Chapter Eleven~ The Date ***

"Yeah, she said there is no possible cure for my scar since Vol--You-Know- Who made it so she just gave me a pain reliever and let me go." Harry explained to Ron and Hermione. He didn't mention the name since Ron might jump again.

"But she made you sleep the whole night there? It makes no sense." Ron said. "She said it was just in case she had to give me a larger dose of pain reliever. I might have another scar thing so she kept me." Harry said.

"Well, let's go down to breakfast?" Hermione asked as she stood up from her favourite armchair. Ron stood up too. "Coming Harry? Are you okay now mate?" he asked when he saw Harry just sit still.

Harry looked up. "Oh! Yeah, right, go ahead. I'll follow." He said. Hermione motioned Ron to come with her and Ron followed. Harry sighed and sat alone in the couch in the Gryffindor common room.

"Cho... are you... no, it sounds too casual..." Harry said as he stared up at the ceiling. He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair as he closed his eyes. "Cho... will you... yeah! That's it!" Harry said as he sat upright.

"Cho, will you be going home for the Christmas break...?" Harry said to himself. He thought about what he had said and leaned back on the couch. "Does that sound right...?" he asked himself. "What does?" a voice came from behind him, making Harry jump.

He turned around and saw Ginny descending the stairs. "Oh, hi Ginny." Harry said with a smile. Ginny ran little steps to him. "So, what are you doing?" she asked, leaning on the couch. "Why aren't you at breakfast?" Harry asked.

"Oh, ha! I just woke up so... there. What are you talking about?" Ginny asked. Harry eyed her. "Um, just... Cho." he said. Ginny's eyes grew a bit big. "Her? That cry baby..." "Don't call her that." Harry said abruptly. Ginny stopped and blinked a few times. "Sorry..."

"What about?" Ginny asked. "Well, I was going to ask her if she can come with me to a date at the next Hogsmeade visit. Since it is nearing Christmas vacation, it might be a good opportunity to go out with her." Harry said.

Ginny thought for a moment. "Don't tell me you two are going out? Harry, you and her had a fight last time..." "No, we aren't a couple." Harry said. "But why..." "I just... see it fit to ask her. I want to anyway." Harry said. Ginny nodded. "Well, what were going to say?" Ginny asked. "First, I'll ask her if she's going home for the break and then ask her if she can go out with me." Ginny looked confused. "So...if she says she isn't going home...?" "Well, we'll still go out, I just want to know if she is going home anyway, the date is final."

Ginny smiled and patted Harry's shoulder. "Well, I guess I don't have to hear what you are going to say. See you at the Great Hall!!" she said and left the portrait hole.

* * *

It was a nice Saturday morning and Harry hoped it helped wash away what he was feeling right now. He was quiet as they ate breakfast. Ron, Hermione and the other Gryffindors were having a hearty meal, talking and laughing.

Harry sighed softly and played with his cereal. He looked up and saw Cho eating with her friends. He felt nervous Cho would turn him down, or maybe the fact that she wasn't staying here in the school for vacation.

Ron and the rest of his family were going home for the vacation because of a family reunion. Harry as invited, of course, but he decided not to go since Voldemort was at large and the fact that he was being sought after, he didn't want to risk the Weasley's peaceful reunion.

Hermione on the other hand had to go with her parents. They had some kind of vacation in an Asian country... was it China or Japan? Harry forgot but he surely wouldn't want to go for the same reasons even if Hermione invited him.

He knew he would die of boredom if Cho, his only hope, would go home also. But why was he so worried about her going home? Yeah, so he loved her but still, there are other Gryffindors who would probably stay for the break, why her? Why not a Hufflepuff? Or a Slytherin... okay, that answered Harry's question.

He was done eating and looked up at Cho. She was standing up with her friends. Harry had a sudden urge to go after her so he stood up. Ron and the others looked at him. "Where are you going? You done?" Ron asked. Harry nodded and left, watching Cho closely.

