Chapter 9
Cho spent her first night after Hogwarts tossing and turning. In the few minutes she'd slept, she'd had a dream of Ginny standing over her, wand pointed, lips pursed to issue a curse. The setting wasn't the forest however, but her own bedroom. "You didn't think I would give up that easily did you?" Ginny had mocked her, "Who's going to save you now?" Cho had woken in a cold sweat.
It was just a dream, she reminded herself. Ginny's mind had been erased and she was a permanent resident of St. Mungo's Institute of Psychiatric Wizardry. It was over. She just had to keep telling herself that.
She didn't believe it though. The events in the forest had been like a stone throne into a pond, and from that impact emanated ripples that were very real. Cho felt she had learned things about herself that day that she would have been just fine never knowing.
Deciding that sleep was no longer an option. Cho got up and thumbed though the manuscript of their book. It was ready to take to a publisher now. It represented more than a year of work and she was quite proud of it. Thumbing through the pages, she made a minor change here and there, made an occasional note of something for Harry to review. Gradually fatigue claimed her and she fell asleep at her desk.
The next morning she awoke stiff and sore. After breakfast and a shower, she finished unpacking her belongings from her school trunk then wrapped up the manuscript and went through the flue to Professor Lupin's House.
When she arrived she found the cottage empty. Looking around however, she spotted Harry working in the garden and went out to see him. Cho sat in the shade of a tree and watched him as he worked, shirtless and sweating from exertion. Even after Madame Pomfrey's best efforts, Harry was covered with scars. Her thoughts turned grim and her spirits began to sink. Harry noticed and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong, love?" he asked.
Cho smiled. It always gave her a warm feeling when he called her that. "Nothing," she answered.
Harry frowned. "That's the sort of 'nothing' that definitely means 'something'. Did I do something wrong? I remembered your birthday, our anniversary, I got my shorts handed to me at a game of Quidditch." Harry was counting off on his fingers. "Come on, Cho. I know something is bothering you and has been for a while. We're supposed to talk about these things."
Cho kissed his bare shoulder. It was grimy and tasted of salt. "We will Harry, just not right now. Okay?"
Harry nodded and stood up. He offered her a hand to do the same. "Come on," he said, "I'll get cleaned up and we can do something about dinner. Hermione wants to go shopping on Diagon Alley"
Cho sat in Harry's room, looking at his assortment of pictures and other trinkets he had collected during his time at Hogwarts. Beside his bed was the picture she had given him for his birthday last year. Last year seemed such a long time ago. Cho looked at the girl in the picture, she remembered being that girl, feeling grown up and mature, as if she were ready to conquer the world. That girl had known nothing.
Harry returned, half dressed and drying his hair. The sight was enough to snap Cho out of her introspection. "Mr. Potter, I'm shocked! Have you no modesty?"
Harry dropped his towel in answer. His robe was tied off around his waste. He flexed playfully, but the effect was lost on Cho. It was the scars again.
"I see," said Harry grimly. He pulled his robe on properly. "Actually, I don't see at all. Please tell me what's going on Cho." He stood with his arms crossed, staring at her, waiting for her to speak.
He was blaming himself, Cho realized. She gestured for him to sit beside her. Once he was there she opened up the top of his robe. With a finger she traced a particularly large and jagged scar across his chest. "Do they still hurt?" she asked. She was pretty sure she remembered him getting that one.
Harry, very confused, shook his head.
Cho continued to trace scars, occasionally stopping to place a random kiss, until she had made a complete circuit. "Do you hate me, Harry?"
"No!" insisted Harry, "I could never hate you, Cho. How could you ask such a thing?"
Cho returned to tracing the large, jagged scar. "I caused all of this. If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened."
Harry shook his head. "No, Cho. Ginny did this. She was sick, possessed by Voldemort and his darkness. You didn't do this."
"I could have stopped her," Cho insisted, "All I had to do was cry out and get her attention, and she would have stopped hurting you. Instead, I just stood there and watched her beat you."
Harry cradled her in his arms. "That was the plan, Cho. I know it wasn't a good one, but I'm a Gryffindor: I'm not supposed to be smart, just brave."
Cho tried to laugh but couldn't. "You don't understand. I know that was the plan, but I let her do it. When she gave you the choice, I wanted to you to denounce me. If she had asked me then, I would have done it in a second. I would have begged her to kill me. I was weak, Harry. I would have rather seen you snogging Ginny Weasley than feel that pain again. I was willing to let her beat you to death, rather than feel that pain."
Harry tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away. "Every time I see these scars, it just reminds me that I was weak and that I betrayed you. While you spat in her face and asked for more, I was cringing. You proved that your love was stronger than anything. I proved just the opposite. I don't know how you can still love me after that."
Harry gently wiped away her tears and held her close. "Cho, please don't cry." Cho however, continued to cry so Harry kept her close. "Please don't feel this way. You weren't weak. There's an entire ward of people at St. Mungo's who went through what you did and lost their sanity because of it. You held on, Cho, and that was anything but weak. I was so afraid I was going to lose you, and I was willing to do anything to keep that from happening. If Ginny was going to kill you, I didn't want to live to see it.
"These scars are my fault. When you were kidnapped, everyone tried to convince me to wait until a rescue party could be organized. I was angry and I wouldn't listen. I even pulled my wand and threatened Professor Dumbledore. I could've waited and we could have rescued you properly. Instead, I let my own stupid pride get in the way. You could have been killed, or even worse, driven to madness. I panicked. What I did was an act of desperation.
"These scars are a reminder to me that there are things more important than stupid Gryffindor pride. You would never have been able to even think you had failed me if I had not failed you first. I thought it was enough that I had paid for my error, I had no idea that you would have to pay for it too."
Harry took Cho's head in his hands. "If anyone needs forgiveness here, it isn't you," he said quietly, then cradled her head against his shoulder.
They sat there holding each other, not speaking for some time, each lost in their own thoughts. Cho brushed the black mop of Harry's hair back and rested her forehead against his. "I never understood how it was that you came to blame yourself for Cedric's death. It just didn't seem rational; when it was so obvious that it was someone else's fault. I'm sure there is a really good psychological explanation for all of this, and I don't have any idea what it is, but I understand you now.
"You take the blame for everything onto yourself, Harry, and it isn't your burden to carry. I understand now how easy it is to do. I don't know if you've just rubbed off on me, or if I was always this way, or if this is just a universal human condition, but I've been doing the same thing. I'm not conceding anything here, but the real wrongs done that day weren't done by either of us. Part of me still feels that I gave in too easily, that I should have been stronger, but not so much that I am willing to give you up over it. Those scars can remind you of your pride if that's what you feel you need to learn, but they are going to remind me of my weakness. I'm sorry you have to wear the marks for both of us."
"It's the least I can do," Harry said. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He leaned in to kiss Cho again. This time she accepted his kiss and returned it.
"You'd better get dressed, Harry" Cho said. "Or we'll be here all day, and Hermione will be waiting."
Harry pulled on his robe and smoothed the wrinkles out with his hand. Then ran a comb through his hair. Cho fussed over him, straightening his collar, and brushing lint off of his shoulders. "Harry, you really should get some new clothes. You can't go everywhere in your school robes, and the Muggle clothes you have are just rags."
Harry shrugged. "I never thought about it really. It's just what I've always had. I guess I'm just used to it. I wouldn't even know to buy, I've never been given a choice before.."
"I can help there," Cho said with a smile. "We can visit Madame Malkin's while we're at Diagon Alley today."
Harry agreed. It was a new life he was living and he marveled at the changes. He was free to visit his friends, to go out for an afternoon of shopping and dinner, free to choose his own clothing even.he felt normal, and he liked it. He scribbled a note for Sirius and Remus, then he and Cho went through the flue to The Leaky Cauldron where they found Hermione waiting for them
Harry and Cho walked down Diagon Alley with their arms around each other's waist, Hermione close at hand. At Gringott's Harry withdrew a sack full of Galleons and from there they split up. Hermione headed off to Flourish and Bott's while Harry and Cho were headed towards Madame Malkin's. Whoever finished first would meet the other and from there they would go to dinner.
At Madame Malkin's Cho helped Harry decide on an assortment of robes and Muggle clothing ranging from the casual to dress. It was a process, which although necessary, Harry found tiresome and unappealing. After a short while he had become quite irritable. Cho shrugged it all off, and had him try on extras just for good measure. When she was done, Harry was quite sure that he had just purchased more clothes than he had owned in his entire life prior to this.
"But now you have a wardrobe, Harry. You can go anywhere you want and be dressed properly."
That might be true, mused Harry, but he was quite sure he would never remember which socks went with which ties, and which cufflinks went with which shirts. Many Galleons lighter, they made their way towards Flourish and Blott's to find Hermione. Reunited, the three of them decided to look at the other shops of Diagon alley before heading to The Leaky Cauldron for supper.
Once past the entrance to Knockturn Alley, the quality of shop began to deteriorate. None of them had ever gone this far, and they looked curiously at the jumble of pawnshops, reeking potion huts, second-hand stores, and who-knew what else. Deciding they'd had about enough, they crossed the street and reversed direction. Passing the narrow gap between two shops a hand reached out and grabbed Harry.
Cho let out a small scream as Harry was yanked abruptly away from her. Hermione responded instantly by drawing her wand. Cho drew hers a second later, and terrified, plunged into the blackness.
"Lumos" Hermione muttered and was rewarded with a glow of warm light at the end of her wand. The narrow gap between the two buildings reached back about 5 meters and at the end there was a narrow ladder leading up to a battered door.
Cho, who was in the lead, moved timidly towards the ladder. The ground was covered with debris and from the shadows, small glowing eyes peered at her. She could only assume that they were rats, actually, she thought, she could only hope that they were rats, and not something worse. There was no question where Harry had been taken, so she cautiously climbed the ladder and tried the door. Hermione followed close behind her.
The door was locked. "Alohamora" Cho whispered, and tried the door again. It was still locked. "To hell with this", Cho spat, "If Harry's in there, I'm getting him out." She pointed her wand at the door again. "Reducto" Instantly the door burst into splinters.
