Chapter 33

As I sat beside Dora, Quirrell came running into the great hall and did his drama about troll.

"That guy is so fake..." said Dora while shaking her head even as the students began to panic.

"Aren't you.. worried about a troll strolling around in the castle?!" I asked. Seriously, did this girl not have her priorities straight?

"What? You believed that crap?! I've been here for six years. And anything remotely dangerous hasn't entered the castle, let alone a troll." she snorted.

'Girl, it's good that you won't be coming next year. Or you'd start thinking that you're coming to a different place.' I thought, thinking of basilisks, dementors and werewolves.

Then Dumb-ledore ordered prefects to lead there housemates to their respective dorms.

"Well, what does he get from lying?" I asked, even as everyone around us was being escorted to our houses.

"Well if it's true, I wanna see it. And maybe fight it." She said. Though I could tell she wasn't serious.

"Why are you not a Griffindor again?" I asked rhetorically in exasperation, not for the first time. Then I continued without letting her answer.

"None of these idiots think that we should stay in the great Hall, which has sturdy doors, and skilled professors. Intead, they abandon us and go troll hunting.

"Hey... you actually have a point. Why are going to our dorms alone?" She agreed as we were going to the Hufflepuff dorms and then asked, me

"And, why are you not going to your own dorm?"

"Well, of course, to keep an eye on you, In case you decided to take on a troll." I said truthfully. I didn't really care about the rest of the students.

"Wow...you don't trust me at all. And even if I were to go against a troll, I think I can handle it." She said confidently.

"Well, there's always the case if the troll called you by your name, you might lose your concentration." I said with a straight face.

"Well, if it really did that, then you only have to pity the troll." she replied back menacingly. Though her reaction only looked cute to me.

"Dora, how'd you fight it? Magic doesn't work on it." I was only testing her.

"Well, only direct magic doesn't work. But I could just transfigure some sharp weapons and banish them right through it's face. It's face is not that thick.

And, I can send something heavy on it's head. In short, their skull is their weakest point." She said.

'Oh, so she had been actually considering going after the troll. Or maybe she had prepared this strategy in the past, just in case if she ever encountered a troll.'

"Brilliant plan, Miss Tonks, I'll give you some useless points and a pat on the back." I said.

"Ah...you really hate the points system that much?" She asked in exasperation.

"No, I don't hate it at all. I just want something out if it other than some clapping at the end of year and a trophy which I can't even call mine." I replied in a deadpan.

We were reaching the Hufflepuff common house. As we reached the entrance, everyone lined up and started entering. When it was my turn, the prefect stopped me....

But then Tonks just gave him an annoyed look and the prefect paled and made way for us. Me and Tonks shared a grin as we entered.

"You seem to have quite the reputation here." I commented.

"Oh, it's just their loyalty..."

"Haha, Darklady Tonks...She who must not be named." I said jokingly, but then I realized that I shouldn't have said that.

Dora froze at that, apparently remembering the last time she'd heard those words.

She then looked at me. "Very funny, Chris." She said as we sat beside each other on a couch near the fireplace.

'So, she has been connecting the dots'. I thought as I looked at her, who was deep in thought.

I had asked her to just call me Chris, short for Christopher. But, just now, when she said my name like she was thinking what a coincidence it was that both the people who something like that to her had the

name Chris.

I thought of telling her about it.

I had brought up the subject of Occlumency to her. She knows occlumency. Andromeda had made sure of that.

Andromeda was a black, and Blacks especially need some excellent occlumency, considering the fact that they are more susceptible to becoming mad. Most probably, her generation didn't learn it that well except her, seeing that most of them did some irrational things.

But it would take time for her to be at the level where she can defend herself if Dumbledore actually casts it with a wand. I think she can at least sense the passive ones and quickly break eye contact. But, it's Dumbledore, I can't really be sure about the others. But I'm 100% sure of mine, which were formed from pure magic. If he ever tries passive legilimency on me. I can easily show him false memories, which I have prepared especially for him.

But...he really hasn't tried anything on me yet. I've been really careful all this while. And if he really tries something, I've prepared multiple counters. But, up to now? Nothing.

For me, Dumbledore=Evil manipulative dark lord. Even if he hasn't done anything, I have to assume the worst.

While Dora and I were lost in our own thoughts for a few seconds, Susan and Hannah joined us.

"Hi Chris," ×2

"Oh! Susan, Hannah, how are you doing?"

"We're ok."

"Is it true?"

"Yeah, is there really a troll in the dungeon?"

"And..why are you here?"

"Aren't you supposed to be with your own house?"

"Alright, alright, I'm not going anywhere, let me talk as well." I interrupted them.

"Oh" (Susan)

"Ah..s-sorry." (Hannah)

Both of them got a bit embarrassed.

"Well, About the troll, I'm really not sure. But I believe it is true. But Tonks here," I pointed at her, who was sitting beside me, thinks that it's all a sham." I said.

"Oh, come on! Like I'd believe anything that stuttering idiot says." She said in contempt.

'Good girl.' I thought. We'd had our fun badmouthing Quirrell during some of these past days.

"Oh! I don't believe him either. But...this time, I think it might me true. What do say? Wanna bet?" I said with a provoking smile.

"What are we betting on?" She asked.

"Would you like to have a Nimbus 2000?"

She got shocked. "You're joking!"

"You have a Nimbus 2000?!" Hannah asked.

"Yep."

"B-but first year students aren't allowed to have their own brooms!" exclaimed Susan, looking envious.

"Well, nobody's gonna find out as long as you two don't tell anyone about it." I said. "Which, you of course won't. I trust you." I said as I smiled at them.

Susan smiled a bit bashfully while Hannah looked away, but her cheek and ear blush on it.

"Oh, come on! Are you done deceiving innocent little girls? Now tell me if you're serious." Dora said looking very irritated.

She had, by now, already discovered that I was basically a wolf in sheep's clothing. She knows all about my homework management plan. And she's extremely jealous that I don't have to do any of my homework, though she won't admit it.

She can clearly see the difference between me and any other student in Hogwarts.

"Yeah, I'm very serious. Though you would have to agree on what I ask for if I win." I said while grinning.

"What do you want? I don't have much that I can wager." She said, looking embarrassed. But she must be wondering what could she have that is of equal value to the broom.

"Oh, nothing much." I said as I leaned forward, gesturing her to bring her ear closer. She did as I asked, looking both serious and nervous.

"I want" I said as my lips almost touched her ear. "A kiss from you." I whispered in ear.

Dora shivered a bit.

"No!"

"Why?"

"Why?! Why would you want that from me!? And it's just a ki- " She stopped, noticing the two girls, who were listening her every word curiously.

"Why'd you bet a Nimbus for a ki..?" She framed her question differently.

"Umm...maybe Because...I never got one from anyone else in this world..., " I said as I looked down, my eyes covered by my hair.

"So" I said as I looked back up into her eyes and smiled, to lighten the mood which had suddenly gotten very heavy. "I think.... it's totally worth it." I said as I looked at her lips.

"!!...!!" (Tonks)

'Oh man, I did it again.'