Disclaimer: SHAreese does not own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: For those supporting the Harry and Cho ship, this chapter will feature more interaction between the couple. I'm also trying to steer away from the dark side of Harry because many fanfics seem to emphasis that already obvious fact. Sirius and Cedric's deaths will play very minor roles though they will affect some decisions made. On the Garrett and Belle confusion, all will come into focus soon. The point is to keep the characters (and readers) guessing most of the way through. I have given away some things in this chapter. Also, excuse me if it seems like I'm drifting toward a relationship between Harry and Hermione. It's just to give the story a small edge. Reviews are welcome.
o o o o o o o
The Melody of the Sphere
Chapter Two: Painful Beginnings
"Sorry, Harry. The meeting went on longer than I expected," Hermione huffed as she opened the compartment door.
"Where's Ron and Ginny?" he asked, pulling on his school robe.
"Ron said he wanted to walk around and give some detentions," she said frowning, "but Ginny went along to make sure he didn't go picking a fight with Malfoy or something." Harry nodded and went back to fixing his tie. "Although I think she went to see Dean."
There was a moment of silence before he asked, "Is there any word on the new Defense teacher?" Harry's eyes traveled over to his right hand where the scar of detention with Umbridge remained. I must not tell lies. The place where those words had cut into his hand was much whiter than the rest of his skin. It would serve forever as a reminder of the intangible pain he had endured.
"No," Hermione said, "I think McGonagall wants to keep it a secret until the feast tonight."
Having given up on the flute an hour ago, he had fallen asleep listening to the sphere. Its melody never failed to calm his nerves no matter how eerie its tone sounded. He had also given some thought to Cho Chang. He had seen her stepping onto the train before they had departed. Her hair was much longer, though it still seemed to capture the light all around her and make Harry's chest constrict with a pleasurable sort of pain.
"Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione had let Crookshanks out of his kennel and the ginger cat had wrapped itself on his lap, purring loudly.
Harry put on one of his lop-sided smiles and answered, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You have that look." Confusion etched itself on his face. "You know, the one you get when you're thinking about Cho."
"Who said I was thinking about her?" he threatened standing up sending Crookshanks to the floor. No matter how much he tried to get Ron to read him like Hermione did, Harry figured it was a girl's intuition to ask about stuff like that.
Hermione picked up the hissing cat and chuckled, "Calm down. I didn't mean to offend you or anything."
"Sorry," he replied putting himself back down, "I'm still a little ruffled about that."
"But were you thinking about her?" she asked softly, afraid of his response. It was even more irritating to know that you couldn't get mad at a girl when she hit a problem right on the bull's-eye.
Harry hesitated. He hadn't spoken openly about Cho to Hermione since the ride home from Hogwarts at the end of the term. "Yes…"
"Did you see her yet?" she pressed.
"Once." Harry fiddled with the sphere in his hands.
Hermione smiled inwardly at his answer. Anyone who counted the number of times they saw a person they once had a crush on was definitely still caught up in that lost romance. "Do you still like her?" she pressed further.
"…" Harry took out his snitch, bringing an end to the conversation.
o o o o o o o
"Firs' years this way!" Hagrid's usual call brought some small warmth to the sleet and howling wind Harry had to suffer as students made their way to the carriages. Thoroughly soaked with his teeth chattering noisily, Harry pushed through the crowd hoping Hermione hadn't lost him. The rain stung his face and blurred his vision. Although he had made sure to put an extra shirt under his uniform, the wind bit right to his skin. Where was Hermione?
Turning around, Harry saw the smaller girl's form huddling with people he couldn't recognize. She had thrown her hood over her head in a futile attempt to keep dry. Seeing Michael Corner practically yelling at her didn't suit Harry too well. After breaking Ginny's heart, he wasn't going to allow the jerk to break Hermione's.
"Come on, you can socialize later." Corner tried glaring at him, but failed as his teeth wouldn't settle themselves into a proper frown. He pulled her petite frame against his own, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "Just hold on. We'll get a carriage soon."
