The Love Battle

Hippogriefje · Geplaatst: Za Nov 24, 2007 19:31

Author's Note: This is my second English story on HPF, I don't know how many chapters it's going to get, I do have a clear idea of the story in my head, it's going to be about 4 or 5 chapters I think. Maybe 6.
I'm not going to tell which ships there are in this story, because it spoils the developement of the story. But I'm going to tell you: it's a very original ship.
I have no beta-reader, please tell me if I need one. Comments are very, very, very, very welcome.

Summary: The first and most important rule after you broke up with your lover is: Get a new lover before he or she does. It’s a kind of battle, and very important to show off, it’s a fact that you’re better than your ex. Everyone knows that. Everyone except the famous Harry Potter. And that’s why I, Cho Chang, have to explain it to him. Harry and Cho a week after their break-up in book 5.

Chapter 1: The Love Battle

The first and most important rule after you broke up with your lover is: Get a new lover before he or she does. It’s a kind of battle, and very important to show off, it’s a fact that you’re better than your ex. Everyone knows that. Everyone except the famous Harry Potter. And that’s why I, Cho Chang, have to explain it to him.

Cho walked up to Harry in the Great Hall with firm steps. It’s over for a whole week now and he haven’t shown any signs of getting a new girlfriend, or any sign of hating her at all. This wasn’t right. He didn’t knew the rules off course.
”Harry Potter.” She almost yelled when she arrived next to his place at the Gryffindor Table. “I’ve got to have a word with you.” Harry stood up, a dumb expression on his face. Cho smiled weakly. He probably thought she was going to give her apology’s or something, or that she was going to beg him to take her back. How stupid could he be?

They walked into a corridor and Cho turned around to face Harry.
”Harry..” She said slowly. “Harry, Harry, Harry. Haven’t you ever heard of The Love Battle?”
”The what?” Harry replied, stupid look on his face again.
”The Love Battle!” Cho said impatiently. “It’s the number one break-up rule! The one that you have to get a new lover before he or she does!”
”What...Are you kidding me? That sounds like some stupid, childish game and I’m not playing it. Grow up, Cho.” He turned around.
”Don’t you turn your back on me Harry Potter.” She hissed while she grabbed his shoulder to turn him back.
”Get off me!” Harry said while he pushed her arm away.
”You’re going to do what I say Harry, or else I’m going to spread photo’s of you, naked!”
”What? You don’t have any naked photo’s of me!”
”But I can get them.” She said with twinkling eyes. “A certain House Elf at this school is a close friend of my family..He will do whatever I say..”
”You wouldn’t.”
”I would..” Cho answered.
”Fine. I’ll play your stupid game.”
”Good luck, Potter!” Cho yelled at him when he walked away. Harry stopped.
”What do I win?”
”What do you mean.” Cho said suspiciously.
”If I get a girl before you get a new boyfriend, what’s my reward?” Harry said with a cheeky smile. Cho thought for a moment. What could she give to him...
”I’ll give you a massage.” She said quickly. “What’s my price?” Harry shrugged.
”The same?”
”That’s fine by me.” Cho replied.

A bit frightened Harry returned to the Gryffindor table. He never gave a massage to anyone, and he certainly doesn’t want to give her one. And who the hell is going to be his new girlfriend? Harry wasn’t in love. Maybe he could play pretend...With..Hermione? Hermione wasn’t that bad. Hermione was a good friend, she’ll understand. She would definitely play along to be his girlfriend. And it’s not hard to believe, because everyone in the entire school already thinks they have a relationship. Yeah, Hermione was a good idea.

”YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?” Hermione screamed at Harry Potter. Harry had returned from his little chat with Cho. After a few times asking he finally told why she wanted to speak to him. Now he had asked Hermione (head like a tomato) to play for his girlfriend. “NO I’M NOT EVEN TRYING, HARRY. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?” Harry squeaked and made himself smaller. Gosh, he was stupid. Ron just sat there, a numb expression on his face, and he said nothing. “The whole idea is stupid anyway..Why did you agree to do that stupid...love game.” Hermione said after she was cooled down. Harry shrugged. He hadn’t told them she’d threatened him with the naked picture spreading. He also hadn’t told them about the massage. Harry cleared his throat.
”I...I don’t know..it just..happened. I can’t go back now.” He decided. Hermione sighed.
”I guess you’re right..” She looked at him with something that looked like compassionnateness. Harry looked back, as innocent as he could. “Well, good luck with finding a girl than.” Hermione suddenly said while she rose from the table. In a few seconds she walked out the Great Hall, probably heading to the library.
”What have you gotten yourself into, mate.” Ron said, shaking his head.

