Chapter 8: Sundown of memories

ODE TO THE SUN

How many scenes, O sun,

Hast thou not shone upon!

How many tears, O light,

Have dropped before thy sight!

How many heart-felt sighs,

How many piercing cries,

How many deeds of woe,

Dost thy bright light not know!

How many broken hearts,

That are pierced by sorrow's darts;

How many maddened brains,

That are wild with passion's rains;

How many soul-sick lives,

Stabbed with despair's sharp knives,

Hast thou above the skies,

Not seen with thy radiant eyes!

Shine on, majestic one!

Shine on, O glorious sun!

And never fail to cheer

My life so dark and drear.

Whene'er thou shinest bright,

And show thy brilliant light,

The cares I know each day

Silently steal away.

I'm so glad to be home. Cho thought happily as she hugged her mother.

"We are so delighted you came home for Christmas." Mrs. Chang chirped joyously at her. "We hadn't expected you to come. We know how things have gone bad lately, death eaters everywhere and we knew how devoted you are with your work."

Mom is still so beautiful after all this time. It's been three whole years since I last saw her. I missed her so much.

"We missed you so much." Her mother said reading her mind, giving her the beautiful smile she had inherited.

"Glad to have you back sweet heart." Mr. Chang smiled at her warmly.

It was Christmas day. Cho returned to the mansion right after the incident at the graveyard. She could still remember the horrible events of that night. She couldn't bear celebrating Christmas on her own after such a dreadful night. She was ecstatic to be home. She took her time roaming around the mansion exploring the different passageways she had gone through when she was little. Tired, she went to her room which remained untouched since the day she left. It was spacious as ever. It was the size of her house at Godric's Hollow. The moment she stepped in she viewed each and every corner remembering her childhood.

She went over to her window. Their manor was still mesmerizing as it was many years ago.

How I miss this place.

She walked over at one corner of the room. She looked up at the painting of a scenic sunset. She smiled. It was her favorite painting. She loved sunsets. She muttered the password and the painting sprang open. It lead her to a magnificent room. It was her favorite room in the whole mansion. It was her secret place. No one in the house knew that room existed. Only one other person knew about it. Too bad he can't see it again. She and Draco used to get inside the room and play. Cho closed her eyes feeling the atmosphere of the room.

"Wow I wish I had a room like this back at my house." Little Draco said enthusiastically as he entered it for the first time.

Giggling Cho replied, "I'm pretty sure there is one at your house. You just haven't found it yet."

"Will you help me find it?"

His blue eyes widened with excitement.

"Of course, silly." Little Cho laughed and suddenly sprang at Draco tapping his forehead. "Tag, you're it"

"Hey… "

Cho smiled at that special memory. She could relate why much Draco liked the room so much. The walls were pure white with little sparkling dusts like twinkling stars. The ceiling was bewitched to look like the blue sky. The room held gleaming furniture. The walls held up portraits of her late relatives. All of them looked happy and contented that every time she looked at them she couldn't help but smile.She had found the room by accident. At the time she was a bit down and was looking for someplace where she could express herself without the fear that someone might burst in. The room had helped her many times because it was such a cheerful place.

But right now, even her favorite room couldn't relieve her. There was still something bothering her. She looked at the ceiling, thinking what it could be.

One afternoon, exasperated at not being able to figure out what was bothering her she grabbed her cloak and decided to go for a walk.

Maybe fresh air can help me think clearer.

She walked through a familiar path admiring her surroundings. She strode on letting her feet walk free.

The manor is attractive and exciting as ever.

After a while of enjoying herself of the sights she had seen, she looked at her destination. She wasn't surprised to have ended up in the garden. Skimming around, she smiled. So many memories flooded back at her. A cherry blossom landed on her outstretched palm.

"Look at the blossoms." Young Cho twirled around as blossoms danced with the wind. Little Draco caught a particularly beautiful one.

"Look at this."

