Hello boys and girls! I know I didn't update last week - what was my excuse? Um...I dunno - I kinda got stuck, so this time I plan my chapters in advance!

Thanks for your reviews last - last week! You all rock my socks! Especially those who review every chapter - it's nice to know your still interested and that's the only reason why I still write this - I would have given up ages ago if it weren't for you!

Now hope you enjoy this chapter - it starts to get serious now, Cho's in danger will Harry make it in time to save her?

Disclaimer: It's not mine - gettit?

Chapter 8 – Halloween Horror

Dearest Cho,

I hope your studies are proving satisfactory in Hogwarts, your father enquires about your progress as Quidditch Captain. I suppose you have heard about your school friend Eleanor Branstone, her mother happened to be my friend too. Other things are going on here, disappearances and things of the sort. Your father and I believe it is perhaps better to leave for China where we shall be safe. And you shall be quiet safe in Hogwarts with your Headmaster Dumbledore, this will mean – however that we shan't see you over the holidays and we do not know when we can meet. Rest assured we'll be in contact, and once you are of age, then you can apparate to visit us.

The war is inevitable and we rather not be in the midst of it, we await your owl and in the mean time, study hard and stay safe.

Love Mummy

Cho folded the parchment and tucked it in her drawers, she settle on her bed watching Xiao Chun preen her feathers. She was glad her parents were leaving for China, she preferred it thus, then at least they would be far from danger and she needn't worry about them. And yet she was feeling sad too, because she didn't know how long it would be until she would see them again. Cho checked the time, her next lesson – Potions would start in fifteen minutes. She forced herself to her feet and readied her books and quills before heading downstairs to meet her friends for class.

'Come on Cho' Anthony Goldstein called, 'you're the last one'.

Cho hurried after the gang and together they strolled to the dungeons discussing their essay that was due today.

As they neared there Potions room, there was the sound of yelling and laughter, the 7th year Slytherin that they had Potions with were crowded around a classroom snickering.

'What's going on?' Cho asked Terence.

'Look for yourself, Snape's having a go at some 6th year Gryffindor' Terence Higgs snickered.

Cho and her friends squeezed to the door and pressed their ears to listen to the riot, they needn't have bother, Snape was shouting loud enough to be heard miles away.

'Longbottom you incompetent dunderhead!'

Suddenly the door burst open and green fumes wafted out, Cho and her friends instantly covered their nose and mouth as they smelt the poisonous fumes.

'Everyone OUT!'

A stream of 6th year Gryffindor and Slytherin students burst out of the door coughing and covering their faces. Amongst them Draco Malfoy and his friends were laughing and Harry and his classmates were consoling a rather distraught Neville Longbottom.

'Harry what on earth happened?' Cho demanded.

Hermione wrinkled her nose, 'Neville mixed Wolfbane and Hibiscus into a Pepper up Potion'.

'I-I didn't m-mean to!' Neville cried plaintively.

Suddenly Snape burst out, looking livid with fury. He pointed to several students, 'Higgs, Chang, Goldstein, Granger come with me!'

The four of them exchanged a puzzled glance. Why did Snape single out four of his brightest Potions students?

'Sir?' Granger queried tentatively.

'Have you gone deaf as well as dumb? The four of you are to come with me to fix up the mess Longbottom made, everyone else go to the library and study!' Snape barked and stalked away.

Cho, Terence Higgs, Anthony Goldstein and Hermione Granger all hurried to keep up with their aggravated Potions Professor.

'Where are we going?' Cho hissed.

'Snape's chambers?' Terence shrugged.

Snape paused at a gargoyle statue and muttered a word, the statue shifted and opened up to a door way which surely enough led to Snape's personal chambers.

The four of them waited at a rather large sitting room as Snape disappeared in a storeroom and appeared with four gloves and masks.

'Put these on' he snapped, 'you know what to do, I shall make sure everyone is relocated to another room'.

Cho pulled the mask over her nose and mouth and slipping the gloves on they all brandished their wand and made their way to the Potions classroom.

Green smoke was still escaping from the door; Cho guessed they didn't have time to extinguish the source of Longbottom's cauldron.

