The One to Keep

The sun seemed to rise early that day as if to warn of a long day. Sunlight seeped through the windows and onto the eyelids of a sleeping fourteen year old girl. In seemingly no time at all, the bedroom in Islington London was illuminated welcoming the new day.

"Cho! Cho dear, wake up!" the young girl's mother called from just outside the bedroom door. "You have overslept by half an hour! Get up now! We have much to do!"

Dreading morning, and the end of the night's wondrous dreams, Cho reluctantly opened her eyes and sat up gazing at the window. Wondering why she had left the blinds open, Cho stepped out of bed and into her bathroom to get ready for the day. Her fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry started in less than a week, and Cho Chang had yet to make her way to Diagon Alley to buy her school supplies for the upcoming year. She knew the weekend before classes started that the alley would be crowded, but she had procrastinated anyway. She knew that her friends would have waited until this weekend, and she was hoping to run into them.

"There's so much to do!" Cho's mother stated with her voice filled with a worried anxiety about the impending rush. "New books, potions, antidotes, Quidditch robes. . . I'm so proud of our seeker. . ."

While her mother was organizing a list of supplies and making sure breakfast was served, Cho looked in the mirror, finishing her grooming. An image of loveliness looked back at her from the mirror. Her long dark raven hair, unblemished olive complexion, and deep brown expressive eyes filled the mirror's length.

"Now, which handsome young man will be falling for you this year?" the mirror image asked.

Blushing slightly, Cho finished applying her lip gloss and then left her room. She was gorgeous, yet still modest. Her friends and relatives had always swooned over Faye and Jae's only daughter. A lifetime of compliments and admiration had given Cho a high degree of confidence around boys. She had even developed a trace of vanity. Yet, she still accepted greetings, and quite a few advances, with diffidence and grace. With the sun a bit higher in the morning sky, Cho hurried down the steps to grab a little breakfast before the long day at Diagon Alley. In her rush, she missed the last step and fell in the foyer with a loud smack.

Cho's father laughed. "Looks like the Quidditch Cup will be Ravenclaw's by the grace and poise of the new Seeker!"

Cho, her face flushed with embarrassment, pulled herself to her feet. "Catching the Snitch requires patience and a sharp eye; as well as speed on the broom, not how well one walks."

"You mean how well one falls flat on her face!" her father continued with a smirk as he continued to read the Daily Prophet.

Cho sat down to her father's right. She refilled his cup of tea and helped herself to a bowl of almonds and strawberries and a glass of pumpkin juice. Without saying a word, she glanced at her father whose eyes have not left the paper.

"Hmm. Cho, I want you to be extra careful at Hogwarts this year. I hear Dementors will be on the premises. Don't be afraid of them since they are there to protect the students but please keep your distance. If some boy tries leading you somewhere excluded..."

"DAD!"

He paused and looked at her daughters brown eyes. "You're a smart girl Cho. I trust you will make the right decisions. But these are complicated times for a young girl, and boys your age are starting to take certain interests in girls like you. I'm just protecting my little Cha Cha. Besides, you know when it comes to romance your mother has a way of knowing everything you do."

Cho rolled her eyes and finished her breakfast. Her mother hurried in and expressed their tardiness. "Let's get going!" Jae and Cho got up from the breakfast table and headed for their car.

"I think Muggle travel might be appropriate today," commented Jae. "I imagine the streets of London will be quite busy."

Jae, a retired Auror, now worked for the Accidental Magic Reversal Department for the Ministry of Magic. Needless to say, he had a vested interest in keeping Muggles in the dark about the world of wizardry. The Chang family climbed in their BMW and headed for the Leaky Caldron. Along the way, Cho's mother and father were sharing a rapid conversation of Cho's safety, position on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, high marks from last year despite the terrors of the Basilisk, trouble she may get with boys, and many other parental concerns.

