Author's Notes: I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to get this
Chapter up, and I hope you faithful readers who have been waiting will
forgive me. I started writing this chapter and had great difficulty
because it was near the end of my junior year in high school, and I was
swamped with schoolwork. Once summer came, I took a break from writing,
and I am now back writing as much as possible.
I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter. I regret that this chapter is shorter than others, but the next chapter should be longer.
Chapter Nine: Two Tales
As soon as the sun had come up over the east horizon, Harry was quickly out of bed. Ron was barely awake when Harry threw a cloak around his shoulders. He quietly descended the stairs. The common room was cold and empty, giving him goosebumps when the cool air chilled his skin. The fire that was usually blazing with warmth was mysteriously not burning. Harry decided to fix that, standing in front of the hearth with his wand pointed at it. "Incendio," he muttered. The fireplace was suddenly lit ablaze, and warmth began to spill back into the room.
Just as Harry began to push open the portrait, ready to leave, Hermione came clambering down the stairs from the girls' dormitory. "Wait, Harry. I'm coming with you," she said as she wrapped a scarf around her neck.
"How did you know?" he asked her as she pushed open the portrait of the fat Lady and stepped out.
"I saw how badly you wanted to go see Hagrid last night, so I figured you would be up as early as possible," Hermione said as she pulled her cloak closer to her cold body. The hallways of the castle were not as warm as the common room.
"Should we wait for Ron?" Harry asked as the portrait closed behind them. He originally wasn't going to wait for either of them before, but once Hermione had joined him, he thought it would be rude of them to not wait for Ron.
"As rude as it sounds, he won't wake up for several more hours, and I don't feel like waiting on him," Hermione said quickly.
Harry and Hermione left Gryffindor Tower and trekked down the Grand Staircase. When they passed the Great Hall, very few students were already awake, eating breakfast.
Crossing the school grounds was by far much worse than walking in the cold hallways of Hogwarts. The wind was blowing by fast, threatening to rip their cloaks off of them. By time they reached Hagrid's cabin, both were freezing cold, teeth chattering away. Harry knocked hard three times on the wooden door, anxious to get inside. They waited several minutes, huddling close to keep as warm as possible with their combined body heat. They were so close, Harry thought that Hermione might have been blushing. They were about ready to turn around and go back to the castle in disappointment when the door suddenly swung open.
Hagrid was standing in the doorway, and a huge smile spread across his face when he saw Harry and Hermione. "Well, it's abou' time you two showed up," he said. "I've only been back fer less than a day."
Both Harry and Hermione rushed forward, and Hagrid laughed as he hugged them both. "Where have you been, Hagrid?" Harry was asking as Hagrid allowed them inside. The warmth of Hagrid's fire washed over them like a hot bath.
"Yes, Hagrid, tell us everything!" Hermione exclaimed as she sat down.
"Well, Hermione, I can' tell yeh everythin'. Dumbledore's orders o'course. But, I can tell yeh some things if yeh have the patience to listen."
"We have plenty of patience, Hagrid. Now tell us, why were you gone so long?" Harry asked.
"Alright, Harry. I'll tell yeh. Do you two remember Dumbledore askin' me to talk with that Madame Maxime of Beauxbatons?"
Harry and Hermione nodded their heads as Hagrid brought over a pot of tea, pouring them each a cup.
"Well, I talked to her alright, and convinced her to come speak with Dumbledore. Since You-Know-Who is back and all, Dumbledore had a mission for the both of us. Now, I can't tell you exactly what that mission was, so don't pry."
"What can you tell us about your mission then, Hagrid?" Hermione asked as she sipped her own cup of tea. Fang was chained up in the corner, sleeping peacefully instead of slobbering all over the two of them.
"Well, Hermione, our mission entailed a lot of traveling, an' it took us far and wide across Europe."
"What country did you both end up in?" Hermione asked.
"Well, we both ended up going in to the Alps. However, I was in the mountain range on Switzerland's side, an' Madame Maxime looked on the French side of the range."
"Looked? What were you looking for?" Harry spoke up this time.
"According to Dumbledore, an old castle. It was s'pposed to be an old home or hangout for Salazar Slytherin and his followers. Luckily, I found it after a short time. The bad part was tha' there wasn' much of the place left," Hagrid explained.
