Disclaimer: I do not own "Harry Potter". It is hereby © to J.K. Rowling. I wrote this story when I was 12 years old in the year 2003. So, "Half-Blood Prince" wasn't out yet either. It didn't exist at this point. Again, errors in spelling and grammar have been intentionally left in to preserve my skills as a young writer. This story is complete. This is a repost.
Chapter Thirteen: A Christmas to Remember
"Oh we picked up your wand." Ron said.
"I used a summoning charm and then we ran to catch up with you two…" Hermione explained.
She gave Cho her wand back.
"Thank you." Cho replied.
"You know, we still haven't eaten lunch yet…" Ron and Akira said together, their stomachs rumbling.
"Well we'll go to lunch once I get my other set of uniform and put it on…" Cho sighed.
She and Akira walked up the spiral staircase and into the girls dormitory.
"Harry, I just want to say, that that was some amazing heroics back there. Because under all that pain and pressure, you performed a very good body bind spell…I'm impressed." Hermione said, admirably.
"Yes well, I would never have known how to use it if it hadn't been you who taught me." Harry responded.
"Well thank you, Harry." Hermione said.
Another scream rang from the girls dormitory.
"I'll go check…" Hermione said instantly.
She rushed up the stairs and returned five minutes later.
"It was Cianna that screamed. Cho told her what happened with Malfoy, and how it brought you two back together. When Cianna got wind that you and Cho were back together, she was screaming her head off. I think she hated the fact that you both were going out anyway, to be honest…" Hermione explained.
Cho came running down the stairs, Akira in front of her, Cianna at their heels. Cho had gotten her robes, tie, and vest from her other uniform on. Cianna saw Harry and charged at him. Cho stood in front of Harry.
"Stop it, Cianna! He saved my life! I'm indebted to him, as you are to me! I saved you from that bird. Don't hurt Harry. I love him, Cianna, and you can't stop me from loving him forever." Cho said stiffly to her.
Cianna took a deep breath and calmed down.
"Sorry…I guess I overreacted…I thought you had set it up with Malfoy or something…Sorry…" Cianna said, running back up the spiral staircase.
"She's been acting weird you know…" Cho said notably.
"That letter that that bird delivered at least two months ago…we still haven't opened it…and I have it here…" Harry said, digging into his pocket.
He pulled out the letter, and opened it.
"'It is I, the Angel of Darkness. I have arrived at Hogwarts and I already know you like good friends. I'm amazed at how blind you are…Cho, do you not remember my voice, and do you not remember my eyes? You saw my eyes. And you heard my voice…I'm very surprised that you and Harry still haven't figured it out…I'm right under your nose…maybe now that you are thinking a million thoughts, your minds can work faster. And you can actually use your brains for once! Well, ciao! And have fun!!!
C.K.'" Harry read.
"She's giving us clues…But why? I think she wants to be found. She already knows who I really am, I bet…" Cho said.
"She's picking a fight. I think she's trying to lure you out of the school so she can kill you…" Hermione said, scratching her chin.
"Do you have to restate the obvious?" Cho asked sarcastically.
"No…I'm just saying what's on my mind, that's all…" Hermione answered.
"Mind…mind…of course! Aki, because Kashya resides in you, you can detect dark magic. I need you to help me find the Angel of Darkness, ok, sis?" Cho asked.
Akira gulped, and nodded.
"Alright…" She croaked.
"Why is she nervous to search for the dark magic?" Ron asked stupidly.
"Because it drains her energy dramatically. Last time, she fell asleep and didn't wake up until nearly a week later. Plus, Kashya tries to absorb the power, but Aki won't let her because if she does, she'll become evil. Kashya nearly succeeded in taking power. I had to stun Aki, just so Kashya would stop taking power…we've got many tales that you three don't know about…" Cho explained.
"Ohhh…" Ron said in understanding.
"Ready?" Cho asked.
Akira nodded and closed her eyes. A dark orb appeared in Akira's hands. It showed images. First Professor Snape, then Malfoy, then various Slytherins, and then it wavered on a pair of pale blue eyes, and Akira furrowed her brow in concentration. The orb backfired and exploded in towards Akira's stomach. She fell backward and spit out a mouthful of blood, clutching at her stomach.