Cho on the other hand, gazed through the window of the moving vehicle an into the muggle world. Amazing how muggles live without knowledge of the wizarding world. Her eyes picked up the obvious differences between the worlds, as well as some of the subtle similarities. The vehicle slowed and parked a few meters outside the Leaky Cauldron. Cho climbed out of the car, and walked through the inn and through the gateway to Diagon Alley. As expected, Diagon Alley was filled with witches and wizards in a last minute frenzy before the term. The road was packed with young wizards and their families.

"I think it would be far more efficient if we separate and meet at the Lion Dragon for dinner," suggested Jae, "Cho, you go get fitted for your new robes. Faye, you get the potions and writing implements. I will get Cho's new books."

Jae then held his wand to Cho's letter from Hogwarts, "Diffindo!" separating the supply list to three sections. "Please be safe dear, see you at 5:30."

"I will daddy. I'll see you at the Lion Dragon!" She hugged her parents and headed for Quality Quidditch Supplies. Outside the store, young wizards congregated in front of the display window. Wondering about the commotion, Cho threaded her way through the crowd. There it was. The glimmer of the new Firebolt broom greeted its spectators through the window. Cho read the description of the Firebolt and sighed. Even with a family as well established as Cho's, she knew better than to ask such items of luxury.

"Well, I don't expect to see you at Hogwarts," she said under her breath. Dreaming of the Firebolt's aerodynamic perfection, Cho realized such an item would more than likely not appear in the hands of young wizards, even Malfoy.

Not taking her brown eyes off the Firebolt's glimmer, Cho approached the door of the store. She soon learned an effect of not paying attention to one's surroundings. "Oh," exclaimed Cho as her shoulder collided with a tall young man's chest.

"Was wond'ring when yer going to pay attention to where ye go'in!" said the young man.

"I'm so sorry!" pleaded Cho as she drew her eyes from the Firebolt into the hazel pools of the young man's eyes. Her breath came with more difficulty now than when she had first seen the broom in the window.

"No problem," he smiled. Cho watched the Gryffindor keeper make his way through the crowd before she realized she was speechless.

Snapping herself back to her senses, she shook her head and made it through the door to Quality Quidditch supplies without further incident. Nearly every Quidditch player from Hogwarts was in the shop admiring merchandise. There were books, brooms, robes, cases of balls and bats, and even foamed Bludgers for children. The crowd was thickest in the robes section. Cho made her way to the student robes to find Ravenclaw Quidditch robes. She plucked a set that appeared to fit her small figure and headed for the dressing room. After trying on the smallest size she stepped out and studied herself in the mirror. The robes still dragged along the floor.

"Well, most Quidditch players are a bit taller and wider," said a tailor as he pulled out a wand and pointed it at the ends of Cho's robes. "No problem my dear, Scrincanda!"

"Oh, thank you!" Cho watched the robes shrink to fit her figure, allowing her to move unencumbered. The tailor quickly moved on to the next student, as Cho stepped in front of the mirror again.

"Hmm. With a uniform like that, I can't say I'll be watching for the Snitch this year." Cho looked up to see Cedric Diggory's reflection standing behind hers. Cedric was the Seeker and Captain for the Hufflepuff team. He was very handsome and Cho's dear friend.

Cho turned and saw Cedric Diggory, waiting to try on new uniforms.

"Hi Cedric, how are you!" Cho gave her friend a small hug.

"Good, good. Ready for the school year?"

"Not quite. I can't imagine shopping during the rush every year. My parents are picking up my books and other school supplies while I am to get fitted for my new robes."

"Yes, the shopping is the worst part but I bet this is going to be a great year, despite recent events. But it looks like we're not the only procrastinators." Cedric looked around at other students rushing in and out of shops, arms full of bought goods. "Listen, everyone's meeting at Florean Fortescue's for ice cream at five. Going to meet us?"

"At five? Well, sure. For a little bit. I have got to meet my parents at dinner at 5:30."

"Where are you dining this evening?"

"The Lion Dragon."

"Ahh. Superb oriental cuisine. A bit on the extravagant side aren't we Miss Chang?" Cedric winked.

"You know my family. They love to celebrate special occasions or goodbyes."

