A/N: hey everyone! Here's the third chap. I hope you'll like it, though there is quite a number of kissing scenes. XP hehehe…:) and by the way, you'd notice that the dialogues are fewer.

Chapter 3 – Agony

Three days passed and Harry and Hermione still weren't talking to each other. After that "talk", the two can barely be seen together. Later that evening, Hermione found herself alone in the girls' dormitory. Everyone was in the Great Hall, counting down the time left before Christmas arrives.

This can be the loneliest Christmas I will ever have. Hermione told herself. She looked outside the window, and she saw someone flying on a broom. Hermione had a hunch of who that might be. I think it's the right time for him to know the truth. She thought. She grabbed her jacket and wore it. As quickly as she can, Hermione went running to the Quidditch field. There, she saw Harry, who has just landed. Harry saw her, but ignored her and went to the changing room. Hermione ran as fast as she can and managed to reach the door of the changing room in time. She didn't enter the room at once. She first peeped in, to see if there was someone else there. And she wasn't wrong about her decision not to enter, for Cho was there. So, Hermione stood outside, listening and at the same time trying to see what was happening.

"I didn't know that you would be here," Harry said, as he placed his broom beside the lockers. Cho was seated on one of the benches there, and she was looking intently at Harry. "What do you want anyway?" Harry asked her, trying not to sound too furious. He was still disappointed and hurt, after what Hermione told him. Besides, it was the first time that he talked to Cho after their so-called date.

"I just want to say sorry," Cho said quietly. Harry walked towards her and sat beside her.

"For what?" he asked her, looking at her eyes.

"Sirius Black…" Cho answered, almost in a whisper.

"Oh," Harry said. It was just then that he remembered that day when Cho found out that he was somehow closely related to Sirius. "It's nothing…"

"Erm…and…I don't believe he's a criminal Harry, just so you know."

Harry's eyes widened with surprise and shock. "You don't?" Cho just nodded. Harry didn't know whether he would be delighted to hear those words or not. "Well, he's dead now, isn't he? But I'm glad that you believe in him."

Cho smiled. "Thanks," she said.

Harry was about to stand when Cho grabbed his hand and pulled him, so that he sat again. Suddenly, Cho wrapped her arms around Harry. She looked up at him with gleaming eyes. Harry turned red. He has never been this close to Cho, except for the night when they kissed.

"If you have any doubts about my feelings for you, Harry…then I think you should know that…I do love you…" The glimmer in her eyes did not fade as Harry looked at her. She seemed really honest about what she's saying.

"Cho, I –" He didn't finish what he was about to say because Cho her finger on Harry's lips. It seemed so fast that Harry wasn't able to react at once. Cho's lips were already locked into Harry's lips. Although Harry was bewildered, he did not hesitate to return Cho's kiss. He was too upset about his confession to Hermione that all he could do was accept Cho and make himself fall in love with her. It felt weird though, because he liked Cho, but he wasn't happy that they're now kissing each other.

Hermione, who was watching from outside, felt her heart shatter and break into several pieces. Tears unwillingly fell from her eyes. Before she could help it, she was already crying. Afraid that Cho and Harry might find out she's there, she quickly left and went back to the dormitory. When she has reached the dormitory, she threw herself on her soft crimson bed.

I'm so stupid…she told herself. I should've just told him the truth…I'm not supposed to be crying! But in this case, she was crying all her heart out. Clearly, it was stupid of her not to admit that she had feelings for Harry, and then she would cry like that upon seeing Cho and him kiss. Indeed, it would be the loneliest Christmas she would ever have.

On the other hand, Harry was already in the Great Hall. He was with Cho, eating their meal for Christmas Eve. He wasn't surprised that Hermione wasn't there to join the feast. But surely, she wouldn't be able to resist not eating, Harry thought as he took a sip of pumpkin juice.

After the feast, everyone went back to their Common Room, except for Harry and Cho. They took a walk on the grounds, holding each other's hands. Even though Harry's wish (to make Cho his girlfriend) was granted, he still wasn't happy. He himself knew that he loved Hermione. Love wasn't the feeling to describe how he felt for Cho but, he couldn't do anything. He had to forget about Hermione for a while.

"I'm so happy," Cho told him as she leaned her head on Harry's shoulder. "I can't believe that I would be the girl that you'd choose. I mean, there are a lot of girls out there. But why me?"

Harry gulped. He wasn't exactly sure why he liked Cho. He just felt it. "Erm…it's because I think you'd understand me better than all the others out there."

Cho giggled with excitement. She was flattered. Harry felt a little bit guilty, for he knew that he was using Cho to forget about his feelings for Hermione. He knew Hermione. Once she says no, it really means no. So, he thought that he really doesn't have a chance. And he was wrong about that.

A few more days passed and the holidays were over. Everyone was back from their homes. Unsurprisingly, the news that Harry and Cho were boyfriend-girlfriend spread quickly.

"Congratulations, Harry!" Ron said, patting his best friend on the back. He and Harry were in the Common Room, together with all the other Gryffindors. "I knew you'd make it!"

