The Marriage of Ron and Cho (part two)

It was nearly the Easter Holidays and life was being kind to Ron Weasley. He had discovered that the best way of getting on with Cho was just to shut up and say nothing. In all matters that required discussion he listened to her quietly and then agreed. This worked in two ways. Not only was Cho pleased that she was getting her own way, she rewarded him by not organising any more of the extra classes he had endured earlier in the year. The lack of arguments had been noticed by the teachers and at the start of February, as a reward they had been granted care of a girl in the second year called Meliz. Cho had been ecstatic. She was now considered equal to the rest of her friends, able to share her experiences of 'bringing up a child.' Ron was sure that Meliz was a really friendly child. Unfortunately, he had only ever spoken three words to her. When they had been introduced by Snape he had started to make conversation. He'd got as far as 'Hi I'm Ron-' before Cho had brushed passed him, while at the same time informing Meliz that Ron was as useless excuse for a Husband and just to ignore him. Being of a nervous disposition, Meliz had taken Cho's words seriously and not uttered a single phrase to Ron. Initially he had been annoyed but gradually, after seeing the struggles of other parents with their children he was relieved at getting credit for a job in which he wasn't involved.

The second and more influential reason for making Ron's life a pleasant one to be living was the aftermath of the Christmas period. He had returned to the Gryffindor common room to find a frustrated looking Harry pouring over the Marauder's map trying in vain to locate Ginny. He briefly explained what had happened the night before and told Ron that Ginny had stormed out of the common room that morning without a backward glance and hadn't been seen since. Infact nobody saw hide not hair of her till breakfast the following day when Ginny had entered, hand in hand with Draco Malfoy. The two had been inseparable since. Obviously everyone had wanted to know what had happened, including Cho.

'But they used to loathe each other' she protested when Ron told her that Ginny and Malfoy were acting no differently to how they were before Christmas. She was so desperate for news that he occasionally fed her small pieces of possible information. It caused great mirth to see Cho scuttle off to tell her cronies that Ginny and Malfoy had switched bodies and the only way they could return to the rightful one was to spend at least 1000 hours in each others company.

In truth, Ron didn't understand much more about the situation than he had when he'd returned from school. Hermione knew everything but she'd sworn she wouldn't say. All he could gather was that Ginny had been mortified when Harry had rejected her and she had rebounded into the 'love' of Malfoy or something.

'But he was awful to her. He really embarrassed her. Much more than Harry rejecting her kiss.'

'It's a girl thing Ron' Hermione had replied exasperatedly 'you wouldn't understand.'

Ron, along with Harry and Hermione was to remain at Hogwarts for Easter. They had so much work still to do and so little time to do it in that the boys had agreed when Hermione had suggested it would be best. They weren't sure if Ginny was staying with them or not but if she did, the atmosphere would be interesting. Both Hermione and Ron had steadfastly refused to take sides in the dispute but it hadn't made their time any easier. Harry maintained that he couldn't have done anything else 'I did the only thing that was right by both Katie and Ginny.' On the other hand, Ginny herself felt that Harry should have explained the situation more and not led her on with words that had several interpretations. The pair weren't arguing as such but their icy silence and odd comments showed that all was not forgiven. This wasn't helped by the fact that Harry and Katie were very affectionate towards each other in the common room in the evening. Ginny had attempted to match this with Malfoy in the hallways between lessons and in the Great Hall at meal times but it looked so fake in comparison she had ceased.

Ron was totally baffled by the whole arrangement though he would never admit so to Cho. Relieved that his own situation was finally working out, life continued smoothly, until the Friday before they all broke up for Easter. Ron had been walking with Harry to Charms when an arm caught him in the stomach. It was Meliz looking terrified at what she had just done.

'What?' asked Ron. Meliz just looked up at him, saying nothing. 'Well what is it? I haven't got all day you know.' Still saying nothing Meliz grabbed Ron's hand and started to pull him back down the corridor, Harry following curiously behind. The number of students began to decrease as they entered smaller and smaller passages that were getting darker and colder. 'Look Meliz where are we going? Harry and I are going to be late for our class now.' Still Meliz didn't say a word. Eventually she stopped outside a small door. She looked at it, and then looked at Ron. Harry leaned over Ron's shoulder

'I think she wants you to go in there.' The boys shared a brief look of confusion before pushing open the door and stepping inside.

It was pitch black.

'Lumos' muttered Harry. The tip of his wand began to glow. Its beam showed that they were standing in a classroom. There were desks and chairs set out in a semi-circle shape facing a blackboard. In the middle of the desks and chairs was a person, sprawled on the floor crying continually. As Ron and Harry made their way over to the figure it looked up. A tear stained and swollen faced Cho looked up at them.