'Higgs, Goldstein you two open the windows to let the fumes out and Hermione, show me where Neville sat' Cho ordered.

They all nodded, entering the room was like stepping into a steam room, the green smoke was so thick and heavy they could scarcely make out anything.

'It's over here' Hermione told her, she grasp her sleeve and they carefully made their way – weaving through chairs and desks to reach a cauldron.

'Evanesco'.

Cho's spell had made the cauldron and its contents disappear, and she heard the boy's opening the window, the smoke thinned enough for them to see.

The four of them went about scourgifying blotches of the potions that had splattered from the cauldron. And Snape finally swooped in to make sure they had managed the task well.

'Ten points each to Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor. You may now leave; Potions class is in the end of the hall to your left. Chang, collect the masks and gloves and return them to my chambers'.

Grudgingly, Cho collected everyone's masks and gloves, whilst Hermione realised she had already missed a good hour of her own classes without her professors to write a note in explanation. She ran after Snape.

'Sir! Sir!' she exclaimed frantically.

Cho traced her way back to Snape's chambers wondering apprehensively if he had left the door open for her, fortunately he did. She entered his chambers and threw her load in his store room wrinkling her nose at the smell. Lingering in the storage room she surveyed the ingredients he had bottled and labelled. Thestral blood, salamander foot, unicorn hooves…Cho's eyes widened, these were restricted ingredients that could be both fatal and powerful if used correctly. Snape didn't let any of them touch them, her mind wandered with the possibilities she could create with these ingredients. She reached out for a jar of pixie dust but she whirled around when she heard a scraping noise behind her.

'Professor Snape?' Cho called softly, she crept out of the store room and searched the room, and there was no one there.

Shrugging, Cho gingerly made her way to the door but she felt her skin prickled when she got the sensation of being watched. And there was another sound…the sound of a soft breathing. Was someone hidden in Professor Snape's chambers?

'Hello?' Cho called, 'is someone there?'

Cho circled the room, checking every nook and cranny but there was no sign of life. She approached the fireplace and peeked in cautiously…a strange sensation covered her head where she had dipped her head in.

Cho…

With a cry of shock she backed from the fireplace and fell on her backside, 'who's there?'

She was answered with silence.

Breathing heavily, Cho shakily climbed to her feet and approached the fireplace a curious expression on her face, tentatively she passed her hand through the fireplace, her eyes widened as her arms disappeared and at the same time she felt a tickling feeling on her missing arm. Then once again she lowered her head and poked her head in the fireplace again but this time trying to get her whole body in.

No you mustn't! Get out! It's not time!

'Who are you?' Cho stammered.

GET OUT!!!

Suddenly she felt a tremendous force pushing her and with a strangled cry she felt herself suddenly airborne and she flew out of the fireplace landing in a bruised heap. Whimpering in fright and confusion she scampered to her feet and ran to the door and slammed it shut as her body sink to the ground breathing heavily. What was that?!

'Miss Chang!'

Suddenly she felt a painful grip on her arms and she was roughly hauled to her feet, she recoiled in fear when she looked into Professor Snape's furious eyes.

'P – Professor Snape' she stuttered.

'I entrusted a simple task for you to do, how dare you pre-empt my property' his voice was low and dangerous.

'I heard something' Cho tried to explain, 'who is in the fireplace?'

'Get out!'

Cho adamantly stood her ground, 'it knew my name! Who is it, what are you hiding from me?' she demanded to know.

Snape firmly gripped her shoulder and began to jostle her to the door, she flailed more so in pain from his vice like grip than in annoyance for him manhandling her.

'Ow your hurting me let go!' she cried plaintively.

With a last shove she was out of his room, she whirled around furiously. Snape stood by his door surveying her expressionlessly. 'You will not talk of this to any one, understand?'

With that, he had slammed the door shut in her face leaving her red-faced and breathing heavily in anger. Cho gave the door a swift kick.

'I know what I heard!' she screamed before stalking away.

The sombre mood had lifted in the anticipation of the approaching Hogsmeade weekend followed by the famous Hogwarts Halloween feast. Cho had initially decided against going to Hogsmeade catch up with her homework and instead just allow herself to enjoy Halloween dinner but her friends wouldn't stand for it.

