The Harry Potter series is packed with action, which leaves little room for character dating, especially in the later books. As the characters mature, their romantic activities gain more significance in the plot. One of Harry’s earliest crushes is Cho Chang, who first catches his attention in “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” but their relationship truly develops in “The Goblet of Fire.” Unfortunately, Harry’s hesitance results in Cho beginning a relationship with Cedric Diggory.
In “Order of the Phoenix,” they do have a chance to date, but their romance is brief. Following Cedric’s death in “The Goblet of Fire,” the odds are against Harry and Cho’s relationship. Although Rowling hints that their romance was never meant to last, it serves to illustrate Harry’s character growth, showcasing the emotional ups and downs that accompany young relationships. Several factors contributed to their difficulties, particularly Cho’s grief and Harry’s inexperience.
As “Order of the Phoenix” unfolds, Cho’s sorrow about Cedric’s death heavily impacts her relationship with Harry. Given that it had only been months since Cedric’s death, it’s understandable that she struggles to move on and feels guilty about finding happiness too soon. Although Cho and Harry had a past before Cedric, the momentum of their relationship likely accelerated because of it. Hermione articulates the confusion Cho feels: torn between her past affection for Cedric and her newfound feelings for Harry.
However, it becomes evident that Cho isn’t ready for a new relationship. If she had allowed herself time to fully mourn Cedric, her connection with Harry might have had a better chance. Their interactions are often marred by her tears and her inability to enjoy their time together. Additionally, Harry, inexperienced with such emotional complexities, struggles to navigate these feelings.
Throughout Book 5, jealousy complicates Harry and Cho’s relationship. Cho’s emotions are heightened due to her grief over Cedric, which leads to misunderstandings between the two, notably during their first date in Hogsmeade. While the date begins well, Cho’s jealousy over Harry’s friendship with Hermione and her memories of Cedric and Roger Davis cause problems.
Despite their struggles to connect, Harry’s irritation grows when he perceives Cho’s continued attachment to her past relationships during their dates. Their inability to understand one another persists throughout the novel and becomes a source of tension. After a particularly impactful event where Cho defends her friend Marietta Edgecomb, who betrays Dumbledore’s Army, it becomes clear that Harry and Cho’s relationship cannot survive their differences. Harry’s admiration for Hermione’s cleverness in dealing with the situation further strains his connection with Cho, signaling the unofficial end of their relationship—they never explicitly break up, but the rift is evident.
Following their separation, Cho’s presence diminishes through the remainder of the series. In “Half-Blood Prince,” they avoid each other, and Harry only thinks of her as he becomes interested in Ginny, rendering Cho’s role in the story less significant until the Battle of Hogwarts.
Ultimately, despite their tumultuous romance, Harry and Cho manage to remain cordial following their breakup, which emphasizes that while their relationship was fraught from the beginning, they can still coexist as friends. Cho’s loyalty to Dumbledore’s cause comes back into play when she reunites with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in “Deathly Hallows,” illustrating her dedication to the fight, albeit with little further narrative focus on her character.