"Wow, it's a beautiful catch."

They both admired it. And surprisingly, in one swift move little Draco placed it behind Cho's ear.

Little Cho, gigglied. " How do I look?"

Young Draco smirked and started chasing her around the beautiful garden.

Cho smiled and sent the Cherry blossom sailing away.

The old oak tree caught her eye. It was the same sturdy tree she remembered. She slumped back at the trunk like she used to and watched the clear creek. Overwhelmed by different feelings, she looked up thoughtlessly at the sky. It was a beautiful day.

She looked sideways and saw from afar, a nearing figure. She didn't need to take a closer look. She knew who it was. Sighing, she returned her attention back to the sky. Should I go? He probably won't want me hanging out here with him.

Draco walked slowly, his head drooping. He needed a time out, a time to breath. Now that the dark lord was gone he had no more direction in life. He didn't know what he was going to do now that he didn't have a purpose. He headed for the oak tree. Ever since Cho left it had become his thinking place. He looked up and was surprised to see someone sitting back at the tree. He hesitated for a moment then decided to sit down the opposite side of the tree. He looked over at Cho and then up to the sky. Mutual silence went on for quite a while. I should go. Cho thought to herself.Then Draco broke the silence. In a genial tone he indicated, "Cho look at the creek."

"Hmm.." surprised at the sudden statement, she withdraw her gaze from the sky and to Draco. Draco pointed at the creek. Curiously, she looked at the creek and saw what Draco meant. Beautiful couldn't even describe what was before her eyes. The sun was setting and the effect it inflicted upon the peaceful creek was breathtaking. Different shades of blues, yellows, oranges and purples all blended in beautifully in the sky. The snowy cottony clouds showed a tinge of different colors. The glassy surface of the creek reflected it and captured its beauty. The creek's flowing exterior illuminated its own light. The golden beam of sunlight ray made their surroundings glow radiantly. Even the air seemed to emit an extraordinary smell so fresh, it combined well with the scenery. It had been such a long time since she last sat down and just look at the sun as it sets. The view captivated her so, that all she could do was murmur… 'wow'

She almost forgot about everything else. She felt like everything was fine again. It was until Draco remarked his own comment about the setting before them that she was pulled back to reality. And for the first time his presence had affected her and couldn't help but ask.

"Draco? Can I ask you something?" Cho looked over his side, looking hopeful. Draco looked reluctant but nodded anyway. He had expected this ever since the moment he sat by the oak.

"Why do you despise me?"

Draco took a sharp side glance. "What do you mean despise?" He looked down at his hands, avoiding her eyes.

"I mean.." Cho stopped and looked back at the setting sun. "Ever since we went to Hogwarts, you've changed. You never talked to me or even looked at me. I wanted everything to be the same but you became distant and cold." She paused for a while and thought gloomily of the Hogwarts years. It would have been complete if she Draco were still friends. Draco never talked to her or even about her. He never made fun of her or made her angry. He just treated her like she didn't even exist and that's worse than having him sneer at you.

Sighing, Draco looked up to the dimming sky, stalling time.

Should I tell her? He hesitated. This is it…She's going to tell how much she hates me. I've caused her too much pain I know she hates me. I never really meant to hurt her, it just happened. Some things change, she should know that. Since the Dark Lord's dead it doesn't matter anymore so go you can do it. Taking a deep breath, he started to say…

"I don't despise you. In fact I lo…." Realizing what he was about to say he paused for a moment. You idiot…What were you thinking?! He scowled at himself."I mean, I still consider you my best friend. You've always been there for me. Even when my family wasn't there you were there, beside me…grieving with me, making me feel better. The thing at Hogwarts just happened. I've changed and it's all fathers' fault."

"What do you mean?"

