Chapter 320 - Replica (2/2)
”She is right,” she said and was relieved to hear her voice steady. ”I feel very tired.”
”Yeah, that's normal,” said Harry. ”After the side effects hit, it's normal to feel tired. Also, don't use heavy magic for a few days.”
Chris didn't ask how did he know these things. Dumbledore must have been told him.
At that moment, the door of the hospital wing opened and Ginny, Luna, Colin, Ron and Hermione walked in.
”Chris, you are awake,” Ginny said, hurrying forward and hugging her tightly.
Then, Hermione, Luna and Colin wrapped her in bear hugs one by one. As they sat around her bed, everyone felt silent. No one knew what to say. Finally, glancing at Bill's bed in a corner, Ginny spoke,
”Thanks for Bill. Aurelia told me about the Phoenix. His face healed.”
If Ginny had said this before twenty-four hours, then Chris would have said, ”Don't mention it. Bill is my brother too.” But now, she wanted to distance herself from these things and feelings, so she just nodded at Ginny.
They fell silent again.
”So anyone knows how is the Order going to prepare itself, now that Malgino has the Keys?” asked Chris.
Luna and Hermione exchanged a look Chris didn't understand.
”Chris, Malgino doesn't have the Keys,” said Luna.
”What?” Chris and Harry said together.
”But I saw Stormy taking them,” said Harry. ”I tried to stop her but Jason got in the way — sorry,” he added looking apologetic.
”He really did get in the way,” Chris said flatly then turned to Luna. ”What do you mean they didn't get the Keys?”
But it was Hermione, who answered,
”After you informed Ginny about the Dark Mark, she called me. As soon as we went out, Ron, Neville, Colin and Ginny got stuck in the fight, so I went to call Snape, on the way I met Luna and the Grey Lady, who saw a few Malgino's people talking about the Keys.”
”Helena was so furious,” said Luna. ”She doesn't like Malgino and thought it would be good revenge if she tricks him with the Keys. So she taught us a spell to duplicate the Keys and replace it with the original ones, without getting noticed.”
”It was the hardest and most complex spell I have ever learned. But we learned it and swap the Keys when Stormy was leaving the castle through the battle,” said Hermione holding up a box. ”Here.”
Chris took the box and opened it. Yes, the golden Keys were there and safe but that didn't make Chris happy. It was just a work she had to do but now she didn't have to. That's all.
”Thanks,” Chris said to Hermione and Luna. Then changed the topic. ”So what else is going on?”
”All class are suspended. The O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s are postponed. Students are going home,” said Colin sadly. ”The first, second and third years are gone, so is half of the fourth, fifth and sixth year. Dad wanted to take me and Dennis too but Dennis refused to go without me.”
”Padma and Parvati were gone before breakfast,” said Ginny. ”So is Danielle, Lauren, Melvin and Irena.”
”Seamus had a shouting match with his mom this morning,” said Ron. ”He didn't want to go before — the funeral.”
”When is it?” asked Chris. Of course, there will be a funeral for Dumbledore.
”Tomorrow,” said Harry, squeezing Chris' hand. ”He will be buried in Hogwarts grounds.”
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To be continued. . .