This is by far my favorite chapter in this story. I actually took some time
researching what the Veil might be, and this is my idea. Thanks to all who
have reviewed and read, you guys are amazing as always.
My story is going to start moving quickly now, with a few pauses to breath. I also checked on Ernie in the second book, he is a pureblood because he tells Harry he can't attack him because he can trace his family back, yada yada yada. It is Justin that is a Muggle born and he is petrified. Anyways.All you guys are great!
Read and Review Nothing is my Own.
************************************************************************
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Veil
Harry glanced at Hermione and her bandages, "does it hurt?"
"Oh shut-up Harry!" Hermione snapped, glaring back.
He couldn't help but laugh.
"It wasn't like you and Seamus were much help," she continued, rubbing her bandaged arm.
"We didn't tell you to walk into the common room either," Harry defended.
If Ron and Ginny were on unfriendly terms before, there was no description of their current situation. It appeared it wasn't going to be safe in the same room as the two of them, in fear you'd get hit by an unfriendly hex.
Harry grin faded slightly, "so how is Dean's nose?" "Broken," Hermione said sarcastically.
"I heard that McGonagall didn't go very easy on Ron and Ginny," she added.
Harry shook his head as he envisioned the destroyed common room and McGonagall's face when she entered it, "you might say that. Last time I saw them she was dragging them out with an ear twisting curse."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I can't believe Ron is such an insensitive wart."
It wasn't until the next morning that Hermione and Harry caught a glimpe of Ron and Ginny. Both resembled Hermione, with bandages and bruises. Ron was a bit more banged up than Ginny. Dean also looked like the outcome of a bar brawl with a butterfly bandage across his nose and two puffed up eyes.
Harry had almost completely forgotten he was suppose to meet Cho by the Great Hall door. Due to the tension in the Gryffindor common room before he left.
"Holy Merlin! What happened to everyone?" Cho asked impatiently as she saw the passing Gryffindors.
Harry smirked, "we had a bit of a situation in our house last night."
"Obviously. Listen, I can't eat breakfast this morning I have to go meet with Professor Sprout about my Herbology project, I'm sorry," she pleaded quickly.
Harry was surprised at how disappointed he felt, "I guess I just can't compete with Professor Sprout."
"I'm sorry, really I am," Cho continued.
Harry wanted to reach out and push a strand of hair away from her cheek, "are you feeling like getting into some mischief?"
Cho's eyes perked up, "are you asking for another midnight rendezvous?"
"Are you interested?" Harry teased, feeling slightly red from this silly game of words between them.
"Possibly," Cho said sweetly before taking off down the hall.
Harry pushed his way though the Great Hall doors, noticing the angry rays coming off his friends.
"Hermione I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you with that hex. I thought you were Ginny," Ron pleaded as Hermione kept her head facing the other direction.
Ginny was stabbing her eggs with her fork, flashing Ron looks of death as he pleaded with Hermione.
"Mind if I sit down here with you guys?" Harry asked "I'm think it's still a bit dangerous down there."
"Some of us do mind," Pavarti snapped as Harry took his seat.
Dean and Seamus ignored Pavarti snap and welcomed Harry to his seat.
"Remind me not to upset Ron anymore," Dean tried to joke as he squinted his healing nose.
Seamus shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth, "you should have seen Hermione after she charged in on the two. Dating a Weasley is hazardous to your health."
Lavender poked Seamus in the side warningly causing him to jump.
Harry suddenly didn't feel like eating as he felt Pavarti's eyes burning a hole though his head, "I'm really not hungry. I'm going to head on to class, catch you guys later."
"I'll walk with you," Pavarti said suddenly rising from her chair, her demeanor suddenly changing.
"Your heading to Charms right?" Pavarti asked suddenly.
Harry looked at her surprisingly, "yea, where are you heading?"
"Muggle Studies," Pavarti said, sounding slightly disappointed.
They continued to walk, quietly, than she broke the silence.
