note: the time breaks still haven't been fixed yet. I'm trying to do that. Hope you've been enjoying this so far

Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 3

Where is that girl when you need her?

Hermione stomped through the halls of the whole school looking for the person whom she least wanted to see at the moment. There are plenty of other people out there, why not ask someone else for Quidditch help? She sat down on a bench outside and once again let out a frown of annoyance. Suddenly it dawned on her. Wait a second, why didn't I just think of going there in the first place?

She ran off towards the Quidditch area and sure enough, the black-haired Ravenclaw seeker was sitting on her broom alone on the field. She was staring into the sky absent-mindedly hovering only a few feet off the ground.

Hermione walked up slowly so she wouldn't scare Cho, but when she put a hand on her shoulder, she still screamed and toppled headlong to the ground. She shook her head and tried to regain her equilibrium and composure. She looked up and saw Hermione looking down and suddenly she frowned. "What are you doing here? Come to give me more grief? As if the other night wasn't enough, you just had to come back, is that it?"

Controlling the urge to suddenly punch her, Hermione offered her hand, "No… I have actually come to apologize. After all, I am not completely heartless."

Cho looked up, stunned, because she remembered the cruel words that she had also said to the brown-haired girl the other night. She accepted the hand and was pulled up to her feet. Smiling awkwardly she brushed off her robes, "Um… before you apologize I'd like to say that I am sorry as well for the words I told you. You're…not that mean actually. If you were," she giggled, "then you'd be in Slytherin." Hermione looked at her and grinned, "I'm sorry for the words I said as well. Good thing neither of us are in Slytherin."

They both laughed, the tension lessening a little bit, even though an awkward silence followed. Hermione shuffled her feet and started talking, "Um…I was also wondering if maybe…you know, since you're so good at it and all… if you could possibly teach me how to play Quidditch? I mean, it's for a personal bet and I can honestly say that I am quite horrible at the game."

Cho looked at her, deep in thought. She looked intently at her for a minute before she picked up her own broom and walked away towards the locker room. Hermione stood in shock at how she had pretty much been denied.

Now where am I going to learn how to play Quidditch? Ginny has some skill, but she hasn't joined the team yet. Maybe there's someone else out there-

And before she could finish her thought, Cho came walking back with another broomstick and some equipment. She tossed Hermione an old school broom and she picked up her own Comet Two-Sixty. "Do you know how to ride?"

Hermione held the broom in her hand and thought about it, then she shook her head, "I haven't really flown; maybe for a few seconds, but nothing more. I have never really been that good at physical sports. I'm more of a brainy, indoor person." Cho laughed and walked up to her.

"You must get this a lot, but you should have been in Ravenclaw. You have extraordinary brainpower and an amazing intelligence. I would kill to be that smart. Well, anyways, I guess I should teach you the very basic; how to fly. Well, pretty much get to your broom and levitate. Hold onto your broom too and just…well, fly. Heh, not much of an explanation now is it?" Cho summoned her broom and zipped off a few feet above her.

She beckoned her to come, "C'mon, you've got to try it." Hermione looked at her broom and summoned it to her hand. She then got on top and began to hover slowly and shakily. Perhaps this won't be so bad after all, she thought. Moving slowly upwards in Cho's direction, she grabbed on like she was going to die. "Am I doing alright?" she asked. The Ravenclaw seeker nodded and moved closer.

"Now, just kind of fly around, nothing too fast now, just get used to the feeling of flying. It'll be cool once you get the hang of it. In fact, you may never want to get off of it." She zipped over to the three posts.

Hermione slowly began to float forward. Don't look at the ground don't look at the ground. She started getting higher and higher. She ascended until the goalposts themselves were mere toys and the people were little specks. Getting worried, she stopped moving. "Um, Cho? Is it okay to be this high up? I won't die will I?" She heard a chuckle far below her as a little dot started to grow in size. A blue-black blur whizzed past her laughing freely. Cho was smiling widely as she did barrel rolls and sped up. Hermione admired her free spirit as the girl flew circles around her, coming to a sudden stop only about a foot next to her.