"So, why did you have to find this castle? Were you looking for artifacts?" Hermione asked.
"Sorta. Dumbledore wanted use to look for somethin', but I didn't find it."
"Well, what exactly were you looking for in the castle remains, Hagrid?" Harry asked, persistent in trying to get the truth out of him.
"Sorry, Harry. I can' tell yeh that."
"Not surprising. So you're absolutely not going to tell me anything, just like everyone else?" Harry asked.
"An' just what do yeh mean by that?"
"Hardly anyone will tell me anything pertaining to Voldemort. Sirius is the only on who has told me a small amount. Dumbledore hasn't said one word to me," Harry said angrily. "Even the teachers look at me funny sometimes, especially McGonagall." It was true. Harry had noticed her looking at him during Transfiguration a few times, either with sorrow or sadness.
"You need to understand that Dumbledore is a very busy man, as are all of the teachers, now so more than ever with You-Know-Who back. He'll talk to you when he has bloody time I 'spect," Hagrid replied, sipping his tea.
Hermione rapidly changed the subject back to Hagrid's trip. "So, you both were looking for some sort of item in these ruins, correct? And you didn't find it?"
"Correct. I wouldn' exactly call the castle ruins, though. Much of the place was still intact."
"Well, this item must be really important for you to find if Dumbledore asked you and Madame Maxime to seek it out, to find it," Hermione commented, casually prying. Harry noticed this and smirked lightly. She was prying to get more out of Hagrid, who was so far not noticing.
Hagrid looked like he was fighting himself on the inside, trying to hold back from doing or saying something, but he soon gave in with a great sigh. "Now, yeh can't tell anyone what I'm abou' to tell yeh, except Ron o'course. You are right, Hermione. This item I was looking for is extremely important. Dumbledore's orders were to search these different places for anything that could be harmful if You-Know-Who were to come searching for them. Unfortunately, as I said, nothing much was left, and the things that were there looked like they had already been searched through."
"So someone had been there before and gone through everything?" Harry asked.
"It looked like it alright. I informed Dumbledore of this as soon as possible once I got back. I reckon that You-Know-Who had already been there and had taken what he wanted," Hagrid said.
Harry sighed. If Hagrid didn't find the important item that he was supposed to find, perhaps Voldemort really had gotten there first. He hoped deep down inside that he didn't. If Dumbledore had wanted this mystery item to be found and kept safe from Voldemort, it must have been an item that Voldemort would badly want. Something so powerful that it would bring death and destruction to the magical world, as well as the muggle world. He shivered lightly at the thought of it.
"You alright, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
Harry nodded his head in response. "I'm fine, Hagrid."
"Well, you don' look it, Harry. You look worried, and there is absolutely nothing you should be worrryin' about right now. The item of jewelry Dumbledore had me looking for has been a fable, a myth in the wizarding world. Many even doubted that it was ever created, and no known record has given a factual testament to it."
"So this important item is a piece of jewelry?" Hermione asked, her ears perking up.
"Oh boy, I shouldn't have told yeh that," Hagrid exclaimed before hastily drinking up his hot tea, pouring more. Luckily for him, someone knocked on the door before Harry and Hermione could ask more questions. Hagrid quickly got up to open it. Ron was outside, looking quite flustered, and very cold.
"Thanks for waking me up this morning," he said sarcastically as he moved past Hagrid and flopped down on to the couch next to Harry. "Oh, hi Hagrid."
"It's good to see you too, Ron," Hagrid replied, pouring Ron a cup of tea.
Ron looked around, trying to fix is wind-ruffled hair. "So, what have you all been talking about?" he asked.
Harry opened his mouth, hoping to get more out of Hagrid, but was stopped by Hagrid. "Nothing important. Nope, nothing important at all. So Ron, how's your family?" And that was that. Hagrid had changed the subject, and would most likely not go back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Around lunchtime, Harry, Hermione, and Ron headed back up to the school. They had to have lunch, and then prepare to go to Hogsmeade. As soon as they had eaten and dressed for colder weather, the three headed across the school grounds with the other students. Within minutes, they were walking through the gates to the little town of Hogsmeade, the streets becoming cluttered with students shortly after.
"Where would you two like to go first?" Harry asked.
