Courtyard
This is the courtyard to the prestigious and established
wizard school known as Hogwarts.
Of interest besides the giant towering school is the cabin
of the Keeper of the Keys, Rubeus Hagrid, the
Harry is out on the grounds, despite the fact that he's not
supposed to be. But at this point, who cares? We've been cooped up TOO long
inside and he needs to walk around the courtyard a fair bit. He's bundled up in
his heavy winter cloak, kicking at snowdrifts as he walks.
Not supposed to be out on the grounds, eh? Well, at least he
isn't the only one out and about! Bundled up tightly as well, Cho's heading
back from yet /another/ walk down to the lake. She couldn't even throw rocks
into it, cause it's gotten some ice at least around the edges, and thanks to
the snow and the cold, she's decided not to stay out very long. Besides, she
really needs to stop pushing her luck and coming out here, even if the two
missing girls have been returned and things should be fairly safe right now.
Anyway, on her way back to the castle, she happens to see that she isn't alone
out here. Though she can't see who it is at first. It's too small to be most of
the Professors (and too big to be Professor Flitwick) so she continues forward,
not trying to duck out of sight.
Harry reaches down, scooping up a handful of snow, forming
it into the shape of a ball. Maybe he should have tracked down Ron for a
snowball fight.. better yet, smuggle Hermione down from the hospital wing for
one. She could sure do with some cheering up. He's got his back to Cho as his
mittened hands continue to pat the snow into a tightly packed ball.
As she gets closer, moving fairly silently, Cho smiles as
she picks out who it most likely could be. The cloak does leave some room for
error though, so she doesn't call out any names at this point. In fact, as she
sees what it is the person is doing, she reaches into her robes and pulls out
her wand. She whispers softly under her breath, pointing the wand at the ground
in front of her, the swishing it upwards towards the target. A single loose
ball of snow is formed and moves quickly towards the cloaked figure. She'd do
it the old fashion way, but she's not wearing any mittens.
Harry stands there, clueless as to what's heading his way.
That is until he turns around just in time to get smacked in the face by the
snowball @.@; "AAAH!" That's not what he was expecting to see.. not
to mention being smacked in the face. He raises an arm to wipe off his face.
Thankfully his glasses don't need too much in the way of wiping thanks to the
water repelling charm on them. After the snow is wiped from his face, he takes
note of who else is out in the courtyard. Looks like a certain Ravenclaw has a
streak of mischief in her!
Just a little bit. There's a start of surprise as the
snowball is taken to the face, perhaps she missjudged who the person was, or
she just didn't mean to hit him in the face like that. Talk about timing! The
wand gets folded under her hand, almost disappearing behind her wrist. Cho's
smile goes slightly apologetic, but for a change she doesn't say she's sorry.
She is, somewhat, but only because he happened to take it to the face. That's
never fun. "Fancy seeing you out here," she calls out after a moment,
moving a few steps closer.
Harry tosses the snowball he had made over his shoulder. He
can't bring himself to retaliate seeing that it's Cho n'all. For no.. real
reason.. "That was a good aim. I'm impressed." He grins a bit
guiltily, "I had to come outside. You'd think being in a castle the size
of Hogwarts that you wouldn't get cabin fever." He thought about badgering
McGonagall for a quick go on his broom, but decided against it.
Awww. No retaliation? Cho's suddenly reminded of the
Quidditch game they had against each other and how this particular Gryffindor
got yelled at by his team for being a gentleman. Heh. "I was aiming for
your back," she says with a smile, shaking her head. Maybe her aim wasn't
that good, but he did turn around, so there's always that. "And I don't
know about that. I need to get outside every so often just for air." If
only she could fly right now. *sigh*
Erp, you had to think of that? Harry grins a bit widely,
"No, seriously, great aim." Even if he hadn't of turned around it
would have pelted him in the back of the head. Amen about the flying...
"Yeah. You could walk around the castle all you like and still feel
restless." Besides, keep the kids cooped up inside too long and they start
breaking into fights and more pranks than usual.
"Just not much for staying inside too long." Cho
responds, moving closer now that it seems like he won't be pelting her with
snow balls, which was the reason she was keeping a distance at first.
"Now, if only we could have our /brooms/ back. I actually wouldn't mind
practicing even in this weather." Just flying would make her happy, even
if she had windburn and frostbite afterwards. It's just not the same being on
the ground so long...
Harry folds his arms across his chest. You have nothing to
fear from him! "I wouldn't mind flying in the worst weather period if we
could have our brooms back. Thunderstorm, snow storm, lightning, high
winds." He doesn't care. Just.. give him back his Firebolt for the love of
all that's sacred please! ;.; "Did you ever manage to look for a newer
broom?"
Tsk. Well, she still has her wand in hand, so maybe he has
something to fear from her! Ahem. Anyway, Cho continues closer, then stops at a
decent speaking distance, smiling. She knows /exactly/ how he feels. She has
the same feelings. It would save her so much stress if she could just fly a few
paces. Her new 'friendship' is so emotionally draining, it's a wonder she's
remained sane without an escape like flying. "No, I haven't had much a
chance. I've writen my mother about looking into it, and she says she'll see
what she can do. I did give her a few options of what I want, but it's really
up to her... A Nimbus Two-Thousand isn't too bad right now though, so it's a
possibility." She'd honestly give up the possibility of a new broom if she
could just have her old one back though.
