Chapter 4: Missing Boys

The Hogwarts Express whistled a few times and started to move.

"I am Luna Lovegood," the blonde girl smiled brightly after she finished loading her trunk.

"Christina Norton," Chris smiled back.

"So do you have any idea which house --"

Before Luna could finish her question, the compartment door slid open and a girl appeared looking out of breath.

"Chris!"

It was Ginny Weasley. Chris looked surprised but then quickly gave a smile.

"Hey, Ginny."

"Can I sit here?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, sure," Chris nodded and Ginny started to drag her trunk inside. Chris got up to help her and Luna also joined them. Together they set Ginny's trunk and sat down.

"Thanks for helping. I asked for help from my brothers," said Ginny. "But then their friends called them and they were in a hurry. So I didn't bother them."

"It's alright," replied Chris.

"Hi Luna," Ginny turned to Luna with a smile. "How are you?"

"I am wonderful. How about you?" Luna said looking very enthusiastic.

"I am good. I thought you will be starting this year too," Ginny said.

"So you two know each other?" Chris asked. "Are you both from wizarding families?"

"Yes. In fact, we live nearby. But we haven't seen each other since . . ." Ginny awkwardly trailed off.

"Since my mother's funeral," Luna finished for her.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Luna," Chris said startled. "I didn't --"

"Thank you. It was two years ago. I am okay now," Luna said with a small smile.

Even though Chris also had lost her mother at a very age, her condition was very different from Luna's, so she didn't know what else she should say. There were a few minutes of uncomfortable silence then Chris decided to change the topic.

"So Luna, what were you asking me before Ginny came in?"

"O, yes, I was saying, what house do you want to get in?" Luna asked.

"I don't know. Every house is great," Chris replied shrugging. "I am just happy to be in Hogwarts."

"Even Slytherin?" Ginny looked shocked.

"Yeah, why not. Slytherin house is for ambitious determined people, right?"

"Yes but also it's a house of purebloods and dark --" Ginny abruptly stopped. "I mean, my parents don't like Slytherin. They say that's not a good house."

"Well, yeah, there are some weird stories about the Slytherin founder too but as much as I understand, it's up to you, what kind of person you are and you want to be," Chris said seriously. "I don't believe that just because a house said you have to be bad, you will turn out to be bad, you know."

"Absolutely," Luna nodded looking interested. "What do you think about Ravenclaw?"

"Hmm, Ravenclaw is a great house, no questions. In fact, I would prefer to be in Ravenclaw," Chris said thoughtfully. "It's a house for the wise and original people. They also value book knowledge but I think, your creativity is far more appreciated there."

"Yes, I believe that too," Luna clapped her hands happily. "My father was a Ravenclaw and I hope to get into Ravenclaw too. If you are also there, that will be great."

"Well, my entire family is in Gryffindor," said Ginny quietly. "So I think I will go to Gryffindor too."

Chris realised Ginny was feeling left out, so she smiled at her and said, "Gryffindor is the house of the brave, isn't it? And if your entire family is in it, then that must mean your whole family is a family of brave people, right?"

"Yeah, my elder brother Bill say that all the time," Ginny smiled.

"But, you know, I think Hufflepuff house doesn't get enough credit," Chris said suddenly looking out of the window. "It's the most underestimated house in Hogwarts."

"But isn't that house for dumb people?" Ginny whispered.

"What?" Chris looked up surprised. "I thought it's for the people who are loyal."

"I think, you are right," Luna agreed. "People just mock Hufflepuff because they think, loyalty isn't a quality like bravery, intelligence and ambition. Also, people believe whoever, doesn't have those three qualities and is rejected from the other houses, and get in Hufflepuff."

"Wow, that is just so wrong. A true Hufflepuff refers to a person who is loyal. If you think that it's not a very rare quality then you are wrong. Because maybe it's hard to believe but there are many people in the world, who are not even loyal with themselves let alone with others," Chris shook her head feeling disappointed. "How can people look down on other people like that? Judging each other so harshly based on their different houses and what people think of that house, this is not right. Like this, the school students will never get united. How did people manage to do that with school kids? There are lots of prejudice."

Chris thought the wizarding school will be different. 'Guess not so much different in being mean and hating each other section,' Chris thought bitterly.

"We believe what we are told, you know," Ginny said quietly.

