Chương 15: Summer Break

Cross finally arrived home and started relaxing on his summer break, the only thing he did was make his clone practice all the spells in his room, while he went out and played around with Astoria and the rest of the family.

Cross had bought a phone and met up with Draco to get the number of his phone before going back to his house. These phones were too convenient! Getting one wasn't an issue either as his ears weren't visible to muggles and anybody who saw him that wasn't a muggle just assumed he was a metaphormagus.

Cross had to say his excuse was pretty convenient, especially since his hair changed with the seasons and was currently blood red, adding a strange flair to him. Though different colored hair was almost never seen, that didn't mean that it didn't exist.

Muggles simply looked at his hair in shock before continuing along on their way. Cross was wearing normal clothes he had bought before, consisting of a white t-shirt, jeans, and black sneakers. If one were to look at him, he would seem like a punk.

Though this helped him keep people away, which was a plus.

Cross explored the muggle world by himself and sometimes went with Astoria or the entire family. Cross had a wonderful time just walking around and seeing the muggle world, it was impressive how they made things without any magic.

He didn't really understand why the Wizards didn't like Muggles. They're devices could be useful and even improved upon with magic. It seemed like they had there own way of advancement just like wizards did.

Electricity instead of candles, toys that used the electricity to move by themselves, and many more!

Cross felt like a whole new world had opened up to him. Everything in the muggle world was so novel and different. He had bought a ton of different things, toys, gadgets, books, clothes, etc.

When he came back from his trips, Marcus' face turned black. Cross was wearing a hat that said 'I <3 football' and a shirt that said 'Blackpool Football for life'. Cross was confused and looked at Marcus, who said "Get those muggle clothes off, what are you doing?"

Cross shook his head and said "These Humans are truly interesting! Have you seen the things they have? It's impressive they got so far without magic!" Marcus rolled his eyes and chided "Alright, muggle boy, go change." Cross smiled happily and went to his room with all his bags, making Marcus' mouth twitch.

Time passed and 2 months later

Cross was walking in Diagon alley with Astoria and Daphne. Cross smiled and carried Astoria on his back, she looked like a little doll. Cross turned his head and saw Draco waving at them from a bookstore.

Astoria looked over and slid down Cross' back before fixing her posture and blushing a bit. Cross didn't notice, but Daphne did. She smiled a little.

The trio walked over to Draco, who took a quick glance at Astoria before looking back at Cross and Daphne saying "Come on up!" as he went back into the bookstore and walked up the stairs.

Cross followed along and Daphne nudged Astoria, who was in a daze with a thick blush. Astoria yelped and Daphne laughed as she pulled Astoria with her, following Cross.

Cross and Draco were on the second floor, looking over the railing down at the crowd of people. Cross was confused and said "What are all these people doing here?" Draco pointed down and said "Some fancy writer is doing a book signing, sounds like a asshole to me though."

Cross chuckled and shook his head as he looked down and saw Ron, Harry, and Hermione standing in line. He smiled to himself and heard someone say "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Gillroy Lockeheart!"

Cross saw a red headed man with a cloak come out and smile for a camera. Cross leaned over the railing and muttered "What's so special about this guy?" Draco informed him "He does all these amazing things and writes about them." Cross looked over and saw Draco looking nervous, trying to seem macho.

Cross was confused and said "Draco, are you okay?" Draco coughed and said "Oh, Yeah! Of course!" Cross shook his head and said "Keep your wits about you. Honestly, you never know what might happen around here.." by the time he started paying attention back to the book signing, Harry was walking away with a bunch of books.

Cross lost interest in this guy and went down the stairs of the bookstore, Draco followed along, talking more to Daphne than Cross, but his focus wasn't on her, strangely enough.

Cross finally noticed, even if he was an idiot he would understand. This boy was crushing on Astoria! He didn't really know how to feel, Astoria was his sister and Draco was his friend. He needed to look into this more.

Draco saw Harry, Ron, and his family and snorted at Harry. They started arguing and Cross sighed, this guy... Couldn't he just relax? So much energy expended on Harry Potter.

Cross sat on the side, watching the whole show, until a blonde man stopped Draco saying "Now, now Draco.. Play nicely." Draco snorted and walked to the side, the man looked at Harry and said "Mr. Potter. Lucius Malfoy, we meet at last. Forgive me.." he pulled Harry close and used his snake head cane to part Harry's hair and see his scar.

Lucius sighed and said "Your scar is legendary.. As is the wizard who gave it to you." Harry retorted "Voldemort killed my parents. He was nothing more than a murderer." Lucius raised a brow and said "You must be very brave to mention his name... or very foolish?"

Hermione chimed in "Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." Cross looked at Hermione and wondered why she was getting involved. He pulled her back but it was already too late.

Lucius looked over and said "And you must be... Ms. Granger. Draco has told me all about you and your parents." he looked over at Hermione's parents and said "Muggles aren't they?" Lucius looked at Cross and said "Mr. Greengrass, how are you. I hope you are keeping Draco out of trouble."

Cross nodded and said nothing, Lucius nodded and turned to Ron as he continued.

Cross looked at Hermione and said "Why even get involved? It's like asking to be shot for no reason." Hermione rolled her eyes and said "I can't just let him speak like that." Cross was placid and retorted "Why not?" Hermione was stumped for a moment before saying "They're my friends."