"Butterbeers at Madame Rosmerta's? Ron suggested.
"Let's go there later. I'm not that thirsty right now," Hermione said as she looked up and down the street. Harry caught sight of Cho walking by with her friends, and became momentarily distracted.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Hermione, but didn't you say a week or two ago that this Hogsmeade visit was the day after Halloween?" Harry asked. It was currently November 2nd.
"Yes, I did, but they changed it a few days ago because of the Quidditch match," she replied.
"How about Gladrags? I could use a set of new robes," Harry said. Indeed, the robes he was wearing were getting a little short: not only could you see his shoes, but also you could glimpse the bottom of his socks.
"That sounds alright, as long as we can go to Honeydukes afterwards," Ron said as he pulled his robes closer to himself. "I've got a strange craving for some of those fizzing whizbees."
"Why don't you two just head over there while I get my new robes?" Harry suggested.
"If you don't mind, Ron, I think I'll go with Harry. I'm not interested in any sweets today."
"Alright, have it your way then," Ron replied, sounding slightly annoyed as he turned and quickly headed off towards Honeydukes.
Harry and Hermione stared after him. "What's wrong with him?" Harry asked.
"I think he's still angry about us not waking him to go to Hagrid's, or that we haven't told him about what we discussed, or, well, most likely both."
"We'll just tell him about it later, when we have time and when there aren't so many people around," Harry replied as a random sixth year almost bumped into him, luckily avoiding him with extra effort because of the Prefect badge on Harry's robes.
Just as a steady snowfall began, Harry and Hermione entered Gladrag's Wizard Wear, getting out of the cold. Harry immediately went over to get measured for his new robes, while Hermione moved about the store, looking at several articles of wizard and muggle clothing. Harry waited patiently, and after standing on a small wooden stool for nearly ten minutes, Harry paid for his robes and joined Hermione. She was standing over a glass casing that looked like it contained jewelry, mainly necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
"Oh harry, some of these are so beautiful."
"Which one do you like?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled, pointing to a small ring that was situated in the corner. It was a small ring made of silver, with a sapphire on the top. "It's amazing," Harry replied.
"I almost wish that I hadn't bought that 1,348 page book on powerful hexes and defensive spells," Hermione muttered before leaving the store quickly. Harry had to jog to catch up to her.
Ron met them a short time later outside of the Three Broomsticks, ready to head inside for some butterbeer. Just as Harry was about to enter through the door after Ron and Hermione, a shadow moved in the corner of his eye. He quickly spun to his right, staring into a small alleyway between the Three Broomsticks pub and the building next to it.
"Come on, Harry," Ron said, holding the door open for him.
"You two go on in...I'll be in shortly," Harry said after hesitating.
"Harry, is something wrong?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head before stepping into the alleyway, pulling his wand from beneath his robes. A sudden chill came over him as he passed several piles of crates stacked high. Harry almost dropped his wand when a loud sobbing sound emanated from behind a tall stack of crates at the back of the Three Broomsticks. Wand held at the ready, Harry quickly jumped around the corner, coming face-to-face with Cho Chang, whose face was streaked with wet tears.
"Cho?" Harry asked softly, quickly sliding his wand back into his robes. She apparently hadn't noticed him at first, for she nearly jumped with fright. Cho made a quick attempt in hiding her face, trying to wipe away the tears.
"Harry?" she asked, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw something moving in the alley, and I got curious. I guess I could ask you the same question."
"I had to get away from my friends, from the crowd of the village," she whispered.
"Whatever for?"
"I want to be able to grieve alone."
"I'll leave you alone then." Harry started to back away, intending on leaving the alleyway so Cho could be by herself.
"You can stay, Harry. I wouldn't mind talking with you."
Harry slowly turned around, leaning against the stack of crates. "Why are you crying?"
At first, Cho didn't answer. She was trying her best not to break down and cry, yet again. However, she regained enough strength to continue talking.
"A year ago today was when Cedric first talked to me up at the school. It wasn't until the first visit to Hogsmeade last year that he had asked me to be his girlfriend. In fact, it was in this very alley too."
Harry suppressed a sigh. He had once had feelings for Cho, but now they were completely no more.
