Was it all enough? - Year 7

They arrived before the other Quidditch players, but there was already a line of people waiting to get in. "Looks like it will be a good turnout," Sirius said clapping Harry on the back.

"Nice to see you again Kristi," Sirius said. "I didn't expect you."

"I already gave him grief for not asking me to help. Where's the man we're here to help? I'd like to meet him," Kristi asked before Sirius led him to Mr. Weasley.

Harry was looking around when he was suddenly grabbed from the back. "I've missed you," Cho said turning him around.

Harry hugged her and gave her a big kiss. "I've missed you too. Are you upset that we're doing this?"

"Of course not. I didn't think other players would want anything to do with it. I should have listened to you. I think Sirius and Kelly did a great job setting this up," Cho said.

"I'm glad you're ok with it. I think it looks..." Harry suddenly realized something. "Who's Kelly?"

Cho looked like she said something she shouldn't have. "Um... I need to let Sirius explain that one."

Luckily Sirius was just walking over with a very attractive natural blonde woman. Before Sirius could say anything, Harry extended his hand and said, "I'm guessing you're Kelly."

The woman took his hand and said, "You guessed right. Nice to see you again Harry. You wouldn't remember me. Sirius has told me so much about you."

"Nice to meet you Kelly. I wish he had told me as much about you," Harry said looking at Sirius who was squirming.

"I wanted you to meet her before saying anything. Kelly went to school with me. She was also knew your mother. We fell out of touch after I was sent away but ran into each other a while back," Sirius said with a smile.

"So, have all these trips you've been taking been for Dumbledore or to see Kelly? I wouldn't have worried so much if you had just told me they were to see her," Harry added.

"A little of both. Kelly works for a muggle advertising agency and did most of the work setting the fundraiser up," Sirius replied.

"Well I think you've done an excellent job. I'm much happier knowing he's off seeing you than doing anything stupid." The other Quidditch players arrived and Harry greeted them and talked for a while before it was time to take their places along a long table. They were to give out autographs on things the customers had bought. The English keeper was first, then the English seeker, then Harry and then Kristi.

As soon as people were allowed to come over, it was a non-stop rush of people. They had to sign all kinds of things, brooms, books, and posters and on more than one occasion various body parts of some of the women. Harry could tell Sirius did enjoying watching Harry get embarrassed when he had to sign a strange woman's chest. Everything was going like clockwork until a little boy came running up with tears in his eyes carrying a box. His mother was following close behind looking very sad.

"Can you help me? My snake is very sick," The boy said pushing the box in front of Harry.

Harry looked in the box and saw a small snake that didn't look well. "He's been getting worse for a few days and I don't know what to do?" The boy was crying. His mother also added, "Tommy just loves that snake and would be devastated if anything happened."

"I don't know what I can do," Harry said. He really didn't want to talk to the snake in front of so many people since they all thought it was a sign of a dark wizard.

"Please, help him," The boy cried out loudly.

Harry looked around and saw most people just staring at him. He reluctantly looked at the snake and asked, "Can you tell me what's wrong? I'd like to help you." The crowd gasped and started mumbling to themselves.

The snake looked up a bit and hissed softly. Harry had to lean down to hear. "The boy pushed a stone down my throat. I can't breathe well."

This shocked Harry who quickly asked the snake, "When did this happen?" The snake hissed back. "Just a few minutes ago."

Harry looked up and could almost see an evil smile on the mother's face. Looking back to the boy, Harry felt he was faking the concern so he asked, "When did you say your snake was starting to feel bad?"

The boy cried, "A few days ago. Please help him."

Harry realized he had been setup but it was too late to do anything about it. He turned to the snake and said, "I'm going to help you. Please stay still after this happens and it will be ok."

The snake replied. "I trust you. Don't let the boy near me." Harry quickly put the snake on the floor, pulled out his wand and said 'Engorgio'. Instantly, the snake swelled to four times his original size.

