To my reviewers:
samskiz: *forced smile Haha...yes...Mr. Pibb. Ahem.
LiL-Miz-Chief: Aw, thanks. Your words are kind. :)
Galaxy_Gal: I may convert you? Hm...I'll try harder, then. Hopefully, by the next chapter, there'll be more Draco/Cho. But first I need to get Harry out of the way.
toxiclove1: Oh, they'll be lots more "yelling at Malfoy thing" to come.
CrazySexyCool4ever: Thank you, thank you, I do try to make Cho more likable...
shinrielwilkenshire: Well, here's an update. Hope you're happy, shinny. :)
fairy-lights1: Thanks so much for Beta-ing. Like the flashback I added?
BlackDragon7037: Yes, Cho is very depressed and sad. Wouldn't you be, though, if you were in her place? Well, anyway, Cho's happier in this chapter, much happier, in fact. And yes, you guessed it, it gets ruined in the end by Death Eaters. Not Draco, but close enough.
Iris C: I hate to make Cho so upset all the time, but it's sort of important, to include that.
Marionette: Thanks for reviewing. Hope you like this chapter.
Miaka: I'm so busy...and lazy. I'll try and hurry next time, to update.
dreamz2reality: Slash is good...Harry/Draco is mostly all I read, though. Your story has a good start. Have you read Obsession, by BlancheMalfoy on fictionalley.org?
Kiara of LL: ?? Strange child you are, Kaity. :)
SweEtLittlELily: Thank you! I know, I need to stop being so lazy and write and post faster.
The Dragon Guardian of the Sea: Interesting reviews there, Meredith. Funny. Thanks for that!
bleugrl: Here it is, chapter five. Enjoy.
A/N: Thanks everyone, for reading this story. Means a lot that people like it. I'm working on the romance, and hopefully, there'll be more Draco/Cho soon.
Chapter Five
Solace
A baby gurgled happily in her loving arms; she was sitting on a soft chair in a warm room, rocking and shushing her newborn to sleep. Blue wallpaper covered the walls, on which various creatures danced.
Thomas, she had named him; he was the source of so much newfound joy and hope in her world, at the young age of one month. For the time being, she felt that her life was perfect: she had a loving husband, a precious new baby boy, and even the seemingly never-ending War was at a hiatus. She wasn't deluded by this, however, she knew that things were too good to last. The War wouldn't stay at rest for long, the Dark Side was just probably biding their time to achieve something big; and from experience, she knew that something would come along to throw her life into a chaotic spiral again, like it always does.
She sang a sweet lullaby to sooth and coax her baby into a slumber, as her mother did when she was a child. Deep breathing filled her ears as Thomas fell asleep. She kissed his forehead gently and placed him into his laced cradle. Diminishing the lights, she quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Cho entered her own bedroom that she shared with her husband. Harry was working late again. It was something she had to deal with, being the wife of the most important figure of the Light Side. Even though things were pretty stationary for the time being, Harry still experienced sleepless nights and an overload of meetings and paperwork.
Not bothering to undress, Cho pulled the scarlet beddings over her and relaxed on the lavish mahogany bed and sighed. Sometimes it was still overwhelming to believe that she was actually married to Harry Potter, and what more, to have a child with him. It all happened so fast, after the death of her parents, Harry was in her life more than ever, comforting her, being there for her. He helped her with her rage of emotions, her vivid images of that one night, and even Draco. He was there to make her smile, and he never gave up on her.
She learned to laugh again, and before she knew it, Harry was on one knee, proposing and swearing that he would always love her and protect her. That didn't come as a great shock; she knew Harry's feelings for her were always there. What surprised her was finding herself saying 'yes', and wanting, so very much, everything Harry promised to give.
There she was, clad in robes of purest white, walking ever so slowly along the petal-strewn path laid before her. The day was sunny and bright, and elegant white tents and gazebos decorated with flowers were put up just for the occasion.
A violinist played a sweet melody in the background, and her heart filled with an indescribable feeling. She could hear it fluttering madly, pumping blood into her trembling body. She was excited, and so nervous.
That day was a warm and fuzzy blur in her memory, almost dreamlike. The palest of pinks, yellows and blues blended perfectly in décor under the clear blue sky. It was heaven on earth, and she herself looked like an angel, as she was told, gliding along slowly past the rows of smiling guests.
Her dark curls were blown back by a gentle breeze, revealing the healthy glow of her beaming face. She felt beautiful, in her long dress of gauzy, delicate material.
Her eyes were locked with her husband-to-be, standing at the end of her walk. He looked so handsome, his black and white dress robes billowing slightly behind him, his dark hair ruffled in the wind. A shining smile was upon his face, and his sparkling green eyes showed true joy. This was what awaited her, and she could not wait for that life to begin.