'Come on Cho' Marietta wheedled, 'don't leave me with the boys'.

'And you have been moaning about needing new Quidditch gloves' Michael pointed out.

'Fine' Cho exclaimed crossly, 'it's a load of rubbish – we've been every single time since third year, but if it makes you happy!'

So as it was, Cho found herself rising at an ungodly hour on a Saturday Halloween morning and getting ready for their Hogsmeade trip.

'Hurry up we're all waiting for you downstairs' Marietta exclaimed rushing out of the room.

Reluctantly, Cho picked up her satchel and surveyed herself in the mirror. She wore a full-length lime green coat, her feet were sensibly shod in boots, and her hair was plaited and wrapped around her head.

Her reflection winked and gave her the thumbs up, 'looking good!'

'If you say so' Cho smirked, she picked up her pink scarf and wound it around her neck before hurrying downstairs.

They followed the crowd surging towards the entrance; it was noisy with voices talking over one another, on the way she ran into Ginny.

'Hi you look nice!' the young Weasley exclaimed exuberantly.

'So do you' Cho responded cheerfully.

Someone called out to Ginny and she shrugged, 'I'll catcha later, at The Three Broomsticks okay?'

'Sure' Cho echoed and noticed her friends had already gone ahead of her, she hasten to catch up. On the way she ran past Harry and his friends.

'Hi!' Harry greeted warmly, he was wearing a royal blue-knitted sweater and his cheeks were a rosy color.

Cho grinned, 'Hi Harry, nice jumper - you guys enjoy yourselves!'

As she prepared to run off she felt a hand on her arm stopping her, she turned around and raised her brow in question.

'Er…' Harry glance at Hermione and Ron uncertainly – they nodded encouragingly.

'D'you think we can meet up later in for a Butterbeer or something?'

Surprised, Cho nodded enthusiastically, 'sure!'

'Cho!'

Marietta and Michael were waving their arms to get her attention.

'Sorry, I'll see you later then!'

Eyes sparkling merrily, Harry nodded looking considerably brighter. 'So I'll see you around noon then?'

'That sounds great!' Cho smiled and ran towards her impatient friends, she heard Ron clap Harry in the back and Hermione reprimanding him.

'See that wasn't so bad was it?'

The group of 7th year Ravenclaws made a beeline to Dervish and Banges, hungry for new material and books. Cho and her friends thoroughly enjoyed browsing the items on the shelves and refilling their stock on quills and parchment.

Cho brought a new set of parchment and a quill sharpener, and on a whim – a copy of Witch Weekly. The next stop was Zonks Joke shop, Cho patiently waited for her friends to empty their pockets on Stink Pellets and Dung Bombs. She considered herself too grown up and too mature to be messing with items from Zonks and watched in disdain as Michael came out of the shop armed with shopping bags.

'Look what I bought! It was on special – a month's supply of Belch Powder and Whizzing Worms' Michael boasted.

'That's nice, I'm truly happy for you Corner' Cho responded sarcastically, 'but the other's have gone ahead to Honeydukes – come on!'

It was crowded and noisy inside Honeydukes and Cho were getting annoyed at the elbow jabbing and bustling she received from the group of excited third – years.

'Okay down there?' Sean Cappar grinned.

Cho glared and kicked his shin, 'don't patronize me Saint Cappar!'

Sean pulled a face, 'alright alright!'

Cho eyed the contents of Honeydukes greedily, and grabbing a basket at the front table, she filled it up with a shameful amount of Jelly Slugs, Ice Mice, Black Pepper Imps and Citrus Pop.

'Hey Chang!' 6th year Mandy Brocklehurst called, 'The others and I are heading over to The Post Office, you don't have to stick around – we'll meet up at The Three Broomsticks alright?'

'Yep no problem – see you guys later!' Cho responded absent-mindedly, she was deciding if she had enough sweets to last her until the next Hogsmeade trip.

'Cho!' Marietta exclaimed in astonishment. 'How can you buy all that candy? Where do you put it? I swear if I eat all that! I'll be twenty pounds heavier the next day!'

Marietta motioned to her own basket which did looked rather empty compared to hers and Michael, Cho picked up a bar of Choco-Melts from Marietta's basket.

