Chapter Twelve (Final Chapter)
Forget Me Not
A/N: The final chapter, the one you've been looking for. I'm just going to copy down the final part of the last chapter so it will be more of a prolongation. Read and enjoy –
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^
ShakiraCrazy – Rachel, you've come a little late to give me constructive criticisms on my earlier chapters, but thanks for them anyway. Thanks for pointing out about my quotations! I'll do my best if it makes you feel better. Thank you for reading my Fanfiction and sending in so many reviews! I'm sorry that my story kept you up till 3am. Lol ^_^
Cookie90 – Here's the next and final chapter ...
LogicalRaven – You're meant to be LOGICAL! Dumbledore isn't going to kill him, Voldemort is. Probably he asked Harry if he wanted to send any last messages to anyone, don't know, wasn't thinking much then. Dumbledore must be feeling really guilty now though.
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That night, Harry still hadn't returned. My towering feelings began to compose itself and I started feeling worried again.
"Cho!" It was Rachel; she was at the door and breathless. "This letter! It's for you!"
I rushed forwards and opened it quickly; maybe it was from Harry telling me where to find him:
**Dear Cho,
Sorry I had taken so long. But you have to be strong with this news.
In a few minutes, I'll probably be dead. I had only one letter to write and I decided to write it to you. I love you. Tell Hermione and Ron that I'm sorry. Everyone else as well.
Be strong.
Harry.
P.S. Do not feel sorry, do not do anything drastic, and believe in yourself.**
I looked up at Rachel and realized that she had been reading the letter over my shoulder with wide protruding eyes. "Oh my," she said, covering her mouth with a trembling hand. "Cho – "
"Leave," I said with a quivering voice. "Please, just leave." Rachel looked as if she were about to object but she didn't. She gave my shoulder a considerate squeeze then made her way to the door. I listened for the satisfying click before withdrawing my shield of stone. My knees were the first to react, as if my kneecaps had decided to melt on its own. I collapsed onto the floor like a fallen shrub. My branches limp and the leaves dying.
All the relief – all the happiness, began to ebb away right before me. It was as if my spirit was being drained away from me. A tree in the desert. I bent my head into my hands and tried to hold back the tears, but it was useless. Each tear was acid against my skin, hissing down my cheek and scorching my palms. I bit the back of my mouth in hurt and grief. I might weep, but I wouldn't bawl out like a baby.
The letter was left forgotten by my side. I did not want to see it again. Each word confirmed Harry's death, even the thoughts I had of him did so already.
He had left me, alone, on my own. Another person to have done so. First Mai- Lin, then Cedric, now Harry. Why did they hate me? Why did they have to leave me here on the Earth? I would have gone with them so willingly! Did God want to torture me? Did he want me to suffer? If he did, then I was suffering. Why didn't he just put me out of my misery?
Breathing. It was the last thing I could handle right now. Each breath told me I was alive. Tear after tear coursed down my face as though my life depended on them. I bit harder on the inside of my cheek till it was bleeding. The bile taste of blood was bitter, fulfilling and sweet all at once. A sin and yet so innocent, torture yet pleasing. I spluttered and choked as water and blood mingled at its own consent.
As I coughed, my eye caught the side of my drawer – the dagger! Winded, I crawled to the drawer and opened it. The dagger's blade glinted evilly, happily. If I could have quoted a verse in Romeo and Juliet I would have, but I had no voice. My last efforts were used in carrying the dagger out of its position and into my lap. But no. Harry's last vow towards me was to not feel sorry, and to not do anything drastic. A new flood of tears clouded my eyes at not being able to do the one thing that I wished. And that one thing was to stab myself in the heart, to let all my emotions run down as beautiful ruby liquid.
My heart beat fast as I looked around the room, looking for a second option, any at all! I was desperate and depressed; willing to admit it, for now nothing was worth living for.
My eyes suddenly turned onto the forgotten essay for Professor Flitwick. Minor Forgetting Charms. My wand beat ferociously at its place in my front breast pocket. A light bulb lit at the back of my mind. If I couldn't die and live with him in heaven – then could it be possible that I could just forgotten him all together? I could erase all my memories of him. Then I wouldn't be breaking my promises to him and I'll be able to live on with my life. I crawled hastily to my drawer and placed the knife back in halfheartedly.
