The Legacy of the Founders :: By: JoC a.k.a JkReviewer

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Chapter XII – Hogsmeade irregularities

Four days had passed since the peculiar incident in the trophy room, and Harry knew he was in trouble. Although he had had plenty of opportunities he still hadn't told Cho that he would be spending the Hogsmeade trip with his friends. Now only two days away, he realised that time was running short – he had to tell her tonight. And he would, this time nothing would stop him.

"That's what you said yesterday, and the day before that too…" Ron remarked, as Harry laid out his battle plan. Hermione, who sat on Harry's other side, shook her head like she always did when there was something she didn't approve of. Although the tables were filled with piles of food, Harry couldn't eat a thing. Why was he so nervous telling his girlfriend that he would be spending one day without her? They had, after all, done nothing the last days but get together every moment awake.

Deep down, in a near subconscious level, a little voice was telling him what he feared. His past experiences talked for themselves, and even Harry who sometimes took a few to the head, could easily remember the Valentines Day date last year. This was indeed a delicate matter.

"Hermione you must have a tip or two for me… Right?" he said hopefully, but to his great despair she just shook her head, actually smiling at his misery. Girls! He would never understand them completely. "Nope. You have to sort this one out yourself!"

Harry sighed loudly, earning a couple of bewildered looks from anyone within ten feet who wasn't in on his problems. Having filled his plate with delicious barbecue chicken and butter roasted potatoes, he tried to eat but it was no good. "'Come on Harry. No food – no work!" he said to himself, as he surveyed the great hall looking for his girlfriend.

Cho looked very happy at this moment, he thought, eating her chicken, talking to her friends. Every once in a while Cho would say something, and then blush while her friends would giggle loudly. Sometimes they would look up and give him a smirk, before going back to listening.

Cho looked up too, but only once, and caught Harry's eyes. She beamed at him and gave him a seducing wink.

He forced a smile back, and felt glad she couldn't see him up close. He wouldn't survive until ten tonight, when he was supposed to meet her. And Ron and Hermione couldn't help him; they were the guilty part of this. "Damn" Harry swore under his breath. Where is that third party friend?

He scanned to tables for anyone who could help him in this situation. Dean and Seamus wasn't much help. Sure they were in his house, but he didn't really talk to them that much – and wouldn't they find it strange if he suddenly asked? Neville, although someone Harry felt he could talk to, would probably know nothing of this sort of problem. Lavender and Parvati were too gossipy, and they too sported that maniac giggle. There was only one person he could really ask about this…

"Ginny, you got a minute?" Harry asked as normal as possible, between the odd stares and giggles from her friends. She silenced them with a look, and turned to Harry with a big smile. She took his arm and let him away from the corridor into an empty classroom. Harry paused for a minute, thinking about how he should put it. He didn't even notice the hopeful eyes, his best friends, kid sister sent his way.

"Ginny… I have a question, but it might seem a little strange…" he began, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree. "You see, I promised Ron and Hermione that I would go with them to Hogsmeade – but how should I tell Cho without her being upset? She means everything to me, but I have to spend time with my friends!" Silence followed. Even though having been told otherwise, Harry knew that indeed he shouldn't have told it that way. Without looking straight at her he could feel her sudden mood change. Slowly he turned his head, giving her the happiest face he could muster in-between a deep frown. Ginny looked genuinely hurt at that moment, and every thought of a smile vanished within a nano-second.

"I-I…" she began, trying to put on a normal, thinking appearance. "I really don't think I'm the right to ask – but I think you should just tell her straight that you and your friends need time together sometimes…" she said suddenly, really quick and with an incredibly flat, uncaring voice. She looked straight down, leaving Harry lost and confused. He didn't know what to do. Could he even trust this advice, and how should he comfort Ginny – who had since last year become a good friend?

Suddenly she lifted her head, leaned it a little on the side and gave him an odd observing look. You could see the troubling emotions fighting for control just beyond her eyes. She kept changing her weight from one foot to the other, sometimes taking a quick glance at the door. "Ginny I…" Harry began but he didn't finish. She had suddenly moved the steps distance between them and kissed him tightly on the lips. He didn't even have time to think about it before she pulled away again. She let out a deep sigh, and started nodding to herself. Then she grabbed her stuff and walked towards the door. Harry tried saying something, asking for an explanation – but no words came. His throat was as dry as his brain at this moment.

