Chapter 258 - The Past (1/2)
”— then it was just me and your friend Ginny Weasley,” said Jason.
”Uh-huh,” Chris replied absently.
They were beside the lake on Sunday sunny morning. Almost all students were out in the sunny grounds, enjoying the end of their exams and the prospect of a last few days of term unhampered by studying or homework. Chris, who had finally convinced Madam Pomfrey to let her go, was lying on the grass, eyes closed and Jason was sitting beside her while telling her what had happened after she had passed out.
”— Ginny was very injured if you ask me,” continued Jason. ”Not like you or that Granger but more than —”
”Uh-huh!”
”Chris, are you even listening?”
”Uh-huh!”
”Are you awake or not?”
”Uh-huh!”
”There is a Veela in the campus grounds.”
”Uh-huh!”
”She is about to fight a Troll.”
”Uh-huh!”
”Chris!” Jason shouted.
”Uh — wha —” Chris' eyes flew open. ”What — yes — yes, I was listening.”
”You were not,” said Jason with a sigh.
”No, really,” protested Chris, sitting up.
People were messing around in the air over the Quidditch pitch and a couple of students were swimming in the lake, accompanied by the giant squid. A few seconds year girls were sitting near the lake and were giggling, while keep glancing at Chris and Jason.
”Mind your own business,” Chris snapped at them and they suddenly scurried away looking scandalised.
”Chris, will you be kind enough to tell me, what's going on with you?” said Jason looking frustrated. ”This is the fifth time I am asking you this, what happened before you and Potter came to the hospital wing?”
”Jason, I —”
”Chris, after that night, I know what are they capable of,” said Jason looking scared. ”I want you to be safe, out of trouble. I want you to be alive and well. I —” Jason stopped then looked around then he held Chris' hands. ”I love you, Chris. I really do.”
Chris froze for a moment, she hadn't told anyone about the 'Protector' thing, not even her friends. No matter what Dumbledore insisted, she and Harry had decided to take their time before talking to their friends about it. Chris desperately wanted to talk about her situation with someone, someone who will just listen, without interrupting, without giving any positive or negative advice or anything that sort. Just listen to what she was feeling.
But after hearing Jason's words, Chris was sure, he wasn't that person. She loved him too, she knew it but she couldn't help but felt uneasy when Jason said he just wanted her to be safe and alive. What about being happy or being emotionally okay? No one is perfect. Chris made peace with it, that Jason wasn't like others but his words, which should have made her feel good, made her feel worse than before.
”Chris?”
”Yeah?” Chris realized she was still staring at Jason looking lost and surprised.
”You okay? I didn't mean to —”
”No, it's fine,” Chris forced a smile and hugged Jason.
Jason hugged her back and was about to say something else when Chris noticed a man coming down from the castle.
”Mr Nelson?” Chris jumped back from the hug.
”What? Who?” Jason looked around and spotted Mr Nelson coming towards them.
”My mother's husband,” said Chris getting up. ”I need to talk to him. Sorry, I will see you later, Jason.”
Before Jason could reply, Chris was sprinting towards Mr Nelson and met him halfway through the lawn.