Carefully I ripped everything that would make me remember that Harry ever existed. I scrunched it all in a ball and threw it out the window. It moved with the wind, like his spirit would. I had no tears left to shed. My heart was now as cold as stone, and empty with resolution. All that was left was determination.
I opened my Charms textbook and flipped through the pages to see how it was done. I picked up my wand – but then hesitated for a second. He had written me a letter after all ... why couldn't I write him one? A rational thought went through my mind, "because he's dead, stupid." The letter had said that he would probably be dead. Not that he was definitely going to die.
I scrawled a short message onto a rough piece of parchment and left it by the window sill.
Slowly, I drew my wand and closed my eyes. Goodbye Harry...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(A/N: Okay, now I'm moving onto 3rd person POV, just for now. When you see this sign #&# then I'm moving back to Cho's POV.)
The next morning, everyone was eating contentedly, as if nothing had ever happened. The only people who seemed to be mourning over the death of Harry were Hermione and Ron. Neither could bring themselves to have something to eat and neither of them could speak. You could tell that they had been both up late and worrying. Hermione had bags under her eyes and her head flopped down constantly. Ron had his hands supporting his forehead and didn't seem to realize that the tip of his nose was in his cereal bowl.
When Dumbledore walked in he looked very grave indeed. Hermione and Ron hoped that he would give them some news but he didn't, all he did was sit down and begin to eat. His thoughts were filled with guilt and anguish at his failure.
On the other side of the Great Hall Cho was eating without a care in the world. Occasionally she chatted animatedly with one of her friends who seemed to be exchanging quick glances behind her back. Finally Rachel butted in Cho's conversation – "Cho, how are you feeling?"
"All right," said Cho with a smile. "But don't interrupt me Rachel."
"How about the letter?" Rachel asked tautly. Brad gave her a look of warning but she ignored it.
"What letter?" Cho brushed away a lingering lock of raven hair. Her friends looked at her in incredulity and all that Cho could do was to smile naively. Paige felt like shaking Cho till her head fell off.
"Don't try to play funny Cho," said Paige tensely.
Cho frowned. "I'm not!"
It was amidst these talks of melancholy and pleasure that a certain visitor walked into the Great Hall. Through tireless ordeals and desperation, he hoped to find a crowd to welcome him back with violent cheers. Providentially, he found just that. Hermione and Ron were the first to reach him through the mob; they grabbed him by the shoulders and squeezed him tight, not caring if he suffocated.
"You did it! You did it!" shouted Ron through the ovation. "I thought you were a goner!"
Hermione just beamed conceitedly at him, not knowing what else to do, her eyes obscured with jubilant tears. Dean patted him in the back, holding his arm up as if he won a wrestling match. And all that Harry could do was grin. He saw that Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were staring with absolute hatred from their place on the Slytherin table, their food forgotten entirely.
But somehow, between the cheering and the effervescent atmosphere, someone was missing.
Harry had expected Cho to fly into his arms, relieved and cheerier then anyone else in the hall. But no. She wasn't there to congratulate him. His heart felt empty, as if something was missing from its place. "Where's Cho?" he asked Hermione and Ron. They gave no response. Just shrugs, maybe, but that was all.
Hands pushed him up the stairs and towards the Gryffindor common room. Turning around to look at the Great Hall for a final time he saw her. She was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, looking at the crowd with confusion. But she wasn't looking at him. It was as if she didn't care anymore. As if she didn't know who he was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry didn't have the chance to see Cho at all during the first few days of his return. Most of the time was spent recalling his tribulation to his friends and classmates, or catching up with the homework that was given. He had to do so much that soon enough he lost track of time and just hoped that Cho would forgive him.
Two weeks later from his return, in the afternoon, he had some time to spare and spent it searching for Cho. She had seemed to of locked herself in a tower and refused to come out. His mind was racing and he wasn't thinking straight. First he went to the courtyard, then to the library and around the corridors in the castle. He felt like he was going in circles, and somehow she was ahead of him at all times.
A million thoughts ran through his head. He was bemused why she was acting this way. As if she had taken a vow of disregard.
He finally made his way to the lake and saw Rachel and Brad sitting together under a tree. The tree where he and Cho had first kissed. With a sigh, he walked forwards and interrupted their 'conversation'. "Excuse me."
When Rachel saw him, she squealed out in astonishment but Brad kept his grip. "What is it?" he asked, holding onto Rachel compassionately.
"Have you seen Cho anywhere?"
