Disclaimer: Not mine I own nothing!
Author's Note: First chapter has been edited! Notice anything different? (grins)
Chapter 1: Not What is Seems
Soft, tread ever so softly, not a blink or a breath of air did he let on that there was an unwelcome presence looming in the shadows. Ever so swiftly he floated through the common room and gingerly climb up the first foot of the stairs. The stranger paused at the foot of the stairs where it branch out into two directions, the right led towards the boy's dormitory, and the left to the girls. Lingering at the staircase, a flash of guilt seize him, causing him think before making any rash decisions.
It was a huge risk; a risk that he knew would cost him everything if he got caught. Although with his stealth he doubt it would be possible. However anything could happen, his identity could be revealed, and lives would be at stake...but no. Six months locked up in his chambers had left him near despair, his desire to be amongst flesh and blood had being consuming, and he had to be reminded of why he was still walking amongst the living. If he did not do it now he wouldn't be able to continue each day without knowing what he was fighting for. And no, giving up would be much worse. Then why, he mused to himself did I choose Ravenclaw out of every other house? Of course Slytherin would not do at all, the risk was too high and neither was Gryffindor, he had too many enemies there, Hufflepuff...he already knew there wasn't much to choose from. Ravenclaw however had many intelligent, witty, beautiful young girls - one he had been particularly fond of...
Shaking his head and flexing his fist, he proceeded on with grim determination and also a tingling anticipation, the intruder turned left and not wanting to stall any longer he efficiently open the first door and entered noiselessly. Quietly exhaling and pausing to get his bearings, he adjusted his eyesight to the darkened room he had just entered. There were five large four-post beds with the curtains drawn; there was a light glow from the fireplace that kept the room warm and snug.
With his acute hearing he could tell the occupants were all sound asleep; he heard their slow, even breathing. He crept towards the first bed and gently pushes the covers aside and studied the girl lying with her face on the pillows. The stranger pursued his lips and decided to move on, gently pushing the covers back he proceeded towards the second bed. The covers were already slightly ajar and he only needed to lower his head to have a closer look. She had her covers drawn all the way over her nose and her face was in shadows, no not this one. Getting slightly desperate and frustrated he proceeded on to the third, the girl was lying in a position that did not obscure her face. And he reel away in disgust, with her curly dark hair in straggling strands, spotty face and drool pooling onto the pillow...no he had better standards, where was she?
With a despairing grimace he proceeded towards the last bed, the covers were severely drawn all the way around. Snaking to the furtherest side he slowly peel the covers back and with bated breathe wondering and hoping this person was who he hope her to be. He caught his breath, and indeed it was her! With the window on her side the ray of moonlight mingling with the glow from the embers casting an also luminous pallor towards her white, creamy skin. She was breathtaking and achingly beautiful; she wore a satin chemise that he was quite certain to be royal blue like her house color. He could tell what she wore because she laid on her side and the sheets had been haphazardly tossed to her waist. Her bare arms were nestled under her nose as she breathed in and out in a soothing way. Her face held a kind of natural beauty unlike her peers who cover their youthful complexion with Muggle cosmetics. Although he doubts she needed it, her face was flawless and smooth such that as a work of art, and her features were exotic and lovely. The face was small and her chin was slightly pointed, the eyes though closed, were wide with long, dark, fluttering lashes. Her cheeks were tinged with a slight pink. The lips were amazingly full and relaxed and yet look so lush and soft with a slight red stain. His gaze travelled up the long graceful arch of her neck to admire the lovely tresses that lay smooth and loose. He couldn't resist the temptation to caress the mane of silky raven black hair, so long, so soft. Eyes intent on the lovely girl's face to check for any sudden movements, he raise his hands and gently laid it on her jaw, her skin felt warm and butter soft under his touch. His heart beat went up a notch and a vicious urge overwhelm all his self-control. If only...
Snatching his hand back and trying to fight his instincts he took a step back to calm himself. Suddenly he froze as the girl made the slightest of movement and shifted and with a huge, content sigh she snuggled deep in her doona and remain still. He too remains still as a statue, for a full five minutes before daring to move. He realised he had lingered for far too long, longer than necessary. With the image of the girl firmly imprinted in his mind he was able to relieve his desire slightly, but now it was time to leave. He return to the girl and hesitating at first but needing more from her than just observing and painful memories he lowered his head so it was just a few inches from her face and gently press his lips against her cheeks. Carefully, he withdrew and with the same measure of wariness and care he slip unnoticed out into the chambers and gliding down the staircase he swiftly retreated to his dark, forbidding chambers where he threw himself onto his bed and savouring the memory, contented he closed his eyes. Maybe now he can sleep in peace, perhaps...perhaps for just a little while...
