Jealousy and Weirdness

Ginny didn't talk to Ron for the rest of the week. Whenever she saw Ron, she just turned around on her heels and stalked away. Ron wasn't feeling like making up with her either. The result of all this was Ron was spending less and less time with Lavender and Chris and the rest of them barely saw Ginny aside from the classes.

"I feel like she is avoiding me — I mean us," Chris muttered looking at her knees.

"Maybe she is just avoiding Ron," said Colin. "You know her, Chris. She has anger issues."

"Yeah, Colin is right," Luna said kindly. "She is just upset. You will see, she will come around."

"I hope so," Chris mumbled. She was scolding herself for being jealous of Ginny, that was very unlike her. She never was a jealous kind of person.

"I know it will be fine," Colin said smiling. "But if you want we can talk to her."

And they did, only to find Ginny almost back to normal. Though she did avoid Ron, she started to hang out with her friends again. Chris was grateful for it and decided that from now on, she will just ignore her feelings about Harry and Ginny.

The snow melted around the school as February arrived, to be replaced by cold, dreary wetness. Purplish-grey clouds hung low over the castle and a constant fall of chilly rain made the lawns slippery and muddy.

"I missed this," said Chris taking a deep breath and smelling the fresh lawn.

"You don't like the snow?" Adrian asked.

They were sitting on a stone bench outside. Both had their Runes notebook and dictionaries opened and spread in front of them. 

"I love snowball fights and skating but I love this new tree leaves and light breeze more," said Chris.

"I like snow a lot," Adrian smiled. "Winter is my favourite season."

"Mine is Spring," said Chris looking down on her notebook. "Thanks for helping me, by the way. I was so busy with everything else. I didn't pay attention to Ancient Runes class and now when O.W.L.s are approaching, I'm kind of nervous."

"No need to be nervous, you are the best in our class," Adrian said. "And I am glad to help you out."

"Thanks."

They started to read and Adrian helped her understand the symbols correctly. Then after almost two hours, Chris stretched and Adrian said they should call it a day.

"Ok, I'm hungry too, let's go," Chris smiled packing her books.

Adrian checked his watch.

"I don't think, the tables will be set yet for lunch," he said.

"Why?" Chris asked and then remembered, "the sixth years are having Apparition tests."

"Yeah," Adrian nodded as they started to walk back to the castle. "But there is always the kitchen."

"Right, we can go there and —" Chris slipped on the wet grass and Adrian quickly held her waist and made her steady.

"Thanks," Chris smiled but then felt someone watching them. She looked up at the stairs towards the entrance hall and saw Jason staring at them. Adrian's arm was still around Chris. As soon as Jason' eyes meet hers, Jason sauntered away angrily.

"You're welcome," Adrian said releasing her then noticed her expression. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Chris straightened up and resumed walking.

"Oh, I've news for you," Adrian said as they climbed to the entrance hall and rather than walking straight to the great hall, turned left and went down the stairs. Chris looked up at him curiously and he smirked. "I know who started the rumours about you."

"Really? Who?" Chris asked. "And how do you know?"

"Let's say I have my sources," he smiled secretively. "It's Romilda Vane, fourth year, Gryffindor."

"Romilda Vane," Chris rolled her eyes. "I should have guessed."

"So, I take it you know her and you two are not best of friends," Adrian said tickling the pear on the portrait in front of the kitchen.

"You are right and I can guess why she did that," Chris replied. The portrait swung open and they climbed into the kitchen. Chris continued, "She was trying to give love potion to Harry so I called her out and threatened to tell Professors."

"That's all?" Adrian laughed.

"Miss! Miss!"

A hurricane of knitted hats and gloves almost crashed into Adrian.

"What the — ?" Adrian stepped back.

"Hello, Dobby," Chris laughed. "How are you?"

"Dobby is good, Miss," Dobby peered from the mountain of hats and gave a grateful smile. "Dobby missed Miss. Dobby misses Harry Potter sir and the other kind Miss, a lot."

"Who is this?" asked Adrian still staring at Dobby.

"Adrian, meet Dobby," Chris introduced. "He is a free elf. Dobby, this is my friend Adrian. We are hungry, can you bring us some —"

But before Chris could finish Dobby squeaked, "of course, miss," and ran away.

"A free elf?" Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Harry Potter and the other Miss?"

"He was talking about Hermione. She started an organization for elves, though no one was interested in it, her good behaviour with elves made happy many of them, especially Dobby. Also, Harry was the one to free him four years ago," Chris explained.

Adrian shook her head laughing. At that moment a few other house-elves with Dobby brought food trays, happily. 

****

"How was your Apparation tests today?" Colin asked as Hermione and Neville sat down with Chris, Ginny and him. Harry and Ron sat a little far away from them. Ron still wasn't talking to Ginny and Harry thought as a best friend it was his duty to stay with Ron.

"It was nice," said Hermione with a grimace. "But a little difficult."

"Yes, very difficult," Neville flinched.

"Are you okay Neville?" Ginny asked.

"No," Hermione replied. "He almost splinched himself today."

"But I am okay," Neville added quickly seeing Chris and Ginny's horror-struck faces.

"Yeah, he is a lot better than Susan Bones. Her leg was separated from her on the fourth try," said Harry coming over to them. Chris glanced at Ron to see why Harry left him and saw Lavender wrapped with Ron.

"Wow!" Colin's mouth was hanging open. "Is she okay now?"

"I think so," said Hermione. "Anyway, have any of you seen the Prophet?"

"No, why?" Chris looked at her alarmed.

"No one we know died, but —" Hermione sighed. "Three Aurors were killed by the Lestrange couple. Though the Ministry didn't answer why they were roaming around in broad daylight, I think they are looking for someone. This is the third time Bellatrix had killed someone like this. But I don't understand —"

Ginny suddenly stoop up, and everyone looked at her.

"I just remembered something," she said hastily running towards the portrait hole. "I will be back in a bit."

"Well, that was weird," Colin muttered.

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To be continued. . .