"I've seen her," said Brad distantly. "But she wouldn't want to talk to you."
"Why?" Harry asked puzzled.
Rachel stood up suddenly and confronted him like a rhino. "Because you broke her heart!"
Harry looked down. "I know, I thought that – "He stopped suddenly. "Just tell me where I can find her."
"You won't find her," said Rachel, a little sympathy in her voice. "But I found this message that she must have written earlier – it's addressed to you." She held out a folded piece of parchment. Harry took it with shaking hands and unfolded it. Cho's writing was swift, so unlike her, as if she was in a rush. He looked up and saw that Brad and Rachel were watching him.
"Go on," encouraged Rachel. "Read it."
He took a deep breath and read the letter:
**Dear Harry,
You're dead, and now I've found an easy way out. Now I can forget you and forgive you.
Love. A word that means heartbreaks. Every time I come close to anyone – like you – they disappear from my life completely. I guess it is a curse for me. One thing you need to know is that I had always loved you. Time moves like ripples on the lake, it disappears before you have enough time to capture the moment. I never had a chance to capture yours. I regret that still.
Goodbye Harry,
Cho**
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, Harry spent the whole time searching the castle for Cho. Anything to make her explain – anything to make her forgive him. It wasn't as if he wanted her to love him again, just for her to realize that his feelings were all true to her. It was close to midnight, and he was ready to give up. He turned a corner and his heart skipped a beat. Cho was walking towards him. He gave her a smile but she didn't return it. Instead she walked past him. Like he didn't exist.
He ran to catch up with her. "Cho! Wait!"
Cho turned around and gave him a polite smile. "Yes?"
"I read your letter," Harry said as he took out the crumpled piece of rough parchment. Cho stood their perplexed. Harry handed it over to her and with each word her face turned into a grin. "Did you mean every word?"
Cho laughed, startling Harry. "Okay pervert, stop stalking me."
"What?" Her words made Harry even more confused. He turned to look at the letter but before he knew it, Cho had ripped it up and thrown it on the floor in front of them. Inside him, the ripped up pieces felt like his heart. She had stabbed a dagger in the place that was hers and taken it out. "Cho! Don't you even know who I am?"
Cho looked at him. "No," she said simply. "Am I supposed to?"
"Yes." Harry went closer to her. She seemed to be trying to walk away as if the whole situation was edgy.
"Okay," said Cho, a little bit irritated. "Who are you then?" In her mind she honestly didn't want to know. Who was this guy to try and capture her heart? It wasn't for sale.
"I'm Harry."
"Harry, right." Each moment with Harry made her feel provoked. She was meant to be somewhere, why did this person block her way with brainless pick-up lines. "Please, I need to go." She turned around and walked fast, doing her best to avoid him.
"Cho, I'm sorry, okay!" shouted Harry distraughtly. "Why do you have to act this way?!"
"I don't even know who you are!" Cho shouted back irritably. "Leave me alone!"
Harry ran up and blocked her way. "No!"
"Get away!" Cho bellowed. "Leave me alone!"
"No!!" Harry shouted again. "You need to understand."
"Understand what?" asked Cho heatedly. "Why you're frustrating me?"
There was a short pause between them. Then Harry stepped aside with relinquish. He had lost her. She didn't care for him anymore – and yet he didn't know why.
"Thank you," she said. Her voice was back to normal and even more polite.
Harry stood there watching her walk away. A million daggers were being stabbed all over his body, the pain was searing – his heart was breaking. "Cho!" he called after her. She kept walking, ignoring him. He walked a few paces forwards. "Cho!" He called again. This time she stopped, but she didn't turn around to look at him. "Cho, I love you!"
#&#
"Cho, I love you!" shouted the stranger, Harry. I didn't know why this person was confessing to me these feelings. I didn't know who he was for that matter. I knew he was Harry. But who was Harry? My memory of such a person was a fog. I tried to brush him off politely over the first few minutes we met, but I couldn't rid myself of this person.
I turned around and saw him smiling at me. The smile was distantly familiar. I walked forwards, closer to him. "Harry," I began.
"Do you remember me?"
Even his voice was familiar, but I could not pin point who he was, exactly. Did I have feelings for this boy? "No," I heard myself say bluntly. "Why are you saying these things? I don't even know you!"
His face fell. I had hurt his feelings. "But I do." He took my hand; the feeling of it was familiar. "Cho, don't do this to me." His heart was breaking and it was my entire fault. And then again, I didn't know why.
