" So " said Hermione as she sat down beside Harry in the Weasley's back yard.
" So what? " replied Harry.
" Ron tells me you have accepted a challenge from Victor."
Harry laughed. " You make it sound like a duel Hermione. Its only a game of Quiddich. Its harmless."
" You dont sound too sure."
" Dont I?"
" No , you sound worried."
" Well I'm not. I just have a lot on my mind."
" Ginny?"
" Who else. Cant we talk about something other than her for once."
" Not really. It wont lessen the problem Harry."
" There is no problem Hermione. Everything is great. Now are you happy."
" No."
" Look Hermione. I am sick of hearing about other peoples problems. Why dont you just to back to Victor and tell him I am still going to play against him. Which is why you are probably here , sent by him to dissuade me , well it didnt work."
" I am not his minion Harry."
" Oh yeah well then stop trying to dissuade me."
I wasn't " cried Hermione. " I was here to support you Harry , which is what friends do." Hermione looked him straight in the eyes. " What is wrong with you Harry. Why cant you admitt weakness for once. Why cant you accept fate and even more importent accept defeat."
Hermione stalked off leaving Harry alone.
---------
" You are very quiet Harry."
Harry turned around and stared in shock.
" Cho Chang " he cried.
" Harry its nice to see you."
Harry blushed and offered her a seat on the bench. She took it smiling.
" My Parents have just arrived to wish Bill and Fleur good luck with the wedding. My Dad knows Mr Weasley in the ministry apparently. I came along hoping I would meet you here."
Harry nodded and smiled. " Well here I am." He kicked his himself. What a stupid thing to say.
" We never really had much time together Harry."
" Well I had to divide my attention equally in the DA Cho."
Cho smiled faintly. " You're so modest Harry. I meant , we as in the the two of us never had much time alone."
" Alone " said Harry. The word bursting like a balloon in his head.
" We all make mistakes Harry. I make mistakes. But I have changed and so have you apparently."
" Changed. In what way."
" We have both moved on in our lives. We have been with other people and broken up with other people who just didn't match our requirements."
Cho moved closer and smiled. " I made a huge mistake that day Harry back in Hogwarts. It was so soon after Cedrics death , well my emotions were running high."
Harry nodded nervously. " Well it was shocking , I admitt but I wasn't very sensitive,I know."
Cho smiled. " Lets forget the past Harry and look to the future ...our future."
Harry sat upright , his whole body tense and unable to move as if he was glued to the seat.
" I have thought about you all summer Harry. If the truth be told I thought about you all last year too. But you were quite busy Harry."
" Erm...yeah...well."
" I dont think we should be apart any longer Harry. It's not right. I really like you Harry."
Cho placed her hand on Harry's and moved in on him. Harry didn't resist. He looked behind him and caught a sudden glimpse of Ginny reading in her bedroom upstairs through the window. He sighed , pushed Cho's hand
and got up.
" Harry."
" I'm sorry Cho."
" Harry what are you doing?"
" I cant do this. I cant be with you. I dont love you Cho...not anymore. I'm sorry. I love..." He looked up at Ginny again. " There's someone else..."
" Harry please. I wont leave you, not this time. I will fight Harry to win you back. Its not over yet."
Harry was breathless as he ran away , far , far away from Cho , from everyone. He reached the end the garden where he hopped the wall leading down to a river. Falling at the river bank when he could no longer run. He cried bitterly , for himself , for his parents and for Ginny.