"Bloody Hell!" a voice shouted.
Cho and Hermione stormed through the doorway to find themselves in a large, rather grungy room. In one corner was Harry's immobile form.
"Expelliarmus" the voice shouted.
Cho ducked without thinking. "Silencio" she returned and watched as her curse hit its mark.
Hermione cast a total body bind afterwards for good measure. Both women moved to inspect the fallen figure.
"That's just great!" said Cho, "What the hell is wrong with you Weasleys? Decided to finish your sister's work?"
Silently, Ron Weasley stared back at her. With the Silencius curse on him, he remained unable to speak but his eyes were full of anger.
"MLES will be here soon," said Hermione, "If nothing else to investigate unauthorized magic by Ron and myself. They'll handle it, Cho."
Cho had turned to tend to Harry. She dispelled the curses placed on him and cast an Enervate to bring him around. Groggily he stood up and surveyed the scene. Cho put her arms around him to keep him steady and covered his face with kisses of relief.
"Ron?" Harry asked, and seemed puzzled when he didn't answer.
"Silencing curse," Cho explained.
"Remove it," Harry ordered. Cho looked at him defiantly and made no move to comply. "Take his wand and leave the body bind on him if you have to, but I want to hear what he has to say."
Cho reluctantly did so, but kept her wand pointed at him.
"Why, Ron?" Harry asked, "We're friends; you're the brother I never had. Are you a Death Eater now?"
"You say you're my friend," Ron countered, "and you can stand there and ask me if I'm a Death Eater?"
"What's he supposed to think, Weasley?" Cho demanded. "You disarmed Hermione and surrendered her to your sister. You disappeared for months and the first he sees of you is being snatched off a street in broad daylight and cursed unconscious."
"Stay the Hell out of this Cho Chang. Maybe you missed the part where I erased my sister's mind and turned her into an effing vegetable. I saved your life too."
"It's okay, Ron." Harry said calmly, "Cho's upset, but we've all been worried sick about you. Why did you stay gone so long?"
"Look, Potter, I don't want your sympathy. Take your scar, your beautiful girlfriend, your stack of Galleons, your flock of fans, and go be a hero somewhere else. I know who and what you really are."
Harry knelt beside Ron and stared him in the eyes. "That's right, Ron, you know me better than that. I know you too, though. Right now, I know you're so full of shit your eyes are brown. You know I'm not going to leave, so you might as well talk. Why, Ron?"
"I could ask you the same bloody question, Harry. Why?"
"I don't understand, Ron. What do you want to know?"
"Why the whole damned mess? Why does the whole world revolve around Harry Potter? Why did I have to Obliviate Ginny? My little sister was 15 years old and I had to point my wand at her and erase an entire life. My own sister! I had to disarm and betray one of my two best friends to keep her from killing my sister. Why did I have to do that, Harry? It was your mess, why was I the one who had to clean it up?"
"What you did was hard, Ron, but it was necessary."
"No it was not! You could have prevented it, Harry. If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened."
"I ought to turn you into a rat," hissed Cho, "How can you even think about blaming, Harry?
"Shut up, Chang. This is between Harry and me. Look at him. He knows it's the truth."
Harry had a look of profound sadness on his face. Cho saw the look and knew what it meant. "Don't listen to him, Harry. You know it's not the truth."
"What could I have done, Ron? You, Ginny, your whole family have taken me in and treated me like one of their own. You know that if there were anything I could have done to prevent this, I would have done. I fought to save Ginny once before and I would have done it again. What could I have done, Ron?"
"You could have loved her," Ron said flatly, "That's all she wanted. Ever. For six bloody years she hid behind doors, and stared wistfully, waiting for you to notice her. So you were both too young for the first few years, but that changed. You had a crush on Cho for a couple years and that was okay too. But you were over that after the TriWizard Competition. You were supposed to fall in love with Ginny, not Cho. If you had just done what you were supposed to, none of this would have happened.
Harry stood up and took a step back. "You're wrong, Ron. I don't know if we get to choose who we love or not, but we aren't 'supposed' to love anyone. I can see why you might have wanted Ginny and I to be together, but none of that actually has anything to with who either of us actually is. Ginny had the shadow of Voldemort in her head. That shadow would have been there whether I loved her or not, and sooner or later it would have made its presence known.
"I am truly sorry for what happened to Ginny, and I am even sorrier that you had to be the one to do it. I'm not sorry I'm in love with Cho though. Voldemort destroyed Ginny, not me, not Cho, and in the end, not even you. You know."
Before Harry could finish his sentence, the pops of Apparation could be heard. Five Aurors appeared with wands drawn. "Freeze, every one slowly raise your hands and drop your wands."
"It took you long enough," muttered Cho, "We did all the hard work for you."
"What's going on here?" asked the lead Auror "You'd all better identify yourselves."
"Cho Chang, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. The thug on the floor is Ron Weasley, he kidnapped Harry and we rescued him, thank you very much."
"The Harry Potter?" asked the Auror incredulously.
Harry nodded.
"There's a bulletin out for Ronald Weasley," said one of the other Aurors.
"You said he kidnapped Harry Potter?" the lead Auror asked. A more serious look crossed his face, and he pulled Ron to his feet.
"It was just a misunderstanding," Harry insisted, "no one kidnapped anyone. We'd all like to go home now, if it's all the same."
Cho appeared miffed, but she kept quiet.
"If there's a bulletin out for him," the lead Auror stated, "we should take him back to the station. There's also the matter of disturbing the peace and underage use of magic."
"Like I said, it was all just a misunderstanding." Harry brushed his hair aside to reveal his scar. "Cho and Hermione were just trying to protect me, we've been through a lot lately." Harry directed his comments towards the leader, who seemed fixated on Harry's scar.
"I could let you off with a warning for the use of magic and disturbing the peace, but Mr. Weasley really needs to come down to headquarters."
"Does he have to come right now?" Harry asked earnestly. "What if he gave his word he would come in tomorrow? His father is a ministry official. You could always contact him if Ron fails to show."
"Do you give your word, Mr. Weasley?" the lead Auror asked.
Ron nodded. "I promise, sir," he said contritely.
"As long as there's no harm done, and I have your word, I don't see why I have to report this as anything other than a false alarm."
"Thank you very much, sir" Harry offered his hand and the Auror shook it readily. "If there's ever anything I can do for you, please feel free to let me know."
"Well, now that you mention it I'd really like to get an autograph - for my kid, you know."
Harry ended up signing nearly a dozen autographs before the Aurors finally departed. Once the Aurors were gone and the binding curse on Ron was removed, Harry helped him to his feet
"Let's get you home, Ron."
The four of them went to the nearest shop and with a flash of Floo Powder stepped through the fireplace and into the Burrow. Hermione went first, followed by Ron, then Cho and finally Harry. A very haggard looking Mrs. Weasley, hearing the noise, emerged from the kitchen still wearing her apron. Her face lit up on seeing Hermione, but turned into an absolute beacon of joy on seeing Ron.
Mrs. Weasley hugged and cried over Ron. Mr. Weasley, who appeared a pale shadow of his former self, came to investigate the noise, and joined her. Cho, Harry and Hermione began to feel that this was probably one of those moments best suited for family and began making their way toward the fireplace.
Mr. Weasley stopped them. "Harry, Hermione, Cho, please don't go." The trio looked exchanged glances, and then moved back into the living room.
"Dear lord," Mrs. Weasley flustered, "what was I thinking? You all must be starving. Sit, and I'll bring you a snack." In a bustle, she disappeared into the kitchen.
"We really don't want to be a bother," Hermione said.
"Nonsense," said Mr. Weasley, "You and Harry are family, and you Cho by extension. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of ours."
Mrs. Weasley arrived shortly with platters full of steaming food. Ron dug in ravenously and his mother stood over him the entire time making sure his plate never got anywhere close to empty. The others nibbled, but their hearts weren't into it.
"We were worried about you, you know - All of you." Mr. Weasley said quietly. "We wanted to visit you but we weren't sure if you wanted to see us. It's been so hard with Ron missing, and Ginny."
At the mention of Ginny's name, Mrs. Weasley seemed to deflate. She started to speak, then stopped and went back to the kitchen. Ron stopped eating, and dropped his fork. "Dad, about Ginny." He stopped and looked stonily into space.
"I read the reports, son. You don't have to explain."
"But I do. I have to explain to you and mum.and Hermione at the very least. Ginny was.she had.well, you know all that.and Malfoy. I hated him, but he didn't deserve to be killed. We knew something was wrong with her, as if hanging out with a Malfoy wasn't a big enough clue. She did a lot of stuff - she memory charmed us last summer when Hermione and Sirius took Harry away.
All during the school year, there were signs. She spent more time with the Slytherins than the Gryffindor's. There were signs but I just ignored them. We're Weasleys - there's an army of us, we're poor, and we're the good guys. That's just the way things are. I just couldn't believe that Ginny could really be evil. I chalked it up to her just having a tough time getting over Harry.
"I mean, she had a right to be upset. She had waited for years for him to notice her, and everybody thought it was about to happen. Then he was with Cho. I understand Harry is happy with Cho, and he has the right to love whomever he wants to, but that didn't make it any easier for her to deal with. You understand, Harry, that I want you to be happy? I was in a position though, where your happiness conflicted with my sister's. I had to choose between my best friend and my sister.
"When Dumbledore stuck his head through the trapdoor of Madame Trewlawney's classroom, I knew right then that something was wrong. It was obvious Ginny was involved and then Harry left, but I was still hoping that she was just a pawn, that Voldemort was just manipulating her through her feelings for Harry. In the forest though, that was pretty obviously not the case.
"Hermione was going to.Even in the middle of all that death and blood. Cho looked like death in a can, and Harry.I thought it was too late for him.all I could see was my little sister. I couldn't let you kill her, Hermione. I know you felt betrayed and I know you thought you were justified, but she was my sister. I still had this vague hope that it was all a mistake. When I saw that it wasn't a mistake, I did what I had to do. I thought, maybe, someday someone will find a way to reverse a memory curse, and maybe someday Ginny will be her old self again."
