry sat up and took his glasses from the bedside table and put them on after he rubbed his eyes. Harry looked around. Everyone was still sleeping. He then turned to a clock.
Seven-thirty... no wonder... Harry thought.
Seven-thirty in the morning was quite a weird time to wake up during Saturday's but Harry couldn't go back to sleep anymore. He stood up, dressed and got his Firebolt.
Harry walked down the staircase and out the common room. Only a few students were out there, Harry saw about two, the most. He sighed and walked to the pitch.
It was cold but Harry wore two sweaters so he really didn't shiver much. He stared up to the morning sun and there it was, gently touching the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch.
Harry squinted as he looked up and then to the misty pitch. It was nearing winter and so was the match of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor... oh right... they were still going to have that postponed match with Ravenclaw.
Harry lifted one leg over his Firebolt and kicked gently off the ground.
His Firebolt brought him smoothly over the pitch as Harry closed his eyes and felt the breeze wipe his face.
His thoughts brought him to Cho.
He thought about her adorable smile, her beautiful baby face, her beautiful Chinese eyes... and practically everything about her. Harry opened his eyes and smiled at the thought. He liked... no... he loves her...
He wanted her to be his girlfriend not just because of the sake but he wanted to make her happy. All her problems made her feel terrible and the least he could do is be the one who will comfort her and be with her.
Harry, who was now fifty feet above the pitch, stopped flying when he saw something move from below. Strange, it looked like a teacher... except it looked like it was running hurriedly from something... like it was guilty for something somehow...
Harry squinted and he didn't want to go lower because the hooded black figure might see him and scurry off away. He wanted to know who that was. Harry took out his wand and muttered, "Engargio..."
The figure was magnified ten times bigger but only to Harry's vision. He saw the figure stop running and look around as if checking if the coast was clear. It then took out a rose... a black one.
Harry's eyes grew wide but without him controlling it. It was dropped to the ground and the figure took out his or her wand, muttering a spell Harry didn't quiet get.
The figure looked around, a bit stupid not minding the air for someone like, well, Harry looking down on him. It then moved to another place and touched something... gone.
"Reducto!" Harry muttered and his vision became normal. He blinked a few times and saw the pitch. Weird... someone creeping like that into the pitch, of all places, at seven in the morning.
Harry then felt a shot of pain through his scar. He winced but then it was gone as fast as it had come. Harry flew down and walked back to the castle. What as that?
* * *
"And it just vanished? Just like that?" Ron asked, taking a bite off his toast. "Must have used a portkey, it's impossible to apparate in and out of Hogwarts!" Hermione said.
Harry and Ron stared at her. Hermione sighed. "Hogwarts a History! I've been telling you that!" she said as she shook her head disapprovingly and brought a piece of bacon to her mouth.
"So, today's last day of detention for you and Cho, are you happy?" Ron asked but he seemed to know the answer either way. Hermione and Ron eyed Harry as he pecked on his sunny-side up eggs.
"I really don't know... I mean, after yesterday, I guess I... feel awkward." Harry said as he raised his head to them. "I can see that." Hermione said. "And, I don't know what to do anymore I..." Harry said but then remembered the little pain in his scar a little while ago.
"What?" Ron asked, looking sideways to Harry. "Nothing..." would he tell them? Not after the last year where his scar sessions always meant Voldemort was at large and... ah forget it!
"Well, I'm off to the library!" Hermione said. Harry and Ron stared at her. "Now? But Hermione, mind you, it is a Saturday, just in case you forgot." Ron said.
Hermione took her two books, Harry thought it was miracle it was only two. "Well, as a prefect, I want to be a role model to the others, not like you Mr. Weasley, see you later!" she said as she gave Ron a piercing look and left.
Ron was about to comment but then patted Harry frantically on the shoulder. "What?" Harry asked, looking to him. Ron's mouth was full of food so he blurted out, "M-CHO! 'ERE!!" he said quiet loudly, spitting out bits of food.
Harry moaned in disgust but then heard the most wonderful voice his ears have ever heard.
"Hey Harry! Hi Ron!" the voice said. Cho Chang.
Harry looked at her, almost snapping his neck. "Cho! What are you doing here?" he asked as Ron coughed a bit. Cho lifted her shoulders with little grin. She looked beautiful with her black shiny hair in buns and stray hairs fell on her face.
She was wearing a white, three-fourths polo with a light-blue sweater-vest on it and pants looking body hugging and at the same time, loose.
"I just wanted to say hello. I actually just woke up!" she said cheerfully. Harry stared at her. She didn't look like she just woke up. He gladly compared Ron to her...
"What?" Cho asked. Harry blinked a few times. "Nothing, it's just that... you don't look like you just woke up." A little blush crept up Cho's cheeks. She looked prettier to Harry. A perfect angel.
"Oh! I also came by to ask if it is okay if we spend time together a bit after breakfast, Harry? ...If you don't mind Ron." She said.
Harry turned to Ron praying he'll say, "Oh! I don't mind!"
