Well, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. This will be my last update until Sunday. I hope you liked my Authors notes, maybe it explained my ideas. Well read and review, nothing is my own

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Chapter Thirty: Death Talks to Me

Cho Chang entered the Great Hall looking frail and weak, her eyes swollen almost completely shut.

"My God, she looks terrible," Hermione almost whispered, "did you two have a fight?"

Harry shook his head and felt the bottom of his stomach fall out, if he had been waiting for a signal to tell him Cho was still talking to Death Journal, this was a big one.

Hermione eyed Harry suspiciously, "she still has the journal, doesn't she?"

"I don't know," Harry said honestly.

Cho tried to force a smile and waved weakly over at Harry, she took her seat at the Ravenclaw table, on the verge of a breakdown.

"I better go talk to her," Harry conceded rising from his own seat.

Ron bit his lip and glanced nervously at Hermione, "if she does still have the Journal, you have to convince her to quit talking to it. It could literally drive her mad."

"I know," Harry spat impatiently. Ginny's head popped up from down the table and her eyes meet Harry's. If anyone knew about the power a book could have over you, it was Ginny. He swallowed hard as he approached the weak looking Ravenclaw.

"Rough night?" Harry questioned innocently.

She forced yet another smile, "oh yes, this project is going to be the death of me."

Harry took another deep breath, "I was wondering if we could go for a walk, I wanted to talk to you about something."

She nodded and rose from her seat, her body trembling from her weight as she started to walk.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked helping her catch her balance.

"I'm fine," she defended trying to regain her composure.

Harry waited till they were out in the corridor before he started interrogating, knowing it would probably end up in a yelling match he wouldn't want to share with the rest of the student body.

"Cho, do you still have the Death Journal?"

"No," she said almost instantly.

Harry could tell she was lying, "than who does?"

She looked around nervously fumbling over her words, "I, I don't know."

"Cho, it's really important, I need that book," he said calmly.

Her eyes glazed over, "please Harry, stay away from it. You don't know what it can do."

"Please, you have to be honest with me," he pleaded.

She shook her head, now fighting back her tears, "I'm not using it, I promise. I'm not crazy."

"I don't think you're crazy, I'm worried about you. It looks like you were up all night crying."

"I was, I'm so afraid you're going to die," she confessed.

Harry shook his head, "I know that you don't have a Herbology project." "You've been checking up on me?" she suddenly became defensive.

"Yes, but I didn't have a choice. You won't tell me anything. You tell me you." "I do love you!" she almost screamed, "that's why I can't tell you."

"Tell me what!" he yelled back.

She shook her head and looked away, "please, you're going to have to trust me I know what I'm doing."

"Do you have any idea what that book is? It's an evil book created by a Dark Lord. It's deceitful. If this is about Cedric," Harry started to fuss.

"It isn't about Cedric!" Cho interrupted, "it's about you. It knows things, and."

"And what?" he pushed.

"I think it is the only why I can save you," she said softly.

Harry shook his head and grabbed her hands, "Cho, I don't need saving. I don't want you talking to that book, please."

"Death talks to me," she almost whispered, "I don't need the book anymore, don't you understand."

"What are you talking about?" Harry said feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

She lowered her head, "I'm not going crazy. I swear! But those voices, their haunting me."

"Telling you I'm going to die," Harry finished for her as she nodded.

"Cho." he started but didn't get to finish. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"I can't lose you too," she sobbed as she pulled away.

Students starting filing out of the Great Hall and Harry sighed in frustration, "listen, meet me like we always do at midnight tonight."

She turned away as if she was thinking it over before finally agreeing.

"I promise, you're not going to lose me," Harry assured her, "you've just got to trust me." The day went normally until Divination. It was the look in Pavarti Patil's eyes that gave Harry and cold feeling.

"You'd like to figure her out, wouldn't you?" Susan Bones asked noticing Harry's distraction.

"I'm almost scared to try," Harry confessed looking away from Lavender and Pavarti.

"Did you hear who her new target is?" Susan continued.

"Target?" Harry asked confused.

Susan smiled, "she asked Ron Weasley out, well on a study date that is."

"WHAT!" Harry shouted.

"Potter, is something the matter?" Professor Trelawney asked suddenly taken back.

Harry looked at her apprehensively, "just didn't like the vision I was seeing professor."

"I understand, it does look like a painful end," she said sadly before turning away.

Susan smirked, "she's just doing it to make you jealous."

