Chapter 2:

Reflections

Harry and Cho had been dating since the end of 5th year. It was now the beginning of 7th year. The whole school had been talking about their relationship. The most popular boy in school was dating the most beautiful girl in school. It seemed to be the perfect match. Harry had suspected that Ginny still had feelings for him in the beginning of his and Cho's relationship, but eventually she had moved on the Draco.

Harry and Cho used to sit out on sunny days by the lake and talk for hours. Harry didn't think anything was wrong, that is, until Cho started to become distant. Suddenly she didn't have time for Harry and she always had to be somewhere else. Now that he thought about it, could it be that Cho was sneaking off to be with Ron? Harry didn't know, but then he thought about their breakup. Cho had come to see Harry, who was sitting out by the lake. Se even brought him some Cauldron Cakes from the Three Broomsticks.

"Hey Harry. How have you been doing? Listen, I was thinking about you today. So, I came down to see you," said Cho, smiling.

"Cho can I ask you a question?" asked Harry, cutting to the chase.

"Of course Harry," replied Cho.

"Well, why have you seemed so distant lately? It's almost as if you've been avoiding me. Why is that?"

"Harry, I've just been really busy lately. You know we do have N.E.W.T.S. this year. And all of my classes seem to be getting harder and harder. I've thought about this a lot. It was a very hard decision, and I've decided to, well, break things off easily. Harry, I think you and I had great times together, but I also think it's time for us to move on. To tell you the truth, I've been feeling a lot of pressure lately."

"But we haven't seen each other for so long. How can you feel pressured? I mean, do you think I've been suffocating you, or what?"

"No, no Harry. You've been great. It's just that, I've felt pressure to live up to people's standards. They all think that we are this perfect couple, but in reality, we're not. It seems that everyone expects us to be happy all day long and that we should always be together. So Harry, it's truly not you, it's me. I just think we need to take a break, maybe see other people. Harry? What do you think?"

"Well, Cho, I thought that things were going great with us, but obviously they're not. I was going to try and salvage our relationship, but since you feel so strongly about this, I think it's only best if we break this up, like you said." said a gloomy Harry.

"Thanks, Harry. I knew you would be mature about this. That's what I really respect about you. Well, I have to go now. See you in class later?" said Cho.

"Yeah, see you then."

All throughout their 7th year, Harry and Cho had been friendly to each other, seeing each other in class, in the Great Hall, and in the hallways. Other than that, they had tried as much as possible to avoid each other. When they did see each other around school, they always seemed to talk about the weather and other everyday things. They didn't dare touch the subject of their breakup.

And so they were until graduation, when Harry and Cho went their separate ways. Now they were all 19, except Ginny, who was only 18.

Ginny and Draco had started dating soon after she graduated. They had both started working at Hogwarts, she as the Flying Master, and he as the Potions Master. As it turns out, Draco had had a crush on Ginny since he was in his 5th year. After they both graduated, it didn't take long for them to decide to get married. They had married in the fall after her graduation, and then started teaching. They had twins, two boys, named Everett and Landon. Everett was older by 4 minutes. Although they both looked identical to Draco, Everett seemed to have the characteristics of his father, whereas Landon had the characteristics of his mother. Now they were only 7 months old, and a handful. Of course Mrs. Weasley had been babysitting them during the school days, but Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, had not been very helpful in raising the boys. Ginny had appointed Harry and Hermione as the boys' godparents, and they came to see them on a regular basis.

After graduation, Hermione had almost immediately started working in the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of Magical Relations. She helped wizards and witches around the world contact the Ministry, Muggles, and even other wizards and witches. She also worked closely with Cornelius fudge, the Minister of Magic. She scheduled and hosted important events and also headed all of the Ministry's Departments. (Let's just say Percy was a bit peeved.) It was at a Quidditch Meeting about a year after she started working when she saw Viktor Krum again. He was still on the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team. They had first met when she was in her 4th year at Hogwarts and Viktor's school, Durmstrang, had come for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. They had dated for that year and then Viktor had to go back to his school, and the pair was broken up. She thought he had been gone from her life for good, but fate decided otherwise.

Hermione and Viktor started dating soon after they met again. They dated for a while and then they married last spring. Harry thought back to that day.

"Hermione, I'm so happy for you! You look so beautiful in that dress! I never thought we would bother be married so soon after school!" said a bubbly Ginny.

"Oh Ginny, I'm glad you could be here with me. Is everyone here? Where are the twins?" asked Hermione.

"They're with Draco. Fred and George are here, with Ron of course. Along with my parents, your parents, Harry, Professor Dumbledore, Remus, and Hagrid," said Ginny, looking out the window.

"Alright. It's time to go." Hermione walked out the door and down the aisle.

Harry had never thought he had ever seen Hermione look as beautiful as she did that day. She seemed to glow. Viktor was a lucky man. But, Harry couldn't be thinking about that. He and Hermione were best friends.

"Harry? Harry? Hey, Harry, do you want some Butterbeer or Cauldron Cakes?" someone was yelling at Harry. Oh, it was Hermione.

"What?"

"Harry, I've only asked you a zillion times if you wanted any dessert." Hermione said.

"Oh, wow. I'm sorry, I guess I just dazed out for a sec. oh I don't think I can stay for dessert. Thanks, though. Congratulations on the whole Ministress of Magic thing. We'll talk later, ok?" said Harry as he put on his coat.

"Ok Harry. Well, I'll see you later then." said Hermione, looking puzzled.

"Bye Harry. Are you sure you're ok?" asked Ginny.

"I'm fine."

"See you later said Harry." said Ron.

Harry walked into Hermione's living room and apparated back to his house.