Providence's Helix

by Relena Mishima

Sequel to Line of Life. Sometimes things don't go like we want, like they should. Sometimes things get twisted beyond anything we ever expected, and not for the better. Voldermort is back and the entire wizarding world knows, Hermione is with Pansy and Harry with Cho. Things should be going well. Why don't they seem to want to?

4. A Failure to Communicate

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and am making no money from this.

Cho

There absolutely is a thrill when you 'dress to impress' as some would call it. It didn't take me long to realize how exhilarating wearing the clothes from that shopping trip could be; by the time I'd walked down to the common room I was getting looks. The long stares, the gawks of only marginally disguised lust from males, bitter jealousy from some females, the narcissist in me loves them. Actually, I think that narcissist is also an exhibitionist, and she's having the time of her life.

I'm a very pretty girl and I've known it for a long time (all pretty girls do, it's something instinctively learned at a very early age, and reinforced both by being told so and seeing reactions from others), but there's a world of difference between pretty and beautiful. It's something I never spent any real effort to consider before. The two are synonyms, you'd think close ones at that, but now I understand the vast chasm between the two.

Pretty girls have people smile at them, look at them and treat them well, but it's well within reason. Beautiful girls draw all the attention in a room when they enter, they have every eye on them, and everyone knows who they are. Today, I'm drawing all the attention of everyone around me. My tight top draws everyone's eyes to my cleavage, the short skirt steals attention for my legs, and the Muggle heels that click loudly on the castle's stone floors as if they're made to announce my presence, the effect is beyond even my most outlandish fantasies.

I'm having the time of my life by the time I reach the Great Hall for breakfast. Everyone from Gryffindor is already here, Harry, Hermione, Pansy (who lives there even if she isn't actually a member of the house), Ron and Ginny. "Wow Cho, you look great," Harry greets me at the Gryffindor table.

"Ah, thank you, Harry," I reply.

"So that's some of the stuff Harry was all upset over?" Ginny asks. "Those expensive shoes do look nice, yeah."

"And now that you're away from your parents you can dress how you want," Hermione points out.

"That's right. Also, I am of age now, if I were to press the issue, I could do as I liked even at home," I answer.

"Now? You just had a birthday?"

"The 8th of August."

"Ah, happy belated birthday. We should celebrate, go out to Hogsmeade or something like that, right Harry?"

"Oh, right, yeah, we should go out for a late birthday party," Harry takes Hermione's painfully obvious hint.

"Whose birthday?" Fleur asks in a thick French accent, sitting down with us. I'm not sure if anyone invited her to sit with us before I arrived or not.

"Sure, go ahead and join us," Ginny mutters. Fleur pretends not to hear.

"Um, Cho's. It was back on the 8th of August apparently," Harry answers Fleur's question.

"Cho?"

"I guess you never met her when you were here two years ago? This is Cho Chang, my girlfriend."

"Ah, you have a girlfriend?" Fleur turns and looks me over. For what should be a casual conversation, this assessment is anything but. I get the instant sense that Fleur is sizing me up somehow. I puff out my chest and wait while Fleur does whatever sort of inspection she's in the middle of. Finally, she's done with her examination, having seen all she wants to see. "I see. How interesting. New student? I think I would remember someone like you."

"I was here; I was Cedric's girlfriend actually. It's just I was more… introverted."

"Hmm, silver dress at the Yule Ball was it? I remember now. It seems you're cured of that troublesome shyness."

"I suppose you could say I'm going through something of a narcissistic and apparently somewhat exhibitionist phase. Trying it on for size, as they say."

"Your last year at school, no? You want to make an impression, be remembered, be the queen of the school so to speak. I understand."

"Um, no, not exactly. I'll admit the attention is quite a flattering novelty, but climbing to the top of some social order isn't a particular goal of mine."

"Please tell me you aren't looking to just blend in, have some boring job in this country's Ministry or some such."