'Hurry up Cho or you'll be late!'
Cho nodded tranquilly and stooped over to pick up her discarded Potions' books and trail after the horde of seventh year Ravenclaw towards there double Potions class. Not even the dark, gloomy dungeons could put a damper on her moods today. Cho had just woken up from the most relaxing, refreshing sleep she had ever had in her life, and a dream she could not recall but left her feeling all warm and safe nonetheless. She haven't felt like that since...For a moment her eyes darkened, with the events last year and the year before that, it had been rare to sleep without disturbance. Cho was determining to make my last year at Hogwarts as happy and trouble-free as possible; she decided to move on from Cedric's death, reconcile with Harry Potter and focus on her studies. Unfortunately, Cedric's memory haunted her everywhere she turned at Hogwarts. Where the familiar school rekindled her brief relationship with the Hufflepuff seeker. She had yet to speak with Harry Potter who she have been told is suffering from the death of a close friend or something, and her studies had been suffering. Renown for her Ravenclaw intelligence her parents were most disappointed and she knew she had to put an extra effort in this years NEWT examination.
Cho blink realising she had been loosing track of time in her musing, she was late for Potions. Cussing up a storm Cho tore out of the Common room and bolted down the stairs dodging ghosts, students and leaping over Mrs. Norris the cat, she ignored Filch's enraged screams and flew down the staircase and turn sharply around the corner.
'Oomph!'
Books, parchment and quills flew up in the air and scattered everywhere, somewhere in the haze she vaguely realise she was laying on my butt whilst rubbing her temple where she had bowled into someone. Cho raised her head and glance at the person she had the misfortune to run into an apology rolling at the tip of her tongue.
'Cho?'
Cho's apology got caught in her throat and she gape at the green-eyed bespectacled youth with his unruly dark hair sticking out all over his head.
Cho swallowed, 'Harry, I – I'm sorry'.
Harry stared at her silently with brooding dark eyes and he nodded, feeling flustered Cho bent over to pick up her things without Harry's help.
'Sorry, I'm late for Potions' she babbled and straightened pushing her long dark hair over her shoulders blushing slightly. 'How was your break?'
Something in his face tighten and he scowled looking ferocious, 'miserable Cho, if it is any of your business'.
Cho froze and blinked in astonishment, was he still angry at her? Or was he in a bad mood, whatever the case she just about had enough of it.
'Well I'm sorry I asked' Cho replied scathingly and turn on her heels to storm away.
'You think your something don't you Chang?'
Cho realise he was following her, she whirl around to face him, and gulped slightly realising over the few months he had grown quite a bit, she was forced to raise her head to stare into his troubled green eyes.
'I don't know what you're talking about' Cho huffed clutching her books to her chest and trying to walk away from him.
He took a few long strides and blocked her path towards the classroom, 'and how was your summer? Did you cry all over your new boyfriend, about Cedric?'
Ooh that was a below the belt blow. Cho swallowed thickly and felt the tears building up in her throat but she dare not let them show, 'get out of my way'.
Harry stood there trembling with fury, 'no'.
Flustered Cho tried to push pass him but he side-stepped and she scowled at him, 'that's enough Harry'.
Cho whipped out my wand feeling edgy and desperate, 'I'm warning you'.
Harry smirked, 'you wouldn't attack me now would you? Your old DA teacher? I could deal with you'.
'Don't push it' Cho warned, 'let me through'.
'Go on' Harry urged a dangerous gleam in his angry green eyes, 'do it, see if you got what it takes to duel me?'
Cho realise he was tempting her, and she didn't want to risk being caught, she lowered her wand and once again tried to get past Harry, shoving him hard.
In a flash he whipped out his wand and shouted, 'Expelliarmus!'
Cho gasp in bewilderment, he was attacking her? How dare him!
Cho threw one of her books at him to distract him, 'accio wand!' she cried as Harry dodged the thick volume of her Potions book.
The wand flew towards her and she snatched it, and at the same time Harry raised his wand and she quickly raised her own wand.
'Impedimenta!' they both shouted.
And each took the blast with equal force and flew a few feet backwards, Cho fell in a bruised heap sprawled on her back, books and quills discarded once more but she abandoned it and scrambled to her feet.
'Colloportus!' Harry shouted as Cho also cried.
'Stupefy!'
Suddenly a tall figure swooped down between them and calmly said, 'Finite'.
Harry's hex and Cho's stunning charm were destroyed and the two of them turn towards the person who had interrupted their duelling session.
Cho gulped as she realise it was Professor Snape, he must have been on his way to class when they were duelling.
'Attacking girls now are we Potter' Snape demanded coolly, 'not even your father resorted to attack when it comes to rejection, detention the two of you and fifty points of Gryffindor'.