"Congratulations, Cho is a sweet girl."
Harry suddenly felt sick, "thanks, I'm sorry didn't get to talk to you about it, it just kind of happened."
Pavarti lowered her head, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset."
"I never meant to hurt you," Harry said stopping and taking her hand in his.
She lifted her head and let her eyes find his, "let me know if you ever need a good snog."
"I'll remember that," Harry laughed. Pavarti laughed nervously before looking down the corridor that split from Harry's past, "do you really like her?"
Harry stared at Pavarti slightly taken back by her question, "I."
She nodded at his loss of words, "I thought so. I'll see you Harry."
He couldn't get that question out of his mind the entire morning. When Professor Flitwick had asked, "what the proper incantation was for a sleeping charm?" Harry had replied, "I do like her."
"I do like her?" Hermione asked as class ended.
Harry avoided her prying eyes, "it doesn't matter."
"Harry, what's going on?"
He let out a deep sigh, "Pavarti. She asked me if I like Cho this morning."
"Aren't you and Cho going out now?" Hermione asked in her normal tone.
"Yes, but it isn't that simple," Harry started to defend.
"Please tell me you're not dating her out of pity?" Hermione continued.
Harry closed his eyes, "no, it isn't that either. We understand each other right now, that's all."
"Hermione, for Merlin sake, leave him alone about it," Ron intervened.
Hermione rolled her eyes in Ron's direction, "well, we need to talk to him about you know what anyway."
"What is you know what?" Harry asked eyeing his two closest friends.
Ron bit his lip and whispered, "the veil."
Harry felt as if a Dementor had just sucked all the life out of him at Ron's words. He had honestly hoped that Ron and Hermione had given up their quest to unlock its mysteries.
"What about it?" Harry finally managed to choke out. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and drug him into a quite corner in the corridor.
"Torto was an evil wizard around early B.C. Muggle mythology named him to be a Basque spirit who killed young people and ate their flesh. In truth he was a wizard who used young flesh in his potions of immortality," Hermione glanced around the corridor to make sure no one was listening, "In an attempt by the early wizarding allied to rid their world of him they lured him into a trap. It was an enchanted piece of cloth that when hung horizontally allowed the living to pass unto the realm of the death without dying. Only problem is there isn't a known way to return for that journey."
"Hermione, get to your point," Harry urged.
"The Execution Veil," Hermione said annoyed at Harry's interruption, "The early wizards lured Torto into a cave and offered him an opportunity to conquer the world of the dead. Feeling he had already conquered the world of the living, he accepted this opportunity and passed though the veil. "
Harry started to speak but Hermione's eyes warned him she wasn't finished yet.
"Torto screamed though the veil as he passed from the world of the living to the world of the dead that he would return. Some of his followers, believing he would keep to his vow, created the Torto Scriptures. The Books supposedly allowed those who have not yet died, but are in the realm of the death to make contact with the world of the living. A cult formed around these books, and in early A.D. the magical world condemned them as hoaxes."
"Is there more?" Harry said feeling slightly frustrated.
"Yes, in the 1600's the Torto Execution veil was rediscovered in a cave, and brought back into use. This time it was an execution method for followers of Horrace the Evil, the Dark Wizard of that time. Around the same time, the Torto Scriptures started to rise in popularity once again. Many good Witches and Wizards were driven mad by their words, claiming that Torto was seeking his revenge though Horrace."
Ron stared at Hermione amazed, "how in the hell did you remember all that?"
"Ron, we've been reading up on this stuff since the start of term," Hermione said not looking at him.
"What's the point?" Harry finally asked.
"I didn't piece it all together at first. I couldn't make sense of it, not that I though there was a possibility of bring Sirius back to life or anything. Magical Law forbids any such attempts. Then that night when Cho locked herself in her dormitory with that book. You didn't call it a Torto Scriptures, which is what the text says, you called it a Death Journal. I continued reading information on these books and found a late entry by a fallen wizard by the name a Thoth. He referred to the Torto Scriptures as Death Journals."
