Chapitre 74: End of the Term
As the end day of the term approached, the weather became perfect, the atmosphere was very cheerful, the Daily Prophet had published the news about Sirius Black being innocent on the front page. An article pointed out the blunders of Ministry and the Minister broadly, it was written by a reporter named Rita Skeeter. Chris was impressed by Rita Skeeter, as the next day of her article, Ministry published a public apology for Black. Harry was in seventh heavens as he was going to leave Dursleys' and was finally going to live with his Godfather. Ron was mostly avoiding Chris, he was only talking to her in groups. Chris understood Ron was kind of terrified of her but she didn't do anything to make things normal between them. She thought it's a good thing that Ron fears her. Hermione was back being Hermione. Ginny was more confident and braver than last year. Colin was acting absolutely normal around Harry and Luna was still lovely Luna.
Certainly, Chris and Harry weren't the only ones who were sorry to see Professor Lupin go. Fourth, Third, second and first, all four year's Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students were miserable about his resignation. Even few Slytherins admitted he was a good teacher.
The exam results came out on the last day of term. Chris had excellent marks on almost every subject except Herbology and Potions. Both had just okay passing marks. Same with Ginny, who had excellent marks on every subject except Potions. Colin just passed every subject but surprisingly Luna had good marks in a few subjects and very bad marks in few. But it didn't bother her. Chris loved this thing about Luna, she was never upset over small things.
Percy had got his top-grade N.E.W.Ts; Fred and George had scraped a handful of O.W.Ls each. Gryffindor house, meanwhile, largely thanks to their spectacular performance in the Quidditch Cup, had won the House Championship for the third year running. This meant that the end-of-term feast took place amid decorations of scarlet and gold and that the Gryffindor table was the noisiest of the lot, as everybody celebrated.
Before they board the train towards home, Chris knocked on the door of Dumbledore's office.
"Come in." Dumbledore's voice came from inside and Chris entered. "Yes, Christina? I heard you wanted to see me."
"Yes Professor. I found this in my box." Chris showed a box and opened it. "As you said, I took care of the key I got last year. I put it in this box but a few days ago as I was checking it, I found this with it."
In the box, there were two keys now. Made with same gold like last one, they almost looked alike except that this key has an Eagle in the place of a snake.
Dumbledore examines it as well and a smile appeared on his face.
"Beautiful. I never thought I'll be able to see these."
"Now will you tell me, Professor, what those keys mean. Are they connected to the Dementors somehow?" Chris asked confused.
"Yes. Indeed they're connected. Everything around you is connected to these keys. That's why I repeat do not lose any of these. Protect it," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"But Professor —"
"Just remember Christina, you're born for a big task. The future is yours to change. I just hope you use your opportunities wisely," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.
"I have a bigger destiny than Harry?"
"Yes. A bigger destiny than Harry. His task is important as well but the effect of your task is more."
"But what's the —," before Chris could finish, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Dumbledore said.
And a man came in. Chris looked at the person curiously and got a shock. It was Sirius Black but barely recognisable. He was looking very young, and handsome in his clean expensive robes. He was still thin but didn't look like a skull anymore.
"Dumbledore I got your letter. What do you mean Harry can't leave his aunt's house?" He asked furiously.
"Nice to see you like this, Sirius," Dumbledore said smiling. He turned to Chris. "Christina, I think you can leave now. You have a train to catch, I guess."
Only then Sirius turned and noticed her.
"Yes, Professor," Chris said with a disappointed tone.
"Christina! How are you?" Sirius asked softening his voice a little.
"I'm fine. Nice to see you, Mr Black." Chris replied, smiled a little and left the office.
As they all reached the Hogsmeade station, Hermione broke news to Chris and Ginny.
"I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning, just before breakfast. I've decided to drop Muggle Studies." sighed Hermione, "I can't stand another year like this one. That Time-Turner, it was driving me mad. I've handed it in. Without Muggle Studies and Divination, I'll be able to have a normal timetable again."
"I think you did the right thing," Ginny said smiling.
"Yeah and you live around muggles, you know more about muggles on your own," Chris said.
"Yeah. That's true." Hermione replied.
As they started to board the train, Chris saw Sirius on the station, he was talking to Harry and Ron.
"Is it Sirius Black?" Colin asked surprised.
"Yes," Chris answered.