After having so many nightmares over the summer, seeing Cedric's lifeless body falling to the ground in many of them, Harry did not feel like looking back on that fateful night, nor did he want to discuss it with Cho.
"Harry, could you please tell me something?" Cho asked, a few more tears slipping out of her eyes, sliding down her slender cheeks.
"That depends on what it is exactly that you want me to tell you," Harry replied.
"Would you tell me how Cedric died?"
"Cho, I...I can't," Harry whispered.
"I beg you, Harry. Please tell me what happened."
It was almost unbearable for Harry to talk about it, let alone even think about it. His scar prickled lightly as he remembered Voldemort touching Harry's scar. "You must know that we helped each other several times during the TriWizard Tournament, mainly in the Third Task. But Cedric was stubborn. He could have taken the cup for himself, but in the end, we both did." Harry purposely left out the fact that he himself had suggested that they both grab the cup. In a big way, Harry felt responsible for Cedric's death.
"And the cup was a Portkey?" Cho asked.
"Yes. It was a portkey set up by one of Voldemort's servants. We were in a dark graveyard, and everything happened so fast. Before either of us could do a thing, Cedric was killed by Voldemort."
Cho sniffled a few times. "Is it really true that he is back?"
"Yes, but no one believes it, mainly people at the Ministry. They still want to believe that everything is fine and safe," Harry muttered.
Cho sighed softly, wiping her face one last time. It looked as if she was nearing the end of crying.
"Thank you, Harry. I actually feel better now," Cho said, though she didn't look like it.
"I should get going," Harry said softly. "Hermione and Ron are waiting for me." But as he started to walk away, Cho suddenly closed the distance between them. Her face was only inches from his, and as she moved forward to kiss Harry, he pulled away. Both were completely oblivious to Hermione standing nearby, who fled back to the front of the pub when she saw Cho get close with Harry.
"I'm sorry, Cho, I can't do this," Harry whispered.
"Why not?"
"Because it doesn't feel right. Plus, you're grieving over Cedric, and it would feel like you're using me to feel better."
"That's not the only reason. You like her."
"Who?"
"Hermione."
Harry sighed softly. "We're just friends," he replied, though he has a hard time saying those words.
Cho sighed softly, stepping back. "I'm so sorry, Harry."
"It's okay, Cho."
"Thank you for talking with me," she said gently before slowly leaving the alley. Harry remained there by himself for a few minutes after Cho had left before finally joining Ron and Hermione in the Three Broomsticks. His two best friends were situated in the corner, talking quietly.
"What were you doing, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," he quickly lied. "So, what are you to talking about?" he asked as he sat down.
Ron opened his mouth to reply but Hermione beat him to it. "Nothing," she said before taking a drink from her tankard of butterbeer. Every time Harry looked at Hermione, as the three drank and talked, she would always look away, as if she refused to look at him on purpose.
Harry experienced this all the way back to Hogwarts. Hermione remained silent, not even talking to Ron. They ate in silence during dinner until Harry got Ron to talk about the upcoming holidays that would happen in another month.
"Oh, that reminds me," Ron said in between bites of food. "Mum asked if the three of us wanted to stay here for the holidays, or if we would rather stay there. If you ask me, I'd rather stay here, because Percy is going to be home over the holidays, and no doubt, he won't quit talking about the Ministry."
"Listening to him might be helpful, Ron. He might know some useful information," Hermione said.
"Even if he knew anything that was remotely important, Percy wouldn't tell us. Especially me," Ron replied.
"Let's stay here then," Harry said as he stood up from the table.
For Harry, the walk back to the Gryffindor common room was quite tiresome. No matter how badly he wanted to go to sleep, he knew that he must stay awake. Harry had to try to talk to Hermione.
Once entering the common room through the portrait of the Fat Lady, Ron quickly headed up to bed. Hermione moved to follow, stepping up to the stairway that led to the girls' dormitory. "Hermione, wait!" Harry called after her as other students came into the common room, heading up to bed.
"What do you want, Harry?" she asked irritably.
"I want to talk to you, to ask you why you're acting like this."
"Well, I'm sorry, Harry, but I am really tired. Why don't you go catch Cho before she heads to the Ravenclaw common room? I'm sure she wouldn't mind 'talking' to you," Hermione snapped before quickly heading up the stairs.
