办不到
A Fan Fiction Story by Gfyuwatr7
Author's note: Sorry for the delay of the last chapter. Unfortunately, I can't promise quick updates either. I'll do my best, I promise.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, its characters, ideas, films, novels, or anything in between. It all belongs to J. K. Rowling.
Saturday, Mid-January
"Aren't you ready yet, Cho?" Marietta asked hotly as she opened the door to their dormitory. "We're waiting on you now!"
"Um, almost done!" Cho said in a panic, putting away her perfume before Marietta could see it. She didn't want her to know what she had in mind for that day.
It was the middle of January. Several weeks had passed since the Yule Ball, and now the holidays were over as well. It was a Hogsmeade visit today, and Marietta decided to gather all their friends for a girls' day out. Cho wouldn't have gone (her studies were killing her slowly, she was sure of it), were it not for the fact that a week earlier, Harry had asked her out to the Hogsmeade visit. Now she found herself completing her assignments twice as fast as she normally did (Amazing what a little motivation can do, Cho would think to herself slyly). She couldn't explain it, but she felt something that made her want to spend more time with Harry. Since the Yule Ball, she had caught herself thinking about him more and more often. She imagined that this is what would've happened if Cedric had asked her out first.
They hadn't been able to see each other much, but whenever they saw each other out in the halls between classes, they would always share a smile. At breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they would always play a game of trying to catch a glimpse of each other. But only the previous week had they had a chance to talk again. They managed to catch up a bit, and it was during that conversation that Harry, shyly scratching the back of his head, asked her out to the next Hogsmeade visit. She had agreed very readily, of course. She wasn't going to miss this opportunity.
The only problem was, she had forgotten to tell Marietta about her plans. So while she was convinced that Cho was coming with them, Cho had actually planned to fall behind on purpose and meet Harry at the Entrance Hall.
"You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up," Cho said, hoping this would convince Marietta to leave sooner. No such luck, of course.
"Hold on," Marietta said, frowning. She walked closer to Cho, peering closer at her. "What are getting all dressed up for?"
"Um, nothing," Cho mumbled, knowing it was pointless to hide it any longer, but still trying anyway.
"Cho, something you'd like to tell me?" Marietta said threateningly.
"Marietta, I…"
"You're planning on seeing Potter again, aren't you?" Marietta accused. "When were you planning on telling me?"
"Just as soon as you told me about you and Cedric," Cho replied coolly. She wasn't jealous, she simply wanted to make sure that her friend was being treated right. Marietta, clearly, had other ideas about Cho's intentions.
"That's none of your business!" Marietta almost yelled. She paused, trying to compose herself. "Okay, look," she said in a conciliatory way. "I won't say anything about you and Harry, and you won't pry into my relationship with Cedric, alright?"
"Sure, if you say so," Cho said uncertainly. This subject had been a source of slight friction between them. They were both just trying to look out for each other.
"Still," Marietta said grumpily. "I think you should've at least mentioned you were still interested in Harry, right? Would that have been so hard?"
"Chilly out here, isn't it?" Cho asked bracingly. She and Harry were walking to Hogsmeade, a wizard village near Hogwarts. Those at the age of thirteen and above, and with written permission from their parents or guardians, were allowed to visit it every once in a while, like a small holiday. There were many shops there; supply shops, joke shops, pubs, and other tourist traps. It was also a great place to go on dates, or so Harry had been told.
"Yeah, but I don't mind," Harry replied. Deciding on a daring move, he slipped his hand into hers. "I do like to be a bit warm, though."
"Me too," Cho said, looking down shyly and squeezing his hand. "By the way, how are your friends? Are they still mad at each other?"
"Ron and Hermione? They're…okay, I think," Harry replied slowly. "They talk to each other and everything, but they're also a bit formal. It doesn't feel right."
"I'm sorry," Cho said somberly. "I didn't mean to remind you."
"Oh, it's alright," Harry reassured her. "They just need time to think. They'll be fine."
The last few weeks had been hectic for him. He'd had to deal with the formalness of Ron and Hermione's conversations. But that hadn't been the worst of it. Ron had told him and Hermione about the conversation Ron had overheard on the night of the Yule Ball. Learning that Hagrid was a half-giant hadn't really surprised Harry, but according to Ron, giants were vicious creatures. Harry knew that Hagrid wasn't dangerous, but Ron was concerned with how others would react if they knew.