Harry has his wand on him as well. ph33r! He's had a decent
amount of experience with dueling so be afraid. If he knew how stressed Cho was
by befriending him, he'd back off knowing full well how vindictive Malfoy is.
"The Nimbus line is very good, and they're getting more affordable with
the Firebolt's availability. I'd recommend any of the Nimbus line." If
it's in your price range. He's been one lucky young man, both of his brooms
were 'anonymous' gifts.
Oh, it's not Harry's fault that her friendship with the
Slytherin is so draining. It's not Malfoy's fault entirely either, because
she's the one who insisted on becoming friends with him... Ah, such a long
story it is! And unfortunately, this better not go to dueling, because she's
not very good at jinxs at all. She's fair with charms though, but better with
potions. Cho nods at the mention of the Nimbus, smiling brightly, "Oh, I'd
love to have one, but we'll see. I like the Comet line too, just because I know
it well."
Harry grins, "Stick with what you know then? I don't
think I could stray from owning a Firebolt now.. I just hope I don't have to
replace it anytime until.. well I can afford to." That money in his vault
has to sustain him until he can work. Does Gringott's work on interest like muggle
banks? @.@; Guess it's time to start working hard, cranking out top grades so
he can get a well paying job with the Ministry or something.
"I might stick with my Comet until the summer. That way
I can have a few months to get used to whatever I get before we have school
again." At the talk of affording a possible future replacement, she adds,
"Maybe you could play for a professional team when you finish school. I
bet dozens of teams would try to get Harry Potter as their Seeker." Cho
smiles, not even trying to flatter him. He really is a talented Seeker, and
just the name would draw a crowd to see the 'Boy Who Lived' and people who can
draw a crowd is certainly something almost any team manager would wish and pray
and pay well for. "But I hope you don't have to replace it for a while
either. You handle your Firebolt remarkably." Again, she's not flattering,
just telling the truth.
Harry nods his head, "That sounds like a good plan..
and hopefully we'll have quidditch back soon.. I have so many points to help
regain for Gryffindor." That's an understatement. And maybe this summer he
can practice flying for once.. At that suggestion, he glows bright red.
".. I hadn't thought of playing professionally.." He hasn't even
thought ahead past summer. "I don't know... I mean.. there's.. there's a
lot to think about." Like what? Choosing a fun career in the realm of
sports? Or continuing to risk your neck fighting dark wizards? "I'll just
have to see what happens." He grins a bit, adjusting his glasses
needlessly, ".. Thanks.."
"I always thought everyone on the house teams dreamed
about it at least once." Cho says with some surprise, smiling a little
more brightly at the blushing Gryffindor. Still wrapped warmly in her cloak,
she stands in the snow, with Harry, even though they technically /shouldn't/ be
outside. What's the harm now that the missing girls are back though?
"There are a lot of possibilities." She herself is definately looking
into medical magics when she finishes, but that's not for everyone.
Harry nods a bit, "I just have to make it through to
graduation." He could always try and join the Chudley Cannons, they might
win for a change! (many apologies to Ron!) And as for his prior comment, it's
the plain ugly truth he has to face. "There's a lot out there to do, and
hopefully enough time to sample a little of every opportunity." With the
longer lifespan wizards and witches possess that is.. Barring 'accidents'.
The way that Harry says that first part, earns a look from
Cho. Just talking about having to 'make it' to graduation is enough to earn a
specific look. It isn't really bad, but it certainly is a notch or two down
from her bright smile. She shakes it off after a moment. "You'll be
fine." Though unless she wants to work as Madam Pomfrey's assistant after
she's finished, /she/ won't be around when he finishes his seventh year.
"I'm sure you'll find something that you'll enjoy. Just don't try to teach
Defense Against the Dark Arts here." That job is cursed.
Harry didn't mean to do that on purpose.. o.o He grins a
bit, "Oh why not? Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts could be
fun." Besides, he could teach or assist the class at most as it is right
now. "It can be something to do when I'm old and grey." There, does
that sound a bit more optimistic? "Playing quidditch professionally does
sound fun."
It's been dropped, but the mention of being old and gray
does earn a brighter smile. Cho looks him over, as if trying to picture him
looking like Dumbledore or something. The mental image makes her laugh for a
second, then she nods, "Maybe that would work. I hope you wouldn't be too
hard on the Slytherin's though." She is starting to learn that they aren't
all bad, even if she had to learn it from Draco. "But if you do play
Quidditch, than I'll be sure to cheer for your team. Unless I happen to be on
another one, at least."
Harry rolls his eyes a bit. "It's a dirty game. You
have to play rough to win sometimes." And Slytherin VS Gryffindor is
always a grudge match. He reddens again at the idea of you cheering him on.
"I'll dedicate my first win to everyone I've played quidditch with and
against." Oh god.. he sounds like a complete and total prat! What has
gotten into him???
It is a rough game. She's gotten hurt enough times to know
that. Luckily she hasn't had that problem recently. But at the 'prat-like'
talk, which she doesn't think is prat-like at all, earns a question. "Does
that include Slytherin?" Cho asks, raising her eyebrows at the young man.
She hopes does find it rather likely that he would dedicate it to the other
teams, but even Draco? Somehow she doesn't think he meant them. "It's very
nice of you though."
Harry laughs just a bit, "Yeah.. because thanks to
Malfoy I play quidditch anyway." Besides, he knows how to play dirty thanks
to Slytherin. Even if you don't think he's being a prat, he still thinks he's
being one, then again the only girls he really talks to at any length are
Hermione, Angelina, Katie, Alicia and occasionally Ginny.