Do what? What was I doing?
He continued, "I don't know what you had done to yourself, why you don't remember me, but please, just try."
"Try what?"
"Try remembering me." Try remembering him? I couldn't. Yet there was something entrancing about his eyes, the way they were so emerald with sincere. He held me close, and I didn't object. It was the fact that something was missing in my mind that allowed me to feel comfortable between his arms. "I don't remember you," I told him sadly. "I wish I did, but I don't."
He gave a deep sigh and looked at me once more, with anticipation, but then let go.
"Goodbye Harry," I said to him unwary. He touched my cheek. His hand felt warm and perfect. Why couldn't I recognize him? The pressure from so much lost caught my heart. Tears fogged my vision, I couldn't help it. My own mind was keeping something a secret. He looked at me with astonishment.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
"No," I replied. "It isn't that, it's just, I wish I knew you, honestly."
"What did you do to yourself?" He asked with a frown. I laughed freely at his joke. But then again, it might have not been a joke. He seemed so serious. His eyes caught mine.
Slowly he lowered his head. My heart beat fast. His lips felt like rose petals against mine. Soft, sweet, I could feel different emotions passing through me. A link clicked at the back of my mind. I pushed against his lips gently. Another link clinked. He pushed against mine and stroked my hair soothingly. Another link clicked. It was as if a chain in my head was finally coming together. Different memories, different emotions – the feeling was recognizable.
I pulled apart and looked at him.
"I'm sorry," He said apologetically. "I didn't mean to." He started to walk away. Harry Potter started to walk away. The boy I had kissed with at the lake started to walk away. The boy who left me a letter of his death, and had come back started to walk away. The boy I had cried about two weeks ago started to walk away. Harry.
"Wait! Harry!"
"Yes?"
"Time moves like ripples on the lake," I began and I could see that a smile was beginning. "It disappears before you have enough time to –"Before I could finish the sentence he was running forwards, and I leapt into his arms. We laughed together jovially.
"How could I forget you?" I asked incredulously.
"Forget that," Harry answered with a grin.
We moved closer once again and kissed again. Together. We were together. He had not left me. I wasn't cursed. It was just Harry and me in the world. Alone for that moment.
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Forget Me Not
A/N: The final chapter, the one you've been looking for. I'm just going to copy down the final part of the last chapter so it will be more of a prolongation. Read and enjoy –
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^
ShakiraCrazy – Rachel, you've come a little late to give me constructive criticisms on my earlier chapters, but thanks for them anyway. Thanks for pointing out about my quotations! I'll do my best if it makes you feel better. Thank you for reading my Fanfiction and sending in so many reviews! I'm sorry that my story kept you up till 3am. Lol ^_^
Cookie90 – Here's the next and final chapter ...
LogicalRaven – You're meant to be LOGICAL! Dumbledore isn't going to kill him, Voldemort is. Probably he asked Harry if he wanted to send any last messages to anyone, don't know, wasn't thinking much then. Dumbledore must be feeling really guilty now though.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^
That night, Harry still hadn't returned. My towering feelings began to compose itself and I started feeling worried again.
"Cho!" It was Rachel; she was at the door and breathless. "This letter! It's for you!"
I rushed forwards and opened it quickly; maybe it was from Harry telling me where to find him:
**Dear Cho,
Sorry I had taken so long. But you have to be strong with this news.
In a few minutes, I'll probably be dead. I had only one letter to write and I decided to write it to you. I love you. Tell Hermione and Ron that I'm sorry. Everyone else as well.
Be strong.
Harry.
P.S. Do not feel sorry, do not do anything drastic, and believe in yourself.**
I looked up at Rachel and realized that she had been reading the letter over my shoulder with wide protruding eyes. "Oh my," she said, covering her mouth with a trembling hand. "Cho – "
"Leave," I said with a quivering voice. "Please, just leave." Rachel looked as if she were about to object but she didn't. She gave my shoulder a considerate squeeze then made her way to the door. I listened for the satisfying click before withdrawing my shield of stone. My knees were the first to react, as if my kneecaps had decided to melt on its own. I collapsed onto the floor like a fallen shrub. My branches limp and the leaves dying.
All the relief – all the happiness, began to ebb away right before me. It was as if my spirit was being drained away from me. A tree in the desert. I bent my head into my hands and tried to hold back the tears, but it was useless. Each tear was acid against my skin, hissing down my cheek and scorching my palms. I bit the back of my mouth in hurt and grief. I might weep, but I wouldn't bawl out like a baby.