"It's so cold," she gasped through chattering teeth. Her breath against his neck was so warm and her grip seemed so frail around his middle. Harry brought his cloak around both of them before watching a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs look at him disdainfully. They were probably still holding grudges against him for shunning Cedric's memory by affiliating with Cho last year.
Harry hugged the girl tighter before wrapping an arm around her waist, pushing her toward an empty carriage. He wondered where Ron and Ginny had gone off to, but didn't worry too much. They had probably already arrived at the castle where it was warm and dry.
Climbing into the coach, Harry winced as he saw the dragonish beasts that were proof one had seen death. Their presence would always remind him of the ghosts or spirits he had seen. Death – one particular death haunted him like a wound left untreated.
"Harry?"
"What is it, Hermi – " Harry began but failed as he noticed the girl sitting next to him. "Cho?" Her hood was pulled back, revealing her face inset with rich brown eyes. Harry had always thought she was pretty, but looking at her now, she was what a million words could never capture – simply beautiful.
"Why'd you pull me away from my friends?" she asked, recoiling as they started along the bumpy road toward Hogwarts castle.
"I thought you were somebody else," he answered, taking off his robe and shaking it free of excess water.
"Perhaps Hermione Granger?" Cho looked at him venomously. Harry knew very well where the conversation would lead to if he kept mentioning Hermione and himself in the same sentence.
"We just got separated," he defended, "It doesn't mean anything."
Cho looked at him skeptically, "What doesn't mean anything?"
"Me holding you like that." He crossed his arms over his soaking sweater and ran a hand through his wet hair. Harry wished he remembered that drying spell he had read about briefly over the summer.
"So it means something if you hold Hermione Granger?" she inquired, ringing out her hair. There was no doubt in Harry's mind that she was pretending to ring his neck – and was most likely enjoying it, too.
"No," Harry shouted rather quickly, "I just didn't want you getting any ideas."
"How could I get any ideas after experiencing your insensitivity!" Cho was seething. Just being near him brought heart-breaking memories. Wait a minute. Heart-breaking? He never had her heart to begin with.
"I'm insensitive! Look whose talking, Miss I-don't-care-about-Harry-so-let's-talk-about-Cedric!" Harry backed himself against the seat as Cho's death glare came up about two centimeters in front of his face, her hands slamming on either side of his head. She was furious with his incompetence to recognize her desire to have closure about Cedric.
"Now you listen to me, Harry Potter! Last year, I was ready to move on, but all I needed was a sense of finality about how he…how he had…passed away!"
"But you like him better than me! You always had and always will! Beauty, brains, and bravado – isn't that what makes Cedric so perfect? So perfect that no one could ever meet his standards?" Harry had asked Cho to be his date for the Yule Ball in his fourth year, but was beaten to her by Cedric. Not only was he perfect in life, but he remained the constant idol even in death! It sickened him to know that a dead man was so perfect and that a living man can't be held against such perfection.
"You are so blind," she said much softly, gaining his attention again, "I have always liked y – " The carriage came to an abrupt stop, sending Cho right into Harry's lap. Harry caught her, falling to his side on the seat under the sudden imbalance. He could feel her heart beating and her breath on his face as she propped herself up on an elbow.
Harry summoned up his voice, although it came out more as a whisper, "Why didn't you stop me from holding you?"
Their faces were so close. He could have counted the eyelashes that framed her brown orbs. Cho closed her eyes and Harry felt his eyelids coming down slowly. He no longer felt her breath against his lips. She was holding her breath with painful anxiety. "Cho…"
The kiss that he was expecting never came. Harry opened his eyes and saw Cho withdrawing from him and then she opened the carriage door, stepping out into the rain. He followed and stood facing her. He couldn't feel anything – the rain, his frozen limbs, or even the wind that bit though his cloak like a knife to butter. There was just that same constriction in his chest and tingling running across the surface of his skin.