Mrs. Weasley could be heard choking behind the door. Every one was silent for a seeming eternity. Finally, Mr. Weasley spoke. "Ron, You had to make a tough decision that day. I don't think that very many people could have done what you did. I honestly don't know if I could have. As much as it hurts me to say this, you did the right thing. There's no question that Ginny, or whatever was controlling her, had to be stopped.
"You're home now, son. Your mum and I love you, your brothers love you, and your friends love you." Mr. Weasley put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I know it hurts, but I'm proud of you."
Mrs. Weasley came back into the room and gave Ron a hug. All of the Weasleys began to weep. Once again, Harry, Cho, and Hermione made their way towards the flue. This time no effort was made to stop them. Cho, Harry, and Hermione stepped through the Burrow's Fireplace and emerged into Professor Lupin's house in a small cloud of soot. Harry offered tea, but Hermione insisted that she would rather just go home. Cho however took him up
"You're not angry with me, are you?" Harry asked.
"I was, but not so much anymore. I was trying to protect you, you know. All I could think of was losing you again, but for real this time, and I wasn't going to let that happen. I think maybe, you trust the Weasleys too much given everything that's happened. You'll do what you feel is best though, and I really don't have much choice but to defer to your judgment.
"Cho, Ron is my best friend. Before there was you, I trusted him and Hermione with my life. If he needs to take out some frustrations on me, then I'll let him. I think I've changed from all of this - I think not so long ago I would have felt responsible for Ginny, but now I don't. It still hurts to think about it, and part of me feels that I have to think about it, but I know it wasn't my fault. It has to be you that's given me that wisdom, or insight, or whatever it, so I have to thank you for that."
"I'll take it out in trade," Cho said with a smile. She bent across the table to kiss him, but his heart wasn't in it. Cho sighed. It had just been one of those days.
"Your parents tomorrow," Harry offered, "I'm really nervous about it. You're sure your mum doesn't hate me anymore. I know she came to visit while I was in Hospital, but maybe she was just being nice. I don't know what will happen if your parents hate me. What if I Bludger thing up?"
"Harry!" Cho inwardly thought Harry was hilarious, but she was trying not to show it. "You'll do fine. My mother doesn't hate you." She got up and sat in his lap. "And I decided a long time ago what would happen if my parents didn't like you. I even told them."
Harry kissed her, this time with his heart in it. Suitably hot and bothered, Cho stood up. "Well, I really better go before we get carried away." She kissed his forehead. "Tomorrow," she said, "don't be late."
The next day, Harry dressed carefully in one of the new robes he'd bought the day before. Freshly showered, shaved & cologned, he wrestled with his hair until he got the majority of it into something resembling a combed state and called it a draw. Downstairs he found Sirius and Remus waiting for him with wolf whistles and catcalls. Determined to ignore them, Harry move directly towards the fireplace, but once there, found the Floo Powder missing.
"You really didn't think you were going out of here that easily did you?" Moony asked. Twirling the pouch that held the Floo Powder around his finger.
"Good thinking, Remus. I'd have never thought of that." Sirius said with a huge grin.
"So, Harry, off to meet the parents, eh? Big, big step there."
"We felt obliged to warn you that the famous Potter charm sometimes works on mothers, but almost never works on fathers." Sirius said with a grin. "If worst comes to worst, don't be afraid to run."
"Thanks for the confidence, guys. Now, if wouldn't mind sharing a bit of Floo Powder, I need to go. Being late isn't going to help my case any." Harry said impatiently.
"I bought you some flowers," said Sirius, handing him a colorful bouquet.
"I'm touched," said Harry sarcastically, "but I think Cho is the jealous type."
"Not for you, git," said Sirius, "for Cho's mother. You're going to need all the help you can get."
"Just for that, we shouldn't tell him about the spot on his robe"
Harry began immediately fussing about his robe looking for the offending mark.
"I think we should tell him the story about Prongs meeting Mr. and Mrs. Evans"
"Okay, I surrender. anything, just please let me go before I'm late.
"Actually," said Remus, "it went pretty much like what you're going through right now." He handed Harry the Floo Powder. "Good luck, Harry."
"Just relax," said Sirius, "You've already impressed Cho and she's the one that counts." He handed Harry the flowers. "Remember, we raised you to be a gentleman."
"Don't do anything we wouldn't." Remus said.
"Is that even possible?" Harry threw a handful of powder into the fire and vanished before he could get an answer.
Cho sparkled at Harry as he emerged from the Hearth. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then greeted her mother with the flowers. Mrs. Chang accepted them gracefully. Mr. Chang greeted Harry like a long lost friend.
"Glad to finally meet you, Harry. I've heard so much about you."
"Likewise, sir." Harry said.
"I guess I really don't have to ask what you're planning to do when you leave Hogwarts. I was there at Cho's last game. Wonderful things you two do on a broom. I was hoping to meet you then, but there was all of that post- match celebration, different houses and all of that. It's a real shame you Gryffindors took the House Cup again."
"We're its rightful home, sir. " Harry said with a grin.
"I'm sure you like to think so, and there's no denying you've done your part to keep it there. I had lunch with Cho today and she explained the situation with your book, and agents. I would really like to keep you two out of the hands of the Ludo Bagman's of the world, so I took the liberty of making an appointment with Stanley Shoesmith - he represents some of the best Quidditch players in Europe - I've also invited Madame Hooch. If you want to come, you should bring your Godfather and anyone else you feel appropriate."
"Harry, you just have to be there," Cho said, then turned to her father. "Harry and I really want to play on the same team, or at the very least, teams that are close to each other."
Mr. Chang nodded thoughtfully. "That's going to limit your options, you know. Not many teams are going to be willing to take a chance on two rookie Seekers at one time."
"We're not just any Seekers though," observed Harry. "I don't care if I have to play for the Transylvania, I'm not going anywhere Cho isn't."
Mr. Chang smiled. "Did you say that last match they played against Prague? Those Beaters they have must be part Giant. One of them knocked a Bludger into one of Prague's Chasers. The poor bloke must have been knocked ten feet before he even knew he didn't have a broom under him."
The conversation became a general discussion of Quidditch, until Mrs. Chang announced that it was time for dinner. Harry ate nervously, trying to remember every scrap of a table manner he had ever learned. If Mr. Chang had dominated the pre-dinner conversation, Mrs. Chang did so over the table. Slowly, Harry became convinced that Cho's mother really did accept him, and he began to relax.
After dinner and more conversation, Cho and Harry were finally left alone for a few minutes to say good bye. Cho quickly seized the opportunity to give Harry a kiss. "I've been wanting to do that all evening," she said. Harry remained nervous about kissing Cho in her parents' house. Cho laughed at him. "Why do you think they left us alone, Harry?" Harry consented, and kissed Cho in a way that left her weak in the knees.
"That's more like it," Cho smiled. Harry grinned back at her and stepped toward the hearth. "Until tomorrow, then"
"Until tomorrow," Harry answered.
Harry, Sirius, and Remus walked into the plush offices of Stanley Shoesmith. A very pretty receptionist greeted them and immediately directed them to a conference room. Already waiting for them were Cho, Mr. Chang, Madame Hooch, Ms. Moran from the English team, and a very smooth looking gentleman who introduced himself as Stan Shoesmith.
"Since everyone's here, let's talk business."
"We, Harry and I," Cho started, "want to play Quidditch and we believe you are the person to represent us."
"Not to ring my own bell," Mr. Shoesmith said dryly, "but you understand that I represent stars, not wannabe rookies. If you want to play Quidditch, fine. Go sign with Liverpool, or Puddlemere, or god forbid, the Chudley Cannons; make a name for yourself and then come back. We'll talk."
"You do know this is Harry Potter, don't you?" Professor Lupin spoke.
"Yes," Mr. Shoesmith answered, "He already has a name, and I think I could represent him. He still has to finish Hogwarts though. I manage careers, not potentialities."
"I'll sign Potter right now." Ms Moran interjected.
Mr. Shoesmith raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Perhaps we can talk after all."
"I want Potter," Ms. Moran said, "The kid is brilliant. He has a vision that is going to change Quidditch. He's a little rough around the edges, but when he matures he is going to absolutely dominate."
"That good? Let's say I'm interested."
"What about Cho?" Harry asked.
"What about her?" Shoesmith asked.
"I'm not signing for any team she's not on. I'll play for the Cannons first."
"That's very noble, kid."
"Harry"
"Harry, but opportunities like this don't come along very often for someone your age. You have to grab this while you can."
"I'm not negotiating on this. Cho is as good as I am; she's the only one who has ever beaten me. If she doesn't sign I don't sign."
Ms. Moran spoke. "I'm going out on a limb here as it is. I have a Seeker slot open and I'm willing to put you in it. I don't have a place for both you."
"Trade Burrell then." Madame Hooch said.
"You put him up to this, didn't you Hooch?" Ms Moran demanded.
Madame Hooch just shook her head and tossed videotape on the table. "Play this, "she demanded. Shoesmith put the tape in the machine and punched it up on his enormous 54-inch monitor. The last three Ravenclaw v. Gryffindor matches played out on the screen.
"Ok," Shoesmith said, "I'm convinced. I'll take both of you. Erin, unless you're here to negotiate your presence represents a conflict of interest."
"I'm negotiating." Ms. Moran said, glaring at Madame Hooch.
"We're listening," said Shoesmith, tenting his fingers. It was easy to see he was enjoying this.
"I made my position clear. I can take Potter and only Potter."
"Call Horrigan then," Hooch said, "Lynch is getting a little long in the tooth, I bet he'll agree."
That earned her another glare
"Look," said Shoesmith, "face the facts - these two are going to play Quidditch. You saw the tape, it's going to take the rest of the Quidditch world a season or two just to figure out what the heck they're doing up there. Now, I would love to see those two face off in a professional match, but if you have both of them, that's like having a patent on fire. These two are going to rewrite the book Seeker tactics. You are going to kick yourself SO hard if you let this slip by."
