OR DIE TRYING: THE STORY OF CHO CHANG
By monkeymouse
NB: JKRowling built the Potterverse; I'm just redecorating one of the rooms. And one of the great things about JKR telling the story from Harry's point of view is that stuff could be happening all over Hogwarts that Harry isn't aware of.
Rated: PG
Spoilers: Everything
xxx
25. A Trio of Owls
Sunday, 8 November 1992
Dear Mummy and Daddy,
It's 10:00 p.m. and I'm just starting this scroll. By all rights you should have gotten this letter by now. I usually write Sundays before breakfast, as you know. It's a quiet time in the dorm, and I can put my thoughts in order. But this weekend, all over Hogwarts, order is in very short supply!
I'll start at the beginning. I told you last week about the strange circumstances involving the caretaker's cat. Headmaster Dumbledore made the announcement that the cat would be restored with a mandrake potion, except that the plants we have here are still too immature, and it will take the better part of the school year for them to grow to proper potency. I really wish I knew as much about herbs as you do; I think somebody could make up a proper restorative potion with ginseng much more quickly.
Anyway, nobody seemed to know what the writing meant that referred to the "Chamber of Secrets". Our Professor Flitwick must have heard some very nasty rumours; all he would do was shudder when asked and say it was all before his time.
We finally got some answers from Professor Binns, the ghost who teaches History of Magic. He hates being asked questions that have nothing to do with the assignment, but so many students have asked him about the Chamber that he told us the story just to have it over and done. But he was quite clear: he wanted us to pay attention to the facts of the history, and not to the wild rumours that have grown up around the facts.
The facts, then:
The notion that there is a Chamber of Secrets goes back to the days when Hogwarts was first founded by the four wizards whose names live on in the Houses. One of those Founders, a Dark Arts specialist named Salazar Slytherin, got into an argument with the other three. They had been recruiting students with magical talent, without regard to whether the child's families were magical or Muggle. Slytherin wanted students from magical families only. His reason seemed to be for protection: a student with Muggle relatives might betray the school's location, and they'd wake up one morning surrounded by a hundred archers. (Of course, these days there are ample secrecy spells; the school is quite able to look after itself. But perhaps it wasn't so able a thousand years ago.)
In any case, Slytherin left Hogwarts sometime later. But not, the story goes, before he created a corner of the castle called the Chamber of Secrets. Binns told us that the "heir of Slytherin" is supposed to be able to open the Chamber and release some dreadful monster within. This monster is then supposed to attack the unworthy-I suppose that means the Muggles.
Well, I had no way of knowing whether a cat could be either magical or Muggle, so, even hearing all this, I put it down to a childish prank. (Gryffindor has a couple of Beaters whom I wouldn't put it past to stage something like this.) Do you remember my writing about my friend Penny Clearwater-oops, she now prefers Penelope. She's Muggle-born, and I did ask her to be on her guard, just in case, but she laughed it off. I decided to do the same.
That brings me to this weekend. Yesterday was the first Quidditch match of the year. I had hoped Ravenclaw would play, defending its Quidditch Cup, but the first match was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Do either of you know Lucius Malfoy? He's head of some wealthy old wizarding family and on Hogwarts' Board of Governors. His son Draco Malfoy was just made Seeker for Slytherin House-largely, I suspect, because his father bought the entire team new, top of the line Nimbus 2001 brooms. Of course, a move like that usually indicates that money needs to be thrown around to cover up a lack of talent, but Draco isn't half-bad a flier. Although I think he's be better as a Chaser than a Seeker. I suspect he wanted that spot only because of some long-standing feud-he seems to take everything personally where Ha Li Po Te is involved. It's as if they always have some sort of personal score to settle when they play Quidditch. But I'm getting away from events.
Ha Li Po Te was Seeker for Gryffindor again, and, even though he's Second- Year, he seems to have settled into his position and was doing quite well. That is, until it started raining and one of the Bludgers decided to attack him and him alone. Madam Hooch told me afterward that it had to have been enchanted-only the Golden Snitch has a mind of its own-but she couldn't find any evidence of a spell. Meanwhile, Harry was trying to find the Snitch while doing some brilliant evasive flying to dodge the Bludger. Sure enough, he found it and caught it, winning for Gryffindor, but he must have gotten turned round in the rain. He didn't realize how close he was to the ground; the Bludger had broken one arm and, when he caught the Snitch with the other, he lost control and crashed into the pitch.