"It is?" Aparently, Cho hasn't yet heard the story
of how Mr. Potter managed to get on the Quidditch team in his first year. She
remembers it, because she was a vulnerable little 2nd year and she had dreams
of getting on the house team eventually, and any mention of Harry Potter and
most students that year were listening. That's just how it is when you're
famous.
Harry can't help the grin just remembering the look on
Malfoy's face. "Yeah, our first flying lesson, Neville falls off his broom
and drops his rememberall. Malfoy snatches it up and threatens to leave it in
the trees for him to find. He takes off, I follow. He then throws it, I fly
after it, catching it out of a dive and Professor McGonagall sees the whole
thing. I thought I was in trouble." To say the least...
Well, that certainly is quite a story. Cho can't help but
smile, shaking her head, "Well, Draco certainly has a way of making
people's lives more interesting, I'll give him that." It's not that her
life was boring before she met him, but it certainly was more emotionally sane.
After making friends with him, it certainly has made her life a bit more...
well... unstable. But not necessarily in a bad way.
Harry rubs his mittened hands together, "Yeah, without
him, my life at school might be a bit duller." To say the least. Well some
instability is healthy for a person, makes them appreciate the calmer times
down the road. But in excess, it can mentally break someone!
Yeah. And it's just an odd coicidence that... just as people
start to talk about him while he isn't around, Draco happens to show up. He
trails on behind his father, who leads the way out the door and down the steps
from the main entrance-way of Hogwarts, looking in a foul and whiny mood.
Unlike his son, however, Lucius seems a bit more angry, not quite as petty as
the child, lines of tension showing up beautifully on those sharp facial
features which his little boy just so happened to inherit. They move with
Lucius in the lead and Draco trailing behind, trudging through the snow,
attempting to keep up with the strides of his much taller parent. Ah, the joys
of being short. But, eh. Obviously, the son is going to see his father off.
Ahhhh! No! Not the same instability causing young man, with
a dad to boot! "I understand that. I must admit, the last month has
been... eventful." Cho could have done without some of the things that
have happened, but over all, eventful is a good word for it. She wouldn't wish
away the month, or her friendship with Draco though. It is part of her life now
and she will deal with it as best she can. Besides, he's not /all/ bad. ... And
speak of the devil. She just happens to be looking towards the school, so she
sees the approaching figures and just stares, for a moment wondering if the
taller older person is a Professor. She really doesn't want to get caught out
here /now/.
Oh god, speaketh of the devil and he appears!! And... oh
no.. Satan himself is with young Malfoy. But unfortunately for Harry, he
doesn't notice the pair of Malfoys heading out of the castle otherwise he'd
duck and try to blend in with the snow, which would be a feat in itself. Black
cloak, white snow? Ha ha! "That's putting it mildly." He notices you
staring off at the school behind him and turns his head, immediately wishing he
hadn't.. "oh.. no.." is breathed out softly.
Two Malfoys for the price of one! Ha ha! 'Tis such a great
day to be alive. Well. Kinda. Okay. Not really. Don't question me or I'll kick
you in the kneecap. Twice. And hard, too! Grr. Perhaps it's a good thing that they
happen to be a bit of a distance away, it saves them from Draco's simpering
whines of everything under the sun, including the snow he's getting in his
shoes, how cold he is, how much Potter and what's happened lately stinks, as
well as numerous other things. If Lucius happens to be angry with his own son,
oh boy, he certainly has GOOD REASON to be, but he's not, so. "Draco,
enough." He snaps at the child who was just in the middle of complaining
about McGonagall suspending Quidditch and taking his broom away, not to mention
asking his father to do something about it. Obviously the mean ole Malfoy daddy
has spotted the other two, recognizing young Harry Potter, but the other...
well... Draco comes to a halt beside him and peers over... then proceeds to sneer...
Lookie there. Been hanging out a lot with Potter recently, haven't you, Cho?
He's not surprised. Lucius places his hand firmly on Draco's shoulder.
"Not a word, son." Just keep walking.
Is that... Draco? Cho recognizes that cold stare and can't
help but pull her cloak a little more tightly around her. She honestly didn't
intend to meet Harry out here, so don't look at her like that. She opens her
mouth to say something, then closes it again as he puts his hand on the small
Slytherin and silences him. Who is that guy with him? She knows he's not a
teacher, she's seen most the teachers... and that cold look.. that... oh wait.
She bites her lip, trying to figure out if she should risk saying anything. She
should probably just stay quiet... let him pass... ... Since when did she ever
do what she should when Draco is concerned? "Hello, Draco." she
finally says, smiling prettily, if a little less than her usual. The Malfoy
Daddy gets a polite look and she nods her head and tries to smile politely.
Harry tears his gaze away from the Malfoys. He tries so hard
to force his expression into one of neutrality but that scathing look of sheer
loathing stays put. His green eyes are narrowed as he pointedly looks back over
at Cho, then drops his gaze to the ground as he mutters, "That's his
father." He's.. not a very nice man. The thing with Buckbeak two years
ago? You're looking at the man who pushed for the hippogriff's execution. He'll
just.. look away until the evil has passed. Unless he's provoked or what not.
Lucius, I know what you did last summer :P (couldn't resist, sorry)
He had been meaning to say something, to fire off a nasty
comment at Potter, perhaps, but the words from his father mean that... well,
Draco does indeed fall silent, but it isn't the same as being 'cowed', because
he still sneers. Lucius glances down towards the boy for a moment at the girl's
greeting, then back to Cho, his gray-eye stare cold and penetrating. Gee...
