Dark Days Pass But Are Never Forgotten
****
Hello again everyone. I've got good news….I'm update early because I'm going out of town this weekend. I had to literally smack my hand to keep me from updating since this chapter has been done since Wednesday. I'm so sorry to have to keep you all waiting, but if I don't learn to spend less time on this passion, I won't get anything else in my life accomplished.
A few things about the way this story is going so far. Some of you have made mention that you are tired of Harry's 'I don't want to be famous complex.' I agree! It is overdone. Yet, I feel this is the most realist way things would go after the death of Voldemort. I promise it won't be the entire basis of my story.
Next, I know I'm writing a very easily dislikable Cho at the present moment. It's for a reason. I can't say yet, but that part of the plot will be revealed soon, I promise. This chapter brings us back to the Cho and Harry we like seeing together, but it still isn't perfect.
I'm worried about this chapter because not a lot happens. It still is a set-up in a way, so bare with me. Things will get interesting.
OH!!! I want to say Thank-you to whoever nominated my story Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Lord as a featured story on Harrypotterfanfiction.com. I'm honored….
Again, if you want to join my mailing list to get a e-mail notification of my updates, e-mail me at:
logicalraven@insightbb.com
Nothing is my own……Read and Review
Without further ado…..
****
And So It Begins
Harry slammed himself into the couch as he let a loud wind of disappointed escape him.
"Harry, please don't be mad. They just nominated you, you don't actually have to accept," Hermione pleaded, seeing his rising temper growing before her.
Ron nodded, "Do you realized how many times they've nominated Dumbledore?"
"That isn't the point," Harry snapped, "I'm not even eighteen years, I'm barely out of Hogwarts. What type of idiot nominates a kid to run for Minister of Magic?"
Cho smiled, "I think it's flattering they think so highly of you."
Harry threw his new Order of Merlin cloak to the floor in disgust, "I'm sorry I even accept their stupid invitation to join."
Cho frowned, "You don't mean that."
Harry rolled his eyes and rose from his place on the couch, "I'm going to bed. You three can sit down here and plan my entire campaign."
"Why do you always have to act this way?" Cho demanded glaring at him with disgust.
Harry froze as he took an angry rattled breath and bit his tongue, knowing nothing he could possibly say would make the situation better.
"Every time something doesn't go your way you stomp around treating everyone around you like dirt. When are you going to learn to grow up?" she continued bravely with an annoyed tone.
"I'm sorry I bother you so much. Why don't you just leave?" Harry said coldly as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
Cho gasped in shock as her eyes brimmed with tears.
"She's right you know," Hermione stated frankly narrowing her eyes at Harry.
Harry spun around, his eyes were full of anger, "You can leave too!"
"Fine," Hermione spat, "Come on Cho, you can stay at my parents' house with me tonight."
"Calm down mate, they didn't mean anything by it," Ron pleaded as Cho and Hermione rose to leave.
"It they don't like the way I'm acting, they don't have to hang around," Harry hissed instantly, cutting Ron's statement off.
"Bah, the girls are right, you're acting like a prat," Ron said throwing his arms up in protest, "I'm going to the Burrow tonight."
"GO!" Harry screamed.
****
Remus felt his eyes begin to burn as he broke his stare. December hadn't noticed he was studying her, as she lay stretched out on his couch. It wasn't much, but Remus Lupin finally had a flat of his own again. With his new Hogwart's teacher salary he could finally afford it. Life had been difficult, but things were finally started to look up. For the first time since the day he had told his friend at Hogwarts about his secret, he felt it was okay to be what he was.
"This couch is as hard as a rock," December joked opening her eyes and propping herself up on he elbows.
Remus smiled, "I thought it was rather comfortable."
December let a smile creep onto her face, "You know what was comfortable, the couch in the Gryffindor common room."
Remus returned her memory with a chuckle, "You would find that couch comfortable, you and Sirius spent enough time on it."
December relaxed her head back again and closed her eyes, "Very funny."
Remus sighed as he studied her features. She was still perfect. His heart gave a slight twinge of pain as he thought about what she had done for him. She could have pursued James or Sirius, but no, she had approached Remus and told him she'd love for him to take her to Hogmeade. It was a distant sweet childhood memory, yet Remus could never quit forget the look of sincerity in her eyes when she had asked. She was the love of his life; she always had been and always would be.
"Do you think of him very often?" Remus asked before he could stop himself.