Harry sighed, "Ron isn't interested in Pavarti, he fancies someone else."

"You mean Hermione Granger?" Susan added.

Harry looked at her, "I didn't say that."

"It doesn't matter, he agreed to meet her in the library tonight," Susan continued.

Pavarti looked up and smiled slyly at Harry before turning her attention back to Lavender Brown.

"Girls," Harry muttered under his breath.

News travels fast at Hogwarts, as Harry discovered when Ginny stopped him in the halls.

"Can you believe my oaf of a brother?" she vented.

Harry tried to hold back his smile, "what did he do this time?"

"Harry, didn't you hear? Ron agreed to go out with Pavarti Patil."

"It's only a study date," Harry tried to defend.

"Only! That isn't what I heard. I heard they were getting rather friendly with each other after the Quidditch practice yesterday," Ginny argued.

"That's ridiculous, we both know who Ron fancies," Harry continued.

"Serves him right that Hermione decided to spend this coming summer with Victor," she stated angrily.

"What? When did she decide that?"

"Yesterday, after Ron decided he wanted to go out with Pavarti," Ginny sneered.

"Listen I know you and Ron aren't on the best of terms right now, but.." Harry started.

"And his best mates girl, it's unspeakable," she interrupted.

Harry shook his head, "Pavarti isn't my girl, there isn't anything go on between us."

"Well, not now, but there was?" Ginny retorted. "Speaking of your love life, what's up with Cho? Luna told me she was hysterical last night."

Harry lowered his head, "I think she's still using the Death Journal."

"You mean the Torto Scriptures?" Ginny added, obviously she had been talking with Hermione.

Harry nodded, "I don't think she understands the danger she's putting herself in, she thinks it is just a harmless book."

"Harmless book? I remember when I had a naïve perception like that," Ginny said lightly.

A bulb went off in Harry's head, "you know better than anyone what a book can do, Ginny can you do me a favor?"

"Depends?" she said cautiously.

Harry cracked a grin, "I think I recall you saying you wanted to sneak out using my cloak, didn't you?"

"Maybe once or twice," Ginny said slowly.

"Well, tonight I'm meeting Cho and we're going to talk in the Room of Requirements. Will you come with me to meet her, maybe you can talk some sense into her."

"I don't know Harry, you know how jealous Cho can get," Ginny warned.

"Please, I don't think I can do it without you," Harry begged.

She bit her lip considering, "alright, but no snogging!"

"Excellent, meet me in the common room around 11:30," Harry instructed.

Suddenly Ginny smirked, "wait, I have a better idea. Meet me in the Great Hall after your next class and bring your invisibility cloak."

Harry looked at her skeptically, "trust me. After all I am directly related to Fred and George."

"That's what scares me," he confessed.

After potions he said a quick goodbye to Hermione and headed for the Gryffindor house. Tearing up the stairs he grabbed his cloak and shoved it into his bag. He was extremely anxious to see what Ginny had up her sleeves. He saw he waiting patiently by the Great Hall doors.

"Did you bring it?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Yes, but I don't understand what you're planning on doing with it," Harry said.

"I'm not going to do anything with it. Now, do you know what class Cho has right now?" Ginny asked.

"Herbology," Harry stated.

"Excellent, meaning her lunch break is next. Feeling like ditching class Potter?" she smirked.

"I have Magical Creatures, I think Hagrid will notice if I'm missing," Harry said flatly.

"Make an excuse. I have Magical History and I pretty sure I won't be missed," Ginny explained. "Now, you hide under the cloak and I'll approach Cho. I'll try to talk some sense into her, and if that doesn't work, we'll move to plan B."

"What's plan B?" Harry questioned.

"We scare the bloody hell out of her," Ginny continued.

"Ginny, I don't want to scare her."

"We won't hurt her, just ruffle her feathers a bit," she assured.

Harry reluctantly followed her down to the Hogwart's Greenhouses, feeling like a stringed puppet.

Ginny motioned for him to hide under his cloak as the students started filtering out.

"Cho!" Ginny called waving her over.

Cho smiled and said something to her friend Marietta before coming to meet Ginny.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just wondered if I could have a word with you about something, girl to girl," Ginny said softly.

"Oh, well, I have potions right now, it isn't easy taking a load as full as mine," Cho confessed.

Ginny frowned, "I understand, it's just really important."

Cho sighed, "well, what is it about?"

