I'm really sorry about the really long update. I mean, J. K. Rowling took three years to write HPV. Speaking about the OOTP, I haven't read it yet…people who read it said they hated it…most of them said that they cried when *censored* died…well, my story officially AU! Well, on with the story!
~*~Chapter 4:The Cousin Story~*~
"Cho, you never let your hair down," Hermione mentioned.
"Long hair is annoying, especially during Quidditch," Cho replied.
"But you'll never cut it, ne?" Ginny giggled.
The three girls were inside the Gryffindor common room (they let Cho in), and Cho let Hermione play with her waist long auburn hair. Ginny was busy making Hermione's hair and Cho was occupied with her notebook.
"Would you just leave your hair down for one day?" Hermione said.
"No way, 'Mione," Cho chided.
"What about half up, half down? I'll make it for you," Hermione offered.
"C'mon, Cho! You always pull it back!" Ginny added.
Cho sighed. "Fine then, Hermione. Go ahead. But promise me to not go crazy with the hair *and* we start our homework after."
"Thanks! I was thinking about doing my homework anyway, Cho," Hermione said, starting to make Cho's hair.
"We have more than three weeks! Why do it now?" Ginny complained.
'Mione snorted. "You sound just like Ron, always procrastinating."
Ginny grinned. "How far did you go with my brother?"
Hermione whacked Ginny with her hairbrush, blushing furiously. "Be quiet."
"Is everything alright with you and Ron?" Cho said seriously.
Hermione remained silent and continued to braid Cho's hair.
Ginny eyed the two suspiciously. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Cho sent her a wary glance. "It's even, isn't? You know something that Hermione doesn't know and she knows something that you don't know."
"Cho, is everything alright? You seem a little cross lately," Hermione spoke.
Cho scowled, something her face was not familiar to do so. "Something's not right. I can feel it. And it's not going well with Arabella and the others. Does anyone know when Jade will wake up? I need her!"
"I may not know Jade as well as you both do, but Cho, calm down and be patient," Hermione coolly said. "There! All done. Homework time."
Hermione had tied Cho's hair half up and half down with braids. Ginny had finished taming Hermione's bushy hair and put it up with one of Cho's collection of hairclips. Cho finished writing some of her thoughts in her journal.
~*~
Harry and Ron had an amazing workout from whizzing around on their brooms in the chilly December air. Breathless, they returned to their common room a little before lunch. There they found Ginny, Hermione, and Cho pouring over their homework.
Well, actually Cho was pouring over her homework. Ginny was listening to a CD player that Cho must have enchanted. The third girl eating a sugar quill was trying to scold Ginny for not even starting on her homework. Unfortunately, Hermione's voice was drowned by the music of the Ginny's CD. What Harry didn't know was that Cho became annoyed with Hermione's scolding and sent her a silencing charm and let the music flow around her. The CD was her favorite. Her mother and her favorite aunts made that disk. The Muses.
Harry stared at Cho. With her hair half down and her wavy auburn hair around her shoulders…she was a goddess. The way she gazed at her homework so intently, tucking the unruly strands of her hair between her ears…
"Ah! Done," Cho said, closing her Potions book and looked up. "Oy, Harry, Ron! Finished already?" Sending a careful glance at her friends, she murmured, "I guess I better undo that spell."
With one wave of her hand, Hermione resumed her voice. "Ginny, we have less than a month to return back to our studies…" Cho gently turned of the CD player and removed the headphones. Reaching for the glass case, she took out the disk and put it in. "Hey, I was listening to that!" Ginny indignantly said.
Gathering her belongings, Cho said, "I'll return to my room and see you for lunch, okay?"
"Don't forget you have to tell a story during lunch, Cho!" Ginny called after her.
"Isn't always me that tells the stories?" Cho called back as climbed out of the portrait hole.
Hermione immediately slapped Ron. "And don't you go ranting about her 'stupid stories'."
