In the night after the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, the Basilisk attacked once again. This time Colin Creevey the somewhat hyperactive Stalker of Harry from Gryffindor got petrified this time. With that, the first Human victim got attacked and fear actually began to spread through the Castle.
The young first-year Student was attacked on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower after the match. He was only alive thanks to the Camera he always carried around with him. Malfoy who spent the night in the Hospital Wing regrowing the bones in his left leg was the first student who knew of the attack since he was present as the Professor carried Colin into the Hospital wing.
He didn't shy away to spread the Rumors of the first 'Mudblood' being shown its place in the Wizarding World the next day. This earned him the ire of many Gryffindors, and particularly Fred and George who decided to mainly target the young Malfoy in their Pranks over the next few weeks. At the same time, it confirmed even more for the Golden Trio that Malfoy knew who the Heir of Slytherin was. And they began to prepare for their plan to infiltrate the Slytherin Common Room and question Malfoy.
Meanwhile, Matthew was distracted by something else entirely. What should he do for his date with Cho? Even with the Attack, the Hogsmeade weekend wasn't canceled since there was no danger in the Village. The Students were more safer there than in the Castle. It still meant Matthew had to plan out a date. And he had no idea.
~ Scene Break ~
Saturday, 14th November 1992
On the morning of the day that the Hogsmeade trip was happening Matthew waited outside the Great Hall of Hogwarts. He wore one of his casual outfits that looked like Clothes of the Non-magical World but were made by Madame Malkins with all kinds of useful enchantments on them. He was slightly nervous as he never been in this kind of situation before.
As he was deep in his thoughts someone tapped him on his shoulder, "Hey, did you have to wait long?"
It was Cho she arrived while he was distracted and approached him, currently, she wore Jeans, a blue Shirt with a Jacket over it, since it was slightly cold outside.
"Hello, Cho. Not at all. I just finished my Breakfast. You look cute!" he replied quickly, 'Cute!? Very smooth Matthew you are a Charmer… calm down! It's just a casual Date. Just two students going to Hogsmeade together. Nothing Special!'
Slightly Blushing Cho replied, "Thank you. I wasn't sure what I should wear, but since we are visiting the Village I kept it casual."
"Casual was the Right Choice. I planned to show you around the Village today. Did you have breakfast already?"
"Yes, I woke up early today. So I finished my breakfast a while ago." Replied Cho with a smile.
"Then let's go. So Cho are there any things you want to see in Hogsmeade?" asked Matthew trying to start a conversation, he didn't want to talk about Hogwarts right now since any Conversation about the Chamber of Secrets would dampen the mood of the Date.
"Oh, I absolutely would love to see the Shrieking Shack. I heard it is the most haunted place in Britain. I would also love to see your favorite Spots in the Village!"
"You like scary places? Well, the shrieking Shack was definitely on my list of places I wanted to show you, I will also introduce the best shops on the way. Honeydukes for example is a must-visit stop on any trip to Hogsmeade." Replied Matthew while chuckling. Now that he broke the initial ice on the conversation they fell into comfortable chatter. As they left the Castle Cho linked her hand with his while having a look of determination on her face beforehand. Matthew although a bit startled at first had nothing against that interaction.
The whole morning they visited all the Hot-spots of the Village while enjoying their date. Cho loved the Shrieking Shack, although she was disappointed that nobody could enter it since it was barricaded. Time passed as both Ravenclaws enjoyed their time together.
"I am getting slightly thirsty. How about we visit the Three Broomsticks? It's the most popular Pub amongst Hogwarts Students." Offered Matthew after they explored the Village for a while already and just came close to the popular pub.
"That would be nice. I am also getting a bit tired from walking around." Nodded Cho.
They entered into the warmth of the cozy Pub, that was currently filled with Hogwarts Students. Roger, Harold, and Blake were also there and grinned at him as he entered with Cho. Just as he wanted to join them these assholes called some other fellow Ravenclaws to their table so that there was no spot for him and Cho left and began to laugh at him as they shook their head.
"That table over there seems to be empty." Pointed Cho out from the side, she didn't register the antics of his friends.
"Okay. How about you Occupy it and I will get us some Drinks. Are you fine with Butterbeer?"
"Yes, that would be nice."
After Matthew got the Drinks he joined Cho on the table, "Here your Butterbeer."
"Thank you. How much do I owe you?" she asked.
"Don't worry it's on me." He replied as he sat down beside her continuing their chat, "So Cho you said your parents are from Nepal. Why did they leave?"
"Well although there are Magic Users in Nepal, Wizards were the minority. There were no Schools or districts for Wizards to live in. And most of the others already left the country, so my parents decided to head for Britain when they got pregnant with me. They wanted me to have the best education and as many opportunities as possible." She explained.
"But couldn't they join the other Groups of Magic-Users in the Country?" he asked a bit confused.
"Not really too my understanding they are very hidden from the outside world and rarely interact with Wizards. The magic they learn seems also to be different from Wizarding Magic. To my understanding, there were two groups, one of them uses the energy inside their body to practice a form of Material arts. The other group seemed to be not born as Wizards but I have no idea how they do magic. My parents did not know much about them besides their existence. They didn't want to interact with Wizards." Explained Cho.
"I see. That sounds interesting. I really want to visit Nepal one day to check them out." Replied Matthew a bit in thought.
'They are absolutely worth checking out. The techniques of the Martial Artist may help me to improve my body beyond its limits. I will absolutely pay them a visit in the future. And these other magic Users may have access to demonic Rituals and gain magic through deals with them if they weren't born as magic Users. Absolutely knowledge worth to Acquire.' He thought.
Matthew and Cho continued with their date. They really enjoyed each other's company today. But all things had to end. Because of the Basilisk attacks in the Castle they had to return before Dinner so they wouldn't move through the Castle during the night. Once they arrived in the Castle they had dinner together before they headed to the Ravenclaw Common Room together.
As they stood before the entrance to the Common Room, "Thank you for taking me out today, Matthew. I know you didn't plan to actually ask me on a date. But I still enjoyed it." She said, shocking Matthew a bit.
"What!? Yeah, you are right." He sighed, "But I also enjoyed it. I really would like to repeat it in the future."
"Me too. Let's be friends for now and see what happens in the future." She said as she kissed his cheek before rushing into the Common Room leaving a confused Matthew behind.
It took him a while to process what just happened before he chuckled and also returned to his Dorm. He was not dating yet, but his youth was heading in a nice direction. Completely different from his past life.
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