Chapter 14
Harry walks into the Gryffindor Common Room along with Ron and Hermione, feeling like he had won the Magic Lottery and the Quidditch World Cup at the same time after the date he had with Cho. As well as having his reputation restored when people start to read the article in the Quibbler about his interview. They sat down on the couch and started doing their Homework.
"I can't wait to see the look on Umbridge's face when the Quibbler publishes the article of the Interview." Said Harry
"Yep, she is going to have a mental breakdown like when your firebolt was taken from her closet by Chuya a week ago." Ron added.
"She probably had one when reading the Daily Prophet Sirius got exonerated of all charges." Hermione chimed in
"Good this is only steppingstone towards people to believe me about Voldemort's existence, Fudge being sacked for his incompetence and for Umbridge to get out of Hogwarts." Said Harry
"Yeah, that woman is nothing but trouble." Said Ron
"Indeed" Hermione agreed
"Absolutely" said Harry
"Say Harry where did you and Cho go after you two ate at the Three Broomsticks?" Asked Hermione changing the subject
Harry smirked as his face turned red like a tomato remembering the moment, he and Cho shared a kiss in the tunnel a few hours he takes a deep breath and replies "We walked to Honey dukes and I bought her some candy, and we went through the tunnel of the one-eyed witch and snogged."
"Aww that is so sweet of you Harry." Hermione cooed "How was it?"
"How was what Hermione?" Harry asked
"The kiss Harry" Hermione answered, "Are you that dense?"
"Oh right." Harry chuckled. "It was sweet, and she said if we keep it up, she and I would be a real couple much like Sirius Promising me that we will be a real family after this year is over."
"Okay, I have to say Harry I'm happy for you and Cho. You two are not angry or sad about Cedric's death," said Hermione
"Me too mate." Ron chimed in "Thanks again Hermione for making all of this happen for us."
"Your welcome Ronald."
"Yeah, thanks Hermione I would have been lost in life without you in my life." Said Harry
"Well, your bloody damn right you two now let's get started on homework." Said Hermione as she starts her homework then Harry and Ron follow suite.
The next Morning, Cho walks downstairs to the Ravenclaw Common Room from the 6th year Ravenclaw girl's dormitory wearing a red plastic head band as well as her Dumbledore's Army coin as a necklace and humming Could I fall in love by Selena. Like Harry, Cho felt the weight of her grief of losing Cedric from her shoulders. As she enters the Ravenclaw Common Room she sees Michael, Terry Boot, and Anthony Goldstein coming down from the 5th Year Ravenclaw Boys Dormitory and Padma with Lisa Turpin, and Mandy Brocklehurst walking down from the 5th Year Ravenclaw Girls Dormitory. As Michael and Padma's dormmates go downstairs to the Great Hall they stay behind and greeted Cho in unison "Hey Cho"
"Hey guys." Cho Greeted
"Wow Cho you look good. did you go to the beach yesterday?" Padma complementing Cho on her looks
"What no I didn't go to the beach." Cho replied
"She wished she did with Harry." Teased Michael
The Ravenclaws laughed at this, Padma asked "Where did you and Harry go after performing that scene in the Lady and Tramp movie at the Three Broomsticks?"
"Harry took me to Honey dukes and … he escorted me to Transfiguration." Cho said blushing
"You kissed him, didn't you?" Asked Padma
"Yep, Harry was pretty good for beginner I always thought that his first-time snogging was with Hermione." Answered Cho
"Harry and Hermione snogging? But I thought that they were friends?"
"They are Pad I thought they more than friends, but I realize they were just friends." Said Cho
"Yeah, that's because you listened to Marietta all the time." Replied Michael
"That's true but what happened to her anyway Cho?" Padma asked
"I don't know, and I don't care I try to convince her that Harry is not what those bullies like Umbitch and Skeeter say he is." Cho told Padma
"Well Harry or no Harry I'm just glad he told you what happened to Cedric." Said Padma
"Here-Here." Chimed Michael
Cho smiled at this, a tear shed down her cheek as she hugged both Padma and Michael, realizing that they are there for her not her good looks or her popularity. They hugged her back and stayed like that for a minute until Cho tells her new friends "Thanks guys I honestly wouldn't know what I would do without you two."