There were many screams but the snake just lay there calmly and said. "Thanks, I can breathe now."

Harry told it. "I'm going to get someone to remove the stone, stay here." Harry stood up and concentrated on the snake's problem and then the owner of the magical pet store and quickly cast the message spell. A large silvery phoenix erupted from the end of his wand and flew off quickly over the crowd. This also caused many gasps.

The mother was yelling, "What have you done to Tommy's snake?" The boy started crying. Harry didn't respond and just stayed down with the snake.

Quickly the owner of the pet shop had pushed his way through the crowd and looked at Harry. "Did you send me that thought?"

Harry nodded and said, "This snake has a stone stuck in his throat. I enlarged the snake so it could breathe. Can you remove the stone?"

The man said, "Of course. I'll need to push these forceps down its throat. Will it bite?"

Harry turned to the snake and said, "This man works with pets and can remove the stone. He needs to put the tool into your throat. Is that ok?" The snake quickly responded, "Yes."

The man was starting wide-eyed at Harry when he responded, "I told the snake what you are going to do and he won't bite. The crowd was straining to watch as the man pushed the forceps down the large snake but was finally able to remove the stone. Harry quickly whispered to the man, "That boy did this just a few minutes ago and the snake doesn't want to go with him. Can you take the snake back to your shop after I return it to normal size?"

The man nodded. Harry turned back to the snake, "You should be fine now. I'm going to return you to normal size."

The snake quickly said, "Don't give me to the boy. He just found me this morning."

Harry responded, "I won't. You can go back with the man who just removed the stone." Harry could tell the snake relaxed. He quickly returned the snake to its normal size and put it back in the box. Then he handed the box to the man and turned to the boy and his mother. "Your snake will be fine, but he needs to go back to the pet shop to be looked after. You can pick him up there tomorrow."

Harry could see the evil smile on the woman's face, but then he started hearing clapping coming from the crowd. This soon grew into everyone clapping. The woman's face turned from an evil smile to anger. The boy wasn't being able to maintain his concern for the snake either. They faked following the pet shop owner out of the crowd and Harry thought there was no way they would go to claim the snake.

Harry was starting to sit back down when Sirius came over. "You did the right thing helping them out."

"I don't think this is going to help the campaign though," Harry replied. He didn't want to get into the facts right now.

Kristi leaned over and whispered, "They weren't faking their concern very well were they?" Harry looked at her shocked. Kristi had been able to tell they were setting him up right away. "I don't think they were happy when the crowd started clapping though."

The players got back to signing things and almost everyone told Harry they were proud of him helping that boy's pet. After a couple more hours, the fundraiser was over. Harry had asked Sirius to go over to the twin's store and get three large boxes of samples. When he returned, Harry gave a box to each of the Quidditch players who had come to help with the fundraiser. The two English players were very nice and had enjoyed talking to Mr. Weasley. Harry explained to Kristi that the box was from the twins she had met at his birthday party. She promised to stop into their store sometime.

"I really appreciate you coming to help out. If it could have been in the advertisements, we would have drawn a bunch more guys," Harry told her.

"Just ask next time. If I don't want to do something, I'll just say so. Besides, it was a learning experience. I'd never heard anyone talk to a snake before. What did it say?" Kristi asked.

Harry told her what the snake said, "That just proves my theory that there are a lot of assholes in the world. You did good today. I'll see you at practice," Kristi said before leaving. By now, most people had left, leaving Harry, Cho, Sirius, Kelly and Mr. & Mrs. Weasley.

Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry tight, "Thank you so much for helping Harry. You're parents would be so proud of you."

Mr. Weasley shook his hand and added, "There is no way we could match Gallah without your help."

Harry was blushing but responded, "You've always treated me like family, it's the least I can do. I hope the thing with the snake doesn't hurt."

"Didn't you hear the crowd? I think it will end up helping with the publicity," Mr. Weasley said.

