Til The End

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'Til The End

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Since the anguished letter he'd written her around Christmastime, Roger's subsequent owls had taken a less cheerful, optimistic tone. Part of Chofelt proud of him, to have taken on such a dangerous, disheartening job at such a time of peril. Another part, however, felt pain on his behalf... he was still too young. Only two years older than her. He should not have to become so disillusioned, so dispirited, at the prime of his youth. For now, she kept owling him with various tidbits of what happened at Hogwarts, trying to cheer him up, to give him something else to think about.

Quidditch season continued. Gryffindor faced off with Slytherin, and the Serpents played a far dirtier game against the Lions than they had against Cho's team. Cho, sitting with Charisse and Zach in the stands, shook her head as Alicia Spinnettook the fourth penalty shot in the course of an hour.

"I thought Warrington would be a bit better than Flint," Cho whispered to Charisse.

"Warrington's a bit more into tactics than brute force, but he still wants to win. Besides, most of them were trained under Flint. And a lot of them have personal vendettas against the Gryffindors. They'll do whatever comes into their heads during the game, and when they're up against the Gryffindors..." Zach remarked. Charisse nodded in agreement.

"Some of them are naturally unpleasant and appalling, Quidditchor no Quidditch. Take Hector Nott, for example. Simply horrid, mean and vile-tempered." Charissegrimaced, gesturing at the Slytherin Keeper, "His father and mine were cronies... the two of them, and Professor Snape, were always with each other during their school days. I've known Nott the younger since we were children. Most malicious little bully I've ever met. Still is. I try to avoid him when possible, but he's friends with Warrington and therefore visits our quarters much more frequently than I'd like."

"Oh? He doesn't do anything bad to you, does he?" Choasked, rather concerned.

Charisse smiled wanly, "Don't worry. I told you, I've known him since we were children. And I'm partners in Charms with VerenaPritchard, his girlfriend. I've plenty of blackmail on him that would make Verena lose whatever respect she had for him entirely, were she to hear it. Besides, I can take care of myself, you know, and even if I couldn't, well, Nott isn't so stupid as to try anything to me when there's someone else around to witness it."

Zach smirked, "Is Warrington so reliable a witness, then? Your faith in him is truly touching. I thought you considered him a 'lecherous sod'."

Charisse raised a blonde eyebrow, "I never said he wasn't. He is a lecherous sod, and he's egotistical and infuriating besides. But you know, the selection of Head Boy and Head Girl is made by the Headmaster himself, after conferences with all the teachers, and the Head Boy and Head Girl the year before, who make the recommendations. Therefore, as much as it pains me to say it, I do have some semblance of faith in the git, if Dumbledore chose him for the position. And moreover, I know from experience that there are many Slytherinsmuch, much worse than him."

"That is true," Chomurmured, "Had Flint still been captain, I don't even want to think of what would have happened to me after I won against them. Oh!" All of the sudden, she jumped to her feet. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were both diving, and using the omnicularsthat she had kept from the World Cup,she looked down the pitch and saw the snitch fluttering close to the ground.

Draco Malfoy somehow pushed ahead by a hairbreadth and managed to grasp the snitch. The game was over. Slytherin had actually won against Gryffindor, although only by forty points. Cho and Zach exchanged startled glances, ignoring the throng of green-clad Slytherinsraising up a storm.

"Good Lord! We'll be playing the Gryffindors for the cup!"

* * *

Due to the Slytherin victory, Warrington and Malfoywere both unbearable during the next Prefect meeting. Malfoyharangued Hermione Granger to such a degree that the usually levelheaded girl drew her wand, and would have hexed the Slytherin had Cho and Hufflepuff Prefect Justin Finch-Fletchley not jumped in between them, both Quidditch players snatching Hermione and Draco's wands out of their hands. After that, and Charisse's unprecedented threat to put both Malfoy and Warrington under full body binds if they kept on crowing about Quidditch instead of discussing the issues at hand about posting O.W.L. schedules, the two Slytherinswisely shut their mouths, although with the way they swaggered about in the hallway for days afterward, Cho wished that Charisse had put them in full body binds.

However, she had more important things to think about than strutting Slytherins. The Quidditch final loomed up ahead, and she was so... so very close to completing her Animagus project that she could practically taste the success. Plus, finals were coming up fairly soon, and with two Advanced classes, they were bound to be difficult. Fleur was in an unusually good mood these days for some mysterious reason, but Professor McGonagall, she knew, had, and would always have, the highest possible expectations for her students. As for her other classes, well, being in sixth year, they would not be simple either.

This weekend, she was sitting in the empty Prefects' office, trying to figure out her potions assignment when the door slammed open, and Charisse walked in, a big smile on her face. Cho looked up, bemused.

"Did you just manage to charm Warrington's hair blue for a week? You look excited."

"Oh, hush, you will be just as excited when you hear the news," Charisseplopped down right next to her, "Padma said that I would find you here. Well, Carl and I just had a meeting with Dumbledore to discuss Head Boy and Head Girl assignments for next year. And..." Charisse paused, grinning even wider, "You're to be Head Girl next year. Congratulations!"

