First Year Ends

Few days later, the day, every Petrified people came to life, Dumbledore called for a huge celebration and feast. Chris felt, it was the best celebration in that year. Everybody was in their pajamas, and the celebration lasted all night. Colin and Hermione joined the feast. Colin hugged Chris and Luna. Chris gave Colin a new camera(the Christmas gift) as his old one was almost destroyed because of the Basilisk. 

Hermione hugged Harry, Ron and Chris and specially shouted at Chris's ear, "You solved it.. You solved it..." 

Ginny apologized to them. Many people came and apologized to Harry and Chris. 

Hagrid was there too. He came from Azkaban the same day, they saved Ginny. Chris thanked Hagrid for his help. Chris and Ginny went to see Mrs. Norris, Ginny apologized to Mr. Filch, and almost everyone in the Great Hall. Gryffindors won the housecup as expected. Professor McGonagall announced the exams had been canceled as a school treat. 

Harry told Chris that it was Draco's father Lucius Malfoy who gave Ginny the diary but Harry freed Dobby, the house-elf from their slavery.

Two days later Chris went to meet Professor Dumbledore in his office. 

"I'm glad you came Christina, I didn't have a chance to congratulate you for your victory. Harry told me everything. Well I know it's very difficult to choose between what is right and what is easy." 

"Thanks Professor. .. but I wanted to tell you something." 

"Yes?" 

Chris gave the key to Dumbledore. 

"I found this in my bag. It wasn't there, before we went to the chamber." Chris said.

Dumbledore examine the key over his half-moon glasses, smiled and looked at Chris. 

"It's a precious key. I expect you to protect it dearly and do not tell everyone about this.. well.. of course except your close friends." 

"So I can keep it? I mean it felt school property..." 

"It is but you've earned it. So you can keep it." Dumbledore said and gave back the key to Chris. "Anything else?" 

Chris shook her head. She took a step to leave but then stopped and looked at Dumbledore. 

"Professor why do I feel that you're not telling me the entire truth?" Chris said. 

"Then I guess you can also feel that I've my reasons for that." Dumbledore said smiling. 

Chris nodded. 

"Don't worry Christina. I'll tell you when it'll be the right time and let me suggest you something, always trust your feelings." _______________________________________

The rest of the final term passed in a haze of blazing sunshine. Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few, small differences. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school governor. Draco was no longer strutting around the school as though he owned the place. On the contrary, he looked resentful and sulky. 

On the other hand, Ginny was perfectly happy again and she was enjoying her most time with Chris, Colin and Luna happily. 

Too soon, it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express. Chris couldn't believed that it had been a year, she was living as a witch. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Ginny and Chris got a compartment to themselves. Luna went to sit with some Ravenclaw students who started to talking to her, Chris encouraged her so she can have few friends in her own house. Colin was clicking photos in the entire train. They made the most of the last few hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the holidays. They played Exploding Snap, set off the very last of Fred and George's Filibuster fireworks, and practiced Disarming each other by magic. Chris almost disarmed everyone pretty quickly. 

When they were almost near King's cross Ginny was telling a story to Chris, when unintentionally she slipped that her brother Percy has a girlfriend. Everyone was very shocked hearing this. Fred dropped a stack of books on George's head. 

"What?" 

"It's that Ravenclaw prefect, Penelope Clearwater," said Ginny, giggling. "That's who he was writing to all last summer. He's been meeting her all over the school in secret. I walked in on them kissing in an empty classroom one day. He was so upset when she was — you know — attacked. You won't tease him, will you?" she added anxiously. 

"Wouldn't dream of it," said Fred, who was looking like his birthday had come early. 

"Definitely not," said George, sniggering. 

Chris laughed loudly, clearly understanding the twins' intentions.

The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped. Harry pulled out his quill and a bit of parchment and turned to Ron, Hermione and Chris. 

"This is called a telephone number," he told Ron, scribbling it thrice, tearing the parchment in three, and handing it to them. "I told your dad how to use a telephone last summer — he'll know. Call me at the Dursleys', okay? I can't stand another two months with only Dudley to talk to. . . ." 

"I'll write you letters." Ginny said to Chris grinning. 

"Sure. Leon will be glad to fly. I'll write too." Chris answered. 

"See you soon guys." She said to looking at Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred and George, they smiled. Then she left the King's cross with her father.