Cho lifted her gaze to meet Harry's. She noticed he had grown a lot over the summer. Not even Cedric had been this tall. Time seemed to slow down with every moment she used to burn the memory of Cedric away and replace it with Harry. Shaking her head, Cho said, "We'd better get going to the feast." With that she left Harry standing in the rain, staring off at her disappearing figure.
o o o o o o o
The four long House tables in the Great Hall were filling up under the storming ceiling, which was just like the weather they had experienced. Harry noticed that the Hall became much quieter as he entered the Hall. The heads of the students were being put together to whisper as he passed; Harry focused on locating Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as he passed pretending he neither cared nor noticed.
The moment he reached the Gryffindor's table, Ron called out to him, "Harry, over here!" He settled himself between Ron and Hermione. The brown-haired girl dried him off with a flick of her wand. "So how was the ride up?" Ron scanned the tables and his eyes seemed to narrow as he looked over at the Slytherins. Ginny elbowed him.
"It went all right," Harry said casually. He wanted to keep the episode between him and Cho a secret.
Their eyes wandered over to the staff table taking in the lanky structure of Professor Dumbledore, sitting in his golden chair at the center. The usual faculty members sat at their appropriate places and in the chair that Umbridge had once occupied sat a young woman with short bright red hair; her small heart-shaped face very much recognizable.
"It's Tonks," Hermione said following Harry's shocked gaze. "Is she our new Defense teacher?"
As if she had overheard their conversation, Nymphadora Tonks glanced at them and waved enthusiastically. "Bloody hell, no wonder McGonagall didn't tell us at the meeting." Ginny elbowed Ron again and he rubbed his shoulder shooting her a nasty look.
"She probably didn't want us asking questions until Tonks was properly introduced to the students," Ginny said.
"I wonder how soaked the first years are?" they heard Dennis Creevy ask from down the table. He had taken a plunge into the lake when he first arrived.
At his question, the large double doors opened and Professor McGonagall led the group of frightened first year students toward the staff table. She carried a three-legged stool on which sat an old wizard's hat with a wide rip near the brim.
The talking in the hall practically ceased at once. The terrified looking students lined up facing the rest of the students and Professor McGonagall placed the stool in front of them. The hat's brim opened wide and the Sorting Hat began:
Once long ago in ancient song
When men were bound together
Were two great humans of different worlds
Who endured great years of stormy weather.
United by a common goal
They had such devoted yearning
To save the world from evil lots
And give the future now some needed learning.
'Twas the eve of the war if I recall
that they did make contract
should one be lost to crumbling hope
the other would help him fast.
So together they worked in harmony
For several hard fought months
But unholy magic tore them apart
Strengthening on their doubts.
And only once when peace did come
That they did reconcile
And the test did surely come to them
But love did show they had no denial
As what they promised not too long ago
In the dark ages of old
That they would unite and bring a turn
To the war as I have told
Still I wonder if their love remains now
In bodies of sixth and seventh
The tale that I present to you
Must be taken to serious zenith
Oh, trust my words and heed the signs
There's nothing much to fear
Just listen to their dying music –
Her melody in a sphere…
The hat became motionless; a short interlude of applause ensued, tipped with growing whispers. Clapping along with all the students, Harry pondered the Sorting Hat's song. He had mentioned a sphere and spoke about a promise made obviously between a man and woman.
"Didn't even mention Hogwarts, did it?" Ron asked, his face screwed up in contemplation.
"It sure didn't," Hermione said, sounding slightly worried.
"I wonder if it's trying to tell us something again," said Harry. He remembered that last year the Sorting Hat had warned Hogwarts about an external threat, which was Voldemort, and that the students should not fight amongst each other.
"What do you suppose it meant when it said the war?" Ron asked. "Everyone knows that the war ended with Harry's survival fifteen years ago."
"Maybe its referring to another war that happened," Hermione proposed, "After all, it did mention all that happened when men of different worlds were united together."
"There are no other worlds," Harry said.
"Yes there are," Ginny answered. "There's our world, the wizarding world."
"You're right," Hermione exclaimed, "And the other world is the one in which Muggles live."
Ron scratched his head. "This is confusing me. Don't wizards and Muggles live on the same planet?"
