A New Beginning

The exam results came out on the last day of term. Chris had the highest marks in their year, Ginny had got five marks less than Chris and Colin had got twelve marks less, both in potions. 

"You even got the highest marks in Divination," said Ginny as they sat for the end-of-term feast. "Cheer up."

"I am happy," said Chris forcing a big smile. "When are your exam results coming out, Hermione?"

"In August," said Hermione looking worried. "I hope I don't fail."

Ron snorted.

"Hermione, that's impossible."

Ginny and Luna laughed.

"So where are you staying this summer, Chris?" asked Colin.

"Grimmauld Place," replied Chris playing with her food.

Ginny froze.

"What do you mean by Grimmauld Place?" she said. "I thought you were coming with me and was going to spend your summer there."

"Yeah," Chris said quickly. "Yeah, that was the plan, then yesterday, a letter came from Sirius and he asked me if I wanted to spend my summer there?"

"And you agreed?" Ginny said narrowing her eyes.

"Yes, I — I had to — Sirius said, Tonks will be living there too," said Chris. "I thought I could help her, you know after the situation with her parents."

"And that's the only reason?" asked Ginny looking sceptical.

"Yes," said Chris pointedly looking at her plate.

The real reason was Chris wanted to be alone. Ginny would definitely have tried to cheer her up over the summer, but Chris didn't need that right now.

"But if —" Ginny tried to argue.

"Let it be, Ginny," interrupted Harry. "I think Tonks will need someone other than Sirius to talk."

"Yeah, but — fine."

As Ginny started to eat again, Chris met Harry's gaze and gave a tiny nod for his help. Harry gave a small smile.

Next morning, before leaving, Chris looked up at the huge castle of Hogwarts and a bitter smile crept up on her face. Her father always told her that she was special, she was meant to be famous, without knowing that those things would actually come true like this.

The journey back on the Hogwarts Express next day was eventful in several ways. First, Theodore met Chris and thanked her. "Dumbledore had made arrangements for me . . . I will be living with an old relatively Aunt of mine till I come to age," he said looking a lot better than last time. "And he had made sure my father stays away from me."

Next was a meeting with Draco and Astoria. Chris thanked Draco and to her surprise, Draco and Astoria both talked to Chris nicely. 

Then, Crabbe, and Goyle, who had clearly been waiting all week for the opportunity to strike without teacher witnesses, attempted to ambush Chris and Harry halfway down the train. The attack might have succeeded had it not been for the fact that they unwittingly chose to stage the attack right outside a compartment full of D.A. members, who saw what was happening through the glass and rose as one to rush to Chris and Harry's aid. By the time Cedric, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Anthony Goldstein, and Terry Boot had finished using a wide variety of the hexes and jinxes Crabbe and Goyle resembled nothing so much as two gigantic slugs squeezed into Hogwarts uniforms as Harry, Ernie, and Justin hoisted them into the luggage rack and left them there to ooze.

"Goyle's mum'll be really pleased," said Ron, who had come to investigate the source of the commotion. "He's loads better-looking now. . . . Anyway, Harry, the food trolley's just stopped if you want anything . . ."

They got back to their compartments and Chris quickly pulled out the latest prophet and disappeared behind it. It was now full of articles about how to repel dementors, attempts by the Ministry to track down Death Eaters, and hysterical letters claiming that the writer had seen Lord Voldemort walking past their house that very morning. . . .

Chris sighed.

"People are mental," she said.

"People have always been mental," said Ron without looking up from the chessboard. 

Ron was right.

Chris smiled slightly and looked out of the window. Last year, she hated Draco, didn't like Ron and doubted Theodore because of his father, this year a lot had changed.

As the train slowed down in the approach to King's Cross, Chris and the rest took their things and get off the train. Luna, Colin and Neville walked out of the barrier first. Then the rest crossed and Chris got a shock when she saw a group of people standing there to greet them whom she had not expected at all. 