"But her 'romance stories' are dumb!" Ron complained. "She even included some crazy relationships. A student who married her teacher." [Ahem…Rika and Tereda…Cho never tells the names of the characters of her stories but she knows who they are]
"Two cousins who married. "[Chiharu and Takahashi]
"Two cousins who were engaged. "[Meiling and Syaoran]
"A teacher who loved her student." [Kaho and Eriol, Kaho and Touya]
"Childhood friends who were engaged." [Remus and Rhea]
"Two rivals who married. "[Sakura and Syaoran]
"Friends who loved someone else but married each other. "[Eriol and Tomoyo]
"Two enemies who fell in love." [Naoko and Chang]
"A teacher and her student who were enemies but loved each other." [Meiling and Sirius]
"And last of all, the love triangles. Cho has a great imagination, but these stories are crazy!"
Hermione glared at her boyfriend. "Cho keeps those stories very close to her. You better not say anything to her."
"And besides," Ginny added. "The people in her stories are real. Some of the characters are related to our teachers. We even know some of the characters."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
Ginny grinned mischievously. "The cousins who married are Professor Sprout's niece and nephew. And the girl who married her teacher is Professor Snape's cousin. The childhood friends? Remus Lupin and Rhea Silver. And the student and the teacher who hated each other? The student was Sirius Black."
"Are you for real?" Ron said, amazed.
Hermione laughed out loud. "You should see the look on your faces!"
~*~
"Don't forget you have to tell a story during lunch, Cho!" Ginny called after her.
"Isn't always me that tells the stories?" Cho called back.
Sighing, Cho made it back to her room. If anyone asks, Dumbledore told me those stories. Cho dropped her books on her bed, making her neat room look out of place with a new mess. Though I doubt Harry would believe that Dumbledore would tell those stories.
Does Harry ever know that *he's* my top priority? Pink tinted her cheeks. Where the hell did that come from, Ying Fa?
"Love," she said out loud. "That's what started this whole mess. Damn her. This mess with Voldermort wouldn't have started if not for her. "
With fury, she threw a psychic attack at the wall. Luckily, that wall was an open window.
Then I wouldn't have to lie all these years. To Harry, to Eriol, to Cedric…my whole life is one huge lie. Too many secrets to keep. Too many things to tell. All tangled in one huge mess. Me.
"This year will be different, at least. I won't keep any secrets anymore. But," Cho sighed again, "Next year I won't be here.
Cho took the CD of The Muses and looked unhappily at it. It was the beginning of her secrets. Taking something out of her drawer, Cho slipped the CD's front cover into the case. At least I took it out beforehand. It would have raised a wave of questions that I need to avoid…at the least, until Jade wakes up.
Cho quickly freshened up and left her room, heading toward the Great Hall for lunch. Today, she would tell the story between Touya and Yukito. Two men in love with each other. Smirking, Cho knew that it would certainly make Ron go crazy. But there was more to the story she would add…the time Petunia Evans tried to get between them but failed utterly.
Cho left the CD on the top of her books left on her bed. On the CD cover of The Muses were nine women with their respective instruments and names. They weren't widely known; one of their number was being hunted so they never sang worldwide for her protection. Only their close friends were trusted to own a CD. On the cover were the nine women who had beautiful voices and played wonderful with their instruments. The nine women were also known by Cho. Cho knew (or used to know) the members of the singing group personally.
Meiling Li was Euterpe with her clarinet. Urania was Rhea Silver playing the saxophone. The guitar was played by Polyhymnia, or Rika Tereda. Chiharu Yamazaki played the trumpet with her name Terpsichore. Calliope played a cornet and was named Naoko Chang.
The viola was played by Arabella Figg, alias Clio.
Sakura Li was Thalia and played percussion.
The flute was played by Melpomene, or Tomoyo Hiiragizawa.
Erato played the piano, she was Lily Potter.
~*~
"Another one, Cho!" Ginny said.
Cho rolled her eyes but smiled. "Which one?"