The letter was left forgotten by my side. I did not want to see it again. Each word confirmed Harry's death, even the thoughts I had of him did so already.
He had left me, alone, on my own. Another person to have done so. First Mai- Lin, then Cedric, now Harry. Why did they hate me? Why did they have to leave me here on the Earth? I would have gone with them so willingly! Did God want to torture me? Did he want me to suffer? If he did, then I was suffering. Why didn't he just put me out of my misery?
Breathing. It was the last thing I could handle right now. Each breath told me I was alive. Tear after tear coursed down my face as though my life depended on them. I bit harder on the inside of my cheek till it was bleeding. The bile taste of blood was bitter, fulfilling and sweet all at once. A sin and yet so innocent, torture yet pleasing. I spluttered and choked as water and blood mingled at its own consent.
As I coughed, my eye caught the side of my drawer – the dagger! Winded, I crawled to the drawer and opened it. The dagger's blade glinted evilly, happily. If I could have quoted a verse in Romeo and Juliet I would have, but I had no voice. My last efforts were used in carrying the dagger out of its position and into my lap. But no. Harry's last vow towards me was to not feel sorry, and to not do anything drastic. A new flood of tears clouded my eyes at not being able to do the one thing that I wished. And that one thing was to stab myself in the heart, to let all my emotions run down as beautiful ruby liquid.
My heart beat fast as I looked around the room, looking for a second option, any at all! I was desperate and depressed; willing to admit it, for now nothing was worth living for.
My eyes suddenly turned onto the forgotten essay for Professor Flitwick. Minor Forgetting Charms. My wand beat ferociously at its place in my front breast pocket. A light bulb lit at the back of my mind. If I couldn't die and live with him in heaven – then could it be possible that I could just forgotten him all together? I could erase all my memories of him. Then I wouldn't be breaking my promises to him and I'll be able to live on with my life. I crawled hastily to my drawer and placed the knife back in halfheartedly.
Carefully I ripped everything that would make me remember that Harry ever existed. I scrunched it all in a ball and threw it out the window. It moved with the wind, like his spirit would. I had no tears left to shed. My heart was now as cold as stone, and empty with resolution. All that was left was determination.
I opened my Charms textbook and flipped through the pages to see how it was done. I picked up my wand – but then hesitated for a second. He had written me a letter after all ... why couldn't I write him one? A rational thought went through my mind, "because he's dead, stupid." The letter had said that he would probably be dead. Not that he was definitely going to die.
I scrawled a short message onto a rough piece of parchment and left it by the window sill.
Slowly, I drew my wand and closed my eyes. Goodbye Harry...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(A/N: Okay, now I'm moving onto 3rd person POV, just for now. When you see this sign #&# then I'm moving back to Cho's POV.)
The next morning, everyone was eating contentedly, as if nothing had ever happened. The only people who seemed to be mourning over the death of Harry were Hermione and Ron. Neither could bring themselves to have something to eat and neither of them could speak. You could tell that they had been both up late and worrying. Hermione had bags under her eyes and her head flopped down constantly. Ron had his hands supporting his forehead and didn't seem to realize that the tip of his nose was in his cereal bowl.
When Dumbledore walked in he looked very grave indeed. Hermione and Ron hoped that he would give them some news but he didn't, all he did was sit down and begin to eat. His thoughts were filled with guilt and anguish at his failure.
On the other side of the Great Hall Cho was eating without a care in the world. Occasionally she chatted animatedly with one of her friends who seemed to be exchanging quick glances behind her back. Finally Rachel butted in Cho's conversation – "Cho, how are you feeling?"
"All right," said Cho with a smile. "But don't interrupt me Rachel."
"How about the letter?" Rachel asked tautly. Brad gave her a look of warning but she ignored it.
"What letter?" Cho brushed away a lingering lock of raven hair. Her friends looked at her in incredulity and all that Cho could do was to smile naively. Paige felt like shaking Cho till her head fell off.
"Don't try to play funny Cho," said Paige tensely.
Cho frowned. "I'm not!"
It was amidst these talks of melancholy and pleasure that a certain visitor walked into the Great Hall. Through tireless ordeals and desperation, he hoped to find a crowd to welcome him back with violent cheers. Providentially, he found just that. Hermione and Ron were the first to reach him through the mob; they grabbed him by the shoulders and squeezed him tight, not caring if he suffocated.
