Sorry for the delay in the chapter...Thanks for all the kind reviews.I
don't want to kill the suspense of this story.enjoy.
Nothing is my own. Read a Review *******************************************************************
Chapter Twenty: I'll Risk Everything For You
The castle was empty, and with the exception of two first years she didn't know, Cho was alone in the Ravenclaw house. She breathe a sigh of relief as she pulled the cover over her cold feet and try to get some well deserved rest. Her eyes burned from the tears that had fallen earlier that evening. Forcing her eyes close she began to enter the forgotten world of dreams.
**
"Cho!" Cedric screamed from across the castle lawn. She spun around looking cautiously "I haven't seen you much this year, how have you been?" he asked her nervously. Cho forced a skeptical smile, "I've been fine, congratulations on the first task, you were wonderful." "No, I could have done better," Cedric said modestly. Some of her Ravenclaw friends motioned her to hurry up, "well, good luck and all if I don't see you." She started to walk off again. "Cho, do you have a date for the Yule Ball yet?" Cedric blurted out. Cho blushed slightly, "no, not yet." "Would you like to go with me?" She fought back the urge to giggle, "I suppose that would be nice." Cedric bit his bottom lip, "great, it's a date." "Well, I best be going," Cho said awkwardly. "Yea, I have Potions down in the dungeons next," Cedric said suddenly motioning towards the direction behind him.
Cho ran quickly back to her Ravenclaw friends who overwhelmed her with a bunch of questions.
"What did Diggory ask you?" Marietta pushed. "He asked me to the Yule Ball," Cho said shyly. "Oh my God! You're so lucky!" said her fellow Ravenclaw fifth year Bre Phillips.
The girls continued to giggle and dance around Cho in excitement. "Hey Cho could I have a word with you," said a semi-familiar voice from behind.
The room suddenly grew dark like a graveyard and the overhead thunder made her shutter, "Harry?" she called out.
Her eyes grew wide as the chubby bald man she had seen following Harry drew a knife and slit Harry's arm before her eyes. She ran towards the man and flung herself onto his neck, but it didn't faze him. Watching in horror she saw a ritual of evil enfolding before her eyes.
"What the hell is going on?" she cried as she collapsed to her knees.
"Cho, you have to be strong," she heard the voice of Cedric say suddenly.
"Cedric, you're not dead," she turned quickly throwing her arms around his neck.
He pulled her back gently, "no, I am. You're dreaming again."
"What is going on, why is Harry tied to that gravestone?" Cho pleaded.
"This is what happened when Voldemort came back to life," he said delicately. Suddenly he snapped his fingers and the scene disappeared into blackness.
"Cedric?" Cho called as her eyes adjusted.
"I'm sorry child, I should have never left you alone."
"Grams?" Cho said with shock.
"Yes, it's your old stupid grandmother," Lynn Chang said flatly.
Cho felt the tears once again running down her cheeks, "I missed you so much."
"There, there child, no time for tears now, I have to tell you something."
"What?" Cho begged.
Lynn Chang lowered her head, "about your destiny. I gave you that pendant around your neck, and when I did I told you it was a gift and a curse. Each guardian must find her own way, her own task, but you haven't the time. Harry Potter is a special boy, before his birth he was blessed with a prophecy. He is the only one who can vanquish the dark lord. It is his destiny, and a burden he alone must carry, but you child, must guide him there."
" I don't know how," Cho said suddenly.
Her grandmother nodded, "oh but you do, follow what your heart tells you, it won't lead you wrong. Trust your mind, not your eyes."
"I'm scared, I feel so alone right now."
"Wake child, embrace what you were born to do," Lynn Chang said suddenly.
**
Cho popped her head up from her pillow trying to replay everything she had just seen. She threw her covers off her bed and ran to the mirror staring at the reflection in the mirror, the small silver phoenix lay motionless. She let herself collapse into a nearby chair, and she didn't move until the morning sun began to rise in the sky.
She didn't waste time getting ready, or even think about getting something to eat. There was one thing and one thing alone on her mind she had to find Harry. Cho wasn't even sure if Harry was even at Hogwarts right now, he might have went somewhere over Christmas break.
