A/N: I haven't updated in a long time b/c spring break started for me so I've been busy. Also, my birthday came up this weekend so I was busy over that, too. I'm going on a vacation this week so I probably won't update until next, next week. Sorry, L . However, I think you will enjoy this chapter, the beginning anyway. :D

Christie- read above, and sorry if I haven't updated with my usual speed. L

T24_zone- thanks for your compliments! Here is chapter 16!

Alex- Harry is the father, read chapter 10, they just don't remember doing it.

Magicstardrops- okay, thanks for your encouragement. :D

Heather- I'm sorry if I appeared to be offended, I wasn't. I was just trying to tell you that you probably wouldn't like the ending if you like tragedies, and I was giving a little warning. Thanks for your review, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. :D

MissAMERICA- Thanks for your review! You're looking forward to the ending? hmm…lol.

SlytherinQueen87- I don't know if I should up my rating, because there's no big violence or language or sex, but for the Yule Ball chapters, the rating is going to go up. Ahem ahem, hint hint. (no, Harry and Cho isn't going to have sex, and either is Hermione and Ron)

Fairydust816- aww, thanks. It's going to be a mix of sad/happyish ending.

Brittney- There is no miscarriage with Cho, it's with someone else. Hehehe.

Nyssa- I hope you like it. Hehehe.

Harrypotter4ever- okay, okay, okay, okay, I'm writing! Hehe.

White-Chocolate- uh, you might want to read your review over again, there's something very ironic about what you said. But I won't say anymore than that. : )

Magicstardrops- Sorry if I scared you, but this title isn't scary at all. Lol.

Christie- I have the whole story plot line thought out, and I'm a couple of chapters ahead. In fact, I'm writing chapter 21 as of now. So don't worry, I'm not leaving this story.

MissAMERICA- I don't think you'll ever find out who she is, but if you think about it, you can probably guess. Just read closely.

EmmeralCho- wonder, wonder, wonder. I'm not gonna tell…hehehe. :D

Fyre Pixie- Thanks, and I'm writing, and writing! Enjoy this chapter. :D

Chapter 16- Girl Talk

"All night!" Maggie said. "No one sleeps until the sun rises!"

The girls giggled because of this. Then they giggled because they were excited. Then they giggled at themselves giggling.

Maggie, Denise, and Cho pulled their beds together with wands and set out the snacks Harry and Ron got them out of courtesy.

"First things first," Maggie said. "Tell us all about your date."

Cho blushed. "It's just a normal date." She said, trying to hide her red face.

"It couldn't have been a 'normal' date if you're blushing." Denise said smiling.

"Okay," Cho leaned forward and the girls moved closer together, keeping their voices low. "Harry is really nice, look." Cho held out her hand and revealed a shining, emerald ring.

Maggie and Denise gasped. "Oh! He bought you a ring!"

Cho started giggling. The girls giggled for a very long time, and then Cho hushed them and began her story.

* * *

* One Week Ago *

Visits to Hogsmeade were occasional, but Dumbledore decided to give the students a surprise. At breakfast one day, he announced, "No one has been to Hogsmeade at night before, so one week from today, we will go! The lights, the activity, consider this a special winter treat!"

The Great Hall erupted into cheers. Harry took something underneath the table and nudged Ron to look underneath.

Ron did and then came up again, "Where did you get that?!"

Harry grinned. "Hedwig picked it up for me. It's Cho's engagement ring."


"How can you afford something like that?"

"It wasn't cheap, but I attached a letter to Hedwig to pick up some extra money at the bank. I was going to purchase the popular white gold band with a fire stone, but those turned out to be too expensive, so I bought an emerald one instead."

"Let me see that again," Ron said, taking Harry's hand to retrieve the little box the ring was kept. "Must've cost you a fortune."

"Do you think Cho will like it? I think I'll give it to her when we go to Hogsmeade next week."

"Of course she will, something pretty like this." Ron suddenly trailed off. "I could never buy Hermione something like this."

"Well, you're not engaged to her." Harry said quickly. "Besides, this isn't a big deal."