"Hey, what's wrong with working at the Ministry?" Ron demands.

"Oh, nothing. It's a fine job for the little people. But if someone can do more they should. You won't see someone like Harry working in that place, certainly."

"Um, actually I do want to work for the Ministry," Harry corrects.

"Oh, you have ambitions to rule? I had no idea."

"No, I want to be an Auror."

"The local law enforcement?" Fleur looks confused. "Why?"

"To fight dark wizards; to help people."

"As part of the, hmm, what's the word… constabulary, a servant of the government? You're famous, why would you aim for such a commonplace position?"

"Famous for what? Something that happened when I was a baby that I was way too young to ever hope to remember? What's so great about that where I'd want to use it? I want to make my own way, get somewhere because I actually did it. I don't want to just be handed some political job or something, I want to actually earn what I get."

"Yeah, he wants to be his own man," Ron agrees. "What's so weird about that? You're telling me you like having things just handed to you because of how you look rather than earning them? Never wanted to try the alternative?"

"The alternative to being beautiful? No, I don't want to be ugly. And I do earn things. I was a Triwizard champion because I earned it, no one had to cheat for me there."

Hmm, I think that competition may be something of a sore point for Fleur as well. So one more person who found misery there. I'm rather curious at what the source of Fleur's apparent bitterness is, but after her response to Ron she spares him a dirty look and then leaves without another word. As melodramatic exits go it's adequate, but not the best I've ever seen.

"Wow, Ron, that was actually cool," Ginny praises.

"I don't know what her problem was," Ron comments. "It's like being normal is a disease to her."

"I may have just met her, but I can hazard a guess," I say. "If she's spent her entire life trying to excel, be the best in her school, the most beautiful, be all she can be and so on, trying to be normal, in effect to not excel goes against all she's done."

"But that's not what I said," Harry points out. "I just said I don't want to use that stupid Chosen One stuff to get a job or career or whatever."

"I'm not trying to argue any particular point of view; I'm just trying to clarify what I think Fleur said."

"But you see what I'm saying, right? About wanting to get things because of what you do? I mean, you wouldn't want to get an offer from a Quidditch team because of how you look in a Quidditch uniform, you'd want it because of how you play, right?"

"Harry, it's rather obvious her appearance is very important to her, I might even go so far as to say they're an integral part of who she is. Not using her looks or factoring them in would be like asking you to take a test blindfolded I think."

"Oh, I suppose so, Veela are big on looks I guess," Harry admits kind of lamely. "But still, you wouldn't want to make it just because of looks, would you, Cho?"

I take a breath, trying to stall for time. It's obvious the answer Harry wants, of course. I consider giving it to him, not considering the question at all, simply reassuring him that I share his point of view, but dismiss that idea almost as quickly as it occurs to me; it's cowardice that I somehow find horribly unbecoming.

"Of course I would prefer to get a Quidditch contract because of how I play. But if getting an offer because of how I look, because I dress to match the exhibitionist standards I'm meeting today is the difference between a contract and none, then yes, I will happily sign the contract."

"So you'd be fine with getting a spot on the team just because you look nice or can be used by the team for marketing or something like that?"

"No, that isn't what I said. It would not be my first choice, no, but I won't walk away from my dream on a technicality."

"But how is it still your dream if you didn't make it because you earned it?"

"My dream is to play Quidditch," I explain. "If I make it just to be a team's pin up girl that still means I'll be in the league and I'll be playing. When the alternative is some menial job where I count the minutes before I can go home it's no contest at all. Not all dreams turn out as we hope, but a dream with an asterisk attached to it, so to speak, is better than no dream at all."

Harry very obviously doesn't agree, but he thankfully lets the matter drop. Finding agreement on this isn't likely, so better not to try I think. We've argued more than I care to of late, a trend we both need to find a way to change.