"Of course it's okay to fly this high. I do it all the time, sometimes higher. Well, what position were you thinking of practicing for this bet?" Hermione sat on her broom and relaxed a bit, now that the action was over. She thought about what she could do and all of the positions available, taking heavily into account the danger risk.

"Um, probably a seeker since they don't have to worry too much about all of the hazards. Not that it's any less or easy of a position, it's just that it seems better for me." Cho looked at her and grinned. "Good choice. Well, it may be a tad early for you to attempt this, but try and fly straight down to the ground. Remember to pull up the nose so you don't actually crash. I'll fly with you to make sure you don't die. Okay? Ready…go!"

Hermione picked up the nose of her broom and then dipped it so that it nearly was perpendicular to the ground. After picking up speed, adrenaline started to flow through her as the ground neared closer and closer at a faster rate. This is so fun! This is so exhilarating! This is so… scary! No!

She had gone at too steep an angle and now she clearly lifted off her broom. Plummeting head first through the air, she had a fleeting feeling of calmness.

I'm going to die.

Then, right as she was nearing the ground and almost sure she was going to perish, a strong hand reached out and swung her onto a broom. She opened her eyes and was never so glad to see Cho. The girl had a faster broom so once she saw Hermione dropping, she was able to speed down faster and grab hold of her before she hit.

"Thank you so much! I could have sworn that I was going to be flattened out. That was horrifying! Perhaps I should just-" her words were cut off as Cho interrupted and with a terse command she told her to hold onto something.

Hermione wrapped her arms tightly around Cho's waist and she looked her in the eyes. Her black eyes appeared to have a bluish gleam to them and as Hermione was about to ask what was going on, Cho's mouth twisted up into a smile. The broom kicked off with immense speed as the pair shot up straight to the sky. Tears blurring her vision and air lashing unmercifully into her eyes, Hermione began to wonder if Cho had really forgiven her and if this was some kind of payback.

She nearly screamed as they pulled into a few back flips. Her uncontrollable brunette hair was whipping all around her face as they did more and more barrel rolls and corkscrews. I'm amazed I haven't fallen off. Why haven't I fallen off yet?

Then she realized that the reason was because she was clutching Cho for dear life.

She was acting as her pillar of support as Hermione tightened her grip so as to not fall off of the bucking broom. I'm not going to fall off and die. I'm not going to fall off and die.

In an attempt to relax herself, she leaned her head on Cho's back and concentrated on her heartbeat.

Badum badum badum badum.

Cho's heartbeat was pounding wildly, and at a speed so fast that it could not be healthy. However fast it was, it still had a rhythmic pulse to it that Hermione could focus on. I'm safe with Cho here. She won't let me fall off, and even if I did, she'd come back to come and help me. Just like last time.

She closed her eyes and listened to her heartbeat as if it was music to her ears. Cho's silky black hair was fluttering in the wind and some strands were brushing against Hermione's face causing her to just burst out into a genuine laugh. It seemed that it was contagious as Cho suddenly started laughing heartily as well. They finally stopped and Hermione opened her eyes; the ride was over.

She hopped off the broom and was a little bit happy to be on solid, unmoving ground again. Cho slid off and held her broom in her left hand as the two began walking towards the great hall.

Hermione stared at the ground and spoke softly, "Um… thanks for helping me with this today. And also for that joy ride, it was absolutely the most fun and invigorating thing I have done in a long while."

Cho turned her head slightly and smiled, "No no, don't worry about it. I enjoyed helping you today and… will I see you again on the next Thursday night for some more practice? I could surely show you some more tricks if you wish to do the position of seeker."

Silence hung in the air for a few minutes as Hermione thought about it. I certainly did have more fun today than I expected… Yeah, I probably should come back.

She nodded, "Yes, if that's okay with you, I'd like to practice a bit more. Every Thursday, every week, same time?" Cho smiled as they approached the great hall and spoke in a low voice, "Yeah, I'd enjoy that very much." Hermione looked at her as they went to their separate tables designated for their houses.