Seems like a more severe version of what Draco'
Seems like a more severe version of what Draco's capable of,
though the boy still manages to look pretty nasty. "Hello, Cho." The
young Malfoy replies, keeping it plain and simple, least he be silenced a
second time. And... ooooo! That look from the father lightens up a little, a
little of that degree of harshness is taken away and replaced with a quirk of
the eyebrow in faintly expressed interest. Looks like Lucius has been keeping
up on the Daily Prophet articles, too. He's certainly heard of his son's
recent... escapades with Cho Chang. So this must be the girl. Well... at least
Draco's not going after the mudblood or the Weasley daughter. Yes, his son has
some taste, but obviously not much. Hrmph.
Hey! I take offense to that! Just because she's standing out
in the Courtyard having a civil conversation with Harry Potter doesn't make her
all bad. Well, okay, depends on the opinion of the person, perhaps that would
be enough for the Malfoys. The stare she gets from Draco's father (identified
by Harry) makes her shiver slightly, but that could just be the cold. Yeah,
it's just the cold. Uh-huh. She opens her mouth, trying to think of something
else to say, but it takes a moment. At least the look lightened a bit!
That's... somewhat encouraging. "Mr. Malfoy," she says politely,
"Are you taking Draco--?" she finally manages, looking from Draco to
his father. He's not here to take Draco away is he? Draco /did/ send him a post
the other day, did he request to go home? He doesn't strike her as the 'I wanna
go home, come get me, daddy!' type.
Harry keeps his gaze down for a few moments, before
curiousity overcomes him. A look of thinly veiled loathing remains on his face
as he peeks over his shoulder at the father and son duo. He's almost mentally
daring for something to be said. Cho, are you sure you want to continue trying
to befriend Malfoy? Look at the lot you'll have to contend with! Some taste?
SOME? What in the [censored] is wrong with Cho? Not a darn thing. u.u Sheesh
Malfoy, when are you going to get a backbone and fight your own battles instead
of hiding behind Daddy's Death Eater garb? Bah! Malfoy is sort of the 'Come and
get me Daddy' type. u.u Hrmph.
Ayup, Draco is the 'I wanna go home, come get me, daddy!'
type, but right now, and as always, things around Hogwarts happen to be a bit
too interesting, so he hasn't yet done the whining bit to go home, yet. Sure,
he'll write and whine about wanting to go to Durmstang, but Narcissa has
already put her foot down on the matter. She doesn't want to see her son going so
far away. In Lucius Malfoy's eyes, there are two things majorly wrong with Cho.
He does not discriminate against color as long as they are pure of blood, but
the fact that she wears a Ravenclaw house badge and is hanging around Harry
Potter. For shame... you'd think his son could find another Slytherin. "My
son was merely escorting me to the gates." He states quite clearly, the
grip on Draco's shoulder tightening, though not to a painful degree, just
merely a sign that it is perhaps time to keep moving, rather than hang about
with this riff-raff. Draco's sneer never wavers the entire time, but at least
he isn't looking all evil and cruel like his father. Heh.
Well, considering the fact that she has sat at their table
and happens to know the password to their common room, she's about the closest
thing you can get to being a Slytherin without being decked up in green.
Besides, they're just friends! Honest! A few kisses that didn't even have any
meaning hardly make them more. x.x But I guess Malfoy-Papa would still have a
hard time accepting a Ravenclaw as even a friend, hmm? Cho lets out a small
look of relief, for she would have been a little upset if Draco just up and ran
home without saying anything to her. She knows there's little to no trust in either
side of their friendship, but she'd still like to think he'd tell her before he
did something like that. He trusted her with the house password after all...
"Oh, of course. I hope you had a nice visit, Mr. Malfoy." Despite the
looks, she keeps her voice and expression respectful. She has no reason to
dislike the cold, cruel looking man. She's tempted to ask why he was there,
but.. she doesn't want to seem rude. Draco's difficult enough to deal with. She
highly doubts his father will put up with the same things she does to his son.
Mommy's boy. u.u Harry oughta kick you in the kneecaps for
discriminating against Cho for those two reasons. u.u Hmrph, don't let the
gates hit you in the bum on the way out Lucius. If Harry weren't so... much
like his father he would throw a hex or two at the back of the elder Malfoy.
Then Draco for good measure. And Cho... he just can't believe you. How on earth
are you managing such a polite conversational tone of voice in regards to the
walking you know what? An unintelligible mutter is issued forth from Harry as
the two pass.
Draco starts to open his mouth immediately to mouth off
Potter for that one. Sure, he couldn't understand, but he can probably guess...
"Draco." Comes his father's voice, first, however, which causes the
young man to immediately go silent, again. Aw! You're ruining all his fun,
father. Hrmph. "Let's be going, now." To Cho, "It was nice
meeting you." His tone sounds respectful, but boy, from how cold it seems,
the guy could probably cause another heavy snowfall all on his own, or perhaps
turn that snow into ice. Speaking of ice, his eyes move from Cho to Harry and
believe it or not, a small touch of a smirk curls up a corner of his lips. Gee.
Wonder where Draco gets a good majority of his traits from? There are a few
that come from his mother, but still... this is his role model. "And who
could forget the young Potter, too." Hmph. That's it. He turns and begins
to walk, Draco having to practically jog to keep up with Lucius' strides
through the snow. But the young Malfoy does something rather odd... he looks
back over his shoulder at the two... not to sneer, not to smirk, just simply
looks back with a neutral expression before continuing after his father, who
storms onwards to the gates with the boy in tow.