Cho Chang, on the other side, seemed to have no haste at all.
”Cho..Why aren’t you searching for a new guy?” Marietta Edgecombe, Cho’s best friend, carefully asked.
”Why would I try to get a new bloke if they already fall for me that easy!” Cho said with a weird smile. Marietta shrugged. “You!” Cho said, pointing at a small first year student with messy brown hair and big glasses. “Would you like to go on a date with me?” The boy looked up, suprised.
”M-me? Y-Yeah, for sure!” He said quickly, standing up.
”You see?” Cho turned to Marietta again, waving with her hand at the boy like it was an annoying fly.
”B-but..” The boy began.
”Get over it.” Cho said coldly. “It was just a proof.” The boy fell silent.
”But Cho...Wouldn’t it be more..exciting..if you..showed up with some populair guy or something? Someone like Roger Davies, for instance!”
”Nah..already dated him.. But populair guys are a great idea, Mari!” Marietta gloomed with pride.
”Actually..You always choose for the populair guys at Hogwarts.” Marietta said a bit soft.
”I do? Hm, never thought of that.” Cho answered. “Let’s make a list of populair guys in the school..He has to be in...5th year..or higher of course.” Marietta quickly grabbed a parchment and a quill. “Allright..Write down the names I say.” Cho demanded while Marietta was looking for ink. “Let’s see..”

Harry and Ron rushed to the Gryffindor Tower. They hadn’t thought of it yet; the next trip to Hogsmeade! Ron bumped away a few second years so they could see the anouncement board.
”What the.. –“
”Yes. They replaced the Hogsmeade Trip.” Hermione popped up from a corner.
”But why?” Ron cried. “Hogsmeade is on Friday, today is Monday..So Harry only has a few days!”
”Better get going than!” Hermione said with a slight shimmering in her eyes.

Hippogriefje · Geplaatst: Zo Nov 25, 2007 0:36

Chapter 2: Getting a Date

Finding the right girl wasn’t easy enough for Harry, and asking her out was certainly a nightmare. His first thought was Ginny, but that wasn’t such a good idea, because she already had something with Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw boy whom you shouldn’t mess with, and Ron would be..outrageous.
His second thought was Lavender or Parvati. They’ve been classmates for a long time so people wouldn’t be surprised. And it wouldn’t seem weird if he asked one of them out, because they both flirt a lot with him. But that was the problem. The flirting, the giggling. It was deadly annoying. Harry just had to take the risk, because he had to be earlier than Cho. He would even date Lavender or Parvati, just because he doesn’t want to massage Cho. What a madening situation. Harry took a deep breath and walked up to Lavender and Parvati. They never left each other’s side.
”Hello, girls..Would one of you go out on a date with me?” As Harry suspected, they started to giggle. He let them finish, and then Lavender said:
”What do you mean, one of us?” Harry sighed. “Can’t choose, Potter?” Lavender giggled. An idea popped up into his head.
”No, I meant, you could date me and Ron?” Ron, who stood next to him, gave him a filthy look.
”Well I’m not dating Ronald.” Parvati said with a disgusted look on her face. “Remember what he did last year? He didn’t even pay attention to my sister!” Ron’s ears grew red, but he said nothing. Harry made a frustrated sound.
”Fine. You know what? Just forget it.” This is going to be a nightmare, he thought when Ron and he walked away from the two gossiping girls.

Cho let her eyes run through the list she made. “Zacharias Smith, Draco Malfoy, Marcus Flint, Blaise Zabini, Terence Higgs, Michael Corner...Give me the quill. We need to scratch Michael, he’s already taken.” Marietta handed over a pure white quill. “Okay..The Gryffindors..They’re interesting. A lot of them are Harry’s friends, so he’ll get pissed off. Let’s see..Ron Weasley, Cormac McLaggen, ..Dean Thomas? What’s he doing on that list..Have you wrote him down there, Marietta?” Marietta turned red.
”No, I just –“
”Oh well. Not Dean. He’s not my type. Ron could be fun, but he hates me anyway. So we have a few left..Let’s start with..Cormac.” Cho said with a grin. “He’s handsome, don’t you think?” Marietta shrugged. “And pretty funny too..Yeah, I’ll go looking for him tomorrow. But let’s go to bed, it’s half past ten already! We have to start early on class tomorrow!” The girls walked up the stairs and put on their pyjama’s. Cho slided into her bed with a wide grin. This was going to be fun.