Harry suddenly froze as her words began to register, "are you saying I can talk to Sirius?"
"If the ancient text is true, but we have no way of knowing who we're talking to. Ancient lore says you can't die in the realm of the dead, meaning we could end up talking to Torto himself," Hermione stated.
Harry shook his head, "when I met Luna and she showed me the Death Journal, a message appeared telling me not to trust Wormtail's letter and to tell Dumbledore. It claimed to be from Sirius."
"Harry the Torto Scriptures are surround in dark magic. They aren't something we should be dabbling in. The only reason I bring it up." Hermione stopped at looked at Ron.
"We want you to see if Cho will tell you everything the books said to her," Ron finished.
"I already told you guys, she said the book said I would die, soon," Harry spat.
"She was locked in a room with it nearly two hours, it had to say more that than," Hermione continued.
Harry shook his head, "if there was anything else, she would have already told me."
"The Torto Scriptures are evil Harry, they manipulate wizards and witches with weak minds," Hermione suddenly stopped to think about her words, "I don't think that night was the first time Cho had talked to the book."
"I can't believe you guys," Harry said suddenly feeling angry, and not understanding completely why.
"I'm not accusing her of anything, I just want you to talk to her about it. That's all," Hermione finished.
Harry closed his eyes, "I'll try, I'm meeting her tonight, but I don't think she knows anything else."
Midnight seemed to sneak up on Harry Potter before he even realized it. His mind preoccupied with thoughts of the Death Journals, the Execution Veil, and Cho. How was he going to confront his girlfriend about her experience. Girlfriend, it still felt odd saying that. Glancing at the clock, he let his eyes meet Ron's, without another word Harry opened his trunk and pulled out his magical map and cloak.
"Good luck mate," Ron said quickly as Harry left the dormitory.
Just like before Harry watched his map as the little dot marked Cho Chang dawdled around the Ravenclaw common room. This time, the excitement of seeing her seemed less, and felt more like anxiety.
As the clock struck midnight, Cho whispered the password and creped into the dark corridor, "Harry, are you out here?"
Harry pulled the invisibility cloak off his head, revealing his location to her. She smiled as she spotted him and approached.
"Decided not to scare me this time?" Cho said playfully.
Harry swallowed hard, "I guess I've had enough scares for awhile."
Slowly moving towards him Cho positioned herself so Harry could hide them both with his cloak. This time she didn't ask where they were going, and Harry automatically let his feet carry them to the Room of Requirements. It was warm and quaint, same as the last time they had visited it alone.
"Feels awkward, doesn't it?" Cho asked noticing the somber look etched on Harry's face.
"Slightly," Harry confessed taking a seat on the couch in front of the fire.
Cho reluctantly took a seat next to him, "so why did we come here tonight?"
"I thought we could talk," he said still feeling the anxiety building.
Cho huffed lightly, "if there is something on your mind, just spit it out."
Harry couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, "I don't know how to say this."
Her eyes started to glaze over slightly, but the stern look on her face hide them, "you want to break-up with me."
"No," Harry said so instantly it surprised him. "I need to talk to you about the Death Journal."
"Why?" Cho asked suspiciously.
Harry suddenly felt his anxiety burst, "I just need to know. Hermione thinks there might be a connection."
"Hermione thinks?" Cho said almost bitterly.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Harry retorted.
Cho narrowed her eyes, "forget about my feeling, if precious Hermione thinks it's important I tell you about the Death Journal."
"When are you going to realize there is nothing going on between me and Hermione. We're just friends!" he said raising his voice slightly.
"I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BLOODY BOOK!" Cho yelled back.
"WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?" Harry yelled back.
Cho head feel into her hands as she began to sob softly, "why can't I just forget about it."
"Forget about what?" Harry urged suddenly regaining his composure.
"Cedric, that stupid book," Cho choked out between sobs.