"I know…I saw…" Akira tried to say.
"Who is it?" Cho asked.
"C…Ci…" Akira whispered, but she fainted.
"We need to get her to the hospital wing." Cho said, her face white.
"LIAM!!!" Ron roared.
"What?!" Liam asked as he bounded toward them.
"Come with us…we're taking Akira to the hospital wing." Ron said shortly.
"Why? What happened?" Liam asked.
"Hospital wing first, ask questions later, alright?" Ron snapped.
Liam nodded and helped Cho lift Akira off the floor. Together the group of six headed toward the hospital wing.
When they finally got there, Cho and Liam burst through the doors, startling Madam Pomfrey as they put Akira onto the nearest empty bed.
"What's happened?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"She used a dark magic locator spell. The one she was trying to find, had figured out a way to make it backfire, and the spell incinerated in her hands, and the shockwave hit her, instead of any of us." Cho explained as fast as she could.
'Harry! Your ring! It has the power to heal! Use it!' Cho hissed with her mind.
'But how?' Harry answered.
'I don't know! You figure it out!'
'Yeah, If I can…'
Harry looked at his ring and saw that the ruby had become a pearl.
'White…the color, it means purity, light, and healing! This is it!' Harry thought to himself.
"Curaga!" A voice whispered in his ear.
"-this is beyond my skill. I'll do what I can…" Madam Pomfrey said.
Harry placed his hand on Akira's forehead.
"Curaga!" He whispered.
The ring glowed and white light ran through Akira head to toes, then it ascended to the ceiling. Akira opened her eyes and sat up quickly. She felt her stomach. It didn't hurt anymore. Then she checked her mouth. She wasn't bleeding either.
"Astounding, Mr. Potter!" Madam Pomfrey said in awe. "Since she is cured, you all may go."
The six of them walked out of the ward and down the hall.
"So who is the Angel of Darkness?" Cho asked.
"I cannot say." Akira said.
"Just tell me, just me only." Cho said.
Then Akira fell forward on her knees. A smoky image of a woman in a hooded cloak was projected from Akira's heart.
"I have forbidden her to tell you who I am! For if she reveals me, I will destroy her! Chosai-Himé, we will be meeting very soon. Keep a close eye on little Aki-Cho-Sakura. One more thing, Taichi-yanagi may be getting a little visit from me soon…" The angel of darkness cackled.
"No!!!" Cho hissed.
The smoky image dissipated.
"Chosai-Himé? Aki-Cho-Sakura? Taichi-yanagi?" Ron wondered aloud.
"Oh honestly! Chosai-Himé is Cho, obviously, Aki-Cho-Sakura is Akira, and Taichi-yanagi is Tai!" Hermione explained, rolling her eyes.
"She knew our names…our real names…we've never told anyone…how did she know?" Cho whispered in shock.
"Your names translate into things…Cho, you name mean, great gifted princess, Akira, your name means autumn dawned cherry blossom. And Tai's well, I'm not so sure…" Hermione whispered.
"She's right about that…oh and Tai's translation has never been determined." Akira said, standing up and dusting off the knees of her robes.
With the mystery of who the enemy was, time ran fast again, and it was Christmas. There was a Christmas party since the Halloween Dance went so well. It was when Whitney and Tom Felton walked into the Great Hall and stood in the center of the room with her at his side.
The hall fell silent as Tom took out a small box from a pocket in his robes. He got down on one knee and Whitney was squealing with delight. Dumbledore seemed amused even.
"Whitney, I love you, if I could say it any plainer. I just wish we could be together forever…will you help me make that dream come true?" Tom asked.
"Yes!" Whitney squealed, hugging Tom to death.
Then from the other side of the hall, Alyssia was screaming with happiness.
"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!!!! WHITNEY!!! MAKE THAT A DOUBLE-WEDDING!!!!" Alyssia screamed, smiling.
Dumbledore stood up and started clapping. Soon, everyone in the room was clapping, even Harry, Cho, Ron, Hermione, and Akira. Liam clapped too, and Cianna clapped hesitantly. The clapping and cheering died down and those who had stood up sat back down as Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Let us congratulate our two new engaged couples. Draco Malfoy and Alyssia Rosiak, and Tom Felton and Whitney Felton." Dumbledore announced.