Ginny drew up so acting tears and lightly sobbed, "Michael."

Harry mouth dropped open, what is the world was Ginny playing at? He watched her in disbelief under the cloak.

"What about him?" Cho asked sympathetically.

"Well, you know me and Dean Thomas broke up, who am I kidding, he dumped for another girl, just like Michael did. Is there something wrong with me?"

"No, of course not. You know how stupid boys are," Cho tried to comfort.

"It's just that almost every guy I've ever liked has chosen you over me," Ginny continued.

"That isn't true," Cho said sweetly, making Harry smile.

"Yes it is, there was Harry then Michael."

Cho glanced at the disappearing students, "I guess I can be a few minuets late to Professor Snape's class."

Ginny smile innocently as the two girls walked towards a bench right outside the main doors, "I just thought maybe talking to you would help, since we have such similar taste in boys."

Cho blushed, "I never really thought of it that way."

Ginny lifted her head, "you know, Harry is crazy about you."

Harry felt his stomach bottom out, as he poked Ginny in the arm. She didn't flinch.

"I wish I could believe that," Cho said softly.

"What are you talking about? I've never seen him so smitten over a girl, after all he has fancied you for years."

Cho blushed deeper, "did he tell you that?"

"My brother is his best mate, it wasn't that difficult to figure out. Since I did have a crush on him a couple years ago," Ginny continued.

"I'm really sorry about what happened with Dean, you really deserve better," Cho offered.

Ginny suddenly broke down into a stream of tears, "I just don't know what went wrong."

Cho patted her back, "it's going to be okay, if you ever need someone to talk to."

"Oh, I couldn't bother you like that," Ginny sobbed.

Cho looked around nervously, "would you like to meet and talk some more tonight?"

"Really, you wouldn't mind?" Ginny said drying her tears.

"Of course not, we can meet after DA tonight," Cho said.

Ginny smiled like a it was the best news of her life, "thank-you so much, I really just need someone to talk to."

"It's settled, we'll talk tonight. I need to get going, and don't worry about Dean. He doesn't know what he has given up," Cho praised before walking away.

"GINNY, what the hell what all that?" Harry snapped jerking the cloak off his head.

Ginny smiled slyly and giggled, "just pumping her ego a bit."

"Huh?" Harry questioned.

"If I'm going to convince her to trust me I have to inflate her ego a bit. You know with her winning you from me and all," Ginny stated matter of factly.

Harry blushed, "do you have to use me, can't you use Corner or something?"

"Oh Harry, don't be so modest."

"So are you going to talk to her tonight?" Harry urged.

Ginny nodded, "Patience Potter, just make sure you bring your cloak with you tonight."

"Ginny, I can't spy on you and Cho."

"Just bring it, you need to know what I've told her so you can play along," she continued.

He hated the idea, it just seemed deceitful and sneaky. The day passed slowly and as he walked with Hermione and Ron to the Room of Requirements, both of them silent.

"What are you two so quite about tonight?" Harry finally broke the silence.

"Nothing," Hermione said instantly, her eyes darting nervously away from Ron.

Ron swallowed hard and took a breath, in what seemed a subconscious.

"What are we going over tonight?" Hermione said trying to break the tension.

Harry shrugged, "I thought maybe we'd practice some new disarming and shielding spells."

"I was wondering maybe if we could touch Occlemency tonight, just the basics you know," Hermione continued.

Harry shook his head, "it's too advanced, we aren't ready for that kind of magic yet."

The room was empty as the three arrived and started to prepare, Professor O'Riley would not be joining them due to Order Business. So Harry would be instructing again.

The first members to arrive were Hannah, Ernie, Susan and Justin from Hufflepuff, Followed closely the Patil sisters. Then came the Ravenclaws followed by the majority of the Gryffindors.

Harry welcomed each of them as he instructed them to partner up. Cho partnered up with Padma Patil as she had done since Marietta had quit the previous year. Harry partnered up with Neville, as he typically did.

"Okay, we're going to practice the disarming and shielding spell we worked on last week," Harry started.

"Oh, can't we something a little more exciting tonight Potter?" Zacharias Smith.

"Can't you keep your fat trap shut Smith?" Ron snapped.

Zacharias sneered and turned his attention back to Harry for an answer.

"If you can't defend yourself than dueling is pointless, and not all shielding spells work for all spells. If I sent a Expelliant spell at you and Silver Shield defense wouldn't work. You need to know a variety of shielding spells," Harry lectured.