Ginny spoke up. "We do, Ron, but our worlds are completely different. They like their own way of life and we do things that would seem out of place for them. Therefore, we do live in different worlds. They created one with magic and we made one with it."
"Your attention please," called Professor McGonagall. The Sorting would begin with, "Allen, Cary."
A small girl stumbled forward and had the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. The hat considered her House for a moment, then the rip opened again and shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Those seated at the Hufflepuff House table were clapping loudly as Cary Allen settled in her seat, looking quite pleased with herself. "We can talk about this in the common room," Harry told Hermione and she nodded.
Slowly the line of first years reduced as Rolf Fernandez taking his place with the Ravenclaws, Keiko Tyrell joined the Slytherin table, and Mark Williams wandered over to the Gryffindor table (with Hermione quickly making conversation with him about some man named John Williams). The Sorting ceremony ended. Professor McGonagall picked up the hat and stool and took them away as Professor Dumbledore stood up.
Harry was pleased to see their true headmaster reinstated. Umbridge had proved to be the absolute worst headmistress Hogwarts had to put up with. The wise old man extended his arms and his voice rang out clear, "Welcome, everyone, to another year at Hogwarts. I'll the save the speeches for later, so tuck in!"
Appreciative giggles could be heard throughout the Hall as the tables became covered with roasted turkey, sweet 'n sour short ribs, mashed potatoes, vegetables and fruits of all sorts, flasks of pumpkin juice, steaming apple pies, and chocolate pudding. Harry's mouth watered at the sight of all the warm foods. Harry loaded his plate as he watched Ron offered to fill Hermione's goblet with pumpkin juice. He seemed rather nervous about it and filled her cup to the brim. Hermione just smiled and slowly sipped at it.
Dean and Ginny were creating fits of laughter from everyone at the table with their rendition of a Muggle play by some guy named Shakespeare. Harry took the book from Dean and he and Hermione started at, "Act one, scene five." Harry recited and tried his hardest not to crack up as he looked at Hermione who was trying her best to contain her laughter. It was a hard fought battle, especially with some glances from other Houses.
The storm outside was a forgotten memory as everyone settled in their old companionships and retellings of their summer.
o o o o o o o
Cho looked across at the Gryffindor table. She focused her gaze on a certain young man. He was happily chatting with his friends again. She almost envied his joy at the moment, watching him whisper something closely to Hermione Granger. How did she do it? Hermione wasn't all that unfortunate looking and had proven that when Quidditch superstar Viktor Krum had been her date for the Yule Ball. She even had the famous Harry Potter as a best friend. Cho scowled slightly as she continued to watch her and Harry. He was practically shouting something like, "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."
Cho wanted to run over there and rip her lips off as she kissed Harry tenderly on the cheek. How dare he toil with her feelings? How dare he! "O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again," he shouted attracting looks from everyone in the Hall. This time Harry placed a kiss on her cheek (a little close to the corner of her mouth Cho noticed). The Gryffindors were shrieking with laughter as Harry passed a book to Seamus and Lavender who took up from where he and Hermione had left off.
She didn't see what was so amusing about spouting love poetry. Cedric had sent her numerous poems and she never laughed, even if some of his rhymes were a little trite. In fact, they were really sweet and thoughtful. Of course, she knew that to compare Harry and Cedric was unfair. They each had their own qualities that she found attractive. Cedric had his naturally good looks, intelligence, and charisma that everyone found charming. Harry was attributed with unparalleled courage, resourcefulness, and a conventional handsomeness.
It was hard to remember Harry's boyish mannerisms from the year before after her brief encounter with him earlier that evening. He carried himself differently and looked as if nothing could touch him as long as that confident aura remained. Last year, on the contrary, Harry was just a boy emerging into the hardness of adulthood with a tedious approach to the transition. Now, after only a couple months, he was fully transformed. The look in his eyes was what Cho had noticed when he had mentioned the perfection of Cedric. He seemed determined to point out that he and Cedric could not be held against each other because they were on opposite ends of the continuum.
