To everyone who reviewed, thanks for keeping the story alive! I have to admit that I was praying I'd get at least a 100 reviews and that doesn't seem likely since there aren't that many chapters left…I encourage everyone to please keep on reviewing and to review chapters you hadn't…it makes me want to post the chapters…thanks a lot everyone!
To wb: Well, I'm glad you liked the last chapter, this one will probably make you very happy. Thanks for reviewing.
To Mean Marine: tear I have such respect for those who serve our country—safe trip and speedy return home. Thanks for reviewing my story and yes, H/C will get back together, so no worries.
To Simbelmyne Star: Give it up for my beta! Thanks for reviewing always! I'm glad you like my meat! You rock my socks!
To Cho-Wood: No no no! The story isn't over, haha...there's 17 chapters, plus an epilogue. I am actually planning to write an R Cho/Cedric/Oliver triangle. It's going to be full of lemons then turn into a yaoi, haha…don't know if you're into that. I was thinking it'd be a one-shot, but I may consider turning it into maybe 5 chapters or so. Thanks so much for reviewing! Keep it coming!
To Yin-Yang-sama: Ahh! Harry and Cho will be back together soon, no worries, they're my favorite couple! I just like a little drama, haha. Thanks for your review. I will update soon…I usually take about a week. And I try to make the length of the chapters as I see fit, I know they are short...it's a long story which I divided many times, if you know what I mean. My upcoming H/C fic will definitely be the Epic so stick around for that! Thanks a lot for your support!
To iloveyou: I love you too! Thanks for always reviewing my fic and supporting me and for reviewing my other fic, Time Is Running Out, I appreciate it!
To Dragon Sword Master: Couple of things: first and most importantly, don't read if you don't like. Thing is, I can't write my story based on what people tell me to write…no good writer does that. I've already envisioned what I want for this fic and written it out so H/C will get back together and no, Harry won't leave the matter alone. To clear up some confusion, you have to understand that given Cho and Harry's predicament…she was confused that he left her w/o any support, and he was mad at the moment that they'd both been fooled…so that's why Cho is going out with Draco (someone who provided her w/ the comfort Harry should have b/c he is feeling remorse) ...you will see if you choose to continue reading, she is very conflicted over the matter…Harry is not repulsed by Cho because he loves her and blames himself for pushing her away (believe me I've been in a similar situation, not as serious but same principle nonetheless)…anyway, I hope you can keep an open mind about my fic and don't feel like you must read it if you think the quality is bad, but it'd be a shame to loose a reader. I don't find anything wrong with twist and turns in a good romance—the story would be incredibly boring if H/C had no obstacles to overcome. Sorry about the ranting, I'm done now and thanks for your review.
To Wewe12qw: Thanks for reviewing! I update usually once a week or so, so look out for that. I may wait longer to update now because I'm not getting enough reviews. Thank you for your suggestions about reading other ff. Sorry you didn't like my songfic, you didn't have to review if you didn't like it. I enjoy reading songfics, and Hermione and Snape fit that song. I don't understand why you read it if that pairing bothered you, but I did put that in the blurb…oh well, keep R/Ring, and I'll keep writing.
Chapter 15: How To Reconcile
The bell rang for lunch. The students ran straight to the Great Hall, ready to re-energize for more study sessions in the library. Hogwarts still carried on with much hustling as Draco and Cho sat on a blanket near the lake. Cho noticed some of her classmates walking by; some Hufflepuffs eyeing her with disgust, some Ravenclaws, smiling and waving and some Slytherins, glaring at her with jealousy. The Gryffindors hadn't even bothered to walk by; doing so would have made them "traitors" to Harry. Whichever way she turned, people weren't reacting normal about her relationship with Draco.
Cho stared at the blonde Slytherin, who starting unpacking the food he had brought for them from the Great Hall, oblivious to his surroundings. Cho sighed softly. Why did she all the sudden have to become the Queen of Controversy? She just wanted to be able to have a boyfriend and move on with her life, like a normal teenage girl. Cho picked her head of for a moment and saw Harry and Ron walking toward the castle entrance. She supposed they were getting ready for their Hogsmeade trip. Ron had turned around quickly to look at her but Harry didn't notice her at all, at least he pretended that he hadn't noticed her. Cho knew she couldn't blame him.
It was springtime now, and on this Sunday afternoon Cho and Draco were having a picnic and chatting amicably.
"Favorite movie?" Cho asked happily.
"Movies are more of a Mudblood thing," Draco replied, obviously unaware of how easily he had just insulted Cho, considering she wasn't a pure blood. Draco buttered his bread and quickly added, "Yours?"
Cho sipped her can of pumpkin juice, realizing Draco had taken no notice of his mistake. She replied, "Titanic."
Draco winced a bit. "You're such a girl." He then leaned over and kissed Cho on the lips and attempted to make his voice serious, "I love you, my little Ravette."
