Chapter 10: The Brink of Winter Vacation

Time passed rather quickly at Hogwarts and the imminent Winter Vacation was brightening everyone's spirit. N.E.W.Ts were not so much in the news around this time and Draco had started returning to classes and Quidditch practice, although he was much quieter than he used to be. He mostly kept to Crabbe and Goyle and often looked very paranoid. However, things between Harry and Cho were better than ever.

"Today was good. I like days like this, this day, the day before school lets out, is the best day of the year."

Harry said to his girlfriend who was resting her head on his chest. They were sitting nearby the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room staring at the starry night sky through the windows.

Cho sighed happily. "I love you, Harry."

Harry gulped and lifted Cho's head up so she could face him. "I know. I love you, too."

Cho buried her face into Harry's shoulder. Yes, she did love Harry. It was also imminent that she would, considering the strong feeling she had for him last year. It was only a matter of time before she had let the words flow from her mouth. They had been there for each other at a time no one else could be and for that reason; Cho knew she wanted to be with Harry for what seemed like…forever. Sure, she did love Cedric. Cedric was sweet and kind and he took care of her; but his kiss lacked the passion of Harry's kiss and Harry's everlasting will to survive showed that he will willing to survive for her. Yes, she did certainly love Harry.

Harry rubbed Cho's back lovingly, "I never thought I'd feel this way about anyone after Sirius's death. I'm so glad we found each other again, Cho. You really gave me what I needed…I had Ron and Hermione, but they've been off doing their own thing…well at least before they had been. I just wish we weren't the only ones happy right now."

Cho lifted her face to stare into Harry's eyes. "What do you mean?"

Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "It's probably nothing, but haven't you noticed Ron and Hermione have been acting differently?"

Cho titled her head slightly, "How so?"

Harry licked his lips, "For starters. Hermione's staying here for Christmas. I mean, she was supposed to go with Ron to visit his brother Charlie in Romania. But all of the sudden, she isn't going with him anymore. He left this morning and she's been in the library all day."

"Maybe she's just feeling N.E.W.T. pressure."

Harry shook his head adamantly, "It's not that. But she never dotes on him anymore. I rarely ever seen them snogging in public, holding hands or any of that couple-ish stuff they used to do. Hermione doesn't really sit with us at mealtimes anymore either—occasionally she will, but she often strays to talk to Lavender and Parvati."

Cho noticed the last tidbit about Hermione not sitting with the boys at mealtimes. "Well, Ron and Hermione are your friends, why don't you just ask them what's going on?"

Harry nodded, "I did. I mean, I asked Hermione about this and you know, she just said, school work and stuff like that. Ron didn't really comment. It's just strange. I know it's not me, I don't really think Hermione changes her attitude when she's around me but I'm just noticing how she acts totally different around Ron. It's just so strange."

Cho smiled softly, "Harry, you're going to get a complex. Just let them have their space, I'm sure it'll all work out."

Harry smiled faintly at Cho and wrapped his arms around her once more. "I hate to tell you this but I have to stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the next four or five days. Hermione is too—we've some sort of seminar about future career advice to endure. Highly recommended by the Ministry and all; all the sixth years that aren't going home for the Holidays are encouraged to attend and Hermione's already signed us up."

Cho rolled her eyes jokingly, "Oh alright. But surely, I'll see you before school starts again, no? So we will have some more time to ourselves?"

Harry kissed Cho right underneath her chin and she closed her eyes, "Cho, of course we will."