'Hang on I forgot these!'

Finally – after sampling all the sweets they could stomach, Cho and Marietta browsed Gladrags Wizard Wear much to Michael's chagrin.

'Ooh so pretty!' Cho cooed selecting a shimmery turquoise robe and admiring it. 'Marietta – where are you?'

'I'm in the change rooms' she replied her voice muffled.

'Oh – say Michael what do you think of this?' Cho queried holding the gown against herself.

Michael sighed, 'very nice – you know anything looks good on you Chang, why do girls ask such stupid questions?'

Cho stuck her tongue out, 'you being a pain in the rear Corner, if your not going to be nice about this – go on ahead to the Wizarding Equipment Shop we'll catch up'.

Michael shot up, 'right-o off I go!'

Cho admired the dress against herself smiling, I bet Harry would love to see me in this dress…Her thoughts turned to their "arranged meeting" later in the afternoon. Oh gosh did he or didn't he ask me out? Cho wondered. Her thoughts turned to their first date – it was disastrous! Cho could feel her cheeks burning at the mere thought of it! This time, she vowed, I'll play it cool.

Thirty minutes later Cho and Marietta found Michael paying for his purchases as they entered the Wizarding Equipment Shop.

'About time – what took you so long?' he demanded and goggled them. 'And you didn't even buy anything!'

Cho took a quick glance at her wrist watch, 'listen I won't be long – I'm meeting Harry in The Three Broomsticks soon anyway!'

'You're what?' Marietta demanded.

'Oh Marietta! Harry and I are friends so get over it' Cho exclaimed crossly.

Marietta pouted and crossed her arms, 'okay – okay!'

Finally, the three of them collapsed in The Three Broomstick tired but happy. The group of Ravenclaws waved them over to a table they had saved and Cho searched for Harry amongst the crowd.

'Umm…I'll get us some Butterbeer' Cho offered and squeezed through to the counter.

'Hey doll' Madam Rosemetra greeted, 'what can I get you?'

'Three Butterbeers please and erm…you haven't seen Harry Potter around have you?' Cho queried.

Madam Rosemetra's broke into a dazzling smile, 'not yet dear, but I'm sure if he's meeting up with a pretty girl such as yourself – he'll be along any second'.

'Thanks' Cho mumbled feeling her cheeks burn.

Cho paid for the Butterbeer and carried the hot frothing mugs towards their table and passed them to her friends before taking a seat they saved for her.

'So where's Harry?' Marietta asked taking a sip of her Butterbeer before letting out a sigh.

'He's not here yet' Cho responded casually, 'but he's probably on his way.'

Forty-five minutes passed with Cho anxiously eyeing whoever entered the room but Harry wasn't amongst them. She felt her heart drop, Harry where are you?

'Look they're heading behind the Hog's Head!'

Harry glanced at his watch anxiously, 'erm Hermione we've been following these people for twenty-minutes, and I said I'll meet Cho an hour ago!'

'But Harry' Hermione hissed, 'this is important – I'm certain they're Death Eaters, there are kids in Hogsmeade and we should find out if they're planning anything'.

Harry grimaced; he was torn between helping his friend and meeting Cho. Last time, on there first date, he had left Cho in tears for Hermione and he was doing it again! This time – no matter what, he wasn't going to let Hermione ruin another date!

'Okay – five more minutes!' Harry answered firmly.

'Y'know Harry can go meet up with Cho' Ron suggested looking slightly nervous, 'there's no need for the three of us to do this, Hermione and I can manage well enough by ourselves'.

Harry caught Ron's pleading look and hid a smile, 'Ron's right!' he announced. 'I'll – '

Suddenly both Ron and Hermione yanked him down and they threw themselves on the ground behind a tree.

'There's Snape!' Hermione hissed.

'So?' Harry demanded in annoyance.

Hermione shook her bushy hair in annoyance, 'he's obviously arranged to meet the Death Eaters at Hog's Head!'

'C'mon – let's get closer' Ron suggested.

They crawled closer as quietly as possible and tried to make out the conversation between the groups of suspicious wizards. They gasped as they lowered their hoods to reveal their identity.

'It's Avery and Dolohov' Hermione whispered frantically, 'see I told you they were Death Eaters!'