Cho sat very still for a second, owl-eyed, then leapt up and hugged Charisse exuberantly. Potions homework momentarily forgotten, she danced around the room for a few seconds, then hugged Charisse again.

"Chang, calm down. Do attempt not to break my eardrums with your infernal squealing." Warrington sauntered into the room, a bored expression on his face. Cho ran up to him, then hesitated for a moment. The much-bigger boy was looking down at her, one eyebrow raised, his expression clearly stating his doubt of her sanity. Shrugging, Cho grabbed him and squeezed him as well. Warrington stumbled backwards, then regained his balance and detached Cho from his person.

"As much as I appreciate your sexual advances, Chang, shouldn't you either ask Weston to leave first? Unless, of course, you're in the mood for a threesome."

"Sexual advances?!" Choscoffed, "Dream on, Warrington, you pervert."

"I am not a pervert. You were the one to attack me. I am a Sex-God with a big broomstick. Make no mistake about it!"

Cho and Charisse looked at each other, then at Warrington, and both started to snicker uncontrollably. Warrington glared at the two for a while, then sat down at the desk that Cho had vacated a few moments ago. He nonchalantly glanced at her half-finished potions essay and turned back to Cho.

"You know, it's supposed to be two crushed sea urchin shells, not one, to neutralize the acidity of the potion. Unless you want it to eat a hole in your cauldron. And you call yourself a Ravenclaw..."

Cho grabbed her parchment from the table and quickly scanned it over. Quickly fixing her mistake on the paper, she turned to Warrington and said, in a voice dripping with sarcasm, "Thank you, oh great Sex-God."

Warrington bowed. Charisse took one look at him, and started laughing again.

* * *

The Quidditch final was held on a warm spring day. Cho shook hands with Angelina Johnson before taking the air. Opposite her, she noticed Harry Potter, with a determined set to his chin. Nevertheless, he grinned back at her when she smiled at him. But only for a moment. Then, the balls were released and the game began.

Cho spent her time listening to Lee Jordan's commentary to keep track of the points, and circling the pitch, looking for the Snitch. With the specific distribution of points, her team would have to be twenty points ahead before she could catch the Snitch in order to win the cup. She would have to hold Harry off the Snitch as well.

With a set look on her face, she took to performing diversionary tactics, zooming about in the air, cutting around Harry, fully aware that he could knock her off her broom if he so saw fit. Twice, she managed to hold him off the Snitch. The game was getting quite long, and the score stood even at 170/170. She continued circling the pitch, noticing with surprise that Carl Warrington, actually wearing blue, sat next to a wildly cheering Charissein the stands. A moment later, she cheered as well when Su managed to score another shot. Come on... one more... just one more.

As if hearing her thoughts, David grabbed the Quaffleclean out of Alicia Spinnet's hands, and put another shot past Ginny Weasley. And then... a glimmer of gold, flittering close to the Gryffindor goal posts. Chotook off.

One of the Weasley twins hit a bludgerher way, but she flattened herself down on her broom, and it soared over her head. Harry was gaining on her, his superior broom now nearly aligned with hers. She gritted her teeth and pushed still forward, tuning everything out except the spot of gold in front of her. Her lungs were starting to hurt at the speed she was going at, but she was getting closer... closer... she no longer heard... saw... knew anything except the Snitch, tantalizing her... closer and closer.

She did not notice Angelina Johnson scoring one last shot.

A moment later, she leaned forward, nearly off her broom, gripping it with her legs, and the Snitch fell into her outstretched hand.

Pandemonium ensued. Ravenclaw had won the game, but Gryffindor had won the cup by ten points. Cho stared, blankly, at the Snitch in her hand, then at the scoreboard, then at Angelina Johnson, who was receiving the Quidditchcup from Dumbledore, and slowly released the breath she had been holding, wincing at the stitch in her side. Then, slowly, dazedly, she walked off the field.

* * *

Though they did not win the Quidditch cup, Ravenclaw's win of the game ensured that they won the House Cup for the first time in many, many years. Most of the Ravenclawswere gratified with this, and the rest of the houses seemed to have mixed views on it. The Hufflepuffs were, if nothing else, quite polite and kind about it. The Slytherins remarked that the Gryffindors were getting complacent, and the Gryffindors themselves looked at them with a new sort of wary but genuine respect. Cho was satisfied and proud, and Roger, despite the increasing Death Eater activity that he had to deal with at work, sent her an ecstatic letter when he had heard the news.

And then it was time to go home. Cho found herself visited by many people in her train compartment, all the people that she knew who were graduating coming in to say goodbye. Zach gave her a brotherly hug before turning back to his crying-but-smiling girlfriend. All of the seventh year Prefects shook her hand, and then, Charisse walked in.

"Cho!" the blonde girl sat down by Cho'sside, "I'm so glad that I got to know you better this year," she said seriously. Cho grinned.

"Well, it was a great year, wasn't it?" Charisse smiled back.