Harry hesitated for a moment then placed his arm around her shoulders, "you can tell me, I promise I won't get mad."
"It was horrible," Cho continued to cry, "it told me it was Cedric, then it described how much pain he was in when he died."
"I'm sorry." Harry started.
Suddenly she quit crying and just started talking, "he started to mock me, calling me 'cyring Chang' and told me it was all my fault he was dead. The worst part was he called me a tramp, and told me you were going to die just like he did, by the wand of he who must not be named."
He couldn't keep his eyes off her as she spoke, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.
"I screamed at the book to shut-up, to leave me alone. Then, another person who called himself Wormtail told me there was a prophecy. He warned me there was still two memories of the prophecy in you know who's reach. Wormtail asked me to warn December," Cho finally finished.
Harry pulled her closer to him, feeling absolutely sick at himself for making her relive the incident. He hated the name, the word, Wormtail. He hated it so much that everything said after that name, he didn't really hear.
His eyes again lingered on the crying Ravenclaw curling into his chest. Her frail figure shaking slightly as she lightly sobbed.
"I don't want to be alone tonight," Cho almost whispered.
Harry felt his neck hairs stand on end as she spoke, he didn't know why her words were affecting him in such a way.
After a momentary delay he finally replied, "we can stay here tonight."
She lifted her head and dried her tears with the back of her hand. Her gaze was soft and feathered as she examined Harry's face letting her fingers pause on his scar.
"And the Dark Lord will Mark him his equal," she almost whispered.
Harry froze, doing a double take in his mind, did she say what he thought she said.
She closed her eyes and buried her head back into his chest and softly said, "I love you Harry Potter."
He swallowed hard, as he watched her form breathing so delicately. She felt so warm, and so foreign to his abused esteem. Nobody had ever said those words to him before. He knew that people loved him, Sirius had love him, but he had never been told he was loved. It felt like a fire rushing though his veins, nothing else mattered at that moment. He wasn't sure if he loved the Ravenclaw beauty resting on him, but he'd protect her with his life if it ever came down to it.
My story is going to start moving quickly now, with a few pauses to breath. I also checked on Ernie in the second book, he is a pureblood because he tells Harry he can't attack him because he can trace his family back, yada yada yada. It is Justin that is a Muggle born and he is petrified. Anyways.All you guys are great!
Read and Review Nothing is my Own.
************************************************************************
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Veil
Harry glanced at Hermione and her bandages, "does it hurt?"
"Oh shut-up Harry!" Hermione snapped, glaring back.
He couldn't help but laugh.
"It wasn't like you and Seamus were much help," she continued, rubbing her bandaged arm.
"We didn't tell you to walk into the common room either," Harry defended.
If Ron and Ginny were on unfriendly terms before, there was no description of their current situation. It appeared it wasn't going to be safe in the same room as the two of them, in fear you'd get hit by an unfriendly hex.
Harry grin faded slightly, "so how is Dean's nose?" "Broken," Hermione said sarcastically.
"I heard that McGonagall didn't go very easy on Ron and Ginny," she added.
Harry shook his head as he envisioned the destroyed common room and McGonagall's face when she entered it, "you might say that. Last time I saw them she was dragging them out with an ear twisting curse."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I can't believe Ron is such an insensitive wart."
It wasn't until the next morning that Hermione and Harry caught a glimpe of Ron and Ginny. Both resembled Hermione, with bandages and bruises. Ron was a bit more banged up than Ginny. Dean also looked like the outcome of a bar brawl with a butterfly bandage across his nose and two puffed up eyes.
Harry had almost completely forgotten he was suppose to meet Cho by the Great Hall door. Due to the tension in the Gryffindor common room before he left.
"Holy Merlin! What happened to everyone?" Cho asked impatiently as she saw the passing Gryffindors.
Harry smirked, "we had a bit of a situation in our house last night."
"Obviously. Listen, I can't eat breakfast this morning I have to go meet with Professor Sprout about my Herbology project, I'm sorry," she pleaded quickly.
