Chapter 308 - The Blank Wall (1/2)

Again the interest in the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw game was running extremely high throughout the school, for the match would decide the Championship, which was still wide open. If Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw then they would win the Championship. The run-up to this crucial match had all the usual features: members of rival Houses attempting to intimidate opposing teams in the corridors; unpleasant chants about individual players being rehearsed loudly as they passed; the team members themselves either swaggering around enjoying all the attention or else dashing into bathrooms between classes to throw up.

”Ravenclaw is going to win this year's championship,” grinned Adrian.

”In your dreams Rivers,” said Chris laughing.

”Are you still doing the commentary,” Adrian asked.

”I think, yes,” Chris replied. ”Why?”

”You and Luna did a great job,” said Adrian smirking. ”Especially the last dance.”

”Shut up,” Chris rolled her eyes and saw Theodore coming from the opposite way. ”Hey, Theodore!”

Theodore looked startled but then smiled.

”Hey, Chris,” he said coming towards her. ”How are you?”

”Good, how about you?” Chris asked. ”I haven't seen you around in a while.”

”Yeah, after you split up with Jason, I thought—” Theodore stopped looking at Adrian.

”I will get going,” said Adrian at once. ”See you around, Chris.”

”Yeah, bye,” Chris smiled at Adrian as he left then looked back at Theodore. ”Theodore, how is Jason? I don't see him apart from a couple of classes we have together and is it just me or he looks horrible nowadays?”

”No, it's just not you,” Theodore said without getting surprised at the subject change. ”Yeah, he looks horrible nowadays. He looks sick. I have asked him many times but every time he either dodge the topic or run away, literally. I am really worried about him. I have thought about telling you but I wasn't sure after you dumped him.”

”Hey! I didn't dump him,” said Chris defiantly. ”He started to ignore me first. He always blamed me for keeping secrets and being busy but this year he did the same. Well, I tried to ask what's going on and he avoided the questions. I was out of patience. . .”

”Well, whatever it was,” Theodore shrugged. ”He is looking worse now. I think you should talk to him but it's up to you.”

”I will — see about that,” said Chris. ”Anyway, how are you doing? Have anyone bothered you after you left your Dad's house?”

”You don't know, do you?” Theodore's face went cold as he lowered his voice. ”My Dad is — they killed him.”

”What?” Chris said loudly and two little passing first years looked back at her.

Theodore pulled her to a corner.

”Sorry,” Chris lowered her voice. ”Theodore, I am sorry but how the hell did this happen?”

”I don't know the details,” said Theodore looking away. ”Maybe because his son betrayed or because he couldn't complete any important task or simply because he was useless for them. I don't know.”