December's eyes flickered open, "Everyday, I think about all of them."
Remus frowned as he turned his eyes back towards the fire, "So do I."
"Did Azkaban change him?" December asked lightly.
Remus laughed, "Not really, nothing could ever change Sirius Black."
"True," December agreed, "I just wish he wasn't in the void, I wish there was some way to make sure he's passed to the next step."
"You know the rules just as well as I do, when it is Sirius's time he'll pass," Remus said firmly as he cringed at the thought of his friend's fate behind the Torto Execution Veil.
"Do you think he's passed yet?" December asked though her tone said she didn't want a truthful answer.
Remus shrugged, "I hope so, he hated being alone."
"For someone who hated being alone, he sure enjoyed his single status," December said bitterly, recalling the later years of their doomed relationship.
Remus frowned, "If I hadn't come between you…"
"Don't even think that," December said quickly, "Sirius and I weren't meant to be, it had nothing to do with you."
"So you don't think it would have been different if what happened between us didn't happen? Snape would have never been able to draw that rift between us, and Peter would have never been their secret keeper," Remus rambled.
"Amazing how long ago it all seems. No Remus, I think the rift between you and Sirius would have still happened. You left, that is the only reason they made Peter the secret keeper instead of you," December defended.
"I've often asked myself that question. Part of me wonders if James would have selected me over Peter as an alternate. I always knew I wouldn't be his first pick, that spot was always reserved for Padfoot," Remus confessed.
December sighed, "I always thought Lily would have chosen me over Peter also. If you think about it, Peter did seem like the safest choice."
"We all should have been a safe choice," Remus spat bitterly.
"Yes, we all should have, but we can't change the past," December stated flatly.
Remus watched her eyes narrow as he counted the lines that appeared between her eyes, "You're worried about Harry."
"So are you," December said glancing over towards her old friend.
"He'll get through this, he isn't one who likes a lot of attention," Remus said trying to sound confident.
December grinned, "He gets that from his mother."
"That he does," Remus agreed.
Suddenly December gave a yawn and sat up, "It's getting late, I need to be getting home."
"You're welcome to stay the night, I have some extra blankets and pillows upstairs," Remus offered, feeling his heart almost stop at the suggestion.
December smiled lightly, "I'd love to Remus, but I have to be at the Ministry early tomorrow morning."
He nodded, "Lets get together for lunch tomorrow then."
"I'll send you an owl tomorrow if I can sneak away," she replied politely as she rose to her feet. "I can't believe our little Harry is a Member of the Order of Merlin, First Class."
"I can't believe they nominated to run for Minister of Magic, I bet Fudge is having a fit," Remus grinned.
December winked, "Not yet, but I am meeting with him tomorrow."
"Sirius wasn't the only one who didn't change," Remus offered as he gave her a quick departing hug, the smell of her hair causing his chest to ache.
"Goodnight Moony," December said lightly.
Remus grinned, "When did I give you permission to call me that."
December laughed, "Who picked out that nickname anyways?"
Remus grinned, "Sirius.'
December nodded, "I thought so."
Within a second she had apparated away, leaving Remus alone in his dark home alone. Remus Lupin sighed and shook his head as if he were trying to shake his thoughts from his mind. He leaned over and blew out a candle setting on the table nearby and casted a dousing spell on the fire roaring in the fireplace, built to knock out he summer night chill.
He let his tired legs carry him back to his bedroom where he quickly changed into his nightly robes. He would be here in this flat until September and then he would go back to Hogwarts. This routine would soon become the cycle of his life.
As he gazed out his window up towards the sliver of a moon showing in the night sky he felt a rage build in his chest. He was the one cursed; he was the monster that most wanted to see dead. Still, James and Sirius had died and he survived.
Remus reached into his nightstand and pulled out a tightly wrapped handkerchief. As he slowly unfolded a small golden ring exposed itself. He understood what Harry was going through because he could not have a normal life either. Remus Lupin wanted nothing more in than to live out days with December O'Riley at his side. With a sigh he folded the ring back into its hiding place and placed it back into the drawer. It could never be, she was a great Auror and defender of good and he was a monster.
****
Harry slammed himself into his bed, daring someone to open the door and follow him. One thing he had learned in his Voldemort years, it was how to debate with wands or words. What did his friends know about his heart? How dare they judge him on getting angry? He took a deep breath as he reached the conclusion they were a foolish as everyone else in the wizarding world.
