The Blank Wall

Again the interest in the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw game was running extremely high throughout the school, for the match would decide the Championship, which was still wide open. If Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw then they would win the Championship. The run-up to this crucial match had all the usual features: members of rival Houses attempting to intimidate opposing teams in the corridors; unpleasant chants about individual players being rehearsed loudly as they passed; the team members themselves either swaggering around enjoying all the attention or else dashing into bathrooms between classes to throw up.

"Ravenclaw is going to win this year's championship," grinned Adrian.

"In your dreams Rivers," said Chris laughing.

"Are you still doing the commentary," Adrian asked.

"I think, yes," Chris replied. "Why?"

"You and Luna did a great job," said Adrian smirking. "Especially the last dance."

"Shut up," Chris rolled her eyes and saw Theodore coming from the opposite way. "Hey, Theodore!"

Theodore looked startled but then smiled.

"Hey, Chris," he said coming towards her. "How are you?"

"Good, how about you?" Chris asked. "I haven't seen you around in a while."

"Yeah, after you split up with Jason, I thought—" Theodore stopped looking at Adrian.

"I will get going," said Adrian at once. "See you around, Chris."

"Yeah, bye," Chris smiled at Adrian as he left then looked back at Theodore. "Theodore, how is Jason? I don't see him apart from a couple of classes we have together and is it just me or he looks horrible nowadays?" 

"No, it's just not you," Theodore said without getting surprised at the subject change. "Yeah, he looks horrible nowadays. He looks sick. I have asked him many times but every time he either dodge the topic or run away, literally. I am really worried about him. I have thought about telling you but I wasn't sure after you dumped him."

"Hey! I didn't dump him," said Chris defiantly. "He started to ignore me first. He always blamed me for keeping secrets and being busy but this year he did the same. Well, I tried to ask what's going on and he avoided the questions. I was out of patience. . ."

"Well, whatever it was," Theodore shrugged. "He is looking worse now. I think you should talk to him but it's up to you."

"I will — see about that," said Chris. "Anyway, how are you doing? Have anyone bothered you after you left your Dad's house?"

"You don't know, do you?" Theodore's face went cold as he lowered his voice. "My Dad is — they killed him."

"What?" Chris said loudly and two little passing first years looked back at her.

Theodore pulled her to a corner.

"Sorry," Chris lowered her voice. "Theodore, I am sorry but how the hell did this happen?"

"I don't know the details," said Theodore looking away. "Maybe because his son betrayed or because he couldn't complete any important task or simply because he was useless for them. I don't know."

A heavy silenced fell. For a long time, they just watched other students passing the corridor laughing, talking. No matter what Theodore's father did, Chris felt a little bad for Theodore.

"Sorry," Chris whispered again.

Theodore shrugged but Chris could feel the sadness radiating from him.

"I just can't wait to finish my N.E.W.T.s and get the hell out of this place," said Theodore. "I'm so done."

Not sure what to say, Chris just nodded.

****

Saturday arrived with great enthusiasm. The final match of this year gripped everyone in anticipation. Chris had a feeling it was as usual because of Harry. The question was if the Chosen Captain was really worthy or not?

Chris hurried down through the deserted corridors; the whole school was outside, either already seated in the stadium or heading down toward it; Luna was already outside, she went out with Colin. Chris was looking out of the windows she passed, trying to gauge how much wind the players were facing when a noise ahead made her glance up and she saw —

"Jason?"

But Jason didn't hear her, he was hurrying upstairs. Chris stood rooted on the spot and watched him disappear. She looked back outside, the match will begin any moment now but there was Jason sulking around the school while the rest of the school was absent. She knew he didn't like Quidditch but nowadays he was looking different: weird, sick and —

Chris made her mind. She sprinted after him. Maybe it was curiosity or the talk with Theodore but Chris wanted to know what on earth was making Jason like this. She shouldn't have ignored this, this long. She always tried to help people in need, no matter what was their relationship with her. She even helped strangers and the people who hated her but she didn't help the person who claimed to be in love with her. The thought made Chris feel remorseful. No matter what happened, he had gone lengths to help her and she has loved him.

Jason stopped reaching the seventh floor. Chris quickly hid behind a large suit of armour as Jason turned around to watch if anyone was there. After making sure there was no one else Jason started to walk towards the Room of Requirement corridor. More surprised Chris slowly followed him. This was the place where she had been caught by Jason while doing the same thing. But this time, Jason didn't look back anymore, he reached the blank wall opposite to the portrait, closed his eyes and the door appeared. He went inside and the door disappeared.

Surprised and shocked Chris stood outside, staring at the blank wall. So he was using this room all this time? Why didn't she realize? She had seen him before in this corridor and had found the room locked for all year. How could she not put two and two together? But now the more important thing was: what was he doing inside the Room of Requirement all year and even now?

"Where have you been?" Professor McGonagall demanded as Chris scrambled in the commentator's podium.

"Sorry, Professor," she panted. "Got caught on with some stuff. Sorry. What's the score?"

"Seventy-forty to Ravenclaw!" barked Professor McGonagall.

"Is it, already?" said Luna vaguely. She was apparently announcing about the shape of the clouds above the Seekers. 

Chris quickly looked between an angry McGonagall and an obliviate Luna, then at the match.

"And the Bludger misses the Gryffindor chaser, Katie Bell by inches," Chris said taking the microphone from Luna. "Gryffindor beater Colin Creevy hits the Bludger back at the Ravenclaw beater and he dodges it. . . Ravenclaw still in possession."

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To be continued. . .