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Author: cwarbeck Story: Some Kind of Wonderful Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: Completed Reviews: 10 Words: 26,059
The Hogsmeade weekend dawned bright and clear, the air crisp and cool. Harry waved good-bye to Hermione and Ron as they went ahead to the village. He met up with Cho at the courtyard as they had agreed. He wore his green jumper just as Ginny had suggested. He had been sorely tempted to wear something else but decided that she’d been right – he had to admit he looked decent in it. Might as well impress someone who’d actually care, he remembered thinking as he pulled the jumper over his head. He was glad that he did wear it when Cho had complimented him on his choice of clothes. She herself looked very pretty in a long, white skirt and a pale blue sweater. The colour of the sweater reminded Harry of the top Ginny wore that night when Harry had his date lessons with her at the Room of Requirement. Sternly reprimanding himself for thinking of Ginny while he was out with Cho, Harry put considerable effort towards paying attention to his date, and she seemed to be extremely flattered by his interest. They spent most of the morning wandering around Hogsmeade, going into the different stores and shops; by unspoken agreement, they avoided Madam Puddifoot’s. As they passed the teashop, Harry was surprised yet amused to see a blushing Neville Longbottom ushering a dreamy-looking Luna Lovegood inside. Harry and Cho waved to Ernie McMillan, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones who went into the Three Broomsticks together with a large group of boisterous Hufflepuffs. Harry caught sight of Hermione’s brown hair as she determinedly pulled a loudly protesting Ron into Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop. Harry thought that he saw Colin Creevey’s back as he entered Dervish and Banges after his friends. While passing by Gladrags Wizardwear, Cho greeted Padma Patil excitedly and chattered idly for more than a few minutes before saying a hurried good-bye when she noticed that Harry was trying unsuccessfully to stifle a humongous yawn behind his hand. As he and Cho made their way to Honeydukes, Harry was relieved that they managed to make comfortable small talk about school and lessons so that by lunch time – which they had spent bingeing on Chocolate Frogs, Sugar Quills and Fizzing Whizbees until they felt quite sick – he thought that the date was going pretty smoothly, even by his modest standards. Exiting the sweet shop, they continued to stroll leisurely until they came upon the façade of Zonko’s Joke Shop. Harry caught a flash of red hair in the window and his heartbeat sped up alarmingly. Was Ginny in there with Dean? He wasn’t certain how he would react if he did bump into them. Before he could suggest that they go to the Shrieking Shack instead, Cho let out an eager squeal and dragged him inside, despite his reluctance. He quickly scanned the crowded, noisy shop, but the only red hair visible belonged to Fred and George Weasley, who were whispering amongst themselves as they stood beside a display of Hiccup Sweets. Harry saw George cautiously glance around before writing something on a small piece of parchment. Harry felt simultaneously relieved and disappointed that Ginny wasn’t there. As he and Cho were examining the display of Nose-Biting Teacups, the twins – dressed in magnificent plum velvet smoking jackets – swaggered up to Harry and clapped him on the back, looking meaningfully at Cho. Groaning inwardly, Harry was thankful that Cho’s attention was focused on one of the newer versions of the Teacups (these would scream “Got your conk!” as they bit your nose) that she missed the thoroughly identical obnoxious grins on the twins’ faces and the sly winks that they gave Harry. She looked up as Ginny’s brothers started talking loudly. “So, young Harry –” Fred said, placing one arm on Harry’s shoulder. “– what brings you to Hogsmeade –” George said, gesturing expansively. “– on such a delightful day –” Fred continued, punching Harry on the arm. “– with such an excellent specimen of womanhood?” George finished, staring at Cho admiringly. Cho blushed and giggled nervously at the twins’ antics. Harry noticed that she was appreciatively eyeing the brothers – George in particular. Harry shook his head in amusement. Trust the Weasley twins to turn on the charm for anything wearing a skirt. Strangely enough, he found that he wasn’t the least bit offended that these two were flirting with his date. “Cho, you know Ginny’s brothers – Fred and George Weasley – don’t you?” Harry said, by way of introduction. The twins bowed flamboyantly and then each grasped and kissed one of Cho’s hands. She giggled even harder. Harry rolled his eyes and chuckled. These two were incorrigible. “Ah, the lovely Cho Chang. Still playing Seeker for Ravenclaw?” George asked. “Yes, I am, as a matter of fact,” Cho said, smiling up at George. “How about you guys? How are the former best Beaters of Hogwarts doing? I heard you’re giving Zonko’s a run for their money.” As the two continued to converse about Quidditch and other things, Fred grinned at Harry and cocked a ginger eyebrow. “So, you and