"I'm not going anywhere Cho and we believe Harry just like you and Luna." Said Padma
"Yeah, me neither but could we go downstairs to eat I'm starving" said Michael hearing his stomach growl.
"Okay let's go" Cho said breaking off the hug.
"So, are we a trio now?" Asked Padma
"We just had an emotional breakthrough and we hugged Pad." Replied Michael
"Michael's right but let's get downstairs we can discuss this Trio that all three of us are in." Said Cho as she, Padma and Michael walk downstairs to the Great Hall.
Later that night in Snape's study, Harry forgets to close his mind as Snape seizes this opportunity to go into Harry's mind. He looks at Cho smiling, laughing, practicing her spells in the Room of Requirement and gives Harry a kiss in a tunnel. Realizing this Harry quickly closes his mind and yells "THAT'S PRIVATE!" as Sweat pours down Harry's head.
Disgusted by this, Snape looks at Harry and growls "The Dark Lord does not care about your little privacy especially with miss Chang."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked
"I meant that your attachment to miss Chang would be a weakness for the Dark Lord to exploit." Snape answered, "If I were you, I would let miss Chang go."
Harry was confused why he would want to let go of someone like Cho who is becoming more important to him like his friends and his godfather. "I… I can't let go of Cho; I love her." Harry protested
"If you want to master Occlumency and prevent the Dark Lord from going into your mind you have to let miss Chang as well as Black go." Snape told him
"And become an emotionless greasy robot like you." Harry said
Angered by this remark, Snape calmly said "I think we are done here for today. Goodnight."
"Fine" said Harry as he gets up and leaves Snape's office.
Two days later Saturday morning, in the Great Hall while everyone is excited for second quidditch game of the year Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff. Harry was sitting alone twirling his fork around his plate of fried eggs, bacon, and home fries as he looks at Cho who is smiling and giggling with Padma, Katie, Luna, Hermione, and Ginny. From a distance Cho looks good with her Dumbledore's Army coin necklace and red scarf which is bringing out the color of her hair. Remembering what Snape said during his Occlumency lessons on two, could he really let Cho go after what she has done for him so far this year? All for the Greater Good of the Wizarding World to defeat the darkest wizard of all time. He sighs at this and then leaves the Great Hall.
Meanwhile on the other side of the Gryffindor table Angelina rallies up Ron, Ginny, Kirk, Sloper, Katie, and Alicia for the Quidditch Match and they follow her. Hermione, Cho, Luna, and Padma get up as well and walk to the Quidditch Stadium with everyone else. As the four girls were walking to the Quidditch Stadium Hermione asks, "Have you guys seen Harry?"
"No" Padma, Cho, and Luna said in unison
"Oh okay" Hermione sighed
"The last time I saw Harry was when he was sitting by himself barely touching his food what's up with that Hermione." Padma said
"He has a lot on his mind I don't know what happened him after he was doing some extra credit classes with Snape Thursday night. He wouldn't talk to me or Ron or even Cho all day yesterday" Replied Hermione
After hearing that Cho knew that it was the Occlumency Lessons that he told her about not too long before his Godfather's trial. "I'll talk to Harry after the Quidditch match." Said Cho
"Okay where do you think he would go?" asked Hermione
"I know a place he might go to." Cho answered remembering the time she rejected Harry's offer to be his date for the Yule Ball at the Owlery last year and helping her retrieving her mother's birthday gift from her reddish-brown spotted owl named Tao as well as defending Harry from Filch's remarks of him sending a dungbomb to someone four months ago.
At the Quidditch Stadium everyone was cheering and eagerly waiting for the Quidditch Match to start. The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff teams come flying out of the tunnel and into the middle of the Quidditch Pitch. In the Quidditch commentator box Lee Jordan begin to say, "Ladies and Gentlemen boys and girls welcome to the third Quidditch match of the year Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff."
The students erupted with cheer then Lee announces, "We have some new talent for today's match Gryffindor has new seeker and it's our very own Ginny Weasley!"
