Chapter 7: Relationship Construction and Destruction

"Cho, what are you talking about? You're just as good as you've always been."

Cho dived right in front of Harry with the speed of an anomaly Quidditch player. She smiled as she hovered on her broomstick, blocking the sun's light.

"Only around you, Harry. Your presence has definitely made me feel better about flying."

Harry chuckled, "Please I've only been working with you for only a month or so—not nearly enough time for me to cast my spell-binding charm."

Cho landed and sat on the grass. "You underestimate yourself, Harry."

Harry radiantly smiled and took a seat next to Cho. She looked radiant.

"You'd beat Hufflepuff without a doubt" Harry spoke.

"Anyone would beat Hufflepuff without a doubt. Cedric was the best they ever had."

Harry nodded, "Agreed."

After a moment of silence, Cho asked quietly, "How come you haven't ask me to do anything yet?"

Harry nervously glanced at Cho, "What do you mean?"

"We've been practicing Quidditch for some time now…I just figured, you know, maybe we ought to do something else for a change. Clearly, I don't need much more help…"

Harry spoke, disappointed, "So you want to stop?"

"I want to do something else with you."

Harry's stomach was going through a whirlwind of emotions. "I do too. It's just that…"

Cho frowned, "What?"

"I'm afraid we're going to have a row."

"Hadn't you realized that I want to be with you, Harry?"

Harry was silent.

Cho had felt a hot string a tears forming in her eyes, tears she hadn't felt in weeks. She cracked, "Harry?"

Harry, feeling so confused and discouraged. I'd been through a roller coast of emotions before. Can I ever go through that again? Then he remembered what he had secretly promised Cho on the train. He'd never hurt her again and now she was hurting.

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn't a little boy anymore—he wasn't going to screw this up like he did last year. His heart wanted to be with Cho and he wouldn't let his petty fear hold him back any longer.

Harry leaped over and seized Cho and before he hadn't a moment to think about what he was doing, he closed his eyes and placed his lips on top of hers.

Cho, clearly taken aback, shut her eyes and let her tears fall down her cheeks. Harry squeezed her surprisingly tight and slowly opened his mouth. Cho did the same and their tongues did a harmonious dance, crashing against each other with passion neither of them had previously felt. When it was over, Harry slowly pulled away and rested his head on Cho's shoulder.

"I don't think I feel lonely anymore, Cho."

Cho wrapped her arms around Harry.

"Cho, do you want to come with me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Cho lifted Harry's head and looked into his deep green eyes with her chocolate ones, "Harry, I'd love to."

"It was amazing, Etta. Cedric had never kissed me like that."

Marietta flipped some more pages of the Daily Prophet. She smirked, "He seems like one of those dangerous quiet kind of kissers. Unsuspecting but deadly."

"In all seriousness, I was literally knocked off my feet."

Marietta dropped the Prophet and gave her friend a hug. "I'm happy for you, Cho. Now we just have to decide what you'll be wearing this weekend."

Cho opened her closet. "I'm hoping he'll ask me out…like to be his girlfriend."

Marietta nodded, "I'm sure he will—but personally, I'm not a fan of officially going steady. I think the entire school population figured out what you guys have been doing behind Hagrid's cabin and naturally it's a given that people are starting to think you are indeed bf/gf."

Cho brought out an off- the- shoulder black sweater and matching black skirt.

Marietta shook her head, "Way too funeral-ish. Come on, why don't you get together something really sexy!"

Cho sighed, "I don't do sexy—you do."

Marietta beamed, going toward her closet, "Good idea!...Ah, Cho Chang, look at this little number." She flashed a tight red sweater dress with a matching jacket. It was a bit on the shorter side, with the skirt ending a couple of inches about the knee.

Cho winced, "I'm going to Hogsmeade, not the Red Light District."

"Ok. Cho. You're a natural beauty, but come on, even I look good in this dress."

"It's too much."

"You know you want to!"

"We're not the same size."

"Absolute rubbish!"

"Ok! Ok! Ok!"

Marietta danced around the room. "And you're wearing your hair down."

Cho laughed, "I'd rather not."

"Ponytails are boring."

"Etta, please."

"Fine, comprise—half up, half down."

"If you must."

"I'm so excited!"

"You're more excited than I am." Cho mused although she knew in her heart that she was counting the seconds until her date with Harry.

On the Saturday morning, Hermione and Ron had woken up early to help Harry with getting dressed.

"I don't see want all the fuss is about, Hermione." Harry sat painfully as Hermione tried to comb through his hair.

Hermione sighed impatiently, "Does the back ever stay down?"

Ron and Harry said in unison, "No."

Hermione grunted. "Oh well, you're done. Let me see you. Darling, what do you think?"

Ron glanced at Harry. "Khaki slacks, check. Nicely pressed green sweater with collared button down underneath, check. 10 Galleons, check. A bouquet of white roses, check. Any last questions, Harry?"

"Is asking her out a must?"

Hermione grunted, "Well don't you want to?"

Harry nodded, "Well yeah, I just hate formalities."

Ron slapped Harry on the back, "Suck it up, mate. Even I did it."

Hermione wrapped her arm around Ron knowingly, "See, Harry? It won't be so bad."

Harry checked himself in the mirror. He couldn't believe how handsome he looked. "Well, I'm off…we'll probably see you two walking around, so, um, wish me luck. Listen, Hermione, Ron. Thanks you two—not only for being my friends. But I mean, for being together too—your relationship has really inspired me to go after my feelings for Cho."

Ron squeaked awkwardly, "Glad to be of service, Harry."

Harry smiled, "See you later."

When Harry exited the Gryffindor common room Ron turned to Hermione, "I hate having to pretend for him, can't you force yourself to go to Hogsmeade with me?"

But Hermione had already gone back upstairs into the girls' dormitories.