"We already have written the book, sir. Cho has anyway. Show him the manuscript."
Shoesmith's eyes lit up. Cho passed the binder that held their combined work. Shoesmith thumbed through it carefully. "Have you shown this to anyone else?" They shook their heads in response. "Don't. We'll talk about this later."
"Think about it, Erin. How long has it been since England has been to the Championships, let alone won? How would you like to be the manager that brings two, maybe three Championship cups home in a row?"
Ms. Moran squirmed in her chair. "OK, maybe we can make this work. Potter can't actually play until next season, so I'll sign Chang as a reserve. That gives me a year to trade Burrell. Next year Potter will start as Seeker. I want him training this summer though."
"Fine, let's talk Galleons." Shoesmith and Moran began to dicker back and forth about numbers and contract lengths. Eventually they came to a number they both found acceptable and agreed to pass it on to the lawyers. Ms Moran gathered her briefcase, gave Madame Hooch one last glare and left.
"Congratulations," Shoesmith said, holding out his hand first to Cho then to Harry. "You're playing for England. I need both of you here tomorrow, with attorneys to sign contracts designating me as your agent, then next week most likely to sign with the team."
"That was real money you were talking about then?" asked Mr. Chang.
"That's only the tip of the iceberg. The real money comes from endorsements." Mr. Shoesmith stood up indicating the meeting was over. "Tomorrow, one o'clock."
The six of them walked out of the office and onto Diagon Alley.
"I can't believe I'm actually going to get paid to play Quidditch." Harry said.
"We did it," Cho said, giving him a hug.
"I think a celebration is in order," Mr. Chang said. "The Cauldron?"
"Too busy," said Cho.
"I know just the place," said Madame Hooch. She led them to an out of the way nook a few blocks away into a blind alley and into a surprisingly cozy pub. The bartender greeted her as she led them to a corner booth. "First round is on me."
While the older members of the group took turns buying rounds and playing darts. Cho and Harry sat in the corner, nursing their ale and sitting quietly. Madame Hooch came and sat at the table with them.
"You two ever get tired of looking at each other?" she asked gruffly. Harry shook his head. Cho just smiled. "You did good today, Potter. I'm proud of you."
"You did better" Harry replied, "Just do me a favor and never ever mention to Ron that I bad mouthed the Cannons. I'm sorry you had to fight with your friend."
"It's all right," Madame Hooch answered. "She was just doing her job. We know each other well enough that we don't let Quidditch get in the way of friendship. or vice versa. She'll thank me for it once she has a Championship to show for it."
"Thanks for everything, Madame Hooch. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't encouraged me."
"You can drop the Madame now, you know. You're not a student anymore. Just don't teach Potter any bad habits. You did all the hard work; I just gave you a nudge in the right direction. I'm proud of you too. Go out and catch a Snitch for me and we'll call it even."
"I'll do that," said Cho with a smile.
Madame Hooch got up and went back to throwing darts.
"Let's leave," Cho whispered into Harry's ear. "My idea of celebrating is a little different than my dad's"
"Why, Miss Chang!" Harry returned in mock surprise, "What could you possibly be thinking? I'd better tell Sirius so he doesn't ground me or something."
"I have to tell my dad too. I'll meet you by the fireplace."
Harry went to Sirius and whispered in his ear, while Cho pulled her father aside. "Dad, Harry and I are going to leave."
"Sure, Cho. I'll see you back at home then."
Cho blushed. "Umm, Dad. About that."
"Oh," exclaimed Mr. Chang, blushing with embarrassment, "I see... I suppose this isn't the time to ask questions, is it? Harry isn't making you do anything you don't want, is he?"
Cho shook her head.
"I guess we'll talk about this later, or I'll talk with Harry later, or.just be safe Cho."
Cho nodded, gave her dad a peck on the cheek, and ran to the fireplace to find Harry waiting for her. "I was thinking," said Cho, "We might go to that little Inn just outside of Hogsmeade."
"The one we always talked about?" Harry's face had a glow about it, but then he suddenly hit himself on the head. "I told Sirius I was going home, I have to tell him."
"I'll be here." Cho replied. Harry left and came back several minutes later looking quite pale. "What's wrong Harry?"
"I told Sirius, and I got the reaction I expected, which was bad enough. Then your father asked for a word. I'm on my honor to be a perfect gentleman, or he's going to send a squad of hit-wizards after me."
"Don't worry about my father, Harry." She took his hand and they stepped into the Hearth together.
Much later that evening, wrapped in warm fuzzy robes and standing on the balcony arms encircled, they watched as the moon played hide and seek with its own reflection as it glimmered off the nearby lake. The smell of rain to come was heavy in the air and there was crispness as if the approaching storm was gathering itself to pounce on an unsuspecting prey. Neither Cho nor Harry seemed to notice.
"A wonderful idea, Miss Chang, and a truly magical evening."
Cho nestled herself deeper into his arms. "Someday," she said, "this won't be such a big deal. Everyday will be like this."
"Being with you like this will always be a big deal," Harry said sincerely.
Cho gave him a gentle kiss and hugged him tighter. "We did it, Harry. Our dream is really going to come true. We have contracts; we're on the same team. We still have to get through your last year at Hogwarts, and I'm not looking forward to seeing you only once a month, but after everything else we've been through it's just a hurdle."
"Maybe Madame Hooch will invite you in as a guest coach, you being a professional Quidditch player and all."
Cho couldn't help but smile. "Next year at this time, it'll be nothing but you and Snitches for me."
Harry looked at her and smiled. "I've already caught the Snitch that matters most."
Cho leaned in and kissed him. Harry returned it with fire and passion. The fire burned into an inferno and threatened to consume them both. Wrapped in each other's arms they returned in doors. Rain arrived with a gust of wind and a clap of thunder, but neither Cho nor Harry noticed.
Ron took one last look through the glass into the dayroom of St. Mungo's where Ginny sat. Tears welled up in his eyes again as he turned to walk down the long, white-tiled hallway that would take him to the exit. He had been here every week since his return, and every week looking into Ginny's blank eyes had affected him the same way. It wasn't fair, it was right, but it was a fact and he had to deal with it.
Back in the day room, an orderly turned on the Wizarding Wireless Network for the patients. It wasn't as if the occupants would remember anything they heard, but perhaps it would make the moments of experience more pleasant. If nothing else, the orderly thought, he wouldn't miss the Quidditch match.
It was an outstanding match. England was doing well this year, and showed no signs of slowing down. At the rate they were going, the Championships were almost a certainty. Duty called, and the orderly was forced to attend to other matters, hoping that he would be able to return before the match ended.
A room full of blank faces stared randomly around the room. Some stared at flowers with fascination, others stared out the window at birds whose names they could no longer remember. Occasionally someone would speak, but whatever thought had urged them to do so was long lost before the words were completely uttered. Above it all, the wireless droned on with the events of the game.
The orderly bustled back into the room, just as the voice of the announcer became excited.
".England's Seeker has found the Snitch . she's on it, and Poland's Seeker is still recovering from that last feint. Chang is closing, pushing her broom to its limit. she has it! Cho Chang has caught the Snitch and England wins by fifty points! What a match! What a display by England's newest Seeker! Cho Chang wins the game!"
The orderly cheered, and momentarily some of the closer patients shared his enthusiasm. Quickly though, they forgot what they were excited about, and the cheer left. The orderly left again to see to his responsibilities and the room returned to it's a normal state. A sea of blank faces stared at the walls and the floors, at the drapes and out the windows. In the corner, one face was different. Surrounded by waves of red hair, Ginny Weasley's face remained locked in a permanent scowl.
Author's Note:
The Seekers has finally ended. I would like to thank all of you who stuck around to the end, read, enjoyed, and wrote such kinds reviews and emails. I would also like to thank those who helped as Beta Readers - Alex, BP, and especially Amy, without whom this story would be a mere shadow of what it turned out to be.
I also feel that I owe an apology for the long wait between chapters 8 and 9. For several months my life became extremely tumultuous on a personal level. This story had become a sort of metaphor for a certain part of my life, and when that part of my life ceased to be, this story suffered as a result. At its core, this story was about hope, and I found it extremely difficult to write about such things when I felt none. Eventually, art prevailed over life and I found an inner muse to replace the external one.
For those of you wondering how the story came about, here is the synopsis: This story came about as part of two separate ideas. In the final part of 'Destiny and the Headmaster' there is a Quidditch match. While writing that scene, I came to realize that Quidditch, and in particular the role of Seeker simply wouldn't work as JKR wrote it. Having served as a lookout in the Navy, I knew a few things about searching for something small and moving while on an unstable platform. I spent a great deal of time thinking about the physics of Quidditch until I worked it out to my satisfaction.
At the same time, there was a thread going on at Fiction Alley along the lines that Harry and Cho were not a viable pairing. I simply didn't feel this to be the case. I resolved to write a story about Harry and Cho that did not gloss over the obvious issues they would have to deal with. Originally they were two separate story ideas. I faced a problem though - in the Harry/Cho story I needed a confrontation, and in the Quidditch story, Harry needed a worthy competitor. From that need, the two stories became joined together. The original plot was very different, but it was flawed and I abandoned it. I started over from scratch, but used some of the better elements from the original plot, When the idea of an 'Evil Ginny' occurred to me, the plot was complete, and I began serious writing. The result is what you have read
There will be a sequel to 'The Seekers' entitled 'The Construction of Light'. I only have the plot half figured, but I am working on it. I am also working on other projects, including original, non-fan fiction works, so it may be late summer before chapters start to appear. The story closest to completion at this point is Harry Potter fan fiction entitled "Legacies", the first chapters for it should appear within a few weeks - but a word of warning: it is not a Harry/Cho story, but instead a Harry/Ginny story. It is not really a story of love so much as one of Good vs. Evil.