There's an involuntery shiver as the older of the Malfoy's
addresses Harry like that, with that smirk and... yes, it does remind he a
little bit of Draco. Is that what Draco's going to be like when he's older?
Yikes. Well, at least she's seen the lighter side of the younger Malfoy before,
so that's somewhat of an incentive. Cho's eyes follow the two as they start
away, and she continues to smile, though it's become rather dry, until she sees
Draco look over his shoulder. Then it becomes just a bit brighter, touching her
eyes for a second. Once he turns back forward, she looks over at Harry, "I
wonder what he was visiting for." she ponders softly, not really expecting
an answer.
Harry's jaw tenses as he continues to give a less than
amicable expression at the man. As Lucius smirks then walks off, Harry can't
take it anymore and fires off a rude gesture he's learned from Ron at Lucius'
retreating back. Keep smirking.. all the way to a cell awaiting you in Azkaban.
Sorry Cho, he didn't mean to be tacky and immature in front of you. But.. if
you knew what that man was.. If Harry thought he had a chance, he would do more
than make rude gestures. As Cho speaks, he looks back at the girl,
"Probably fighting Malfoy's battles for him."
Harry! Where did you learn that gesture! Cho blinks at the
movement and looks towards the retreating backs, as if to see if they didn't
see. It doesn't appear that they're coming back, so she's going to assume they
missed it. "Maybe Draco was having some problems..." She knows a few
things that have happened to the younger of the Malfoy's recently. Perhaps he
called his father in to show him the letter that he got from Aranea... Or...
She doesn't know, but she'd certainly need /someone/ around if someone had sent
her a cruel joke like that after last year...
Harry's expression of hatred starts melting away now that
the Malfoys are gone. "Hrmph. More like he's trying to get his father to
talk Professor Dumbledore into having me expelled, or to get Snape to give me
detention until I graduate." For the latter, Harry's capable of doing that
on his own. "Everytime Malfoy's got a small problem he runs to his father.
It's maddening. They've tried to sack Professor Dumbledore before."
"It might not be small..." Cho says, looking back
in the direction of the gates, eyes narrowing a bit with worry. She hopes that
he told /someone/ else about. It was so horrible... a cruel, mean trick.
Tastless and completely without compassion or caring. Anyway... her dark hazel
eyes return to Harry and she offers a light smile, she understands that the two
do not like each other, so she won't try to defend the blonde.
Harry shakes his head, "no, trust me, Mr. Malfoy
couldn't have been up to any good. Remember a few years ago when Dumbledore had
to step down temporarily? HE was behind it. Bullied the school governors into
agreeing.. Anyway.." It's more than dislike... Malfoy could be tolerable
but his father.. the man is not to be trusted as far as he can be thrown
physically.
Cho nods slowly, she does remember that... "But you
don't--." she cuts off. She isn't going to tell what was confided in her,
but what happened to the Slytherin... it certainly gives her more than a little
bit of sympathy. "I hope that whatever he came to visit for, it's finished
now, either way." If he came to do something bad, it can't be /too/ bad.
The school is stil standing, Harry's not expelled, and as far as she knows,
Dumbledore is still in charge. And if he came to do something about that
tasteless prank... all the better.
Harry nods, "Me too.. the less I have to see his father
around, the better." He tries to shake off the recollection of Voldemort
addressing the man by name. Harry stoops to gather up a handful of snow and
busies himself with shaping it into a ball. Uhoh, what tasteless prank? Or
rather, which one? He knows he's in no danger of being expelled. Even the
Ministry would step in on that subject.
The one that Cho will never tell anyone about, because she's
not going to betray what little trust Draco's put in her. It's a very little
amount indeed though... Instead, she decides to totally change the subject,
looking down at the newly forming ball of snow. "Finally going to
retaliate, young Mr. Potter?" she asks in a teasing voice, making as if
she's more than a year older than him, which she isn't (a year and a half
though... so it's something).
Harry glances down at the snowball, no, he wasn't going to
retaliate.. he just needed something to busy his hands with. "Don't tempt
me. I can hold my own in a snowball fight." And by the grin tugging at his
mouth, it looks like he's sorely tempted. Anything to get his mind off terrible
things plaguing his mind.
Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with a friendly
snowball fight. Maybe they can pelt Draco when he comes back! Without his dad,
of course. Cho offers a friendly smile, starting to back away, holding up her
hands in an innocent fashion. It'd be a lot less innocent if the gesture
doesn't show that she's /still/ holding her wand, tucked under her palm,
pressed against her wrist. "I never said you couldn't, just let me give
you a warning, I happen to be snowball champion of the 6th year
Ravenclaws." She's likely just teasing, but no doubt they had one or two
snowball fights in their years here.
Harry grins, "Is that a threat Miss Chang?" Oh
god... how much more of a prat can he be?? The snowball is tossed up and down
one handedly, "Does this mean I have to see if you're telling the
truth?" Maybe it's time to dive behind snowbanks as makeshift forts and
pelt each other o.o
Cho grins widely, letting out a soft chuckle, and then
immediatly does just that. She darts quickly to the nearest snow bank, flips
her wand into her fingers and whispers a quick charm. Still standing for the
most part, the tip of the wand is pointed in the direction of Gryffindor. What
was formed is a single, perfectly circular ball of snow, packed lightly so
it'll splatter on impact and leave a white powdery spray everywhere. Is it
cheating that she's using her wand and not her hands? Well, it's not like he laid
out any /rules/...
