Chapter 24: Ghostly Incident (1/2)

There were screams as the crowd backed swiftly away, clearing the floor, for the snake, which just exploded from Malfoy's wand.

”Don't move, Potter,” said Snape lazily, clearly enjoying the sight of Harry standing motionless, eye to eye with the angry snake. ”I'll get rid of it. . . .”

”Allow me!” shouted Lockhart.

He brandished his wand at the snake and there was a loud bang; the snake, instead of vanishing, flew ten feet into the air and fell back to the floor with a loud smack. Enraged, hissing furiously, it slithered straight toward Chris and raised itself again, fangs exposed, poised to strike.

Chris took out her wand and was about to cast 'Stupefy'.

Harry shouted, ”Don't move, Chris.”

Chris looked at him and he started to make a hissing sound. The snake slumped to the floor, docile as a thick, black garden hose, its eyes now on Harry. Harry sighed and looked up at Chris and found her grinning at him.

”What did you ask it?” Chris asked excitedly.

”Er.... to leave you alone...?” Harry smiled awkwardly seeing the other frightening faces.

”Amazing.” Chris grinned again.

Snape stepped forward, waved his wand, and the snake vanished in a small puff of black smoke. Snape, too, was looking at Harry in an unexpected way: It was a shrewd and calculating look. There was muttering all around the walls. Harry started to leave and Ron and Hermione followed him.

As they went through the doors, the people on either side drew away as though they were frightened of catching something. Harry got irritated and hurried to the door.

As they left, people started to stare at Chris. Luna poke her, ”You knew he can talk to snakes?”

”Yeah. He told me a few weeks ago.” Chris answered. ”Let's get out of here.”

She was feeling uncomfortable because of everyone's gaze. Luna nodded and they also left the Hall.

Chris entered the Gryffindor common room, and heard Harry's angry voice, ”I don't know why you two are making so big deal out of it. I saw the snake was about to attack Chris so I stopped it. Chris knows I am a Parselmouth, she said it's not a bad thing.”

”Harry everybody doesn't listen to Chris. Just because she doesn't think it bad, doesn't mean it's not bad.” Hermione said loudly.

”Yeah. And now the whole school's going to think you're Salazar Slytherin's great-great-great-great-grandson or something ...” Ron said.

”But I'm not,” said Harry, with an irritated tone. ”You'll find that hard to prove,” said Hermione. ”He lived about a thousand years ago; for all we know, you could be.”

Hearing that Harry storm off to boys dormitory. Hermione sighed then turned around and saw Chris standing there.

Without saying anything Chris silently made her way to girls dormitory before Hermione could speak.

Next Morning, Chris heard the other two girls, Danielle and Lauren speaking; that for the second time Ginny had left a mess of rooster feathers on her bed and on the room floor. Chris wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen that with her own eyes.

”Hi, Chris!” Hermione said loudly as soon as Chris entered the common room.

”Oh! Hey.” Chris said, scanning the room for Ginny.

”Umm... Chris... Listen, last night I was just worried about Harry. I didn't mean to say anything bad about you.” Hermione said breathlessly.

”It's ok Hermione. I understand.” Chris gave a little smile. She was really not in the mood of taking small grudges over people.

The snow that had begun in the night had turned into a blizzard so thick that the last Herbology lessons of the term were cancelled. Professor Sprout wanted to fit socks and scarves on the Mandrakes, a tricky operation she would entrust to no one else, now that it was so important for the Mandrakes to grow quickly and revive Mrs Norris and Colin.