Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They all belong to the gifted Joanne Kathleen Rowling so don't sue me! All I have are my plot and my computer =).

A/N: Huge apologies on my part for not updating for so long. I've been busy, adapting to a new school and such. Actually I had this chapter outlined for quite a long time but just could not find the time to actually write it. Well, it was great to keep you all in suspense for a while until people started emailing me to hurry and write this chapter. I hope this chapter is to your satisfaction… It's not too long but at least it's something. Minor revision made to chapter in Snape's conversation with Harry!!!

A Look Into Severus' Façade / Quidditch Trials

Harry kept true to his word and made it a point to talk to Snape who had seemed to be avoiding practically everybody this year. Something had to happen to cause such a drastic change in his character. It was as if he had isolated himself from everyone and Harry was sure it had something to do with the end of last year and was determined to find out what was the cause. He knew that Snape would not see him willingly and made it a point to cause some trouble in Potions. Everyone had a limit to his or her tolerance and Snape was no exception. People were surprised to see the Harry Potter who had been an exceptional student lately causing trouble in Potions especially since Snape had not done anything against him this year, but Harry was pleased when Snape finally called his for detention the very night. It seemed that his ploy had indeed worked.

 As he made his way down to the dungeons for detention that night, Harry thought about his growing gap with Ron. He did not want to lose his best friend yet how could he help it if Ron was so jealous over everything he had. He himself only wanted to be a normal wizard. At least he felt he did something right by asking Hermione to spend some time with Ron - he did not want Ron jealous of the fact that he had more of Hermione's company too. Anyway, it would give them both a chance to sort out their feelings for each other, or at least Ron's feelings for Hermione, without his interference. He felt a little left out but it was his own choice and maybe this situation would be safer for them.

Harry entered the dungeons, seeing a tired Professor Snape leaning over his desk, marking some papers. "Er, Professor, I'm here to serve my detention."

"Oh, you're here, Harry." Snape chuckled at Harry's expression over being called his given name, before muttering, (A/N: Forgive me if Snape's a little OOC.) "I finally got over the grudge I felt towards you after all that's happened so um… Sorry."

"Huh," Harry was shocked at the Snape in front of him. He came down here expecting detention, not an apology. He knew Snape had changed but this was overwhelming.

"You don't expect me to repeat that, do you?" Snape answered sarcastically.

"Uh no," Harry replied, still in shock.

"Well, you can go now," Snape continued in a business-like manner.

"But sir, what about detention?" Harry regained his tongue.

"Harry, we both know that what happened in Potions today was intentional. I only gave you detention to apologize. You can leave." Snape said slowly as if Harry could not grasp what he was saying.

Admiring Snape for being able to see through his bluff, Harry now said, "Since you know I wanted to talk to you, can you at least tell me more?"

"Now Potter, you shouldn't be so inquisitive," Snape growled before sighing, "But I guess you deserve to know the truth." He had a wistful look in his eye as he continued, "Both James and I weren't really enemies. We were rivals, competitive in all we do, but not enemies. We respected each other's intelligence and I was always amused at his ingenuity in pulling pranks, even when they were on myself though that would be after I got back at him. It was only after your father and mother got together that I began to feel jealous. I wasn't in love with Lily but it was more like James always got the best, even the prettiest girls, and Lily was one of my best friends though we were in different houses."

"But how did all this come about? How did you join Voldemort?" Harry dared to ask.

"I… er… I was a jealous fool and I thought joining Voldemort would gain me respect, would make me more popular than James could ever be. Alas, I was wrong. It was the worse decision in my life and now I'm stuck with the mark. When I finally came to my senses, I tried to warn James and Lily that Voldemort was after them, that someone had betrayed them (though I didn't know who it was then), but I was too late. I'm so sorry, Harry. I killed your parents."

Harry was angry initially but he remembered that was exactly how he felt about Cedric's death too. "I guess that's where we're similar. I feel guilty over Cedric's death too."

Amazed that Harry did not blame him, Snape felt even more remorseful over treating Harry badly over the years. He said sharply, "You should not blame yourself. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. You can't be everyone's hero."

Harry was surprised that he felt better after Snape's words than anyone else's. It was as if he understood what he felt. "Then you should not think my parents death were your fault. It's that traitor, Pettigrew's."