'Go away.' She called. 'I knew Meliz would go to fetch you though I told her not to. Little beast!'

'But Cho what's wrong' asked Ron.

'Oh nothing you will be interested in, just the fact that we are failing our marriage class and will fail the whole year.'

'Cho don't be so silly of course we're not failing. Weren't we given a kid? Hasn't Snape been more tolerable of us recently. You're just exaggerating.'

'I'm not I'm telling you we are failing.'

'But how on earth do you know. This is codswallop. There's nothing to suggest-'

'Err Ron if you look over there' interrupted Harry gently. Ron followed Harry's gaze. He was starring at the blackboard. On it were dozen of pairings- the same ones as the marriage couples. Down the left hand side was a list of numbers beginning at one. Some of the names were floating around these numbers, others were stationary. To the right of the names were letters. Each couple had either an O, E, A, P, D or T. Ron began searching for his and Cho's name. It was third from bottom, and next to it was a T.

'Troll' he said quietly.

'Yes, TROLL!' cried Cho 'The very worst grade we could have. And I've worked so hard to do well. Why can't they see it, I've done everything they wanted and more. It's not fair, it really isn't fair.' Cho dissolved into tears again. Awkwardly Ron leant over and patted Cho's head. Harry walked back over to the door where Meliz stood.

'How long has she known this room was here?' Meliz didn't answer straight away. She just looked at Harry. 'Well?' he asked, more strongly.

'She already knew it was here before I was given as her child.' Meliz spoke so quietly that Harry could barely hear her over the constant wails of Cho. 'She comes nearly every day to see what their position is. Yesterday we were 17th from the top.'

'Well this is clearly just a fluke. Nothing to worry about.'

'The day before we were 6th from the bottom and last week we were bottom- for two whole days.'

'Oh'. Harry was at a loss. He glanced over to see if Ron had heard. It appeared he had. Rather than ask if he was alright with the news Harry focused his attentions on Cho. 'What shall we do with her?'

'I dunno.' Ron was at a total loss. Harry reckoned that he had never had to make a serious decision in his life. He couldn't remember Ron making one anyway.

'Well you've got to something with her. She can't stay here all upset in the dark.'

'She'll calm down at some point' added Meliz. 'When she's cried before she has stopped by herself eventually.' Ron and Harry both turned to Meliz.

'This has happened before?' replied Harry aghast. 'How long was she crying for last time?'

'About an hour or so.' Replied Meliz.

'And you've just stood and watched her. Why have you never come to get me before?' Ron asked, his anger rising.

'She's never hurt herself before today. That scared me.'

'Cho, have you hurt yourself? Where?'

'Don't overreact Ron, it's just when I fell on my arm. It caught the edge of desk and began to bleed.' Cho watched as Ron looked over at Harry and he looked back. She didn't know what was going on inside their heads but a moment later Ron began to stand up, motioning for Cho to follow him.

'Come on' he called. 'We're going to the hospital wing.'

'But why?' asked Cho. I've told you I just bashed my arm, it's nothing serious.' But, for the first time since he had been married to Cho, Ron made the executive decision. Ignoring the protest of his wife Ron led the little party across the school to the hospital wing.

'You were very wise to bring her in.' Madame Pomfrey was busy settling Cho into a bed. 'She has been overworked poor girl. It's these silly marriages Albus decided to introduce. They are far too much stress for you senior students. And if you are of a delicate disposition like Miss Chang here then the workload can really take its toll.' Ron tried very hard not to snort. Cho having a 'delicate disposition' was not a statement he would readily agree with. 'She will have to remain here for a little while. We can't risk having her getting all worked up over again over her bag splitting. It really isn't healthy.' As Madame Pomfrey bustled off Ron turned to where Cho was lying under crisp white sheets.

'Did you here the story we used?' he asked Cho.

'Yes I did and don't worry I'll stick to it. I don't think us students were meant to have discovered the score board lark.'

'You're right there. Now promise me you won't worry anymore. I will look after Meliz and I will get one of your friends to collect your class work. I will sort out anything to do with the marriage. But that's only if you promise not to worry about it anymore.'

'Ok' agreed Cho. 'But you will visit me regularly, to give me updates and that sort of thing won't you.'

'Of course I will.' Ron stood up to go.

'Ron.'

'Yes?'

'Thank-you'

Hey this chapter wasn't written into the original plan so I am interested to know what you think of it. Any suggestions send them this way!

Thank-you very much xx