"Certainly. Don't know what I could have done without someone to complain about Warrington to," she quipped. Cholaughed.

"So glad to hear that I am so appreciated." Speak of the devil. Warrington strutted in, smirking true to form. He reached over and captured Cho, giving her a noogiedespite her struggling to get out of his grasp. He turned to Charisse, not ceasing to noogie Cho all the while, and said casually, "Well, I'm off to play Reserve for the Falmouth Falcons. What about you?"

"If I told you, I would have to kill you." Charissereplied immediately. Warrington rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say, Weston." He released Cho, who immediately turned around and punched him. "You punch like a girl, Chang. Better get some practice."

Cho lifted her hands up to her hair, trying to straighten the mess that Warrington had made, and glared at him, "I'll keep that in mind, you big brute, and if I ever see you again, I'll be sure to 'practice' until you're black and blue."

Warrington laughed and walked away. Cho turned to Charisse, "So, what will you bedoing?"

Charisse was silent for a moment, "We'll see," she said evasively, "Anyway, keep in touch, all right? And... could you give me news of my brother now and then?"

"Of course. I'll be in China this summer, but I'll try to owl you sometime. And I'll certainly keep in touch when I come back in the fall." She took out a mirror and looked at her hair. Still a mess. She scowled, "If you ever see Carl bloody Warrington around, slap him for me, please."

Charisse laughed, and dug into her purse. She extracted a beautiful silver brush with a back in the shape of a scallop shell, and told Cho to turn around. Gently and deftly, she brushed the younger girl's hair until it was smooth, and replaitedit in a neat braid. "There, it's all right now."

Cho smiled, "Thanks. That's a beautiful brush, where did you get it?"

Charisse's smile grew a little strained, "A present from my father." Before Cho could ask more, Charisse stood up, "Oh dear, I had better get back to Anthony. Keep in touch, all right?" She gave Cho a hasty wave, and walked out of the compartment.

* * *

"Sodding wanker!" Cho hissed to herself as she stomped down the garden path. Unladylike indeed! She'd show him "unladylike" if she were so unfortunate as to see him again, starting by breaking that long, sniffing nose with her broomstick.

She had been in China for a week so far, and had been thoroughly enjoying herself until today. Today, her grandmother had a visitor, a snobby, chauvinistic wizard of middle age who wanted his son to be trained as a Shen-Wu Mage. Madame Chang had adamantly refused, saying that his son did not meet the qualifications. The man had not taken the hint to leave, and Cho had stepped up, addressing him in what she considered to be a civil voice, "Sir, perhaps if you sent your son to practice more until he can pass the qualifications, it would be better for all concerned."

The man had glared at her, wrinkling his nose, and proceeded to launch into a bombastic, sententious diatribe about unladylike young chits who didn't know their place. This had continued until Madame Chang, who, despite thinking that Cho'sremark to the man was slightly impertinent, believed that the man's tirade was far more impolite, had threatened to have her disciples throw him out if he did not have done and leave of his own accord. The man did so, muttering uncomplimentary things under his breath the whole time, and Cho had stormed outside in high dudgeon.

Suddenly, she heard a curious voice addressing her in Chinese, "What does 'sodding wanker' mean?"

Cho gave a start and turned around, blushing slightly. There stood a girl about fifteen years of age in a white Chinese tunic with blue piping at the Mandarin collar and white training slacks. Her long hair was put back in a severe-looking bun, somewhat like Professor McGonagall's, except held with two ebony chopsticks. "Hello, are you Madame Chang's granddaughter?"

Cho nodded, trying to place the girl. She was certainly wearing the training uniform of a Shen-Wu Mage, but looked too young for the part. As if reading her mind, the girl put her palm over her closed fist in greeting and smiled disarmingly at her, "It is an honor. My name is Jing-Li. Zhao Jing-Li. Madame Chang speaks highly of you."

"Thank you," Choreplied, then cautiously ventured, "Are you one of her disciples?"

"Of course; I've finished the first three levels of training." There was a faint note of pride and accomplishment in Jing-Li's voice. Cho looked at her strangely.

"You look no older than I am! But I thought that the rules say that you can't start training 'til you're eighteen."

"Well, that's because the rules are silly. They weren't going to let me in, but Madame Chang made an exception," Jing-Li said candidly. "So, you still have not explained what 'sodding wanker' means. Those are the first English words I have heard, and I want to learn."

"Erm... well..." Cho was at a loss for things to say, "It just so happens that it...er...I'm not sure that my grandmother would appreciate me teaching you such things."

"Any learning can be made useful;" Jing-Li grinned again, "I'm sure that I will use those words someday."

"Oh dear... a Shen-Wu Mage in a state of mind to use those words... I don't think I want to be present to witness the carnage," Cho murmured under her breath. Then, she grinned mischievously at the other girl, "All right, then. Jing-Li. I will teach you English. Now, repeat after me: 'Smeg!'"

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Heh. It's sooofun to teach people foreign profanity, isn't it? Anyway, review!!