The pointy nose Hufflepuff rolled his eyes and turned up his nose, but didn't raise any further objections.

The members divided and started practicing as usual. Harry practiced with Neville for several minuets for breaking away from his partner and watching the group. Most of them had mastered this particular spell, but Harry just wasn't in the mood to start anything new.

Cho blushed as Harry walked by and offered her a few words of praise, "you're doing wonderful."

After about forty-five minuets of practice Harry called a halt, "I think you guys have mastered these particular spells, we'll dismiss early this week and start something new next week."

The group started chatting happily as they left the room in pairs, which had become a tradition.

Ginny pulled Harry off to the side, "leave, then sneak back in when the door opens."

Harry nodded and attempted to leave.

"Harry!" Cho called out spotting him.

"Cho, I uh.," Harry started awkwardly.

She smiled at him awkwardly, "do you still want to meet tonight?"

Harry shook his head, "oh course."

Cho nodded turning away from his and walking towards Ginny, occasionally glancing back at him suspiciously.

Harry dashed out the door with Dennis and Colin and waited until the Creevy's were out of sight before throwing the cloak over his shoulders.

He waited patiently for the door to reopen and he slowly snuck back into the room.

Hermione was biting her lip in a frustrated pout as she headed for the door, and Ron was talking in a friendly manner to Pavarti in the opposite corner. Harry wasn't sure why he felt the rise of angry heat rise in his face as he watched Ron and Pavarti chatting and laughing.

It took a moment to turn his attention to Cho and Ginny who were chatting nearby. The room finally cleared out leaving it empty except for Ginny, Cho and a invisible Harry.

"It is so good to talk to a girl who understands what I'm going though," Ginny started.

Cho smiled, "you really shouldn't worry about Dean, he'll realize what he's lost soon enough."

"Thanks," Ginny said sincerely. "So, you and Harry are getting pretty close."

Cho looked like she was on the verge of tears, "you really liked him didn't you."

This time Ginny looked like she was taken off guard, "Harry and I have a bit of a history."

Cho narrowed her eyes dangerously, "a history?"

"Oh no, nothing romantic, more like a brother/sister type history." Ginny said quickly.

"He's amazing, I've never known anyone like him," Cho replied.

Ginny smiled, "he is amazing, I will agree with you on that."

Harry blushed feverishly, he honestly didn't need to be hearing this.

"He's so brave, I mean everything he's been though," Cho continued.

Ginny nodded, "he saved my life."

Cho eye's lit up, "he did?"

Ginny nodded, "Dumbledore kept it quite so people wouldn't treat me like a freak. Remember in your third year when the Chamber of Secrets was opened?"

"How could I not remember?" Cho said slightly sarcastically.

Ginny nodded, "well, I opened the Chamber. I was possessed by a memory named Tom Riddle, or the younger version of Lord Vol. Voldemort."

Cho looked at her amazed in shock, "how did he possess you?"

Ginny lowered her head, "through a journal."

Cho's dark hair hide her face as she dropped her head, "and Harry saved you?"

"I owe my life to him," Ginny confirmed.

"I told him I loved him," Cho suddenly confessed, "he didn't really have much of a reaction."

"Oh, he's grieving right now," Ginny offered as the tables turned.

Cho tears were now flowing freely, "I've always loved him you know. I just didn't realize it until he disappeared in that maze with Cedric. I grieved for Cedric, but I was so happy Harry was still alive. I thought about him that entire summer."

Ginny rubbed her back as Cho continued to cry, "you have no idea how many letter I've tried to write, how many things I've wanted to tell him. I don't want to listen to that book."

"What book?" Ginny urged.

"The Death Journal, I thought that if I learned as much from it as possible I could find a way to save him, but it won't leave me alone now," Cho sobbed.

"Please listen to me, you have to separate yourself from that book. Tonight when you meet Harry bring it to him, let him take it far away from you," Ginny begged, suddenly feeling this was a very personal issue.

"If I don't talk to it, Harry will die," Cho argued.

Ginny shook her head, "don't trust that book, believe me."

Cho shook her head, "I don't know what to do anymore."

"Give the book to Harry, if you don't, you've already sealed your fate," Ginny urged.

Cho nodded, "I know your right, I mean look at me. I look a fright."

"You've seen your better days," Ginny tried to joke.

Cho suddenly lifted her eyes, "you don't understand, Death talks to me."