Cho, huh?” Harry flushed a little. “We’re just on a date, that’s all,” he mumbled uncomfortably and decided to change the topic. “What are you two doing in Hogsmeade?” Fred appeared as if he was about to ask something else, but seemed to take pity on Harry’s discomfort. “Checking out the competition. Looking for new ideas for Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.” He looked around the packed shop. “Where are Ron and Hermione? Why aren’t they here with you?” He suddenly grinned in understanding. “Oho, spending some quality time with each other, are they? Ron didn’t want you to cramp his style, hmm?” Harry laughed, glad that Fred had not pursued the subject of his date with Cho. He and Fred talked a while about Ron’s stubborn denial of his feelings for Hermione, until Fred suddenly cried out, slapping his forehead with one hand. “Oi! I forgot to give Ginny the tonic she wanted for her Pygmy Puff, Arnold!” Harry’s ears perked up at the mention of Ginny’s name. Had she been here with Dean? As casually as possible, he asked Fred, “What’s wrong with Arnold? Did Ginny bring him with her today?” “We saw her here a while ago, but Arnold wasn’t with her. She just said that her pet seemed to be under the weather.” Harry couldn’t resist. “Oh? You saw her by herself then?” Fred looked at him curiously. “No, she was with one of her friends.” Not trusting himself to ask any more leading questions, Harry had to be content with that information. He dearly wanted to know, however, who that particular friend of Ginny’s was. Cho’s giggles distracted him, and he berated himself for thinking about Ginny once more. He checked his watch and realized that it was almost three in the afternoon. Saying that they had to go, he and Cho bid farewell to the twins. George kissed Cho’s hand again before they exited the shop and made their way to the Three Broomsticks. He had owled Madam Rosmerta in advance to reserve one of the small private rooms in the back. Cho carried on a one-sided conversation about the joke shop and the twins, while Harry furtively looked around for a glimpse of Ginny. They entered the Three Broomsticks, greeting Hogwarts students who had packed into the pub, and made their way to one of the back rooms, which was furnished in similar fashion as the one in the Room of Requirement. Harry opened the door for Cho and escorted her to her seat. A tea service had already been set out on the table. Settling herself in her chair, Cho continued her gushing. “Those two!” Cho said, her cheeks flushing pink. “I never knew they were such charmers. I always thought that they just played practical jokes on everyone.” Harry uncharitably thought that if she thought the twins were that charming then she was welcome to spend the rest of the day with them. He sighed, knowing it was unfair of him to think that way when he was preoccupied with Ginny’s and Dean’s whereabouts. Probably at Puddifoot’s, that haven of contented snoggers, he thought bitterly. “Harry?” Cho asked timidly. “Is something the matter?” “Uh, no,” Harry quickly replied. “I was just wondering where Madam Rosmerta got these scones. They’re delicious, eh?” He wanted to kick himself for such an idiotic answer. “Oh yes, they are good,” Cho agreed happily. “I’m surprised you know about this place, Harry. Only a few people are aware of it. I came here once with Michael.” Figures that Corner would have brought both Cho and Ginny here. Smarmy git. He probably brings all his dates here to show off. “Well, someone told me that this is the best place to be when you want some privacy, and I could do with some of that, I guess,” he said sardonically. “You must find it really annoying that all these people are watching your every move,” she said sympathetically, putting her hand over his. “Well, actually, yes.” He was surprised that she seemed to understand him and even more astonished that she had been the one to initiate contact. “It’s a bit of a nuisance, this spotlight on me. I never wished for it.” “I know you didn’t. I felt that way when Cedric died.” Cho nodded sombrely. Harry groaned inwardly. Was she going to start crying again over Cedric Diggory? And here he thought that he would get through the day without her tears making a guest appearance. Cho giggled. Harry realised that his apprehension must have been plainly written on his face. “Don’t worry, Harry. I’ve made my peace with Cedric’s death. I know he’s happy, wherever he is right now. I just wanted to say that I know a little about how it feels to be analyzed and scrutinized. After Cedric died, everybody was so protective of me, always tiptoeing around, watching to see if I would crack up. It was horrible,” she finished quietly, playing with her teacup. “How’d you get over it?” he inquired, wondering how she had coped with her previous boyfriend’s passing. “I realised that I wasn’t the one who had died,” she said simply. “Life had to go on, whether or not I wanted it to, so I decided to move on too. It was either that or go crazy. That’s why I was able to take chances and fall in love again.” Harry looked at her in amazement. She had explained it so plainly that a little more of the residual guilt he had felt with Sirius’s death seemed to disappear. Why couldn’t he have fallen