Harry quickly told them what the snake had said about the boy just picking it up. Sirius caught on quick. "So, you were being setup. Someone wanted to sabotage the fundraiser."

Kelly asked, "Who would want to do that? And, why use Harry?"

Sirius quickly responded, "Gallah of course. He wants to hurt Arthur's campaign and hurting Harry in the process would just be a bonus. I don't think Gallah will be too happy with the way it turned out. He gave us some more good publicity."

Harry was only able to spend a few minutes alone with Cho before he needed to return to the school. "How's the wedding plans coming?" he asked.

She hesitated and it felt to Harry like she was making something up. "It is taking more time than I thought. You know, we may have to put it off until next summer like you suggested. Is that ok?"

Harry thought she didn't seem too bothered by this but just assumed she had come around to thinking it was best. "That's fine with me. I'd rather be out of school."

"I heard there are a couple of balls this year. So, who are you taking? Better not be either of your little fan club girls," Cho said flatly.

"I didn't figure you would be happy with me asking Ginny or Hermione. I haven't decided what to do yet," Harry responded.

They talked for a while more and Harry thought things seemed a bit different with her. He just wrote it off to not seeing her for a month. This was a Hogsmeade weekend so there were still some students when he arrived back there. He was able to get a carriage back to the castle with some of them.

Ron and Ginny were waiting outside by the steps when he came back. "How did it go?" Ron quickly asked. Harry told them all about the fundraiser and that it seemed like they raised quite a bit of money for their dad.

"That means dad got to meet Keith Warner and Martin Shales. That lucky git. I wish I could have gone," said Ron sounding upset.

Harry explained about the snake and that he was very worried about the bad publicity it may bring. Ron was also worried about this but Ginny didn't think there would be any problem. Harry wanted to run it by someone else. "Where's Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Studying," Ginny said quickly. "She's still reading the level 7 standard spells book. I bet she's gone though that thing a hundred times."

Harry laughed but knew that she was probably using the fake cover and really reading about elemental magic or the book she bought in Knockturn Alley.

When the owl post came the next week, Harry was watching Hermione intently. He saw a small smile cross her mouth. "Well, how bad is it?" he asked. Hermione handed him the paper.

Unintentional gift from You-Know-Who's saves pets life

During the recent fundraiser for Arthur Weasley's campaign for Minister of Magic, a distraught boy brought his pet snake who was on the verge of dying to the one person the boy thought could help his beloved pet. Harry Potter. Harry quickly used the gift You-Know-Who inadvertently passed to him during the vicious attack many years ago to ask the snake what the problem was. After determining the problem, Harry summoned the pet shop owner to quickly work on the pet. After a successful visit, the owner took the snake back to his shop for further observation. The boy and his mother were obviously very stunned and appreciative of Harry's effort

With the support of Harry Potter as well as the Seeker and Keeper from England's own Quidditch team, Arthur Weasley is quickly becoming the favorite in the election.

Ginny, who had been reading over Harry's shoulder finished she said, "I told you it wouldn't be any problem. You two should listen to me more."

"You know, dad could actually win this thing," Ron said sounding confident for the first time.

Things were going smoothly for Harry and his friends. Harry and Hermione were both making progress on their project and Ron was getting along good with Parvati. Mr. Weasley's campaign was going very well. There were more and more random Death Eater attacks, but no one could see any pattern, and as of yet no muggles were targeted. Even though people weren't sure it was Voldemort, Harry heard rumors that many in the magical community were starting to talk and get worried.

The week of Harry's first Quidditch match, he gave the usual passes to Cho and Professor McGonagall. He gave Hermione a pass and asked Ron if he wanted to come, but Ron declined if Parvati wouldn't be able to go, so Harry gave it to Ginny.

This match was against Romania, and Harry felt confident in the way his team was playing. His friends were very excited when they left for the stadium. They met Cho who had dressed a little more risqué than Harry expected. Not as bad as the finals over the summer but differently. "Is this your standard wardrobe now?" Harry joked while hugging her.

