Chapter 277 - Play or Not to Play (2/2)

Ten minutes later, Harry got up, ”We should go.”

Ron, Ginny, Colin, and even Luna and Hermione rose from the table automatically. Chris hesitated.

Ginny looked at Chris and opened her mouth but Chris cut her and turned to Harry, ”Harry, can I talk to you for a second — alone?”

Harry looked surprised. ”Now?”

”Yeah, it's important,” said Chris.

”Okay,” Harry nodded and turned back to others.

”We will wait for you at the field,” said Hermione quickly pulling Ginny and Luna.

Colin and Ron followed Hermione, Ginny and Luna out as Chris pulled Harry to a corner of the entrance hall. Harry looked at her expectantly and Chris sighed.

”Look Harry — I need a favour,” she said.

”Really?” Harry looked more surprised. ”Sure. What do you need?”

”I — I don't want to be in the team this year,” Chris looked away.

”What?” Harry almost shouted.

”Harry, you know right, there is so much going on —”

”There are loads going on with me too, but I still love playing Quidditch and —” Harry began.

”Hey, it's not like I don't love Quidditch anymore, okay?” Chris said quickly seeing Harry's expression. ”I still love it and I will watch all the matches. It's just — Quidditch is your passion Harry and though I like playing it, I have different priorities. I can't focus on winning a match when people are dying and I have some responsibility for that.”

Harry stared at her, his face clearly showed his inner struggle. Finally, Harry sighed and nodded.

”So you are not heading for the trials, I guess?” he said.

”I am,” Chris looked apologetic as she averted her eyes. ”But you have to reject me. I shouldn't make it to the team.”

Harry ogled at Chris.

”Look, I have thought about it, if I back out now or tell Ginny about it, I think Ginny will be distracted during her tryouts. I don't want that. She is great and I don't want her trials to go bad because of me,” Chris pleaded. ”So I need you to select someone else over me. I will blow up my tryouts, I promise. You won't look unfair or anything like that and I will explain everything to Ginny after the tryouts.”

For a long time, Harry gaped at Chris and Chris bit her lips.

”Please?”

”Fine, I will do it,” Harry shook his head.

”Really?” Chris squealed.

”Yes,” Harry gave a painful smile. ”I will do anything for you.”

The earnestness in Harry's voice caught Chris off guard. The smile slid off her face.

”I mean that's good friends do, right?” said Harry quickly changing his expression.

”Yeah,” Chris smiled. ”Thanks.”

She hugged him happily. Harry hugged her back smiling.

”What's going on?”

Suddenly, a voice called, standing a little far from them.

______________________________

To be continued. . .