They didn't have long to wait. On their first class after the holidays, they'd gone down to Hagrid's cabin for their Care of Magical Creatures' class. Instead of finding Hagrid waiting for them, however, they found his temporary replacement. According to her, Hagrid was 'indisposed', whatever that meant. He also learned from Malfoy (that git!) that Rita Skeeter, who shouldn't have even been on school grounds anymore, had written an article about Hagrid's giant heritage. He realized that Hagrid was hiding in shame.
Over the next week, he, Ron, and Hermione had been waiting for him to come back to work, or to dinner, at least. But he never came. Eventually, they decided that they would look for him on their next Hogsmeade visit.
"How are you doing with the egg, by the way?" Cho asked casually. Harry's stomach lurched as his train of thought was interrupted.
"Um, I've nearly cracked it, I think," he replied, trying to sound confident. Cho seemed to believe him, nodding and smiling.
"Good, otherwise, I would've told you not to come," she teased. Harry laughed nervously, but as she turned away, he grimaced. He didn't like lying to Cho, or to anyone, for that matter (unless they deserved it). He knew he had to figure out the clue from the egg, and fast. He hadn't taken Cedric's advice on the matter, due to the fact that he was beginning to think that Cedric was slightly…unstable.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Cho asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, I was thinking we could go to the Three Broomsticks, how's that sound?" Harry said. He, Ron, and Hermione had agreed on a plan for the day. Ron and Hermione would search the shops for Hagrid first, then gradually work their way to the Three Broomsticks, giving Harry enough time with Cho alone. He wanted to enjoy his visit, but he also knew that there was a chance that Hagrid might be in Hogsmeade. He just hoped that Hagrid would be open to them.
"Sure, that sounds good," Cho replied. "Though I've also heard that Madam Puddifoot's is a nice place."
"You're a terrible human being, Shepard!"
A young woman, perhaps sixteen years old, stormed out of a shop, her erstwhile boyfriend in tow. Harry and Cho looked up at the sign above the shop. It was Madam Puddifoot's.
"On second thought," Cho said glumly, "maybe not."
Entering the Three Broomsticks, they looked around and saw that the pub was as crowded as ever. They went up to the bar and ordered their drinks. As Madame Rosmerta prepared them, Cho took a second glance at their surroundings and noticed Ludo Bagman in the corner, apparently having a discussion with a few goblins. They didn't look very happy.
"What do you think Mr. Bagman is doing here?" Cho said, pointing into the mirror behind the bar, where she had a good view of them. Harry glanced into the mirror.
"That's weird," he mumbled. "The next task isn't until next month, and there isn't any event going on. Let's not stare, though," he added quickly. "Don't want him to think we're trying to spy on him."
"That would be awkward," Cho agreed, accepting a mug of butterbeer and taking a sip of it.
"Cho," Harry began carefully. "Do you mind if ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?" Cho said curiously.
"Actually, it's more a like a few things," Harry said, scratching the back of his head again. (I really like how he does that, Cho thought.) "I didn't really ask anything about you at the ball."
"Sure, go for it," Cho replied, glad that he was finally going to ask about her life. She'd asked him many things already, now it was his turn.
"Are you from Scotland?" Harry asked.
"Did my accent give it away?" Cho teased. "Yeah, I was born there. But my mom is from China and my dad was Korean."
"Really?" Harry said, surprised. "That's great. Do you speak Korean?"
"I wish I could," Cho said wistfully. "But I didn't get a chance to learn it when I was young. My dad died when I hadn't been born yet."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, humbled. "I didn't know."
"That's alright," Cho reassured him. "It was a long time ago, and I didn't even know him. I have a step-dad now, but…"
"But it's not the same," Harry finished quietly. He took her hand and squeezed it gently.
He knows what it's like, Cho thought sadly. We've both lost family. Family that we can't ever know. They leaned toward each other…
"Harry, my boy!" a voice boomed out suddenly behind them. "How are you? Been hoping to run into you! Everything going all right?"
"Um, Mr. Bagman…" a startled Harry began.
"Wonder if I could have a quick, private word, Harry?" Bagman continued, not waiting for an answer on Harry's part. "You couldn't give us a minute, young lady, could you?"