Ginny paused, thinking of a story that Cho never told yet. One came up…but she dare not suggest it. Ron had a fit about last time's love triangle. Yet that story indirectly included Professor Eriol, who Cho claimed to have forgotten his past. For some strange reason, he never remembered that the storied Cho told were about the people who he spent his childhood with.
Ginny still had to suggest a story. Lowering her voice, she said, "The cousin one."
Ron got a puzzled look and Cho grinned. Cho knew what Ginny was talking about…it was fun to tease Ron about such affairs. Cho stifled a groan. She didn't know she missed her brother that much.
"The cousin one, Ginny? That doesn't sound like a good idea," Hermione voiced.
Cho flashed one of Eriol's trademark evil grins to Ron. "No, I'll tell it anyway…you're given a warning to leave now or forever hold your peace."
Curiosity killed the cat. Ron of course stayed. He bravely listened to Cho's story.
Professor Eriol was there too. "The cousins?" he said, puzzled.
Cho nodded. "Hai. The cousin story. You see, it's a long legacy that started long time ago. Two cousins; one naïve and the other intelligent. The smart cousin loved his sweet, innocent cousin. Her laugh, her smile, she made everything just look…brighter. Unfortunately, he was not the only one who loved her. She had two other lovers whose fight included their death…including *her* death."
Cho took a pause before continuing. "I would say that this legacy is even happening in recent times. Three examples, I think."
"And they are…?" Harry asked. He got the feeling he heard this before…
"Except…now all the cousins are female."
"What?!" Ron nearly exploded. Cho remained calm. "You mean another one…?"
Cho smirked. She was going to enjoy this…inwardly she sighed. Why did she have to say three? The third example was complicated as it is! Aloud, she said, "You enjoyed the other story, Ron. Why not this one?"
Ginny was afraid of her brother now. "Just tell the first pair, Cho."
"Right…basically it's still a same concept. One cousin was pure innocent and loved by her cousin. In the first example, the naïve one had dark wavy hair…let's call her 'Natasha' for now. Her cousin…um…Samantha was Natasha's best friend also. Samantha's family was very protective of Natasha…but Samantha's protection turned into love. But one day…*he stepped in*
~*story sequence*~
Samantha was looking up in a Nadeshiko tree. She was wearing a high school uniform and was frantic and worried. "Natasha! Come down from there! It's dangerous up there!"
Up in the tree was Natasha. "It's okay, Samantha. This kawaii baby bird just has to return to his nest. Just a little farther…" In her hand was a baby bird who happened to fall out. Natasha was helping it back in.
"Be careful, Natasha!" Samantha called, biting her lip. Natasha was never good in sports; being up in a tree meant danger.
"You'll be okay now," Natasha cooed as the bird chirped happily with its brothers and sisters. "I'll be down soon, Samantha," she said. But Natasha slipped on a branch and came crashing down.
"Natasha!" a worried Samantha screamed.
When Natasha opened her eyes, she saw the face of her student teacher. She had landed on top of him. "Are you alright?" kind Aiden Avalon said.
Breathless, Natasha shyly replied, "Hai. What about you?"
Smiling, Mr. Avalon said, "I thought an angel fell from the sky."
As he helped her stand up, Samantha stood in the shadows, scowling.
~*end story sequence*~
"Samantha had to watch Natasha, her first love, to get married with their student teacher at the age of 16, when he was significantly older than her," Cho said.
"Great. More romantic stories," Ron grumbled.
Eriol sat quietly. Hadn't he heard this somewhere before?
Harry frowned. The story sounded familiar…he sensed a pattern going on.
"The second example?" Hermione prodded Cho.
"Right…" Cho quickly glanced at Ginny. /I need names, Ginny, and fast!/
//Okay Cho…how about…//
"The next two cousins are Madison and Blossom. Blossom was the sweet and naïve one. At first they didn't know that they were cousins…they met during school.
~*story sequence*~
"Hi! I'm Blossom! I see I'll be sitting next to you during the school year," a cheerful auburn haired girl said as she sat down in at a desk.