Harry glared at Snape with deepest loathing, 'and what about her?'
Cho glared at Harry, trembling with rage.
'I believe Miss Chang was in the vincity of your attack am I right?' Professor Snape enquired smoothly.
Cho nodded her mouth feeling dry.
'But since she did attack - though in self defense I shall deduct five points from Ravenclaw, Potter report to your McGonagall, Chang you're late for class'.
Cho hastily retrieved her things and as she passed Harry she glared at him with her frostiest look but gaped in surprise as he smiled and nodded before strolling away. Cho stared after him in utter bewilderment.
'Miss Chang!'
'Yes sir' she squeaked under his malloevent glare and hurried towards class, she scurried into her seat besides Michael Corner and Marietta Edgecombe.
'Are you okay?' Marietta asked. 'You look frazzled'.
Cho nodded, just then Snape swooped in and without a glance in her direction he started the lesson.
'Today we shall test your former knowledge on the Draught of Peace, I trust you have the recipe memorised, I shall leave you to it'.
The students stood and filed to grab their ingredients, Cho return to her table and began with the potion. She was mid-way through adding the moonstone when she felt vaguely ill, the fall she took had left her shaken and her memories were scattered. She found it hard to concentrate.
'Cho what are you doing?' Michael hissed as I swayed.
Cho gripped the table to remain steady on her feet, she shook her head feeling foolish, 'it's nothing' she mumbled.
The haze from the potion wafted into the air making her sweat and the clothes stick to her skin, stupid Harry! Cho thought angrily and stirred her draught viciously.
Finally after finishing the potion without incident Cho poured it into a jar and labelled it, as she was cleaning up, Snape paused by her table. 'You are to see me after class'.
He turned to address the class, 'you are dismissed, you are required to write a five foot essay on the use of the Draught of Peace and it's effects'.
As the students gathered up their parchments and various personal belongings, Cho slowly took her time to pack.
'Do you want us to wait for you?' Marietta asked.
'Don't worry about it, I'll meet you at the Hall for lunch' Cho replied.
Michael looked as if he were to say something but Marietta nodded and grasping Michael's wrist they departed.
Cho made her way towards the taller man and waited silently for him to finish scribbling in his intricate spidery handwriting.
'Now Miss Chang' Snape said turning around to regard her with his dark, forbidding gaze, 'first of all you have not made enquiries for more sleeping potions, so I gather you no longer need to bother me for some?'
Cho shook her head, 'I'm trying to get along without it sir' she answered.
Last year after Cedric's death she had made enquiries towards her Potion's professor about a sleeping draught that could give her decent nights rest without the night demons haunting her dreams.
Snape surveyed her; his lips curled in a sneer. 'I see, so you no longer have nightmares?'
Cho blushed, she knew he thought her weak to resort to heavy draughts for dealing with her nightmares but at the same time she wondered why the aloof professor even cared for her welfare; however she had to admit. Cho was no fool; even Snape had to respect her for being one of his brightest pupils he taught in Potions.
'No sir, not completely' she answered truthfully.
'Very well then' Professor Snape said briskly, 'now another matter I shall like to discuss with you was the commotion outside'.
Cho nodded, she had a feeling he would ask her about that, she just wasn't sure what kind of explanation she had for it.
'Well, I was on my way to Potions when I ran into Harry' she started and gave a shrug. 'From then he made some rude remarks and refuse to let me inside the room so we ended up in a duel'.
'I have reasons to believe Harry' he said the name with a sneer 'was pursuing you last year'.
'Well...uh I-I guess' Cho replied slightly startled. 'But not anymore'.
'Then perhaps his behaviour was because of your...situations?' Snape pressed.
Cho wondered again why Snape cared and what he was getting at, 'no, I – I heard someone close to him died, I think he's just troubled and picked a fight for that reason.'
Snape face darkened momentarily, 'oh yes, Harry is a fierce dueller' this he said with yet another sneer, 'you haven't sustained any injuries?' he asked sharply.
For a moment Cho was insulted, 'sir, Harry may be known for his duelling skills but I'm not a seventh year Ravenclaw for nothing'.
For a moment Snape had a glimmer of amusement in his eyes but it was gone, 'of course' he nodded, 'well I shall not delay you any further, carry on'.
'Thank you sir' Cho nodded and headed towards the Potions door.
'Oh and Miss Chang'.
She turned around expectantly.
'Don't forget your detention tonight after dinner'.
A rush of anger seized her but she pressed her lips together and wordlessly exited and stalked towards the Great Hall for lunch. How ridiculous she actually thought for one second Snape was nice!
So what do you think crapsville? Hanging on the edge of your seat? Want more? Won't bother unless I know what you guys think!
Till next time!
Vivvy