"You could always buy Cho something for her birthday or Valentine's day, but I could never afford anything to impress Hermione." Ron said. "Lucky for you to have so much gold you could buy an emerald and still not worry about money." He pushed the box into Harry's hand, his cheeks pink.

Harry didn't know how to respond. He knew that he would share his gold with the Weasleys…. if only they would accept it. After he gave the winning prize of gold to Fred and George last year, they had sent him packages of jokes and pranks all summer for free to pull on Dudley. Harry had fun, but was severely punished. They didn't end up buying Ron a robe; instead, they had given him a new broom.

* * *

At Hogsmeade next week, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Cho decided to make the evening a double date.

They were surprised how pretty the village looked at night, with bright fireworks in the sky and street lamps in warm, friendly glows. It was cold, and the four could see their breaths in the air.

"Are you warm, Cho?" Harry asked. They walked close together.

"Yes, I'm fine." Cho smiled. The two lovers held their hands together and walked slowly down the street.

They walked into the three broomsticks for a drink of hot chocolate first and then went to look at the different shops.

They stopped at an attractive gift shop with things like Instant-Sleep Pillow ("Have you asleep as soon as your head touches it!") and Warm Chocolate Hearts ("Give your gal a chocolate heart, boys! They warm up and become sweet!")

The four all admired the different things for sale, and both Harry and Ron bought their girlfriends a Warm Chocolate Heart. As soon as Cho popped the candy into her mouth, she started blushing and kissed Harry. Harry became a little embarrassed too, but then kissed Cho back.

Meanwhile, Hermione was busy looking at quick-study candies that made your brain concentrate harder and Ron ate the Chocolate Heart he was supposed to be saving for Hermione. Hermione saw this and said, "Ron!"

But Ron's cheeks turned pink and he kissed Hermione on the cheek. Hermione blushed and forgot all about quick-study candies.

After wandering around some more, the party decided to split up into pairs. Cho and Harry went off in one direction, as Hermione who was giggling like a little girl walked off with Ron.

"I've never seen Hermione act like that before," Harry said, almost amazed at how different and loose Hermione acted when she was with Ron nowadays.

"They're perfect for each other." Cho said. She pulled her robe around her a little tighter. "The fireworks are beautiful, aren't they?" she said pointing to the sky.

"Yeah," Harry answered to the bright sparkles.

"Reminds me of the wand sparklers you set off the night of the Halloween dance." Cho said.

Harry grinned. "Your hand feels cold, let's go in for another hot chocolate."

Cho smiled and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. They walked into the warm, softly glowing shop. A crowd of students and teachers were there. Harry ordered some drinks and he and Cho got a table.

Harry became a little nervous as he felt the ring box in his pocket.

Cho drank deeply into her cup.

"Uh, Cho?" Harry said.

"Yes?"

"There's something, that, uh….something, that's well, see I got it---no wait, I didn't get it, Hedwig did, well, I ordered it, but uh---"

"I don't understand," said Cho puzzled. She reached for Harry's hand to hold, but Harry pulled away, not wanting Cho to know about the ring yet.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Cho asked.

"Nothing!" Harry immediately answered. "I just have something to give you."

"To give me?" Cho asked, surprised. Without notice, she reached for Harry's cup, her own empty.

"I wanted to give you something, you know, because all couples kind of have it." Harry put the box on the table.

They both stared at it.

"What is it?" Cho asked.

"Oh," Harry said feeling foolish, and reached over to open it. A bright, green emerald stood proudly on a gold ring. It sparkled and reflected well off the black ring box.

"Oh!" Cho gasped. "Harry----!"

Harry now smiled and said, "Well, we're engaged and you don't even have a ring, so I wanted to give you one."


Cho, very sensitively emotional these days, started crying. "Oh, Harry, I never expected for you to give me something like this."

"Put it on." Harry said softly. Cho's hand trembled and she lifted the ring off the case and placed it on her finger.

"It's so beautiful. I've never owned such fine jewelry, Harry." Cho said.

"Really?" Harry looked up. "I thought your father might've given you a thousand diamond bracelets or something."