Thanks again to all of you,
Charles, AKA The Novice
Cho spent her first night after Hogwarts tossing and turning. In the few minutes she'd slept, she'd had a dream of Ginny standing over her, wand pointed, lips pursed to issue a curse. The setting wasn't the forest however, but her own bedroom. "You didn't think I would give up that easily did you?" Ginny had mocked her, "Who's going to save you now?" Cho had woken in a cold sweat.
It was just a dream, she reminded herself. Ginny's mind had been erased and she was a permanent resident of St. Mungo's Institute of Psychiatric Wizardry. It was over. She just had to keep telling herself that.
She didn't believe it though. The events in the forest had been like a stone throne into a pond, and from that impact emanated ripples that were very real. Cho felt she had learned things about herself that day that she would have been just fine never knowing.
Deciding that sleep was no longer an option. Cho got up and thumbed though the manuscript of their book. It was ready to take to a publisher now. It represented more than a year of work and she was quite proud of it. Thumbing through the pages, she made a minor change here and there, made an occasional note of something for Harry to review. Gradually fatigue claimed her and she fell asleep at her desk.
The next morning she awoke stiff and sore. After breakfast and a shower, she finished unpacking her belongings from her school trunk then wrapped up the manuscript and went through the flue to Professor Lupin's House.
When she arrived she found the cottage empty. Looking around however, she spotted Harry working in the garden and went out to see him. Cho sat in the shade of a tree and watched him as he worked, shirtless and sweating from exertion. Even after Madame Pomfrey's best efforts, Harry was covered with scars. Her thoughts turned grim and her spirits began to sink. Harry noticed and sat down beside her.
"What's wrong, love?" he asked.
Cho smiled. It always gave her a warm feeling when he called her that. "Nothing," she answered.
Harry frowned. "That's the sort of 'nothing' that definitely means 'something'. Did I do something wrong? I remembered your birthday, our anniversary, I got my shorts handed to me at a game of Quidditch." Harry was counting off on his fingers. "Come on, Cho. I know something is bothering you and has been for a while. We're supposed to talk about these things."
Cho kissed his bare shoulder. It was grimy and tasted of salt. "We will Harry, just not right now. Okay?"
Harry nodded and stood up. He offered her a hand to do the same. "Come on," he said, "I'll get cleaned up and we can do something about dinner. Hermione wants to go shopping on Diagon Alley"
Cho sat in Harry's room, looking at his assortment of pictures and other trinkets he had collected during his time at Hogwarts. Beside his bed was the picture she had given him for his birthday last year. Last year seemed such a long time ago. Cho looked at the girl in the picture, she remembered being that girl, feeling grown up and mature, as if she were ready to conquer the world. That girl had known nothing.
Harry returned, half dressed and drying his hair. The sight was enough to snap Cho out of her introspection. "Mr. Potter, I'm shocked! Have you no modesty?"
Harry dropped his towel in answer. His robe was tied off around his waste. He flexed playfully, but the effect was lost on Cho. It was the scars again.
"I see," said Harry grimly. He pulled his robe on properly. "Actually, I don't see at all. Please tell me what's going on Cho." He stood with his arms crossed, staring at her, waiting for her to speak.
He was blaming himself, Cho realized. She gestured for him to sit beside her. Once he was there she opened up the top of his robe. With a finger she traced a particularly large and jagged scar across his chest. "Do they still hurt?" she asked. She was pretty sure she remembered him getting that one.
Harry, very confused, shook his head.
Cho continued to trace scars, occasionally stopping to place a random kiss, until she had made a complete circuit. "Do you hate me, Harry?"
"No!" insisted Harry, "I could never hate you, Cho. How could you ask such a thing?"
Cho returned to tracing the large, jagged scar. "I caused all of this. If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened."
Harry shook his head. "No, Cho. Ginny did this. She was sick, possessed by Voldemort and his darkness. You didn't do this."
"I could have stopped her," Cho insisted, "All I had to do was cry out and get her attention, and she would have stopped hurting you. Instead, I just stood there and watched her beat you."
Harry cradled her in his arms. "That was the plan, Cho. I know it wasn't a good one, but I'm a Gryffindor: I'm not supposed to be smart, just brave."
Cho tried to laugh but couldn't. "You don't understand. I know that was the plan, but I let her do it. When she gave you the choice, I wanted to you to denounce me. If she had asked me then, I would have done it in a second. I would have begged her to kill me. I was weak, Harry. I would have rather seen you snogging Ginny Weasley than feel that pain again. I was willing to let her beat you to death, rather than feel that pain."
Harry tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away. "Every time I see these scars, it just reminds me that I was weak and that I betrayed you. While you spat in her face and asked for more, I was cringing. You proved that your love was stronger than anything. I proved just the opposite. I don't know how you can still love me after that."
Harry gently wiped away her tears and held her close. "Cho, please don't cry." Cho however, continued to cry so Harry kept her close. "Please don't feel this way. You weren't weak. There's an entire ward of people at St. Mungo's who went through what you did and lost their sanity because of it. You held on, Cho, and that was anything but weak. I was so afraid I was going to lose you, and I was willing to do anything to keep that from happening. If Ginny was going to kill you, I didn't want to live to see it.
"These scars are my fault. When you were kidnapped, everyone tried to convince me to wait until a rescue party could be organized. I was angry and I wouldn't listen. I even pulled my wand and threatened Professor Dumbledore. I could've waited and we could have rescued you properly. Instead, I let my own stupid pride get in the way. You could have been killed, or even worse, driven to madness. I panicked. What I did was an act of desperation.
"These scars are a reminder to me that there are things more important than stupid Gryffindor pride. You would never have been able to even think you had failed me if I had not failed you first. I thought it was enough that I had paid for my error, I had no idea that you would have to pay for it too."
Harry took Cho's head in his hands. "If anyone needs forgiveness here, it isn't you," he said quietly, then cradled her head against his shoulder.
They sat there holding each other, not speaking for some time, each lost in their own thoughts. Cho brushed the black mop of Harry's hair back and rested her forehead against his. "I never understood how it was that you came to blame yourself for Cedric's death. It just didn't seem rational; when it was so obvious that it was someone else's fault. I'm sure there is a really good psychological explanation for all of this, and I don't have any idea what it is, but I understand you now.
"You take the blame for everything onto yourself, Harry, and it isn't your burden to carry. I understand now how easy it is to do. I don't know if you've just rubbed off on me, or if I was always this way, or if this is just a universal human condition, but I've been doing the same thing. I'm not conceding anything here, but the real wrongs done that day weren't done by either of us. Part of me still feels that I gave in too easily, that I should have been stronger, but not so much that I am willing to give you up over it. Those scars can remind you of your pride if that's what you feel you need to learn, but they are going to remind me of my weakness. I'm sorry you have to wear the marks for both of us."
"It's the least I can do," Harry said. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He leaned in to kiss Cho again. This time she accepted his kiss and returned it.
"You'd better get dressed, Harry" Cho said. "Or we'll be here all day, and Hermione will be waiting."
Harry pulled on his robe and smoothed the wrinkles out with his hand. Then ran a comb through his hair. Cho fussed over him, straightening his collar, and brushing lint off of his shoulders. "Harry, you really should get some new clothes. You can't go everywhere in your school robes, and the Muggle clothes you have are just rags."
Harry shrugged. "I never thought about it really. It's just what I've always had. I guess I'm just used to it. I wouldn't even know to buy, I've never been given a choice before.."
"I can help there," Cho said with a smile. "We can visit Madame Malkin's while we're at Diagon Alley today."
Harry agreed. It was a new life he was living and he marveled at the changes. He was free to visit his friends, to go out for an afternoon of shopping and dinner, free to choose his own clothing even.he felt normal, and he liked it. He scribbled a note for Sirius and Remus, then he and Cho went through the flue to The Leaky Cauldron where they found Hermione waiting for them
Harry and Cho walked down Diagon Alley with their arms around each other's waist, Hermione close at hand. At Gringott's Harry withdrew a sack full of Galleons and from there they split up. Hermione headed off to Flourish and Bott's while Harry and Cho were headed towards Madame Malkin's. Whoever finished first would meet the other and from there they would go to dinner.
At Madame Malkin's Cho helped Harry decide on an assortment of robes and Muggle clothing ranging from the casual to dress. It was a process, which although necessary, Harry found tiresome and unappealing. After a short while he had become quite irritable. Cho shrugged it all off, and had him try on extras just for good measure. When she was done, Harry was quite sure that he had just purchased more clothes than he had owned in his entire life prior to this.
"But now you have a wardrobe, Harry. You can go anywhere you want and be dressed properly."
That might be true, mused Harry, but he was quite sure he would never remember which socks went with which ties, and which cufflinks went with which shirts. Many Galleons lighter, they made their way towards Flourish and Blott's to find Hermione. Reunited, the three of them decided to look at the other shops of Diagon alley before heading to The Leaky Cauldron for supper.
Once past the entrance to Knockturn Alley, the quality of shop began to deteriorate. None of them had ever gone this far, and they looked curiously at the jumble of pawnshops, reeking potion huts, second-hand stores, and who-knew what else. Deciding they'd had about enough, they crossed the street and reversed direction. Passing the narrow gap between two shops a hand reached out and grabbed Harry.
Cho let out a small scream as Harry was yanked abruptly away from her. Hermione responded instantly by drawing her wand. Cho drew hers a second later, and terrified, plunged into the blackness.
"Lumos" Hermione muttered and was rewarded with a glow of warm light at the end of her wand. The narrow gap between the two buildings reached back about 5 meters and at the end there was a narrow ladder leading up to a battered door.
Cho, who was in the lead, moved timidly towards the ladder. The ground was covered with debris and from the shadows, small glowing eyes peered at her. She could only assume that they were rats, actually, she thought, she could only hope that they were rats, and not something worse. There was no question where Harry had been taken, so she cautiously climbed the ladder and tried the door. Hermione followed close behind her.
The door was locked. "Alohamora" Cho whispered, and tried the door again. It was still locked. "To hell with this", Cho spat, "If Harry's in there, I'm getting him out." She pointed her wand at the door again. "Reducto" Instantly the door burst into splinters.