"My God. He's looking so different and young," Hermione said. "I think they're talking about when Harry will move in with him."
"I don't think so," Chris whispered.
"Why?" Only Ginny heard her.
Chris didn't answer, she just pointed at Harry, who was coming back with a sad look on his face.
He got on the train with them. Ron was carrying a grey owl in his arm.
"What happened?" Hermione asked.
But Ron didn't answer, to everyone's great surprise, he held the owl for Crookshanks to sniff.
"What d'you reckon?" Ron asked the cat. "Definitely an owl?"
Crookshanks purred.
"That's good enough for me," said Ron happily. "He's mine." He looked at Ginny. "Sirius gave me this as I lost my pet."
Almost everyone chuckled except Harry.
"What happened Harry?" Ginny asked as all seven of them sat together in a compartment.
"I can't live with Sirius. Dumbledore forbade it. I've to live with the Durselys." Harry said, watching Hogwarts disappear from view behind a mountain.
"Why?" Hermione asked surprised.
"Don't know. Sirius said Dumbledore have good reasons for that. Sirius had to agree." Ron answered. "But do you know the Firebolt, Sirius gave it to Harry."
"Ha!" said Hermione triumphantly. "See! I told you it was from him!"
"Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" said Ron. "And he also said, Crookshanks, helped him to give the order."
"Crookshanks is a really smart cat, isn't he?" Ginny said and Crookshanks leap into her lap, Ginny laughed.
"Oh, cheer up, Harry!" said Hermione sadly.
"I'm OK," said Harry quickly. "Just thinking about the holidays."
"Harry, Dumbledore wants only good for you," Chris said. "He knows how horrible the Durselys are but if he still wants you to stay there, that means —"
"I know Chris and that's the problem. I don't know the reason." Harry said looking away.
Everyone looked at each other.
"Yeah, I've been thinking, Harry, you've got to come and stay with us," Ron said happily. "I'll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I'll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now —"
"A telephone, Ron," said Chris. "Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year —"
"I'll think about it," Ron said hurriedly. "It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer! How about it, Harry? Come and stay, and we'll go and see it! Dad can usually get tickets from work."
This proposal had the effect of cheering Harry up a great deal.
"Yeah — I bet the Dursleys'd be pleased to let me come — especially after what I did to Aunt Marge —"
"Quidditch world cup?" Chris repeated.
"Oh yes. I forgot to ask you. Will you come, Chris? Dad will arrange a ticket for you as well." Ginny said excitedly. "Colin you can come as well."
"Me?" Colin asked surprised. "What about Luna?"
"I'm going with my father. I'll be there before any of you," Luna answered grinning.
"Just don't go before the stadium was set," Ron said and Luna laughed hysterically.
"I've to ask my parents," Colin said.
"Ok and Chris?" Ginny asked again.
"I'm definitely going. I'm not going to miss a chance to see a Quidditch World cup." Chris said grinning. "Tell me about the teams."
"Oh there is a lot to tell you then," said Ron enthusiastically.
They played several games of Exploding Snap while talking and when the witch with the tea trolley arrived, they bought a very large lunch, and everyone enjoyed it together.
As Chris crossed the barrier on the station, she saw her father Mr. Norton was standing with Mr and Mrs Weasley. He gave a broad smile as she approached them. Mrs Weasley hugged her tightly.
"I heard from Mr Weasley, what you did this year," Mr Norton said hugging her. "I'm so proud of you."
Chris smiled.
"I'll write letters to you, Chris," Ginny said.
"Yeah but you can call as well," Chris replied and hugged her. "You should learn to use fellytone from Ron."
They giggled.
As Weasleys left, Mr Norton and Chris turned to leave, Chris saw Harry with big plump man, whom she guessed to be his uncle.
"Godfather?" spluttered Harry's Uncle. "You haven't got a godfather!"
"Yes, I have," said Harry brightly. "He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison but he's out now. He likes to keep in touch with me, — keep up with my news — check I'm happy —"
Chris laughed hearing this. Harry caught her eyes and grinned.
"Bye Harry," Chris said smiling. "Have a great summer."
"You too. Bye Chris," Harry said and walked away with his horrified looking Uncle.
Chris reached her house and was about to enter when she froze and dropped her trunk with a great noise. Something shocked her more than the Sirius Black saga.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone