Summary
- Cho Chang was Harry Potter's first crush and they briefly dated, but their relationship faced challenges and eventually ended.
- Their relationship grew stronger after the death of Cedric Diggory, but Harry suspected Cho of betraying their secret student group.
- Cho's lingering feelings for Cedric and a lack of chemistry between her and Harry contributed to their breakup, leading to Harry ultimately ending up with Ginny Weasley.
While Ginny Weasley had been hinted at becoming Harry Potter's love interest since the first movie, Harry did have a romantic relationship with another Hogwarts student before Ginny. Cho Chang, a member of Ravenclaw House, was Harry's first crush and initially seemed like an unattainable girl, but they did end up dating.
However, the couple had a bumpy relationship which led to an eventual breakup. What exactly transpired between Harry and Cho?
Who Is Cho Chang?
Belonging to the Ravenclaw house, Cho Chang made her first appearance in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. At the time, Cho was dating Cedric Gregory of Hufflepuff House, and due to that she made a few appearances in the movie. Aside from being a great student, Cho was also an exceptional seeker in Quidditch and arguably one of the best Quidditch players of her time.
It is no surprise that Harry admired Cho ever since he laid eyes on her. Cho was also Harry’s first-ever crush. Harry even dreamt of winning the Triwizard Tournament just to impress her.
What Happened Between Harry And Cho?
While Harry and Cho seemed to have a spark between them since Cho’s first appearance in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, everything seemed to go down the drain when Cho revealed she was already dating Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff House when Harry mustered up all his courage to ask Cho for the Yule ball. Following Cedric's heartbreaking death in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry and Cho naturally grew closer as she mourned the loss of her boyfriend. Their shared grief acted as a strong bond between them and began to spark an attraction. However, it wasn’t until the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix that Harry and Cho became properly acquainted.
The Harry Potter books explore Cho's character more, delving deeper into her personality and her relationship with Harry. The books show Harry and Cho spending a considerable amount of time together, engaging in activities like playing Quidditch and providing insight into Cho's personal struggles, particularly her profound grief following Cedric's tragic death. This additional depth in their interactions adds complexity to their relationship and makes it more meaningful within the broader context of the story. On the other hand, the movie perfectly captures the dynamics of their love, but the on-screen time is quite minimized. Harry's interactions with Cho are quite short but intimate in the movies (they also include a few awkward moments).
The most significant turning point in their relationship was during their time in Dumbledore's Army, a secret student group formed by Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This organization aimed to teach students practical defense against the dark arts, given that Professor Umbridge's teachings were lacking. The D.A. Meetings were held in secret, using the Room of Requirement, a magical room that only appeared when someone was in dire need of something. In one D.A. Meeting when Harry was teaching Cho some spells, both shared an intimate moment and ended up kissing each other.
However, their relationship took a downturn when Professor Umbridge discovered the existence of Dumbledore's Army. Harry believed that Cho had betrayed them, leading the couple to break up. However, it was later revealed that Cho had unwillingly shared information about the group while under the influence of the Truth Serum. Harry felt remorse for his actions, and they decided to remain friends instead of rekindling their romantic relationship. In the books, it was actually Cho's friend, Marietta Edgecombe, who exposed Dumbledore's Army.
Harry’s breakup with Cho in the books was for an entirely different reason which was quite dramatic. During a date at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, Cho couldn't stop reminiscing about Cedric, which made Harry quite jealous and angry. Their argument grew heated, with Harry accusing Cho of not getting over Cedric, and Cho arguing that Harry was insensitive to her feelings. The argument led to Cho storming out of the tea shop, leaving Harry feeling embarrassed and alone with everyone in the place staring at him.
Harry and Cho's relationship lasted quite briefly but for the better. Cho was still in love with Cedric even though he had passed away. Moreover, Harry and Cho's relationship lacked chemistry and compatibility which often led to awkward moments between the two.
In the end, it was Ginny Weasely who ended up being together with Harry. After all, their potential ship was hinted at since the first movie. Harry and Ginny even got married and had kids after the Harry Potter movies, as shown in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Not much was shown of Cho after their breakup, but both Harry and Cho still remained friends. Since Cho was a part of the Battle of Hogwarts, it is highly likely that she graduated from the school and pursued a career in magic.