Ohmigosh! People I am so sorry! For writing such an evil cliffy and keeping you waiting extra long - but you know what the Christmas seasons and holidays are like! I wrote the rescue last week - but I didn't like it so I wrote another. I hope you like this chappie! It's not as long as I would have liked though!

Chapter nine: Harry to the rescue - and later, a very sweet ending.

Disclaimer: I dun own it!

Chapter 9 – The Bad and the Good

'Harry stop!'

It was all he could take to be forced back as they saw the burning inferno in front of them; they had run as fast as they could – but it looks like they were too late. The smoke, curling and coiling in the air was visible from the distance. Harry's anxiety had increased ten folds as they neared The Three Broomstick. A large crowd were gathered around, and Harry – panic-stricken shoved his way through.

It wasn't until he reached the door and felt the heat on his face, then Ron and Hermione had hauled him back – he realised helplessly he didn't know what to do?

'Harry stand back'.

He turned and stared blankly at Gryffindor Head Girl; Katie Bell. She was ushering the students away from the blaze.

'Come on Harry – it's not safe to be standing so close to the flames'.

Ron tugged Harry back, 'come on mate, there's nothing you can do'.

Harry turn incredulous eyes to his friend; what was wrong with everyone? Why were they so calm? Didn't they know someone was inside – close to death, no one was trying to help, 'Cho's inside' he hissed.

Then it registered belatedly in his mind, Harry stared at the flames licking the old building, why was he standing here? Cho was inside!

'Harry!'

Ignoring his friends, Harry had brandished his wand determinedly and was ready to blast his way inside when he felt a hand on his arm. He shook Hermione's hand off irritably.

'Harry just - wait'.

Hermione waved her wand and muttered an incantation, an eerie blue flash and enveloped him entirely from head to toe and Harry felt his skin tingle uncomfortably.

'A shield charm – it might protect you from the fire inside' Hermione explained. Her lips were pressed together and her forehead was creased in concern. 'Go on then'.

'Thankyou' Harry nodded.

'Now wait a minute Harry' Katie snapped stepping in front of him, 'I can't let you go in'.

Harry felt his nose flare in anger, but he kept his emotions in check – there was no time to waste and blowing up would worsen the situation.

'Don't interfere Katie' he muttered quietly as a rather large crowd was forming around them, 'let me through, there's a student inside – she needs my help!'

'I can't let you' Katie answered uncertainly, she glance anxiously at The Three Broomstick. 'Who's inside?'

'Cho Chang' Harry said through gritted teeth.

'What? What did he just say? – He didn't just - '

Suddenly three rather large and ferocious looking Ravenclaw's had shoved there way towards them. It was Cho's fellow Quidditch friends, Stewart Ackerely, Anthony Goldstein and Michael Corner. Followed by several other students – including Draco Malfoy and Terrence Higgs.

'What in Merlin's Beard is going on here?' Michael shouted viciously, 'where's Cho? I thought she was meeting you Potter?'

'She was – I got held up' Harry growled.

'If Cho's in there…' Anthony Goldstein snarled venomously and gripped Harry's shirt collar glaring fiercely into his eyes. 'You'll pay Potter'.

Draco whipped out his wand suddenly in anger, and pointed it at Harry. 'Not before I'

'Hey! Hey! Hey!' Katie Bell shoved both the bulky Beater off Harry and stood in between Draco and Harry. She glare piercingly into Harry's eye, 'okay – Harry I'll let you through, but absolutely no one else!'

'How the hell is Potter going to get in? The door's been sealed from in – ' Stewart Ackerely began.

Suddenly a spell was muttered; students shrieked as there was a sudden explosion and splintering, charred wooden bits rained onto them.

Katie Bell turned to the culprit looking absolutely livid with fury.

'Reductor Curse'. Draco Malfoy answered and surveyed Harry with every inch of hatred in his burning grey eyes, his wand arm still out-stretch. 'What are you gaping at Potter? Go in and be a bloody hero then!'

Harry resisted the urge to drive a fist through Malfoy's sneering face, and instead he stalked inside the Three Broomstick, covering his mouth and nose with his hands. The smoke hit him full in the face, making his eyes water and skin burn from its heat. Flames were virtually all around him, on his skin, clothes, and hair but he didn't feel it. The Shield Charm saw to it – Harry rubbed a hand in his eyes and searched the room.

'Cho?'

Harry opened his mouth to shout again but he inhaled smoke and broke off into a fit of coughing.

'Dammit!'

Harry blindly made his way further inside – shielding himself from the smoke and flames, it was downright impossible to see inside. Suddenly he felt hands grappling his foot. Thinking it was Cho immediately – Harry glanced down and recognised Madam Rosemetra.

'H-help' she croaked.