He saw Cho and her friends leave the Great Hall and Harry went to follow them. When Harry steeped out, he bumped into them right away. It seems that they have stopped a while to talk. "Oh! Sorry!" Harry said, bumping into Cho herself.

"Huh? Oh Harry! What are you doing here?" Cho asked. Harry blushed right away and he knew the other girls were staring at him. "Um, hello." Harry said awkwardly to the other girls. They giggled a little. Harry remembered what he thought before in his fourth year about girls giggling, he thought it should be illegal.

"Guys!" Cho scolded. "Did you want to talk to me Harry?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. Harry looked down at her. He only noticed now that she was very short, she was up to his chin but about half an inch above it.

"Um, yeah, can I have a word with you?" Harry asked, quivering a bit. Cho smiled and nodded. "You guys go ahead, I'll follow." Cho said to her friends.

Harry and Cho were now alone. "So? What is it?" Cho asked, a pink blush rising up her cheeks. Harry looked around and saw students walking. "Um, can we step out? Just anywhere private?" Harry asked. Cho thought he would finally ask her to be his girlfriend so she agreed.

"Let's go out." She said, grabbing his hand.

In the cold, snowy grounds, Harry and Cho walked side by side and they were quiet for while. Harry thought if Cho felt cold since she was only wearing a skirt, knee-high socks with doll shoes and a sweater. Harry didn't mind anyway.

"So... what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Cho asked. Harry swallowed hard, feeling his Adam's apple move. "Um..." he said and stopped walking. Cho stopped walking too and they both faced each other.

"Y-You see..." Harry stuttered and it wasn't only because of the cold weather. "Um... are you going to go home for the Christmas break?" Harry asked. Cho looked a bit surprised he asked her that.

No Harry! That wasn't the right way you practiced to say it... Harry thought. "Um, now that you mention it, will you be going home? Oh... sorry." Cho said, blushing some more. She remembered he only had his uncle and aunt.

Harry shook his head. "You?" he asked. Cho looked up at him. "No. My mum and dad are very busy. They need to finish their business things and since it is nearing the holidays, they would be very busy with everyone. They told me to stay here." She said.

Harry's body filled up with heat. "S-So, you're staying?" he asked, giving her a smile. Cho nodded, biting her red lip. Harry nodded, trying to keep control of himself from jumping up in delight.

"Is that what you wanted to ask me?" Cho asked. Harry shook his head. "You know that we are visiting Hogsmeade this Wednesday?" Harry asked. Cho nodded. "Yeah, you're going with Ron and Hermione?" she asked. Harry wanted to say no.

"Um, yeah but... not exactly." He said. Cho frowned. "But you usually go with them." she said.

"Yeah but..."

"And you don't go with other people except them."

"I know but..."

"They're your best friends Harry! I suggest you..."

"I want you to come with me to Hogsmeade Cho!" Harry said a bit loudly trying to cut her off. Cho stopped talking. She felt another blush rise up her cheeks. "Oh." She said, staring at Harry blankly.

Harry looked around, trying to register what he had said. He had already asked her! Now comes the hard part... the yes and the no. "Sorry... um... Cho... would you want to come with me to Hogsmeade?" Harry asked, now calm.

Cho was still frozen. "A-Are you asking me out on a... date?" she asked. Harry hesitated for a moment and nodded. Cho looked down and a smile slowly crept on her lips. She then looked up at Harry. "Of course I will!!" she said.

Harry felt the weird sensation in his stomach again. "Y-You will?" Harry asked, his emerald eyes brightening up. Cho nodded. "Why not?" she said. Harry smiled and laughed a bit. "Well, glad that's over with." He said. Cho giggled.

"Over? You mean you were practicing this the whole time?" Cho asked as they started to walk into the castle. "Well, yeah, sort of." Harry said. Cho bit her lip and looked at the snow she was stepping on.