GAH! HEY! You cheater! Harry whips his own wand out,
blasting at a snowbank, driving it into a larger pile for him to duck behind,
but not before he's smacked with a powdery snowball. Okay, that didn't hurt,
but it's a LOT colder with the spray! Well if you're going to use your wand,
then he will too! Peeking out from behind the snowbank, he gives a flick of the
wrist, snow rises up, forming into lightly packed balls that hurtle themselves
towards Cho.
Eeek! Balls! As in, more than one! Cho gets smacked by the
first one, letting out a loud laugh as she flicks her wand around. She alters
the direction of one of them, and it smacks into the snow bank, causing some
snow to fall off, and the other one she manages to just break apart before it
hits her. Another one after that hits her. She can't help but continue to smile
cheerfully as she remains standing, not even trying to get the snow off her
robes. She motions her wand in a circle. Four powdery balls form, in a
perpendicular circle, revolving around a hard packed one in the center. You can
bet Professor Flitwick helped her with her levitation charms, just from the way
she's able to handle them all. Though, the fact that she's sort of showing off
gives one a few seconds to prepare. In quick succession, one breaks off at a
time, first two of the powdery ones, then the hard packed one, and then the
other two. The last two purposely fly right past him, then she tries to make
them come back and hit him in the back. The other three are merely a
distraction.
Anything goes school of magical snowball fighting? Ready,
go! The snow beginning to coat Harry's robes and cloak are forgotten as well
while he stands up, wand still out as he directs more snowballs your way. And
with all he's seen and done, one would think he wouldn't be caught off guard by
simple distractions.. but your diversion works well. While he's using the
reductor curse to blast the three decoys out of the air, he's smacked from
behind by two snowballs. "AAH!"
Cho can't help but continue to laugh, as she actually allows
one of the snow balls to hit her because she was concentrating so much on
making sure the two she wanted did an about face. The rest, she physically
tries to escape from, ducking behind the snow bank and motioning her wand to make
the snow pack together more tightly and a little higher, to offer better
support. "How'm I doing so far?" She calls out, before a line of
snowballs start moving towards him. This time less orgainized, though they
alternate between powdery and packed.
Harry calls out from his spot, "Too good! I'm afraid
I'll have to destroy you now!" But first, he must dive for cover! O.O;
Organized? Who wants an organized snowball fight?? It's supposed to be a free
for all! While ducking behind the snowbank, he starts to make good old
fashioned handmade snowballs before he jumps back up to throw them by hand!
He'll switch back to using his wand in a bit, he just wants to fall back on the
old muggle method! Then pay the consequences as he's smacked about by the
snowballs you throw his way @.@
As if just to mock him, Cho allows the first one to hit her
as she peeks over to see why she hasn't been pelted again. She lets out another
laugh, wiping off some rebounded snow that got on her now flushed face and
says, "Oh, we'll just see about that." The second one he throws is
where she shows him why one shouldn't use hands against magic. She mutters
softly again, and actually takes control of his snowball and sends it right
back towards him. Isn't she just evil?
Harry can't help but laugh as you send his own ammunition
back at him. Okay, so much for muggle style! He quickly ducks, but not fast
enough to avoid getting smacked. Very well then.. Wand back out and pointed at
a decent sized pile of snow nearby. His eyes narrow in concentration as the
pile starts to rise by itself forming into a crude snowman. "You've asked
for it now Cho!" Acting a prat is tossed aside for now as he's having too
much fun to worry about that sort of thing.
"Ah!" Cho lets out a soft yelp at the snow
creature. Okay, so that's one up on her little no hands juggling act.
"Impressive!" She calls out, still laughing. and she turns a majority
of her attention on the snow creature. Her wand is waved around, shapeing a few
very tightly packed snow balls at the lowest part of the creature, in an
attempt to knock it off it's perverbial feet. Or base, as that is likely more
accurate.
Naaaw, if it was impressive, it would look better. The
snowman stretches out its arms and attempts a step forward, only for a leg to
break off.. "Whups.. Well so much for impressive!" Harry can't help
but laugh as your snowballs successfully pelt into it, knocking the short lived
creation to the ground. "You've killed Frosty!" Prepare to pay! Snow
rises up from the ground forming into balls that fly in your direction!
She killed Frosty! That-- ahem. Nevermind. Cho laughs at her
victory over the frozen man of snow, but the celebration is shortlived as she
takes a couple snowballs, lifting up her arms to protect her face. It's all in
good fun, because she's still laughing, and obviously having one of the best
times she's had since the freezing water fight she had down at the lake with--
someone who probably shouldn't be thought about in this company. She shakes off
her arms and turns her smile to the Gryffindor, "Oh, Frosty was just the
beginning!" she teases playfully before she motions her wand at the
snow... right at the Gryffindor's feet. What is she trying to do this time?
Well, it starts to pack together, thicker, heavier, almost becoming ice. It
seems as if she's trying to make him stuck in place, if he doesn't realize it
and stays still long enough at least.
Harry is clearly enjoying himself as well. The company has a
little something to do with it, but it's apparent he's needed a good dose of
fun period. "Is that SOOO!! AAAH!" And he tries to take a step back
only to find his feet .. stuck.. in the snow and he topples backwards!