The next day, Harry tried again. After avoiding an annoying 3rd Year Gryffindor Girl he bumped into Katie Bell, who was now in her 6th year. He apoligised quickly, but then he realised he could actually ask her out. He turned around.
”Katie!” She also turned around.
”Yes?”
”Would you like to..go out with me?” Harry asked a bit shy.
”Oh, I’m sorry Harry, but I’m already seeing someone..” She said with a mixure of curiousity and sympathy.
”Ehr..Allright..No big deal..I was just..Well..See you around.” Harry replied. Katie smiled sweetly at him and Harry disappeared around a corner, leaning against a wall. He sighed. Why were all the good girls taken? First Ginny, now Katie..Who’s left?

It was a beautiful day and Cormac and a few of his friends were playing a bit of Quidditch in some free hours. Cho showed up at the Quidditch Field and walked to the tribune, and checked out some of his moves. He was pretty good at Quidditch. After a while Cormac landed and Cho jumped up from the tribunes.
”Hey.” She said while walking up to him.
”Hey.” He replied, checking her out. She grinned widely.
”You play really good.” Cho said with a cute smile.
”Thanks.” He gloomed. “Do you also play Quidditch?” He asked her while he pulled out his gloves. They were walking across the Quidditch Field together.
”I’m in the Ravenclaw Team, so I’d better be watching you!” Cho answered while she winked at him. Cormac laughed shortly. He had a cute laugh. “So..” Cho said when they arrived at the dressing rooms. “Do you wanna..Ehr..Go out with me, during the Hogsmeade Trip?”
”Ehr..Okay.” Cormac agreed. “I’ll guess I see you than. I’ll pick you up in front of the doors that lead outside, a’right?” He said, touching her thigh lightly. Cho nodded and gave him one of her special smiles.
”Goodbye!” She said, walking away with a happy face.

It was Wednesday, and Harry was slightly getting panicked about it all. Maybe he shouldn’t date girls in Gryffindor, but girls from other houses! The first house he thought of was Hufflepuff. Maybe Hannah or Susan would go out with him. During dinner he left the Gryffindor Table and went to the Hufflepuff Table. Hannah wasn’t hard to find; her pure blonde hairs looked like the hairs of an angel, so he could recognise her quickly.
”Ehr...Hannah..?” Harry asked softly. Hannah turned around.
”Oh hi, Harry!” She smiled. “Haven’t seen you in a while, how are you?”
”Fine, thanks.” He replied. “But-“
”Harry Potter.” Ernie Macmillan stood up from the Hufflepuff table to shake his hand. Harry shook his hand, a bit awkwardly.
”Hi Ernie.” Harry said, a bit annoyed. Ernie was drawing more attention to Harry, which Harry didn’t really enjoy, because he was going to ask someone out and he wouldn’t like the whole Hufflepuff Table to enjoy that.
”Please, sit down Harry!” Hannah offered him a seat next to her.
”Ehr..No thanks.” Harry said, looking down at Hannah. Ernie threw him a disappointed look and sat down a few places next to Hannah.
”Why are you here, actually?” She asked him.
”Oh, ehr, I wanted to ask you something.” Harry answered. “Would you...Would you like to go on a date with me on Friday? During the Hogsmeade Trip?” It seemed like the whole Hufflepuff Table froze. Susan Bones’ mouth fell open, Ernie looked at him with something that looked like anger, Justin Finch-Fletchley turned around quickly to face him and Zacharias Smith bursted out in laughter. But Hannah, as sweet as she is, just looked up at him.
”Yes, I would love to go with you, Harry!” She said after something that looked like about half an hour. Harry was relieved. Finally someone to go out with. He smirked and walked away. Before he left the Great Hall, he waved at her, and she waved back with a big smile on her face.

Hippogriefje · Geplaatst: Za Dec 01, 2007 14:50

Please tell me what you think about in the 'tell us what you think'-topic, or PB, so I know if I have to keep writing or not!