"Professor!" Cho called spotting Professor McGonagall in the hallways.
"Yes Miss Chang?" she said slightly startled.
"Did Harry Potter stay at Hogwarts this year?" Cho said breathless.
McGonagall stern face softened slightly, "actually he did, he's probably in the Gryffindor common room."
Cho felt a wave of relief spread though her body, "I know this might be a bit of an odd request, but could you get him for me, it's urgent I speak with him."
"I can see if he is in the common room, but I'm afraid that the extend of what I can offer, wait here" the professor replied before turning back towards the direction she came.
It seemed like Professor McGonagall was gone an eternity. When she finally returned Cho almost screamed seeing the dark haired boy by her side.
"Harry, thank Merlin," Cho said.
"What are you doing back, I thought you went home for the holidays?" Harry inquired.
"I did, but that's not important right now," Cho said quickly.
Professor McGonagall left the two students and went quickly down the corridor.
Harry approached Cho nervously, "is everything okay?"
"I know about the prophecy," she blurted out.
Harry face went stark white as he looked at her in disbelief, "how?"
"It's my duty, my task to guide you though your trials, that's why I'm so drawn to you," she said before turning blood red.
"I don't understand what you're talking about?" Harry said taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
Cho smiled, "I'm the guardian of the Phoenix, the reason I keep dreaming about Fawkes is because he's part of me. I know everything you've been though, I've seen it though his eyes."
"Cho, that is impossible," Harry insisted.
"You're the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. Neither of you can live while the other survives," she said trying to prove her point.
"How do you know that?" he asked desperately.
Cho stomped her foot in frustration, "because I was there when Dumbledore told you, I heard Trelawney! I know what happened in the graveyard, I saw that man who cut your arm! He was following you in Hogmeade."
"Wormtail?" Harry said quietly.
"I don't know his name, a short bald man with a pinched face," Cho continued.
Harry sat of the floor trying to absorb everything in, "I never told you about Wormtail."
Cho knelt down next to him, "I know." "How did you figure it all out?"
"I had a dream last night, and suddenly everything made sense," Cho admitted.
Harry shook his head, "is that why you came back?"
"No, my parents weren't to thrilled with the gift you sent me. My father forbade me from seeing you," she said weakly.
"What gift?" Harry questioned.
Slightly taken back Cho pulled the tiny dragon out of her robe pocket, "this gift."
Harry took it from her small fingers, "I didn't sent it to you."
"Yes you did," Cho argued pulling out the letter that had come with the package.
Harry read it a few time, "this isn't my handwriting."
"Did you get my letter?" Cho asked instantly.
Harry narrowed his eyes, "no."
Harry looked at the wall suspiciously, "nobody is suppose to know where I am right now. I stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas because it was the safest place for me, Voldemort is trying to locate me, and I think he knows exactly where I am now."
"He can't touch you in here," Cho said trying to relieve her worry.
Harry shook his head, "Dumbledore's gone, he had to go to Bulgaria earlier today."
"Hogwarts is protected," Cho continued.
"Voldemorts been in this school before," Harry said suddenly, but he didn't need to explain Cho knew exactly what he was talking about.
Harry grabbed Cho hand, "we have to find McGonagall."
Cho tried to calm her breathing, "Harry, I need to tell you something."
"What?" Harry asked looking around the corridor for any sign of danger.
Cho held her breath, "I love you."
Harry reared back onto her, "what?"
"I love you, that's why I came back. I'm not going to let you die."
"Cho," Harry started.
"No, I'm not asking you to tell me you love me in too, I just wanted you to know why I'm here. I'm willing to risk everything for you, you're not in this alone," Cho finished.
A strange noise suddenly drew their attention, "what was that?" Harry said jumping his head.
"I don't know," Cho said softly.
The two remained silent for a few seconds before Harry whispered into Cho's ear, "run."
He tugged on her hand and the two tore down the corridor, "where are we going?" Cho asked.
Harry didn't answer. He pulled her into about five separate corridors before reaching Dumbledore's office.
"Lemondrops," Harry shouted as the statue opened to reveal the secret passageway.
