Title: Heaven On Earth
Disclaimer: Don't own any characters associated with Harry Potter.
Chapter 1: Newcomer to Hogwarts
Life blinds you at times. You can go through your whole life without once finding love. Little do you know that it could be the person that's standing right beside you. And that's how Harry Potter felt. He was now in his sixth year at Hogwarts, and had been boyfriend Hermione since the end of their fourth. Ron had admitted liking Hermione in years 1-3, but then turned his sights on Lavender Brown. It was only when sneaky Rita Skeeter had published articles about Hermione being his girlfriend did Harry start to notice her. And from the sound of things, she had noticed him for awhile. He loved Hermione with all of his heart, and knew that she was the one for him. They had so much fun together, and he couldn't live without seeing her every day. But one thing kept nagging at his gut. This was Cho's last year. After this year, he would probably never see her again. He would never know what it was like to date her, kiss her, feel her. And apart from Hermione, Cho was the only other girl he had deep feelings for, beside Ginny Weasley who unknowingly to her, he had adopted as a little sister. Harry wanted to get to know Cho more. Somehow, he knew that he wouldn't want to spend the rest of his life with her, but just to date her a few times, after he had a crush on her for so long. Harry wished he could tell Hermione in a gentle way that she'd understand, that he'd never get a chance like this again, but he couldn't think of any way. He spent the whole night sitting on his bed, starring at the red drapes. So, he did the only thing that made sense to him at the moment.
"Hermione, I think we should see other people."
Harry's quote echoed through her mind over and over. She sat down at the lake, staring at the giant squid as it waved its tentacles friendly at her. Who was this other person Harry wanted to see? And how should she act around him now? She loved him so much- there was no denying that. They had been dating over a year, and he had become her whole world. Much more than he could have had if they only remained friends. But it looked like that's where they were again. Friends… again. Hermione pulled a rolled-up piece of parchment from inside her robes. Tears started streaming down her face when she saw what she had written: Hermione Potter. She had written it six months after they had started dating. And now, when she was going through a rough time in her life, something she couldn't bring herself to share with them yet, he left her. Left her for someone else. Who could it be? Ginny? Lavender? And then the realization hit her all at once… Cho. Hermione gritted her teeth, crumpled up the piece of parchment and tossed it into the lake.
"Littering is against the law." A voice said behind her.
"So, what." Hermione said, watching the squid pick up her trash and start tossing it from tentacle to tentacle.
Ron sat down next to her.
"So, Harry told you?" she asked.
"Yeah," Ron said, putting an arm around her shoulders and pressing her forehead against his. "how are you holding up?"
"How am I holding up?" she rolled her eyes. "Well, how would you feel if Harry dumped you for Cho?"
Ron couldn't help but grin.
"I didn't mean it like that," she said.
"You're not sure he left you for Cho," Ron said.
"Really," she moaned. "Who else could it be?"
Ron was silent.
"You know, he still wants you as a friend," he said finally.
Hermione gave a small laugh. "A friend. It only took six years for him to notice me and we're back to the friend stage."
"I love you no matter what," Ron said, giving her a hug. "Hang in there, I'm sure Harry will come to his senses. Cho is pretty to look at, but I bet she's rotten to the core."
"That 'Cho is pretty' part isn't helping,"
"Sorry, sorry," Ron said quickly. "You're no leftover dinner either."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at him. "What?"
"Oh come on, Hermione! Look in the mirror! You were pretty when we met you, but you have gotten so beautiful, and not only on the outside. You're intelligent, dignified and have this… this smell like vanilla."
Hermione turned to him, her eyes shedding tears. "I love you too, Ron."
"Awww, hey now," Ron said, blushing. "Lavender might overhear you."
Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek. "How are things with her?"
"Couldn't be better," Ron said, blushing again. "In fact, we have a lunch date. We're going to Hogsmeade." He stood up.
"Have a great time," she said. "Tell her I said hello."
Ron shuffeled his feet. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you tagged along…"
Ah, pity. Ron was doing his best to cheer her up, but she really needed some time to think.
"I'm going to stay here awhile, thanks though," she said.
"Alright," Ron said. "See you at dinner?"
She nodded. "See ya." She watched Ron trot back to the castle.
Harry watched her silently on his broom. She was just finishing up Quidditch practice, and hurrying back toward the castle, her broom resting against one shoulder. She looked even more beautiful. Sure, she was sweaty, and needed a shower, but she embodied perfection in Harry's eyes. Her long dark hair flowed in a swift motion as she walked and her brown eyes were alert and sparkling. She saw him sitting on his broom, and smiled. Harry got up enough nerve to fly over there. He dismounted and stared into her eyes.
"Hi, Cho."
"Hi," Cho said. "Harry, right?"
Harry nodded. "How… how was practice?"
She arched a brow. "Fine."
Harry began sweating. What if she thought he was a spy for Gryffindor? And then another thought occurred to him… what if she said no to a date? He had to do something fast. "Would you care to have dinner with me sometime?"
Cho stared at him. "Aren't you dating Hermione Granger?"
"No, no, we broke up," Harry said, feeling his heart break even more when he thought about Hermione. The look on her face when he told her was something he'd never forget. A look of intense pain, something that should have never been on her face.
"Oh." Cho said. "Well, okay then."
Harry grinned. "How about Saturday, around 7?"
Cho nodded. "I'll be waiting in the Entrance Hall." She smiled and jogged up to the castle.
Harry watched her go with a goofy grin on his face. He, Harry Potter had a date with Cho Chang.
Breakfast the next morning was awkward. It was the first time Harry had seen Hermione since their break up. Ron acted normally towards them, but sat in between them without another word. When he got up to go to the bathroom, they just glanced at each other. Harry thought Hermione looked a little paler than usual, but was wearing her I'm-smarter-than-you-don't-ask-me-dumb-questions look, something she hadn't worn since third year. Harry was smiling brightly at everyone but Hermione, who still sent a bullet to his heart each time he looked at her.
"Pass the Sausage," she told him.
"S… sure," he stuttered, handing her the bowl.
There was a silence between them.
"Mail's late," Harry said, focusing his eyes on the ceiling.
"Oh, expecting a letter?" she asked.
"No," Harry said. He frowned. He should have kept their almost normal conversation going.
Hermione turned back to her sausage.
Finally, the mail arrived. A large barn owl swooped down to Hermione. She raised a brow and detached the letter from its leg. It flew off without a hoot back.
"Anything good?" Harry asked.
Hermione read the letter with a grin. "It's from Viktor! You won't believe this!!!"
"Believe what?" Ron had returned, and picked a sausage from her plate.
"Viktor's got the new Defense Against the Dark Arts job here at Hogwarts! He'll be arriving tomorrow!"
Ron nearly choked on his sausage. Harry frowned. Viktor Krum at Hogwarts again? That just spelled trouble.