Harry was surprised at how disappointed he felt, "I guess I just can't compete with Professor Sprout."
"I'm sorry, really I am," Cho continued.
Harry wanted to reach out and push a strand of hair away from her cheek, "are you feeling like getting into some mischief?"
Cho's eyes perked up, "are you asking for another midnight rendezvous?"
"Are you interested?" Harry teased, feeling slightly red from this silly game of words between them.
"Possibly," Cho said sweetly before taking off down the hall.
Harry pushed his way though the Great Hall doors, noticing the angry rays coming off his friends.
"Hermione I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you with that hex. I thought you were Ginny," Ron pleaded as Hermione kept her head facing the other direction.
Ginny was stabbing her eggs with her fork, flashing Ron looks of death as he pleaded with Hermione.
"Mind if I sit down here with you guys?" Harry asked "I'm think it's still a bit dangerous down there."
"Some of us do mind," Pavarti snapped as Harry took his seat.
Dean and Seamus ignored Pavarti snap and welcomed Harry to his seat.
"Remind me not to upset Ron anymore," Dean tried to joke as he squinted his healing nose.
Seamus shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth, "you should have seen Hermione after she charged in on the two. Dating a Weasley is hazardous to your health."
Lavender poked Seamus in the side warningly causing him to jump.
Harry suddenly didn't feel like eating as he felt Pavarti's eyes burning a hole though his head, "I'm really not hungry. I'm going to head on to class, catch you guys later."
"I'll walk with you," Pavarti said suddenly rising from her chair, her demeanor suddenly changing.
"Your heading to Charms right?" Pavarti asked suddenly.
Harry looked at her surprisingly, "yea, where are you heading?"
"Muggle Studies," Pavarti said, sounding slightly disappointed.
They continued to walk, quietly, than she broke the silence.
"Congratulations, Cho is a sweet girl."
Harry suddenly felt sick, "thanks, I'm sorry didn't get to talk to you about it, it just kind of happened."
Pavarti lowered her head, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset."
"I never meant to hurt you," Harry said stopping and taking her hand in his.
She lifted her head and let her eyes find his, "let me know if you ever need a good snog."
"I'll remember that," Harry laughed. Pavarti laughed nervously before looking down the corridor that split from Harry's past, "do you really like her?"
Harry stared at Pavarti slightly taken back by her question, "I."
She nodded at his loss of words, "I thought so. I'll see you Harry."
He couldn't get that question out of his mind the entire morning. When Professor Flitwick had asked, "what the proper incantation was for a sleeping charm?" Harry had replied, "I do like her."
"I do like her?" Hermione asked as class ended.
Harry avoided her prying eyes, "it doesn't matter."
"Harry, what's going on?"
He let out a deep sigh, "Pavarti. She asked me if I like Cho this morning."
"Aren't you and Cho going out now?" Hermione asked in her normal tone.
"Yes, but it isn't that simple," Harry started to defend.
"Please tell me you're not dating her out of pity?" Hermione continued.
Harry closed his eyes, "no, it isn't that either. We understand each other right now, that's all."
"Hermione, for Merlin sake, leave him alone about it," Ron intervened.
Hermione rolled her eyes in Ron's direction, "well, we need to talk to him about you know what anyway."
"What is you know what?" Harry asked eyeing his two closest friends.
Ron bit his lip and whispered, "the veil."
Harry felt as if a Dementor had just sucked all the life out of him at Ron's words. He had honestly hoped that Ron and Hermione had given up their quest to unlock its mysteries.
"What about it?" Harry finally managed to choke out. Hermione grabbed Harry's arm and drug him into a quite corner in the corridor.
