Chapter 128: The Third Task (1/2)

Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Fudge and another man were out on the Quidditch field in front the giant maze. Chris saw this through a window and went straight to the field.

After reaching the field, Chris waited there for few moments to get noticed by Dumbledore. But as he was busy talking to Fudge, the strange man beside Fudge, noticed him.

”I think a student wants to meet you, Professor Dumbledore.” He said.

All of them turned around and saw Chris.

”Sorry to disturb you but I need to talk to you Professor.” Chris said to Dumbledore.

”Of course, Christina.” Dumbledore nodded to Chris. Then he turned to others, ”You all can go ahead for lunch. I'll join you in a moment.”

All of them agreed and slowly made their way out.

”What's it Christina?” Dumbledore asked.

”Professor I was in my Divination exam and... I saw in the Crystal ball... the Triwizard Cup, Harry and Cedric were lying on the ground.” Chris took a sharp breath. ”Professor I think something will be wrong with the Triwizard Cup... other wise why will I see the Cup...?”

”Calm down Christina. Calm down.” Dumbledore said seriously. ”I know you're worried about the champions and considering your nature, I'm not even surprised. But as I said before, just your presence can change the future...”

Dumbledore smiled looking at Chris's concentrated face.

”I've placed the Triwizard Cup in the maze. Everything is safe... also I've put a protection charm around the Cup.”

”Oh!” Chris sighed with relief. ”Sorry for bothering you like this, Professor, specially when you're so busy...”

”No need to say sorry, Christina.. You're trying to help me that's all... the help I wanted from you.” Dumbledore's looked serious again. ”Crouch's death have changed my calculation so I guess we need to be extra careful.”

”Professor what about Bagman?”

”Disappeared. On that same day.” Dumbledore sighed.

Chris felt everything was fine and she need to relax now. So she took her leave from Dumbledore and returned to the castle for lunch, finally feeling a little bit light. The assurance on Dumbledore's voice, really help to calm people's nerves.

”Hey!”

Chris was surprised to see Bill, Mrs Weasley and Sirius eating on the Gryffindor table with others. Bill waved at her as she made her way towards them.

”Hi.” Chris smiled as Mrs Weasley hugged her.

”How are you, dear?” Mrs Weasley asked.

”I'm good, Mrs Weasley. How are you all?” Chris said.

”We all are good.” She replied.

”Except Percy.” Bill said.

”Why?” Chris said but then she remembered the answer. ”Mr Crouch.”

”Exactly.” Bill replied. ”Percy's been hauled in for questioning by Ministry about the instructions Mr. Crouch has been sending in. They seem to think there's a chance they weren't genuinely written by him. Percy's been under a lot of strain. They're not letting him fill in for Mr. Crouch as the fifth judge tonight. Cornelius Fudge is going to be doing it. He's really disappointed.”

”Oh yes I saw them. Who's the replacement for Bagman?” Chris asked curiously.

”Mr. Travis. He was working under Bagman for a long time. Actually he's the one who was running the department of Magical Games and Sports, behind the scenes. So last week they made him head of the department and asked him to join the judge panel.” Bill explained.

”Hmm..”

”Where have been?” Ginny asked suddenly.

”Ginny, I had my Divination exam, did you forgot?” Chris knew what was Ginny talking about but pretend like she didn't.

”Yeah but Colin came ages ago. Why're so late?”

”A true seer takes her time, Ginny. Future takes time to appear..” Chris mimicked Professor Trelawney's misty voice and everyone laughed.

”I don't know why did you take divination then?” Hermione spoke.

”Because it's fun.” Colin replied casually.

Hermione looked surprised by this answer and Ginny and Chris caught each other's eyes and grinned. After that Fred and George started joking around, and Chris was having such a good time she felt almost as though she was back at the Burrow.

Soon they finished the lunch and Mrs Weasley and Bill decided to walk around a bit, Sirius wished the same; so Hermione, Ron, Ginny and the twins went with Mrs Weasley and Bill; and Harry went with Sirius. Chris said that she'll relax a little bit with Colin and Luna.

After a long and tensed year, it was really nice to know that now everything was taken care of and there was nothing to be worried about. As Chris, Colin and Luna were discussing where to go next, Chris saw Viktor Krum over in a corner, conversing with his dark-haired mother and father in rapid Bulgarian but as he caught Chris's eyes, he smiled a little bit. Then Fleur was jabbering away in French to her mother, near the oak door. Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle, was holding her mother's hand and was showing her something on the wall.

The three of them walked out to the grounds and went towards the lake, where they played some games, talked and laughed. It was a feeling of fun after finishing exams.

When it was almost dinner time, they started to return to the Great Hall. On the way, Chris saw Cedric with his parents.

”Hey Chris!” Cedric waved at Chris as he saw her.

”Hey!” Chris waved back.

Cedric came to them.

”Well.. Chris, my parents really wants to meet you.” He said grinning. ”My dad really liked your article about me. My dad really gets excited when people praises me.. it's not like I like to be praised... it's just...”

”It's fine Cedric.” Chris smiled.