It's almost enough to make a girl wish she'd just told her boyfriend what he wanted to hear. It would have been a lie of course, but if a lie was to smooth things over between Harry and I, would it be so morally reprehensible? It wouldn't have been a huge lie and we do need to find a way to get back to a more peaceful pattern between us. I suppose there are the slippery slope arguments, that a small lie can lead to a larger one and so on, but that argument is cited so often and is not always the gospel people make it out to that as it may, I would prefer to find a way to get along with my boyfriend that was less deceitful. I'll need to give it some further thought.

In the meantime, I need to get to class. My first of the year is Defense Against the Dark Arts, now taught by Professor Snape. I got top marks in this class last year, as well as in Professor Snape's Potions class, so I'm not particularly worried about his move from one field to another, though I'm sure I'll hear complaints from Harry and Ron about it later.

Professor Snape makes his now familiar entry into the classroom, firmly closing the door behind him and looking over the class with a scowl."I see a great many of you were admitted to this NEWT level Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I can only assume this is due to lenient grading practices in your previous year. Let me assure you, that will not be the case here. If any of you are unsure of your abilities or unwilling to put in the work I suggest you drop this class now."

I have to admit; I've always had a soft spot for Professor Snape. His attitude, the way he never smiles, even his choice in clothing, it all fits together so perfectly. You can't help but admire such a perfectly put together and compelling image. Of course his somewhat abrasive nature is endearing because he's so masterful at the subjects he teaches, and because I've never been the target of his less than tender attention.

I'm rather glad Professor Snape is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. My need for it has become far more actual than hypothetical of late, and I much prefer an instructor whose expertise I know and trust as opposed to someone new and of unknown quality. Given the position's seemingly cursed nature there can't be many people left in wizarding Britain who are willing to undertake the job, and likely none of any real skill.

I raise my hand, not waiting for Professor Snape to finish his introductory remarks. I want his expertise on something, and I know it won't be covered in the normal coursework, so I see little point in waiting to ask.

Professor Snape looks at me, not making any great effort to hide his annoyance at being interrupted. "Yes, Miss Chang?"

"Professor, I was wondering about nonverbal magic used for direct manipulation of materials, particularly on a relatively large scale in combat situations."

"Magical effects like you describe are not within the scope of this class."

"Yes, I know Professor, that's why I asked now rather than waiting for when they might be covered in the regular course of the material."

"If you know it is not a part of a NEWT level class why would you waste my time on this then? This class is for actual defense against dark arts, not your theoretical mental wanderings." He makes it sound like I have reputation for mental wandering.

"But professor, I've had a dark wizard attacking me who used magic like that."

I see one of Professor Snape's eyebrows twitch. "And who, pray tell, was this wizard?"

"Voldermort."

"This is a serious class covering knowledge that may save someone's life, not a seminar on being a hero. If you wish to learn how to fight the Dark Lord then I suggest you look elsewhere, Miss Chang."

"But professor…."

"Heroes die young, but before they do they tend to get everyone around them killed; I suggest you keep that in mind. And should any of you have delusions of actually fighting the Dark Lord head on, which I know some in this school are prone to, let me assure you that regardless of your level of skill or family magic or nonverbal elemental magic or any other form of specialized expertise you may have, any of you who tries will die a horrible death. Now as I am done discussing this, let us return to the actual course work."

So obviously that as they say is that; whatever magic Professor Dumbledore and Voldermort used when they fought in the Ministry isn't something I'll be learning. Pity, it was one bit of magic that really impressed.

Harry

I'm starting Quidditch tryouts with Ron after the first day of school. It's earlier than usual, but we're starting from scratch, so I didn't think we could wait. That and I want to try my new broom out. It's a Firebolt, just like my old one, so it should fly the same, but I still want to test it out and be and it's been a long time since I was last able to fly. I've missed it a lot.

There hasn't been much time since I announced tryouts would start today, but still a lot of people showed up at the Quidditch pitch. Since I decided we'd have tryouts I guess that makes me captain of the team, at least until there's an actual team and we can pick for real. So it's up to me to get things started.

