Disclaimer: It ain't mine, not trying to steal JK's stuff, Warner bro's stuff etc and not making money for it either (sadly)

DAY 2 – AFTERNOON (PART 1)

Its seldom a reread will make me literally rub my hands together with fiendish glee, but this time I am. I feel like a world-weary burglar who has just scrambled down his hundredth chimney since he hit his tenth birthday, only to remember it's Christmas Eve and suddenly finding himself surrounded by presents. I break into a devious grin as I ponder which of the metaphorical gifts I will rip into first. I put this maniacal, evil excitement down to the gauntlet of emotions I know I will be forcing every poor reader to experience when they get to this chapter. I imagine a faceless Harry fan sitting there, eyes flying over the page in a desperate attempt to absorb the What Happens? as fast as possible, knuckles in their mouth: Fear, excitement, a sense of impending doom, to name but a few of the jolts they will experience whilst upon the rack of literacy, so to speak.

…of silken thread"…

Harry shuddered, and felt Hermione's clammy hand tighten upon his arm in a weak gesture of comfort.

"Cho", he began, knowing he had to try again, although the last thing he wanted was to explain. She turned, stubborn anger clear in every line of her body, and the tight set of her jaw. "Listen, there was a prophecy made, two, actually. One of us must die; me or Voldemort. We don't know when, or how or who. Well actually we do know when, when must be now, because of the other prophecy, that one says where, and…and… other things. And where is here, so this is it Cho, and you must go. NO MORE are going to die because of me, now GET OUT. The only reason I'm not sending Hermione away is that, is that she…"

"Is mentioned in the second prophecy. The part of the prophecy that says, 'The holy trinity, the one not non-existential, shattered will fall, and Fudo condemned to eternity'. It means Hermione is going to die." Cho looked at Harry, defiance still blazing but muted by her tears. "I know Harry".

Hazel and green stared at brown. "Ho-" began Harry but Cho cut him off by swiftly pulling up the sleeve of her robe and thrusting her forearm under his nose. "THIS is how", she hissed venomously, "This evil brand, that never lets me sleep, poisons my blood, and breaks my heart!"

Ha! Bet everyone will think it's going to be the dark mark!

Standing out in vivid relief upon the soft flesh of her forearm was a raised pattern of scorched and blistered skin, oozing scarlet drops of blood, which dripped as tears from the eye of the phoenix that perched insolently upon her unwilling body.

"The seer's mark!" Gasped Hermoine, she looked at Cho piercing eyes searching her face, "You're a seer?"

Cho snorted, "You make it sound special. But don't forget Trewlawny's one too. She's got this blasted mark same as me, although deluded bitch that she is she talks about it like its an honour. Raves about the endurance of the phoenix, overcoming the fleshes attempt to renew its self, although don't ask me how that's a good thing, hurts like hell and never heals. Darling Dumbledore insisted though." she spat.

"Dumbledore…" Hermione spoke as if she was in a dream, "The mark concentrates the sightings, he must have wanted you to have more…"

"No, he wanted to make them clearer. I eventually went to him when Madame Pomfrey couldn't cure my nightmares." She turned to Harry, "Did you think I cried for my entire sixth year just because of Cedric? It was because I kept seeing things, but they were all jumbled and I didn't understand…Dumbledore thinks Cedric's death was what kick-started it all. Like a fool I believed him when he said I shouldn't fight the visions, that having the mark would help them flow through me so they wouldn't hurt as much. He lied, but he got what he wanted; as soon as the branding was complete I made the second prophecy." Her lip curled, "Unfortunately for him though I remembered. Most people forget their visions, but I don't. He can't steal them from me then keep them secret like he wanted to. I know exactly what I have to do, and I'm going to do it." She glared imperiously at Harry and Hermione, as if daring them to contradict her.

"You made the second prophecy?" Asked Harry quietly.

Cho snorted once again. "Just one among many".

"So what you're saying is…"

"I'm staying. You'll need me. I know."

Harry studied her intently. Then without warning he flung his arms about her in a tight hug. "I'm sorry I didn't help you more, back when…"

Cho gave a muffled sob and he stroked her silken hair, "No I'm sorry Harry, for everything, for what I've done, and… and…what I'm going to do. Please don't hurt me Harry…"

Harry twitched at this, "I'd never hurt you, Cho." Her sobbing intensified against his shoulder, "Oh Harry, its so awful knowing the future, knowing everything that's going to happen…"

Hmm, time for another coffee I think. I might have a go with that new cappuccino maker. Pretty pleased with what I've done so far, although Cho seemed to blither on a bit, but that is an annoying habit of hers, isn't it? Well, that's one present unwrapped, but I've got plenty more surprises to squeeze in. I always save the best till last, like eating the honey-covered toast before the marmite, but I think that's a good thing when you're a writer. I want to keep the readers waiting before they get to unwrap the best shocker I've got hidden up my sleeve. A giant mammoth sized parcel from a long lost relative doesn't quite do it justice, does it?

AN, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers, keep it up! Seeing Review alert! in my inbox makes my day (I have a very sad life).