Chapter 8: The big mistake
"What are you doing Hermione?" Luna asked, sitting next to the two.
"Homework for Charms," Hermione replied and Luna noticed Ron's tired look.
"Don't you want to do something fun?" Luna asked.
"like what?" Hermione asked.
"Stare at the clouds, find a new hobby, play exploding snap?" Luna suggested.
"I need to finish this," Hermione retorted.
"I see, well if I were a Slytherin I would tell you that if you keep putting homework above your boyfriend then he will leave you, then sing Weasley is our King, but I'm not and I don't enjoy singing that song when I have said something mean," Luna shrugged, "Bye."
Hermione and Ron looked at her retreating form before looking at each other, "Is she right?" Hermione asked.
"I would never leave you," Ron smiled and Hermione blushed slightly.
"Good," Hermione sighed, "Wanna play some wizard chess?"
"I thought you said it was barbaric," Ron replied.
"I do, but you like it," Hermione answered and Ron nodded, pulling her away from the library.
Luna smiled dreamily at the laughing couple and opened the potions book, trying to find a potion to get her hair back to its natural color. Meanwhile, Harry was walking outside in an uncomfortable silence with Cho by the lake.
"So I told Mary that she was insane to think that Hufflepuff would beat Ravenclaw in Quidditch," Cho finished her story and laughed.
"Yeah," Harry fake laughed and kicked a stone into the water.
"Are you alright Harry?" Cho asked and Harry looked at her.
"Oh yeah," Harry smiled and looked back at the ground.
"Okay, so did you have a good summer?"
"It was normal," Harry shrugged, "My godfather died so that was a saddening experience."
"We had Cedric's funeral, his father couldn't bear to say goodbye last year so he put the funeral off," Cho told, "I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be, I guess I got to say goodbye last summer."
"I'm glad you have found closure Cho," Harry smiled and put his arm around her shoulders, giving her a side hug.
"Thank you Harry," Cho smiled and Harry put his arm back to his side.
"So Cho, you have brought me out here to talk about last year," Harry changed subjects, feeling a nervous feeling bubble inside of him.
He and Cho were just friends, he was with Luna and liked being with Luna. Feeling nervous was just a moment of stupidity because he didn't have any feelings for Cho still, right?
"Yes I did," Cho nodded, "But first, are you seeing Luna?"
"What?" Harry asked.
"There have been some rumors going around the castle, and I saw you kiss her before we left," Cho explained further.
"Oh well, we are just good friends, you know," Harry smiled then cursed himself mentally knowing that he had just lied about dating his girlfriend.
"I thought so," Cho smiled and got closer to Harry, "She is an interesting character."
"Yeah well she has new ideas every day," Harry laughed, bringing Cho's laughter with it.
"Yes, she does," Cho replied, "But I knew you two couldn't be together."
"Well actually," Harry started.
"Wait, before you say something else," Cho cut him off, "I want to apologize for everything that happened last year."
"It's really okay Cho, things were difficult for both of us," Harry smiled.
"I know and I figured that now that we have a second chance, we can be better," Cho smiled, slipping her hand in his.
"What?" Harry asked.
"You know- us," Cho smiled brightly.
"Cho there is no us," Harry corrected, pulling his hand out of hers.
"Harry I understand that we screwed up last year but I also understand that we have a connection," Cho explained, "You still like me and I still like you."
"Well yeah Cho," Harry replied.
"So- then I was thinking that for the next Hogsmeade trip we could-"
"What?" Harry asked, stopping them completely.
"Harry we need to hang out together if we are dating," Cho sighed.
"We aren't dating," Harry replied.
"But you like me and I like you," Cho countered.
"Cho you and I—" Harry started.
"We are perfect together Harry," Cho argued.
"Maybe last year but things change Cho," Harry tried to explain, but his words kept stumbling.
"It can be like last year, only better," Cho whispered and kissed Harry.
Harry's first thoughts were to pull away, but the bubble feeling he got when he first kissed Cho came back and he gave into his feelings, pulling her closer to him. They stood out there on the grounds for ten minutes before Cho pulled away breathless.
"I need to go," Cho whispered.
"Yeah," Harry nodded, swallowing.
"I'll talk to you later?" Cho asked before walking away.
"Uh yeah," Harry nodded and Cho smiled before making her way to the castle, leaving Harry with a big smile on his face.
Five minutes later, Harry entered the castle and smiled goofily at Ron.
"You look very happy," Ron laughed.
"I-am," Harry replied.
"What did Luna do?" Ron asked and Harry's smile dropped, "What?"
"I kissed Cho," Harry confessed, "For ten minutes."
"Holy crap Harry," Ron gaped.
"She did something to me Ron, all these feelings came back and I don't know—" Harry sighed and leaned against the castle wall.
"Well I can safely say you are screwed," Ron answered, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Maybe she won't find out," Harry suggested.
"Harry you cheated on her---"
"And denied we were together," Harry replied.
"Right, you did that and Cho is in the same house as Luna," Ron rolled his eyes.
"What does that have to do with that?" Harry asked.
"Uh, Cho is one of the most popular girls Harry, she is going to talk about what you did with her today to her friends and make sure that Luna knows," Ron explained, "Luna will find out."
"Crap, so what do I do?" Harry asked and Ron thought for a moment.
"You don't like Cho right?" Ron asked.
"Well I thought I didn't but when she kissed me all those feelings resurfaced," Harry replied.
"And did you tell Luna you didn't like Cho?"
"Yes."
"Okay, deny, deny, and deny, "Ron ordered," You screed yourself over with this one Harry. SO I am telling you that if Luna finds out that you cheated and denied you were together then she will break up with you but if you swear you didn't do it then she will believe you over Cho and you will be able to explain to Cho that you don't want to talk to her," Ron replied.
"And there is no other way?" Harry asked.
"Trust me Harry, there is no other way," Ron replied, "Unless you want to end it with Luna to be with Cho."
"No, I like being with Luna," Harry answered, "I think."
"Man you are confusing," Ron sighed and they walked up the stairs to the common room.
"You're the one coaching me," Harry replied and turned his head, hearing the breathing again.
"Hey, I cant work miracles, you want great advice then ask Ginny, she's broken up with more people than I ever will," Ron told as they walked into the common room where Hermione was reading.