"Bloody Hell!" a voice shouted.
Cho and Hermione stormed through the doorway to find themselves in a large, rather grungy room. In one corner was Harry's immobile form.
"Expelliarmus" the voice shouted.
Cho ducked without thinking. "Silencio" she returned and watched as her curse hit its mark.
Hermione cast a total body bind afterwards for good measure. Both women moved to inspect the fallen figure.
"That's just great!" said Cho, "What the hell is wrong with you Weasleys? Decided to finish your sister's work?"
Silently, Ron Weasley stared back at her. With the Silencius curse on him, he remained unable to speak but his eyes were full of anger.
"MLES will be here soon," said Hermione, "If nothing else to investigate unauthorized magic by Ron and myself. They'll handle it, Cho."
Cho had turned to tend to Harry. She dispelled the curses placed on him and cast an Enervate to bring him around. Groggily he stood up and surveyed the scene. Cho put her arms around him to keep him steady and covered his face with kisses of relief.
"Ron?" Harry asked, and seemed puzzled when he didn't answer.
"Silencing curse," Cho explained.
"Remove it," Harry ordered. Cho looked at him defiantly and made no move to comply. "Take his wand and leave the body bind on him if you have to, but I want to hear what he has to say."
Cho reluctantly did so, but kept her wand pointed at him.
"Why, Ron?" Harry asked, "We're friends; you're the brother I never had. Are you a Death Eater now?"
"You say you're my friend," Ron countered, "and you can stand there and ask me if I'm a Death Eater?"
"What's he supposed to think, Weasley?" Cho demanded. "You disarmed Hermione and surrendered her to your sister. You disappeared for months and the first he sees of you is being snatched off a street in broad daylight and cursed unconscious."
"Stay the Hell out of this Cho Chang. Maybe you missed the part where I erased my sister's mind and turned her into an effing vegetable. I saved your life too."
"It's okay, Ron." Harry said calmly, "Cho's upset, but we've all been worried sick about you. Why did you stay gone so long?"
"Look, Potter, I don't want your sympathy. Take your scar, your beautiful girlfriend, your stack of Galleons, your flock of fans, and go be a hero somewhere else. I know who and what you really are."
Harry knelt beside Ron and stared him in the eyes. "That's right, Ron, you know me better than that. I know you too, though. Right now, I know you're so full of shit your eyes are brown. You know I'm not going to leave, so you might as well talk. Why, Ron?"
"I could ask you the same bloody question, Harry. Why?"
"I don't understand, Ron. What do you want to know?"
"Why the whole damned mess? Why does the whole world revolve around Harry Potter? Why did I have to Obliviate Ginny? My little sister was 15 years old and I had to point my wand at her and erase an entire life. My own sister! I had to disarm and betray one of my two best friends to keep her from killing my sister. Why did I have to do that, Harry? It was your mess, why was I the one who had to clean it up?"
"What you did was hard, Ron, but it was necessary."
"No it was not! You could have prevented it, Harry. If it weren't for you, none of this would have happened."
"I ought to turn you into a rat," hissed Cho, "How can you even think about blaming, Harry?
"Shut up, Chang. This is between Harry and me. Look at him. He knows it's the truth."
Harry had a look of profound sadness on his face. Cho saw the look and knew what it meant. "Don't listen to him, Harry. You know it's not the truth."
"What could I have done, Ron? You, Ginny, your whole family have taken me in and treated me like one of their own. You know that if there were anything I could have done to prevent this, I would have done. I fought to save Ginny once before and I would have done it again. What could I have done, Ron?"
"You could have loved her," Ron said flatly, "That's all she wanted. Ever. For six bloody years she hid behind doors, and stared wistfully, waiting for you to notice her. So you were both too young for the first few years, but that changed. You had a crush on Cho for a couple years and that was okay too. But you were over that after the TriWizard Competition. You were supposed to fall in love with Ginny, not Cho. If you had just done what you were supposed to, none of this would have happened.
Harry stood up and took a step back. "You're wrong, Ron. I don't know if we get to choose who we love or not, but we aren't 'supposed' to love anyone. I can see why you might have wanted Ginny and I to be together, but none of that actually has anything to with who either of us actually is. Ginny had the shadow of Voldemort in her head. That shadow would have been there whether I loved her or not, and sooner or later it would have made its presence known.
"I am truly sorry for what happened to Ginny, and I am even sorrier that you had to be the one to do it. I'm not sorry I'm in love with Cho though. Voldemort destroyed Ginny, not me, not Cho, and in the end, not even you. You know."
Before Harry could finish his sentence, the pops of Apparation could be heard. Five Aurors appeared with wands drawn. "Freeze, every one slowly raise your hands and drop your wands."
"It took you long enough," muttered Cho, "We did all the hard work for you."
"What's going on here?" asked the lead Auror "You'd all better identify yourselves."
"Cho Chang, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger. The thug on the floor is Ron Weasley, he kidnapped Harry and we rescued him, thank you very much."
"The Harry Potter?" asked the Auror incredulously.
Harry nodded.
"There's a bulletin out for Ronald Weasley," said one of the other Aurors.
"You said he kidnapped Harry Potter?" the lead Auror asked. A more serious look crossed his face, and he pulled Ron to his feet.
"It was just a misunderstanding," Harry insisted, "no one kidnapped anyone. We'd all like to go home now, if it's all the same."
Cho appeared miffed, but she kept quiet.
"If there's a bulletin out for him," the lead Auror stated, "we should take him back to the station. There's also the matter of disturbing the peace and underage use of magic."
"Like I said, it was all just a misunderstanding." Harry brushed his hair aside to reveal his scar. "Cho and Hermione were just trying to protect me, we've been through a lot lately." Harry directed his comments towards the leader, who seemed fixated on Harry's scar.
"I could let you off with a warning for the use of magic and disturbing the peace, but Mr. Weasley really needs to come down to headquarters."
"Does he have to come right now?" Harry asked earnestly. "What if he gave his word he would come in tomorrow? His father is a ministry official. You could always contact him if Ron fails to show."
"Do you give your word, Mr. Weasley?" the lead Auror asked.
Ron nodded. "I promise, sir," he said contritely.
"As long as there's no harm done, and I have your word, I don't see why I have to report this as anything other than a false alarm."
"Thank you very much, sir" Harry offered his hand and the Auror shook it readily. "If there's ever anything I can do for you, please feel free to let me know."
"Well, now that you mention it I'd really like to get an autograph - for my kid, you know."
Harry ended up signing nearly a dozen autographs before the Aurors finally departed. Once the Aurors were gone and the binding curse on Ron was removed, Harry helped him to his feet
"Let's get you home, Ron."
The four of them went to the nearest shop and with a flash of Floo Powder stepped through the fireplace and into the Burrow. Hermione went first, followed by Ron, then Cho and finally Harry. A very haggard looking Mrs. Weasley, hearing the noise, emerged from the kitchen still wearing her apron. Her face lit up on seeing Hermione, but turned into an absolute beacon of joy on seeing Ron.
Mrs. Weasley hugged and cried over Ron. Mr. Weasley, who appeared a pale shadow of his former self, came to investigate the noise, and joined her. Cho, Harry and Hermione began to feel that this was probably one of those moments best suited for family and began making their way toward the fireplace.
Mr. Weasley stopped them. "Harry, Hermione, Cho, please don't go." The trio looked exchanged glances, and then moved back into the living room.
"Dear lord," Mrs. Weasley flustered, "what was I thinking? You all must be starving. Sit, and I'll bring you a snack." In a bustle, she disappeared into the kitchen.
"We really don't want to be a bother," Hermione said.
"Nonsense," said Mr. Weasley, "You and Harry are family, and you Cho by extension. Any friend of Harry's is a friend of ours."
Mrs. Weasley arrived shortly with platters full of steaming food. Ron dug in ravenously and his mother stood over him the entire time making sure his plate never got anywhere close to empty. The others nibbled, but their hearts weren't into it.
"We were worried about you, you know - All of you." Mr. Weasley said quietly. "We wanted to visit you but we weren't sure if you wanted to see us. It's been so hard with Ron missing, and Ginny."
At the mention of Ginny's name, Mrs. Weasley seemed to deflate. She started to speak, then stopped and went back to the kitchen. Ron stopped eating, and dropped his fork. "Dad, about Ginny." He stopped and looked stonily into space.
"I read the reports, son. You don't have to explain."
"But I do. I have to explain to you and mum.and Hermione at the very least. Ginny was.she had.well, you know all that.and Malfoy. I hated him, but he didn't deserve to be killed. We knew something was wrong with her, as if hanging out with a Malfoy wasn't a big enough clue. She did a lot of stuff - she memory charmed us last summer when Hermione and Sirius took Harry away.
All during the school year, there were signs. She spent more time with the Slytherins than the Gryffindor's. There were signs but I just ignored them. We're Weasleys - there's an army of us, we're poor, and we're the good guys. That's just the way things are. I just couldn't believe that Ginny could really be evil. I chalked it up to her just having a tough time getting over Harry.
"I mean, she had a right to be upset. She had waited for years for him to notice her, and everybody thought it was about to happen. Then he was with Cho. I understand Harry is happy with Cho, and he has the right to love whomever he wants to, but that didn't make it any easier for her to deal with. You understand, Harry, that I want you to be happy? I was in a position though, where your happiness conflicted with my sister's. I had to choose between my best friend and my sister.
"When Dumbledore stuck his head through the trapdoor of Madame Trewlawney's classroom, I knew right then that something was wrong. It was obvious Ginny was involved and then Harry left, but I was still hoping that she was just a pawn, that Voldemort was just manipulating her through her feelings for Harry. In the forest though, that was pretty obviously not the case.
"Hermione was going to.Even in the middle of all that death and blood. Cho looked like death in a can, and Harry.I thought it was too late for him.all I could see was my little sister. I couldn't let you kill her, Hermione. I know you felt betrayed and I know you thought you were justified, but she was my sister. I still had this vague hope that it was all a mistake. When I saw that it wasn't a mistake, I did what I had to do. I thought, maybe, someday someone will find a way to reverse a memory curse, and maybe someday Ginny will be her old self again."