"Well, let's get out of these robes shall we? The sooner we finish shopping the more time we can catch up. May I escort you to get the rest of your robes fit?"

Cho laughed. "I never imagined a young man in the corner of a boutique waiting for me to get fit for robes."

"Please," Cedric smirked, "It's not always about you princess! I have to get fitted for dress robes and maybe buy a couple of Hufflepuff ties."

"Dress robes? Why do you need dress robes? That doesn't seem like you."

"Oh. Well..." Cedric spoke uncomfortably, "well, the sixth years are throwing a spring ball for the seventh years. Sort of a good bye to the graduating students. Although, if a sixth year decides to bring a younger student he...eh...or she may do so."

"I see," sighed Cho, "very well Cedric, I will meet you at the registers as soon as I change."

Without waiting for a response, Cho rushed in a dressing room and changed to her original clothes. She wondered how nice it would be to attend a ball welcoming the spring. A handsome date, beautiful gown, her hair and face done in extravagant fashion. Until hearing about the ball, she had been excited about entering a fourth year at Hogwarts. Now she wished she was old enough to attend the spring ball. 'Well there still is a possibility.' She would be allowed to if she had a sixth year escort and Cedric was entering is sixth year. Then she thought of the hazel-eyed Gryffindor she bumped into out of the shop. "A handsome date..." she said to herself.

A tap on the door, "Madame, do you need help dressing?"

"Oh," she stumbled, "no, I ... uh sorry!"

She quickly hurried out of the dressing room without checking herself in the mirror. With her new Quidditch robes in her hand, she headed towards the registers. A gold trimmed book caught her eye. "Seeking the Snitch" by Kennilworthy Wisp. She stopped in front of the book. She never played a Hogwarts Quidditch match before. Her first game would be with Hufflepuff; Cedric Diggory was the Seeker, Captain and an excellent player.

'My first game is against the talented Cedric? He will be hard to beat. I'm going to need all the help I can get.' She picked up the book and flipped through the pages as she stood in line awaiting her turn to check out. It was filled with everything known about the Snitch: history, Seeker moves, fouls, etc. 'This will be useful' she thought as she placed her robes atop the book for check out.

"Madame, do you need help dressing?" Cho turned and looked into Cedric's eyes before noticing a suppressed laugh.

"Oh you! Bet you had a lot of fun hearing me stumbling around!"

Cedric giggled. "You should have heard yourself."

"Excuse me." A tall boy cut in front of Cho.

"Oh!" she looked up at the boy and recognized him from outside the shop. She knew who he was. His talent on the Quidditch field would not go unnoticed. Not only was he the Gryffindor keeper but a handsome heart-breaker. His tall frame and muscular body earned from years of playing Quidditch only added to flavor.

"Excuse me, Gina," he said to the cashier, "I believe a left a package here, I am missing a box of practice Snitches."

"Ah yes, forgive me. With the Firebolt in the window I have been keeping an eye out for...LOOKOUT!!"

A flying object was speeding through the stores, bouncing around the ceiling and wall. It was a wild Bludger.

CRASH! BOOM! BANG! It was headed toward the front.

"LOOKOUT CHO!!" yelled the hazel eyed boy and he clutched Cho bringing her to the floor protecting her with his body.

The wild Bludger grazed a few centimeters atop the boy's hair and bounced toward the cashier before a voice called out "IMPEDIMENTA!"

The Bludger suspended in mid-air. The cashier plucked the bludger out of the air and replaced it in its respective box. A pair of red-head boys snickered behind the table.

"Argh! I await the day you two go back to Hogwarts! Out of my store!" yelled the cashier dragging two red-headed twins by the ear.

Cho was still in the arms of the hazel-eyed boy. His body was warm and his heart was pounding with adrenaline. She closed her eyes for a brief moment inhaling the masculine scent that was sure to cause girls to faint. Those brief seconds in those strong arms seemed like forever. He eventually stood and released Cho, bringing her head down to reality. He looked at her.

