ok.... sry this chapter sucks I EDITED CH. 9. well, not really edited but i added stuff to the end. but the chappie still sucks.

Mixed Signals and Crossed Wires

Disclaimer: I do not own the story of Harry Potter or any of its characters. They all belong to the FABULOUS J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Inc.

Setting: during their fifth year at Hogwarts; Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is still Dolores Umbridge

Chapter 9: Confusion

Harry walked back to Gryfindor tower very confused. Why had she run away from him? What had he done? Was it something he had done? These were all questions flowing through Harry's skull at the moment. He walked into the Gryffindor common room to see it fairly crowded. He saw Hermione and Ron sitting on one of the sofas talking. 'Finally,' Harry thought bitterly.

"Hey," Harry said to the two as he made Ron scoot over in his seat to make room for him to sit.

"Hi," Ron said as he continued to be pushed over and Hermione nervously moved until she was pushed against the armrest.

"Okay, Harry don't you think you have enough room?" Hermione said quickly as he continued to push Ron. Harry looked down and noticed he had more than enough room.

"Oops," he muttered as he sat on the couch while leaving a bit of space between him and Ron so Hermione and him could move over a little. They moved with a questioning look towards Harry.

"What's up?" Ron asked while leaning back in his seat.

Harry groaned. "I don't know, one minute I was talking to Cho on the Quidditch the next she's running away from me!" He sighed sadly. "What the hell did I do?"

"You didn't do anything to upset her?" Hermione asked.

"Don't think so," Harry told her.

"What did you say, exactly?" Hermione asked while leaning forward in her seat so she could get a clear view of Harry.

"Umm..." he thought back hard, "Marietta told her that I had been looking for her earlier today... she asked why and I said it was because you two were busy. Then she asked why I looked for so long and I told her it was because I really liked her."

Hermione had a concerned look on her face when Harry looked back at her. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I'm not sure. What happened after you said you really like her?" she asked.

"I think she said I really like you too..."

"Then?"

"I kissed her," he said.

"Hmm.... I'm not sure. I wouldn't run off if Ron did that...." Hermione thought hard for a while, Harry looked at her very concerned. He was afraid she was going to say he had done something wrong. Hermione thought through what Harry said, 'They both said they liked each other... then Harry kissed Cho, then she ran off... it makes absolutely no sense'

"Sorry Harry. I can't think of anything you might have done to upset her. Maybe a relative of hers died or something. Or maybe she felt sick... but I have no idea Harry," Hermione told him. Harry looked disappointed.

"Alright..." he said unsurely and leaned back.

"Sorry I can't help, but it makes very little sense Harry," Hermione says while putting her head on Ron's shoulder.

"It's okay. At least you tried to help," Harry said disappointed.

"Cheer up mate," Ron says while patting Harry's shoulder, seeing as he couldn't pat his back because he was leaning against the sofa.

"Why should I?" said a disappointed Harry.

"Because..." Ron started a little unsurely, "umm... Cho was probably just sick or something...."

Harry just grunted.

"Oy!" Ron said, "Are you the type of person who likes to bring others down with you? 'Cause it sounds like your trying to right now."

"Sorry, I can't help it. I'll try to be cheery," Harry put on a fake grin and turned to Ron, "Is this cheery enough for you?"

"Yes, thank you," Ron said and got up. He pulled Hermione and Harry with him and led them out of the portrait hole.

"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione asked looking at him suspiciously.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this...but to the library to study."

"Something I never thought I would hear..." mumbled Harry.

They studied well into the night. Hermione rereading every book four times before putting it back on the shelf, Ron plugging his ears and mouthing the words of the pages silently and his eyes bulging. At nine they walked out of the library with Ron rubbing his eyes and moaning "Ow! Read... way too much! My eyes! They burn!!" (a/n I know... very ooc)

The infamous trio studied very hard for the next three days. Every free moment they had they were studying. It was the same with Cho. Neither Harry or Cho saw each other for a while, but they didn't notice this fact really; too busy studying and worrying about their O.W.L.s.

Harry hardly ever had a moment without a book in his hands. The teachers were giving so much homework it was rather, no...not rather but VERY, frightful. The three were overly stressed and were having hand cramps until, at last, Friday. The teachers had all given them a break over the weekend, even Snape.

Harry came into the common room on Friday yelling "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"

Ron was rubbing his eyes saying, "They still hurt...."

Hermione came rushing into the common room, five books under her arms. "Will you to shut up? We're not off the hook yet, we've still got to study!" Hermione quickly dropped the books onto one of the tables in the common room and opened one of a transfiguration text book. Ron came over to her and closed the book with one arm around her.

"Hermione, calm down. Two days without studying won't kill you. You need the rest. Your going to hurt that pretty little head of yours," Ron said to her. Hermione smiled; maybe a day wouldn't kill her....

"Fine," she said hesitating.

"Good," Ron said and kissed her on the cheek. Hermione blushed and picked up her books and walked away to put them away.

"I'm going to walk around. See you guys later," Harry said and gave a small wave to Ron before walking out of the portrait hole.

Cho walked down the corridor, not happy or sad. Just a content look on her face, her black hair shimmering in the light streaming through the windows, her personal life was so horrible right now and Marietta hardly ever went out. And just then is when Draco chooses to swoop in.

Cho saw him and gave a slight smile but walked on. When she passed him Draco put his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him closely.

"Hello?" Cho said uncertainly.

"Hello, indeed," Draco replied and with a devious smile he pressed his lips against hers. Cho gulped and drew back from his touch.

"I told you I can't Draco," said Cho in a shaky voice.

But Draco only smirked and leaned in to kiss her again but Cho turned her head so he kissed her cheek. Draco then raised an eyebrow.

"I—I already told you Draco. I can't!" Cho said sternly with a face to match. He just smirked and touched her face.

Cho grabbed Draco's arm before he could touch her and twisted it. "I told you no and I meant it. I can't live with that on my conscience." With that Cho released his arm, walked away, and turned the corner and gasped to see--

CLIFFIE! yay, one of my first real ones! who will she see? Hermione? Ron? Blaise? Harry? Marietta? WHO!!!!!!!! lol. well, PLZ RR!