"No one enters without the headmaster's permission! Is that clear!" Harry shouted at the statue as he closed the entrance.
"Why are we in Dumbledore's office?" Cho questioned.
"Because it's the safest place in the castle, don't you remember last year when Umbridge couldn't get in? There are hundreds of charms protecting it. He told me to come here if anything happens."
"But Harry nothing happened," Cho argued.
Harry didn't take his eyes off the stairwell, "did you hear that noise, it was the secret passageway by the hump witch opening. Someone from the outside is inside Hogwarts."
"Death Eaters?" Cho shivered.
"We weren't sticking around to find out," Harry informed her.
Cho feel onto her knees, trying to ignore the fear in her gut, "how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Live without fear, how are you so brave?" she pleaded.
He took a place next to her, "I'm not, I just don't have a choice."
"Are we going to die?" Cho said feeling fear get the better of her.
Harry lifted her chin, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, trust me."
"What about Pavarti?" Cho said feeling stupid for worrying about such petty things at a time like this.
"Pavarti? I'm helping her with Quidditch. She wants to play on the house team next year," Harry chuckled, making Cho turn slightly red.
"Padma told me you told her to write you over Christmas," Cho confessed.
Harry nodded, "I did, but only as a friend."
Cho buried her head into her knees, "I feel so stupid."
Another loud noise, this time it came from the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Harry drew his wand out with a look of determination on his face.
"Can they get in?" Cho asked.
"I don't know," Harry said not moving his eyes away from the door.
Another loud noise, like something was attacking the entrance.
The room was spinning and Cho drew her wand out same as Harry. She let her eyes rest upon his troubled face, and it hit her. If whatever was on the other side of that entrance got though, it could be last time she'd ever look upon his face. She grabbed his face quickly, without thinking and pressed her lips firmly against his. When they pulled apart she smiled.
"Just in case I don't have an opportunity to later," Cho said with a newfound courage.
The sound pierced the room again, louder this time and Fawkes let out a high-pitched cry. The sound hit again, and again the space between them shrinking, then suddenly everything went quiet.
Nothing is my own. Read a Review *******************************************************************
Chapter Twenty: I'll Risk Everything For You
The castle was empty, and with the exception of two first years she didn't know, Cho was alone in the Ravenclaw house. She breathe a sigh of relief as she pulled the cover over her cold feet and try to get some well deserved rest. Her eyes burned from the tears that had fallen earlier that evening. Forcing her eyes close she began to enter the forgotten world of dreams.
**
"Cho!" Cedric screamed from across the castle lawn. She spun around looking cautiously "I haven't seen you much this year, how have you been?" he asked her nervously. Cho forced a skeptical smile, "I've been fine, congratulations on the first task, you were wonderful." "No, I could have done better," Cedric said modestly. Some of her Ravenclaw friends motioned her to hurry up, "well, good luck and all if I don't see you." She started to walk off again. "Cho, do you have a date for the Yule Ball yet?" Cedric blurted out. Cho blushed slightly, "no, not yet." "Would you like to go with me?" She fought back the urge to giggle, "I suppose that would be nice." Cedric bit his bottom lip, "great, it's a date." "Well, I best be going," Cho said awkwardly. "Yea, I have Potions down in the dungeons next," Cedric said suddenly motioning towards the direction behind him.
Cho ran quickly back to her Ravenclaw friends who overwhelmed her with a bunch of questions.
"What did Diggory ask you?" Marietta pushed. "He asked me to the Yule Ball," Cho said shyly. "Oh my God! You're so lucky!" said her fellow Ravenclaw fifth year Bre Phillips.
The girls continued to giggle and dance around Cho in excitement. "Hey Cho could I have a word with you," said a semi-familiar voice from behind.
The room suddenly grew dark like a graveyard and the overhead thunder made her shutter, "Harry?" she called out.
Her eyes grew wide as the chubby bald man she had seen following Harry drew a knife and slit Harry's arm before her eyes. She ran towards the man and flung herself onto his neck, but it didn't faze him. Watching in horror she saw a ritual of evil enfolding before her eyes.