"Sorry again sir, here are your Snitches. Good luck training, Oliver." She handed the hazel-eyed boy a gold trimmed box that resembled a box of candy.

"Thanks, Gina." He turned to the cashier and retrieved his item. He turned back to Cho, "Are you all right there, Cho?"

Cho's voice failed her. Oliver looked up at Cedric expressionless. "Good day Cedric."

"See you at school, Oliver," Cedric respectively replied as Oliver left the store. Oliver stole one last look at Cho through the display window over the Firebolt. She had not taken her eyes off him.

"That will be 14 Galleons and 2 Sickles...miss? MISS?"

"Oh." Cho looked from the window to Gina. "I'm sorry. I'm...I'm still a little shaken." She rummaged through her purse for her money.

"My apologize miss for the disruption. I seem to get the rambunctious group during my shift." Meanwhile the display windows were fogging, courtesy of the red-head twins. Gina pretended not to acknowledge them. After Cho received her packaged goods, she noticed Cedric suppressing a laugh. She gave him a look, waiting for him to reveal what was so funny. They left the store and his laugher only grew.

"It's not funny Cedric; the poor woman has a lot to deal with. I'm sure guarding that Firebolt is more than enough to stress someone out."

"Madame, do you need help dressing?" Cedric pointed at her blouse, laughter only intensifying. Cho looked down at her blouse and found the top four buttons undone.

"Ahhhh!!" she screamed, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She hastily buttoned her top.

"I tried, but the expensive box of practice Snitches caught your attention. Or was it the boy who owns them?"

"Please," uttered Cho, "Oliver Wood is the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, which only means that he is competition. We don't know each other. Barely said a word to each other."

"You mean you never had the courage to say anything?" teased Cedric.

"Never had the opportunity!" was her excuse.

"Okay, then how do you explain me?" argued Cedric, "Oliver is a Keeper, someone the Chasers have to worry about. But you and I are both Seekers, direct competitors. You're fraternizing with the enemy." Cedric playfully pinched Cho's arm.

"I'm only your friend to steal your moves!" snapped Cho with a lighthearted smirk.

"Sounds like the Slytherin way to me." He held the door open for her at Madame Malkins Robes for All Occasions. Cho gave him a half smile before entering.

"Well, guess we should separate for the moment. Ladie's and men's' dressing rooms in opposite directions," Cho said headed for the ladies section, abandoning Cedric, much to her relief at the moment.

"Sure," he sighed and turned to the men's' dress robes.

On the other side of the store, Cho met with Madame Malkin to fit for new robes. She was a smart girl, she scheduled a private appointment with the tailor aware of the weekend rush. After, Malkins took Cho's measurements, she held out her wand to a stack of fabric and thread and begin sewing. She selected the highest quality fabric and performed the best stitching magic could offer. As Madame Malkin prepared the finishes touches on her robes, Cho browsed over the dress robes. She was drawn to the royal blue satin dress robe modeled by a mannequin in the display window. She delicately touched the fabric. The soft touch of the silk slipped across her fingers as if they were water.

"Miss Chang, your robes are ready."

"Excuse me Madame Malkin, but may I try on this dress robe please?" she said without taking her eye off the dress.

"Of course my dear," she headed in the back and retrieved the dress in her size. "Planning to attend the Spring Ball?"

"I would like to," she sighed.

Madame Malkin's eyes twinkled as she escorted Cho to the dressing room. When Cho stepped out, all eyes in the ladies section gazed on the beautiful girl displaying a dress that seemed made for her. Wearing that dress would have made her the belle of any ball. The fabric hugged her body, drawing attention to her supple curves while the deep blue color complimented her dark features. The dress flowed on her body as it were an extension of her. However, she looked upon herself in the mirror without a smile.

"I should have had you be my mannequin?" beamed Malkin. "Shall I wrap it up for you?"

"No, thank you." She wanted to say yes but was afraid the dress would only go to waste. "I'm sorry I wasted your time Madame Malkin, but I'm afraid this dress would only sit in my trunk. I'm only a fourth year."

"It was no trouble at all my dear."

