Chapter 84: Conflicts (1/2)
Almost at 9:45 Sirius came in a black car.
”Brought this few days ago. Isn't beautiful?” Sirius said showing the car.
”It is.” Chris said grinning.
”I always loved muggle things. Have I told you I had a motorbike?”
”Oh! I know, you gave it to Hagrid, right?” Harry said.
Sirius nodded as his smile started to disappear from his face.
”But how are we going to fit in Sirius? I mean is this like Mr Weasley's old car?” Harry asked.
”Go and check it.” Sirius said pulling the door.
Chris also peaked inside with Harry, Ron and Ginny. It really was beautiful. It was clear that it was a very luxurious car, Sirius had made big space in it with magic, 'course.
Bill and Charlie decided to come and see everyone off at King's Cross station, but Percy, apologizing most profusely, said that he really needed to get to work.
”I just can't justify taking more time off at the moment,” he told them. ”Mr. Crouch is really starting to rely on me.”
”Yeah, you know what, Percy?” said George seriously. ”I reckon he'll know your name soon.”
And as Percy Disapparated, Everyone burst into laughs, except Mrs Weasley.
Then they all gathered their trunks and pets; and climbed into the car. Sirius asked Harry to sit beside him, which he did. It was really delightful to watch Harry and Sirius, as it was difficult to guess who was looking more happy. Sirius who was seeing off his godson to his school for the first time or Harry who was grinning sitting beside Sirius.
Finally they arrived at King's Cross, even though the rain was coming down harder than ever, and they got soaked carrying their trunks across the busy road and into the station.; almost everyone looked happy and cheerful.
To get to the platform nine and three quarter, the students had to cross a solid barrier between platform nine and ten. They always had been careful so they don't attract any unnecessary muggle attention. Chris and Ginny crossed the barrier after Ron and Hermione, and as they did so, platform nine and three-quarters materialized in front of them.
The Hogwarts Express, a gleaming scarlet steam engine, was already there, clouds of steam billowing from it, through which the many Hogwarts students and parents on the platform appeared like dark ghosts.
Sirius, Bill and Charlie helped them with their trunks.
”Have fun Harry.” Sirius said grinning.
Harry hugged him grinning as well.
”All of you have a great year.” Sirius said turning to others. ”Have lots of fun.”
Fred and George grinned.
”Oh they're already having enough of that.” Mrs Weasley said looking at the twins sternly. ”Don't you dare encourage them more Sirius.”
”Oh C'mon Molly. It's their time to have a little fun.” Sirius said smiling mischievously.
”You said the same thing when you four came to see them first time and you Transfigure both of them into tiger cubs.” Mrs Weasley said raising her eyebrows.
”Really?” Said Fred and George together.
”... er... sorry about that... I got carried away a little that time.” Sirius said looking away.
”That's wicked, Mr Black.” George said grinning.
”Oh what do expect from Padfoot, George?” Chris said laughing with others.
”Padfoot?” Fred said shocked. ”Did you said Padfoot? He's not The Padfoot, is he?”
”Actually he IS.” Harry replied.
”Oh My God.” Fred and George shouted together. ”We've so much to talk about with you.”
But at that moment, the whistle blew, and Mrs. Weasley chivvied them toward the train doors.
”Later boys.” Sirius said with a mischievous grin.
Mrs Weasley shook her head in disapproval.
”I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,” said Charlie, grinning, as he hugged Ginny good-bye.
”Again with your mystery. Isn't it?” Chris said rolling her eyes. ”Go away Charlie.”
”Bye.” Charlie said laughing.
”You'll find out this evening, Chris dear,” said Mrs. Weasley, smiling. ”It's going to be very exciting — mind you, I'm very glad they've changed the rules —”
”What rules?” said Harry, Ron, Fred, and George together.
”I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will tell you. … Now, behave, won't you?” Mrs Weasley said smiling.
”Thanks for having us to stay, Mrs. Weasley,” said Hermione as she leaned out of the window to talk to her.
”Yeah, thanks for everything, Mrs. Weasley,” said Harry.
”Oh it was my pleasure, dears,” said Mrs. Weasley.
”Thanks for everything this summer Mrs Weasley.” Chris said smiling.