Cho laughed through her tears. "Thanks Harry, I'll always treasure this."

The two engaged couple looked lovingly at each other for a moment. Harry reached for his hot chocolate, now feeling very warm and content.

"Uh, Cho?" Harry said, staring into his cup.

"Hmm?"

"You drank my hot chocolate."

"Oh," Cho said, embarrassed. "Did I?"

"Well, it's okay," Harry responded quickly. "I wasn't that thirsty---" But he was cut off as Cho drew him into a long, passionate kiss.

* * *

"That," Maggie said misty eyed. "Was the most romantic story I've ever heard."

"You and the most famous boy in the world." Denise said, sipping on pumpkin juice.

Cho took a bite of her sandwich. "It was just a great night."

The three girls sighed.

"Can we be your bridesmaids?" Denise asked.

"Of course!" Cho said. "The wedding is going to be at the end of the school year, in May."

"How romantic!" Maggie exclaimed.

"And," Cho smiled. "Would you two like to be godmothers?"

* * *

"Ron Weasley!" Hermione boomed. "I am never going to speak to you again!"

"Her-mi-oh-knee!" Ron said, running after her. "I'm sorry about what I said!"

"What's up?" Harry said, as Hermione slammed her books on the breakfast table and looked murderous.

"Ask him." Hermione said, waving her finger dramatically at Ron.

Harry looked at Ron, curious.

"All I said," said Ron heavy with drama, "was that I don't understand why Hermione should be such a brain all the time---"

"I am not!" Hermione interrupted. She folded her arms.

"Awww," Ron whined. "Her-mi-oh-knee! I didn't mean to offend you, I meant that I wanted you to well…." Ron didn't finish, too embarrassed to say what he asked Hermione in front of Harry. In truth, Ron wanted to make out with Hermione, but she was too busy concentrating on her history essay (due in four days) and Ron made the mistake of calling Hermione a "big, boring brain". He meant to be affectionate and teasing, but Hermione, in the middle of great concentration, did not like to be disturbed so she walked off in a huff with Ron following.

"C'mon, Hermione," said Harry good-naturally. "Ron can be a bit slow sometimes, but he doesn't mean what he said."

"Yeah! I mean—hey!" Ron said, glaring at Harry. "What are you playing at? A bit 'slow'?"

Harry snorted. "Just joking, Ron."

"Well!" Hermione said, propping her book and taking out her essay. "I would like to be left alone, being a big, boring brain." She gave Ron a glare and starting writing.

"Women." Ron said.

"I thought you said you knew all about them, after all, you live with two." Harry said, nudging Ron in the ribs.

"Oh, shut up, Harry." Ron said resting his head on his hands.

"Hi Harry!" Cho said excitedly and walked towards him. "Hi, Ron, hello Hermione."

"Hello, Cho." Hermione and Ron greeted at the same time. Hermione gave Ron a look and then hurried back to her essay.

Harry was looking at Cho. She looked so…..different all of the sudden. Before he could think before speaking, he said, "Cho, you've gotten fat."

Ron's mouth dropped open and Cho's face turned into a deep scarlet red.

Hermione's book fell with a thud and her papers fell to the floor, but she didn't even notice.

"Well, Potter!" Cho said, in great embarrassment and anger that forcefully reminded Harry of her father. "Maybe it is because I'm having your baby!" And she flew off in rage.

"Harry!" Ron and Hermione yelled at the same time.

Harry realized what a dumb mistake he just made and was at lost for words.

"How can you be so dense?" Hermione said.

"Yeah, you never call a girl fat unless you want to die or something." Ron said staring at Harry.

"Especially not to Cho these days!" Hermione said, rushing after Cho.

"Where're you going?" Ron called.

"To talk to her!" Hermione said and then paused dramatically. "And be quiet, Ron, I'm still mad at you!"

Harry didn't know what to say; his head still held the image of Cho's shocked face. Ron was trying to figure out how to turn "big, boring brain" into some sort of compliment.

So Ron and Harry sat there, with both girlfriends furious at them.

A/N: Next chapter is called, "A Winter Quiddich Game"