Cho stepped in the dressing room to change. She handed the dress back to Madame Malkin and took the fitted dress robes. After purchasing she looked for Cedric in the men's department. He was sorting through different Hufflepuff ties. He looked up at her.

"Amazing how ties can have different sizes. My neck didn't grow! How am I supposed to find one that fits?"

Cho studied her friend and plucked a random tie from the table. She flung it over his neck on her tippy toes to reach him. He gazed down as she tied the tie for him. From his view he could see her long eyelashes flutter every other second, smell the coconut in her hair, while observing her lips flinch in concentration.

"There," she finished, "Ties are normally one size; you just have to adjust them. I thought you're old enough to figure that out."

"Well...Mark's not here to perform a tie tying charm." He looked at his watch. "Oh, almost five already? Time to meet the gang."

Leaving the store, they crossed the road to meet their friends at Florean Fortescue's. Cho couldn't help turning around and gazing at the blue dress through the display window, her eyes full of dreams that would not be. They entered the eatery and found most of their friends had already arrived. A large group of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, friends of both Cho and Cedric, occupied two tables, the floor underneath covered with bags of supplies and robes.

"HEEEY!" yelled Mark, Cedric's fellow Hufflepuff and good friend. "'Bout time bro, thought you might have gotten yourself lost," he looked at Cho with a wink, "or preoccupied."

"What are you talking about? I'm not that late." He pulled back a chair for Cho, but she neglected it, running to greet her friends. Sparing himself some embarrassment, Cedric seated himself.

"Jenna, Jolene, Marie, Roger, Ritchie!" she beamed hugging her fellow fourth-year friends. "My goodness it's been so long! Ritchie how are you?" Ritchie was the same year as Cho and very intelligent, although extremely shy. Ritchie got up and gave Cho a friendly hug.

"Did you start looking through this year's Arithmancy agenda?" he boasted, "I was looking through our books all summer; pretty tame stuff for me." Cho nodded while admiring her friend wearing a Star Wars T-Shirt. Ritchie was half-Muggle and he rather enjoyed Muggle entertainment.

"Well, I will be sure to turn to you if I have a question." Cho said. She turned around and was presented with an ice cream sundae. "Oh, why thank you Cedric, how thoughtful."

"Thought you could bear to gain a few pounds," Cedric smirked. "You know, anything I can do to make ride slower on your broom." Cho took an empty seat next to Cedric. She took a few bites of her sundae as she caught up with her friends. They talked about the upcoming year, Quidditch, Cedric becoming prefect, and other various topics. A few moments later, Cho realized how late she was for her meeting with her parents for dinner. She dropped her spoon, and hastily left waving good-bye to her friends. Through the window, Cedric watched Cho as she hurried to the Lion Dragon.

"Fancy her?" asked Joey another good Hufflepuff friend of Cedric. "Buying her ice cream, watching her try on robes, gazing at those beautiful eyes?" he teased fluttering his eyelids with a smirk. Cedric tried to hold is laugh.

"She is beautiful, but we are friends and I try to keep our relationship as such."

"Uh huh," Mark was Cedric's best friend and knew him as well as Cedric knew himself. Sometimes better. Mark watched his best friend gazing at the floor knowing what was brewing in his head.

"Better be just friends Diggory," exclaimed Roger, Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, with a mouthful of ice cream "Can't have you corrupting our new Seeker."

"You have no worries there, Davies." Cedric stole a last glance at the window.

Cho entered the restaurant at 6:00 - half an hour late. Her family was habitually late for everything, but this time it made no difference. She found the hostess lead her parents to a table by a window.

"Ah, Cha Cha, just in time. Apparently there was a 30 minute wait to get a table. I suppose next time I'll have to make reservations?" said her father.

She sat next to her father and accepted a menu from the hostess. Cho skimmed through the menu while updating her parents about her busy day. She told them about the Bludger, and the blue dress. However, she left out interesting details concerning Oliver. She gazed out the window to her left and in search of the hazel-eyed boy that caught her interest.