"That's a dirty trick!" His wand is aimed down at his feet as he tries
to heat the snow to melt it without setting fire to himself o.O;;
Now, if only they could have snowball fights on broom
sticks! That would make this day perfect. Cho stands up fully as she sees him
fall backwards and motions her wand at the snow on either side of him, magically
plucking a couple snowballs which she makes shoot up into the air. Straight up.
And then she releases them to the will of gravity after a slight nudge. This is
basically her incentive to make him get up and out quickly. And yup, she's
still smiling brightly.
Amen to that! Complete with beater's clubs too! And while
Harry tries to melt down the snow around his feet, more snowballs pelt him from
above! AAACH! Okay, melt faster, stupid.. ACK! Too hot! He forces his legs into
action, kicking free so he can jump up and fall right back over into the snow.
x.x Yay for freezing limbs! He crawls his way back behind the snowbank, taking
a bit of shelter. He waves his wand, willing snowballs to form and hurls them
your way, this time, each snowball coming at you from different directions!
Oh, good move! Cho continues to laugh as he gets pelted, but
can't help but clap as he manages to free himself. She gives him a moment to
get himself together, and that's a moment too long as she suddenly finds herself
with snow balls coming at her from every direction. She lets out a soft shriek
and again protects her head, waving her wand as best she can. Two of the
snowballs shatter in the air a few inches from her head, showering her with
powder, one gets redirected, the others hit her. She laughs as she sputters
lowering her arms to give him a slightly glowing look. "Not too bad."
That doesn't mean she doesn't retaliate though. Again, she waves her wand, two
lines of snowballs form. The first one high, the second one aims low.
Too bad we weren't having this fight when Draco and his
father passed through. Harry could have 'accidentally on purpose' pelted the
pair. And unfortunately for Harry, before he can see and dodge the incoming
ammo, he sneezes quite violently, his glasses going askew @.@ and back down
into the snow he goes!
Tsktsk. While perhaps it would be okay to pelt Draco a
little bit, pelting an adult, much less Lucius Malfoy, just has some... uh...
badness about it. Cho doesn't really want to get on his bad side, especially
after that article. As Harry goes down, she flicks her wand around, gathering
up a few more snowballs, that stay hovering in the air, spinning lightly. She
doesn't send them towards him, obviously, waiting until he gets up. She won't
pelt him again while he's down. Either way, whoever happens to be winning this
match is uncertain. Cho certainly has a fair share of thick powder and evidence
of harder smacks on her robes.
Boots crunching new fallen snow, Kiril makes her way through
the Courtyard and toward the entrance of Hogwarts. Her shoulders are hunched as
she tries to avoid most of the chill by burying herself in her cloak and thick
scarf. Brrr, cold.
Oh well, if you insist on that point about Mr. Malfoy.. And
if you aren't going to hit him while he's down.. he'll stay down, getting
soaked through his cloak by the snow. Harry doesn't care who's winning, he's
just having fun for once. Keeping down, he waves his wand, focusing and willing
another snowman to rise up and take form!
Ahhhh! The return of Frosty! "Same old tricks, Mr.
Potter! Tsk. I expected better of you." Cho says with a laugh, turning the
waiting snowballs on the forming snowman, trying her best to pack them tighter
together as they spin towards the target. One snowball for each of the forming
extremities, including the head. She's trying to behead Frosty! Nooooooooooo!
Q.Q The person moving towards Hogwarts is complete unnoticed, as she's having
far too much fun.
At the sound of voices, Kiril stops and turns, though in the
darkness her eyes are all but useless. The Auror frowns...students aren't
supposed to be out at this time of night, are they? Not that she's going to
chide them for it, but if they ARE students, someone should keep an eye out to
make sure nothing happens. And if they aren't...well, her recent conversation
with a certain Rita Skeeter has put her in a bit of a wary mood. The woman
takes a few steps toward where she though she heard the voices coming from.
Frosty doesn't stay down for long! Even without his magic
top hat! "Yeah well.." And Harry was going to add to that but he's
not going to admit that the cold is getting to him and he's quite wet by now.
But while you're focusing on poor old Frosty, he dares to peek from behind the
snowbank, bewitching the snow behind Cho to rise up, shape into balls and
hurtle at her from behind! His father would be ashamed, he could be more
imaginative!
Frosty is indeed the focus of all her attention, and when
the snow suddenly rises up from behind her and hits her, Cho lets out another
soft shriek, that gets cut off as she impacts the snow, having to use her hands
to catch herself. Aaaaaaaccccckkkk. That was not fun. But, on the plus side,
she didn't break or lose her wand in the snow (Harry at least knows how bad
broken wands can be!), so she pushes herself up and immediately wipes off her
face, motioning her wand again, but this time when she mutters a tiny little
white streamer comes out of the end of it and she waves it around. "I
admit defeat. Oh, woe the day when a Ravenclaw champion allowed herself to be
bested by a Gryffindor!" She could keep going, but all the charms as well
as the cold and the fact that it's late is geting to where she knows they
should stop, and that /was/ fairly sneaky, so...
Kiril takes a few quick steps forward as she hears Cho's
cry, mistaking it for something much more serious. She's about to call out
when--**SPLAT!**-- Ack, stray snowball right between the eyes! The Auror is
caught so completely off guard by the sudden cold attack that she looses her
footing and goes sprawling, most un-gracefully. If her older brothers could
have seen that, they'd be in hysterics for a year.