"What the hell is going on?" she cried as she collapsed to her knees.
"Cho, you have to be strong," she heard the voice of Cedric say suddenly.
"Cedric, you're not dead," she turned quickly throwing her arms around his neck.
He pulled her back gently, "no, I am. You're dreaming again."
"What is going on, why is Harry tied to that gravestone?" Cho pleaded.
"This is what happened when Voldemort came back to life," he said delicately. Suddenly he snapped his fingers and the scene disappeared into blackness.
"Cedric?" Cho called as her eyes adjusted.
"I'm sorry child, I should have never left you alone."
"Grams?" Cho said with shock.
"Yes, it's your old stupid grandmother," Lynn Chang said flatly.
Cho felt the tears once again running down her cheeks, "I missed you so much."
"There, there child, no time for tears now, I have to tell you something."
"What?" Cho begged.
Lynn Chang lowered her head, "about your destiny. I gave you that pendant around your neck, and when I did I told you it was a gift and a curse. Each guardian must find her own way, her own task, but you haven't the time. Harry Potter is a special boy, before his birth he was blessed with a prophecy. He is the only one who can vanquish the dark lord. It is his destiny, and a burden he alone must carry, but you child, must guide him there."
" I don't know how," Cho said suddenly.
Her grandmother nodded, "oh but you do, follow what your heart tells you, it won't lead you wrong. Trust your mind, not your eyes."
"I'm scared, I feel so alone right now."
"Wake child, embrace what you were born to do," Lynn Chang said suddenly.
**
Cho popped her head up from her pillow trying to replay everything she had just seen. She threw her covers off her bed and ran to the mirror staring at the reflection in the mirror, the small silver phoenix lay motionless. She let herself collapse into a nearby chair, and she didn't move until the morning sun began to rise in the sky.
She didn't waste time getting ready, or even think about getting something to eat. There was one thing and one thing alone on her mind she had to find Harry. Cho wasn't even sure if Harry was even at Hogwarts right now, he might have went somewhere over Christmas break.
"Professor!" Cho called spotting Professor McGonagall in the hallways.
"Yes Miss Chang?" she said slightly startled.
"Did Harry Potter stay at Hogwarts this year?" Cho said breathless.
McGonagall stern face softened slightly, "actually he did, he's probably in the Gryffindor common room."
Cho felt a wave of relief spread though her body, "I know this might be a bit of an odd request, but could you get him for me, it's urgent I speak with him."
"I can see if he is in the common room, but I'm afraid that the extend of what I can offer, wait here" the professor replied before turning back towards the direction she came.
It seemed like Professor McGonagall was gone an eternity. When she finally returned Cho almost screamed seeing the dark haired boy by her side.
"Harry, thank Merlin," Cho said.
"What are you doing back, I thought you went home for the holidays?" Harry inquired.
"I did, but that's not important right now," Cho said quickly.
Professor McGonagall left the two students and went quickly down the corridor.
Harry approached Cho nervously, "is everything okay?"
"I know about the prophecy," she blurted out.
Harry face went stark white as he looked at her in disbelief, "how?"
"It's my duty, my task to guide you though your trials, that's why I'm so drawn to you," she said before turning blood red.
"I don't understand what you're talking about?" Harry said taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
Cho smiled, "I'm the guardian of the Phoenix, the reason I keep dreaming about Fawkes is because he's part of me. I know everything you've been though, I've seen it though his eyes."
"Cho, that is impossible," Harry insisted.
"You're the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. Neither of you can live while the other survives," she said trying to prove her point.
"How do you know that?" he asked desperately.
Cho stomped her foot in frustration, "because I was there when Dumbledore told you, I heard Trelawney! I know what happened in the graveyard, I saw that man who cut your arm! He was following you in Hogmeade."
"Wormtail?" Harry said quietly.
"I don't know his name, a short bald man with a pinched face," Cho continued.
Harry sat of the floor trying to absorb everything in, "I never told you about Wormtail."
Cho knelt down next to him, "I know." "How did you figure it all out?"
"I had a dream last night, and suddenly everything made sense," Cho admitted.