"Ok, can everyone quiet down and listen please?" I start. "So like I'm sure you all know, there isn't much of a team left, just me and Ron, so we're looking for new people at every position except Seeker and Keeper. Now I know a lot of you haven't played before, and that's ok, we can teach you."

Yeah, teaching people, sounds all nice and all. And sure, teams do need to teach people, but teaching them from scratch? And an entire team? Most teams have existing players, existing systems that new people can be plugged into and rely on. We have people in the two solitary positions, that's it. It's going to be a rough year for our win-loss record. I have a much more immediate problem, though.

"All right, how about everyone gets warmed up, fly a few laps and we'll get started in a few minutes," I tell everyone.

People get on their brooms and start flying, just like I told them. Good, way to go, Coach Harry. Before Ron can get in the air I walk over to him. "Hey, Ron, hold up."

"What's up?" He looks at me.

"Um, about the whole coaching thing. I uh, I actually don't know what I'm doing here, and I could really use your help."

"What do you mean you don't know what you're doing?"

"I mean I know how to play Seeker, and that's it."

"But we got you Quidditch books for your birthday and Christmas and stuff," Ron points out.

"Yeah, and I appreciate them, but I kind of only paid attention to the Seeker parts."

"Wow. So what, that means I'm coaching the team?"

"Looks that way. I'll do what I can, but I think you're going to have to take the lead."

"Um, sure, I can do that, but you know I'm not exactly the school's best Keeper. If I'm coaching I can't practice; that's kind of a problem."

"Ron, some of these kids are first and second years who've never played at all; everyone needs the help. Heck, I think some of them probably only got on a broom in class earlier today. Like I said back in Diagon Alley, it's going to be a two-year plan to build a winning team."

"With a lot of losses this year," Ron grumbles.

"Yeah, like I said, maybe we can beat Hufflepuff, that's about it."

"Great. So who's our first game against anyway?"

"Ravenclaw."

"Oh, your girlfriend, wonderful."

Yeah, Ron's right, Cho's going to cream us. Not that she'll be mean about it, just she's competitive and is trying for that professional Quidditch contract. Actually, Hermione's said Cho might be a sadist so maybe she will enjoy beating our team. Hmm, this may get ugly.

Ginny

It's getting kind of late, but there's still quite a few people awake and in the common room here. Hermione's one of them, doing homework or something boring like that. Parkinson's around too, but she's in a corner reading some book, waving her wand around now and then, practicing something or other while her cat is taking a nap on her lap. I don't really care what Parkinson's up to though; Hermione's here and Parkinson isn't attached to her hip, which is good. Hermione and I haven't really had a chance to talk since the last school year.

I plop down onto the couch next to Hermione. "Hiya," I greet her.

"Ah, Ginny, hello," Hermione answers. "What can I do for you?"

"Do for me? Nothing, I just wanted to talk. You weren't at the Burrow over the summer."

"No, it was a rather busy summer, it can be difficult to get away at times, you see."

"Huh? Difficult to get away? What are you talking about Hermione?"

"I'm just trying to explain why I wasn't able to make it over the summer."

"Oh come on, it was Parkinson, we all know that."

"All right, it was Pansy," Hermione admits. "Can you blame me? Do you really think she and your mother would get along?"

"I don't think she gets along with anyone's mother, including her own from the sound of that Howler last year."

"Actually, both my parents adore Pansy."

"What? You're making that up."

"I am not. She's well spoken, respectful and perfectly mannered around my parents. They think she's a wonderful girl and that she's an excellent match for me."

"Serious? Parkinson, right? You didn't get some new girl over the summer or something?"

"Yes, Pansy. She's a pure blood from a noble family, so she was raised to have perfect manners and know how to be a lady. She simply chooses not to use any of that generally. But around my parents, it was a different story."

"Wow, so they're fine with her living at your place for good I guess?"

"Possibly, though it's not my first choice."