Cho stared back into Draco's changed and handsome face, but she couldn't bring herself to return the words. She also couldn't help but feel uneasy when he called her pet names like 'my little Ravette' and 'my resourceful Ravenclaw'. She felt strange when Draco commented how much Ravenclaws and Slytherins were alike. Not this Ravenclaw, Cho had always thought. It was almost as if Draco was taking every opportunity to show that he felt he and Cho belonged together. Maybe she was just a trophy to wave in Harry's face; she didn't know. And maybe in her mind, Cho was subconsciously trying to spite Harry.
Yet, undeniably, Cho kept seeing green eyes in place of the silver-blue eyes in front of her; jet black, messy hair instead of tamed white-blonde hair; a warm round face with a lightning-bolt scar instead a clean-shaven, pointy face.
Cho only offered a smile.
Draco pulled back in disappointment. Maybe tomorrow she'll say it, Draco thought, noticing how easy the three little words came for himself.
He leaned back on the blanket. "Are you ready for the Quidditch match against Gryffindor tomorrow? It's the last of the season."
Cho nodded awkwardly. "Yeah. We're probably going to lose, though. Ravenclaw has never beat Gryffindor, at least not lately,—no one has ever really beaten Gryffindor, as long as…Harry…has been their seeker." She spoke Harry's name quickly.
Draco shook his head. "Nah. You've been flying exceptionally well this year. I foresee hope."
Cho laughed. "Thanks. I, um, owe Harry for that."
Feeling a low rumble in her stomach, Cho knew she was hungry but she couldn't pick up the turkey sandwich in front of her. She felt her insides twisting in guilty knots. She owed Harry for many things and she still loved him. It pained her greatly to see him ignoring her attempts to talk to him. She often wondered if he'd literally stay angry at her for the rest of his life. Cho didn't think she could have handled that.
Ignoring this last comment and feeling a bit annoyed that Harry seemed to be mentioned in Cho's every other sentence, Draco continued eating. Cho looked at the sky and noticed dark clouds forming overhead.
"Draco, we'd better go inside. It's going to rain."
Draco helped Cho pack up and held her hand as they walked inside.
Cho rushed quickly into the Ravenclaw Common Room where Marietta and a few other people were all reading by the fire.
Dripping with rain, Cho ran toward the stairs to her dormitory when Marietta decided to comment, "Oh, look at you, girl, it's pouring out there!"
Cho continued running upstairs. "Yes! Etta, will you come up here?"
Marietta groaned as she followed Cho. "Every time! I open my Potions book I hear, 'Etta, will you come up here?' Snape is growing tired of me flirting with him in an attempt to convince him to pass every stinkin' potion I make in that bloody cauldron!"
Cho grinned, poked her head out of the room and called down the stairs, "Don't worry, Etta, he's only got daggers for the Gryffindors. Besides, he loves us and he'll love you as long as you keep flashing him your million-dollar smile. He's got too much pent-up frustration to pass that up."
Giggling, Marietta climbed up the stairs to their dormitory. Cho was wrapped in a towel and searching for dry clothes.
Marietta sat on her bed. "What weird weather we're having! Every time you and Draco go on a date, it rains," she finished sardonically.
Cho rolled her eyes. "Are you bloody serious? You're relying on the weather to predict my relationship's future?"
"No, I just believe that yours with Draco is a doomed one."
Cho sighed, "Thank you, Professor Trelawney. Listen. Draco—"
"…seems to really like you, Cho. I never thought the day would come when that boy genuinely cared for anything. He's always telling you that he—loves—you," Marietta finished awkwardly, saying the last few words with slight disgust.
Cho shook her head. "He doesn't love me, I really think he's just going through the motions. Maybe to spite Harry, I don't know. He just feels rotten about what he's done."
Marietta gave a hard laugh. "He should!"
Cho scowled. "Marietta! What about my darling Harry Potter? You think him leaving me is any better? I know this sounds crazy and I know no one else in the entire school, or entire state of England understand this, but Draco was there for me at a time when Harry wasn't. Even if it's rotten that I'm with him because he may be spiting Harry, the fact is that he wants to be with me. Harry clearly doesn't. I needed him after I realized what happened in the hospital wing and he went mad and stormed off. I know that Harry is such a good person but I suppose, he just cracked and needed to comfort himself."
Marietta threw her hands in the air. "Urgh, no, I don't think Harry should have stormed off like he did! You're so…conflicted! I just don't think it's right that you're with Draco when you clearly miss Harry so bloody much!"
Cho pulled out a dry set of blue robes. "Draco is not the same person he was when he…did what he did to me, Marietta." Cho paused. "No one sees it, but he's changed." Cho looked up at her best friend, "Can't you just try to accept it? I know you're good at giving people second chances."
Marietta folded her arms across her chest and stayed silent.
Cho nodded, "I see. Well, here's the truth. You're right, I do miss Harry. I really do. But if he doesn't do something soon, I just…I don't know, maybe I could learn to love Draco the way I love Harry."
Marietta shook her head. "That's just it, Cho! You can't learn to love someone. You just do…the way you love Harry! I miss seeing you two together. And what do you mean by 'Harry must do something soon,' anyway?"
Cho thought quietly. "I have no idea. Something that would—you know, like— guarantee that he trusts me and that he could be committed through—you know—whatever else might happen. If Harry thought of something to prove that to me, I'd literally never leave him."
