Chapter 46: Hippogriff (1/2)

Next, they had Chams with Ravenclaws, so Chris, Ginny and Colin of sat with Luna. Chris always liked the Charms class so it was easy for her. They worked on a few spells for some time. At last, the bell rang for lunch and they all left together for the Great Hall.

As they get near the Gryffindor table, Chris heard a clattering sound. Ron's fork fell on his plate and he was watching Harry his mouth open. Ginny also noticed that and they intentionally sat near them. As they sat, they heard Ron speak loudly.

”Hermione, if Harry's seen a Grim, that's – that's bad,” he said. ”My – my Uncle Bilius saw one and – and he died twenty-four hours later!”

”Coincidence,” said Hermione airily, pouring herself some pumpkin juice.

”You don't know what you're talking about!” said Ron, starting to get angry. ”Grims scare the living daylights out of most wizards!”

”There you are, then,” said Hermione in a superior tone. ”They see the Grim and die of fright. The Grim's not an omen, it's the cause of death! And Harry's still with us because he's not stupid enough to see one and think, right, well, I'd better pop my clogs then!”

”What's a grim?” Suddenly Colin said loudly looking at them.

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked startled as they turned towards Colin. Chris gave Colin a cold look.

Colin hurriedly added, ”You all were talking very loudly. Couldn't help but hear.”

And he put a lot of food in his mouth, to prevent himself from talking.

”We're talking about our first Divination class,” Hermione answered.

”Really? How was it?” Luna asked curiously.

”If you ask me, I think Divination seems very woolly. A lot of guesswork, if you ask me.” Hermione said.

”There was nothing woolly about the Grim in that cup!” said Ron hotly.

”You didn't seem quite so confident when you were telling Harry it was a sheep,” said Hermione coolly.

”Professor Trelawney said you didn't have the right aura! You just don't like being rubbish at something for a change!”

Everybody froze. Ron had touched a nerve. Hermione slammed her book down on the table so hard that bits of meat and carrot flew everywhere.

”If being good at Divination means I have to pretend to see death omens in a lump of tea leaves, I'm not sure I'll be studying it much longer! That lesson was absolute rubbish compared to my Arithmancy class!”

She snatched up her bag and stalked away. Ron frowned after her.

”What's she talking about?” Ron said to Harry. ”She hasn't been to an Arithmancy class yet.”

”So what's a grim?” Colin asked again.

Harry sighed.

”It's a death omen. Professor Trelawney, our Divination teacher had predicted my death this year —”

Ron kicked Harry glancing at Ginny, who was stunned like Colin, Luna and Chris. Ginny noticed that and snapped, ”I'm not fragile anymore, Ron.”

”And so yeah. That's it. Hermione thinks it's nothing but stupid and Ron thinks it's true,” said Harry looking at Chris.

”You know I think they both are right,” Chris said.

Everyone looked at her.

”How can they both be right Chris? They're saying the opposite things.” Ginny said confused.

”I don't think Professor Trelawney lied or pretended but I also think we can change our future. So I suggest, if Harry thinks, it's true then he should prepare to face it, win over it, rather than feeling sad for it. You've fought death many times, didn't you? One more time won't hurt.” Chris said with a smile.

Harry smiled back.

”I agree,” Luna said excitedly.

After lunch, Chris, Ginny and Colin walked towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Last year Lockhart made it the most boring subject but this year a new Professor joined. Everyone was excited. Chris was nervous. Professor Lupin came in, smiled vaguely and placed his tatty old briefcase on the teacher's desk. He was as shabby as ever but looked healthier than he had on the train, as though he had had a few square meals.

”Good afternoon,” he said. ”Would you please put all your books back in your bags. Today's will be a practical lesson. You will only need your wands.”

A few curious looks were exchanged as the class put away their books. They had never had a practical Defence Against the Dark Arts before.

”Right then,” said Professor Lupin, when everyone was ready, ”if you'd follow me.”

Puzzled but interested, the class followed Professor Lupin outside. Soon they entered the courtyard.

”So today we'll learn a spell which will slow down any abstract or creatures or person,” Lupin said smiling. Everyone was listening attentively. Chris noticed even Jason Fawley, a Slytherin boy was watching Professor Lupin curiously.