Author's Note: I apologize that this chapter took so long to get out. Work has been a killer so I barely have the energy left to write after I get home. To make up for it, I have made this chapter the longest yet. Please keep those cheers and jeers (aka as reviews) coming. They are most welcome. And Thanks for your patience.

Disclaimer: I make no claims on any of JKR's characters and storyline (book and movie). I am just borrowing some characters and tossing them into a Martini shaker for a new kind of drink.

On with the tale…

It's been two days since she saw him last, but Cho still could not believe that she had the courage to approach Harry in public and call him out for a private talk. For a moment she wondered if she would have been better suited as a Gryffindor for such a daring act but that thought was quickly set aside. Brave or not, she was quite content as a Ravenclaw student. After one more unsuccessful attempt to forget about the incident, Cho got up from her bed, annoyed to the bone.

"We just started talking for Merlin's sake!" she talked out loud in the room she shared with three other girls.

Fortunately for Cho, the rest of her roommates were at the library studying as typical Ravenclaw students should. Putting her right hand by her right temple, she briefly closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and tried as best as she could to do away with any thoughts of Harry Potter. Even words that might have rhymed with 'harry' or 'potter' would be dangerous for her sanity.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Cho? I'm coming in."

Abigail Somersby entered the room very cautiously. She could have sworn she heard Cho yelling something about talking and Merlin from outside their quarters. It worried her that her good friend was frustrated about something when Christmas was just around the corner. "Is everything okay?

No response. Cho's eyes remained closed.

"Is this about the ball?"

Wrong thing to ask about, she quickly learned. Cho's eyes quickly opened and darted heatedly at her; if there was some sort of magic coming out from those eyes, Abigail was sure she'd be lit in fire right now.

"No. This is not about the ball." Cho closed her eyes again for a moment and took another deep breath. "Look, Abigail, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to go off on you."

Abigail slowly retreated toward her own bed and sat at the edge, lowering her books on the covers. "Do you want to talk about it?"

That seemed to be the better thing to say as Cho's shoulders suddenly hunched and an exasperated sigh escaped her lips. She walked and flopped down on her back on her own bed.

"Please make no mention of it to Sam or Marietta? This is bothersome enough as it is."

"I promise," Abigail solemnly replied. "So is this about a class then? Family? Quidditch? Prefect duties?"

Cho stared blankly up on her bed. "It's about Gryffindor's Seeker and Cedric."

"Oh." Silence stretched on for minutes.

"It's been a little over five months since….since…he was murdered," she knew tears were forming on her eyes--tears that she couldn't seem to stop. "I've tried my hardest to overcome it. To move on, you know? Not only for my own sake, but for others as well. It was getting a bit annoying hearing a lot of people asking me if I'm alright." She bit her lower lip.

"I didn't know," Abigail interrupted. "I'm sorry if I annoyed you when I asked a couple of times. I…We…were just tremendously worried about you. You and Cedric were so close to each other. That was hard not to notice," she paused briefly. "In fact, if there rumors are true, George and Fred Weasley were said to be taking bets on when you and Cedric would be getting married." Abigail's small laugh echoed in the silence of the room.

Cho could not help but also laugh after hearing that last bit. "Oh did they now? Maybe I ought to collect some galleons since that fell apart."

Abigail tossed a small pillow at Cho. "Good luck and I mean that. Merlin knows George and Fred would sooner trick you with one of their newest joke inventions than give you a single galleon you know."

"HA! I'm a Ravenclaw. I'm sure I'm too…wise…to fall for that, whatever it is," Cho quipped.

"Ah, well anyway, are we still on about Cedric here? I mean, we've watched you closely and we're quite proud of how you've coped with the tragedy," Abigail mused. "We, or at least I, know that if anybody can get through something like that, other than the incredible Harry Potter, it would be you."

Cho leaned up a bit and tossed the pillow back to her friend. "You give me too much credit, you know. All of you do."

Silence again.

Abigail stood up and walked by a window where she gazed out quietly. The weather was changing and soon winter snow would be on them. Aside from cooler temperatures, the sun outside gave no hints of any coming winter snow on their way. The ball was less than two weeks away.