"He was the one who taught me to live alone, to be alone. He taught me to trust no one, befriend no one. He taught me to forget about Life, Joy and Friendship. All he wanted was to make me the best death eater ever, to serve the Dark Lord faithfully till the end." He stopped, his eyes scowling at the thought of his father. "But to go to the darkness… I needed to let go of the one person who showed me light, I had to let go of you."

Sadly Draco added, "I never really wanted to. But it was for my father. It was the only thing that made him happy. It was the only thing that made him see me as his son. Then again, it was what ruined my life. Heck I don't even have a life anymore. I was merely his puppet doing whatever he said whenever he desired."

Cho looked stunned. She never knew. She had always thought that he just got tired of her and decided to drop her out of his life. Uncle Lucius had always been friendly towards us. I can't believe he would do such a thing to his own son.

"Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. He even threw out every memory of you in the house. " He paused to look at her. "I'm sorry."

Still looking dazed she looked back at him. He said sorry. He has never said that to anyone before. I should know… even when we were little I was the one who did the apologizing for his crazy faults.

"When father finished lecturing me about being a death eater, I became confident. I was to be the dark Lord's best death eater. My father had been successful in brainwashing me in becoming the number one death eater. I was evil." Draco smirked.

"But…" Thoughtfully Cho asked. "What made you change your mind? What made you switch sides?

"My father is responsible for that too." He sighed. "You see…I wanted out. A fellow death eater, probably the most faithful of all had made a mistake. Just a little mistake and He killed him. I fear that the same fate will await my father if he made a mistake. So I gave the Ministry a little hint. Then Dark Lord had given my father a special assignment. He was to permanently eliminate Albus Dumbledore to make killing Potter easier. When he failed, the Dark Lord mercilessly punished his failure by using the killing curse on him. He killed him…right before my eyes. He should have known that a son would always be a son. It was then I realized that I don't have anymore reason to stay a death eater. I wanted revenge. Father taught me that too. The Dark Lord should have expected that when he killed my father in front of me. Now that I have a lot of time to think, I realized how much time I wasted on being a death eater. When I could have everything I gave it away."

When I could have had you I gave it away. He thought gloomily to himself. I could never find a better friend than Cho.

"It's still not too late you know you can still have it all. You could start over."

"It won't be the same. No one can change the past."

They looked at each other. Both knew what the other meant. The sun was completely down and moon took over. The dim surroundings gave an eerie but beautiful atmosphere. The moon smiled down upon them. Moonbeam beam streaked down on them giving them enough light. The stars twinkled cheerfully. It was a beautiful evening, only they were glum. They watched in mutual silence, the change of scenery before them.

"Yeah, you're right"

Cho said almost in a whisper. Home is really beautiful. Be it night or day home still has its own beauty. I miss this place so much. She snuggled closer to the trunk trying to keep out the cold. She looked up. Fireflies…. She smiled and remembered the time…..

"It's firefly night."

"What's that?"

"Mother said that according to Asian legend at night at a season like this fireflies rule the garden. And she said that if you wish hard enough on something on that night, on that place the fireflies will listen to you and grant your wish."

5 year old Draco looked wide eyed at Cho. "Really? Then we should go tonight…"

Giggling, Little Cho nodded at him.

That night both of them went to the garden. Laughing and giggling they raced after glowing fireflies. Tired, they both sat down on the jade carpet that covered the garden. Closing their eyes, each thought hard on their wishes hoping they would come true…

Cho can't remember what she wished for. Thinking hard trying to make that memory clearer… it would have been a lot easier if she could just look at the hand mirror Draco gave her. But it's broken.

"Cho?"

"Hmmm?"

"Are you angry? I mean, I know I must have been cruel to you."

Thoughtfully, Cho lowered her head. Her silky black frame covered her face. She pulled her leg closer to her, hugging it more tightly. She nestled her head on her knee as she circled the ring on her finger. It was given to her by her parents.

"I was." She held her head up and gazed at the sky. Smiling, she looked at Draco, "But not anymore."

Author's Note: Sorry the update took so long…been so worked up in school…