He waved his wand and a banner appeared above the Slytherin table reading "CONGRATULATIONS DRACO, ALYSSIA, WHITNEY, AND TOM!" Professor Snape was clapping excitedly.
"Ever seen Snape that excited?" Ron asked Harry and the others.
"No. Why?" They answered.
"Because it's freaky." Ron replied.
"You noticed?" Cho asked sarcastically.
"Uh, yeah. Hard to miss…" Ron answered.
Cho grabbed a package of wizard crackers. She opened the package and broke a cracker with her sister. It turned into a sort of window. Cho looked through it and saw Akira as Kashya, but now Akira was evil. Cho screamed a silent scream. She must've looked afraid on the outside, because Harry tapped her on the shoulder, making her jump.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"Huh? Oh, nothing…" Cho answered.
"If you say so…" Harry said shrugging.
The Fat Friar had flown behind Ron and Hermione with a sprig of mistletoe clutched his hand, and he dangled it above both their heads.
"Hey Ron." Akira said.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Look up." Akira answered.
Ron looked up and saw the Fat Friar grinning at him toothily. Hermione looked up too and looked almost horrified.
"Go on Ron!" Akira, Cho, and Harry urged.
"Oh come on!" The Fat Friar said pleadingly.
"This'll be good…" Akira muttered to Harry and Cho.
The three snickered quietly. Ron felt his stomach clench and he moved over and kissed Hermione on the cheek.
"That wasn't too bad now, was it?" The Fat Friar asked brightly.
Ron's ears turned as red as his hair and Hermione seemed to contrast quite well with him, for she too, was a deep shade of red.
"Oh come on, Ron! Even we can do better than that!" Akira, Harry, Cho, and Liam teased.
"Would you like to go next?" The Fat Friar asked.
"No!" The four said instantly.
"Well then, don't say things like that!" The Fat Friar said snickering.
With that he floated away. Ginny's mouth was open in shock.
"Are my eyes working properly? Did I just see my brother kiss a girl?" She asked, not believing what she had just clearly seen.
"Yeah, they're working fine…we all saw it too." Said Dean who was a little further down the table.
Ron turned red again, but smirked as he saw that the Grey Lady was hovering above Liam and Akira.
"Your turn, Liam! Pucker up!" Ron teased.
"Huh? WHAT?!" Liam and Akira exclaimed, looking above them.
"Umm, if you're looking for Cho, she's over there. I'm just her sister." Akira said, pointing frantically at her sister.
The Grey Lady smiled at Akira.
"You silly girl, Akira…Cho's told me all about you…but I'm just joking with you…I think I'll go check on Cho. I haven't talked to the girl for a while…" The Grey Lady said, still smiling and floating towards Cho.
"Ha! We didn't have to do anything! You're the only ones!!!" Akira said, laughing her head off.
"I think you've had too much eggnog…" Liam said quietly.
"Huh? I'm only on my fourth one! I don't go insane until I reach ten!" Akira answered.
"Well you're crazy enough with four already…have a glass of water. It'll help…"
Akira pouted and reluctantly took the glass of water and downed it all. Cianna stood up from her seat carrying a wicker basket, went over to the Ravenclaw table, and gave Minh a homemade Christmas card. She came back to the Gryffindor table and started handing out cards. Just as she was about to give Harry his card, the Fat Friar had returned and had been following Cianna every step she had taken and he was now mischievously holding the sprig of mistletoe above her and Harry's heads. Cianna had frozen and glanced upward and down again. She looked absolutely terrified. She came back to her senses and nervously cleared her throat.
"You know, it isn't like the Hufflepuff house ghost to play match-up with the students. Especially when you're trying to pair me up with someone who already has a girlfriend…and Harry's girlfriend happens to be my best friend, and the last thing on earth I would do is kiss him, even though I may have fancied him at some point!" Cianna snapped at the Friar.
She clutched at her mouth realizing what she had just said, shoved Harry's card into his hand and ran out of the Great Hall.
"She's the only one who noticed…the Fat Friar is still at his house table and always has been." Came Peeves's oily voice.
Everyone whirled around and saw Peeves floating in the same exact place that the Fat Friar was a second ago.
"It was you! You! I'm going to kill you!" Ron said angrily.