"And Harry?" she finally spoke.

Cho didn't move from her place on the bed. "The great Harry Potter. Rita Seeker couldn't be farther from the truth in the articles she wrote last year about him. He told m-" she caught herself and stopped from making it known that she and Harry spoke last Saturday. "I…I heard that he's quite the humble guy. Not mopey or dramatic or troubled as Rita Seeker made it seem. He's just like…another boy…or young man…" She frowned. Despite Saturday's events, and even Monday's included, she still really could not figure him out. As a Ravenclaw, it bothered her that she could not solve the enigma known as Harry Potter. As a girl…a young woman…it bothered her even more because he was causing her heart to stir, once again.

She rose from the bed. "Before Cedric…I had a big crush on, Harry. It didn't seem to matter that he was a year younger than I am. I couldn't help but admire him, especially when he was on the broom, up in the skies," she smiled.

"Are you…Have you moved on…from Cedric?" The question pierced her thoughts. And it gave a slight hurtful tug at her heart as Abigail turned from the window.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. Part of me has moved on, but another part of me…doesn't want to let go. It seems so long ago but on some days it feels like it just happened yesterday."

Abigail walked on over to Cho's bed and sat next to her. "Ho hum…."

"What is it?"

"I think you should go to the ball."

The raven-haired girl shot up from her bed. "WHAT?"

"Not with Sean…Or with anyone else that Marietta or Sam have been trying to set you up with," Abigail giggled. She noticed Cho's questioning look. "All I'm saying is that since part of you has decided to move on, maybe it's time that you get that other part that lags behind going too. You can't more forward if you're torn Cho. And no, I'm not telling you to hook up with Harry already or anything like that. Merlin knows, despite being famous or infamous to some, that boy still has a good female fan club going. So naturally you've got your work cut out for you if you pursue anything with him." Cho chuckled in amusement.

"Speaking of which, I heard that the tall girl from last year tried to get him as her date again! Poor Harry! And I'm sure he's already picked himself a date to the ball…At least that's what I've been hearing," Cho recalled. "Anyway, where's the rest of the point that you are trying to make?"

"Patience! Obviously not one of your better virtues-which, incidentally, I find quite amazing and odd at the same time since you are, after all, a quidditch Seeker," Abigail rolled her eyes. "All I'm saying is that you need to be Cho Chang again. Go out. Enjoy life. Dance. Study. Be Ravenclaw's cover-girl again!"

Cho eyes widened at that last comment and slightly smacked Abigail with a pillow as a reward. "Fine! But none of that poster or cover girl or whatever bit. And on one condition!"

"Speak it and I shall try my best to comply," Abigail sheepishly grinned.

"You will promise to get Sam and Marietta off my back about making Sean Wright my date. I'll choose my own date. Someone with a good head on his shoulders and a lot less cocky for sure."

"Done."

"By the way, you are going to the ball too, right?" Cho inquired.

Abigail blushed. "That's right."

"So who's your date?" Cho's right eyebrow raised at her friend's reddening.

"I…I'm actually going with…Anthony Goldstein," she timidly said.

"Oh."

*****

"Harry and Cho, sitting on a tre-OOW!" Ron yelped as a shiny red apple bounced of his head.

"Ron, there's a reason why you are my best friend. I confide in you. That doesn't mean you can go ahead and parade around Hogwarts what I have said in confidence!" Harry snapped. "Now, would you kindly shut your trap about what happened Monday and forget that I ever told you?" Harry summoned and was playing with another red apple in his right hand.

"Aw, it was a Muggle rhyme I just recently learn-," Ron took note of the apple in Harry's hand, gulped loudly, and nodded. "Forgotten, forgotten!"

"Harry! Professor McGonagall wants to talk to you again. At her office. Something about a project with Professor Flitwick?" said Dean, coming from behind Harry and Ron.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that. Hey Ron, I'll see you in a bit okay? I guess I can't go to quidditch practice with you today," Harry mentioned.

"Well that's okay. Herms and I will just meet you for dinner then."