Once again, the crowd of students erupted with cheer especially the Gryffindors, in the Ravenclaw Bleachers Cho looked at Ginny and she looked back at Cho as both girls nod their heads knowing that will play against each other in the final.
Madam Hooch opens the box containing the Golden Snitch, Quaffle. And two Bludgers, she releases the Bludgers, and the Golden Snitch throws the Quaffle, the game begins.
Angelina obtains the Quaffle passes it to Katie, she passes it to Alicia who zooms past Zacharias and throws the red ball in the hoop.
"SCORE! GRYFFINDOR LEADS 10-0" Lee shouts
Cheers explode from the Gryffindor stands while the Hufflepuff students groans.
The Hufflepuff keeper throws the Quaffle to Zacharias, Zacharias blitz pass Angelina, passes the Quaffle to Cadwallader, he dodges both Katie and Alicia then passes it to Sanchez who does a barrel roll to get off Angelina off her tail.
With Sanchez closing in to make the shot. Ron ready's himself to catch the Quaffle or deflect it ignoring Malfoy and his gang who are singing Weasley is our King. He closes eyes remembering the blocks and defensive postures he learned from Cho. Sanchez throws the Quaffle Ron deflects it, Angelina catches the Quaffle. Ron smiles as Sanchez with winced at him.
"RON BLOCKS IT!" Lee announces as Cho, Luna, Padma, and the Gryffindors cheered for Ron defending the goal.
"That was a good block from Ron." Luna said
"Yeah, it was." Said Cho as she gave a nod to Ron who gave one back to as he spots her in Ravenclaw section of the bleachers.
Flashback a few weeks ago Room of Requirement
Ginny and Ron were sparring partners, Ron was able to connect some hits, but his sister was too quick, she dominates him with flurry of punches and kicks after a minute of sparring. Ron clutches his stomach and pants of breath.
"OW! Ginny why did you have to hit so hard." Ron said groaned.
"It's called defense Ron for a reason and you're lacking in it much like in Quidditch." Ginny told him
Ron growls at this remembering his time playing keeper against Slytherin two months ago. Cho walks over to the Weasley siblings and asks, "What's going on here why did you two stop?"
"Ickle Ronniekins over here has reflexes like molasses, and I hit him and made him cry like a little baby." Ginny replied
"That's not true Gin." Ron Protested
"Then why did you played terribly in Quidditch last time?" Ginny asked, "If you can't block the Quaffle in Quidditch you can't block anything in life."
Ron said nothing but trembled in anger then sighed but Cho placed her hand on his shoulder and assured him "Don't worry Ron, I'll teach you how block properly in a fight."
"How are you going to do that? hit him slowly. "Said Ginny
"Something like that Ginny." Said Cho she turns to Ron and tells him, "Meet me at the Training Grounds at 5:00 in the morning."
"Okay" Ron nodded
At the Training Grounds, Cho prepares for Ron's lesson by making Snow spiders and Charming them to act like real spiders she picks up on and coos "Aww you're so cute too bad I'm going have to use you for today's lesson." She then puts down and waits for Ron.
Ron arrives and walks over to Cho and says "Hey Cho what we doin-" he saw a spider coming at him, it jumps to attack him, but he gets into his fighting stance and blocks the spider from going on to his shins.
"Nice job Ron you past the first test." Cho said
"First test? That thing nearly killed me." Ron argued
"It's only a snow spider it's not going to kill you but attack you from all sides," said Cho
"And I have block them?" Asked Ron
"That's the plan" Cho replied
Ron groaned at the task presented to him, he gets into his fighting stance blocks every snow spider coming at him from multiple directions.
"Wicked" Ron bragged
"Yeah, that was wicked Ron let's see you do that with me." Said Cho as gets into her fighting stance.
"Okay let's go then." Ron said as he gets into his fighting stance
He blocked, dodged, countered, and parried everything that Cho threw at him just like the spiders attacking him a few minutes ago. Ron did get hit a couple of times, but he did manage to last a bit longer than he did sparring with Ginny. Both Ron and Cho stopped and catch their breath.
