Chapter 3: Old Lovers Reunite

Harry turned his face from the passing scenery and glanced at Cho Chang through the window of the compartment.

Cho stood silently outside of Harry's compartment, about to turn around and head back to her own.

Harry soon found that he couldn't take his eyes off her Cho. She was as beautiful as he remembered her. He hadn't thought about her much over the summer. Memories of Sirius and soured relations with Cho had plagued any romantic feelings he previously had for her. Yet seeing her angelic face; the face of an exotic charmer—instantly brought back those knots in his stomach. Harry began to feel his heart beat a little faster the more he kept his gaze on Cho.

Cho instantly felt that someone was watching her and she looked up only to see that it was Harry. Cho looked fiercely at Harry across the small aisle and through the dirty window of the compartment. I can still see those pretty eyes, Harry. Eyes so green…

Cho smiled faintly and then forced herself to look away. Harry and Cho had been down a complicated road she did not want to travel down ever again if it meant ending the year in tears.

Harry immediately sprang from his feet. I know why you're afraid. He pulled open the compartment door, "Cho!"

The petite Ravenclaw turned her head. "Harry."

Harry, very disheveled-looking, "Please, come in."

Cho nodded and followed Harry into the compartment.

"Sit. I mean, I could use some company."

Cho nodded. She noticed how awful Harry looked. His emerald eyes were still glowing but a little sunken in from lack of sleep. His jet black hair was tousled in all the wrong places and his expression was unreadable.

"Where's Hermione?" she asked coolly.

Harry feeling more knots and signs of anxiety in his stomach, felt that discussing Hermione wasn't a particularly good idea with Cho.

"And Ron? They're both somewhere else on the train, well—" Harry smiled at himself, "Obviously. I—er—um, wanna letcha know Cho…" Harry started speaking ultra-fast. 'Ron and Hermione are dating. I actually didn't see her that much this summer."

"I'm sorry."

"No no—I mean, I wanted to tell you that I—"

"You wanted to make sure I knew you didn't have romantic feelings for Hermione."

"Yeah…" Harry rubbed the back of his beck nervously.

"Harry, I know. I've always known that. And I don't hate her despite what she might think. I don't hate Ron either. I suppose I should apologize them and to you for accusing you of such things last year. I was just—being very sensitive. I'm sorry. When Cedric died I absolutely lost my mind."

Harry felt a pang in his heart, "I'm sorry too, Cho. I mean, for I suppose not understanding you well enough. I lost my godfather last year and I understand what it's like now—to loose someone you really care about.."

"I'm sorry."

"Did you love him?"

"I'm sorry??"

"Did you love Cedric?"

"I guess."

Harry prodded her a bit more with a small sense of optimism, "You, er, only guess?"

"Cedric was my first true friend. Aside from Marietta."

"You still talk to Marietta? After what happened?"

"Harry, I don't need this right now."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I still talk to Marietta. She's my best friend. I don't always agree with her but no one can agree with someone else entirely. Cedric was another truly genuine person that was important to me."

"Cho, you've got loads of friends."

Cho shook her head, "I only consider Marietta to be my only true friend. Despite what everyone thinks, Harry, I'm—"

Harry watched Cho turn her face toward the window.

"Yes?"

Cho suddenly stood up in anger; anger for almost revealing herself to Harry Potter, who acted like a git toward her last year.

"None of your business! Why am I even talking to you? I said I wouldn't."

Immediately turning sour, Harry shouted, "Get over it, Cho!" Harry stood indignantly. "I apologized for my mistakes—merely for calling you a human hosepipe!"

Cho felt tears welling in her eyes,

Harry nodded in satisfaction, "See what I mean!"

Cho, determined prove her resistance to tears, shouted, "You want to know the truth, Harry! Well here it is—I'm lonely! Horribly lonely! Always have been, always will be! Do you realize how annoying it is to put on a 'happy' front just like a programmed robot! Ugh, I know what you must be thinking, poor popular and pretty Cho Chang, what does she know about misery? But it's the fact that I am all alone that makes me so sad! And gits like you enjoy exploiting that by calling me a human hosepipe!"

In that moment, Harry looked upon Cho with a new light. This usually wasn't the composed Cho he had often seen laughing gaily in the hallways of Hogwarts. She was being emotionally raw- emotionally honest. Harry suddenly felt another pang in his heart. In this moment of truth, Cho was the most beautiful to him. Her cheeks flushed, her hot tears running from her face, her bottom lip quivering. She looked like she needed his help. I'll never hurt you again… he swore.

Cho suddenly cried, "Damn it, I'm crying. I've got to go, Harry." And with that, she fled the compartment.

Ron had his arm around Hermione's shoulder as Cho raced past them, sobbing softly. Ron and Hermione shared a knowing look.

"I wonder if she still hates me." Hermione asked quietly.

Ron rolled his eyes, "She doesn't hate you—she's just insecure. Something about her—I don't know, irks me. I have a feeling Harry's probably going to get mixed up with her this year...again."

Hermione spoke, "Well. I think that if they both get past misunderstandings, they could be good for each other."

Ron shivered, "Cho supports the Tornadoes…"

Hermione gave Ron a little pinch in the arm. "Oh Ronald…"

Ron and Hermione reached their compartment and slid open the door to find Harry calmly staring through the window.

Hermione spoke, "Harry, I wanted to apologize for my outburst."

"It's alright, Hermione. I want to say sorry to you and Ron."

Ron smiled and Hermione nodded, "We understand. Get your robe on, we'll be at Hogwarts in a few minutes."

Harry, noting, Ron's arm lovingly around Hermione's shoulder, nodded. "Yeah, alright thanks."