Mrs. Weasley could be heard choking behind the door. Every one was silent for a seeming eternity. Finally, Mr. Weasley spoke. "Ron, You had to make a tough decision that day. I don't think that very many people could have done what you did. I honestly don't know if I could have. As much as it hurts me to say this, you did the right thing. There's no question that Ginny, or whatever was controlling her, had to be stopped.
"You're home now, son. Your mum and I love you, your brothers love you, and your friends love you." Mr. Weasley put his hand on his son's shoulder. "I know it hurts, but I'm proud of you."
Mrs. Weasley came back into the room and gave Ron a hug. All of the Weasleys began to weep. Once again, Harry, Cho, and Hermione made their way towards the flue. This time no effort was made to stop them. Cho, Harry, and Hermione stepped through the Burrow's Fireplace and emerged into Professor Lupin's house in a small cloud of soot. Harry offered tea, but Hermione insisted that she would rather just go home. Cho however took him up
"You're not angry with me, are you?" Harry asked.
"I was, but not so much anymore. I was trying to protect you, you know. All I could think of was losing you again, but for real this time, and I wasn't going to let that happen. I think maybe, you trust the Weasleys too much given everything that's happened. You'll do what you feel is best though, and I really don't have much choice but to defer to your judgment.
"Cho, Ron is my best friend. Before there was you, I trusted him and Hermione with my life. If he needs to take out some frustrations on me, then I'll let him. I think I've changed from all of this - I think not so long ago I would have felt responsible for Ginny, but now I don't. It still hurts to think about it, and part of me feels that I have to think about it, but I know it wasn't my fault. It has to be you that's given me that wisdom, or insight, or whatever it, so I have to thank you for that."
"I'll take it out in trade," Cho said with a smile. She bent across the table to kiss him, but his heart wasn't in it. Cho sighed. It had just been one of those days.
"Your parents tomorrow," Harry offered, "I'm really nervous about it. You're sure your mum doesn't hate me anymore. I know she came to visit while I was in Hospital, but maybe she was just being nice. I don't know what will happen if your parents hate me. What if I Bludger thing up?"
"Harry!" Cho inwardly thought Harry was hilarious, but she was trying not to show it. "You'll do fine. My mother doesn't hate you." She got up and sat in his lap. "And I decided a long time ago what would happen if my parents didn't like you. I even told them."
Harry kissed her, this time with his heart in it. Suitably hot and bothered, Cho stood up. "Well, I really better go before we get carried away." She kissed his forehead. "Tomorrow," she said, "don't be late."
The next day, Harry dressed carefully in one of the new robes he'd bought the day before. Freshly showered, shaved & cologned, he wrestled with his hair until he got the majority of it into something resembling a combed state and called it a draw. Downstairs he found Sirius and Remus waiting for him with wolf whistles and catcalls. Determined to ignore them, Harry move directly towards the fireplace, but once there, found the Floo Powder missing.
"You really didn't think you were going out of here that easily did you?" Moony asked. Twirling the pouch that held the Floo Powder around his finger.
"Good thinking, Remus. I'd have never thought of that." Sirius said with a huge grin.
"So, Harry, off to meet the parents, eh? Big, big step there."
"We felt obliged to warn you that the famous Potter charm sometimes works on mothers, but almost never works on fathers." Sirius said with a grin. "If worst comes to worst, don't be afraid to run."
"Thanks for the confidence, guys. Now, if wouldn't mind sharing a bit of Floo Powder, I need to go. Being late isn't going to help my case any." Harry said impatiently.
"I bought you some flowers," said Sirius, handing him a colorful bouquet.
"I'm touched," said Harry sarcastically, "but I think Cho is the jealous type."
"Not for you, git," said Sirius, "for Cho's mother. You're going to need all the help you can get."
"Just for that, we shouldn't tell him about the spot on his robe"
Harry began immediately fussing about his robe looking for the offending mark.
"I think we should tell him the story about Prongs meeting Mr. and Mrs. Evans"
"Okay, I surrender. anything, just please let me go before I'm late.
"Actually," said Remus, "it went pretty much like what you're going through right now." He handed Harry the Floo Powder. "Good luck, Harry."
"Just relax," said Sirius, "You've already impressed Cho and she's the one that counts." He handed Harry the flowers. "Remember, we raised you to be a gentleman."
"Don't do anything we wouldn't." Remus said.
"Is that even possible?" Harry threw a handful of powder into the fire and vanished before he could get an answer.
Cho sparkled at Harry as he emerged from the Hearth. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then greeted her mother with the flowers. Mrs. Chang accepted them gracefully. Mr. Chang greeted Harry like a long lost friend.
"Glad to finally meet you, Harry. I've heard so much about you."
"Likewise, sir." Harry said.
"I guess I really don't have to ask what you're planning to do when you leave Hogwarts. I was there at Cho's last game. Wonderful things you two do on a broom. I was hoping to meet you then, but there was all of that post- match celebration, different houses and all of that. It's a real shame you Gryffindors took the House Cup again."
"We're its rightful home, sir. " Harry said with a grin.
"I'm sure you like to think so, and there's no denying you've done your part to keep it there. I had lunch with Cho today and she explained the situation with your book, and agents. I would really like to keep you two out of the hands of the Ludo Bagman's of the world, so I took the liberty of making an appointment with Stanley Shoesmith - he represents some of the best Quidditch players in Europe - I've also invited Madame Hooch. If you want to come, you should bring your Godfather and anyone else you feel appropriate."
"Harry, you just have to be there," Cho said, then turned to her father. "Harry and I really want to play on the same team, or at the very least, teams that are close to each other."
Mr. Chang nodded thoughtfully. "That's going to limit your options, you know. Not many teams are going to be willing to take a chance on two rookie Seekers at one time."
"We're not just any Seekers though," observed Harry. "I don't care if I have to play for the Transylvania, I'm not going anywhere Cho isn't."
Mr. Chang smiled. "Did you say that last match they played against Prague? Those Beaters they have must be part Giant. One of them knocked a Bludger into one of Prague's Chasers. The poor bloke must have been knocked ten feet before he even knew he didn't have a broom under him."
The conversation became a general discussion of Quidditch, until Mrs. Chang announced that it was time for dinner. Harry ate nervously, trying to remember every scrap of a table manner he had ever learned. If Mr. Chang had dominated the pre-dinner conversation, Mrs. Chang did so over the table. Slowly, Harry became convinced that Cho's mother really did accept him, and he began to relax.
After dinner and more conversation, Cho and Harry were finally left alone for a few minutes to say good bye. Cho quickly seized the opportunity to give Harry a kiss. "I've been wanting to do that all evening," she said. Harry remained nervous about kissing Cho in her parents' house. Cho laughed at him. "Why do you think they left us alone, Harry?" Harry consented, and kissed Cho in a way that left her weak in the knees.
"That's more like it," Cho smiled. Harry grinned back at her and stepped toward the hearth. "Until tomorrow, then"
"Until tomorrow," Harry answered.
Harry, Sirius, and Remus walked into the plush offices of Stanley Shoesmith. A very pretty receptionist greeted them and immediately directed them to a conference room. Already waiting for them were Cho, Mr. Chang, Madame Hooch, Ms. Moran from the English team, and a very smooth looking gentleman who introduced himself as Stan Shoesmith.
"Since everyone's here, let's talk business."
"We, Harry and I," Cho started, "want to play Quidditch and we believe you are the person to represent us."
"Not to ring my own bell," Mr. Shoesmith said dryly, "but you understand that I represent stars, not wannabe rookies. If you want to play Quidditch, fine. Go sign with Liverpool, or Puddlemere, or god forbid, the Chudley Cannons; make a name for yourself and then come back. We'll talk."
"You do know this is Harry Potter, don't you?" Professor Lupin spoke.
"Yes," Mr. Shoesmith answered, "He already has a name, and I think I could represent him. He still has to finish Hogwarts though. I manage careers, not potentialities."
"I'll sign Potter right now." Ms Moran interjected.
Mr. Shoesmith raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Perhaps we can talk after all."
"I want Potter," Ms. Moran said, "The kid is brilliant. He has a vision that is going to change Quidditch. He's a little rough around the edges, but when he matures he is going to absolutely dominate."
"That good? Let's say I'm interested."
"What about Cho?" Harry asked.
"What about her?" Shoesmith asked.
"I'm not signing for any team she's not on. I'll play for the Cannons first."
"That's very noble, kid."
"Harry"
"Harry, but opportunities like this don't come along very often for someone your age. You have to grab this while you can."
"I'm not negotiating on this. Cho is as good as I am; she's the only one who has ever beaten me. If she doesn't sign I don't sign."
Ms. Moran spoke. "I'm going out on a limb here as it is. I have a Seeker slot open and I'm willing to put you in it. I don't have a place for both you."
"Trade Burrell then." Madame Hooch said.
"You put him up to this, didn't you Hooch?" Ms Moran demanded.
Madame Hooch just shook her head and tossed videotape on the table. "Play this, "she demanded. Shoesmith put the tape in the machine and punched it up on his enormous 54-inch monitor. The last three Ravenclaw v. Gryffindor matches played out on the screen.
"Ok," Shoesmith said, "I'm convinced. I'll take both of you. Erin, unless you're here to negotiate your presence represents a conflict of interest."
"I'm negotiating." Ms. Moran said, glaring at Madame Hooch.
"We're listening," said Shoesmith, tenting his fingers. It was easy to see he was enjoying this.
"I made my position clear. I can take Potter and only Potter."
"Call Horrigan then," Hooch said, "Lynch is getting a little long in the tooth, I bet he'll agree."
That earned her another glare
"Look," said Shoesmith, "face the facts - these two are going to play Quidditch. You saw the tape, it's going to take the rest of the Quidditch world a season or two just to figure out what the heck they're doing up there. Now, I would love to see those two face off in a professional match, but if you have both of them, that's like having a patent on fire. These two are going to rewrite the book Seeker tactics. You are going to kick yourself SO hard if you let this slip by."