"You did it! You did it!" shouted Ron through the ovation. "I thought you were a goner!"
Hermione just beamed conceitedly at him, not knowing what else to do, her eyes obscured with jubilant tears. Dean patted him in the back, holding his arm up as if he won a wrestling match. And all that Harry could do was grin. He saw that Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were staring with absolute hatred from their place on the Slytherin table, their food forgotten entirely.
But somehow, between the cheering and the effervescent atmosphere, someone was missing.
Harry had expected Cho to fly into his arms, relieved and cheerier then anyone else in the hall. But no. She wasn't there to congratulate him. His heart felt empty, as if something was missing from its place. "Where's Cho?" he asked Hermione and Ron. They gave no response. Just shrugs, maybe, but that was all.
Hands pushed him up the stairs and towards the Gryffindor common room. Turning around to look at the Great Hall for a final time he saw her. She was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, looking at the crowd with confusion. But she wasn't looking at him. It was as if she didn't care anymore. As if she didn't know who he was.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry didn't have the chance to see Cho at all during the first few days of his return. Most of the time was spent recalling his tribulation to his friends and classmates, or catching up with the homework that was given. He had to do so much that soon enough he lost track of time and just hoped that Cho would forgive him.
Two weeks later from his return, in the afternoon, he had some time to spare and spent it searching for Cho. She had seemed to of locked herself in a tower and refused to come out. His mind was racing and he wasn't thinking straight. First he went to the courtyard, then to the library and around the corridors in the castle. He felt like he was going in circles, and somehow she was ahead of him at all times.
A million thoughts ran through his head. He was bemused why she was acting this way. As if she had taken a vow of disregard.
He finally made his way to the lake and saw Rachel and Brad sitting together under a tree. The tree where he and Cho had first kissed. With a sigh, he walked forwards and interrupted their 'conversation'. "Excuse me."
When Rachel saw him, she squealed out in astonishment but Brad kept his grip. "What is it?" he asked, holding onto Rachel compassionately.
"Have you seen Cho anywhere?"
"I've seen her," said Brad distantly. "But she wouldn't want to talk to you."
"Why?" Harry asked puzzled.
Rachel stood up suddenly and confronted him like a rhino. "Because you broke her heart!"
Harry looked down. "I know, I thought that – "He stopped suddenly. "Just tell me where I can find her."
"You won't find her," said Rachel, a little sympathy in her voice. "But I found this message that she must have written earlier – it's addressed to you." She held out a folded piece of parchment. Harry took it with shaking hands and unfolded it. Cho's writing was swift, so unlike her, as if she was in a rush. He looked up and saw that Brad and Rachel were watching him.
"Go on," encouraged Rachel. "Read it."
He took a deep breath and read the letter:
**Dear Harry,
You're dead, and now I've found an easy way out. Now I can forget you and forgive you.
Love. A word that means heartbreaks. Every time I come close to anyone – like you – they disappear from my life completely. I guess it is a curse for me. One thing you need to know is that I had always loved you. Time moves like ripples on the lake, it disappears before you have enough time to capture the moment. I never had a chance to capture yours. I regret that still.
Goodbye Harry,
Cho**
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That night, Harry spent the whole time searching the castle for Cho. Anything to make her explain – anything to make her forgive him. It wasn't as if he wanted her to love him again, just for her to realize that his feelings were all true to her. It was close to midnight, and he was ready to give up. He turned a corner and his heart skipped a beat. Cho was walking towards him. He gave her a smile but she didn't return it. Instead she walked past him. Like he didn't exist.
He ran to catch up with her. "Cho! Wait!"
Cho turned around and gave him a polite smile. "Yes?"
"I read your letter," Harry said as he took out the crumpled piece of rough parchment. Cho stood their perplexed. Harry handed it over to her and with each word her face turned into a grin. "Did you mean every word?"
Cho laughed, startling Harry. "Okay pervert, stop stalking me."
"What?" Her words made Harry even more confused. He turned to look at the letter but before he knew it, Cho had ripped it up and thrown it on the floor in front of them. Inside him, the ripped up pieces felt like his heart. She had stabbed a dagger in the place that was hers and taken it out. "Cho! Don't you even know who I am?"
Cho looked at him. "No," she said simply. "Am I supposed to?"