Harry smirked. "So she's 'Herms' now?"

Ron's ears reddened to the tips and fidgeted a bit. "Oh drop it will you? Go hurry off and see McGonagall already."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at his best friend's expense. It was about time to turn tables on Ron anyway after his incessant "Harry and Cho, kissing" thing. He was awfully thankful that none of the Slytherins have caught wind of that rhyme…yet. Worse, it could be George and Fred hearing about it. He'd definitely not leave his room again if ever the twins find out.

Harry entered McGonagall's office and was surprised to see that there were several other students there. And then there was also Snape. Harry's eyes narrowed darkly. Despite all the help that he's given to the Order, Harry still hated him with a passion. Taking his eyes off Snape, he scanned the rest of the room, recognizing all the other students: Hannah Abbott and Justin Finch-Fletchey from Hufflepuff. Millicent Bulstrode and Malcolm Baddock from Slytherin. Sean Wright and Cho Chang from Ravenclaw.

As soon as Harry realized Cho's presence, his sight lingered on her. He couldn't help himself even though he knew that his cheeks were coloring. Cho, upon noticing Harry's gaze on her, colored a bit as well.

"Thank goodness, Mister Potter, you're finally here. Now we can start." Professor Mcgonagall's voice distracted him. "Miss Granger, has been looking all over for you."

His right eyebrow rose. "I'm sorry, Professor. What's going on and what are we doing here?" Harry finally just realized that there were two students from each house present in the room.

"Perhaps, Mister Potter, you could silence yourself for a bit so that Professor McGonagall may speak and enlighten everyone?" Snape said with almost a sneer. Harry cast him a quick glance and moved to stand next to Hermione. Hermione gave him a look indicating that she had no idea what was going on as well.

"Alright then. If you haven't noticed yet, there are two students from each house has been called to this meeting—one boy and one girl. I, along with Professor Snape, Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, with the Headmaster's approval, have decided to form a Defense Against Dark Arts organization. This activity will serve as a supplement to your Defense class, currently taught by Professor Moody, the real Alastor Moody."

After the mention of the name, the door to McGonagall's office opened and in stepped Professor Moody. His ever-revolving magical eye critically eyed each student, causing some of them to shudder. He moved to take his place next to Professor McGonagall.

"As you all know this year, compared to all other years, has been deemed as one of the darkest years yet for Hogwarts, its students, and the magical world. Dark forces are on the move and He-Who-Musn't-Be-Named," all except Harry and Hermione shivered a bit, "is once again on the rise. Despite this, Hogwarts will always be a safe place for the students so long as Headmaster Dumbledore is at the helm. However, to ensure that all students are prepared if ever they find themselves directly confronted by Dark forces, we have decided to sponsor the establishment of an organization known as Dumbledore's Army."

"Obviously, it can't always be Mister Potter who saves the day," Snape suddenly said out of the blue.

Professor McGonagall gave him an unfavorable look. "As I was saying, a new extra-curricular activity shall be offered for the students to help prepare for dire times. We, your professors, have decided to create four dueling groups. However, instead of doing it by houses, we have added another twist." She turned her back to the students for a moment, picked up a parchment, and turned to face them all again.

"I will call out two names at a time. When your name is called, you are to pair yourself together with the other person I mention. Once that is done, I will explain more about how this partnership will work in accordance with the new dueling club. Do I make myself clear?" Professor McGonagall asked. All heads nodded but confusion was still evident on their faces.
"Sean Wright and Millicent Bulstrode. Hannah Abbott and Malcolm Baddock. Justin Finch-Fletchey and Hermione Granger. Harry Potter and Cho Chang."

Harry's eyes widened and once again his cheeks were coloring. He could only hope that nobody else would notice this. It seems that he's been doing a lot of it lately whenever Cho Chang is concerned—too often, as a matter of fact. He wasn't sure how he managed it but a few moments later he and Cho were standing next to each other after Professor McGonagall's announcement.