Finally, she was halted beside him, their eyes still never leaving each other. She knew that she would remember that day forever, yet her mind refused to capture much detail. Her heart was pounding furiously the whole time, and the words and vows passed by too quickly.
It was over too soon, but as Harry lowered his face to kiss hers, she couldn't remember being happier. His rosy lips touched hers softly, and he let go of her hands to wrap his around her waist. Cheers erupted all around them, and the air was suddenly filled with rose petals and confetti. Smiling more broadly, she deepened the kiss, her arms encircling his neck.
It was perfect. "Til death do you part."
The only glitch was, she didn't have that burning passion and desire for him that his eyes held for her. In truth, when they stood there at the alter, she still didn't wholeheartedly love Harry the way he loved her. Sure she would gladly die for him, but their love pales in comparison to the one she had shared with Draco. Or thought she shared. With Draco, it was heart racing, sensual, and filled with scorching need for each other. It was exciting every time they touched, always so amazing and new. With Harry, on the other hand, it was slow and romantic, never urgent. She tried and tried to will her emotions to change, just once, she'd like it to burn, like it did with Draco, but it never did. Harry had been a brother-like figure for too long. She never voiced her feelings-or rather, lack of-to Harry. Their marriage was a happy one, after all, and she was lucky to be married to such a suitable person, and she did truly love him.
No one loved her as much as Harry did, and he was always there to protect and soothe her fears. She would fall into his arms and Harry would make life that much more bearable. She had found solace, like so many times before, in Harry.
He helped her with her dreams-just a little bit. Her blond haunter didn't come regularly anymore. That was a relief. She wished he would just stop visiting her altogether, but that didn't happen. During bad periods of time, when she shrank back into depression, Draco would come nightly, not helping her lost state at all, not allowing her rest or peace of mind. She would wake up; cursing and swearing the bastard for making her feel so miserable and angry after so many years. He got what he wanted with her, and just left, leaving her with sick feelings of love for him that she couldn't get rid of. Harry would then stop her from hurting herself as well as her surroundings, and gradually, he would remind her that there would always be happiness in the world, despite anything that happens.
Laden with fatigue from the long day, Cho sank into a dreamless sleep.
*
Thomas's cry jolted her awake. Cho immediately sprang upright on her bed and listened intently. Silence greeted her ears. Did she dream that Thomas was crying? The peaceful night made the cry she heard seem almost impossible. She hesitated. Her body was screaming for rest, and she felt very tempted to just lie back down, but she felt uneasy; something wasn't right. Deciding to check up on her son, she pushed the coverings aside and got down from the bed.
Harry was still not home, Cho noted, as she entered the dark hallway. A cold wave of fear crashed over her as the nursery's door came into view. She stopped dead in her tracks. Faint light was pouring from the frame of the door that was open ajar. It was chillingly sinister, the way the door seemed to glow in the dark. Her stomach gave that familiar clench, as she distinctly remember shutting the lights and closing the door.
Let it be Harry...Please, just let it be Harry...With fear stabbing at her every step, Cho shakily approached the door. With quavering breath, she peered into the crack in the doorway. Her eyes widened in shock as her worst fears were confirmed. Rooted to the spot, she recalled perfectly the terrifying events that had happened two years ago. And here she was, again, in the same position she was then. Five Death Eaters surrounded the crib, where Thomas laid, one of which was in the process of picking him up. Memories that she had worked so hard to forget resurfaced. The same hooded men, the blood everywhere, the bodies...and now, they were back to take away her child, too. Cho gripped her wand tightly; ready to curse the vermin, who dared touch her innocent baby to bits, when one Death Eater slowly turned his head towards the door. His body tensed and he shouted her presence to the rest.
Survival instincts kicked in and, horrified, she turned away to flee. The door burst wide open as a Death Eater grabbed her before she could run away. Struggling, she was dragged into the nursery.
"My baby," Cho called out in remorse, tears starting to form helplessly. "How could you do that? How could you take away my child? Don't harm him! Please...!" Escape was not an option now, as one of the cloaked men imposed a strong grip on her.
"Ah, so this is the wife." A voice came under a hood, gleeful and triumphant. "Listen closely, my pretty," said the Death Eater clutching her, his hot breath washed over her face. "When your dear husband comes home, you run to him, and you deliver this message: We've taken his baby, and he'll do as we ask if he wants to see him ever again."
So this was a hostage act. Nicely planned, Cho had to admit; it was a wonder they ever got past all the protection charms and spells Harry placed upon the house.
Cho was too angry to feel scared anymore; she couldn't believe that she has to endure this not just once in her life, which was hard enough, but twice. "Got that?" The Death Eater jabbed at her throat with his wand. Cho refused to respond. "Good," he said, nonetheless.