* * *

The Saturday turned into Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and then Wednesday came. It was now Hogsmeade time for the third to seventh years. Everyone was so excited and Harry and Ron told Hermione about him and Cho going together again.

Hermione suggested they be alone but Ron wanted to come with them. Of course, Hermione won. Harry was so excited that day that he felt like he breezed through the tests given by the teachers that morning and then, lunchtime came, time to go to Hogsmeade.

Harry dressed up rather carefully that day. He dressed into a red, loose sweater and khaki pants. It did kind of bring out his emerald eyes. He also had a jacket with him. He faced the mirror and put a hand on his hair, trying to flatten it but to no extent.

He decided it was better if he appeared like his normal self. It was better if Cho like him for he was, not some polished dope. Harry went down the stairs and out the Gryffindor common room to meet Cho but the entrance hall.

Harry arrived and saw Ron and Hermione nearby. He went to them. "Hey! Did you two see Cho?" Harry asked. Ron and Hermione were quiet for a while. "Harry, is that... cologne?" Ron asked. Harry looked around and looked at himself.

"Oh! Yeah, but its just a bit. Is it okay?" Harry asked.

"Oh! It's more than okay!" Hermione said, smiling. Ron nudged her. Harry gave a smile. "Harry!" Cho's voice came. Harry turned around and saw Cho. His eyes grew big at her. She looked very pretty!

She wore a spaghetti-strapped dress, reaching down just below her knees. It was a flowy kind of dress, chemise on top and silk inside. She wore kung fu shoes and she had her hair in two braids. Her fair, flawless skin magnified the colour of her dress.

It was coloured blue, a combination of light, dark and mid blue. It was like a tie-dye dress but nicer. She wore a little silver necklace around her neck and a bracelet of the same design on her right wrist. She ran to Harry and stopped when she reached him.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late, my friend wanted me to wait for her." Cho said. Harry was still staring at her. "N-No problem..." he said slowly. Ron and Hermione smiled and turned around to follow the others going out.

Cho smiled. "You look nice... and... smell nice." She said looking at Harry. Harry blushed. "Uh, thanks! You look..." he just couldn't find the words to say it. Cho looked at him expectantly. "Wonderful..." Harry finally blurted out, finding that that word matched Cho.

Cho smiled and went beside him. "Come on, let's go." She said. Harry took a hold of her hand and Cho slightly jumped as they made their way outside.

* * *

They stopped over at the Three Broomsticks and went inside. Harry remembered the last year; Cho stormed out of the place and left Harry. He didn't want to think it since he knew this day would be entirely different. It wasn't raining anyway.

Harry ordered two butterbeers for them and they sat there, not finding a topic of conversation. Harry watched Cho intently. She had her legs crossed, her foot on tiptoe; her elbow was on the table with her hand supporting her chin as she looked outside the window.

Her other hand was on the table and it was just there, still. Harry looked at her small hand and wanted to hold it in his. "Um, are you okay? Do you want anything else?" Harry asked. Cho faced him. "Hmmm? What? Oh! No, thank you." Cho said and looked back out.

Harry was so bothered he couldn't talk to her normally. He felt very nervous. "Um, so, everything okay with school?" Harry asked. Cho looked back at him. She smiled. "Yes. Except for Professor Snape!" Cho said. Harry frowned. "What is it?" he asked.

"I was taking notes about everything he was saying and he blamed me for not listening! I was copying down what he was saying for crying out loud!" Cho explained. Harry laughed. "That's happened to me too, my first year." he said.

"Well, it's a good thing I got an O in my Potions O.W.L.s just to get back at him." Cho said. Harry's eyes grew big. "You got an O?" he asked. Cho nodded slightly. "Well, I was so angry with him I reviewed and reviewed everything I could just to get back at him." Cho said.

Harry smiled in amazement. "Wow..." he said softly. Cho smiled. "Thanks. But you did very well in Defence Against the Dark Arts Tonks said you got an O." Cho said.