"I would too."

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This had gone on for the next few weeks, these meetings of Quidditch. Hermione would always find herself walking up to the girl near the pitch and would say hi, and then her lesson would start. As much as she hated to admit it, Harry and Ron were right; the sport actually did turn out to be quite fun.

She found herself looking forward to these practices with Cho. When they weren't talking about Quidditch rules and tactics, they were talking about their pasts and memories. She learned that Cho was not that bad a person as she originally thought to be. While talking about something enjoyable, her eyes sparkled and she grinned as if she were a child again, reminiscing about the old days and that's what Hermione thought was cute.

She's such a nice person, no wonder everyone is always fawning over her. Not only did she have a wonderful personality, she also had an attractive physique as well, most likely because of the multiple years of Quidditch practice. The way she moves is so… graceful and smooth and…and…

"Hermione?"

Dark black eyes were a mere foot away from her. Startled out of her own thoughts, Hermione let out a squeak and nearly fell off of the broom she was clutching to. Blushing at her antics and also the person who was in her presence, she lowered her head hoping that Cho could not see the embarrassment written so painfully obvious on her face.

"Hermione?"

She looked up and grinned, "Oh, what is it? Sorry, I was spacing out, not something I do everyday. I must be nervous about O.W.L. exams, or something of the sort anyways."

Cho studied her skeptically and then flew further away as she began to talk, "Yeah, I forgot, you guys have them this year, don't you. Stressful test, but I'm sure you'll pass all your exams without a doubt. Don't worry about it. Well, anyways, today's practice is nearly done, lets go get some dinner."

Hermione smiled and nodded, "Yes, grand idea. I'm starting to get hungry myself. Oh, how have I been doing lately? Do you think I've improved enough to win that bet against Harry and Ron?" Cho smiled warmly and nodded.

As they began to make their descent, something happened. Hermione's broom started bucking and swerving in all sorts of directions, as if it were trying to throw her off like a wild bull. She hung on for dear life, afraid of falling once more. Cho shot her an alarmed look and zoomed over in an attempt to help her. She grabbed a hold of the broom with one hand as she tried to steady it.

"What's wrong Hermione? Control your broom or you'll fall off again!" shouted Cho frantically as the broom started to turn upside down and dart left and right erratically. And as if something had struck her heart, Hermione seized her chest in pain, her face twisting in agony. "Ah!"

She felt herself leaving the broom and falling to the ground once more. Not again… OW… What is this? Some kind of hex or jinx? It's so painful! My chest…it's going to… explode…! It's on fire!

Terror gripped her heart as Cho saw Hermione plunging to the ground. This seems oddly familiar, she thought to herself as she tried to catch up to the fluttering body. At alarming speeds, she rocketed down as fast as she could in order to try and grab the body, but she wasn't catching up fast enough. Falling from this height could possibly kill anyone, even the most experienced Quidditch player. Think! Maybe I can… wait a second, I have magic. Duh.

She whipped out her wand, still flying at top speeds, and then muttered a basic spell and suddenly the grass beneath them turned into a rather large cushion. Hermione landed on it hard and let out a gasp of pain, but she was still moving.

Uh oh. Brake, brake, brake!

Trying to pull upward from her death plunge in an attempt to reach Hermione, she didn't realize that her own broom was going fast into the ground. Yanking on the nose of her broom, she tried to pull up but instead only delayed her own crash. The broom angled slightly as it dug into the ground and got stuck suddenly in the grassy ground, throwing the rider off of the broom and sending her at least ten feet forward.

Skidding across the ground, she tumbled endlessly until her body had come to a stop by hitting a goal post with a sickening thud. Hermione opened her eyes and clutched her arm. She remembered that she had fallen hard on it as she hit the cushion, but then her eyes widened in horror as she suddenly realized she couldn't find Cho anywhere.