Harry stood stunned for several seconds. By time he tried to call after her, she was already in her dormitory.
Chapter Ten Coming Soon titled "Death on the Doorstep"
I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter. I regret that this chapter is shorter than others, but the next chapter should be longer.
Chapter Nine: Two Tales
As soon as the sun had come up over the east horizon, Harry was quickly out of bed. Ron was barely awake when Harry threw a cloak around his shoulders. He quietly descended the stairs. The common room was cold and empty, giving him goosebumps when the cool air chilled his skin. The fire that was usually blazing with warmth was mysteriously not burning. Harry decided to fix that, standing in front of the hearth with his wand pointed at it. "Incendio," he muttered. The fireplace was suddenly lit ablaze, and warmth began to spill back into the room.
Just as Harry began to push open the portrait, ready to leave, Hermione came clambering down the stairs from the girls' dormitory. "Wait, Harry. I'm coming with you," she said as she wrapped a scarf around her neck.
"How did you know?" he asked her as she pushed open the portrait of the fat Lady and stepped out.
"I saw how badly you wanted to go see Hagrid last night, so I figured you would be up as early as possible," Hermione said as she pulled her cloak closer to her cold body. The hallways of the castle were not as warm as the common room.
"Should we wait for Ron?" Harry asked as the portrait closed behind them. He originally wasn't going to wait for either of them before, but once Hermione had joined him, he thought it would be rude of them to not wait for Ron.
"As rude as it sounds, he won't wake up for several more hours, and I don't feel like waiting on him," Hermione said quickly.
Harry and Hermione left Gryffindor Tower and trekked down the Grand Staircase. When they passed the Great Hall, very few students were already awake, eating breakfast.
Crossing the school grounds was by far much worse than walking in the cold hallways of Hogwarts. The wind was blowing by fast, threatening to rip their cloaks off of them. By time they reached Hagrid's cabin, both were freezing cold, teeth chattering away. Harry knocked hard three times on the wooden door, anxious to get inside. They waited several minutes, huddling close to keep as warm as possible with their combined body heat. They were so close, Harry thought that Hermione might have been blushing. They were about ready to turn around and go back to the castle in disappointment when the door suddenly swung open.
Hagrid was standing in the doorway, and a huge smile spread across his face when he saw Harry and Hermione. "Well, it's abou' time you two showed up," he said. "I've only been back fer less than a day."
Both Harry and Hermione rushed forward, and Hagrid laughed as he hugged them both. "Where have you been, Hagrid?" Harry was asking as Hagrid allowed them inside. The warmth of Hagrid's fire washed over them like a hot bath.
"Yes, Hagrid, tell us everything!" Hermione exclaimed as she sat down.
"Well, Hermione, I can' tell yeh everythin'. Dumbledore's orders o'course. But, I can tell yeh some things if yeh have the patience to listen."
"We have plenty of patience, Hagrid. Now tell us, why were you gone so long?" Harry asked.
"Alright, Harry. I'll tell yeh. Do you two remember Dumbledore askin' me to talk with that Madame Maxime of Beauxbatons?"
Harry and Hermione nodded their heads as Hagrid brought over a pot of tea, pouring them each a cup.
"Well, I talked to her alright, and convinced her to come speak with Dumbledore. Since You-Know-Who is back and all, Dumbledore had a mission for the both of us. Now, I can't tell you exactly what that mission was, so don't pry."
"What can you tell us about your mission then, Hagrid?" Hermione asked as she sipped her own cup of tea. Fang was chained up in the corner, sleeping peacefully instead of slobbering all over the two of them.
"Well, Hermione, our mission entailed a lot of traveling, an' it took us far and wide across Europe."
"What country did you both end up in?" Hermione asked.
"Well, we both ended up going in to the Alps. However, I was in the mountain range on Switzerland's side, an' Madame Maxime looked on the French side of the range."
"Looked? What were you looking for?" Harry spoke up this time.
"According to Dumbledore, an old castle. It was s'pposed to be an old home or hangout for Salazar Slytherin and his followers. Luckily, I found it after a short time. The bad part was tha' there wasn' much of the place left," Hagrid explained.
"So, why did you have to find this castle? Were you looking for artifacts?" Hermione asked.
"Sorta. Dumbledore wanted use to look for somethin', but I didn't find it."
