Cho's Birthday: Part 2
Once they got to Ravenclaw, Harry had to wait in the hallway for a whole thirty-six minutes while Cho got ready. When Cho finally came out, she was wearing a cloak over her clothing and a pair of black strappy high heels. Harry made a face. All that time just to put on a cloak and some shoes? Harry asked himself.
Cho saw his expression, but misinterpreted it. "What I'm wearing isn't exactly school appropriate." She kissed him on the cheek. "Don't worry. I'll take the cloak off at the party." She took his hand and led him to the seventh floor.
Once they were in front of the Room of Requirement, Harry paced in front of the wall three times. A door appeared and Harry looked at his watch. 8:39. Harry sighed. We're late. Harry put his hand in his robe pocket to make sure he had the wrapped present. He did.
Cho looked around and took off her cloak. Harry was shocked.
Cho was wearing a strapless, blood red dress. The dress revealed quite a bit of cleavage. It was skin-tight and also extremely short. It barely covered the necessary parts to be considered a dress. Add the heels to it and she looked…well… a little like a slut.
"So?"Cho asked, taking out a tube of dark red lipstick and putting it on. Truthfully, Harry thought that her outfit was unappealing. Maybe I'm one of those weird guys who like modest girls. Harry admitted to himself.
"I'm speechless, but it might be chilly, maybe you should put back on your cloak." Harry said making up an excuse for her to cover up a bit.
Cho kissed him on the cheek once again. "Ah, It's so sweet that you are worried about me Harry, but I can handle the cold." she said as she walked up to the door and pulled on the doorknob.
"Happy Birthday!" The people in the room yelled.
"Wow!" She said trying to act surprised then proceeded to wink at Harry.
Hermione raised her eyebrows but walked over to close the doors so it could remain a private party. Everyone began to congratulate Cho and a few of the girls complimented her dress. Quite a few of the males in the room were definitely giving her suggestive glances.
Hermione rolled her eyes and went to start the music and cut the cake. She sensed Harry behind her as she was setting the cake on plates and said, "You really should keep an eye on your girlfriend." She turned around to look at him. "Or really the guys drooling at her."
Harry looked back at the crowd. "For some reason, I really don't care." He turned back to Hermione and looked at her. She had dressed herself in a form fitting, blue, long sleeved shirt, jeans, and a pair of black converse for the occasion. She had rolled up her sleeves, had her hair in a messy bun, and, as far as he could tell, wore little to no make-up. Why would she? She doesn't need it. Her look fit her personality well and it was comforting.
"You're nearly ten minutes late and I'm guessing that wink meant that Cho knew?" Hermione said.
"I'm sorry. I slipped about the room of requirement, tried to cover it up, and Cho found out. Then she decided she wanted to get dressed up… or down. It took her quite some time."
"So you don't approve of her outfit? The rest of the boys do."
"But it's like she's trying to impress me. I'm already her boyfriend." Hermione nodded showing that she understood. Harry looked around at the party. He saw Ron on a couch with Luna, snogging like there's no tomorrow. "Well at least someone's enjoying themselves." Harry stated.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "They're good together. She complements him well."
"Yeah." Harry agreed.
Harry felt a presence behind him. Very close behind him. "Come dance with me Harry." Cho started tugging on his hand. Hermione turned and busied herself with the cake.
"I'm not much of a dancer Cho. You know that."
"Come on Harry. Only losers hang out at the food table. And dancing is not that hard. Just do what feels right." She insisted and Harry reluctantly followed. They went to the middle of a dance floor and the song changed to a fast tempo. During the song, Harry mostly just stood in place tapping his foot while Cho danced around him. He felt uncomfortable as Cho flirted with him on the floor. As soon as the last cord was played he rushed over to Hermione who was stirring the punch.
"Hey Hermione." He said. "Can I help?"
She turned around and looked up at him. "I don't think so Harry. I'm mostly done. Plus according to Cho…" She paused and changed her voice one to a high pitched annoying tone, "Only losers hang out at the food table."
Harry laughed for a second, and then realized that Hermione was implying that his girlfriend had made fun of her. "Cho didn't call you a loser. She was just saying that to get me on the floor."
"No Harry, she did. Girls can see other girl's intentions more easily than boys can. But it doesn't really matter anyway. I've learned to dismiss that stuff. I'm only telling you to leave because I'm sure you don't want your girlfriend to think you're a loser." She ended teasingly.
Harry didn't smile. What if Hermione was right?
He was interrupted from his thoughts by a tap on his shoulder. "Harry, why did you go? The party is just getting started." Cho whined.
"I told you Cho. I don't want to dance with you." Harry snapped and whipped around to face Cho who was now looking hurt. Harry reviewed his words and realized what he said. His face softened. "I'm sorry Cho, I meant that…"
"Yeah, but that's not what you said." Cho said quietly.
"You know I have problems controlling my temper."
"It's my birthday. You're my boyfriend. You're supposed to grant me my every wish, not get mad at me." Cho reasoned her voice growing stronger and louder ten decibels with each sentence.
