Guests

"Do you think Sirius will be okay?" Harry mumbled to Chris after Sirius left Dumbledore's office. Kreacher had Disapparated some time ago. 

"I don't know," whispered Chris.

Dumbledore had talked to Sirius about Regulus but judging by expression Chris didn't think anything had gone through him. He looked too shocked and hurt to react on Dumbledore's talk. Dumbledore, of course, hadn't mentioned the Horcruxe thing to Sirius.

"Christina," Dumbledore cleared his throat after a moment. Chris turned to him. "I think, it'll be good if you have this." Dumbledore held the locket.

"But me, Professor?" said Chris surprised. "I mean, I know it's Salazar Slytherin's but I never feel connected to it before, as I do to the keys."

"I think that is because, in this locket, Salazar Slytherin's magic was corrupted by Voldemort's soul," said Dumbledore. "And that is why I want you to have it. Now that it is got rid of the soul, I want to know if you can feel Salazar Slytherin's magic in it or not."

After a second Chris nodded and took the locket. Nothing happened.

"It can take time," said Dumbledore as Chris stared at the locket. "Anyway, because you have made my task easier by bringing me a Horcruxe, I think now, I can work on my other task."

"You were looking for this locket?" said Harry surprised.

"Yes, I have seen the cave where this was supposed to be," said Dumbledore. "Of course, I didn't go inside."

Chris' eyes went wide. That cave could have been harmed Dumbledore too.

"But because of Regulus' great sacrifice, I think we can think about the next thing at hand. We have to look into the secret of Malgino's life. I have a few ideas, but I know someone who can help us to understand it correctly," said Dumbledore seriously. "Good night."

A little taken aback by the abrupt dismissal, Chris and Harry got to their feet quickly. "Good night, sir."

As they left, a Headmaster in the portrait spoke, "Who's coming Dumbledore? Do you really believe they can help you with something that the founders couldn't understand?"

"It's not that person I am optimistic about Gratial, it is Christina, herself, who makes me hopeful," replied Dumbledore, and Fawkes gave another low, musical cry.

*****

As October flew by, Chris thought she could have used the Time-Turner to play Quidditch like Ginny and Colin. They were using it with Chris to balance their Quidditch practices, Prefect duties and studies. Sometimes Chris was asking Luna to use the Time-Turner too. Luna only did that for fun. Most of the times Chris found herself in the library or Moaning Myrtle's bathroom and sometimes in Room of Requirement (which was most of the times locked). Meetings with Jason's were irregular too, but Chris had stopped asking what he was doing so one day Jason himself looked guilty and said, "Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for you. Really. I don't want to let anything happen to you."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Jason," Chris replied dryly.

"No, you are not. I have seen you in danger," Jason said. "Just give me some time Chris, everything will be back to normal."

"I just hope you know what are you doing, Jason, because I don't," Chris was surprised at Jason's words. 

"Just this year, please," Jason hugged her. "Everything will be okay."

"I don't know," shrugged Chris. "Because I don't think if I can go on like this anymore."

"Then what do you want?" Jason said looking shocked. "You are doing your things too, Chris. Did you tell me what's going on with you?"

"Then I guess we should do our own things for a while," replied Chris wryly. "I don't want anything to be forced among us."

"My feelings for you are not forced, Chris," Jason said coldly.

"Still, I guess we need to figure out what we want. We are just fifteen."

After that conversation, Chris had barely seen Jason but she thought it was for better (though, she felt a lot worse, which she didn't admit), she had already many things going on. She had just started to meet Slughorn outside classes and parties. She had shown him many of her new potions and Slughorn was more impressed than before. Chris had also started to ask him different types of questions related to higher studies and Slughorn had answered them enthusiastically. 

It was a few days before Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match, the first match of the season when Dumbledore announced something unexpected at the dinner table.

"I have great pleasure in announcing that this week at Hogwarts, we will welcome an honourable guest, a great wizard, well-known alchemist and, of course, an old friend of mine," smiled Dumbledore upon the surprised-looking students and Hermione gasped in the same realization as Chris. "Nicholas Flamel will grace us with his presence with his exceptionally talented wife, companion and incredible witch Perenelle Flamel."

A loud whisper broke out in the Great Hall. Chris' jaw dropped as she stared at Dumbledore, who continued, "The reason behind their arrival is: Perenelle Flamel wants to write a book about the old magic schools around the world and our school is the most old school in magical history. I dearly hope our students and teachers will help me to welcome them wholeheartedly as this is a great honour for our school."

The students applauded and then people started to talk loudly. Chris hardly clapped, her mind was on the last talk with Dumbledore. Maybe Nicholas Flamel knew something about Malgino. Just thinking about it Chris felt a lot lighter.

"I can't believe this," Hermione almost screamed. "The Nicholas Flamel. Oh my god."

"Yes, yes, Hermione the same," said Ginny smiling. "Do you think they will be here before our Quidditch match?"

"I can't play," Ron choked in his juice. "If they are going to watch, I can't Harry. I will make a fool of myself."

"Oh no, you won't," said Harry firmly. "You're the best Keeper I tried out, Ron."

Chris quickly looked away and started eating. Ron shouldn't know she had helped him, that will make his confidence go down to Hell.

But fortunately, the Flamels didn't arrive to witness the Quidditch match, though that didn't encourage Ron.

Breakfast was the usual excitable affair that morning; the Slytherins hissed and booed loudly as every member of the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall. Chris glanced at the ceiling and saw a clear, pale blue sky: a good omen.

The Gryffindor table, a solid mass of red and gold, cheered as Harry and Ron approached. Harry grinned and waved; Ron grimaced weakly and shook his head.

"Cheer up, Ron!" called Lavender. "I know you'll be brilliant!"

Ron looked surprised then gave a nervous smile.

"Oh, c'mon," said Ginny impatiently. "Stop acting as someone died. You were great in the last two matches, last year. Just keep that form up and we will be good."

This, however, lifted Ron's spirit a bit. He was very surprised at Ginny's encouraging words, which were very rare to him like Fred and George's pep talks.

Chris, Hermione and Luna went to the stands as the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams entered the field.

"Positive about winning this match?" said a voice.

Chris turned around as Adrian sat beside her.

"I hope," smiled Chris.

"Let's see," grinned Adrian. "I really want Gryffindor to win this match, you know. It will be fun to play against the chosen one."

Chris rolled her eyes then shook her head smiling. Then a voice that was jarringly different from the usual commentator's started up.

"Well, there they go, and I think we're all surprised to see the team that Potter's put together this year. Many thought, given Ronald Weasley's patchy performance as Keeper last year, that he might be off the team, but of course, a close personal friendship with the Captain does help. . . ."

These words were greeted with jeers and applause from the Slytherin end of the pitch.

"Smith," Chris muttered angrily.

"I don't like him," said Luna.

"Oh, and here comes Slytherin's first attempt on goal, it's Urquhart streaking down the pitch and —"

Chris' stomach turned over as she looked back at Ron.

"— Weasley saves it, well, he's bound to get lucky sometimes, I suppose. . . ."

Chris and Hermione cheered with the rest of the Gryffindors. Luna's usual Lion hat gave a real roar.

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To be continued. . .