"We already have written the book, sir. Cho has anyway. Show him the manuscript."
Shoesmith's eyes lit up. Cho passed the binder that held their combined work. Shoesmith thumbed through it carefully. "Have you shown this to anyone else?" They shook their heads in response. "Don't. We'll talk about this later."
"Think about it, Erin. How long has it been since England has been to the Championships, let alone won? How would you like to be the manager that brings two, maybe three Championship cups home in a row?"
Ms. Moran squirmed in her chair. "OK, maybe we can make this work. Potter can't actually play until next season, so I'll sign Chang as a reserve. That gives me a year to trade Burrell. Next year Potter will start as Seeker. I want him training this summer though."
"Fine, let's talk Galleons." Shoesmith and Moran began to dicker back and forth about numbers and contract lengths. Eventually they came to a number they both found acceptable and agreed to pass it on to the lawyers. Ms Moran gathered her briefcase, gave Madame Hooch one last glare and left.
"Congratulations," Shoesmith said, holding out his hand first to Cho then to Harry. "You're playing for England. I need both of you here tomorrow, with attorneys to sign contracts designating me as your agent, then next week most likely to sign with the team."
"That was real money you were talking about then?" asked Mr. Chang.
"That's only the tip of the iceberg. The real money comes from endorsements." Mr. Shoesmith stood up indicating the meeting was over. "Tomorrow, one o'clock."
The six of them walked out of the office and onto Diagon Alley.
"I can't believe I'm actually going to get paid to play Quidditch." Harry said.
"We did it," Cho said, giving him a hug.
"I think a celebration is in order," Mr. Chang said. "The Cauldron?"
"Too busy," said Cho.
"I know just the place," said Madame Hooch. She led them to an out of the way nook a few blocks away into a blind alley and into a surprisingly cozy pub. The bartender greeted her as she led them to a corner booth. "First round is on me."
While the older members of the group took turns buying rounds and playing darts. Cho and Harry sat in the corner, nursing their ale and sitting quietly. Madame Hooch came and sat at the table with them.
"You two ever get tired of looking at each other?" she asked gruffly. Harry shook his head. Cho just smiled. "You did good today, Potter. I'm proud of you."
"You did better" Harry replied, "Just do me a favor and never ever mention to Ron that I bad mouthed the Cannons. I'm sorry you had to fight with your friend."
"It's all right," Madame Hooch answered. "She was just doing her job. We know each other well enough that we don't let Quidditch get in the way of friendship. or vice versa. She'll thank me for it once she has a Championship to show for it."
"Thanks for everything, Madame Hooch. I wouldn't be here today if you hadn't encouraged me."
"You can drop the Madame now, you know. You're not a student anymore. Just don't teach Potter any bad habits. You did all the hard work; I just gave you a nudge in the right direction. I'm proud of you too. Go out and catch a Snitch for me and we'll call it even."
"I'll do that," said Cho with a smile.
Madame Hooch got up and went back to throwing darts.
"Let's leave," Cho whispered into Harry's ear. "My idea of celebrating is a little different than my dad's"
"Why, Miss Chang!" Harry returned in mock surprise, "What could you possibly be thinking? I'd better tell Sirius so he doesn't ground me or something."
"I have to tell my dad too. I'll meet you by the fireplace."
Harry went to Sirius and whispered in his ear, while Cho pulled her father aside. "Dad, Harry and I are going to leave."
"Sure, Cho. I'll see you back at home then."
Cho blushed. "Umm, Dad. About that."
"Oh," exclaimed Mr. Chang, blushing with embarrassment, "I see... I suppose this isn't the time to ask questions, is it? Harry isn't making you do anything you don't want, is he?"
Cho shook her head.
"I guess we'll talk about this later, or I'll talk with Harry later, or.just be safe Cho."
Cho nodded, gave her dad a peck on the cheek, and ran to the fireplace to find Harry waiting for her. "I was thinking," said Cho, "We might go to that little Inn just outside of Hogsmeade."
"The one we always talked about?" Harry's face had a glow about it, but then he suddenly hit himself on the head. "I told Sirius I was going home, I have to tell him."
"I'll be here." Cho replied. Harry left and came back several minutes later looking quite pale. "What's wrong Harry?"
"I told Sirius, and I got the reaction I expected, which was bad enough. Then your father asked for a word. I'm on my honor to be a perfect gentleman, or he's going to send a squad of hit-wizards after me."
"Don't worry about my father, Harry." She took his hand and they stepped into the Hearth together.
Much later that evening, wrapped in warm fuzzy robes and standing on the balcony arms encircled, they watched as the moon played hide and seek with its own reflection as it glimmered off the nearby lake. The smell of rain to come was heavy in the air and there was crispness as if the approaching storm was gathering itself to pounce on an unsuspecting prey. Neither Cho nor Harry seemed to notice.
"A wonderful idea, Miss Chang, and a truly magical evening."
Cho nestled herself deeper into his arms. "Someday," she said, "this won't be such a big deal. Everyday will be like this."
"Being with you like this will always be a big deal," Harry said sincerely.
Cho gave him a gentle kiss and hugged him tighter. "We did it, Harry. Our dream is really going to come true. We have contracts; we're on the same team. We still have to get through your last year at Hogwarts, and I'm not looking forward to seeing you only once a month, but after everything else we've been through it's just a hurdle."
"Maybe Madame Hooch will invite you in as a guest coach, you being a professional Quidditch player and all."
Cho couldn't help but smile. "Next year at this time, it'll be nothing but you and Snitches for me."
Harry looked at her and smiled. "I've already caught the Snitch that matters most."
Cho leaned in and kissed him. Harry returned it with fire and passion. The fire burned into an inferno and threatened to consume them both. Wrapped in each other's arms they returned in doors. Rain arrived with a gust of wind and a clap of thunder, but neither Cho nor Harry noticed.
Ron took one last look through the glass into the dayroom of St. Mungo's where Ginny sat. Tears welled up in his eyes again as he turned to walk down the long, white-tiled hallway that would take him to the exit. He had been here every week since his return, and every week looking into Ginny's blank eyes had affected him the same way. It wasn't fair, it was right, but it was a fact and he had to deal with it.
Back in the day room, an orderly turned on the Wizarding Wireless Network for the patients. It wasn't as if the occupants would remember anything they heard, but perhaps it would make the moments of experience more pleasant. If nothing else, the orderly thought, he wouldn't miss the Quidditch match.
It was an outstanding match. England was doing well this year, and showed no signs of slowing down. At the rate they were going, the Championships were almost a certainty. Duty called, and the orderly was forced to attend to other matters, hoping that he would be able to return before the match ended.
A room full of blank faces stared randomly around the room. Some stared at flowers with fascination, others stared out the window at birds whose names they could no longer remember. Occasionally someone would speak, but whatever thought had urged them to do so was long lost before the words were completely uttered. Above it all, the wireless droned on with the events of the game.
The orderly bustled back into the room, just as the voice of the announcer became excited.
".England's Seeker has found the Snitch . she's on it, and Poland's Seeker is still recovering from that last feint. Chang is closing, pushing her broom to its limit. she has it! Cho Chang has caught the Snitch and England wins by fifty points! What a match! What a display by England's newest Seeker! Cho Chang wins the game!"
The orderly cheered, and momentarily some of the closer patients shared his enthusiasm. Quickly though, they forgot what they were excited about, and the cheer left. The orderly left again to see to his responsibilities and the room returned to it's a normal state. A sea of blank faces stared at the walls and the floors, at the drapes and out the windows. In the corner, one face was different. Surrounded by waves of red hair, Ginny Weasley's face remained locked in a permanent scowl.
Author's Note:
The Seekers has finally ended. I would like to thank all of you who stuck around to the end, read, enjoyed, and wrote such kinds reviews and emails. I would also like to thank those who helped as Beta Readers - Alex, BP, and especially Amy, without whom this story would be a mere shadow of what it turned out to be.
I also feel that I owe an apology for the long wait between chapters 8 and 9. For several months my life became extremely tumultuous on a personal level. This story had become a sort of metaphor for a certain part of my life, and when that part of my life ceased to be, this story suffered as a result. At its core, this story was about hope, and I found it extremely difficult to write about such things when I felt none. Eventually, art prevailed over life and I found an inner muse to replace the external one.
For those of you wondering how the story came about, here is the synopsis: This story came about as part of two separate ideas. In the final part of 'Destiny and the Headmaster' there is a Quidditch match. While writing that scene, I came to realize that Quidditch, and in particular the role of Seeker simply wouldn't work as JKR wrote it. Having served as a lookout in the Navy, I knew a few things about searching for something small and moving while on an unstable platform. I spent a great deal of time thinking about the physics of Quidditch until I worked it out to my satisfaction.
At the same time, there was a thread going on at Fiction Alley along the lines that Harry and Cho were not a viable pairing. I simply didn't feel this to be the case. I resolved to write a story about Harry and Cho that did not gloss over the obvious issues they would have to deal with. Originally they were two separate story ideas. I faced a problem though - in the Harry/Cho story I needed a confrontation, and in the Quidditch story, Harry needed a worthy competitor. From that need, the two stories became joined together. The original plot was very different, but it was flawed and I abandoned it. I started over from scratch, but used some of the better elements from the original plot, When the idea of an 'Evil Ginny' occurred to me, the plot was complete, and I began serious writing. The result is what you have read
There will be a sequel to 'The Seekers' entitled 'The Construction of Light'. I only have the plot half figured, but I am working on it. I am also working on other projects, including original, non-fan fiction works, so it may be late summer before chapters start to appear. The story closest to completion at this point is Harry Potter fan fiction entitled "Legacies", the first chapters for it should appear within a few weeks - but a word of warning: it is not a Harry/Cho story, but instead a Harry/Ginny story. It is not really a story of love so much as one of Good vs. Evil.
Thanks again to all of you,
Charles, AKA The Novice