"Why? What's your first choice?"

"For Pansy to be given Parkinson Manor."

"Uh, how would that work? She was disowned. I mean, yeah, one of her parents is locked up and the other probably will be too if they catch them, but even if both get put into Azkaban, I'm not sure what it'll change."

"It could be argued that taking Pansy's inheritance was done to further a terrorist organization, and as such her property and inheritance rights should be restored. And given that one parent is locked up, as you say, and the other is fleeing charges, Pansy would have power of attorney. In effect she would inherit immediately."

"Uh…." I really don't think anyone will buy that. I'm pretty sure it isn't how the law works at all, and even if it is, are other pure blood families really going to just let all that stuff be stolen and given to a blood traitor? "I'm not sure that's going to work, Hermione."

"Yes, I understand it is a long shot. Still, I think it might be possible."

"So what, you're writing to a lawyer or something?"

"No, the Minister. Or rather the interim Minister of Magic."

"Oh yeah. I forgot he actually listens to us and stuff. It's pretty weird, you know. I mean, we're just a few school kids and the Minister of Magic actually answers our letters and talks to us and all."

"Saving the Ministry will do that."

"Yeah, Order of Merlin and all. Messed up stuff. Nobody in my family has ever gotten something like that, then all of a sudden Ron and I are famous and a big deal and stuff. People who wouldn't give my dad the time of day wanted to meet me and talk to me and hear my opinion and all."

"Exactly. So while it might normally be difficult to have Pansy's name restored and the family property transferred to her, I think in this case there is a chance."

"Ah, abusing your fame and stuff? Nice. Though I'm pretty sure some people wouldn't agree. I know Harry's pretty big on not using his fame."

"Yes, I know that, Harry wants to earn what gets, be a self made man and all that. And I understand his reasons, which are certainly valid for him, but this case is different. I want results, and I don't see any other means to achieve them, so I'm willing to do what it takes to get what matters to me."

"Um, ok, you're smarter than me and all. Just don't go doing anything crazy, ok? I mean, politicians like us and all,but we're still kids, so take it easy with trying to bully the Minister, ok?"

"Of course, of course."

Yeah, right. I don't want to call Hermione a liar, but her being reasonable when it comes to Parkinson just doesn't happen.I don't know what has Hermione so loyal and stuff. Love I guess, though Merlin knows what exactly it is about Parkinson she loves so much. Anyway, I'm worried Hermione might push this too far or say something she shouldn't. I mean, whatever medals they gave us, we're kids and these are the people who run the country. They just plain don't need us that bad, do they? How could they?

Fleur

A year at this castle. Again. Not my first choice at all. Why is it I can't ever seem to find my way to somewhere with proper food? Honestly, what is it with British people? Just because you can put something into your mouth does not make it pie? Kidney pie? Who thought these were recipes worth keeping?

But then with the idiot government this country has what can one expect? They managed to make a mess of the Triwizard Tournament. Triwizard. Tri, as in three. It's right there in the name. Can't they count? Three is not four. But some idiot government official didn't care, a terrorist cheats and Harry is suddenly a champion. They just say it's the rules, he's in and that's that. No investigation of how it happened, who did it or what.

Not that I blame Harry, not at all. He's a good boy, loyal, noble, a bit naive perhaps, but a good young man. Dragged into things he shouldn't be a part of, probably in over his head in a lot of it, but he held on through it. He even helped my sister in the second task. It turned out to not be needed, but he did it anyway. It's a big part of why I'm here, really. He's in over his head with the idiot dark wizard with the odd name, and he deserves my help.

Still, that third task was nonsense. Taken out by a terrorist, and no one had a problem with that? No one saw the obvious outside interference as cheating? How was that allowed to stand? Still, it's not as embarrassing as that brute Krum who was magically enslaved to be some growling, drooling attack dog. How anyone could tell the difference I don't know. But then you didn't see some terrorist trying that on me. No, they knew I was too strong for something like that. They had to completely incapacitate me for their idiot plan.