A light rap made Harry's eyes bolt towards the door. He didn't move, it was locked and he had no intentions of unlocking it. Another rap sounded before the light of an Alohamora spell shined through the key hole.
"Harry, can we talk?" Cho voice asked as the door creaked open.
"No," Harry said flatly.
Cho lowered her head, "I'm sorry I upset you tonight, I'm just proud of you. Is that wrong?"
"I don't want you to be proud of me, I didn't do anything you should be proud of," Harry said quickly grabbing her bait.
"Harry Potter, how can you be so naïve?" Cho demanded closing the door behind her, "You're my hero, whether you want to be or not. You may not want to be famous and admired but you are, you can't just tell people to leave you alone."
"Why can't I? Why won't they just let me move on with my life?" Harry said biting his lips.
Cho sighed, "Do you still love me?"
Harry didn't meet her eyes when he responded, "Oh course I do."
"Then why have to tried so desperately to push me away? I thought we had grown pretty close," Cho said in a broken voice.
"We did," Harry sighed, "I'm just not sure we want the same things out of life Cho."
"I want you to be happy," Cho said quickly, "Isn't that what you want too? I want to be happy with you in a normal life away from all the craziness we've lived for the past two years."
"You've been through it two years I've lived with since I was eleven, I don't think you can understand," Harry tried to explain.
"Do you still want me to leave?" she asked.
Harry shook his head no and moved over so Cho could take a seat next to him. She smiled lightly as she rested her head onto his shoulder and begged his arms to wrap around her.
"Will you hold me for awhile?" Cho asked letting her eyes gaze up at his.
Harry kissed her forehead lightly and before rising and pulling the cover back on his bed. She lay down on one of his pillows as he crawled in beside her. She clutched onto his arm and nuzzled her face into his nightshirt.
"I feel so safe with you," Cho said lightly as a smile touched her face.
Harry forced a smile as he pulled her close so he wouldn't have to face her eyes. He wasn't sure what he wanted to happen between them anymore. He thought about Seamus asking Lavender to be his wife. As he glanced down at Cho head he narrowed his eyes in thought. He wasn't sure he'd ever want that. The life of Harry Potter was complicated, and he knew he could never share everything, there was just too much.
"Harry," Cho said lightly.
"Yea," Harry replied.
She pulled back slightly so she could see his face, "Will you come with me to my parents tomorrow?"
"I honestly can't, I have so much to do before leaving for training," Harry lied, not wanting to face Mr. Chang's wrath again.
"I know, but I really want you to. It will probably do you some good to get out of England for awhile, I can promise nobody in China will ask you to run for an elected position," Cho begged.
Harry sighed, "Your father hates me. I don't think being around someone who hates me is going to make me feel any better."
"My father doesn't hate you, he's just protective. He knows I'm serious about you and I promise he'll be on his best behavior," she defended, "it's only for a couple of days."
Harry looked at her desperately, why couldn't she just take no for an answer?
Cho blushed slightly as she kissed his lightly, "China is very romantic, and my parents own an entire mountain we can explore."
"Cho," Harry started.
She sighed at the sound of her name, "Please come, for me."
Harry nodded, he could never say no to her when she gave him that pitiful look.
Cho let out a small squeal before throwing her head towards Harry and began kissing him. He let his hands slip around her waist and hoist her closer to himself. He felt her small hands teasing the buttons on his nightshirt. As the last bottom popped open she slowly slid his shirt over his shoulders and suddenly pulled away to stared at his forearm.
"Does it still burn?" she asked touching the spot the dark mark had once started to show through.
Harry shook his head, he tried desperately not to be subconscious about being shirtless, but his ribs were completely visible through his skinny frame, and he found himself tugging the covers up towards his face a bit. His actions did not go unnoticed and Cho let out a light giggle.
"Why Mr. Potter, are you bashful?" Cho teased.
"No," Harry said defensively.
She leaned in towards him resting her frame against his bare chest, "I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of."
Harry started to say something but Cho stopped him suddenly as she placed her lips firmly against his. Harry felt heat rise through his entire body as she moved in a way that made him both excited and fearful. His fingers danced across the small of her back and she let out a light giggle.
"You're tickling me," she whispered.
