When I first came to Hogwarts, I thought I'd be lost without Cho, but the truth of the matter is, I've hardly thought about her, since I've made friends of my own. Daphne, Pansy, and Draco, are the people I find my thoughts and actions being consumed of - even Millicent, as well, though she's as strange as they come.
In fact, I'd nearly forgotten I had a sister, until today, only a few days before we're to return home for the Christmas holidays, when she comes running up to me at dinner, sitting down at the table next to me. "Mei, guess what!"
"What?" I look up from my meal, eyebrows raised. She's wearing a smile, so happy and bright, that I can't even picture the miserable state that she'd been in over the summer.
She leans in, pressing her lips close to my ear, so only I can hear what she has to say. "I kissed Harry."
My eyes grow to the size of my plate, as I turn to look at her. "Really?"
Cho nods eagerly. "Yes! It was bloody amazing, Mei. Gosh, I could just go on about it forever, but I won't bore you with the details. Merlin, when are we going to get you a boyfriend, Mei?"
It takes everything in me not to look over at Draco, who's seated across from me, though a blush creeps across my cheeks.
"I'm happy for you." Is all I manage to say, glancing down at my shoes. "You and him will be a super cute couple, I reckon."
"Thanks, Mei." She reaches over, giving my shoulder a squeeze. "I've got to go tell Katie, now. I'll see you later, sis!"
And with that, she stands up and walks away, leaving me shocked at the first positive interaction I've had with my sister since the year at Hogwarts began.
"What was that about?" Daphne asks, leaning over my shoulder to meet my gaze.
"It was just Cho talking about her new boyfriend." I say with a shrug, unsure if she wants everyone to know yet. "Nothing interesting."
"A new boyfriend?" Her eyebrows jump up. "Who is it?"
"Nobody. It doesn't matter." I feign a smile, before turning my attention to Millicent, desperate to change the subject. "So, Millie, how is your hair tasting?"
"Wonderful." She answers through a mouthful of her locks. "And you? How's your hair tasting, Meiqi?""
"Oh…er…it's…delicious." I fumble for a response, and while I feel awkward, she seems satisfied by my answer.
"Brilliant." She grins at me, and though I'm not looking at him, I can hear Draco laughing to himself. I have to bite down on my tongue to prevent myself from joining.
"Did you hear what happened to Arthur Weasley?"
"Who's Arthur Weasley?" I look up from the homework I'm pouring over, to meet Daphne's gaze as she steps into the compartment I'm seated in. Despite being on the train back home for the holidays, I'd rather get all my homework out of the way as quickly as possible.
"You know Ron, right? He's in our year?"
I nod as Daphne takes a seat across from me. While I've never spoken to the boy before, I know he's friends with Harry, and a sworn rival of Draco. He seems perfectly nice, though, so I can't quite figure out why Draco hates him so much.
"His dad was attacked. By a snake."
"A snake?" My eyes grow wide, and Daphne nods grimly. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah, it sounds like he's fine. Alive, anyways, which is what counts, I suppose. I heard about it from Pansy, who heard from Draco, who heard from his dad."
"What about my dad?" A voice steps into the compartment, and I can't help the smile that grows on my lips.
"We're talking about Arthur Weasley." Daphne explains with the toss of her perfect blonde hair. "Your dad works with him, right?"
"Unfortunately." Draco rolls his eyes as he sits down next to me, sending a whole bundle of butterflies through my stomach. He could've sat next to Daphne, but he chose me instead - does it mean anything? Or am I simply overthinking it? Maybe Daphne's perfume is simply too prominent. Or maybe he's allergic to leather - which she's wearing on her jacket. Is there such a thing as a leather allergy?
"Well, I hope he's okay." I say, clasping my hand together. "I can't imagine being attacked by a snake - that has to be bloody terrifying, right?"
"I imagine so." Daphne agrees. I notice Draco says nothing, simply lifting his shoulders in an apathetic shrug. "Anyways, Draco, where are your goons at?"