Harry shook his head, "is that why you came back?"
"No, my parents weren't to thrilled with the gift you sent me. My father forbade me from seeing you," she said weakly.
"What gift?" Harry questioned.
Slightly taken back Cho pulled the tiny dragon out of her robe pocket, "this gift."
Harry took it from her small fingers, "I didn't sent it to you."
"Yes you did," Cho argued pulling out the letter that had come with the package.
Harry read it a few time, "this isn't my handwriting."
"Did you get my letter?" Cho asked instantly.
Harry narrowed his eyes, "no."
Harry looked at the wall suspiciously, "nobody is suppose to know where I am right now. I stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas because it was the safest place for me, Voldemort is trying to locate me, and I think he knows exactly where I am now."
"He can't touch you in here," Cho said trying to relieve her worry.
Harry shook his head, "Dumbledore's gone, he had to go to Bulgaria earlier today."
"Hogwarts is protected," Cho continued.
"Voldemorts been in this school before," Harry said suddenly, but he didn't need to explain Cho knew exactly what he was talking about.
Harry grabbed Cho hand, "we have to find McGonagall."
Cho tried to calm her breathing, "Harry, I need to tell you something."
"What?" Harry asked looking around the corridor for any sign of danger.
Cho held her breath, "I love you."
Harry reared back onto her, "what?"
"I love you, that's why I came back. I'm not going to let you die."
"Cho," Harry started.
"No, I'm not asking you to tell me you love me in too, I just wanted you to know why I'm here. I'm willing to risk everything for you, you're not in this alone," Cho finished.
A strange noise suddenly drew their attention, "what was that?" Harry said jumping his head.
"I don't know," Cho said softly.
The two remained silent for a few seconds before Harry whispered into Cho's ear, "run."
He tugged on her hand and the two tore down the corridor, "where are we going?" Cho asked.
Harry didn't answer. He pulled her into about five separate corridors before reaching Dumbledore's office.
"Lemondrops," Harry shouted as the statue opened to reveal the secret passageway.
"No one enters without the headmaster's permission! Is that clear!" Harry shouted at the statue as he closed the entrance.
"Why are we in Dumbledore's office?" Cho questioned.
"Because it's the safest place in the castle, don't you remember last year when Umbridge couldn't get in? There are hundreds of charms protecting it. He told me to come here if anything happens."
"But Harry nothing happened," Cho argued.
Harry didn't take his eyes off the stairwell, "did you hear that noise, it was the secret passageway by the hump witch opening. Someone from the outside is inside Hogwarts."
"Death Eaters?" Cho shivered.
"We weren't sticking around to find out," Harry informed her.
Cho feel onto her knees, trying to ignore the fear in her gut, "how do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Live without fear, how are you so brave?" she pleaded.
He took a place next to her, "I'm not, I just don't have a choice."
"Are we going to die?" Cho said feeling fear get the better of her.
Harry lifted her chin, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, trust me."
"What about Pavarti?" Cho said feeling stupid for worrying about such petty things at a time like this.
"Pavarti? I'm helping her with Quidditch. She wants to play on the house team next year," Harry chuckled, making Cho turn slightly red.
"Padma told me you told her to write you over Christmas," Cho confessed.
Harry nodded, "I did, but only as a friend."
Cho buried her head into her knees, "I feel so stupid."
Another loud noise, this time it came from the entrance of Dumbledore's office. Harry drew his wand out with a look of determination on his face.
"Can they get in?" Cho asked.
"I don't know," Harry said not moving his eyes away from the door.
Another loud noise, like something was attacking the entrance.
The room was spinning and Cho drew her wand out same as Harry. She let her eyes rest upon his troubled face, and it hit her. If whatever was on the other side of that entrance got though, it could be last time she'd ever look upon his face. She grabbed his face quickly, without thinking and pressed her lips firmly against his. When they pulled apart she smiled.
"Just in case I don't have an opportunity to later," Cho said with a newfound courage.
The sound pierced the room again, louder this time and Fawkes let out a high-pitched cry. The sound hit again, and again the space between them shrinking, then suddenly everything went quiet.