Chapter 276 - Adrian Rivers (2/2)

Chris looked away from Harry's smiling face. She was thinking of quitting Quidditch this year. First, she wasn't sure but after Dumbledore gave her the job with Slughorn, she was convinced about not trying for the team.

”Hey, do you know Hagrid wasn't very cheerful in our last Care of Magical Creatures class,” said Colin. ”He seems down lately.”

Chris, thankful to Colin's change of topic, turned back and saw Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged dark looks.

”It is you three, isn't it?” Chris asked.

”Well,” Hermione looked guilty. ”No one in our class took Care of Magical Creatures for N.E.W.T.s. But we will go and explain to him that we were just not interested in studying beasts for our higher education.”

”Explain what?” said Ron surprised. ”How are we going to tell him we hated his stupid subject?”

”We didn't hate it!” said Hermione.

”Speak for yourself,” said Ron darkly. ”I'm telling you now, we've had a narrow escape. You didn't hear him going on about his gormless brother — we'd have been teaching Grawp how to tie his shoelaces if we'd stayed.”

”Hey! Gwarp is nice, okay?” Chris said looking annoyed. ”And so is Hagrid's classes. It's your fault you didn't like it.”

Ron opened his mouth to reply but then didn't say anything, Ginny and Colin chuckled.

”Anyway, back to Quidditch,” said Harry hastily. ”I was looking at the list for the students, who had applied for tryouts, and it's like half of the Gryffindor had applied. I dunno why the team's this popular all of a sudden.”

”Oh, come on, Harry,” said Hermione, suddenly impatient. ”It's not Quidditch that's popular, it's you! You've never been more interesting, and frankly, you've never been more fanciable.”

”Fanciable?” Ginny chuckled.

Hermione ignored her and continued, ”Everyone knows you've been telling the truth now, don't they? The whole Wizarding world has had to admit that you were right about Voldemort being back and that you really have fought him twice in the last two years and escaped both times. And now they're calling you 'the Chosen One'— well, come on, can't you see why people are fascinated by you?”

Harry suddenly looked red and averted eye contact with anyone of them.

”Well, can you blame them?” said Ginny giggling. ”People are staring at Chris too, especially the boys. You haven't seen how the half Great Hall looks smitten every time Chris walks in.”

”Yes, even a few Slytherin boys,” said Colin. ”Even I have noticed.”

”Well that's all great but I think they need to remember both Harry and I are already dating different people,” said Chris hotly.

Ginny stopped smiling and looked surprised.

”I will see you later,” Chris said getting up before anyone could say anything and walked out.

Chris wondered around the castle, pondering over her weird behaviour. It was Sunday afternoon and people were still out watching the sunset and messing around. Ginny was right, many boys were watching mesmerized as Chris was passing. Glaring at a few, Chris went outside.

”Miss Norton!” said a delightful voice.

Chris looked at her left and saw a tall, handsome boy with beautiful messy brown hair sprawling on the grass holding his broom servicing kit and his broom Nimbus 2000.

”Good evening,” he gave a slight bow and his messy hair fell on his amber eyes.

Chris knew him, he was Adrian Rivers. He had played seeker for Ravenclaw last year. Chris rolled her eyes and without saying anything tried to walk away.

”I guess you are irritated because of the stares?” he called.

Chris stopped looked back at him and saw him pointing at the other boys, who were walking by them and indeed staring at Chris.

”Well, wouldn't be you?” asked Chris.

”I guess, I will unless my admirer is as gorgeous as you,” he said grinning.

Chris suddenly felt her cheek burning. Stares were different than flattering talk from a handsome boy. Though Chris quickly cleared her throat and tried to look annoyed.

”Very funny,” she said angrily.

”Sorry Miss Norton, didn't mean to offend you,” He got up and extended his hand. ”Adrian Rivers. I don't know if you remember or not but I played against you last year at Quidditch finals.”

”I remember,” said Chris shaking his hand without smiling. ”Bye then.”

And this time she really walked away.

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To be continued. . .