Harry desperately tried to catch his breath as she sized his lips again. The palms of her hands explored his bare chest and stomach. Harry's mind was screaming for him to stop, but he ignored it. His hands wandered up her back and he spun her around to a position where she was beneath him. Cho cocked her neck upward in almost an instructive motion, giving Harry's free reign to kiss her neck. As he took the hint she let out a small moan, which caused all the nerves inside Harry's brain to suddenly freeze. What were they doing? As Harry momentarily paused he felt Cho nudge him slightly as he slid back off to the side.
"We need to stop," she said breathlessly.
"Why?" Harry brain wasn't working anymore; if it had he would have never asked such a bold question.
Cho giggled and leaned over and kissed him again quickly before pulling herself out of his bed, "Goodnight Harry, I'll see you in the morning."
****
Neville, Terry and Dean all fell to the floor in balls of laughter. Terry took the extendable he had purchased from Ron's brothers away from his ear.
"Guys we shouldn't be eavesdropping like this," Terry jeered as the other three boys laughed.
"This is great, where is Ron?" Dean added trying desperately to subdue his laughter. "Oh shit, hide!"
Cho slid out of Harry's bedroom and started down the hall where she found the guilty party of boys trying desperately to look innocent.
"What are you all up to?" Cho demanded.
Terry gave a full smile, "Nothing, lovely evening isn't it Cho?"
"Yes, lovely," Cho said cocking her eyes.
Dean let a choked back laugh escape him, "Seen Harry lately?"
Cho eyes grew wide as she caught sight of one of the extendable ear, "TERRY BOOT, I can't believe you'd do that!'
Terry grinned and tossed the ear over towards Neville, "I haven't the slightly idea what you're talking about."
"You were all spying on me and Harry," Cho accused.
"We did no such thing," Dean defended laughing heavily.
Cho hands flew up to her hips as her eyes glazed over, "Don't you dare lie to me."
"Alright, we were spying," Terry laughed, "What was all that moaning about?"
Cho turned on her heels; her cheeks were glowing red, "I swear I've never in all my life."
"Awe Cho, we were just having a bit of fun," Terry protested.
Cho glared at him coldly, "I'd except this type of behavior from a Gryffindor but I thought better of you."
"We're sorry, we didn't mean any harm," Neville offered, being the only one who looked sincerely guilty.
"You should be!" Cho shrilled angrily.
Dean started to gain control of his laughter, "I can see the next issue of Witch Weekly, 'The Bedroom Secrets of Harry Potter'."
"Sod off Thomas, you're just jealous because you have no bedroom secrets," Cho spat at him.
"And your just pissy because we know all yours," Dean continued laughing harder at his own brilliance.
Terry seemed to agree with the hilarity of the situation and joined in with Dean's jeering.
Cho sneered her nose and pushed past them and stormed off into her bedroom blushing from head to toe.
"Did you see her face, she's going to hex you so good," Terry laughed as he gave Dean a shove.
Dean stopped laughing for a moment, "You don't really think she'd do anything like that?"
"I don't know, Cho's an Auror, she probably knows plenty of hexes," Neville said with a sigh.
Dean laughed again, "That's why you were kissing up to her, 'we're so sorry cho'."
"I wasn't trying to kiss up, she just seems upset," Neville defended, not finding humor in the situation.
Terry grinned, "Neville's right, he wasn't the one kissing up to her, that was Harry. I can't wait till breakfast, Potter is not going to live this down."
"Second the thought, though he's probably going to be pretty pissy from Cho working him all up and leaving him like that," Dean laughed.
****
Morning came quickly as so did the jeers. Harry had no soon sat down at the table to grab a spot of breakfast that Dean Thomas started with the jokes.
"Have a good night mate?" Dean asked with a light smile, as he nudged Terry in the ribs.
Harry shrugged, "I'm sure you guys will hear about it sooner or later anyway, the idiots at the Order of Merlin nominated me to run for Minister of Magic."
Neville stared at Harry in disbelief, "Wow, that's amazing Harry. I bet you're the youngest wizard to ever be nominated."
"I seem to be making a habit of being the youngest wizard," Harry said with disgust.
"I'm sure you're not the youngest wizards to ever do some things," Terry said quickly and under his breath, causing a snicker from Dean.
"What are you two talking about?" Harry asked raising his eyebrows.
"Nothing," Dean said innocently, "So have any plans today?"
"I promised Cho I'd go with her to her parents for a couple days."
Terry laughed loudly and Dean smiled, "How did she ever convince you to do something like that?"
Neville lowered his head as Harry looked at him desperately.