”Oh I'm really going you miss you dear. You're a lovely girl. Have a great term.” Mrs Weasley said smiling more broadly.
As the train started to move, Bill, Charlie, Mrs Weasley and Sirius waved and smiled to them. All of them waved back as the train rounded the corner.
”So who's Prongs, Moony and Wormtail?” Fred asked to Harry as they started to get into their compartments.
”Prongs is my Dad...” Harry grinned.
”Moony is Professors Lupin.” Hermione said next.
”And Wormtail?” George asked.
”Do you really need to ask that?” Chris said pointing at Ron.
”Scabbers! Peter Pettigrew!” Fred and George exclaimed together.
”That's really cool Harry.” Fred said.
Fred and George went to meet their friends and Harry, Ron and Hermione went to sit in an empty compartment. Chris and Ginny went to search Luna and Colin.
As they were walking, while looking into the different compartments, Chris noticed few familiar faeces in a compartment. Jason Fawley, Astoria Greengrass, Theodore Nott were sitting with an another blonde haired girl. Astoria noticed her.
”Hey.” She said smiling.
”Hi Astoria. How's your leg?” Chris asked looking as casual as possible.
She saw through the corner of her eye that Jason was staring at her.
”My leg is fine.” Astoria said and turned towards the blonde haired girl. ”Daphne, it's Chris. I told you about her.”
Daphne raised an eyebrow on Chris, ”So you're the muggle-born who saved my sister?”
Jason and Theodore both coughed. Astoria looked startled.
”Yes.” Chris replied simply ignoring her tone.
”I think we should go Chris.” Ginny said curty looking at Daphne and it was very clear that she didn't like Daphne at all.
”You're the Weasley girl, aren't you?” Daphne asked Ginny.
”Yes I'm and what's up with that tone?” Ginny asked directly.
”Oh ignore her tone. She talked like this with everyone.” Theodore said suddenly.
”Yeah. She didn't mean anything bad. Really.” Astoria said to Chris.
”It's fine. Honestly I don't mind this kind of things anymore. Relax.” Chris said calmly. ”See you later.”
She looked at Jason, who just looked away. Chris smiled and walked away with Ginny.
Few minitues later they found, Luna and Colin sitting with a new tiny boy.
”Hey Colin, how was your summer?” Chris asked sitting beside Luna.
”Great. Dad took us for picnic this summer.” Colin said excitedly. ”Oh and yes, meet my younger brother Dennis.”
The tiny little boy smiled at them.
”Hello Dennis.” Chris said smiling.
”Dennis, this is Chris and she is Ginny.” Colin said pointing at them.
”Chris what about the article? Have you decided yet?” Luna asked suddenly.
”Oh yes. I've talked to Harry. He'll give an answer soon and if he says yes then I'm writing.” Chris said grinning. ”I'm really excited to try something new.”
”Me too.” Suddenly squealed Dennis. ”I've heard about Hogwarts and I'm really excited to see it. It's a new thing for me so it's counts right?”
”Yes it does.” Ginny said smiling.
And the rest of the ride went by laughing and talking. Dennis was really hilarious, more than his brother.
The rain became heavier and heavier as the train moved farther north. The sky was so dark and the windows so steamy that the lanterns were lit by midday. The lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor, Dennis get so excited to see the trolley that he wanted to taste everything. Colin brought few Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans for him. Seeing his curious face while looking at the chocolate frogs and Cauldron Cakes, Chris laughed and brought few of them. Colin protested but Chris ignored him. She gave the cauldron cakes to everyone and the Chocolate frogs to Dennis. Chris brought few Drooble's Best Blowing Gums for herself.
Then she sat beside the window, chewing her blowing gums. The thick rain splattering the windows made it very difficult to see out. Chris just watched the rain, silently, for the rest of the journey, as her friends talked about different Hogwarts houses, Quidditch and tell stories about their last two years to Dennis. Chris felt happy, calm and peaceful; she realized she was finally getting used to this life and no matter what any creepy voices say, she is not going back. She have started to accept things the way they're.
Finally the Hogwarts Express slowed down at last and stopped in the pitch-darkness of Hogsmeade station.