Once Upon A Night

Harry had always enjoyed watching the moon. At the Dursleys, before he had come to Hogwarts, he would sit at his window and observe the creamy sphere as it travelled through the sky, dancing the night away by itself forever. He supposed that the moon had come from somewhere, but from whence it came made no matter to him, so long as it was his to admire.

Upon arriving at Hogwarts, Harry had often snuck outside, just to glimpse the full moon as it hovered above Hogwarts. It seemed to him that the moon always hung above Hogwarts at exactly twelve o' clock. So, he set his routine. Get in bed at nine, sleep for a few hours until twelve, then head out to watch the moon in the sky.

It was this routine that explained the dark silhouette by the lake, but, of course, no one but Harry knew of his outings, because no one saw him sneak out in his invisibility cloak. Because no one watched from the windows of the castle. At least, no one usually watched the grounds from the windows, but tonight was different. As a cool breeze swept a stray tendril of hair into Harry's face, another person also was enjoying the gentle wind, but neither of the figures knew of one another's presence, and it was not until Harry decided to leave that they finally noticed each other.

As Harry spotted a person among the shadows, he coughed and said, "Excuse me, but...who's there?"

There was a muffled gasp, and then a girl stepped from the shadows. Her long black hair and delicate figure was recognised by Harry immediately.

"Cho?" he asked, surprised.

"Oh, hello Harry. I'm sorry, I didn't think anyone else was out here."

"Neither did I, but--what are you doing here?" He was blushing, though in the darkness Cho couldn't tell.

"I was watching the moon," she replied, coming to stand next to him. Her head was level with his shoulder and he suddenly felt reassured that there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Why would you watch the moon?" he asked.

"Because it is beautiful," she sighed wistfully. "And, because I couldn't sleep. What were you doing?"

Harry caught his breath. This was what he had been dreading. "I was--I was just having a bit of trouble sleeping because my dorm mates were...well, snoring."

Cho let out a soft giggle, before running her fingers through her hair and sighing.

"What are you thinking?" Harry questioned curiously.

"Nothing...well, I'm thinking about someone. But, he's gone now so..."

"Oh," Harry grimaced, "Cedric. I'm sorry; I'll just go."

Cho shook her head as he began to walk away, and she took his hand and pulled him back. "No, Harry. I mean--I was thinking about him, but no, don't go. It wasn't your fault. You did more than anyone else would have, if they had been in the same situation. Even I probably wouldn't have had the courage to do what you did. It was heroic."

He shook his head fervently, "It wasn't. I was frightened, but...no. I could have saved him. He shouldn't have died. It was my fault." Harry fought to restrain the tears that brimmed when he spoke. He felt guilty; who wouldn't? But everyone had reassured him that it hadn't been his fault. But they hadn't been there. Cedric had told Harry to take the cup. If he had taken it, Cedric would still be alive, but he had suggested that they both take it. It would have been a Hogwarts victory either way. So, they had gone together and--and Cedric had gone.

"Harry," Cho's voice broke through his reverie. "Harry, it was not your fault. I know that. I've always known that. Cedric--" she broke off, a sob threatening to escape her, "--he died, and no one could have helped him. You brought his body back to Hogwarts, back to his parents. And, well--"

"But if I hadn't--he would've--and we'd all have been..." he faded off, mumbling.

"Harry, stop it. Stop blaming yourself."

He turned to her, feeling angry, but knowing it wasn't her fault. "What do you know!? You weren't there, you didn't see! You don't know what it was like! I was there when he was killed, and you weren't! And..." he stopped as he saw that Cho was looking at the ground, a single tear on her cheek.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know it would upset you so much."

She turned to leave but Harry said, "I'm sorry Cho. I know it's not your fault. Forgive me, please."

She shook her head, "I need to leave. The girls in my dorm will probably be looking for me if I'm not back soon."

"Yeah...I really am sorry," he apologised. She nodded, and left. Harry sat back down and listened to her receding footsteps.

And, as he peered through the darkness trying to discern her retreating figure, he was almost certain he could see her crystalline eyes shining back at him from the doors of Hogwarts.