Chapter 3: So Pathetic

The day of the Hogsmeade Trip, Harry looked for Cho. By accident he met her in a corridor, between the classes. He quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty classroom. This was one of those rare moments she was alone.
”How’s it going?” Unintentionally Harry grinned at her.
”Allright..I have a date for Hogsmeade.” Cho smirked back.
”Me too!” Harry replied. “Well..Who are you going with?”
”Cormac.”
”What? That sack of gedoe?”
”Got a problem?”
”Not at all!”
“Fine!”
”Right!”
Angry they stepped away from each other. “Well..” Harry continued. “I guess I’ll be going now.” He shuffled away, reaching for the door.
”Wait! Who are you going with?” Harry turned around.
”You’ll see.” Before she knew it, he already left the empty classroom, leaving her alone.

”Hi Harry! I’m over here!” Hannah was waiting a few passes next to the doors, a suspicious looking Ernie behind her. Harry walked up to her.
”Hi Hannah! Great to see you!” She blushed.
”Thanks Harry.” She replied.
”Shall we go?” Harry asked with a nervous look to Ernie.
”Alright! Ehr..Harry?” Hannah asked. “Ernie is walking with us until we arrive at Hogsmeade, is that okay to you?” Harry swallowed.
”Yeah, sure.”

On the other side of the hall Cho was waiting for Cormac. He still hadn’t arrived, and she already was waiting for 20 minutes! Cho flipped her hair over her shoulders and made a frustrated sound. If this wasn’t the Love Battle, she so would’ve dumped him.
10 minutes later he came around a corner, running.
”Cho! I’m so sorry I’m late! I was playing Quidditch and after that I was just chatting with a few mates..”-
”It’s okay.” Cho cut him off. She wasn’t in the mood for arguing. “Let’s just go.”
”That’s great.” Cormac grinned.

Hannah, Ernie and Harry were walking quietly down the road. Harry was sweating. He had to say something.
”Ehr..You look nice.” Harry said.
”Ooooh-“ Hannah began, but Ernie interrupted her.
”Why do you say that, Potter?” He spat out. “Do you hope she’ll fall for you? Do you hope you can see her naked?”
”I –“ Harry stuttered.
”Ernie!” Hannah exclaimed, looking shocked. “What’s wrong with you? Harry’s just being nice!” Ernie walked away, insulted.
”Right..” Harry said nervously.
”I’m so sorry Harry, I don’t know what has gotten into him!”
”It’s okay.” Harry replied. “It’s not your fault that he’s just...ehr..” He sighed. “Nevermind.” Hannah nodded.

Meanwhile, Cho and Cormac walked behind Harry and Hannah.
”Hey..Weren’t you going out with that Potter-guy?” Cormac said with a frown.
”Ssh.” Cho said hastily. “We broke up a week ago, right? So..You know what that means. This is a very important fase of my life.” Cormac remained silent. Cho made an annoyed sound.
”What?” Cormac asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
”Oh my god. Haven’t you ever heard of The Love Battle?” She almost yelled at him. “That’s just so..pathetic.” Cormac didn’t let out any sign of being insulted.
”Whatever..” A bit bored he looked around, checking out some other students. Cho hooked her own arm with his, smiling up at the tall boy. Cormac gave an insecure smile back to her.

Harry and Hannah arrived in Hogsmeade.
”Do you want to have a drink or something?” Harry asked, brushing his hand with hers slightly just to see her reaction.
”I’d love some!” Hannah said cheerfully. She hesitated for a moment, but after a few seconds she took his hand. Harry felt a very soft and warm hand and it was suprisingly small for a girl of 15. Hannah blushed, it made her look cute. Harry shook his head while they walked towards the Three Broomsticks. Was he falling in love with her? He didn’t knew yet. He didn’t knew if he wanted to be in love. Not after Cho, that bitch. He kicked a stone away and they entered the Three Broomsticks. It was litten by candles, it was warm and cosy. Harry ordered two butterbeer and they sat down. It remained quiet for a while, but then Hannah began to talk. She talked about Hufflepuff, about her family..She talked a lot, but it was pleasant for Harry just to hear her talk like that, with a shiny and happy face, talking about everything that she loved. In the mean time their butterbeers had arrived, and Harry just drank, nodded and smiled at Hannah, sometimes reacting on something she mentioned. After a while he felt his stomach. Butterflies were flying all around. Was it love, or was it the butterbeer? He didn’t knew. Hannah fell silent, just smiling, probably lost in memories. Before Harry knew it, he said:
”I really like you.” Hannah blinked a few times.
”I beg your pardon?” She said with a nervous twitch of her lips.
”I..like..you.” Harry said slowly, hardly realising what he was saying. He reached out his hand for hers, but she pulled away her own.
”Harry..” She said. “I..I don’t know how to tell you..but..” Hannah’s face changed. The lovely, happy Hannah disappeared, and a sad Hannah looked back at him. “I..really like you too, but...I don’t know..You see..Ernie is in love with me since the second year. I never loved him back, but still..He claims me or something. That’s why he’s so pissed at you. Everytime I date a boy, Ernie ruins it for me. I just don’t know what to do..” Harry felt like his heart broke in two. He really loved her. He just knew it..