A dark purpled haired girl looked up and smiled. "I'm Madison. Nice to meet you."
"Attention everyone! Please take out a pencil, paper, an eraser," the teacher said.
'Let's see…a paper, pencil…oh no! I forgot my eraser!' Madison thought frantically.
"Need an eraser, Madison?" Blossom's cheerful voice piped up.
"Um…" That was all Blossom needed to hand Madison a cute bunny eraser.
"Keep it. We'll be good friends, right Madison?" Blossom said before tuning back to her work.
'Yes, Blossom…we'll good friends,' Madison thought.
~*story sequence*~
"They only found out they were cousins when their parents met."
~*story sequence*~
"Tori, how does Madison's mom know Dad?" Blossom asked her older brother.
"She's Mom's cousin. She doesn't like Dad very much," Tori replied.
Blossom giggled. "So Madison, that means we're cousins as well as best friends!"
~*story sequence*~
"Madison tried to confess her feelings once…but Blossom was just too naïve to understand what she really meant."
~*story sequence*~
"Blossom, I love you!" Madison cried.
Blossom turned around and smiled. "I love you too, Madison!"
A look of hurt flashed passed her eyes. "Blossom…I meant…"
"You meant what…?" Blossom asked, confused.
Madison sighed and then plastered on a smile. "Never mind, Blossom. I'll tell you later when you get older."
~*story sequence*~
"Madison gave up trying to gain Blossom's love. She had a new motto now."
~*story sequence*~
"I found it!" Blossom happily said, clutching a teddy bear kit. "What about you, Madison-chan? Are you going to get a bear?"
"For me…I want the person I love to be happy more than I want their love returned."
Confused, Blossom said, "Then you don't need the person you love to love you back?"
Madison raised her eyes to gently smile at her best friend. "Of course I would be happy to have their love returned. But…for me, my greatest happiness would have to be for the person I like to have the most happiness possible."
Oblivious, Blossom blinked and smiled brightly. "I'm sure the person you love must be very happy, Madison."
~*~
Blossom sniffed, and looked at her companion…
--
/Ginny! A name for Syaoran!/
//Why are you asking me? I don't know!//
/I only have 'Li' in mind…that's too obvious./
//How about 'Julian'?//
/That's Yukito!/
//You never mentioned him yet! He can by Syaoran for now!//
--
Blossom sniffed, and looked at her companion, her friend who was a *boy*, named Julian. "Madison told me that once. Instead of wanting the person she loved to be with her, she just wanted that person to be happy. 'If the person I love is happy, it makes me happy,' she said."
A concerned Julian looked at Blossom as a look flashed through his eyes.
~*~
Smiling, Blossom said to Madison, "When I talked to Julian and cried…it was like all the hurt flowed away with my tears. Because he listened to me…I feel better now. So I want him to know how grateful I am. I'll do my best."
Madison also smiled. "I'm sure Julian will get the message."
"Thanks, Madison. For always thinking of me…and helping me so much." Blossom grabbed Madison's hand. "If anything troubles you or makes you sad, just let me know. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it," Blossom said seriously to her best friend.
Madison looked deeply in her cousin's green eyes. "As long as you're smiling, Blossom, I'll never be sad. Your happiness is my happiness."
~*story sequence*~
"The easiest way to make someone happy is to let them fall in love. So Madison played Matchmaker. Her mission was Blossom and Julian."
~*story sequence*~
"You really do know everything about Blossom, don't you?" Julian asked her.
Madison smiled while lowering her camera. "Of course…it's *Blossom*! I'm glad you helped Blossom return back to normal."
A smile started to form on Julian's stern face. "…yeah."
Glancing back at Blossom, she said, "You still haven't told her yet, have you? About how you feel."
Julian lowered his head, his chestnut locks covering his amber eyes. "If I told her…she'd just worry. Even then, she kept her tears in so she wouldn't worry him…until she came and talked to me." Raising his head, Julian said woefully, "She knows how it feels when the person you love doesn't love you in the same way. I think if I told her how I feel, she'd be worried about hurting me. So I won't tell her."
