Maybe this time
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters created by JK Rowling.
Summary: It has been eight years... She thought that a change of place and name would finally give her peace. However, a life changing decision would be bringing her back where it all started... England.
Author's Note: This story would be told in two separate POV. The 2 main artistes would be the one narrating the story. I do hope that you would not be confused. )
Chapter 3
"That's a steal! Your rate is too high for a ride here at the airport to downtown!" I slammed the door of the taxi and turned back to my suitcases.
"Muggles." A deep voice behind my back said.
"You have no idea." I slumped back on my seat barely noticing the shadow over my head. Muggles? With a swift upward motion, I turned to see who spoke. "Ronald?"
"Hello Cho! I would still prefer that you call me Ron, you know?"
"Sorry Ron, I still like calling you Ronald. After all, that is your name." I gave my friend a tight hug. It felt so long already.
"What ever you prefer Cho. How have you been?"
"I'm good. Where's Hermione? At home I presume? You didn't allow her to come by?"
"No, actually we are meeting Draco and Ginny at a café at Diagon Alley. Would you care to join us?" Ron started carrying my suitcases.
"Oh I would love to! I really miss Hermione!"
"I never thought that you and my Hermione would be best friends." Ron said shaking his head.
"Yeah, neither did I Ron," Smiling at the thought.
FLASHBACK
I was in the forest together with the other Aurors when I saw Harry with Professor Dumbledore and the other members of the Order. This was the moment that I dreaded for so long, Harry's face off with Voldemort. I was able to overcome my fear of saying his name because Harry helped me during my 6th year. I can still remember the serious look on his face when our eyes met for a few seconds before Harry went inside the forbidden forest. I promised myself that when this is all over, I would talk to him. I was lagging behind from my group inside the forest when I saw a woman lying on the ground. Checking the side of her neck for pulse, her eyes opened and with a quick spell, my entire body was wrapped in an invisible rope. It was Bellatrix Lastrange.
The next thing that came to my vision was Harry's face over flowing with anger. I saw how Harry fought Voldemort to the very end. Good thing, the Order was just behind to intensify the spell that Harry had against Voldemort. But it wasn't enough for Harry to sustain the force of Voldemort's power. After their spells collided, Harry fell down to the ground and Voldemort vanished into ashes. I rushed immediately to Harry's side as soon as my rope disappeared.
"It's my entire fault! It's all my fault!" I cried helplessly as I cradle Harry in my arms.
"Hush now Ms. Chang. Voldemort knows that Mr. Potter cares for you dearly and he used this as a bait to destroy Harry. But Harry knew that the prophecy is also important. That's why it was his love that protected you from Voldemort." Dumbledore said
"But I still don't understand professor." I asked still clutching the lifeless Harry to my chest.
"Now is not the time to explain everything Ms. Chang. Mr. Potter needs to be brought to St. Mungo's for treatment."
I could only nod and look at Harry's beautiful face, now scarred after a long battle.
"What do you think Harry?" I had just closed my paperback copy of War and Peace, the 8th book that I read to Harry since we got to St. Mungo's three weeks ago. He has been unconscious since the battle at the forest.
"Actually, I'm not sure what Harry would think but, I like that book." A voice behind me said.
I turned to see who spoke. "Granger? Have you been here long?" Surprised and annoyed to see her in Harry's room.
"I only got to listen to the last chapter. You were so engrossed in reading the book to Harry that you didn't hear me come in." She gave me a faint smile.
"Yeah, I guess I was. I just don't have any interesting stories to tell that's why I opted to read him books that I find at home." I replied avoiding her eyes.
"I bet you don't have stories, since you have not left my friend's side. Unless of course you consider your quick trips to the cafeteria and your home of any interest, then yes, I'd have to agree with you."
I could feel my entire cheeks burning in embarrassment. "How did you know?"
"Yesterday, when I got out, I was worried that Harry didn't have any visitors and no one to take care of him. But Marissa, the trainee healer informed me that you have taken her job." She chuckled.
"Oh goodness! I didn't, really. Marissa must have been over reacting." Shaking my head as I tried to hide my face through my hands.
"I think she was pretty accurate when she told me that."
I didn't respond to her tease and instead, I placed a hand over Harry's and gave it a quick squeeze. I still feel guilty over the fact that I was part of the reason why Harry was in this condition. I knew that Hermione was still behind me observing but I didn't mind anymore. We maintained silence for a few minutes until Hermione spoke again.
"You saw what happened that night. You must have been so worried about Harry."
I nodded slowly in agreement, feeling again the chills as I recall that fateful night. "I still am."