"True," Luna nodded then giggled surprising Chris and Ginny. "You are really nice, Chris. I think we are going to be great friends."

Chris gave a small smile then turned to look out the window. Luna was honest and Chris liked it but with her experience with her old friends, it was hard to trust people again. Some time passed as Ginny and Luna started to talk about their families and some other things in the wizarding world. Chris was listening to them curiously when a girl with bushy brown hair barged inside their compartment.

"Ginny, have you seen Harry and Ron?" she asked looking breathless.

"No, I thought they were with you," Ginny answered looking alarmed.

"No, they are not. I looked for them in almost every compartment and if you also haven't seen them, then they are not on the train," The new girl said looking frantic. "Did they board the train with you?"

"No. . . no. . . I didn't," Ginny panicked. "But. . . but. . . they. . . were after me. We were a little late but . . . I thought they got on the train . . . but they missed . . . Oh, God."

"It's ok, Ginny, calm down," Chris told Ginny then turned towards the new girl, "Who are you looking for again?"

"Harry Potter and Ginny's brother Ronald Weasley. They are my friends. I think they missed the train. Those idiots!" The girl looked very angry and talked very fast.

"Relax. I think they will come to school eventually. I mean this is definitely not the first time that someone has missed the train. Things happen, right?" Chris said calmly.

"Yes, yes, you are right. Of course, I know this," the girl looked embarrassed. "Of course, they will come to school. I will just inform Percy. He is a Prefect. He will write a letter to the school and they will know what to do."

"See, there is a solution if you don't panic and think," Chris said smiling.

Ginny relaxed a little and the new girl nodded at Chris.

"Thanks, I am Hermione Granger. Second-year, Gryffindor," She introduced herself, holding a hand out.

"Christina Norton," Chris shook her hand. "So Hermione, do you need help finding this Percy?"

"Oh, no, that's fine. I know where the Prefect's carriage is. I will report to him and then tell you what he says," she said looking at Chris and Ginny then hurried out.

"I hope they are fine," Ginny muttered.

"They will be. They just missed a train," Chris assured.

"You don't know them," Ginny looked frightened. "Last year, they went straight to fight You-Know-Who --"

Ginny clapped her hands over mouth and looked horrified for what she just said.

"It's okay, Ginny, I know a little about You-Know-Who," Chris told her.

Ginny sighed and slowly shrink back in her seat, looking very worried. This time, Chris decided to let her be. Maybe because her concerns were right. Harry Potter was related to the darkest wizard of all time, whose name was not even allowed to say. Harry Potter escaped him as a baby and became "The Boy Who Lived." It was quite a story and Chris didn't know how to feel about the whole wizarding world marking a day for a baby boy who lost his parents the very same day. It was kind of tragic.

After a while, Hermione came back and sat with them. She informed Ginny that the Prefect Percy Weasley (who was also Ginny's brother) was writing a letter to the school now and they will arrange a way to get Harry and Ron to school. Ginny looked a lot relieved after that. As they started discussing the boys' whereabouts, a dimpled woman slid back their door and said with a smile, "Anything from the trolley, dears?"

Hermione and Ginny both shook their head as no. Luna was looking out of the window so she didn't notice. Chris got up and looked through the trolley. As a sweet lover, it was heaven for her. There were so many different kinds of chocolates, candies and sweets there, that it took a while for Chris to understand them. Then she brought some Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and Cauldron Cakes. She was really interested in trying something new and a trolley full of magical sweets was just what she needed. Chris offered the sweets to everyone in the compartment. Luna took some but Hermione and Ginny refused. Chris ate some of it and put the rest in her bag.

During the ride Hermione complained multiple times about, how much Harry and Ron were always behaving irresponsibly; thankfully Luna changed the topic and started talking about magical creatures. Chris quickly focused on Luna's talk, as she was getting exhausted with Hermione's complaints. Ginny, on the other hand, was mostly quiet. Hours went by like this.

"Everyone change into your robes. We will be in Hogwarts soon," Hermione said looking out the window and watching the darkening sky.

Everyone got up and quickly changed into their robes. Chris understood Hermione was very bossy and a second-year student, so no need to argue with her, she probably knew the rules better than them. And Chris's guess was right, as just after they had changed, a voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

At last, the train slowed down and finally stopped on a small dark station.

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