Harry crouched down grasping her hands, 'have you seen Cho?'

Madam Rosemetra nodded weakly, and pointed. 'She – fell…trapped' she gasped.

Harry suddenly noticed the debris of wooden bits, and he saw a pink material around the edges of it. Harry blinked – Cho's scarf! He remembered it from this morning! Harry gazed down at Madam Rosemetra.

'I'll get you out first' Harry shouted. He wrapped her arms around his neck, and hauled her to her feet. Madam Rosemetra clung to him weakly, and as fast as Harry's feet could move – he staggered to the entrance, pausing to avoid the flames.

They collapsed outside, and suddenly there were people surrounding them, voices were raised calling for assistance, and Harry felt a hand on his shoulder – it was Katie's concerned face,

'Cho's still inside' Harry gasped, 'I'm going back'.

Katie look like she was about to protest but Harry lurched back inside, fighting his way to the spot Madam Rosemetra had pointed out. Harry paused to catch his breath, he fell to his knees and crawled to the pink scarf, he followed it and his heart leapt to his throat as he saw a slender hand in front of him. Desperately – Harry pushed the debris off and uncovered Cho rather dishelved – yet unconscious – Or was she…?

Harry desperately search for her pulse and tears sprang to his eyes in relief as he realised she was just unconscious – but alive – thankfully!

'Hold on Cho – I'll get you out of here' Harry whispered raggedly.

He realised that getting her out from under the heavy wooden beam was harder than expected. Cho was pinned firmly at the chest – Harry began to worry – hoping her bones weren't broken under the crushing weight. After several futile attempts to lift the weight off with his bare hands – Harry gave up in frustration. He searched his mind for a spell to use.

Harry pointed his wand carefully at the wooden beam, 'Morbilarbus!'

The wooden beam stiffened unnaturally, Harry felt his wand-arm suddenly weighted down, carefully and pain-stakingly. He shifted his arm to the side, the wooden beam moved to the side of Cho's chest.

Harry cursed realising he was probably causing more damage – praying Cho's internal organs weren't damage; he lifted his arm this time before discarding the heavy wooden beam off Cho entirely.

Harry fell to his knees, feeling his head spin and his chest burning in pain at every breath he took – it was time to get out. The smoke would kill them first before the fire if he didn't hurry up.

Harry crawled towards Cho and for a moment he hugged her, before wrapping her arms over his neck like the way he did with Madam Rosemetra and staggered to his feet. He almost fell over, he realise Cho's arm was twisted at an odd angle and her legs look like it had been jinxed. Dropping her gently on the ground again – Harry pressed his lips together thinking. There was a spell to move humans – he remember Lupin using it on Professor Snape in there third year.

Harry pointed his wand at Cho's inert figure, 'Morbilicorpus!'

Cho's body stiffened slightly and relaxed, Harry gently raised his hands and her body began to float up slightly. Harry began to pick his way back outside, gently guiding Cho's body behind him. Harry felt his energy draining, the Shield Charm was starting to wear off and now he could feel the heat through his clothes.

'Merlin's Balls!' Harry cursed suddenly.

The way to the entrance was blocked with menacing flames – he could see figures outside through the flames. Harry realised they had to risk it. Gathering up the last of his strength, Harry wrapped Cho in his arms. And he leapt through the flames, his arms wrapped protectively over her head before they collapse together on the floor. Sprawled on the ground, and suddenly – there was cries of relief, sobbing and raised voices. Harry felt himself being disentangled – he gazed wearily at Cho, making sure she was alive and well. Before he lowered his eyes and blacked out.

It was funny – one moment she was having drinks with friends and the next she was certain she was going to die. One moment she was trapped under a burning building, the next she had woken up in bed at the Infirmary.

Cho lifted her heavy lids and blink to clear her blurred vision. She winced slightly at the light, but faces suddenly blocked the light.

'She's awake!' a tearful voice exclaimed.

Cho shifted and cried out in pain as her body suddenly protested. Suddenly Madam Pomfrey's brisk voice was rapping out orders, and she felt herself being fussed over in her capable hands.

'Drink this Miss Chang – you've got a lot of injuries, this should dull it a bit' Madam Pomfrey gently lifted her head for her to drink.

Cho obediently swallowed the vile potion before she let her head fall back on the pillow wearily. She rubbed her eyes and her vision cleared. Cho noticed her arm was in a sling, bandaged were wrapped across her ribs and chest. She surveyed the room; the table besides her was overflowing with flowers, gifts, and cards. Her friends – she couldn't tell how many – were anxiously surveying her at the foot of her bed.

As Madam Pomfrey retreated, her friends swarmed around her smiling at her anxiously.

'How do you feel?' Michael Corner asks gruffly – his eyes were red and he looked like he had been crying.