She pulled back quickly and said, "What if it is? Can't I wear what I want?" she said this much more coldly than Harry had expected. Even his friends looked at her. Before he could say anything else, the coach was calling him into the locker room.

The match was pretty much uneventful, France was clearly the better team and Harry had no trouble catching the snitch, which caused tremendous clapping, even in the Romanian stadium. After showering, Harry saw the reporter he talked to along the side of the crowd of other reporters. He went directly to her, bypassing all the other screaming voices.

"Congratulations on starting the new season off right."

"Thank you Ms. Mishmas. The team really played well today."

"Do you think you can make it to the playoffs again this year?"

"I don't see why not. If I can ever figure out how to deal with Viktor Krum, maybe we can do better than last year."

"I understand you're engaged. You know there are many young French women who were disappointed to hear that."

"I doubt there were many, but yes I'm engaged to my fantastic manager, whom I need to be getting over to. Thank you."

Harry quickly made his way over to his friends. They were all congratulating him and watching the other people. Cho came up after only a couple minutes, "I need to be getting back Harry. There are just a lot of things I need to take care of."

"Is there anything wrong Cho?" Harry asked knowing she was acting strange.

"Of course not, I'm just really busy back home. See you soon," she said and apparated away. His friends could tell something wasn't quite right but didn't say anything at this point. They all went back to Hogwarts.

That night at practice, Hermione wanted to talk. "Harry, is there anything wrong with Cho?"

Harry was silent for a minute and then spoke. "I don't know. She said there wasn't, but something didn't feel right. She hasn't been sending as many owls either."

"Maybe she's just really busy," Hermione added.

"That's what I thought at first, but Ron said the twins thought business was running just fine and since Kristi and I both have our contracts, I don't know what would keep her so busy. Did I tell you we're waiting until summer for the wedding?" Harry added.

"No, you didn't. Was it your idea or hers?"

"I suggested it right after asking her, but she just recently said it was a good idea. I think it's the right thing. C'mon, we're wasting valuable practice time," Harry added and went back to practicing.

Harry and Hermione had been making good progress in their practice and were involved in a session when they heard a sudden scream. Professor McGonagall had decided to check on their progress but was greeted most unexpectedly by a wall of fire as soon as she opened the classroom door. After hearing the scream, Harry quickly banished the flames. "I'm sorry Professor; we just didn't want people walking in on us," Harry said quickly.

McGonagall still clutching her chest and trying to catch her breath said, "Yes... um well I guess a raging inferno would deter people. However, a simple locking charm would be effective as well."

"Yes professor, we'll remember that," Hermione added sounding a bit embarrassed.

"I just wanted to see if you two had made any progress, but I'm assuming the reception I got was an indication," McGonagall stated, still breathing faster than normal.

"Yes professor. We've been making good progress. Would you like a small demonstration?" Hermione asked. McGonagall nodded and Hermione whispered to Harry. Hermione quickly made a whirlpool in the water tub and then made the water form into a cone and rise out of the tub before returning.

Harry then had all of the lanterns in the room send fire to his palm which he held out so McGonagall could see how hot it was. Then looking to Hermione, he nodded. She started sending small droplets of water into the air. Quickly, Harry started sending small bits of fire out to collide with the water droplets causing mini explosions all around them. After a couple minutes, they quit and could both see a very wide grin on McGonagall's face.

"Fine, I see there was no pressing need to check up on you. Do you expect to progress much further before the presentation?" McGonagall asked.

Instantly both Harry and Hermione said, "Much further!" They looked at each other and started laughing.

"Would you mind if I informed the headmaster about your progress? I personally didn't expect the final demonstration to be more than this."

"We don't mind at all professor," Hermione said. "But, if you wouldn't mind, we'd like the presentation to be a surprise, even to you so we'd rather not do another demonstration."