"I said 'I'm sorry' what else do you want from me?" Harry's voice matched hers.
"You know already!"
"What? To get rid of my temper?"
"NO! That's not what I want! Think hard Harry Potter!" Cho yelled as someone watching the fight paused the music. Her shrill voice rang through the room.
Mostly everyone had turned their heads and looked the couple.
The following silence was defining. It was now Harry's turn.
Hermione came to the rescue. "Well, it's time to open presents. Everyone head over to the sitting area please." she suggested.
The guests started walking to the couches and chairs on the south side of the room. Harry and Cho continued to stare at each other and Hermione turned the music back on.
"Cho I'm sorry." Harry apologized. "I really have no idea what you're talking about. But maybe later we can talk. Right now though, it's your party and I think you should enjoy yourself, so go over there and open your presents, okay?"
"I guess. But we are going to talk."
"Fine." Harry said and walked to the sitting area. Cho followed. She sat down in the chair by the table full of bright presents and opened them. She got a variety of presents from chocolate to books to shoes.
After all of the presents on the table were gone, it was Harry's turn. He took the wrapped box out of his robe and handed it to her. "Here Cho," he said and handed it to her.
She took it greedily from his hands and unwrapped it. She saw the velvet box and opened it quickly. She put her hand on her chest and gasped. "OMG Harry, it's beautiful." Harry looked at Hermione to smile at her, but then noticed she had had a rare look of confusion on her face.
"Cho, what do you mean it's beautiful?" Hermione questioned. Harry turned his thoughts to what Cho had said. Wait Hermione is right, she should have said they're beautiful. Unless…
"LOOK!" Cho exclaimed and showed it to the crowd.
No! Harry thought. Hermione's Christmas gift.
In Cho's hand was the amethyst butterfly attached to a sliver chain necklace. Most of the girls were drooling, except Hermione who looked a little hurt. Hermione looked at Harry questioningly. Harry thought back to when he wrapped the gifts. I must have switched them sometime when I wrapped them.
"Oh Harry, I love it!" Cho said and kissed Harry. When Cho tried to slip her tongue in Harry gently pushed her off and blushed. He really wasn't one for public displays of affection. Plus, he needed to tell Cho the truth.
"I'm glad you like it Cho, but can we talk in private?" Harry questioned.
Cho's happy attitude suddenly came to a halt. "What for?" She asked.
"I just need to tell you something." Harry said. "Let's go in the hallway for a second." He took her outside and shut the door. "That necklace isn't really yours."
Cho looked at him sadly, with a twinge of anger in her eyes. "It's hers, isn't it?" She sighed.
Harry didn't bother denying it. "I'm sorry."
"You are a retched, horrible boyfriend Harry Potter!" Cho was screaming at him by the end of the sentence.
"I'm sorry Cho." Harry stated.
"Sorry is not enough."
"What else do you want from me?" Harry repeated from earlier, only this time softly, more defeated.
"Do you really want to know?" she yelled.
"Yeah. I do." He said remaining quiet.
"I want you to stop talking to her. You have to stop being friends."
Harry didn't have to ask who she meant. Cho continued.
"I dressed up. I did all of this for you, and yet you really don't seem affected by it at all. When we came in you walked to her. You didn't stay by me, your girlfriend. I had to beg you to dance with me and right afterward you practically ran to her. I should have requested this months ago when I saw you staring at her, but I was too afraid you'd break up with me. But now, I can't take it anymore. The choice is yours Harry Potter: me or her?"
"Why do you do that? Why do you always use my last name?"
"I don't always do that."
"Yeah, you do. Is it because you like my last name?"
"Don't change the subject Harry Po-" She cut herself off.
Harry smirked for a second and then voiced his thoughts. "You know, Hermione rarely uses my last name when she speaks to me, except when she's mad. To her, I'm just Harry. Not "Harry Potter, the chosen one," or "Harry Potter, the boy who lived." To her, I'm not the savior of the wizarding world. I'm just Harry, and I like that." As Harry talked to her, he reached an epiphany.
"I choose her." Harry simply said while taking the box from her hands and putting it back into his pocket. He then turned and walked back into the room of requirement.
He had opened the door and took a few steps in the room when Cho grabbed his wrist and turned him around. "Why?" Cho asked.
"You only like me because I'm famous. That's why you didn't want me to break up with you. You were dating the famous Harry Potter. And you know what? I think you look like a stripper tonight, and it is not at all appealing to me."
"And what, an ugly mudblood is?" she asked.
"How dare you! For your information, Hermione is ten times more beautiful than you'll ever be! She doesn't even have to wear make-up. You, on the other hand, try way too hard to look pretty and the truth is, no amount of make-up will ever make you beautiful." A palm connected with his cheek. The sound of it echoed through the room. Cho turned around and stormed out. It was at that moment when Harry realized that there was a room full of people here. Harry turned around and looked at the witnesses. All of Cho's friends were smoking with anger and soon stalked out going after her, shooting daggers at him. Many of Harry's friends looked sympathetic, but took their cue and followed them out the door.