Cho watched as Harry ran his hand though his hair again. It was no longer as messy. It seemed to stay in place better when he pushed it away from his eyes. Even his eyes were different. Their green hue didn't shine bright like a light had been cast on it, but they were a much more intense tint that reflected the tribulations he had lived through.
The Ravenclaw seeker sighed and recalled the night before the third task of the Triwizard Tournament. She had wished Cedric good luck before heading off to her common room. She had sat in front of the fire place and was thinking about Harry, praying with all her heart that he would emerge the victor. She had also hoped that he would finally have the courage to ask her out.
o o o o o o o
When the students were finishing up and the noise level in the Great Hall had risen, Dumbledore rose to his feet again. Talking ceased immediately and everyone turned to face their headmaster. Harry and Ron had dreamy looks about their faces. Somewhere above the hall were their four-poster beds and soft pillows.
"Now that we are taking in this wonderful feast, I would like a few moments for some quick announcements. First years and older students (Harry, Ron, and Hermione saw Dumbledore look their way) should know that the forest is out of bounds. Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that magic is prohibited in the corridors between classes. For specifics, you may check the list on Mr. Filch's office door.
"We also have a change in our staff this year. I am pleased to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Nymphadora Tonks." Harry smirked as he saw Tonks wince had the mention of her first name. "Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place in one week's time. That is all. Prefects please lead the way to your common rooms."
With that, Ron and Hermione stood up giving Harry claps on his back as they called first years to follow them up to the dormitories.
Harry looked around at the emptying hall and caught Cho's attention. She threw her gaze away from him and quickened her pace through the doors to the Entrance hall. "Mr. Potter."
"Yes, Professor McGonagall?" he queried. The transfiguration teacher waved him over and he automatically complied.
"Mr. Potter, you have been excused from your Care of Magical Creatures class this year," she said following the students into the Entrance hall. Harry caught a glimpse of the back of Cho's head before she blended into her usual crowd.
"What? Why?" Having Hagrid back to teach again was something Harry was looking forward to, even if the big man preferred anything with fangs or rock hard scales.
"The Headmaster and I have thought it best that you use your skills for a more advanced class of magic. Of course, it is totally up to you." They were walking to her room, straying from the flow of students.
"What kind of magic, professor?" He noticed he no longer had to jog to keep up with her quick pace because he long limbs allowed him to take less lengthy strides.
Professor McGonagall waited until they were both in her office before saying, "Transfiguration, Potter."
"But I'm already in your transfiguration class. Do you mean I'll be taking two classes?"
"Sort of," she said sitting down, "but one will not be a registered class." Harry kept staring at her, not being able to comprehend her vague words. "Do you know why I am able to transform myself into a cat, Mr. Potter?"
Harry looked at her like she insulted him, "You're an animagus, Professor. Everyone in school knows that."
"As you will be, too, Mr. Potter. With some proper instruction and lots of hard work, you'll be able to transform into an animal that best represents you."
Harry just looked at her like she had just grown a huge mole (A/N: And I do mean a mole the size of the one we saw in Austin Powers) on her nose. "Me? An animagus? That's impossible!"
"I beg to differ," she said much more seriously, "You have a natural talent for learning and executing spells, Mr. Potter. Although it's true that learning to transform yourself into an animal is no small task, with the abilities you have attained and shown throughout the years, especially during the Triwizard Tournament, it would be more beneficial to learn to become an animal rather than to study one."
He tried to soak all her words in, but asked once again, "Why?"
"Pettigrew's life was saved because he was able to disguise himself into something no one would go looking for. You're life just might be spared if you can do the same."
"This is going to turn out just like Occlumency, Professor." Harry balled up his fists at his sides as he recalled the lessons of "mind blocking" with Snape. He had come back from every lesson more tired and vulnerable than before. "Besides, doesn't it take years?"
"First of all, Professor Snape is not a master of transfiguration. Secondly, years' worth of lessons is not what Professor Dumbledore or I had in mind." She stood up, walked him to the door and before closing to door on him said, "We were thinking in terms of months."
o o o o o o o
"There you are, Harry," Ron said getting up from his favorite armchair, "We were wondering where you had gotten off to."