"I heard some interesting noises were coming from your bedroom last evening, then Miss Chang exited," Dean laughed.
"What?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Honestly Harry, you're too young to be engaging in such behavior," Terry said sternly nudging Dean to stop laughing.
"Will you two grow-up, I could hear your childish banter all they way upstairs," Cho spat as she pushed her way into the kitchen.
Dean beamed, "Lovely morning isn't it?"
"Sod off!" Cho spat as her cheeks flamed pink, "Are you ready to get going Harry?"
Harry's eyes darted from Cho to Dean and Terry and finally he shrugged and made a mental note to ask Cho what was going on later, she apparently knew more than he did about his particular situation. Cho picked up a biscuit and glanced down at the counter at the latest issue of the Daily Prophet.
"Oh, this is a wonderful picture of you," Cho exclaimed as she carried the paper over towards Harry to show him.
Harry turned his head, "Wonderful."
"I'm keeping this one for my scrap book," she announced boastfully as she started towards the door.
Harry sighed, "I really wish she'd stop doing that."
"I'm sure that is the only thing you wish she'd stop," Dean said as he and Terry broke back into a fit of laughter.
Harry rolled his eyes, "Have you seen Ron?"
Neville shook his head as Dean and Terry shrugged.
Cho appeared downstairs moments later with her bag in her hand, "You best hurry up. I told my mum we'd be there just after breakfast."
"So they know I'm coming?" Harry asked.
Cho eyes grew wide for a second as she attempted to avoid the question.
"We'll tell Ron where you dashed off to," Terry said with a cheeky grin.
Harry sighed as he hurried up stairs to gather a few changes of cloths and a night bag. Surely she didn't expect him to stay more than a couple of days. Within seconds of appearing down stairs Cho and himself apparated with their belongings to the Ministry of Magic, their first stop on their journey to China.
****
"TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW!"
Draco Malfoy cringed as Mad-Eye Moody slammed his fist down on the table.
"Alastor, he doesn't know anything, if he did he would have divulged it by now," Bill Weasley half shouted as he pulled Mad-Eye away from Draco.
Draco narrowed his eyes, never would he show gratitude to a Weasley, not even in hell.
Moody flung his arms in a mad rage, "Throw the brat back into his cell, maybe a few more months will loosen his tongue."
"NO!" Draco Malfoy shrilled throwing himself onto the cold dirty floor at Mad-Eye's feet. "Please don't put me back in there."
"Then tell me where your father is hiding!"
"I don't know! But if I did I would tell you!" Malfoy cried, feeling a rising of fear build throughout him.
Bill shrugged his shoulders, "I've used every truth charm I know on him, and it takes six weeks to get the approval of the council to use any type of potion."
"Damn hold up on justice if you ask me. Lucius Malfoy is out there right now, I can't stand a Death Eater who walks free."
"I was under the curse, I never wanted too," Draco resorted sobbing uncontrollably.
"Get off me," Moody croaked kicking his wooden leg and sending Malfoy backwards. "You were no more under the Imperius Curse than I am now."
"We can't prove that Alastor," Bill defended, "As much as I destest Malfoy, he should be subject to the same flea bargains as every other traitor in these walls."
"Malfoy will walk free over my dead body!" Moody said sternly rising up to challenge Bill's suggestion.
He seized Draco by the collar, "WHERE IS LUCIUS MALFOY!"
"I don't know," Draco sobbed.
"Mad-Eye!" Nymphodora Tonks said quickly as she entered into the interrogation room.
"I'll help you catch him, I'll do anything. I'll even renounce my name, just don't put me back in that cell," Draco continued now rocking back a forth in a insane rhythm where Moody had dropped him.
"Should I go summon Madame Bones?" Tonks asked.
"NO!" Alastor Moody cried instantly.
"Alastor, you've said it yourself, Draco Malfoy is our best chance at catching Lucian. Which one has honestly caused the most damage?" Bill tried to reason.
"Both of them. It's a wicked family, and I will not let this little Death Eater walk free!" Moody cried.
"He's served his time, what has he done so wrong? We have no evidence that he has even used an unforgivable curse. His only crime is making a very bad decision, we've set plenty of wizards free for doing far worse," Tonks added.
Bill placed a quick hand on Tonks shoulder, "It's our only chance. If Draco Malfoy ever steps out of line again, we throw him back into Azkaban."