The other date, Cormac and Cho, went totally different. Cormac took Cho to The Hog’s Head, the most unromantic place to go to on your first date. Cho looked around. The only good thing about the place was that it was very dark. Cormac ordered two butterbeer without even asking her what she wanted to drink and they sat down in a very dark corner, on a wooden bench. Cho pushed herself against him.
”I’m a bit scared off the dark.” She lied, grabbing his arm tightly. Cormac smirked.
”You’re scared off the dark?” He said with a laugh. “Oh my god, and you’re sixteen?” Cho poked him and nearly climbed upon him. Cormac made a squeeky sound and tickled her back. Cho looked him in his eyes, as deep as she could, what was kind of hard because of the darkness. She leaned into him and began to French kiss him immediately. Cormac kissed her back passionately, moving his hand up and down her spine. Cho replied by laying a hand on his chest. After a while, they stopped and Cho grinned innocently at him.
”So..Do we have a relationship now?” She asked him quickly, throwing her hair back. Cormac had messed up her hair.
”What? No way..I just kiss you, but I don’t like you.” Cormac answered with a disgusted look on his face.
”WHAT?” Cho screamed, jumping of the wooden bench. “You prick! You, you you! You’re so pathetic!” She slapped him in the face and left the Hog’s Head.

Hippogriefje · Geplaatst: Wo Dec 12, 2007 15:19

Thanks for the sweet messages, Cho. & HPR ^^ Here is the next chapter people!

Chapter 4: Harry's Girlfriend

Harry stared at Hannah for a while. Her eyes were filled with tears. Harry slowly stood up from the table.
”If you want to leave, I understand it completely.” Hannah said, looking up at the Gryffindor. But Harry didn’t leave. He walked around the table and sat down on a chair next to Hannah’s. He looked into her eyes, as blue as a sky on a fresh summerday. He could almost see the sun in her eyes, shining through it like a doorway to her soul. His eyes explored her face. Her lips facinated him. Harry layed his hand on her leg and leaned forward, softly giving her a small kiss on her lips. Hannah shuddered and pulled her head back. “Harry..” She whispered.

”Hannah, please..” He answered. Hannah flung her arms around him and kissed him back. A bit confused Harry returned the kiss, touching her lower lip with his tongue in expectation. She opened her mouth. They started to deepen their kiss..
Hannah backed away immediately.

”This is wrong Harry, and you know it.” She said, panting and pulling her blouse straight.

”Why?” Harry replied, striking through his hair.

”Ernie could ruin everything!” Hannah hissed, tears in her eyes. “I don’t want Ernie to ruin it Harry!” Harry took her face in both of his hands.

”I won’t let him ruin it, Hannah, I promise.”

”Harry, it’s not that easy! He’s just so..smart. He has his own ways of ruining it.”

”What do I have to say to make you mine?” Hannah wiped away a few tears.

”You’re just so sweet..I don’t know..Why don’t we just..Don’t tell anyone we’re together?” Harry nodded.

”Yeah, I think that’s the best.” His heart almost seem to leap with joy. He looked at her, totally in love. She smiled back at him. Still a bit sad, but she smiled. That’s a good start. Suddenly Harry felt like thunder struck him. The Love Battle! He completely forgot about it. Well, it didn’t matter now. He probably won Cho’s stupid game and he loved Hannah, who was his girlfriend now! Could it get any better?

Cho ran through Hogsmeade. Gosh, she hated that Cormac. She flipped her hair over her shoulders once more and moved on. She had to find Harry and see what he’s up to. Cho looked for him in a few shops, and walked into the Three Broomsticks after that. There he was, talking with that Abbott-girl. They weren’t holding hands or anything like that, though he was sitting in the chair next to her. Cho shrugged and walked out of the Three Broomsticks, bumping into Dean Thomas.
”Watch it!” She said irritated. “..Ehr..Dean..” She followed with a much more friendly tone.