He slammed her against the wall and conjured up ropes to bind her firmly in place. They were just like the ones that bound her mother against the wall just moments before her death. He then threw a black envelope emblazoned with the Dark Mark into the now empty crib. "Be sure to tell you husband to read this letter if he needs more persuasion."
Carrying Thomas, they began to depart, leaving Cho tied up against the wall, fighting fruitlessly for release. "You're not taking him! NO! THOMAS--"
A swish of cloaks, and they were gone. Cho shrieked in anguish, eyesight blurred over with tears.
*
"Cho?" Harry's voice called from the hallway. "I'm home! Where are you?" His footsteps grew louder as he approached the nursery. "Is Thomas asleep yet? It's late..." Cho stared at the floor bitterly, not bothering to reply. Harry's footsteps stopped abruptly as he entered the room. "Cho?" His green eyes widened in horror as he caught sight of her. He rushed to untie her. "What happened? Who did this to you?"
"He's gone," Cho said flatly.
"Who?" Harry looked at her, frightened and puzzled.
"Thomas."
"What--" Harry swung his head around to look at the crib. "Where is he?" His tone hardened.
"They took him." Cho, now rid of her bindings, stood up to face her husband. "Thomas was kidnapped by Death Eaters!" She yelled. "YOU could've PREVENTED THIS!!" She strode over and pounded him on the chest. "YOU-YOU'RE NEVER HOME! You work long hours and when you ARE home, your mind is on the War, on your meetings--YOU HAVE A FAMILY, HARRY, YOU IRRESPONSIBLE BASTARD, you--"
"Cho..." Harry gripped her arms to steady her, his face exposing guilt and sorrow. "Cho, I'm so sorry, I..." He wrapped his arms around her. Too exhausted to protest, she went limp and sobbed openly. "I need you to tell me exactly what happened. Please, so I can get Thomas back."
Attempting to calm her uneven breaths, she swallowed forcibly. "The Death Eaters--They came," Cho began. "I saw the light on in the nursery--and--and I went in...and I got tied up." Her voice trembled. "They-They told me to tell you that they've taken Thomas and won't give him back unless you do what they say." Cho's mind raced as she tried to remember. "They left a letter...And then they left."
"Where's the letter?" Harry asked immediately.
"In the crib..." Harry released Cho to collect the black envelope. He ripped it open with disgust, eyes darting across the paper furiously. "What do they want?" Cho asked, even though she had a pretty good idea of what the answer was.
"Me."
Cho looked at him with worried eyes. "What are we going to do?"
"What's there to do? I'm going."
"But Harry...just like that? You're just going to turn yourself in?"
"No, of course not. I'll do it surreptitiously. But there's still a great chance of me getting caught."
"No! Isn't there another way?" Cho asked pleadingly, knowing that there was not.
"Do you see a better alternative, Cho? Do you ever want to see Thomas again?"
"Of course! But if it means you getting killed in the process..."
"How can you say that? You're his mother."
"And you're my husband."
Harry sighed. "I understand your concerns, Cho. I won't necessarily die, but it's just a risk I'll have to take. I have a family, remember?" Harry gave Cho a sad smile. "I need to mind my priorities. Surely you don't want your whole raging lecture five minutes ago to be falsely stated?"
Cho's expression softened and she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm sorry for that. You're a very good father, you're very responsible." Harry pulled her into a hug.
Silence followed, then, "When are we going to leave?" Cho asked.
Harry pulled away and frowned. " 'We'?"
"Oh, yes. I'm going, too."
"No, you're not," Harry said sternly.
"Don't you dare try and stop me. I'm going whether you like it or not."
Harry looked at her critically for a moment, and then sighed. "Fine. We'll rest for the night, so we have our full strength for the morning. Come on; let's go to bed. There's no point in staying up all night, they won't hurt Thomas."
"I won't be able to sleep."
"That's fine as well, we'll at least rest our bodies, hm?"
"All right," Cho replied as they walked out of the nursery and into their own room.
"Don't worry, Cho, I'll make everything right again," Harry whispered as they lied down. Cho smiled softly. This was Harry, all right: the hero who fixed everything that went wrong.
"I know. I love you Harry," Cho whispered back, and closed her eyes.
***********************************
A/N: Now, I got some reviews saying Cho is too upset and angsty. Well, Draco betrayed the whole Light Side, remember? And it was all Cho's fault, for trusting him when no one else would. And then he shows up, part of the group that killed her parents, so she hates him even more. Worst of all, she loved him, and she can't get rid of his memory. So...there. I explained, and Cho will be happier in time.
Well, what do you think? She's Harry Potter's wife, mwah hah hah. Outraged, anyone? She preferred Draco's love, remember that. And I promise, Harry will be out of the picture soon enough, this WILL NOT be a Harry/Cho fic. Now all that's left to do is for you to REVIEW and tell me what you think. Thanks!