Getting up way too quickly, she grimaced as her head split with pain. Ignoring her aching thoughts, she scanned around the field, noticing the broom first, then the body. Seeing the unmoving body stirred up something within her heart, and it stung ten times more than the pain she felt when she toppled off her broom.

Running as fast as her weak legs could take her, she dropped to her knees right next to the motionless Cho. Her blue robes were covered in grass stains as well as dirt smudges everywhere, with a few rips on her sleeves. The once glossy hair now had chunks of grass in it. She rolled Cho's body on its back as she examined her. Suddenly, an image flashed before her eyes.

Cho's bloody body was torn and ripped with a giant slash diagonally down across her torso. A thick sanguine liquid was oozing out of the cut.

Shaken out of the unsettling image, Hermione realized that none of that was real. What was that? Pulse, pulse, is she dead? No… she has a pulse. She's not dead she's not dead she's not dead…

Fear melting away, she struggled to hold up the weight of the body. She put Cho's arm around her neck as she began trekking over to the Infirmary.

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Sunlight poured through the tall windows as Hermione opened her eyes. She looked around and realized that she was in the Infirmary. Suddenly remembering yesterday's events, she leaned upwards instantly regretting that action. Waves of hot pain pulsed through her head and left arm.

"Oh no dear, you should be trying to lean up. You're injured, and you should be sleeping in bed young lady," Said Madam Pomfrey as she waved a ladle back and forth.

Hermione apologized as she looked around the room. A large group was to her right, and she realized that must be where Cho was resting; she always was very popular. The door opened up and she could hear Harry and Ron's voices. No, I don't want to talk to them right now. Headache… and they'd rub it in my face. I can't let them know I'm asking Cho for help. Think, think, think…

She dropped back onto her pillow and pretended to be sleeping. Footsteps stopped by her bed.

"Maybe she's sleeping. I think we should come back later."

"Oh come on mate, you can't believe she's really sleepin'? Lookit her, she's faking it, I bet ya anything."

"No, look, she's sleeping. Give her some rest, we'll just come back later and check on how she's doing."

Thank you Harry. She thought as she heard the footsteps go away from her bed. Maybe he understood that she wanted to be alone, maybe not, either way, she didn't have to worry about talking with them. Madam Pomfrey came walking into the room holding a cauldron full of something that smelled almost appetizing.

She waved her ladle menacingly, "Everybody out! My patients need rest, and also food too. Out, out, out, yes, that means all of you! Come back later when they are more fit for discussing what has happened."

The group that had swarmed around Cho's bed sulked out of the room as Madam Pomfrey closed and locked the doors after them. Looking at the two girls with their eyes closed, she decided to just set out two bowls in case they woke up. She walked quietly out of the room. It was kind of peaceful in the infirmary, just the light, and silence, in this room. It reminded Hermione of the library.

"You awake?"

Hermione opened one eye and looked over to the soft voice that had spoken to her. Cho had her eyes closed, but she was smiling. "Yes, I am awake. Were you awake the whole time?"

Cho just remained smiling, "I thought they'd never leave. I felt like a doll on display or something, they all just kept staring at me. I didn't even know half of the people who were looking at me."

Laughing quietly, Hermione turned on her side to get a better view. "How are you feeling? You took a bad fall. Should have saved yourself and let me just explode on the ground or something."

Cho turned to her left and opened her eyes and looked at Hermione. "Well, I did manage to hit my head rather hard. Scrapes and bruises, a broken wrist, damaged pride, oh yes, I'm doing well. I was worried for you, what happened? Your broom seemed like it malfunctioned or something."

Hermione frowned, "I'm not quite sure what happened. It was odd to say the least, but it's probably nothing." She glanced at Cho and realized something was different about her. She still retained her beauty, even with such a hard fall. Rays of light illuminated her shining soft hair as it cascaded across her shoulders and spilled onto the pillows. Her smile just accented her rich hair and creamy skin, but her eyes.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Cho looked at her deeper than before.

"Nothing is wrong. Don't worry."