'Shh! something's up – Snape looks nervous' Harry hissed.

'Why didn't you tell me the Dark Lords plan earlier?' Snape growled in a soft, dangerous voice. 'Why are you telling me now?'

'Severus my boy' Avery drawled, 'it slipped our mind – you needn't worry, we've already planned everything'.

'Planned what? Do you want to tell me now before it slips your mind again?' Severus demanded his tone harsh.

'Well you see…' Dolohov began.

'Wait one moment' Avery flicked his wand, 'Quietus'.

'Bloody hell!' Ron cursed as their voices were suddenly lowered.

'This looks bad!' Hermione murmured worriedly, 'look how agitated Snape is!'

It was true, Professor Snape's fists were clenched and his jaws were tightened and although he tried to sound nonchalant, they could sense his fear.

Finally they had finished discussing what they needed to say and Avery removed the Quietening Charm.

'It's about to happen soon Severus, let's hurry' Avery suggested.

'Just one moment – I'll catch up' Snape answered curtly.

Watching to make sure the two Death Eaters were on their way, Snape pivoted and eyed the three of them – lips thinning he whipped out a piece of parchment and quill – writing quickly.

'Severus we're waiting!'

'I'm coming' Snape said calmly. He made pretence of dropping the parchment – sending a writhing glare in their direction he spun on his heel and departed.

The three of them waited for the sounds of their footsteps to fade away before they leapt out of their hiding place and Hermione grabbed the parchment.

'What does it say?' Ron demanded.

'It's blank!' Harry hissed.

'No it's a safety precaution' Hermione replied and whipped out her wand and tapped the parchment, 'Aparecium'.

Suddenly Professor Snape's spidery, intricate handwriting appeared on the parchment and Hermione read it aloud.

'They're planning an attack on The Three Broomstick – get there immediately – someone's life is in grave peril!'

Harry bolted to his feet; the color draining from his face, 'She's there; this has to be an attack on Cho!'

'Another drink beautiful?'

Cho smiled at the handsome stranger and nodded, 'certainly'.

He nodded, 'I'll be back'.

Cho sunk in her seat tapping the table with her finger tips agitatedly, she was mad – no she was beyond mad she was…furious!

That sodding, bespectacled, git had stood her up! He had made a fool out of her! Cho had decided to remain behind in the vain hope of Harry's appearance. Her friends were reluctantly to leave her behind but she had insisted, assuring them Ginny Weasely will keep her company. She had sat and waited for almost three bloody hours! Cho decided she was going to confront Harry and tell him what she thought of him to his face!

And if he happened to see her flirting with a handsome stranger in the mean time then that would just be her luck!

Cho eyed the man at the counter ordering her drink; he had approached her and offered to buy her a drink. Angry at Harry and wanting to exact revenge she had allowed the mysterious older man to court her and keep her company. For the past hour he had been buying her drinks and talking – well she had done most of the talking to be honest.

He had offered her a sip of his red currant Rum and she accepted in her depressed state - although a bit pensively. After that – she had lost count of the number she had downed. And she could feel it going to her head already.

Cho muttered a curse, what time was it? If her professor's saw her now…She lifted her head and surveyed the room. There were only a handful of people in the tavern – just some third years – a boy and girl - no one she thought she knew, and Madam Rosemeta – who was eyeing her in concern.

'Okay there dear?'

Cho nodded sagely and felt her vision swam, 'fine'.

Madam Rosemeta didn't look convince, 'that gentleman you've been with – do you know who he is? Weren't you meant to meet Harry?'

'No!' Cho snarl viciously.

'Everything okay here?' her companion intercepted smoothly and took a seat besides her with another glass of red currant rum.

'You were meeting someone here?' he enquired casually placing his arm on her seat.

Cho laughed giddily, 'not anymore' she responded leaning back on her chair. His hand had found its way onto her shoulder. Cho sighed and turned to face him.

'You know what? I don't believe you've told me your name yet' she teased.

'Haven't I?' he raised a brow and leaned forwards towards her, 'does that matter Cho?'

How did he know my name, I haven't told him have I? Cho drowsily watched him raise his spare hand and stroke her jaw.