Harry was surprised she was saying this to a teacher but McGonagall took it well and even smiled, "I see no need to check on you again. Potter, don't let her down."

"No professor," Harry quickly said.

On the way back to the common room Harry asked, "So, what are you plans after this year? I'm sure you have it all planned out."

Hermione smirked at him and said, "I'm going to continue on at a specialized university closer to London. I decided to become a Doctor. I want to do research into new potions. I may also try to teach some."

"I wish I had all your energy. That sounds like too much work," Harry joked.

"I don't suppose you've given any thought to what you're doing. I mean except for Quidditch."

"You don't think Quidditch is a real career?"

"It is, but how long can you really do that for. Even if you do it for ten years, what would you do after that?"

"Hermione, that's too far to think. I may decide to go back to school and join you in your research. I'd probably be more suited to doing security for you, but it's something."

She laughed. "Seriously, do you think about anything else other than playing Quidditch?"

"If Mr. Weasley wins the campaign, I may join the unspeakable department. I have a feeling they do a lot of exciting things."

"Probably dangerous too. You haven't gotten the orb out again have you?" she asked quietly.

"Not since our last time. I probably should try it again," He replied.

She looked worried. "Not without me. Make sure I'm with you."

"Fine. That means you have to sneak into my bed since that's where I plan on trying it," Harry said with a grin.

"That's not fair," she exclaimed. "Well, then don't be surprised if you find me in there sometime."

Later that week they were all in the common room late one night talking about the Holiday Ball. Ron said, "So, who's taking you to the ball Ginny?"

Ginny quickly spoke up, "Colin Creevy, got anything against that?"

"Not at all. Just tell him I'll kill him if he touches you or keeps you out too late," Ron replied.

Harry laughed. "C'mon Ron. Ginny's sixth year now. Do you know what most of the sixth year's were doing last year?"

Ron got angry and said, "Ginny's not like most sixth years. I don't want to hear anything she's doing until after I'm gone."

"Ron! I'll never get to have any fun with you here," Ginny exclaimed.

"Exactly," Ron replied satisfied.

"You should have heard Cho telling everyone all the things her and Harry were doing last year," Hermione said.

"Hey!" Harry said but Ron quickly added. "But Cho was a seventh year."

"Harry was sixth though and it sounded like he was a very willing participant," Hermione replied.

"I'm leaving if my name comes up again," Harry said harshly.

"Who's taking you Hermione?" Parvati asked.

"Not sure yet. I've been asked but I haven't decided," she replied quietly.

"And what about you Harry?" Ginny added. "Is Cho letting you go?"

"I get to go; she just said I couldn't ask you or Hermione. It seems she considers you two far too much competition. I think I have an idea who I'm going to ask but don't want to say anything yet," Harry replied.

This comment made Hermione feel both good and bad. She felt good that Cho considered her competition but bad because she knew Harry would never do anything to upset Cho and that meant he wouldn't ask her to go with him. She may as well accept the invitation she was given already.

Later that night Harry went up and retrieved his invisibility cloak, even though he could become invisible, he felt more comfortable with the cloak right now. Walking back down, his friends confronted him. "So, where are you sneaking off to?" Ron asked.

"Harry, you know it's past curfew. I could take points away," Hermione added.

"I need to work on my plan for the ball. Now Hermione, I could have put the cloak on earlier and you wouldn't know I was gone. Just pretend it happened that way. If I get caught, I'll never say you saw me leave." He smiled and stepped out of the portrait hole. His friends thought he must have been asking someone from another house to go with him. However, this wasn't the case at all.

Harry covered himself with the cloak and made his way to a location he hadn't visited in quite a while. Entering the room he heard. "Who's there?" coming from nowhere in particular.

"Myrtle? It's me Harry," he said dropping the cloak.

Quickly, Moaning Myrtle came into view smiling. "Harry! You haven't been to see me in so long. I thought you forgot all about me."