"Yes." Harry went closer to her. She seemed to be trying to walk away as if the whole situation was edgy.
"Okay," said Cho, a little bit irritated. "Who are you then?" In her mind she honestly didn't want to know. Who was this guy to try and capture her heart? It wasn't for sale.
"I'm Harry."
"Harry, right." Each moment with Harry made her feel provoked. She was meant to be somewhere, why did this person block her way with brainless pick-up lines. "Please, I need to go." She turned around and walked fast, doing her best to avoid him.
"Cho, I'm sorry, okay!" shouted Harry distraughtly. "Why do you have to act this way?!"
"I don't even know who you are!" Cho shouted back irritably. "Leave me alone!"
Harry ran up and blocked her way. "No!"
"Get away!" Cho bellowed. "Leave me alone!"
"No!!" Harry shouted again. "You need to understand."
"Understand what?" asked Cho heatedly. "Why you're frustrating me?"
There was a short pause between them. Then Harry stepped aside with relinquish. He had lost her. She didn't care for him anymore – and yet he didn't know why.
"Thank you," she said. Her voice was back to normal and even more polite.
Harry stood there watching her walk away. A million daggers were being stabbed all over his body, the pain was searing – his heart was breaking. "Cho!" he called after her. She kept walking, ignoring him. He walked a few paces forwards. "Cho!" He called again. This time she stopped, but she didn't turn around to look at him. "Cho, I love you!"
#&#
"Cho, I love you!" shouted the stranger, Harry. I didn't know why this person was confessing to me these feelings. I didn't know who he was for that matter. I knew he was Harry. But who was Harry? My memory of such a person was a fog. I tried to brush him off politely over the first few minutes we met, but I couldn't rid myself of this person.
I turned around and saw him smiling at me. The smile was distantly familiar. I walked forwards, closer to him. "Harry," I began.
"Do you remember me?"
Even his voice was familiar, but I could not pin point who he was, exactly. Did I have feelings for this boy? "No," I heard myself say bluntly. "Why are you saying these things? I don't even know you!"
His face fell. I had hurt his feelings. "But I do." He took my hand; the feeling of it was familiar. "Cho, don't do this to me." His heart was breaking and it was my entire fault. And then again, I didn't know why.
Do what? What was I doing?
He continued, "I don't know what you had done to yourself, why you don't remember me, but please, just try."
"Try what?"
"Try remembering me." Try remembering him? I couldn't. Yet there was something entrancing about his eyes, the way they were so emerald with sincere. He held me close, and I didn't object. It was the fact that something was missing in my mind that allowed me to feel comfortable between his arms. "I don't remember you," I told him sadly. "I wish I did, but I don't."
He gave a deep sigh and looked at me once more, with anticipation, but then let go.
"Goodbye Harry," I said to him unwary. He touched my cheek. His hand felt warm and perfect. Why couldn't I recognize him? The pressure from so much lost caught my heart. Tears fogged my vision, I couldn't help it. My own mind was keeping something a secret. He looked at me with astonishment.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
"No," I replied. "It isn't that, it's just, I wish I knew you, honestly."
"What did you do to yourself?" He asked with a frown. I laughed freely at his joke. But then again, it might have not been a joke. He seemed so serious. His eyes caught mine.
Slowly he lowered his head. My heart beat fast. His lips felt like rose petals against mine. Soft, sweet, I could feel different emotions passing through me. A link clicked at the back of my mind. I pushed against his lips gently. Another link clinked. He pushed against mine and stroked my hair soothingly. Another link clicked. It was as if a chain in my head was finally coming together. Different memories, different emotions – the feeling was recognizable.
I pulled apart and looked at him.
"I'm sorry," He said apologetically. "I didn't mean to." He started to walk away. Harry Potter started to walk away. The boy I had kissed with at the lake started to walk away. The boy who left me a letter of his death, and had come back started to walk away. The boy I had cried about two weeks ago started to walk away. Harry.
"Wait! Harry!"
"Yes?"
"Time moves like ripples on the lake," I began and I could see that a smile was beginning. "It disappears before you have enough time to –"Before I could finish the sentence he was running forwards, and I leapt into his arms. We laughed together jovially.
"How could I forget you?" I asked incredulously.
"Forget that," Harry answered with a grin.
We moved closer once again and kissed again. Together. We were together. He had not left me. I wasn't cursed. It was just Harry and me in the world. Alone for that moment.
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