"Well, what exactly were you looking for in the castle remains, Hagrid?" Harry asked, persistent in trying to get the truth out of him.
"Sorry, Harry. I can' tell yeh that."
"Not surprising. So you're absolutely not going to tell me anything, just like everyone else?" Harry asked.
"An' just what do yeh mean by that?"
"Hardly anyone will tell me anything pertaining to Voldemort. Sirius is the only on who has told me a small amount. Dumbledore hasn't said one word to me," Harry said angrily. "Even the teachers look at me funny sometimes, especially McGonagall." It was true. Harry had noticed her looking at him during Transfiguration a few times, either with sorrow or sadness.
"You need to understand that Dumbledore is a very busy man, as are all of the teachers, now so more than ever with You-Know-Who back. He'll talk to you when he has bloody time I 'spect," Hagrid replied, sipping his tea.
Hermione rapidly changed the subject back to Hagrid's trip. "So, you both were looking for some sort of item in these ruins, correct? And you didn't find it?"
"Correct. I wouldn' exactly call the castle ruins, though. Much of the place was still intact."
"Well, this item must be really important for you to find if Dumbledore asked you and Madame Maxime to seek it out, to find it," Hermione commented, casually prying. Harry noticed this and smirked lightly. She was prying to get more out of Hagrid, who was so far not noticing.
Hagrid looked like he was fighting himself on the inside, trying to hold back from doing or saying something, but he soon gave in with a great sigh. "Now, yeh can't tell anyone what I'm abou' to tell yeh, except Ron o'course. You are right, Hermione. This item I was looking for is extremely important. Dumbledore's orders were to search these different places for anything that could be harmful if You-Know-Who were to come searching for them. Unfortunately, as I said, nothing much was left, and the things that were there looked like they had already been searched through."
"So someone had been there before and gone through everything?" Harry asked.
"It looked like it alright. I informed Dumbledore of this as soon as possible once I got back. I reckon that You-Know-Who had already been there and had taken what he wanted," Hagrid said.
Harry sighed. If Hagrid didn't find the important item that he was supposed to find, perhaps Voldemort really had gotten there first. He hoped deep down inside that he didn't. If Dumbledore had wanted this mystery item to be found and kept safe from Voldemort, it must have been an item that Voldemort would badly want. Something so powerful that it would bring death and destruction to the magical world, as well as the muggle world. He shivered lightly at the thought of it.
"You alright, Harry?" Hagrid asked.
Harry nodded his head in response. "I'm fine, Hagrid."
"Well, you don' look it, Harry. You look worried, and there is absolutely nothing you should be worrryin' about right now. The item of jewelry Dumbledore had me looking for has been a fable, a myth in the wizarding world. Many even doubted that it was ever created, and no known record has given a factual testament to it."
"So this important item is a piece of jewelry?" Hermione asked, her ears perking up.
"Oh boy, I shouldn't have told yeh that," Hagrid exclaimed before hastily drinking up his hot tea, pouring more. Luckily for him, someone knocked on the door before Harry and Hermione could ask more questions. Hagrid quickly got up to open it. Ron was outside, looking quite flustered, and very cold.
"Thanks for waking me up this morning," he said sarcastically as he moved past Hagrid and flopped down on to the couch next to Harry. "Oh, hi Hagrid."
"It's good to see you too, Ron," Hagrid replied, pouring Ron a cup of tea.
Ron looked around, trying to fix is wind-ruffled hair. "So, what have you all been talking about?" he asked.
Harry opened his mouth, hoping to get more out of Hagrid, but was stopped by Hagrid. "Nothing important. Nope, nothing important at all. So Ron, how's your family?" And that was that. Hagrid had changed the subject, and would most likely not go back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Around lunchtime, Harry, Hermione, and Ron headed back up to the school. They had to have lunch, and then prepare to go to Hogsmeade. As soon as they had eaten and dressed for colder weather, the three headed across the school grounds with the other students. Within minutes, they were walking through the gates to the little town of Hogsmeade, the streets becoming cluttered with students shortly after.
"Where would you two like to go first?" Harry asked.
"Butterbeers at Madame Rosmerta's? Ron suggested.