"Of course not Myrtle. I've come to thank you and ask you something," he replied. "I wanted to finally thank you for helping me in the tournament a couple years ago. I don't think I ever properly did that."

"You're welcome Harry. We couldn't have those foreigner's winning now could we?" she replied. "What do you want to ask me?"

"Well, you know that I'm seeing Cho Chang, right?"

"Of course Harry. Even I can't say anything bad about that."

"Well, since she's gone, I was wondering if you would like to be my date to the Holiday Ball?" he asked looking at her ghostly figure.

She looked very stunned and then kind of angry. "If this is a joke, I'll haunt you long after you're gone."

"No Myrtle, I'm serious. I think you'd be good company and I don't think Cho would get upset, if you know what I mean," Harry said.

She looked at him. "I guess you are being honest." She started smiling. "I'd love to Harry. I suppose you could have asked living girls and Cho wouldn't have minded."

"I supposed so, but I really wanted to ask you," Harry said. "Will we be able to dance? I've never danced with a ghost before."

Myrtle laughed. "Of course we can. I can be somewhat firm when I need to be, that's how I turn the water on. Oh Harry, I can't wait. You don't know how long it's been since I've been to a ball."

"Don't tell anyone, I want it to be a big surprise," Harry said.

"Oh, I promise. And tell Cho, she has nothing to worry about," Myrtle said bubbling.

Harry snuck back up to the common room to find his friends still talking. "That was quick," Ron said. "No luck, huh?"

"Actually, I now have a date for the Holiday Ball. I can move pretty quick when I want to," Harry said sitting down next to Ginny.

"So, who is it?" Ginny asked.

"I'm not telling. Anyone," Harry said turning toward Hermione. "Now, I'm going to bed," Harry said before heading up to the dorm. He lay in bed for a while quite happy with himself. 'I owed her for her help in the Triwizard Tournament and Cho can't get mad at me. But, what to do about the Beauxbatons dance?' he thought before falling asleep.

Harry had been getting less than one owl a week from Cho now. This was starting to bother him but he tried not to let his friends know anything was wrong. Ron was fine, he didn't notice anything this year except for Parvati. Ginny and Hermione both asked him often how things were going. He just kept saying everything was fine. Just last night, he had received an owl saying she had too much work to do and wouldn't be able to make his next match.

His second Quidditch match of the season was coming up the next weekend and Harry was trying to focus on that. Harry and his friends were having lunch one afternoon and soon after the mail came, Hermione stopped reading her Daily Prophet and quickly said, "Harry, I need to talk to you in private."

He looked at her and said, "I'm eating, can it wait?"

She grabbed his arm and said, "No, right now." And started pulling him out of the hall.

"Hermione, what's going on?" Harry demanded but Hermione was silent and kept pulling him until they were away from the hall.

"I thought you should read this in private," she said, handing him the paper.

Betrayal of The Boy Who Lived

Miss Cho Chang, engaged to France's star seeker Harry Potter, and also his manager has been caught in the arms of another man. This picture recently taken shows the brazen Miss Chang publicly showing her passion for Kevin Weisman, seeker for the Wales Quidditch team. There had been reports of Miss Chang visiting popular clubs with the Wales' seeker for some time now but no proof had been available.

It was only a couple months ago when Miss Chang was showing off her exquisite diamond engagement ring, but as this picture clearly shows, that ring is nowhere to be found. Maybe Miss Chang couldn't wait for Harry to finish his final year at Hogwarts.

Mr. Weisman has always been known as a ladies man and a regular at all the popular clubs. Mr. Potter on the other hand has shied away from the publicity and crowds of such places. It seems Miss Chang has developed a taste for the glamorous side of professional Quidditch.

This reporter hopes she had the consideration to end things with Harry correctly. Either way, this is good news to the countless ladies who are no doubt eager to take Miss Chang's place as Harry's companion. If you read this Harry, give us a call if you need some company