Life Goes On- The Third Chapter

Chapter 6

Harry sighed, collapsing in his desk chair. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering what in the name of Merlin was up with her.

Could it have been Rita Skeeter's stupid comment about him and Cho? Women worked like that sometimes. Maybe Parvati thought that he-

He needed a drink. Sometimes a Firewhisky is a man's best friend, and now was one of those times.

He changed into the jacket and pair of jeans that he always kept in the closet behind the door, in case he needed to go out, for whatever reason. He zipped up his jacket, and left his office, keeping his head down as people watched him pass.

He knew what they'd be thinking. Parvati had left the office looking miserable, and frankly, he didn't look too happy himself. But he wasn't in the mood for questions, so he quickened his pace and didn't slow down until he was walking through the Leaky Cauldron.

"Firewhisky, please, Tom." He said to the bartender, as he sat down at the bar.

"What's troubling you, Mr Potter?" Tom asked, handing over the drink. Harry took a mouthful of Firewhisky before answering, savouring the feel of the burning liquid running down his throat.

"Women." He sighed heavily, rummaging through his money purse. "I never know what they're about."

"Don't worry, I never did either." Tom grinned, accepting the money Harry passed over to him. Harry smiled grimly, taking another sip.

Tom moved on to attend a wizard with a dark grey beard and purple robes, and Harry was left alone with his drink and his dilemma.

He barely knew this woman. They'd been together for barely one day. And here he was, drowning his sorrows in Firewhisky after she walked away from him.

Maybe I like her a lot more than I bargained for, Harry sighed sadly, staring off into space.

Harry was lost in a daydream until he heard Tom say something that brought him back to reality with an unpleasant jarring sensation.

"Why, Miss Chang! What are you doing here?"

"The usual, Tom." Cho replied, walking towards the bar; Harry hunched over, trying to be inconspicuous, but as usual….

"Harry!"

"Uh- Hi, Cho." He replied miserably. He was afraid of this.

"I've never seen you in here before. What would the Boy Who Lived have any reason to drown his sorrows?" She mused, rummaging through her bag for some money as Tom handed her a glass.

"Oh, I used to frequent the place. After- well, after Ginny and I-" Harry's throat closed up; he couldn't finish. But he didn't need to; Cho looked his way, and sudden understanding dawned on her face.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I should have known." Cho said, taking a sip of her drink.

"Nah, it's all right." Harry dismissed it, wishing she would leave him alone. He didn't want her around. Not now.

"So why are you back here? Parvati giving you trouble?" She said, lifting an eyebrow and gazing at him. Harry felt uncomfortable and restless.

"Uh-" He started to say, caught off guard.

"I know how you feel." She sighed, looking down at her glass.

"You- you do?" He asked, frowning. Huh- maybe she's not just a flirt after all.

"Yeah. Dean and I broke up...let's see, twenty minutes ago." She said, looking at her watch.

"I'm sorry." Harry said, taking another swallow of his Firewhisky.