”..Right..” Dean said, looking rather cold. “I just want to get into the Three Broomsticks..Cho, isn’t it?” He said, blushing slightly. Cho nodded, smiling.

”Do you want to go with me?” She asked him.

”You just came out of it.” Dean replied, pointing at the building.

”Fine! I’ll leave.” She shot back at him, pushing him out of the way. Dean blinked a few times, shook his head and entered the Three Broomsticks.

Harry and Hannah said hi to Dean and left the Three Broomsticks.
”So..where do you want to go now?”

”Nowhere. I just want to leave..” She said, striking his shoulder. Harry grinned.

”Fine by me.” Together they left Hogsmeade and headed for Hogwarts, when Ernie showed up, sprinting out of a candy store, carrying a bag with chocolate.

”Had fun? Dating?” Ernie asked angry.

”No Ernie, just leave us alone.” Hannah said, but she didn’t dare to look in his eyes.

”Fine. Betray us all, Hannah, betray us all..”

”I beg your pardon?” Hannah turned around to look at him.

”You betray all the Hufflepuffs if you date him, that freak!” Ernie looked like he was going to explode. His eyes were big and his whole face turned red.

”I think you’re the one looking like a freak like now.” Hannah turned around and walked on, grasping Harry’s hand.

Cho was getting desperate now. She ran to a boy with a red scarf.
”Do you want to be my boyfriend, my dear Gryffindor?”

”No! Stay away from me! And I’m a Slytherin!” The boy said, insulted. Cho saw Zacharias Smith. A perfect idea. Probably he was a friend of Hannah, so she could keep an eye on Harry. This time she carefully chose her words.

”Hello!” She said, walking towards him with the sweetest smile she’s got. “You’re Zacharias Smith, aren’t you? The popular Hufflepuff Chaser?” Cho said, trying to make him feel important. Zacharias returned her smile with one of his own.

”Yeah, I am. Do you want an autograph?” Cho blinked a few times. How arrogant could a boy be?

”Off course!” She managed to say, putting up a fake smile this time. He gave her an autograph on a small white piece of paper and grinned at her.

”Would you like to join me for a drink?” He asked her. Cho took his invitation and followed him inside.

Back at Hogwarts, Harry and Hannah went to the library. They both made their Herbology-homework and smile at each other in between.
Later that day, when Harry and Hannah got seperated from each other (they couldn’t be together that much, off course, because they had a secret relationship), Harry saw Cho walking into the Great Hall. He walked straight to her and gestured to a corner. Cho followed him and Harry took a deep breath.
”I’ve won the Love Battle.” Harry grinned.

”You what?” Cho asked with a high voice.

”I. Have. Won. The. Love. Battle.” Harry said clearly.

”Who’s your girl than?” Cho said, look around, as if Harry’s girlfriend would have a sign on her forehead that said ‘I’m Harry’s Girlfriend’.

”Hannah Abbott.” Harry smiled.

”No way...Wait. I’ll have to check.” Cho marched to the Hufflepuff table.

”WAIT!” Harry yelled, stopping her from reaching Hannah’s place. “You can’t!”

”Oh I bet I can, Potter...Or are you lying to me?” She said with a curious tone.

”I’m not lying, it’s just..We’re having a secret relationship..” He almost whispered.

”Secret? And why the hell would you do that?” Cho said with a frown. Harry felt uncomfortable, it felt like everyone could hear them. He stepped away from the House Tables and explained Cho everything. Cho listened carefully, and at the end of the story she looked at him with an expression that he never saw before: comprehensible. A bit nervous he smiled back at her and she coughed softly.

“Well...ehr..Harry..I understand your situation, but I’m sorry; The Love Battle rules are that you must have a relationship in public. So you haven’t won yet. And I’m telling you; I’m going to win. That Zacharias Smith guy is completely falling for me.” She turned around and waved at him. Following her with his eyes the whole time, Smith stood up and waved back at her.

”WHAT? You never told me that rule!”

”So what? It does excist.”

”In your own fantasyworld, maybe..” Harry mumbled. Cho’s eyes narrowed.

Potter, I’m going to win, if you like it or not.” She pushed him away and started to walk to the big doors that gave exit of the Great Hall.

”You slut. At least I’m happy with my girlfriend.” Harry felt a rage coming up inside him. Cho slowly turned around. “I really hate you, you know that? You know what? appeltaart you.” Cho stepped a bit closer to him.