"Let's go there later. I'm not that thirsty right now," Hermione said as she looked up and down the street. Harry caught sight of Cho walking by with her friends, and became momentarily distracted.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Hermione, but didn't you say a week or two ago that this Hogsmeade visit was the day after Halloween?" Harry asked. It was currently November 2nd.
"Yes, I did, but they changed it a few days ago because of the Quidditch match," she replied.
"How about Gladrags? I could use a set of new robes," Harry said. Indeed, the robes he was wearing were getting a little short: not only could you see his shoes, but also you could glimpse the bottom of his socks.
"That sounds alright, as long as we can go to Honeydukes afterwards," Ron said as he pulled his robes closer to himself. "I've got a strange craving for some of those fizzing whizbees."
"Why don't you two just head over there while I get my new robes?" Harry suggested.
"If you don't mind, Ron, I think I'll go with Harry. I'm not interested in any sweets today."
"Alright, have it your way then," Ron replied, sounding slightly annoyed as he turned and quickly headed off towards Honeydukes.
Harry and Hermione stared after him. "What's wrong with him?" Harry asked.
"I think he's still angry about us not waking him to go to Hagrid's, or that we haven't told him about what we discussed, or, well, most likely both."
"We'll just tell him about it later, when we have time and when there aren't so many people around," Harry replied as a random sixth year almost bumped into him, luckily avoiding him with extra effort because of the Prefect badge on Harry's robes.
Just as a steady snowfall began, Harry and Hermione entered Gladrag's Wizard Wear, getting out of the cold. Harry immediately went over to get measured for his new robes, while Hermione moved about the store, looking at several articles of wizard and muggle clothing. Harry waited patiently, and after standing on a small wooden stool for nearly ten minutes, Harry paid for his robes and joined Hermione. She was standing over a glass casing that looked like it contained jewelry, mainly necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
"Oh harry, some of these are so beautiful."
"Which one do you like?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled, pointing to a small ring that was situated in the corner. It was a small ring made of silver, with a sapphire on the top. "It's amazing," Harry replied.
"I almost wish that I hadn't bought that 1,348 page book on powerful hexes and defensive spells," Hermione muttered before leaving the store quickly. Harry had to jog to catch up to her.
Ron met them a short time later outside of the Three Broomsticks, ready to head inside for some butterbeer. Just as Harry was about to enter through the door after Ron and Hermione, a shadow moved in the corner of his eye. He quickly spun to his right, staring into a small alleyway between the Three Broomsticks pub and the building next to it.
"Come on, Harry," Ron said, holding the door open for him.
"You two go on in...I'll be in shortly," Harry said after hesitating.
"Harry, is something wrong?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head before stepping into the alleyway, pulling his wand from beneath his robes. A sudden chill came over him as he passed several piles of crates stacked high. Harry almost dropped his wand when a loud sobbing sound emanated from behind a tall stack of crates at the back of the Three Broomsticks. Wand held at the ready, Harry quickly jumped around the corner, coming face-to-face with Cho Chang, whose face was streaked with wet tears.
"Cho?" Harry asked softly, quickly sliding his wand back into his robes. She apparently hadn't noticed him at first, for she nearly jumped with fright. Cho made a quick attempt in hiding her face, trying to wipe away the tears.
"Harry?" she asked, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw something moving in the alley, and I got curious. I guess I could ask you the same question."
"I had to get away from my friends, from the crowd of the village," she whispered.
"Whatever for?"
"I want to be able to grieve alone."
"I'll leave you alone then." Harry started to back away, intending on leaving the alleyway so Cho could be by herself.
"You can stay, Harry. I wouldn't mind talking with you."
Harry slowly turned around, leaning against the stack of crates. "Why are you crying?"
At first, Cho didn't answer. She was trying her best not to break down and cry, yet again. However, she regained enough strength to continue talking.
"A year ago today was when Cedric first talked to me up at the school. It wasn't until the first visit to Hogsmeade last year that he had asked me to be his girlfriend. In fact, it was in this very alley too."
Harry suppressed a sigh. He had once had feelings for Cho, but now they were completely no more.
After having so many nightmares over the summer, seeing Cedric's lifeless body falling to the ground in many of them, Harry did not feel like looking back on that fateful night, nor did he want to discuss it with Cho.