"Alright, now that you are all paired up, I will discuss the rest of the project. We shall post a parchment announcing this new project to all students. Once they are signed up, they shall be divided among the four teams that we are establishing." Professor McGonagall eyed each student carefully. "You eight will serve as mentors for these students as they learn how to deal with various situations when faced against Dark Forces. Near the end of the school year, there shall be a tournament pitting each group against each other. The winning group shall attain extra credit points for their Defense against Dark Arts class and shall earn a certain number of points as well for their houses."

"So why are we working with other houses to do this?" Justin Finch-Fletchey asked.

Professor McGonagall turned to him. "The reason for this is to promote inter-house relations. By working with other houses, you can learn more from the strengths of each other as your team develops. While you all will learn the same thing, each house has characteristics unique to each of them that may help develop your dueling skills: Gryffindor's bravery, Ravenclaw's wisdom, Slytherin's cunning, and Hufflepuff's diligence. Whichever team makes the best use of each house's skills and specialties would most likely win, don't you think so Mister Finch-Fletchey?

At this, Justin nodded and so did several other students. Harry, all this time, was still feeling anxious about the project especially more so after finding out that he will serve as a mentor with Cho Chang. They haven't spoken since Monday and even then things were still awkward between the two of them.

"Now that I have gotten most, if not all, of the details out of the way, I want each pair to meet at the end of classes today to discuss this project. The formal announcement shall be made tomorrow and sign up scroll will be left by the announcement so students may sign up. By Wednesday next week, new teams will be announced during dinner at the Great Hall," said McGonagall. "Now does anyone have any questions?"

Hermione raised her hand. "Professor, how will the students be sorted out among the four groups?"

Professor Flitwick moved forward. "The sorting hat shall be put to use for that task. After all, that thing isn't only suited for use during the sorting ceremony every year at Hogwarts.."

"Alright then, if there are no more questions, you are all dismissed," Professor McGonagall noted.

Several of the students that were seated stood up and began exiting Professor McGonagall's office. Several still had confused looks on their faces and were not sure of what to say. Harry gave Cho a glance and he realized that she seemed equally baffled as he. Nervously, he approached Cho and spoke, "So…I still have Potions and Care of Magical Creatures then I'm done. What about yourself?"

Cho flushed slightly. "I…only have Defense and then I have to see Professor Flitwick for a short while after that for some extra credit work."

Harry's right hand went up to his neck and he tried to rub the anxiety away. "Let's meet up after Hagrid's class. We can talk about this project then. We have until dinner if that's alright with you?"

Cho's smile made Harry's heart beat slightly faster. "Sure. I'll see you later then." She then left the room without looking back once. Harry and Hermione both exited at the same time, and both weren't sure of what to say to each other.

"So does this make us competitors with each other?" asked Hermione.

"I guess so. Should we tell Ron soon?"

"I suppose we should. I think he was already suspicious enough since he wasn't asked to this meeting. Do you suppose he'll end up on my team or yours?" Hermione fidgeted a bit.

Harry took off his glasses and wiped them clean before putting them back on. "I don't know. This is all sudden. I mean, I think it's shocking enough that I have to work with Cho."

Hermione giggled. Harry thought then that giggling ought to be outlawed or considered a crime. "I'm sure you'll do fine, Harry. You know, this might be great for the other teams. I was a bit worried about going against you for this project but I think working with Cho Chang would give other teams a good enough handicap so we won't be outrageously outmatched by the great Harry Potter."

"Hermione! That's...that's not fair! And I'm sure that it will be your team that will us a run for the money," Harry stammered. Somewhere in the back of his head, Ron's rhyme about him and Cho kissing on a tree kept going and going.

"Uh huh, I'm sure. Well enough of this. We have to get to Snape's class which starts in about ten minutes. He left quickly enough from the meeting so I'm certain we're starting class on time." Hermione began walking a little faster. "We can both just fill Ron in during class."

"Okay." Harry hurried after her. In his head, he kept asking himself how or why he got paired up with Cho Chang of all people. Since finding out that he and Cho were paired together, his heartbeat seems to have sped up a few notches and showed no signs of slowing down—at least not anytime soon.

-TBC