That shouldn't have been such a problem-as I know from the broken bones I suffered in my Second Year. But then, Professor Lockhart comes up and, instead of sending for Madam Pomfrey, tries to heal Harry's arm by himself. All he did was make it worse; he Charmed every single bone out of Harry's arm! Madam Pomfrey nearly had a fit when she arrived. She took Harry back to the hospital wing, to stay there overnight while she regrew the bones.
What does any of that have to do with the Chamber of Secrets? Just this: this morning before breakfast, I snuck down to the hospital wing. I wanted to see if Harry was healed yet, maybe say a word or two congratulating him on a match well played. But I couldn't get in to see him. There were several faculty there, including the Headmaster. It seems that, during the night, there had been another attack. This time, it was a student: Colin Creevey, a rather obnoxious First-Year Gryffindor, forever taking pictures of the entire school and everyone in it. Most important, though, he is a Muggle-born Gryffindor. He wasn't dead, but he was paralyzed the same as the cat.
I know what you must be thinking. Part of me wonders why I'm telling you this; it would probably put you in a dead panic. But, on the other hand, I think it's better that you heard all the details from me, rather than hear a few rumours and have to wait to have them sorted out.
I've looked at the options. In the worst of all possible worlds, there is a monster of some sort somewhere in Hogwarts. If the legend is true, it will attack only the Muggle-born (although how it will make out one student from another is beyond me). If it attacks only the Muggle-born, I'm safe. If, however, it goes after other students as well, I know enough to leave Hogwarts-on my own broom if need be! On the other hand, this all could be some cruel trick played by a student with a twisted sense of humour, in which case I can certainly stay out of harm's way.
All of which is to tell you: please don't worry about me! Headmaster Dumbledore and the faculty have given assurances that those already paralyzed will be restored, and that the mystery will be solved.
I expect this week will be far less crazy!
Love
Cho
***
Quan Yin returned with the reply in the middle of Monday night's dinner:
Monday, 9 November 1992
Dear Cho,
The very fact that you judge yourself as mature enough to take care of yourself in your situation tells me that your judgment is not mature at all! A student has been attacked and is in hospital. Nobody there has any idea what attacked him, or whether there will be another attack. A truly mature person would appreciate the danger, but you do not.
Accordingly, I have enclosed your ticket for the Hogwarts Express of 21 December. You will come home for the Christmas holidays, and at that time we shall discuss, as a family, whether that school is too unsafe for you to return. Hogwarts may have the reputation of being the best wizarding school in Britain, but it is certainly not the only school. There are others, smaller and closer to London, where you can study, while living with us in Diagon Alley.
I honestly think such a solution would be for the best, and I think that, if you consider the idea dispassionately and sensibly, like the Ravenclaw you say you are instead of the impulsive little Horse you sometimes become, you will agree with me in this matter.
Mother
* * *
Cho didn't even finish dinner. She dashed up to her dormitory and started writing a reply. She wrote a few lines, then angrily spelled them off the parchment. She tried again, and again stopped to erase what she had written. The third time, she didn't erase the parchment scroll; rather, she tore it in two.
That actually helped calm her down. She got a fresh parchment, took a few deep breaths, and started writing again:
9 November 1992
Dear Mummy,
I've done as you said, and considered whether I should stay at Hogwarts, since there may be an unknown, possibly lethal, monster about the place. I am sending back the ticket.
For every reason you can think of to leave, I can think of two reasons to stay. Classes are in session, and I would be at a disadvantage if I left this school and started at another. If, in fact, a new school would let me start at once; I might have to wait until a new term.
Also, I expect to finally make my debut as the Ravenclaw Seeker at the school's next match. Were I to withdraw now, I would be hurting the entire team. We have worked long and hard to prepare for this match. Never mind how I would feel; leaving them in the lurch would be a betrayal.
Finally, nobody really knows the level of danger at Hogwarts, since nobody knows if there even is a Chamber of Secrets, much less what might have come out of it. I will certainly reconsider my decision if there is another attack before the holidays. Until then, I have made up my mind: here I am and here I shall stay!
Cho
She reread the letter twice before tying it and the ticket to Quan Yin's leg. "Sorry you didn't get more of a rest," she said as she opened the window and let the owl out. She watched it disappear into the night sky.
Cho had a pretty good idea how her mother would react to the letter. Well, she thought, this isn't the first time she's defied her mother's wishes. And it probably won't be the last!