"Excuse me?" Cho said, quite angry by that point. "You can't just barge in on us like that! And anything you want to say to Harry, you can say in front of me."
"Now, now, miss," Bagman said firmly, after recovering from her response. "I really must insist on speaking with Harry in private."
Cho sighed, fuming slightly at this man's audacity. "可恶的老暴君," she muttered under her breath, before saying to Harry, "Let me know when you're done, okay?" He nodded in response, giving her an apologetic look. As she walked away toward a window, she wondered what Bagman had to say that was so bloody important, he couldn't wait for her and Harry to finish their heartfelt conversation. She tried waiting patiently for them to finish, but, not knowing whether it was her imagination or not, they were taking their sweet time. She glanced over at them for what seemed like the tenth time in under a minute. She noticed that both Harry and Bagman were looking uncomfortable.
Eventually, help arrived in an expected form. The Weasley twins, Ron's brothers, entered the pub and seemed to make a beeline straight for Bagman. They exchanged a few words, and he eventually left. Interestingly, the goblins he had been speaking to earlier followed him out. It appeared they weren't finished with him yet.
Harry rejoined Cho at a table near the window. "What did he want?" she asked coolly.
"He offered to help me with the golden egg," Harry said.
"What? He's not supposed to, is he?" said Cho indignantly. "He's a judge, that's playing favorites! And he thinks you can't figure it out on your own, how condescending!"
"Er, right," Harry replied, quickly changing the subject. "Those goblins didn't look happy to see him. He told me they were looking for Crouch. He hasn't come to work lately."
"That's right, I didn't see him at the Yule Ball," said Cho. "My mum works at the Ministry, she sent me a letter saying the same thing. Maybe he's sick?"
"Could be," Harry muttered. He looked pensive for a moment, then seemed to recover. He seemed almost guilty. "I'm sorry that got out of hand. I really wish people would leave us alone."
"It's fine, Harry," said Cho. "We still have some time, you know. We could go by the Shrieking Shack. I've always been scared to go by myself, but if you came with me…"
"Um, sure," Harry stammered, caught off guard by how suggestive her voice had become. "Though I think I've been in that place enough for a lifetime."
"Wait, you've been inside the Shrieking Shack?" Cho asked him incredulously. "What other adventures haven't you told me about?"
"Believe me, a lot," said Harry, smiling a little proudly. "We haven't touched even the tip of the iceberg yet."
"Really?" she asked, feeling excited. "I can't wait to hear about them."
"Harry, Cho, over here!"
Turning in their seats, they saw Ron and Hermione entering the pub and motioning them to join them in their hiding spot in the back room. Before either Harry or Cho could remark on the situation, they heard Ron mutter, "Uh-oh," and saw him staring at the door.
Rita Skeeter had just entered. She was wearing a set eye-watering banana yellow robes. With her was her photographer. She bought some drinks and she and her photographer made their way to a table near them. With Ron and Hermione having managed to join Harry and Cho at their table unseen, they all began glaring at Rita as she approached. She was talking about Ludo Bagman, and appeared to be very satisfied with something.
"…he was always a bad liar. Reckon something's up? Think we should do a bit of digging? 'Disgraced Ex-Head of Magical Games and Sports, Ludo Bagman…' Snappy start to a sentence, Bozo-we just need to find a story to fit it-"
"Trying to ruin someone else's life?" Harry asked loudly.
A few people, including Cho, looked up at him in surprise. Rita Skeeter's eyes widened behind her glasses.
"Harry!" she said, beaming. "How lovely! Why don't you come and join-?"
"I wouldn't come near you with a ten-foot broomstick," said Harry furiously. Cho had never heard his voice coated in so much venom. It was quite scary for her. "What did you do that to Hagrid for, eh?"
Rita Skeeter raised her eyebrows.
"Our readers have a right to the truth, Harry. I am merely doing my-"
"Who cares if he's half-giant?!" Harry shouted. "There's nothing wrong with him!"
Now the whole pub had their eyes on their confrontation. The whole place had gone silent. Rita Skeeter's smile flickered slightly, but she hitched it back almost at once; she snapped open her handbag, pulled out her Quick-Quotes Quill, and said, "How about giving me an interview about the Hagrid you know, Harry? The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. Would you call him a father substitute?"
Hermione stood up abruptly, clutching her butterbeer like a grenade.