"Torto was an evil wizard around early B.C. Muggle mythology named him to be a Basque spirit who killed young people and ate their flesh. In truth he was a wizard who used young flesh in his potions of immortality," Hermione glanced around the corridor to make sure no one was listening, "In an attempt by the early wizarding allied to rid their world of him they lured him into a trap. It was an enchanted piece of cloth that when hung horizontally allowed the living to pass unto the realm of the death without dying. Only problem is there isn't a known way to return for that journey."
"Hermione, get to your point," Harry urged.
"The Execution Veil," Hermione said annoyed at Harry's interruption, "The early wizards lured Torto into a cave and offered him an opportunity to conquer the world of the dead. Feeling he had already conquered the world of the living, he accepted this opportunity and passed though the veil. "
Harry started to speak but Hermione's eyes warned him she wasn't finished yet.
"Torto screamed though the veil as he passed from the world of the living to the world of the dead that he would return. Some of his followers, believing he would keep to his vow, created the Torto Scriptures. The Books supposedly allowed those who have not yet died, but are in the realm of the death to make contact with the world of the living. A cult formed around these books, and in early A.D. the magical world condemned them as hoaxes."
"Is there more?" Harry said feeling slightly frustrated.
"Yes, in the 1600's the Torto Execution veil was rediscovered in a cave, and brought back into use. This time it was an execution method for followers of Horrace the Evil, the Dark Wizard of that time. Around the same time, the Torto Scriptures started to rise in popularity once again. Many good Witches and Wizards were driven mad by their words, claiming that Torto was seeking his revenge though Horrace."
Ron stared at Hermione amazed, "how in the hell did you remember all that?"
"Ron, we've been reading up on this stuff since the start of term," Hermione said not looking at him.
"What's the point?" Harry finally asked.
"I didn't piece it all together at first. I couldn't make sense of it, not that I though there was a possibility of bring Sirius back to life or anything. Magical Law forbids any such attempts. Then that night when Cho locked herself in her dormitory with that book. You didn't call it a Torto Scriptures, which is what the text says, you called it a Death Journal. I continued reading information on these books and found a late entry by a fallen wizard by the name a Thoth. He referred to the Torto Scriptures as Death Journals."
Harry suddenly froze as her words began to register, "are you saying I can talk to Sirius?"
"If the ancient text is true, but we have no way of knowing who we're talking to. Ancient lore says you can't die in the realm of the dead, meaning we could end up talking to Torto himself," Hermione stated.
Harry shook his head, "when I met Luna and she showed me the Death Journal, a message appeared telling me not to trust Wormtail's letter and to tell Dumbledore. It claimed to be from Sirius."
"Harry the Torto Scriptures are surround in dark magic. They aren't something we should be dabbling in. The only reason I bring it up." Hermione stopped at looked at Ron.
"We want you to see if Cho will tell you everything the books said to her," Ron finished.
"I already told you guys, she said the book said I would die, soon," Harry spat.
"She was locked in a room with it nearly two hours, it had to say more that than," Hermione continued.
Harry shook his head, "if there was anything else, she would have already told me."
"The Torto Scriptures are evil Harry, they manipulate wizards and witches with weak minds," Hermione suddenly stopped to think about her words, "I don't think that night was the first time Cho had talked to the book."
"I can't believe you guys," Harry said suddenly feeling angry, and not understanding completely why.
"I'm not accusing her of anything, I just want you to talk to her about it. That's all," Hermione finished.
Harry closed his eyes, "I'll try, I'm meeting her tonight, but I don't think she knows anything else."
Midnight seemed to sneak up on Harry Potter before he even realized it. His mind preoccupied with thoughts of the Death Journals, the Execution Veil, and Cho. How was he going to confront his girlfriend about her experience. Girlfriend, it still felt odd saying that. Glancing at the clock, he let his eyes meet Ron's, without another word Harry opened his trunk and pulled out his magical map and cloak.
"Good luck mate," Ron said quickly as Harry left the dormitory.
Just like before Harry watched his map as the little dot marked Cho Chang dawdled around the Ravenclaw common room. This time, the excitement of seeing her seemed less, and felt more like anxiety.