* * *
to be continued in part 26, wherein Cho watches an example of dueling wizards
By monkeymouse
NB: JKRowling built the Potterverse; I'm just redecorating one of the rooms. And one of the great things about JKR telling the story from Harry's point of view is that stuff could be happening all over Hogwarts that Harry isn't aware of.
Rated: PG
Spoilers: Everything
xxx
25. A Trio of Owls
Sunday, 8 November 1992
Dear Mummy and Daddy,
It's 10:00 p.m. and I'm just starting this scroll. By all rights you should have gotten this letter by now. I usually write Sundays before breakfast, as you know. It's a quiet time in the dorm, and I can put my thoughts in order. But this weekend, all over Hogwarts, order is in very short supply!
I'll start at the beginning. I told you last week about the strange circumstances involving the caretaker's cat. Headmaster Dumbledore made the announcement that the cat would be restored with a mandrake potion, except that the plants we have here are still too immature, and it will take the better part of the school year for them to grow to proper potency. I really wish I knew as much about herbs as you do; I think somebody could make up a proper restorative potion with ginseng much more quickly.
Anyway, nobody seemed to know what the writing meant that referred to the "Chamber of Secrets". Our Professor Flitwick must have heard some very nasty rumours; all he would do was shudder when asked and say it was all before his time.
We finally got some answers from Professor Binns, the ghost who teaches History of Magic. He hates being asked questions that have nothing to do with the assignment, but so many students have asked him about the Chamber that he told us the story just to have it over and done. But he was quite clear: he wanted us to pay attention to the facts of the history, and not to the wild rumours that have grown up around the facts.
The facts, then:
The notion that there is a Chamber of Secrets goes back to the days when Hogwarts was first founded by the four wizards whose names live on in the Houses. One of those Founders, a Dark Arts specialist named Salazar Slytherin, got into an argument with the other three. They had been recruiting students with magical talent, without regard to whether the child's families were magical or Muggle. Slytherin wanted students from magical families only. His reason seemed to be for protection: a student with Muggle relatives might betray the school's location, and they'd wake up one morning surrounded by a hundred archers. (Of course, these days there are ample secrecy spells; the school is quite able to look after itself. But perhaps it wasn't so able a thousand years ago.)
In any case, Slytherin left Hogwarts sometime later. But not, the story goes, before he created a corner of the castle called the Chamber of Secrets. Binns told us that the "heir of Slytherin" is supposed to be able to open the Chamber and release some dreadful monster within. This monster is then supposed to attack the unworthy-I suppose that means the Muggles.
Well, I had no way of knowing whether a cat could be either magical or Muggle, so, even hearing all this, I put it down to a childish prank. (Gryffindor has a couple of Beaters whom I wouldn't put it past to stage something like this.) Do you remember my writing about my friend Penny Clearwater-oops, she now prefers Penelope. She's Muggle-born, and I did ask her to be on her guard, just in case, but she laughed it off. I decided to do the same.
That brings me to this weekend. Yesterday was the first Quidditch match of the year. I had hoped Ravenclaw would play, defending its Quidditch Cup, but the first match was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
Do either of you know Lucius Malfoy? He's head of some wealthy old wizarding family and on Hogwarts' Board of Governors. His son Draco Malfoy was just made Seeker for Slytherin House-largely, I suspect, because his father bought the entire team new, top of the line Nimbus 2001 brooms. Of course, a move like that usually indicates that money needs to be thrown around to cover up a lack of talent, but Draco isn't half-bad a flier. Although I think he's be better as a Chaser than a Seeker. I suspect he wanted that spot only because of some long-standing feud-he seems to take everything personally where Ha Li Po Te is involved. It's as if they always have some sort of personal score to settle when they play Quidditch. But I'm getting away from events.
Ha Li Po Te was Seeker for Gryffindor again, and, even though he's Second- Year, he seems to have settled into his position and was doing quite well. That is, until it started raining and one of the Bludgers decided to attack him and him alone. Madam Hooch told me afterward that it had to have been enchanted-only the Golden Snitch has a mind of its own-but she couldn't find any evidence of a spell. Meanwhile, Harry was trying to find the Snitch while doing some brilliant evasive flying to dodge the Bludger. Sure enough, he found it and caught it, winning for Gryffindor, but he must have gotten turned round in the rain. He didn't realize how close he was to the ground; the Bludger had broken one arm and, when he caught the Snitch with the other, he lost control and crashed into the pitch.