"Thanks," Harry said, smiling forcefully. He looked in the direction of Hermione, who was reading a book on one corner. She looked depressed and unhealthy.

"What's wrong with Hermione?" asked Ron, noticing that Harry was looking at her.

"We had a row…" Harry replied. Serves her right for dumping me, Harry told himself.

"Oh," Ron replied, looking worriedly at Hermione. "Do you reckon I should talk to her?"

"It's up to you," Harry said, "But I'm still not talking to her."

Minutes later, Hermione stood up, passing Ron and Harry. Before she could take a step further, Ron had grabbed her arm and pulled her. "What?" she asked angrily.

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked her. Hermione frowned at him. She really tried her best not to look at Harry but she accidentally gave him a glance.

"I'm fine, thank you!" she said loudly. Without another word, she made her way to the girls' dormitory.

"Did you see that?" Ron irritably asked Harry. "She didn't even bother to welcome me back!"

Harry chuckled. "Oh come on. You know Hermione. She doesn't greet anyone when she's upset."

The next days haven't been more depressing than usual. Harry and Hermione still weren't talking. When Harry and Ron would come across her in the Great Hall, she would go away from them.

"I'm starting to get annoyed with her actions!" Ron said furiously, dropping his books on the Gryffindor table. Harry said nothing. He too, was starting to get annoyed. Hermione would always avoid him whenever she can. Is it because of Cho? He often asked himself. Yes, it can be.

After a day of hard work, Harry and Ron sat helplessly on the couch in the Common Room. Their books were scattered on the floor.

"Darn it!" Harry said. "I can't believe Snape could get any worse."

"Yeah!" Ron agreed. "20 inches essay? Is he mad? Where's Hermione when you need her?"

Ron's right, Harry told himself. He didn't want to admit it, but he really needed Hermione at that time. It's not just because of the tons of homework that their teachers had been giving them, but it's also because he missed her a lot. He can't stand not talking to her, and not being able to see her smile. Despite these facts, he was still angry with her for dumping him. Harry's only way of escaping from feelings of fatigue, loneliness and resentment was having Cho around. In fact, he was going to meet her tonight.

Harry went to the grounds before dinner. Cho was sitting under the beech tree. Harry grinned as he quietly approached her. He covered her eyes.

"Guess who?" he whispered in her ear. Cho smiled and removed Harry's hands of her eyes. Harry was unexpectedly the first to kiss her this time. Cho unhesitatingly kissed him back. After what seemed a minute, they pulled away from each other. Harry sat beside Cho without saying a word. He leaned his back on the trunk of the beech tree, while Cho leaned her head on Harry's chest. Together, they watched the sun set.

Harry suddenly felt relieved and contented. It seemed as if he was starting to really fall in love with Cho as the days passed. He grabbed Cho's hand and held it gently. "I love looking at the sunset…specially when I'm with you," he said softly. Cho simply grinned and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Ron was with Hermione. They were already walking towards the Great Hall. Hermione was merely following Ron.

"Ron?" Hermione said, pulling Ron's arm and eventually making him stop.

"Yes?" Ron replied.

"I'm not hungry yet," she said. "Can you accompany me? I mean…if it's okay with you."

"Sure." And with this, the two went out into the grounds. They approached the beech tree, for this was the place that they and Harry used to hang out. When they got there, Harry and Cho were deeply locked in a kiss. Hermione stopped, her eyes wide and filled with tears that were about to fall anytime. She accidentally squeezed Ron's hand.

"Ouch!" Ron said loudly, making his arm free from Hermione's tight grip. It seemed as if it was only then that he noticed Harry and Cho, who had now pulled away from each other. Cho quickly stood up at the sight of them.

"Um," she said nervously, "Hi Ron! Hi Hermione!"

"Hi!" Ron replied happily. Hermione stepped hard on his foot. "Ow! That was my foot!"

"Sorry if you got disturbed," Hermione said, still not looking at Harry, who was staring at Hermione. "Ron and I would be leaving now." Without another word, Hermione dragged Ron back in. They stopped upon reaching the entrance to the Great Hall.

"What's the matter with you?" Ron asked her angrily, letting go of his arm from Hermione's grip. Hermione shook her head, but to no avail. Tears poured down her smooth cheeks. She hastily threw her arms around Ron and hugged him tightly. Ron was bewildered.

"I can't take it anymore!" she said, crying. "I love him, Ron…I love him!" With these words, Ron understood. He merely patted Hermione's back and embraced her.

"It's okay, Hermione," he said. "Just let it all out."

Hermione cried even more harder and tightened her hug on Ron, which made it harder for Ron to breathe. Ron did not complain. He knew that his best friend needed him.

Hermione kept thinking about what she just saw. She blamed herself for making it all happen. If she had been honest to Harry, then she wouldn't be suffering right now. She wouldn't be wasting her tears. Instead, she would be very cheerful, and she wouldn't be always avoiding Harry. Perhaps, she was just too weak and scared to admit that she loved Harry.