Moody sighed in defeat, "Boy, if I agree to let this take place let me warn you. If you ever so much as look in the wrong direction, if you so much as take a piss without my knowledge I'll throw you into the darkest holding pit in this hellish prison and never allow you to so much as see the sunlight reflecting off my arse! Do I make myself clear?"
Malfoy quivered in his tears, "I'll do anything, anything."
Mad-Eye Moody turned around to his two colleagues, "Go get Amelia Bones."
****
The ministry was extremely crowded in the department of foreign travels. Cho pushed her way through them like a pro, glancing back occasional to make sure Harry was making his way through. Harry glanced around nervously at the wizards and witches talking in strange languages, and to his relief, ignoring him and his scar.
"Come on Harry," Cho urged as she reached a doorway with Chinese characters above it.
Harry nodded as he caught an uncomfortable suitcase in the stomach as he passed by a rushing wizard. The room they entered was considerably less crowded. Cho walked quickly up to window. He blinked twice as Cho said a quick Chinese phrase he didn't even start to comprehend.
"Oh," the lady nodded, she continued on and the only word Harry picked up this time was Chinese, and he wasn't positive on that.
Cho nodded happily before turning to Harry, "We're going to the Chinese Magical Partnership building, and from there was can apparate to my parents'."
Harry smiled nervously, "Does anyone in China speak English?"
Cho giggled, "Oh course silly."
"Good," Harry sighed, "I was beginning to get worried."
"You should be, and besides if you run into anyone you can't communicate with, I'll be your personal translator," Cho beamed as she grabbed his hand and drug him towards the portkey.
With a single touch, the pulling sensation from somewhere behinds Harry's navel pulled him on his journey. Within seconds they were on the floor of the Chinese Magical Partnership building. No sooner had they landed, a young girl quickly helped them to their feet.
She replied a greeting in Chinese, which received another undecipherable statement from Cho. The girl smiled and nodded her head in a quick motion.
"Welcome Harry Potter," she said in a thick Asian accent.
He followed Cho down the corridor to another window where Cho apparently told the attendant what their plans where, and passed her along a few sickles to pay for their passage.
"I never knew it was so difficult to travel, I figured you could just apparate anywhere you wanted if you were a wizard," Harry stated naively.
Cho glared at him, "There are laws against that you know."
"Actually I didn't" Harry stated again, this time more literally.
Cho sighed as the attendant at the window handed her back two passes, "Well, we're all set to apparate."
"One problem, I don't know where to apparate too," Harry reminded her.
"Oh dear, how silly of me," Cho said again, "I guess we'll have to floo for the first time."
She turned back to the attendant and pulled a few more knuts to pay for a small bag of floo powder.
"Where are we going to floo from?" Harry asked.
"The floo room," Cho said as if it should have been common knowledge, "I swore I'd never use that filthy place again after I learned to apparate, the things I do for you Potter."
She wasn't kidding, the room was disgusting and cover in soot from ceiling to floor. She pinched a small hand full of powder out of the bag and step towards the fireplace.
"Chang Manor," she said clearly with a wink as the swirls of green flames engulfed her.
Harry nodded as he resumed her place, 'the joys of flooing.' He gripped his overnight bag tightly with one hand and threw the green powered with the other. As the swirls of green engulfed him he found himself sliding onto a marble floor cover in soot.
Harry coughed and readjusted his glasses as he saw two house elves quickly cleaning up the newly made mess.
"What do you think?" Cho asked sweetly as she dusted off the front of her robe. "It isn't a palace, but it's home. Our home in London was much smaller than this one. The Chang Estate had been in my family for nineteen generations."
"It's beautiful," Harry said as everything came into focus.
"Oh, you haven't seen the best part," Cho giggled pulling him up to his feet.
As Harry glanced out the window he could see the mountain unveiling itself in the midst.
"Mu Nuo," Cho explained, "or as my father calls it, the mountain of mist. When I was young An-Xi told me a Chinese Fireball lived up there."
"Does one?" Harry asked inquisitively.
Cho smiled, "No, she was just trying to suppress my curiosity."
The house elf nodded and quickly left the room as if her presence wasn't appropriate.
"She's a little traditional, but Boo makes up for her strictness," Cho smiled nodding towards the other elf.
"Very good miss," he spoke in a traditional British accent.
Harry looked at Cho curiously.
"Boo took care of our London estate, when my parents sold the house Boo had nowhere else to go but back to China with my folks. An-Xi was my grandmum's elf," Cho continued.