There was Mad-Eye Moody, looking quite as sinister with his bowler hat pulled low over his magical eye as he would have done without it, his gnarled hands clutching a long staff, his body wrapped in a voluminous travelling cloak. Beside him, Lupin, his face pale, his hair graying, a long and threadbare overcoat covering a shabby jumper and trousers. Next to them was Sirius dressed as a stylish perfect professional Muggle, grinning broadly. At the front of the group stood Mr and Mrs Weasley, dressed in their Muggle best, and Fred and George, who were both wearing brand-new jackets in some lurid green, scaly material.

"Ron, Ginny!" called Mrs Weasley, hurrying forward and hugging her children tightly. "Oh, Harry dear, Chris — how are you?"

"Fine," said Harry, as she pulled him into a tight embrace while Chris, Hermione and Ron stared at the twins.

"What are they supposed to be?" Ron asked, pointing at the jackets.

"Finest dragon skin, little bro," said Fred, giving his zip a little tweak. "Business is booming and we thought we'd treat ourselves." he turned to Hermione. "Like it?"

"What? No —" Hermione blushed furiously and to hide it she quickly turned to her parents.

"They are quite too much," said Chris. "You need a good fashion sense but considering you run a joke shop in the wizarding world, these things are very cool."

"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked hugging Sirius.

"You don't know?" said Sirius smiling. "I am here to pick Chris up."

"So many people just to only pick me up?" said Chris as Lupin shook her hand. "I have my doubts."

"Well, not only that," said Lupin quietly. "We thought we might have a little chat with Harry's aunt and uncle before letting them take him home."

"Yes, last time I thought you would be at least well treated there," said Sirius to Harry. "But after they threatened to kick you out of the house, I think they need to talk to your Godfather."

"I dunno if that's a good idea," said Harry at once.

"Oh, I think it is," growled Moody, who had limped a little closer. "That'll be them, will it, Potter?"

Mad-Eye pointed with his thumb over his shoulder; his magical eye was evidently peering through the back of his head and his bowler hat. Chris followed his gaze and sure enough, were the three Dursleys, who looked positively appalled to see Harry's reception committee.

As the group stepped forward to meet the Dursleys, Harry pulled Chris aside.

"What?" Chris asked surprised.

Harry didn't answer, he just hugged Chris. For a moment Chris looked shocked then she slowly hugged him back.

"Listen, no matter what or no matter how — always remember we are in this together," murmured Harry. 

"But our jobs are a little different, Harry, don't you think?" asked Chris pulling back from the hug.

"Yeah, so are we," said Harry seriously. "But I remember, when I wanted to go and save the Tonks family, you were the one who believed me and decided to go with me at once. So I think deep down we both have that —"

"Saving-people-thing?" Chris said.

"Yeah, that saving-people-thing," said Harry nodding.

They both chuckled sadly.

"So, I know if I need help, you will be always there for me, but I also want you to know that if you need help I will be there, I promise," said Harry.

Chris stared at him for a few moments then —

"Potter," growled Moody.

"Yes," Harry said looking at Moody then gave a small smile to Chris and started walking.

Chris followed after a moment.

"So, Potter . . . give us a shout if you need us. If we don't hear from you for three days in a row, we'll send someone along . . ." said Moody.

Chris noticed that the Dursleys looked really frightened.

"Bye, then," said Sirius again hugging Harry. "I will take you away as soon as possible."

"Take care, Harry," said Lupin quietly. "Keep in touch."

"We'll see you soon, mate," said Ron anxiously, shaking Harry's hand.

"Really soon, Harry," said Hermione earnestly. "We promise."

"Thanks, Harry," whispered Chris giving Harry's hand a light squeeze. "See you soon."

"See you soon," Harry smiled.

They parted ways.

"I am going to talk to mum and dad," said Ginny hugging Chris before leaving. "You have to come to Burrow before our next term starts. You can't avoid me forever."

Chris just smiled then said bye to Ginny, Hermione, Ron and the twins, and left with Sirius and Lupin.

______________________________

End. . .