Madison looked at her friend. "Li…"
--
"I mean, Madison called him Julian," Cho said quickly as she caught Ginny smirk.
--
Madison looked at her friend. "Julian…you're really a kind person. I know you don't want to make Saku- Blossom unhappy."
--
//Another mistake, Cho? You're treading in deep waters, Ying Fa.//
/Kuso. Just hush, Ginny. With all these hints and mistakes, it's a wonder Professor Eriol doesn't even remember this story./
//How about you add him in the story? Surely he'll remember then.//
--
Madison looked at her friend. "Julian…you're really a kind person. I know you don't want to make Blossom unhappy. But, Blossom isn't the type to hold onto her sadness forever. If you confess your feelings, she'll accept them, and give you the answer that's best for her."
~*~
It was Julian and Blossom's…wedding day. Sakuras and Peonies flowers were strewn everywhere. The main colors were green and pink. It was a magnificent sight, and at the altar the couple were leaning forward for a kiss…
In the benches, last row, sat Madison. Tears flowed down her porcelain face as she finally let go of her first love. The guests would think that she was crying out of happiness, because her two best friends married each other, and she had helped them to get where they were…Madison fooled everyone…everyone that is, except *him*.
He handed her his navy blue handkerchief. "Here," he said.
Without thinking, she took it and wiped her tears. But still they fell.
Studying Madison he said, "You're not crying because Blossom's happy, are you?"
Madison looked up into his dark blue eyes. "Yes I am!" she defended herself.
He calmly answered, "You're crying because you are not the one who she loves the most. You don't need to hide it, Madison. I've been watching you…as I've been watching Blossom. You can hide your feelings very well, but I too can be perceptive."
Madison lost her will. He knew. "But you won't tell." It was a statement, not a question.
He shook his head. "No, I won't. But Madison, I'm your friend too. So if it gets hard, you can just come to me. I'll listen. Just promise me you won't cry again. You're too beautiful for tears, Madison."
His hands cupped around her face, wiping her tears gently with his handkerchief.
"…I promise…and thank you…E-"
~*finally end sequence!*~
"Aw! It was just getting good!" Ron complained.
Cho snickered. "I thought you didn't like it, Ron."
Ron glared at her. "At least she didn't end up with her cousin. That's just wrong."
Cho glared back. And because she had many years of practice perfecting her Syaoran glare, she won. "Get used to it. My friends are in that story."
And Eriol remembered! The last scene was him and Tomoyo! But how can that be…it was Syaoran and Sakura's wedding, not Blossom and Julian. "You know people from that story?" he said aloud. [LOL! Now Eriol's the naïve one!]
Cho felt her heart stop. If he makes the connection that I personally know his wife and that she's not dead…I'm doomed.
"What Cho means, professor, is that her friends are in the third example of this cousin-loving story. Isn't it?" Ginny butted in.
"Yeah," Cho said. /That was a close one, Ginny. Thanks./
//Anytime.//
/Hey…wait! Now they remember that there's a third part to the story! I didn't want to tell that one, Ginny! That's why there were so many S+T parts!/
//Too bad, Ying Fa.//
/I take back my thanks. You deserve none./
Ginny smirked as Cho frowned.
"Oh yeah! The third pair," Hermione said. "I forgot about that one."
The third one? Eriol thought. If Madison was Tomoyo and Blossom was Sakura…that makes sense. Tomoyo often called herself Madison…and Sakura stands for cherry blossom. That must mean that Samantha was Sonomi Oka-san and Natasha was Nadeshiko! But the first one…with the boy and the girl…I can't place who that is…but it sounds familiar. And the third pair…all of this doesn't make sense.
Cho sighed with a glare at Ginny who returned it with an innocent look. "Yep. The third one…however it's complicated. *Very* complicated…because their story has not been finished yet."