"I don't know, Harry. It's tough after thinking this way all these years." Snape was surprisingly vulnerable.

"Just try, Professor. It's no use blaming yourself. Nobody blames you." Harry recalled a familiar conversation with Cho some time ago.

"Maybe one day I can forgive myself Harry. Maybe." Snape said.

Thinking to talk about something else, Harry asked, "So why did you treat me as you had over the last four years?"

Snape flinched, "Sorry. I knew you had to face Voldemort one day and someone needed to toughen you up now that your parents weren't here. I caused your parents death and I was determined not to let you die the same way too. The bitterness I felt over my past deeds and all the lives I hurt was also eating up at me. I became this new person and I don't know how to change myself."

"Professor, you agreed to try not to blame yourself over my parents death," Harry regarded Snape severely, "And you actually have become a nicer person just by telling this all this and more." (A/N: Minor revision over the last few lines.)

They spent a few hours just chatting, realizing how similar they actually were, and how comforting it was to have someone who had gone through what each had and to understand how each felt. Over that time, they grew closer to each other, such that the past four years was all but forgotten. Snape even admitted that he had purposely pulled Harry's Potions grades down to get him to work harder as a slight mistake in Potions could be fatal in the outcome of the potion.

Everybody was surprised to see Snape and Harry getting along, though Professor Dumbledore looked secretly pleased. It only gave Ron a reason to dislike Harry more as he felt that Harry was being a traitor to Gryffindor, getting along with the head of Slytherin house, the teacher whom all Gryffindors, or even the whole school minus the Slytherins, hated.

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On the morning of the Quidditch tryouts, all the Gryffindors woke up in anticipation of who would be their new keeper. Those who were taking part in the tryouts were excited and hopeful of garnering a spot on the team. Ron even woke up his whole dormitory in excitement, though he was still not talking to Harry. The Gryffindor team members made it to the Quidditch pitch an hour before the rest to discuss how to hold the tryouts.

"Harry, what happened to your Firebolt?" Alicia asked as he came in carrying his Laser.

"It's still working. Think I'll use it as a spare now that I've got a new broom." Harry grinned in reply.

"Lucky you," Fred said as he walked in together with Angelina, "The captain always gets the best."

Slowly, the rest of the team appeared, all of them admiring Harry's new broom. There were only limited stocks in the market so it was really surprising to see that a student had one too. Still, it was Harry Potter and he also had a Firebolt, so this wasn't that much of a surprise.

"So how are we holding the tryouts? Put them in the keepers position as you chasers try to score against him or her, or do we have a mock game?" Harry asked, taking charge of the meeting since he was captain, but also not knowing the procedure since he had not witnessed Quidditch trials before.

"Why don't we chasers try to score against them first and then we take the best two and have a mock game?" Angelina commented.

"Good idea," Fred said.

"Of course you have to say it's a good idea. Your girlfriend suggested it." George joked before continuing, "Though seriously, I think we should do that too."

"So all agreed?" Katie asked.

"Yes," they all said in accord.

They all emerged from the dressing room to see a small crowd gathered on the pitch. Harry saw some of his dorm-mates and gave them thumbs-up. He was about to walk over to wish them luck when he saw the other team members looking at him expectantly, though Ron studiously ignored him.

"What?" Harry asked, when the team stared at him expectantly.

"You're supposed to give instructions and such." Angelina prodded.

"But I don't know what to say," Harry replied.

"Just tell them what to do," Angelina answered.

"Alright, I'll try." Harry mumbled.

"Everyone listen. We're holding tryouts for the keeper's position today. First, we want you all to take turns at facing our chasers who will try to put the Quaffle past you. The two best performers will proceed to a mock game from which we will choose the best keeper. The better one will obviously be on the Gryffindor team while the other will be our reserve." Harry announced.

"That wasn't bad for a first attempt," Alicia gave him a winning grin.

"Yeah…but I was trembling inside," Harry replied devilishly.

"You did fine. Now let's put them into order and then let the tryouts begin." Katie said.