Cho smiled at him, 'just a bit sore' she admitted and wiggled self-consciously, 'I must look terrible'.

'That's not far from the truth' sixth year Terry Boot conceded.

'Thanks' Cho grinned weakly.

'Y-you gave us quite a fright' Marietta spoke tearfully. 'We thought – '

Cho searched the group of faces – searching for Harry's familiar face amongst them. She was absolutely certain Harry was the one who had saved her, but she wanted to be absolutely sure.

'What happen? Who - ?'

'It was Harry' Anthony Goldstein answered, 'he volunteered to go inside and find you, he manage to rescue Madam Rosemetra but – '

Someone gave a cough and Anthony's face reddened and her friends exchanged knowing looks.

Cho quickly sat up on her bed again and winced, 'what's going on – are you hiding something from me?'

'No! Of course not!' Stewart Ackerely answered quickly.

Cho pursued her lips suspiciously. 'I don't believe you' she muttered before sinking back on her bed.

'You're missing out on the Halloween feast' Marietta interjected anxiously in an attempt to change the topic.

'Then why are you all here?' Cho queried sullenly.

'You think we could enjoy Halloween after what happened?' Michael asked incredulously. 'We wouldn't be anywhere else!'

'Aah awake at last!'

There was some shuffling of feet to admit there old Headmaster. Albus Dumbledore smiled at her, Cho glanced behind him and noticed Harry was standing behind, looking pale and weary. Yet when they exchanged glances – Cho shivered, Harry's stare was intense.

'Are you okay Miss Chang?' Dumbledore asked kindly.

'Slightly' Cho mumbled uncomfortably – she didn't really fancy being surrounded by so many people and there curious stares at her as an invalid.

Professor Dumbledore turned around and spoke quietly to her friends, and they left rather reluctantly. Harry made his way to the side of her bed and Cho smiled and reached out. Harry grasped her hand and squeezed it slightly, with his other free hand he reached out to stroke her hair from her head smiling sweetly back.

'Now' Dumbledore turned around and chuckled at the intimate scene displayed in front of him.

'I'm afraid we have some serious matter to discuss' he continued gravely.

Cho tore her gaze from Harry to Dumbledore, 'it wasn't an accident' Cho said determinedly, 'there was a man – he planned it all'.

'Death Eaters were involved' Harry agreed.

'An attack in a public place means the safety of my students are in greater peril than I anticipated. They are indeed growing bolder, however the security within Hogwarts will be increased' Albus Dumbledore assured them. 'Thankfully Madam Rosemetra survived the ordeal – '.

Cho frowned as her Headmaster hesitated. 'Perhaps this is not a good time to be having this discussion, Miss Chang you are barely in a fit state to talk. We shall have this discussion later, Harry – feel free to stay with Miss Chang. I'll send your dinner up to you with Miss Chang'.

Cho waited for Professor Dumbledore to disappear completely before she rounded onto Harry. 'What's going on – I have a feeling people are hiding something from me!'

Harry pursued his lips, 'let's not talk about that' he said slowly, and 'I think I should explain what happened first'.

Cho sat back and listened to Harry's story – Hermione insisting they follow the Death Eaters, the discovery of her life in peril and then at last the rescue. Harry's voice wavered slightly as he came to the part where he found her – and his uncertainty of her being alive or dead.

Cho squeezed Harry's hand reassuringly, 'I should have known' she said softly. 'I admit, when you weren't there – I thought…' she shook her head. 'I was so stupid, if only I had - !'

Cho never had the chance to finish, suddenly Harry had leaned forwards to cup her face in his hands and kiss her sweetly on the lips much to Cho's astonishment.

'Harry!'

Harry withdrew blushing furiously, 'I'm s-sorry – I – shouldn't… '

Cho grinned and placed her hand firmly over his mouth to quiet him, 'Kiss me again you fool!'

Harry burst into a roguish grinand he complied rather happily.

About time eh? So you like? I don't know what to say here, alot more was suppose to happen in this chapter but then it would be too much - I guess you'll just hafta wait then! Now question time!

The Phoenix King: Well Voldermort wants her dead - the DE are doing his dirty deeds. Remember a few chapters back I said he's trying to kill the Heir to each house to destroy Hogwarts?

Angel3e: Hehe when I read your review I consider making someone else the rescuer but then I think alot more would be satisfied with Harry - and now cos of that Cho and Harry are together!

The Dark Avenger: Hmm I don't really understand your questions, sorry could you explain it again? They became Heirs unwittingly, sothere's really nothing to gain - save that theycarry some burden.

Everyone else - Vivi, mjk306, iLuvHaRryPoTteR and El Permanente - you guys all rock! Thanks for your reviews! Merry Christmas!

Till next time!

Vivvy