Confusing Thoughts

After looking for a while Chris found a dog sitting in the snowy courtyard. She went and sat beside the dog.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked wrapping her arms around herself.

Silence.

"Colin?" Chris looked at the dog after a few moments. "I never knew you liked Luna. But I guess it's not surprising, considering the fact that I don't even know who I like."

A cold gust of wind blew and snow started to fall. Chris shivered. The dog turned to Chris then changed. Colin waved his wand and the breeze around him and Chris shifted to warm. The snow stopped falling on them.

"You are really good at these spells," smiled Chris brightly enjoying the warmth.

"Thanks, I like to do use spells which are actually useful in daily life," said Colin then he sighed. "Do you think I overreacted?"

"Maybe a little," said Chris. "It's possible that Harry just asked her as friends nothing else."

"Yeah, but Luna was so happy. . . You don't think she likes him, do you?"

"You should probably ask that question to Gin," said Chris thoughtfully. "She is the expert of this kind of things."

"Good idea, but she is really upset now. I don't want her to burden with my problems," said Colin.

"Colin, you know her. If anything can distract her from her problems it's her friends love problems."

"Then why haven't you told her about your problems?" asked Colin.

"I — never mind," Chris hastily looked away.

"It's cool," smiled Colin sadly. "Tell me whenever you want."

"It's nothing really," explained Chris. "Just with these fights with Jason and his strange behaviour — you know, when we were in the third year I realized I liked Jason and then he started to like me back. It was nice. We spent time together and all. I used to be busy with other things but I always tried to make time for him. I was happy and — to be honest — relieved, because I didn't need to think about other boys or who else likes me and stuff. But this year, when suddenly I became this popular girl for boys and Jason started to drift away I started to have different feelings and things got complicated. I'm so confused about my feelings now — and more importantly, I was thirteen when I liked Jason, now I'm fifteen and things changed. I changed. My priorities changed and most importantly, now I know I have a goal. But I don't know what to do with all of this."

Chris sighed and looked at the dark sky.

"It didn't sound like nothing," Colin said. "I realized I like Luna when we were at the ministry last year. I never felt something like that before, which was scary and to tell you the truth, it still is scary. Firstly, because I don't know if Luna likes me or not and secondly, I don't want to choose between her and you and Ginny. I don't want to think what will happen if something like last year happens again and I had to choose between helping her or you and Ginny. Because no matter what, you two are still my best friends."

"It is scary," sighed Chris.

Colin put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's fine. I think my point is we are allowed to be confused. No matter what our lives had been till now, we are still kids. Haven't you saw Lupin and Tonks all summer? They are grown-ups and they are still confused about their lives. Don't worry, we will figure this out. You will figure this out, I know."

Chris smiled looking back at Colin and he smiled back. 

"Thanks, Colin. It feels nice after letting the words out."

"Same here."

They watched the snow for some time in silence before heading back.

*****

"Oh then, why don't you come with me Colin?" asked Hermione the night before the party in the common room. She heard that Harry was taking Luna and Chris and Ginny were already invited so she thought why to leave Colin alone. "I was thinking of going alone otherwise."

"I don't know," shrugged Colin.

"C'mon it will be fun," said Ginny. "We all can go together."

"What about Ron?" asked Harry. "He is going to be only one left."

"Well, to attend the party he needs to untangle himself from Lavender which is, at this point, seems impossible," said Ginny looking at the same corner where Ron and Lavender were kissing furiously.

Chris and Hermione laughed. Colin and Harry chuckled.

"Don't be so mean, Ginny," Harry said still smiling. "Anyways, Colin come with us. I think the party will be great."

"Yeah, I mean, we all will be friends there," said Hermione. "After all, Harry and Luna are going there as friends too."

Hermione's eyes flickered to Chris' direction for a second.

"Yeah, I know," Colin said turning red. He did know that. After the talk between Colin and Chris, Colin had behaved normally the entire morning. But Luna clarified that Harry had asked her as friends and they don't like each other like that.

"And I think there's a vampire coming," said Chris.

"Alright, I will go," smiled Colin.

"And Chris and I will go with you all," said Ginny. "I really don't want to talk to Dean, right now."

"Chris you are going alone?" asked Harry surprised.

"Yes," said Chris. "Not in the mood to go with someone."

"Oh!"

*****

On the evening of the party, Chris wore a golden coloured, flutter sleeved, long dress, which Aurelia had sent her for the party. Ginny wore a pale sky blue dress, earning some envious looks from their other two roommates, Daniel and Lauren.

"Wear your hair down," Chris suggested as she curled her hair.

"What are you using?" Ginny asked surprised seeing Chris' curly hair loosely hanging on her shoulder.

"It's a hair gel," giggled Chris. "Hermione gave me for styling. You want to use?"

"No, I'm good," smiled Ginny. "I like my hair like this. Also, you are looking stunning."

"So do you," said Chris slipping into her shoes. "Let's go."

Hermione, Colin and Harry were already waiting for them in the common room. Hermione was wearing a lilac dress, Harry was in dark navy formal robes and Colin wore deep green robes. All were looking really great. Chris noticed a few girls, all of whom seemed to be staring at Harry resentfully as Chris approached them.

"You are looking really nice," Chris said to Harry then turned to Colin and Hermione. "All of you."

"Thanks, let's go," said Colin walking ahead.

They walked out of the portrait hole and went to the entrance hall where they will meet Luna. Chris noticed Harry was staring at her time to time.

"Harry, you are staring," she whispered and realized that she was smiling.

"Oh! Sorry," Harry quickly looked away. But just before they reached Luna, who was wearing a silver sparkling dress, Harry said in a barely audible voice, "you are looking gorgeous, Chris."

Chris looked up at him surprised but he was already hurrying towards Luna.

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To be continued. . .