Cho knew she must be staring at him, but Harry’s kindness was appreciated more than he could possibly know. After the past months spent in the company of her less than communicative parents, being able to open up and talk to someone was a very welcome thought. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she marveled how such conversations wouldn’t have always progressed like this for them. She nodded slowly as she said, “I might take you up on that offer to owl you sometime.” She didn’t want to bother him with her own issues when he no doubt was dealing with far greater ones, but she would still like to stay in touch. She’d been terribly worried for him this past year. “I hope you know that offer is mutual, should you ever need anything.” She knew Harry already had the support of his closest friends, but her offer was sincere and something she wanted him to know.
She lowered her head as her thoughts drifted at his mention of Fred. It was still hard to believe someone so vibrant and full of life was now … gone. It saddened her to know his family was having such a difficult time. Cho looked up at Harry. “I’m so sorry for the Weasley family’s loss. I know how hard getting through those early days can be.” She knew those days had felt the longest and had also been the hardest after she lost her brother.
Harry did seem to understand why she was still at Hogwarts. Cho knew returning to a solitary existence in Glasgow would have been the wrong choice for her. She spoke quietly but with confidence when she said, “Staying here feels right - for now.” It felt like time well spent in many ways.
She was touched by Harry’s insistence at acknowledging her intent to help that night before the battle. “You’re welcome, Harry.” He’d had so much pressure on him, everyone had wanted to whatever they could to help. She smiled as she recalled, “Anyway, the idea worked just as well with Luna taking you to the Ravenclaw tower.” Her smile softened as she spoke of their mutual friend and DA member. “Luna and I have been sharing quarters in the Hufflepuff dorms. She’s also been working around the castle.”
She listened as Harry explained how everyone had now gathered at the Weasley’s home. Cho softly expelled a sigh as she watched him for a moment. Thank Merlin he’d survived, and had Hermione and Ron and Ginny and those he’d needed to get him through it all. “That’s good, Harry. That you’re all together, and there for each other and Mrs. Weasley.”
She could understand Molly Weasley wanting to gather everyone close after losing Fred. Her own parents had gone into protective mode with her after they’d lost her brother. She tilted her head when Harry tried to ask for advice on the right things to say to Mrs. Weasley. “Harry,” she said quietly, “it’s not always what you say that matters. You’re there, and that’s what counts when someone needs you.”
She knew Harry genuinely wanted to help, and Cho still remembered vividly what her own mother had gone through. “It’s hard to watch someone in so much anguish, while you feel helpless to ease their pain.” Her arms were now wrapped around herself as she reminisced. Harry had mentioned it had felt like days since he’d seen Mrs. Weasley. There had been days Cho’s mother had sought solitude as well. “Harry, it’s natural if Mrs. Weasley has moments of needing time alone and then other days wanting to be surrounded by family.” She knew that sounded like a contradiction but grief could be such an unpredictable emotion.
Cho smiled at Harry as she offered what she hoped was reassurance and something more helpful in the way of advice. “I do think as time passes it will be important she sees Fred won’t be forgotten by those who knew him and loved him. Something as simple as sharing stories about him is a way of keeping his memory alive.”