Marietta turned to look outside at the storming sky.
Elsewhere in the storm, Harry and Ron were walking around Hogsmeade as raindrops continued to plummet down from the sky. Harry was acting like a raving lunatic, adamant that he wouldn't leave Hogsmeade until he picked up something important for Cho. Ron, who had always enjoyed a Hogsmeade weekend, had already tried several of times to get Harry to leave to come back the next Hogsmeade weekend. The boys should have been back at Hogwarts one half hour ago.
Harry dashed quickly into a shop, beckoning for Ron to follow him. Ron squinted his eyes through the rain and read the bright yellow awning. Hogsmeade Fine Handmade Crafts & Jewelry, he read.
Realizing the whole day had been consumed by jewelry shops, Ron rolled his eyes and whined, "Hurry up and pick one, Harry."
Ignoring Ron's impatience, Harry glanced over the case of diamond rings. They were all so beautiful. "I could use some help, Ron," he said in a trance-like state, not bothering to look away from the glittering diamonds.
Ron walked over to the case of jewels, almost laughing. He wondered if he could imagine Hermione being as engrossed by a case of diamond rings. Clearing his throat, Ron spoke seriously, "Look, mate I still think this is rather rash. I mean, I got 'Mione some red roses and a box of chocolates. You're making me look bad! Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Ron, whatever happened to 'Don't let it slip away'? Yes, I want to do this…I've never been so convinced in my life."
"You're only sixteen, and she's just seventeen!"
"After graduation, Ron, after!"
"But still!"
"I want to be with her forever. I already said you could be my Best Man…that is, if she agrees."
"I bet you a sack of galleons she will. But blimey, I never expected you to be such a hopeless romantic, Harry."
Harry spoke to the witch at the counter, "I think I'll take this."
The witch smiled. "Very preety, very preety."
She took the ring out and found a matching heart-shaped box.
Ron spoke, "Okay, let me see."
The ring was unparalleled in beauty, although it was fairly simple. A platinum band, studded with very tiny white diamonds, held a pink diamond solitaire.
Harry closed the ring box and stuffed it in his robes. He reached into his pocket for his money but paused for a bit. He wished he could have someone to consult with about this; he never had the chance to talk to his father and Sirius wasn't there for advice. Harry had to rely on Ron, his best friend who was known for hasty decisions. Even Ron had said to re-think Harry's decision to ask Cho to marry him.
No, Harry thought, I love this girl and I want to spend my life with her.
True, he was only sixteen. But it didn't matter; he wanted to move on with his life with Cho buy his side. He needed to someone rash to win her back from that Slytherin scumbag. Mentally gathering his final thoughts, Harry gave the witch a handful of galleons and left the store, Ron close on his heels.
It was dinnertime when Harry and Ron arrived back at Hogwarts. Instead of taking a seat in front of all of the food, despite the grumbling in his stomach, Ron headed for the library, flowers and chocolates in hand.
Harry smiled knowingly. "Going to see, Hermione?"
Ron nodded. "Absolutely. I love her. I'm not going to let it slip away again."
Harry smiled. He knew that Ron and Hermione's relationship was going to be saved. He and Ron often acted like prats but Harry knew that Ron was serious about apologizing to Hermione. Ron had portrayed himself as bickering and immature, but Harry knew that if anyone could make him see his mature side, it was Hermione. He had always known she would make his life better.
Harry slapped Ron on the back. "I'm very glad. Good luck, mate."
"You too, Harry. Ironic, isn't it? 'Mione and I were inspired by you and Cho and now you and Cho have inspired me to get back with Hermione." Harry and Ron chuckled. Harry exited the hallway.
Ron walked away from the Great Hall, content with himself. He prayed that he was going to make up with Hermione. Making his way cheerfully toward the library, Ron finally understood why Harry was so urgent to buy that ring. Harry wasn't going to play games with Cho any longer and Ron wasn't going to fool himself in thinking he could escape from his feelings for Hermione.
In the Great Hall, Harry dashed towards the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Dean Thomas and Neville Longbottom.
Dean spoke to Harry, "Hey, Harry. What's up? You and Ron went to Hogsmeade?"
Harry nodded. "Dean, can you do me a favor? Okay…I might be in for huge humiliation…she might say no…the whole school would know…" Harry was rambling nervously.
Dean frowned. "Harry, what's on your mind?"
Harry took a deep breath and spoke, "Since you do the commentary at Quidditch matches I need you to do something for me. Tomorrow during the match, d'you—er—think you'd let me call time-out or something? I've got this whole thing kind of planned out."
Dean and Neville blankly stared at Harry in unison.
Noticing their confusion, Harry lowered his voice and said, "I'm uh…I've—er—got to ask Cho something." Harry whipped out the jewelry box and showed Dean and Neville the ring. The other boys instantly understood and nodded with wide eyes.
Dean sighed heavily, "Good luck, Harry. And—uh—well, congratulations."
Neville offered a nervous smile. "We were hoping you'd come to your senses."
Harry nodded and glanced behind Neville to look at Cho talking merrily to Marietta.
"You aren't the only one, Neville."