Cross sighed and said "Alright, just watch yourself. According to our agreement, I'm also your friend." Hermione smiled cutely and said "Only the agreement?" Cross nodded and said "Yeah." Hermione's smiling face froze and she grumbled "Bastard..."

Astoria looked at Hermione and her eyes flashed a sly light as she said cutely "Are you my sister-in-law?" Cross choked on his own saliva and Hermione was bewildered before turning completely red as she stuttered "W-W-What?! M-me? No! Nononono!"

Cross pinched Astoria's cheeks and said angrily "What nonsense are you spouting now? Do you want me to stop playing with you?!" Astoria almost cried and said "Waaah! I'm sorry!" Cross sighed and pinched her nose saying "Hm. Watch the nonsense, you little dunce."

Astoria stuck her tongue out and nodded cutely.

Cross smiled and decided to leave after being completely embarrassed. He said goodbye to Hermione and the rest before leaving with Daphne and Astoria.

When they got away from the store, Daphne burst out laughing and gave Astoria a big thumbs up. Cross grumbled and kept going as they bought the things Astoria and they needed for school before going home.

The next day

The three were brought to the train station and boarded the train with Astoria, so she wouldn't be alone.

Cross sat in the train cart, looking out the window as Astoria swung her legs happily on the seat. Daphne smiled and leaned back, the door opened and Hermione said "Have you seen Ron and Harry?" Cross just shook his head and Daphne did the same but asked "Why?"

Hermione came inside and sat down saying "They're not on the train. Maybe they got stuck somewhere." Cross said "Well it's too late to get on now. Just forget about it, I'm sure they'll be at school. Well... at least Potter will be."

Hermione was confused and said "What does th-" she was interrupted by a woman holding a cart at the door saying "Fancy some candy?" Cross said "We'll take it all." as he passed her a bag full of Galleons.

The woman smiled and gave them all the candy on the cart before pulling the cart away.

Astoria was drooling looking at the candy and quickly dug in like a little monster. Daphne laughed and had a bit, while Hermione just smiled. Cross picked up a box and said "Chocolate Frog?" before opening it.

A chocolate frog jumped in the air but Cross caught it immediately, the girls watch as Cross just bit the head off and said "Oh? It's good!" Hermione gagged and Cross said "What?" as he ate the rest of the twitching frog. Hermione covered her mouth and said "I don't know how you can eat those.. They look alive!"

Cross shrugged and said "It shouldn't have been made of chocolate and it wouldn't have gotten eaten." Astoria nodded and said mater-of-factly "That's right! Stupid frog shouldn't have gotten caught and put in a box!"

Daphne felt her mouth twitch and Cross just rubbed her hair with a soft smile, this stupid little girl was his favorite. Hermione looked at Astoria speechlessly, she could tell that she wasn't joking. Wasn't this girl.. a bit too stupid?

Astoria then said "Plus they have enough population in the chocolate animal country to sustain the frog population decrease due to constant catching. Due to the chocolate frog's spawning rate being extremely high, they can afford to capture thousands per trip."

Hermione felt her head was going to explode, she had never heard of no chocolate animal country. Was Astoria tell the truth? Were the chocolate frogs not made?! Her world view was collapsing. Cross nodded and patted her head saying "That's right."

Astoria smiled cutely, looking like a chipmunk as she stuffed her cheeks full of candy. Daphne smiled softly, everyone loved Astoria. She was just too cute. It was a fact.

The rest of the train ride went smoothly. Cross directly left out his robe going for a wardrobe change this year. The robe was unnecessary for him, he just kept his white button up shirt with a loose 'Slytherin' tie, rolled up sleeves, a black belt and pants and sneakers.

His hair had already gone back to black and he had a breast pocket on his left chest, with Carl poking his head out while Blue was sleeping on his left shoulder. His wand was on his right wand leg and he looked even more 'beautiful' than before.

Cross had also grown since the beginning of his first year, he was now 5 ft tall and 12 years old. He kept his hair short and 'messy', it looked messy but it still looked strangely clean, giving Cross a wild but handsome charm to him.

The train was close to Hogwarts and Cross cleansed and placed a Nature's Protection on Astoria, Daphne, and Hermione. Then hid the barriers. He definitely wasn't taking any chances after Draco's barrier was shattered. It was a good thing that Cross hid Draco's barrier because it was still intact when Cross checked at the bookstore.

Cross got off the train and waved at Astoria, who left nervously to the boats for her sorting system while Cross, Daphne, and Hermione went to the castle by carriage. Cross looked at the strange skeletal horses pulling the cart and was surprised, he didn't know Thestrals pulled carriages at Hogwarts. Fancy!

Cross stroked a Thestral softly and Hermione said "What are you doing?" Cross shook his head and got on the carriage saying "Nothing, you wouldn't understand." Hermione said "Tell me." Cross sighed and said "The carriage is pulled by Thestrals, skeletal horses that can only be seen if you have seen death."

Hermione was startled and said "I've never read about those." Cross said "They're invisible." Daphne was lost and Hermione was just confused. Cross shook his head and leaned back, preparing himself, as the Thestrals started pulling the carriage to Hogwarts.