”Sonorus.” Her voice was magically reinforced so that the whole Great Hall could hear her. “Ehr..I’m sorry to interrupt, fellow-students, but I have an announcement to make. Harry Potter is having an relationship with Hannah Abbott at the moment, isn’t that wonderful?” Harry’s eyes grew wide. A few students began clapping, others made fun of Harry, some others whistled and a few girls started crying. Others quickly began chatting with the people next to them about it. “So Harry do you have something to say about it?” Cho’s reinforced voice shouted through the whole Great Hall. Professor McGonagall rose from her chair.

”Miss Chang, stop this noncence immediately!” She screamed, waving dramatically. Cho lifted up the enchantment en smirked at Harry.

”You know what?” Harry began, looking at a confused Hannah. “It’s true. I do have a relationship with Hannah and I don’t care if anyone knows. I love her. It’s just Cho’s fault that it came out like this, with her stupid little Love Battle game, or whatever it is. But yes, it’s true.” From that very moment, Ernie MacMillan rose from his seat and started to run towards Harry. Harry, who hadn’t expected that at all, was completely surprised. “What the-“ Before he could stop it, Ernie had punched him in his stomach and he fell, with Ernie on top of him.

Hippogriefje · Geplaatst: Wo Jan 02, 2008 19:33

Chapter 5: “Just For You."

”You! Stay away from her! Potter” Ernie raged while punching Harry everywhere he could.
”Ernie stop it!” A voice called out of the distance. Harry felt his nose bleeding and a horrible pain in his thigh when Ernie started kicking him there. “STOP IT!” It was Hannah. She pulled Ernie away from Harry and cried. Moaning, Harry stood up, a bit shaky. As soon as Ernie saw that, he stepped forward and pushed him against his chest. Harry fell over again and his head hit the ground hard. Then, everything turned black before his eyes.

Harry woke up inside the hospital wing. He moaned and sat up straight. Hannah was waiting on the other side of the bed for him to wake up. When he woke up, she looked up at him, a bit worried.
”Harry, are you okay?” She asked, coming up from her chair. She sat next to him on the bed.
”Yeah, I’m fine..What the heck happened?” He stroke the back of his head with one hand. It was a bit sensitive.
”Ernie pushed you..” Hannah whispered. “You fell over and hit the ground with your head..You’re going to be fine, it’s just a concussion.” Harry nodded. They fell silent for a while. When Hannah spoke again, her voice trembled. “Was..Is...Is our relationship just..all for a stupid game?” She tried so hard to remain calm, but a tear dropped on Harry’s bedspread.
”Hannah..I-“ Harry swallowed. It was so hard for him to see her in tears. “No..I really love you. It was just a coincidence!” Hannah said nothing and just stared down at her knees. She stood up from the bed. “WAIT!” Harry jumped out of the bed and grabbed her arm. “Let me explai- argh..” He felt all dizzy. Hannah turned around.
”Are you okay?” She asked worried.
”Yeah, I’m fine. Just let me..explain it to you. I want to prove that I’m not lying.” Hannah just stared at him. Harry staggered on his feet. Madam Pomfrey came out of nowhere and pushed Harry back into his bed.
”Stupid boy..You need to rest!” She chased Hannah away from the hospital wing and disappeared grumpy, mumbling to herself what a dumb boy Harry was.