for Cho instead of Ginny? Because she’s not Ginny, that’s why. Ginny, who was smart and pretty and had a wicked sense of humour. Ginny, who gave him hell and told him to get off his arse when he was feeling sorry for himself. Ginny, whose sunny presence reminded him daily why it was a joy to simply be alive. He gave a start as the implications of his thoughts hit him like the rogue Bludger that had slammed into him and broken his arm in his second year. Before he could sort out his feelings, Cho leant forward across the little table. “Harry, I want to thank you for taking me to Hogsmeade today. I’ve had a really good time with you.” Harry took a deep breath and stared at Cho. Was she expecting him to kiss her? He looked into her eyes and found himself wishing that they were deep, chocolate brown and not black. As he tried to figure out what he should do next, she suddenly pulled back and smiled at him uncertainly. “I have a confession to make, Harry.” She looked down on her hands, which were clasped together on her lap. “I agreed to go out with you because I… because I wanted to make someone jealous,” she said in a small voice. “Oh,” he said, feeling rather stupid and more than a little annoyed. He tried not to glare at her. “Is it Michael Corner?” “No! Michael and I are through,” she exclaimed vehemently. “He wasn’t the right one for me. I guess I was on the rebound with him, after Cedric, and… well, that’s no basis for a relationship, right?” Harry nodded wordlessly. He didn’t know what to say. He was upset that Cho had used him to get at someone, but he couldn’t very well complain since he wasn’t seriously considering taking this relationship further. “I’m really sorry, Harry. I shouldn’t have done this to you. I’m an awful person!” Cho wailed. And to his horror, she did start crying, just like in fifth-year in that accursed, confetti-strewn, cherub-filled teashop. Not knowing what else to do, he patted her gingerly on the hand in the hope that she would stop bawling her eyes out. “It’s okay, Cho. I don’t think you’re awful.” He smiled at her half-heartedly and offered her a serviette to dry her tears on. She gave a watery hiccough and sniffed noisily. “Sorry, Harry. I seem to keep crying whenever we go out.” She looked at him in earnest. “And I don’t mean to do it, honest. It’s just that you’re a really good person, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to be friends with you again, and now I feel absolutely miserable that you’ll think I’m a bad person for doing this to you, but really, I had a good time with you, and I hope we really become friends again.” Her words spilled out in a great big rush. Harry’s head swam from trying to understand what Cho had just said. He looked at her tear-stained face and came to the realization that, in a way, this date had helped him resolve his confused feelings for Ginny. If only for that, he was glad that he had gone out with Cho. Now if he could only figure out what to do about Ginny… “It’s all right, Cho,” he repeated and gave her a wry smile while she dabbed at her face with the serviette. He rose from his seat and helped her to her feet. “Come on. Let’s get back to the castle.” He threw a few Galleons on the table, and they made their way back to Hogwarts. At the front steps, they said their farewells – Cho hugging him tightly and kissing him on the cheek. He waved to her and then turned to make his way back to Gryffindor Tower. Harry trudged through the corridors filled with chattering and excited students coming back from Hogsmeade and chuckled wryly to himself. So much for his date with Cho. He had spent the whole day with her and the only thing he could remember was that she had worn a blue jumper just like Ginny’s. He kept seeing Ginny’s face in front of him – Ginny laughing uproariously at one of the twins’ pranks, Ginny smiling at him as they ate dinner together, Ginny smirking cheekily as she teased him about not knowing how to kiss. Ginny’s flushed face and parted lips after they had shared that wonderful moment in the Room of Requirement. His mind full of memories of that fantastic kiss with Ginny, along with vague plans of sweeping her off her feet, Harry was jerked back into reality when a voice trilled out. “What’s the matter, dear? Bad day? Do you want to tell me about it?” He had arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady without realizing it. She peered curiously at him. “Amortentia,” Harry said dully, not wanting to talk to anybody just now. The Fat Lady looked mightily offended. “Fine.” She sniffed disdainfully and slowly swung forward on her hinges. “Nobody wants to talk to me. I’m just a portrait. I only exist to hang around here with absolutely nothing to do until someone decides they just have to go in right away. I’m not important at all. Oh no, not me…” Harry climbed through the portrait hole as the Fat Lady continued her tirade behind him. He continued up to his dormitory without acknowledging anyone, although he dimly registered that Ginny wasn’t in the common room. He collapsed onto his bed and stared blankly at the ceiling until he fell asleep, dreaming about clear brown eyes and cinnamon-coloured tresses all over again. *
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