"You horrible woman," she said, through gritted teeth, "you don't care, do you, anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Ludo Bagman-"
"Sit down, you silly little girl, and don't talk about things you don't understand," Rita said coldly, her gaze hardening. "I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl…not that it needs it."
"Let's go," said Hermione, "c'mon."
They all left in a hurry; many staring as they walked out. Harry and Cho glanced back as they reached the door. Rita's Quick Quotes Quill was out, and it was scribbling away madly in her notebook.
Later…
"So? How'd it go?"
"It was…eventful," Cho replied, hoping to deflect any more conversation on the matter.
For in truth, it had been; she learned more about Harry and the way he treated his friends. After their confrontation with Rita Skeeter, they had gone hastily to Hagrid's hut, to convince him to come back to work. While Cho had never been close to him, she was still willing to help in any way she could. She still remembered her first day ever at Hogwarts, the way Hagrid had talked to her when she had no friends to talk to.
To their surprise, they found Professor Dumbledore there as well. He had done most of the talking already. With added testimony from Harry and Hermione, Hagrid was convinced to return to teaching. After Dumbledore had left, Hagrid showed them a picture of his father and he when he was young. And he affirmed to Harry his belief that he would win the tournament. Obviously, these things were not to be discussed with a gossip-hungry girl like Marietta Edgecombe.
"That's it? Come on, Cho, details," Marietta whined. But Cho was adamant.
"It's all between me and Harry, Marietta," said Cho severely. "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Wait, you broke up?" she exclaimed, much too loudly for Cho's comfort. Luckily, no one else was with them in the dormitory.
"What?! No!" Cho said angrily. "That didn't happen! It's…complicated. I can't talk about it." She knew she would regret not saying anything, but it was not the right time to talk about what she had learned.
"Why are you being so…never mind," Marietta muttered, sitting down heavily on her bed. "I see how it is."
"C'mon, it's not like I don't want to say," Cho said, trying to reach a compromise. "It's just personal, that's all. I'll tell you when I'm ready to, okay?"
"Sure, alright," Marietta conceded reluctantly. "I don't like it, but I'll respect it."
"Thanks," Cho replied gratefully. Later on, as everyone was getting into bed for the night, Cho lay awake, replaying the day's events over and over in her mind. In particular, Harry's comment about his relatives.
Hagrid, look what I've got for relatives! Harry had said furiously. Look at the Dursleys!
What could they have done to make him feel this way about them? Cho wondered sadly. He always seemed so kind to her and to his friends, but whenever it came to others who antagonized him or them, he was like an oncoming storm, loud and threatening. I do that sometimes, too, though, she thought. The way she had reacted to Cedric's initial rejection of Marietta, and more recently with Ludo Bagman, showed that. She wondered if she and Harry could work, if they were both prone to fiery outbursts. These thoughts and others swirled through her mind well into the night, and it wasn't until some time later that she finally fell asleep.
Meanwhile…
Harry clambered through the portrait hole into the Gfryffindor Common room, heart beating wildly in his chest. He had just returned from the prefects' bathroom, his golden egg in his arms. Now he knew about the Second Task; something precious to him would be taken, and he would need to retrieve it from the Black Lake in under an hour. After he had learned this, he'd had a near confrontation with Snape, Filch, Mrs. Norris, and Mad-Eye Moody. Luckily, Moody decided not to turn him in, and he sent the others away before speaking to him.
With some parting advice, Moody had left with the Marauder's Map that Harry let him borrow. As Harry returned to bed, he realized that he'd never considered being an Auror, a dark-wizard catcher, before. It made sense, really. He'd stopped Professor Quirrel in his first year, and one could definitely say that he was a dark wizard.
Just before he fell asleep, Harry remembered something, something he had thought could not happen. Mr. Crouch's name had been on the Map, but there had been another name, following Mr. Crouch's near Snape's office.
That name was Cedric Diggory.
2nd AN: Thanks for all the faves, follows, and reviews, they really keep me going. This story will probably be only a few more chapters more, I don't want to write the whole of Goblet of Fire ad verbatim. That's just silly.
Once I'm done, I'll be focusing on another story I want to write. Rest assured, I will continue this story with an AU of Order of the Phoenix. I plan to write the story all the way to the end.
Again, thanks for all the support, please R&R (constructive criticism welcome), and I'll write again soon.