"Kill me? I'm already dead Wheezy Weasley! And to think, that Cianna girl liked you all along, Potter…I made her admit one of her deepest secrets…and she didn't even know it…until it was too late…" Peeves cackled as he floated away.
At the Slytherin table Alyssia and Whitney were showing off their engagement rings. All the girls around them were cooing over it. Even Professor Snape came over to have a look. Malfoy came over to the Gryffindor table, Alyssia at his side. Alyssia showed Ron and Hermione her ring.
"What's the matter Weasley? Jealous that you can't afford something like that for Mudblood? Or are you just going to give her a plastic ring with a rhinestone on it since you're so poor?" Malfoy sneered.
Ron glowered at him. Malfoy had now moved his focus to Cho. He glared at her. Cho glared back, just as menacingly.
"Oh don't worry Potter. I don't like her. Just giving her gifts from your friend Voldemort. It's called the kiss of death." Malfoy said, now looking at Harry.
"And what about the other day? In the hallway? What about that then? Trying to become a human dementor? Because I could've sworn you liked me in some way, seeing as I had to replace an entire set of clothes because of you." Cho asked.
"My father told me of a prophecy. About two angels…or opposing powers…light and dark…and the angel of the light is said to be you, and the angel of the dark, is unknown. The angel of light is rumored to have a powerful necklace…an amulet of pure light. And if it were to fall into evil hands, the one who wore it could control light. That is why I did that. I wanted to see for myself if this amulet truly existed." Malfoy answered.
"Well you could've just asked…although I probably wouldn't have shown you anyway…" Cho replied.
"So it does exist?" Malfoy asked, mildly interested.
"Yeah it does. And the prophecy exists too." Cho answered.
"May I see this amulet?" Malfoy asked politely.
"See, only. Not touch, steal, take, etcetera…" Cho explained.
Malfoy nodded glumly. Cho felt her neck, pulled at a thin silver chain, and pulled the amulet from under her shirt collar into plain view. Malfoy's blue eyes widened in shock.
"Happy now?" Cho asked. "Will you leave me alone now?"
"Yeah, thanks…let's go Alyssia…" Malfoy said, pulling Alyssia away from the Gryffindor table.
Alyssia spelled out a rude word in sign language to Akira and was glaring evilly at her. Akira reacted and made a rude sign with her hand. Alyssia looked insulted and continued to walk with Malfoy. Cho had seen her sister's rude gesture and was scolding her in Chinese.
"'You never ever do that! Never!'" Cho scolded in Chinese.
Harry heard every word as usual.
"'Well she deserved it! She called me a witch, minus the 'w' and plus a 'b'! In sign language!'" Akira replied.
"'She didn't!'"
"'She did! So see, she deserved it!'"
"'Well just don't do that ok? Because Professor Dumbledore or someone would've seen it. And we might lose house points. Malfoy is a prefect you know. He can give you detention if Alyssia complains to him.'"
"Oh fine! I promise I won't do it again!" Akira said, in English.
"Good. Now, Harry please explain to Ron and Hermione what we were just saying because their confused expressions are making me laugh…" Cho said.
Harry explained to Ron and Hermione what Cho and Akira were talking about. Both of them understood and carried on in conversation. Suddenly, Harry realized something.
"Ron!" He said.
"What?" Ron asked.
"It can't be Malfoy. Malfoy didn't use the Polyjuice Potion. He doesn't like Cho. He even said it. Admitted it. So it couldn't have been him disguised as me on Halloween." Harry explained.
"Do you have to remind me of that? That was one of the worst days of my life…out of three I've had…" Cho asked.
"Well, sorry…but it wasn't Harry…he was with us the whole time…anyway, Malfoy isn't a suspect anymore…" Ron said, apologetically to Cho, then continued to talk with Harry.
"If it isn't Malfoy, who is it?" Harry asked.
So many questions Harry had swirling in his head. None of them would be answered. Somewhere in the castle, the angel of darkness was watching Harry, Cho, and Akira through a glass orb. She laughed evilly. It echoed off the walls and down the halls in the school. The laughter reached the Great Hall and everyone fell silent.
"She's here…the angel of darkness…she's watching us…I feel her spell…it's somewhere above us…" Akira said, gazing at the cloud-filled ceiling draped in velvet blackness.