As the clock struck midnight, Cho whispered the password and creped into the dark corridor, "Harry, are you out here?"
Harry pulled the invisibility cloak off his head, revealing his location to her. She smiled as she spotted him and approached.
"Decided not to scare me this time?" Cho said playfully.
Harry swallowed hard, "I guess I've had enough scares for awhile."
Slowly moving towards him Cho positioned herself so Harry could hide them both with his cloak. This time she didn't ask where they were going, and Harry automatically let his feet carry them to the Room of Requirements. It was warm and quaint, same as the last time they had visited it alone.
"Feels awkward, doesn't it?" Cho asked noticing the somber look etched on Harry's face.
"Slightly," Harry confessed taking a seat on the couch in front of the fire.
Cho reluctantly took a seat next to him, "so why did we come here tonight?"
"I thought we could talk," he said still feeling the anxiety building.
Cho huffed lightly, "if there is something on your mind, just spit it out."
Harry couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes, "I don't know how to say this."
Her eyes started to glaze over slightly, but the stern look on her face hide them, "you want to break-up with me."
"No," Harry said so instantly it surprised him. "I need to talk to you about the Death Journal."
"Why?" Cho asked suspiciously.
Harry suddenly felt his anxiety burst, "I just need to know. Hermione thinks there might be a connection."
"Hermione thinks?" Cho said almost bitterly.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Harry retorted.
Cho narrowed her eyes, "forget about my feeling, if precious Hermione thinks it's important I tell you about the Death Journal."
"When are you going to realize there is nothing going on between me and Hermione. We're just friends!" he said raising his voice slightly.
"I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BLOODY BOOK!" Cho yelled back.
"WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?" Harry yelled back.
Cho head feel into her hands as she began to sob softly, "why can't I just forget about it."
"Forget about what?" Harry urged suddenly regaining his composure.
"Cedric, that stupid book," Cho choked out between sobs.
Harry hesitated for a moment then placed his arm around her shoulders, "you can tell me, I promise I won't get mad."
"It was horrible," Cho continued to cry, "it told me it was Cedric, then it described how much pain he was in when he died."
"I'm sorry." Harry started.
Suddenly she quit crying and just started talking, "he started to mock me, calling me 'cyring Chang' and told me it was all my fault he was dead. The worst part was he called me a tramp, and told me you were going to die just like he did, by the wand of he who must not be named."
He couldn't keep his eyes off her as she spoke, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.
"I screamed at the book to shut-up, to leave me alone. Then, another person who called himself Wormtail told me there was a prophecy. He warned me there was still two memories of the prophecy in you know who's reach. Wormtail asked me to warn December," Cho finally finished.
Harry pulled her closer to him, feeling absolutely sick at himself for making her relive the incident. He hated the name, the word, Wormtail. He hated it so much that everything said after that name, he didn't really hear.
His eyes again lingered on the crying Ravenclaw curling into his chest. Her frail figure shaking slightly as she lightly sobbed.
"I don't want to be alone tonight," Cho almost whispered.
Harry felt his neck hairs stand on end as she spoke, he didn't know why her words were affecting him in such a way.
After a momentary delay he finally replied, "we can stay here tonight."
She lifted her head and dried her tears with the back of her hand. Her gaze was soft and feathered as she examined Harry's face letting her fingers pause on his scar.
"And the Dark Lord will Mark him his equal," she almost whispered.
Harry froze, doing a double take in his mind, did she say what he thought she said.
She closed her eyes and buried her head back into his chest and softly said, "I love you Harry Potter."
He swallowed hard, as he watched her form breathing so delicately. She felt so warm, and so foreign to his abused esteem. Nobody had ever said those words to him before. He knew that people loved him, Sirius had love him, but he had never been told he was loved. It felt like a fire rushing though his veins, nothing else mattered at that moment. He wasn't sure if he loved the Ravenclaw beauty resting on him, but he'd protect her with his life if it ever came down to it.