After a while, you could see the difference between the better ones and those who did not really make an effort. By the end, Ron and Ginny performed the best. Ron was a hell of a keeper, but as for Ginny, well, no Quaffle got past her and she performed outstanding dives one after another. It had been surprising to see Ginny try out and even more to see what an awesome flier she was. The Weasleys had all gotten new brooms over the summer but it was her technique on the broom that was exceptional. She was almost as great a flier as Harry and better than all the Weasleys put together. And here everybody else thought that Ginny was shy and reserved. Fred and George were proud of their younger siblings. They had helped Ron practice over the summer, while Ginny helped their mother around the house but still weren't stunned by Ginny's performance. They knew that she was as determined and talented as any of them, and maybe even more.

It was not easy to choose between the both of them, as they both put up impeccable performances in the mock game. The chasers all found it difficult to score against them. Ginny was the more agile and flew exceptionally well, keeping out nearly all the shots easily, being able to read the plays of the chasers with great foresight. Ron performed spectacularly well; letting in a few Quaffles after excellent plays by the chasers. He was also tall so he had a better reach. Finally, they had to resort to a vote to choose who the new keeper was. Unbelievably, the vote was also a tie. After some debate, they finally resulted in an outcome. Emerging from the dressing room, the Gryffindor team was rushed at by the two keeper hopefuls who were eager to see if they had qualified for the team.

"You all took so long. So who's it going to be?" Hermione who was also there asked.

Harry joked, "Actually we found it so difficult to choose between you two that we're going to discuss more and let you guys know later."

"Harry!" Hermione and Ginny both yelled at him while the rest of the Gryffindor team just sat around grinning. Ron noticed how comfortable both girls were around Harry and started to feel jealous again. (A/N: Ginny was not being nervous around Harry because she was excited about the position of keeper, wanting to get out of all her elder brothers background.)

"Alright. After much consideration, we decided to choose Ginny as we felt that Ron would be more comfortable in the beater position. And not to worry Ron, you might have a chance this season if Ginny or one of your brothers gets injured." Harry teased, trying to lighten the tension between himself and Ron.

"Being captain does not give you the prerogative to curse your team members," Katie teased in return.

"Ahh… Here I thought I was able to do whatever I wanted. That's why I accepted the captaincy." Harry kidded.

The Weasleys all congratulated each other and though Ron looked a little down, he was congratulating Ginny together with his brothers. He admitted to himself that she was the better keeper though he'd rather have the spotlight on him. He was also seething inside at Harry's remark, not taking it for the joke it was but thinking that Harry was telling him that he would never be the best. Noticing the forced lightheartedness in Ron, Hermione could see that Ron and Harry were not going to make up anytime soon. It was difficult for her, being the mediator between the two. That night, the team threw a party in the Gryffindor tower to celebrate their new keeper, and youngest member.

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Time flew and Christmas break approached. The Weasleys - Ron and Harry still had not made up - and Hermione had signed up to go home this time, leaving Harry to stay at Hogwarts along. In fact, he would be the oldest Gryffindor left in the tower. Hermione had wanted to stay but her parents were having relatives over and wanted her home. Harry was secretly pleased, as he knew that he could take this opportunity to think through all that has happened the past weeks and finding a way to save Arabella Figg who was still in Voldemort's hands - Sirius was still away in his pursuits to save her and Harry couldn't help feeling worried. Quidditch season was also starting after Christmas and all the teams had been training frantically, trying to get their members in shape and ready for the season. Harry spent part of his time devising tactics and the other time training his powers, of which he was discovering more and more each day. Hagrid had come back from wherever he had been, on Dumbledore's business, and the trio was happy to see him again. All of them came to see him separately because of the rift between Ron and Harry but all three were relieved that they no longer had to see the awful relieve teacher who had taken Hagrid's place for the past three months ever again.

Harry had gone to the train station to see his friends off and Hermione asked, "You will be alright without us, won't you?", while Ron just stood by at a corner. He had taken to ignoring Harry, and actually felt a little remorseful inside, but those thoughts vanished each time he saw Harry and Hermione talking to each other.

"Yeah, just terribly bored," Harry sighed.

Hermione opened her mouth to apologize for leaving him alone this break, but the Hogwarts Express let out a honk letting all the students know it was leaving. Ron motioned to Hermione who turned to Harry.
"Bye Harry. Merry Christmas!" Hermione yelled as she ran after Ron.
"Bye," Harry answered.