Harry smiled. "'Ere ya go Mr. Potter..." a wizard said, handing one butterbeer to Harry. "An' one for 'is lovely girlfriend..." "Um, she's not my..." Harry said. "Oh! So sorry 'ere lad, she looks like yer love though... so, enjoy yeh lovebirds!" he said and left.

Harry and Cho took little sips of their butterbeer. They didn't face each other since the wizard mentioned they were a couple. Cho put down her beer. "Well, that's good." She said. Harry put down his. "Yeah... it's good." He said. Cho smiled when Harry met her eyes.

Harry smiled back. "When you're done, do you want to go anywhere?" he asked. Cho shrugged. "Anything would be fine." She said. Harry nodded. They finished their beer and Harry paid for everything. Cho said she wanted to pay for it but Harry wanted to do it.

They walked along the snowy grounds of Hogsmeade. "Lovely day, isn't it? Little snowflakes but it isn't too bad." Cho said. Harry saw that what she was wearing was too skimpy for the weather. He took off his jacket and gave it to her. "Here, you look cold." He said.

"Oh, no, you're going to feel cold..." "I'm fine. I'm in a sweater and pants anyway. You on the other hand..." Harry said. He didn't want to ask her why she wore that dress. He knew perfectly well just like him, choosing the most presentable pair of clothing.

Cho nodded and took it but she was a bit hesitant. She wore it and Harry saw her feel better. His jacket was bigger than her but it was an advantage. They walked along Hogsmeade, looking very much like lovers except the fact that they weren't holding hands.

They talked about things like quidditch, teachers and Cho's parents. Harry hardly knew what they were. It was already five-thirty in the afternoon when Harry looked to his watch. Dusk was already there.

"Want to go back? Most of the students are gone." Harry said to Cho. Cho looked around. She saw a few seventh years she knew. "Well, if you want to." She said. "Oh! I forgot something, wait right here." He said and ran to a store nearby. Cho wanted to follow but Harry said, "Wait right here."

After a few moments, Harry emerged from the store and he and Cho went back to Hogwarts.

* * *

When they arrived in the grounds, it was already night. Harry saw that it was almost six-thirty. Cho still wore his jacket. "Well, thank you very much for a fun day Harry!" Cho said. She tiptoed and kissed Harry lightly on the cheek.

Harry swallowed hard and watched Cho as she settled back on her feet. "Your jacket..." "No, wear it first, it's still cold." Harry said. Cho nodded. "Well, I'll go ahead..." "Wait Cho!" Harry said as he started to walk.

"Yes?" Cho asked.

Harry took something out of his pocket and there, in his hand, rested a black box. "This is for you. An early Christmas gift." Harry said. Cho eyed him and then the box. "Is this what you bought back in Hogsmeade?" Cho asked. Harry nodded.

Cho took it and opened the box. There rested the most beautiful necklace she has ever seen. It had a blue gem as the pendant and the chain was pure silver.

"Oh my gosh... Harry... this must've cost a lot... how much did you-" "My lips are sealed." Harry replied. Cho looked up at him and Harry saw faint tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you Harry, thank you so much..." she said as she took it in her hand.

Harry took it and went behind her, clasping it around her neck. "There. It goes well with your dress right now... and your Ravenclaw uniform." He said, laughing a bit. Cho giggled and faced Harry. "Thank you so much! I love it! I'm never taking it off." She said.

Harry smiled. "Your welcome." He said. They became quiet and Harry slowly went near Cho. Cho didn't move from her position. Harry bent a bit lower as he tried to catch her lips in his. They gradually closed their eyes also. Harry then felt her soft lips on his again. Under the night sky, the romantic snow, nothing compares to this moment... nothing at all... Harry thought.

~Ohhh... love is in the air, but is it for good? There you go! Chapter 11! The next chapters are going to be R and more action already, keep checking for it~