"Harry, could you please tell me something?" Cho asked, a few more tears slipping out of her eyes, sliding down her slender cheeks.
"That depends on what it is exactly that you want me to tell you," Harry replied.
"Would you tell me how Cedric died?"
"Cho, I...I can't," Harry whispered.
"I beg you, Harry. Please tell me what happened."
It was almost unbearable for Harry to talk about it, let alone even think about it. His scar prickled lightly as he remembered Voldemort touching Harry's scar. "You must know that we helped each other several times during the TriWizard Tournament, mainly in the Third Task. But Cedric was stubborn. He could have taken the cup for himself, but in the end, we both did." Harry purposely left out the fact that he himself had suggested that they both grab the cup. In a big way, Harry felt responsible for Cedric's death.
"And the cup was a Portkey?" Cho asked.
"Yes. It was a portkey set up by one of Voldemort's servants. We were in a dark graveyard, and everything happened so fast. Before either of us could do a thing, Cedric was killed by Voldemort."
Cho sniffled a few times. "Is it really true that he is back?"
"Yes, but no one believes it, mainly people at the Ministry. They still want to believe that everything is fine and safe," Harry muttered.
Cho sighed softly, wiping her face one last time. It looked as if she was nearing the end of crying.
"Thank you, Harry. I actually feel better now," Cho said, though she didn't look like it.
"I should get going," Harry said softly. "Hermione and Ron are waiting for me." But as he started to walk away, Cho suddenly closed the distance between them. Her face was only inches from his, and as she moved forward to kiss Harry, he pulled away. Both were completely oblivious to Hermione standing nearby, who fled back to the front of the pub when she saw Cho get close with Harry.
"I'm sorry, Cho, I can't do this," Harry whispered.
"Why not?"
"Because it doesn't feel right. Plus, you're grieving over Cedric, and it would feel like you're using me to feel better."
"That's not the only reason. You like her."
"Who?"
"Hermione."
Harry sighed softly. "We're just friends," he replied, though he has a hard time saying those words.
Cho sighed softly, stepping back. "I'm so sorry, Harry."
"It's okay, Cho."
"Thank you for talking with me," she said gently before slowly leaving the alley. Harry remained there by himself for a few minutes after Cho had left before finally joining Ron and Hermione in the Three Broomsticks. His two best friends were situated in the corner, talking quietly.
"What were you doing, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Nothing," he quickly lied. "So, what are you to talking about?" he asked as he sat down.
Ron opened his mouth to reply but Hermione beat him to it. "Nothing," she said before taking a drink from her tankard of butterbeer. Every time Harry looked at Hermione, as the three drank and talked, she would always look away, as if she refused to look at him on purpose.
Harry experienced this all the way back to Hogwarts. Hermione remained silent, not even talking to Ron. They ate in silence during dinner until Harry got Ron to talk about the upcoming holidays that would happen in another month.
"Oh, that reminds me," Ron said in between bites of food. "Mum asked if the three of us wanted to stay here for the holidays, or if we would rather stay there. If you ask me, I'd rather stay here, because Percy is going to be home over the holidays, and no doubt, he won't quit talking about the Ministry."
"Listening to him might be helpful, Ron. He might know some useful information," Hermione said.
"Even if he knew anything that was remotely important, Percy wouldn't tell us. Especially me," Ron replied.
"Let's stay here then," Harry said as he stood up from the table.
For Harry, the walk back to the Gryffindor common room was quite tiresome. No matter how badly he wanted to go to sleep, he knew that he must stay awake. Harry had to try to talk to Hermione.
Once entering the common room through the portrait of the Fat Lady, Ron quickly headed up to bed. Hermione moved to follow, stepping up to the stairway that led to the girls' dormitory. "Hermione, wait!" Harry called after her as other students came into the common room, heading up to bed.
"What do you want, Harry?" she asked irritably.
"I want to talk to you, to ask you why you're acting like this."
"Well, I'm sorry, Harry, but I am really tired. Why don't you go catch Cho before she heads to the Ravenclaw common room? I'm sure she wouldn't mind 'talking' to you," Hermione snapped before quickly heading up the stairs.
Harry stood stunned for several seconds. By time he tried to call after her, she was already in her dormitory.
Chapter Ten Coming Soon titled "Death on the Doorstep"