She turned to face him as she had opened the door. "Goodbye…. Harry!" she said with a strange tone in the voice, smiling slightly although still keeping a sad expression. And then she was gone.

Hours later Harry still hadn't worked out exactly what happened, but he also knew he had to push the thoughts away for now. He had finally worked up the courage and stood before, the raven statue that hid away the entrance to their common room. As he didn't know the new password he was forced to wait for someone to come, so he could ask them to fetch her – and he used the time to practice a speech.

"Cho, we have been spending a lot of time together lately and… No that'll make it sound like I want to take a break!" He sighed and unknowingly ran a hand through his hair. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Cho – I promised Ron and Hermione I would go with them, even though I didn't want to…" but he stopped, as it wasn't the truth. Damn it, why did this have to be this difficult?

Suddenly the passage way opened to reveal his girlfriend – looking all smile and happy. She's not making this easy… Cho seemed to notice his rather strange behaviour, as she raised an eyebrow in wonder.

"Cho I need to tell you something…" he began as he started walking down the corridor. His hand in hers. He tried to look happy and smiley but one look at her grim expression told him she feared the worst. "I – I promised Ron and Hermione I would spend this Hogsmeade trip with them…" he muttered quickly half hoping she wouldn't hear it, half fearing she didn't so he would have to repeat it. They had stopped and Harry eyed his girlfriend nervously.

At first her expression seemed to stiffen a bit, like it was worse than expected. But seconds later a peculiar frown appeared instead. "And…?" she asked slowly. Harry was perplexed. And what?

"And what Cho?" he asked confused as he was. She looked at him with a strange smile and a crazy frown. Girls! Suddenly she grabbed his hand again and dragged him on down the corridor as if nothing had happened. Harry waited for her to say something but she obviously didn't have anything thing else to contribute to the conversation. Odd.

"Ummm Cho… So you are not mad?" he tried hoping she wasn't completely in her own world. She turned slowly with a smile on her lips. "Of course not silly…" she laughed before planting a quick kiss on his lips. "If I had been mad would I have been smi…" but she didn't finish.

Loud, hushed voices (?) could be heard coming from around the corner. "I haven't heard from him for days, and neither have any one else from the order!" they heard the voice of Professor McGonagall say to another unidentified person. A great sigh was head before Snape answered. "He's probably just out taking a walk… or maybe it's full moon…" he said, not sounding at all like he cared.

"No he would have told us. He is one of the most responsible men I have ever…"

The castle shook violently and Harry and Cho were thrown to the ground. An enormous blast could be heard coming from one of the upper levels. Harry was helping Cho up when somehow crashed into him from behind. "Potter…" an angry voice sneered. Harry turned to see Snape looking crazy with some sort of anger. He was about to give him the full barrage when Professor McGonagall interrupted. "Oh for heavens sake Severus not now…" she said as she pushed him past the two young students.

"Potter, Chang – get to safety… This might be an attack!" was all that she could say before running past them, wand raised.

Cho turned towards Harry with fear in her eyes, but some conflicting emotion could be seen too. Suddenly she leaned in quickly and kissed him as if her life depended on it. It was the best kiss they had ever shared. So passionate, so full of love…

It was so reassuring, and it meant everything to him that she had kissed him instead of running. More than words could describe. Not now, not ever. Harry knew now that their love was timeless and if he could help it, they would be together forever.

All he did was smile as he started to lead Cho towards the Griffindor common room. Something wasn't right – he could feel it.

* * * * * *

Ok first of all – sorry for waiting an entire month before uploading this. 2/3 of the story has been finished for weeks but I had to re-evaluate the entire plot line because I suddenly got a new idea. This new idea has now become a story called: "Legend Rewritten" (You can find it under my profile!)

I decided to bind the two stories together, but I didn't want to end this one permanently so I ended this chapter a bit loosely.

Don't worry – I will keep the new story in the same tracks as this one (you know what I mean) – but it's maybe ten times as neatly written and a lot more epic in it's proportions. Plus I get o change all the rules. Nice… :)

This chapter only made it's way to the web because of Logical Raven as he/she was the only one to send me a mail asking for more. This and the next Chapter of the new story is dedicated to you and your wonderful stories.

I hope you will enjoy the new story – and thanks for reading and reviewing!

You guys are the best!