Chapter 321 - The Wand (1/2)

That night after everyone left for dinner, Chris sat near Bill's bed with Fleur. Though Fawkes had fixed most of his face, he had gained a sudden liking to a type of raw rare streak.

”. . . so eet ees lucky 'e ees marrying me,” said Fleur happily pumping Bill's pillow. ”because ze British overcook their meat I 'ave always said this.”

”Uh-huh,” Chris nodded absently. She was almost fine now but she didn't want to leave the Hospital wing and face the crowd. It was nice to sit with Fleur, as she did the talking most of the times. Chris just had to nod and agree with her at the right moments and she would think Chris' listening. Though Chris was not. She was planning. Now that, she was sure Malgino didn't get the Keys, there was no point hanging around Hogwarts. Dumbledore was gone and she got to solve the mysteries alone and there was no time to lose.

She decided she will use Dumbledore's funeral as a cover to collect the things she needed before leaving. She wasn't going to tell anyone about it because either they will stop her or want to go with her. She couldn't afford either.

”Hey, Chris!”

Someone called and Bill and Fleur looked up. Chris turned around and saw Adrian.

”Hey!” Chris said without smiling.

”I met the house-elf . . . Dobby. He was bringing your things from the Astronomy Tower,” he also didn't smile and held up a pouch. ”I was coming to meet you, so I thought I will give you this.”

”Yeah, I asked Dobby to bring those things. Thanks,” Chris took the pouch and noticed Adrian was looking very nervous.

”Your welcome. Chris, can I talk to you for a second?” Adrian asked hastily.

Chris nodded and then excused herself from Bill and Fleur; they walked out of the hospital wing and stood in front of a big open corridor.

The weather seemed to mock her; Chris could imagine how it had been if Dumbledore had not died, she would have finished her O.W.L.s happily, maybe she and her friends would have talked about the bizarre relationship of Ginny and Draco, maybe she would have talked to Harry about their feelings and maybe got together and spend more time over the summer in the Grimmauld Place, maybe . . .

”What do you want to talk about?” asked Chris taking a deep breath of fresh air.

”Chris, I'm sorry about Dumbledore, I know you were close — How are you?” Adrian said.

”Fine, thank you,” she said shortly and made it clear she didn't want to talk about it.

”Okay, so . . . I know this is not the best time to tell you this but I think you should know something before we leave the school,” Adrian pointedly looked away. ”It's about my father.”

”Your father? Isn't he Head of the Auror department?” Chris asked and guessed the most common thing in this situation. ”Is he alright?”

”Yes, he is fine,” Adrian looked uncomfortable. ”It's just — you know that he is really close to the Minister, right? My father was his assistant when the Minister was the Head of the Auror department.”

Chris nodded.

”So, the thing is — when my father found out that I am hanging out with you . . . he —” Adrian sighed. ”He knew you were close to Harry Potter and Dumbledore so he asked me to spy on you for the Ministry — I refused, I swear,” he added instantly.

Chris stared at him but he looked at the ground and continued, ”I never wanted to spy on you or anything. That's why I never asked you about Potter or Dumbledore, even though you sometimes you talked about them, I avoided those topics for this reason. Chris, I always thought you are an amazing person, one in million. I really liked you and I never wanted to hurt you. I'm really sorry, I should have said this sooner.”

For several seconds, Chris didn't speak. She really didn't know what to say. Was she feeling angry? Betrayed? Hurt? Shocked? She had no idea. It was like the emotions had left her the moment she woke up that day.

”When did your father asked you to spy on me?” Chris finally said in a monotonous way.

”When I was coming back from home after Christmas,” said Adrian still not looking up. He looked ashamed.