"Professor McGonagall wanted a word," Harry replied slumping onto a couch near the fireplace.
"About what?" Hermione and Ginny looked at him.
"I won't be attending Care of Magical Creatures this year." Harry closed his eyes as Ron ranted about them not sharing one more class together while Hermione was raving about him not having enough NEWT classes.
Ginny was the only one who remained calm, "So is that all?"
Harry nodded and heard Ron shout, "Is that all? Is that all? That's all you can say, Ginny? I hope they're not having you start Occlumency as a full-time class! I don't how much more of Snape any bloke can take!"
Ginny shot him a dangerous look, but Harry neglected it and answered, "No, I don't have to continue lessons with him."
"Then what will you do?" Hermione asked before ducking behind the cover of a book, "You can't very well marinate in the common room all day."
Harry lowered his head and brought his voice to a whisper, "Promise me you will not tell anyone." They nodded and leaned in closer as Harry drew his breath. "Beginning Wednesday, I'll be studying with McGonagall on how to become an animagus."
"Bloody hell! That's absolutely brilliant!" Ginny slapped the back of Ron's head and hushed him.
Harry smiled and continued, "She and Dumbledore figure it'll give me an advantage…like Pettigrew."
"They're right, Harry," Ginny said, "You've got to take advantage of every opportunity."
Hermione picked up, "It'll be extremely hard work, but if you can achieve this before leaving Hogwarts, then Voldemort will have a much harder time tracking you."
They continued talking until Ron and Ginny excused themselves and went up to their respective dormitories. Harry checked his watch – 9:16 PM. It was still storming outside, the rain, thunder, and lightning hadn't ceased in their attempt to flood the enchanted school. "I suppose we better get to bed, then."
Hermione nodded and wished Harry a good night as she headed up the stairs to her dormitories. Harry watched the fire cackle for a few more minutes before sighing and going up to greet his four-poster bed head on.
o o o o o o o
Belle. Garrett exhaled deeply at the thought of the songstress' name. Their last meeting was at the Quidditch match when she had caught him singing. He sung more often nowadays hoping that she would be lingering around a nearby corner, but she never was. At least, until now.
The young man leaned against the locker room doorframe, watching Belle take up her flute. He noticed she came to the pitch to play her instrument or ponder lyrics to her next song. He never bothered her content to watch and listen from afar. Garrett closed his eyes and heard her voice wafer to his ears.
"If ever there was a day when there wasn't enough time…" He remembered hearing this song a few years ago when Belle was becoming known in the music industry. "…if I was too careless to say you have been on my mind…" A multi-galleon recording company took notice of her just a year ago and now she was on the verge of releasing her first music sphere. "I know I have passed up the chance before, but I want to tell you now…"
It was so strange to feel so many different things at once. He knew a rising star like her deserved a guy with more class, not someone like him who enjoyed the rougher side of life. She was writing down something, then picked up her flute and played a tune before resuming her singing. "I love…I love you. I need…I need you. No better time to say I love…I love you. I need…I need you." Garrett could only wish she was singing about him.
Belle smiled as she heard his audible sigh, but kept her laughter held as she turned around to look at him. His face contorted itself into a state of shock as she sang, "This is a song for you..." (A/N: A Song for You by Rachel Lampa. For complete lyrics please see end of chapter.)
o o o o o o o
Harry woke up feeling rather perky remembering the dream he had. He was watching a very beautiful young woman play her flute through the eyes of some dense idiot. There was no doubt he fancied her. Harry could feel the man's numerous emotions running through him. It was that part that scared yet excited him.
Back in the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione brought Harry some light to more than his mood. The storm was finally over as he looked up at the ceiling. Blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and bright rays of sunlight met his face. He smiled and went back to digging into his plate full of scrambled eggs and bacon. Not even the dread of facing his first classes was going to dampen his mood. He felt like the girl of his dreams had just kissed him. Wait…he'd already done that. It felt like the girl of his dreams had just asked him to dance and he had not tripped over anything when dancing. Yes, that was it.
"Mail's in," Ron said nonchalantly. The cluster of owls came swooping from overhead, delivering the letters and parcels to their designated receivers.