Suddenly feeling awkward and slightly uncomfortable, she pulled back slightly.

'Anything wrong gorgeous?'

Something caught her eye, on his arm; she saw something…without thinking, and the alcohol making her act boldly she reached out tograsp his arm – yanking the sleeves up to reveal the tattoo of those in alliance with the Dark Lord.

'You – '

Cho never had a chance to finish her sentence, in a flash he had stood up with a wand in his hand. Cho leapt up and jumped to the door, staggering in her drunken state.

'Colloportus!'

Cho screamed, 'no!'

Then he pointed to the other startled patrons in The Three Broomsticks and stunned them.

Cho swore tugging the door but it had sealed itself, she search her robe for her wand but the man who had trapped her grinned and flicked her wand in his hand.

'Looking for this my pretty?' he laughed.

'What do you want?' Cho demanded, her vision askew, she gripped the back of her chair to keep her balance.

'What's going on here?' Madam Rosemeta demanded suddenly stalking over, she glared at the Death Eater, 'get out!'

'Incarcerous! Silencio!'

Cho gasped as thick ropes wrapped snake-like around her arms and legs.

He turned towards her and Cho flinched, certain he was going to kill her now.

'Incendio!'

Cho screamed as a streak of flame shot passed her aimed at the bar where the alcohol were and exploded in a burst of flame and breaking glass.

Cho dived for cover as flames licked the tavern and spreading rapidly across the room.

'Incendio! – Incendio!' he made sure the whole room was encased in roaring flames before he approached her a malicious smirk on his face.

'The Dark Lord sends his regard my dear' he levelled the wand at her.

Cho braced herself for his attack, the roar of flames swallowed his words but suddenly she felt her legs suddenly wobbly and useless.

Cho tried to stand up and fell back down again as she realised he had used a Jelly-Leg Jinx on her.

'Goodbye beautiful'.

Cho bit back a sob as he apparated from the burning inferno.

'Madam Rosemetra?' she yelled hoarsely, lying helplessly on her side, she used her arms to drag herself through the smoke and flames to find the keeper of the tavern.

The flames had reached the roof and pieces of smouldering wood were falling over her head. Cho coughed, and paused to succumb to a wave of dizziness.

'Help!' she yelled, 'somebody!'

Cho collapsed covering her mouth and nose but coughing all the same. I'm going to die! She thought frantically, why wasn't anyone trying to help them?

Cho screamed as suddenly the smouldering, charred beams from the roof collapsed and had crashed over her pining her chest and arms painfully to the ground.

Cho gasped and wheezed as she felt the crushing weight on her chest, the heat from it burning painfully through her clothing.

'Help!' she cried plaintively, her voice came out as a croak. Her sobs hitched as she felt her arm spasm in pain when she tried to wriggle free from the beam. Cho cried in pain. It was useless, she was trapped!

Suddenly there were raised voices from outside, cries of horror, yelling and pounding and kicking at the door – but it was useless, the door was sealed.

'Help me!' Cho screamed hysterically, 'help!'

Cho continue to scream until her voice gave out and she choke, she squeezed her eyes shut, the flames and smoke making her eyes water and adding to her tears. This is it; I'm really going to die...!

Cho made one last feeble attempt to free herself but her body protested, and finally she gave up. The flames were close now, she could feel its heat licking at her skin, if the fire didn't burn her alive. Then the smoke she was inhaling was going to kill her first.

Tears rolling from her eyes, she whimpered at the pain. And opened her eyes peering through the smoke, watching everything go up in flames before her eyes, there was no escape – for herself and for everyone inside. She was the only one aware of the fire, the patrons were stunned and Madam Rosemeta was silenced. Cho Chang was going to die.

Moaning softly and crying aloud to herself; she thought of her parents, she thought of her friends, she thought of Harry...

Her vision lurched and she felt her eyes loll as she succumb to blackness and sweet oblivion.

I'm sorry for leaving you there, I was meant to go on but well...sucks for you! Teehee, no the real reason is, if I continued than it'd beTOO long.I'll make it up to you next chapter, I'll try and be organiseas well!

Once again I hope you like it! I welcome your reviews - old and new! So please please please tell me what you think!

Till next time!

Vivvy