Disclaimer:  Once again, I am forced to remind the dull among us that (wait for it) I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter.  Disappointing isn't it?

A/N:  How do you like it so far?  I think I'm going to throw in some curve-balls in this one.  Hopefully, you guys will find this story to be a nice break from some of the other stories out there. . .

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Winter's Fire

Chapter Three:  A half-hearted confession

The south corridor leading to the Ravenclaw common room

            Cho Chang was even more eager to forget what had just transpired between herself and Hermione Granger.  That was the last thing she needed.  Cho walked on Harry's left side down the corridor.  They walked in silence, very close together, occasionally brushing hands.  Every once and a while, Harry would turn to her and give her a reassuring look.  Cho would return his somber look with a quick smile.  They didn't speak until they reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room, which was a large statute of a bronze eagle at the end of Rowena Hall near the kitchens.

            "This is it," Cho whispered.

            Harry nodded.  "Well go ahead.  We need to hurry."

            "Right, um let's see, 'Lysander,'" she whispered to the statue.

            It swung outward revealing a small passageway, much like the one leading into the Gryffindor common room.  Cho and Harry walked across the soft blue carpet and into the room.  The Ravenclaw common room was a splendid affair.  It was just like a comfortable library.  The walls were lined with dusty old novels.  Several crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, providing ample light in the room.  The furniture was a dark blue in color, with oak trimmings.  It was arranged in several living room-type sections – couches and a few loveseats surrounding a coffee table with silver utensils on it.  A huge powder-blue fireplace with gold plating occupied one entire wall.  The whole room, much like the rest of Hogwarts, seemed timeless.

            Harry was busy looking around the room whilst Cho steered him to a seat next to the fire.  As soon as Harry felt he had seen enough, he turned his attention to Cho.  Not for the first time, he saw her beauty.  Now that he had seen what she was really like, he wanted her even more.  It was Cho who spoke first.  "I was so glad when he wanted you to go with me."

            Harry blushed slightly.  "Well Ron's a good man; he knew I'd want to go with you.  No offense to Hermione, but I've seen enough of her to last a lifetime."

            Cho wondered what exactly he had meant by this, but quickly pushed the thought aside as she mustered all the courage she had to say her next few words.  "I guess I'm glad you came with me because there's something I need to tell you."

            Harry sat up very straight in his seat, listening carefully.

            Cho cleared her throat and reached out for Harry's limp hand.  She messaged it gently, to let him know that she was sincere.  Harry did nothing but looked at her hand caress his.

            She spoke, "Harry, last year, when you asked me to the Yule Ball, I had a realization.  And that was that I was in love with you."

            Harry said nothing as Cho talked more to his hand then himself.

            "At first it was just puppy love, you know, a crush."  She was having difficulty speaking now, a tear formed at the corner of her eye.  "But after a time, my crush developed into a blossoming love.  When Cedric died, I wanted to run to you so badly, because I knew that you could understand me – no one else could, but then I thought of what it would look if I came to you."

            Harry lifted her chin with his free hand and looked straight into her eyes.  He squeezed her hand to reassure her.

            Refreshed by Harry's response, Cho continued.  "I couldn't stop thinking about you over the summer.  I used to go to bed at night, praying that I would dream of you.  When I finally came back to school, I was set on telling you how I felt.  I spent all of last term planning out just how I would tell you.  That's why I stayed over for Christmas."

            Harry just wanted to scream "I love you too," but held his tongue.  He knew Cho wasn't quite finished.

            "Well, my plan was going great until I went to play outside with you guys.  As I walked with you, I knew that now would be the time to tell you," she laughed.  "So much for the plan, huh?"

            Harry just looked at her delicate beauty for a moment or two before he knew it was now or never.  He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.  Eventually, Cho's mouth opened enough for Harry to allow his tongue to explore her mouth.  They remained locked in a passionate kiss for nearly two minutes.  Finally, their lips parted with a loud smack and Harry opened his eyes to see a pleasantly surprised Cho.  "How's that for an answer?"   Harry asked.

            Cho flung her arms around Harry and laughed.  "Are we official then?" she inquired.

            Harry squeezed her hard.  "Oh yes, we are so official."

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A/N:  Okay peps, sorry for the short chapter.  I promise I'll have more up soon.  Please tell me what you think.  I'll be working my butt off in the next few days.  I'm excited to get to the juicy part of this story.  Sneak Peek:  Hermione's not happy about Harry's new girlfriend, or is it that she's not happy about Cho's new boyfriend?  Who knows?  And what about poor Ron?  Ah, I love being the one who sets the suspense.