"What you got there, Hermione?" Harry asked as he caught a parcel Hedwig dropped.
She was flushed a bright crimson red. "Looks like a letter from Krum," Ron disgustingly stated.
"No, it's not," Hermione said softly. Her eyes were darting across the lines of parchment, trying to take in whatever she was reading quickly as if she'd wake up from a dream of reading the best book of her life.
"Well who is it from?" Harry asked ripping open his parcel.
"There's no real name signed." Hermione flipped the parchment over for an address. Nothing.
"What's it say?" Harry asked, cutting through the tape with his butter knife.
Hermione took a deep breath and read:
Dearest Hermione,
I asked the gods for a minute.
They gave me a day.
I asked the gods for a flower.
They gave me a bouquet.
I asked the gods for love.
They gave me that, too.
When I asked for an angel,
the gods gave me you.
I noticed last night at the feast that you enjoy poetry. I'm not really good like that Shakespeare fellow, but I can put together a rhyme or two. I wish you good fortune today.
Forever Yours,
Crimson Regret
Harry put his box down and snatched the paper from Hermione's trembling hands. She was clearly quite impressed. He read the poem again and again. It was definitely good. "Do you know anyone that might fancy you, Hermione?"
"I didn't even think I'd catch anyone's eye!"
"Well, while you two figure out that load of rubbish, I'm going to see how Tonks is before class," Ron said standing up and brushing out of the hall.
"What do you think of all this?" he asked waving the letter in front of her shocked face.
"I don't know," she admitted, "but whoever wrote that definitely knows I enjoy poetry. Narrowing it down will be hard considering how many people overheard us last night." They got up and shouldered their bags.
Harry put an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the hall. "For now, let's just enjoy class with our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, shall we?" Hermione giggled, much to Harry's distaste, and nodded.
Back in the Great Hall, Cho was oblivious Harry Potter's presence and scanned the Great Hall before resting her eyes on a box at the Gryffindor table. Telling her friends she would catch up, she walked over to the box. There was no name or return address. Opening it and ripping away the bubble paper, Cho gasped and almost dropped the fragile item.
There was a note attached to it:
Dear Hermione,
Here's the photograph that developed from our new camera from Diagon Alley. Your father and I find them to be highly entertaining when it's safe to bring them out. We hope all goes well this year and be sure to write soon.
Love,
Mom & Dad
The picture featured Harry and Hermione on his Firebolt hovering several feet in the air. Cho couldn't help but frown when she noticed the smaller details – one of Harry's arms around her waist, their content smiles, and the fact that non-Quidditch player Hermione Granger had rode on a Firebolt, and Harry Potter's nonetheless!
She shoved the picture in her satchel determined to give it to Harry and a piece of her mind. Cho looked at her class schedule for the morning – double Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Nymphadora Tonks. Whoopee…
o o o o o o o
Author's Note: To those who I went with on the Rose Parade trip a year ago, if you remember the rain we had to endure the night we were at Universal Stuidos, then that's what Harry and Cho were experiencing at the beginning of the chapter. On another note, literally, I am now capable of playing the C scale on the flute. I'm slowly getting there, but Harry will have practically mastered it by the time we get up to the fourth or fifth chapter. By the way, writing a song for the Sorting Hat is unbelievable!
I also made some references to a few people when the Sorting took place. To my editors at school, see if you can guess who I wrote about.
Reviews are welcome.
A Song for You (Kaleidoscope album)
If ever there was a day
When there wasn't enough time
If I was too careless to say
You have been on my mind
I know I have passed up the chance before
But I want to tell you now
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
No better time to say
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
This is a song for you
If ever there was a time
When I pushed you aside
I'm so glad you stayed through it all
And that you're in my life
Oh there have been times when I didn't know how
But I want to tell you now
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
No better time to say
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
For the skies that you made blue
For the smiles the light reflected through
If today was my very last day
And I lost my chance to say
In heaven, oh, I would hope that you know
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
No better time to say
I love…I love you
I need…I need you
This is a song for you