Harry trudged back to school and wandered around aimlessly until he realized where his feet had taken him - to the library. Looking inside, he saw Cho curled up on an armchair, with books around her. He shook his head, smiling to himself, amazed at her love for books. But then again, she was a Ravenclaw. He made a mental note not to mention that in front of her, knowing she was rather sensitive each time he linked books to Ravenclaw. She had pulled her hair into a messy bun, with a few wisps flying about that she tucked impatiently behind her ear each time they distracted her from her reading. He jumped a little when he realized that he had been staring at her for quite a few minutes. Looking out of the window, he saw that snow had covered Hogwarts grounds and was still falling. Remembering how she had gushed about snow to him before, he realized that she must have been concentrating really hard not to notice the snow outside.

Harry approached her silently, startling her. "Harry, what…?" Cho exclaimed, but he just pulled her to her feet and after him. "What are you trying to do, Potter?"

"Just come with me," Harry replied simply to Cho's confusion.

"Harry, where are you bringing me? Cho demanded, jogging a little to catch up with his long strides. Harry did not even answer or slow down. "Hey, I'm not moving until you tell me where you're taking me to."

Noticing that Cho's cheeks were flushed with exertion, Harry paused with her, teasing, "Are you sure you don't want to move?"

As he walked closer to her threateningly, Cho felt her heart beat faster. "No."

Harry regarded her, picked her up into his arms, and continued walking, not even feeling the extra burden. However, he was amazed that he dared to carry Cho as he did and hoped that he did not offend her. He nearly missed a step as he looked into her sparkling eyes and tried to ignore how close they were.

"Put me down, Harry," Cho pounded at him, amused at what's happening, yet delighted and nervous at being in his arms.

"Too late, we're here," Harry laughed.

Feeling the rumble of laughter in his chest, Cho blushed, noticing his muscular chest and arms. Luckily, he wasn't noticing, busying himself with opening the front doors with her still in him arms instead. "Um, so what was it you wanted to show me? It can't be the front doors right?"

Chuckling, Harry replied, "Actually, I just broke my arms under your weight to let you see this intricate design of the front doors."

Punching his playfully, Cho said indignantly, "I am not that heavy."

"Ow… If you punch me again, I'm going to drop you. The weight is just overwhelming." Harry teased.

"Harry!" Cho poked him.

"Alright, you are as light as a feather. Is that okay?" Harry smiled.

"Hmm, that's fine. But I want to know why we are here."

"Ah, demanding huh? You'll see very soon." Harry managed to open the front doors and threw her out into the snow. (A/N: Layers of snow cover the ground so she wouldn't be injured.)

"Wow… Snow. I didn't even notice…" Cho trailed off, her smile shining through her eyes, before turning to face Harry, dusting the snow off her clothes, "But that doesn't allow you to throw me into the snow. You are so going to get it Potter."

They started a snowball fight between them and both ended up rolling about in the snow after tackling each other to the ground. They were so close to each other and both of them were staring into each other's eyes when the sun started to set. Harry immediately pulled his eyes away, blushing, before standing up and lifting a hand to help her.

"Come on. You are going to miss the sunset if you don't stand up. It's gorgeous." Harry eyes crinkled into a smile as he tried to forget the tense moment between them earlier.

Cho did not let go of his hand, and stood beside him, watching the last vestige of the sun disappearing behind the snow-capped mountain. It was as if it was a beautiful end to a great day. "Thanks," Cho said, finally breaking the silence between them.

"For?" Harry was confused.

"For taking me out into the snow, for spending the day with me. Just by being yourself." Cho smiled faintly at him.

Harry returned the smile, "I enjoyed myself too. But I think we should be going in. It's going to be dinner soon and you're shivering."  Her hand, which he still held, was like icicles.

They walked back to the castle still hand-in-hand, and in companionable silence, before leaving for their own dormitories, both with thought of each other drifting in their minds, knowing the each was steadily falling for each other. That day was just testament to the fact. They had lots of fun in each company yet there were also moments when each wanted more than just fun and friendship. They wanted more from this relationship yet both were afraid. It had seemed so normal for them to hold each other's hand earlier…

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