Ron just put down his goblet of juice. "Well, actually..." "Of course he doesn't mind!" Harry replied for Ron. Ron eyed him. "Great! Thanks a lot Ron! Say hello to Hermione for me too! Bye Harry!" Cho said and left.
Harry's eyes were fixated on her with a smile of utter satisfaction on his face. Ron nudged him using his elbow. "We were supposed to train for the match!" he said a bit forcefully. Harry didn't mind.
"Maybe tomorrow... or later after Cho and I talk... this is important..." Harry muttered still looking at the beautiful raven-haired girl. Ron sighed, "Oh fine... am I going to be the substitute captain again?" he asked. Harry nodded.
* * *
"So, Sirius Black was your godfather?" Cho asked as she and Harry walked on the grounds. The quiet ambiance made their footsteps make a loud crunching sound on the grass.
"Yeah..." Harry replied and tried to say something else but he felt empty again. Cho eyed him. She then looked back to the grass she was walking on. "I'm sorry." She muttered.
"S'okay." Harry replied. "Let's not talk about it anymore, would that be better?" Cho asked. Yeah, a hundred times better... Harry thought. "Yea, thanks." Harry replied.
Cho smiled and grabbed his hand. Harry shuddered at the warmth and softness and she dragged him to the lake. They stopped when they were a few feet away.
Being open to Cho was a lot more than Harry had ever wished for. He thought his feelings for her were gone at the end of last year but it all came back again... he didn't know why. Maybe because she was only the remaining person he cared deeply for? Besides Ron and Hermione.
"This always calms me... watching the gentle waters on the lake move and flow delicately... knowing that it can wash away grief and return you with a blessing making you think that not everything in the world is wrong..."
Cho said this all as she closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh air after. Harry watched her intently thinking of her deep and touching words. She then opened her eyes and looked at Harry.
She was blushing. Harry saw this and felt himself blush also. "You um... wanted to tell me something?" Harry asked.
Cho bit her lip and turned away. "I... well, you know that... I um... like you, right?" she asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah..." Cho looked up at him. "I just want to make sure... do you uh, like me?" she asked.
Harry turned to the lake. If he said yes, this might start something, something he wished for a long time ago. But if he said no, he would save Cho from the pains of things to come, yes he knew, but he would also turn away from her, disappointed.
"Like you said... we are just friends. I... don't want to... say anything yet." Harry said. He saw Cho front he corner of his eye nodded slowly and she lowered her head; no curtain of hair hid her sad face.
"I guess so..." she said softly. Harry looked at her slightly. He saw her sullen facial expression. It pained him to see her still beautiful but in pain.
***
Last day... Harry thought. Of all the times to be awkward to Cho... why now? He thought as he stared up at his four-poster.
Harry sat up and took his glasses from the bedside table and put them on after he rubbed his eyes. Harry looked around. Everyone was still sleeping. He then turned to a clock.
Seven-thirty... no wonder... Harry thought.
Seven-thirty in the morning was quite a weird time to wake up during Saturday's but Harry couldn't go back to sleep anymore. He stood up, dressed and got his Firebolt.
Harry walked down the staircase and out the common room. Only a few students were out there, Harry saw about two, the most. He sighed and walked to the pitch.
It was cold but Harry wore two sweaters so he really didn't shiver much. He stared up to the morning sun and there it was, gently touching the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch.
Harry squinted as he looked up and then to the misty pitch. It was nearing winter and so was the match of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor... oh right... they were still going to have that postponed match with Ravenclaw.
Harry lifted one leg over his Firebolt and kicked gently off the ground.
His Firebolt brought him smoothly over the pitch as Harry closed his eyes and felt the breeze wipe his face.
His thoughts brought him to Cho.
He thought about her adorable smile, her beautiful baby face, her beautiful Chinese eyes... and practically everything about her. Harry opened his eyes and smiled at the thought. He liked... no... he loves her...
He wanted her to be his girlfriend not just because of the sake but he wanted to make her happy. All her problems made her feel terrible and the least he could do is be the one who will comfort her and be with her.
Harry, who was now fifty feet above the pitch, stopped flying when he saw something move from below. Strange, it looked like a teacher... except it looked like it was running hurriedly from something... like it was guilty for something somehow...
Harry squinted and he didn't want to go lower because the hooded black figure might see him and scurry off away. He wanted to know who that was. Harry took out his wand and muttered, "Engargio..."
The figure was magnified ten times bigger but only to Harry's vision. He saw the figure stop running and look around as if checking if the coast was clear. It then took out a rose... a black one.
Harry's eyes grew wide but without him controlling it. It was dropped to the ground and the figure took out his or her wand, muttering a spell Harry didn't quiet get.
The figure looked around, a bit stupid not minding the air for someone like, well, Harry looking down on him. It then moved to another place and touched something... gone.
"Reducto!" Harry muttered and his vision became normal. He blinked a few times and saw the pitch. Weird... someone creeping like that into the pitch, of all places, at seven in the morning.
Harry then felt a shot of pain through his scar. He winced but then it was gone as fast as it had come. Harry flew down and walked back to the castle. What as that?
* * *
"And it just vanished? Just like that?" Ron asked, taking a bite off his toast. "Must have used a portkey, it's impossible to apparate in and out of Hogwarts!" Hermione said.