"You did good Ron." Said Cho
"You were too Cho and um thanks for the lesson." Said Ron "I can see why Ginny, Harry and Luna like you."
"You're welcome, Ron." Cho looks at her watch and says, "Look at the time we have to get ready for the day."
"Yeah, I'm getting hungry see you later." Said Ron leaving the Training Grounds
Cho giggled at what Ron said, "If Hermione was here, she and Ron would argue like a married couple." Cho muttered
The score was now 90-50 Katie, Alicia, and Angelina were dominating in their offense, but the Hufflepuffs were not going down fight, they were going to show everybody that they can play as good as the other three houses. The snitch was nowhere in sight until Summerby spots it and he dives for it with Ginny following him. Summerby then buzzes past Katie who drops the Quaffle, Zacharias catches it then flies over to Ron, he throws it, but Ron blocks it.
Ginny despite being gifted at flying like her six brothers was having a difficult time following Summerby, whether it high above the Quidditch Stadium, Outside of the Stadium, or flying in the bleachers it was intense for the 7th born Weasley.
Summerby was pulling every trick up his sleeve to get Ginny off his tail, he barrel rolled, dived, climbed, leading her to the chaser frenzy but to no avail. Summerby then tries the Wronski Feint hurls toward the ground but couldn't commit to it and bugs out.
Ginny dives for the snitch then pulls up ten feet from the ground continues to chase the snitch, she gets within range and stretches out her hand then catches it.
"GINNY HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH! Lee announces as Everyone, but the Hufflepuffs cheered for the Gryffindors, Lee then says the final score 260-110.
Cho, Hermione, Luna, Padma, and Michael went down to the Quidditch Pitch to give Gryffindor quidditch team their praise.
"Congratulations Gin on catching the snitch." Said Cho
"Thanks Cho, next month is your match against Slytherin." Said Ginny
"Yep, I got something for that pompous ferret then it's you and me on June 1st." Cho told Ginny
"I can't wait for that match. Better bring you're a-game Chang"
"Oh, you know I will bitch. Anyway, I'm going to find Harry okay see you guys later." Said Cho
"Okay tell Harry I said hello okay."
"Alright" said Cho as she leaves the Quidditch Stadium
In the Owlery Harry complementing a plan to tell Cho that he can't see her anymore due to Voldemort finding her as a way get to him. With no solution to the problem, he sighs in defeat not even Hedwig nudging his chin could lift his spirits up.
"What I'm going to do Hedwig. If I keep hanging out with Cho Voldemort would use her to get to me." Said Harry as he pets Hedwig's head.
"Hoot." She barked
"I don't about that, but I'll think of something."
Hedwig see Cho behind Harry and barks "Hoot!"
"Somebody behind me." Said Harry as Hedwig flies back her nest in the Owlery then turns around says "Hey Cho"
"Hey, is for horses Harry." Said Cho
"Funny." He smirks then asks, "So what brings you here?"
"Me and Hermione were just worried about you that's all." Cho told Harry
"Oh, okay." Harry shrugged
"What happened yesterday? You weren't talking to Ron or Hermione was it those lessons you had with Snape?" Asked Cho
"Yeah, it was, and I think I should not be around anyone because Voldemort would use not only you but Ron, Hermione, and Sirius to get to me." Harry sighed then a tear slid down his cheek
"I know he would but that wouldn't stop me and your friends from being with you because you've become the most important person in our lives as much as we are to you." Cho told him as she held his hand and smiles also looked into his eyes.
"Thanks for that Cho I needed that." Said Harry stopping himself from crying
"You're welcome, Harry just be more mindful of what's happening now and don't worry about what's going to happen in the future." Cho assured him
"Okay I get it now and thanks again." Harry thanked her
"Well, you're welcome again, and you want to get some hot chocolate and cookies from the kitchens?" Cho offers
"Sure." Replied Harry "And Cho."
"Yeah, Harry?"
"You look good in red by the way." Harry answered
"R-really I do?" Cho blushed
"Definitely, you look good in red, but also blue, purple, black or white just any color besides green." said Harry
The raven-haired teens giggled as they headed to the kitchens for some Hot chocolate and warm cookies to warm up from being in the cold all day.