Author Notes and Disclaimers: I don't own nor even hope to own HP and have no desires to copy JK Rowling's genius and magic.

Time Setting: Fifth year (No Umbridge, No Percy, and definitely no Fudge)

Spoilers: Books 1-4

Chapters 1-3 have been redone and re-uploaded because of updates.

"Beautiful. Graceful. Popular. Intelligent. A Ravenclaw. That is what she is," a girl recited enthusiastically.

Cho Chang smiled gently at the Ravenclaw girl's attempts at mocking her while they tread the Hogwarts Castle corridors in between classes. She wasn't sure if it would be wise to agree or disagree with those comments. Agreeing would mean arrogant vanity. Denial would be foolish humility. Either way, she won't win.

"That's enough you know...," she remarked with a slight giggle as the rounded a corner with three other Ravenclaw ladies. "Hurry up now. We don't want to be late for Professor Snape's Potions."

"Oh come on Cho! You know it's true! You're our poster-girl if there was ever such a thing!" Marietta remarked.

"Yeah and it's about time that you were made prefect. All the other girls envy you!"

Cho's lips pursed indignantly. "Come off it. That's not true! Let's leave the topic of Cho Chang already."

"You know...you're absolutely right!" another Ravenclaw girl with short hair stated.

"Thanks, Sam-"

"..All the girls envy you and all the guys want to go out with you!" And with this, Cho's three companions agreed in unison. "Wait…all except Christopher Landers. He's mine!"

Cho just sighed to herself. They're making her out as someone that she isn't, she thought. As she was about to refute the last statement hopelessly, they finally reached the door that led to Snape's dungeon classroom. 'Oh well, at least they'll stop already...'

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, Potion's class flew by quite fast despite the fact that Snape took off points from Ravenclaw because a student's potion went far and beyond in vanishing a desk. The attempted vanishing potion acted like acid and ate through the desk instead. The Ravenclaw house was now fifty points behind Slytherin and seventy-five behind once again favored Gryffindor.

Since today was Friday and Potions was the last class of the day Cho decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing and then tomorrow it will be off to Hogsmeade. As Cho gathered her belongings, she couldn't help but notice her earlier three companions already making their way towards her with very determine looks on their faces.

'Oh great...another round...of...that...'

Cho was the wiser now, hurriedly gathered her things, and walked as fast as she could from her desk and out of the dungeons. She breathed a sigh of relief a few minutes later as she joyfully discovered that she has managed to lose her companions in her rush.

"Hm...," she quickly glanced outside from a window, "it's only half past noon. I still have time to grab quick lunch then hurry off to get some Charms homework done." She trotted the steps that led to the Ravenclaw house and nonchalantly said "Spring Showers," at which the gallant painting door swung open to give her access.

Cho promptly went straight to her quarters and dropped her school things. She grabbed a small bag, a few scrolls, a quill, and her Charms notes and left the room as abruptly as she arrived earlier.

Suddenly, she realized that the faint voices of her earlier three companions were soon echoing loud down the hall. Apparently, they still haven't given up on her and were still actively seeking Cho out. She then decided to make a few quick turns at another corridor and avoided the food hall altogether.

"Now I wish I grabbed a fruit from mom's fruit basket. It looks like I'm going to have to pass on lunch today!" Cho made an exasperated sound and continued to walk the halls until she was outside the castle.

She walked purposely toward the lake, bundling her coat and scarf tighter against herself, hoping to find a good spot. A lone tree partially surrounded by several bushes caught her eye and after a few more quick glances around the area, she was able to make up her mind about the spot. There were several other students enjoying the sunny but cool outdoors but none really chanced the area she discovered by the lake.

She settled herself eagerly by the tree and took out a fresh scroll and quill. As she was reaching for her Charms book, a sudden indolent state overtook her and convinced her to forego homework.

"It's such a nice and quiet day outside. Homework would have to wait till tonight." She stood by the lone tree and made herself content with just viewing the serenity of her surroundings.

The lake sparkled magnificently under the sun. The birds sang tunes to complement the late autumn, early winter season. The wind blew gently, whispering soothingly against her ears. Snow would fall soon as the weather will change, she knew, and everything that she admired right now would then be covered in a blanket of magnificent white. She leaned back against the tree, crossing her arms over her chest. The tranquility she absorbed soothed her soul and invigorated her spirit, which was five months ago bitterly crushed by tragedy.

She has convinced herself that she would be okay. She had to be. Cho was still young and if Fate would have it, she still had a lot of life to live, regardless of dark days that seemed to be coming. Despite feeling that a huge part of her died when Cedric passed, she had to move on. It would not do her any good to dwell in the pain and waste away in a room forever. Cho knew that Cedric would not like it if she did that.

Half an hour later, a gentle voice roused her from her serene state and she slowly scanned her surroundings. Her gaze fell on a young man.

'It's him.' A tiny smile cautiously came about. She glanced at the source and realized that a slight blush was subtly coloring her cheeks soon after doing so. She sat there for moments, still hidden from his vision, watching him as he was engaged in a conversation with his friends. 'I wish I knew that they're talking about.' As soon as she thought of this, she felt her cheeks heat up more.

"Cho! We finally found you! So this is where you ran off to!" a girl's voice exclaimed.

"Yeah. Professor Flitwick was looking for you. He said he wanted to see if you wanted to take part in an inter-house project. Something weird about DADA," Samantha finished.

Cho, a bit miffed that her thoughts were rudely interrupted and having to divert her eyes from watching the young man, turned her head to her right and discovered that the three Ravenclaw friends she hid from earlier were soon happily advancing toward her.

This time, she had no chance to escape.

-TBC