"I think we should go." Ron grabbed Luna's hand and took her outside, probably to find a broom closet, and closed the door.
Harry was alone with Hermione. She was looking down at her feet. She then walked to the food table, grabbed a bag and poured a cup of ice into it. She walked up to him and placed the bag on his bruised cheek. Hermione finally looked up in his eyes. "This should help." She said quietly and grabbed his hand to replace hers holding the ice. Her eyes lingered on his, before she turned around and busied herself with cleaning up. She grabbed a trash bag and threw cups and plates into it.
Harry watched her for a few moments before deciding on something, He then placed the bag of ice down on a side table, walked up behind her, "You know the room will do that for you, right?"
She remained quiet.
"I'm the one who got slapped by my ex-girlfriend in front of everyone for calling my best friend beautiful, and you're the one acting nervous." He repeated.
She turned around and looked at him. "I'm not nervous."
"What's with the cleaning then? I seem to recall you saying that you do that when you're nervous, and there's no point in cleaning a room that cleans itself."
She rolled her eyes and got back to work.
He continued following her. "So you don't deny it." When she remained silent, he continued. "You really are very beautiful by the way."
She remained working but said, "Harry, don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying. Why do you think I screamed it at my girlfriend?"
"Because you were mad at her and said something to make her upset. I understand Harry, just don't lie to me."
He turned her around taking the bag out of her hand and place it on the floor. "Hermione, you are beautiful. Look at me." She continued looking down at her feet, so he tilted her chin up, forcing her to look up at him. "Why won't you believe me?"
"Harry, I've been told my entire life that I'm not pretty. I learned a long time ago that I should focus on what I do best: studying, because most guys wouldn't give me the time of day as a girlfriend."
"I would." Harry stated.
"What?"
"Hermione, you are the most amazing person I've ever met. Not only are you brilliant, but you are also kind and brave and beautiful. You have the most amazing eyes and… I'm in love with you." The thought had never crossed his mind before now, but as soon as he said it, he knew it was true.
Hermione looked up at him with tears in her eyes and kissed him. She wrapped his arms around his neck and began to play with his hair, while Harry found himself grabbing her waist to pull her closer. Hermione broke off the kiss. "I think I'm in love with you too." She said.
"You think!" Harry teased.
"Yup." She teased back and turned around to start cleaning again. "Hey!" She said as Harry's strong arms went around her waist and threw her on a nearby couch. He then started to tickle her. "Stop… stop…STOP" She shrieked. Harry had both of her wrists in one hand held above her and was straddling her.
"What's the magic word?" Harry asked.
At that moment, Collin entered the room. He spotted them and said, "Sorry, somehow I forgot my camera." Harry and Hermione waited and watched as he crossed the room, grabbed his camera, and rushed out.
"Well, that's awkward." Hermione said.
Harry stared at her. Her hair was lying wildly all over the pillow and she looked flushed. "You're so beautiful." He continued to stare.
Hermione almost believed him and wanted to change the subject. "Harry how did Cho get that gift? I was there when you bought her the earrings. Did you go back in and decide on the necklace instead?" Hermione asked.
"Actually, Cho was supposed to get the earrings. You were supposed to get the necklace on Christmas. I guess I accidently mixed them up sometime in the wrapping process. Would you still like your necklace? Seeing as it isn't a surprise anymore, I guess I can give it to you before Christmas."
"Yeah, I still want it. It'll remind me of this day." Hermione said. Harry pulled the necklace out of his pocket and moved to sit on the edge of the couch.
"The day that I got dumped by Cho?" Harry asked as he pulled the jewelry out of its box.
"No silly, the day Harry Potter, the Chosen One, announced his undying love for me." She said seriously as she got up and sat beside him.
"Very funny Granger. Now turn around so I can put this necklace on you."
"Whatever you say Mr. The Boy Who Lived." She turned for him.
"I guess I was wrong then, you really are in it for the fame."He got the two ends in each of his hands. "Such a shame." He put the necklace on, having problems with the clasp. He gave a frustrated sigh and she shivered when she felt his warm breath against her neck and any thoughts of a comeback flew out of her mind. He finally got the clasp to work and let his hands linger at her neck. "Turn back around." He whispered and she obeyed. "There. A beautiful necklace for an even more beautiful girl."
"Harry…" She started.
He put a finger up to her lips to silence her. "Has it ever crossed your mind for a second that I might be right? That you really are beautiful?"
Hermione looked up in his eyes and saw love and admiration. And from that moment on, she believed him.
a/n: I know, those last two lines were cheesy, and really had nothing to do with the original story, -I wasn't planning on making a story about Harry convincing Hermione she's beautiful, but it just kind of happened and I guess it has to do with Cho kind-of. - but I was getting tired of adding lines to this every other day and never finishing it.
So what do you think?