Harry peeeeks out from around the snowbank, and since
you're.. well Cho and a Ravenclaw, he fully steps out from behind the snowbank.
"Is that so? Well then, as the winner, I suggest we go in for some
pepperup potion or cocoa." and a good deal of charms to dry out the sodden
clothes @.@; cold, wet.. and.. there was another splat.. who else is out here?
"Did you hear that Cho?" He wasn't really paying attention to anyone
approaching....
"Deal," Cho responds, smiling brightly as the
little white streamer poofs and she tucks her wand away carefully. That was
definately enough to make her get sleep /without/ any assistance tonight, but
it was also the most fun she's had in weeks, so, it was worth it. At the
question, she looks around, straining her ears for a moment. Did they
accidently pelt Draco on his way back?! She starts to move towards the direction
of the sound, brushing off her cloak and robes as she does, but nowhere near
enough to get them even the semblance of clean.
Kiril is still lying on her back in the snow. You two are
close enough now that she can make out what you're saying, and its all she can
do to keep from blushing to her ears. Auror Kiril Moran, grounded by a deadly
snowball. She has to bite her lip to keep from laughing at her absurd
predicament. The woman slowly reaches into her robes, pulls out her wand, and
begins tapping it on the snow. She has four brothers...she's a snowball fight
*veteran*. Incoming! Two for each of you ^_^
Harry tucks his wand into his robes as well. No, he thinks
there would have been a ferret like squeak involved if we had smacked Draco on
his way back through. "Alright then!" Not bothering to shake out his
cloak, he follows after you towards the source of the sound. "Hey look
it's.. " And he's cut off with a surprised yelp as two snowballs pelt him! With a mock grimace, he wipes off the
front of his robes. "Nice move Miss Moran.."
Eeek! And she'd just put away her wand too! Cho lets out
another soft shriek as the two snowballs impact, only hendered by quickly
raised arms. If the older woman hadn't just retaliated, she'd probably be
apologizing profusely right now. Instead, she laughs softly and says,
"Yes, well done!" No, they're not out when they aren't supposed to
be. Nope, not at all.
Kiril grins, still not making any move to get up. Snowball
fights in the Courtyard...its a happy memory you two have inadvertantly brought
back, and she'd like to muse on it a little. "Let that be a lesson to
you," she says in a mock serious tone, though the grin is still there.
"Never approach a fallen enemy unaware." She'd tell you how dangerous
it is to be outside at this hour, but...well the memory is still strong. Oh
alright, she'll compromise. Banishing the grin for a moment, the Auror motions
to the surrounding darkness. "I know you're probably tired of hearing it,
but I could have been anyone, Harry. Not even Hogwarts is safe, not against the
enemies who would want to harm you." There, that's her rebuke. And the
grin is back. "Though I'm glad to see you having fun for once. Who's your
friend?"
We aren't supposed to be outside!?! Why didn't someone TELL
Harry this?? "We were just about to go inside to warm up. Of course Miss
Moran.." He holds out a hand to help her up. A silent groan is made at the
mini lecture, and he just doesn't comment on it. "This is Cho Chang, she's
in Ravenclaw, and a Seeker too." A formidable opponent on the pitch.
Oh, tsk. If Harry didn't assume they shouldn't be outside,
then... well... tsk. Cho continues to smile, though it does falter a bit at the
mini-lecture. Poor Harry. She's honestly glad the only 'enemy' she really has
happens to be Pansy Parkinson of the Slytherin fame, though you could hardly
consider her very threatening. "Nice to meet you, Miss Moran." She's
of course heard of the woman! Who hasn't!?
Kiril accepts the offered hand gratefully and gets to her
feet. She's the token adult and an Auror to boot...safety lecture is a given,
hope y'understand. The woman offers Cho a warm smile and a nod. "Pleasure
to meet you, Miss Chang. A Seeker eh? I hope I'll have the opportunity to see
you both in action." She winks broadly. "Perhaps I'll pick up some
tips and techniques to offer Lynch." Poor Lynch...the Irish Seeker is a
bit...slow. Though he certainly tries.
Harry ought to warn you from any hate mail that may contain
bubotuber pus then. He wouldn't put it past Pansy to drop you a few letters.
"Anyway, should we go on inside? I'm starting to think I won't thaw out
until next week." His grin picks back up, "Well if Quidditch is ever
put back on, there'll sure to be a few good matches for you to come see."
Yeah yeah, he understands the lecture, but he needed this little outing.
Cho's smile brightens even more (if that's even possible) at
the very thought that some of her techniques might be offered to /any/ Seeker
who plays professionally. "I hope you'll have the chance as well, I have a
feeling all the matches will be quite unique this year." If they ever get
to have them, that is. Siiiigh. "Yeah, we should go inside before we all
catch colds. Madam Pomfrey will give me that look if I come in and ask for a
potion." She can't help but chuckle softly, imagining the look.
Kiril nods once more. "Aye, lets get ourselves inside
and warmed up." She gestures toward the doors. "After you two."
She's being polite...but yes, she'd like to be the last on inside. Just in
case. Eesh, that chat with Skeeter has made her a bit jumpy. Odd, but oh well.
Harry grins, "Yeah Cho, but you can make up the potion
without having to ask her." But knowing Pomfrey she watches her stores
like a hawk and will KNOW. She must have a sixth sense about this sort of
thing. "I was able to get back to work on the moves for Gryffindor, but
I've been a bit distracted the last few days." Anyway, he turns and leads
the procession of three back towards the castle.