Opening for a chance
I walked to the great hall for lunch the next day. It was my first time in there since the inccident. I was determined though I held my head high and went and sat by Ginny. Ron was across from us, but no sign of harry. I began laddling stew onto my plate. I reached for a Roll and added some Broccolie to my plate as well. Ron as usual was stuffing his face.
"Have you two seen Harry?" I ask as I took a huge bite of stew. Having only eaten what dobby had brought me, I was starving. Ginny shook her head, and Ron mumbled something. Curiously I looked up and down the great hall. Suddenly I had a thought I tried to shove it away, telling myself that Harry isnt like that but I had to ask. I put down my spon and cleared my throat
"Um...Harry isnt you know...avoiding me becuase Of what I told you all last night is he?" I ask swallowing. Ron actually stopped eating and ginny put her arm around me.
"Hermoine relax. He's taking it fine, He just had to stop by the owlery first" Ron said swallowing his food. He then looked at me again and smiled a non goofy smile for once. "We'll always be your friends, and we accept you for who you are" He mumbled blushing. I gigled
"Thanks Ron, but let's not talk about it anymore. I don't want anyone over hearing."
"Hermoine" Ginny suddenly whispered in my ear "Dont be obvious, but Cho keeps looking over here" what! I thought suddenly excited, then my stomach dropped. Well bloddy hell of course she was after what happened the other day.
"Of course she is ginny after what happened" I snapped and looked down at my plate. I told myself not too, but I looked over at he anyways. She smiled, and it didnt look like a pity smile or disgusted smile, but a friendly one. I smiled slightly back and pushed my food away, suddenly I wasnt hungry anymore. Ron looked at Cho and then back to me quizically
"You alright, you havent eaten anything"
"Yes, I'm fine...just not hungry anymore" I said fighting to keep a grin from my face.I stood up, told ginny and ron bye and left the great hall. I had 15 minutes of lunch left to take a walk and clear my head. I walked out onto the courtyard and toward the lake, by the water. Suddenly I heard Chos voice.
"Hermoine! wait up" she called finally catching up to me. My breath caught in my throat. Merlins Beard! she was beautiful when she was flushed.
"Cho...uh hi! what are you doing here?" I ask stupidly. She swallowed and then sigh.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for Marieeta the other day. That was really mean making you embarrased like that. I really chewed her out for it I want you to know" She said looking honestly sorry. I mnagaed a smile
"Thanks...but its really HER who should apologize" I said fiercly, just thinking about it made me mad. Cho backed up a step nodding
"Your right, but I just could'nt get her to do it. She really makes me mad sometimes" Cho said looking a bit mad herself. I nodded and just stood there not knowing what to say. Persoanlly I would have liked to take her to the ground snogging her like mad. My Horomones just went crazy when Cho was around. Finally, Cho laughed
"Don't we look stupid...standing here not saying anything" I laughed too
"Your right...Listen Cho...I know wev never got along..but you should know. Back in 4th year when You and Harry were at Hogsmead. He was coming to meet me becuase I ask him too...Harry and I arent like that. I even ask him to bring you along if he wanted. I had him meet Rita Skeeter and I at The pub. I wanted her to do an article on Harry so people would finally believe him and not think he was a nutter." I explained looking from the lake back to Cho. She had her mouth slightly open
"I'm sorry Hermoine. I admit I totally overeacted. I was already emotional over...well you know...Cedric and um I took it out on Him and Hated you for no good reason...friends?" she asked finally sticking out her hand. I shook it beaming
"Friends" I agreed. Personally I was happy as...well I dont know, But I was happy.
"Well I guess we should go in...Lunch is over I think" Cho said. motioning toward the castle. I nodded dissapointed I couldnt spend more time with her.
Later in Gryffindor Common Room
I sat in my favorite Chair by the fire place It was just now getting to be the weather where we needed it. It was late october. Just a few more weeks and it will be the holidays. I reading reading ahead as usual in my History of majiv book. Harry and Ron were playing Wizards Chess across from me. Honestly I dont know what they see in that game. Its absolutly barbaric. I have tried telling them that, but they just look at me as if I have a Hiipograff on my head. Natuarally My thoughs kep drifting to Cho at least we were friends now, and that was progress. I looked up from my book, as Professor Mggonagal came in and posted something on the Common room notice board. Curious, I put my book down and went to look. Being Prefect, I always assume I should know things first. The note said this
All Houses are to report to the Great hall for a short meeting before dinner.
Puzzled I turned to Harry and Ron who had just come up behind me along with others.