Harry and Ron stared at her. Hermione sighed. "Hogwarts a History! I've been telling you that!" she said as she shook her head disapprovingly and brought a piece of bacon to her mouth.
"So, today's last day of detention for you and Cho, are you happy?" Ron asked but he seemed to know the answer either way. Hermione and Ron eyed Harry as he pecked on his sunny-side up eggs.
"I really don't know... I mean, after yesterday, I guess I... feel awkward." Harry said as he raised his head to them. "I can see that." Hermione said. "And, I don't know what to do anymore I..." Harry said but then remembered the little pain in his scar a little while ago.
"What?" Ron asked, looking sideways to Harry. "Nothing..." would he tell them? Not after the last year where his scar sessions always meant Voldemort was at large and... ah forget it!
"Well, I'm off to the library!" Hermione said. Harry and Ron stared at her. "Now? But Hermione, mind you, it is a Saturday, just in case you forgot." Ron said.
Hermione took her two books, Harry thought it was miracle it was only two. "Well, as a prefect, I want to be a role model to the others, not like you Mr. Weasley, see you later!" she said as she gave Ron a piercing look and left.
Ron was about to comment but then patted Harry frantically on the shoulder. "What?" Harry asked, looking to him. Ron's mouth was full of food so he blurted out, "M-CHO! 'ERE!!" he said quiet loudly, spitting out bits of food.
Harry moaned in disgust but then heard the most wonderful voice his ears have ever heard.
"Hey Harry! Hi Ron!" the voice said. Cho Chang.
Harry looked at her, almost snapping his neck. "Cho! What are you doing here?" he asked as Ron coughed a bit. Cho lifted her shoulders with little grin. She looked beautiful with her black shiny hair in buns and stray hairs fell on her face.
She was wearing a white, three-fourths polo with a light-blue sweater-vest on it and pants looking body hugging and at the same time, loose.
"I just wanted to say hello. I actually just woke up!" she said cheerfully. Harry stared at her. She didn't look like she just woke up. He gladly compared Ron to her...
"What?" Cho asked. Harry blinked a few times. "Nothing, it's just that... you don't look like you just woke up." A little blush crept up Cho's cheeks. She looked prettier to Harry. A perfect angel.
"Oh! I also came by to ask if it is okay if we spend time together a bit after breakfast, Harry? ...If you don't mind Ron." She said.
Harry turned to Ron praying he'll say, "Oh! I don't mind!"
Ron just put down his goblet of juice. "Well, actually..." "Of course he doesn't mind!" Harry replied for Ron. Ron eyed him. "Great! Thanks a lot Ron! Say hello to Hermione for me too! Bye Harry!" Cho said and left.
Harry's eyes were fixated on her with a smile of utter satisfaction on his face. Ron nudged him using his elbow. "We were supposed to train for the match!" he said a bit forcefully. Harry didn't mind.
"Maybe tomorrow... or later after Cho and I talk... this is important..." Harry muttered still looking at the beautiful raven-haired girl. Ron sighed, "Oh fine... am I going to be the substitute captain again?" he asked. Harry nodded.
* * *
"So, Sirius Black was your godfather?" Cho asked as she and Harry walked on the grounds. The quiet ambiance made their footsteps make a loud crunching sound on the grass.
"Yeah..." Harry replied and tried to say something else but he felt empty again. Cho eyed him. She then looked back to the grass she was walking on. "I'm sorry." She muttered.
"S'okay." Harry replied. "Let's not talk about it anymore, would that be better?" Cho asked. Yeah, a hundred times better... Harry thought. "Yea, thanks." Harry replied.
Cho smiled and grabbed his hand. Harry shuddered at the warmth and softness and she dragged him to the lake. They stopped when they were a few feet away.
Being open to Cho was a lot more than Harry had ever wished for. He thought his feelings for her were gone at the end of last year but it all came back again... he didn't know why. Maybe because she was only the remaining person he cared deeply for? Besides Ron and Hermione.
"This always calms me... watching the gentle waters on the lake move and flow delicately... knowing that it can wash away grief and return you with a blessing making you think that not everything in the world is wrong..."
Cho said this all as she closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh air after. Harry watched her intently thinking of her deep and touching words. She then opened her eyes and looked at Harry.
She was blushing. Harry saw this and felt himself blush also. "You um... wanted to tell me something?" Harry asked.
Cho bit her lip and turned away. "I... well, you know that... I um... like you, right?" she asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah..." Cho looked up at him. "I just want to make sure... do you uh, like me?" she asked.
Harry turned to the lake. If he said yes, this might start something, something he wished for a long time ago. But if he said no, he would save Cho from the pains of things to come, yes he knew, but he would also turn away from her, disappointed.
"Like you said... we are just friends. I... don't want to... say anything yet." Harry said. He saw Cho front he corner of his eye nodded slowly and she lowered her head; no curtain of hair hid her sad face.
"I guess so..." she said softly. Harry looked at her slightly. He saw her sullen facial expression. It pained him to see her still beautiful but in pain.