At least the British can't make too bad a mess of breakfast. Honestly, bacon is just not something you can get wrong. I'm sitting down to breakfast now, with Harry and his friends. That red head girl, Ginny seems annoyed to see me, but that's her problem.

"Morning," Harry greets.

"Good morning." I smile.

"So I take it this is a regular thing now? Your eating with us I mean?" Cho asks.

"It seems so."

"Ah. Well that's good then."

"Not that it isn't good to have company here, but I'm curious why you've chosen to be here?" Hermione asks.

"Because people here are closer to my age than the staff table, no? More relatable conversation," I reply.

"That's why?"

"That and to keep an eye on you."

"Excuse me?" Apparently she didn't expect that answer, silly girl. "Keep an eye on us?"

"Of course. For much of last year, especially at the end Dumbledore had no idea what was going on,so he reached out to me to help keep an eye on you all."

"So you're a spy." The dark haired girl with Hermione frowns. Pansy or some such.

"Not at all. It sounds like so much work and terribly dull, all that sneaking around and lying. I'm perfectly open about what I'm doing, you see, so it isn't spying at all. Spying just isn't 's almost as bad as the first idea they had for me, working at that bank, full of those goblins counting money and reading financial statements all day long. Dreadfully boring work. I wanted no part of that."

Honestly, thinking I would spend all day long in some dark, tiny office looking at numbers, counting which family had what or was doing some illegal thing or another with their money. I'm willing to help, but that's far past my tolerance for boring work.

The morning mail comes. There's nothing for me of course, it's mainly newspapers. Anything I'd care to read about wouldn't be in a British newspaper. Still, some of the girls here get papers and seem to think they're interesting reading.

"Oh my god, are you seeing this?" Hermione asks.

"What?" asks Harry, who doesn't have a paper.

Hermione starts reading from the paper. "As has become all too common, Death Eaters struck yesterday. However, unlike previous attacks, this one saw a second group fighting the Death Eaters. A group of wizards who were heard to refer to themselves as The Order of the Phoenix fought the Death Eaters to a standstill. Ministry Aurors responded within minutes of the appearance of the Death Eaters and both they and this Order of the Phoenix managed to escape. Who this new group is remains unknown, but theories range from a vigilante group to an offshoot of the Death Eaters themselves, possibly in a power struggle."

"So they're actually fighting?" Ron asks. "About bloody time."

"I don't know, Ronald, I didn't think the Order was about this sort of response."

I have to say, I didn't think so either. Honestly, I'm rather upset. I'm helping Dumbledore out by babysitting in this castle, but that's because it was better than the alternative. No one mentioned actually being allowed to go out and fight terrorists. I'm stuck killing time in this castle, going to random classes to listen to lectures on things I already know. I'm going to have to have some words with someone about this.

"It sounds like they are now."

"So maybe that means Voldermort will be so busy fighting the Order we'll have a normal year," Harry suggests.

"Yeah, that's not so likely mate; we haven't had a normal year yet."

"So if people are fighting maybe we need to start the DA up again?" that red head Ginny asks.

"What, why?" Apparently Harry doesn't like that DA thing.

"Uh, because in a fight we aren't going to cut it? Just running away isn't exactly much of a plan, you know. So unless Luna has more weird critters hiding somewhere we need to know how to take care of ourselves."

Harry thinks about it for a bit. "Yeah, I guess it makes sense. It doesn't really matter if it should be us to fight Death Eaters, it always seems to wind up as us in the end."

Author's Notes:

Thanks to that_fan like always.

Honestly, the reception to this story hasn't been exactly what I've hoped, which is a bit discouraging at times, and for some reason I've got a sneaking suspicions that trend won't necessarily change with this chapter. Maybe I'm wrong, I hope I am. The arcs (both plot and character) as well as the story's structure are different in this fic than the one before it. Maybe it will work in the end, maybe not we'll see.