"A meeting?" Harry said reading it "What could we possible be having a meeting for and about what?" I shook my head
"I havent got a clue...I'm certain its important though" I said walking back over to the couch. I glanced at Harry as he sat down he was rubbing his scar again, and I felt alarmed. In the past, whenever his car had hurt it had meant Voldemort was feeling either really angry or Happy. Either way It wasnt good. Last year Voldemort had gotten his first real taste of harry when he used him as a puppet to do his will. Harry had even been able to see what voldemort was doing, thinking and feeling.It all had eventually led to Harry thinking Sirius was being held captive by Voldemort had the department of mysteries. (it wasnt true of course) So, Ginny, Ron, harry, luna and neville and I had all went and nearly got killed. We ran into Voldemorts death eaters and I was hit with the stupfey curse and woke up in the hospital ward in Hogwarts. I only know what happened afdter I was hit by Neville and Harry. Siruis was killed, and Harry hasnt been the same since.I miss sirius too, some days its hard to believe.
"Harry you alright? is your scar hurting?" I ask him nervously. He smiled and raised his eyebrows above his glasses
"Fine, it just twinged a bit" He said removing his hand quickly. I nodded and Ron and I shared a look. Marissa Thomas a 7th year head girl for gryffindor came into the room and whistled
"All right everyone meeting is starting everyone into the great hall" She called and her and Ben Cassidy the 7th year head boy for gryffidor swept out of the room quickly. Ben is ok, But Marissa is full of herself. Harry, Ron and I made our way down the stairs and Into the great hall It was getting crowded quick. We sat at our table, which was abuzz about what the meeting was about. I looked up at the staff table, where all the professors were assembling. Dumbledoor Stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. It was still really nosy, so he finally yelled
"QUIET!" He shouted pointing his wand to his throat. The noise died down immedielty. He smiled and put his wand away.
"Thank you all for coming. As I'm sure your all wondering, whats the purpose of this meeting? I'LL get straight to the point. The other Professors and I have talked about this over the summer, and we feel it will benifit everyone greatly, and it will be for a grade. Quiddach, as great a sport as it is, has no dought created tension between students and there houses over the years. Therefore, you will choose someone from another house to get to know for 2 weeks. It will last until the start of the holidays, whch is two weeks. You will write a biography on them and turn it in for a grade. the person you choose can be boy and girl or the same gender, it doesnt matter. If you havrnt chose anyone by tomorrow, we will choose for you." Dumbledoor paused and looked out at us all. Everyone started talking again. Some excitedly and others angrily. I for one Liked the idea. I have always though quddiach has created bad vibes with other students. No one had listened to me though.
"Is he serious!" Ron asked looking almost sick. "Damm I hope I dont have to get to know Malfoy" He said glaring over at the slytherin table. I sigh and Dumbedoor celared his throat
"Alright, this concludes our meeting. when you have chosen your partner, let your head of house know, and your partner like wise you must have one by noon tomorrow. This is all, you may all go back to your dorms now" He said smiling and throwing his long silver beard over his shoulder. I stood up and immedtly buped into someone. It was...Cho!
"Ops sorry Hermoine...Some project huh?" she asked as we walked toward the dorms. I nodded
"Um..." She said looking nervous "Would you like to be partners...I mean I thought it would be a good idead you know, since we just now agreed to be friends, we could get to know each other" She said. I stopped DEAD in my tracks. Had I heard right? I felt faint and happy at the same time. It was too good to be true, this was the perfect wat to spend time with Cho without looking fir an excuse or being obvious.
"I...of course! Its a great idea" I said a little too happily. Cho looked a little confused by my outburst, but she smiled and nodded.
"Alright, great..um how about,um do you have a free period?"
"Yeah, at 1:00 tomorrow after potions" I said tucking a curly starn dof hair behind my ear.
"Great! me too, after herbology...so where do you want to meet?" she asked adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
"How about..by that big tree by the lake Its quiet, and we'll be able to concetrate" I suggest. she nodded
"Sounds cool, see you later Hermoine" She said and ran to catch up with some friends. I turned grinning to go up to the dorms when I bumped into none other than Malfoy. He sneered
"Granger! dont tell me your paired with Chang? Her family are pure bloods. some of the last few left, I'm sure she doesnt want you...a filthy mudblood rubbing off on her" He said and Crabb and Goyle laughed. I blushed, but felt anger surge through me. I got my wand out
"Malfoy I dont give a damm about your opinion, and were friends! so just piss off" I yelled. I ran up the stairs and gave the password. I glanced back down before I climed through the portriat hole. Malfoy was glaring up after me. I sawe Harry and Ron say something to him, but I climed on through, not caring what he said. After all, How could I? I had way too much to look forward too.