"If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call for my services," Boo bowed before following in An-Xi's exit.
"You're parents must be very comfortable if they have two house elves," Harry said as his eyes took in the surroundings.
Cho giggled, "Not really, my parents both have very ancient family lines. Most of our material possessions have just been passed down. My grandmum died during my first year at Hogwarts and left my parents this estate."
Harry caught sight of a glass cabinet filled with pictures. His eyes rested on a picture of a very young Cho and an older boy who was undoubtedly her brother.
"That's Ran Ting, handsome wasn't he?" Cho asked following Harry's eyes.
"Your brother," Harry affirmed.
Cho nodded, "Father took it especially hard. I suppose that's why he's so attached to Eros, they were best friends after all."
Harry frowned, why did she have to mention Eros Raymer?
"Cho, goodness. I was expecting you an hour ago," Mrs. Chang greeted engulfing her daughter in tight hug. "Hello Harry, how was your trip?"
"It was nice," Harry said politely as Mrs. Chang pulled back from her daughter and said something quickly in her native tongue.
"What!?' Cho exclaimed, "but mum, you know what he'll do if you haven't told him."
Her mother gave her a quick glance before turning her attention back to Harry, "I've been keeping up with the Daily Prophet from London, and it seems you are quite the hero."
"So it would appear," Harry aid desperately trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
"Cho Lei, why don't you take Harry out for a tour of the garden. I'm sure both of you could use some air after your trip today," Mrs. Chang smiled. "I'll have Boo and An-Xi fix you something to eat."
Cho reached for Harry's hand and pulled him towards the door.
"What did you mother say to you?" Harry asked.
Cho frowned, "She didn't tell my father you were coming with me."
Harry took a deep breath, "Should I leave?"
Cho shook her head defiantly, "Absolutely not, he'll just have to be okay with it."
"I'm guessing dinner should be interesting," he muttered miserably.
Cho squeezed his hand tightly, "I don't want it to ruin our day."
Harry nodded, though he doubted he would be able to think of much else.
The garden was like out of a book. As Harry took in the plants and fragrances he couldn't help but think about how much Neville would enjoy this. Cho lead him over to a small waterfall near the middle surrounded by rows of bamboo.
"It's so perfect here," Cho said lightly.
Harry leaned back against the palms of his hands, "It is nice."
"We could go explore the mountain if you'd like," Cho suggested, noticing Harry's boredom.
Harry shook his head, "I'm a bit out of practice when it comes to battling dragons."
Cho smiled, "And without a broomstick."
Harry let a light laugh slip as Cho inched closer to him, "Say it."
"Huh?" Harry asked confused.
She sighed slightly, "You haven't said it since that day at St. Mungo. I need to hear you say it."
"This is silly Cho, you know how I feel about you," Harry defended.
Cho crossed her arms across her chest, "No I don't. You've been pushing me away for nearly three months now."
"I haven't been pushing you away."
"Then why can't you say it?" Cho demanded.
Harry narrowed his eyes; "I don't hear you saying it all that often anymore."
"How can you even say that? You know how I feel about you!"
Harry threw his hands up in frustration, "I love you."
Cho threw her face into her hands a few tears slipped down her face.
"Don't cry," Harry urged placing her arms around her trembling shoulders.
"I'm so scared you're going to leave me," Cho confessed trying desperately to stop the waterworks.
He tilted her chin upwards to get a good look into her eyes "I'm still here aren't I?"
Cho nodded as she moved her head out of his hand, "I just don't think I could handle it if something happened between us."
Harry searched for the words to say when he caught site of the owl he had purchased for Cho in a nearby tree.
"Chu Jung," Cho said a bit surprised, "I left him with Eros incase they needed me."
Harry cringed slight at the thought of the gift he had given Cho being placed in the care of Eros Raymer. The owl fluttered down from the tree limb and landed on Cho's shoulder.
She scratched the young owl's stomach as she untied the letter attached to his leg.
"Go on, mum will give you a treat back at the house," she urged as the owl took off in single motion.
As she began to read the letter her hand flew up to her mouth and her eyes widened in fear, "They can't do that."
****
ha ha…..another chapter written and published. I want to thank each and every one of my readers and reviewers. I really wish I could update daily, but I just can't give that much anymore. So, do you guys like the story so far???? I'll be waiting for your feedback as always. Thanks~
Next Update will be no later than 03/21/04