Chapter 293 - The Green Pond (2/2)
”You are kidding,” Chris turned to face Harry.
”No,” Harry couldn't help but grin as he reached in his pocket and pulled out the tiny, walnut-sized golden ball, its silver wings fluttered. Chris took it from him and smiled.
”You know, I always thought Seeker is a better place than Chaser,” Chris said closing her fingers around the Golden ball.
”You did?” Harry looked surprised. ”I mean you are a great Chaser — and a Seeker too. You played great last year.”
”Thanks,” said Chris watching the fluttering Snitch in her hand. ”I was so jealous of you when Wood was Captain. He always gave you so much importance. I mean, Quidditch doesn't feel like a group sport if everything depends on the Seeker, does it?”
”You were jealous?” Harry exclaimed looking so surprised that Chris chuckled.
”I am a human too, Harry,” she said. ”I also feel things like jealousy, arrogance, anger. . . confusion. . . defeat. . . pain. . . vulnerable. . .”
The last words were barely more than a whisper. Chris felt her chest tightening at every word and she looked back at the pond.
Another silence fell.
”You are worried about Mr Norton,” Harry stated.
Chris didn't reply.
”I know, you are worried about him. You haven't seen him for more than a year and in this wizarding world, he is quite defenceless. It is scary and painful,” said Harry softly. ”I would have given anything to see my parents again even though I never knew them, that much. I know that. . .”
His voice trailed off followed by another silence.
”Do you miss them?” asked Chris. Then mentally scolded herself for asking such a stupid question.
”Everyday,” replied Harry. Chris could feel the pain in his voice.
Another pause.
”But Sirius, Remus and Aurelia, they are like your family, aren't they?” she said.
”Chris, I know Sirius is my godfather but —,” Harry turned Chris, so they could be face to face. ”But they are your family as much as they are mine. They love you.”
”I — maybe, but —” Chris looked away.
”I know they are my parents' friends but you are mine, so I know they do love you, Chris,” said Harry turning her again holding her elbow. ”They really do and so does the Weasleys and me.”
Chris stared at Harry for a long time, turning over the words he just said. Harry maybe didn't realise it or understood how his last words sounded but Chris did.
They do love you. . . and so does the Weasleys. . . and me.
Did he just say that? Or it was just a casual thing he said? He didn't realize he said that, did he? He probably didn't mean that — CRAP — WHAT THE HELL I AM THINKING!
Chris realised she and Harry were still staring at each other, sitting face to face. Harry was still holding her elbow and the golden Snitch was still struggling in Chris' fist.
”Chris! Chris!” Someone called her from the house. It was Mrs Weasley's voice.
Chris was startled but she hastily got up. Harry looked surprised and somehow — embarrassed?
”I better go Harry and. . . Merry Christmas,” Chris said before running towards the house.
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To be continued. . .