"It's okay to be scared…"
"No it wasn't! Harry's life was at stake! That's why I was there that night at the forest, against my parents' wish, I trained to be an Auror immediately after I graduated from Hogwarts! Don't you understand? I didn't want a repeat of what happened to Cedric! I wanted to protect Harry!" I shouted now letting the tears fall.
Hermione just stared. She opened her mouth but no words came out.
I looked down at Harry's pale face. "Now you must really think that I'm a crybaby, a stupid crybaby who tried to protect the great Harry Potter." I said wiping the tears away.
"Actually, I think you're a brave, sincere, and caring crybaby." She gave me an encouraging smile.
We were again quiet for awhile. It feels different talking to Hermione now as I did almost three years ago, when we were still at Hogwarts. Then I remembered how jealous I was of her when Harry and I were still together and started laughing.
Hermione gave me a long stare. "Are you alright? Do you need a healer?"
Hermione was about to run to the door when I finally caught my breath and stopped her. "I'm okay. Really, I am."
"Are you sure? One minute you were crying the next, you were laughing your head off like a lunatic."
"I just remembered how much I hated you way back in my 6th year. Oh goodness! I recall one incident. I think it was Valentine's Day at Hogsmeade. I was so mad at Harry for worrying where you and your other red-haired friend…"
"Ron"
"Yes, Ron, thank you. That I made him choose between me and you."
"Oh, that."
"Look Hermione, I'm sorry. I know I didn't get the chance to say this because I was such a spoiled brat. Harry is really lucky to have great friends like you." I put my hand over hers in sincerity.
"Thanks Cho. I'm glad we're talking now."
"Me too. Would you like to join me in one of my quick trips to the cafeteria?"
"Sure."
I gave Harry's hand another squeeze before I stood up and joined Hermione to the door.
"So, you trained to be an Auror because of Harry?"
"I'm not answering that Granger…"
We left the room laughing.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Oh that's my hotel, Ronald." Pointing to the hotel at the corner avenue.
"You're staying at a hotel? But that's too expensive. Why don't you just stay with us? Hermione will be thrilled." Ron stopped the car in front of the exquisite hotel driveway.
"Thanks for the offer, but it's alright. I bet you and Hermione are busy with the baby coming. The company will be paying for my accommodation until my old apartment is ready. Besides, I'll be staying here for only a week or two."
"Okay. I'll help you bring your things then we can go to the café together."
We both got down and unloaded my bags from the car trunk.
"Oh no! I forgot. I need to send an owl immediately to Mr. Fowler that I arrived already and make sure that everything is going smoothly with the turnover. It might take awhile."
"What do you suggest then?"
I thought for a moment. "Why don't you just give me the address of the café then I'll just follow you guys when I'm done."
"Alright." Ron wrote down the address in a piece of parchment and handed it to me.
"Great!"
"We'll wait for you, okay? Have pity on me or I'll never hear the end of this from Hermione." Ron said before getting inside the car.
"Alright, alright." I waved to him in goodbye.
The bellhop loaded my bags on the trolley and I followed immediately.
"Ms Leung?" The front desk officer asked.
"Yes. Hello."
"Hi. I'm Jane. Mr. Bagman has already arranged Suite 1127 as your room for the week. Here is your key Ms Leung, our assigned bellhop, John, will be assisting you to your room. And Mr. Bagman also left this for you." She finished and handed me a long flat envelope.
"Thank you, Jane." I got the envelope and proceeded to the elevator.
I was already in my suite when I finally opened the envelope from Mr. Bagman.
"What!" I got my mobile phone and pressed 4 on my speed dial.
He answered in two rings. "I'm working Leung. Make it quick."
"I can't do this Will!"
"You should have thought of that before boarding the damn plane and torturing yourself to the 7-hour flight to the land of the bridge where it all fell down."
"What should I do? I think I'll be seeing him tonight! Don't you think it's too soon?"
"Honey, you waited for 8 years for this. Now, you're telling me it's too soon? Hello!"
"I did not wait for him, Will!"
"Okay, then get yourself a first flight plane ticket to New York."
"I can't…"
"I knew you can't sweetheart. Now, I packed your black tube dress for emergency. Go get it in your luggage."
"Thanks Will! But, this doesn't mean I still like him." I made it very clear to my best friend.
"Sure. Keep telling that to yourself. Meanwhile, you better call me tomorrow how it went, okay? Kisses!" Then he put down the phone.
I rushed immediately to the shower and got ready.
R & R… I hope this chapter is not much of a bore…
Thanks to my friend Don, my co-HP fanatic for helping me edit this chap… Ü
I'm already doing chapter 4… if things go well, I'd be able to upload it really soon…