"My goons?" He cocks an eyebrow.
"Yeah, the fat ones. I can't remember their names."
"If you're referring to Crabbe and Goyle, they're spending the holidays at the castle. I wanted to as well, but my father insisted I return back to Malfoy Manor for Christmas. Something about a family meeting."
"A family meeting. Sounds interesting." Daphne rolls her eyes, her expression clearly saying the opposite of her statement. "My sister is staying behind too - apparently, she has a new boyfriend she wants to spend time with. Reminds me of someone else's sister." Her eyes slide over to meet mine. "Are you ever going to tell us who Cho's mystery boyfriend is?"
"I don't think I'm allowed to."
"Oh please, what's she going to do, scream at you?"
"You'd be surprised." I shrug. "She doesn't like me very much."
"Why's that?"
I shrug once again, not wanting to dive into why I suspect she hates me. Because I was sick, because I required money and attention and pity and worry and energy. Of course, she's never said as much, but I can make a safe assumption. So instead of explaining that, I say, "It's pretty difficult, being her sister sometimes. It's like I can't quite please her, no matter what I do."
"She doesn't deserve you." Draco concludes, folding his arms over his chest.
"I agree." Daphne gives me a kind smile, one that warms my heart just looking at it. "You're Meiqi bloody Chang, you don't deserve to be treated like shit, and most certainly not by your own sister."
"Thanks." I grin. "And, well, I suppose it's going to get out anyways, so I might as well tell you. She's dating Harry Potter."
Draco snorts, as Daphne's jaw drops.
"Cho Chang is dating Harry Potter?" She confirms, even letting out a gasp when I nod. "Well, that's certainly a plot twist. Given the fact that she dated his rival in the Triwizard Tournament. And, of course, Potter lying about how her ex boyfriend died."
My brow furrows together, and I exchange a wary glance with Draco, who seems curious, but otherwise ambivalent. "I don't buy that. What that one paper is saying - the Daily Poppins or whatever."
"Daily Prophet." Daphne corrects.
"Yeah, them. I don't think Harry would kill him."
"What, and you're suddenly the expert in Potter and what he gets up to?" Draco snaps, and my frown only increases at the strange agitation in his tone. When I look at him, he continues, voice thick with venom, "You don't know him, not like I do. He's a bloody menace, an attention seeking prick, and I wouldn't be surprised if he killed Diggory for that bloody trophy. Though I suppose you can ask Cedric, can't you, Meiqi?"
I freeze.
Draco realizes his mistake immediately, body growing tense as Daphne glances between us, eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing." Draco and I say at the same time.
"He's j-just joking around." I stammer, wringing my hands back and forth and avoiding meeting her eyes. I'm terrible, when put under pressure, and this is certainly a situation of great importance.
Daphne, being a woman of adequate intelligence, obviously does not buy my horrible attempt at an explanation. "Meiqi, Draco, what's going on?"
"Nothing." I repeat, as I rise from my seat. While I know now that I'm not mad, that doesn't mean Daphne won't think me as such if she were to find out what I am, what I see. So I have to get out, and now. "I need to use the loo. I'll be right back. Er…yeah."
I never do return from the restroom, spending the rest of the train ride in hiding. Only when I feel the train come to a stop, hours later, do I emerge, a trembling mess.
Finding my family amongst the crowd is an easy task, being one of the only East Asian families that attend Hogwarts. Just about instantly after I step off the Hogwarts Express, do I spot their black hair, Cho already at their side.
My mothers eyes grow impossibly wide as I approach them, taking a step towards me. "Mei, what on earth have you done to your hair?"
"Er…I dyed it."
"I told her it looks horrible." Cho interjects before either of my parents can say anything. "She doesn't listen to me, though."
"Well, it isn't horrible." Dad emphasizes, though his smile is strained. "It might grow on me. With time. A lot of time."
"I do like the color pink, after all." Mum wears a similar forced grin, reaching over to grab my hand. "No matter, let's go home."