That shouldn't have been such a problem-as I know from the broken bones I suffered in my Second Year. But then, Professor Lockhart comes up and, instead of sending for Madam Pomfrey, tries to heal Harry's arm by himself. All he did was make it worse; he Charmed every single bone out of Harry's arm! Madam Pomfrey nearly had a fit when she arrived. She took Harry back to the hospital wing, to stay there overnight while she regrew the bones.
What does any of that have to do with the Chamber of Secrets? Just this: this morning before breakfast, I snuck down to the hospital wing. I wanted to see if Harry was healed yet, maybe say a word or two congratulating him on a match well played. But I couldn't get in to see him. There were several faculty there, including the Headmaster. It seems that, during the night, there had been another attack. This time, it was a student: Colin Creevey, a rather obnoxious First-Year Gryffindor, forever taking pictures of the entire school and everyone in it. Most important, though, he is a Muggle-born Gryffindor. He wasn't dead, but he was paralyzed the same as the cat.
I know what you must be thinking. Part of me wonders why I'm telling you this; it would probably put you in a dead panic. But, on the other hand, I think it's better that you heard all the details from me, rather than hear a few rumours and have to wait to have them sorted out.
I've looked at the options. In the worst of all possible worlds, there is a monster of some sort somewhere in Hogwarts. If the legend is true, it will attack only the Muggle-born (although how it will make out one student from another is beyond me). If it attacks only the Muggle-born, I'm safe. If, however, it goes after other students as well, I know enough to leave Hogwarts-on my own broom if need be! On the other hand, this all could be some cruel trick played by a student with a twisted sense of humour, in which case I can certainly stay out of harm's way.
All of which is to tell you: please don't worry about me! Headmaster Dumbledore and the faculty have given assurances that those already paralyzed will be restored, and that the mystery will be solved.
I expect this week will be far less crazy!
Love
Cho
***
Quan Yin returned with the reply in the middle of Monday night's dinner:
Monday, 9 November 1992
Dear Cho,
The very fact that you judge yourself as mature enough to take care of yourself in your situation tells me that your judgment is not mature at all! A student has been attacked and is in hospital. Nobody there has any idea what attacked him, or whether there will be another attack. A truly mature person would appreciate the danger, but you do not.
Accordingly, I have enclosed your ticket for the Hogwarts Express of 21 December. You will come home for the Christmas holidays, and at that time we shall discuss, as a family, whether that school is too unsafe for you to return. Hogwarts may have the reputation of being the best wizarding school in Britain, but it is certainly not the only school. There are others, smaller and closer to London, where you can study, while living with us in Diagon Alley.
I honestly think such a solution would be for the best, and I think that, if you consider the idea dispassionately and sensibly, like the Ravenclaw you say you are instead of the impulsive little Horse you sometimes become, you will agree with me in this matter.
Mother
* * *
Cho didn't even finish dinner. She dashed up to her dormitory and started writing a reply. She wrote a few lines, then angrily spelled them off the parchment. She tried again, and again stopped to erase what she had written. The third time, she didn't erase the parchment scroll; rather, she tore it in two.
That actually helped calm her down. She got a fresh parchment, took a few deep breaths, and started writing again:
9 November 1992
Dear Mummy,
I've done as you said, and considered whether I should stay at Hogwarts, since there may be an unknown, possibly lethal, monster about the place. I am sending back the ticket.
For every reason you can think of to leave, I can think of two reasons to stay. Classes are in session, and I would be at a disadvantage if I left this school and started at another. If, in fact, a new school would let me start at once; I might have to wait until a new term.
Also, I expect to finally make my debut as the Ravenclaw Seeker at the school's next match. Were I to withdraw now, I would be hurting the entire team. We have worked long and hard to prepare for this match. Never mind how I would feel; leaving them in the lurch would be a betrayal.
Finally, nobody really knows the level of danger at Hogwarts, since nobody knows if there even is a Chamber of Secrets, much less what might have come out of it. I will certainly reconsider my decision if there is another attack before the holidays. Until then, I have made up my mind: here I am and here I shall stay!
Cho
She reread the letter twice before tying it and the ticket to Quan Yin's leg. "Sorry you didn't get more of a rest," she said as she opened the window and let the owl out. She watched it disappear into the night sky.
Cho had a pretty good idea how her mother would react to the letter. Well, she thought, this isn't the first time she's defied her mother's wishes. And it probably won't be the last!
* * *
to be continued in part 26, wherein Cho watches an example of dueling wizards