That night Harry couldn’t sleep. A Ravenclaw-boy that also was installed in the hospital wing snored loudly, and he kept thinking about Hannah. He needed to explain everything to her. Gently he sat up again and placed a foot on the cold timber floor. He found slippers underneath the bed and quickly put them on. A bathrobe was hanging on the wall, just the right size. He seized it and walked to the door as silent as he could. Once he pushed it open he knew it was going to be though. Harry had no invisibility cloak and a few torches were lit. He was lucky it wasn’t that far out to the Hufflepuff Common Room. Slowly he resumed his journey. By the time he reached the corridor that led to Hannah’s Common Room, footsteps were coming from that direction. Harry swallowed and pushed himself against the wall, hidden behind a suit of armour. He felt his heart pounding in his chest. If someone saw him, he’d be in big trouble. And if it was Snape or Umbridge he might never see daylight again. The footsteps had stopped. Harry listened carefully and he heard a voice mumbling something.
”Ha...ne..” Probably someone whispering a password. A student that sneaked out in the night. Harry grinned. He heard the passage to the Hufflepuff Common Room close and he walked further into the corridor. He wondered what the password could be. Harry stood in front of the painting that should let him through. It began with ‘Ha’, and that’s all he knew. Just when he wanted to try ‘Hamburger’, the passage opened again and Harry looked professor Sprout straight in her eyes.
”Ehr..” He said, still in shock. “I was just..”
”Mister Potter?” professor Sprout said, just as surprised as Harry himself. “What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”
”I wanted to..” He blushed slightly. “Speak to someone.”
”I’m supposed to be very angry now Harry, you’ll understand that, don’t you?” professor Sprout said, shutting the passage behind her.
”Yeah, I know, and –“ Harry started, but professor Sprout shushed him.
”Is it very important, mister Potter?” She said seriously. Harry swallowed.
”Yes.”
”Than I guess I have to let you in, don’t I?” She coughed and mumbled the password, stepping aside so Harry could enter. Harry stared at the professor.
”B-but..I don’t understand it...Why are’nt you giving me detention or something? Why are you letting me in?” professor Sprout smiled at him.
”Let’s just say, mister Potter, that we all need a little bit of love.” Within seconds she walked out of the corridor, leaving Harry alone.

Harry blinked a few times and stepped inside the Hufflepuff Common Room, realising how lucky he was, meeting professor Sprout. He shuffled through the Common Room and discovered two stairs, leading to the dormitory’s from boys and girls. They led downstairs. Harry placed a foot on the stairs on the left, but nothing happened. So he walked up to the stairs on the right, and as soon as he place a foot on the stairs it turned into a slide. Harry grinned and slided downwards, trying to slow down a bit by holding his hands against the wall. As soon as he saw a plate with ‘5th years’ he quickly pushed his legs against the sides and stood up straight. Well..Straight. He was standing quite crooked, but it didn’t matter. Harry knocked on the door and whispered.
”Hannah..” No answer. He knocked again. “Hannah!” A bit louder. He heard footsteps and Susan Bones opened the door.
”Harry!” She almost yelled. “What are you doing here?”
”Is that Harry?” A voice came from a further distance. Not much later Susan Bones was pushed aside and Hannah stood in front of Harry. “Hi.” She said, blushing.
”Hi.” He replied.
”How did you get in?” Hannah asked, feeling a bit awkward because of her pink pyjamas.
”Professor Sprout let me in.” He answered.
”Professor – Really? That’s, that’s great.” She said sheepish.
”Hannah. I really love you. It was just..I dated you, because of The Love Battle. I was getting to know you a lot better by that, and I fell in love with you..And it’s not because of that stupid game...Cho is just..also stupid.” Hannah nodded. “Please, don’t leave me? I want to be with you.”
”Off course I’m not leaving you, silly!” Hannah said, tickling him.
”Wow!” Harry said, he slided down about 12 inches.
”Sorry.” Hannah grinned. “But you’re the one being on a forbidden location. You’re not allowed to be on girls stairs, you’re not allowed in the Hufflepuff Common Room at all!”
”I’m sorry madam, but I came all the way down here, risking my own life. I have slaugthered dragons and murdered Umbridge just to get to you, dear lady.” Hannah giggled.
”Just for me?” She asked.
”Just for you.” Harry confirmed, climbing up the slide again. Hannah stepped backwards and Harry entered the dormitory. He finally stood on a normal floor. The slide turned into stairs again. And then he kissed her like he had never done before.

The next morning Harry woke up inside the hospital wing. It has been a lot more difficult to get back there. He had to avoid Filch 2 times and he also had a hard time when the Bloody Baron came out of a wall and nearly had him fainted. It was saturday. Madam Pomfrey came to his bed at 9 o’clock and checked him.
”You are ready to go, mister Potter! You can get dressed. Just be careful, don’t get too excited and absolutely no Quidditch for at least a week!” Harry moaned but dressed himself when she closed the curtains around him. When he left the hospital wing, there was Hannah, waiting for him. Harry grinned at her and she smiled back sweetly. He hugged her for a short time and grabbed her hand. They walked to the Great Hall together, and without saying a word, they knew they were wondering about the same thing. What will their fellow-students say?

The End

Well people, that's it! I hope you liked it! I'm sorry I waited that long for the last chapter, but I was very busy lately.

Teehee, open einde-heid xD Voor als ik een vervolg wil schrijven ofzo.