Onward To The Future

And so that day had ended, same as the next, and the next, until it was time to go back to Hogwarts and deal with the memories that lay there. Cho had known that eventually she would have to go back to the one place she dreaded most. There was no way on earth that her mother and father would let her switch schools. Besides, it was too late for that. It was too late for anything. Even a big ice cream sundae. I mean you shouldn't be eating ice cream sundaes at 3:00 in the morning. Especially, when you have to wake up early to go to school the next day.

Yet, that's exactly what Cho could be found doing. She was, of course, worried. She wished that maybe, just maybe people wouldn't stop in the streets of Diagon Alley, looks of regret on their faces. When normal people lose their boyfriends, nobody knows. Nobody even knows they were a couple. But, when your boyfriend, the Hogwarts Champion, is killed by You-Know-Who, then they know. And then, they realize it.

You can hear their whispers on the streets. While you walk by. Whispers of sorrow. You can even hear them contemplating weather to talk to you or not. They ask one another if it's right or wrong, but they're just stupid. They don't even realize that it doesn't matter if they talk to you or not because you've already heard them. And heard what they really think. They think you're a "poor little dear" or a "drama queen" even. What's worse is that you like what the "drama queen" thinkers, are saying. You don't want people to feel sorry for you.

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"Come on sweetie, we're going to be late. You know that your father always makes us drive and, seeing as he's never to comfortable with Muggle ways, that he always drives slow, and you know how long it takes to get to London!" The voice of Mrs. Chang rang all through the house.

"Ok Mum, whatever you say," was Cho's sleepy reply.

It was about 9:00 when the Changs left for Kings Cross. Cho's parents had decided it could possibly be easier on her if they were there to see her off. So, it was about 10:30 when they finally showed up on the wizarding side of platform 9 3/4. The minute Cho stepped through the barrier and her face could be seen, there was a hush that fell over everything. Everybody but the first years and a few parents that were ill informed was silent. At that time, Cho realized she was getting Cedric's "moment of silence" and she didn't want it. Not at all.

She chose an empty compartment, and even though her friends Clover Sands and Brittani Smith wanted to come share the compartment, she said no thanks and was quickly alone again. While, sitting alone she had time to think. Time to think of memories, not just from the past year, especially not just of the past year. Mainly childhood. She still couldn't forget the face of Draco.

It wasn't until later in the day that Draco had stopped by. She had known he would because the last time they talked it was unfinished, it was at Cedric's funeral, and she had said some horrible things to him before running away...crying.

"Cho, listen, I know that I haven't been the least bit nice to anybody lately, but I'm not going to apologize. You know me enough to know that. I will say this for myself. I've been acting really stupid. I should be more kind to at least you. You've suffered a loss that I probably never will. ", His words had been kind. And this surprised her, only slightly. They sat there in silence, utter silence for at least twenty minutes. Since nobody was speaking, he got up to walk out.

"You're right, Draco; you'll never suffer a loss like mine. Because you wouldn't let yourself. Some big metal armor protects your heart that you wouldn't let anybody break. " She told him as he walked out. Hearing this he continued through the door, slamming it shut.